Roughest-Toughest Cowgirls

I had the fun opportunity to take pictures of Cambrie and McKenzie again last week.  Annette and Leesa arranged for the girls to wear their new western gear and be out at a family member's ranch.  This is the first time I've shot people riding horses; definitely a learning experience!  Even so, it was a lot of fun and I think we got some fun shots.

Thanks for always letting me practice with your girls, Annette!

Another Nine

Sometimes trials are funny.  Nobody really wants to struggle in life, nor do they typically ask to have a rough time (granted human stupidity often gets in the way, but oh well).  Some trials, though, help to define a person, build character, faith, and relationships. My most valued trial in life has been the development of asthma.  I know, it sounds weird, but being an asthmatic has broadened my perspective so much and it has become such a part of me that, as long as it's under control, I wouldn't give it up for anything.

I always have thought of my asthma as an added obstacle to overcome- like when you're playing pinochle with a bad hand and you're on the verge of winning the game.  This past week, though, I've discovered I have another junk card in my hand.

As mentioned here, I've had a few struggles with recovering from having a baby.  I've been on numerous trips to the doctor to try and solve the mystery of why I have been in pain since my child was born.  My latest trip was to a new OB who was able to put the puzzle pieces together.  Obvious to him, my pain is caused by Endometriosis.  Upon hearing this news I became overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions: gratitude to know what's causing the pain, then shock, then fear.  Endometriosis is a chronic disease and has a reputation for causing infertility as it progresses. 

After the initial wave of shock, and a few hugs from family members, I decided that this wasn't a bad thing.  The pain is currently manageable and the doctor is working with me to try and slow down the condition.  Should the worst happen I'd be a few organs short, but alive and still able to enjoy living.  I have accepted this new information about the body I've been given and I plan to make the best of it. 

One Year Pictures

Since Faye was born I have been DREAMING of bringing her to the FotoFly studio in Draper for birthday pictures. Today my dream came true!  We took Faye to get some birthday pictures.  While we were in the lobby she was happy, running around, giggling all over the place.  Once the camera came out, though, she only gave us blank faces.  That poor photographer had to work so hard to get any kind of a simile!  I'm glad she was up for the challenge though.

 

 Great price, excellent pictures, good experience overall.  Thanks so much, FotoFly!  We'll be back again next year.

Amanda & Sterling

Hooray!  Another wedding.  Mom and I were invited to photograph Amanda and Sterling's special day.  Here are a few of my favorite moments we captured:

 

 

 

Congratulations to both of you!  It was a beautiful day.

I Want It That Way

As mentioned before, we had a grand ol' time housing Reed and friends, Clay, Brandon, and Tanner, for a week while they attended EFY.  These boys were so charming and fun, I could have kept them forever, other than the obvious impending move, but you know what I mean.  These four boys, along with the addition of two more friends, put together a lip sync for the talent show.  Unfortunately they were cut from the show since the judges thought a One Direction lip sync would be better, but the boys still put on a performance for their adoring fans in the parking lot one night. Check it out!

Joys of moving

Well, after a summer of being in limbo with some goods in Logan and some in Riverton, we finally moved. Here are a few of the finer moments during our last week in Logan:

We housed Reed and 3 of his friends during the last week before the big moving day. Luckily all 4 of the boys were pretty laid back and didn't mind staying in a house with nothing on the walls and boxes everywhere. We had so much fun with them!

Our stairs turn too tightly for our queen sized box spring to make it downstairs in any logical manor. As such, the window in out nursery had to be cut out in order to move our box spring. The maintenance guys thought they new better than the previous landlord and tried several different approaches before realizing that they would, in fact, have to cut out the window. I secretly enjoyed watching them struggle.

 

With Faye's room a mess from the window adventure, she wound up taking her naps in our recently emptied wash closet.

Our dvd player decided to break during all of this crazy, so Faye found new means of lounging as she watch her movie on the laptop.

Post move Faye still finds ways to have fun. Who knew packaging peanuts were the coolest thing ever?

Thanks so much to everybody who helped us move!We couldn't have done it without your help.

One Year Old

Happy Birthday to Faye!  Amidst all the birthday fun, she and I took a walk and tried to take some birthday photos.  Unfortunately, it's hard to take photos of a toddler when there's only one adult.  Faye's just too curious and too quick to sit still for very long!  Luckily we got a few shots this morning.

The stroller was my downfall today. Every time I tried to get Faye to stand by the wall, or by the lamp post, or buy the chalk drawings she'd run over to the stroller and try to push it.

 She wasn't too happy with me when I tried to pull her away from the stroller.

I can't believe how much she's grown this past year!  I love this girl so much.

At one year Faye is cruising!  She is a fast little runner considering how short her legs are.  She's just learning to climb onto the couches and how to pull the kitchen chairs on top of herself.  Her newest fascination is blowing spit bubbles, which then turns into blowing kisses.  She's still not a picky eater and has enjoyed her exposure to peanut butter, milk, and cake (oops!  don't tell anybody that I've given her cake before her birthday).  Faye has one very sharp tooth and a second one on the way.  Though still not a great sleeper, Faye continues to be our happy little girl.