A Day In The Life: February 2008

This is why...

...I love my job. This picture was a total accident. I'm so glad that they get to keep this picture along with all the other pictures I took at the session. You might miss it if you don't look close enough.

SOTC (Straight Out of The Camera)

A little exposure and sepia added.

close-up

This family was such a breathe of fresh air and both the kids adored their parents. I'm so glad we got together! I'll post more soon. Here's more for now:

I have three sessions that I am in the process of editing right now but wanted to share again why I love this job and remind myself during the grueling yet fun post-processing :)

Playing Catch Up

We had a super busy weekend starting on Friday with a trip up to Wickenburg to meet up with the amazing Nelson family from Canada for a special vacation picture session (pictures to come soon!). Saturday we spent the morning at church for the AWANA Grand Prix Box Car Races. We did not enter a car this year with Scott being out of town and on the pager the last couple weeks but had a good time with friends anyway. After the races, we headed to our neighbor's birthday party long enough to eat some cake and then headed up to Chuck E. Cheese for another party. Woohoo! We went to church yesterday morning and worked a little around the house in the afternoon. In the evening, we took a walk and I got to take some special pictures of Trinity for Nana Stiller (to come soon also!). Maybe that's why I'm so exhausted today. On top of everything else, I really really really want to start an etsy store to sell some still life photography. This picture is one I took last night. Spring is here in Maricopa and I LOVE IT!

Sweet Little Baby V

I was honored to spend an afternoon with the beautiful new Baby V last weekend. What a pleasure! She is tremendously loved and cared for by some great parents. Thank you for inviting me into your home. You made my heart happy by sharing your little one and getting to know you.

My New Favorite

I love cookies and anything pastry. Yesterday I made these crazy good things. It s my three favorite cookies (peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate chip) in one! It's a good thing I did some Turbo Jam exercise videos yesterday and today! I don't think the oatmeal and eggs make up for everything else. I did use dark chocolate chips though. Those are supposed to be better for you :) I don't even want to tell you but the nutrition facts say 155 calories per cookie so I suggest not eating them all in one setting. Enjoy!

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup margarine/butter softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 cup quick-cooking or regular oats

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 package (12 oz) of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix margarine, sugars, peanut butter, vanilla, and eggs in large bowl. Mix in flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

My Prayer for Today

"Lord, you know my day. You know what I have planned. You know what I THINK needs to be accomplished and you know the appointments that are on my schedule. But Lord, I GIVE YOU PERMISSION to interrupt my day, my schedule, and my appointments as You see fit. I pray for Your Holy Spirit to enter my heart and allow me to recognize Your Hand in my day. I pray that you will use me in a very special way to share Your love and Your character with someone today that needs to see and feel Your love. And Lord, I pray that You will help me to accomplish the things that must be accomplished and to let go of the things that can truly wait until tomorrow so that I have the time needed to be used as Your servant today."

~Borrowed from Teri Fode's Inspirations

J is for...

JONAH!!!

My heart bursts with love for this little guy. I almost can't say little guy much longer because he is growing so fast. He's such a big helper and leader to his little brother and sister. We were definately blessed when God sent us this one. He is pure boy with a huge heart and desire to please God and his parents. Here are some reasons he fills me with delight:

*He loves the verse "Love one another" right now and likes to quote it when someone hurts somebody else.

*Sometimes we ask him about a girlfriend or who he is going to marry. He replies with his list of necessary qualities: 1. pretty 2. nice and of course, 3. must be able to breakdance

*He'll come and tell me something he did wrong and say with his big puppy-dog eyes, "But I told you the truth, Mom." (That almost works sometimes.)

*He wrote some rules on the computer the other day that looked like this:

1siaohgkdlmafg2klasjdoimg3asdjklgdj4jonah

His intepretion:

1. don't hit 2. don't kick 3. don't spit on the computer screen 4. jonah

I don't know what #4 means (?).

*He likes to pray before meals. It usually goes something like this:

Lord, thank you for this food. thank you for my friends and family. thank you for this house. thank you for my stuff. thank you for the wonderful valley. i love you. amen.

*When he prays at night he always wants to ask for protection for the army dudes :)

*He gives the sweetest little kisses and gentlest big hugs. Last night Simon gave me 3 sweet kisses before bed. Jonah wanted to do better so he gave me 10 kisses and made me count each slobbery one.

I AM SO BLESSED!

Congratulations, Miss L!

It's such a small world. We moved from Kansas City and it just so happens that Miss L grew up in Overland Park, which is just on the Kansas side of Kansas City. She just graduated college(woohoo!) and needed some pictures for her senior announcement. It was a GORGEOUS day and the setting was great, not to mention L was great in front of the camera and so much fun. It was like hanging out with a sister I've known forever.

I felt like working with a model. She made this "job" way too easy!

Miss L rocked the soccer field through college...

we were having a hard time getting a serious look...

but I think we got it...

woohoo! (fave!) L was willing to try pretty much anything!

I had to capture these eyelashes...

and one that Scott set up for us... (can you believe it's february?)

Thanks so much, L, for the fantastic afternoon! I have about 100 more pictures that I want to post but unfortunately, you'll have to wait for the cd. Congratulations and I know we'll see more of you soon :)

Walk With Us!

There are more than 200 critically-ill children in Arizona who are eligible to receive their fondest wish, and your participation in Walk for Wishes will help make their wishes come true.

From Zack's Mom:

On Saturday, March 8, 2008 Make A Wish will be having their annual Walk for Wishes. Zack's at it again. Even though he has had a very rough last nine months, he wants to do the walk again. He said "Mom, it's only a mile. I can do a mile". Last year, Zack, then six, headed up our team (Zack's Pack, of course) and raised money to help fill a child with a life threatening illness's wish. If interested in helping out, check out:

http://walkforwishesaz.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=263895&lis=1&kntae263895=7CC20159B4D34BB0A26A9C8DC30944BB

Teams are listed on the right of the page, click "more" and go to Zack's Pack. We are looking for donations and would welcome team members.

Go Zack's Pack!

If you would like to make a donation, would you please contact me. Our family goal is to raise $100. We will be walking the mile with Zack on the 8th in Tempe. It would be fun to have some more people with us! Thanks! ~Paula

~a lovely thought~

~we don't even know~

Happy Day!

yum.

in lieu of valentine's day

(warning: mushiness coming)

The other day we were driving in the van and Scott was listening to his mp3 player as usual and this song came on. He was so excited and got all shy and sweet and grabbed my hand gently said, "It's our song!"

The first lyric did it for me but it only gets sweeter.

We should get jerseys cause we make a good team...

Must Have Done Something Right by Relient K

Family Session and Inspiring Blogs

First, some more from the amazing family from last week! What a joy! This family is so cool. I am thinking about having some guest mommies on the blog and I think this may be one of the first. Maybe I should ask her before posting that :) Thanks again, D & J!!! Your family was GRRRREAT (in my best Tony the Tiger voice.)

and finally...how to be ridiculously cute: tilt your head to the side, shrug your shoulders, and grin like the princess that you are!

I wanted to mention a couple blogs that I have found lately. The first is called Inspirations. Teri Fode is also a photographer (and a great one at that) but finds the time to encourage and share on a separate blog her journey with God. The other blog is the Proverbs 31 Ministries Daily Devotions. These women always seem to hit the nail of the head of what I need God to say to me that day. It seems like the world is getting worse and worse and I am way too quick to get sucked into all that but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that is the Hope I can have peace in.

my mom

My mom is the most beautiful woman I know. Although it sounds cliche, I believe it's true. I failed miserably last week to mention on here that it was her birthday. I meant to but honestly just forgot. I did call her though and the 4 boys and Trin serenaded her with a beautiful, but loud, Happy Birthday Song.

While we were up there for Christmas, Dad (Pastor Bill) told me to bring the camera over for church because something special was going to happen. During the announcements, one of the ladies got up and told mom to come and sit down. They set up a table in front of her and put on a tablecloth and positioned a little tree to the front. Several ladies started singing "Mary, Did You Know?" but with different words describing my mom (good listener, amazing piano player, best friend, etc., etc., etc.) Then one by one each one of the congregation presented my mom with a gift card and hung it on the tree along with other gifts. It was a special moment that my mom deserved so much. At the end everyone stood up and gave her a standing ovation. She just glowed and I cried with pride.

Here are some pictures that I took.

standing O! (isn't she adorable?)

with all her gifts afterward...

Juanita and the Orchard

We had an amazing Saturday celebrating the friendship of a lady named Juanita. I, personally, did not get to know Juanita until we moved down here to Arizona. She has let us stay at her home several times when we go up the mountain. She put it on herself to "adopt" all the missionary kids with United Indian Mission and show them love and support through the good and the bad times and makes it a point to keep in contact and pray for each one of them. I didn't get to hear all the stories but from what I heard I know she has had a huge impact in so many lives, including my hubby's. Juanita has worked with UIM since they were just starting out and has an incredible love for everybody but a special place in her heart for Native Americans. She is now in the process of writing a book that I will be sure to read and tell everyone when it comes out. She is a beautiful woman of God and an example to all of us. Thanks, Juanita!

The party was held at the orchard so we had to pick some oranges and of course take some pictures :) I spent most of the day in the orchard with the kids. It is a kid's dreamland where the adventures never end. They were utterly exhausted at the end of the day, as was I.

the boys with their worm

Scott with the orange picker (he said he wouldn't help if he couldn't use the picker)

the delicious harvest (only 5 of the 3 grocery bags full)

and one to go on...

no guarantees

My Aunt Nina, who had just arrived at Grandma's house after spending some time with Grandpa at the hospital, plopped down on the couch with a sigh and started telling a story. If you know anything about my dad's family, you know the stories are usually "Korfanized". After looking that up in the dictionary you may find that it means : over-exaggerated or maybe : the truth stretched a little told by a member of the Korf family. I braced myself for yet another story but what she said stuck with me a little longer than a normal Korf story.

She started with updating us all Grandpa's current condition and how he had lost his voice so it was hard to hear him. Then she got real quiet, "You know? Dad said something real interesting tonight." He motioned for me to come close so I leaned down my ear and he whispered with scratchy voice, 'Nina, my days are numbered, aren't they?'. I replied, 'Well, gosh, Dad, I think all our days are numbered,' and that was the end of that conversation. I didn't really think about what he said until the ride over here. But hey," she said standing and patting her thighs noting she was about ready to go, "We all better make our peace with God and make the most of each day because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow."

I share this story because I thought it fit in so well with this family session. When this mom e-mailed me, I was so honored because I have heard so much about her, which has never been bad. She is very active in her MOMS Club and the community. She basically told me they want pictures of the family in a natural setting to record them as themselves and not just the cheesy smiles (which definately have a place.) She wanted the pictures to reflect their personalities and lifestyle so the kids know how much they are loved now and forever.

I hope I captured some great moments and your family had fun, J.

a little sunflare shining on the family :)
Wouldn't you know, I ran out of space for photos on my blog. I bought more but it won't be available for 24 hours. I hope you can stand the suspense :) More to come from the park...

Be mine!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! I've always liked this holiday. Look at the sweetie I had a mini-session with in my new secret Maricopa location. (OK, if you ask, I'll probably tell you where it is ;) I love it and plan on taking my kiddos down there when it dries out. We've actually been getting quite a lot of rain lately while everyone else in the US is getting lots of snow. No snow here, though - just a beautiful baby!