I love photographing seniors. They are so much fun. Full of energy, ready to tell you all about what their plans are, wanting to share all about their end of the school year events. It's just awesome.

Savannah was exactly that. awesome.

She attends Dunedin High and is involved on teams and in clubs all around campus. For her session, we wanted to hit a wooded area and then, of course, the beach! So we headed to my favorite secret spot in Palm Harbor. (It's not a secret I'm keeping, it's a secret because hundreds of people drive right by and never even notice it!) Then we headed down to the Dunedin Causeway.

Congratulations Savannah!! I hope you enjoyed your time with me as much as I did with you.

~c

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Oh about 13 years ago.... I met Amanda Jackson. Yep with a J and L as the beginning of our last names, we sat together in Mr. McCoy's Algebra II class. Now, while I couldn't tell you much of what I learned in that class, I can tell you that Amanda (or as I remember - Mandi) was the kind of person you like to meet on your first day. Extremely friendly and willing to help with anything.

We went on to work in the Drama club together and three years later, we graduated as the first graduating class at Palm Harbor University High.

That was 10 years ago.

Wow. I just dated myself and once again, feel old.

Anyway.... in the new "Social Network" era, Mandi and I found each other on Facebook and when she needed some photos taken for her Grandmother's 80th birthday, she gave me a call. Actually, it was an email, but that's really not the point. (:

The point is.... Mandi and her sister, Alicia, and their two cousins, Taylor and Tori, met me out at Wall Spring Park for pictures. They were great and as you'll see, they take pictures amazingly.

Mandi, Alicia, Tori and Taylor ~ THANK YOU for letting me capture the morning with you. I hope that you enjoy the pictures and that they are exactly what you wanted for your grandmother.

Here are a few from our morning:

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Guess What?!? I have been selected to be on a leadership team with Global Expeditions! This summer, I will be leading 20—30 teenagers through the rain forests of Costa Rica spreading the gospel through drama and service projects. But… I need your help. I need to raise about $1500 in order to pay for my travel and expenses leading up to the trip. So, that’s where you get a great deal!

For a VERY limited time, I am offering a special “Costa Rica” photo package. For only a $100, you will get a Lifestyle Portrait Session, Proof Book AND a $50 print credit. All of the proceeds go to my trip and you can book for any date in the next six months!

If you would like to take me up on this deal, this is the time to do it! Email me for full details and then please call and book your session today.

~cmb

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The whole idea behind my 1001 in 101 is to make every moment I can count. So, I really wanted my first completed task to be a big one. Something that may or may not have been possible to complete. Well.... it was.

I was so happy when my best friend called me and told that she could help me complete #64. After I asked her what #64 was, (C'mon, I don't have them all memorized by number yet!) I was so excited that she and her husband were willing to share such a special moment with me. Seriously, I have the BESTEST friend EVER.

On Thursday, January 29th, I met Emily and Jamie at the hospital and just after noon, little Ella Gwyn was born. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It really made me think about how awesome God is. I mean the body was created to do some incredible things! It was also nothing like I expected. Funny, since I have three kids and so one would think I've been through this a time or two or three. But it's such a different experience when you aren't actually HAVING the baby.

Oh and since Jamie had no desire to do it a second time, I got to cut the umbilical cord. So cool. (:

Here is me and baby Ella just about an hour after she was born. I love her!!

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This week, I was able to go and spend some time with Seth. Seth and his family go to church with us and I had the privilage of photographing Seth, his older brother Jace and older sister Ava for our church's amazing preschool department.

But, back to Seth... Seth is 6 months old and already has quite a story. You see, at 4 weeks of age, Seth was diagnosed as profoundly deaf. But that hasn't broken his spirit or his parents.

Seth is currently a candidate for cochlear implant surgery and that has been the driving force behind Profoundly Seth. Please take a minute to go and read Seth's story and all about John, Ellyn, Ava, Jace, and Eli. Trust me, you will be moved by their story. I was.


While you are there... please purchase a wristband. These wristbands are going to help raise some of the money needed for Seth's surgery. Seriously... for the price of a cup of Starbucks, you are helping give the gift of sound. Do it. (:



Now... back to Seth...



















~cmb

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This is something that I've known about and read about for awhile now, but never felt the urge to really do. Until now.

In the past week, I have read two amazing books. One - The Shack by Wm. Paul Young and Two - The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck. Both have really hit me in the exact same spot.

You see, we are not guaranteed a tomorrow. We don't know what our future holds and we can't change our past, but yet we tend to spend most of our time there. Thinking about what we could have changed or trying to plan in case we get to "some" point in our lives.

I'm over it. I want to know that when everything is all said and done, people will look back at my life and be able to say two things about me: 1. I made every moment count and 2. I did everything that God placed me here to do.

So to help me, I need to set some goals.... here's the run down:


The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

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101 things I want to do in 1001 days

completed
in progress

1. Go to Italy

2. Throw a huge party for someone

3. Learn to play a whole song on the guitar

4. Write a novel

5. Visit the Dream Suite in Cinderella's Castle

6. Read the entire Bible

7. Buy a house

8. Go see a show on Broadway

9. Fly somewhere for a “girls only” weekend

10. Perform a miracle

11. Write “Thank You” to the most influential people in my life

12. Shoot a wedding for someone just because I want to

13. Spend a whole week at Walt Disney World

14. Take my kids on a missions trip

15. Take my husband on a missions trip

16. Start my own business

17. Plant a garden

18. Participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day

19. Go horseback riding on the beach

20. Go with GE one summer as a PD

21. Get a pet duck

22. Design MY wedding album

23. Make my t-shirt quilt

24. Buy a Coach messenger bag

25. Finish this Christmas sock I started in 2003

26. Volunteer for a political campaign

27. Take a college Spanish class

28. Cook breakfast in bed for my kids

29. Decorate a room

30. Take a spa day

31. Buy fine art canvas prints of my own kids

32. Go to Washington DC

33. Re-create a Jack Vettriano painting for a photo session

34. Visit the Salvador Dali Museum

35. Go to a silent dinner

36. Write a letter to the President

37. Take an “image of the day” for 365 days

38. Dance in the moonlight to a band playing a memorable song

39. Identify 100 things that make me the happiest

40. Be a Secret Pal

41. Pay for the person's order behind me in Starbucks

42. Get an hour long massage

43. Sing in public

44. Spend an entire weekend on the beach with my sisters

45. Have my photo taken professionally by someone I admire

46. Volunteer at the library

47. Read a book a month that will stretch me in my relationship with God for 6 mths - January: The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

48. Make photo books of our vacations to Chicago, Denver and Arkansas

49. Pray with my husband every night before bed for 40 days

50. Take an adult ballet class

51. Get a watermark/logo for my photography

52. Study Italian

53. Become debt free

54. Send a package overseas every week for our troops for 6 mths

55. Design a photography website

56. Watch the sunrise at least twice

57. Study investing and then invest $500

58. Do something unexpected

59. Read and memorize one bible verse every week for one year

60. Have one nice dinner party

61. Find the perfect little black dress

62. Walk 300 miles in one year

63. Organize the “memory drawer” in my desk

64. Watch a live birth - Ella Gwyn was born on 1/29/09. I was there. (:

65. Get rid of 101 things in my house

66. Buy a laptop

67. Volunteer for “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep”

68. Have some one-on-one time with God first thing in the morning for 40 days

69. Write fan mail to two people that inspire me

70. Blog everyday for one month

71. Attend a black-tie affair

72. Buy a stranger a Bible

73. Read two classic children's books to my kids

74. Read two books that will help my photography

75. Do something unexpected for my husband every week for 3 mths

76. Learn a magic trick that stumps everyone

77. Be a guest at a wedding

78. Help out at a community theatre

79. Play an entire video game from beginning to end with my son

80. Learn to play the rest of Moonlight Sonata

81. Go camping in the backyard with the kids

82. Write in a journal everyday for 40 days

83. Bake two loaves of bread - one to keep and one to give

84. Make and fly a kite

85. Paint large canvases with the kids

86. Go to a drive in movie

87. Publish something

88. Identify 25 things I like about myself

89. Make rabbit stew

90. Attend WPPI

91. Send a message in a bottle

92. Take a homeless person dinner

93. Buy a pair of footie pajamas

94. Shovel snow

95. Find three moments when I want to yell and kiss instead

96. Do a single load of laundry everyday for two weeks

97. Donate 3 bags of books to the library

98. Do an evening devotional book with the kids for 40 days

99. Start a photography project

100. Surprise someone out of town with a visit

101. Start a new “101 in 1001” by day 1000

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Yes. It has been a long time since my last post.

I am a bad blogger.

BUT!

I am making it a New Years Resolution to remedy that and to also bring some new changes to the blog in 2009, so stay tuned for those!! On to the pictures....

I had the great privilege to shoot with a very good friend, Paul Oldack. He is such a great guy and reminds me so much of my dad. Anyway, he introduced me to Kayla and Jamie and it was an honor to be a part of their very special day.

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Today was a sad day. You see, my sister, after living with us during her senior year of high school, moved away to start the next chapter of her life at Florida State University.

Today Hannah missed her. I miss her too.

I am so grateful for Anna. She is a familiar face to my blog, because she has been with me every step of the way as I build my photography business. She has been a great model for me. Anytime I needed to practice, she let me. Senior pictures, Prom pictures, ROTC pictures and finally Graduation pictures.

Thank you Anna for the practice. And for being my sister. i *heart* you.

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Seriously this job can be way to much fun sometimes! This session was no exception to that rule! I had such a good time getting to know these boys. I found out that they LOVE baseball and it's a good thing that I'm not a Rod Sox fan... These boys love their Yankees! Oh and even though they live in Tennessee, Titans are not the favorite football team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take that spot!

Indian Rocks Beach proved to be a great background for these beach pictures. I hope that these images will be some of their favorites on their beach wall at home.

Thank you boys for hanging out with me. Hope to see you again next summer!

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I hit the beach on Tuesday evening to hang out with these guys. It was an amazing session!! Working on editing it all now... but this particular image just jumped at me and I wanted to post it as your sneak peek. Stay tuned. The rest of the session should be up by weeks end!

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