Budding Photographer

This was part of the conversation that Jalena and I had yesterday as I was making her conserve pictures with her Polaroid shots to people and not every plant and flower she walked by. Watch, she will probably be a big macro/flower photographer and I will see how I stifled her one day:) She really just wanted to know how early you could become a photographer. I told her that she could start whenever she wanted and she could start caller herself one as soon as she felt comfortable with the name. Watch out world...I can only imagine what the world is going to look like from Jalena's view!

200th Post

Just because people make a big deal out of 200th posts and 1000th comment kind of stuff, I thought I would at least make mine straight form the heart. This one is for Jalena Carlisle. This post is for you to look back on and have all sorts of amazing memories flash before you! This was a picture that you drew when it was Dad's Day at your Pre-K class.). And the wings below are what you and Daddy made together and he wore them the whole next day while he worked. You have the most amazing Dad and I know there might be times when you think he is being too hard on you, or not understanding of you, but I need you to know that above all he loves you, and he only wants the best for you. (I know every parent says that:) I also know that you will look back on little things, when maybe you are a parent yourself, that Dad does that most Dad's don't.....he brushes your hair and tries to put it in ponies. He went to your gymnastics this morning instead of work because he just wanted to smile. He tucks you in every night. He absolutely glows when he talks about you (the list goes on forever). He has been active in your life in EVERY way that I have from day 1. For many families there are defined roles of each parent, but with us those lines are very blurred. He is a modern Dad, that is so hands on and I know you are going to have many amazing memories of your own to tell about him! We love you.
By the way...you taught yourself to mirror-write your name. That's pretty cool.

Who is she?

I hope that Jalena is able to look at the pictures of herself years from now and remember an exact emotion, a smell that was around her at the time, or a feeling of confidence in who she is. I want all my kids to look at pictures that I have taken over the years and feel like I captured a little piece of their true personality (from my point of view). I love these shots of Jalena because she has a look of confidence, curiosity, excitement, and playfulness. She is so dynamic and amazing in so many ways and I love trying to capture every piece of her.