Happy Thanksgiving...

The table was set...the food was prepared...we all sat down to a table full of love and family. Thanksgiving to me is a day of reflection, one that gives me the time to slow down and realize what and why I am thankful for what I have and the people who truly make a difference in my life. This year more then ever, I am thankful for being able to put dinner on my table, a roof over my head, and clothing on my family's back. I recently took a position with the United Way and I have been awaken with the effects our economy is having on people and members within my community. I have lived in Western Washington for most of my life and to know that last year there were 700 children in my county that were homeless is shocking. It's also very humbling to go down to some of the agencies that help to support these families and see that these individuals are not much different then you or I. In fact most of these families are fully employed and just not making it by. It makes me realize that I am very lucky to have a solid ground to stand on but at the same time makes me realize that it could be me tomorrow. These are the times where we the people need to stick together and lend a helping hand.

I have found that just the smallest gesture truly makes the difference. I walked into our local food bank a couple weeks ago and a women who was in line waiting to check out stopped me to say that she loved my hair...I had to pause for a moment because I was still in an emotional distress from the site of people wrapped around a building standing in line for food. After pulling myself together, I smiled at her and put my hand on her shoulder and told her...yours too girl! That moment and small interaction made my day. It made me realize that even at the hardest moment in this woman's life she was able to pay me a compliment. Since this moment, I have made a point to reach out and smile to others and give a helping hand. It doesn't have to be a monetary gesture, it could be as simple as a compliment, a hello, or opening a door for someone else.

Today and now everyday I am thankful for the moments I have with my family, friends, and members of my community. I challenge you to make someone smile today! Not only will it make someone elses day, it will help to bring our society together and make it a better place.

Just a few more to share....

I LOVE photography!! Capturing moments like these make what I do so rewarding:) I love making families and parents smile and also giving a gift that will last forever. Things have really gone well for me in the last couple of months, and right now I have some pretty cool things in the works...stay tuned for some pretty sweet news!











Stay tuned for whats new to come in the next week or so!! So excited :))))

Long post of sharing my love for photography...

Well if you have wondered why I have been a bit MIA, here is why....



















More to come...!!!

Lets do the ch...ch...chicken dance!

Awww isn't he just the cutest little chicken you have ever seen!! Not only was he the cutest little chicken, he was also the cutest little birthday boy as well:) My little man turned two on Halloween and boy did he party down. Austin didn't really understand what a "birthday" was, but he certainly understood that the party was for him. We started out our afternoon at the mall for a little treat or treat adventure...so much fun! Austin caught on real quick that if you opened your bag, you got yourself a little treat. Each time he would get a new piece of candy, he want to sit down in the middle of the mall to check it out...lol! After our adventure at the mall, we headed home for a dinner party with my family. After dinner we had cake and ice cream, gift opening and most important a visit from daddy. Joel got the opportunity to leave work early to join his son on his second birthday. It was so cool to have him there via skype to watch Austin open his presents, and get messy with the cake. Overall, we had a great day celebrating Austin's birthday and getting funky with the chicken dance!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN! :)















This was Austin last year around his birthday...wow he really has grown into a little boy!

It's Almost Over....

It has been over a year now that the love of my life left to live in a world where war and casualties were the surrounding factors of his everyday life. It's was also just over a year ago that Austin and I had to say goodbye to his daddy and wished him only the best as our hero. My husband has done many amazing things in his life, but one of the most amazing things he has done is loved us in a way no words could ever explain. He has sacrificed so much for his family to in the end give us a better tomorrow. I admire his determination, his focus, and his ongoing love for his country. He has always been my hero, best friend, and love of my life. We're now on the home stretch, in six weeks I will be able to hold the one person who makes me feel whole. The one person who I look forward to seeing and the one who holds my heart in his hands. In six weeks Austin will have his daddy back to play and rough house with. Now more then ever Austin needs his daddy and now more then ever Joel needs his son. It will be an emotional reunion for sure as this has been the longest we've been apart. I look forward to being a family again...you know the little things. Watching movies on the weekends, cooking dinner, and seeing again the look on Austin's face when daddy comes home from work. When you have these things everyday, you don't quite grasp the importance of appreciating the little things. Now that's it's been a year without these moments, they will mean even more to me then before. I miss the love of my life and am counting down the days until we're together again...It's almost over!

Joel I may not tell you enough how much I love you, but if I could tell you all the things I felt for you, this blog post wouldn't have an end to it. You are my everything and I am so thankful to have you as my husband, best friend, and soul mate. We're coming up on our eight year mark and while it's seem like a long time, it just seems like yesterday that we fell in love. I miss you so much and can't wait to have you home again. Thank you for all that you have done for Austin and I. You are truly our hero in so many ways!