Findlay market

We have a really cool place here in Cincinnati called Findlay Market. 

it's kind of a local farmers market but HUGE and beautiful and like a festival all the time!!

well that is all the time unless we decide to go......

I always wanted to take the girls here

and one day I actually had the chance

so we went

 but 

hardly anyone was open and no one was shopping......

So we walked around and then the girls wanted to ride this

Julia was so excited and then once she got on it she felt kind of silly
she said I think I am getting to big for this kind of thing
knife in the heart!
"Your never too big for a quarter pony ride! now pretend your a cowgirl for my picture!" :P

next time I will plan better and make sure we go at a time where they are actually open maybe :P

but in the mean time I actually like the way the pictures don't have random strangers in the background

becasue two people fell in love

I had the great pleasure of capturing this sweet couple

 It's their 40th wedding anniversary!

and A LOT of people that are very close traveled far to help celebrate with them

 All four of their boys

 the wives and grandchildren

 parents brothers sisters cousins nephew and friends

all because two people fell in love

o but I do have to share one more photo

just because it's a new favorite of mine :P

open the box

I was so excited to photograph this special event!

a family was divided

some wore blue and some pink

but one soon to be big brother was extremely excited and his cousin joined him

it was finally time to open the box!!!!

Congratulations! can't wait to meet the new little man!

Mrs. Garnette

I would like you to meet our nieghbor, Mrs. Garnette. 

She visits us daily and everyday shares stories about her husband and children. her life as a second grade teacher and her childhood in the hills of kentucky.

She always sings a song about blue eyes. 

is in awe of God's gifts even something so simple as a tree in the front yard and the love of neighbors that look after her from time to time.

 

 I found this quote and I feel like it fits her perfectly:

Those with dementia are still people and they still have stories and they still have character and they're all individuals and they're all unique. And they just need to be interacted with on a human level.

 She has helped inspired me to start a project. I want to photograph individuals with some sort of disorder or diseases but I want to showcase that this is just something they have not who they are. Mrs. Garnette loves her memories and children so I tried to capture that in her shoot.

to be continued!

Everybody remember my answered prayer while I was visiting Uganda?!

read here

Baby Julie changed my life in so many ways!

I have a special part in my heart for her and all the newborns at Cove Alliance medical clinic.

I know without a shadow of a doubt I will be travel back and visit with my Uganda family

but God has made it very clear to me that right now at this point in my life I am needed here. 

so with that being said I don't want to just sit back and wait for that time to come

I want to keep contributing to this amazing wonderful place that was build on love, faith and the desire to turn a nightmare into a safe place for children to learn and grow.

This past weekend I hosted  photography mini sessions
here are some of the absolutley adorable pictures that were captured:

and all the proceeds are going to the medical clinic in Uganda! it will help future newborns and mothers to get the care they need right after delivery! I am so excited to announce I raised $300!!! not bad for a stay at home mommy/photographer right?!?!
To learn more about Cove allience visit here
and to read more about my mission trip here are some of my most favorite post :
father Hilary
slide show
chicken
Teddy
I am so excited to continue to work with this orginization and watch the children grow. please if you would like to help in anyway feel free to contact me or anyone eles on the Cove website!

I'm gardening...hopefully

Before I get started I want to say

1. I know absolutely zero about gardens!

2. I am probably doing 1,000 things wrong

3. my kids were so excited to do this and didn't care about #1 or #2

4. did I mention my lack of a green thumb?

OK my wonderful cousin-in-law/friend Alicia gave us a few gardening kits she picked up 

it seemed pretty easy and simple

each kit has seeds needed to grow vegetables or herbs for a meal

We choose to grow the stir fry and pizza kit.

also each kit has a website pass code that will send you to a kid friendly website and videos on how to grow your veggies.

 Last week all our seeds were sprouting so the website said it was time to take them outside!

well we don't have a garden for veggies but my side garden were I planted wild Flowers never grew so we cleared out all the weeds and used that spot.

and my little animal lover found a worm

 Lil Stella had the important job of watching and sucking her thumb

 Here is what it looks like.......

 The Julia's friend told me that her neighbor (which is also ours) has a HUGE garden were he grows all kinds of food!
 I might have to find some kind of courage and actually introduce myself to him and learn a thing or two..... I really hope he doesn't laugh at me and my little want-a-be garden.

  I have been picking up a few bulbs now and then and planting them in the front. last year tons of my flowers grew but this year not many did...:( I have been kind of picky about what flowers I wanted only pink! but there was some kind of mix up in the flower department and they put these flowers in the pink flower package!! I was half tempted to dig them up once I noticed they were in fact not pink!

anyway

 so far our snow peas, and Roma tomatoes have continued to grow really well! the others are still there but I haven't noticed much of a difference. I will keep you updated and if you have any tips I would LOVE to hear them! 

but first make sure you read my disclaimer at the top of this post.

:)

Her birthday wish

Yesterday was the big day for Miss Belle!

Her third birthday!

now anyone that meets My sweet darling little blonde hair blue eyed baby girl will tell you that she can be very shy.

She likes to make sure you can be trusted before you get to see the real her.

sometimes that throws people that read all about my girls and then to actually meet her and she seems nothing like what I describe her to be. 

that is just part of her personality and one of the many things that I love. only the special people get to see her funny sweet happy side the rest get a mean look.

anyway

my point is she is only like this with people

when it comes to animals her personality shines!

she has a heart of gold for any and all animals!

so it only made sense when we asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday her response was to ride ponies!

 

This is my favorite park! The photo opportunities are endless!! I love it! and Belle just loves ALL the animals

 

 She desperately wants to hug chickens

Still having a hard time believing she is 3! Gosh I love this girl so much so it hurts.
and I will be willing to put money down that somehow she will grow up working with animals.