I guess I am now considered a Texan, I mean… we have been here for about 8 years.  I love Texas (BBQ, piggy tails on my girl, boots, cowboy hats, and a riverwalk).  I remember the first we we came to San Antonio to scope out the city we fell into a huge rainstorm and ended up witnessing a flooding event.  Schlitterbahn was even closed due to flooding!  Eight years later the rain seems to have forgotten us in “hill country”  San Antonio and we are missing and longing for some of the watery goodness.  When it does rain in Texas, this is what we get….umhummmm….I’m gonna go do a rain dance.

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I have an awesome computer for photography editing, I heart Apple (Mac Pro).  But every once in a while I help it out so it will always be nice.  These events involve me  moving files off of it and onto the external holding drive.  I somehow seem to love every family, person, pet, etc. that my camera captures, have such a hard time deleting files,  and feel as if I need to keep each image forever.  In my moving around of files today I came across the “J-Family”.  I photographed this little cutie pie (who happens to have the sweetest and most amazing parents) since she was only days old and now she is a beautiful toddler.  The other day I saw a pic her mom posted on Facebook and could not believe how big she is and how quickly time flies.  Seeing this helps me reiterate the fact that the best camera… is the one in your hand, the one that is able to capture memories for you and yours, because before you know it….time passes us by.

Today was not a day I loved.  Today I started to allow Oliva to be cared for by someone other than myself.  I don’t really understand why it breaks my heart to do this but it does.  I honestly missed her slobber on my new dress, diaper changes, and cries that screamed “feed me now”. Even though it was only for a couple of hours, I missed her and not so sure if she felt the same (she seemed to be having a great time).  I try to convince myself that back to working full time is what I have to do, it is what I love, it is a passion.  I will repeat this cheer when it happens again on Thursday.

We are lucky to be humans who have been created to live life to the fullest and sometimes make difficult decisions.  This is where I have been.  I loved the frequent emails from clients, online friends, and blog stalkers who have missed my presence on this World Wide Web, however I had to make a decision to embrace myself in a little bit of a miracle.  I have still been ever so busy with weddings and photoshoots, and have so much to post, but wanted to start with a picture of me (some weeks ago) to document our blessed life and where I have been.  Our sweet Olivia is now here and life is in full swing (along with lots of diapers, cuddles, and hugs). I have so much to post and beautiful brides to share…. stay tuned!

Hugs~

Gina

I have a special little client that rarely finds an opening on my calendar for her very own photoshoot.  She is sweet and loves flowers, painted toes, curls, lip gloss, chocolate ice cream, and lemonade.  She is my best little person, and anytime I try something new she is always the guinea pig on my new photography adventures and regardless of the outcome, tells me, “Mommy, I love you more than that”.  I am not sure what the more than that is, but I know I love her more than that.  Chad and I could have never asked for anything better than our sweet Alyssa.  This spring I reserved a Saturday for a photoshoot for our best girl.  One simple request she had, “Mommy, we have not had blue bonnets in Texas since I was 5 and I want my portrait taken in the blue bonnets”.  I am a photographer who aims to please, so we hit the road, ice cream custard in hand, searching for the perfect spot for her perfect photoshoot.  It is spring in the Lone Star state and flowers adorne every knook and cranny along our state highways and open fields.  We found our perfect spot to run in our cowboy boots and dresses, roll in the flowers, and pretend that tomorrow or yesterday did not exist.  We live life in the present, each minute better than the last.   We feel blessed every single day, and we celebrate having our good Lord watch over us.

We celebrate this Easter Sunday giving thanks to God.  Thanks for….. well everything.

I saw a little magic today.  I saw the magic though my daughter’s eyes.  I wish I could promise that she always have a little magic, but for this year….it is there in a great big way.

Today has been on her calendar for days.  OMG…I have so much to learn from my little elf…she is so organized and seems to preplan everything.  Shoes, dress, tights, hairbow, even bobbie-pins were laid out last night for the special trip to see Santa today.  She even practiced her Santa conversation in the car on the way:

“Hello, Santa.. I know you know my name is Alyssa, but I just wanted to remind you and I have been a really good girl this year.  You can even ask my mom.  I know my elf “Ordament” has been visiting you when I go to sleep and is telling you all about my day and what I especially want for Christmas this year.  I would really like to have a DJ Hero and an Indian doll, but not one that looks like a barbie, instead I want one that looks like a real baby”.  But, Santa, I know what ever you get me, I will love it.”

Sure enough she talked on and on with the Jolly ole St. Nick.  I am not sure he got in to many words.  But must have said a few things because she even commented on how his breath smelled like “Hot Cocoa“.  Ahhh…the things kids notice.

Santa, thank you for giving my little elf some magic that works on all of us.  We will see you in 5 days Santa…and if you want you can wear your Santa shorts and flip flops, cause it is warm here in San Antonio.

Alyssa said she was Nervous to see Santa as we approached his green chair…

It is Sunday night and I don’t know where the week has gone.  I remember last Friday I was so excited to be able to spend 9 whole days with my family (minus a fabulous wedding on Saturday I will blog about later).  Nine days of cookie making, turkey basting, garage cleaning, napping, reading 2 great books, bath soaking, hot cocoa drinking, Christmas light hanging…. and the other “to do things” that happen when I find a few extra minutes.   As the night closes, I feel jealous of myself and the week I just had.

I wonder why these lazy days seem to go by so fast and yet the days of work have minutes that seem like hours.

And because every post is better with a picture…here is a capture from a walk we had in Gruene, Texas.

As Thanksgiving comes to a close with the wishbone out of the turkey, the 5am black Friday shopping over,  the last whip cream dollop added to a yummy piece of pumpkin pie,  I can only hope that for many more years to come, I am able to enjoy the holiday season.  A time to reflect on life, the love of spirit, the love of family,  the joy of  friends, and time to reflect on the days and years yet to come.

turkey, ham, fixin's momma's red chile, tamales

The other morning I woke up to what I thought would be just a regular day of work, packing lunch, walking dogs, and making dinner.  Instead it was a day  that escapes me.  On this morning I felt the need to wear a bracelet, something I rarely do while working because I sometimes find the jingling a little annoying.  On this day, as I surveyed my jewelry, I felt compelled to wear my charm bracelet that seemed to be staring at me, “Fear Not for I am With You”.  My charm had a secret message for me.  It was a private love note from God.    I am a religious person who totally trusts in God and realizes that my life is blessed because of his graciousness.

As I was driving to work early in the morning, stuck in good ole San Antonio traffic, I looked down at the cuff on my sweater and this same little charm lay flat, stuck in the cuff of my sleeve, and the only charm visible, “Fear Not I am With You”.  I thought this was peculiar and felt such peace as my day progressed.  Little did I know that morning I did have God with me, needed his love,  and I was not in fear, I found comfort.  This certain day and the last couple of days turned out to be icky days with a few wanna “do-overs”.  But I know tomorrow is going to be the best day yet, and if not, I will try again the next day.

My hope is that when you have an icky day, that you look for your own love notes…. I promise….they are there!

There is something about a newborn that makes me think about what life is all about.  Shutter clicking my way through this photo session allowed me to reflect on just how fast life passes us by.  Before little Lily’s parents know it,  she will be starting kindergarten…. high school….college…. you get the idea.  Life is such a short journey and I hope I always embrace what it lends me.  The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe that it can happen.  I hope I always do something a little scary, dream a little big, and laugh a little more than I did the day before.    Looking at these pictures of Lily reminds me how precious life is and to embrace my life with my soul.