*In honor of another snowy day....*

You can't get too much winter in the winter

~Robert Frost~

I don't know if it is because we live in the mountains, and know just how important a good snow season is for the spring, or if I just relish in the peace of a snowy day...whatever the reason, this quote by Mr. Frost pretty much sums up how I feel about this season of snow. As the inches continue to grow around our home I can't help but love the powder, the icicles, and the snowflakes. I can't help but anticipate sledding on our favorite hill, and I especially can't help it that I am a mountain lady, who simply loves the fact that we are blessed to have each season the year offers. Stay warm and cozy with those you love. Blessings.

*36 months ago....*

The decision to have a child

is to accept that your heart will forever walk about

outside your body.

~Katherine Hadley~

3 years ago this evening our 3rd child was born. She, like all children, is a gift directly from Heaven. However, I would have never imagined in that first moment when she looked into my eyes, and I into hers, just how much of a blessing she was going to be in our lives.

We were not planning on having another baby, however, we were overjoyed, with her arrival, and thanked God for blessing us with another healthy, baby girl. We enjoyed her first year, like all parents....first baths, giggles, babbles, words, likes/dislikes...you know how it goes. She has always filled our lives with joy with her spritey personality and love how she can make anyone smile with her sweet, pixie demeanor.

21 months after her birth, our lives were hit hard when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. It was caught early, and because of Divine intervention it was treatable relatively easy. The emotions and thoughts of that time were intense, but despite the diagnosis, I continually looked at my children as amazing blessings simply because I had such peace knowing that God knew exactly what I was going to need in my life prior to the cancer. He knew that I needed to have my other kids early on in life, and He knew what I needed even before I did....her....my 3rd and absolute, last baby.

Yes, I do get pangs of wanting another baby whenever I hold, smell, or see a new mother cradle her own. Yet, I also know that choosing this path of capturing others' tiny miracles on camera, allows me to continue to cherish and experience new life. As I sit here and reflect tonight, I am humbled and grateful. I thank God for allowing me to be a mother. I cherish the moments, and looking lovingly to the future.

Happy Birthday, Sydney-Sue. Thank you for who you are, and for all that you have done for me in your first 36 months. God bless.

*Thank you....with all my heart*

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.

~Jean Baptiste Massieu, translated from French~

As a new year begins, I just wanted to reflect a bit on the shoots from 2009. Everyone of these sessions, I carry in my heart. Each of you have touched my life in your own way, and I am grateful to each of you for sharing a bit of your life with me and my camera. Here's to a wonderful 2010. May your families be blessed with all things beautiful.

A fellow photographer from Dallas introduced me to this cool site where you can make a shape collage with your own family photos from 2009. Have fun creating and sharing with those you love. See ya in 2010! (Click here for the Shape Collage website)

*Una Familia Encantadora* Albuquerque, NM Family Photographer*

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

~Desmond Tutu~

I always love meeting back up with people that you haven't seen in many years. I enjoy seeing where life has led them, and who they have married. I like catching up, talking about the past, and hearing of plans for their future. But the one thing I love the most about this type of interaction is meeting their children. I like to observe them and discover characteristics and mannerisms that remind me of who their parent was years ago. This family I felt especially honored to shoot. I was able to reconnect with an old friend, meet her parents, seeing a glimpse of where she had come from, and also be introduced to her husband and his mother who had traveled from Mexico. Having all of these beautiful souls in front of my lens reinforced the belief that family is life's greatest blessing... it overcomes all language barriers, distance, and time, while encompassing all those involved in an envelope of unconditional love. Gracias Harris and La familia de Martinez, mucho amor y paz siempre.

*From My Home to Yours.....*

Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - -a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.

~Augusta E. Rundel~

Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday season, abundantly filled with peace, hope, love, joy, and giving. Thank you to those who have helped make my dream come true this year, by allowing me to capture your family or child through my lens. And to those who have supported me along the way, I am grateful. I truly appreciate and love each and every one of you. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Blessings! (Click on picture to enlarge)

*New Little Angel* Albuquerque, NM Newborn Photographer*

A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men.

~Martin Fraquhar Tupper~

Like any new birth, this little guy's arrival had been anticipated for quite some time. His sweet mom had a rough go during her pregnancy, so ever since he made his entrance into this world, he has continually blessed her and his family with his calm and peaceful presence. After this shoot today, I was so excited to get home to post these adorable images of baby J. He was such a patient and willing model for being only 6 days old, and his mom so willing to let me try out new props and ideas with him. These little wings fit him perfectly, for he has come straight from Heaven and into the arms of an amazing and loving family. Blessings *W* Family. Thanks for the fun day, and the the yummy mimosa and butter bread!

*Beautiful Boy* Albuquerque, NM Children Photographer*

"In the eyes of a child...there is joy, there is laughter... there is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future...""

~Air Supply~

This sweet, little guy's eyes captured my heart during his shoot. Look at those big brown beauties! Although his day didn't turn out as planned...his schedule was a bit off, and when I arrived he was napping, we still had fun playing up and down his grandparent's steps and capturing a bit of his personality for his portfolio. Look for this cutie in future magazines and catalogues...with those eyes alone, I am sure he will go far!