Finding our Smile again...

The last couple of weeks has been such a blur- just trying to keep life moving in it's general direction and maintaining our still pretty crazy schedules.

We have good days and not so good days.... all still veiled in sadness. Everyday though- we are getting stronger- the tears flow less frequently- although still randomly- and at so many different things. I was driving home last night- and thought- oh- I should call mom and tell her..... oh wait, I can't....

In my funk- I haven't really felt like taking or dealing with photos.. but know that I need to get back up on the horse, so to speak. I did manage to snap some random shots while I was home- my pretty girls playing in the abundant snow, my parents animals whom we all just love, and just the beauty that is home in Central Idaho.

Even at my most sad- I have to remember to see the humor and beauty in the little things in our everyday and try to capture it... so I leave you today with photos from home... all are pretty self explanatory-

.......except this first one- and all I can say- is that Dan the horse absolutely LOVES Oni- he followed her around all week- if she was outside and in the pasture sledding- he was there. Pretty cute. He even pushed Gabbi down the sledding hill with his nose!

Find your smile today- and hug your dear ones. xoxo Didi

Once in a blue moon

If you've been wondering where on earth I've been lately.......I've been out of state- I've driven a 1,000+ miles- and it feels like a million.......I've been in crisis mode for the last 14 days.

It seems almost strangely prophetic- that in this, the cycle of the blue moon, my mommy would have to leave this earth. She loved all things Blue Moon related, her signature color was cobalt blue and she loved watching the sky for clouds, stars and the moon.

I wish that I could say that this is some weird, cruel, sick joke- but it's not. My beautiful, vibrant, zany and incredibly talented, 56 year old mother passed away on December 18th, 2009.

What happened is the question that people keep asking me- and the answer is- we don't really know. It seams it was a series of small things that came together in the perfect storm.... and really- how she died isn't nearly as important as how she lived.

The following is my eulogy from the service to celebrate her life on December 29th, 2009.

I am humbled by the amount of love and support from friends and community this week.

And today as I look out at all of you- I know that mom would be so flattered.

I’ll be brief as I don’t know how long I’ll last without melting today!

My mother was a beautiful, loving, generous and wildly talented woman. Pity she didn’t truly realized how much folks appreciated her.

She did what she did in this life in the hope that she could be a help and a blessing to others. Her love spread from here to Africa and back. She was incredibly loyal and generous to a fault. She found the beauty in the little things in life and was frequently known to rescue the casually discarded= antiques, pets, people……

I have had the last week to reflect on my incredibly untimely loss- and my sorrow is immeasurable at losing one of my very biggest fans, she was my hero, my protector and my very bestest girlfriend.

And while I certainly don’t have to like what has happened- I do have to accept it.

The clock on the wall still ticks, the wind still blows, the earth still turns, and my heart- while broken- is still beating.

We used to joke that our motto in life should be “eat desert first- life is uncertain…” And really- that should apply to most everything…. This physical life is very uncertain- and we should live like we don’t have a tomorrow- because you just never know….

Today, as we go back out into the world after we leave this service…….if we can - pay it
Forward (she was a big fan of this).

Never meet a stranger, or leave friends and family without a kiss & hug,
Say I love you, say it like you mean it- don’t leave things unsaid,
Play nicely with others,
Love big, Laugh much,
Hope often,
Pray in earnest,
Celebrate the smallest victories,
Sing- and make some joyful noise.

God needed only the best to lead the choir in heaven, and that is why he called her home. Go in peace today.
I am finding that (so far) through this blur of days- that I am far stronger than I ever gave myself credit for- just who she raised me to be. I'm not sure how long the ever present tears will rain down my cheeks at the drop of a hat- but for now- I can only put one foot in front of the other- please keep our family in your thoughts- send us positive energy- we need it right now.

"Sing me to Heaven"~ RIP Momma

http://www.idahocountyfreepress.com/IFPMilestones3.shtml

or

http://www.lmtribune.com/archived-obit/Obituaries/400633/

Big things to come for 2010

Hello my lovelies! :)

As the year seems to be racing at break-neck speeds to the finish line and 2010 is just a blink away.... I just wanted to thank all of you who follow us- for your support! Without my readers and photo clients this would just be my ramblings... oh- wait- it IS just my ramblings.... (never mind that)- with out all of your gorgeous bodies, faces, food and wine- my life would be so much less colorful....and that would make me so sad.....

I'm so blessed that you all like what I love to do. So from the bottom of my heart.... MWAH! A big old wet one! :)

With a new big girl website on the way for 2010- I'm super excited to make this whole photography thing more than just a hobby... (again- I thank all of you for helping me practice and play and get to this point....) So keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks as we girls (me and Big Bertha-) get a virtual face lift and Natural Approach gets ready to put our big girl panties on and go for it!

Much Love, Didi

Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Ms. Clause

"Hi dear- how was your day?........"

Santa never had it so good....... Ms. Clause.... looks A-mazing these days..... Miss D came to see me yesterday for some naughty & nice photos for her man's Christmas gift (nice gift!). It was cold and snowy, so we stayed indoors and drank bubbly and played. :)

These boots were made for walking..... or just looking incredibly sexy in.....

Pretty sure the logo says it all....

And if ever there was a photo for pirate's booty..... I believe this would be it.... LOOK at those eyes!

I know, it's hard to see the great cigar in this shot, huh?

A great corset and a kick-ass pair of shoes makes for a gorgeous, confident girl!

Thanks for coming to play with me D- you're going to knock his socks off- guaranteed! xoxo (the other D) Didi

The perfect gift

Look who stopped in to see me this morning..... baby Kameron! His mommy was coming to pic up her pix- and I found the perfect red bow- so we snapped a couple more shots and then sent them on their way. What a sweet baby boy he is- he is the long awaited blessing his parents have prayed for.... I'm glad they got their happy ending. :)

A funny thing happened on the way home..

A funny thing happened on the way home today- the sun came out! I couldn't believe it! It was cold, frozen and a minute skiff of snow was on the ground when we three girls left this morning.

We were on our annual pilgrimage to Bothell's Country Village to go and see Santa. We go and see Santa, butter him up with some adorable kid loves, spill our wish lists, get a photo taken and then we move on with our day.

We've been going to Rob Reising of Chapters Photography since Gabbi was a baby- and he's one of my photography heroes. Super nice guy- technically perfect and fun and artsy- all at the same time. He and his wife Karin have a beautiful studio and it was decorated to the nines with a great looking Santa, as usual. So I'll be waiting anxiously for my own Christmas photos to be coming before the holidays! You can check them out here:
http://www.chaptersphoto.com/

So anyhoo- (my mind wanders these days....) I talked the kids into letting me catch a few candids of them in their super hip little ens ambles... and I love the vintage finish on these- mostly tho- I just love these girls.... they are growing up and changing so fast on me... I'm afraid I'll blink and miss it. :)

Catching up- and Catching my breath...

I know, I know-

I don't call- I don't write and worst of all- I haven't been sharing any photos lately! ......And the soundtrack in my head is playing over and over again, what I've been hearing from everyone for weeks now....

"why aren't you posting lately?"

"where have you been?",

and the most popular question- "when will my pix be ready?"

All I can say is- Thank you ALL for your patience- this has been a most amazing and busy season for Big Bertha and me! After working like a demon possessed in nuclear overdrive for the last few weeks in the seated position at a pc for about 16 hours a day (between the day job and editing)........

I can see light at the end of the work tunnel- and I'm certain- it's not a train....(though my ass now resembles my office chairs and my eyes are bloodshot and exhausted). I can say that I am almost totally caught up on every one's photos for the holidays!!!!

And a monster thank you goes out to my family- who- quite frankly, rarely see my face anymore- for the last six months- it's been me and Big Bertha running out the door to shoot pix or the back of my head at my desk- editing- having a close personal relationship with my Adobe products.

My kids have grown up a ton this year and are getting to be such good helpers. And Bid Daddy- is the King- seriously- I could never make a go of this photography thing without his help and support- He cooks, he cleans... (he slices, dices and juliennes quite well) he chauffeurs the kids to their practices while I'm at the day job and helps me shoo the kids to bed so that I can continue to work once I've gotten home from the day job.... So Miles family- I love you more than the moon & the stars.....

In the meantime- I leave you with Matt & Andrea's beautiful family- you're finished guys!

Much Love- Di

Crash test dummies....

One more thing on my list of "things I am thankful for..." My sweet girls- who today- acted as my crash-test-dummies while I got my lighting set for baby Kameron's visit.

My beautiful babies are growing up so quickly.... I ran across their keepsake boxes from when they were newborns.... Big Daddy & I got all misty looking at their first itty-bitty tennis shoes and the outfits they came home from the hospital in..... and I'm so glad I've taken the thousands of photos of them thus far- because... every time I blink- they've changed....

Kameron

Kam- meet......well.... everyone! Everyone- Meet Kameron! (I got to meet him earlier today)

He's 9 days old and just the tiniest, sweetest baby! I met his folks while shooting my friend Cathy's wedding last fall. So I was thrilled when they called me Friday to see if I could fit them in for some newborn shots- uhm,,, y-ahhhhh!!! I could have snuggled him all day long (and I did snuggle him frequently today...)

He's so alert and soooo strong- quite the little wiggle worm he was...

Oh how I love these daddy pix....

And how sweet is his pretty momma???

I won't even start on how much I loved his little feet......

and these two- make me melt...

This looks like a perfect Christmas card........I'd say that he's the perfect Christmas gift, don't you agree?

Thanks so much for choosing me guys! xoox d

Where'd she go????

You know that my life has hit super-nova overdrive when I haven't posted in two weeks+, huh?

I have been on the fly for months but this last couple of weeks- is the collective end of my busy season, and I'm frantically trying to get every one's photos finished for the holidays, and fit in a few last minute sessions and some brand new arrivals- that you have to catch as they happen!

Our family went from the normal busy to uber crazed as basketball season is here- both girls are playing- and to make it better/worse... they were hand picked to be on the SAME team....a team that falls in the middle of their skill sets... so this first game on Saturday- should prove to be interesting.... Ron has the chauffeur duty for basketball and is helping coach the team with coach Scott. (God Bless those two- they have infinite patience with the girls!)

I have added official PTA membership and Chamber of Commerce to my resume this month, and have become an official business with the state... so it's been a truly exciting month! Natural Approach is growing up!

Thanksgiving was a great time spent with friends and family and some righteous food! We have so much to thankful for here in the Miles home... and I am particularly thankful for all of you- my friends and clients to visit regularly to see what's new. You keep the wind in my sails and your words of praise and the referrals you send my way - are what keep me going- so thank you, thank you, thank you!

Let's start decorating and baking- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......xoox Didi

More Masquerade photos

Ok kids- let's see if this works- For anyone who wanted to see more of the masquerade ball from a couple of weeks ago.... here's the link to the Kodak Photo Gallery that I shared them on.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=762297974115%3A949319769&cm_mmc=site_email-_-new_site_share-_-core-_-View_photos_button

Oh Beautiful.......

When you see a photo of our flag....... can you hear the snap of the cotton as it blows in the wind?

Can you hear Ray Charles' version of ......'America, the Beautiful.... or your favorite version of The Star Spangled Banner..... Battle Hymn of the Republic....My Country 'tis Of Thee.......or even Toby Keith's Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue???? Does the sight of such and image make you stop and think? What does it evoke in you? Does it make you all giddy inside? Do you stand a bit taller in your shoes? Do you get a bit teary? Does it make you wonder what your life would be like living somewhere else? Does it make you think of what and where our service men & women are doing right now?

Does it remind you -that we are so blessed to live here- with all of the freedoms and privileges we are granted every single day in this country. All brought to us courtesy of the men & women who serve our country past and present, with unwavering faith, strength, pride and courage.

It does for me.... I can't stand and sing the Star Spangled Banner or America the Beautiful without crying. And when I see a flag billowing in the wind- against a killer sky- it makes me all giddy- I have so many photos I've taken of US flags.... the sight makes me happy- makes me smile big- makes me stand tall and say a little prayer of thanks. Thanks to the military men & women who serve- and do a job that frankly not many could or would.....

And regardless of your individual views on the current conflicts- please- take a moment to take stock and to reflect on all that is good in your life... and how different your life could be if you lived on a different continent.

If you feel so inclined- thank a vet- they take on the tasks of fighting, protecting and serving not just our country- but many others- by doing and seeing things that most of us- could never-EVER imagine.

To the vets in my life- and to the complete strangers..... Thank you- your service doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated in our home.

Much love- The Miles Family

Pictures in the Park

Just a super quick glimpse from today.... I met at Lundeen Park- on the north end of beautiful Lake Stevens today with two local families.

I was pleasantly surprised that

1- it wasn't pouring rain as predicted, and
2- that there were still so many beautiful leaves to be had!

It was apparent with the chill in the air- that fall is about done- and winter is almost certainly- just around the corner!

(I was joking with Matt & Andrea- that I was pretty sure that my blue fingers, had the beginnings of hypothermia after nearly two hours in cold today!)

It was worth it tho- we got some fun family shots for both Shawn & her boys and Matt & Andrea and their boys.