Sit down with your little ones and enjoy these excellent etiquette reads.
The Scallywags
by David Melling
http://www.amazon.com/Scallywags-Dav...f=cm_lmf_tit_3
Emily’s Everyday Manners
by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post
http://www.amazon.com/Emilys-Everyda...=cm_lmf_tit_11
The Golden Rule
by Ilene Cooper
http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Rule-Il...=cm_lmf_tit_15
Thingumajig Book of Manners
by Irene Keller
http://www.amazon.com/Thingumajig-Bo...=cm_lmf_tit_19
Please is a Good Word to Say
by Barbara Joosse
http://www.amazon.com/Please-Good-Wo...=cm_lmf_tit_21
Happy Reading!
jen lapel
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
New Year New Beginnings New Goals
So, the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and 2011 is here. I always experience this sort of melancholy feeling after the holidays. I wonder if I'm alone in that feeling or if other people get it too. It's not really a sadness - but more of a sort of calm, peace, and sense of reflection. Maybe "reflection" is a better word. I look back at the past year and can't believe another one has come and gone.
January of 2010 I decided that I wasn't going to make resolutions! I was not going to be one of "those people" who got all geared up for new changes and just fizzled out a few weeks or months later. Every year I made resolutions and every year I let myself down by not achieving them. Not in 2010! Nope, not me...I showed those silly people who make resolutions...you can't let yourself down if you don't ever put yourself out there. Well...you want to know what's interesting? When last year drew to a close, I felt a larger sense of disappointment by not having set any goals at all then I ever did by falling short of my goals in prior years. I sort of felt like although it was a great year filled with many weddings, my new photography hobby, and too many wonderful moments to count - it had no purpose.
So, here I go...it's 2011 and I'm making resolutions everyone! That's right...I am back! So, to hold myself accountable I'm sharing them with all of you. I read something interesting on Facebook recently. I believe it was Rhonda Riha who said that you should write your goals/resolutions as if you've already achieved them. THAT was something I had never tried before. So followers, here we go - In 2011 I joined a new fitness program, stayed 100% committed and was a huge success! In 2011, I made my education in photography a priority - took 4 classes, and attended one major photography conference. In 2011, I consistently updated my blog every 2 weeks! In 2011 I achieved balance in the personal, professional, and spiritual aspects of my life!
Ah...that felt great! Okay, now on to the pictures. The first pictures of the year need to be extra special so I'm going to share some pictures of my nephew who is now 8 days old. My friend Shanda (you remember her) came over yesterday and we spent nearly 4 hours with little Zander. She is a great teacher and I'm lucky that she's so generous with her knowledge and her time. Happy New Year!
January of 2010 I decided that I wasn't going to make resolutions! I was not going to be one of "those people" who got all geared up for new changes and just fizzled out a few weeks or months later. Every year I made resolutions and every year I let myself down by not achieving them. Not in 2010! Nope, not me...I showed those silly people who make resolutions...you can't let yourself down if you don't ever put yourself out there. Well...you want to know what's interesting? When last year drew to a close, I felt a larger sense of disappointment by not having set any goals at all then I ever did by falling short of my goals in prior years. I sort of felt like although it was a great year filled with many weddings, my new photography hobby, and too many wonderful moments to count - it had no purpose.
So, here I go...it's 2011 and I'm making resolutions everyone! That's right...I am back! So, to hold myself accountable I'm sharing them with all of you. I read something interesting on Facebook recently. I believe it was Rhonda Riha who said that you should write your goals/resolutions as if you've already achieved them. THAT was something I had never tried before. So followers, here we go - In 2011 I joined a new fitness program, stayed 100% committed and was a huge success! In 2011, I made my education in photography a priority - took 4 classes, and attended one major photography conference. In 2011, I consistently updated my blog every 2 weeks! In 2011 I achieved balance in the personal, professional, and spiritual aspects of my life!
Ah...that felt great! Okay, now on to the pictures. The first pictures of the year need to be extra special so I'm going to share some pictures of my nephew who is now 8 days old. My friend Shanda (you remember her) came over yesterday and we spent nearly 4 hours with little Zander. She is a great teacher and I'm lucky that she's so generous with her knowledge and her time. Happy New Year!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Santa Baby
So the holidays are approaching like a runaway locomotive and everyone's scrambling to make those lists, check them twice, act a little naughty, act a little nice...you know the standard early December activities. Another very important thing on everyone's list is getting their Christmas Cards ready to go, and for many that includes an updated picture of their children or family. For this post, I'd thought I'd share some recent pictures of my favorite little ones campaigning for Santa's "Nice" list. Can you tell which one is campaigning a little harder?
This is my favorite little guy, Cooper. Cooper is just right at 6 months old now. He was the first newborn I ever photographed (and one of the only so far really). I love Cooper and his mommy because they have an edgy style that allows me to really have fun and take some original photos.
And this....is baby Emersyn. Em is about 8 1/2 months old now - you might remember her from my September post when she had her 6 month birthday. I've vowed not to include the photo from that day when she sat in the grass in a tutu and leg warmers crying...but someday I will just HAVE to post it because it is too funny not to share. Anyway, this is Emersyn putting her most angelic expressions on in an effort to maybe charm the gifts out of old St. Nick.
This is my favorite little guy, Cooper. Cooper is just right at 6 months old now. He was the first newborn I ever photographed (and one of the only so far really). I love Cooper and his mommy because they have an edgy style that allows me to really have fun and take some original photos.
And this....is baby Emersyn. Em is about 8 1/2 months old now - you might remember her from my September post when she had her 6 month birthday. I've vowed not to include the photo from that day when she sat in the grass in a tutu and leg warmers crying...but someday I will just HAVE to post it because it is too funny not to share. Anyway, this is Emersyn putting her most angelic expressions on in an effort to maybe charm the gifts out of old St. Nick.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Story of a Friendship
I can't believe it was almost a decade ago that I met Tracy. We were working together and one evening (two nights before Thanksgiving as a matter of fact) she invited me to happy hour after work. I reluctantly agreed to go and only planned on staying for a little bit. Somewhere in the middle of a few drinks, a giant plate of nachos, and too many laughs to count Tracy and I became friends.
Fast forward 9 years-ish - we are both married...Tracy has two children, Ethan and Ava...we work at different places...no longer live in the same city...and no longer spend nearly every weekend together - and...Tracy is still once of my closest friends. So as I sit here getting ready to upload pictures of her beautiful children, only a few days before Thanksgiving, I can't help but think of my friend and feel a little nostalgic. I think I'll have some nachos....
Fast forward 9 years-ish - we are both married...Tracy has two children, Ethan and Ava...we work at different places...no longer live in the same city...and no longer spend nearly every weekend together - and...Tracy is still once of my closest friends. So as I sit here getting ready to upload pictures of her beautiful children, only a few days before Thanksgiving, I can't help but think of my friend and feel a little nostalgic. I think I'll have some nachos....
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Fall Fun
Hasn't this fall been so fun!? The weather has been crisp and blustery but not annoyingly so. We have sun and rain and falling leaves from color turning trees, and wind and calm and everything in between. It's really been the most perfect fall season I remember for a very long time. Maybe that's because I've been busy busy taking pictures and researching workshops - at least I'm sure that's part of my obsession with this season.
Some of you will be happy to hear that I've applied for membership with the Professional Photographers of Iowa as well as the Professional Photographers of Nebraska. Being a member of those two associations should help expose me to some new learning opportunities. I'm excited to tell you that I'm going to attend the PP of Iowa Winter Convention in February. It's 5 days of concentrated learning and sharing about the creative and business sides of photography. And...it's only 2 hours away in DesMoines. This has certainly helped catapult me out of that nasty waiting place. What makes it even more exciting is that I think Shanda and Teresa (my new photo bug friend) are going to go too!
Okay, so back to my obsession with this fabulous fall season...perhaps I've been so obsessed because I've had the opportunity to be outside in the brisk weather with some old friends that are entering new exciting phases of their lives....
This is Emily and Jared -they are expecting their first child (isn't he cute?!) in early December.
Joyce and Rich are engaged and getting married next summer. Best wishes to them for a long and happy marriage!
This .... is Sky. She moved to Arizona with her family and is starting her new adventure there. On a visit back to Omaha to see her Grandma, I got to steal her away for a morning of pictures at the park.
Some of you will be happy to hear that I've applied for membership with the Professional Photographers of Iowa as well as the Professional Photographers of Nebraska. Being a member of those two associations should help expose me to some new learning opportunities. I'm excited to tell you that I'm going to attend the PP of Iowa Winter Convention in February. It's 5 days of concentrated learning and sharing about the creative and business sides of photography. And...it's only 2 hours away in DesMoines. This has certainly helped catapult me out of that nasty waiting place. What makes it even more exciting is that I think Shanda and Teresa (my new photo bug friend) are going to go too!
Okay, so back to my obsession with this fabulous fall season...perhaps I've been so obsessed because I've had the opportunity to be outside in the brisk weather with some old friends that are entering new exciting phases of their lives....
This is Emily and Jared -they are expecting their first child (isn't he cute?!) in early December.
Joyce and Rich are engaged and getting married next summer. Best wishes to them for a long and happy marriage!
This .... is Sky. She moved to Arizona with her family and is starting her new adventure there. On a visit back to Omaha to see her Grandma, I got to steal her away for a morning of pictures at the park.
Don't you just LOVE fall!!??
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Waiting Place
I was driving home from the grocery store tonight when something occurred to me - I've somehow ended up in "the waiting place" when it comes to this journey. Those of you familiar with "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss will know exactly what I'm talking about. For those of you who are not familiar - you should read it. My version goes like this -I am waiting until I can justify buying that new camera or lens or I want, waiting to find the "perfect" workshop to attend, waiting for approval and criticisms, waiting waiting waiting. And amidst all of this waiting, I've become a bit stagnant in my learning phase...maybe even a bit disillusioned.
So, I've had this self revelation, now what? I wish I could say that I came home and instantly signed up for 3 more classes and a workshop and miraculously found a pile of money laying around to buy all the things I want and think I need. But my friends that is not the case. What I did instead was to quickly put all of my frozen and refrigerated foods away. I grabbed my favorite 19 month old, Lola, and my camera and headed out for a walk. I just needed the fresh air and to spend some time with my girl. We got to the park near my house and I let her off her leash. Don't panic, she's a well trained dog and I've done this with her before. We ran and played and I managed to snap a few pictures of her before the sun finally set.
I needed that walk, and the fresh air, and the fun with Lola to remind me why I started this journey. I also have to remember balance and patience. I can be patient... and yet still make progress. So, for now, I will sign up for 1 more class and commit to pick a workshop to attend for my birthday in March. And, just like that...I begin to leave "the waiting place."
So, I've had this self revelation, now what? I wish I could say that I came home and instantly signed up for 3 more classes and a workshop and miraculously found a pile of money laying around to buy all the things I want and think I need. But my friends that is not the case. What I did instead was to quickly put all of my frozen and refrigerated foods away. I grabbed my favorite 19 month old, Lola, and my camera and headed out for a walk. I just needed the fresh air and to spend some time with my girl. We got to the park near my house and I let her off her leash. Don't panic, she's a well trained dog and I've done this with her before. We ran and played and I managed to snap a few pictures of her before the sun finally set.
I needed that walk, and the fresh air, and the fun with Lola to remind me why I started this journey. I also have to remember balance and patience. I can be patient... and yet still make progress. So, for now, I will sign up for 1 more class and commit to pick a workshop to attend for my birthday in March. And, just like that...I begin to leave "the waiting place."
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Labor and Delivery
Well everyone, here are the much anticipated first ever labor and delivery photos I've ever taken. Okay...so maybe I am the only one that was anticipating this day? Surely not...at any rate, I had been waiting in anticipation for many weeks for this day to come and finally it did - Kristen delivered baby Levi on Friday, September 17th at 7:53 PM. I was honored to be invited to photograph the whole thing.
Having never witnessed a live birth, let alone photograph one, I was filled with a variety of emotions when I pulled into the hospital parking lot. Excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and fear all took their turns in my mind as I walked through the doors. I found Kristen's room, which was filled with a very warm friendly family - to say I was nervous would be an understatement. It wasn't long after I got there, when the nurse sent the family out of the room and announced that we were going to be pushing soon. I could hardly contain my excitement. After only about an hour, baby Levi was born - 21 inches long, 7lbs 10 ounces. Words cannot express what a beautiful and emotional experience this was for me.
Congratulations to Kristen and Ryan and thank you a million times over for allowing me to experience such a deeply personal and special moment in your lives. You made this experience one that I'll never forget.
Having never witnessed a live birth, let alone photograph one, I was filled with a variety of emotions when I pulled into the hospital parking lot. Excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and fear all took their turns in my mind as I walked through the doors. I found Kristen's room, which was filled with a very warm friendly family - to say I was nervous would be an understatement. It wasn't long after I got there, when the nurse sent the family out of the room and announced that we were going to be pushing soon. I could hardly contain my excitement. After only about an hour, baby Levi was born - 21 inches long, 7lbs 10 ounces. Words cannot express what a beautiful and emotional experience this was for me.
Congratulations to Kristen and Ryan and thank you a million times over for allowing me to experience such a deeply personal and special moment in your lives. You made this experience one that I'll never forget.
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