Friday, August 27, 2010

Reaching the Dream

It's been a few weeks. We are sorry about that. With our other jobs and the craziness of life, sometimes we tend to forget about the things that really make us happy. Like writing and photographing! :-)

Anyway, my most amazing, talented husband Jason is building his own recording studio in downtown South Bend. While there is still much work to do, it's getting closer and closer to being done - which is just one of the MANY exciting things happening at this moment in time.

It's funny how chasing a dream can turn into reality - if we just push hard enough and take leaps of faith. While the road sometimes isn't easy, it's amazing to think that if we just trust in the things that are instilled in us, we can actually achieve the very things we never thought were possible.

I was recently down at the studio, just taking a few photos, capturing all of the amazing progress he and his mates have made - and again, while it's not all finished just yet - it's rather remarkable what they've accomplished already!

Check them out online and enjoy the photos! http://peak-audio.com/

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Power of Love

It’s amazing how love can change you.

When I was a kid, I remember moments when my parents were happy ... truly happy.
And … I remember moments when happiness was far away … far, far away.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the ‘genetics’ or the ‘DNA’ that I’ve been given, and I’ve learned those good ‘genes’ and the not so good ‘genes'.

I believe my parents did the best they could … they loved us and they tried to love each other.

I don’t blame ANY of my behaviors, choices, or actions on my youth, or my parents … however, I do recognize, from my youth, those things that I saw, those moments where life was all but a happy ‘American Dream’ … I saw in my parents relationship, what I didn’t want to become in those moments… I realized what I wanted to avoid when I met the person I would spend the rest of my life with.

When I met my husband … I thought the love he had for me and the love I had for him could help make me become the person that I always knew I could be … however, it wasn’t that easy when we said ‘I Do’ … I had to confront the very things I never wanted to admit were a part of me.

But … the amazing thing is … although life hasn’t been peaches and cream, and there have been many ups and downs, HIS love has changed me … it has made me a better person … it has helped me become that person that I wanted to be so long ago … sure, I’m still a work in progress, but aren’t we all?

Through the LOVE of my husband … I have learned and continue to learn how much God loves me … He gave me a man who not only loves me in the good times, but also in the not so good times.

As we prepare to celebrate 10 years of marriage tomorrow, I'm reminded of how good God is and how blessed I am to have a man that loves me, unconditionally, wholly, deeply, passionately, whole-heartedly.

So, in the midst of a world ‘falling out of love’ … realize that love … can forever change you, if you truly let it.

P.S. Of course I didn't take this picture - but this is my favorite of our wedding photos the day we said I do. I had to include a photo, of course! ;) What a wonderful day that was - and life together just keeps getting better and better!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Thankful ...

I think we all have these ideas of what our lives are going to be like when we are young. We think becoming a ‘grown-up’ is going to make life ALL better; perhaps make like a little easier…OH…if we only knew.

I think the reality of it is we don’t really anticipate the disappointment that life can bring…AND…with that…we don’t anticipate the BLESSING that life can be either…

Sometimes it seems like this double-edged sword that no matter how hard you try, you can’t escape from it…which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, yet I think we embrace BLESSING yet dismiss the hard times because, well, it’s hard! Yet, with it all, I think God is trying to give us an idea of what we TRULY have, what we should TRULY be thankful for…

We try so hard to attain success, yet what really is the meaning of that word? As children we think having money is the key, or maybe making it to the 'big town' to make a name for ourselves is another thought…I don’t know really…I just know that as I’ve grown up, I’ve come to the realization that it doesn’t matter what ‘stuff’ I have, or if my name is plastered across the front page of the newspaper in recognition of something, but it’s who I am as a person that really matters…

Think about it…MOST people in the world who have EVERYTHING they’ve ever wanted are the most miserable people dwelling on the face of the earth! As the saying goes, ‘Money can’t buy happiness’; yet I also believe ‘Stuff’ can’t buy happiness either!

I’ve been BLESSED beyond measure with the many people in my life who have chosen to be a part of it...and despite my dreams of my younger years, and the hard times that life can sometimes bring, I think my life, to this point is perhaps what it should have been all along…and for that, I truly am BLESSED…

Monday, August 9, 2010

Models | Nick | Downtown South Bend

Embracing the differences that make us who we are is sometimes a difficult thing. While I believe everyone has beauty in their own, unique ways - many of us don't really recognize it in ourselves.

My sister Erin and I recently had the privilege of photographing Nick. He has a unique condition called Heterochromia Iridis, which basically means he has two different color eyes.

While some might consider this trait a 'mistake' in the genetic pool, we kinda' think it's no mistake at all. It's rather fascinating - and really, quite beautiful.

You might think there is something about you that might not be the BEST quality - or something that perhaps stands out among the masses that you wish didn't - but remember, you were crafted in such a way that you WOULD stand out. You're beautiful and unique, just the way you were intended to be. After all, God NEVER makes a mistake.