UNASSUMING...

Can you recall, if a Simple Everyday Item has ever changed your life? We've all had those "Single Moments" that changed our lives... our Wedding Day, the Birth of our First Child, the Loss of a Loved One.

But what about an everyday item like a piece of Paper? A Simple, Single sheet of 8.5x11 Paper...

This is Mine. This is what Changed my Life! So Unassuming.

Back in March of this year, Luke's pre-school sent home this Order Form for the upcoming School Pictures. I don't recall how long it sat on my kitchen counter before I actually looked at it, but I do remember the day that I finally did. It was Thursday, March 24th, 2011.

Not really reading it, I filled out the information needed for the order. Then, when I went back to double check everything, I noticed that the person, who would be taking the pictures, had a website. Since I was all about craft and photography blogs at the time, I immediately got my laptop and went to her site. I was Blown away and Very Excited. This photographer's work was Amazing and So Beautiful, AND she was from right here in Central Virginia. I think that was what Excited me the most. Of all the blogs I follow (both Craft and Photography), they all seem to originate from out west. Up to that point, I had yet to find anyone on this side of the country. So when I saw she was right here, in my little town, well I just couldn't contain myself. I immediately sent her an email. Here's an excerpt from that first correspondence...

I don't mean to freak you out, but I can't even begin to express to you how Excited I am to find someone, with your talents, local. Your photography is INCREDIBLE. Most of the photography blogs I follow are located on the west coast. SOO excited to have found you!!

Amazingly, she wasn't Freaked out, and she responded...

You have totally made my day! I am sick in bed right now, but will write you back...

From that point on, and over the last seven months, Denise Feagans has become a Mentor and a Friend. She is just such an Inspiration. Not only is her work Incredible, she is also a Mother of Five (4 boys and 1 girl, ranging in age from 5-17), and her Faith in God is Strong. She has been there to answer every crazy question I've had. She met with me when I first got Photoshop and showed me some basics, and she even allowed me to tag along with her on one of her shoots. I will Never be able to Express or put into words, the amount of Gratitude I have for her Kindness and Support. Through her Help and Guidance, which has been Immeasurable, I have been able to start making a Dream of mine come True. Thank You Denise.

Who would have ever thought, that a Single Sheet of 8.5X11 white paper, could change one's life? That Single Sheet of paper found me a new Friend and started me on a journey that is hopefully leading me down a road to a new career as a Portrait Photographer.

So Unassuming...

Be sure to visit Denise's site, to see for yourself, what I am talking about.

NEW SAINTS ATTIRE

The boys are starting to outgrow (or have already outgrown) their Saints attire from last year. So rather than ordering over priced NFL merchandise (which I'm sure Marc will still do), I made them these shirts.

They wore them this past Sunday to help cheer the New Orleans Saints on to a 62-7 Victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

LIKE BROTHER LIKE BROTHER

Remember all my previous posts (I think there have been three) about all the weird places Luke has fallen asleep - floor, under couch, standing up at end of chaise? Well, now Grey is being a copy cat.

Found him like this when I went in to wake him from his nap. Love how it looks like the crayons are coming out of his mouth. Was he just playing so hard, that mid play, he collapsed right in that spot from exhaustion? LOL!

APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL @ GRAVES MOUNTAIN

Last Sunday, before we did the Pumpkin Drilling, we went to the Apple Harvest Festival at Graves Mountain. This festival is in a little town called Syria, and is just a little over an hour away. The weather that day was absolutely Beautiful

The drive there was Breathtaking. You're coming into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, so the rolling hills covered in bright fall foliage is a feast for the eyes.


Our main purpose for this little Family Excursion, was to help support our friend, John Higginbotham. John is the founder of a little private Christian school, Cornerstone Christian School, and they were having a Fund Raiser... The First Annual Great Duck Race. The race was to take place in the little creek that runs in front of Graves Mountain Lodge.

This is the "Little" Creek. Due to all the recent rain the area had received, the "Little" Creek, was running more like a "Little" River. Improvising was in order.

Using some chicken wire and broom sticks (or whatever they could find), John and some of the parents were trying to create a catch-all running across the width of the creek, to catch the race participants as the crossed the finish line (there wasn't really a finish line). Marc was kind enough to go to the opposite side of the creek and help John out by holding that side of the catch-all. That's John standing in the middle of the creek.

Mind you, it was still pretty chilly that day, and the water was freezing. John is in there in sweat pants and rubber boots. One guy was in there bare-footed and in shorts. And then, at one point, on our side of the creek, another guy jumped in in his blue jeans and leather loafers. All to try to keep the ducks from continuing on down the creek. They were not completely successful, but there effort was commendable.

These are the Ducks who were not sponsored for the race. I'm sure they're glad that didn't have to make that cold treacherous swim.

The race participants were released up stream, and slowly made their way to the finish line. I was able to catch the leaders.

Here's John announcing the winners. Unfortunately, we were not one of them.

After the Great Duck Race, we went to find something to eat, and then walked around for a little while before heading home. As we were leaving, we happened upon this photo opportunity...

How fitting for Porkchop to be the face of a Pig. LOL :)

Before we left, we made sure to fill up a bag with these...

Yummy Fugi Apples.

It's a wonderful little festival, and we will definitely be going back next year.

PUMPKIN CARVING

The weekend following the Pumpkin Patch Field Trip, we carved the Pumpkins... well sort of. I don't know why, but we never got around to carving the pumpkins we got last year, so this was a first time experience for both boys.

I don't think they were too sure about how the inside of the pumpkin felt.

On Saturday, we got the four pumpkins cleaned out and gathered the seeds so we could dry them and then roast them. Then on Sunday, we carved the pumpkins...well sort of. I wanted my pumpkin to be more artistic, so I decided to just drill holes all over it. Marc liked the look, so he did his pumpkin the same way. And, since this was so much easier than carving a face, we used the same technique for the boy's pumpkins. We drilled Luke's name in his, and for Grey we drilled his initial.

I didn't take this picture until a couple of days later, and unfortunately, Grey's pumpkin didn't make it. It had completely succumbed to mold and decay, so we had to throw it out. Not sure the rest of them will even make it to Halloween.

PUMPKIN PATCH FIELD TRIP

It's that time of year again... School Field Trip time. Just like last year, Luke's pre-school went to the Belvedere Plantation Pumpkin Patch.

One Great thing about this year, was that Marc and Grey got to go with us. One Sucky thing about this year, the weather was not all that great at the start of the day.

Last year, Luke and I went on this field trip, and then as a family we also went to a Pumpkin Patch close to our house. Unfortunately, we went too late in the season, and there were hardly any pumpkins to choose from. So this year, we thought we would kill two birds with one stone and make Luke's school field trip our family trip also.

We decided to meet the group there, rather than join the caravan, so we arrived before they did. While we waited, I was able to get this shot of the boys. They actually both looked at me at the same time.

Eventually we were loaded up on the Hay Ride and on our way to the Pumpkin Patch. It absolutely poured on the short little ride to the field.

Both Luke and Grey were pretty excited to go pick out their own pumpkins.

The field they took us to was filled with little pumpkins, which was perfect for all the little people (not so great for carving later).

Poor Grey had such a hard time walking around. He couldn't lift his little legs high enough to clear all the vines, so he kept tripping and falling down.

This pumpkin that Luke is sitting on, is not the one he selected, but I had to try get the same type of pic I got of him last year.

Once we were back at the barn, and awaiting instruction on where we were to go next, Luke and his BFF Lucas, entertained themselves with a wheelbarrow.

Next up was the "Learning" session. Just like last year, the kids learned about Pollination. Luke and his classmates, Illyana and Talena look to be listening intently.

Then it was time to pretend to be a Bumble Bee and help pollinate the flowers. Last year, each kid was given a little set of wings. This year, Luke had to make his own wings by flapping his arms.

Grey's looking for a piece of pollen in the flower, but there weren't anymore. Luckily, one little girl who had taken more than one, came back and gave Grey one.

After learning about Bumble Bees, we went to the little Petting Zoo. Grey was quite taken with this goat.

And that was it. We had the rest of the afternoon to ourselves. We had packed a lunch, so we grabbed a picnic table and sat down to eat. Luke's Special friend, Laci, joined us along with her Mom and little brother, Blake.

Luke could not eat fast enough. All he wanted to do was go play in the designated Play area. He and Lucas both, headed straight for the Trikes.

He rode around and around and around that little track, like a hundred times.

While Luke was busy training for the Tour de France, Grey checked out the Horsey Tire Swings.

In the middle of the play area, were these beautiful Sunflowers.

Eventually, I was able to tear Luke away from the Trikes and convinced him to go down the pipe slide. Here they both are waiting in line for their turn.

I Absolutely LOVE this shot I got of Grey as he neared the bottom of the slide. The Memory that will always come to mind when I look at this picture, is that it took him FOREVER to slide the length of the pipe. The tube was maybe 30' long, and it took it about two minutes to get to the bottom. As you can see behind him, the next kid in line is anxiously awaiting their turn.

After they had their fun in the Play Area, it was time to go home. On the way out, we stopped for a couple more pictures...

and we let them play on the big Spider Web for a while.

They boys LOVED this. Again here's Luke and his BFF Lucas.

No matter how many times I asked the boys to look at me, it just wasn't happening.

It was a Great school Field Trip, and a Great Family Fun Day.

NEW FRIENDS

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to meet up with some fellow Craft Bloggers. Two of the ladies were kind enough to organize this "Sweet Tea Social", so that those of us who live in the Richmond area, could get together and meet one another.

We all met at The Cheesecake Factory, where we talked and ate for three hours.

Then after that, five of us headed off to Hobby Lobby to do a little shopping. One of the ladies had never been there, so it was a lot of fun sharing in her excitement.

And here are my new friends... Jennifer (who drove down from Alexandria, me, Allison (who was one of the organizer, and who this Halloween weekend is moving to Colorado - she will be missed at our next gathering), Michelle (the other organizer), and Linda (the Hobby Lobby Virgin).

It was so wonderful to meet the ladies in person with whom I have become friends through the internet. Go here to see more about this Wonderfully Fun day.

LUKE'S 4YR PORTRAITS

To finish off last month's festivities, Luke had his 4yr portraits taken. I wanted to do it different this time... meaning I didn't want to take him back to the place in the mall where ALL of his previous portraits had been taken. I wanted them to be taken outside and to look like all the Fabulous Children Portraits I had been seeing all over Blogland.

The best part of scheduling this photo session, was that it didn't need to be scheduled with a Professional Photographer, because I was able to do it. Yup, that's right, Luke was my First real client. Well not really the first, because I had three sessions over the summer, but the first since purchasing and learning Photoshop. So in my mind, my First.

We decided to take them at Marc's Hunt Camp, and we would do it in the evening, so I could try to capture the "Magic" Light. But before we headed for the camp, we went into the town of Louisa to the Town Hall. The building is constructed of beautiful stone and has these amazing Red doors, which I thought would make a great backdrop for a couple of shots.

This first one, I was just playing around with my camera settings, not really taking pictures yet, but I thought it was cute... sort of GQ in a way... very grown up.

Then I started shooting...

This next one has been a favorite of everyone who's seen it on FB, and I think it's one of my favs too. Just love the red door with his shirt.

We were only at the Town Hall for maybe 10 minutes, but I was able to capture the above amazing shots.

We went to the Hunt Camp in the truck, so we could get around the overgrown area around the trailer and the pond. The first place we went was on the north side of the pond. I had Marc stop at this little feed plot because there was some great light shining through the trees. That's where this one was taken.

Then we headed back up to the pond. A friend of mine had lent me a cool old wood chair, so I stuck it in the weeds for Luke to sit on. The lighting here was perfect.

I think this next one is my all time Favorite. I just LOVE his eyes. And don't you just love the band-aid? We had a little argument about it before we left because I wanted him to take it off - I didn't want it in the shots. But he insisted he still needed it for a week old Boo-Boo. I eventually gave in, figuring I could eliminate it during editing. But once I started the editing process, I decided to leave it alone because that's what he is all about at this age.

After the pond, we headed back up to the camp trailer and made a change of clothes. The sun had started to set more, so there was great "Magic" light filtering through the huge Oak tree behind the trailer. There is a photographer I follow on Facebook who specializes in "Back-Lit" photography, and her stuff is just absolutely gorgeous. I wanted to try to get that same feel with some of my shots.

As of late, Luke has been all about Dinosaurs. He's recently borrowed a couple from his BFF Lucas, so I thought they would be a great prop for a few shots. This one turned out really cute... he's growling like a Dinosaur.

Then a couple more up close shots.

Then finally, I asked Marc to help me try to get him to smile or laugh. He was successful.

Luke did really well!! He's a great little Model. However, he is a REAL stinker when it comes to getting him to actually "Look" at the camera. Out of the approximately 150 shots I took, the 8 or 9 above shots were the only ones where he "Looked" at the camera.