Happy Mother’s Day!!

I decided to be a little goofy and channel my inner child (and copy an idea off of Pinterest) for Mother’s Day by having craft time and making my Mom a gift.  You know, the kind of gift that only a Mom would love.  And she has to love it because she’s your Mom no matter how ugly it is or how badly it didn’t work out because when you originally planned on making this certain gift you didn’t think about how your own 29 year old hands are WAY bigger than the little kid hands used to make the ones you saw on Pinterest.  Yes, that was a really long sentence.  And yes, I think it’s great that I’m 29 and made my Mom something for Mother’s Day this year.  But come on, she’s not just going to love it because she has to, she’s going to love it because it totally looks like a pretty purple-petalled flower, right?  Right???

  Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom and all the Mothers out there!!  But mine’s the best.  ;)

 

Mira’s Bat Mitzvah : Sandy Spring, MD

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet girl, Mira’s, day of Bat Mitzvah festivities.  I started out at The Meeting House in Columbia for a few formal photos before the service began, then headed to The Oak Room for an ice cream themed party to celebrate just how awesome this new woman is.

Mira, you were a sweetheart from the moment I met you all those months ago and I’m so happy I was able to document your day for you.  You were a pro in front of the camera, although I’m sorry I blinded you outside!  Thank you and your family so much for having me.  I wish you all the best for your future.  It was evident how proud you’ve made your parents and I’m sure you’ll continue to do so.  Oh, and I fell more and more in love with your dress as I went through your photos!  :)

The family looked fantastic for the day!

Ice cream flavors for the table names….cute idea!

Just my opinion…..my favorite photo from the whole day.  To me, it just exudes happiness and fun.

Hula hoops were a big hit.

This little girl was nothing but energy.  I loved it.  :)

Pepsi/Coke game!!  This was Dr Pepper when everyone had to bow to Mira.

Cupid Shuffle time!!!

Mira’s family put together a slideshow of pictures of Mira through the years that they showed during the party.  They’re always really sweet moments.

Laura, Mira’s Mom, might hate me for this one, but I had to share….a Mother’s love is like no other.

Hora time!!

I like going up to a group of guys and telling them to give me a cool pose…..good work guys…..you delivered  :)

You can’t have an ice cream themed party without an ice cream bar!

I could have photographed this girl with a hula hoop all day!!  This is just the beginning of the awesome shots I got of her.

Told you!

And they only got better!  My favorite!

One Year Without You

Grammaw,

It was one year ago today that you left this earth.  The pain is just as strong as it was a year ago if I sit and think about it.  I think about and miss you all the time.  My thoughts are many times plagued by things that start with “I regret”, “I wish”, “I hope”, “If only”……I don’t know if those thoughts will ever go away.  I’m sure they’ll get better with time, but being only one year later it’s all still a little hard to cope with.  I try to make myself feel better by reassuring myself that I’ll get to see you again one day.  It’s just hard because that’s still (hopefully!) so far away.  I’m scared about over time forgetting things like what your laugh sounded like.  I’m glad I can always look at pictures to remind myself of just how beautiful your blue eyes were.  And I don’t want to forget what your hugs felt like.  Oh your hugs…..I can’t wait to one day get to feel your hugs again…..that kind of hug that only Grandma’s know how to give.  It makes me smile to just think about it.  And thinking about you does make me smile.  My thoughts aren’t always full of sadness.  I remember back on lots of memories with you.  I wish we could have made even more together.  There I go with that “I wish” thing again.  You were such an amazing Grandmother to my sister and me.  I couldn’t have asked for better.  And I know you’re up there looking down on me being a just as amazing angel.  There have been a few times this past year when I know you’ve kept me safe and I thank you so much for that.  There have been a few times when I’ve asked you to just help me to feel okay or to help me get through some things and I’ve always made it by feeling like you were there with me.  And on my birthday this year, I know that gorgeous sunset was a gift from you.  I look forward to going through this life of mine knowing I have an angel watching over me.  An angel with the most gorgeous blue eyes.

I love you forever,

Lauren

 

This helped me when you passed, and it still does to this day:

I shine in the light of God;

His likeness stamps my brow;

Through the Valley of Death my feet have trod

And I reign in glory now!

No breaking heart is here,

No keen and thrilling pain,

No wasted cheek where the frequent tear

Hath rolled and left its stain.

O friends of mortal years,

The trusted and the true,

Ye are watching still in the valley of tears

But I wait to welcome you.

Do I forget?  O no!

For memory’s golden chain

Shall bind my heart to the hearts below

Till they meet to touch again.

Each link is strong and bright,

And love’s electric flame

Flows freely down, like a river of light,

To the world from whence I came.

Do you mourn when another star

Shines out from the glittering sky?

Do you weep when the raging voice of war

And the storms of conflict die?

Then why should your tears run down,

And your hearts be sorely riven,

For another gem in the Saviour’s crown,

And another soul in Heaven?

Don’t mind the horrible cell phone picture…

Not Just A Coffee Mug

I used to just have this.

But that was always a tease and made me want something else.  And now, my friends, I have it….

Are you thinking I’m crazy and wondering what the big deal is?  Can’t tell the difference because they both have this exact thing on them??

Well there is a HUGE difference!  I don’t just have a 24-70mm coffee mug anymore!  That’s right….it was just a coffee mug.  Well not JUST a coffee mug because it’s an awesome coffee mug, but you know what I mean.  I’m one excited photographer because now…..drum roll……my lens collection is complete!!  There isn’t another one that I really want!  I guess that means new camera time!  ;)

And I get to try this new beauty out at a fun Bat Mitzvah today!

Anne + Ryan : Ellicott City, MD Wedding

I told you I would blog a new wedding soon.  :)

Two weekends ago I got to tag along with the amazing Dani of Dani Leigh Photography for Anne and Ryan’s wedding at the Howard County Conservancy (I seem to go there a lot!).  I always have a blast with Dani and it made it that much better that Anne and Ryan were super nice and had a beautiful wedding and fun reception.  Sometimes Dani has me start out with the guys while they get ready while she’s away with the bride and all the ladies getting ready.  While that means I have to miss out on the dress and shoes and all that pretty girlie stuff, it’s okay because the guys are always so much fun!  And umm…..Ryan just might be a real cutie and I just might have taken a ton of pictures of him.  Maybe.  Good job, Anne!  ;)

A tux and a gun….told you the guys are fun!

Like I said…..a ton of pictures.  I liked them all so much I just couldn’t help but share a bunch!

Ok, ok, enough of Ryan and the guys.  Onto the wedding.  Not sure what it is, but I’m in love with this picture of Anne walking down the aisle.

Dani brought cute props.

Father/daughter dance…..

Just a little cake down the dress.  No big deal.

Girl fight?

Thank you so much for having me, Dani!  You’re the best, as always!

F A C E B O O K