Our Wedding Day: Enter romantic, sappy and cheesy phrase here.

Posted on September 2, 2010

Twelve years ago I was a Specialist in the Army stationed at Ft. Hood. I had a boyfriend at the time. His name was Dustin. We liked to fish together, eat blizzards, travel around the hill country of Texas and occasionally chase a tornado. One day in September, the second to be exact, we decided to go out and grab a quick lunch at Jack In the Box. He was set to deploy to Bosnia two days later and I had orders for Germany. Our time together was limited and we had no clue when and if we would see each other again. At some point during lunch we decided; hey, nothing else is going on. Why don’t we stop at the Justice of the Peace on the way back to the Post and you know, get married! So we did.

The Justice of the Peace asked us if we had rings. Umm…no, those things are so over-rated! Right and it wasn’t like we were engaged! So no, no rings. Okay, you can still get married he said. Do you have family or witnesses here. Umm yeah, we kind of haven’t mentioned this to our families. His last question and the one I really, REALLY, wish we could have said yes to.

“Do you have a camera so we can get a picture.”

Camera? Yeah, left that back at the barracks. So ring less, witness-less, and camera-less we said “I do” before rushing back to work.

After living in Germany for a year and a half we visited the states where my Mom, who is an incredible and giving person, surprised us with wedding pictures. She had a tux rented for Dustin and a dress, veil, and bouquet for me. We went to a local portrait studio and got this…

I refuse to get all sappy and wax poetics about what a marvelous and extraordinary man my husband is. I won’t mention, how being married to him has made me a far better person. How everyday he encourages me, cares for me and loves me. I won’t mention that because that would seem so uncomfortably out of character and he may worry about my mental health.

We talked last night about our wedding day, If we could do things differently would we have? We agreed, that Yes, we would have. We would have brought my camera and got a picture of us dressed in our BDU’s, my hair pulled back in a tight regulation approved bun. Dustin looking so nervous and pale that I thought he might pass out. Not sure if we should kiss because we were in uniform. We would have gotten a picture of that so that we could look back and laugh at how crazy-in-love, foolish and desperate we were to stay together.

Twelve years later and I am still pretty crazy, foolish and desperate to be with him but we wont mention that.

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My Book Shelf: Jimmy Tock and Katniss fighting it out and duChemin winning me over

Posted on September 1, 2010

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was told many times to read while I had the chance because once I had kids I would never. read. again. Apparently, it is believed that when children enter your life your brain metamorphosed into an illiterate pile of mush. Well, when people tell me I can’t do something I usually make sure I do it just to prove my point.

Even if I have no point.

Children certainly have me juggling priorities but reading has managed to stay, firmly planted in my life. I mean not reading is like… I don’t know… not eating, or even more overly-dramatic, NOT BREATHING!! I simply can not do it! That being said I still read. A lot. I think I’m rubbing off, though. Gavin and Adalay seem to be heading down the same path. Even Dustin has come around to sticking his nose (or ears) in a good book.

Yesterday, the Amazon-fairy left these on my doorstep and I am very much excited for you to meet them…

Mocking Jay is the third and final book in The Hunger Games trilogy. If you like a story full of break-neck action and suspense, then these are the books for you. Who cares about Edward and Jacob?! What I want to know is who will Katniss choose, Peeta or Gale? Sure Gale is the obvious choice, but Peeta, what about poor PEETA!! I have a feeling I will know the answer within the next 48 hours, because Im pretty sure I will have the book finished by then!

A friend of mine forced me to read The Hunger Games and after becoming enaormed with them, I feel like I need to return the favor to her. SO I ordered one of my favorite fiction books of ALL time, Life Epectancy by Dean Koontz for her to borrow. I even ordered it in paperback (against Dustin’s wishes, he has this weird thing for hardbacks) so that I could highlight important segments. I have this serious issue with highlighting in hardbacks. It just seems wrong. If you have not been introduced to the life of Jimmy Tock then use the nearest car, bike or trapeze to get it. Seriously, if you don’t like it, you’re just weird.

I recently completed an exhausting personality test that labeled me as a loyalist. This is not too surprising to me. I think this is one of the reasons why you will see me blogging on the same people, websites, blogs. Once I find some one I like, I stick with them as long as they will have me, sometimes longer. I blogged about David duChemin before and was lucky enough to watch his live workshop through Creative Live several weeks ago. Amazing guy willing to share everything he knows about the art and practice of photography. I was especially excited about his third book Vision and Voice: refining your vision in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Now when it comes to post-processing, I am a Lightroom girl. Photoshop is great for when I want to do something special with one or two photos but I don’t consider it convenient or as easy to use as Lightroom. Lightroom has changed my (photography) life. and so I can’t wait to see how duChemin illustrates using this awesome editing tool.

Now of course I have to mention my sewing books! Every week or two I get a coupon in the mail from JoAnn’s our local fabric store and I almost always use that coupon to purchase a new book from their selectopn. At 40-50% off, I can’t even beat that by scouring the internet. I have had my eye on Martha Stewarts Encyclopedia of Sewing and fabric crafts for quite awhile and I made that jump after seeing it blogged about. I also picked up Sewing Clothes Kids Love because I am somewhat delusional and think I can actually sew something like this.

Yes this post was longer then I planned but what can I say I am serious about books. Now I am going to sit down with Katniss and figure out this whole Peeta/Gale mess.

Filed Under Personal, Stuff I like | 1 Comment

Will It Ever End: Grand Rapids Part III

Posted on August 30, 2010

Yes, I have more pictures from Grand Rapids that I want to share. I will let you in on a little secret, I have at least ONE more GR post! What can I say? I took A LOT of pictures in Michigan!

Now several days ago I posted that I went to GR to attend Amy Wenzel’s Photography workshop. Which is technically true but the major and deciding factor in flying to Michigan was that we would get a chance to see our good friends who just happened to live minutes away from the workshop location. Win, win…win!

We had such a awesome time with Steven and Amie Jo and they have left such a hole in our lives by moving so far away. A funny, make us laugh friend shaped hole to say the least.

We went out one night, just us adults, to a super cool restaurant and as we walked form the car to the restaurant we had an impromptu mini-shoot.

Amie Jo is beautiful, Steven is, ehhh, not bad.

ajsk8

At some point I thought they should have a serious pose. Why I thought this I am not really sure. They are not serious people and forcing them into seriousness was unnatural and no fun for anyone. Don’t they look miserable…

Like a second later. One of the reasons we love these guys so much!

We ended up eating at Sanchez a Tapas Bistro, which I loved! I had never had tapas, which are small plates and I loved that I could try and share half the menu and not be forced into making a decision. I do so hate decisions. Too bad it was so dark inside or I would have documented all our food for you to enjoy.

Amie Jo and Steven we do so love you! Thanks for introducing us to Tapas and for making us leave Grand Rapids with a major city-crush. Let’s get together again!

p.s. Dustin says to tell you “You’re the best ever.”

Filed Under Personal, Portraits | 3 Comments

My End of August Resolution

Posted on August 25, 2010

I am bound and determined to be more regular with my blog posts. I am in the process of burning disks, editing sessions, and planning our three week long trek to Houston (not to mention dealing with children and life in general) and blogging seems to always fall lowest on my list of priorities. I have resolved myself to blog regularly starting today. Yes, I know it is not the start of the year, month, or even week but I figure if I put it off until it makes sense then I will never do it. So now I have made it public and hopefully that is all the accountability I need!

Since I have nothing spectacular to blog here is a recent picture of Ada and Dustin when I dragged the entire family out for several hours of hard-core location scouting. Amarillo has a lot to offer! I am so excited for my next sessions and can’t wait to find some willing clients to trek out to my new favorite locations.

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Getting Creative: High Chair Cover

Posted on July 29, 2010

The color orange puts a big dopey smile on my face. Unfortunately, I wear the color with little success – something about skin tones, I am sure. I may not be able to wear it but that doesn’t stop me from trying to surround myself with this happy hue. I was quite delighted with the orange patterned oilcloth featured in this post at Made. I ordered the fabric right away and after it arrived it sat for months as I tried to come up with a project that would merit its use.

Several weeks later I threw our high-chair cover in the wash and it ripped. Maybe the tag that said not to machine wash actually knew what it was talking about, go figure. Anyway, I can’t claim this upset me because it was boring, plain, and the color of putty. Plus, this was the the perfect chance to bring my neglected oilcloth out of hiding.

After weeks and I do mean WEEKS (professional seamstress I am not) it became this…

cover2

I still have over half a yard left. Any ideas?

Filed Under Personal, Sewing, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Our Petite Vacation

Posted on July 5, 2010

Oh the grand posts that are in my mind for this blog. Really, I have all sorts of fun things planned. Finding the time to think them up is easier then finding the time to sit down and make them happen! We are off for our annual camping trip. I will be quite happy without my laptop, computer, cell phone, and all other modern technology (OK, well I will have my camera). Instead I will have books, books and more books. The amount of books I have packed is actually quite silly but shows that I do have a bit of an optimist in me. When I get back I have some Etsy vendors to showcase, weddings to post, and the rest from this delightful session…

Yes, pregnancy suits Cassie, although at this moment she is enjoying her newborn son. I have plenty more pictures of her and her sweet family to come.

Now, I am off to lay in a hammock and enjoy my books.

Filed Under Baby on board, Personal | 1 Comment

At the Beach : Lake Michigan

Posted on June 14, 2010

We spent the end of May with our dear friends Amie Jo and Steven in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It had been several years since they moved away from the Houston area and just as long since we spent any time together as families. It has really hit me since we have returned home on how cherished they are to us. When you have friends like this, keep them, no matter what it takes!

We spent one day at the beach, on the way there we stopped off at Amie Jo’s parent’s campsite and we were treated to an incredible breakfast, including home made applesauce, that is to die for. Apparently Adalay thought so too as it looks as if she is trying to to knife Gavin. Not sure why she has a knife, oh well, it is just a butter knife, right!?

This is Amie Jo, yes she is gorgeous. Her and Gavin have a special bond as she was the first person to ever take a picture of him. Much gratitude to any friend willing to stand on a chair to get that perfect shot over the doctor’s shoulder. I would have done it but it is hard to deliver a baby while taking pictures. I digress (like normal).

Amie-Jo’s babies daddy, Steven.

The delightful Brie, who was born several months before Ada. I know we are total copy-cats but it sure is fun having matching boy-girl sets of kids!

I was very excited to go to the beach, the beach being Lake Michigan. There are lakes and then there are The Great Lakes. Really, it looked like the ocean!

Ada-layla in all her delicious glory…

Do all boys between the ages of 3-5 fight like cats and dogs? There was some serious competition going on between Beckett and Gavin. One of these days they will be thick as thieves, I just know it (it may have already started, when we left their house to go to the airport Gavin wailed, “Beckett!!” over and over).

These images were shot in direct sun, which isn’t ideal but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do…

Man, we love these kids and this family we are so glad that they are a part of our lives! Hoping for many more family memories together.

Filed Under Personal, Stuff I like | 4 Comments

Keeping it in the Family

Posted on May 5, 2010

I think Dustin may lose his place as my second shooter…

Some of Gavin’s work thus far. I think it has a very avant-garde feel with just a bit of neo-expressionism…

Not bad for a three year old.

And look, a picture of me! Our household has the common problem of Missing-Mom-Sydrome, as I am usually the one taking the majority of our pictures. Problem solved by my new over-eager under study!

Finally, I will have pictures of myself with at least one of the kids! In all honesty though, it made me very happy to see him so excited about finally being able to take pictures. I hope it becomes a passion for him just like it is for me!

Filed Under Personal, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Adalay is One!

Posted on April 5, 2010

Our sweet, mellow, little girl is one today!

I need to find a new cliche to sum up; “They grow up so fast”, and “I remember it like yesterday”. I do remember her birth like yesterday and it does go SO fast!

I just knew that this day was our last as “Pre-Baby #2 McLean Family”, so of course we had to get a picture! 12 hours before arrival (and don’t be hatin’ my lounge wear, what else could I fit in?)…

The timing of Adalay’s arrival could have been better. We were waiting on the birth of Baby Mc ver. 2.0 before we could move to Amarillo. Movers were coming that week to pack up all our belongings and our new home was wating expectantly to be filled. After much thought, I decided I would rather have our families help once we got to our new home (where I did not know a soul) instead of at the baby’s birth. Our families graciously waited while we enlisted the help of our church family for the birth. When we headed out to the birth center, our cherished friends arrived to pick up Gavin. When they heard I was already 8cm dilated they decided to hang around. I am so glad they did because Gavin was able to meet his sister just minutes after her birth, he was enamored and he has been ever since.

Adalay’s birth was about as good as extreme pain and suffering can be, thanks in large part to my extraordinary midwife Katherine, who works at the Nativi Birthing Center in The Woodlands. The Birth Center beat the socks off Gavin’s hospital birth. It is really even unfair to compare the two. When they set Adalay on my chest, I asked if the baby was a boy or girl and found out no one had checked , so I was the first to find out we had a girl to go along with our rough-neck little boy.

One of the greatest things about using a birth center was that we were home and in our own bed several hours after Adalay was born. The next day I helped get lunch ready for 20 of our closest friends (because I seriously felt that good, really I did not feel like I had given birth 12 hours earlier. I am still waiting for it to hit me) and we had a”Welcome to the World Adalay” celebration.

It consisted of eating great amounts of food and lots of baby gazing. It was great.

Life was full before Adalay, Gavin was busy keeping our lives packed. Adalay added to that fullness in a way that only a happy-go-lucky, calm, and content baby can. She is such a sweet, sweet, gift. We are so thankful for every minute of her life and so proud that she has been given to us!

A year in review…

Happy birth sweet-girl! I can’t wait to see what the year has in store for you!

Filed Under Personal, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Spring has Sprung

Posted on March 18, 2010

I didn’t realize how much I have been missing the sun and warm weather until we had sun and warm weather!

We spent most of yesterday afternoon outside. Gavin running, jumping, and not stopping for a second of rest. Ada would take off down the sidewalk crawling as fast her knees would take her from me, cackling all the while. She loves a good chase.

How can I work the way this girl can tear up some black beans into this post, without sounding off subject? I guess I really can’t, so I will just say; this girl can tear up some black beans! Maybe she needs some extra energy from all that extra exercise.

Gavin as all about showing me how he can jump, dance (”Mommy check out THIS move!”), sing (”Father Abraham had many sons…”), draw, whatever. “Mommy, look at me!” is the quote of the hour. Really how can I not look? He is just so stinking cute when he is excited and trying something new, and to a three year-old what isn’t new?!

It wont surprise me if it is snowing by the weekend, but for now, while there is the warm sun and a breeze (laced ever so gently with the smell of the stockyards) we will be outside. Join us if you would like!

Filed Under Personal, Stuff I like | 2 Comments