It’s February, FINALLY! I thought January would never end!

Although It’s my own fault, I’ll admit…

I spent most of the month wallowing in my own woes. Trying to decide if I should commit business suicide or try, try again. It’s hard to control your thoughts when you have too much time on your hands. Your mind never stops turning, churning, debating, and regretting. January is suppose to be a time of new beginnings; a chance to start new. All I wanted to do was lay in bed, not care about anything, and lose myself in the dramas of fictional characters. I avoided my camera like it was the plague, beat myself up over the last years choices, and wished I could sink so far down into my bed that no one would ever find me. I was having a severe case of the January lazy no motivation why do I even bothers. (I even took a trip down south hoping it would boost my mood, it didn’t. What I learned; just because your view may change doesn’t mean your point of view will.) Boo Hoo, poor me, I know. After a couple of weeks of wallowing and wanting to quit I began to think a little more logically. It wasn’t that I wanted to give up on my dream, there were just things about it I needed to reevaluate and change. I had to realize that just because something wasn’t going the way I intended for it to go it didn’t mean it was the end. So, enter the plan of action. I took time to evaluate the previous year and chalked it up to a learning experience. (Sometimes you have to try new things to find out if you like them or not.) Lessons learned. Then I made two lists 1.’Will not do again’ and 2. ‘Loved to do’.  After looking over the lists I noticed the ‘Loved to do’s’ far out numbered the ‘Will not do’s'! So, why was I only dwelling on the negatives?? Typical. After seeing everything on the lists laid out in front of me, it helped me put things back into perspective. I now feel like I can finally move forward and enjoy all that 2012 has to offer. I’m looking forward to stomping out a new path and trying out some new things! (Hint: I hope you like cats, and Black and White photography.)

Today is a new day. The sun is shining, Buckeye Chuck says spring is on it’s way, and there is a smile on my face. Things are most definitely looking up!

I have had such a great time doing this give-a-way! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each of your comments and learning more about your family holiday traditions! Thank you all so much for participating!

In my opinion I have saved the best for last…Santa Claus! (SAAANNTTAA!!!) Oh, how I adore Santa! The magic and mystery that surrounds him. The twinkle in my children’s eye as they anticipate his arrival. I love reading my children’s letters to him, and watching as they sit on his lap and tell him all about their Christmas wishes. I love how the kids write a special thank you note to Santa and put it out for him along with his cookies and milk on Christmas eve. I love sneaking into their rooms after they have been tucked into bed and seeing them gazing out their window trying to see Santa’s sleigh. Then Christmas morning rolls around and the kids hurry in to wake us up so we can see if Santa really came. We clamor down the stairs and there we see all the wonderful goodies! The stockings are full to the brim, the tree is surrounded by gifts, and the cookies and milk are gone! Immediately the conversation begins of “I heard reindeer on the rooftop last night!”, “I saw Santa’s sleigh in the sky!”, “I heard jingle bells in the middle of the night!”.  So much fun!

Tonight we are taking the kids to see Santa for what might be the last time. They are growing up so quickly, and honestly I’m surprised that we have gotten away with the secret of Santa as long as we have. I hope that they will always play along with me, because I love it!

Speaking of saving the best for last…today’s Give-a-way is.. a FREE ONE HOUR PHOTO SESSION!! Yay!

Just comment below with some of your favorite Santa memories or traditions to be entered in the drawing to win!

Anne Shreffler was yesterday’s winner! She will receive an 11×14 original fine art print from my store! Congrats Anne!

One of my favorite days of the year is Christmas Eve. There is something so special about that day. The anticipation of what’s to come, and the magical feeling in the air as you await the arrival of the big guy. We have a few traditions that we do on the eve of Christmas that are my absolute favorites. The first is opening one present before bed. Every year the gift is the same, yet different…It’s pajamas! We each get a new pair of p.j’s to wear to bed and to wake up in on Christmas morning. (You’ve got to look super cute for the pictures that are taken on Christmas morning!) This is something my husband and I started on our first Christmas together, and I hope both of my children continue the tradition with their families.

Another tradition we have on Christmas Eve is my husband reads ‘Twas the night Before Christmas’ to the whole family. I love sitting back and listening to him read, while watching the children sit silently with eyes full of wonder as they imagine all the story entails. These are memories I hold close to my heart and know I will always cherish.

Do you have a favorite Christmas Eve tradition? I would love to hear all about it!

Comment below for a chance to win a $50 JGP Gift Card!

**Please Note: You may not use Gift Cards toward previously purchased items. Gift Cards may be used toward a new print purchase or session fee only.

Nothing get’s me in the Christmas spirit like Christmas music! It’s true what Buddy the Elf say’s “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” That is exactly what I like to do…sing Christmas songs loudly and terribly! It’s become a Christmas tradition for me to sing as terribly as I can to Christmas songs. I don’t know why I do it, but it’s fun and makes me laugh. It makes me cheery!  My absolute favorite Christmas song is “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”!  It’s so fun and cute and just makes you want to dance around a bit. I mean who wouldn’t want a baby hippopotamus for Christmas?? Another favorite is ” The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) crooned by the one and only by Nat King Cole. There is just something about hearing this song that makes me feel so warm, and cozy. It’s one of those songs that makes you stop what your doing and just reminisce about Christmas’ past, and your heart swells with this feeling of complete happiness and contentment. It’s the epitome of Christmas.

Tell me about your favorite Christmas song. I really do love reading your comments and thoughts!

Today’s winner will receive an original JGP 11×14 Art Print or your choice! You can go here to see my work and choose which print you would like!

Have a Cheery day!

What would the Holiday’s be without movies? I love Christmas movies! Christmas movies are the only movies I can watch over and over. It’s something I look forward to every year! Those cheesy Hallmark and ABC Family movies are the best! My all time favorite has to be Elf. I LOVE that movie! There are so many scenes that make me laugh until I cry. So many great one liners! (I like to whisper too., I love smiling, smiling’s my favorite!, SANTA!! OH MY GOD!! I know him!)  The ending gets me every time, I might even cry a little…Yep it’s my favorite, I wish I were watching it right now!!

I want to know all about your favorite Christmas movie! Why is it your favorite? What’s your favorite quote or scene from the movie? Who do you like to watch it with?

Just comment below for your chance to win today’s give-a-way; TWO $25 JGP Gift Cards! One for you, and one for you to share with a friend! Be Merry!

**Please Note: You may not use Gift Cards toward previously purchased items. Gift Cards may be used toward a new print purchase or session fee only.

Today’s it’s all about the tree! We started a tradition last year of cutting down our own Christmas Tree. All I could think was, “Why haven’t we always done this??!” No lugging that giant box out of the basement, piling the branches in sections according to color code, getting scratches all over your arms and hands from trying to put it together, and sneezing until you almost die. (Yes, we were old school and did not have a tree that was pre-lit and pull-up!) Walking around in the woods with your family looking for the perfect tree, sawing it down and bringing it home was easy compared to that! I love this new tradition and I know it is something we will continue for years to come! It’s great family time, and just so much fun!

Here is a picture of my little lumberjacks pulling our tree back to the car…aren’t they sweet??

I want to know about your tree? Artificial or Real? Do you cut it yourself, or go to a lot? Are you still old school with the put together artificial or do you have the pre-lit?

Comment below for a chance to win today’s give-a-way! A $25 JGP Giftcard!

**Please Note: You may not use Gift Cards toward previously purchased items. Gift Cards may be used toward a new print purchase or session fee only.

It’s the time of year again! The hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is in full swing!

This year, I would like to treat you to a little something just to say “Thanks!”

I will begin a ’5 day’s of Holiday Give-a-ways’ tomorrow! Each day, Mon-Fri, I will be giving away a little something from me to you!

How does it work? I’m glad you asked!

Each day I will write a short blog about a favorite Holiday tradition. You will leave a comment on the blog entry and tell me what your thoughts are about that Holiday tradition. Your name will then be entered into a drawing, at the end of each day I will randomly draw a winner. I will announce the winner on the following day’s post. Easy peasy, right? I think so!

So, do you want to know what you’re going to win?? Then you’re going to have to check back daily! There’s a no peeking rule when it come’s to presents around here!

Wow, I can’t believe I made it all 31 days without quitting! I’m a notorious quitter so this is quite a spectacular feat, if I do say so myself. There are only a couple of things in my life that I haven’t quit and photography is one of them. I love how I am constantly learning, growing, and continuously passionate about it. It keeps me wanting, and needing more. I am so lucky to wake up every day and to do what I love! I definitely would not be where I am today without all the support of my family, friends, and clients! You all mean the world to me! Your encouraging words are what keep me going! So, today’s them is dedicated to you. I will never be able to truly express my gratitude to each and every one of you, but I hope that in some way I have been able to touch your life in positive manner. I ask that you please accept this deeply heart felt “Thank You” from me to you. ( Yay, for light painting! )

I remember being a kid and thinking that no one was stronger than my dad. I would argue with any other kid about how much stronger my dad was than theirs. He could carry a washing machine down a flight of stairs with no help, lift a car up off the ground with one hand, he could run faster and farther than anyone because his calf muscles were bigger than any other persons that had ever lived; he was unstoppable and gave the best hugs. My hero.

Now that I have my own daughter, I get to experience the awe of the amazing super dad all over again. She is daddy’s girl! There is nothing he can’t do! If it needs fixed, ask Daddy. If you get hurt, you run to Daddy. If you need help with your homework, you definitely go to Daddy! If you just need a hug, Daddy’s your man. He is unstoppable. I love watching the two of them together; they have this sweet unbreakable bond. I know my daughter will always be secure in who she is because she has a caring and loving father. She will know she should always be respected because she has an amazing Dad who treats her with respect daily. She will always know she is beautiful and loved because her Daddy has spoken those very words to her every day of her life. She will be strong because he has taught her to be so; her hero.

I’m not sure who said it best, Dorothy when she declared “There’s no place like home!”, or Edward Sharpe when he sang “Home is wherever I’m with you.” I agree with both; home is where you find the ones you love most and there is no place like it. I have lived in many different houses throughout my life and I can remember the number that hung on the front of almost everyone of them. Each number has been different but one thing remains the same; It’s where I have felt the most comfortable, the most loved, and the most secure. There is nothing that compares to walking though the door of the place you call home. The feeling of warmth, the familiar smell, the way the air feels around you…you breath it in, and instantly feel at ease. You can kick off your shoes, dance around in your skivvies, sing at the top of your lungs, and say and do whatever you please. It’s such a free feeling of total relaxation. There really is no place I would rather be, except maybe the beach…hmmm…now there’s a thought…