Love Deeply!

As wedding season gets ready to start for me I am reminded of a lot of things.  The past couple of weeks have been very trying yet remarkable at the same time for me.  I, like most women, always try to hold it all down within the confines of my imagination and the complexity of my very thoughts. We all do.. women that is, try to hold it all together for our families, friends, children, husbands... loved ones. We plan, cook balanced meals, clean the house, run errands, drive the kids around and around the beltway trying to make sure they are where they need to be at any given time. We hold conversations as necessary with teachers, principals, coaches, other kids parents.  We try so hard to stay connected with our moms, dads, brothers, sisters, friends so that they know they are in our thoughts always.  We, girlfriends/sister friends try our best to be there to support each other in our endeavors as we know how hard it is to have an endeavor.   To support it for another friend tells them that we are proud of what they have done or what they are trying to do because we know how hard it is to fit anything extra for ourselves in there.  We work to support our families so that they can have the best opportunities that we can afford, hoping that it is enough.. doing our level best to raise thoughtful, considerate, spiritual, level-headed, functional members of society. Home, School, relationships, grades, teachers, sports and healthy friendships are always thoughts that we contemplate daily.  God, Church, spiritually, ideals, morals, values and service to others means so much to all of us, ask anyone... but often remains the most complicated... individually!
I'm not here to preach to anyone.. God knows he is still working on me but one thing is for sure and I know without reservation or hesitation... the greatest of all of these things is LOVE!....for without it there is really nothing.  We all need it, seek it, desire it, depend on it.  Personally, it's like breathing.  It brings me joy and has the capacity to make me sad. One thing I do know ladies... when you find it and it is yours, hold on to it like it is your breath and don't let go.  Love Deeply.. like the ocean breeze that finds it's way to you.. caressing your mind, body and soul.. breath it in, hold it there and only exhale to take it all in again and again for when it is right (and we all know when it's right) it will be there for you, sustain you, hold you, keep you and love you back no matter what!  Happy Wednesday to all my sister friends who encourage me on a continuous basis as only sister friends can.
To my current and future Brides... that which I know, I can see, and I will capture it through my lens for you and bring it right back to last you a lifetime.. Thank you for trusting me!
To the Love of my life... I know you, see you, belong with you... and best of all... Love you Deeply!

Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine - Spring 2011

Well they have done it again.  Another addition of Eco-Beautiful Weddings magazine is just delicious and ready for Brides to devour.  This issue, like all the rest, comes jammed packed with Eco-Friendly ideas for the eco-conscious Bride... and let's not forget the Groom.     You can see more of my pictures and read the full article on pages 24 and 25 of the Spring 2011 issue and see Katie's Daily Blog here.




I was there, along with Documentary Associates, to capture the party and runway show blogged about earlier this year for this issue.

Making time to Breathe!

So once a year I try my best to get us out of town for a weekend.  Eric and I... just us!  It's usually very stressful getting out of the house but once we are gone we are transported back to 1988 and we are dating again.  We walk around wherever we are pretending that we don't have a care in the world.  Holding hands, walking close and talking without interruption for hours. Depending on the location we have quiet fancy dinners, dancing, swimming in the moonlight, rum punches to die for and lazy mornings. Getting up at 11:00 and even midnight movies are the norm for us. It's amazing how kids change you, your relationship even how you communicate but we hold on to each other tight and we forget that there is a world wind of activities awaiting us when we return.. and I mean as soon as we step in the door, but that is another post.. stay in the moment.... Breathe!!

This weekend is about us... taking it all in and just being present with each other.  Even when the kids were small we would leave.  Capable hands would be there with them.. not to worry, they would be alright.  The first time we returned when Kai was about 14 months old she cried for two hours when she saw us.  I was pregnant with Nash. We laughed at first waiting for her to stop then I held her tight and almost started crying with her. I had to remind myself to breathe. Several years later we returned from another trip and Biko had fallen face first down a set of concrete steps at my moms house. I secretly wanted to die when I saw his scars from forehead to chin but I sucked in up and held him tight.. he was proud that he had survived.. I secretly wanted to die.  Breathe!!!

This year we went on a short but awesome trip to NYC to celebrate Eric's birthday.  We had more fun than a little bit and soaked it up like a sponge.  Those of you who know me realize how much I don't like taking my camera with me on vacation.  I did another post earlier about my baby camera and thus this time was no different.. but I took my baby camera because at the end of the day I always see something I want to record, capture or remember.

We now feel like sponges and are rejuvenated and refreshed. We took it all in and had a ball. For this brief moment in time it was nice to just Breathe!!


 A room with a view!!  I must have taken 100 pictures of this!!


Eric's B-day dinner at Candle 79.. Our new Favorite Restaurant in NYC!!


Eric's non-verbal communication for "Could you put that camera away.. you look like a tourist!"


Where is everyone going?  Love it!


Happy as a pea in a pod... Breathing!!