Molly's excited for Jelly Beans -- A first for her!

The face I get when I ask for a nice smile lately.

the almost posed nice looking picture. that failed terribly.

First Egg of the outdoor Easter Egg Hunt!

makes me happy.

the Ladybug sharing her egg - Jackson less then impressed.

a change of shoes and dancing in the afternoon sunlight!

We hope your Easter was filled with love, laughter and sunshine too!

Much Love,

stage fort park, gloucester ma

guess who loves the see-saw with her daddy.. and guess who loves them both more then words.

that’s all.

much love,

1. Last week I had the honor of donating a session to be raffled off for sweet Charlotte’s Bone Marrow ‘Be the Match’ Drive.  I’m super excited to report we raised over $1000 for ‘Be the Match!’  I’ve already been in touch with the winner Andrea and I know a session with her two little blessings is going to be fantastic this summer.  Charlotte’s drive was a HUGE success.  Thank you thank you to all of those who came out and got screened.  I’m told a ‘good’ turnout is somewhere around 40-50 people.. between the two screenings we had over 300!  It really is amazing what a community can when we work together.  It was an honor to work with so many amazing people who love and support the Pineault family.  I look forward to working together again and getting to know all these amazing new friends

2.  Speaking of Charlotte — she is doing great.  For those who have asked, she is in her second phase of treatment here in Boston and is responding very well.  Her parents Ted and Constance are so wonderful about keeping up with her journal to keep everyone updated on her daily progress.  You can read their entries here: Charlotte’s CaringBridge Page

3. I’m headed down to my friends at Lens Pro to Go in Concord, MA to return a camera I rented last week while mine was out getting fixed.  Photographers in the area – If you don’t know about Lens Pro to Go already (which you totally should!!!) but if you don’t – GO to their website.  You’ll love them.  Paul is fantastic and has so much gear available to rent that you’ll be blown away.  Their customer service is amazing and their friendly advice is always wonderful.  They have also just introduced a new business called StudioShare. It is a really awesome concept — As they say on their website:

Community-based photo rentals enable photographers to make the most of photo resources that are already in use and owned by others in the photo community. Make money by renting out your own idle equipment and space, or rent others’ resources for your photo shoots. Share your skills, or hire experienced stylists, assistants, and other service providers, easily and securely.

So essentially if you have equipment you want to rent or studio space available or you need studio space if you dont have a studio – this is a place you can go to connect with other photographers and use it as needed.  Amazing, right!  Check it out – It’s going to be fantastic!

4.  In the craziness I’ve been really trying to take 5 minutes to start my day with a little bit of sunshine and a few minutes to quiet my mind.  It seems lately when I start the day I’m off and running before I can even catch my breath so I’ve been trying to take a few minutes before the day starts to quiet my mind and keep centered.  I really believe its important to take a few minutes to yourself, especially us Mom’s who’s days are off and running as soon as those little piggies hit the floor, as well as us business owners who are desperately trying to find more hours in the day! If we’re not good to ourselves, we cant be great for everyone else, right!? Lately with the nice weather I’ve been taking these precious few minutes down by the water on days that I leave first thing.. here are a few snapshots from my iphone I took to remind myself to stay centered when things get overwhelming.  Pretty, isn’t it!?

calm seas - singing beach - manchester ma

rough seas after the crazy rain and flooding - serious beach erosion

5. Can we talk about this weather!?  I am officially SO ready for Spring and Summer!  The last few days have been in the mid 60s and I hear it might even be 70 on Saturday.  SUPER excited about that — Family day on Saturday with 70 = awesome.  I’m thinking I might actually do a mini shoot with the kiddos and Rick as its been a long time since I’ve actually shot for my own kids — we’ll see if they are interested, or at least up for bribery! Nope, I’m not above it! Stay tuned.

6. The kids must be in the middle of a growth spurt because all of a sudden both of them are growing out of everything they have!  Apparently its a new season too.. Where are the weeks going? Rick and I were saying last night how these weeks are flying by.. Does anyone else feel like that?

7. Dane Sanders – Fast Track Photographer workshop is only a week away!! I’m SO excited my sweet friend Macy just signed up too — It’s going to be fantastic I know it   Check it out – You’ll think its going to be fantastic too!

8.  I don’t think I’ve reported how much I LOVE the program ‘Things’ from apple.  For someone that makes lists for lists it is awesome.  The best part is the app on my iphone syncs so everything on my computer is on my phone too! This is a HUGE benefit for me since I will lay awake at night and think of all the things I have to do the next day – now I just pick up my phone, log it into a ‘Things’ and its off my mind.  Such a great investment!

9.  Last weekend we headed for a big treat — Rick, Jackson, Molly and I met our friends Heather and Tyler and Emma at the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. The kids were awesome and had a blast!  When got home late -  I took Molly to her room to put her bed – Rick too Jack duty. I knew it was late but I sat in her rocking chair and just snuggled her .. it had been a while since I had done that but I figured, hey, we’re already past bedtime — why not!?  We sat there, I sang her her little ladybug song and she giggled.. She held her lovey and her paci (I KNOW! only for sleeping.. relax… she won’t be in kindergarten with it!) and just snuggled into my arms.  It was perfect. It was just what my heart needed.  She was angelic.  Our schedules have been so crazy lately I was grateful she gave me this little gift.  Usually she goes to bed just as we’re finishing dinner and theres still so much to do that she goes right to bed… not lots of time for snuggling.. Although I might change that.. I know I wont get this time back.. And just so I don’t forget I snapped this…

10.  It’s THURSDAY already!??!?!? HOW did that happen!?  Here’s to a busy rest of today and tomorrow and then onto a perfect weather family weekend! I hope you enjoy your weekend with those who make you smile!
Much Love,

1. Sometimes I have so many things racing through my head I a) can’t sleep and keep my poor husband up tossing and turning all night just as much as I am b) start to feel like I’m suffocating in my own thinking because I want to do so many things and I cant decide where to start and c) think I need to invent a time warp machine that would help me – and others I’m sure. There’s the answer, eh!?

2. I’m getting super excited for two upcoming events.  Next week I am headed to two days of Photography goodness at Inspire Boston — I know some of my sweet friend will be there and I look forward to meeting many more.  Any other New England area photog’s headed down to it?  The second event I’m super pumped for is Dane Sander’s — Fast Track Photographer Workshop! Dane is coming to Boston with his amazing workshop and I know he is going to fill my creative and business cup with crazy amounts of knowledge and I just can’t wait for it!  I’ve been part of Dane’s forum for a long time and I can’t wait to finally meet him!

3. Whats with the snow?  Apparently states that don’t get snow are getting crazy amounts, and states that do get snow are getting even more?  I’m kind of scared as the weather seems to be getting worse the older I get, or maybe I just pay attention now instead of just praying for snow days   Too bad Jackson hates the snow – when do they start liking it?  He just cries.  I have video to prove it.. perhaps I’ll get that on here too.

4. Speaking of video – Oh how we LOVE our FlipHD video.  That thing is awesome.  I know I keep talking about it, and I was supposed to be doing some work with it to put on the blog this morning at the Apple store, but due to a reschedule that’s postponed   – The greatest part is it fits in my pocket or diaper bag or even my purse. I love being able to capture little moments of the kids here and there.. The inner geek in me loves technology so much its ridiculous.

5.  Technology really is amazing.  Rick and I were watching a show last night about Colgan aircraft and how the airliners have such different requirements for regional jets and all that jazz.. but then it got us thinking on how its crazy that we can ACTUALLY fly. I mean the logistics of it are just insane, which is really why I don’t like to think about it to be honest.  But it did remind me of a funny video I put on my facebook a while back.. still makes me laugh everytime though.. check it out:

6. I love to people watch. It’s one of my favorite things to do, second to laughing I think. Which is quite nice since the two often go hand in hand. Sometime I look at the way people do things and it makes me wonder how they think thats a good idea? But isn’t that the amazing thing that we are all so different and can look at the same situation but do something completely different? Fascinating really. I love to see the way people interact. React. Hence my psychology degree I suppose.

7. I just reconnected with a friend from college via Facebook this week. Can I just say how excited I am!? Ms. Sherry and I were very close in college, and after college we lost touch for a bit. Not for lack of trying but we just kept missing each other and after a few years just after I had Jackson, I think, we reconnected over email. Unfortunately we lost touch again and I have spent the last few years searching for her. Little did I know she was married and didn’t use her maiden name so clearly I couldn’t find her!! Well, although I don’t like facebook for a lot of things, I do LOVE that it brought her back to me! We chatted the other night as if no time had passed at all and already are making plans to get the girls from college back together for a mini reunion. EXCITED. yes, cannot wait for that! See, inner geek – love technology. So glad to hear from you Ms. Sherry – So glad we’ll all be getting together soon.

Do you keep in touch with your college friends? High school friends? You should. Not because you have to, but because it might be nice. I know everyone says – ‘well if i wanted to keep in touch with people I would,’ but sometimes life happens and things get in the way — not that its an excuse — but sometimes you just need a little nudge to get back in touch. And then you pick up where you left off. And its awesome.

8. What is also going to be awesome is the newborn session I have on Friday. I cant wait to get my hands on a little peanut — I’ve been missing them! I know she’s going to be a little doll.. stay tuned for the sneak peak on that!

9. I can’t believe I’m actually going to say it but I can actually start to understand the needy feeling for gym! Yes, that’s right, I actually find myself needing/wanting to go. The girl who used to hate it! Crazy I know. Although running yesterday was killing my knees — apparently I’m not spring chicken anymore… perhaps I should switch to the elliptical? We’ll see…

10. He let me take his picture! Yep, Jackson said I could take his picture — not before I bribed him of course – totally not above it! But, he agreed so we could make his valentine. As soon as I loaded his images on the computer I was stopped in my tracks. He.Looks.So.Old. What happened to my sweet little baby? He’s all grown up and I can’t believe how fast time is going by. Check it out for yourself…

Until next time.. Much love,

The cutest, happiest, most delightful family.  I just spoke with another favorite client (friend), Erin, who informed me that sweet Charlotte has just been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia..

On a positive note, we are blessed to live 30 minutes from some of the best hospitals in the world here in Boston.  Charlotte is in Boston now beginning her treatments and will hopefully begin the road to recovery.    For those of you who are the praying type, please keep her and her family in your prayers.  Her sweet spirit, her precious smile, and her adorable heart needs it.

If you’d like to keep up on Charlotte’s progress you can follow here her:

Charlotte’s Caring Bridge Page

Charlotte – I’ll be looking forward to our next tea-party!  Get better love! xxoo

Ted and Constance.  Our love and prayers are with you and your family.  We will be here to lift you up and help you through this difficult time and see you onto the sunshine. Please know we are surrounding you in love and light…  We will be wishing on stars for you…

**And to my photographer friends – THIS is why keeping all your photos from sessions is important.  This session now has an entirely new meaning and I will for sure be going back through the images I didn’t show to see what is there.  Another reminder why I am honored to do what I do and feel blessed to share the gift of memories and moments…

Much Love, Many Prayers and lots of Hugs.

xxoo