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Hope For Sandy

Hey Everybody!

I don’t have a ton of followers but I’m hoping that the ones I do have are willing to share this. My mom, Sandy, is battling her third round of cancer. It has metastasized from a previous bout with breast cancer. I started a fundraiser for her because while she is being treat through the VA hospital, her benefits will not cover DNA testing. If we’re able to reach our goal, not only will she be able to get the testing done but treatment. This test could help my brother and sister, myself and my daughter should any of us fall ill in this way. It’s a pretty hefty price tag but she is so worth it. She has been on multiple deployments to fight for your freedom and mine. She’s witnessed and experienced things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. And yet…she’s still here. Things are moving along and I’m so incredibly grateful for all those that have been so kind and generous to contribute to this fundraiser. I’m asking not only for donation but for this to be shared. And even if you can’t donate, you can help by sharing this message. Reblog it. Facebook it. Reddit. Tweet it. Please, we really need this help. I’m struggling to come to terms with having to explain to my four year old about her grandma being sick…they are best friends, those two. My mama is a fighter, and a winner at that. I don’t know what God holds in store for her but I’m praying…HARD. She has been a light in her community and is always prepared to make sure everyone is fed, has clothes, or just a friend if need be. Despite her illness, she continues to give. Again, I’ll tell you, she’s so worth it. So please, if you led to do so, please help. Please share. Thank you. (Photo credit: Rosa Crumpton of Tortialla Designs).

Christina

http://funds.gofundme.com/index.php?route=fundmanager&url=HopeforSandy

Dorie & James + Mason {Fort Steilacoom Park | Tacoma Family and Engagement Photographer}

Dorie, James, and Mason are one of the the most adorable families ever! The original purpose of this session was for an engagement shoot. Dorie and James are engaged!!! They have the cutest kid, though, seriously. So we made it a dual session. I originally met Dorie through my dear friend, Christine, who was also my officiant at my wedding. I didn’t really have the opportunity to get to know her then but I’m so glad to have had this opportunity to capture these memories for her and her family. James and Dorie are some of the most laid back people I’ve ever met. A lot of folks know that I don’t really shoot weddings but every so often I will. After hanging out with these guys, I was truly hoping they wanted me to also be their wedding photographer because we just got along so amazingly. And I’m pleased that in June, I will be shooting their wedding. YAY! The venue is beautiful and Dorie is going to be one STUNNING bride. I’m kinda sorta looking forward to just hanging out with them some more…trust me…they really are that cool. Mason is going to be such an adorable ring bearer, too! You can see just how much Dorie and James love each other. I usually have to pose couples and give tons of direction because who’s used to having a camera around to document all their PDA’s? These two were such naturals, it made this session such a breeze. They are very clearly in love and absolutely meant to be. Dorie is a girl after my own heart, too. When I asked her about the details of her wedding she came back with “as long as I’ve got my husband and a beer at the end of the day, I’m good.” Did I mention that James picked out her engagement ring without any help? WOW! And I mean, WOW! He did a really good job. Look at the way James looks at his bride-to-be. He looks at her the way all of us women hope for our significant others to look at us. It’s almost a look of disbelief of how he managed to get so lucky.

Dorie and James, I am absolutely thrilled you guys have picked me to capture the special moments waiting to happen on your big day. Your son Mason is amazing and was such a good sport for taking photos. You’re all so photogenic! I’m glad we’ve met and got along famously. =) Going through your photos and seeing the love you guys have for each other and for your son is what I hope for all families to be able to experience, though what you guys have is unique to you. Just fawning over your photos again while posting this has me smiling ear-t0-ear. You guys really have something special. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers and positive vibes as you move closer to your wedding day. I look forward to being there to document your first moments as husband and wife! Congratulations on your commitment to forever with each other. ❤

 

Artificial food coloring is evil.

Wow! I mostly shop the outside aisles at the grocery store but here’s added incentive.

Healing Autism & ADHD

A magnet with this phrase hangs on my refrigerator; and it’s also stated on my cooking apron. As I pondered on how to approach this subject, I remember back to the days when I never read a food label or candy (no, it’s not food) label.  Ignorance sure was bliss…but was it? My kids would get impulsive, oppositional, hyper, spin around, lack focus, and make non-stop sounds before the “food label police” showed up at our house.  So I guess it wasn’t really bliss after all. I traded those behaviors for the inconvenience of having to read every single label on every single food item I bought or was given to my kids. But the trade-off was worth it!

My kids became calmer, quieter and not so emotionally charged. Melt downs decreased. Sleep habits improved. And above all, I knew that I was improving the health of my children, which…

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Yami & Chris: Engaged! {Steilacoom Engagement Photographer}

I recently had the distinct honor and privilege to photograph my cousin and her fiancee Chris on the lovely Sunnyside Beach. It was soooo crazy windy that I almost flew away like Mary Poppins! These two were made for each other. If you take a look at the very first picture you see how happy they are just to have each other. To go back a bit, this love story has been in the making for about 15 years. These two met when they attended Lakes High School together and were inseparable  at that time. I’ve heard all of the cute little stories about these two and I can’t help but giggle. Chris has been in this family longer than I have! Haha. Heartbreak happened, though, because Chris had to move away because he was a child of a military family. Who would’ve known that they would some day pull it all back together to become this super couple. Yami is one of the sweetest and funniest people you could ever have the pleasure to meet. She’s also the homie! Chris is perfect for her and I mean that to a “T”. Side note: sometimes I like to call Yami a nickname I made up for her: Yama Llam Ding Dong. Yup. I did that. Moving onto the more recent times…Chris asked for permission to marry Yami from her mom and she could hardly contain herself! She was so giggly and when we stopped by her house for a moment she couldn’t stop smiling and she just HAD to tell somebody so since my husband and I were there,  we were it. Well, Yami later told us that her mom had accidentally left a minimized web page open to the ring Chris had planned to buy for her. Then, she “nonchalantly” was using her own rings to attempt to size Yami’s ring finger. She is so silly. The end result is a happy couple that I couldn’t be happier to support the marriage of. They’ll exchange their nuptials later this year in August and I can’t wait to document their special day with our other cousin, Rosa. Welcome to the family Chris. I love you both and am so excited for this journey you’re on together. I truly am overwhelmed with joy at this wonderful occasion. God bless you both!

Julian is 6 Months! {Federal Way| Lifestyle Portrait Photographer}

As anyone who follows me knows, I adore doing lifestyle sessions because you get a real sense of what life is like and isn’t that we’re always after? We get so nostalgic for the way things used to be and sometimes we forget to capture those moments. I’m no exception. I don’t always go for the nice camera when I do remember to capture moments either. If it just happens to be my phone, that’s okay with me because I simply can’t bare to have lost those memories. I know that time is the most precious commodity we have at our disposal. Once it’s spent, you’ll never get it back. It cannot be borrowed, nor returned. So you see why it’s the most precious, most valuable thing we have. With that said, I’d like you all to meet Julian.

I cannot even begin to express how googly-eyed I get for this little guy. He is more than precious. His little voice is adorable and his laugh is contagious. His name is Julian and he just turned 6 months old. He’s a part of one of the most loving, caring families I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He’s the little brother of Tarrance who also happens to be a pretty amazingly fun kid. Julian has smiles for days and is more often than not the happiest little guy EH-VER! Tarrance and Jasmine, his mommy and daddy are dear friends of mine. Actually, they’re more than that. They’re family. They’ve been there for my family and I, supported us, uplifted us, prayed for us, and are so much more than friends. They aren’t blood but believe me, that’s just a minor distinction between us. I’m honored and delighted to have had the opportunity to FINALLY go into their home to capture some of these most precious memories in their home environment to hopefully fulfill their nostalgia one day soon when their boys are off at college. Okay, I’m getting a little ahead of myself but doesn’t time really fly just like that?

Julian’s room is the cutest! It’s covered in blue and adorable little owls. We spent a little time there just letting him do his awesome “I’m six months old, oh and by the way, this is my crib” thing. And do you all see this kid’s hair??? It begs to be twirled. HAHA! We had a little bit of tummy time together and I’m not totally sure he had as much fun as I did but still, for the most part, he was all smiles so I think so. I got to be there for  bath time when his mommy gave him a shampoo faux-hawk that only further made me turn to putty. And his eyes…be careful. You’ll be sucked in, too if you look into them!  After bath time was over he played with his jungle gym. I grabbed a few shots of big brother Tarrance while I could because he’s such a cutie so why not?

Tarrance and Jasmine, my family and I love you and your family dearly and we’re honored to be in your lives. You’ve blessed us more than you all know. I am so so SO happy that you allowed me to document some of these intimate moments in your home. I hope you cherish these photos the way that I do as I watch my own grow up. Much love and hugs to Julian, Little Tarrance, Jasmine, and Big Tarrance.

Jessica & Najja {Chambers Creek, University Place | Maternity Photographer}

I recently had the distinct pleasure of photographing some cute mama belly along with my lovely partner in crime, Rosa. Who does this mama belly belong to? My cousin (by marriage) Jessica is expecting her first little one and it’s a girl! I think she and Najja are, like every first time parents, a little anxious and nervous about what to expect. Many of us have read that book, What to Expect When Expecting,  but really, these things don’t come with manuals. Sure its scary but for those who want children, there is no greater joy than parenthood. It is fun, sad, happy, anxiety-inducing, nauseating, a learning experience, overwhelming, surprising, mesmerizing, and absolutely awe-inspiring.  The list goes on and on. I can’t wait to hear the stories of how Jessica has looked down at her daughter in amazement and wondered how she ever experienced life without her: how despite her frustration over the tablet that mysteriously ended up in the bath water, also can’t help but laugh because she knew her parents were right about payback: how she made the right decision about a confusing situation on her own because her parents taught her well. Jessica and Najja are the epitome of stability. These two have been together since high school after all. I see in them a level of commitment I wish for my own, and something they’ll surely instill in their daughter. They clearly have so much love between them that God decided it was time they shared it, not just with a precious daughter but with the rest of the world. Little Amara will surely be a force to be reckoned with and this world is in need of more people like the person she is destined to become.

Jessica and Najja, it has been quite the experience being part of your family and I can’t thank you both enough for welcoming me with open arms. Thank you for also inviting me into some of these more intimate times. (My other cousin by marriage and their sister-in-law shot her wedding with me alongside her.) We all so look forward to meeting your baby girl. You guys are going to make the most amazing parents. Amara is already so loved and we all can’t wait to meet her. Love ya both! OOPS! I mean all three of you. =)

Watch “A CRUCIFIXION TYPE LOVE” on YouTube

Michelle, LeShawn, Sean, & soon…TWINS! {Hotel Murano | Tacoma Family and Maternity Photographer}

So I have this amazing best friend, right? Pft…you have no idea! She is kind, giving, honest, genuine, endearing, sympathetic, empathetic, a little crazy, and absolutely hilarious! She has been there for me through it all over the past twelve years and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. I love her dearly and her family as well. She is not just my friend but my sister. You can tell by the way we also fight with each other. She’s already an amazing mother and I can’t wait to see how she further blossoms when her twins make their debut. She’s having a girl and a boy…just what I hoped for! I mean, relatively speaking, all I could really ask for is two healthy babies but how fun will this be! I’ll never forget when she told me she was pregnant with twins. I laughed and cried at the same time for so many reasons. I was shocked, excited, scared, and ecstatic all at the same time. I can only imagine that must be the most minute fraction of what she must be feeling. Overwhelmed probably doesn’t begin to describe it. Luckily we were able to get these photos done before she popped. With her oldest son, LeShawn, she had no such luck. We just so happened to be pregnant at the same time with our first children who were born a month apart. When I say we’ve been through it all together, I kinda sorta mean it. One major thing I respect her for is that she makes sure her Christ is an important part of her son’s life and I know she’ll do the same for the two on their way. I’m so blessed and honored to be a part of their lives. I am sooooo looking forward to seeing 20 tiny toes and 20 tiny fingers! I know she has chosen this path and while it can be nerve-wracking, I know she is the right woman for the job. LeShawn is going to make one heck of a big brother. He is such a fun kid and my family adores him. Sean may not know what he’s in for with the two on their way but I have no doubt he’s going to be great with them. He’s been patient and supportive of Michelle through this whole process and who could ask for more during pregnancy…WITH TWINS?

Michie P, I love you and your kids dearly.You looked absolutely beautiful! I mean you always look gorgeous but now in particular? Just, WOW!  I wish you and Sean all the best. The same goes for LeShawn, Gabrielle, and Julian. Thank you for allowing me to be so involved in your life. I find it personally enriching.  I cannot wait to meet your little punkins. I know you know you’re in for it, but nothing worth having comes easy. You know that. You’ve always been one tough cookie and this is no different. It is simply a challenge you’ve accepted gracefully and with love. May God bless and keep you and your family, always. Love you to the moon and back!

Naomi and Her Fwee {Chambers Bay | Family & Head-shot Photographer}

I know what you’re thinking…what in the world is a “fwee,” right? Well, I’ll tell you. One of my dearest friends, and you’ve seen her her on the blog before, Naomi, is a fantastic musician and music teacher. We’ve known each other for quite some time…twelve years now…WOW! I just did the math. Well, back then, I used to refer to her clarinet as a fwee because that is the best way I could describe the sound that came from it. Not because she plays funny or anything, cuz seriously, this girl is talented. She also plays bass, saxophone, piano, and honestly, probably a few other things I didn’t know. Now she teaches music in the Maple Valley area and is part of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. Everything about Naomi is musical. She visited me for some head-shots and a mini-session for family photos. When she mentioned family photos, I initially told her she needed to find someone else because she was making me look bad, given that she is so consistent with family photos and I…well…I’m just not. Don’t ask if I have any. I do, I’ve just never done them in a studio. I know, I know…I’ll get it done. But, naturally, I was kidding about taking her photos. I’m always honored to be the person she’s chosen to capture her family’s memories.

Sidenote: Thanks, Naomi, for the Fire Jolly Ranchers, salted caramel fudge that almost didn’t even make it home, and that precious little bible for my Doodle from you and your mom. I totally ❤ you guys. Also, please stop feeding Carter so well. He’s growing too fast. Thanks.