52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 52

And just like that, another year is over! I wanted to end with a photograph of me and my kids...finish strong. I cannot even put into words what these children mean to me. For someone, who for so long, did not even know if she wanted to be a mother, who thought she would gladly forgo that chapter of life, sometimes I look around at where I am now and I could just cry at what I might have missed out on.

I am a better person for them. They bring me joy and laughter, they love me when I feel unworthy, they stop playing in the middle of a playground and without even grumbling, happily take photos with me, because they know it will bless me. I hope that one day they will look back on these moments that I have captured and that they will smile, that memories will come flooding back, that they will see all that we had.

These family relationships are what shape all their future relationships, I am so glad that love flows freely in our family, that this is a safe place to express emotions and feelings and although I know we will all change over time I hope we will always be close.

Some families just seem to grow apart and it saddens me, even within my own extended family to see how that can so easily happen. Distance, I know from my own experience, does not help, but family ties should be treasured and nurtured and sometimes it takes work and I know I will fight for that with my own children.

I hope that 2013 has been a year you can look back on and see growth. Maybe things went well for you, or it may have been a hard year, but either way we keep moving forward, pressing on. We are each responsible for our own actions and the things we say, or do not. If each day of the coming year we can make a difference, no matter how small, in another person's life, then by the end of next year we will have each had a positive impact on over 300 people. We have huge potential. Let's not waste it.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you, here's hoping for greater things in 2014!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 51

Christmas day has to be one of the most exciting days of the year. I remember as a child, waking earlier and earlier each year, full of anticipation, eager to open gifts. Now I get to experience the excitement all over again watching my own children. They are so happy and grateful and I truly get to live the fact that it is better to give than to receive. I feel so much joy at their joy and it is the most wonderful feeling.

My Family - Happy Christmas {Marin County Family Portrait Photographer}

From my family to yours, we would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas. This really is the most wonderful time of the year, not just because of all the excitement and presents, if you have children, but because we get to celebrate and remember the birth of Christ.The gift he gave in giving His life.

I have the most amazing family and friends and clients and I am grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for visiting my blog and following along. Enjoy your time with family, whatever that looks like for you and don't eat too much!

I have to end with just one of my amazing children, the most amazing gifts in this life of mine.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 50

Last Friday my amazing husband graduated from Seminary with his Masters (Missiology with an Urban Concentration). I am incredibly proud of him. He worked hard, not only with his studies but also working full time, running his business and providing for his family.

In many ways it has been a long time coming. When I met this man, seventeen years ago, I knew he had a call on his life. He is a man who loves God and loves people and his greatest desire, all these years, has been to serve God, fully. He has done that faithfully, in whatever he has done.

He was always someone who wanted to be a doer, not just a talker. When our first child was born that desire increased dramatically, as he felt the burden of being a real life example to his own children. Willing to risk it all, not just talk about risking it all and making sacrifices. Some may wonder at a grown man, with a family to support, going back to school, but there are times when we do what we must, regardless of what others may think. Could he have continued running his business, with some ministry here and there, as time would allow? Of course. But by furthering his education, new doors can open, new opportunities to serve more fully.

It has not been the easiest few years and there have been challenges, but this was a great accomplishment.

For now, this non-denominational, baptist seminary attendee, is returning to Anglican roots and pursuing ordination. In the meantime, there is some more studying to be done....but watch this space.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 49

Children and puppies, I swear, are a match made in heaven. No judgement, just love. We could all learn a thing or two from them. This beautiful little girl, unfortunately, is not ours, but she has already become a firm favorite.

Our good friends have extended their family and we get to live vicariously through them, until such time as we move to a place where we can have a pet of our own. Then we too will, hopefully, complete our own little family.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 48

She arrived on his birthday, such a perfect gift. They will always share that, share their special day together. She is his baby, our baby...although yesterday she turned six. The oldest and youngest in our family, they have such a sweet bond.

I hope that our girls will always remember the love their father has for them, the love he shows for me and that it will always serve as an example of what is out there. I pray they won't settle for a cheap imitation, for not all men are equal. I was blessed to find my own prince (minus all the wealth :P ) and I wouldn't trade what we have, for anything.

Happy birthday to two of my loves!

Lovely Lorelai {Marin County Newborn Photographer}

This beautiful baby girl has captured her Mama's heart. It was so sweet to watch their connection. A little girl after two little boys and this little girl is already fully stocked with handmade headbands and hats and all the pretty things that boys have no interest in.

These first few days are so precious and gone too quickly. How I wish I could turn back time and be captured like this with each of my own children, what I wouldn't give for photographs of my Mom and I. The pure love and devotion that a mother feels for her child is so hard to sum up in words, but a photographs can capture so much, when words fail. Don't be afraid to be in front of the camera, because, sadly, we cannot turn back time. This is it.

Congratulations again Beltran family. She is gorgeous!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 47

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 46

I love to see my kids reading. I still love to read TO them, but more and more they can get lost on their own. Sometimes they will even read to each other and that blesses me beyond belief. For the older two to take the time to read to their little sister, without me asking or telling them, is pretty special.

Reading opens one to knowledge, to adventure and excitement, to emotional roller-coasters and dreams. What an amazing skill, a gift in the truest sense, that keeps on giving.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 45

Childhood is so fleeting. Before we know it, those helpless babies are crawling, walking, then all too quickly running. The cries become words then sentences and all of a sudden there are full, two-way conversations. Time speeds by and we cannot stop it, try as we might.

A little girl was feeling sad this day. Her older brother and sister and cousins had taken off without her, up a steep, loose gravel hill and try as hard as she could, she was unable to follow them. She sat forlornly, fighting back the tears and I felt a little helpless. Had I not been wearing flip flops, or had two dogs in tow, I may have attempted to make the treacherous climb with her, but given those circumstances, it was not an option. I know she loves me, but in that moment she would rather have been exploring with the big kids, than hanging out with her Mom.

She didn't want consoling, she was trying to be strong! I know these instances are growing further apart and happening with lesser frequency. All too soon they'll all be off having their own fun, as I watch (and cheer) from the sidelines. That moment, was one more for me to just be with her, to turn the sad into a smile, to create something special, for just the two of us. So we went on a little treasure hunt, searching for conkers. It was our own little adventure and she was so proud. I guess 'conkers' isn't really played over here, but she knew exactly what I was talking about, she'd seen it on a Kipper episode. She was excited and happy...and so was I.

As mothers, our role is constantly changing. We go from being the be all and end all, to a helper, a teacher, an encourager, having finally to release, to be a cheerleader and supporter and hopefully in the end a friend. Each stage so far has been so sweet and as I see my role needing to change it continues to be bittersweet, but I hope to cherish each one and to keep depositing into those memory banks.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 44

On a hot day, after running laps to raise money for your school, which would YOU rather have? A full sit down meal or a delicious, cold ice cream? Well for our amazing kids, the answer was, of course, ice cream. It was definitely well deserved and very much enjoyed.

No need for a pose, or to ask this one to look at the camera, just a snap at the right moment as she relished the coolness. Love it!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 43

They are the tiniest of birds. Absolutely mesmerizing. The sound of their wings, the speed with which they move, the hovering and darting, the flashes of color, captivate me completely. They are truly amazing. I could watch and wait, patiently for hours.

We all grow weary at times, that's when we really need to open our eyes and look around us. We are surrounded by beauty, sometimes we have to search it out, but it's there for the finding. We all have days that are harder than others, or more exhausting, or maybe it has been longer than a day and feels like a season. Take the time to find your hidden treasure, that something that can lift your spirits again and breathe new life into you. It may not be easy, but it's waiting for you.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 42

I have three brothers and growing up, they loved, loved, LOVED the movie The Princess Bride. They had the whole thing memorized and would watch it over and over and over again. I would groan, inwardly and outwardly as they put it on, one more time. Obviously, I also have parts of it ingrained in my brain, because this was the quote that immediately came to mind for this photograph.

My family all still live in England and I live in America. But it's true, that a wedding brings people together. It's the way it should be. My brother Wesley was getting married and somehow I had to be there. I wasn't the official photographer on the day (sniff), I was a family member, a guest. You know though, that I had to have my camera with me and get a few photographs.

I love this shot, the first moment after their first kiss as husband and wife. They are so happy and I think Lou just glows. I am really glad that I was able to be there. We may have had the occasional clash as children, but I love my family and miss them more than they know. It's these important milestones that are worth celebrating.

It was a beautiful day and we are so happy to officially welcome Lou to our family. Now, I just need to figure out going back again in May for my youngest brother's wedding!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 41

I am currently in England for a week, for my brother's wedding and boy do I miss my family. They couldn't come with me and are at home in California. Those sweet smiles brighten my day, every day and the hugs and the kisses and the little hands. I miss them all. I know they miss me too, but I am only one person to miss and I am missing four (counting my husband too). Sigh.

I am happy to be here but so wish they were with me. Can't wait to be home with them again.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 40

The weather this weekend was glorious! Low 80s and it's October...in the Bay, which if you don't live here you may not realize that fog is common year round. It was amazing and we had to head to the beach, which with the government shutdown was not the easiest task. Some beaches were open, but the car parks closed, some had open car parks, but the gates to the beaches were locked...completely ridiculous. We finally ended up at Crissy Field beach and after driving and driving found some street parking. It was absolutely worth it and the kids and the cousins had a blast in the water, building sand castles, burying themselves in sand.

As we crossed the field again, on our return, exhausted from hours in the sun, dandelion puffs glowed in the slowly setting sun and what kid can resist those? I think this was our last summer hurrah...and it was perfect.

Beltran Maternity and Family Sneak Peek {Marin Co., CA, Family Beloved Photographer}

I love it when clients' walls are full of prints and this family has a whole wall set up as a gallery. To find people who truly value photography, who feel it is important and not just a nice thing to do, makes me happy. Everybody has different priorities, I totally get that, but in my mind, capturing memories and having something to show the generations that follow is amazing. We document so much of our lives on our phones, which is wonderful and accessible, but it really isn't the same thing as taking the time and making the effort to intentionally capture the beauty of family.

I last did newborn photos for this family, when their littlest boy was just days old (see those here). With baby number three on the way, this lovely couple want to remember not only this beautiful belly but the family of four, that they will be for just a few more weeks. These little boys are suddenly going to seem so much bigger and relationships will inevitably change.

This gorgeous, outnumbered Mama, is about to have a little girl. It's going to be a whole new world of pink for everyone!

 As the sun started to set we headed to the beach for a few more sweet family moments.

Excited to meet and photograph Miss. Lorelai soon. :)