Mitch's Seniors

Mitch is a stud muffin who loves basketball and having a good time. I had a lot of fun taking pictures for him all around the Boise area, and wish him the best of luck as he graduates high school and moves on to his next phase in life. Happy Graduation Mitch! Try not to break too many hearts...

The Chatterton Family

I went to Idaho a few weeks ago to do some photo sessions with some pretty cool people. This family snagged a morning session before I left. We had fun strolling through this Boise park and taking some family photos. I know one thing is for sure, these girls are going to be heart breakers when they grow up. I'm sure they already are. ;) Enjoy!

Idaho Sessions

It was a photo shoot marathon in Idaho, and here are just a few of those session's sneak peeks of the fabulousness that was created while I was there!! Man I have some pretty good looking clients. xo Kimi's Senior Session Myrissa's Senior Session The Chatterton Family The Davis Family

The Lovely Golden Family

Check out what I've been up to! I got to spend the evening with this lovely family. Even their name is lovely! Meet the Goldens...

Gratitude: My Highest Form Of Thought

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” - G.K. Chesterton    I marvel at the opportunities I have to be grateful in my life. I especially love those moments I have to be intentionally grateful. To search my heart and uncover the things which are of the highest value to me... the things that bring happiness and unadulterated joy to my spirit. This kind of thinking has power. It brings light to aid in our fight against Satan and his demoralizing ways. It truly is the highest form of thought we can achieve.

Today, we stand on the precipice of a season filled with gratitude and giving. And what a marvelous opportunity we have to enjoy Thanksgiving to its fullest by being present and attentive to our blessings and seeking out ways to show our thanks. Certainly, at times, we can feel so surmounted by demons and negativity that gratitude seems out of our reach. But it is my belief that we are loved beyond measure. And even though it passes all my understanding, God offers His peace to those who seek it. For me, today, I'll seek out that peace by searching my heart and uncovering life's sweetest blessings this season has brought me. I believe that in doing so, I will find the power it can have to rewind negativity, and introduce light, happiness, and love.

Today, I am thankful for...

o each new morning: the sunshine, the fresh hope... waking up fearless
o piping hot cups of hot cocoa with whipped cream
o my photography clients, who trust me with their hearts and souls
o the kindness of strangers
o Mazie Mae, my always snuggly, always sweet little puppy
o pastel colors - dreamy, coordinating, soft, chalky pastels
o being held and consumed and wrapped up in Don's strong arms
o fulfilling my dream of serving the African people in 2008. I can still feel the effects of that servitude and carry it with me in my heart
o the commitment of creative people, making a difference in our world
o kneaders gingerbread men and ice cold milk - yum!
o surprise visits by my puppy and husband BRINGING me a kneaders gingerbread man and ice cold milk
o fiercely loyal friends who go above and beyond, and who always cheer me up
o my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
o Christmas - EVERYTHING Christmas. Ooooooh Christmas, how I love you and the fact that you are almost here!
o my home... beautiful, peaceful, wonderful, full of love and light (and pastel colors :)
o my wonderful husband Don, hand picked for me by a higher power
o warmth. the kind that reaches your bones and lingers long into the cold 
o and speaking of that, really REALLY hot showers
o my childhood - happy and enchanted
o vacations. camping, redfish lake with my family, going to the caribbean with my husband, traveling all over the world. taking a break from the routine
o run on sentences, aesthetic and dreamy ones
o my sorrows and my mistakes - because indeed, that is how I've learned to grow and savor the sweetness and triumphs
o lunch dates with my husband
o dinner dates with my husband 
o okay, ANY dates with my husband
o choosing gifts for my family
o courageous men and women in this world who stand up for truth and right 
o the view through my camera lens
o each of my nieces and nephews. two of whom will be making their debut THIS Thursday. my heart skips beats when I think of it
o sunrises and sunsets. there is just something so powerful and meek about their existence
o the blessing and talent of being a true life photographer
o campfires and late night star-lit campfire discussions... something magical happens beneath the stars, staring into the crackling flames, sharing your innermost thoughts
o antique jewelry, heirlooms, heritage, the people who leave it behind
o the seasons, and the changes they bring, and the re-creation they inspire
o music - all facets of music. instrumental, vocal, radio, worship, piano, my own. I love the ability of certain music to speak to my heart and penetrate my soul
o the fact that the man of my dreams proposed marriage and took me to the temple in August
o my new last name. seriously, how many people get to have Christ represented in their name?
o my sandals - rain, snow, or sunshine
o details. OH how I love details. In memories, in moments, in events, in interactions. mmmmm
o scriptures that speak to my heart and guide my path - Enos 1:27 "I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.”
o lakes - big lakes, small lakes, mountain lakes, lakes in the desert, shallow lakes, deep lakes. did I mention that I love lakes? 
o for inspiration, from nature, from a friend, from a teacher, from an artist, from the stranger on the street, from a song, from a melody, from simple and pristine silence, from a smell, from a flavor
o an incredibly amazing family of believers (how often does that happen, where everyone in the family believes in the Lord? like, really and truly are living life for Him? that is such a blessing)
o Sunday roast, pasta al dente, scones, raspberries, homemade salsa, potatoes, cheese, chocolate.. food. just food
o board games, card games, basketball scrimmages, any games - as long as I'm with people I love (and can TAKE DOWN in competition ;)
o things to look forward to - I have adventures, big and small on my list - both planned and yet to be... to be excited about

About myself, today, I am thankful...

o that I am growing. That I am not satisfied with where I am in my spiritual life. That I want to become more of what God wants for me as His child, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend..
o that I am a woman, and have sacred responsibilities and traits, and talents given to me, specific to my gender, specific to my inner self
o that I pour my heart and soul into every. single. solitary task I take on
o for being a writer. I'm thankful I can express myself and my imagination that way. I'm thankful for an outlet like writing that can take my innermost emotions and thoughts to unknown heights. I'm grateful for how connected it forces me to be with them. And I'm inexplicably grateful to know where this gift comes from...
o for my voice, whispering love in the ears of loved ones, yelling for my team in a game, singing, laughing, debating important issues, bearing testimony of God's truth, thanking someone for their kindness, speaking passionately about gratitude or breaking barriers or overcoming fears and living happy lives of character
o that I am a nice person. I'm hardly perfect but in my heart I know I am kind-- that I would never intentionally hurt someone, or hold a grudge. I genuinely care about people and their lives
o for my empathetic and sensitive nature. It is as much a gift as it is a curse, but it helps me connect with people in ways sometimes I can’t even understand, and that... inevitably makes me want to be a better person

I know this list will go on and on. And I resolve myself today to be ever mindful of those little every day things in life that make all the difference by simply being, by just happening.

Above all, I am grateful for being grateful. Of feeling this overwhelming sensation at everything and being humbled by my very own existence. It truly is a transformational gift.