Love at First Sight

It was love at first sight...

I remember when we moved into our new house just one year ago. She was and still is a beauty. There are many things I love about our house, but like I was saying earlier that I look forward to Memorial Day so much because of the whole planting flowers aspect. I absolutely LOVE IT! I look forward to the time when those buds open up and color comes through, then it just overflows with different flowers that are so beautiful. I can honestly say I do not know much about gardening, but I am learning, slowly but surely.

I found a photo of when I first planted last year. (Just from the point and shoot camera) We originally dug out this fern plant that I have no idea what it was, but 1/2 of it was dead and the other 1/2 was ugly. But we have this amazing Japanese Maple tree that needed some more color placed next to it. After we dug it out, we added some yellow coneflowers, a flower called Veronica, and some ugly pink plant which I dug out in the fall. This year the Veronica came back, but my coneflowers were a no show, so we added more coneflowers that will be orange, another Veronica plant to add to the massive one, and then this plant called Coreopsis, which will end up having lots of yellow flowers.

I spent all day day making the outside of our house look beautiful with mulch, and I'm feeling all the bending over I did all day! I shouldn't have done all this work the day before a BIG wedding tomorrow. I might not be alive Sunday after my body takes a huge beating two days in a row... haha! I'm sure I'll be posting more wedding stuff next week. Until then... here is a 2007/2008 photo. It looks much better, and hopefully they will all look good this summer and then come back next year.

It's the Little Things...

Lately I have come to enjoy many of the little things, like knowing I don't have to go into a job that I do not enjoy, or knowing that I can get up whenever I want, even though I actually enjoy getting up fairly early, or knowing the writer's strike is over and LOST has been back on and getting pretty intense, although the season finale is this week...err... but there is another thing that I have come to love so much and whenever I think about it my heart gets warm and my mouth starts to water.... Blueberry Tea. I have spent all winter long searching for a good warm drink. There were many trips to Starbuck's trying to find out what "MY" drink was. I'm not a coffee drinker, so it was tough. I was then introduced to this little Taste of Heaven. MMMmm.... can't you smell that nice sweet scent? I'm hooked!

I'm still alive...

So sorry I have not posted in a few days, ok... this has been the longest in between posts in a while, BUT I've been soooo busy this week that I have not had time to sit and do anything for myself. I will make sure not to be a slacker this coming week.

Anyways... today was one of those days I have been looking forward to for quite sometime now, as it's Memorial Day weekend and the Saturday of Memorial Day we always go get flowers to plant, and I absolutely LOVE picking flowers out to plant. I do not want to post my pathetic garden right now, but once the summer gets rolling I'll update you all on how full it's getting. (If I learn how to take care of them... so tricky!)

Another thing to add to today is that I think I'm going to be sports overloaded as Todd has reserved the evening to watch the Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons all at the same time. Yes... Tivo is proving to be worth it when you don't want to miss out! Wooo... Go Detroit!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Mr. & Mrs. Gibbs

As we were approaching yet another Saturday wedding, there was rain in the forecast AGAIN. I thought to myself, like I always do, I'll believe it when I see it. I am a very optimistic person and when I hear that it's suppose to rain on a day in which is going to be filled with a beautiful bride and a handsome groom, I think that it's IMPOSSIBLE. I don't believe that there will be one drop of rain.

This past Saturday was two for two, expected rain and it's actually rained...BUT, it did not affect our schedule for outdoor pictures. The minute we got out of the car to do photos the sun came out of a cloud and stayed out until we were finished. Then believe it or not, it down-poured until the reception started.

It was still a beautiful day! Both Ryan and Ian were SO beautiful, and even more beautiful when they were together. So full of love and friendship and they were surrounded by even MORE love and friendship. Everyone involved in their wedding was so sweet and had such a warm personality. It was as if we had been friends for years with both them and their family/friends, and Todd and I were just hanging out with them at their wedding. We had such a special connection with them, and we had such a great time!

A special thanks to Ryan and Ian for such a wonderful day, we are so happy that we were able to be there to share in the day. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness, and hope that PARIS is FABULOUS! Another thank you to all the friends and family who treated us so kind and were extra sweet to us, we are very appreciative of the love we were given from you all! :)









Ryan was such a beautiful bride... just stunning!





Their jewelry was done by one of Ryan's friend down in Kansas City, check out their site www.scarlettgarnet.com









The pastor gave them these shirts, they say "We're more than friends, We're Buddy's" from Buddy's Pizza... it was so funny!

Baby Elijah

Babies are still somewhat scary to me, and I didn't exactly know what to expect because you never know how a brand new baby is going to act. They might be awake or sleep or cry or poop or what else do they do? Nothing really huh? Oh wait... they eat, then the cycle continues for a while, do I have that right? I think so.

Well Baby Eli did not like the camera very much. We tried to start off early where we could get some with him awake and then he would eventually fall asleep. Once the clothes came off and he was just in his diaper, he cried. Poor little guy, all he wanted to do was get some clothes on and have a pacifier in his mouth. He was the cutest baby though, and after a couple feedings, couple burpings, couple diaper changes... one I might add was an explosion all over daddy... that was pretty funny, we made it work. He might not have had the best time, but in the end he will look back when he's old enough and laugh at the story mommy and daddy tell him about his first photo shoot. I would like to add that I had to censor some of the photos because little Eli wanted to show everyone what he was born with... haha!

A big thanks to John and Rachel... AGAIN... for being the best parents and for allowing me to capture precious moments like these!

We made it to Columbus... Finally!

We finally got to visit our good friends John and Rachel. Our plans got pushed back a couple weeks, due to baby Eli wanting to come early, so we decided kind of last minute that we would make the trip before our schedules got chaotic with weddings and with life.

I'm so glad we did because it's a good reminder of how good friends are hard to come by, and sometimes in life you meet people who you just click with and who you share so many special memories with. Those people are there to share many big life events as well, like going to college, graduating college, moving away, getting engaged, getting married, buying a house, now them having a baby. It's comforting to have someone you can share that with, even if they are a 3 hour drive away. We are still great friends, and I know that both Todd and I cherish their friendship and are so blessed that they are a part of our lives!

We had a great time visiting! We were able to catch up and hang out, and even squeeze in a photo shoot of their little guy. The photos will be coming this week, but I'm behind on some stuff so I have to hold off. I can't leave you hanging without one though... so this will have to do for now.

Thanks for the great visit guys! We had a blast and hope we can do it again soon! We love you!!!!



This photo is weird for me, because that's what I'll look like being a mom... let's hope I can keep the same body shape though! Ha!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mama's out there... but an EXTRA SPECIAL happy to MY mom and MY mother-in-law!

I've been blessed beyond words that I was given two of the BEST women to look up to as mother's. I appreciate everything they both have done for not only me, but Todd as well. Our lives would not have been shaped the way it has, if it wasn't for all the prayers and structure when we were younger, even if we might not have been a fan at the time. I know that I am grateful for it now ;) I hope that one day I can be just as wonderful as they are to my children!

Oh, I can't forget... and to my sister as she will be becoming a mom in about two short months. She is going to be an amazing mom as well!





I love all three of you, and am grateful for how you all have touched my life. Big HUGS and Big KISSES to you today! XOXOX!

GREAT NEWS for the Veldman's!

God is SOOOOO GOOD!

NO I'm NOT pregnant... haha! I don't know if that would be too exciting for me right now. If you all know me or follow up on here, you know that I'm going through a little phase of anti-wanting a baby. Ha! I'll grow out of it, but right now that would not be good news. The great news is.....

Todd got a promotion at work!

He's been working so hard lately, and ever since January when they laid off about 100 people, we did not know how long it would be until he would be able to get one. They told him March, but March went by and so did April, but May came and he got one! He's now going to be a boss to someone else... haha! He totally deserves this and I'm so proud of him!

We are so excited and I just wanted to share the good news with everyone else! God knew that we needed this, and he provided!

A BIG "HOLLA" to my smart, intelligent, and hard working husband Todd! I Love you!!!! ;)

Gary and Alana: Engagement

Gary and Alana are extremely nice and sweet people, and we couldn't have asked for a better day to do their engagement session. It was nice and sunny, but not hot and not cold, just perfect! Todd and I know Alana through their mom's. Both Alana and Todd's mom work as elementary teachers at Southfield Christian School. Alana herself is a teacher, and I'm sure she is an amazing one considering the blood line of her mother being a great one herself! Gary is originally from Michigan, but has ventured down to Kentucky where Alana will join him come June. We are so excited to be a part of their wedding, as they are planning an outdoor ceremony in her parents garden/backyard. It's absolutely beautiful, and we are all praying for nice weather so their plans won't have to change to indoors.

Congratulations Gary and Alana... we couldn't be happier for you guys and can't wait for the big day next month!

Mr. & Mrs. Terpstra

I have been anticipating this for quite awhile now, as our spring/summer wedding season was to begin the first weekend of May. As time flew by, May finally made it here and we kicked off our season with an awesome couple.

Dave and Jen were such a sweet couple and they had the best attitudes. There was rain in the forecast for Saturday, which was a total bummer because we wanted to do quite a few pictures outside, but we made it for a bit before the downpour kicked us back inside. Even though it rained, we were able to have some time to be creative indoors and they were both up for anything I suggested, which is a photographers dream to have clients as easy going as them. We had a great day and enjoyed meeting and getting to hang out with such a great couple! It was a great start to yet another season of love!

A BIG Thank You to Dave and Jen, and their families for such a wonderful day!




The flowers were made by Jen, and I didn't even know they were fake until I took photos of them and realized that's why there was no water in the vase. She did an amazing job! What a great bride!







They had a special moment together before the ceremony... which is awesome for photographers ;)



















I always love the "Processional" photos because the couple is always so happy, and it shows here in both their smiles.