Ramblings of a photographer….

I have to admit.  I love shooting sports as much as I do weddings.  The fast pace of a basketball game or the thrill of a football game is as exciting as making a bride feel beautiful on her wedding day.  But there are times during sporting events when my mind slips, the game is not close and I look for other things to capture with my camera.  Normally it is parents or coaches, but sometime it is the cheerleaders or another photographer.

My boy goes hard all the time.  He plays hard.  He fights hard.  He loves hard.  He’s just that way.  God made him with a passionate heart.  So after last week’s game and and injury I got a little side tracked.  After all, we’d been up and down the court a gazillion times.

He tweaked his leg during the game and then hurt it and had to be helped off the court.

So my attention wained.  I love my team but I love watching my boy even more.

So Coach Dre drew my attention….. (sorry in advance Coach)

The many faces of Dre…..

 

I wonder what he is thinking……

Certainly here he is praying!!! 🙂

So here is to a great season guys!  Ms. Julie loves ya!!

You too Coach!!


The Comfort Zone

My husband will quickly tell you that I like my comfort zone.  It’s, well, comfy.

My bed.

My pillows,

My fan blowing creating white noise.

Teenagers blow that out of the water…..

Not the sleeping part but all the rest of one’s life.  So we work to find ways to fit into their world and they into ours.  One thing we did this year that was TOTALLY different than anything we had done before was a ski vacation.  Utah, on top of that.  Because I didn’t grow up with such vacations I hesitated introducing our pack to said sacred “mommy/daddy” vacations.

Alas, we had a blast!  Fractured wrist and all.

More recently my daughter and I travelled to Wisconsin to visit her best friend as they have recently relocated because of careers.  Girl TIME!!!

I’m not a fan of airplanes but the two hour direct flight wasn’t bad and we had a great time.

I never knew that part of the country was so beautiful during this time of the year.

Lake Michigan…..

The lake looked like an ocean…..

And was clear and cold as ice!  Anna was the only one brave enough to touch the rocks.  I definitely got wet but it was because I slipped!  You won’t be seeing that photo!

The stones in the water and sand were as smooth as those you would find in a creek bed.

Those just had to make the trip back to Florida with us!

And these two had a blast together!  We miss you Anna!!!

We promise you can come to Florida when the snow is four feet high there!!!

 


Food Photography

Today in our Digital Photography Class we photographed all kinds of food, goodies and treats.  I had a blast with my class!!

I wanted a place to share with my parents what we did today so here is a small sampling of photos I took!

Master Chef Zach made us all types of pancakes.  I saw skittles, chocolate chips, and an array of strange things being cooked inside pancakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love these guys!!!  They are my extended children!


Life with Teenagers

Our lives are getting ready to encompass three teenagers.

One 15, one 14 and one 13.

Only our baby girl is hanging out at age 10.

I’m not sure there is anyting in life that prepares you for teenagers unless it is remembering back on your own teenage years and possibly talking to your mom everyday to remind you of what that was like.

Since mom is dancing happily with Jesus now I rely on my dad, my husbands memories, friends and God.

I thought three in diapers was hard.

There are football games, and homework and a new school to get accustomed to this year.  Football practice is five days a week.  Two of my boys leave at 8am and return around 7pm.  It is like having a job and more!

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It’s a new season of our lives.  I’m proud of my kids and my two who play football starting as freshmen.  They are tough, talented and blessed.  They attend two different schools and play for two different teams.

HCS vs Westminster-12

 

It’s a crazy year.

But God always pulls through and provides for us.  Drivers.  Carpools.  Community.

How are you guys handling the new year with new grades and kiddos all over the place?


Winding up for Summer!

Life has been full of end of the year activities.

A football game that ended in a concussion for one of my boys.

A very hurt toe for baby girl.

And several weddings for me.

Today I took my camera out armed with a plastic bag over the lens just to have fun.  I left a small opening in the middle for focusing.  Here’s my setup:

 

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Classy, huh?

And here are the fun photos this produced:

The top of a mushroom…

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Our “very fast” guinea pig’s curious nose…

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The perch coming out of our bird feeder…

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and a closeup of one of those garden balls in my neighbor’s yard…

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After a busy month is was nice to take a few minutes to play.  Speaking of which, I think I hear the pool calling!  Have a great day!


Fall and Holiday Photos

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On School and Other Happenings…

School began for three of my four children last Wednesday.  The fourth child started yesterday.  As we begin another year of transition we find one child going from private to public school.   In the last three years we have:

  • moved from SC to FLA
  • gone from homeschooling to some kids in school
  • gone from that school set up to all kids in school last year
  • then two sick boys who didn’t get to complete their football season
  • this year we have one in public, three in private and two playing football

I think I’m tired!

This goes right along with all the changes my husband goes through at work.  It’s sometimes difficult to stop and breathe.

Our family motto has changed from “I forgot what it was” to “Happy, Happy, Happy” from Duck Dynasty.

Yep, we’ve hit an all time low.

I’d be proud to say we came up with something on our own but why do that when I can steal from the shows my husband watches.

No, I don’t watch Duck Dynasty.  I have to put my foot down somewhere.

In other big news…..my niece is engaged to a wonderful young man.  I shoot their wedding in January.  Yep, I’m excited!!!

Congratulations Matt and Korey!!!


Where does summer go?

First, let me get a protest out of the way.  Summer homework is for the birds.  ‘nuf said!

My protest leads me into the ever-quickening pace of our summers.

As a child they seemed to last indefinitely.  I don’t remember summer projects assigned by teachers.  I remember making hammocks out of mom’s sheets, lemonade stands, the pool, learning to drive the riding lawn mower and catching fire flies.

There are no fire flies in Jacksonville!  There are, however, summer projects along with a host of other wonderful blessing like tons of frogs (which I love catching).

It seems summer barely begins and then we’re in the heat of midsummer.  I turn around, maybe twice, and school is upon us again.

When the bible talks about this life being fleeting in the face of eternity it’s truth is never more evident as an adult with children.  One moment you hold your newborn and the next you are learning how to let go and allow them to be mini-adults.

It’s sad for this mommy.  It’s also rewarding, frustrating, glorious and crazy – all wrapped up in one!

When they were little I kept them safe from climbing steps, falling on the cement and my husband and I kissed boo-boos and passed onto them out love of campfires.

Babysitters helped them make visors that were actually proud to wear!  And while my photography skills have increased my babies are growing up……

Taking care of the “bare necessities” of life were quite uncomplicated compared to our new found role as parents to teens, tweens and an almost tween.  Hoping they live their lives for God, make good choices, choose their friends wisely, don’t speed, be respectful……and all that jazz!

All of that is much harder than wrapping them in warm jackets and finding their favorite shoes.

Sometimes I wish we could flash freeze moments as to return and look at them with eyes full of wisdom from the future.  A multi-dimensional stop in time to appreciate all that was in that moment.  The baby voice, the tiny shoes, the cries of protest, the trusting child, the Barney songs, the little hand in ours and even the smelly diapers that are just too quickly gone.

I think we need more summers.  Not the break from school summer, but the “let’s go have fun and leave our worries behind” summers.  God knew how badly I needed a husband who has a summer outlook on life.  He pulls me out of me seriousness and says, “Let’s go have fun.”  He tries new food, catapults from airplanes and dares to live life on the edge as I sit with my feet firmly planted on the ground.   “For it is safe here young padawan!”

I need more summer.  More of an ability to trust the Father and swing high from the branches of His tree.  To squeal like a little girl and to run with wild abandon.  To rest.  To listen.  To be quiet.

Homeschooling, although crazy as it got at times, allowed more summer into our lives.  With all the children in school there is less summer.  As they grow into their responsibilities as young adults days spent riding big wheels in the drive way and picnics in the gazebo come less often.  Schedules fill up.  Time to “just be” falls away.

I believe my goal for the coming academic year (non summer) is to schedule one day of summer into each month.  A day or a night where the whole family does something…..anything just to pause, have fun and enjoy the sunshine, the lemonade and the homemade hammock.

And I have just the man to do it with!  Hold me accountable baby!!!

 


On Grumpy Days…

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How are you on grumpy days?

They kick my hiney!

These are the days I often secretly beg someone to “make my day” because I know I can tackle anyone who bucks up against me.  These are also the days my introverted side wants to hide in a hole until it feels better.  (Insert above photo)  But my innerlion wages the war, ready for a good fight – with anyone!

While I appear quite normal on the outside you should hear the conversation inside my head…

It’s anything but normal!  (Be warned here)….remember the Lion ROARS!  So the voices fight with one another….

“Be nice.”

“What do you mean be nice?  Did you see what he did? 

“That’s not Christian Julie….be kind.”

“Sometimes I want to exit stage left and be ugly for a while?”  Everyone close your eyes!

But I also know the ugliness hurts me and others around me.

“People are needy.  They ask questions when I want silence.  

On my bad, tired, lonely, angry days these are the voices that roar for my attention.  While you see the smile the war battles within.  And I know I’m not alone.

These voices tell me I’m empty, when I’ve gone past myself.  I need a break.  My mommy’s vacation is coming soon.  Just a few days alone without the words: mom, laundry, folding, litter box, or the dog needs to pee.

Do you pick yourself up by your bootstraps on these days or do you give in to it with a grace that keeps your mouth shut and your heart leaning towards the Father?

Hey, if anyone wants to growl with me I have a dark closet.  I won’t bite, but you may be scared.  Well, I take that back.  I might bite.  But we could have separate cages!

Until nice julie comes back……i leave you with …… grrrrrrrrr……

Later I’ll buy you a Starbucks and lemon cake!  Like me and my hubbie had the other night.  We’ll sit and sip coffee and lick icing……

and we’ll talk about God and how good He is……

and I’ll forget my grumpy self in the light of His love.  And won’t you be glad?

 

 

 


Stopping in…

…to say hello! (notice anything wrong here?   Hint:  the four in the back were once ALL different heights!)

Life has been crazy since summer break began.  The day my second born got out of school we high-tailed it to Atlantic Beach, NC to vacation with my family.  We were escorted all the way up the east coast by Tropical Storm Andrea.  Literally, we were in the middle of the storm the entire 10 hour ride from Florida to North Carolina.

I packed the car in between bands of rain and wind as Rocketman worked hard to get out of the office early so we could begin our journey.  With our car top carrier firmly in place and my excellent duct tape job (so rain would not penetrate our belongings) we headed 10 hours north to be at the beach (which we live 10 minutes away from in FL).  Yea, it’s a little crazy, but I grew up going to the beach at Atlantic Beach, NC.  It’s home as far as vacation is concerned.

Saturday we awakened to a sea churning from the storm and a Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament waiting to get underway.  I love it when our trip coincides with the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.  There was some rocky fishing all week at the wind churned the ocean like toilet water.

What a perfect time for Boys vs Ocean!

While dad takes baby girl out into the sea!

Finally on Friday, out last day, the we had a land breeze which made for excellent swells. It was the most perfect day.  The weather, the ocean, the playing, the sky…all beautifully made for us that day.

Arriving home found us dealing with an unpredictable bike accident and 7 hours in the ER on Saturday afternoon.  My sweet hubbie had quite the collision with a car door on his bicycle.  After multiple CAT scans and X-rays we were released with lots of “feel-good” meds and sent home.  He has recovered remarkably well and is working in Omaha this week.  Men!  They are like the Energizer bunny!

Then came the arrival of my good friend, Kathy, from SC.  She’s here with me now.  We’ve slept, cooked, shopped a little, slept some more and had a grand ole time doing nothing.  Friday we leave for the IMG Acadamy 7 on 7 Tournament with teams from all over the US.  My oldest is playing in the tournament and I’m photographing the event.  I can’t wait!!

I’m staring down the barrel of JULY and then another school year.  I vote for 5 months of summer instead of 2 and a half.

Who agrees?

If you are interested in a tear-jerker head on over to Scooper’s blog for her amazing 40th Birthday story…..She’s just the best!  I love you girl!

Until after Tampa and lots of football photos…….here’s my precious baby girl turning into a woman right before my eyes.  Sigh…….


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