Friday, December 28, 2007

Time flies like Santa Claus.

Ahh! What an amazing Christmas! I can't believe I'm just posting about it now...but everything of course seems to speed up even more than you ever thought possible AFTER the fact!
We had a wonderful little Christmas eve party with a couple families and did one of my favorite pastimes ever...singing together with the guitars. I don't think I've ever heard more beautiful Christmas Carols! :) *unfortunately I don't have any pics from that...but here are some of Olivia and JuliAnna modeling their Christmas gifts from me:)
Christmas morning we woke up far to early...but of course you can't fall back asleep once you've woken up...especially on this morning! We always crowd at the top of the stairs waiting for the ok to run and get our stockings(which usually ends up being our *VERY unhealthy* breakfast. lol!
The older I get the more that presents really aren't as HUGE of a deal as when I was little and I really didn't want more stuff, so I told people not to get me anything;) lol...but of course they had to...so..I got stuff to re-do my room and my favorite new pair of shoes Uggs(pure heaven I might add).
After all the gift exchanging and watching one of the gifts(Bourne Ultimatum; AMAZINGNESS!!) we headed up to my cousins house for our first Christmas at their new house! It was WONDERFUL and we didn't end up leaving until 2am - entertained by playing the wii, watching Mission Impossible and playing a crazy new game called "would you rather?" so it proved to be a Christmas WELL spent!! I hope you all had an amazing holiday and took some time to remember the true meaning of it;)
Love you all!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Family Time

Ahh! I finally got some time to put together the different video and pics from our trip to the Wisconsin Dells! It was SO much fun and it was wonderful just chilling! I do have to say though...we are already talking about family reunions because trying to get 9 people anywhere at a decent time in pretty much a miracle in itself...we have been doing smaller vacations at different times rather than the whole clan because there are soooo many different interests and places to go to! But I'm glad we were all able to go out and have fun together for a little bit...even though the scene may look like a scene from Survivor most of the time..haha!
One of the nights we were there my mom had us make children's books because they are SO stinking easy...it could just be a word on each page and a colorful picture and the kid would think it is a NY times bestseller! lol! You'll see my book(in which I was trying to give my mom a subliminal message with;) in this slideshow as well some other highlights!


We also got a lot of fun video like last time so here are some of the highlights from that too!







I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL Christmas Eve! I finally finished my Christmas shopping yesterday(which is a miracle because I only started on Saturday!) and now for some MAJOR wrapping presents time! :)
I'll post more tomorrow about my thoughts on Christmas...but until then...ciao!:)

Thursday, December 20, 2007

You only live this life once.....

...so dye your hair pink!
Ha!

When I was alot younger I ALWAYS wanted to dye my hair pink...I really don't know why..but I was kind of a punk so that went along with the style I guess! lol!
I actually dyed it pink when I was probably 13 and my mom wouldn't let me out of the house until I washed it out..hehe!
After going into business I kinda got a little more classy because I didn't want to look like a 12 year old! ;)
Anyways..my cousin and I went to get our hair done the other day and I left with PINK hair! AHH!! haha! It's actually blood red but usually just looks pink!
With having red hair and getting it dyed to look like an auburn red it has to start REALLY bold because it fades alot....so I finally got my wish for pink hair and I think I like it! Thankfully I don't have any weddings for awhile though;) hehe! I think it goes along with the Christmas theme pretty well! hehe! :)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Washington DC wedding!

Ahh! What an absolutely beautiful wedding we shot on Saturday! I was blown away at how in love Jasmine and Warren were and that love flowed seriously to all the guests..Kristen and I were pretty much "awwwing" the whole entire wedding because of how adorable everything was! Jasmine and Warren had their incredible wedding at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia which was a perfect place for a winter wonderland wedding! :)
They chose to see each other before hand so that we could get pictures in the day light around DC and I think that is THE BEST way to do things! I was about to cry when they first saw each other! It is just so special. Plus they were able to have some time by themselves beforehand instead of being so rushed after the ceremony! :)
I was SO proud of everyone trucking around DC to get some sweet shots even though it was probably in the 20's! HA! But sooo worth it! Check out their amazing wedding!!

Monday, December 17, 2007

My little pilot.

My not so little brother John just turned double digits today...the big 10! I remember when I was little it was SO cool to turn ten because then when people asked you how old you were you could just hold up both hands and not hold any fingers down! HA! The small things in life that were exciting!:)
John has always been my little buddy and I remember I watched him being born and even cut the cord which I thought was just so cool! lol.
I know he has such an amazing call on his life and I seriously can't wait to see it all take place. He has such a tender heart but is VERY strong at the same time. He also wants to be a pilot soooo that we'll be convenient when I want to travel to fun places;) LOL!
We went out tonight to Red Lobster for a fun birthday dinner for him which is always fun...especially since the family doesn't all eat together as much as we used because we've been SO busy to so this was extra special!:)
I love you John!
PS...The picture is actually from a year ago...but I haven't gotten around to do a family shoot in a LONG time:( I'll have to do one soon!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Why do I love you so much??


Yay!! Finally some time to catch up on cyber world! ha!
I just barely made it out here to DC on Wednesday....but thankfully I was able to get home wash my clothes, gather all my camera gear, get a wedding out, catch up on projects, run errands, and re-pack all in 3 hours! ahh! It was so worth it though! I LOVE DC so much! I feel like everywhere I go is my new favorite place! It's so much fun!
I'm staying at my AMAZING friend(and intern) Kristen's house with her super fun family that reminds me exactly of mine since it is completely identical with mine, 7 kids, home schooled, ect....:)
We've had the most amazing time and as always the best adventures...which my new life's motto is: "Always an adventure." HA! Because it is just so true!
We got back earllllly this morning from the wedding we shot last night we drove through torrential rain and cars passing us by the thousands...or what felt like thousands..lol! Finally to get home at 2:30 in the morning..but of course we laughed the WHOLE way! :)
This afternoon Kristen and I went out with one of my favorite people(besides Kristen of course;) that I've met her friend Natalie....we were laughing so hard that I was running into walls, crying, and "accidentally" writing on my clothes???
One of the BEST quotes of the week is "Why are you so beautiful?" "Because God is kind." lol
I'll post the SUPER fun pics from the wedding tomorrow hopefully but until then...I love you all AND your faces!:)

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Snowed in!


We are in the Wisconsin Dells right now.....snowed in!! We had an amazing time up here swimming, going on insane water rides, and sitting in an outdoor hot tub in the FREEZING cold that reminded me of Colorado's hot springs! Pure heaven!
Anyways, we were supposed to leave this afternoon for home from our little vacation up here to a waterpark resort. We found out right before we left that they were warning people to not even get out on the roads because it was so dangerous and pure ice! So yay for us because we got an extra night of vacation which is always wonderful! We had already checked out of our other hotel so we decided to head over to another waterpark resort that everyone had told us about. We're here for the night but have to head out tomorrow at 6am so I can catch my flight for Washington DC! Ahh!! I'm praying I make it!! Oh..adventure...the fuel of my life! :) haha!
PS...we got some fun video from this trip so I'm sure I'll post that soon!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

A whole new element!


Ahh!! I feel like I've waited for MONTHS to release this!
I have been pursuing music photography alot more and have realized that it is a huge passion of mine that I just can't let go of! I seriously LOVE it and everything about it!

Sooo to build up my portfolio more(which I realize I have mostly girl artists right now...lol) I decided to offer the first 5 artists/bands to sign up - a free shoot! So if you're in music email me right now!!! Or if you have friends that are in music send this to them and we'll try and work something out! :)
Who: Bands and Artists that actually have recorded music and are serious about going somewhere.
What: Shoot includes day shoot with Sarah Barlow, a disc of the images, a slideshow of the favorites which is PERFECT for publicity. Also this is for those who are looking for a different style in their photography. More documentary photo journalistic style than strictly posed. We want to see the REAL you! :)
When: Any time your heart desires(as long as I'm available;)
Where: Travel is covered in the Chicago and Nashville area but anywhere else my travel and lodging have to be covered:)
Why: The fans want to see YOU and it's always cool to have sweet pictures to show that!
Here is a photoshoot that I did for one of my former brides who is just getting into music! She is AMAZING!! Her name is LindseyJo. Check out her slideshow!:)
Also, my LIFE section on my website is all nice and updated with new music pics too! Check it out!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Alive again!


YAY! I finally resurrected The Dear Natalie blog! I was a major slacker over the summer but am back to posting regularly! I put it on my to do(which HAS to get done) to write on it once a week. Then once I do that maybe I'll write even more! We'll see! There is a really important **post** up right now that you should check out! Especially with the new year coming up soon!:)I love you all!

PS...oh yeah...I just added up all my blogs and realized the reason why I might be slightly slacking on some posts...I have 9 blogs that I'm on!! ahhh! I think I need to work on simplifying now;)

PSS: For those of you who don't know what the Dear Natalie blog is...it's a blog that I basically started for my sister, to write advice and things that I've learned over the years so that her road might be a little less bumpy and to learn from my strengths and weaknesses! But I think it's so much better to share it with everyone too! So I put it into blog form! I definitely don't get to write on it as much as I'd like...but I'm working on it:)

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

The baby bug

One of the reasons I went up to Michigan was to do a little family shoot for some of Joy's friends.They just had their first little baby girl, Lily. I don't think..besides my brothers and sisters;)...I've seen a cuter baby!! She is so absolutely beautiful and sooo precious! And of course has captured the hearts of her adoring parents. I think it's the most amazing thing to watch brand new parents because just a few weeks earlier they weren't parents, then the baby arrives and all instinct kicks in and their whole world changes forever! It's incredible!
Sooo Joy has the biggest baby bug right now....and I don't blame her, I think her and Pete will have the most amazing kids! Sooo to "hopefully" ease her desire a bit we edited these pics together probably about 6 times, definitely didn't help her baby bug....or my lack of one! ha! We "awwwed" together for hours over this adorable baby! So cute!
I just loved meeting Matt and Laura, Lily's parents, they are some of the funniest and down to earth people! It was wonderful getting to know them! Here is their slideshow!

Monday, December 03, 2007

Yay! Back in one piece! :)

I seriously LOVE how adventurous and non-stop my life is...it's so highly addicting! I FINALLY arrived home today from Michigan after a 7 and a half hour train ride! It was adventurous alright! It was the same route and time that the other train crashed the other day so they were taking their time...which is good I guess;) lol! It so wonderful being home even though I had such an amazing time in Michigan with Joy and Pete! I don't know what it is about Joy and my relationship but I'm determined we were destined to be business partners...haha! We've been creating business and "brilliant" ideas since we were 4, so of course age will never stop our pursuit for creating solutions! hehe! Since we are in a new phase in our lives where we don't necessarily need a **puppy** now... we talked about when we have kids and how we are going to train them! lol! We sat for hours on our computers mapping out exactly how we are going to do this! So brilliant!....not that I plan on having kids ANY time soon! haha! But it's good to be prepared! Then we of course found a way to market our idea so we can spread it out to the masses...;)
I totally felt like I was staying at a hotel staying at there house because they both work at hotels so they KNOW how to do it up right! I love it...and soooo can't wait to go back!
Ok...have to head BACK downtown tonight so I gotta run! I love you all!!

Friday, November 30, 2007

FREAKY!!


Well..my dad and friend Beth just called letting me know that the train I was on last night crashed on it's way back to Chicago!!! OMG!! So crazy!!! Thank God I wasn't on that! Here is the **story!**

Amtrak...quite the experience!

I'm am up in Grand Rapids, Michigan right now visiting my best friend Joy and her husband Pete! I'm here to do a photoshoot for one of her friends but it gave me an excuse to come and stay for a couple days too!:) I love it!
Anyways...I was planning on driving up...but I really don't like driving 4 hours by myself it's so lonely and I'd probably fall asleep from boredom! ha! Sooo I decided to have a new adventure...which I ALWAYS love..and take the Amtrak! Joy used to take it all the time before her and Pete got married so I figured I'd try it out!
Let me just say WOW first and get that over with...because the whole experience was just that. haha! The intrestingness..(is that a word?) started when I got off the Metra in Chicago and switch stations for the Amtrak...I walked outside with my bags and this homeless guy came up assuming that I was switching to the Amtrak because of my luggage decided that he would take me to the station! I was pretty freaked out and started walking the way I thought it was but he kept telling me to go down this other street with him...while I was walking we passed by one of his "friends" and he grunted something to him about where he was taking me and I got really scared and almost tried to run...with very little success because of my heavy camera gear and luggage! Finally I told him that I had to go some places before I went to the Amtrak so he thankfully left...as I was fast walking away I kept feeling something hit my leg...I assumed it was one of my bags just hanging low...after walking a little while I turned around to see what it was and found that it was my camera that had fallen out of my bag and was just hanging loosely by the strap and about to fall on the ground!! ahh!! Thank God I saw and and was able to grab it before it fell! Yikes!

Next...after being on the Amtrak train for awhile this guy in front of me starts walking around and talking to his buddy who was behind me then starts talking to me! He was a friendly guy around 18 who I later discovered had been traveling since he was 14 just wandering from place to place and was now going home from Oregon! We talked for awhile with his buddy too then went downstairs to the lounge to wait for our stop and they got out their instruments...a banjo, harmonica, and accordion! All this happening while the conductor is making his own music making bird noises at me! And saying "gorgeous gorgeous" in his thick accent! HA!! I felt like I stepped into and old western movie or something!!! HAHA! Check out the video here! I live in such a sheltered yuppie world that I forget that there is a whole other world out there! It's so fun to see!
What an HILARIOUS experience but isn't this what makes life rich???? I love it.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

I could shoot in cornfields ALL day!

Here are a couple favorites from our mini shoot in the corn field on our way to the wedding this past weekend! The clouds were all dark and stormy but the sun managed to poke it's way through which made for some nice dramatic pics! I LOVE it! Too bad I don't live closer to a field like this!




I don't know how Natalie does it..but she just walks around and looks like a supermodel! UGH! ;)



Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Aimee & Josh

This past weekend Natalie, Andrew and I shot Aimee and Josh's gorgeous wedding! We headed out Friday for a nice little road trip to middle Indiana and saw some sweet sites along the way! We even stopped in the middle of a corn field for a mini-shoot! haha!:)
Anyways..I met Aimee down in the Dominican Republic last time I was down there then received and email from her a couple months ago saying she was getting married!! I was super excited when she asked if I could shoot the wedding for her! Her family really welcomed us in as one of there own I felt so at home it was wonderful!
Aimee and Josh has such awesome genuine hearts! I guess they have to with the jobs that they do! They both work for the same ministry that I shoot for down in the DR, ministering to teens! It's amazing what they do!!
The reception was at a really sweet place called The Mill which is an old converted mill turned into a restaurant...which served soooo yummy Cajun food!! mmm! I love my job!! haha!
Here is the slideshow of their beautiful day!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Beauty sleep...


Ahh! The joys of being 4 again! :)

Friday, November 23, 2007

Ahh the holidays!!

It's SO truly the most wonderful time of the year! Once Thanksgiving hits I always just feel so cozy and just want to cuddle up...with a book(lol!)..and enjoy the family and the season! I don't know what it is...but without fail it happens every year no matter what the past weeks and months have been this season always brings such warmth even in the bitter cold! :) I LOVE it!
We had a great low key Thanksgiving yesterday which was wonderful to just stay home and not get out of the pj's all day! So wonderful!!
Now back to work! Andrew, Natalie, and I are heading out today for a wedding tomorrow in Indiana! Should be fun!! I think I'm just going to listen to Christmas music allll the way there! I just love it so much!
Have a wonderful Black Friday you all!! I'm SOO glad I don't have time to shop today! Craziness!! :)haha!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

IV....


The IV cord just came in the mail today so I can live again!!...well actually my power cord for my laptop..but same thing! lol!!
I had NO clue how much I use this thing to live! I was without my laptop for a week and my friends would call asking if I could get together or clients wanting to book things and I couldn't respond cause I had no idea if I could or not! This thing tells me when and where and with who I'm doing things with...so my life pretty much went on hold until I could get the cord! HAHA!! I have ALOT of catching up to do too! Yikes!! But this computer is going back off tonight and not being turned on for a couple days...so I can enjoy the holiday!! :) So that should be nice!
Soooo what are you all doing for Thanksgiving??? We aren't sure yet...all of our family is out of town...but I guess really doing anything with the immediate family is equal to a party with 9 people! HA!! Should be fun!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Housekeeping....:)

We are updating the blog and websites right now so if things are all wacky they should all be straightened out SOON!! Can't wait for you all to see the SWEET changes!! I guess you can see it on the blog already;)
Also..as far as email goes..my power cord for my laptop is shot so I had to order a new one. It should be in today soooo if I haven't gotten back to you I will SOON!!
I love you all!!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Oh so cute!!

My beautiful friend Debbie and her SOOO stinking adorable daughter Brooke came over last week for some pictures! Brooke is now two and a half and this was the first time we did a REAL photoshoot of her! How terrible is that! I need to get better at this friend and taking picture thing! haha!
Anyways...we got tons of adorable pics and it was super hard to pic..but here are a couple!
It's so weird because Debbie and I have been friends since I was born...and now to see her with a little girl is the cutest thing ever! Brooke has one of the best personalities too so that made it an extra fun shoot!

Friday, November 16, 2007

My Love....


Well I've never been in love.....until now...:)
Check out **Liana's post** to see the whole story!!! Tooooo CUTE!!

Dance Rawr Dance!!!



Last night we went to one of the coolest concerts EVER! It was called the Dance Rawr Dance Tour with Family Force 5, Jonezetta, and The Secret Handshake.
One of the reasons I really love going to concerts is you get to hear new bands that you wouldn't normally just go listen to which totally broadens you musical spectrum.... I had never even heard of The Secret Handshake but I think he is going to be one of my favorite artists now! Seriously check him out!!!


Jonezetta totally rocked things and they were alot like Switchfoot mixed with Relient K which is pretty amazing to pull off! hehe!

Family Force 5 though would definitely have to be my favorite! They were INSANE onstage and at one point even got the crowd to form a breakdance circle and had a break dancer from So You Think You Can Dance come and break things down! Amazing!! I definitely recommend seeing any of these bands if they come to your area! And check out their sites!

We didn't shoot any pictures because cameras weren't allowed so we got to fully enjoy the night instead!! :) 
I've always said that I totally want a band to come play at my wedding..LOL...and after hearing Family Force 5 I think I would TOTALLY have them come play at my wedding! What a party that would be!! Ha! :) 
Love you all!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Unbelievable!!


OMG! We are just finishing up the Business Boot Camp and I feel like a new woman! :) I really have SOOO much more of a grasp on my business over all and even just working my numbers and getting my packages in order has been so refreshing! Math was always my best subject in school so to work on stuff like that has actually been fun!
This afternoon we were sharing our visions and writing down our end of life story and it's so funny cause I think Liana and were separated at birth or something...we grew up doing the EXACT same things and have almost the same end of life story! haha! So we decided that we need to marry brothers or something like that! lol!
I feel so revived and ready to go into this next year of business 100x more prepared than I've ever felt and able to get alot of things off my shoulders:) Sooo exciting!
We ended the afternoon session with wine and cheese which I've never done so that was a great new experience that I think I want to do all the time now!(don't worry mom..I had sparkling grape juice;) haha!
The picture at the top is from a little tiny photoshoot we did for a Lightroom demo...:)
I love you all!! Can't wait to get back and apply everything! YAY!!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Atlanta!! :)


I just got to Atlanta today and am sooo excited to be here! I have never been here and after being here only a couple hours already totally love it!! My amazing friend Liana invited me to come and hang out for a little bit and to also go to her Business Boot Camp which starts on Wednesday! I'm so sooo excited about it and even though it's going to be working alot of numbers it is exactly what I have needed for my business because I have just been making it up as I go along...which is not the same way the government goes about things..haha!

I barely made it on my flight this morning and have never cut things this close but left my house about an hour before my flight left...then got to the airport with stopped traffic...then a mile long line for the security! It was crazy and I got on the plane 3 minutes before takeoff!! ahh!! I need to plan a little bit better I guess...even though I did wake up at 4:30am! lol!
Liana and my other friend Sara Harper picked me up at the airport, then this afternoon we headed out for a photoshoot that Liana had...but we were desperately trying to find a place to eat but all we could find after everything was a Waffle House which I had never had so we went in for a bite! It was pretty good and I got my taste of some southern cooking:)
Above is Sara and I in front of the famed Waffle House! haha! Yum yum!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Emmy & Alan

Ahh..I thought I was doing amazing at blogging and had posted everyday for like 6 straight days...then go on the other side of the spectrum not posting at all! oops!
I guess life can catch up sometimes! :)
Yesterday, my sister Natalie and I headed downtown for Emmy and Alan's engagement shoot! I wasn't quite sure about how the weather would turn out...but it ended up being a beautiful overcast, but always fun to shoot in, day!
Emmy and Alan are such sweet people! Yesterday was my first time meeting them and there is just such an easygoing and calm about them that you would never know that their wedding is coming up soon! I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with them and TOTALLY can't wait for their wedding and the reception which is going to be in Emmy's parents orchard! How fun is that?? They rented a tandem bike for the shoot because that is what they did on the day he proposed!! How cute is that! Here is their slideshow!!

Monday, November 05, 2007

What's your end result?


My friend's and I were talking about making money today and it really got me thinking...
What is our end result/goal/focus in our job's and careers? Is it to make more money?

I was looking at my finances last night and started to think...I want to make more money...what can I do to do that? Start up new businesses, do a workshop? But I had to stop. My goal was JUST to make more money which is most certainly not my end goal!
I HEARTILY believe in using your money wisely and making it grow...but when that is my only focus and the reason why I live...is to do that..I'm missing it completely!

When I was little I wanted to be a lawyer, graphic designer, and finally an architect solely because they made alot of money! Finally when I found one of my callings, photography, all the doors started opening up and I was doing it NOT because of the money but because I loved it and because I loved creating beautiful work and seeing people enjoy it!

This generation is SOOOO focused on making more money that we are NOT fulfilling our actual callings! I was driving down the street the other day and saw a lady sitting in her car all raggedy and looking like she hadn't slept in days and realized that she probably is not in her calling and then looked around some more and realized that probably 75% of the people I was driving past were not even in THEIR callings either! Whether they were driving a nice car or not!
They could be driving the nicest car, living in a mansion..yet still not fulfilling what they are called to because just making money is the focus!

If all we focus on is making more money we will literally NEVER be fulfilled! That's why so many people are lacking fulfillment and it's a total rat race because they think that having more things and money will bring that..yet it is never satisfying!

Think about prostitution, on second thought don't..yet they are selling their precious lives away for a couple dollars! That is what we are all trained to do. We litterly sell our lives away for 40 years to make some money so we can retire and die. What kind of life is that? Are we truly wanting to prostitute our lives just for money?

I really feel like if we find out and pursue what we are called to the doors will open for us and the money will follow! That the end result is NOT adding another dollar to the bank account but making a difference and impact in this world! That's why were here anyways right??

What is your end result in your job? If it's making money...you should PROBABLY be rethinking your life...and career! We're not just here to survive....or even to survive well...we're here to fulfill our callings and destinies, and through that we really will change the world!:)

Sunday, November 04, 2007

I tried...


...I truly tried. And I STILL don't like coffee! I have never liked it and despite multiple times to try and convert...even ordering and drinking a whole cup tonight of the so-called amazing Pumpkin Spice Latte....I have failed at my attempts and will still remain a non-coffee drinker. I will have to settle for walking through the coffee aisle and sniffing until my mouth waters or making a pot of coffee in the morning JUST for the smell! Such a sad lonely life without it..!
Well to look on the bright side...at least I'll live longer, have more money, stay skinnier without it!;)
LOL!
PS..I don't think I'm affected AT ALL from caffeine this late at night either;)

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Check!!

I'm addicted. I must confess...to a very strong addiction.
I'm am addicted to to do lists! lol! On my Outlook program there is a whole to do section and every little thing I possibly have to do throughout the day, week, month, year, life. I write it down there, with due dates and everything. The very best part is un-checking the red flag and seeing it disappear! It's up there with probably with the accomplishment of running a marathon...or something like that;)
Well...I've been pretty proud of myself lately in that I'm completely finishing my to do lists for the day!
Not leaving anything to be done for the day so I can actually really relax without anything on my plate! It's AMAZING! I think making a to do list and FINISHING it is one of the most important things...probably next to Godliness!..replacing the cleanliness part of course! ha! jk... But it is really so important seeing where you want to go in this life and map it out then break it down...again as I've always said..into baby steps. I have all my baby steps on this to do list and they are literally getting done because I keep it before me ALL the time! Plus they have due dates on them...so that makes things fun!
Because I got all my stuff done today I'm literally almost totally caught up business wise and next week really only have fun things planned and friends to meet with! How perfect is that! Today was amazing too with very little work...sleep in, work out for 2 hours, and SHOP! Who could beat that?? haha! The top is a picture from our fun shopping trip with some friends:)
I love you all!!

Friday, November 02, 2007

Toby Mac.

I have watched Toby Mac since he was in DC Talk and since I was 2! I remember always asking my dad to bring the DC Talk music video home from church and knew most of the words! Who ever heard of children's music?? I went straight the the rock, rap, and pop! lol!
The last night of the tour I realized I hadn't watched his full show yet or gotten many pics! After my cousins show we would just head back to the bus and watch movies or bake....and let my ears rest from being right in front of screamingly loud sub woofers and speakers! lol! But the last night I had to watch the show and let me tell you!! WOW. Yep just wow! lol! Toby's show is one of the most spectacular shows I've seen! There are things going on everywhere and it's kind of like being in Time's Square! So much to watch plus incredible music! Who could beat that!
Plus at the end they all sang the ever so popular and vintage, Jesus Freak, and my cousin Becca got to play along with them which is surreal to her since she listened to that back in high school and DC Talk was the first concert she went to! How crazy is that??
Check out the slideshow!!! :)

Thursday, November 01, 2007

BG tour recap!

Well touring life is AMAZING!!! I've gone on the road before with my cousins but never on an actual tour which is crazy! I'm definitely already going through tour withdrawals and seriously didn't want to stop traveling! You get on this fast paced routine and it's exhilarating!! I met so many wonderful and genuine people that I was sad to part! Thankfully I'm pushing for Nashville so I can be around more of this! I just love it so much! My cousin's band, Barlowgirl, is on tour with Toby Mac and Thousand Foot Krutch and I think it was a 30 or 40 city tour...not really sure but it adds up quick! We went to 4 states in 4 days! Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The venues were packed and close to selling out! One place even had to get a bigger arena because they sold out months ago! Crazy! I shot a couple thousand pics but narrowed it down just a little for a fun slideshow;) Check it out here! I'll post Toby's slideshow tomorrow!

The first night after the concert I walked outside to one of the most gorgeous night skys I've seen! There was literally a rainbow around the moon!! God. Never ceases to amaze me!! Ha!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Ahh...my life!


Today has just been one of those days...come to think of it the past month has just been one of those months!! I am just so enthralled with life lately! God has blessed me so amazingly in so many ways that he has really left me speechless!
I've set aside Wednesday's now as my "No work, just relationships day" I finally just got on the computer now which I'm so excited for and I really want to live my life more like this! It's so freeing to not have to be tied to this glaring screen all the time!
This morning I had an amazing breakfast with my best friend Rebecca and we've now set it that we will have breakfast once a week together because if we don't schedule then it will never happen and business will just take over! Then lunch with my incredible friend Beth who encourages me so much! Then errands in the afternoon while talking to some friends on the phone...and to top it off a wonderful night with my family which is soooo rare!
Relationships are really the core of everything and I would be nothing without them! I could build a huge business but if I don't invest in my relationships after all is said and done I will have NOTHING!!
INVEST NOW in your relationships because if you wait they might not be there to invest in!! :)
PS...SUPER side not and actually what I was going to write this post about...while having family night we watched an insane movie called The Prestige. It was THE most interesting movie I have ever watched and my mind is still whirling from it..(maybe that's the reason for this random post)..but if you haven't seen it you REALLY should! It's an incredible movie based on magicians and the whole movie is basically a magic trick!!(watning...not for the faint at heart!:)
...Ok...now invest in those relationships!!;) lol!!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Marlene & Jeremy

I shot Marlene and Jeremy's engagement shoot last Saturday right after getting off the plane from New York! I thought I would be a little tired at the shoot but low and behold after meeting these two I was wide awake and having the time of my life for about 6 hours!! We went extra long because we were just having to much fun and didn't want to stop!
Marlene and Jeremy are some of THE sweetest people I have ever met! Marlene is a kindred spirit to me in that she laughed almost the entire shoot...it gave me a glimpse of what my engagement shoot will probably be like! haha! And Jeremy was right there making Marlene laugh and a definite gentleman which you really don't see very much any more! All in all this was one of my most favorite shoots and I seriously can't wait for their wedding I think it's going to be the highlight of next year! Check out their adorable slideshow!! I think they could be models:)

The rest of the tour blogging is coming soon but I have to SLEEP!!! :)

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Tour Journal - Minnesota


Well...this morning I woke up to a MUCH more beautiful sight...Lake Superior! It is very weird going to bed one night and waking up the next morning somewhere completely different but not seeing the whole travel in between! It's pretty fun!
We are in the adorable town of Duluth, Minnesota! It's a cute little harbour town and reminds me alot of Mystic, CT where I was last week! I absolutely LOVE towns that are on the water there is just something so calming about it!
We went shopping this morning because it's absolutely unreal outside and then hung out on the street and talked with a bunch of the bands for awhile! I love this life!

Lasts nights show was AWESOME! The crowd was seriously incredible and much more than I expected for a place litterly in the middle of nowhere! I got some really fun shots and I'll make a slideshow when I get home of all my favorites but here are a couple....
I actually did a super daredevil photography stunt and walked out on the catwalk above the whole concert to get some shots! One of the security guards asked if I wanted to get some shots from up there..and so as not to be a scaredy cat I accepted. I was kinda freaked out at first but once I was up there it was incredible!

It was so hilarious yesterday too...to use up some time we played football out in the parking lot and let me tell you...I will DEFINITELY never quit my day job for it..but I'm pretty good!;) lol!! Except I almost broke my fingers so that wasn't fun!
Tonight's show should be amazing! They actually had to get a bigger venue because the first venue sold out! This place is actually a skating rink that they just put boards over so it's kinda cold but it's huge so this should be fun!!
I gotta run and read for awhile! I love you all!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Tour Journal - Iowaaayy!


I just woke up this morning to endless cornfields...and horse jumps. I'm not really sure where everyone is going to come from cause I pretty much see no life form. I heard that the main highway is an hour away from here so this should be interesting! lol!
I'm out on tour right now with Toby Mac, Thousand Foot Krutch, and my cousins band Barlowgirl. Last night we had a show in Milwaukee, tonight we are in Spencer, Iowa(no clue where that is), then Minnesota and North Dakota. I'm pretty excited especially since there's pretty much nothing everywhere we are going! It's awesomeness! lol!!
I'm pretty excited though because even though we are in the middle of nowhere I found wifi so I can still survive!;) haha!
I have really missed being on the road like this and absolutely LOVE it! I'll post some pics from last night soon! :)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Justin & Mary!!

Finally!! Some pictures from Justin and Mary's incredible wedding! This was one of the most fun weddings I've been! Maybe because I was actually a guest!! It's always fun to get all dressed up and not HAVE to work if you don't want! It was wonderful! Justin and Mary are some of THE most genuine and loving people I have ever met! Right when I met them I felt like I was there best friend! They are truly better together and have already accomplished so much even before they were married! I can't wait to see how they change the world now that they are married! Amazing! :)
Here are some pics from the wedding!









Whew that was a lot of pictures!! haha! As you can see they are an incredible couple!!
PS..ahh! I LOVE my life! And seriously love living spur of the moment! I'm heading out of town tonight...(just found out) until Monday to go on tour with my cousins to 4 different states! Sooo excited!! I have to pack in like 1/2 an hour! ahh!! I love you all!!