End of an Era

That's how Donna Boucher described the fact that after the Pioneer Woman updated her website, there is no longer a photography section, which means no more posts by Donna.

This makes me a little more sad than it probably should.  After all, I read Donna's blog everyday (www.booshay.blogspot.com), and I'll still keep reading the PW site too.

I think I'm sad because that little Photography tab at the top of the Pioneer Woman website kind of changed my life.  I know that sounds drastic, but it's true.

I remember sitting on the couch, holding a sleeping baby that wouldn't seem to gain weight, while reading the "what the heck is aperture?" series learning everything I could about photography.  I wanted to take pictures of Kira in order to remember every second.  I read all of Donna's articles as well, and one time clicked on the link that took me to her personal blog mentioned above.  I remember reading she was near Madison, and a few months later I made the trip by myself, leaving my baby for the first time for more than an hour, and met with Donna.  My sister and I went back this past May, and I'm sure we'll go again this spring, if she'll let us.

After meeting Donna, whenever I read a tutorial she had written on the PW site I wanted to yell, I KNOW HER!

Anyway, I'm grateful that the PW led me to Donna, I'm just bummed that more can't learn from her on that huge, well visited site.  I have no doubt Miz Booshay will continue to change photographer's lives.

Another thing I'll miss are the contests that the PW had.  It was fun to see what other people submitted, and once one of my photos was on there as semi-finalist.  Call me silly, but it's one of the things I'm most proud about when it comes to my photography.

So, is it s huge deal in the grand scheme that there is no more Photography on the PW site?  Well no.  I guess I don't like change  : )

trip home

So, trying to get back on this blogging thing.

Tuesday night my mom, sister, and I went to the Taste of Home cooking school.  It's not really school, it's more just watching a cooking demo, but it's awesome.  And we go every year.  And every year my hair is the same and I wear the same vest.  And every year is great, though we never win the door prizes.  This year it was at a different location, but we had good seats : )

While I was home I did some last minute senior pictures for some twin boys.  These two boys are part of one of the greatest families I know.  I met them all when I worked at St. Peters.  I still can't believe that these two are old enough to need senior pictures.  I bet their mom feels the same.

A great love

So, I haven't blogged in a super long time.  Like, I had to reset my password because I had forgotten it. 

But, I went to a wedding on Saturday, and it was so incredible I wanted to spread the joy.

Jim, Kristin, and Emma live across the street from my parents.  Jim and Kristin got married on Saturday, and it was one of the best weddings I have ever been to.  My sister and I actually photographed it, and my mom was Kristin's personal attendant.  It was the first wedding that I photographed that I also had to bring the bride's wedding dress to the church! : )

It's going to be hard to put into words, but these two have a love that is so real.  The way Jim looked at Kristin literally took my breath away.  I think most grooms are excited and such when they see their bride, but I will never forget the look on Jim's face.  He adores her. 

 

Emma is Kristin's daughter from a previous relationship, but Jim is her dad, 100%.  At the wedding, after the vows, but before the kiss, the Pastor explained that just as Jim had a ring for Kristin, he had a gift for Emma as well.  He knelt down and gave her a bracelet with a charm that said Daughter and the date.  Jim didn't have a microphone near him, so the whole church couldn't hear what he was saying, but I was close enough to hear almost every word and it blew me away.  He told her how he loved her, how he always would, and how he would protect her and take care of her for the rest of her life.  I can't even type it or talk about it without getting tears in my eyes.

 

Such a special day.  So much love.

 



I wish I could put the feelings of the day into words, but I didn't even come close.  Moral of the story- if I can love my family half as fiercely as  Jim loves Kristin and Emma, I'll be doing well  : )