Little Farmer.

Planting time is coming. Here is little B hoisting his bibs up in preparation for all the farming fun he and his big brother are going to be having this spring with their daddy and their grandpa. (He totally did this on his own - I was just lucky to catch it! :) **sigh** We sure are blessed to be living the good life down here in central IL...a little boys dream (at least in our family!) Hope you are having a great day!! The tempurature actually hit 65 degress today - YIPPEEE!!! Love, ~R........:)

Welcome Baby "G"!!

Congratulations E and M!!! Little baby G is just precious. Here she is at 7 days old - just the perfect time for her very first official photo shoot. She was still quite sleepy and somewhat curlable which is a plus for newborn shoots! I had such a wonderful time photographing her the other day - what a treat! She is beautiful, dainty, and such a "good" baby - as in content! ;) (I always disliked it when people asked me if my babies were "good" because of course they cried when they were hungry, wet, etc...I mean what kind of question is that really?? I thought they were the most perfect little beings to ever grace this Earth - especially when they would sigh and even more so when they smiled in their sleep! ;) I could go on and on but I'll stop there lol! :) If you really want to know my view on the philosophies of "good" and "bad" babies give me a call and we can have lunch ;)

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On a side note (as if I wasn't off track enough already) I wanted to let you know that my knee is doing much better (in case you were concerned ;) and I think I'll resume my excercising tomorrow. I did get outside for just a bit today with B as Ryan built the boys their new 8x8' sandbox but man that wind was chilly! Poor C has been scooping and dumping in the dirt that he found underneath all the landscape rocks (which he made into mud today with rainwater from the other day). I checked the weather for the week and it doesn't look promising for warm weather, but I am hoping they are wrong. I am getting antsy to try out this new property I have permission to shoot on but don't want to freeze my little clients in the process!! :)) Stay tuned everyone and have a great Sunday tomorrow!!! Love, ~R........;)

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**Edited to add: Okay. There is absolutely nothing wrong with playing in the dirt. In fact I have many fond memories of playing in the dirt, making it into mud, making my sister eat dirt (I think on accident but we can discuss that one over lunch too ;), making mud pies with the tops from McDonald's drinks, etc. etc. Dirt is probably more fun to play in then sand BUT also dirtier and for this mommy, sand works better in regards to it's rub and shake-off-ability instead of soak-into-the-clothes-tendancy like dirt/mud. Just wanted to add that. ;)

Check out this cutie!

Here you go C - your cutie little man! I am in love with those baby blues!! Thank you for bringing your adorable little boy to me - I had such a blast with you!!

Also, *update* on the furniture. I am having to either a. paint it a couple more coats, one being a semi gloss or b. coat it all with a poly finish. :( I was so ready for it to be all done and in my studio today. Oh well....good things come to those wait (patiently) right? ::Sigh::: :) I'll be sure and update the "how to" section on painting furniture on this blog when I am done (the how to in my case anyway! :)

On another note - I am all geared up tonight for my ***newborn*** shoot tomorrow!! Yes! A baby girl, only 7 days old - I can't wait! Going to try some new ideas with her and her beautiful mommy "E"...I am so excited! I will definitely post some for you to see!!

Well, until then have a gorgeous, blessed, and beautiful day and weekend! Love, ~R.......:)

Couldn't help myself....

Color:

or Black and White?

Digging the new chair?? ME TOO!! Yippeee!! (happy dance - happy dance - happy dance!!) Just got this beauty the other day - I have been SEARCHING for the PERFECT spring chair for you and finally found one!! Here is my little B modeling for me on it - I just couldn't wait until my upcoming session!! (And yes, notice the loverly short sheers in the background ;) That was yesterday, today they are long and luxerious! Okay, back to the chair ;) I am having visions of little sugar plums dressed up in the new surprises I will be getting that I learned about at my photog workshop - sooooo adorable!! and sooooo girlie!! Just waiting for them to come in!! Go ahead, close your eyes and imagine this fresh, fun, and funky chair with your child on it in a beautiful field somewhere!! Precious!! Can you tell I am just chomping at the bit for spring?!?! Let me outside with my camera!!!

Until next time!! Love, ~R.......:)

Do you notice the difference?

Yes!! My sheer studio curtains had a case of the "floods"....I mean look at those poor things on top there...just sad!! Good thing I found those longer ones!! Finally have all my window coverings in (well except one small window shade - but we can save that for another post)....having almost all of my windows done feels so good!!! I have also been extremely busy these last two days painting. Yes I know I am on a roll! To explain: I had three pieces of wood furniture that were all different tones/colors of wood (red, orange, dark dark brown). One piece was perfect for the studio but WAY the wrong color!! I was going to sell it in our annual town wide garage sale figuring I had no use for it (sad really because it was wedding gift from my sister - I picked out this china hutch from an estate sale and she offered to buy it for part of our wedding present ;) anyways...I was going to get rid of it until my sister-in-law who is the crafty/painting queen suggested I paint it. Immediately my stomach sank and I thought "oh no! that's too big of a job for me!" until she explained how and that it was so easy! Well, I tried it and have painted three pieces of furniture "canyon black" since yesterday. THey are drying right now as we speak! I'll have to post some pics tomorrow or the next day :) (Redoing some furniture was actually on my life goal list so "check" on that one!!! Yippee!!)

So here's how Ryan and I painted our funiture pieces:

1. sand down pieces/rough them up pretty well

2. rub down with rubbing alchohol

3. prime with bulls eye 123 primer using mini roller with FINE roller brush (white) - dry

4. repeat (we repeated just to make sure it was covered well) - dry

5. paint desired color with FINE roller brush (purrdy brand or something or other) -dry

6. repeat until covered to desired liking - let dry for the last time

7. enjoy your *new* furniture!!

Can't wait to get my prop chest back into the studio (so I can get all my cute props back in there!) and also my *new* product cabinet/hutch. So exciting! I am also so excited to see what my black shelf looks like in my newly decorated living room. Don't worry I'll post!

Okay, so tell me you noticed the difference in the above pics by now. :)

Hope everyone is having a gorgeous day! It's starting to warm up!! Stay tuned for some outdoor session peeks!! Love, ~R.......:)

Spring is HERE!!

Hello there ;)

I am hijacking my business blog today and throwing in a personal entry - hope you don't mind :) This way I don't have to post twice (on my family blog and here :)

So Spring is officially here...and well it was sorta warm out today :) I still had to wear a hat for BOTH of my walks with the boys and Sadie today, but it was well worth it. Until Sadie ran in front of me and tripped me with Benjamin in my hip hammock...this was not good at all. I am just praying that he is okay and that I didn't hurt him too bad when I FELL ON HIM. Poor little guy! Sadie ran right in front of all of us and knocked Caleb down who was walking to my right. I had her on a short leash and had the leash wrapped around my wrist a couple of times so it didn't just come off (unfortunately for us) when she bolted for the neighbors who were playing ball (her favorite sport). I socked my hands and knees pretty hard in trying to brace myself and not squish B too hard...but since my hands and feet were all tangled up in the leash I didn't have much room to move. All I have to say is poor B and thank goodness he was wearing a heavy fleece hat.

So....needless to say I was doing so well walking with the boys (even jogging at some points!) two days in a row...and now my nick name is gimpy (and my knee is all swollen and puffy as we speak :( Oh well..it's still early - hopefully I'll heal up real soon and more importantly hopefully B's alright. I may take him to the doctor tomorrow if he acts in pain while walking etc. He seemed fine this evening etc. until he just woke up crying a few minutes ago (yes I work 3rd shift around here ;)...I had to give him some children's motrin as I asked him where it hurt and he kept pointing to his legs/hip area...I am really praying that he's alright! Please pray for him if you have a moment and wouldn't mind...I am afraid I stretched or pulled a muscle or something worse down there! The thought of something terribly wrong is making me very sad!! :(

And in case you are wondering who Sadie is - she's our dog that we received for a wedding present...oh almost FIVE years ago (in August)??!?!? Can it be that long already? We finally have her back after our friends and family so graciously taking her under their wings while we were in the Chicago area. The only thing is....she's been a farm dog all this time and we now live in town. Hmmmm...it's interesting to say the least...Caleb really loves playing with her and begs me to go out and play with her everyday. He even feeds her and gives her water etc...it's so sweet!! One thing tho - after being on the farm for so long now (with horses and all!) she needs to be groomed SO badly!! Caleb keeps things in perspective for me though by often saying to me, "Sadie sure is a good ol' pup Mom!" And she is!

Highlight of my day today: When Caleb put his hand in my hand on our walk and said in the sweetest voice: "Mommy, I really love you...." Yup...everyone on three, 1 - 2- 3 - AWWWWW ;) That little guy sure knows how to make my heart sing!!

Worst moment of the day: Biffing it with my 19 mth old child in my arms and taking him down with me. Usually I catch myself etc...not this time. Poor little guy :( Took the double running stroller on our first outing this morning...will be continuing that ritual from now on unless we are Sadieless. Just safer that way I have learned. (Learning from experience is not fun sometimes!!)

Okay unhijacking the photography business blog now :)

Alright, on to more photographic things :) Here are a couple of images of Miss G. (ha ha yah right!) It was really hard to choose just one or two!!...mom and dad M and L...thank you so much for bringing her to me. What a blessing you all are to me! Enjoy everyone and have a wonderful, blessed, and joy-filled Easter. My most favorite and most meaningful holiday!

Love, ~ R..........:)

Isn't she just the cutest!!?!? I had so much fun at her session and then had an even better time at her slideshow party with mom and dad - thanks again you two!! Blessings to you and all my blog readers today and this weekend!! Love, ~R.........:)

I LOVE my CLIENTS!!!!

And since I love you so much... it's time to announce my next (and best so far!) blog contest!!!!
This one, involving TWO wonderful winners, will be my best and most creative contest yet!!! I have some ADORABLE spring props being shipped to my studio AS WE SPEAK and am looking for two little boys to model them for me so we can get this spring fever going already!! I was going to sit by the window today but there wasn't any sunshine so I figure we have to start dressing like spring for it to come ;) And yes, as I mentioned, I could have my little guy model these adorable things for me...but why when I have you!?!?!? Are you ready??? Well then, read on for the contest and contest rules!!!

1. Moms and dads of boys age 3-5!! (Don't worry girls, your contest will be next time!)...

2. SEND ME your favorite image - can be one I have taken or one you have taken yourself of your little guy (no other copyrighted images please) - with:

3. A PARAGRAPH telling us why you LOVE this image and how it speaks to you (how it makes you swoon, makes you tear up, laugh till you cry, etc. etc.) in 150 words or less and...

4. Send it to me (at sdgphotography@hotmail.com) by 4:30 PM ONE WEEK FROM RIGHT NOW (so that would be Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 4:30 pm - you must submit your entry before the deadline - no exceptions) and....

5. I will post the submitted images and paragraphs in a special blog post by and no later than the following Wednesday, March 26, 2008. Then....

6. After that blog post is created, people will have the opportunity to vote on the blog for their favorite. This is where the fun begins!! Now, this doesn't have to be the picture they think is the absolute best of the bunch - it can be their favorite story, moment, or even person (this is where ALLLLLLL of your family, friends and neighbors come in!) and the most votes wins! :) Voting will begin the moment the pictures are posted and will close 24 hours later. One vote per email please.

So what do you win?? Well I was getting to that!! ;)

****The two winners with the most votes will win a complimentary outdoor spring session. Think BOY, think outside, think awesome!! The winners will also receive 1 complimentary 11x14 mounted print - ready for framing, and 25 brag cards to hand out to friends and family of their (okay mom's) favorite image (same as 11x14)!!! Whooooo Hoooooo !!!!

Okay, so there you go!! Get ready! Get set!! GO!!! Have fun everyone!! Remember to send your entries to sdgphotography@hotmail.com !!!

Have a great day everyone!! Love, ~R.......;)

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Sorry for the hiatus! We've been recovering from pink eye and colds over here but those haven't stopped us from getting outside in this spring like weather!! I just heard today on the radio a chance for snow BOOOO!!!! No more snow!! I don't think this photographer can take it anymore!! If it doesn't get warmer out and stay warmer out I am going to have to start sitting by a sunny window like my cousin just to trick my brain!! I am dreaming of green grass and tree leaves and blue blue skies...and warm temps. for my senior and family sessions!! Oooohh and for babies and children too!! The studio is great and all....but I can't WAIT to get outside for sessions!! (and not have to run back to the car after 5 minutes of shooting ;) And I can't forget the weddings coming up!!! Well see? There are so many reasons to be ready for spring and summer!!


Here is little "I"...can you believe he's standing already! It seems just a short time ago I did his newborn session at home at 15 days old! I had such a great time with this little guy. We went all over his house standing and sitting on different things - even getting in his crib! He was such a great sport! I do have some of him smiling (believe it or not mom!! You might remember little I, my most serious baby ever! :) I do have some more images to share...but you get to wait till Monday!! :) I am off to the Hearts At Home conference this weekend - yippee!! Going to refresh and hang out with other mommies while my heart drinks in what the Lord has to say about being a mommy through the wonderful and talented speakers and teachers that will be there. Thank you Auntie LuAnn for the surprise gift of the ticket etc.!! (She's even going to watch the boys for me so I can go - what a blessing!!) AND case you didn't notice by I's shirt....spring is coming!! It was so refreshing to have sunshine pouring in all the windows and to see him in this adorable SHORT SLEEVE!! spring colored shirt....(deep breath - ahhhhhhh :)

Also....coming soon: a contest involving a winner that gets to MODEL for me!! (I mean, I COULD just have Caleb model for me...but this will be WAY more fun!!!) I'll be announcing it on MOnday...so stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled! Tell your friends who have little boys!!! Details coming on Monday!!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!! Love, ~R........:)

Innocence...

Pure, sweet, angelic, innocent. These words come to mind when I really look at this image. This little baby boy is just well...beautiful ~ for lack of better words. I am breathless when I gaze on this photo of little L. To little L's mommy and daddy ~ Thank you so much for bringing him to me to photograph...truly it was a pleasure to capture "him" through my lens.....Love, ~R.......;)

Meet little J :)

Here's little "J" - WOW what a cutie!! Mommy "D", you have one handsome little guy on your hands!! I'll be posting at least one more tonight so stay tuned everyone!! Love ~R......:)

Just got back!

Hello Hello!

Just thought I'd let you know about my amazing weekend!! I attended a photographer's workshop this past weekend in Chicago and it was amazing!! Just being around a bunch of different photographers was so inspiring and such so fun!! Nothing like talking shutter speeds and depth of field with someone who understands it too!! ;)

Also, you might have noticed that I took down the 365 blog...yes it was being neglected...and for good reason...well reasons I guess I should say that I won't go into here and now but...now I can focus on other more important aspects of life, being a wife, motherhood, photography..and you know...this blog and my family blog :) I apologize if you were stalking it - but don't worry, I plan to put some of those fun, new, and creative things I am learning right here on this blog for you all to see. ANd I might put another one up another day...one with a different idea to it that I have brewing in my mind - the MOST important thing I have been neglecting lately...that yes even takes priority over any of my blogs. But again, I'll save that for another day. This way will work much better for all of us :) (::: Sigh::: that feels better :))

Without further ado...here is the image post of the night. Little Miss "L"....adorable!!!!

Have a great MOnday everyone!!!! Love, ~R.......:)

NILMDTS on the Today Show

Hello there,
Some of you have seen the link at the bottom of this blog for NILMDTS (Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep) and some of you have read why I am a part of this organization. I am honored to be a part of it and desire to serve hurting parents who are experiencing the unfathomable pain of loosing a child...and to help them heal or at least to give them strength in celebrating the life of their little one by being able to look at precious photos of them...always to be remembered. I have yet to serve in this way...but truly desire to do so. My next step in getting the ball rolling is to contact Proctor and Methodist hospitals so they know I am here and am available (on a limited basis unfortunately) to serve. If you know of someone who is or you yourself are skilled photographer (with a digital SLR camera), have an understanding of low-light photography, and believe this ministry would be something that you are made for - contact NILMDTS. They do require a website/or examples of your work, but hey, it's worth a shot. From my understanding there are many volunteers but so many more are needed.

Learn more by watching the Today Show story that was aired this morning by clicking on the link below. Just reading about and watching videos/slideshows makes my heart ache and also helps me to recognize how very blessed I am to have my two boys.... Hope you are having a wonderful day and if you or someone you know is need of something like this...please contact me or another participating photographer. There is a plethora of information on the NILMDTS website.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23481435#23481435

Have a blessed day everyone ~ R........

Heads up!

Surprise! Just thought I'd try something new tonight with the ol' blog. Yep, changed from brown to black...for a little bit at least. I needed to change things up people!! Get my creative juices flowing!! Oh and did you see my new backdrop above?? I am loving it!! Will have images to post soon of my first baby girl (client) to test it out! (Yippie!)...and also, you may be wondering what happened to the baby blue. You know I love baby blue and brown...and lime/yellow green (chartrus??)...I really do...but the reason I am going "turquois" is to

a. match my new portrait website colors! Go on over and check it out - you'll see why I just had to change it...that darling little baby, why she's 4 months old already!! :)

b.Oooh! AND I almost forgot! I also just purchased a new purse from Proverbs 31 - a faith based home show type of business (Like Pampered Chef etc.) and I chose the black with turquois monograming...such a fancy and feminine thing...feels nice to be a girlie girl in this house of mostly boys ;) (Whom I love with all of my heart by the way :)))

and finally, c. spring is ALMOST HERE!!! YAY!! That 61 degree teaser we had on Sunday really made me yearn for warmer days...turquois reminds me of beautiful spring...a time of new life and color everywhere!! ;)

Well, until next time everyone, stay warm and have a great night!
Love, ~ R....... ;)

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!!

Thank you to all who participated in the tractor naming contest!!! I am feeling generous today and wanted to let you all (3) know that you ALL won!!! I couldn't hardly have Caleb pick two names out of three and leave one of you out so you all get $25 off your next sitting fee!!! Yippee!! So, Jenni, Jennell, and Dee Anne CONGRATS!! This means more prints for you! Well, I hope you had fun, I was pretty impressed with your farm knowledge - I have learned quite a bit since marrying my DH (dear hubby) :) and just so the rest of you know we'll be having another contest here soon. Thank you again to everyone who put themselves out there to participate (and maybe even look silly?? :))) in my fun contest!! Just email me :)

Until next time everyone!!

~R.........:)

P.S.... what fun would a post be without any photos??? :) Here's little A....two weeks.