Welcoming 2010 with a Grateful Heart

My heart has been full the last week.
Full of love for a few of my very dearest friends.
Full of gratitude for the miracles that surround us each and every day.
Both the large and the small.

First, I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for blessing my dear friend Sue.
She has been such a dear and amazing friend to me since I can remember. She had an accident two weeks ago, in which through crazy bits of circumstances almost cost her her life.

I am amazed at the protection that was upon her
these past two weeks.
I was able to spend the afternoon with her yesterday. Seeing her alive, and well made me ever so grateful to our loving Heavenly Father who blessed her and protected her, and allowed me to continue to have the blessing of her friendship on this earth.

Many tears were shed as I marveled in awe of her quick healing. Her accident made me realize just how much I value her friendship, how thankful and lucky I have been to have her example in my life, and I don't want to take that for granted EVER again. I vowed to be a better friend to her and to all of my friends, because life is short...and sometimes life is cut short.

Today is the day to act...to love...to serve.

Secondly, I had the opportunity to spend a few days this week in Washington D.C. with two of my besties.

Leisha, and mrs. r.

Words cannot express the gratitude I have felt for the blessings that the closing of 2009 brought to my heart on behalf of mrs. r and her family.

I was able to witness the sealing of sweet little
Gavin
to his parents and to his big brother Tyson.

Tears streamed down my cheeks the entire night before as I felt the power of such a miraculous event, many of you have read throughout the year.

I, of all people understand the pain and anguish that comes from trial after trial...if you don't know what I am talking about, just go back and read my entire year of 2008.

Leisha, mrs. r and I joke often about how 2008 sucked for me...2009 for mrs. r,
and hoping beyond hope that 2010 is good for ALL of us...including YOU dear reader.

The power of eternal families was once again renewed in my heart as I watched this sweet family become sealed in the beautiful temple. The day was perfect...really it was.
(My photos on the other hand? Maybe not so much...thankful Leisha was there to capture it all with me.)

Life is sweet. I hope you can taste the sweetness that is there.

May 2010 and the years to come bring you much happiness and joy.
Please remember miracles have not ceased.
They will continue to flow....even in the darkest of times.
Hold onto that.

Much love.

I had a vacay...cuz I needed one.

We were gone for a WEEK. Well, at least my family was...I had this most amazing workshop...from THIS lady.

It was rad...when I have more time, I'll share with you what I learned...for now...our vacay...

We stayed in a condo up in Midway for the whole week. I had to commute for the three days of the workshop...so I missed out on a few days.

It was RELAXING...amazing...wonderful. We had so much fun. The kids went on the Heber Train...we had ice cream, ate hamburgers...watched cable TV until all hours of the night. We had no Internet access...no phones working...and it was BLISS!

Now, I just have to finish up all the work that piled while we were gone. We are good...we are happy.

Audrey Woulard Workshop

June 2008



It was neat to be able to meet one of photography's elite. Audrey was very down to earth, very open and very honest in her workshop. She is an incredibly talented woman. It was neat to hear about how she got into photography...and really great to see her in action.

She has a way of making anyone feel at ease.

It was totally awesome to see the famous 'loft' and to be where much of her stunning work is created.

This baby was delicious. I think she was five weeks old?! Seriously. Cute.

This image may not seem like much, we learned how to photograph a subject in full sun. Something not easily done.

This kid was stunning. Some back alley work.

And this one...nice.

And one of my BFF's.

Chicago was totally rawkin'. Stay tuned for the next while and I will show you just how rawkin' I thought it was. This seems like SO long ago...and yet it wasn't. Wow...I need to get back on track.

The best things about the workshop were learning some of Audrey's business savvy, and learning to trust myself shooting many people at a very wide open aperture. It can be done. Hello low light, you are no longer my demon friend...I welcome you.

In San Francisco

This city is AMAZING. I wish I had access to uploading photos from my camera. Alas, I didn't come as a true "BlogHer" prepared with all that jazz. I am excited to meet new people tomorrow and learn some good things.

It has been SUPER fun to see Casey again. I missed her personality, and I am amazed at her whit and charm, and how many people love her. She is truly in her element. It makes my heart smile.

Coming to San Francisco is a dream come true. Places I have only dreamed about going to in my life are coming to fruition. It is truly breathtaking to travel somewhere you have only seen on postcards or on television and movies. To be here, to feel the breeze, smell the smells, taste the food. Today I saw The Golden Gate Bridge. I rode the Subway. I got stuck on public transit with Moosh in Indy. It was a fun day, and I am happy.