Lauriann Wakefield Studio Spot

My blog has moved

In case you haven't heard,,, my blog has moved.

Make a note with your bookmarks and come see what's new.

www.LittleStarlingPhotography.com

Time for a new blog!

Make a note with your bookmarks as I've moved my blog here:

www.LittleStarlingPhotography.com
A new town, a new focus, a new blog.

Come take a look and tell me what you think!

This blog will no longer receive updates and will go away after September.

Flashback Friday

This is a home in Pleasant Grove, but it reminds me of my grandmother's home and playing out back, and the scary cellar, and the old fashion kitchen, and the upstairs with the vent we could spy through.

Guess what came in the mail!

I couldn't have been more surprise, as she didn't tell me they were coming.
Imagine getting a package full of these necklaces all the way from Canada!

These are the sample pieces from FaniSong using 4 of my Etsy images made from 100% recycled glass.
  They are stylish, artsy and nature friendly.

This is her process:
The original photo is fused in the glass. Photo becomes part of the glass and will never just come off. Necklace is finished with sterling silver plated bail and a multi-strand ribbon cotton cord.

Each piece is proudly designed and handcrafted by Fani in her studio in Toronto area. It is also limited in edition to keep its uniqueness, only 200 pieces for each picture/image... and every piece is signed and number.
She says, "My dream is to create art works that inspire women to feel special and beautiful, I believe in art's power to inspire emotions."
You'll have to contact Fani to see when they will be available in her shop!

 

 

Thank you, Fani, for brightening my day!

Yesterday morning.

As I drove by, I noticed this forsythia twig huddling close to the wall to escape the cold morning breeze.  Spring has come a little bit early this year!

it's just a sidewalk

I'm still laughing as I think about it.
I took Jack out front for a walk.  His first time without the stroller just to see what he'd do with this new freedom.
Down the sidewalk he marched with a purpose.  Not knowing where he was going, but just glad to be going. 
As he was stepping a little too fast for his stout legs, he cascaded down- knees, belly, hands and head.  And I thought this might not be good.
But Jack, ever curious, proceeded to lick the sidewalk.
Forget about crying!  I wonder what cement taste like while I'm down here.

Give me a tall tall window please.

I'm really going to miss the lighting in Jack's room when we move.  It's so nice and bright. 
Definitely the best room in our house for picture taking.  
And I think this is why:
It has a large East facing window with an arched window on top.  Light coming from high above is the key.
The main window is covered with a simple white curtain which has proved to be the best diffuser when the sun is shining though.
My favorite time to take pictures there is in the afternoon when the room feels the brightest. 
That's why I have tons of photos of Jack in his crib where he'll hold still for the camera.

So I'm begging Perry to give me a room just like this one in our next house.

Today...

Today outside my window...
It's sunny and the windows are open to let a spring breeze in. 

I am thinking about...
getting my new web blog design.  I can't wait to work on it and get it done.

I am thankful for...
A husband who got home safely last night.

From the kitchen...
I can hear Billy Holiday singing on the player.  We just finished lunch and Jack's chair is a mess of pasta, raisins and strawberries.  He refuses to wear a bib and wants to feed himself. You can imagine the rest.

I am wearing...
My workout clothes from being on the treadmill earlier today.  It's past lunch and I haven't showered yet.

I am reading...
"The Message".  A book recommended to me by a dear friend who's mother died the same day as my dad, but many years earlier.

I am looking forward to...
getting my new wide angle lens in the mail.  Thank you tax return.

I am hearing...
Jungle Book playing on the TV in the hopes that Jack will watch while I shower.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Get a load of our stuff packed for the trailer. 
Grocery shopping. 
Get some new clothes for Perry.
Anxiously look for new spring blossoms to photograph.

I need to remember...
my dad.

A picture to share...
I couldn't share just one.

Nose

Jack,
When I put you down for naps, we rock in the red chair and I hold you while you drink your milk. The fan is on to mask general noises.  Soft music is looping on the player.
One hand holds the bottle, and with your other you proceed to point to my nose and say,  "ose" in your cute little way.  You do it over and over, while sometimes pointing to my eyes or ears too. 
Today you pushed on my nose, and I honked at you for the first time.  You giggled with delight and pressed over and over.  Each honk twinkled your eyes, and snorts laughed through your nose.  Clearly this was the funniest thing you'd ever heard.
I can't wait to show you cartwheels.

 

Yesterday, I took you for a walk down our street. 
Walks magically turn you from a whining baby to a quiet baby.  You whine when you're teething. 
I wish I could have gone on more walks during the winter.

Just an outing

The weather was warm- we headed out.

Healing

I've had reason to reflect on our adoption lately, at what an expanding miracle it is to be Jack's mommy.  To be completely in charge of his safety and love. To see him miss his daddy. To recognize the healing in my heart.  I've found I rarely think of the painful months and years preceding his arrival.   Although the hurts will never be wholly forgotten.  They lay as quiet blankets in my memories. 

Today, Jack discovered the simple pleasure of climbing in a rocking chair, swaying back and forth.  We laughed. He bonked his head.  He climbed and tried again.  Silly little monkey.

I am peace and calm.  I am someone's mommy. 

 

 

baby curls

Oh I can't resist saving Jack's curls!  I let this one grow into a ringlet.  :)
But it was about time I gave him a nice trim, as it was getting scraggly. 
So far his hair still wants to curl!  even after the cuts.  Keeping fingers crossed.
 

A quote just because:

“being an artist means ceasing to take seriously that very serious person we are when we are not an artist.”
~ jose ortega y gasset

Flashback Friday

Once again, another photo from a year ago today.

Just a bit of us.

 

 

 

 

 

Where's mommy's nose?

I gave my baby away...

My first digital SLR camera, I mean. 
Yes, it was about time I passed it on to my niece who loves photography as much as I do.
So my last day with the Rebel, Jack and I had some fun.

 

 

JACK update:

He'll walk around the house saying, "Yaaeeeee.  Yaaeeee"  Which is him calling my name.

His growth has finally slowed- still off the charts though.

Weight:  31lbs. 8 oz.
Height:  32.5 inches, although that one is probably wrong as he was extra squirmy at the office.

He finally signs back to me!  His first, besides waving, is "More" but I think he uses if for "I want".  He also will sign "Eat". Ah! sweet communication.

Portrait of my new town.

Oh, awhile back I was blog hopping again and came across these gorgeous photos, (except for the first one), and then I realized,
hey! I've been there! 
Lots of times. Roswell Trading Co. is near my in-laws' business (which is where Perry's starting his new job).
And since I was there last week, I tried my hand at giving this alien town a portrait session.  

Sadly, I forgot my wide angle lens as it could have come in handy for some of these large buildings.
  Main street is full of alien signs and such, although it's all one huge gimmick.  
The only aliens you'll spot are illegal.

This isn't the face of just one lamp post- all the lamp posts on main street have been abducted.

One of my favorite sites are these pecan orchards scattered around town.  These trees are huge and seem to go on and on.   More impressive in person.

  My second favorite place, is to drive past the building in the road.  It's the local theater house, and I'm guessing the city planner at the time was drunk.

 

 

Summer came early for us

Yes I'm back! from being in New Mexico this week along with record highs.  Sadly we didn't bring our flip flops and shorts, but took advantage of it with swing'n walks and fly'n swings.  Since February was pretty ruff, an escape to summer weather has been sweet.

Jack is progressing on his balance, and being able to explore outside has been such a fun novelty for him.  So has licking rocks and eating dirt.

What is sorrow, but a tender side of love.

I've wanted to write here for awhile, but the words just haven't come.  I didn't realize how heavy or uninspired I'd feel. I know death comes to us all, to our parents, our siblings, our spouse.  I just wish I had more time with my dad.  And for some reason I feel a little bit guilty about getting back into the routine of things. 
We must go on without him. 
We must be okay.

"The happiest, sweetest, tenderest homes are not those where there has been no sorrow, but those which have  been overshadowed with grief, and where Christ's comfort was accepted.  The very memory of the sorrow is a gentle benediction that broods over the household, like the silence that comes after prayer,  There is a blessing sent from God in every burden of sorrow." 
-J. R. Miller

I feel that in my family.  The sorrow has grown gentle now that time has passed.  The sorrow has wrapped our family together.  Each coming and going we embrace with expressions of love.  My dad would be so pleased to see the love.

Blessed are all they that morn, for they shall be comforted.
We will go on without him.
We will be okay and be together again.

My dad

I picture him smiling like this and I am comforted.

Sunset

The sun has set on the day my dad passed away.
I watched the sun rise in New Mexico and watched it set while standing on my parent's driveway in Utah. 
It's been a long- long- long day, filled with crying, packing, driving, flying, flying again, driving and hugging my brothers and sisters and my mom.  I'm so grateful to be with my family as we share and cry together.  I am filled with so much love for them, and for my father. I will miss him far more than I can ever express.

Tomorrow the sun will rise.

pumpkin curls

Those curls finally met the scissors last week.  I couldn't bare the thought of someone else messing with his hair, or messing it up,
so I trimmed it myself, one curl at a time, which took about all day.
It's just a trim to even things out- no worries- those sweet flips are still there

 

 

Today...

I am constantly inspired by other blogs-  and when I have no post ideas, I delve into the blog world and find I finally have something to say too.

Today outside my window...
it's been hazy, yucky, inversiony.  Crusty snow sits in mounds waiting to be melted.  It's the part I hate about January/February.

I am thinking about...
a new photography project I get to be apart of which involves providing photographs for a book.  (I'll tell more later as it progresses).

I am thankful for...
my camera that records the moments in our lives and allows me to remember what I desperately don't want to forget.
Also especially thankful for every Etsy sale this month.

From the kitchen...
I can hear Perry doing the dishes!  He's watching 24 and putting the time to good use.

I am wearing...
My pilates cloths- Red Book T-shirt and black pants. It was a killer workout today at the gym.

I am reading...
"The Christmas Sweater".  So far so good, although quite sad.  Anxious for a positive ending.

I am looking forward to...
SPRING!  The warmth, the bare feet, the walks.  Farm Country trips.  A new baby nephew in April.  And a photo shoot with Ashley.

I am hearing...
"How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bird and The Bee

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Finish our tax itemizing.  Visit with Bridget.  List our lawn mower on KSL.com.  Drop a donation box off at the DI.

I need to remember...
that a house is just a house and I can make a home anywhere.

A picture to share...
I get a kick out of shoes on a wire.

Flashback Friday

A week ago today, Pumpkin discovered his evil-eye look. 
You've been warned.

Surrender

Like others, 2009 has been one of the hardest years for our little family, and it's only a month old.  Unemployment.  Recession.  Banks- they've all effected us and our plans for the future.  I feel like the chapters of my life, yet to be played out, are being ripped out and thrown away.  I can't even flip ahead to see what's next in the plot.
With all our unknowns, I'm so grateful for sweet friends who've shown so much love.

Some gems of advice we've received, is to focus on our family. 
Express gratitude for the wonderful blessings we do have.
And don't loose hope.

And what first comes to mind is Jack.  He came into our family at the perfect time and I'm finally one of those mother's who says, "I can't imagine not having him."
When I'm feeling down, I imagine all the photos that warm my heart and I'm renewed that I can face this year for him.

More of Henson

Oh the newborn days.  When light just meant it was day, and a shower became a luxury, and knowing which day of the week was a foggy memory.