Best When Broken

"Portraits are so much more than paper.  They're a feeling, a memory, a fleeting instant...captured.  Tangible.  A moment already passed but in your hands forever."

May was an insanely busy month...the end of school, kindergarten graduation, field day, six and a half (the half will come in to play later) photography sessions (that's a lot when you work a full-time job too), three birthday parties, Memorial Day, out of town company, two doctor appointments, etc., etc.  Years from now, I won't remember the hustle and bustle of the month.  But I'll never forget May of 2012.

My sweet friend Scott asked me to capture a few shots of he and his wife, Linda, at their cabin.  The purpose of the shoot was to get "the" picture.  The picture that would be on the cover of Scott's book that is due to come out this fall.  I was honored.  Totally blown away to be honest.  Let's face it...it isn't every day you get asked to take the picture for a book cover!  Before the shoot, I was feeling the pressure.  But, amidst all of the feelings of nervousness, I also didn't know if my picture would even "make the cut."  So, we seized the day, and enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors. 

Scott and I had our own visions of what the cover might include.  We got some amazing shots!  I just knew one of them was going to be "the" one!  And, I was wrong!  We needed to tweak the picture to include several things.  So, how about a second shoot?  The only flaw with a second shoot was that it was a crazy busy time!  Would we ever find a common time when we could travel to get it done?

We scheduled another date and wouldn't you know it poured down rain all morning.  I stressed.  My stomach was in knots.  We needed this to work.  I called Scott and Linda, and they hemmed and hawed over whether we should go.  There was a tiny spot on the radar that showed no rain so we went for it...and it couldn't have been more perfect.  There was rain all the way there...and all the way back.  But, the 20 minutes (hence...the 1/2 shoot I referenced above) we spent at the re-shoot were picture perfect...literally!  I believe with all my heart that God allowed those 20 minutes to happen...and wouldn't you know the first shot of the afternoon was our cover picture! 

July 3rd 2012...the phone rings...

Me: Hello? 
Scott (in tears):  You near a computer? 
Me: Yes (I knew what was coming so I began to shake).
Scott: Check your email...I just got the picture of the book cover.
Me: Speechless!  Totally blown away.  It was everything I could have ever imagined. 

There are dates forever engrained in my life.  The day I got married.  The day my children were born.  And now July 3, 2012 is added to those dates.  The day my dreams became reality.  

This fall, Best When Broken, will hit bookstores across the country.  My dear friend Scott will see his hard work and dedication in print.  His story will be published for all to see.  It's a testimony of his life and a profession of his faith.  A big piece of me is in that book...in fact it's covered in that book...literally from cover to cover.  The photos tell a story (some stories that can't be repeated) that can never be reproduced.  And although my story is intertwined, it's a story about a man who will forever be etched in my heart and in the heart of many others. 

Thanks Scott (and Linda)...for everything!

A Mother and Her Daughter(s)

Yesterday, as we met with our realtor, I cleaned like a madwoman, escorted Leighton to and from VBS, made dinner, attempted to entertain the kids in all the rush, there was a little voice that never stopped.  Ainsley never stopped talking.  She never stopped asking questions.  She never left my side.  In fact, I think she had one part of her body touching mine the entire day.  And yesterday, I think I said to her, "Ainsley, I just need 5 minutes of silence." 

Today, is a whole different story.  I decided Ainsley needed a day at the sitter since life working my "day job" is quickly approaching.  She and I have gotten pretty attached this summer and I knew we both needed some time apart to start the adjustment "back to school."  Leighton didn't make a peep on the way to VBS.  And as I walked back to the car empty handed this morning, the silence was deafening.  I wanted to hear Ainsley's sweet little voice.  I wanted to hold her hand and hear her say Momma.  And then when I got home I ran across this post one of my dear friends linked to her FB.   It says it so much better than I ever could.  I pray I can be that kind of daughter to my own mother.  More importantly, I pray my own daughters will see me as that kind, patient, and loving mother to them. 

This is a repost from Spring in the Air
Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter."

Miss ya Mom. xo

Maris, Chris, Aaron, and Eason

Oh my goodness...where do I even start?  When I was diagnosed with my first cancer, I found out that Maris (I work with Maris' Mom, Robin, who I can't say enough about.  She's always positive, so upbeat, and puts a smile on my face when I see her) worked in the office where I was being seen.  Robin assured me that Maris would take care of me.  And that she did!!  I'll never forget the moment she called me from the waiting room...my Mohs surgery had been a success and she said, "They got all the cancer."  Wow...she'll never know what that moment meant to me.  I may not have smiled then (I had a hole in my lip and was headed straight to the plastic surgeon) but I hope she knows how special that moment was...and how blessed I was to have her tell me.  I underwent plastic surgery the next day and then a week later went back to have another surgery on another cancerous spot.  I didn't expect to see Maris but Robin told her when I was going to be there and she popped in just to make sure I was doing okay.  She went above and beyond and I am truly blessed to call her friend!!  She's gone through a lot waiting for sweet Eason and I can't wait to see how precious he is!!  I know is going to be well worth the wait!!!  Congrats, Brown family!! 

What I'm working on now...

I'm working on editing for this precious family in between packing the house to get it "show" ready.  Yep, we're just a few weeks away from putting our house on the market!  It's exciting and scary all at the same time.  I'd much rather just be working on pictures of this Ga-Orgeous family!!! So blessed to have them in our lives!!! 

Summy Family

Oye!  It's been a while.  No better reason to make a come back then to share some pictures of this gorgeous family.  We had a beautiful morning to do these and I love the hazy look we got with several of them.  These are two precious kiddos with two amazing parents.