this month

...is national childhood cancer awareness month. no parent should ever hear the words "your child has cancer". no family should ever have their lives turned upside down because of cancer. no child should suffer from cancer. no parent should ever lose their child to cancer. no parent should ever be left with a shattered heart and empty arms.

please join me in spreading the word and raising awareness of childhood cancer.

what can YOU do? read. learn. share (blog, facebook, twitter). donate. recognize. be aware and... help bring childhood cancer and it's research to the forefront. above adapted from momma's pixie dreams blog post.

remember this post?

you can do something as simple as spreading the word to others to run on september 11th and donate.  just imagine, if this spread to 5,000 people and each person donated only $5.  together, we would raise $25,000.  you can donate via my blog post or via max's dad's blog post. please donate...they have $780 left to reach their goal of $2000.  and i hope you'll be joining me for a one-mile run on september 11th, no matter where  you are.  if for any reason, you're unsure, just take one minute to read this, or this or this.

please help spread the word!

in closing, i want to share and remember these two amazing boys, who lost their battle against the terrible beast -- neuroblastoma.  remembering sam and max and their amazing families.  love you guys!!

it's a sad day

...when you go to ebay and you see that polaroid 600 film is $5-plus per PICTURE.  in other words, one pack of polaroid 600 film is $50+ plus shipping. when i first started shooting polaroid with my SX70 camera, it was $1.50 per picture and that wasn't all that long ago. when i left kansas (in june), it was $3 per picture.

one can purchase 600 film from the impossible project WHEN they have it; it's out of stock most of the time.  and my last pack from there was terrible -- very yellow and almost every photo was...well...very yellow and not so great.  so i'm not that confident in 600 film from the impossible project at the moment.  although i've had my fair share of bad polaroid film from ebay too.

i've also tried TZ artistic and PX polaroid film and i'm just not a fan.

i'm sad as i seriously long to shoot 600 film with my SX70.

it all makes the polaroids that i have that much more amazing. and it makes me adore my instant recall gallery that much more.  i might just have to frame a polaroid or two in our new house (aka the mini-castle).

in closing and with a tear in my eye, i share a few of my polaroid favorites...

p.s. okay, maybe no tears but i really am sad.

p.s.s. on a most-incredible-happy note, we're officially closing on the mini-castle tomorrow.  walk-thru in 15 minutes.  :-)))

art of photography show

i didn't make it into the art of photography show this year, which is okay...anyone who's submitted to exhibitions knows that you win some and you lose a hell of a lot more.  but how cool is it that KPBS selected my photo to use in their this year's art of photography show write-up. if you're in san diego, i highly recommend attending the show.  i will definitely be visiting the show, when i'm in san diego for my client sessions, this october.  i wish i was going to be there on august 29th, to hear natashan egan's (juror) talk.  i so loved hearing the juror speak last year.

i'm not sure i'll ever have an image quite like this one -- special, for so many reasons!!

san diego fall sessions

it's that time again to begin coordinating my san diego fall children and family photography sessions. i will be photographing in san diego october 14th - 16th.  and possibly the 17th.  please email me if interested in commissioning a session.

i can't wait to be back in san diego.  i will be photographing a few families for the fourth year in a row and...it just happens to be my birthday.

so excited!!

the deaf girl sings

i had to register kiele for school before she returned from her dad's (she spends the summer with him).  kiele has three electives this year and i had to choose them for her.  art was a no-brainer.  then i selected yearbook and theater, after discussing all the options with her.  since she participated in the no limits theater group for deaf | hard of hearing children for three years, i thought theater would be a breeze for kiele. OH MY GOSH!

coleman middle school theater is musical theater.  they just happened to forget the musical part of it when they told me about it and kiele found out on the first day of school.  ummm...yea...musical...like...yea...similar to glee.  their first song, to learn and sing, is jump by van halen.  the glee version.

OH MY GOSH!

prior to school starting, kiele said,

i hope i don't have to sing in theater.  i'm so not singing.

she's singing alright!  and the girl can't keep a tune if you paid her (lots of money). but in all seriousness, her dad has a great singing voice so maybe kiele just needs a bit of training...on listening to the tune. and singing.  just maybe...she has a wonderful singing voice like her daddy (and not like her mommy). ;-)

and as her theater teacher said to kiele,

don't worry.  it's going to be great.

when i picked kiele up from school today, one of the first things she shared was,

i think theater is going to be my favorite class this year.

and my heart melted.  i can't help but think about all kiele has and continues to accomplish.  she inspires me beyond words. and pretty much inspires everyone she meets.

all in all, things have gone pretty great.  kiele's school services are in place, including CART.  we (the IEP team) are meeting again in three months to "evaluate how kiele is doing" -- whatever that really means.  hopefully by then, the school staff will fully realize how very much kiele utilizes and needs CART to have equal access to communication.

and there's always something to open my eyes that much more, in regards to what kiele does and does not hear in the classroom...

yesterday, kiele's CART provider told me that kiele was sitting at a table with a few other girls.  the girls were chatting with one another (a conversation that a normal-hearing person would clearly hear).  the CART provider noticed that kiele didn't seem to be hearing them and sent kiele a message (through CART), asking her if she was hearing what the girls were saying.  kiele wasn't and so the CART provider asked kiele if she wanted her to type what they were saying (gossiping).  kiele said no.

the way CART works is...if it's something kiele would hear if she was a normal-hearing child, the transcriber will type it.

it blew me away that kiele couldn't hear the kids talking at her own table--right next to her.  made me a bit sad too, thinking about all the casual conversation that kiele might be missing out on, at school.  but then i refocus and am just so overwhelming grateful that kiele can hear...period. A-MA-ZING!!

so here's to kiele having a most amazing school year and...singing!!  singing proudly, no matter what the tune.  :-)

in closing, sharing a quick snap from yesterday, their first day of school... p.s. none of them were happy about having their picture taken. go figure.

time and distance

alex and skyler.  they met in 2005...2-years-old and next door neighbors in san diego.  it was during our unfortunate military housing situation and it was our temporary house (while our unfortunate house was being repaired).  our temporary house ended up being our home, next to the B family, for about five months.  we joked that sky and alex were the yin and yang of friendship -- so different and yet complementing one another so perfectly --creating a magical friendship, even at such a young age. when we moved, we didn't move far (around the corner and a few blocks down) so the kids continued to see each other once a week or so, over the next couple years.

in 2007, just shy their 4th birthdays, the B family moved to pennsylvania.  sky had a photo of the two of them (see below) on her dresser.  alex had hers on her wall.  we never stopped talking about alex through the years.  and occasionally, we'd get an email from the B family with photos and updates.  we never doubted that one day we'd see the B family again...and sky would see alex.

lucky for us, alex's grandpa lives in orlando.  lucky for us, their annual florida trip took place a couple weeks ago. :-) it was so awesome seeing the girls together again -- as if they were never apart.

i really do feel blessed to be a military family and i share with my kids often, how very lucky we are.

love you B family!! so excited to see  you over the next three years.  © deb schwedhelm | tampa children's photographer

april 2007 (one of their last photos together) & august 2010

a few from our trip a couple weeks ago

i just love them sitting together on this bench outside our orlando condo.  i can't help but envision them 60, 70, 80 years from now, sitting together.  in a similar manner. on a similar bench.

and the whole gang, minus kiele because she was at her dad's.

today's photos

that was the title of my email, back on feb 17, 2006 -- 1-1/2 months after purchasing a DSLR and deciding to pursue photography. my great friend and fellow military spouse, shawn, found the emails and forwarded them to me today.  it's just so crazy to see images and read my thoughts, from when i first started photography.  and to think about where i am today.  i just feel so grateful!!

i get a lot of emails, from people inquiring about tips, recommendations for learning, business advice, etc.  and time and time again, i tell them something similar to this...

my best advice is to study, learn and practice as much as you can, from as many avenues as you can (books, online, peers, mentors, etc.). learning photography and becoming a good photographer takes time, dedication and hard work (lots and lots of each).  look within and allow yourself to grow...from within.  be cautious in comparing yourself to others (often a big mistake in the beginning).  there's no secrets.  there's no magic.  be passionate, honest patient and work your ass off.

here's what i had to say and share back then, feb 17, 2006...

...for photos today. It all started b/c Ryder got into Sky's buggy and it was so darn cute. He was just sitting there in it. So, I pulled down my background, got him undressed, got my camera and put him back in the buggy. Well...now he didn't want to have anything to do with it. I snapped a few and my exposure was off. I did my best to salvage the buggy photo but it still looks yucky. So then I tried to put Ryder on the chair for an opportunity to practice. Ooooh, was he mad. This is what I got out of the five minutes. I still think I ended up with some cute shots. Love the last one...I was trying to shoot his feet b/c he kept putting them like that and at the same time, he was screaming. That was the end!

Now I'm off to take a nap. Those 1 AM nights are really catching up to me today. I'm tired, eyes hurt, headache...pooped!

Deb

and the next day, i wrote this...

Well, Sky was totally into photos today so I ran with it. YAY! We had fun and it only took about five minutes to get these shots. I'm so excited b/c I feel that each day, it's getting easier for me to capture some pretty special moments. We didn't do anything special today...in regular clothes, no fixing hair...just grabbed a couple chairs and started talking.

Enjoy! Deb

it's crazy to think about back then -- starting from nothing and working every single day to learn and grow as much as possible.  i am so grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported me throughout this most amazing journey -- especially my husband and kids.

here i am, today, proud to be a tampa children's and family photographer. i wouldn't be here without each and every one of you, who have been by my side...thank you!

and a couple photos of sky and ryder from earlier this month...

let's do this together

i was reading max's blog today and came across this post and especially loved this part, written by max's dad:

I'm not bitter when people decline to participate because they aren't available, can't afford to, or even just don't believe in the cause. Long ago I chose not to take it personally when someone declines to contribute, participate, or otherwise engage with our cause - life's too short to worry about that kind of stuff (and there's so many people who DO want to help if only you ask and show them how, so that's time better spent anyway!).

But what gets me are the excuses. "Oh sure, I care Andy, just make it easy for me to care, and I'll show up."

As Melissa and I have started giving more and more of our time to fighting neuroblastoma and other causes, a constant theme has emerged for me, and that is when giving is easy, you get less out of it. Giving in a manner that challenges the giver, also helps the giver; it helps them appreciate the sacrifice of their giving more. It makes the giving mean more to the giver. Altruism is a funny concept (quick refresher: altruism being an act that benefits someone else other than the actor). Altruism doesn't align well with biology and evolution.And while I know that evolution exists, I also believe in God. Perhaps that's where love enters the equation. Maybe God's love makes it possible to see past our own selfish interests and limits. To extend ourselves past our comfort zone. Take risks on behalf of someone else, but get something unattainable otherwise in return.

and of course, i noticed the MAX RUN, which is taking place in san diego on september 11th, to raise money for pediatric cancer.  my initial thought was,

oh how i wish i could be there to participate in the run.

but why can't i run? and participate?  why can't i encourage people to sponsor me (donate) and just run here?  and why can't i encourage others to do the same?

so  you think you can dance did it with their july 31st national dance day, where people all across the world danced together on the same day.  okay, so maybe running isn't exactly as fun as dancing but...let's try it.  let's try to run one mile on september 11th -- together -- no matter where you are.  and let's, together, spread the word and encourage others to donate to fight pediatric cancer.  and while your donation can't help max or sam,  it could possibly help children like will or talia, who are both currently battling neuroblastoma.

so...

on septemeber 11th, at 9:30 AM, i am going to run one mile.  can you please sponsor my run -- simply click on the Chip In button below to donate to fight pediatric cancer ...

p.s. steve is going to be in iraq at the time, so the kids and i will be doing this one mile together.  i hope you'll join me.  think about it!!

ETA:  i'm so excited that i've already had a number of people share that they will be running the MAX RUN with me on september 11th -- from all over the country.  but my real hope is that along with the physical support and encourgement,  i can help gather financial donations for max's ring of fire.  if you're running or simply want to support in any way, please donate...any amount will help.

and please spread the word!  if everyone shares with a few friends, who also support and donate, we could together make a huge impact!!

sharing my favorite image of max and a tree at his school on the day of the celebration of his life.  do you see the angel?  i do. © deb schwedhelm | tampa children's photographer

finding peace

meet my dear friend steph beaty, who i respect and admire beyond words. steph was actually one of my very first clients in may 2006 (referred to me by carrie sandoval) -- which is still hard to believe.  the photo below was from that first session together.  little did we know at that time, that we'd one day be the best of friends.

steph's husband is currently deployed and will (hopefully) return when the baby is two months old -- making steph's shirt peace on my mind very literal.  they also have a four-year-old and two-year-old.  steph's strength, along with her kindness, passion, faith and goodness, inspires me each and every day.

lucky for me, steph grew up in the tampa area and her family still lives here.  so while we live plenty apart, i'm excited that steph and i will see each other (at least once a year) over the next few years, while we're stationed here in tampa.

on steph's trip last week, i was able to do maternity photos for her.  to say the evening was magical would be an understatement.  we had already rescheduled once because of weather and this was it -- no more days to work with if this one evening didn't work out. i think the only thing that could have possibly made the evening the tiniest bit better would have been a can of bug spray.  at one point, i looked down at my leg and had at least 10 mosquitoes chomping on my calf.

i am blessed to have steph in my life and so grateful to call her my friend.  i could go on and on but i'll stop there.  i think y'all get my genuine admiration for this woman.  :-) © deb schwedhelm | tampa maternity photographer

a gift from an angel

do you remember her?  my great friend and an amazing photographer, terrie kellmeyer.  while on vacation the past few days, terrie emailed me how her profoundly hearing impaired baby, poppy, just received a gift from an angel (literally!!) -- sam's loaner hearing aids.  poppy (like her brother and my daughter) will be implanted with a cochlear implant in the the next year and until then, she will wear hearing aids, in case there is any chance of her having access to sound between now and then.  here is what terrie shared --

i took poppy to her audiology appointment yesterday to be fitted for her hearing aids.   after talking with joan and laurie and also the audiologist at children's hospital that did poppy's BAER test, i wasn't too optimistic that she would get any benefit from the aids, as her hearing loss is so profound.  but, my friend that has a son that also has a profound loss was over at the beginning of the week and she said that her son had a huge benefit from the aids, and was able to distinguish some words by the time he was 12 months and received his implants.

joan and laurie had arranged for a pair of loaner aids for me, but now that i was more hopeful that there might be a benefit, i asked joan if they were good quality aids, because i wanted poppy to have every chance to hear as much as possible while we're waiting for her implants.  she looked at me and said "these are VERY good aids" with a funny look on her face and i actually felt silly about even having asked the question...

she was fitted with the aids, and as i was getting ready to leave, joan looks at me and says "these were donated by sam's family........"  both our eyes instantly filled with uncontrollable tears and i was completely and totally overcome with emotion.  there was another family in the room waiting for their appointment who had no idea what was going on other than joan and i were crying over a pair of hearing aids...

i can't tell you how much the aids mean to me and to poppy.  her presence in our lives continues to bring blessings to our family, and now i have a renewed sense of peace that a little piece of sam will live on through her and that she now has her own little angel up in heaven watching over her.....

laurie gave me some covers for the implants that are a little more "girly" than the black and white strips, but i won't have her wear them- she will wear her black and white aids proudly in honor of sam.

i took some photos to share with sam's family.

thank you deb for introducing me to sam through your blog and for all the blessings that have come my way simply through your friendship and your beautiful soul that loves to give to others.

lots of love to you!

terrie

here is sam, wearing his new hearing aids (in sep 09).  i saw margot and sam at the audiologist's office, the day sam was fitted with his new hearing aids and i  remember (like it was yesterday) margot sharing with me how excited sam was to have his new hearing aids with zebra covers.

and sam and one of his brothers, in nov 09...our last photo shoot together.

thank you sam for the gifts you continue to share with us -- each and every day.  we miss you but know that you are watching over us from Heaven!

and here are a few photos that terrie took of poppy, wearing sam's gift to her.

love you neil and margot.  and think of you and the boys daily!!  thank you for coming into my life.  xo!!

here and now

while in north carolina, i also had the opportunity to photograph the corey family.  emily had attended our spring wallflower friends retreat and since then, she has talked to me quite a bit about the fact that she wanted family photos, but wasn't sure the time was right -- because her family wasn't complete.  they adopted L a couple years ago and have been hoping to get pregnant or adopt another child.  but then after reading my is there a perfect time post, she commissioned a family portrait session. we talked a lot while i was visiting, especially about how blessed they are to have L. they have such an incredible and special little family and i truly feel blessed to have been able to capture it for them.  we shared how important these family photos are -- right here and now -- even if their family continues to grow (which we hope it will).

it's another reminder to us all...to be grateful and appreciate the here and now because that's all we're guaranteed.  who knows what the future has in store.  who knows what even tomorrow will bring our way.

thanks em, for inviting me into your home and making me feel so special.  thanks lee r for your patience, the amazing meal and the most awesome pineapple jalapeno drink ever.  thanks little L for being so spirited and reminding us all what life is all about.

here's a few shots of their family.

and a scanned polaroid shot i took of L.

and the same image, printed as a 20x20 print.  i so can't wait to see this framed in their house.  i seriously think i'm going to offer polaroids to every client.  they just make my heart so happy.

when the stars align

monday, i had a new coach at crossfit because my regular coach was on vacation.  she asked me what i do and i shared with her that i was a child | family portrait photographer.  a bit later, a woman walked in, ready to train, and my coach shared that i was a photographer.  the woman said,

oh, we haven't had photos done in forever.  but i don't like the way i look right now so i keep postponing.

tears instantly flooded my eyes, as i shared about kirsten. and max. and sam.  and my is there a perfect time post (which i now have at the top of my blog, hoping that everyone who visits will click and read). i don't care if she commissions me but i begged her not to wait for the perfect time, which for her was when her hair is more grown out.

there's a few things i feel i'm really meant to do in this life (beyond the obvious of being a great mother and wife) and one of them is sharing the importance of family photos -- not for ourselves but for those who love and cherish us. in this life, we just never know...and there really is no perfect time!

+++

also, this past weekend, i was commissioned by two incredible north carolina photographers and women -- serena boggs and emily corey.  to say that i was a bit flattered would be a huge understatement.

today, i want to share a bit about serena's story (tomorrow...emily). serena commissioned me for photographs of her family. but she commissioned me for another reason too...

serena asked me if i would also photograph her in a special dress and coat -- of her mom's. sadly, serena's mom passed away eight years ago, while waiting for a heart. she was only 49!! needless to say, serena misses her mom deeply and is very passionate about organ donation.

i flew in pretty late friday but we knew we had about 30-45 minutes of light that evening to play with. we had also checked the forecast and were blessed with a weekend of great weather. and...

it. was. absolutely. magical.

i really do believe the stars aligned and it was meant to be. i originally wasn't going to be able to photograph the boggs family because i was going to stop in north carolina, while en route to tampa...and it just so happened that the boggs family were going to be out of town that weekend. then plans changed and i ended up flying to north carolina this past weekend instead. yes, some things are just meant to be.

this morning, while surfing facebook, i came across this from serena...

deb photographed me in my mommy's dress and fur coat. these shoots i have waited for just the right artist. photographer to capture. knowing how important these were to me and my family. i have longed to meet deb for many many years now. she is one of the most beautiful women i have ever met. her art is enchanting and heartfelt. all the stars aligned for these. i am forever grateful. forever changed. and the heirlooms she has given us are irreplaceable. these are gifts for my three daughter's. a part of me & a part of their grandmother. much love to you deb. our hearts are full and thank you's will never suffice. xo

i have to say...having met and been able to hang out with serena and her family, MY heart is full and i am beyond grateful.  i am seriously blessed. thank you serena for letting me into your heart and home and for just simply being you. © deb schwedhelm | tampa family photographer

p.s. i almost burst out of my skin when serena told me that her dream family portrait was one where everyone was wearing masks.  i so love that!

p.s.s. do you see the hearts in two of the above images?  i do.

picture time

i'm having such an amazing time in north carolina.  last night, little miss lulu turned the camera on me...and then couldn't figure out why hers didn't spit out a picture, like mine did. more to come of spirited miss lulu...soon.  back home late tonight.

i also had the wonderful opportunity to recently share on shutter sisters.  you can see the interview here. © deb schwedhelm | tampa children's photographer

on a mission

my mission:  get in shape!  i long to be physically fit and healthy.  i'm not overweight, although i could stand to lose a few pounds.  but i really want to get tone -- especially my mid-section.  and i'm determined.  i feel like i've talked smack quite a few times now about being ready, moving forward, etc.  but, shall i say...i'm really serious this time!!  i have no excuses.  all three of my kids are going to be in school this year.  in the past, my free time revolved around photography and the computer.  but not anymore.  my free time is going to revolve around my workout.  once that is scheduled, everything else can be scheduled and take place. i've signed up for 12 private crossfit sessions, to learn the exercises and ensure proper technique.  i've always felt crossfit would be a good fit for me.  everyone has their ways -- their ways to lose weight, get in shape, etc.  for me, the bigger the challenge, the more i love it.  i've also been trying to eat healthier.  no crazy diet or anything, as i'm a FIRM believer in moderation when it comes to eating.

saturday was my first crossfit session.  so fricken hard.  sunday, i could barely walk and squatting to the level of the toilet was beyond painful.  this morning, my quads are still killing me.  but i'm going to the box (as the crossfitters call their gym) and i'm ready for whatever my trainer throws my way.  we're also weighing, taping and taking pictures today.  and i'm hopeful that i'll see some results, even after just four weeks.  too optimistic?  maybe, but who cares.  dream big, right?

i also wanted to share with you a new blog that my local friend, heather, told me about.  i'm really loving it...a momma blog that focuses on fitness, healthy recipes (even desserts), workouts and more.  check it out -- trainer momma.

and here's some food blogs that i love, which i think i've shared before, but never hurts to share again. real food. good food. smitten kitchen cafe zupas

i hope i can encourage you to make a health goal for yourself.  and together, let's encourage one another and stick to it.  i'll be facebooking about my journey and will occasionally share here on my blog.

in closing, i decided to post some before photos i took of myself on may 12th (a time where i was talking smack).  like i said, i'm not overweight.  but i am fluffy (or puffy or squishy or out-of-shape or whatever you want to call it)!!

and off i go...to my morning crossfit session.

ETA:  i survived workout two.  measurements:  5'5", 122 lbs, 31 inch waist and approximately 27% body fat.  i didn't care so much about the other measurements.

oh yea, i also got the number to a milk co-op, where i can get fresh milk, butter, cream and eggs.  i am so darn excited!!

from coast to coast

san diego will always hold a special place in my heart (for many reasons).  and i can honestly say that i loved our one year in kansas -- the fields, the green, the cows, the country, the slowness, the family time. it was a magical year. but here we are now, in tampa FL, and i am thrilled to be back at the beach. we're already really enjoying FL although...i think i'm going to love it that much more once we're settled, i have kiele's school stuff situated and it's less than 98 degrees, with 98% humidity. it's. so. darn. hot. here.

the other week, i was enjoying watching the kids skim board and then...i saw the orange hat walk by. :-)  i couldn't help but think -- i'm exactly where i'm supposed to be. © deb schwedhelm | tampa photographer

old beach --

new beach --

FINDing film

learn from yesterday,live for today, hope for tomorrow. the most important thing is... not to stop questioning. - albert einstein

this past week, i had the awesome opportunity to attend jonathan canlas' film is not dead (FIND) workshop, in san diego. and awesome it was!!

i've talked about my longing to shoot film for quite a while now.  okay, maybe years.  but i had this massive mental block and well, i just kept talking -- while my film cameras (nikon F100 and bronica SQ-AI) just sat, looking oh so very pretty, on the bookshelf directly above my computer.

anyone who reads my blog knows how important i feel learning is -- not only in photography, but in any profession.  and i was so excited to learn about film!!  :-)  the workshop was incredible and i feel i left there a stronger photographer, on many levels.

my expansion into film has only just begun, as i still have so much to learn. but i am crazy excited about the possibilities.  i have no idea where this all will take me but my mind and heart are open...and i'm ready for more!!  one thing is for sure -- film is definitely not dead.

i encourage each and every one of you to never stop learning and growing.  be open to change and don't let fear hold you back from anything your heart desires.  embrace the challenges and never stop questioning.  you never know what's possible.

sharing a few FIND film photos -- all shot with nikon F100, 50mm 1.4, fuji pro 400H film and processed at walgreens (yes, walgreens).  can't wait to see how my film photos look when processed by a real photo lab!!  hoping to share those in a few weeks.

and one of skyler, as i was trying to finish off a roll of film...

have i mentioned how excited i am about the possibilities. :-)  my heart is so happy.

i also came across this today and just had to share. --

if there was ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something new, it is now.

not for any grand cause, necessarily... but for something that tugs at your heart, something that's your inspiration, something that's your dream.

you owe it to yourself, to make your days count. have fun, dig deep and dream big.

but know that things worth doing seldom come easy. there will be good days... and bad.

there will be times when you want to turn around, pack it up... and call it quits.

those are the times when you know you are pushing yourself... that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

persist... because with an idea, determination and the right tools, you can do amazing things.

and always remember... that anything is possible.

- author unknown

so what...

...have i been up to lately?  oh nothing much.  just... traveling from kansas to florida photographing a wedding celebration in WV (more on that soon) sharing meeting lots of new friends settling into a temp condo registering the kids in summer activities, schools, gymnastics, etc. transferring my business getting ready to head back to san diego this friday for a workshop and client sessions and... buying. a. fabulous. mini. castle.

ok, it's not really a mini castle, but it's what i've told the kids. and i think they might just believe it...i mean really, it has a pool. :-) how could it not be a castle in their minds, even if they have to share a bedroom.  contract is officially signed and our move in date is scheduled for august 19th.

so. can't. wait. to. be. settled.

also -- i wanted to thank you for hanging in there with me, through this transition!!

sharing a few recent photos. special times with very special friends...

our adventure

while our adventure has already begun -- being out of our house -- i feel it officially begins tomorrow morning, when we depart kansas.  and i'm going to really try and embrace this journey, from kansas city to tampa.  i'ts much more than a beginning and an end.  it's a pretty fabulous adventure... special time with the kids.  being together.  seeing, experiencing and embracing new places and things. 

while no one can deny that moving is stressful, we're pretty damn lucky to have these travel opportunities.  i mean from this point on, it's a vacation...right?  the hard part is over (until we get to tampa and the house hunting begins).  oh wait, we do have a carsick dog, but we'll ignore that part of the adventure for the moment. 

anyways, we've done our best to teach our kids how very lucky we are, as a military family -- to see, experience and live in different states, meet new friends, etc.  and with this trip, i'm hoping to (i mean, going to) have my camera by my side to document it all -- something i haven't done in the past.   we'll see how it goes but i'm optimistic...and excited.  :-)

my dear friend, erin darcy, posted this on my facebook wall a while back and it sends shivers down my spine.  such beautiful words.  such beautiful thoughts...

the story on your quilt is unfolding beautifully... torn threads that have to be pulled and re-sewn. new pieces brought in that make the rest of it come alive. worn patches with loving fond memories. you bring it with you every where you go. along the road. from one home to the next. ...always wrapped in love.

sharing the love

we're back at the house for the last bit of cleaning and to hopefully get all our stuff loaded in the car. sharing a quick iphone pic of sky, from yesterday, during a cleaning break.  we were all hot, sweaty and completely drained.  and well...taking a picture just makes my heart happy .  and by the end of the day yesterday, i really needed a bit of happy.  took a few polaroid photos too, but scanner was already packed and on the truck.

as for our travels, we will be staying with our friends in kansas city, for the next three days, departing kansas on june 30th. overnight stop in IL. three days in WV (attending a wedding there on the 3rd). overnight stop in GA. and finally arriving in tampa the evening of july 5th.  we will be hard core house-hunting, as steve would like to make an offer on a house by july 12th -- so that we can get as close to closing as possible by the time schools start, august 24th.

again, thanks to all those, who have supported and encouraged me this past year in kansas.  and here's to many more incredible adventures during our three years in tampa.

moving day

...is officially tomorrow. i can hardly believe it!! but it's true -- and the boxes that surround me and the ABF moving truck, which sits in my driveway, now set a constant reminder. so many emotions -- gratefulness, sadness, excitement, stress and anxiety -- to mention a few. and a whole lotta chaos!!

tonight, as we continued the packing of our house, we came across this hat, which i bought a long time ago for photos and never used. sky casually put it on and sat in the chair. i glanced over and the light was stunning. i had about a minute or two until she was done -- the hat was off and she was back to playing.

about 30 minutes later, sky called me outside,

momma, hurry. hurry outside. the sunset is beautiful.  hurry momma...hurry.

it took me a minute because of course, i had to grab my camera. and when i went out the basement door, there the three were...and my heat melted. it kind of encapsulated these last days of moving and...doing our best to simply enjoy and make the best of things.

sawhorses, a circular saw, a recently cut piece of wood, and the kids...realizing that it's the perfect place to draw and color together.

yes, the sky was beautiful but hard to photograph from our backyard.  but we sat and watched it together.

so tomorrow, we begin our hotel living.  we will remain in KS until the 30th.  then  head to WV, for a wedding on the 3rd.  we plan to arrive in tampa on july 6th, when the serious house hunting | looking continues.  we're  hoping to commit to a house in the first week or two, as we have to get as close to closing as possible before school starts, on august 24th.

hoping to keep in touch and blog while en route.  i will definitely do my best!!  thanks for all the incredible support this past year!  and an amazing year in KS, it's been.