I heart faces...Viewer's Choice

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is Viewer's Choice. It is fun to participate in this theme, because everyone gets a vote. I love taking portraits of Paige and this one is my newest favorite. We were out and about shooting at different locations and while we were sitting and pondering where to go next, I called her name and she looked up at me and I snapped. This is what I got and I love it and love her! Moments with my girl, posed or not, are what memories are made of. I (heart) her to the core!

Girl with many faces

So, I generally post posed, edited, serious pics of Paige. While I love those, that is only one teeny tiny side to her personality. She is suuuch a trip! She talks nonstop and is a clown...clown, I tell you! Here are some favorite memories as of late:

• She still calls things "ImportNant". She doesn't realize that she is making a mistake and who am I to tell her? It's CUTE!


• Last night she told me that she only wants to adopt and wants boys. Girls are TOO much trouble. haha


• She has a boyfriend and talks about him nonstop. Tonight they are going in a big group to the movies. Remember my last post where I said "a simple hello in the hallway?" Yeah, not so much! Good news is that five of us adults are going to the movie, too, and are sitting ohhhh about two rows behind them :)


• She is a tomboy to the core. She dislikes all things pink, girly, fru fru, or prissy.


• Her friends all wear make up. Paige, no, she wears a little foundation on blemishes and chapstick... atta girl :)


• She loves modern and hip hop, but detests and I do mean DETESTS ballet. She is only sticking with ballet because that is a required class in order to take modern (her love) and jazz.


• Little sister can move like nothing I've ever seen. She has gained confidence this year and others are noticing. I am proud of her.


• She spends way too much time on her ipod touch. She loves the game, "Angry Birds".


• Her favorite food is ramon noodles...at least she'll be content in college, right?


• She'd prefer boyfriend cut jeans, an Abercr@mbie tshirt, and sperrys any day.


• Her ears are pierced, but she doesn't wear earrings.


• She pulls the skin off of her thumbs. They look like she was in a fire. She does it while she sleeps. It concerns me.


• Her voice is getting deeper and she is sounding and acting more and more like a teenager. Stays up late and wakes late as well :/


• She likes to get to school at 7 a.m., even though it doesn't begin until 7:30. She goes to talk to her friends.


• She is one of two sixth graders who are in the Cougars Don't Do Drugs club and doesn't care if it's not "cool". She went and competed with other schools last weekend and had a blast.


• She wants to be a basketball player sooooo badly! She walks, talks, swaggers, dresses, looks like and moves like a "baller", but the child can't make a basket to save her life. She is short and that bothers her.


• She is looking forward to running cross country for her school next year and continue on with dance.


• She asked me to buy her a purity ring for Easter! She said she didn't want to "kiss" until she gets married.....PRECIOUS~!

Here are some straight out of the camera pics of my girl! Love her!

In a relationship

"In a relationship"...three little words that usually don't phase me at all. Not phased until those three little words are written by Paige on her facebook page. Oh my! First, I was extremely reluctant to allow her to get a FB page at such a young age, but after lots of dialogue and rules set in place, I let Paige open an account. She has been so responsible with it and truth be known, rarely even gets on to check it.



So, much to my dismay, I am perusing FB and I see an update from my little sister. When I saw the three little words, I gasped and my heart jumped into my throat.

In.A.Relationship.



Why should I be surprised? After all, Paige is so sweet to everyone and she's not too hard on the eyes (thanks to her genes). She is in middle school and has never really had a "boyfriend". Why would she? But, some of her girlfriends have recently started "liking" boys and some feelings have been reciprocated. I knew Paige had a crush on someone, but didn't think it would manifest into anything.



Well, little bit came home the other day and asked if she could talk to my mom and I. Of course, we obliged. She sat us down and asked if she would be allowed to "go out" with "A". We discussed what going out with meant in middle school terms and were so relieved to know that they were extremely innocent. A little walk to class, maybe a hello in the hallway, a text here or there, but never phone calls or "dates". So, we decided to let her spread her wings a bit and were happy she at least was responsible enough to ask our permission.



No matter how hard we try to keep her young forever, truth is, she is growing into a beautiful young lady. She has a heart of gold and is such a sweet child. She really is. I wish everyone could know her. I think her little "friend" is very lucky.

Wonder if it'll last over a week or two? Is it bad to say, "I HOPE NOT?" :)

GracyLu Originals...

I have long admired these beautiful headbands that so many photographers integrated into their photo sessions. I was fortunate (or so I thought) to have snagged my two favs back in January. I cannot even begin to describe the quality that these pieces are and I don't know if my pics can even do them justice, but I will try.

Paige modeled them for me, but empatically told me that they weren't her style, while pretty, she is too "old" to wear them. Whatever!

I purchased each headband for $40 a piece, but am willing to part with them for $25 each or $45 together as a pair. I thought I would offer them here before I try to sell them elsewhere. They are TRULY gorgeous, but I'd rather them have a home where they will be used.


I believe this piece is called Gracie's Garden (not positive though).


This is "The Meg" and is my fav., but Paige says no way :/

My Funny Valentine

Why yes, I do indeed realize that it is way past Valentine's Day, but I just haven't had the time to blog. For Valentine's Day my gift from Paige was to allow me to take pics of her :) Yep, we're at that age. The only time she likes me to take her picture is when she is surrounded by her girlfriends. So, I enjoyed this time with Paige. Here are a few of my favs...

She has "the FEVER"

Paige has a really bad fever, it's called "Bieber Fever". Last night, she and twenty of her best girlfriends went to dinner and got all psyched up before the ten o'clock showing of Justin Bieber's Never Say Never 3D movie. Usually I am recruited by all of the moms to go and be the photographer for the evening, but luckily, I escaped this event. I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and my lips looked like I had lip injections. Hilarious!!!

These pics were taken by Anne (thanks so much Anne!!!) and I think they certainly reflect the excitement in the air.

As an aside, I just have to say, I am sooo happy Paige has such wonderful friendships. These girls are so beautiful on the outside, but more so on the inside. Most of them have been friends since Kindergarten. Priceless!

Good thing I like the snow...

...because it looks like we are getting more this week! I do love the excitement of school letting out or closing, playing in the snow with friends and family and curling up in a warm house with a good book.

As of now, we are looking at getting out for summer break the first week of June! That part, I don't like. My students are growing restless and so am I. I think we are all itching for spring break. Speaking of...I had to cancel our trip to the beach with friends :( I just have too much on my plate and couldn't manage. School is going great, but is keeping me sooo busy. I only pick up my camera for my own little personal project. I haven't taken a portrait of anyone in a looong time. I miss post processing and playing with actions and such, but can say the break from trying to get that "perfect" shot has been nice. As a matter of fact, I am looking at photography in a brand new way and am not sure I will go back to my old way of thinking. This is a GOOD thing :)

I have found a condo and am wheeling and dealing with my realtor to see what kind of deal we can get. It's a bit pricey, but it has been sitting a while and so I am determined to bring them down. If not, there are many others that have caught my eye.

Paige is doing well. She is a SOCIAL girl! She didn't have school today due to snow, so she and "the girls were doing lunch". Oohh la la. Time seems to be slipping away and she is growing up whether I like it or not. I have loved each and every stage with her, but I think I can honestly say that she is my very best friend. I like the person she is and is still becoming. She is sooo funny and kind and thinks of others before herself. She's a keeper, for sure! :)

That's it in a nutshell! Hope y'all are doing well!