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Okay third time’s a charm, they say, right?? This is the third year I’ve tried to do a photography group where we post something at set times and link to each other and see everyone’s take on everything. Okay two years ago, I tried the whole “photo walk” thing – that lasted until February. Last year, I tried the weekly thing – that was just wayyyyy too much to post something every single Friday and I think I may have lasted about 5 weeks on that one.

This year, I’m doing 10 pictures on the 10th of the month – anything from a single day that floats my boat. I think I can handle *THIS* one…although I’m embarassed to say that it’s now 10:36 PM on the 9th. I shot my images ohhhh about 2 hours ago…but I think I’ll hit my deadline – and I’m so excited about the girls in my group and to see what they’ve all been up to this month. Please take the time to go through the links at the bottom of each post – there’s some awesome talent in this group!

Okay – on to the post at hand.

Since I waited until the very last day I decided to blog about what I’ve (dis)affectionately called “Midnight Soccer”. Emma is in her second year of soccer – girl is obsessed. BUT this year, she moved up to the next age group and I was horrified to learn that they practice from 7:30-9:00 PM (yes on school nights). I thought it had to be at typo…nope. Well, anyone that knows me, knows I’m NOT a night person. Even if I have editing/ordering to do, I *need* to be in my pjs and comfy by the time that sun goes down! I was not too happy about having to drag the two younger ones out that late to pick her up either…well, here we are at the end of the season and I’ve somehow managed to survive. Seems like each practice, my sister will call to see what’s up…”We’re headed to MIDNIGHT SOCCER” I’ll say – because that’s what it feels like when it’s dark at 6PM and we don’t head out the door until 7:30!

The upside to all of this is – Emma is just beside herself. She cannot get there fast enough. My sweet little night owl can’t-wake-up-in-the-mornings girl is at her peak at 9 PM. She’s so happy, so full of energy…I have to say it was nice to take my camera and really focus on how happy she is in all of this…guess we’re in for a LOT of years of midnight soccer….

Here are my 10 images on the 10th of February – soccer in the dark!

Seriously – Emma doesn’t smile like this very often! We get to see it often on the soccer field…makes it worth all my late nights still in clothes…

It’s funny – the girls crowded around me to see the images I took (got tons of fun stuff of all the kids) and this next image, one of the girls goes, “Ummmm that’s not really a picture of anything…” I had to laugh because I think it’s my favorite image! (well, with the exception of the one of Emma laughing…)

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I have so much to share it’s ridiculous!! I’m in my new studio – for a couple of weeks now. It’s SUCH a dream come true and I have TONS to share about that (along with pictures). I’ve got little newbie babies to share and so much more! It’s been a whirlwind around here. I had to drop out of my Bloom 52 project. ONCE AGAIN I didn’t commit to my yearly blog project, so I’m disappointed with myself. But something had to give!! New studio, charity event 4th Street Dreams, busy with spring sessions, Emma’s soccer has drug out a couple of extra months, tee ball has me 3 days a week – and Allison is getting her 2-year molars (which is all SORTS of fun). We’ve had another bout with the flu over spring break – we were all SO SICK that week!! Emma hasn’t been sick for more than a day since she was in preschool – so this was such a new experience for her – coughing, achiness, headaches – she really hasn’t HAD any of that in *years*. So she’s been asking for a do-over on her spring break! LOL

So…for now, I just wanted to add a picture to my poor neglected little blog – just to say I’ve posted something! I shot these PRECIOUS little guys this past week and I just had to share their sweet little faces. MUCH MUCH more to come in the next few days so keep a lookout!!

There’s SO MUCH to share about 4th Street Dreams – please if you’re in the St. Pete area and can attend on April 28th, we are putting on this event AT the studio for a sweet little girl in St. Petersburg. 100% of the proceeds go to support her Make-A-Wish! I will be posting more about this in the days to come…
Till later!

It was another easy one for me this week….Dave and I will celebrate 13 years of marriage in a few days, so capturing an image of him this week was my goal. Each week it seems I have a bump in the road though – and this week is an unwilling subject. Dave’s not all that thrilled with being in front of the camera, but then, neither am I. So, I thought I’d give him a break and photograph him snuggling with the bean before bedtime. There’s nothing like a baby on your lap to cover all your insecurites! Lol

Dave and I met 16 years ago and were dating almost instantly after we met. (After he stole me from another man, that is…) Sometimes I’ll look at him or hear a song on the radio and feel like that young girl in college and it just shocks me to look at us now and say WOW – 16 years??? In so many ways, it feels like yesterday. But then I look at him holding our youngest (and last baby) and it hits me how far we’ve come….not only that, but how much BETTER we’ve become. I can truly say all these years later that I married the perfect man for me. He understands me like nobody else could. He truly is my rock. I’ve said it a thousand times – if it wasn’t for him, my photography business wouldn’t exist.

I didn’t think about it when I was shooting, but check out who made another appearance this week! This little snowy leopard is just part of the family I guess!

Head over to see Jen’s valentine this week! Fort Wayne, IN- Jennifer Olivas

This week, my little baby turned 2 – my sweet, sweet girl, Allison Hope. I knew whatever the topic, this week would be devoted to her. It only took a second to figure out WHAT to photograph – it was the execution of the photograph that had me stumped all week.

Allie has shown an extreme over the top passionate love scary stalker hmmmmmmmmmmm can’t find the right word! Let’s just say this girl loves animals…LOVES them. Remember THIS post? Well, that was the beginning and let’s say, her first love…”berries”. Berries still holds the #1 place in Allie’s heart…he’s the one she must have to go to bed at night. But over these past few months, we’ve moved through a lot of OTHER animals… We first started noticing she loved kitties -then the accumulation began of stuffed kitties that she would cuddle, hug, fall on top of and kiss all over their furry little bodies. Then we had a purple poodle, a dog with light up cheeks, a talking bunny, a handmade doll from my mother, TAD the frog (she really loves Tad) and most interestingly a plastic petshop bunny that she thinks is a cat. She gathers all her “guys” she calls them, puts them in rows, lines them up in chairs, and goes down the rows kissing them all. It’s really the cutest darn thing – she’s just the most LOVING little thing. I’m rambling……ok back to obsession.

So I spent the entire week trying to photograph her with all her favorite animals…we lined them up, I put her on the floor in the middle of them, I put them ALL on a shelf together (that was a complete disaster)…nothing was working. SO I finally today decided, we’d just go with the CURRENT obsession. That (much to my 6-year-old son’s dismay) is Joshua’s prized Snow Leopard Webkins named Jaguar. Allie HAS to have this thing – she stalks him until he’s not looking, races up and GRABS it and takes off running and screaming away. The funniest thing is the second Josh leaves for school in the morning, she races as fast as her 12 inch legs will carry her into his room…it’s quiet for a second…then all of a sudden, she comes running out, jaguar over her head in a triumphant game-winning touchdown type pose, all the while screaming “I FONNIT!! I FONNIT!!!!!!! ” (translation…I FOUND IT!!!) Joshua has recently just given in to the fact that she just loves this silly little snow leopard…she really does. He’ll come out of his room, carrying him sullenly and hand it to Allie. Her little eyes will light up and sparkle and she’ll GASP in her most dramatic L.A. type performance…and Josh beams at being the cool awesome brother that he is…it’s kind of become a little bit of a rhythm in our house these days….this dance between Allie, Josh and Jaguar….

So…tee ball practice started today and I figured, good timing for the sunset, let’s just take Allie out to play with her current little love…there’s great light at the ball fields, I must say. Beautiful Florida evening…

I’m not sure about the rules for this project…but in this instance, I’m having trouble just posting one image…..I figured it’s kind of doubling as her birthday post anyway. I am so in love with this little girl….

Don’t forget to check out everyone else’s interpretations of “obsession”. Start here with Jennifer’s blog and continue through – this has been so fun to see each week! Fort Wayne, IN- Jennifer Olivas