Is it just me…

… or are most people very optimistic about the coming year?  I’m excited.  I have some new goals!  Goals that include things other than potty training one of my kids or quitting something bad for me (fast food anyone?).   I will have a baby to potty train towards the end of this year, but that’s a long ways off.  My goals and things I’m looking forward to for 2009 are as follows:

1.  Setting time aside EVERY SINGLE morning for prayer.

2.  Throwing on at least one load of laundry a day.  The amount of laundry in my house on any given day could crush a small child.  I also dug myself deeper when I decided cloth diapers were the way to go.  Love them, hate them.

3.  Taking more pictures of my kids and my hot husband.

4.  Getting my studio open.

5.  Working out my schedule so I’m not stressed- ever.  (Dream big)

6.  Getting a billboard ad.

7.  Figuring out my hair.  I’m a hugger and I’m always worried people are spitting in my hair when I hug.  It’s a wild tangled mess.

8.  Run a race.  I love to run.  My knee hates running.  I’m hoping we can meet in the middle.

9.  Drink more green tea.

10.  Get pregnant.  Then tie the tubes.  Macen needs a brother and I’m not getting any younger.

11.  Go to the beach more this summer. 

12.  Use my sewing machine.

Once the sewing machine is mentioned, I know I’m beginning to ramble.  Happy New Year everyone!  2009 is going to be a good one!

Everyone say it with me….

…ahhhhhhh.  The Christmas rush is finally over.  I love the week after Christmas.  The kids are busy playing with stuff- stuff they’ll break or forget about in a few weeks time, but none the less.  It’s nice and peaceful.  The weather here is in the 70’s.  It’s just a great time.

I had a few craptastic things happen today.  Before I get off on that, these events haven’t ruined my mood.  I’m still loving today.  Ok, back to my “events” that shook my day up.  First, I had to go drop off ad postcards around town today.  That went really well.  I decided to swing by and speak to my land lord, about the studio.  I’m getting ready to write some large checks, so I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.  I guess I’m not only on the wrong page, but I’m wondering if I was reading the same book.  The building is co-owned, so one of the owners is all for what I had in mind and the other…. well, let’s just say he wasn’t sure.  So, I’m waiting on a phone call to see where this is going.   I still have faith.  Everything is going to go the way it’s supposed to.

The second event was pretty upsetting.  I ran over one of our kittens this morning.  The little booger likes to hang out in the undercarriage of my truck and even though the truck was idling for 5 minutes before we left, he decided to stay under there.  Only when I sped up out of the driveway did he choose to jump for it.  RIP little kitty.  His name was Jetta.  I did get him out of the road.  That was a first and very unpleasant. 

Not the unlucky kitty, but she is Jetta’s sister.  We are down to 5 cats from 6.

Do any of you have Wii Fit?  It’s my new obsession.  I HIGHLY recommend it.  I actually look forward to working out.  Again, that’s a first, but pleasant.  I have a wedding to shoot this weekend so maybe I’ll get some pictures up soon.  xoxo, Amy

Thursday

 I try to stick to mostly photography on this blog, but sometimes I think I have something to say so…. here I am getting ready to be a bit revealing. 

I had a regular, rambling, “all things Amy blog”, that I deleted a few months ago.   I know that sentence is 10 different kinds of wrong, hence the deletion.  I tend to be paranoid at grammatical errors.  I swear I’m not stupid, just a bit challenged.

I’m terrible at remembering birthdays.  Sometimes I stumble at remembering my childrens’ birth dates.  I’ve had calendars with birthdays written all over them and still I forget.   While I had my blog, WHEN I WOULD REMEMBER, I’d give a birthday “shout out” to the birthday person.  I’d write something sentimental or funny and post a picture. 

Weellllll, today is my BFF’s birthday.  And I remembered.  I’ve been thinking about it all week.  I’ve been thinking about him all week.   He’s the chocolate to my peanut butter, the shaky in my puddin, the only good things about me are because of him.  When I make someone feel good, it’s because of him.  Everytime I smile, it’s because of something he did, whether I know it or not.  

He thinks all my jokes are hilarious.  He loves me even when I don’t deserve it, which is often.   I could make a list of mushy sing songs a mile long, but I just wanted to say Happy Birthday, Jesus.  You rock my world. 

And the winner is…

I want to thank all the people who nominated someone.  The time each of you took to tell me your nominee’s story, showed what caring people you are.   I wish I could do them all!  

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!  I’ve got to get back to stuffing my face:)   Congratulations to Krista & Ayla!  Also, congratulations to Allison!  You get a $200 print credit!  I look forward to meeting you all!  xoxo, Amy

It’s the weekend!

Today is a big day, and for the second time in a row, I’m up before the sun.   Yesterday, I rose, bright eyed and anxious, at 3:30am.  This morning it’s 5:15.   I’m not 100% sure what my problem is, but I’m hoping it goes away VERY SOON. 

Mom will be here today.

I have 2 boudoir shoots this weekend.  Those will be fun. 

I’m debating on a moral and ethical dilemma though…. I’ll let you in on it, because by the time this is read, I will have made my decision and  there will be no turning back.   I’m pretty sure I have your full attention.   I know for a fact that there are some killer lighting rigs under the Christmas tree.  They are wrapped.  Is it ok to unwrap and use them, and wrap them back?  Chris is taking the kids to town while I’m doing the shoot, so he won’t know, until he reads this.  Hi honey:)  Maybe that’s why I can’t sleep. 

Because I don’t “blog” boudoir shoots, I figured I’d post some candid stuff of some gorgeous kids I found playing in my yard yesterday.  Went to check the mail and waddya know!?  Kids!  Cute ones!  In my yard.  Normally I would yell for them to get off my lawn, but I was feeling rather agreeable, so I grabbed my camera.

Awww.  A baby!  The most beautiful baby ever born, besides baby Jesus!  This little baby must have a set of amazing looking parents.  At the very least, an amazing and strong and gorgeous Dad.  (Hey Honey.  I’m sorry about the light. xoxo)

I think she’s judging someone.  Look at those pursed lips.  “MmmmHmmm.  There goes that red headed boy beating on those girls.”

Most of you would have taken out the dirt on his face… and you’re cursing me for not doing it.  And now you think my boy is gross.  First of all, like I told you before, this is just some random kid I found playing in my yard, and fyi, I think boys should be covered in dirt from morning to night, except on Sunday.  No dirt on Sunday.  And if that boy looks like his Daddy, I have got to meet that hunk of a man.  Good lookin stud that he is.  

Oh, sweet Jesus.   If Crocs are a  part of your kid’s life, might I suggest forming a support group of some kind?   Tell me where you’re meeting and I’ll bring some doughnuts and tissue. 

That is one dirty kid.  I hope his mother bathes him good tonight.  I hope she doesn’t make one of her other kids bathe him.  Whoever bathes that boy deserves dessert.  I hope she gives them ice cream for dessert.  Pistachio Almond Blue Bell Ice cream.  I hear that’s the best ice cream ever.

This one here is just a little pretzel.  If I tried to do that, I’d be bed ridden for a week.  I always wished I could do that though.  Handstands and cartwheels always eluded me.   I was still trying to nail it in my early 20’s.  It’s OK to cry for me.  I’m crying too.

“Why do I have to sit here?  This is boring.”  I think “boring” should be treated with the same degree of  discipline as any of your choice curse words.  My oldest didn’t learn boring until she was 7 or 8.  Now all the kids know it and I hear it all the time.

“Well, Little Girl,” I said, ” I think you need a tickle”.

“I do NOT need a tickle,” she giggled, but the giggle gave her away.  She was in dire need of tickles.

She lowered her head and did her best convincing.  This kid has no future in the casinos.

After a fierce tickle battle, we called it a day. 

Enjoy your weekend!  Enjoy your family!  Enjoy your life!  You only get one chance at today!  Live it!  xoxo, Amy

Santa will need a speedo.

It is unusually warm for Christmas.  We have a saying in “these here parts”, if you don’t like the weather now, just wait 5 minutes.  It’s true.  It rains while the sun is shining on a regular basis.  That’s how Florida rolls. 

My Mom is coming into town this weekend.  She was transferred with her job a couple years ago and has been in South Carolina working towards retirement (which is August 2009).  I miss her terribly, so I’m anxiously awaiting the weekend.  She blows in the door and immediately I go on permanent vacation.  It’s wonderful.  She has always worked full time, so I think she uses her time here to fulfill the domestic side of herself.  

The kids will be getting out of school this week as well.  You’d think that would create chaos, but having the girls here makes everything feel normal.  The decision to not homeschool them this year, still weighs a bit heavy on me.   I know it was the right decision, but the house is eeirly quiet.  I miss them.  The babies do too. 

This past weekend was great!  I actually turned the camera on my kids.  I captured one of my new favorite pictures of Madeline (see the header at the top of this blog:) and a few of Heidi and Macen.

And Macen, contemplating life and the effects of microwaved plastic, on the body’s immune system.

Playing catch up.

Since this is a photography blog, I figured I’d better post some pictures.  I picked a few from the last 2 weeks and just posted them all together.   Look how alert this little buddy is!  He was all eyes on this morning.  Not tired one single bit. 

Remember the little monkey below?  Yeah, I could take pictures of her all day.

And this is her brother.  He is just as much a monkey as she is.  He’s hardcore.  Hardcore Monkey.

They finally came in for some family shots just in time for Christmas.  They are so fun to shoot.  And I so love getting to hold the baby:)  She’s a doll.

And finally, I did a WHOLE family shot of Dey’s sisters and all their kids.  There were about 12 of them.  It was total mayhem.  You can’t tell it from this shot.  You’ll just have to take my word for it.

I want my inbox FLOODED!!!

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $550 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa or Escambia County, FL. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : aquarrier@hotmail.com.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,
Amy

ps Thanks Jessica!
pss Photographers click HERE

Learnfest

I’ve been on the hunt for a workshop to do next year.  My goal is to do one a year.  I had such a great time at the 2 I attended this year.  I really wanted to go to Learnfest, but I was out of town with the registration started and the whole thing sold out in 4 hours.  Bummer.

So I was surfing the web yesterday and decided to check out Laura Novak’s photo blog (which I hadn’t checked in months) and there on the front page was a notice that someone had a ticket for sale.

Long story short, I scored the ticket!!  So I’m anxiously awaiting April.  The only bad thing is that it’s cut into my “studio fund”, so that will be pushed back a little longer, but I have time.  I’m on no schedule. 

I had coffee with 2 local photographers this morning in Alys Beach.  We ate yummy pastries, drank lots of caffine and had a great time.  I love the way photogs are so friendly and not “threatened” by each other.  It’s such a wonderful community.  If you have a second, go check them out.  Jessica James and Candice K.

Monday

Last week was like a whirlwind. I haven’t had a week like that in a very long time. I had 4 shoots, Christmas lights to put up, early dismissal from school, appointments for electrical bids on the studio, babysitting, birthday parties… just trying to think of all the stuff is stressing me out. BUT, this week, I thinned my schedule out and I’m taking it easy. I have some last minute orders to fill and a shoot later in the week.
I thought I’d share a couple pictures I took of us putting up the tree.
What I’d give for high ceilings… anyway, the studio is coming along. We cleaned out the rooms that I’m going to use and took 4 bids for the electricity. It’s looking like I’m going to have “electricity” under the tree for Christmas. I hope to have it on soon. I still need to get a shop vac in there. There’s some sheet rock that needs to come down. I think Chris is secretly looking forward to some of the demolition stuff. The dead bird is gone. Thank you Jackie. Cheri ran over it with a dolly loaded down with boxes earlier this week and I almost threw up. That crusty bird didn’t bother anyone but me… I don’t understand why. Have a happy week everyone. I’ll post some shoots soon. xoxo, Amy