Emma. Childhood Cancer Photographer

While Montana battled cancer for 2.5 years, we waited in many waiting rooms, hospitals, doctor offices and much time was spent talking with other parents. Some hospitals were filled with children and parents going through the same thing you were, while other hospitals had parents and children who had no idea what you were experiencing. Montana received lots of stares and I received the questions. It really didn't bother me. I knew people wanted to know. They wanted to know why this adorable little boy was wearing a mask, why he had no hair, why he was eating bags of BBQ chips at 7 in the morning and I would always politely give my answer... he had cancer. Along that road, we have come to know so many wonderful parents and children who have battled and are still battling this horrible disease. They have been our life line in a world of words and abbreviations filled with ANC, steroids, DEX, punctures, "the white meds" or "the sleepy stuff". They understood when we cried and were fed up with seeing our child fight every single day for their life. They were there to talk and share similar stories. They are our best friends. We can still keep up and still reminisce. Some of these kids have lost their battle and earned their angle wings, others are cancer free and some are continuing this long and courageous fight. Meet Emma. She is so sweet and adorable. I'm honestly not really sure when we came to know them. I remember doing an Images of HOPE session for her about a year ago and then we met up at St. Jude when Montana was going in for his one year check up. Well, while we were in Missouri two weeks ago, I met up with them again. Her hair is grown back and she is looking GREAT!! They are coming up on their NO MO CHEMO day!! It's such a grand celebration that deserves so much hype and attention! She battled and she is winning! We love you Emma. Keep it up!

good friends. good times

I went to visit my in-laws last week. We had such a lovely visit and the kids really enjoy getting to spend some quality time with them. While we were there I caught up with my good friend Becca and her family. I'm sure you've seen them in the past and actually it was a year ago. She is currently pregnant with baby number 4 and doesn't look a bit on the preggo side. They are truly the sweetest family and I love getting to catch up with her. We used to swim together back at Missouri State, which seems like yesterday when in actuality it was roughly 12 years ago. Oh how the time just goes. I miss the day to day interaction and knowing what goes on in their everyday lives... thanks goodness for facebook. :)

art

I miss art. I miss the mess, the drawing, the painting.. all of it. I graduated with a degree in graphic design and illustration. It's always been my passion since I can remember. When I first went to college I couldn't decide between physical education or art. Either way, my dad always gave me a hard time. He likes to say I got a degree in coloring. :) It's actually come in very handy. I bought my first camera by making logos for other photographers, I design all my own cards, business cards, posters, websites and what not. I love it. However, what I miss the most is the hands on drawing. Not the computer based stuff, but the pen and ink, pastels, cutting, and painting. My husband and I met in a drawing 3 class. We reminisce those days quite often. Oh the memories from that class. Now that I homeschool, I find myself slowly being able to get back into it again. Not quite the college material I did but it's still art. My son is starting to love art himself. I'm hoping it will be something he takes to. Doing art is a stress reliever, it's freeing and it's a place to put on paper anything you feel. It's actually like writing but with illustrations. Paul (my brother) also got into art. We used to send him colored pencils, books, pens, and markers while he was deployed. I love looking at the things he drew and to know that he created them with his own hands. That he held the pencils that drew what we now have hanging on the wall...It's priceless. I've been talking about doing this again for awhile but now I have finally taken that step and am going to actually do what I have been wanting to.

Traveling Abroad..

I'm getting really excited. Actually, excited doesn't really describe what I am! This summer I will be mainly shooting destination weddings and that's an awesome thing. To travel and do what I love is wonderful. Two years ago, I went with my family to Germany and Italy. My brother had died about 9 months prior and this would be one of our last times going on vacation as an entire family. All of us kids would be together and he in heaven. It was hard and it brought back so many great and vivid memories. Germany was where one of my sisters, Paul and I were born. We would go on vacation every summer to Pisa, Italy while we lived in Heidelberg. Some of my most cherished times are from there and to be back was amazing... however, we missed him. Actually, we had our share of melt downs while being over there... it was not easy. It was a unique feeling to all be together and yet have him missing. It wasn't fair and it's still not. Well, we are going back. In May I will be shooting a wedding in a tiny town.. Schmalnau. I will be taking my husband for the first time to a place that I adore along with our son. On this trip, which isn't set in stone, we will most likely go to Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, and maybe Italy. Who knows where we will end up... :) We like to travel and go where ever our car and map take us. I never really posted some of the images from my last time over there two years ago.. so here are some.

Valentine's Girls

I was wanting to take some pics of the kiddos this year for Valentine's and since I will not be home during that time, I had to do them early. I was also hoping for some nice weather but that wasn't so either. Well, it was chilly but we went out and did some anyway. This time it was only the girls. They actually like having their photos taken and I hope that as they get older they will get better with posing and doing what I ask... :) Ha, ya right but wishful thinking. The two of them are what we call "bestfriend-emies". They have a relationship that is great at moments and then quite horrible at others. I hear giggles or I hear screaming. Either way, I know they truly love each other and the moments that they get along are so worth it. Makenna has a way of making Myla laugh so deep that I can't help but laugh either. I love them to pieces! They are quite the handful but I wouldn't trade them for anything!! Happy Early Valentine's Day to you all.