Photoshop CS4 and John Pottenger

Well over the last two Friday afternoons I spent the day with John Pottenger in Grand Rapids!  I have to tell ya, if you ever need a video guy, or photos!  He is the guy! He Rocks!  

Having the opportunity to learn some of the technical stuff from John has been huge!  He is one of those guys that's just genuine and I love that about him.

Anyway,  my afternoons were seriously a blessing and I just love that he is willing to take some time out to help those of us that are just starting photography businesses. I was full of questions and he always had an answer and some great suggestions!

Anyway, one little taste of CS4 from John and he had me hooked!  I had to have the upgrade.  What an improvement!  Lovin it!  They really added some great time saving features that I am addicted to.

Anyway if you get a chance check out Johns work.  (Coastline studios)

Nature....

Well today I met with my step son Dustin for his senior photos.  I think he was not excited about meeting with me where I told him to meet me.  However I think once he got to my location he saw the beauty that I saw when I found this location.  We walked the trail and as we did we saw about five deer.  One was only a few feet away and here is the photo.  I think Dustin was really happy with my pick of locations.  My husband  and Dusing try to get away each year for a backpacking trip (man trip) so I felt like the natural nature setting for him was perfect!  Here is one of our favorite photos of him and our Deer.....

Sometimes it just takes one little deer for you to remember that the lords beauty is always among us...we just need to keep our eyes open.  

Thank you lord for the reminder of the beauty among us.

Senior photos

Well its soo hard for me to grasp, but my daughter is a senior and the time has come for her senior photos.  She wanted me to take them and I have been nervous and emotional about the whole thing.  Nervous because I wonder if someday she will hate that her "mom" did her photos and emotional because this has been a moment that she has been looking forward to and I have as well but in that same breath, it also seems as if my job as "mom" is done and that makes my heart ache.... I keep asking myself.... have I taught her all that she needs to know?? Have I shared all of the mother daughter secrets that I should have?  Have I been the mom that she needed??  I love that she she seems to have grown up soo much over the past year but as I say that it still tugs at my heart knowing that she is moving on and I am needed less and less these days.. I miss my "babe"...I miss the mornings that she would crawel in bed with me and say mommy can you watch Barney with me??  and Mommy can we have a stay at home day today and will you color with me? Sometimes it was the simple things that we miss the most.   

My "babe" is more than I ever thought possible and definitely a wiser person that I was at her age.  Maybe that is because she saw me make sooo many mistakes as a young wife and mother but either way I will continue to thank the lord for giving me such a beautiful girl!

Mantha you continue to be an inspiration every day!

Thank you, your beautiful and I Love you more every day.

Mom

The learning curve

I was able to attend a one day workshop with some professional photographers and it was truley amazing!  I learned soo much in just one day that I still have a hard time putting my brain on the fact that I just didnt get some things until they said try this.....  and then I would think, why did'nt I ever think about this BEFORE!  GRRR!  I am soo thankful to everyone that was there and helped me to move closer to where I want to be.  I am soo greatful to each of you for your help.  I have soo much more to learn but I feel that I took a giant leap after this workshop!  Oh and my husband thinks ALL of the models were HOT! ;)  I told him that was fine cause I thought you GUYS were Hot as well and I think my daughter is ready to pin some of you guys up in her room. LOL!    I give thanks to my husband for encouraging me to take this workshp and for the good lord is has been behind me every step of my journey.  I am blessed to even be a small part of the photo world.   As you have all said, its amazing to be a small part of the joy the is among us all and to be able to caputre that each day is a gift from above.

Hydrangea's

Well I went on another road trip this weekend to get Lauren from Camp and then on to check out a wedding reception location.  

While checking out the location, I saw these flowers and thought of Brittney's wedding.  These are your colors girl!  Matt loves them by the way!

Anyway enjoy the photo and we will chat soon!  Your big day is just around the corner!  I can hardly believe it!  

Outlaw Football

I got asked to shoot photos of the Outlaw football game in Vicksburg.  It was a hoot to be on the side lines listening to grown men.  I can't tell you how many times I had to bite my tongue so that I did'nt burst out laughing!  Samantha went with me and also shot photos with me.  She has learned alot and this was our first official shoot together.  It was nice to have her with me.  I will continue to pray that God helps her grow in her photography.  Here is a photo from the game...

The Lighthouse

Matt and I hiked to see this lighthouse and it was huge!  Its funny how small they look until your right next to them.  This lighthouse is just over 100 feet tall!  

I am not sure why but lighthouses have always touched my heart and had a spiritual meaning for me.    Heres my thought, sometimes I think that God is my lighthouse who will always keep his light on to guide me through the storms in my life.   I thank God for his light every day and the light he gave me in my husband.

Walking the Beach

Matt and I took a little time to walk the beach this past weekend. I still love spending time with him and being out in nature. It is so peaceful listening to the waves and the birds.... Here are a couple of my favorite photos from our walk.   I just loved that there were private benches everywhere on the beach.  My favorite one was this one in the last photo because it was up on a little hill over looking the lake.  Now if I could just build my house there! 

Kent Bottenfield

Matt and I had the opportunity to meet Kent Bottenfield in July.  He was a MLB pitcher for several teams and years.  He is since retired and is now singing Christian music.  His songs have a spiritual message and each time I listen to them I find God revealing something new to me.  Anyway if you get a chance check out his music.  One of my favorite songs is  "Back in the Game".  He has such a gentle spirit and amazing musical talent.  Kent is truly using his God given gifts to touch others.....Kent Keep using your platform for the lord.

Oh and Jon if your reading this be inspired to check him out!  Heres a photo that I took when I met him.

Anniversary

My third year anniversary is here and my husband surprised me with a bouquet of flowers just like the ones that we had at our wedding.  It was sweet that he took the photo of our flowers out of our wedding album and took it to the florist so that they would be sure to make the bouquet just like our wedding.  These flowers instantly took me back in time to that very special day.  Here are a few photos that I took....  God gave me the perfect husband and I will continue to thank him every day.

Coaches Clinic

Once again this year my husband and I went to a coaches clinic. There are some great professional players and coaches that speak.  I enjoy having time to speak with other coaches wives who understand what it is like being married to a coach.  I left the clinic knowing that there are things that God wants me to do to be a better wife and mom.  Things that uplift those relationships.  I pray that God continues to help me grow closer to him, my husband and my kids.  

I pray that people see and know that I am a woman of faith and that god uses me to bring others close to him.

Prayers to each of you!

Photos

I took the girls to take some photos of  them for my class.  I think that I am getting better at having sharper photos.  I pray that God continues to help me grow.  I really love capturing moments but I will admit I like the candid stuff much better than the portrait stuff.  I hope you like these.

Oh Sooo Happy!

I got a new Mac and it has a photobooth camera on it.  My man and I took this photo....

The Beauty among us.

While hangin out with the fam, I was able to see and appreciate some of the little things like grandmas garden. Sometimes we forget to see the beauty around us. I hope each of you keep your eyes open and see all the beauty around you.

4th of July and Family

The 4th of July always seems to bring our family together and like usual we all got together at Grandmas house. Mom came home from Virginia. Grandma really liked having her home and they were able to have some special time together.

I took some photos of the family this weekend and my favorite one is this one of Grandma. She always reminds me that all things are from the lord and we should be thankful for all of them. There is always a reason for everything, even if it we cant see it in the moment. I love chatting with Grandma she always has a story and some wisdom to share. It's great to remember the "good ole' days" You know the ones before cable TV and Computers! LOL! Now that has to make you smile! Everything is soo simple with her and sometimes we need to take a look at what we are filling our lives with....

Jessica Price - America's Got Talent

I just love Jessica's She has a beautiful voice and I checked out her my space and LOVE her music! She is a young christian girl and is miles ahead of where I was spiritually at that age! God has truly blessed her. So check out her music....here is her link. My favorite one is Lost in a Dream.

http://collect.myspace.com/music/popup.cfm?num=3&time=undefined&fid=298521967&uid=1&t=zaARj2/7qxirif87Jgt2628gGqDT6dKyg3gF1drj70jU3PpJJNPVzdcCybqIq6rD

Baby Carter

I decieded I couldnt just post one photo....so here you go!

Babies

Today I was given the opportunity to take photos of new baby Carter. I was soo excited! I love new babies and this little Carter is so very sweet. It is funny how we forget how little and precious these little babies are. Jen is a great friend and mother. She has allowed me to take photos of both of her little boys. Brady is now a big brother and we have a park date planned for him soon and I will post some previews of him after our date. But for now here is baby Carter. Tell me he is'nt precious!

Dancin

Lauren had her very first dance recital. I am very proud of how much she has improved this year with her dance. I am going to be honest here....I was sorta bummed when she choose to quit softball for dance but she seems happy with her choice so I guess that is what matters. I can remember when I met Lauren and she would trip over her own to feet...and when she said she wanted to dance I thought...."what is she thinking???, God please let Lauren not trip on the dance floor" She has truly grown and never once did Lauren trip on her feet at the dance recital! She had fun and has gained some grace along the way. Thanks, God for answering my prayer beyond my expectations.

Joes Birthday

Today was Joe's birthday and he wanted everyone to give him money so he could save up for an electric guitar that he had wanted since christmas. We had got him an aucustic guitar for christmas and he wanted to upgrade to an electric guitar. He thought that he was getting money and was very excited to see his electric guitar and amp. Thanks to everyone who pitched in. I continue to pray that this is something Joe will continue to enjoy through the years.

Mothers Day

Today I spent the day at a Tigers game with my husband, Samantha and Spencer. I picked up fourt tickets to the Tigers game against the Yankees So this was my mothers day presant. I had always wanted to go to a MLB game so this was perfect! Oh and Matt and the kids didnt have to shop!

Signs of Spring

Matt went to place his kayak on the pond behind our house and these swans were in the pond. It was finally a sign that spring is almost here! I am not sure why but for some reason I just really love to watch birds... It was peaceful to watch them.

Strength Beyond Words

I can not imagine what life is like for my friend Jamie Samuales and her baby "Miracle Mollie". I have been praying for all them for months. This is living proof that God answers prayer. Although I wish that he would answer them the way that would prefer I am truly thankful for the prayers he has answered with Miss Mollie.

Now if you would like to see or support them here is the link. You must watch the video and I will warn you...it might require a tissue.
http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?w=101002307&u=JamieSamuels

All things are possible through him who stengthens us.

Beautiful People and the Power of God

I need to share something because it was so amazing!......Brittney and Jon posted this on thier blog and I was soo moved by this that I wanted you all to read it! Britt you truley are a beautiful woman! God is truly amazing and it is obvious that he is using you to touch others.....

February post titled Enlightmentment
http://ohsoeasyscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/enlightenment.html

Thank you for sharing, may god contiue to draw you close.

Love ya!

Congratulations Jon and Brittney!

I got to photograph the engagement photos for Jon and Brittney. These two are just so darn cute! I just love to take these kind of photos, there is such joy, happiness and love. I pray that you always remember the joy that you both share right now......I cant wait to see the wedding!