Year of the Chipmunk

Did you know 2010 was the Year of the Chipmunk?
I did when I saw this photo of myself.
I was devastated.

(Yes, I purposely kept this photo small.)

My best friend in Pittsburgh (Bird) told me when I was ready, I would know
it and I would be able to make changes.
And she told me "I know you can do it."

For someone who knows me to my core to tell me
that she believed in me - even though
I wasn't sure I believed in myself.
Well, it meant the world to me.
Thank you Bird.

After a couple of months, I realized if
there was something within my power to change what I
didn't like, then I better "cowgirl up".

I started running.
I had always told myself that I wasn't a runner.
(unless there was a big dog chasing me)
I worked up to three miles every other day.
I began doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD.

A couple of months after I started running, I took Caroline's class.

I was forced to look at myself.
Inside as much as my exterior.
I was encouraged by ladies who I've never met in person.

I found out that I actually like some of my features.

Weight gain = cleavage for the 1st time in my life

This shot below made me grateful my 5' 3" mother
married my 6' 3" father.


Some not so much. My once buff arms were not so buff any more.
BUT, I was encouraged to
keep on keepin' on.

This smile is genuine. I'm so grateful for Bird and Amanda,
who assured me that they loved me no
matter what the number was
on the scale.
Girlfriends do that for you.

Not being one to adhere to a strict diet, I did find
that my weight plateaued after awhile.

I kept running.
And then I began a 90-Day Challenge.
I am now down to a weight
I hadn't seen for 16 years.

This is me 30 pounds lighter.
Happy.

The 90-Day Challenge by Visalus helped me lose the last ten
pounds I wanted to say good-bye to!

I want you to know that if you found your way here...I'm so glad
you stopped. And if you need some encouragement,
I'm the girl for you.
I've been there.

I'm Back and Happy Valentine's Day

I went on a little "blog-cation"...
completely unintentionally.

I had to re-focus a bit.
Had to fall back in love with my camera.


Had to give myself some breathing room.

Here is the photo I promised to my Ma-Ma
wearing the hat she got me.


Without texture first since I know this is the one she'll prefer.

And just playing around.

Have a "love"-ly day
and
thanks for visiting!

Z-Baby: One Year Old!

You may remember this little chunk of love from
when he was a few weeks old
or from when he was 9 months old...


he is still as adorable as can be!


Look at those curls...sigh.


Mom wasn't sure how he'd react to balloons...


but I think it's safe to say he loved 'em.


Thanks for a fun & fabulous session, Z-baby!
Looking forward to your family session in the fall!

Thanks for visiting.

"H" Kiddos

I'm so thrilled to be sharing these shots
from first time clients,
the "H" Family.

We were after a variety of shots for this fabulous foursome...
but mom really wanted shots of
her 2-year-old little girl,
"R" - could stand for:


refined,


radiant,


a little rowdy.
(Big brother "D" was happy to play along.)
Yep, we had lots of personality in this shoot.

Don't you love her heirloom dress?


Mom made it herself and you can check out her blog here.

You didn't think I was including mom and dad
as part of the foursome, were you?
Because surprise...


the other two are five-week-old twins.


And this is as close as we got to a complete sibling group shot.


I love baby toes.

There are SO many more shots to share
with you Eva - this is just
a small sampling!
Thanks so much for all of your hard work and
help to make this a great session.

Thanks for visiting!

Summer Sweetness - Little Miss E

Summer...garden time takes over blogging time, apparently.

You'll forgive me when you see the sweetness I'm about to post.

Meet little Miss E...


I can barely take all the cuteness...


the hand...posing already


the joy


the concentration...


Momma's pearls


even the butterflies know to show up when there is this much sweetness...




Such a kind and beautiful family...
no wonder Miss E is SO happy!


The only trouble was narrowing down the number of shots to post!

Thank you so much to the "V" family
for allowing me the honor of
photographing your daughter.

Thanks for visiting!

Spring Joy

Spring...so many things to

be happy about


fresh from the garden
the first strawberry of the season,


delicate strands of
bleeding hearts,


the warmth of sunshine,


the perfume of lilacs.


Late, but joining over at:

Thanks very much for visiting!

Baby Z - Under the Category ADORABLE

Remember this little guy?


He's become this adorable
chunk - of - love.


I am going to have to use some self control with this post.


Because

I


can't seem


to get

enough


of

him.


Makes you wanna reach into the screen and
pinch those chubby cheeks, doesn't it?

Have a beautiful day
and
thanks for visiting!