My Nephew.

I had the privilege of spending the day with my wonderful brother and his beautiful wife.  I love them... (and after we had some photo fun, our OTHER wonderful brother joined us for a yummy steak lunch!  I also LOVE steak!  YUM!)  ...Thanks again, Jacob & Lisa!  I can't WAIT to meet my new nephew.  I know you guys are going to be such great parents!!!

Well, hello, Birdies!

A few weeks ago, as he commonly does, my husband was working hard in our yard, getting all kinds of spring clenaing out of the way.  I helped him the first year we lived here.  ... and then... well, that's not what this post is about.  Anyway, he came inside for a quick break and said to me, "We have THREE birds' nests on the house.  What do you want me to do with them?"

I responded, "Well, are they hurting anything?"

"Nope."

"Then, I say leave them be."

"Yeah, I figured you would say that."




Well, just take a look at this sweet Mother's Day surprise!



All three nests have baby birds living within, tweeting to their little hearts' desires!  (I could only get pictures of one, so you'll just have to trust me about the other two.)

And all three mammas are caring for their babies, so lovingly... protecting and feeding them.

Isn't it such a coincidence that we would have THREE?  :)  My favorite number!

Happy Mother's Day, to my three birdie friends.  May your baby birds grow up to love and thank you for all that you've done to bring them into the world.  :)  (...we're not going to focus right now, on the fact that eventually they'll fly away from their nests AND their mammas... just let's enjoy the moment.  :)

Purely for the fun of it...

Photographer.  I guess I can officially call myself that, by now, right?  I remember the days long ago, when my husband had to "push" me into making my "hobby" something more.  "I REALLY think it could be something you'd enjoy," he coerced.  Our marriage has a lot of those instances... I'm nervous in starting something new.  He gives me that loving, little nudge.

"But, Honey, I don't even have a nice camera."

So... he bought me a nice camera.

"But, Honey, WHO would want me to take their pictures?"

"Oh, I don't know... the people who've already asked you even though you've made no formality of doing it professionally."

"But, Honey, WHERE would I even begin?  Photographers have websites and printing labs..."

So... he looked into how I could build my own website.  And he researched online printing labs.

Before I knew it, there I was... working on starting my own, little business.  I had built my own website (yes, for those who still think Jason did it... he didn't.  It was all me.  :).  I had created a price list.  I had reviewed and tested several printing labs to find one that met my standards.  I created business cards.  I had even made a Facebook page!

And my sweet husband encouraged me all the way.  He filled in the gaps when I needed help (he's so much better at technology than I'd ever begin to be), and he even came up with the clever name... ilLaurastrations.  :)  I liked it.

Since then, little by little, I've had so many opportunities to learn and grow in what I originally called an interest... or a hobby.  I've taken a couple of classes, but there's no better way to learn than just getting out there and doing it.

That was two years ago now.  Business isn't necessarily "booming," but it's enough to provide a little extra cash in the piggy bank, and certainly enough to keep me busy on occasion.

And I'm still having FUN with it.  I love that there's no limit to learning and growing.  There's always something new to play with.  And my husband continues to spoil me with a new lens or piece of equipment every time I so much as mention it.  :) 

No, it may not pay the bills (though it has been known to fill in some gaps now and again!), BUT it is certainly a wonderful outlet for me.  For example...

Some dear friends of ours asked me if I could take a few headshots of her daughter.  Just some fun among girls.  Are you kidding?  OF COURSE!  We had a GREAT time.  So...  all of that to say... ENJOY my little photoshoot of our model in the making!  :)  She's a beautiful, young lady... inside AND out!  :)

I talked my friend into taking just a couple of snapshots, too... mommy/daughter pics are just priceless!  Obviously, pretty runs in the family!  :)

...and another SENIOR! :)

I had the pleasure of photographing this young man's entire family about a year ago (he's the oldest of four).  We used to go to church with this family a few years ago, and it doesn't seem like that long ago!... but I am constantly reminded of how quickly time passes and our children seem to grow before our very eyes.  I loved catching up with him and his mom, and seeing what a confident and mature person he has become.  I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him!

More Sweet Seniors.

Have I mentioned how much I love senior portraits???  :)  Yes, I know I have... but just take a look at this beautiful, young lady and you'll know exactly why!  There's just something so wonderful about this time in a person's life.  They exude with energy and excitement and eagerness of what life has in store for them next.  I love it!

Misc.

Every month, I create a "misc" file in my album files.  It's for those random snapshots that really have no other category, like when I decide to take a picture of my shoes that day, or my dogs' collars.  :)  If you're here often, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  Sometimes, I'll go back and look through old "misc" files just for the fun of it.  I find all kinds of things.  This isn't an old one, but good nonetheless.  :)

Do you know what that is???  HEALTHY.  All of those beautiful colors came from nature itself.  God-grown, healthy food (and washed with safe, fruit/veggie soap to rinse off the man-made icky stuff... which is why it's all laid out to dry).  Isn't it pretty?  I think I need to go have a strawberry.  :)