Firefly Photo Jewelry

{ Family Photos 2011. }

2012-01-11T15:30:00.000-06:00

I am a terrible blogger. Even when I try!!!!

I wrote a post here about my personal family photos. Then when I previewed it I realized I had sized every picture in the larger sizes. So I copied the entire post to my photography blog instead :)

To read/see the post that really was suppose to be here, click HERE!!! :)

{ Balance.}

2011-12-30T07:59:00.000-06:00

HELLO!!!

Is anyone still out here?

It's been a while since I've posted. A long while. In fact I've never went so long without a post. To be honest I wasn't entirely sure I'd post on this blog anymore. Not only do I never seem to find the time but as my girls {Kinzley age 8 especially} are getting older, they don't want 'the whole entire world' {cause THAT many people do read my blog! ;) } to know all the silly things they doing. I also feel like I spend so much time trying to capture everything they do with my camera that I am not as 'present' as I'd like to be. While it's great having all the pictures and memories to look on, I'd hate to look back and remember how busy I was taking the photos that I missed that moment with my family.

Speaking of photos.....If you remember I have been offering my photography services to others for the past couple years. This past year my business really took off. So much so in fact I had to do major juggling to balance everything. Between being a wife and mom, doing photo shoots, editing photos, doing daycare for 4 under 4, and cleaning up from a 'little storm' in July, my blogging was not only put on the back burner but it caught on fire and disappeared. 2 weeks ago we got the gutters replaced on our house, marking the end of the repair work from the storm. 5 months it took us to get everything back to normal, {actually far better than it was}but I can say with certainty God threw us a curve ball this summer that took a lot of our time.

I am so grateful for each person who sent me a message asking if I was ok!!! It's a goal of mine to write on here at least once every 6 months {HA!! Kidding!} so hopefully I'll be around more from now on. But I did want to post a quick update letting everyone know everything is fine. Great in fact!

Who knows maybe I'll even get our Christmas blogged about yet!

{ 1st day of school x2. 2011. }

2011-08-24T09:26:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday Kinzley woke up bright and early. { seriously 5 o'clock AM early.} I felt a little tap tap tap on my shoulder and felt her breathe in my ear and heard the words, "Pssst Mom?!? I just heard a roaster. I think it's time for me to get up and go to school."

My response back? "It's a rooster and it is not time. Climb into my bed... We have an hour and a half yet to sleep."

Sleep. Right. She bounced, she kicked, she wiggled. Finally I gave in, only to hear her screech in my ear that finally it was time!

It didn't take long to get her dressed and outside waiting for the bus.

She just LOVES her Justice backpack. {Does anyone else think Justice is ridiculous expensive? Even when you use the 40% off. So expensive in fact that I made her pitch in part of her own money since she HAD to have this one :)}

Oh look who woke up!

Waiting for the bus...

Her face when she sees the bus, just makes me laugh!

Before Kinzley gets on the bus, she looks back towards the house and runs back. My heart melts a little thinking she needs one last hug from her Momma. Instead she runs right past me and grabs her cat for one last hug!

Nice.

Finally. Finally. She's off.

Kinzley had two half days of school before my Kenna girl got to join her in school as a Kindergartener!!!

Kenna has been waiting and waiting for this day.

Her Mom on the other hand isn't quite as ready. I love the summers when I am able to spend my entire days with my girls. I love having them home, hearing their voices, seeing them run across the yard, having one on one time late at night with them. School is just so bittersweet.They thrive in social situations. They love to learn. But I MISS THEM!!

Ok I digress, back their big days {sniff sniff :) } Much to their dismay I made them skip the bus ride and drove them to school for Kenna's first day. It didn't take long for Kinzley's friends to take Kenna under their wing and take her clear across the playground to play. But not before I snagged her back for a few quick photos.

And when Kenna's best friend showed up any 'twince' {to quote Kinz :) } evaporated. Can they smile any bigger?

When it was time to line up confident Kenna followed in her sister's footsteps... 1st in line :) {well until a friend started crying and got moved to the front ;) }

My other leader with her birthday cookie for the class.

Within just a few minutes Kenna walked into the school to begin her 1st year of school.

And then I cried just a little.

It's such an honor to watch my girls grow. Even if it is a bit hard on the heart at times. :)I am so glad God chose me to be their Momma!

ps... I totally made Kenna's owl outfit for her first day of school! It was a personal goal of mine for the summer to make it. Finished it up Sunday afternoon at 4:00 ;)

{ Canada 2011. }

2011-07-20T17:49:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe it's only been a week and a half since we returned from Canada. The clean up from a damaging wind storm a day and a half after arriving home definitely makes us long for another vacation!

At least I can look through the photos I took and remember how it felt to look across the lake instead of sitting in my house in Iowa, looking out the window and seeing all the work that still needs to be done in the yard. In all actuality we have made tons of progress. This last week weather has not cooperated with clean up. New records temps in the 100's don't make for a lot of time outdoors.

It's a far cry from the 70-80's {with little humidity} they had 'up north'. We had such a fun laid back vacation, relaxing and visiting with friends and family. I should say some of us relaxed...

{For the first time since I can remember we decided to bring Chewy back to Canada with us. When Tim used to work at the resort, Chewy was the 'camp dog'. Then little things like needing to fit your kids and all their "stuff" in your vehicle, resulted in Chewy staying home. However since he is starting to show his age, we worried next year may be to late to give him another trip. So we squeezed him between the seats and didn't hear a peep out of him the entire ride! }

While Chew was sleeping in the sun, others were having none of that!

Both girls decided they were brave enough to not only jump off the paddle boat dock but go down the big slide and jump off the floating dock too. Although I think Kenna was just waiting for her older sister who was the hold up. It only took her 4 days to decide to do so this year. :)

The cabin we stayed in this year is the one that you can see 1/2 of behind Kinzley in the above photo. One night while sitting outside on the deck, Kenna walked up to us and very non-nonchalantly asked us, "Is this where the dead people in Canada are buried?" HA!

She never fails to crack us up!

I mean just look at her reeling in a little Northern. She should totally go on a fishing show. Her form is killer.

And of course there is Kinzley, lover of chipmunks,

and swimming.

Kinzley who was so excited to finally BE IN CANADA that she got sick the first night. Kinzley who was on the beach by 8am and spent a maximum of 1/2 hour in the cabin each day. Kinzley who we had to drag in from the beach every night. Kinzley who slept with her swimsuit on so she was ready to go every morning. Kinzley who makes more friends in a week than I make in a year.

Speaking of friends.... Two of Tim's very best friends in the world are brothers Chris and Neil. We had brought up some Iowa T-bones and they came over with their families for a BBQ one night.

Another day we made peanut butter cup smores over the campfire

on an island...

We had lots of smiles and hugs...

and even a few fights...

All in all it was a terrific vacation, once again filled with memories we will never forget.

Until next year Arrowhead Camp and Motel....

We will miss you......And the fact that all your trees are standing straight up!

Below is a slideshow I made with all the photos from this vacation. I know there are people who like to see them all. {clearing throat...Mom...}

{ pickin' up sticks. again. }

2011-07-15T19:53:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago my brother Josh made the comment that he was really getting tired of coming to my blog in hopes of a new post and instead seeing the same post about our family picking up sticks. The sticks that we picked up for weeks after a huge tree was taken down in our yard. I promised him once I got home from vacation I would start posting again.

I did manage to get in a short single post while I was in Canada but after coming home I started downloaded and edited pictures of our vacation Sunday night in hopes of posting them Monday morning.

Instead I was awaken at 5:00am Monday morning to a thunder storm. One of my favorite things ever is to sleep in a rain storm however this one was producing quite a bit of thunder and lightening so I got up to unplug my laptop and close the curtains in our bedroom in hopes of getting a few more hours of sleep. Less than 10 minutes passed when I hear and felt something {which I assumed was a branch off one of the big pine trees on the side of our house.} A few minutes later Tim and I sat straight up in bed after we felt something hit the corner of our garage which is attached to our bedroom.

After a quick look out our bedroom window we see the entire top of a pine tree laying across the driveway. We quickly woke up the girls and took them into our basement. On the way, a glance out the sliding glass door that leads out to the deck in the backyard shows us the door is blocked by another big tree. Once we were in the basement we felt a breeze and saw the downstairs door wide open covering the floor with rain and leaves.

After an hour in the early morning sitting under our stairs waiting for the storm to pass, we make our way back up and see what looks like a war zone. There were trees down everywhere.

We had healthy tress uprooted, trees cut in half and branches, lots and lots of branches covering the yard.

The big pine tree blocking both our vehicles in the garage.

Unfortunately the rest of the pine tree landed on our garage causing quite a bit of damage.

The girls were a little shocked to see a tree in the garage. {excuse the bed head :) }

The swingset, the pool and the trampoline all took a hit....literally and are beyond repair. Our patio set and BBQ grill will also need replaced as well.

After listening to the weather channel we find out all this damage was caused by straight line winds that were 80-110 miles an hour. The winds traveled hundreds of miles and flattened thousands of acres of corn.

And while we have lots and lots of clean up ahead of us we are so fortunate. My hometown of Vinton {10 miles away} was the worst damaged area in this storm. 75% off the huge old trees in town are gone. Every road we drove on was covered in trees and down power lines. My sister's roof was literally blown off her house with her family still inside. My parents had two windows blow out of their vehicles. I don't think there is a house in town that doesn't have tree damage of some kind. To make matters worse the town is without power and the temps are in the high 80's low 90's with super high humidity.

We are so thankful we didn't lose power and that the damage we have will be easily repaired.It is going to be hard work but we can clean up trees, fix the broken areas, replace broken toys, and plant new flowers. While it is overwhelming we are just so thankful all the things that need attention can be fixed. Our family is safe. We still have a roof over our heads {literally} and no one was injured.

Even though it looks like I'll be picking up sticks for a while longer.

Sorry Josh.

{I originally started this post earlier this week. For the last 5 days I have done more yard work than I ever dreamed possible. The temps and humidity have been super high. I am so sore I have a hard time sitting down or getting back up. The pictures I posted don't even come close to doing justice to what the yard really looked like. As I continue picking up I can't help but stand in awe at the power of God. He created all this damage and I imagine it's only 1% of what He could do. God is SO much more powerful than we could ever dream.}

{ ten }

2011-07-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

TEN years!!

5,259,600 minutes

3 mortgages

4 addresses

2 daughters 

1 home building project

10 vacations to Canada

20 cars/trucks

2 dirt bikes

3 dogs

5 cats
a hundred trips off-roading 

2 trampolines

8 employers
3 hospital stays

4 churches

1 broken foot

ten thousand tears

a million laughs

one love of my life.

Happy anniversary, baby!

I'm so glad God picked me to get to walk this life with you.

{ memories 2011.}

2011-07-06T08:12:00.000-05:00

{ pick up sticks. }

2011-05-22T15:51:00.000-05:00

We live in the country on just about 2 acres of land. We have lots of tree on our property. Some are pine tree's that don't lose a lot of branches, just a lot of pine cones. We have a walnut tree that loses all the walnuts it has on it. We have other trees {which are...brown and green....and I have idea what they are ;) } Some of these tree are healthy, other's not sp much. It's these trees that lose branches during wind storms or during a long Iowa winter.

Every single spring I spend the first 3 or 4 warm weekends picking up sticks. {Or in all honestly using the leaf blower and making piles to pick up} This year seemed like I did a lot more picking up than normal. I filled the back of our "gator" no fewer than 4 times. 4 separate weekends I worked until finally the yard was done to my satisfaction.

Whew.

Three days later our local electric company came and took down a tree that was too close to a power line at the edge of our property.

A big tree.

With lots and lots of branches.

These pictures don't really do it justice. The truck measures over 4 foot wide. Far wider than Kenna is tall.

And unfortunately for Tim this 'pick up sticks' job is a little bigger than what I can clean up on my own.

But who knew how many hours upon hours of entertainment a cut down tree would bring to not only my kiddos but my daycare kids as well?

I wonder if they think helping clean up this mess is as fun as climbing on it? :)

{ Turkey Crash Meet 2011. }

2011-05-20T19:01:00.000-05:00

I made mention in yesterday's post that both our girls ran in the annual Hershey's Track meet earlier in the week. {Or the Turkey's Cash meet as Kenna likes to call it.}

You may remember posts from years past in which Kinzley ran and jumped. If not you can read about them here, here, and here.

This however marks the first year Kenna girl was able to participate as well. Kenna has patiently waited her turn to jump and run like her older sister.

I'll never forget leaving the track last year listening to the excitement Kinzley felt from winning and hear Kenna say, "I'll never be as good as my sister." That sweet sad statement from my then 4 year old has stuck with me this entire year and actually made me parent differently at times. As all parents know just because two children share the same mom and dad surely doesn't mean they are always alike. Our girls are so similar in many ways yet in other ways are completely different. I had no idea how she would do in a race. She doesn't exactly have the same competitive spirit that her older sister has. {You should see her play soccer. She'd like everyone to have a turn with the ball. She can't figure out why I'd want her to 'steal' the ball from another player. :) }

On the way to the meet I talked to the girls about trying their best and having fun. I explained how it wasn't about winning but about giving your best effort. Kenna slowly nodded her head and said she understood. From the drivers seat I hear Kinzley behind me say under her breath, "That might be true but it's a lot more fun to win!" She isn't 'in it to win it' at all! ;)

Once at the track, the first event the girls were in was the long jump. Kinz was up first and when everyone had jumped ended up coming in 1st again this year. {which I really have no idea where she gets this from. Tim and I jumped against her and she creamed us too.}

Kenna jumped right after Kinzley. {although Kenna was in the 5-6 year old division while Kinzley was in the 7-8 year old division}

I {adore} this picture of Kenna standing straight as a board looking for the 'ok' to jump from the person measuring the distance. This girl follows rules to a 'T' and would never think to do something without permission.

After many arm pumps back and forth she jumped and ended up coming in third place in her age group.

As a mom, that 3rd place took off a little pressure. I knew Kenna would receive a ribbon and wouldn't come away empty handed if by chance her sister ended up placing in all three of her events. {and I know, I know!!! It's not about winning. It's about having fun! I KNOW! I just didn't want my girl to be sad or not feel like she was 'as good' as Kinzley. I swear sporting events are WAY harder on the parents.}

Kenna was up first to run the 50 yard dash. How cute are these little girls waiting in line?!?!!?

To fully appreciate Kenna's style of running compared to Kinzley's I put their photo's side by side. HA!

Kinz is super focused, super intense. Kenna is well......Kenna kind of skipped and ran on her tiptoes. She looked around. She smiled. She danced her way down to the finish line. She doesn't have a single competitive bone in her body.

After her heat was over, she walked over to me and very non-nonchalantly said "Well I got 2nd. {she got 4th} I let that other girl beat me since she was faster than I was." hahaha!

Later she ran in the 100 yard dash where she did decide to do a little more running and a little less dancing.

One good thing about being the younger sister....All your older sister's friends {love} you! Kenna had her own cheering section.

Kinzley also ran the 50 and the 100 yard dash.

I didn't get very many pictures of her because honestly she is too fast. :) And again like every single year I think I probably should hire a photographer to get photos of my girls running. I am soooo nervous for them that I end up cheering and watching them and forget to take pictures. This also could have something to do with back to back years Kinzley had fallen while running these short sprints.

Just look at her ankle in the above photo. It's a wonder she ever stays on her feet.

At the end of the meet Kenna ended up getting a third place ribbon for the long jump.

Kinzley won 1st in the long jump, 2nd in the 50 yard dash and 1st in the 100 yard yard dash.

{and she isn't dramatic in the least!}

I'm so proud of both my girls for trying their hardest, for encouraging their friends, and for being brave and confident enough to get out on the track in front of so many people and run. I know how nervous I am just watching!!!

Regardless of what sports they choose to do {or not do} I can't wait to watch them continue to come into their own, to find the things they each love and find their own unique strengths.

Ribbon or no ribbon I couldn't be prouder than them both!

{ crash. }

2011-05-19T15:26:00.002-05:00

One of my main reasons in blogging is to use my blog as a journal of the things that happen around our house. Thoughts I have, funny kids antics, a way to share my faith. I'm actually in the process of making my blog come to life in actual book form with plans to give each of my girls a copy as a keepsake.

That being said....today's post was suppose to be about the annual Hershey's Track Meet that the girls ran in the other day. Instead the post for today IS about exercising your legs and going fast, just with a much different outcome than that of the track meet.

Last night my best friend took Kenna to a show she had won tickets for. I took Kinzley to soccer then we headed into our town for a meeting on Farmer's Market. During the warm months my friend and I roller blade around our small town and last summer Kinzley had gotten a pair of roller blades too in hopes she could join us. She had been practicing in the garage {and in my kitchen when she sneaks in!} and has gotten really good. Earlier this week she came with us and only fell once, even catching herself halfway down.

Last night after the meeting Kinz and I decided to go on the very non-hilly smooth road in a section of town. I should mention she isn't great at stopping, she tends to run over to the grass or throw herself in the grass. Just like I did last year as I was learning . ;)

I am a little ways ahead of her and in true competitive Kinzley spirit she got going a little too fast trying to catch me. Unfortunately there was a slight decline she was going down. Looking back had I just let her go she would have picked up speed before the road leveled out and slowed her down, however I could see she was getting nervous and told her to come past and grab my hand as she went. I did manage to slow her down but we ended up bobbling and I tried successfully for a while to keep us upright by pulling her entire weight up with my arm. I could hear the plastic of her roller blades dragging and didn't know if her feet were getting hurt so I tried to brake myself and didn't take into consideration that my body weight wasn't distributed as it normally would be based on the fact I was holding a 57 pound child up with one arm. I ended up spinning around and she slingshots past me, our hands let go and she falls. All I could think was 'Oh no! She is going to lose skin and that burns sooo bad.' It wasn't until her head was inches from the ground that we make eye contact and I realize she is going to hit her head. Her poor poor head in which her mom didn't put a helmet on.

I've been extremely lucky in the past 8 years in regards to injuries with my girls. {and daycare kids for that matter} We have never had to go to the ER. Actually the only Dr. visits we have ever made have been for scheduled well child check or minor colds. Neither of my girls have ever stepped foot in a hospital unless we were visiting someone. They just have never gotten hurt. That's in no way a reflection on my parenting. :) Our girls are dare devils, they jump off the loft bed, climb on top of the monkey bags, ride their dirt bike, {with a helmet!!!} jump off the diving board at age 3, etc etc... They have had plently of opportunities to get hurt. I just think God knows their Mother isn't great in a crisis.

Of course the girls have had typical everyday bumps, bruises and cuts. Very seldom though have I seen an injury about to occur and then have to watch it happen. Normally I hear the cry afterward, see the 'owie', give kisses, a band-aid and they are good to go. Of course there is the dreaded immunizations. The ones where the parent has to 'lay' across their child's chest and hold both arms down while the nurse gives the shot. Being a new mom I was unaware of a critical aspect of watching your newborn baby receive a shot. You don't look at their face while it's happening. One of the most heart wrenching times of my parenting is looking into their eyes, while they know something is happening and seeing the sheer pain and panic once the shot is administered.

It's awful.

Now as a 'veteran' mom I know you grab their hands, put your face to theirs, kiss their forehead and close your eyes until it's over. You save your heart from the pain of knowing your child is hurting when there is nothing you can do about it.

When Kinzley fell it probably all happened in a matter of 30 seconds of less. We locked eyes for seconds. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't have looked away. I saw the panic, then the pain. And my heart broke.

Looking back 14 hours later, I keep thinking of the night Jesus was crucified. As He is hung on a cross to die, he says to His Father, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Now I know, 'God just couldn't.'

My girl fell. She hit her head. There was a possibility she could have been seriously injured but the odds of it being a minor injury was a greater reality. I wanted to look away and not see the pain just like I look away during the immunizations. I think of Our Father watching His Son be tortured and killed and I can't imagine He could watch. I think of my little crashing roller bladder and know if I could trade places with her I would have without hesitation. God had that same intense love for His son yet still chose to allow Him to die because He loves us. He could stopped the torture Jesus was enduring. He loves us that much more. As a parent watching my child in minor pain compared to His Son's, I cant.imagine.how.hard.it.was for Our Heavenly Father to know He could put an end to it. While my heart is heavy with all the pain Our Savior endured for me, I am so glad He did. I can't wait to thank Him face to face one day for not only giving us His life for mine but also for my girls. I can't wait wait to stand in the presence of God and thank Him for allowing His Son to die because He loved us so.

Oddly enough while the entire crash was terrible, that wasn't even the hardest part. The hardest part wasn't sitting in the middle of the street with my hysterical daughter screaming and having her not realize her shoulder was scraped and bleeding. It wasn't having a woman working in her yard run over with an ice pack. It wasn't taking off the roller blades and carrying my daughter to a woman in a golf cart who offered to drive us back to the car.

No, the worst part was getting my girl buckled in and seeing her look at her soccer socks she was still wearing then looking at her shin guards she just took off a 1/2 hour before and hearing her ask, "Did I have soccer tonight?......Did I go to school?.....I didn't ride the bus home today, you picked me up..... I didn't watch a movie in school"

She couldn't remember anything that happened at all that day.

At that point I decided to start crying as I am driving home to get my husband so he can take us to the ER. I called our regular Dr. who told me to hang up and go to the ER NOW!!! Kinzley went ballistic when she realized she was going to the hospital......to a point I wasn't sure if we would be able to get her in the car.

As I'm holding her hand in the backseat of the car she broke my heart once again asking, "Where is my sister? I NEED my sister!!! What if I die? I'm just so scared. Why can't I remember what happened today? What if I have to stay in the hospital forever? I love you Mom. I love you so much. What if I have to have brain surgery? I'm just so scared. What if I never see my cat again?!?!?!?!? ZOWE!!!!!! "

Once the cat got brought into the picture I let out a huge sigh. If she was worried about her cat, I knew she would be ok. :) We just prayed together and I told her Jesus was watching over her and He would protect her no matter what happened. I prayed for peace for Tim and I and her. I prayed her little body would have no long term effects from hitting her head against unforgiving concrete.

At the hospital, we get her checked into triage and are told to go to the waiting area for a few minutes. There are lots of people, lots of kids running around yet as we make out way to find a couple of seats my {I love to pick up junk off the floor} daughter reaches down and picks up one of those plastic Livestrong type bracelets. It's purple, green and yellow tie dye. On it are the words "He Lives" with cross's that go all the way around. {It's amazing how Jesus knows how to touch us in our time of despair.}

After a short wait we are taken back to a room. She is seen by a nurse who says, "The Dr. will be right in." 30 minutes go by and Kinzley is slowly coming back to normal, even actually more hyper than usual. Someone else comes in to give us paperwork and says, "I'll be right back." To which Kinzley says, "Yeah right, We've heard THAT before!" {grin}

Finally when the Dr. does come in she is posing her stuffed toy cat in different areas around the room, taking pictures with Tim's camera phone. I just smile and say I think she's doing better! :) She proceeds to give the Dr. every single detail of what happened. Down to the size of the rocks she felt under her leg while she was laying there. The Dr. mentioned she may have blurry vision or vomit a few times and not to worry if that happens. After he leaves Kinz looks at us and says, "Do I have to vomit if I don't want to?" :)

When we are free to go we make a quick trip to the restroom where she looks in the mirror and see her dry chapped lips which are still blue from the ring pop she had earlier in the day. {The same lips that Tim thought she bruised from the fall :) } She see's them and says, "THAT must hurt!" I just laughed and told her "The are your lips, DO they hurt?" Silly girl!

By the time we made it 1/2 way home she was asleep. She walked in the house, crawled in my bed and slept hard until morning.

Me on the other hand.......I relived the past 2 hours all night long and kept touching her to make sure she was breathing. This morning she was fine, even went to school. No headache, just a scraped shoulder and a sensitive head. Me.........I'm exhausted and very very thankful. It might seem like a simple fall to some. To me it shows how quickly life can change on a dime. It's yet another reminder to slow down and appreciate life. It's a slap in the face reminder that whenever she has wheels under her feet, she will have a helmet on her sweet little head. I'm actually considering making her wear a helmet whenever she leaves the house. Going to get the mail? Grab your helmet. Going swimming? Don't forget your life jacket. And your helmet. Don't ever think about walking outside to pick that flower without your helmet on! {grin}

One thing is for certain........I'll never complain about her being hard headed again!

And for now Kinz and I are going to fight over who gets to wear a rubber bracelet so neither of us forget how lucky and loved we are!

{ breakfast in bed. }

2011-05-15T22:27:00.000-05:00

For the second weekend in a row I got breakfast in bed.

Last weekend it was from my sweet hubby at 9:00am. This weekend it was by my sweet Kenna at 6:00am. Turns out it isn't quite as sweet 3 hours earlier.

This morning, I wake up to a tap tap tap on my shoulder. As I slowly open my eyes I come face to face with two little eyes about 6 inches from my own. Then a plate, er basket of food replaces the 5 year old.

She tells me oh so sweetly she has made me breakfast and that she'll be.right.back!!! with my tea.

I'm guessing Kenna missed the memo about the Kurth family not being morning people.

Also it is worthy to mention last Sunday I was awaken also at 6:00am with the same little tap tap tap. Again 2 eyes appeared and I heard, "Happy Mother's Day," the proceeded to watch Kenna grab her blanket and go back to bed.

She's so thoughful, helping me to get my day started earlier.

I'm not sure where she disappeared to this morning after serving me breakfast. I convinced her it needed to sit on the nightstand for a little while and I went back to bed. But you better believe the minute I woke up she was in bed with me watching me eat.....

Nothing like marshmellows and ranch flavored sunflower seeds to start off your day. {grin}

How this early morning riser brightens my world!

{ Mother's Day 2011. }

2011-05-09T17:31:00.000-05:00

We had such beautiful weather in Iowa this weekend. Finally it looks like spring is here to stay, even though today is cool and rainy and tomorrow is suppose to be 89 degrees!

But we managed to get not one but two perfect days this weekend. Just in time for Mother's Day!

The girls made Mother's Day presents at school. Kenna didn't manage three steps in the house after preschool Thursday before she was reaching into her backpack to pull out the gift she made.

She was so proud, showing every single person that walked into our house. {grin}

Kinzley on the other hand was a bit more secretive about hers. She made me promise not to look in her backpack, then ran into her room to hide her gift. {She ended up giving me a crayon shaving suncatcher which I forgot to take a picture of. }

She also have me two other things that melted my heart.

One.

For those of you that can't read 1st grader, This Mother's Day coupon is good for: "I will do what ever you say except Rocket Math." HA!! I guess she is getting tired of me making her practice her math!

The other thing she gave me was a copy of an essay she wrote in a Mother's Day contest.

"My mom is the greatest because... She buys me frozen waffles and they taste awesome. My mom is the best!" Never mind the pancake batter I dyed pink to make bunny rabbit pancakes the other day. Or the homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, muffins that I make from scratch. Never mind any of that. Can you guess what Kinz will be having for breakfast the.rest.of.her.life?!?!? {grin}

Pome ----> {poem} "My mom is a christian and so I am. We want a friend and we want a butterfly." Seriously what more can a mom ask for?!? To know as a mom I am doing what God has called of me on this earth. To know my daughter knows I am a Christian and that so is she. In this day and age to feel secure enough to write it in school.

Be still my heart, be still.

{I'm not sure what the butterfly part is about ;) }

I had a great Saturday filled with my girls and husband, shopping, soccer games, a photo shoot, Olive Garden, a bonfire and a blessed Sunday with family having a picnic lunch {in a RV}, mushroom hunting, brownies, card games, finishing a novel by my favorite author and getting our garden tilled and ready for planting!

All this and I get to be called Mom to the two best girls I know!

A terrific Mother's Day indeed!!!

{ brace yourself. }

2011-05-06T11:05:00.003-05:00

Sorry I've been a bit MIA. I've been really busy.

Don't fall over....

I finally took the time to get a website up and going! And because in typical Shawna style, I had no idea what I was doing and refused to ask for help probably making it a bit harder than it needed to be but the satisfaction is totally worth it!!

Click here to go visit!!!

I also started separate blog for my clients photography photos. Be sure to bookmark my new blog found here to see client sneak peeks.

And......I've been waiting {not so} patiently to offer a photography giveaway but have been holding off until the website and blog were up and going. Be sure to check back next week for a chance to enter!!!

I can't thank everyone enough for all the love, encouragement and support I have received in the past year and a half since offering my photography to others!

{ Glorious Day }

2011-04-25T15:55:00.001-05:00

Easter Sunday.

A morning filled with easter baskets, an indoor early morning Easter egg hunt, church to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, time with friends and family, and the annual outdoor egg hunt after church.

However there wasn't much of a egg hunt when we got home from church this year.

Instead we come home to this,

At first glance our yard looks like lots of yards on Easter morning,

But

I had seen where Tim had put the eggs in the yard. I knew he didn't just drop them all in one spot.

I walked over to them and see...

It didn't take me long to figure out 'someone' had a little Easter egg hunt while we were gone. He even ate the candy out of each egg.

The thief wasn't overly sneaky. Actually he was quite proud of himself, even showing off his new trick for the camera.

Gunner managed to find each and every egg, carried them to the front yard where he cracked them in two and ate the candy, wrapper and all.

Good candy. Snickers, mini cadbury eggs, reese's peanut butter cups.

Later when Tim mentioned he didn't think Gun felt that well I didn't feel sorry for him in the least.

On a seperate note...
I took a few pictures of the girls after church.

Keeping it real...

it was evidently a little chilly for the 7 and under crowd and I was lucky we managed any decent Easter pictures. I got quite a few of these instead. { Even Kinz just looked at this photo and said "I look terrible!" ;)

We re-hide eggs, ate to much food, did a mini photo shoot of someone who doesn't get her photo taken often {photos coming later}, played Just Dance and had a mini contest using spoons.

All the while being so incredibly thankful for a God who not only sent His Son to die for us but who sent Him to rise again!!!

In church we were blessed with a duet with one of my favorite songs, Glorious Day. These lyrics keep running through my head all day.

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

What a glorious day that will be indeed!!!

{ grillmaster. }

2011-04-22T19:45:00.000-05:00

{ His wounds have paid my ransom. }

2011-04-22T10:46:00.000-05:00

How Deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory.

[source]

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom.

Happy Good Friday!

{ too much help. }

2011-04-20T14:21:00.001-05:00

For Kenna's Tangled birthday party I had an idea to cut yellow yarn into {many many many} strands, separate them into three sections, then braid them together making a 6 foot long braid.

I knew I was going to need some help in making this so I enlisted Kinzley.

As it turned out we had much more help than we needed.

So much help in fact we gave up after our 6 foot long cut pieces ended up 'tangled' {no pun intended} around and around Zowe.

We'd lay a piece out,

she'd attack,

and get herself wrapped up.

It didn't matter that we gave her the end ball of yarn to preoccupy her.

Needless to say there was no long Rapunzel braid at the party.

Just a 'tangled' cat.

{ Grayson 6 months. }

2011-04-18T14:40:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe my little nephew turned 6 months not long ago.

I look back at the first photos I took of him lying in his incubator in the NICU and it's hard to believe he's the same blue eyed baby in my photos today.

He's such a laid back little guy, whose trick of the day was to suck his bottom lip in.

Grayson is usually up for anything I ask of him.....

whether if it's my customary 'baby feet' photo,

or packing him in a suitcase.

He's even willing to model a tie onseie I made for him.

However this photo shoot his mom and dad had to do a little work too.

He looks thrilled in this one, doesn't he?

And this one,
just
makes
me
laugh.
I love his chilled back pose with his little tummy peeking out.

These photo shoot are h.a.r.d. w.o.r.k!

{ wordless wednesday. }

2011-04-13T15:17:00.000-05:00

{ 5th birthday party, Tangled style. }

2011-04-07T21:01:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe my baby girl turned 5 yesterday!

5.

half a decade.

Birthday's are a big deal to me. I don't take a year I have with my girls for granted. I fully realize there are mothers who have lost their child and would love more than anything to celebrate each year their child grows another year older.

So instead of a birth{day}, we celebrate a birth{week}.

I started the birthday fun by making Kenna a 5 year old shirt. I have been wanting to try my hand applying an applique to a shirt for a long time. It turned out way easier than I thought it would be. I didn't get a great picture of it but you can see it if you keep your eye out. I do want to mention that after I made the shirt and let Kenna try it on, her little eyes filled with tears and she said, "My eyes are crying because I am just so happy you made me this shirt."

Do I have the sweetest daughter or what?

The girls and I each took a friend ;) to the Children's museum and out for ice cream one night on Family Free Night and another day while Kinzley was at school and I had the day off, Kenna and I went on a "date." We went to Panera, Target and to see the movie, "Gnomeo and Juliet." The best part... we were the only ones in the entire movie theater! Kenna kicked her shoes off and didn't even have to whisper when she talked, which was every 13 seconds or so. She was certain they wouldn't let anyone else in the theater because it was her birthday. ;)

I actually tried my very hardest to convince Kenna to skip the party at our house, instead offering to take all her friends to a local motel to let them swim all afternoon. Kenna was having none of that. She wanted a Tangled party and she wanted it at our house. I was certain I'd be able to swing her vote to the pool and three days before her birthday decided I have better get planning because she wasn't having it.

The day before her birthday Kenna went to play at my mom's and Kinzley and I decorated the house, turning our kitchen into the "festive" that was held outside the castle on Rapunzel's birthday.

Luckily I had some yellow fabric {left over from a pillow experience gone bad ;) } and some "floating lanterns" I had used for Kinzley's rockstar room.

I printed a "sun banner" off on cardstock using a template that can be found here, made by another mom {Super mom} who threw her daughter a Tangled party. I used the leftover yellow fabric and tied it to each triangle.

I used a recycled purple tablecloth and a birthday banner we re-use every year and decorations were done. For free!

For party favors I borrowed the idea to give away a set of watercolor paints, since Rapunzel loved to paint in the tower she was locked in for 18 years.. The Supermom graciously made printable labels to tape on the outside of the paint. I printed off free coloring sheets from here, rolled them in a violet colored pony tail holder.

All the crafts were placed in cast iron skillets like the one Rapunzel used to hit Flynn Ryder. Did I mention Tangled has been playing non-stop in our house since the day it was released on DVD? ;)

I wasn't sure Kenna was actually going to sleep the night before her birthday. She had been counting down her birthday for the last 6 weeks and the night before about pushed her over the edge. She kept coming out of her room to tell me Happy Birthday. :) I would say, "Kenna it's your birthday not mine." She'd answer, "I know! I just don't want you to forget!!" As if I I could.

After midnight she fell asleep only to wake up and hour and a half earlier than normal the next day.

Finally!

We started her big day with a candle in a doughnut.

We let her open a few presents. One was my favorite gift. A Baby Be Blessed bunny
I won in their weekly giveaway a few weeks before!

I've wanted one of their products for the longest time. Each doll they make has a scripture verse sewn onto the stomach. The women that makes these dolls have such Godly hearts, be sure to check out their blog to read about all the lives they touch.

I took a few pictures of Kenna with her Tangled birthday cupcake cake she took for preschool snack. {For the record I'd have made her a homemade one but for preschool it has to be store bought. }

Then she was off to school for a few hours while I made lunch for 9 kids starting with jello boats to represent the boat Flynn and Rapunzel sat in while they watched the floating lanterns on her birthday.

In addition to the jello boats there was grapes, garlic bread and pasta inspired by Rapunzel's long locks.

There was nail painting for the girls, and face painting for those brave enough to allow paint on their face. ;)

They played "pin the hair on Rapunzel" using a picture of Rapunzel I got here.
I opened it in photoshop and enlarged it. I had Kinzley color it for me while I braided yellow yarn to make braids. I just attached a piece of tape with each child's name on it. Not the most visually attractive but it did the trick.

They pulled hair tug of war with a yellow jump rope I got at the dollar store.

{Btw I have NO idea why my oldest daughter decided she needed to wear her bathrobe on top of her clothes the entire party. No clue.}

For a craft I had them make Pascal party blowers.
How cute as these?

{Directions found here.}

Somewhere in the middle Kenna opened presents, {lots of Tangled!} they ate cupcakes and ice cream and finished the party by watching part of the movie, you guessed it, Tangled. ;)

Later that night Tim brought home Kenna's favorite pizza for supper. She had just enough time to eat, and to have a quick visit with Grandma and Grandpa before heading off to Awana's where she took frosting covered sugar cookies to share with her class.

Surprising enough the 19 pounds of sugar she had eaten all day long didn't keep her awake all night. As I tucked her into bed she gave me a huge hug and said, "This is the best day my life. I love when you give me a party because you make it so special. That is why I didn't want to go swimming."

Be still my heart.

We then talked about the things she would do now that she is 5.
1. learn to tie her shoes.
2. learn to read.
3. stop sucking her thumb.

She didn't flinch about the first two. The third one on the other hand had her a bit worried. So much so that she came out of her room after I thought she was sleeping to say, "This is going to take some getting used to. I'll probably have to do it a couple times a night until I can get used to it. Ya know, get.used.to.it."

If the biggest issue I have with my newly turned 5 year old is a little addiction to her thumb, I think she's doing just fine.

I couldn't be prouder of my girl with her compassionate heart and the kindness that radiates out of her. It was my absolute pleasure to bring her the happiness this party gave her.

Happy 5th Birthday ~~Rapunzel~~ Kenna!!!
...........................................................................................................................

ps...If you happen to have a Tangled party for your little princess be sure to let me know! I'd love to see your ideas!

{ on this day...}

2011-04-05T14:48:00.001-05:00

On this day...

April 5th...

5 years ago...

I remember being home soaking up the last day I was a mom to just one child. I remember holding then 2 1/2 year old Kinzley thinking, 'There is no way I can love enough child like I do her.' I was already having mommy guilt in regards to my second daughter and she wasn't even scheduled to arrive until the following day. I knew I'd love her just not with the same love I had for her older sister.

Tomorrow marks Kennacie Grace's 5th birthday. And I was right all those years ago. I don't love her the same as I do Kinzley.

I love her differently but just as much and just as passionately.

How I love this girl and her smirky little grin!

My girl who immediately after coming into this world wouldn't stop fussing until everyone left the room and the lights were turned off. I just knew my second daughter was going to be demanding and high maintenance.

5 years later nothing could be further from the truth.

Kenna is the most laid back, giving, loving child I've ever had the privilege of meeting. I know I used 'blessed' in almost every post with substance about both my girls, it's hard not to. God has truly blessed Tim and I with our daughters. I have learned so much about myself, my husband and my faith through this girl God gave us.

I only wish each and every person had the love for Jesus the way Kenna does. He is like air to her. He is part of her. She desires to please Him in turn desiring to please everyone she comes into contact with. {With the exception of her sister on given days ;) } It amazes me to watch her not only grow physically and mentally but spiritually as well. But there are a few things that stay the same...Kenna loves to eat. Every 20 minutes all day long. She is super affectionate to the point we have to ask her to give us a little space. To which she can not understand! She still loves that darned thumb and many mornings I wake up to her in our bed sucking her thumb while rubbing my back with her other hand.

......Slow down time......

5 years ago...

on this day....

I had no idea the gift God was giving me on April 6th.

Kenna girl,
You make my world a brighter place.
You are my sunshine.
I love you alllll the way to heaven and back.

Now STOP GROWING! ;)

{ not where I'd have chose. }

2011-04-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

If I was a dog I'm fairly certain this is not the spot I'd pick to rest.

{ Japan relief necklace. }

2011-03-21T14:52:00.000-05:00

When the devastating earthquakes hit Haiti last year like so many I was unsure what to do to help. With the recent tsunami and earthquakes that hit Japan I am once again hit with those same feelings.

Because of the tremendous turnout with the Haiti necklace's I am once again offering a chance to purchase either a {blessed} or {hope} necklace in which $10 from every necklace sold will go to aid in Japan relief.

Hope necklace can be found here.

and the blessed necklace here.

Little by little we can make a difference!

{ we have a problem. }

2011-03-19T18:32:00.001-05:00

we were running low on groceries so we made a trip to town. our families slight addiction didn't look that bad in the cart. however once groceries were put away in our house it became apparent we have a small problem.

we can not get enough of these things

favorites:
Tim...lime
Kinzley...lime
Kenna... she does care. she eats whatever is the easiest to get to. shocking I know.
Shawna: grape, although I do like lemonade too {not shown}

yes there are a few we didn't buy {grin}

we got two new flavors today. pineapple and acai blueberry which I don't think sounds good at all.

we didn't care for coconut.

i'd really like if they would mix the strawberry and lemonade together. Kenna and I get tired licking each others popsicle to get this flavor.

yes. these are a big enough part of our life that they made the blog. sad but true.

{ catch me if you can....}

2011-03-17T17:22:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago my crafty 7 year old came out of her room with yet another one-of-a-kind Kinzley design.

She had decided she needed to catch a leprechaun to take to school and made her very own leprechaun trap. :) This design has sat on her table in her room since that time but she hadn't really mentioned anything about it again.

Until last night...

I go into tell her goodnight and see her making some final adjustments {stairs!} to the device that she is sure will catch a leprechaun.

She was so so sure she would wake up this morning and there would be a wee little green man in her Mt Dew can. {Evidently her Leprechaun is 2 inches tall. :) }

I mean she was so sure her plan was foolproof. How could any leprechaun resist a shiny gold ring dangling from a piece of yarn attached to a toilet paper roll tube?

From my understanding in his attempt to grab the ring his weight would make him fall into the can. In case that wasn't enough incentive she had another gold ring inside the can to lure him in.

What could go wrong?

All she needed was a leprechaun.

She was so very excited last night, I didn't have the heart to tell her chances are there wouldn't be a leprechaun inside. I actually had quite a few suggestions from facebook friends on different ideas however didn't end up putting green food coloring, gold or powder in the can. I just figured I'd go with the leprechauns are invisible theory this morning

Turns out in true Kinzley fashion she figured the answer out all by herself.

She was up before me this morning and as soon as I saw her I braced myself for the hurt heart of not having something come true when you are certain it would. {Kinda like the time the tooth fairy forgot to leave money under her pillow and my poor broken heart-ed girl sat holding tears back with a tiny tooth in the palm of her hand}

Instead I see a child bouncing off the walls, pleased as can be that the leprechaun did in fact make a night visit to her room. She then took me into her room to see the "evidence" that he was there.

See that can knocked over?!?! Proof in her eyes, he did in fact try to get his gold. She even said she heard him but was just to tired to wake up. And Zowe heard him to. She even went over by the trap to see him. The leprechaun got scared of the cat, knocked over the can and ran off.

Yep Kinzley. That is exactly what happened. :)

Although she did figure she better double check the can just in case.

But wait it gets even better.

Further proof he was here.....

I'm sure you are wondering what exactly that is and how it ties into this story. At the risk of making myself sound slightly crazy.....

My dogs got sprayed by a skunk yesterday and earned themselves a night {or 10!} in the garage. Our oldest dog is a bit spoiled and a baby and honestly I can't tell you a time when he had to sleep in the garage. Needless to say he was slightly ticked off and proceeded to bark all night. Unfortunately our bedroom wall shares a wall with the garage. We had put the shock collar on him before we went to bed since he feels the weight of it and doesn't bark. Good for us since the 9 volt battery in the remote was dead anyways. Around 2am he decided to bark and nothing happened. So he continued to bark and bark and bark. Finally I had had it and got up to steal a battery from where ever I could find one. Our smoke alarms are wired with the house as well as having a 9 volt battery. The remote ended up with a battery, our dog {biggest wimp there ever was} got the positive vibration through the collar that is used in training as a reward and decided to stop barking. And the smoke alarm who was missing a battery let out a loud pitched beep every 30 seconds until I got back out of bed to wrap it in a towel and place it as far away from my room as possible outside on the deck.

Which brings me back to Kinzley seeing the smoke alarm missing this morning with wires hanging down from the ceiling. Of course this is the route the leprechaun used to get in and out of our house!

I could not make this stuff up if I tried.

One more thing......My sister was here the day the original design was made and made the silly mistake of asking Kinzley why she had never made a fairy trap.

Kinz took a deep breathe and answered in all seriousness, "Trudy, I'm not sure if you know this.......but fairies aren't real."

Disclaimer:
No leprechauns were hurt in the making of this post.

{ baby parts. }

2011-03-11T18:16:00.000-06:00

One minute Baby J is watching tv with Kenna and the next minute she flipped around and was fast asleep.

When I saw her little sock half on/half off and her pudgy little leg I couldn't help but grab the camera and capture a few images.

I love baby parts.

{long eyelashes}

{little lips with just a hint of drool}

{closed fist, rolly polly thighs.}

Sleep tight baby cakes.

and please please don't ever take pictures of my thighs while I sleep ;)

{I took these a few weeks ago. Earlier this week my sister took Jolie to the Dr. because of a high fever. She ended up being diagnosed with H1N1. Please keep her in your prayers that she starts feeling better soon and doesn't end up with pneumonia which is a possibility following H1N1. She's miserable. Poor thing!}

{ not sure this is what she had in mind }

2011-03-05T11:58:00.001-06:00

When my mom found a photography prop at an auction the other day I'm thinking this is not who she planned to pose inside of it.

Sure enough as I walked into the garage, this is who I see all curled up and comfortable.

He didn't care at all when I told him that he should probably get out.

Not one bit.

{ faces of Gray. }

2011-03-04T15:11:00.000-06:00

Look who came to visit and brought all his expressions with him!

The smiles came out the camera was put away. The smiles came out when we talked about how Gray doesn't really care so much for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse like his Dad thought. Nope smiles came out when I mentioned Hannah Montana and Justin Beiber.

He's gonna be just like his Dad and his love for pop music. ;)

{ dancing in the minefields. }

2011-03-01T18:17:00.005-06:00

Not long ago, my poor husband had the misfortune of walking in the house at the exact moment I was putting new batteries in the external flash on my camera.

The he sat down which I interpreted to mean, 'he actually wanted his picture taken.'

Right?

Had he not had been wearing his {dirty} carharts and his Gander Mountain camo hat I {probably} wouldn't have even taken any. It's just I knew these photos would capture the true spirit of my husband. The redneck that he is.

{Although I do feel the need to mention.....we had ONE day of 60 degree weather a few weeks ago and Tim took ALL the winter coats/boots/hats downstairs to storage. He decided he'd had enough of winter and we would no longer need them.....Later that week while I watched the snow fall, I went and grabbed them for him again ;) }

As I look at these photos of my husband with his little grin I can't help but smile along too. If you've read my blog for long you know last summer the world as we knew it spun out of our control. 'Cause ya know, it's all in 'our control.' {insert sarcasm here}

While we know God has a plan for our life, it's something different entirely when God actually follows His plan and we are left in the dark wondered what just happened. It was during this time I kept thinking of one of my favorite quotes:

When you have come to the edge of all the light you have known and are about to step out into the darkness, FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen...There will be something to stand on or You will be taught how to fly.

You see, Tim has battled anxiety and depression the entire 15 years I have known him. This past summer his body built up a tolerance to his medication and he needed to find a combination of new ones that would help. It took a long 6 months, trying many many med combination, being off work for a period of time and a job change before he started feeling like his normal fun loving self again.

While he has had NO reservations about me telling my blog readers, I on the other hand have. It's not because I am embarrassed or don't believe his illness is truly that, an illness. No, I've never mentioned it because I in no way would ever ever want to paint Tim in a negative light. I can't begin to describe the honor it is to be his wife. It literally moves me to tears to know that my girls have the privileged to call him 'Dad.' Knowing he is theirs, he is mine is an absolute gift from God to us. I can't type into words the love, the respect, the selflessness Tim gives the three of us. I'd never want to portray him as anything other than a Christian man who loves his God and loves his girls. ;)

But.

He is all these amazing things while living with a mental illness. His mental illness is part of him. It's not something either of us want or would wish on anyone. But it in part makes him Tim. That also makes his mental illness part of me. It's taken me, let's see 15 years minus the last 9 months to fully grasp how crippling depression and anxiety can be not only on the one with the illness but the family too.

Recently I came across a blog called Our Crazy Marriage written by a wife and her husband who has a mental illness. It was such a source of encouragement to read from the point of view of the another wife with a bipolar husband.

Wife, Joanie writes:
"I don't spend time most days thinking about how life would be different or how Toben would be different or even how I would be different without bipolar disorder in our lives. Mostly I've accepted it. Yes, I wish it wasn't so, have prayed for Toben to be healed. But I think it's our thorn.

The Apostle Paul prayed for the thorn in his flesh (whatever it was) to be removed, but God said no. Because God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. In our lack, he provides. In our brokenness, he is glorified.

I've said it before--and I really do mean it--that this bipolar thing is a gift. Not one I'd wish on anyone, and certainly not one I wanted or asked for. But God has used it for much good in our lives and for his glory."

Through out this past summer I truly learned what it meant to fully rely on God. I don't know how many times I thought, "I can't take anymore. I am not strong enough to carry this entire family on my shoulders." Time and time again I would feel peace upon realizing, I didn't have to be strong. I didn't have to carry my family, God was strong enough to carry us all. God wanted me to throw myself at His feet and trust that He would carry me, my husband and our girls.

While Tim is back to his normal self, it's never far from our thoughts about where he was. While he does take new medication, we both know it's not the medication itself that makes him feel like himself. It's the grace of God who ultimately brought him out of this overwhelming period. It's God who gets the glory. In the future if God so chooses to take us back down this path, it will be God who gets the glory then too. It's our desire to be used by Him. If this is our purpose then we trust He will never forsake us as He brings hard times our way. We will remember God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

So.....

This post got much longer and much more detailed than I'd originally intended. I simply heard a new song that reminded me of the life Tim and I live and wanted to post it. I wanted to give a little background info and instead gave a lot! After waiting a few days and praying I am going to publish this in hopes that our openness can help anyone struggling with anxiety or anyone whose loved one is struggling. If anyone ever needs to talk, I'm only an email away. :)

{ Dancing in the Minefields }

We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for..

Cause we bear the light of the Son of man
So there’s nothing left to fear
So I’ll walk with you in the shadow lands
Till the shadows disappear
Cause He promised not to leave us
And His promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos baby,
I will dance with you......

So we dance in good times and bad.

There is no one else I'd rather be dancing with.
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{ps. I wouldn't be a photographer worth my salt if I didn't acknowledge the location and the awesome chairs used in the making of this music video ;) }

{ pinky swear. }

2011-02-28T18:41:00.001-06:00

{ part of the conversation between Kenna and I on 'stranger danger.' }

Me: There are lots of ways a bad person might try and steal you. One way is grabbing you and carrying you out of the store. If someone were to try and make you leave with them what should you do?

Kenna: Well, I'd just ask them very nicely, please don't grab my arm and drag me away.

Me: OR you kick and scream and bite and yell that that isn't your Mom or Dad.
Sometimes a bad person might not grab you. Instead they might ask you to come to their car to see their baby kitties.

Kenna: OHHHHH I love baby kitties! Don't worry mom, I'd come right back in! But first I'd see if they wanted to take Kinzley too!

Me: Honey, there are no kitties. They are lying to you to get you to come to their car quiety. You can never ever leave the store with anyone no matter what they say.

Kenna: Ok. I promise I won't.

Me: Ok, what if a really nice woman tells you she has lots of candy in her car and you can pick out as much as you want. All you have to do is come out for a couple seconds. I won't even know you are gone.

Kenna: Hummm. ALL the candy I want?..........I GOT IT! I'll just make her pinky swear that she won't steal me.

Evidently we have some more work to do on this subject......

{ps... yes it was very hard to publish a post with no pictures. }

{ move over Anne Geddes }

2011-02-22T17:32:00.000-06:00

Anne Geddes isn't the only one who can turn a baby into a flower!

Ok, technically my sister made the baby and the flower, I just took the pictures.

Anyways I digress...

Isn't she the sweetest little hydrangea you have ever seen?

My sister just opened up a facebook page to show her designs. I'd give you her etsy store link however her store is just about empty. Which in this case is a good thing since she's been selling like crazy! If you are interested in a flower petal set, feel free to become a fan of Buggaboo Boutique on facebook and contact her there!

{ Jolie Arlenna...6 months }

2011-02-21T10:43:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe my littlest niece is already 6 months old!

Actually she's a bit over 6 months now, poor girl had croup and delayed her 6 month photo shoot by a couple weeks.

Thank goodness she is now feeling better! Although this happy go lucky girl sure wasn't cracking a smile for my camera. The second it's put away the giggles come pouring out. Good thing she's cute when she's serious too ;)

This first one is her Valentines photo...

Then the actual 6 month photos...

How I love this girl and her big brown eyes!

My sister made the head bands used in each of these pictures as well as the orange hammock. Just a few more days until her etsy shoppe opens!

If you think those were cute {just you wait} for the last ones we took of Jolie modeling my sister's designs!!!

Happy 6 months Little J! You have blessed our family more than you could ever know!

{ blessed. }

2011-02-19T18:26:00.000-06:00

Blessed.

{Martina McBride}

I get kissed by the sun each morning

Put my feet on a hardwood floor

I get to hear my children laughing

Down the hall through the bedroom door

Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing

Just soaking up the day

I think to myself, I think to myself

This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed and I feel like I’ve found my way

I thank God for all I’ve been given at the end of every day

I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve

To be here with the ones that love me

To love them so much it hurts

I have been blessed

I have been blessed.

{ black and white wednesday...Valentine beauties. }

2011-02-16T11:50:00.000-06:00

My girls and I had a photo shoot this past weekend in which I took {way} to many photos {again.} Seriously if they would stop posing themselves and giving me 100 different expressions I wouldn't end up with nearly as many.

Technically it's their own fault!

Since I have so many to share I thought I'd break it up and post the black and whites for black and white Wednesday and post some colored ones tomorrow.

I started with this little cutie.

She decided to wiggle the.entire.photo.shoot.driving.her.mother.crazy!

Next up was Miss Competitive who decided to show her little sister how well she could pose {and hold still!}

How can she be so pretty when she is so serious?

Yet equally as cute with her 7 year old grin?

I did end up with a handful of them together,

before Kenna decided she was exhausted from all the smiling. : )

How blessed I am to call these two mine!

Be sure to visit The Long Road to China for more great black and whites.

And if you can't wait until tomorrow to see the colored photos, they are all posted on my Photography Facebook page :)

{ I heart faces...red... & a free action ;) }

2011-02-15T18:21:00.002-06:00

I was multi-tasking a little while ago, editing photos I'd taken of the girls this last week and browsing facebook ;) when I realized the {I heart faces} theme this week was red. Since my girlies just happened to be wearing red I figured I'd give you a sneak peek of our photo shoot and enter this photo...

There will be {lots} more photos of these two coming but in the meantime check out the I heart faces blog to see more great photos.

For you photographers---I have been a long time fan of Jodi at MCP Actions. Right now on her facebook page she has a free action called Mini Fusion which is what I used to edit this photo. Seriously go get it now! It makes bright colors pop but is adjustable to create a more vintage look like I did to this photo. While you are there you might as well look around at all her actions. I love her work!

{ Love never fails. }

2011-02-14T10:10:00.001-06:00

Love is not proud

Love does not boast

Love after all

Matters the most

Love does not run

Love does not hide

Love does not keep

Locked inside

Love is the river that flows through

Love never fails you

Love will sustain

Love will provide

Love will not cease

At the end of time

Love will protect

Love always hopes

Love still believes

When you don’t

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love never fails you

When my heart won’t make a sound

When I can’t turn back around

When the sky is falling down

Nothing is greater than this

Greater than this

Love is right here

Love is alive

Love is the way

The truth the life

Love is the river than flows through

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love is the place you will fly to

Love never fails you

While many of us love Valentines Day, giving and receiving the love from those we love, Valentine's Day is a hard day for others. There are those who may be in a loveless relationship and those who so desperately want to find the person who will love them the way they deserve to be loved.

While we don't get to see beforehand the plan God has for our life we do know this....

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

{John 3:16}

Regardless if you are feeling loved today or struggling through this holiday, there is One who loves you enough to send His Son to die for you. You are loved and He has not forgotten about you!

{Love never fails you....}

Lyrics used from Brandon Heath's "Love Never Fails." {Click the song title to see the video and hear the song!}

{ Daddy Daughter Dance 2011. }

2011-02-12T15:12:00.000-06:00

{ sleeping arrangements. }

2011-02-11T17:57:00.000-06:00

Yesterday at nap time I quietly snuck into Kenna's room to take a couple photos of her sleeping in her bed.

If you have read my blog for any period of time you realize why I'd want to take a picture of my 4 year old IN her bed. This is my child who sleeps on her floor with her head right outside the door. 8 nights out of 10, she at some point comes into our bedroom with her favorite pillow and blanket and I step on her when I crawl out of bed in the morning.

This is just a normal part of our life.

However last week the girls and I hit some thrift stores in hopes of finding Kenna a desk so she could make ~~junk~~ crafts just like her big sister. We did find a couple that would work. I wanted the $62 {that price even 1/2 off} antique one with curves legs. She wanted a white square one that cost $12. After realizing the chances of the top of the beautiful antique desk was going to be covered in glue and glitter and paint was pretty high, we ended up with a square white desk. {which I somehow had to pinky swear I'd paint pink in the spring}

I really am getting to the photos of her sleeping. Stick with me!

After getting home last Saturday we immediately had to get her desk situated in her room. Me being me, didn't like where it was so I ended up changing the layout of her room.

What I didn't realize that simply by moving her bed to the opposite wall, she'd go to sleep in it and stay there all night. Evidently her head is now close enough to the door to feel secure enough to stay there.

{You may notice the girl laying on the floor in front of the TV, that I didn't end up getting pictures of sleeping IN her bed.}

I didn't get photos of her sleeping in her bed because when I opened her door she wasn't in there! I looked around for a few seconds and didn't see her anywhere. That's when I noticed a basket sitting outside her closet door. A basket that is suppose to be in her closet.

I opened up the door and found Kenna fast asleep....

I couldn't help but laugh. She even had a water bottle, the leapster and a flashlight!

Then later that night she went back to her bed and slept all night.

Today at nap I open her door to put some clothes away and once again left to grab my camera.

This time...

She clearly isn't concerned with comfort!

{ black and white wednesday...saint bernard baby. }

2011-02-09T20:50:00.000-06:00

Remember those two new teeth my niece was sporting the other day?

Well when there are new teeth there is drool. Lots and lots of drool.

I didn't realize how much drool my Saint Bernard niece that we call Jolie produced until I made the mistake of lying on my back and holding her above my head in the "airplane" position.

So when a short while later she managed to get her pacifier stuck in her mouth sideways, I didn't feel to badly when instead of helping I chose to grab the camera.

Be sure to head over to Lisa's blog The Long Road to China to see more great photos, probably not of saliva. ;)

{It's been a looong time since I participated, I missed it!}

{ a little visitor. }

2011-02-04T11:58:00.001-06:00

We had a little visitor the other day.

Emphasis on little.

Let me give you a hint.

I haven't gotten to play with Little J for a while. I've been busy with the things that fill my day and my sister has been busy making photo props {like the fringe blanket little Miss Thing is on} and comforting a teething baby.

That's right Jolie has gotten not one but two new teeth since I've seen her last.

Hope you got a look at them since she turned very serious and didn't flash those pearly whites again.

I'm not sure what she is telling me here. Perhaps no more pictures Aunt Shawna?

Nay, that couldn't be it. She loves my camera. See?

Two new teeth isn't the only thing Jolie has up her sleeve. She learned another new trick since I saw her last.

Sitting alone.

Up next, sitting and smiling at the same time.

{ to cute not to share. }

2011-02-03T17:16:00.000-06:00

I took the following picture on my cell phone a couple weeks ago when Kenna was at the Dr. for a check up.

You are correct. It's taken me this long to figure out how to get a photo off my phone.

And yes that is a circus wagon behind them. Their Dr's office ROCKS!!!

You should see the beach room......Real sand on the painted beach. I swear it smells like sunscreen!

................................................................................................................................................................

Check back tomorrow for a few photos from a little visitor we had!

{ dough day. }

2011-02-02T17:47:00.000-06:00

Today was a snow day for the girls.

Like much of the midwest we were hit by a massive snowstorm last night. It's kind of funny though because if you look out our window you can't really tell. Our house sits in a way that the 40+ mile an hour winds just blew the snow right past us. It didn't look that different at all. That is until I opened our front door this morning and it didn't move. The ONE spot on our 2 acres that the snow piled up was of course right outside the front door.

I spent a while shoveling snow this morning but before I could finish two little blonde haired girls were dressed and playing outside. I'd love to share pictures with you but I don't take pictures at 7:30 in the morning. Especially not in the cold.

Nope, I went into my nice outdoor wood burner heated house, made them a couple cups of hot chocolate and decided this was the perfect day to practice making oatmeal bread for the spring farmer's markets.

I figured if I was messing my kitchen up, I might as well make a batch of cinnamon rolls and kolaches. Halfway through the girls came in and I lost all control. :) I ened up giving them each a piece of dough and let them make whatever they wanted.

I actually wasn't going to take any photos of them however I've never seen anything quite like it. They pushed and pulled and buttered and sugared, then smashed it all into a ball. They got the play-doh cookie cutters out to make 'cookies' out of yeast dough.

They decided to have a contest in which Tim and I would decide which baked good was the best. Then Kenna sat on her entire piece of cinnamon saturated dough and I told them no way was I trying it. That is IF I could manage to bite into it. I'm sure 'light and fluffy' went out the window when they started wringing the dough out like a wet washcloth.

Did I mention Kenna licked her dough?

Sometimes things look better after they are baked, theirs does NOT. After seeing it baked, they decided they would each eat a kolache and save their bakery for their dad.

I should probably go warn him.

What a fun ~~snow~~ dough day this turned out to be!

{ I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. }

2011-02-01T13:06:00.000-06:00

I kid you not.

I had just turned off the vacuum and walked out of our bedroom when I vaguely heard Kenna's voice. Whatever she was saying was fairly muffled and repetitive and for a second I thought perhaps she and my daycare boy were talking back and forth behind the closed bedroom doors that they were suppose to be sleeping behind.

However as I made my way to her room I realized it was just Kenna's voice and there are a bit of a panic to it. Instantly I panicked, worrying that between the muffled panicky voice, she was trapped under a fallen dresser or something. Instead I fling her door open and don't see a thing out of place.

That is until the suitcase, that she had just taken in her room for the cat to sleep in started moving.

It took just a few seconds for me to realize that Kenna had climbed inside the suitcase and managed to zip herself inside of it! After a couple attempts to unzip it {she had the zipper pull inside the suitcase} I scooped my scared little 4 year old and her blanket and pillow out.

It took her awhile to calm down, poor girl!

Of course me being the mom that I am.....asked her to climb back in so I could take a couple photos ;)

She must not have been to overly terrified because when I went into check on her a little while later, I found her fast asleep. {Don't worry Grandma's we had a discussion about never locking yourself inside again}

Only in this house!

{ good and faithful servant. }

2011-01-31T15:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning our family got up a little earlier than normal and braved snowy icy roads to go celebrate in church with Tim's Grandma Helen. Her church was having a tribute to her and no amount of Iowa weather was keeping us away.

You see, at 92 years old, Helen decided to retire from playing the piano/organ at her church, after 75 years.

That wasn't a mistype on my part.

75 years.

In 75 years she played for over 3,750 church services, 100 weddings and 200 funerals.

Can you imagine doing anything for that long?

She started playing piano in Sunday school when she was 10, started playing in church at age 17 and has missed very few Sundays since, unless she was on a scheduled vacation. Tim had told me of a time when he and his brother spent the night with their Grandma. The boys were around 6 and 12 years in age and being typical boys would rather play than get ready. Long story short Tim couldn't find his sock and was making his Grandma late so she decided to leave them. :) I think the boys walked two miles to church and made it halfway through the service. When people says she's dedicated, they have no idea how much so!

The music director of her church stood up and talked about how they decided which songs they would play in honor of Helen. Evidently he and Helen sat down together and he asked her to name a few of her favorites. Off the top of her head she named 2 pages worth of songs from the Hymnal. Even better than that, she named the page number each song was on!

They played a couple of her favorites while we sat in the pew with her. In between songs the music director started laughing and made mention that Helen was holding the hymnal in her hands however hadn't opened it once. To that she replied, "If I don't know the songs by now, I'm in trouble!"

He mentioned how he had asked Helen if there was ever a time she didn't want to come to church and play, in which she responded, "I imagine a few times but could never come up with a good enough reason not to!"

As if Helen's faithfulness to her church and to the Lord isn't enough, she does get paid a small amount to play each Sunday. However she donates it back to the church. :)

There is so much a person can learn from this woman of faith. She uses the talents God has given her to bring Him the glory. She is on various committees making quilts or mittens for the needy. She gives to the less fortunate. All this without needing recognition. She does it because she a faithful servant of God.

It was our privilege to attend a day in honor of her!

I have a few pictures of a 'tea party' Grandma Helen and the girls had this past summer.

I hope when I am 92 I have as much energy as Helen. I hope I can get around as well as she does. I hope I can say I too was a good and faithful servant of God.

Thanks Grandma Helen for not only talking to the talk but walking the walk.

I hope you have your seat picked out in the congregation!

{ brothers, Connor 3 years & Caleb 6 days. }

2011-01-30T20:38:00.000-06:00

I wonder if having the privilege to do a newborn photo shoot will ever get old. I can't think so.

There are few things sweeter than a sleepy baby.

Unless it's the actual sleeping baby.

He slept when I needed sleeping shots,

and woke up so I could get a few awake shots too.

Such a calm easy going little guy.

Then there was his big brother Connor who made me work to get his photos.

Connor was a busy little guy far more interested in our cat than smiling for me.

Then I realized he'd work for gum ;)

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.
Marc Brown

I {adore} how Connor is looking at baby Caleb like he isn't sure what to think about him.

What a difference three years makes!

Amanda and Brad, I hope you enjoyed your sneak peek.

Your boys are precious!!!

{ high class exercising. }

2011-01-26T12:40:00.000-06:00

Whoever said exercise isn't suppose to be fun obviously has never had the pleasure of exercising with the Kurth girls as their trainers.

A few weeks ago I started a new series of workout DVD's. In the past I have done Jillian Micheal's Shred, P90X, roller-bladed 10 miles a day all summer long, played volleyball, softball ran track, you name it I've done it. Nothing I've ever done is as challenging as the set I am doing now.

It's tough. But with the help of the girls I should have no problem. Right?

As my arms and legs shake from exhaustion I have Kinzley keeping me fueled in food.

She stands next to me happily chewing on homemade girl scout cookies we had made other day.

As sweet as can be she tells me how delicious they are and ask me if I'd like one. :)

In that same workout, as I am holding myself in plank then doing dips for what seems like an eternity, Kenna kneels down beside me, places a hand on my bum and proceeds to push me back down everytime I manage to get back up. She is very encouraging telling me, "You got it mom!" and then, "You know the people on the TV aren't laying down?"

Ya well, clearly they have much more endurance than I do, but thanks for letting me know Kenna girl.

Not to much longer Kenna decides she needs a break from her personal training and I see her sitting on the step stool in the kitchen eating a cup of blue jello. I look over at her to hear, "What? I need a break, I'm getting sore!"

Last night I had forgotten my water and asked Kenna to go get me a glass so I didn't have to get off the treadmill.

She did alright.

No water bottle for me! No sir re, I'm high class when I'm working out. ;)

I think the workouts would be easier if I wasn't stopping to laugh all the time!

{ heart cards. }

2011-01-25T21:46:00.003-06:00

Ok, Picture this, literally. {so sorry I have cracked myself up all day long!} your adorable child handing out custom made Valentines that have his or her very own photo on the front.

{Cards from the mini collection are single sided and will be printed on high quality photo paper.}
...These can also be printed in a 4x6 if desired....

{The Valentine collection contains flat 5x7 double sided cards printed on linen paper and include envelopes.}

{Valentines out of the square card collection are....... square. Original I know.}

{These are also double sided and printed on linen paper with envelopes.}

If you have had a session with Shawna E Photography and would like to order custom Valentines this year, I'll need the collection name and the design number.

Feel free to contact me for prices!

{ps. Talk about breaking your photographer Mother's heart, once again my girls are opting for Disney character Valentines. I told them I would gladly take a photo of them holding their Tangled doll. No go. Clearly I should have thought of this cute idea before they could talk.}

Order now! While you still can!! :)

FYI: It was brought to my attention someone thought I was trying to pass these designs as if I designed them myself. While I can certainly understand how that could be perceived, I never took credit for the design part of these Valentines. I simply uploaded client photos into pre-made templates and offered them to sell to my clients. {which is within the giveaway guidelines.}

Like many photographers, I follow other photography blogs as well as facebook. Two of the places I watch for inspiration offered free templates for Valentines on their facebook page. If you haven't had a session with me but would still like to use the mini collection templates, head over to MCP actions page to download the free templates designed by Elizabeth Grace Photography.

The square and rectangle templates were offered through Florabella Collection. All you have to do is “Like” them and then you will have access to download the file (look under the “Exlusive” tab) for the download link!

Another great idea from Florabella is to print extra Valentines and send them overseas to a local troop. You just have to mail it to the address below by January 27th!

Hugs for Soldiers

P. O. Box 2887

Duluth, GA 30096

Sorry for any confusion this may have caused!

{ bumbo's aren't just for sleeping. }

2011-01-24T15:24:00.000-06:00

Remember this post about our cat? Right after I posted it, I walked past Kinzley's room and saw Zowe playing in the bumbo seat.

I couldn't help but grab the camera as I watched her play with the toy Kinzley had set up for her.

What a funny cat she is!

{ Is this heaven? No it's Mexico. }

2011-01-21T17:42:00.003-06:00

My sweet Kenna girl. My girl who loves Jesus with all she is.

Not long ago my niece's cat passed away. The next day I ran into pay a bill and as I got back into the Suburban I overheard the girls talking about how sad it was. I mentioned how my niece was probably pretty sad and we should pray that her heart feels better. Kenna softly says, "I know mom. I prayed for her last night before bed because I knew she was sad."

There is something about her sweet soft innocence that just melts my heart. I love that she thinks to pray on her own, that she talks about Jesus without prompting, that she fights to be the one to pray before supper and if someone else does it, she just does it too. ;) I love that she really does think Jesus likes it when she prays to him while she wears her Awana's vest. I love that at age 4 1/2 she has such faith. I can only continue to pray that she never loses her love for the Lord.

Today she was telling me some things she knows about Jesus.

She knows...

He's special.
He loves each and every boy and girl.
He helps us stay alive for a couple of weeks. ;)
When we die we go live with Him, in heaven or in Mexico. HA!!!

Here's how the end of this conversation went....

Me: "Actually when you die you go to heaven. Not Mexico. Mexico is a place on earth. Just like we live in Iowa.

Kenna explained: "You know people live in Mexico?"

Me: "Well yes, I do know that."

Kenna,: "Well they are lucky! Because when they die they don't even have to go to heaven they can just stay right where they are!!!"

I'm thinking tonight we may have to have a lesson on geography. ;)

{ why? }

2011-01-20T15:01:00.001-06:00

It's very easy to ask God why He allows things to happen in hard times, but how often do we stop and ask Him why he allows things to happen when times are good?

Why God? Why does a man open fire at a book signing? Why is an innocent 9 year old killed in the process? Why do children get cancer? Why is there never enough money to go around? Why does nothing ever go easy for our family?

why, Why, WHY?

I tend to try and see the positive in any given situation. I look to see God's hand at work. I try to predict where He is trying to take us. {usually wrong FYI} I believe with all I am God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. While there are times we just don't get to see the end of the road He has us on, I have complete faith that He is leading us where He wants us to go.

Sometimes during very hard times, it's hard to remind ourselves of that.

I was reading a blog not long ago in which the writer was a friend of a mother whose child had cancer. {got that? }The blogger asked the question, "Why? Why your child? It's not fair. She's young. I hate that God is using your daughter in such big ways. Why?" The mom simply replied, "Whatever it takes."

Whatever it takes to reach people. Talk about strength. Talk about trusting in God's plan during the hardest time of her life.

It's very easy to ask God why He allows things to happen in hard times, but how often do we stop and ask Him why he allows things to happen when times are good?

Which brings me to the point, How often do we ask God WHY when things are good?

How often do you hear others say, "Why are my children healthy? Why do we have jobs that enable us to support this mortgage payment? Why is my husband faithful? Why God why?"

It's easy to point the finger at God when we are struggling. How often does that same finger get pointed towards Him while asking the words, "What have I done to deserve all the blessings you have given?"

Have we ourselves done anything to deserve what He has given us? No, you haven't done anything to deserve bad things to happen. But you also haven't done anything to deserve the good either. You see it's not about you.

It's about Him.

As humans we naturally assume things are suppose to be easy. We tend to forget God never promised easy.

Quite the opposite actually.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". John 16:33

In this one scripture verse, God promises, you will have trouble. And peace. He reminds us that He has already overcome the world.

So if you or your loved ones are struggling today, know there is a God bigger that you. A God bigger than this world. A God beside you every step of your journey.

If you are in a season of peace, be grateful for all you have been given you and above all don't forget to be faithful to the One has overcome this world for you.

And every once in a while, ask why.

{ fav's of twenty ten. }

2011-01-19T17:56:00.001-06:00

Not long ago I was saving all my photos to hard copies, when I came across photo after photo that made me smile.

Some of these are photos that I have posted earlier in the year on my blog and some that I never did get around to posting. It's always fun to look back and see how much the girls have grown through the year.
{too bad I resized them all smaller prior to allowing my blog to have bigger pictures.}

Here's a look at some favorites from twenty ten.

{Omaha Zoo}

{ Little daredevil}

{ a sweet/silly smile in the corn bin at the pumpkin farm}

{ the girls and I on Kenna's dedication day}

{look at the face on Kinz. Proof she doesn't always enjoy getting her photo taken.}

{happy go lucky Kenna}

{er uhm, slightly dramatic Sis}

{ a few from Canada}

{after coming home from Aunt Trudy's.}

{Kenna girl}

{a day at cousin Kristi's}

{you can't help but smile along when you see this smile.}

{or smile when you see Kenna rubbing her cousin Jake's fresh army haircut}

{In trouble at the pumpkin farm. Kenna and her tongue! }

{Kinz's looooong jump at the Hershey Track Meet}

{1st time meet Grayson.}

{the only time this child is quiet.}

{the love of a cat.}

{the love of a Dad.}

{the love of a sister.}

{railroad tracks.}

{halloween fun.}

{flower power.}

{muddy girls.}

{ love the smirk!}

{love this smile!}

{love these two!!!!}

{and love this man!}
{I don't know how many times Kenna walked in front of the camera. Just couldn't figure out that I had a remote :) }

How are your eyes? Burning yet?

Don't even ask for many cd's it took to save all the 2010 photos :)

{ a day in our life. }

2011-01-14T12:52:00.000-06:00

This is a extremely common sight around our house.

We call her Kenna, Kenna Cyrus. :)

{ sometimes bigger really is better. }

2011-01-13T17:33:00.001-06:00

Surprise!

Don't you just love when you come to a regular read blog and it has a makeover?

Be honest, did you think you clicked the wrong link for a second? Or is that just me who does that?

Obviously, I have been working on giving my blog a new look. In all honestly I wasn't overly happy with the look of my last blog design. I designed it while I was waiting 20 some hours for my sister to have a baby and only had limited photos and graphics available.

I was really wanting to be able to post larger photos and in order to do so ended up having to change to a 2 column design. Not getting too technical on you, blogger has changed their template layouts since my last redo and it was pretty much designing a blog from scratch. Adding to that blogger also changed the entire coding so everything I have taught myself in the last 4 years did me no good at all. Fun times!

In the end, I love the simplicity of the new look making it all worth it.

And from now on my photos that used to look like this

will now look like this.

I know. It's nice, isn't it?

It was slightly frustrating at times.

But now that it's done.......YEAH!!!

Sometimes bigger IS better!

{ the love of a kitten. }

2011-01-11T09:42:00.005-06:00

Last night before I headed to bed, like every night I did one last check on the girls. I don't have to look far since they both sleep on the floor. {because it's comfy, Thanks for that Tim!} It's nothing new to see both our girls with their heads in their door way. It's nothing new to see ~~our kitten~~ Kinzley's kitten Zowe, right next to her. It's actually not even anything new to see Zowe's bed.

We realized how much she loved the baby bumbo seat this Christmas when we had it out, for ya know, babies. It's now left in Kinzley's room so Zowe can have a place to sleep.

It was the position Zowe was laying that made me laugh out loud and grab my camera.

Wrapped around, upside down, head laying on Kinzley's stomach. She may look somewhat comfortable however from the other side you see a 5 inch gap where there is nothing supporting her. She didn't care. She just needed to be touching Kinzley.

Sometimes I wonder who loves who more between these two?

ps. You may notice the new spelling of Zowe's name. I was informed I have been spelling it wrong all this time.

{ because deals are made to be shared. }

2011-01-10T10:00:00.004-06:00

There is only one thing I like more than ordering an item with a photo on it.

That is..........ordering a photo item on {sale!}

Today in my inbox I received not one but TWO photo deals from Groupon!

Not sure what Groupon is?

In short, Groupon is a site that offers daily specials from around the country. You purchase a gift certificate for an item 50-85% off. There are local sales {choose the city nearest you} or you can purchase online deals from other cities.

After Thanksgiving Groupon offered a deal from Canvas on Demand.

I was able to get {2} 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas's {valued at $126.00 each including shipping} for $45 each. {one for me, one for Tim ;) }

Wanna see 'em?

Why do I tell you this now?

Well...Today Groupon is offering this same deal! If you have been wanting to order a canvas now is the time. Don't have a photo you want turned into a canvas? Don't worry... You can buy the gift certificate now and use it later. Ya know, after you schedule a photo session with Shawna E Photography. ;)

Speaking of my photography, if you click on my name in the above link, it will take you to my new photography facebook page. In order to be able to link my photography page off my real Shawna Kurth facebook page instead of having Facebook open a "Shawna E Photography community page" that everyone has access to post on without my ability to edit, I created a new page.

Clear as mud right?

To simplify, just click "like" here to see new sessions and updates for my business page. I'd "like" it if you did!

Back to photo deals...

I also received a email from Groupon for a medium sized photo cosmetic bag for $19.

{photo taken from Bagettes.com}

Wouldn't this make a perfect gift for bridesmaids?

I plan to order one! I have to do something with all these photos I take!

ps. For the next two days at Shutterfly you can get a FREE 8x8 photo book using this code at checkout! 9BFC-8U6D-HUDS-743C32

{ snow much fun 2011. }

2011-01-06T11:50:00.002-06:00

Looking out the windows of our house at the brown grass, it's hard to believe just a few short weeks ago the view out our window was snow white as far as you could see. The trees were beautiful in a flaky snow that seemed to be permanent. I had planned to get pictures but figured it's the start of winter in Iowa and I had time. {and truthfully it's January, I highly doubt we are done with snow for the year.}

But,
it's a good thing we went out and played in it before it melted this time or I would have never heard the end of it from two little girls.

Can't you just hear their laughter?

That is until you get snow thrown in your face by your sister.

then it's not nearly as funny.

The girls weren't the only ones who liked the snow.

Actually let me clarify, one dog really liked the snow. One certain black dog just happened to be outside with us because {gasp!} he couldn't dare be let alone in the house!
Look at his eyes, he's pitiful!

Snow is so much fun! {and makes a terrific backdrop for pictures ;) }

{ Little J. and Baby Gray. }

2011-01-05T09:35:00.007-06:00

I mentioned in recent post I did of my nephew Grayson, I would have to do 2 posts because I had taken so many photos.

What I failed to mention is that I had two babies at my house that day!

My 5 month old niece Jolie was there too!

I knew it was going to be a bit tricky to pose two unsitting babies, one who can't really push up on his arms either. I didn't have huge hopes. I was just hoping to get them both in the same frame and not have Miss Thing attack G. like she does with her baby doll.

As I look at these two little ones side by side it's hard to believe they are cousins. Grayson with his blonde hair {it's there, look hard!} and big blue eyes and Jolie with her dark hair and dark dark eyes.

It started off ok....Until Little J decided to suck Gray's fingers and made him mad.

Jolie's serious face staring at Baby G. like, "What on earth is your problem?"

She really does look concerned doesn't she?

Quickly Grayson decided he was done posing with his cousin. Clearly Jolie found this hilarious!

Then baby Gray decided he'd stop crying and just knock her out!

As a photographer sometimes the vision we have in our head doesn't turn out at all the way we were hoping for.

That's ok. It usually turns out so much better and way more meaningful.

A photo shoot with me is so much more than getting a few photos to hang on your wall. It's a fun filled experience. I love when I hear friends/family of my clients tell me that their loved one had so much fun at our shoot. I love that they can't stop talking about the session, when they email me to say they can't wait to preview their photos, when they lose hours each day looking through the slideshow because I was able to freeze a moment in their child's life, when they see a photo and remember all the work and fun it took to get it, when they can't wait for their child to grow a little more so they can come back again.

Seriously. I have the best job in the world! {with the exception of the whole getting peed on thing :) }

Baby Gray decided he needed a little snack after his hard work of screaming at his cousin so I took a few photos of Little J.

{busting out the karate moves in c.u.t.e. shoes}

{now look at her acting all sweet and innocent}

She really thinks I am funny!

{I think she's pretty funny too!}

I am so thankful for this day I was able to spend with my two favorite little little people. As much fun as my customers have during a photo shoot, I equally have as much fun. I too love to look back at photos and remember how they were captured. Especially photos like these where the subjects are so close to my heart.

Thanks Rick and Trudy and Josh and Christy for these babies! I just love 'em!!!!

Oh yeah.

I promised Kinz I would post "her" picture. She thought a box she colored and made into a racecar would be a perfect prop....

What do you think? Should I offer it to clients? {grin!}

{ back. }

2011-01-04T21:04:00.004-06:00

Today my girls had to go back to school after Christmas break.

You'd think I'd have been happy about it.

Not so much.

I'm one of those crazy moms who actually love my girls to be home. I've been dreading them going back to school.

We had so much fun this break. We rented lots of movies we have been wanting to see, played board games, saw the movie Tangled with my mom, had nerf gun wars, had some highly competitive Wii games {ok Tim and I did},
did sparklers in the snow,

played Disney Scene It on DVD, made homemade marshmallows,
got hair cut,

straightened curls,

went shopping with Grandma and Grandpa,
played in the snow,

{don't you love Kenna's tongue? :) }

and went to a local motel to swim.

{so much fun for $3!}

Oh and it looks like the girls took photos of themselves on my Ipod. :)

This wasn't even the actual Holiday festivites. We had an extended family sleepover on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve spent at our house with friends where the girls kicked the boys bums in Mario Cart. We actually had so much fun we didn't get to bed until 3 am. New Years Day, Tim and I took the girls on a "date" to see Narnia 3 in 3D and out to eat.

As much fun as all that was the best part was just being together as a family of 4. I was caught up on all jewelry orders. I actually turned down a couple photo shoots during the winter break {as hard as that was. I HATE to disappoint people!} to give my family my undivided attention. With the girls in school, it seems like days just go faster and faster. I know someday I am going to want these precious days back so I make it a point to just be with them.

It was so nice waking up {late} to the sound of two little girls playing "Zoodles" together in my living room. There is something so heart warming about listening and watching my daughters play. They were so incredibly kind and nice to each other {most} of vacation as a mom I can't help but be proud of them. They are so blessed to be so close in age and get along the way they do.

This morning came awful early having to get two sleepy girls out of bed for school.

How many days 'til summer vacation?

{ Grayson. 3 months. }

2011-01-03T23:46:00.004-06:00

Be warned. There are lots of photos in this post. Actually stop back tomorrow too since I can't decide which ones to post and I am dividing them up between 2 posts. I think I have a problem, er I know I do.

Do you remember my nephew, Grayson?

He was ~~celebrating~~ sleeping away Christmas at my house the other day when I mentioned to his momma that I needed him to model a couple photos for an Etsy seller. My sister-in-law is a teacher who just happened to be on Christmas break and had a free day.

Score.

Little 3 pound 4 ounce Grayson Shane isn't nearly so little anymore.

{Gray at 6 weeks.}

At 3 months Grayson is almost up to 11 pounds!

He even has a double chin now! {grin}

I just love this ~~little~~ big guy!

Don't be fooled by these sleeping baby pictures. Grayson did a lot more than sleep during his photo shoot. We lost count at the number of times he decided to pee on his mom and I. Over 8! Every single blanket we had. He even managed to soak through my comforter and sheets when he was being nursed. {I'm telling you getting a sleepy baby in all these props isn't an easy task!}

It was worth every drop {HA!} to get these photos...

As much as I love sleepy baby photos I can't get enough of his big blue eyes.

Even when they start to close...

After a few hours and a few little naps, I told Grayson I had one photo left and he was done...

I'm guessing by the thumbs up, he was ready. :)

One last photo... Aunt Shawna having a quick chat with Grayson about his little problem.

Clearly he listened well ;)

{ saying goodbye to 2010. }

2010-12-31T17:11:00.006-06:00

2010.

2010 was a trying year for our family.

April brought the start of a really hard season in my husband's life. Which in turn made it a hard time for me and our girls. It took a long 5 months to have our household feel somewhat normal again.

After 8 years, 2010 brought the start of a new job for Tim. Which in turn brought new friends and a new outlook.

2010 brought Tim and I closer to not only each other but our Heavenly Father.

During this hard road we were so fortunte to find out who our true friends are. We are so blessed to have Christian friends and family who we can call 24 hours a day for support and love.

2010 helped us to appreciate all we have, both the good times and the bad.

2010 marks the first full year I have been doing photography as a way to help our family income. It still amazes me to get paid to do what I simply love.

Inthe summer of 2010 I teamed up with my best friend to start selling baked goods at our local farmers market under the name, "The Mixing Bowl." It's been really fun and something a little different. {especially for Tyra!}

Speaking of Tyra, in 2010, she took me on my first airplane ride ever to San Fransisco. I still have tons more photos to edit and post. I promise I'll get them up this new year. ;)

2010 brought the death of my Grandma.

It also brought not one but two brand new babies to bless our family.

2010 brought Zoey, making Kinzley's dream of owning 100 cats, 1% of the way there. {grin}

2010 brought some really scary health issues for Tim's Grandma. But also brought a misdiagnosis and hope.

In the year 2010 I became a mother to a 4 year old and a 7 year old. It's so bittersweet watching our girls grow with each passing year.

2010 brought more hugs, laughs and snuggles than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams.

2010 was a trying year for our family.

But as I say goodbye to 2010. I know it won't be a year I will forget for many reasons.

This year stripped us to the bone and made us appreciate all the blessings God has given us. It's made our family stronger, our faith stronger. It would be easy to look back on 2010 and see the struggles.

But.

I choose to see the joy.

I see the blessings. The love.

I'm excited to see what 2011 holds for our family, even the hard times. For we know we have each other, and a God big enough to carry us through it all.

{ Carter...10 days new }

2010-12-31T00:14:00.002-06:00

The moment a child is born,
the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.
Rajneesh

Introducing Carter Smith....10 days ~~old~~ new...

{look at his lips!! }

Can you believe all the hair this little guy has?!?!?

Carter was such a good baby letting me move him around from prop to prop....

Speaking of props....

My sister decided to teach herself to crochet! She has been working so hard getting different things ready for Carter's shoot. She is actually opening an Etsy store to sell her items. {If her sister would ever send her photos ;) }

She's made so many things including the football cocoon Carter is in and the red fringe blanket used in this shoot.

Once her store goes live, I'll get you the link!

One last photo of sweet Carter...

Thanks Mel and Cody for a fun morning and lots of baby snuggles! Enjoy your little guy for the don't stay little for long!

{ It's all about Him. }

2010-12-26T18:21:00.006-06:00

Has it really been a month since I last posted?

Time flies when you are having fun.

It really is a good thing I love my job{s}.

Once again the end of November to the third week in Decemeber is survival mode in the Kurth house. Between Christmas jewelry orders, my mom having surgery, making Christmas cookies/muffins for The Mixing Bowl, a Christmas baby photo shoot {pictures coming soon}, Christmas parties, school activities, our cat having surgery, shopping and all that goes along with having my own little ones, there is just never enough time. Something has to give. Which clearly has been blogging.

I had great intentions to post my Christmas card on my blog. Obviousally didn't happen.

So Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! ;)

There is nothing like getting sick and being knocked flat the week before Christmas. Poor Kenna was sick the end of the week before Christmas. A few days later I got her fever. The next three days are a blur, making all those last minute things fun to do when you can't think straight.

Luckily our family was healthy for Christmas. Good thing since I had babies to snuggle!

I wasn't the only one excited to have two babies under my roof.

I love this photo of my mom holding her newest grandbabies, one at a time she's ok, give them both to her at once and she looks a little nervous. ;)

This is the first time all 7 grandkids were together.

My nephew's girlfriend was designated "family photographer" for a bit.

I'm not sure if you can tell {or if you are sidetracked from the weird look on Kinzley's face} but someone got a haircut! The first day of Christmas break we headed to the hairdresser. {I wasn't even sick and loopy this day!}

This is the most recent photo I have of Kinz with her longer hair.

{Where is Kenna's Santa photo you ask? HA! Kenna has ONE Santa photo that was taken when she was 9 months old. I've never gotten her near him again. She is terrified of him!}

7 inches of hair on the floor later...

Even the hair dresser was nervous to cut all her hair off :)

My big girls in the Christmas dresses my mom bought.

Kenna trying out my new floor prop.

It was snowing terribly on Christmas Eve in Iowa. Luckily my family all made it to our house safe. My brother brought his upside down pineapple cake that he was so excited to try.

My mom made sugar cookies with the girls. {kind of.}

My husband.

I can not say enough about this man God gave me to love. He is always willing to lend a hand, whether it's peeling potatoes or doing dishes. I'm so blessed to have him in my world.

Mr. 3 month old Grayson.

He's growing by leaps and bounds!

5 month old Jolie who was very serious about her gifts.

Until her oldest brother put her in a gift bag.

I have a post coming about Kinzley's love for creating. But to fully understand these next photos you need to know, Kinz finds NO reason to throw anything away. She walks in from school and digs through my trash can to make sure I didn't throw anything useful away.
The following is a hat she made my brother.

Turns out his head was too big. Even after grabbing a glue stick and trying to re-glue the string {while he was wearing it} The hat became a Sunny D necklace. She made sure he kept it on all afternoon. ;)

My sister-in-law Christy wrapped Kenna's presents in a pampers box. As she opening it she keeps saying, "Why would they give me diapers? Why in the world?" Hilarious!

Look how surprised she is when she realizes there is toys inside.

Last is my favorite photo taken this Christmas. This captures life in our house.

My husband, the biggest kid of all and his new toy that he "stole" from my nephew during a white elephant gift exchange. I've never seen two girls adore their dad more than mine do.

All the stress and busyness leading up to Christmas is worth it all to have my family gathered in our house celebrating our Savior's birth.

Through the tree and lights and cookies and presents, Kenna said it perfectly when she said, "It's not about Santa......it's not about presents........It's all about Jesus."

Yes, it's all about a newborn baby who was born into this world to save us from our sins. How very different life would be if Christmas was just a day for presents and Santa.

But by the grace of God, it's all about Him.

{ Joey and Annie sitting in a tree..}

2010-11-27T20:41:00.003-06:00

quite literally sitting.in.a.tree, thankful no kissing was going on or my girls would have probably passed out right there on the spot.

The other day when I took photos of my sister's family, my sister invited her oldest son's girlfriend Annie.

This was a two part plan.

1. She thought it would be sweet for them to have some cute photos together.
2. She knew Annie would make Joey show up. {grin!}

This photo is exactly what I mean when I say I love to capture real life moments!

Annie, Thanks for coming. {and bringing Joey too!}

{ A photo shoot close to my heart..}

2010-11-24T12:25:00.003-06:00

I think it's clear that I like to take photos. Each time I am able to capture a memory, a look, an emotion it makes me smile. I love to be able to freeze time for just a moment and capture life.

I'm so blessed to be able to do something I love. I don't take a single photo shoot for granted and each one is special for it's own reasons.

However this photo shoot was extra special.

I think you'll recognize some of the faces...

You usually see them one at a time. Getting all 4 siblings together at once is quite a challenge.

Joey. Jake. Jacey. Jolie.
I may not have given birth to them, but there are mine too.

What a beautiful family my sister has..

I couldn't have asked for Jolie to have been better behaved. She was passed around from person to person and she never even fussed at all.

Until she decided she was done. Then that was it.

That's ok.
Aunt Shawna loves crying baby pictures. {grin}

As always there are many more photos on my photography facebook page if you would like to see more!

Thanks so much to my sister for sharing her world with me. I love you {and all your kids too!}

{ 10 Holiday Tips }

2010-11-16T21:31:00.005-06:00

The Holiday season is always a crazy time for me. Between finishing up editing the last fall photo sessions and having my jewelry orders go insane for a few weeks, I have to be extremely organized.

Everyone can use a little help staying organized this time of year, so I thought I'd share some tips.

1. Plan ahead! I start jotting down ideas in August, right after our last birthday of the year. I'm not a huge buyer of toys {for no special occazion} so when I see something in the store I write it down right away so I don't forget.

2. Buy ahead! If I don't have to girls with me, I will buy things far ahead of time... if it's on sale or a really good deal. I also love garage sales and consignment stores so if the price is right, buy it and store it for a few months.

3. It's never to early to buy! So many cool Christmas items are clearanced December 26th. I try and hit the day after Christmas to pick up items that are marked down. Stores want the things out of their stores ASAP, making it a perfect time to buy.

4. If you are brave enough, Black Friday baby! For the past 5 years I have gotten out of my warm cozy bed to go stand in line with hundreds of other people to save money. Trust me, I like to sleep {a lot} however it's sooooo worth it. I get 95% of my shopping done this day.

5. Or shop online and sleep in. There are so many good online deals. I found amazing deal there last year. Photo or Handstamped Jewelry is also super popular and a easy personalized gift that is sure to be treasured. {wink}

6. Make a list and stick to it! Whether you shop year round, on Black Friday or off the internet, make a list!! We know exactly how much $ we spend per family member. Our girls have a set number of gifts each year. {three from us, three from Santa} It's really easy to get caught up in the fun of shopping and overspend. Stick with your limits!

7. Wrap your presents as soon as you buy them. I use different wrapping paper for each child and keep a master list just in case in can't remember what I wrapped. Santa presents get a different paper all together.

8. Save your cards! I save all the Christmas cards I am given the year before in with my Christmas decorations. That way I know the people who take the time to send us a card. It's easy to remember the people in your address book however sometimes there are those not in your address book that you may overlook.

9. Speaking of Christmas cards....start early! I usually am working on the photos I want used in September or October. If they are done, all you need to do is a pick out a design and order! Tiny Prints is a really neat online site that has some really fun, creative designs. Click their name to check out their site.

Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique stationery from photo cards to personalized greeting cardsto thank you cards and business cards. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side the Holidays will be a cinch! They offer adorable Thanksgiving Cards, Christmas Cards,Hanukkah Cards, and even New Years Cards. All fully customizable and personalizable.

10. One more thing about cards. Last year I put green polka dot ribbon on my door in a T shaped. {like present wrapping} I spray painted clothespins red and used them to attach the Christmas cards I recieved to the ribbon. Christmas cards are so adorable and personalized I {adore} seeing them as part of our Christmas decorations.

The Fine Print: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program, making me eligible to get a $75 Tiny Prints gift certificate! For more information on how you can participate, click here. All opinions are 100% my own!

{ Swenson family 5. }

2010-11-10T15:18:00.003-06:00

As promised in yesterday's post, a sneak preview for my bestie Tyra.

Tyra and hubby Matt.

Aren't they adorable?

They make really cute kiddos too!

You may remember these three from one of my very first photo shoots ever.

Oldest son Damon...

Sweet and Sassy Bree...

Baby Owenn...

The Swenson Family 5.

I had such a great time spending allll day doing your pictures! :) Of course not as much fun as we will have on our girls weekend!

San Fran here we come!!!

{ Olsen Family.}

2010-11-09T21:25:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of doing family photos for my friend Tyra. And while I did do Tyra's immediate family {those pictures tomorrow!} I also did photo's for her extended family.

Her sister Courtey, wasn't terribly excited to have her picture taken until she was able to ditch her sweater for her t-shirt.

I am a huge fan of letting photos tell your story. As a photographer I am constantly telling customers their personality shines through when they are comfortable.

See?

Tyra's younger brother was excited he was able to wear his jersey.

He even managed to get the entire family on board with his wardrobe choice!

I hope you enjoyed your preview. Lots more photos to come!

{ The hippie and the mermaid. }

2010-11-01T20:39:00.003-05:00

Last year {as soon as we saw my niece's hippie costume} Kinzley decided she was going to be a hippie the next Halloween. Nevermind she had no idea what a hippie was, she just knew they wore tie-die and peace signs.

{peace} sign her up.

She took the "peace sign" very seriously.

I was more than happy to hot glue fringe and paint words on a pair of her old jeans. Halloween costumes..................extremely overpriced. {We hit goodwill and Micheal's craft store. $15.00 and a few hours work later a hippie was born.}

As for my sweet Kenna... She is so layed back, so go with the flow, she couldn't decide on a costume. Or I should say she didn't care. Everything I'd ask her, she'd say, "Sure!"

Turns out we happened to go to a friend's garage sale and walked out with a borrowed mermaid costume, complete with seaweed!

I did buy a tiara for $1.50 and some real shells {$1.50}. I painted and glittered them with paint we had at home and hot glued them to the tiara. Kenna's costume.............$3.00!

And how cute is she?!?!?!?

Before we trick or treated we spent the afternoon with Tim's Dad and family. We dressed the girls at their house and drove 15 minutes to "our town" to trick or treat. Our little mermaid fell asleep on the way from point A to point B.

Tim laughed and said she looked like a mermaid tangled up in a fishing net. {grin!}

It was a perfect fall night for trick or treating. We met up with some friends and a hour and a half later bags were full of fruit roll-ups, full size candy bars, and bags of cookies.

Speaking of candy.....there is a Reese's peanut butter cup calling my name.

Peace out!

{ Mel + Cody Smith + baby bump. }

2010-10-29T07:45:00.007-05:00

How cute is Melissa and her baby bump? {deep sigh}

I used to work with Mel a number of years ago, when she was in high school. She then went on to college where she was a roommate with my brother's wife!

She and {Grayson's mom} were both pregnant and due around the same time. Then my little nephew decided to make his appearance early. Mel on the other hand is currently 34 weeks pregnant and absolutely adorable.

She certainly doesn't look like she is 34 weeks!

Melissa's husband Cody came alone for photos too. He would much rather have had his fishing rod in the water, but I'm so glad he decided to make his wife happy and get his photo taken.

I love how you can see the love on their faces as they look at eachother!

They are the sweetest couple!

I can't wait to meet their sweet baby

And I know they can't either....

Not to much longer guys!

{As always more photos can be seen on my photography facebook page. Feel free to become a fan.}

{ Lyons family. }

2010-10-28T10:32:00.004-05:00

Be warned...When you do a photo shoot with me, you never know what might happen. In fact this photo shoot I did with a softball teammate and her two kids was so much fun, I am having a hard time deciding which pictures to post.

I'm sure all three of them thought I was slightly crazy when I take them into a field for the first photos. A beautiful rusty orange colored field..............filled with burs! By the time we walked out of the field, burs covered all our legs.

Next up-wooden bridge.

I did suggest they sit on the side of the bridge and dangle their legs. In my defense once I felt how loose the board was I did say perhaps they should move farther down. The kids were a little uneasy but Mom assured them it would be fine.

Until I couldn't see Wes and asked him to lean a tad to far...

Thank goodness Bailey was quick enough to fall backwards and didn't land in the water.

Speaking of Wes and Bailey...

Not only are they incredibly photogenic, they are some of the nicest teenagers I've ever met.

They were so polite and willing to do whatever I asked of them both. {and they even came up with ideas of their own! }

They were so respectful and loving towards their mom.

And as teenage siblings they genuinely liked eachother!

You can just tell families who have so much fun together that they like to be with one another.

The Lyons family is definetly one of those. They have so much fun in fact, Bailey actually told me to tell them if I wanted to them to quit smiling. :)

I know I've said it before but I am so blessed to have a job that allows me to capture the love and memories of a family.

Sandy, you have an amazing family. Thank you for allowing me to capture a piece of your life.

{ Shipley Family. }

2010-10-24T20:12:00.003-05:00

Last Christmas I received an email from a old classmate of mine inquiring about buying a gift certificate to give his parents from himself and his older brothers.

I thought it was so sweet for the following reasons.

1. They are boys.
2. They had actually listened to their mom in past conversations when she mentioned wanting family photos.
3.They surprised their mom with a thoughful gift.
4. Did I mention, they are boys.

They have been waiting and waiting for fall. Finally a few weeks ago I paid a visit to their family farm.

It started with these two.

Then became a family of 5.

{See why I was impressed? Look at this lone girl with all her men!}

those 5 became....

a beautiful extended family.}

With beautiful grandkids.

Brother and sister.

Sweet Christopher. {He was born a few hours before Kinz. We saw his parents while we were in the hospital. =) }

Love their name on this rock in their drive entrance.

Thanks for having me out to your farm to capture the love in your family!

{ Sunshine girl.}

2010-10-22T10:11:00.002-05:00

I don't usually put the color yellow on my girls. So when we recieved a bright yellow hat to photograph I was a little apprehensive.

However once Kenna put it on, it just made me smile. Kenna fills my life with so much light so this bright yellow hat was fitting!

Thanks for modeling this hat, my sunshine girl!

The designer of this hat is a mom to two young girls too! Find this hat {and others} at Baby Crochet Shop.

{ Just call me a sucker. }

2010-10-21T08:01:00.002-05:00

alternatively titled: Introducing Zoey.

alternatively titled: I was ganged up on.

I'm still not exactly sure how it happened.

{This much I know.} My mother-in-law took our family out for lunch to celebrate my husband's birthday. During the meal I took Kenna to use the restroom. {Here's where is gets blurry,} In the 5 minutes we were gone, my husband, MIL and 7 year old decided we needed a cat. And Tim said it was alllll he wanted for his birthday. Low.

I was fairly certain we did not need a cat.

We had a cat, two in fact. It didn't work out so well.

This whole wanting a cat thing is nothing new. Since becoming a catless house many many tears have been shed by Kinzley. She prays for cats during the supper prayer. She throws pennies into wishing wells by the handful in hopes a cat will appear at our house. She even started sleeping with a stuffed white toy kitten she named Strawberry. I was beginning to think she thought her toy was real. I couldn't lay in her bed without her moving Strawberry so "she didn't get smashed." If I told her, "It's a toy" the tears start flowing. "Don't you know Strawberry has feelings? She is not just a toy to me. She is the only cat I have!"

See what I was up against?!?!?

Sitting in the restaurant seeing a huge grin on her face with the talk of getting a kitten was to much for me to take. So we went to the pet store to look. The store had some older cats and a couple year old cats. When we told her we thought we should keep looking, she lost it. It wasn't a fit she threw in the aisle of Petco, it was more of a devastating loss. She was heartbroken thinking she had lost her chance to get a cat.

Right then I knew I was done for.

Three pet stores later we found this little thing...

We have had Zoey for almost 2 weeks now.

I'd have gotten pictures up earlier, but this is the first time she has been put down.

You have never seen a child more excited to have a kitten.

She wakes up at least an hour earlier every morning so she can play with her kitty.

Why oh why did I wait so long? {grin}

On the off chance that Kinzley will need both hands to do something and Zoey's feet manage to hit the floor, Kenna comes in and scoops her up.

Needless to say, I think this cat got a pretty good deal when we walked into that pet store that day.

Even if she has to endure things like this...

Tonights prayer at the supper table, "Dear God, Thank you for inventing cats. I sure love them a whole bunch."

{ light up the sky. }

2010-10-14T16:32:00.004-05:00

The other day I was on my way to do soccer photos for my daughters team watching the sun play peekaboo with the clouds in hopes that the sun would stay behind them, long enough for shaded photos when I saw an amazing site.

The sun was hidden by the very top of a huge cloud, causing the cloud to have a very bright glow along the top. The glow was so bright and intense I pulled onto the nearest gravel road and grabbed my camera.

It wasn't until I stood outside my car and started taking photos that the clouds moved and created a breathtaking sight.

Normally when the sun shines through a cloud it shines down to earth. You can actually see a couple small breaks in the cloud where sunlight in streaming down to us on earth.

As I stood and watched the cloud move, I couldn't help but think of our God behind the cloud, shining His love down on us.

Then you look to the top of the cloud and see light exploding from top. Like God is too big, too powerful, too mighty to be contained. And while the little rays of sunlight we are a custom to seeing are beautiful we tend to forget how big our Heavenly Father really is.

I love that I serve a God who makes Himself known to me. Seeing His light made me think of the song, Light up the sky by The Afters.

Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me

I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me

Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky...

{Here's the song, in case you are interested....}

{ Riffey family. }

2010-10-09T22:56:00.004-05:00

You know when there is a photo shoot you just know is going to be fun?

Not long ago, I got a email from a friend of a friend. Kim wanted to get family photos taken before her daughter moved to Hawaii. {I did offer to do the photos there =) }Even through her emails I could tell she was a fun upbeat girl. She was so excited to capture photos that made her go "ohhh and ahhh" like photos she had seen of others. She was an open canvas on location but loved the old rustic backgrounds that I love so well myself.

As soon as Kim, Chad, Amanda, and Lincoln stepped out of the car I knew not only would the shoot be fun but the photos gorgeous as well.

How could they not be with a family that looks like this?

And what a difference from my usual clients of the 4 and under crowd. I may never go back to shooting kids where I have to follow them around for 1/2 hour for two photos where they actually look at me again. {kidding, kidding! I do love my little ones!}

However it was really nice to have a family pose how I asked them too and look at me. I didn't even have to bring out my camera's animal noises. {grin!}

Another thing Kim and I share is the love of candid shots. She especially wanted ones that just showed the love and laughter between her family.

I especially love this one.

and this one

and this one. {grin!}

Kim and Chad thanks for letting me spend an evening with your family.

I hope you ohhh and ahh when you see your photos! =)

{There is more photos being uploaded to my photography facebook page. Feel free to become a fan if you aren't already.}

{ Kelchen Boys. 2010 }

2010-10-06T22:55:00.001-05:00

Not long ago I was able to take photos of my fellow softball outfielder/friend's boys, Jace and Zach.

Jace with his fiery red hair.

Zach with his killer smile.

I wasn't sure how a photo shoot with two {older} boys would go. Remember I have two girls under 7, of course they like to pose for the camera.

Turns out, boys like to pose too!

Especially when their Dad brings out his Corvette and lets them pose by it!

And in it!

What a fun day with two super fun boys!!!

{ you know you're a mom to young children when..}

2010-10-05T07:50:00.002-05:00

while washing the dust off your car you see a spot that appears to have gotten "keyed." Upon feeling the area you realize you are mistaken. No, your daughter had used your vehicle as a canvas for her latest crayon drawing.

it isn't until you are halfway done eating your soup you realize you don't find it odd in the least to see multi-colored goldfish crackers swimming in your food.

at a train crossing you swerve around the big X on the highway because your 4 year old thinks treasure is buried beneath.

you are awaken bright and early on a Saturday morning to "go shopping at a garage sale."

the store is open today.

you actually get your billfold and pay your children for toys you have already bought before.

the fact that your girls have sacks under their "table" melts your heart.

however you don't get the same warm fuzzy feeling when you realize your girls combined their piggy banks into a plastic pink container so they could "make change."

you have to hide your gum in the center armrest of your suburban, under the removable cup holders.

same goes for your lipstick.

you go through the drive through at McDonald's and almost order chicken nuggets before realizing you don't have any children in your vehicle.

you feel terrible after you sarcastically say to your daughter, Praise the Lord, when she finally manages to get her clothes and shoes on and her hair brushed, when she looks at you and says, "Is that my Bible verse for Awana's?"

you can't wait for Friday nights. Not to "go out" like you used to, but because it's the one night you don't have to go taxi your 7 year old anywhere, you can curl up on the couch with your family and a movie.

you don't think twice about laying your bleeding daughter on your brand new shirt that you had just spent all afternoon shopping for in countless stores. All you can think is I'll throw this shirt away in a heartbeat if my baby doesn't have to be in pain any longer.

you know you are going to look back and miss these days of having young children like crazy!

{ Bisland kids. }

2010-09-28T13:17:00.002-05:00

You may remember the following kids?

Jillian and Donovan were some of my first clients when I started offering photography to others last year.

It's amazing what a difference a year makes!

Last year I pretty much followed 2 year old Jillian around for an hour snapping away. She wasn't overly sure about sitting still for a photo.

This year, from the moment Jillian stepped out of the van in her bright colored dress with black canvas shoes I knew she had lost that shyness she had last year.

This year she stood where I asked her to,

sat where I asked her to,

and even loved on her brother when I asked her to.

She had this eye half closed crooked smile thing going on for a while but after a game of "show me your silly face," the genuine smiles came out.

Smiles like this one,

and this one.

I did convince her big brother to stop exploring to get a few shots too.

It wasn't long before they went off exploring again.

That's ok, I just went with them.

{Jody and Devin, thanks again for letting me spend a morning with your kids. It's amazing how much they have changed in a year!}

{ soccer mom. }

2010-09-27T22:04:00.002-05:00

I never thought in a hundred years I'd become a soccer mom.

That would mean I'd have a child play soccer.

Soccer was one sport I never played. It wasn't offered in my childhood. However it's gotten really popular around here in recent years. Regardless that I know nothing about soccer I knew Kinzley would love it since running is one of her most favorite things to do.

and run does she ever.

It's a lot of running. There are 5 girls from each team on the field. 2 are defenders {goalies} while the other three girls cover the entire field.

{Just to clarify, each team has red and teal shirts. The following photos are from two different games. Some photos she is the red #18, some she is the teal #18.}

The coach asks her if she can kick herself in the nose.

It took awhile to convince her it was normal to sometimes kick the other girls in the shin guards while you are trying to kick the ball. She thought that was probably ok but didn't really want them to kick her all that much. {grin!}

There is nothing cuter than seeing her pump her little fists into the air after making a goal!

As much fun as she has running the field, she does like to be a defender too.
It gives her legs a much needed break and it gives her time to practice her cheerleading skills.

Other times she does actually defend the goal.

More important than being competitive, scoring goals, and winning, soccer is teaching these girls teamwork. They all drop to one knee when a player is hurt. They cheer each other on and celebrate when a teammate does a good job. They are learning what good sportsmanship is and having fun in the process.

And that's what playing a sport is all about. Whether it's volleyball, softball or soccer.

This soccer mom thing turning out to be much better than I thought it be!

{ Introducing Grayson Shane...}

2010-09-26T18:17:00.006-05:00

Today I got to meet my newest nephew, Grayson Shane.

I know what you are thinking. Didn't I just post photos of a new baby in our family?

And I did! Just a mere 7 weeks ago my sister had her little girl and this past Wednesday my brother and his wife had their little boy.

Their very {little} boy.

My sister-in-law was in her sister's wedding out of state on Saturday. She wasn't feeling well and they ended up driving home and going to the hospital where she was treated for dehydration and flu. The following Wednesday she left work to go to a 2:30 appointment with her Dr.

At 4:30pm she called my brother and said to get to the hospital they were taking the baby by c-section. Within an hour of getting that call, little 3 pound 4 ounce Grayson Shane came into this world, at 32 weeks.

Psalm 139:13-16
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Christy's blood pressure was 180/120. They needed to deliver the baby to get her blood pressure to go down. Josh wasn't allowed in the operating room. Christy was under anesthesia for the delivery. Grayson was immediately taken to the NICU, while they took Christy went to her room to recover. She had to wait 24 hours to see her baby boy.

Grayson is doing really well considering he wasn't suppose to have a birthday until middle of November. His respirtory rate is going down, he's eating more and has only lost a little weight.

It's amazing how perfect he is! He is so tiny yet perfectly developed. His little fingers and ears and nose are soo tiny. His little head is the size of a baseball. His little fingers wrap 1/2 way around my brother's pinky. When I finally took a break from trying to get my camera to focus in a dark quiet room and just looked at him, it took my breath away.

Everytime I see a new baby I am blown away at God's handiwork.

However seeing little Grayson bundled up laying in his warm incubator made a lump in my throat. The same lump that was there this morning in church as we sang, "How Great is our God." Because really, how great is our God? The God that watches over us and takes care of us while we are unaware. The God who made my sister in law sick this past weekend so she would feel the need to go in to the Dr. for an unscheduled check up on Wednesday. The God who orchestrated an emergency c-section saving the life of a new mother and her son. So while I see a tiny baby, I also see a God who loves us so.

I see a very little boy who appears to be helpless yet he opens his little eyes, tries to eat the IV in his hand, and makes little crying noises when his Aunt's laugh too loudly at his Dad.

I see a new Dad who got thrown into the role for fatherhood a little earlier than he expected, go to his son and comfort him. I see a mom who wants to get discharged so she can spend her days kangarooing with her son. I see two new parents who are showing such incredible strength in an unfamiliar sitution.

Words can not describe how proud I am of my little brother and his wife. To go from thinking you had 8 weeks left of pregnacy to having a baby within hours. To have an eventful delivery and recovery. To have a baby less than 3 pounds spending his days in the NICU. They have already had to deal with so much in their short journey of parenthood. I can't wait to tell Grayson one day how amazing his parents are and how very very much he is loved.

Loved not only by his family but by His heavenly Father who holds him in His hands while he lay in an incubator growing stronger each day.

I can't wait for the day to hold my nephew and softly sing to him.......

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God....

{ a fall friday night fire.}

2010-09-24T21:49:00.002-05:00

{ Delaney and Reagan. }

2010-09-19T22:48:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing my friend Kelly's family.

First up was 6 yr old Delaney. I knew it would be no problem getting her behind the camera. I mentioned how much her friend Kinzley likes to get her picture taken and how Kinz was wondering if Delaney would know how to pose.

Of course Delaney wasn't going to be out done by her friend.

I will admit I was a little apprehensive about 4 year old Reagan. I've seen Reagan 4-5 times a week for 2 YEARS after school. She has come to my house. I've been to her house. We have spent summer afternoons together on the beach. However......very seldom does Reagan talk to me. Although her mom says at home Reagan talks about me like we are best friends. I fully expected every photo of Reagan to also have one of her parents in the shot too. {grin}

Plus she had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the shoot.

Oh and in perfect Reagan fashion, I notice brand new bright colored tennis shoes on her feet as she gets out of the car.

Instantly I laugh and think how much I love this girl!

It didn't take long for Reagan to see how much fun Delaney and I were having. She even took off her tennis shoes after I started walking barefoot down the tracks.

I am sooo glad she decided phoot shoots were fun, I mean look at these big beautiful eyes!

While I had barefoot feet...

Did I mention I {heart} little kid feet?

We even got Mom and Dad in on the fun...

and when I say fun, I mean fun literally!

Isn't this family the cutest? Not only are they adorable but they are some of the nicest sweetest people I know. I'm so glad they decided to stay in Iowa!

Lastly my very favorite photo of the day, {perhaps one of my favorite photos ever.}

I love how Delaney is looking at me like I'm just gonna rest my head and take a break from pictures and how Reagan is giving that sly little grin, like Ha! I've tricked you all this time. I so knew how to rock a photo shoot! I knew she loved me all this time!

Kelly and Dan I hope these photos were worth the wait! I have many many more!

{ times 2. }

2010-09-16T22:26:00.003-05:00

two photos.

two girls.

Thank you God for giving me this child.

times 2.

{ Zbelle knit hats. }

2010-09-15T16:09:00.002-05:00

My sister had a Dr.'s appointment yesterday which means I got to watch Jolie babe for a few hours. I actually had a knit hat I needed to do a few pictures of for an Etsy seller so I told my sister I supposed I could be burdened enough to watch her. {grin}

As I was uploading the photos for the seller I realized I photographed the first hat when she was just 2 weeks old.

Yesterday Miss Thing was in her 6th week. My sister and I were talking about how crazy that is. It feels like she has always been part of our family yet she hasn't even been on this earth for 2 full months.

p.s. My sister would like for me to mention Jolie doesn't sleep all the time. She says Jolie has colic and cries all evening.

Yeah right.

Or maybe she just really likes her Aunt Shawna.

These hats created by Zbelle. Check out her etsy store for more designs!

{ the fish bowl. }

2010-09-13T19:34:00.003-05:00

On our way home from the Omaha Zoo earlier this spring we had stopped at the Bass Pro Shop. Inside is a restaurant called Uncle Bucks Fishbowl and Grill. I was a little hesitant to eat food at the same place you bought fish bait but Tim assured me I would like it.

Even if the food had been terrible, {which is wasn't. It was soooo good!} the ambience was right up my alley.

Not only was it terrifically decorated with great food but also had a bowling alley.

Get it?

Fish Bowl?

We didn't have time to bowl the first time we were there so a few weeks ago we called Tim's mom and asked if she wanted to eat and bowl.

It wasn't too long before Kenna decided everyone needed to hold her hand as they bowled.

Poor Grandma couldn't remember the last time she went bowling. She was having enough problems, so much so I had to go ask for the bumpers to be up when she bowled.

The last thing she needed was help in the form of Kenna.

Kenna then decided Kinzley needed yet more help.

After bowling we decided to make a pass through Bass Pro.

They were having a special kids craft day so the girls painted sun catchers which we proceeded to sit down and lose before the paint had even dried.

This wide open area full of people was too tempting for Kenna.

A song is always on the edge of her lips.

She wasn't getting the attention she was after on the floor so she moved up higher.

She did get some laughs and funny looks

but none were as impreseed as this guy was......

{ no wonder she's tired in the morning }

2010-09-07T21:50:00.002-05:00

{ Rockstar Room }

2010-09-05T23:23:00.004-05:00

For quite some time Kinzley has been asking for "a room that is not babyish."

Clearly the painted grass along the floorboards, the sweet soft pastel color on the walls and the hand painted butterflies flying over her bed was considered "babyish."

Ok. She wins. It is kinda babyish.

So....
part of her birthday present from Tim and I was a big girl room remodel.

It was only fitting to redo her room in a rockstar theme because

ya
know

I happened to find the comforter, sheet set, and pillow shams on clearance for $35 at Target. She wanted her room painted teal, which the comforter had in it. I wanted it to match the pink curtains under the loft. Perfect!

The flat sheet became a cover for the body pillow AND a curtain.

Both which I sewed with my very own sewing maching, thankyouverymuch.

Did I mention I painted and painted and painted this room bright teal?

{Mushroom chair was found for $15.00 at Stuff. I found the guitar, originally a terrible army green color for $5 at Goodwill. Black table was $12 at Target, on sale of course.}

I hand painted canvas's from Micheal's to match her bedspread.

{big canvas was $8 with coupon. The little canvas's $1 each. They originally had light gray stencils of zoo animals which got painted over. }

{The white cubes we had. The "words" were originally under Kinzley's bed. A quick coat of paint matched them to her new room. The glass bottles were $3.00 from Hobby Lobby. The picture frame was $4 at Gordman's and the Rockstar sign $6 at Gordmans with a coupon. {Did I mention I heart coupons?} The geodes are from who know where?}

{painted and glittered {$3.00} the letters she already had hanging above her bed.}

{ a couple new frames from Wal-mart $3 or less.}

{ a vinyl wall cling from Gordman's $12.00}

{A couple new baskets from the dollar section at Target. A shelf from your sister's room, a mirror taken out of storage, a few paper lanterns left over from a birthday party and you have a room fit for a ~~queen~~ rockstar! }

I think it's safe to say her room is no longer babyish.

But then again....

neither is she.