Back in October, I took a day and photographed my son’s second grade class.  I am not quite sure who had more fun, me or the  kids.  I ended up feeding them so much candy that they were wired the rest of the day.  Two of the room moms and I told the kids that this was going to be a surprise for their parents for Christmas so mum was the word.  The kids all made beautiful photo Christmas cards with their photos and it was the perfect gift.

The kids all ask me if we can do this again, but I think they will have to wait for the next school year to find out.

Oh boy…it’s been way too long since I logged and posted anything - but I had to keep a promise I made to my kids for the holidays.  I had been going none stop for 4 months and my kids had had enough and made a very heart felt request that I do absolutely no work during the holidays - next year I have to add a blog exempt clause.

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season - as did I with my family.  Since I have not blogged much of anything lately, I wanted to share with you some of our pics from our holiday card this year.  I really wanted it to be a bit more light hearted and fun and to do something to could incorporate my husbands artistic skills as well. I had the concept in mind and requested the help of my good friend Jo to help take our photos - I think she did a wonderful job executing my strange vision.

Anyways, I have a ton of exciting things happening this year including a new blog, new website, new specials, more contest and even better prizes.  At the top of my list though, is moving into my husbands office in Redlands part-time…yeah!  I really want to be more accessible to my clients and since the majority of my clients are in the Loma Linda/Redlands area, I want to be right in the thick of thing.  I will keep you all updated for when the office will be ready for clients to drop by.

I have so many things to post, so stay tuned - it’s so good to be back!

Shoots are hard enough with one child but seven can be really tough. It took me about a half an hour to remember everyones names - but I did and I was quite impressed with myself.  It was such a delight to work with such well behaved and beautiful children - they really made my job easy. 

Barabra, here is a little taste of from your shoot - I will have the rest ready later today.

Well the Martins are happy to be one member stranger and even more beautiful.  Over the Thanksgiving holidays I was able to meet the new member of the bunch and update their family portraits. I say why stop - just keep on adding.  You all are such a beautiful family,  one more won’t hurt - wink, wink Sherry.

In just a few hours I will be sitting in an office drinking…let me guess, a bad tasting orange solution prepping for another CT scan. God I hate those test and after 5 year it does not seem any easier or fun.  I can  still clearly remember the first time I had a CT - and it was no fun. The combination of having to over fill my belly by drinking a milky chalk like “shake” and the iodine injected into my veins made me though up all over the machine and whoever else was around.  Being tied down to a table did not help much as vomit collected in  he back of my throat and starting choking me - I warned them it was coming..they just didn’t believe me.  I still have that gag reflex thing going on but I have learned to control it much better - the up chuck happens at the end now instead of the middle. I know I am being a big baby - but I still stand by my story…I hate having these test done.

Later this week I will go in again - this time I will visit my friends down in Nuclear Medicine for a PET scan.  The PET scan is not so bad and I am actually required to lay still for one hour…I just hope it won’t take them 20 minutes of them digging around in my arm with a needle to find my vain this time.  The one complaint I have this test is the cold -does it really need to be so cold in there?

The next few weeks of waiting for the results will be toucher - if it is bad, I really don’t want to know.  I am so tired of dealing with all of this and I want it to go away for good - I just want to enjoy life without this “thing” hanging over me like a dark cloud. OK…DEEP BREATH. 

Well, my heart is heavy as I wait and I will continue to keep myself busy as a way to prevent insanity - I don’t think that has set in as yet. I am starting to think that I should call and put all of this off for a month or two.  First I should get though the holidays, then maybe after Gio’s birthday. Hmmmm…maybe it’s to late - but insanity is relative.

I know in the end it will be ok, I just wish I could fast forward and be done already. I will pst something more cheerful when I get back.

Michelle, thanks for inviting me into your home to document your beautiful family - I left with a full heart and looking at your photos truly made me feel happy all over again.

Five years ago - I could not sleep, my head was filled with too many worries.  As a tumorous cancer ate away at my liver I pleaded with God to allow me to share more Holidays with my children - I just felt that my story was not complete. With the start of the holiday season, I am filled with so much emotions - every thing from anger to extreme glee.  Angry because I hate having the thought of will this be my last and I don’t know if I will every be able to clear my head of that.  Then glee because I am here to celebrate another Holiday and my heart grows full when I see how much my boys have grown - and they are beautiful!

Boy do I have a list of people and things to be thankful for:

1. God giving me peace - without that I would go insane

2. Another year of good health - yes I am often “sick” - but what a blessing THAT is

3. Another year with my family (and counting)

4. Seeing Gio’s smile and that he still really wants to spend time with me

5. The twinkle in Jet’s eyes and his many soft kisses on my cheeks

6. Sam’s understanding, unconditional love, patience, support and warm hugs

7. My parents - words will never be enough

8. My sister - hmmmm…she keeps me entertained and gives me someone to chat with on the phone

9. My gift - photography has always been something I loved, but never figured I could be good at it.  I believe God has blessed me with the creative outlet b/c when I am shooting the world stops and my worries disappear - I am addicted and it is my drug of choice.

10. My wonderful life - filled with so much over and beyond with I deserve.

I still have sleepless nights and I still want more time to enjoy my blessed life with my family - but I know it has been a good run so far. Here is to many more Thanksgivings…may you have more reason’s than you can think of to celebrate and may your tummies be filled with many yummy things…CHEERS! 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving - and please fell free to share what you are thankful for.