Squeeze The Day

This child...

Drives me crazy..

crazy

He is so smart and cute 

and so full of himself

and has this wonderful sense of humor

and these blue eyes that make me melt

I mean they own me.

and

he

Cracks me up.

He can be so sweet.

Say the funniest things when you least expect it.

One of, if not my most favorite thing he has ever said

he said when he was about four.. maybe five

The saying, as you know is seize the day

He thought it was  Squeeze the day!

I loved it.

It means get everything you can out of the day

Use it for all it's worth.

Squeeze. The. Day.

We say it on a regular basis

and try to live by it.

He still falls asleep in our bed and then Matt-Daddy

will haul him and his favorite pillow to his bed when we head to bed.

Will do his best to work both of us in very subtle

ways to get the answer to his math homework problems

Every.

Single.

Day.

And grin the entire time.

He still loves Power Rangers

Green is his favorite color

He cried when Optimus Prime 'died' in the second movie.

He hugs me when I am sad

and still tries to curl up in my lap like a little guy

He reminds me each night that I need to

say prayers with him when I tuck him in

MY bed.

He has a tender heart

and he will stand up for his sister and himself if he needs to 

without hesitation

and I love that about him

He has been so 
very 
S L O W 
To lose his baby teeth.
He lost the two middle bottom two about a year ago.
Then nothing.
His last cleaning they took x-rays and we saw that his front two
top teeth were only hanging on by the
gums.
Yep, not a root to be had.
They would just not let go.
They told him to work it or in a month they would have to help them.
Well, Viola! 
He lost them and right before Christmas at that.

So, I was singing
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth during the holidays. :)

He and his sister are the center of my universe.
We each connect with each other in very different ways.
He loves me and never hesitates to say it in return when I say it to him.
I know that one day.. some day... He might not do that.
I may be kidding myself... But honestly, I don't think so.
We are pretty solid
No matter how mad he may get at my parenting decisions
he and I always talk it out and are OK.

I always thought I wanted two girls
that she needed a sister
I cried when I found out he was a boy
"What am I going to do with a boy!" I cried
God knew better
HE knew so much better.
I am so glad HE did.

I have watched him enjoy every day to the fullest 
since the beginning
and always with a smile
toothless or not ;)

As much as we teach him
He teaches us as much or more.

Don't forget to squeeze that day...



 Train up a child in
the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Wrestling 5K | Oxford AL

Last Fall Matt-Daddy started running again.

He had been a pretty regular runner for several years then have to have his 

tonsils out and just sort of stopped.

My broski, Zach is a runner too.. I mean he runs but he 

is an all around healthy guy.

We try to be..

We need to try harder ;) 

Zach is an excellent role model

and he really enjoys running with Matt-daddy.

So last November...um yes I am still catching up.

Don't Judge.

They ran a 5K back in our home town at our old high school.

Not only did we all three graduate from there

But our Mom taught there for many, many years.

It was the Wrestling 5K, with proceeds to go to OHS wrestling.
Matt-Daddy didn't wrestle but Zach did back in high school.
That was not prerequisite for running but Zach thought it was kind of cool.

Stormy ran it with them. This is before...
She is totally zoned out.
In preparation ;)

Here they are headed to the finish.

They weren't enjoying themselves much at all ;) 

Of all the photos I took that day...
THIS has to be my favorite.
Stoney LOVES his Uncle Zach.

After the 5K it was time for the One mile fun run.
He was ready.

His two favorite guys went the first lap with him.

He did the rest all by himself and
finished 2nd in his age group!
Go Stoney!!

He got a little trophy and a way cool OHS ball cap.

Stormy finished FIRST in her age group!!
Way to go Stormy!

There were lots of snacks to be had after the race including bananas.
Waffle House was even set up to make hash browns for the runners.
Smothered, covered, chunked... you know the rest ;)
I was so proud of my crew!
Team Ponds
and
the favorite Broski  :)

What are you guys doing to stay or try to stay
in shape this year?


BTW....
It is freezing here..
Not my favorite weather..
Just saying.

Stay warm where ever you are!

Blogger over there ----->

By the way...

I am over HERE today :)

Guest blogger..

Check it out if you get a chance.

These ladies have created a wonderful

environment I know you will enjoy.

Love you guys!

See you tomorrow :)

Ciao.

Eastaboga, Alabama | Family photography

It is still January...

That means I can still blog about Christmas photos...right?

Of course, I thought so. ;)

I love this family..

The Mom is one of the strongest, funniest, most gracious women I know.

I get to call her friend.

I'm the lucky one.

I had the privilege of photographing them for a family session

that included shots for Christmas cards too.

Three generations :)

I love receiving Christmas cards from clients.

Makes my day when I open that envelope and it is a photo

that I captured :)

Father Daughter dance

Playing catch up...

One of my biggest ... resolutions if you will, this year was to be a much better blogger.

I am determined to do it.

So we are playing catch up

starting today.

Stormy had a Father daughter dance last month.

Her last one..

Her last one in Elementary school

Her last one at her old school

Yes we moved too.

I have been a bit preoccupied 

Much much going on.

More on that later..

Without further ado...

Let me get to blogging.

The night of the dance Matt-Daddy had a scheduled test

at school.

No way to reschedule

had to take it then.

Dance starts at 6:30

Test starts at 6:00

He said maybe an hourish for the test and it was 30 minutesish 

driving time one way.

I was skeptical they would make it all much less

in time for a photo.

I offered a couple weeks ahead to ask her Uncle to come step in

and take her.

No, It is my last one I want to go with my Daddy.

I said no problem.

So she got dressed

and we waited.

My girl...
We waited some more...

Then he arrived!
Hahaha...
He got to school early and they let him go ahead
and take the test so he finished much sooner than expected.
Yay!
Everyone was happy :)

Not completely in focus but I love it anyway.
He couldn't wait to get home to go with Stormy
That by far, is the best part ...

Oh and btw....
He aced that test :)


I hope that your year is off to a brilliant start.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity ... 

1 Chronicles 29:17 

Randomness

I have so much I need to blog..

Work wise

Home wise

Family wise

sheesh... So I am just going to hit a few things

Share some photos.

Hope you guys are all well..

it all seems so menial...

When I think of the East Coast

especially the Jersey Shore and Staten Island..

I am sitting here in a warm place

in clean clothes

with a cold drink and

warm food

and electricity and all my 

'stuff'.

And most all..

my healthy family.

I've read that some feel it is the end of the world

after the election results last night

That they feel like they have lost everything

and nothing will be the same.

I think not

the Jersey shore

Staten Island and all 

the other places that were wiped out up there

 They...

They

lost everything 

and Their world will never be the same.

And now another storm is gearing up to dump

snow on the already battered region.

So.. no matter who won..

Or who wins in the future

As for me and my family

we will pray for them.

Like we always have.

So with that being said...

Here are some photos

and me moving along with my everyday life.

because I am blessed to be able to do that.

Things that some may 

find mundane but that is

what makes

my life ... 

my life.

And I wouldn't trade it

for the world.

Back in September I was asked to take photographs for a vendor
at the Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival.
Let me tell you about some good eats..
Oh. My. Gosh.
Wings, Brunswick stew, pulled pork.
List goes on.
It was amazeballs.
Seriously.

Our sweet Pipponie..
Bless him.
He gets this allergy every Fall..
He licks and chews on his back and tail.
As it heals... it itches and the cycle continues.
He is about to drive me nuts.
We have been giving him Benedryl regularly..
But I am afraid....
The Cone Of Shame is next. :(

I love this boy...
I hate to see him so uncomfortable

Fall has to be my favorite...

Don't forget...
The acorn photos are available for purchase..
Several sizes...
If you are so inclined ;)

All you have to do is message me on
my facebook business page here.

The strawberry prints are also available..
you can email me on my website too..  ;)


So, I am getting over a cold and a pretty nasty cough. :/
I won't miss it when it is gone... fo sho.

Hope your Halloween was spooky and sugar filled.
I have photos to post from that too.
And I had a birthday..
Yikes!

Does everyone have a favorite dish you ALWAYS
have on the table for Thanksgiving?
I have a few that I HAVE to have ;)

Oh and... I have to go pack..boxes.
Yes, we are moving.
Yikes again ;)

More later...
Ciao!
Rox

Oxford AL Senior | Oxford High School

I know I keep saying that each senior is the best one ever

 and they photograph so easily 

and I love my job 

because it doesn't feel like work.

Well I won't repeat myself....

But, it happened again. ;)

Just too creamy... Love.

This was amazing in black and white. I triple love it...

We did this session back in my hometown
 in the old downtown area.
Some of the buildings and bricks in some of the photos
are well over 100 years old.
It has the best light and shadows
 in the late afternoon.

I couldn't decide from the two above which I like better.
 I think the bottom...
But I needed one that would fit
and look like it fit as the
cover photo on my business page on facebook. 

Just so beautiful... could not take a bad photo.

I love this one too..
So clean and the contrast of the colors
of the wall and her hair and
shirt just pop.

I mean look...
some serious butter cream.
This may be my favorite photo ever...
like ever.
Haven't I said that before though?
OK, so favorite to date.
How is that? ;)

Catalog shot ;)

I will never be able to say enough about late afternoon light.
It makes the biggest difference.
I love it.
Love. It.
Love this senior and I love her Mom too.I hope you guys have had a great week
and are ready for the weekend!
Happy early Halloween!!
BOO!
When you find yourself beginning to feel a bond between
yourself and
 the people you photograph,
when you laugh and cry with their laughter
 and tears, you will know you are
 on the right track.
~Arthur Fellig