Dreams Are Free

65/365 Hanging Kicks

2009-03-23T00:04:00.001-04:00

64/365 Killer Kicks

2009-03-21T14:24:00.005-04:00

Had the pleasure and honor of shooting pictures for my neighbor, Tay, and her friend's for her 14th birthday. It was so much fun to be with her and her friends as they got ready for the night "A Night on the Red Carpet." With three boybarians in my house, I never get to hear the chatter and buzz of girls picking out clothes, talking about makeup and, of course, shoes!

Thanks Tay for inviting me...love ya!

63/365 Clowning Around

2009-03-16T00:07:00.002-04:00

62/365 The Swan

2009-03-15T00:28:00.006-04:00

Okay, so I was REALLY having a bad day in February when my hubby convinced me to take the gang out for a bike ride while we walked. I sort of begrudgingly agreed, grabbed my camera and hopped in the car. Before long we were at Regency Park and the boys raced off on their bikes. Beans had a tire blowout and I tried to give him a bit of a push which caused him to pop his first wheelie!!! We cracked up...total "had to be there" moment but it began to chisel away at my cloudy mood. While antics of three boys whirled around me, I took a moment to sit at the edge of the lake alone. Within what seemed like seconds there was the most beautiful swan staring up at me. He silently came out of nowhere. His brown eyes seemed to search my soul. There was a quiet gentleness about him that made me think of God. About how in the fray of three young boys popping wheelies and squealing tires and in the moment of absolute tired desperation in my heart, He is there. Out of nowhere like a swan. The grey cloud over my head blew immediately over. Later that day, the eyes of the swan continued to return to my thoughts. I wondered of there was any spiritual symbolism of the swan. Here is what I found:

"...the swan stands for the ethereal. It represents the presence of divine inspiration in our world."

{sigh}

61/365 Beans in a Blanket

2009-03-03T17:55:00.004-05:00

One cold morning this week Beans rolled off my bed in a bundle of blankets. I told him to freeze (poor child!) while I grabbed my camera. Snapped this of his bed head and sleepy eyes. I generally do not like this expression to descibe kids but he just looked "yummy!"

60/365 Color Challenge

2009-02-23T22:50:00.004-05:00

Many of you know that I began this Project 365 because I was inspired by a fellow mom, photographer named Hallie who was doing the same on her blog http://www.fromtherubberroom.com/ .

Last June (wow, June, really?) Hallie began an online workshop entitled "Through the Lens"-- workshop for anyone who wants to improve their photography skills - for beginners - taught by a beginner. At the time, I was months away from purchasing my new camera and so I stood by the sidelines and watched enviously as people posted wonderful photos. Well, now I need not wait anymore. Woohoo! This week is our first photo challenge:color. We are to take a photo, or many using - color. It could be your favorite color, many colors, unusual combinations and designs, bright, muted, colorful buildings, signs….Being my indecisive self, here is the first of possbily many photos of color. I received in the mail a box full of balls for JumpBunch, our kids sports and fitness business and thought "Aaahh, what wonderful colors!!!" I have some other ideas for this challenge, but this is a start!

Don't Jump! 59/365

2009-02-20T19:27:00.006-05:00

My hubby successfully cheered me up on Valentine's Day by taking all of us for a walk around the amphitheater lake. I brought along my camera of course, which, selfishly, made the walk MUCH more fun. The two bigs had great fun pretending they were jumping into the lake off the edge of the path. There was only a 24" patch of grass to land on below so their jumps were only so high...silly boys! Love 'em to pieces!!!

In the Shadow 58/365

2009-02-15T22:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dunk 57/365

2009-02-13T21:00:00.009-05:00

Tuesday night we went to see my nephew, Casey, play in the Duke manager's basketball game against the Carolina managers. It was an 11PM start time so the kids were like, "What? we're going where?" We decked them out in their best Cameron Crazie gear and headed out at 10:20. It was so fun to see them play in Cameron. Casey dominated the first half. Some spectators began chanting "Ca-sey's Win-ning." The guys won 90-55. Unfortunately the actual team lost the following night.. :0( We wish all of our nieces and nephews lived close so we could see them do these cool things!!!

Bumper Crop 56/365

2009-02-09T20:50:00.000-05:00

Once a month the congregation of our church is offered the opportunity to help those in need by bringing food through a program called "Bumper Crop." They are asked to leave the bags at the bumper of their car, hence the name. Our small group had the chance to run this effort this past weekend. A week beforehand we had to collect and staple flyers on 1500 grocery bags. We then put them out on windshields in the parking lot. We ran out of bags and had to quickly add about 900 more to the mix. This week we collected all of the bags and delivered them to a mobile home park where the food is stored, organized and offered to the residents of the park. As we stood in the assembly line from our vehicles into the trailers, I looked to my friend Janel ,who had been fighting back tears all morning. It was such an amazing feeling of unity although our races, income and personal histories were more varied than we could dare have time to discuss. We were simply people. People help other people. Brothers and sisters giving to one another what each of us needed for that moment; whether it be tangible food or the opportunity to serve and be a blessing. My boys were there, right along side everyone else and I pray they will remember how simple and wonderful it is to help one another.

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

String of Gems 55/365

2009-02-06T00:19:00.000-05:00

Chucks 54/365

2009-02-05T22:55:00.000-05:00

So I love Beans in his Chucks! I was so excited to see these classic kicks re-emerge. I was never one for character sneakers. I often redirected my guys to what I thought was cool, after all I am the one paying for them...at least for now.

Moments

2009-02-01T23:35:00.001-05:00

The poem below was written by a friend of my brother, Tom, on the plane after his first ever marathon in Anchorage, Alaska for the Leukemia Society's Team-in-Training in 1995. This very poem may be the signature poem for my "someday" photography business because it is with exactly her description that I strive to capture those "moments." Enjoy...

M O M E N T S

They come and go,
Like the people who touch our lives.
Some pass quietly as small miracles,
While others are announced by trumpets.
Still others slip by, only to fade away, unnoticed.

Each has a purpose,
And a rightful owner.
Those who claim them as their own
Never forget them,
Or the people they’ve shared them with.

They are truly one of the treasures of humankind
In that they can never be taken away
Or diminished by others.
For once they are within - -
They are forever . . .

Frozen in time.
We call upon their strength
To elicit joy, inspiration, humility and even fear.

Perhaps one of our greatest teachers,
Precious moments are to be protected at all costs.
For with gentle, timeless hands,
They lead to valuable discoveries
Of who we once were, who we are now,
And who we can become.

© Lisa Ozalis Graham
June 18, 1995

Zamboni Queen 53/365

2009-02-01T23:24:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of celebrating my friend Cara's birthday on Saturday at a Carolina Hurricane's game! So. Fun. She had the privilege of riding the Zamboni between quarters and was quite natural with her crown and feather boa! She's a riot!!!

Mighty Moose 52/365

2009-01-31T00:06:00.000-05:00

The kids at swim lessons LOVE these floats. They often pretend they are lifting very hefty barbells. Our little neighbor was imitating Boom in this photo...he sure thinks he's big stuff!

BTW, GO STEELERS!!!!!

Snow Wonder 51/365

2009-01-30T23:43:00.000-05:00

Last week, we experienced our first "real" snow since we've moved to NC. What I mean is that the snow actually covered ALL of the grass! Beans had never really seen snow before; not that he remembers. Once he got over the initial excitement, I found him standing silently (for those of you who know him, you realize how rare that is!) looking out of my bedroom window. I couldn't capture the wonder on his face, but knowing this little energizer bunny the shear amount of time he stood still told the wonder. "Mom, it's so beautiful, isn't it?"

Yay...again?

2009-01-26T15:59:00.001-05:00

Birthday Girl 50/365

2009-01-25T21:36:00.001-05:00

This is one of Bean's classmates. She had a super fun party at the Little Gym on Saturday...talk about some worn out four year olds!

On Your Mark 49/365

2009-01-25T20:56:00.000-05:00

Okay, so a photo a day is not happening but I will be doing my best to catch up now that I have a new lens...Yay! and Photoshop...Yay again!

I spent my afternoon shooting the kids and staff at Triangle Swim School. I know I have posted about them before but I must say again that these people are second to none. They do a wonderful job of incorporating swim skills with fun!

I took this shot last of the day...

Old Girl 48/365

2009-01-19T12:01:00.000-05:00

This is Chase, our 14 yeard old lab/shepard. Chase is our first "baby." It is by owning Chase that we came to learn the ways that did and did not work in our raising of our kids. We highly recommend owning a dog to anyone who EVER plans on having kids. It's the best lesson in caring for another creature that we had experienced until the day Boom was born.

Fins 48/365

2009-01-16T18:05:00.001-05:00

Our Fav...47/365

2009-01-12T20:50:00.000-05:00

We were so excited when Rita's finally opened in Apex this summer. Tim and I have spent many a dollar on Rita's back when the boys were just a twinkle in our eye! We really, at one point, considered opening a Rita's a few years back but they were not selling franchises in NC yet. Rob and Beth are doing a great job at our Rita's. We love feeling like regulars when we walk in and Boom can't wait until he's old enough to work there. Just a few more years...

Art(ichoke) 46/365

2009-01-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

Self explanatory, I hope. :)

Bump 45/365

2009-01-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

This is our $2400 cat, Bump. He's turning 15 this year and he was born with a bad eye, bitten by a raccoon, and hit by a car. It's been about 10 years since anything huge has happened to him. I think he's been more cautious to NOT run out of his nine lives.

Pixie 44/365

2009-01-08T17:09:00.001-05:00

This is my neighbor who we'll call Pixie. I shot this one afternoon while all of the 'hood kids were running rampant on the street. What is her expression saying? Her sister is in the background, head in her hands...I think she looks a bit pleased with herself.....Don't you just LOVE her hair color??!!!

Blowout 43/365

2009-01-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems hand me down options are beginning to dwindle as my guys become harder and harder on their duds. Yes, he wore these to school. But at least he bathes, right? For now...

To have and to hold 42/365

2009-01-03T16:39:00.000-05:00

The blessings of marriage are the fulfilment of your cherished hopes and dreams as your lives unfold,and the realization of the meaning of that beautiful promise “To have and to hold…”

Crave 41/365

2009-01-03T16:30:00.000-05:00

I LOVE this ad for Honda's CR-V. It is a prefect definition of my addiction to coffee!!!

Witness Protection 40/365

2009-01-03T16:26:00.000-05:00

This is one of my JumpBunch students who would truly NOT let me capture his photo during class. So funny!

Treats for Santa 39/365

2008-12-24T21:19:00.000-05:00

Propel 38/365

2008-12-24T10:03:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I was killing time at the Fun Zone with Beans and Shnort and took this photo through the glass of the drink machine. I've also just dwonloaded Photoshop Lightroom and need to play around with it. Original and edited versions...Nowie came over while I was editing and said "Where did you take that? Is that Propel? No, way! I didn't know they had Propel!" Okaaaayy...

Berlin Wall 37/365

2008-12-23T21:31:00.000-05:00

Taken at Marbles Museum in Raleigh, this piece of the Berlin wall faced West Berlin where many graffiti artists painted the wall with messages of peace and freedom. The opposite side of this piece is completely plain and white. The other half of this peice is on the USS Intrepid in NYC.

Boy, oh Boy 36/365

2008-12-21T11:25:00.000-05:00

I find it amazing how boys can turn any game into one of adventure. Beans was playing with our neighbor's Dora the Explorer bubble machine. Note the Power Ranger sword in his hand. The game quickly became one of "Those bubble are attacking us. Get them!!!" So funny!

Treasure 35/365

2008-12-19T14:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, yes, so old buildings and hands are my current photo obsession. What I love about this shot is Beans wrinkled little hands. His swim coach has them dive to the bottom of the pool for treasure as a reward for a well done class. His coach in phenomenal... here's his site: www.triangleswimschool.com I HIGHLY recommend him for any child. He has enormous patience, great engaging ways to teach the kids. Beans would hardly put his face in when he began and now the are working freestyle stroke.

35/365

2008-12-19T00:14:00.001-05:00

Farmer's Warehouse 34/365

2008-12-17T14:16:00.000-05:00

I think it is so cool to be minutes away from some really cool country settings and 20 minutes away from the state capital and all a city has to offer. I'll have to get into the city for some shots soon....This building has some really interesting signs on it. I'm sure I'll go back time to time for more shots...

The Smokehouse 33/365

2008-12-17T14:04:00.000-05:00

Sorry...in "old structures" mode...There's a property near our house that has several old structures on it. They wreath and spotlight them during the holidays. So cool...

The Shack 32/365

2008-12-17T13:48:00.001-05:00

Again, I love old worn out buildings. I can't help but wonder what the history is...

The Bandy's 31/365

2008-12-14T22:15:00.001-05:00

Took Christmas card pictures of some of our favorite neighbors today. :)

God's Tattoo 31/365

2008-12-13T00:20:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I doodle... A.Lot. Even in the steam on my shower doors... I don't believe there is a "type" of person who gets a tattoo anymore. It has become a bit trendy but often I find it to be a demonstration of a passion, whether it be for a loved one, a lost one, a team, a life change. I am so intrigued by people's tattoo stories. When my husband and I were baptized together I kept on having this overwhelming feeling to get a tattoo. Then I "came across" a devo about God's on HIS hands...a tattoo of me.

Isaiah 49:16 : "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."

This is my current tattoo doodle. Four hearts for my four "men" and Christ at the center. It's a work in progress. I'll probably never actually get it but for now...

Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum 30/365

2008-12-11T22:05:00.000-05:00

Boom was asked to play a drummer boy in a Christmas production at our church this year. The productions at our church are not your everyday pageants by any stretch of the imagination. Let me just say that this child would have rather put sand in his eyes than stand up on a stage in front of 1,500 people a mere two years ago. We just love seeing him come out of his shell and grow up in some many nice ways. We know there are stormy teens years approaching but time will tell...Not an exception photo but had to share the moment.

Let it Snow! 29/365

2008-12-11T21:58:00.001-05:00

I wish for just one really good snow a year. One when the kids can have off of school AND actually have snow on the ground. Last year they built five slushy snowmen across the road. So dad...they were so excited that it snowed but the blades of grass were still poking through the snow. I want a day where we can spend twenty minutes getting into snow gear, play outside until we're soaking wet and come for some hot cocoa by the fire. Ah, dreams are free...

Scarlet Cord 28/365

2008-12-11T12:40:00.000-05:00

Three Gen of Chittenden Men 27/365

2008-12-08T17:57:00.000-05:00

Tim's dad visited today on his way to Texas. I thought since Tim looks so much like his dad and Boom so much like Tim it would be cool to capture them together.

Oh Christmas Tree 26/365

2008-12-08T00:07:00.000-05:00

So, ever since I was a kid I loved decorating the tree. On our tree are ornaments from trips, special people, special times. Last year we added a beaver ornament since a couple of beavers took down nine willow trees in our back yard last fall. Damn beavers! I'm guessing this year we'll add a black lab. At the top, as always, is an ornament I made the first year we were married that has our wedding photo in it...a bit cheesy, but sentimental nonetheless.

Wedding Cake 25/365

2008-12-06T23:34:00.000-05:00

I still love weddings. I think it just brings back the sweetness of my own wedding day. This evening our friends, Dana and Neely, were married. We had the privilege of being premarital mentors to them and through that we have become better friends. It was a very sweet and intimate wedding and our dear friend Joe was the officiating pastor. It was fun to see a friend marry friends.

Beans for Breakfast 24/365

2008-12-05T22:15:00.000-05:00

I could just eat him up!!!! He was just sitting on the kitchen counter waiting to go to school when I snapped this picture. He had a rough week at school. We're so grateful for the patience of his teachers... I know for a fact that his smile has saved his butt more than a few times!

First Frost 23/365

2008-12-03T15:20:00.000-05:00

RANDOM

2008-12-02T22:20:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I am listening to the radio and the David Crowder Band was just singing "Revolutionary Love." LOVE that song!!! So, Boom took this photo at our last David Crowder Band concert. Yes, we'll see them ANYTIME that they are within an hour...if you ever get a chance, GO! You'll be blessed beyond words!

Nowie 22/365

2008-12-02T22:01:00.000-05:00

Nowie is right smack in the middle of our testosterone gang. He's the kind of kid who laughs when he's in trouble or when someone falls...you know someone like that don't you? Nowie will try (and often become quickly proficient) at most things he tries except for eating strange foods like mashed potatoes??? Our favorite Nowie story happened this time year when he was just three. Boom was asking him questions at dinner about the Christmas story. He asked Nowie "Then who came to visit the baby Jesus? The threeeeeeee...." Nowie proudly responded "little pigs!" Oh Nowie...you make us laugh!!!

Welcome Christmas! 21/365

2008-12-02T21:48:00.001-05:00

Happy December! When I was young I always looked forward to decorating my house with my mom. Our home had pink carpet so of course our tree lights were pink as well. I just thought that was the coolest! We used to hang up a ball of mistletoe with a little red elf sitting on top. I still have that mistletoe but is has seen one too many mashings into the decoration box but I imagine many smooches as well...now we hang this ball in our foyer. In our third house the only place to logically hang it was between the foyer and the kitchen in a somewhat narrow and seemingly shorter than normal doorway. My husband never quite got the kissing ball "dodge" down that year. He cursed that thing more than kissed beneath it! I'm glad to say our ceilings are higher now and the doorway much wider...

Messing with depth of field 21/365

2008-11-30T17:23:00.000-05:00

I took advantage of this centerpiece and its placement in front of a mirror to practice depth of field. It's not an exceptional picture, but I do like that I was able to focus on the midground and lose focus on the foreground fruit and everything in the mirror. Pardon my educational moment...not so much fun for you as it was for me! :)

Beans Biking 20/365

2008-11-30T16:31:00.000-05:00

For those of you who know Beans, you know what a special kid he is. He was very excited to be riding his bike this week...even with the training wheels. I love just the joy in his face in this photo, so proud of himself for just going uphill successfully! Go Beans, go!!!

SCARY!!! 19/365

2008-11-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

I was at first scared and am now mildly intrigued by the reality that leg warmers are back!!! Shall I once again spend hard earned money on these fashionably knitted accessories? What shoes do I wear with them??? Do I need leggings and a long sweater? Should I buy some skinny ribbon and fashion those groovy braided and beaded barrettes? You know, the ones that dangle down from the barrette ...decisions, decisions!

Happy Birthday, Tim! 18/365

2008-11-27T23:46:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday, Tim!

I love you bunches...

I'm most thankful for you...believing in me!

MUAH!

Dead Tree 17/365

2008-11-27T23:14:00.000-05:00

one tree of harsh clime

Solitary Sentinel

on hilltop exposed.

Jennifer ParksNolan as LeJenD'Poet

I have passed this tree so many times. It is on a construction site and I feared it would be gone before I could get a picture. I originally took the photos with my white balance on incandescent light...DUH! So, these are edited a bit. I may go retake another day but for now I have my photo of this tree.

A Fungus Among Us 16/365

2008-11-25T17:32:00.000-05:00

My kids and neighbors are often in the woods on the side of our house. I was quite the woods dweller when I was little, so I decided to head back there and see what it was all about. Okay...very cool! Who knew? Just beside our house is a wetlands area into which they have carved pathways and hiding places. I came across this funky fungus, apparently a "shelf" fungus named for its horizontal growth. I loved the rings as it reminded me of the inside of a tree trunk. I really need a better close-up lens...

Three 15/365

2008-11-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

Three is my favorite number. Great things come is threes:

my boys- Boom, Nowie, Bean

my siblings-Tom, Sharon, Scott

human abilitites-thought, word, deed

time-past, present, future

my God- Father, Son, Holy Spirit

While Beans was holding our wedding bands I thought what a powerful symbol of love and partnership in just such a small precious circle. And while to him it was his crazy mom forcing him into yet another photo, what he holds in his hand he can confidently depend on. Our commitment, our vows, our promise to love. What security he holds yet unappreciated...but now forever captured.

Shades of Fall 14/365

2008-11-23T18:22:00.000-05:00

Days Gone By...

End of a Season

The Treehouse...where secret plans are hatched

Today was a beautifu, crisp fall day. The kids were outside playing with their friends so I grabbed my camera in case any excitement ensued. The sunlight in my neighbor's backyard caught my eye. I couldn't choose from the photos I shot so here are all of them.

Follow up to 12/365

2008-11-23T18:04:00.000-05:00

Okay so here's the proof...oh, where was Boom climbing when I went outside today??? The basketball hoop??? Shocking...He was building a swing. Makes sense to him!

2008-11-23T01:28:00.001-05:00

2008-11-23T01:06:00.003-05:00

2008-11-23T01:06:00.001-05:00

Holly 13/365

2008-11-22T22:54:00.000-05:00

I am without a doubt one of those people who do not understand why Christmas music is not playing on the radio by November 1st!!! While some of my friends dislike Christmas music and say it's "Just bad music", for me it's about memories. Like, I love the Heat Miser song from "The Year Without a Santa Claus" because I remember my brother, Scott, and I used to watch that show when we were little. My all time favorite is the Bare Naked Ladies and Sara McLachlan's verison of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" although, some Reliant K songs are eeking their way to the top of my list. What does this all have to do with my picture of the day? Nothing really except that today's photo represents my official entrance into this year's Christmas season. Merry Christmas!!!

Hangin' out 12/365

2008-11-22T18:43:00.000-05:00

Boom is my monkey boy! I often find him climbing up the basketball goal instead of actually shooting hoops!! He named the photo and I say it might be more about his boxers than his tree acrobatics...

From the Fog 11/365

2008-11-19T23:55:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I have this daily habit which I will not disclose until another day. I'm interested in getting you to think. Today I took this photo of a common result of said habit. I am posting the Photoshopped version until I get some feedback from my viewing public. :) I'd love to hear what this photo says to you, what you might think it is, how you might think it was created. I only used two filters on it so it's not too far gone!!!

The Beast 10/365

2008-11-18T22:22:00.000-05:00

Say hello to Phantom, our nine month old rescued Black Lab mix. We are completely convinced he is part goat as he continues to eat us out of house and home by way of windowsills. His adorable face saves his canine behind on a moment to moment basis!!!

Ball boy 9/365

2008-11-17T20:18:00.000-05:00

Cheater day...So Boom and I went out into the neighborhood today and shot a bunch of flower and foliage pictures and guess who erased them? Uh...yea...that would be me! So, I grabbed another favorite from this fall. This is a shot of Beans after a soccer game of Nowie's. He SO badly wants to be part of the big kids stuff!

Armed and Dangerous 8/365

2008-11-16T20:08:00.000-05:00

I captured this shot of Boom's arm post swim meet. Competitive swimmers write their event, heat, lane and stroke on their arm in Sharpie so they know where and when they need to be somewhere.

Breathtaking 7/365

2008-11-15T21:52:00.000-05:00

I spent this afternoon at a swim meet for Nowie and Boom. "How ever will I capture a photo for my project at a swim meet with no fabulous zoom lens?" I headed into the meet with hopes of snagging a few good swim shots. It was a strange day of rain sun, tornado warnings. Just about at the end of the meet my friend, Lara, said, "Look at the sky!' Tucked just behind the aquatic center, nearly out of view was this most amazing sunset. Opposite in the sky was a full rainbow but, wow, this sunset dulled the rainbow by comparison. This photo is untouched except for a crop out of cars in the foreground...

Heart of Stone 6/365

2008-11-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

Heart of Stone...something a person with no feelings would have. Not a term I ever want applied to me...however, what else would you name a photo of a heart shaped rock? This picture was taken in Duke Forest. Anyone notice a trend? Duke Gardens...Duke Forest??? You think we're Duke fans...

Beans and Shnort 5/365

2008-11-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

For those of you who frequent our life you know that Beans has been counting down the days until swim lessons began. Literally, marking the days off on our kitchen calendar. This is not a photographically genius shot but I love the fact that they are holding hands. They've been buds since they were one...

My new baby 4/365

2008-11-13T10:38:00.000-05:00

It's here...it's here!!! Okay, so I have wanted this camera for about a year and a half. And, anyone who knows me knows that financially it has not been a priority. I prayed to God that if I was supposed to have this camera He need to show the way to make it mine. Without the long drawn out detail, between birthday gift money and "found" money in the form of overpaid insurance bill, the nearly exact amount of money came into my hands this past week. In fact, I had two dollars extra. Say coincidence, say God's plan, say manipulation of thoughts, whatever you want, but I know my God can do WHATEVER He wants. I'm choosing the God path...now that I have been given this gift, what shall I do with it? To whom much is given, much is expected. - Luke 12:48 I am no expert photographer by any stretch but I do have a passion to learn it...I'm excited about the days and years to come. Thank you God!

Project 365... 3/365

2008-11-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

My mom HATES to have her picture taken! Drives me nuts since I love taking pictures. I asked her the other day if I could at least take a picture of her hands. I like the first shot because it shows her manicure. She's had her nails done for as long as I can remember!!! Her treat to herself...kind of like Starbucks to me! In the second shot she is holding Beans hand. I love this because she is holding on tightly. You can also see a bracelet with her name on it that she has worn forever. Someday, even though I cannot see her face, I'll treasure this picture because of those things.

Dream on,

Chris

Project 365... 2/365

2008-11-11T22:52:00.000-05:00

So I almost hated to post this picture because it is likely to by a Christmas card shot...we took the boys to Duke Garden's on Sunday for this years photo shoot. I dare say it was the least stressful shoot to date. The big guys are getting older and Beans just followed their lead...

Project 365... 1/365

2008-11-11T22:31:00.000-05:00

The Barn on Holly Springs

So, since I was 9 years old, I have loved photography. Have I always pursued it? No. Will I now? Yes! I was inspired by a woman named Hallie from a blog entitled "From the Rubber Room." She has absolutely stunning photos! On her blog she shares photos from each day of the year. As a frustrated former scrapbooker, I found this idea of a photo a day very exciting. I think it will help me to think about my picture taking more than I currently do. In the past few weeks since my hubby insinuated that a new digital SLR may be in my future, I am back to an old habit. It's like I just woke up from a long nap. When I drive, walk or move in any direction for that matter, I am back to looking at the world with a photographer's eye. I see things differently. It is hard to explain. So, above is photo number one of my project. I will say that there will be days when I can't bear to post just one photo but I am committed to post AT LEAST one until my birthday next year! PLEASE feel free to comment and critique.

Dream on,
Chris

My Project 365

2008-11-11T20:52:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I am finally getting started on this Project.