Tiny Seed.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Claire who loved her bunny. 

Who loved books.

And this one, The Tiny Seed, is one of her favorites.

If Claire couldn't take a book everywhere she went, she would be one unhappy girl. Who would yell a lot (trust me on this). And loud. The girl can yell loud.

So the story goes ...

A field. A book. A brother. A bunny. 

And a Mommy who loves them all very much.

Especially when they do things like this without being asked. Oh how their Mommy adores them.

Claire loves to read out loud. She reads to the bunny. She reads to her Mommy. To herself.

Here, Claire read the words ... "Flower. Is that a man? Is that a girl?"

And her brother was busy looking for bugs and playing airplane in the field. Not caring about the bunny or the book or his sister and her adorable take on the story. Bugs ...

So Claire, wanting to find bugs as well,  finished her story, licked her bunny, and stood up.

And started to yell.

ALL DONE MOMMY. ALLLLLLLL DONE.

The End ...

To Sing.

I was hired to shoot this beautiful family because they are going to be gracing the cover of a business magazine. 

I did what I needed to do - getting shots that the editor wanted (certain vertical shots, plenty of white space, etc.) 

and then I did what I wanted to do ...

Like loving on this little guy. Playing games, getting him to trust me and come closer ... and give me drool-worthy expressions that capture everything about being two.  

Like teething.

And learning all about what it means to have a collection. A passion. A love of legos. This particular figure is his favorite. He tucked it into his pocket before we left the house because I told him I wanted to hear all about it. And he told me. 

And I adore him for it.

And while these shots make my heart sing, I know they are not going to make the magazine cover (not vertical, for starters). I don't care. 

(The ones that will are saved for the editor.)

Sometimes you have to create happiness in situations that could go either way. 

I choose to sing.

And.

I think they do, too.

P.S. {A Couple of Recipes}

ff

***

Peach and Blueberry Crisp

Last night I made a Peach and Blueberry Crisp.

Yum, people. Yum.

10 peaches, peeled and sliced into wedges

2 Pints of Blueberries (I always add more. Love.)

1/4 C. Sugar

1/4 C. Brown Sugar

Squeeze of a lemon or an orange

2 TBSP. Flour

Mix all together and dump into buttered baking dish.

Top with crushed almond cookies (and chopped almonds if you like crunch).

Bake 350 for 1 hour. 

Easy. Yummy. Everyone will love you.

And don't you deserve to be adored?

Of course you do.

Firsts.

Me: Caeden, kindergarten is a long word. Do you want me to write it?

Caeden: Of course not. Where is the chalk?

5 or 6 letters in ...

Caeden: Mom, this word never ends. I need to stop.

Me: You can stop if I can take your picture (haha).

Goofing around, although this picture looks pretty serious. There were numerous outtakes of the apple falling off. So cute and fun.

Everyone in Caeden's entire school wore the same t-shirt on the first day. I love the idea of that - I know it must have made the kids feel like they were not so different from each other ... and that they were all in this together.

His first day was really good. He was excited and ready. I didn't cry (another first - ha).

I asked him what his favorite part of his day was.

Caeden: Talking to Ms. Marchese (his new teacher - she is an absolute doll).

***

Wayne is home. Dave and Donna are leaving this morning. I need to step up and find a routine for all of us that makes sense so that everyone gets what they need. This morning when Claire woke up, she wouldn't even come to me. Wanted to snuggle with Grandma only. It's a sign that I need to spend more time with her (and Caeden).

But, today is a new day.

Swimming pool, maybe some picture taking...

And if I can get the kids to laugh, and Wayne to have what he needs ... well ... I know we are all on our way to better days.

The Glue.

Wayne ...

Bribes the nurses with cookies that Lindsay and Jordan brought him.

Told me his pillow gets him through. Small comforts of home become big comforts, you know?

Is out of ICU and in a normal room.

Will be home Friday or Saturday.

Is feeling much better.

Ate a baked potato yesterday (was the first real thing in 5 days).

Will see Caeden today. I am taking him to the hospital after we go to school to meet his teacher, get pictures taken, and drop of his school supplies

Caeden ..

Starts school tomorrow.

I asked him what he wanted his teacher to know about him, and he said:

1. I love garbage trucks.

2. I play with my sister.

3. I want to learn about rockets.

4. My favorite color is blue.

Claire ...

Is Claire. Stubborn. Loves the word "no." And shoes still are her world.

We ...

Have the best, most amazing friends and family. Dave and Donna have helped us SO MUCH. Absolutely incredible. So blessed to have them. I thank God each and every day for how they glue our family together.

Because, lately, it takes a lot of glue.

Text.

I woke up to this text from Wayne this morning:

"The first Doctor I see is going to get an earful on transfering me out of ICU and into a normal hospital room."

(Sarcasm can only mean he is feeling better.)

Heading off to hospital this morning to join Dave. 

Donna is holding down the fort with the kids. Not quite sure what I do without my in-laws.

So thankful I don't have to find out.

Update on Wayne.

Admitted into ICU for blood transfusion(s).

Has a blood clot that reaches from knee to pelvis.

Had surgery to insert filter as to catch pieces of clot as he is unable to be on blood thinners because of his low counts.

Will be out of ICU tomorrow.

Back up to normal hospital room - which is where he will stay until his release Thursday or Friday.

Will be on chemo break but won't know to what extent until his trip to Houston next week.

Wayne.

Wayne ...

Had a rough weekend. Stayed in bed and felt miserable.

Wouldn't eat.

Couldn't hold much down when he tried to eat (if he could have said, "I told you so...")

Pain in his leg.

And this morning.

Couldn't walk.

Had to see a Doctor.

But to get there ...

Had to rest each time he put on an item of clothing.

Shirt on. Lay down and rest.

Jeans on. Lay down and rest.

Help getting shoes on.

Wayne ...

Was admitted into the hospital where they found a blood clot that spans from his knee to his pelvis.

He will be there for 5 days ... until they get him eating and hydrated and get the blood thinners to do their thing.

It will take 9-12 months for clot to disappear.

Wayne has ...

Incredible parents.

Two children who ask for him. Miss him.

A wife that wishes more than anything that this wasn't happening.

Two blankets and two pillows from home.

Amazing friends.

Wayne will ...

Sleep as much as he can.

Have someone with him in his room. Even if it is sitting in silence and watching him sleep.

Have me to ask him to eat. To get him  ice water. Worry. Worry. Worry.

Wayne could use ...

Prayers.

Words of encouragement.

Your love.

If I had a Penny ...

Thinking about ...

By Monday I should have a new blog. Nothing wrong with reinventing yourself, right?

Shooting a wedding in Napa. Haven't even said yes but already sketching a storyboard ... I think that means yes.

 My first baseball game tonight (Rockies vs. Cubs)

My golden retriever, Lucy, will be here this weekend. Can't wait to walk her and pet her and and tell her how sweet and pretty she is.

Wayne comes home today. He has been in Seattle all week for work (and also chemo). 

Making a blueberry crumb cake with Caeden. Recipe here. We're on a roll.

(I torture myself as I took the "eat 1,000 calories" to heart and am living off of coffee.)

Made strawberry jam late last night. Pearly pink jars of goodness are in the fridge and in the freezer. 

Thinking ...

How next week is Caeden's last of summer. And maybe it's time to unplug and lay in the grass, get wet in the hose, eat ice cream every day, and love on him until he tells me no more. 

I don't think he will say that, though ...

The Little Things.

I had no idea I could share music (from iTunes library) on my  desktop to laptop. 

It's the little things, people.

Well Hello.

How about a list and some family pictures to break it all up?

1. Short attention span these days.

2. Made a cake for the garbage men (Caeden's idea). He just glowed when the truck pulled up and the men took the cake. So proud of him for being kind to others.

3. Still nursing running injury and I miss running dearly.

4. Talked to trainer at gym to whip me into shape (in 4 weeks) for Lindsay's wedding. Was told to eat 1,000 calories, cardio for 1 hour every day, weight training 3 times a week (with a female trainer and not a man because they are too soft! LOL)

5. Didn't sign up but did head to Chick fil A for dinner straight away afterward (kids) haha.

6. Claire has us all running scared as she is teething and bites everything in sight.

7. Wayne has 1 more day of chemo.

8. Caeden starts Kindergarten next week.

9. I am shooting the cover of a business magazine!

10. Addicted to blueberries.

11. It's peach season in Colorado. Headed to fruit stand on main street to get more. Making jam. 

This time I am telling the truth.

13. Have a dear friend on the other side of the state that I cannot wait to see. Going to try and go alone. Publicly stating/pondering that thought increases my chances of that happening... :)

14. Am over, over, over Facebook but don't know how to stop logging on.

15. Going outside with kids to get some exercise, some sun, some fun.

Find Your Style.

To have style translate into a photograph you have to put in the effort.

To have a cast iron bathtub in the grass by a pond ...

Well, that takes manly strength.

{And women to watch and make them move it twenty times.}

But when you go to the effort ...

Amazing things can happen.

Like this.

A portrait for their home that no one will have.

Getting ready for a session is so much more than picking at date and showing up.

It is collaboration.

Inspiration. Expression of personal style.

Anticipation ... total fun.

And.

Completely worth it.

Freedom.

Sum it Up.

She's a shoe girl.

Another.

As you might have known, I have been in Montana this week attending the 

Jinky Art Photography Workshop.

It was absolutely incredible. I learned so much about business, branding, and of course, more than a few photography tricks...

And while I am inspired with ideas (and I have lots!) the first item of business is to move away from this blog and showcase my photography in a better format. So, I am working on that now, and it will be launched shortly. Don't worry, though, this blog will still remain ... and I promise to post daily just as I (almost) always have.

And ironic as this is, the photographs I am showing you tonight were not taken by me. My good friend took them today ... while I was busy bribing Claire and shooting from a different angle. I haven't had a chance to edit mine yet, so here you go: 

Claire from another Perspective. Another set of eyes. 

Another photographer...

 Who wants to remain anonymous for fear he will steal all my clients. ;)

(this one is my favorite... those sweet chunky legs!)

We were playing peek a boo (I was sitting to the far left of photo).

Today was hot. Shot during the harshest lighting. We melted.

But I have to say. Totally worth it.

When the Sun Sets ...

I wish for the same thing each night when the sun starts to set.

Children who sleep in so they can stay up later.

So I can walk with them through a field and sit them on a log.

Weave them a story.

And let whatever happens, happen.

Like this.

A Fresh Air Education | jinkyart | Montana

Coming home from Montana tomorrow. 

Full of ideas. 

Touched by new friendships.

Completely inspired. 

Head whirling with what is possible.

Wanting nothing more than to capture.

To Create Magic.

To freeze love ...
&
giggles
 &
time.

So much to tell you and to share.

But for now ...

a smile ... thinking about it all.

Text.

Thought it would be fun to share some instant message pics. It's all the behind the scene stuff. The daily stuff. The random stuff. One week's worth of life...

(All with iPhone, of course. So, no judging on picture quality.)

Claire's first hair cut.

Sushi Den (the best in Denver, imo) with Linz and Jordan and Wayne.

What we do outside when we can stand the heat.

Claire rocking Matilda Jane. Adorable.

I eat blueberries, strawberries, and any other berry all summer long.

That and coffee.

And a little granola and yogurt.

Breakfast, lunch, and a lot of times, dinner.

I remember watching my mom get ready in the bathroom when going out ...

And here is Bear, fresh from the bath, putting on makeup. 

So sweet. 

Flat tire resulting from large bolt left behind by construction on our street this week.

Me sending this picture to my sister and girlfriend to see if headband was too much.

Nope it wasn't.

So I wore this to Fruition for date night.

Caeden said, "Mom, my darling love (his name for me), you look beautiful."

Made me glow all night.

Toy store in Cherry Creek (Kazoo) is a favorite place to go for something fun.

Bear just plays with toys and is totally content leaving empty handed.

Caeden? Not so much. 

That is half of a spider that landed on my face one morning this week.

(That is the inside of my pajamas.)

The other part was smooshed on my neck. 

And part on my cheek.

This spider just kept giving. Nice.

C Bear reading a magazine. I was too slow to capture her when she was holding it upside down and had it up to her face. Darling.

She reads to herself and it goes something like this,

"Yes! Blue! Four, Five, Six. Bunny!"

Horrible pic of the best hair cut Caeden has gotten to date.

Trust me, it is killer cute. Just a bad pic.

This boy can make conversation with the best of them.

Yesterday while talking to stylist,

he told her all about his Grandpa's lawnmower. 

Had the whole place cracking up. :)

That's our week in a nutshell. Some of you have seen some of these pics (because, of course, they were all taken with the intent of txting) but still thought it would be fun to share all the behind the scenes stuff I do (and I freely admit I am hopelessly addicted to txting).

Berries & Watermelon | Salad from Farmer's Market

Watermelon and strawberry salad with ginger syrup
Serves 4

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 2inch peeled piece of fresh ginger
1/4 watermelon, in cubes
3 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
fresh mint

Start with the syrup.
Bring sugar, water and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan.
Let it simmer for 5 minutes, cool.
Discard the ginger.
Place watermelon, strawberries and fresh mint in a large bowl and ad the syrup, mix well, cool and serve.

(recipe via sweet paul.)

Now this one ...

Found this image and recipe online this morning and 

have absolutely no idea where (closed window like an idiot).

Basically you toss toss, beans, and potatoes together with a little butter and salt and pepper and call it dinner.

Yum.

 

 

In other news,

you know that brilliant friend of mine who seems to have all the answers? Hi Michelle ... 

She emailed me a great idea about recycling containers.

She made a recycling stencil and used yellow paint to denoted her large trash can as recyclables only. Isn't that brilliant?

Working on that this afternoon.

Second, we're making homemade peach jam Sunday (Colorado Peaches are starting to arrive!) before I leave for Montana on Monday. I'll post the recipe and pictures when we're done.