Awkward and Awesome Thursday! - Omaha Professional Children's Photographer

Awesome & Awkward Thursday!

Hi all!  Thanks for stopping by for another Awesome & Awkward Thursday! post. :)  I have to admit there were more AWESOME things happening than AwKwArD and for that, as always, I am eternally grateful. :)

Awkward

• Ummm....the above photo?  My youngest can lick her armpit and she acts as if she should win a gold medal or be nationally recognized because of her amazing amount of silliness 'talent'.  ....She takes after her father. For real.

• Meeting the Mom of one of Lela's friends.  That part wasn't awkward.  She is actually quite nice.  The awkward part came when her college aged son came out of the house to go for a run and she proceeded to tell Becca, "This one is a good boy but he's to old for you- I have a 19 yr. old son.  Maybe you should come by more often? eh??"   ..... blink blink ...... *inside my head I said* "UM NO?  ARE YOU KIDDING?!?! She's ONLY 15!" .....  - Instead, I kept my composure and said, "Or maybe not at all.  I don't think her dad is in any big hurry for her to start dating.  Besides, your 19 yr old is still to old for Becca.  She's 15." *smiling through teeth*  Meanwhile Becca is a standing with a big grin on her face and glowing a lovely shade of blush.  I really think I'm going to lock that girl in a closet.  ...... 45 sounds like a good age for her to start dating to me, what do you think? 

Awesome

• My nieces are here visiting from Illinois!!! :D  *doing happy dance*  I get to keep these little lovelies for 12 days and I intend to soak up every last minute of their visit.  I look forward to this every summer.  These girls have such a big piece of my heart.  Aren't they just adorable?!
• Sitting outside with my neighbors in the evenings watching the kids play and visiting until the street lights come on.
• Running errands with my brother-in-law while he is here visiting.  It's nice to spend some quality time with him. <3
• Sunshine and my girls' laughter.
• Having chats with Kendra, my youngest sister, on the phone and her sharing how to make homemade wine :D
• Drive-thrus  ....namely Jimmy John's ;)

Remember to visit Missie and Heather's blogs to see what Awesome&Awkward Thursday! things they have to share with you this week.  :)  Have a great week and see you next week!

Wordless Wednesday - Omaha Professional Children's Photographer

June Photography Challenge - From a Distance - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 27th

From a Distance

We went to the Lewis and Clark Monument Park in Council Bluffs, IA to see what the flooding looks like from the bluffs. It was very surreal to see the tips of trees just peeking out from the water in the flooded areas.  You can see how it is creeping up to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, NE and how parts of 29 are underwater.  Here are a few of the things you might see if you visited the Lewis and Clark Monument.

June Photography Challenge - Animal - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 24th

Animal

Meet Mij - our loving, super sweet, funny and scared out of his mind, chihuahua puppy (he'll be a year old this October).  He has the funniest and sweetest personality.  He is quite endearing and loves to cuddle with everybody and especially adores little babies! There's just one problem ..... He hates the world outside of his little space he calls home.  Well, maybe hate is a strong word.  I think he really wants to enjoy it but he is afraid somebody or something might eat him. He looks at other dogs as if they are some strange alien species that he does not recognize and he literally is afraid of his own shadow in the deck door!  Poor little guy, he really needs to get some confidence and realize that there is no way any of us would let something happen to him.  Nevertheless we can't seem to convince him otherwise.  Maybe one day....



Awesome & Awkward Thursday! - Omaha Professional Photographer

Awesome & Awkward Thursday!

Here's to another week of awesomeness with a bit of awkwardness to keep it real! :)  Hope you enjoy the post and be sure to check back next week to see what Awesome & Awkward things happen around here!

Awkward

• Forgetting today is THURSDAY! and posting this so late in the afternoon.
• Taking my sweet and lovely teenager to a doctor appointment and having her "shush" me in front of the doctor so that she could answer the questions the way she saw fit. 
• Taking the girls to get donuts, ordering a half dozen and then at the last minute having to add ONE MORE..... not because of my girls but because that white-frosting, pink-sprinkled, raspberry-filled bit of loveliness was calling *my* name.
• The tornado sirens going off and me running down the stairs after my children like a packed camel with my camera, kindle, water bottles, laptop and FORGETTING my phone.  No worries, we were safe and it just ended up being 75 mph winds with the thunderstorm. (and for that I am very very thankful)

Awesome

• Awesome is what's pictured above!  A few years back my girls broke our glass top stove in our basement kitchenette while arguing over a golf club one New Year's Eve.  (I know- it's sounds like a story but I promise it's the truth.) We've never replaced it.  I tell you, it's nothing I was excited about getting fixed- the glass alone would be $394 and to replace the entire thing is closer to around $800 or more.  I have been putting it off because there are about 1,194 different ways that I would rather spend the money. ....this is where the awesome part comes in....Today started (this is almost a DOUBLE awesome bullet) our neighborhood's garage sale weekend.  We took a walk around the neighborhood and low and behold I FOUND THE STOVE TOP!! ....I FOUND THE STOVE TOP FOR $50!!!  The way I see it, I now have $750 to spend on fun photography stuff.  Because that's how much I saved by stumbling on this great find.  And that, my friends, is pure awesomeness. For real.
• Neighborhood garage sales (duh) ;)
• Popsicles.  I love them.
• Becca's homemade brownies.  They're scrumptious!
• Good friends
• Spending time laughing on the phone with my dad.  
• My mom's morning phone calls...even if sometimes she does wake us up. ;)

That's it for this week!  Be sure to check out Heather's Blog and Missie's Blog to see their Awesome & Awkward Thursday! posts. :)  See ya next Thursday!

Bokeh - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 20th

Bokeh



Today's photography challenge was Bokeh.  Lela and I went to the neighborhood park this afternoon.  We walked and I took my camera along. Admittedly, I photographed all kinds of fun things along the way and while we were there.  I decided to photograph the crown vetch for today's photography challenge, Bokeh.  Above are two of my favorite images.  Below, is a photograph of Lela with her beloved 'wild flowers'.  <3

I'd love for you to link back to your Bokeh photos from this June Photography Challenge or just leave some comment love. Tomorrow's challenge is a Faceless Self-Portrait. 

June Photography Challenge - Something Orange - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 19th

Something Orange



Awesome and Awkward Thursday! - Omaha Professional Photographer

Awesome & Awkward Thursday!

It's time for another round of Awesome & Awesome Thursday!  This week has been a little of both but more on the *Awesome* side and for that I am very grateful!  I can't wait to see what Missie and Heather come up with for this week.  Be sure to look for their blog links at the end of this post! 

Awkward

• Although this snapshot that I chose to depict *awkward* is rather cute, it best depicts what I am about to explain.  It's Becca's reaction to that gift in Lela's hand that makes me absolutely giggle every time I look at this photo.  I didn't realize (and if I did I would never admit to it ;) ) what kind of awkward position I put Becca in by buying Lela a super soaker for her birthday to take to the pool.  The awkward part comes in to play when you realize the havoc that will surely ensue next pool play date- we only own one super soaker.  There is no way for Becca to defend herself.  She has no water power and will be at Lela's mercy.  I figure it's all fun and games until Momma gets soaked.  Then I will be sure to run out and buy 4 more- two for me and two for Becca and then we'll see who will get soaked the most. ;)   Lela will watch where she aims that thing if she knows what's best. ;)
• My neighbor, Michelle, making the *cutest* cupcake shaped cake for Lela's birthday and after slicing it for the girls I went to move it off the table AND DROPPED IT.  Totally embarrassing!
• Inviting neighbors over to grill out and the FIRE that ensued from the gas grill that melted my mascara and smoked us off our deck. (Don't worry- it remained contained within the grill) Steve had promised to clean the grill after the last time I battled fire and brimstone but never got around to it.  I think next time HE is going to be the one to grill.  Betcha it gets cleaned then.
• Participating in a June Photography Challenge and NOT POSTING REGULARLY.  *sheesh*  Am I ever going to be a better blogger?
• My neighbor catching me outside trying to capture my awesome photo. I think it shocked him to see me out so early and it was a tad overcast but I knew it would be beautiful....He actually gave me a hard time about being out at 6:00am across the street, in the middle of the cul de sac and eventually onto the back deck.....I guess my morning bed head is a tad ridiculous looking.

Awesome

• Waking up and catching a beautiful sunrise.  I loved how the overcast storm clouds were making their way across the sky while that sunshine was giving such a lovely promise of a beautiful day.
• Celebrating my daughter's birthday!  It was so much fun to take her to her favorite place to eat and watching her open gifts.  She is my sunshine. <3
• My neighbor baking Lela a cake (even if I dropped it).  She is the best 'udder mudder' and a great friend.
• Becca making it back to swim practice.  -- Because things are back to normal around here.  The summer got off to a different start than what was expected.  It's nice to be back into the groove of things.  Who says kids are the only ones that need a schedule?
• Watching Lela ride her new bike around and around and around the cul de sac.  It reminds me of when I was younger.
• Watching Lela and Daphne dance and karaoke to PINK's cd.  *hilarious and super cute all at the same time*
• Solidifying plans for my nieces to come for a visit in July!  I am *so* excited!
• Going to the Omaha Arts Festival together as a family.  It was a ton of fun!  I highly recommend checking it out next year if you missed it this year.

So, that wraps up this week's Awesome & Awkward Thursday! post.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Be sure to check back next week and see what silly things take place.  If you have anything awesome or awkward that you'd like to share - or can relate to- please leave me a comment!  I'd love to hear from you.  Also, be sure to check out Heather's blog and Missie's blog to see what Awesome & Awkward things happened to them this week!

Eyes - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 14th

Eyes



Today's challenge is eyes.  In portraiture, the most important part of a photograph of somebody is their eyes.  When viewing somebody's photograph, our eyes/brain automatically seek out the person's eyes in the portrait first - before anything else we seek to make eye contact even in images!  I do believe that old cliche- the eyes are the window to the soul is true.  We speak out loud with our mouth, convey even more with body language but our eyes trump all.

Sunset - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 12th

Sunset



The skies here in Nebraska are beautiful.  I remember when we first moved to Omaha telling my mom about how bright blue the sky was and how it looked like I could reach up and grab the clouds right out of the sky.  She jokingly said to me "So, what you are trying to tell me is that you are a bit closer to heaven out there?"  Sometimes I think she is right.

Something Blue - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photography

June 11th

Something Blue



I love these glass balls.  I was drawn to them for several reasons.  I knew immediately that I wanted these glass ornaments to be my image for the Something Blue challenge for today. 

A Childhood Memory - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 10th

A Childhood Memory



When I was four my parents surprised me with a bicycle for my birthday.  I was so jazzed!!  I remember my parents teaching me how to ride, the day my training wheels came off, riding double with my little sister, learning to ride one-handed and graduating to no hands!  I also remember my cousin getting her hand stuck in the spokes because she was done riding and I wanted to keep going so she tried to stop the bike- not something I would recommend to anybody. ;)  I also remember busting open my chin and needing stiches from a bike accident. No worries, you can't even see the scar anymore. ;)

I had so much fun on that bike.  It makes me happy to see my children enjoy their bikes as much as I did when I was kid.  What are some of your favorite childhood memories?  I'd love to hear them!

Someone You Love - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 9th

Someone You Love



Today's challenge was to photograph somebody you love.  I immediately thought of this image that I actually took 4 days ago.  I wanted to share this photo because it is a photograph of two people I love- my daddy (holding the camera) and my Uncle Gary- while at the same time it is a photograph of two people who love each other- brothers. 

Awesome and Awkward Thursday! - Omaha Professional Photographer

Awesome & Awkward Thursday!

In all truthfulness this is a day (or two) late even though it looks like it was posted Thursday by the time date stamp.  I really went back and forth on whether or not to post this week because I had a death in the family and was out of town, tired, sad and worn out. ...BUT...the more I thought about things the more I realized that sometimes it's best to concentrate on the Awesome & Awkward things in life instead of the just plain awful.  So, here we go!

Awkward

• Standing *inside* the funeral home and saying to my Aunt Sandy, "Sheesh!  I am so hot from being outside! I'm dying of heat!" ....long pause.....  "No pun intended."  She giggled (thank God).  Sometimes it's good to laugh- especially when you don't feel like it.
• Pulling into my parents' driveway and being deafened by the song of the cicadas.  The noise was so loud I felt like I had stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone.  Apparently every 7 years they come in large numbers and stay for quite a period of time.  They are red beady-eyed insects who molt and are UGLY. They fly kamikaze all over the place and don't exactly come in for the smoothest landings.  Most awkward part of my time with the cicadas?  Screaming like a 5 year old girl when one flew into my hair in front of my dad who couldn't help but laugh at me.  The cicadas are sometimes referred to as locusts. Either way??  Blech. Gross.
• Taking my little sister out to eat at a local restaurant in Quincy, Illinois as a thank you for letting the girls stay with her and not having enough cash to pay the bill.  Yes.  You heard me.  I didn't have enough cash and she had to loan me a $5.  *awkward*  In my defense, I don't carry cash.  I happened to have $20 on me from pulling out money from the ATM the day before to pay the babysitter (thank goodness I took out extra).  This place did not accept debit or credit cards or ANY kind.  They accepted checks- as long as they were local. I think I should be carrying a crisp $100 in my wallet for now on because you just never know.....

Awesome

• In spite of saying goodbye to an amazing Aunt- it really was wonderful to spend time with family that I haven't seen in a long long long while.  Although, the reason we all got together was sad- it was awesome to be able to spend time together, reminisce, laugh, cry and be there for each other- and for that I am grateful.
• Knowing how much I love my family and feeling how much I am loved.
• Maid-Rite sandwiches and fried mushrooms.  *yum*  (It was worth being $5 short!)  This is a sandwich you can't find anywhere but in Quincy, IL.  They are the BEST!
• The Tower Pizza in Quincy, IL.  I heart their sauce! 
• Spending time with my sisters- all four of us together.  I miss them and love them.
• Seeing Bruiser, my shihtzu that lives with my parents- sooooo, technically he isn't mine anymore ;)
• Going back home and coming back home.  It's funny. They say home is where your heart is- my heart resides in two different states.

I hope you enjoyed this week's post!  Be sure to check out my friends' Awesome & Awkward Thursday! posts.  You can find Heather's here and Missie's here.

June Photography Challenge - A Bad Habit - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 8th

A Bad Habit



Becca makes the best brownies.  I have a love-hate relationship with them.  They are so moist and chewy and scrumptiously chocolatey that I just can't have one! ...in the morning with coffee or a midafternoon treat or even a bedtime snack!   Which is exactly why I love to hate them. Or hate to love them. Whatever.  I think I'll go enjoy one right now....might as well own my bad habit!  In for a penny, in for a pound, right?

Fruit - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 7th

Fruit

Mmmmmm strawberries!  When I was a child growing up in Illinois I used to help our neighbor, Leo, pick his strawberry patches with my mom and my sister.  The patches were more like fields.  HUGE.  Those strawberries were the yummiest strawberries ever.  They were ripe with sunshine and just burst their sweetness right into your mouth the moment they hit your lips.  My mom used to get on us to make sure that we were picking more than we were eating but Leo always smiled and told us we could have as many as we wanted.  He was a really neat man.  He farmed, played the saxophone, always had something sweet to say to us and he let us run around and play all kinds of imagination games in his barns and old corn bins that children do.  I miss him.

What's your favorite fruit? 

From A Low Angle - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 6th

From a Low Angle

Following yesterday's From a High Angle photograph is today's From a Low Angle.  These photos were taken on the deck outside.  I laid down on floor of the deck half way down to the backyard and looked up at the sky.  This is what I saw when I looked up.  Cya tomorrow!  Remember to link back in the comments if you are doing the June Photography Challenge, too!

From a High Angle - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 5th

From a High Angle



Today's challenge was to photograph something from a high angle.  When I was in taking photography classes in college there was a point that I became very interested in what was in the foreground of images...or better yet, photographing things in the forefront of the image that can be unexpected.  Here is my photograph for today. :)  Let me know what you think of the photo or just share a link to your photograph if you are participating in the June Photography Challenge.

Green - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 4th

Green



Today's challenge was to photograph something green.  This time of year there are all kinds of fabulous green things available to photograph but I wanted to try something different and find things from  inside  the house to challenge myself a bit.  This is what I came up with to photograph.  As always, I'd love it if you are following along or doing the June Photography Challenge yourself if you would leave a comment or link yourself to your fabulous green images!

Clouds - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 3rd

Clouds

Today's photography challenge is clouds.  Of course, today, there isn't a cloud in this Nebraskan patch of sky.  Who knows what later this afternoon will bring but I didn't want to wait and end up without and image to share with you today.  So, I decided on this photograph that was actually taken last week as a storm was blowing through.  The weather here is unpredictable.  Storms tend to be violent and move through the area quickly.  They are very intriguing and awe inspiring....and sometimes very scary.  This particular storm didn't wreak as much havoc as I thought it was going to- it passed by quickly with a slight downpour.  It mostly threatened us with these ominous looking clouds.  I exposed for that bright patch of blue sky behind it.  It was late afternoon and should have been very bright and sunshiney out but because of the storm system it was very dark.  I wanted to capture the difference of light between what was above us and what the sky would return to once the storm system had passed through.  I always find the power of mother nature, God's creation, amazing.  I'd love it if you would leave a comment and link back to your blog if are doing the June Photography Challenge or if you have some amazing cloud formations you'd like to share!  I can't wait to see what everybody else has come up with to share today!  





What I Wore Today- June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

One thing I never leave home without and admittedly would feel a little incomplete without is perfume.  My favorite scent is Calvin Klein's Euphoria; I've been wearing it for a few years now and it really is my favorite.  I don't care if I am running to the grocery store, picking up kids from school, going to the pool or out to dinner and dancing- I've got my perfume on! 

The ring on the right of this diptych is from my mother.  She randomly mailed me a piece of jewelry a couple weeks ago just because she loves me.  Talk about make somebody feel special! It's not every day a girl gets a sparkly package in the mail.  I fell in love with this ring immediately and wear it almost everyday.  People compliment me on the ring all the time and it is a really fun conversation piece!  Thanks, Mom. <3

What's in your closet, boudoir or jewelry box?

Awesome & Awkward Thursday! - Omaha Professional Photographer

Awesome & Awkward Thursday!

Mad props to the awesome and talented blogger, designer, photographer and all around super cool gal, Heather Scott.  She was inspired by this blog and so Heather invited myself and the super talented and humorous, Missie Jurick to participate along with her in this weekly blog circle.  Each week, the three of us will be sharing with you - you guessed it- AWESOME & AWKWARD scenarios that have personally happened to us in hopes that you will get to know us a bit better, be able to share a laugh or two ...and maybe relate...or not?  So, without further ado, here I go!

Awkward:

• Watching Sugar Lumps by Flight of the Conchords with my MOM AND DAD!!  ***Disclaimer***If you are NOT allowed to watch HBO or may be offended by adult, New Zealand HBO humor DO NOT CLICK that link.  Otherwise, for a good laugh and to perhaps understand why it was SO AWKWARD click it. And laugh.  ...but maybe not with your parents or at work. ;)
• Buying Acne Free for myself and NOT my teenage daughter.  In all seriousness who, besides myself, in their *early* 30's (okay, okay, *mid*-30's) has more breakouts than a sophmore ..in highschool?!  And just where did Becca get her beautiful skin?  It hardly seems fair considering my body has never been the same since giving birth.  ...but I digress... *sigh*
• Trying to hide my new obsession, Words with Friends, a FREE app you can download for your iphone or android phone and then spend countless hours playing a Scrabble like game with your friends.  The awkward part comes when you are visiting with your mom while trying to play.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to strategize while pretending to pay attention to a conversation while pretending that the game is NOT open on your phone and it is NOT your turn and you have no idea why the phone is making that silly noise because NO it's NOT a notification that it is your turn and NO it's NOT making that sound because you just played a word.  ....AWKWARD....  because I wasn't pulling the wool over my mom's eyes. ;)

Awesome:

• Playing Words with Friends with my sister and  horribly BEATING HER! psh.  And to think she is the English Major *insert evil mocking laughter*  Sorry, sis, what can I say?  Victory is sweet.  Care for a rematch?   ..... I love you. ;)
• My parents visiting.  It's not often that I get to see them so when they do come to visit it is super special.  I love them.  I am blessed with the most amazing and AWESOME parents in the whole wide world  UNIVERSE.  I love you Mom and Dad! <3  (They just left about an hour ago to head back home with my girls which leads me to the next AWESOME highlight...)
• My girls spending a few days in Illinois with my parents.  They are so lucky to have such wonderful, fun and loving Grandparents.  Another blessing- the time my girls get to spend with my mom and dad, creating memories and having such a special and close relationship with them. <3 
• Finding Lela super cute, supportive and PURPLE summer sandles!  We looked at 4 different shoe stores before stopping at Stride Rite (why I didn't go there first, I can't tell you, I should have known)  Lela has juvenile rhuematoid arthritis so it is important that she has good shoes to help keep her knees and ankles from hurting her anymore than they already do bother her from the arthritis.  The Keen Hybridlife sandals were just what I was searching for to buy for Lela.  You can find them online here. 
• My new kitchen sink and faucet.  I love it.  My husband rocks--I'm not sure if there is anything he CAN'T do.  I love him.
• Throwback Pepsi because real sugar beats high fructose corn syrup anyday.  Throwback Pepsi has won my heart.  It's so tasty.  Plus, let's face it.  The throwback can is so much more AWESOME than the new/regular pepsi can.

So that's about it.  I hope you enjoyed this post!  If you did be sure to leave a comment and let me know if you can relate (what?- please please PLEASE tell me you have *cough* a blemish or two yourself)! Check back next Thursday to see what Awesome & Awkward things have happened to myself, Heather and Missie.  Oh yeah, be sure to leave them some blog love, too!

Self Portrait - June Photography Challenge - Omaha Professional Photographer

June 1st

Self- Portrait

My good friend and fellow photographer, Heather, decided to do a June Photography challenge and invited anybody to participate.  I quickly jumped on the wagon- anything to help me become a better blogger and have fun with photography at the same time!  The first challenge is a self-portrait and this is what I came up with for my image.  I am in love with the FX Camera app on my droid (it's a free app) --mainly because I love the polaroid effect that you can apply to any image.  I heart polaroid photographs.  It's a serious love affair. I also really enjoy snapping quick photos on my phone because *gasp* I don't always have my Imagene (my other love- my Canon 7D) with me and I am the only one in the house that doesn't have a point and shoot ::sad face::  - they don't always share, okay?  ;)  Follow the link to Heather's blog to see what the June Photography Challenge is and join in the fun with us OR just peep the posts and leave some love.  Cya tomorrow!