Today Is Special

I don't know why exactly, but today is special.  I don't know what is special about it really, it just is.  Now I know I might sound crazy, but trust me, it's true.

I was driving to work this morning (late of course) and instead of the usual anxiety I feel commuting downtown amongst all the traffic - I felt very much at ease. The sky had this sort of orangey warmth I can't quite explain.  And instead of turning my radio up as loud as it would go so that I could scream along with all the songs...I turned it off.  And I was happy.

I went about my work day as usual and had forgotten about my amazing drive in to work until....until I left work and got in my car for the drive home.  And sure enough, I had the same experience...the same calm sort of happiness. 

I don't know if it's Fall, the leaves starting to turn, or the perfect temperature of the day...but something is making it special.  The air even smells different, better, but different...and the breeze feels different on my face.  Everything about today feels different and amazing.

So - today may not have produced anything extraordinary for me in terms of actual events.  However, something made me stop and take notice of all the beauty that exists in a given day.  Even when we're drudging ourselves into work in the morning or rushing home to see our families at night. All of that beauty is there all of the time, if we just take a minute to notice.  And today...for whatever reason...I noticed. 

And that made this day magical for me.  :)

Here's to wishing you all a magical tomorrow.....

First Day of Fall

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
~Albert Camus

September 23rd is the first day of autumn. Celebrate with your little ones with these adorable crafts and treats.

Pumpkin Seed Mosaic Arthttp://naturenest.wordpress.com/2008...ll-kids-craft/

Fall Leaf MobileCreate fall leaf cutouts from construction paper, fine cardboard or felt. Tape the leaves to thin ribbons, string or twine. Attach each string to a small branch and hang it where it can spin freely for all to enjoy!

Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sprinkle with nutmeg, and voila!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/harvest...es/detail.aspx

Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
Enjoy with a glass of apple cider.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/oatmeal...es/detail.aspx

Happy Autumn from Jen Lapel Photography!

September is National Children’s Good Manners Month!

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

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!

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. 

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....

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.

Don't you just LOVE fall!!??