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Little Starling Photography bio picture

Photographic Storytelling

Lauriann Wakefield
Roswell, New Mexico and Utah County's natural light child photographer.

If you love my work, I'd be thrilled to hear from you! Just click on
the "Contact" link above and we can chat about the story you want told with photographs.
I specialize in newborn, children, and family portraiture.
Sessions are on-location, either at your home, a park, a downtown city
area, or another familiar location.

Prices start at $130.  Click on the "Session Info" link above to learn all the details.

Today…

Today outside my window…it’s half overcast.  Fills like March/April weather in Utah.

I am thinking about…TIME and how slow it feels.  How I’ve changed in a year.  How life is going to change in a few weeks.

I am thankful for…Kathryn who copied the dance warm up from my Utah class and sent me a copy.  I’m thankful for surprise gifts in the mail from family and friends.

From the kitchen….Perry is home and gathering food for lunch.

I am wearing…my Disneyland t-shirt. Gray workout pants.  No socks.

I am reading…the Hunger Games.  Quite dark.  Had to skip a few chapters, but have to know how it ends.

I am looking forward to…time with my family in a few weeks.  Shopping in Utah.  Seeing my mom smile.  A massage.

I am hearing…Jack’s lullaby nap music drifting from the baby monitor.

A few plans for the rest of the week…Honor my dad.  Clean.  Find the last baby box in storage.

I need to remember….to shoot my newborn photos in RAW.  I can’t forget!

A picture to share…I’m playing around with some retro toy pictures for my Etsy shop.  Decorative prints for a nursery.
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Proof Books {Little Starling Photography}

Announcing Proof Books, new for my clients.
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The entire session of images viewed in your gallery will be bound as a spiral book.  Measures 4×6.
An easy way to have all the images in one place from your session.

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proof-book

amber b - seriously awesome!

Jack’s baby

Photographing Childhood

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Getting ready for baby brother.

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Saren - That's adorable. jacks gonna be such a cute big brother!

Tulip Baby {New in my Etsy shop}

New for my Etsy shop.
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I really love these little cupcake toppers!  They are inspired from a vintage baby shoe box I bought several years ago at an antique fair.  While going through my baby boxes I found it again, and put the images to good use as party cupcake toppers.  They can be found here…

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monique - oh my goodness! darling!!!

Silly update

Well, we’re just weeks away from welcoming our little boy into the world.  It occupies my thoughts hourly, and I am busy nesting, I guess.   Cleaning for sure.  Making extra cupcake toppers for Etsy.  Finishing projects.  Stocking up the pantry and frozen meals.  Frozen taquitos are high on my list right now.  Even bought a few extra sweat pants that I know I’ll be living in.
Also photographing this new little person occupies my thoughts all the time.  Deciding what outfits, what blankets, what colors.  I’ve learned so much since photographing Jack as a newborn.  Wow a lot! and I can’t wait to try again with my little guy.  My fear is I’ll be too tired to care, which is what happened with Jack.   But I shot anyway, and I’ve got a few that I LOVE, but I feel I can do so much better this time.  Plus, this might be my last time with my own newborn.  So this go around, I’m having my nieces help me, and I’ll show them what I’ve learned on photographing newborns.  I’m so excited!   See, I think about it all the time.  I have a pile of gear ready to go with us.  Hope the truck can fit everything.
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I have one idea I’m hoping will work, that I’ve thought long about in the set up.  I’ll let you know if it works out.  It will involve about three of us and a cooperative sleepy newborn.  And I’m THIS close to getting a new lens that I’ve drooled for.  I just might be able to order it in time to use with my new baby.  So many photographers that I admire love this lens, and I can’t wait to love it too.

So with new baby coming, I’m slowing my photography business for a while.  At least I won’t advertise just yet, and will just do sessions from word of mouth.   I keep telling myself there’s a time and a season.  So that’s why you haven’t seen much client work here, as I decided not to advertise when we moved to Roswell.  I’ll save that for when I feel ready to jump back in.  Busy this spring and summer, I do not want to be.   But it hasn’t stopped me from dreaming about my someday studio space and thinking about all the little babies to photograph.  I look forward to it, and it feels good to know exactly what i want to do with my creative self.

For the adoption- paperwork and legal stuff is almost done.  Home Study is finishing up.  Found out the birth father hadn’t received his pack of papers to sign, so we got our attorney to quickly amend that.  We are grateful he is so willing and supportive.  This second adoption has been just as perfect, if I dare use that word, as it could ever be.  Jack gets a blood brother, and he is so ready to love his brother.  We talk about his baby brother coming.   And he recognizes things we have “for the baby”.   I can’t wait to bring Jack to the hospital to see his brother.  There’s a lot of love in that word– Brother.

I think about the baby’s delivery too.  That I get to be there this time, if mother nature cooperates.  The birth mom has agreed that both Perry and I can be there for the delivery.  It means so much to me to be present.  I’m not sure why.   Maybe because I missed it with Jack, and when we heard his first cry over our cell phone, I just longed to be there to hold him.  We still had about 6 more hours to drive.  His birth mom kept texting us along the way, wanting to know how close we were, what town we drove threw.  And she even texted us our first glimpse of baby Jack.  Got to love technology.12-01-07-lauri-hearing-jacks-birth3b

I’ve witness one delivery so far, of my dear friend.  I was present to photograph, with care, the arrival of their beautiful baby girl.  And as I probably will never go through it first hand, I’m grateful for that experience.  I think everyone should witness the birth of a human being and feel the emotions.bwimg_0241

Well, anticipation is high.  Many are praying for a  good and healthy delivery. I almost can’t believe this is happening a second time for us.  And happening in February, a year after my dad died.
I know with adoption you can expect nothing, but patiently hope for everything.  And wait and see the outcome.   Pretty much everything is out of our hands.  The only thing we could really control was our answer, that  “Yes! we would love to adopt your baby.”

Yolanda - Thanks for sharing - I know the emotions well! So much joy and anticipation - truly a wonderful time in your life. We will be praying for a safe delivery and that you and Perry will make it in time. I love that Jack is so excited to be a brother - what a great time for your family.

courtney bowlden - i am just so excited and happy for you! you are so amazing! i cant wait to see the pictures!

Kiera - Lauriann, I wanted to wish you the very best of luck with your newest addition. I also had to tell you that I absolutely ADORE that picture of you in tears. It is one of the most beautiful images I've ever seen. So honest and true. You were meant to be the mother of these two brothers. :) Congratulations!

Little Starling Photography - I suppose "Silly" because I felt silly rambling on about what's going on.

Heather - I agree with the other commenter - what is silly about this update?! This post is just beautiful. I'm so excited for your family!

Saren - Can't wait to see your pics of Scott! love you!

Pam Lee - so happy for you Lauri and hope all goes well so you can be there for that first cry. We wish you well in your adjustment to a second child in your home.

monique - so very very exciting!

Noelle - Good luck! I am so happy for you!!! He is one lucky little guy to get such amazing parents!

Shauna Howell - Lauri! I can't believe it is so soon. I'm so happy for you guys. I can't wait to see your pictures of him! (I've been longing for that lens for ages. Mind if I drool a little on yours?) :)

Ashley Thalman Photo - Silly?????! What about that is silly? Not one word. Now I know you are asking yourself, "Who is this Ashley Thalman character? She neeeever comments on my blog!" I know, I know. I have been horrible as of late. All apologies. So, email me your address ASAP I have a "New Boy Coming" gift all ready to be sent! I can't wait to see how your projects go, what #2 looks like, what his name will be and how much he will LOVE YOU!

Shower

The local ladies threw me a sweet baby shower filled with good food and good company.  Check out the fabulous table spread and the diaper cake!  I don’t dare take it apart.  The chocolate cake top was inspired by the birds adorning our nursery.

I’m so grateful these women have invited me into their circle of friendship.  It means a lot to me to feel connected and cared about.

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Antonella Di Pietro - HERMOSO!!! divino todos los detalles!!

Michelle Wilkes - Wow! I've never seen a cake I made look so good! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was lots of fun! We are all so excited for you!

amber b - Showers are so wonderful...gets you all excited about the EVENT!! Im sending good thoughts your way...cant wait to see the little guy!

Britt - Wow what an amazing diaper cake! I kept the one Holly Made for me in Luka's room as a decoration for months! :)

Pam Lee - wow that was incredible!! so happy you are feeling welcomed and loved. Now only about a month before your new son appears on the scene

courtney bowlden - i SO wish i could have been there! i am so excited for you guys!

Hey…

Hey ya-all, it snowed yesterday.
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Jack's dad - We'll fix ya of that "ya-all" soon. That's definitely a dead give-away of being new to the area. Here we say "yall". We might even try to be somewhat grammatical and add an apostrophe, so it ends up as "y'all". :D

On the road to Hobbs

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About an hour outside of Roswell, New Mexico

Exploring the process

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Just trying new ways of proofing.  What do you think?

Pam Lee - He looks so soft

courtney bowlden - i like it! it has a very antique feel to it!

How a toddler drinks his juice…

Photographing Childhood

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I give him props for creativity.  Forget the cup and straw, Jack is drinking his juice by way of hair.  He pored out his juice, leaned over to sip it up, but in the process discovered it was more fun to catch the drips off his hair with his tongue.  Way to go boy!
This is our special juice, and that is why it has a green tint.  It’s juiced, apples, carrots, spinach and lime.  MMMM good.  The only way I can get him to eat his veggies now-a-days.

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Jack's dad - It took me awhile before I could stop laughing long enough to actually type a comment. Jack is just too funny! I love his exploration.

Heather - So cute! I'm telling you - juicing is the way to go. Every morning, Max and I (and sometimes Kevin) drink our 'green juice': spinach, celery, cucumber, parsley, apple, lemon, lime, and ginger. I think it's good, but I was shocked that Max liked it too! I'm just not going to let him see this picture and get any ideas...

Marcene - I love it! I'm glad someone can get their kid to eat veggies!

Spring {Etsy}

New in my Etsy shop.

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Chalk and a sidewalk

Photographing Childhood

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Chalk drawing has a history with me, and I hope it will with Jack too.   As a child and pretend city planner, I designed whole towns on the huge driveway behind our house.  I tried to ride my bike along the mini roads.  Back then the chalk came from my dad’s sheet rock lying around.  And since he was a construction owner, there was plenty from my point of view.  Sorry dad, for all the broken corners.
This is Jack’s first time with sidewalk chalk and he practiced his straight lines.  Got them down pretty good.   Maybe next time he’ll try circles.

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I started drawing him a puppy, in a field of flowers, that went to a party, and was wearing a tie.  Then realized it was getting too cute, so a dinosaur came to eat it.
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To all our Utah family, we love and miss you!

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Linda - That is so stinkin' cute!!! I literally lol when I read that you tried to ride your bike on the "chalk streets" you drew! That's awesome! Jack is blessed to have such a talented Momma!

courtney bowlden - what a cutie!!! i love that red hair!!! girl- i am just so proud of your work! its amazing!

Britt - and then a dinasour came to eat it - I love it! :)

At the cabin

Found this photo the other day as I was going through my “Photo A  Day” folder for 2008.  I thought it would brighten my mom’s day.  Love you!
Jack was 7 months old here.

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Spring River Park and Zoo {The Roswell Guide}

The other day I felt we should go feed the ducks at the Spring River Zoo.  We haven’t been there in a while and a  stale loaf of bread could be put to good use.   What fun it was to see way more geese there than I ever have.  They kept taking flight from the water and would circle around in the sky.  Groups and groups of them.   Jack was just keen on throwing the bread to the birds that crowded around which was a highlight to his day.  He was quite mad at me when I tried to get him in his car seat to go home.  It’s my goal to teach him to love and respect nature, I suppose this is helping.  :)

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Post it

What would you do with Mickey Mouse post-its?

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courtney bowlden - he is so stinkin adorable!

Lynnette - Perfect place to stick them.

Bridget - Awwwww, this make me smile huge!

Janelle - Anything you post of Jack is so dang cute!!!!

Britt - What a cutie! They are all growing up way to fast!!

Photo booth

Photographing Childhood

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Technology is so fun. I showed Jack Photo Booth on my laptop, and he went crazy loving it!  A lot of laughing hysterics and jumping up and down.  I think the novelty was seeing himself on the screen and moving.
What we captured cracks me up!

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Pam Lee - he looks like such a big boy not just 2 years old

Little Starling Photography - I agree, it is a curse. :) But you do a great job making the best of it.

Holly - Looks like you guys had so much fun. I'm a little jealous - the curse of the working mom - but so glad that you're able to spend this time with your little man. Jack's going to be a super brother to baby Scott.

Holly - That looks so fun! I'm a little jealous - the curse of the working mom - but I'm so glad you get to spend this time with you little man. You waited long enough that's for sure. He's going to be a super big brother.

Running from the east wind

Photographing Childhood.

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Our first bike ride of the year.

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In a neighborhood of boring doors, this one stood out and I quite liked it.
I think when I’m old, I’ll have an eccentric front door.  Maybe ten chimes on the porch, and colorful flower pots by the ol’  rocker.

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Saren - agreed. :)

Britt - I love that door too! Why wait until we're old!? :)

Pinwheels

Photographing Childhood.

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Discovering pinwheels on our walk.
He laughed and squealed.

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Pam Lee - It sure is fun to see them discover

katherinemarie - and isn't THAT {photographing childhood} what it is ALL ABOUT... nothing more... nothing less... this is the good stuff girl! Thanks for sharing your journey!

courtney bowlden - i love your processing.... tell me your secrets!

from the car on a road

Somewhere between Lindon and Roswell.

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Little Starling Photography - Ya, the first one really struck me too. I love the blur and detail of the soot on the window.

courtney bowlden - i love how vintage that first one is!

beth - I know that spot I swear it was so pretty when you pass that spot:)

Little Starling Photography - I think it was that Colorado stretch of the trip where you keep passing little farms. It was like 14 degrees outside.

Michelle Wilkes - Where were these pictures taken? They are beautiful. They look like the drive from Utah to Roswell, but the snow is really throwing me off.

My pace…

I’ve had this creative battle going on in my head,  and I’m reflecting on where I want to go with it and what I want to be.  Along with trying to be the mother I want to be and preparing to mother another baby.  So much to think about.

I came across this blog post the other day and I just have to re-post it here, as her words are exactly how I’ve been feeling.  I hope she doesn’t mind, as I give her full credit.

Boho Girl is also an adoptive mom of a darling little boy.   She’s creative, artistic, and I know we’d have so much to say if we ever met.

Here’s what she wrote:

“I woke up feeling tender today.
It could be hormones. Or life shifts. Or dream shifts.
I took a peek outside of the cocoon I have been in. I saw friends that I love doing tremendous things. Teaching classes and workshops. Writing Finishing books. Inspiring the world with original ideas. Being their beautiful, yummy selves that always attracted me to them in the first place. I felt a swell of happiness for them. Humbled they are in my life…and that I have been a witness to their tremendous growth in how they teach me and teach others with all that they are.
Then I looked within and noticed I wasn’t feeling enough. That lately I haven’t been doing enough. I was comparing. Something deep stirred within me. That feeling where a fire has been lit under my tush. Knowing that my ideas need to be shared. Remembering my story has purpose, as do all of ours.
Then I found [a photo] on a CD that Boho Brother left on my desk. He took this while he was out here and I remembered what I have been doing. And that is enough.
(it was a photo of her and her baby)
Now as I write this, I feel more gentle with myself. Trusting that I will find that balance between raising a boy and accomplishing my creative goals. Having faith that I will be gentle when at the end of the day, if I am too exhausted to write or create, that it is okay to rest. Giving myself plenty of space to do things the way I do things…and being okay with that. Even though many of my friends are mothers too and yet still do more than me. Its okay if my pace is different.”

I’m soooo grateful for the chance to be Jack’s mommy, and to be the mommy of his little brother coming in February.  To be their mommy is a once in a life time blessing, and the most important project I could be a part of.

So I tell my creative self, there’s a time and a season for the things I want to do, and I’m on my own time line with my creative work.  I’ll be that busy baby photographer soon enough.  In the mean time, I really am living my dream.

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I love you Erica for Jack and Scott.

Pam Lee - that was a beautiful post by your friend. It gives us all a lot to think about

monique - isn't life tricky? One where we (specifically)are taught to focus on our mothering and yet have this divine addition to our gifts and talents. So hard to find that balance. I too am taking a little time (almost against my will) to make time and space for my family in my busy life. (Go re-read Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on creating for more support on your awesome journey)

It is January after all…

I’m all bummed that our apartment doesn’t have  lighting as good as our last home.  Man, we had so many windows.  And it’s too cold to go shooting outside.  Hopefully the cold spell won’t last long, and then we can head outside again.  I think it’s adding to my blaa feeling and I just haven’t felt inspired as a photographer lately.  I need to go out somewhere new. Explore.   I need it to be warm enough to go out.  Definitely getting cabin fever.  And now I’m back to not liking the lighting in our apartment, and wishing we had a bigger space with more windows.

My other problem is my little DVD man, and I’m guilty of letting him watch.   When the TV is the central focus in the only room we can hang out, well what can I expect.  Plus, I’ve had a cold this week and haven’t felt like doing anything.  “Sure Jack, you can watch what ever you want, just let me lay here.”  Somehow I feel a little better that it’s not TV and all it’s annoying commercials and constant interruptions.  Attention Syndrome!!  I like the slower flow of movies and so does Jack.

I need it to get warmer so we can get out.  It would be so good for both of us.

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Bridget - Trust me Lauri, there will come a day when he won't want to watch TV and only wants to be right by you, even when you are doing your buisiness, and you wish for nothing more than for him to just watch TV for even 30 minutes!!! Hahaha! Boston's TV watching comes in phases. Some times he wants nothing to do with it, sometimes he wants to watch the same DVD all day. Ehh, what do you do? (shrugs)

Little Starling Photography - Thanks Amber, guess I've read too many books about brain development that make me guilty about his TV watching. My husband has ADD and I don't want my son to have it if there's anything I can do. I hope when he's older he'll enjoy playing games and reading. hoping...

amber b - Ha! Dont feel too quilty. Whatever makes things work- its only a short while....I have to admit, I wonder if Ive created my own monster as well. Since Tristan is up 6 out of 7 days before 5am ( usually between 4:15 and 4:45) Im not kidding...we put a TV in his ROOM( can you believe it!!??) and when he wakes up I pop in a movie and it lets me sleep another hour- or at least 30 minutes LOL!

Action figures

Photographing Childhood

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Bedtime with Buzz and Woody.  Night night Jack!

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Holly Shafer - Awwww! He's so cute!

monique - ohhhh sweetness! Just love it when kids actually PLAY with their toys!

Dreaming of Spring

New prints in my Etsy shop.
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katherinemarie - I am in constant awe of your WONDERFULNESS! Your images are unique and breathtakingly gorgeous. Sorry I don't comment more... I adore ALL of work. Every one of your photos tells a mesmorizing story of joy, God, love and beauty. So for every post I read, but don't take the time to say... THANK you.... THANK you times a million. Keep up the TERRIFIC work and can't wait to see what 2010 brings to your world.

The Christmas post

Photographing Childhood

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Christmas at Grandma Lu’s house.

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The nativity set loved by children, grand and great for 50 years.

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Christmas morning.

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Tunnel, tent and toes.

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The biggest box under the tree.
I once had the biggest box under the tree, it was a doll house loved for many years.

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Coats and car seats don’t mix well.

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courtney bowlden - he is so stinking cute! those last two pictures were adorable!

Pam Lee - Lauriann he is just adorable and it will fun to see your new little one and have the adventure of another son. so happy for you

Today…

Today outside my window…there is a chill in the air, snow drifts in the shade, but the sun is shining.

I am thinking about…how tired I am.  We drove about13 hours yesterday to get back to Roswell.  I’m also thinking about my family as my cousin passed away Monday.

I am thankful for…our big safe truck; every minute I get to spend with family; naps.

From the kitchen…piles of things to put away, dishes to wash, clothes to wash, gifts to appreciate, oh, and a book to read .

I am wearing…my Moab hoody (claimed it from Perry),  gray sweats, and no socks.  I should really go put some socks on my cold feet.

I am reading…Going to start reading the third book in the Fablehaven series.  I highly recommend them.

I am looking forward to…the arrival of baby Scott in about two months.

I am hearing…Hello Dolly playing through Netflix.  A good happy movie appropriate for a sluggish day back from vacation.

A few plans for the rest of the week…wondering where to start, and what to do.  Celebrate the arrival of 2010.   Stock the fridge.

I need to remember…I’ll feel better when I get some energy.  And don’t eat 8 sugar cookies in one day.

A picture to share…Timpanogos, mountain that I love.

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Spring 2009
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October 2009

courtney bowlden - holy crap that first one is GORGEOUS!

Saren - I looooooooove the picture of mount Baldy. WOW!

laura bunker - I just love your work. Congratulations on adopting your second little guy. We did invetro twice and now have three kids and almost adopted as well - still thinking about it. It's so great to see your cute little guy. Your little red headed boy couldn't be any cuter. I want to squeeze him from my side of the computer.

Finding

It’s always fun to look back through my archives and find photos I some how missed the first time.  I love seeing how much my little man has changed!

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November 2008

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Tonya Peterson - I know where that is!!! I love the color of the old door and the brick! He is so dang cute too!

Britt - AHHHhhhhh! I can't believe how grown up they are getting! Wasn't it fun watching them all fly down Jack's slide together?! I had a blast at TP :), good times and good ice cream.

Flashback Friday {Christmas}

A little elf was in our house for Christmas last year.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lowest prices

No joke, I walked out of KOHLS with a reciept that said, “You saved $466.13″  and I only spent $36.13 on three items.
I’d have to say their claim for lowest prices of the year was actually true!

I went to KOHLS actually to get some shoes, which of course, they didn’t have my size.

So I walked by the bedding section, as it’s my weakness for sure.  Baby photo props, right?  I was curious if they had this gorgeous yellow comforter  I saw there last spring, that was so expensive, but so pretty.  Just curious.  And wouldn’t you know it, there it was, 80% off clearance!  I couldn’t pass the set up, didn’t have to talk myself into it for long, and went right to checkout.  I was very willing to pay the $77.99 sticker price for the 4 piece set.  But it range up for $23.99.  Merry Christmas to me!
So that’s how I walked out of the store only spending $36.13, and I get a yellow poppy comforter that is so squishy soft.
I love shopping in Utah!

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Mom Henriksen - That is the most gorgeous comforter set. It is the buy of a life-time. So glad you documented it. It is hard to believe. Proud of you. Love, Mom

Pam Lee - that is quite the deal! I love the comforter

Bear kisses

Photographing Childhood.

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Found Jack’s animals arranged on the chair like this:
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in the mail

I smiled to see a big package on my door step.  Waited all week to see the largest print I’ve ever ordered for a client.

This is their 30×40 family print.  Can’t wait to see it framed.
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It’s a handmade Christmas

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My book, The Hundred Dollar Holiday, came yesterday, thanks to Heather, as I won her blog giveaway. I find I’m interested in any book she recommends.  And this was an engaging easy read.  Took me almost one sitting.

Here’s my take on simplifying Christmas, and a little of my back ground.
I grew up, from a child’s point of view, experiencing the most magical Christmases, full of treats, presents and family;  all three overflowing.  I loved being surrounded by my big family, and with so many presents you couldn’t see the floor.
But now I’m an adult and have had many, many years of celebrating Christmas without children of my own.  I’m convinced children are the magic of Christmas.  Not to take anything away from the Reason for The Season, but children fuel the traditions; making cookies, singing songs, seeing the lights, gift giving.   Excitement and anticipation all rolled together.   I think we do these things because kids are involved.  And a phrase from this book leaped out to me.  Why has Christmas lost it’s magic for some?  “Here’s the bottom line: we have so much stuff that a pile of presents is no longer exciting, no longer novel.”   Kids, because they haven’t had that much time acquiring stuff, find anything given to them to own, as sheer excitement.  They’re getting the taste of materialism and it’s delicious.  I remember loving the flavor.

I also found this quote interesting  from an 1894 New York editorialist, he complained that “the modern expansion of the custom of giving Christmas presents has done more than anything else to rob Christmas of its traditional joyousness… Most people nowadays are so fagged out, physically and mentally, by the time Christmas Day arrives that they are in no condition to enjoy it.  As soon as the Thanksgiving turkey is eaten, the great question of buying Christmas presents begins to take the terrifying shape it has come to assume in recent years…. The season of Christmas needs to be dematerialized.”  Telling how that was written over 100 years ago.

I’m not making any judgments, no real soap boxing.  Just reading I found interesting to think about.  I’ll still buy Jack Christmas presents.  Although we are minimal about it.  He’ll have three from us this year.  Perry and I, for the most part, don’t buy gifts for each other.  For the very reason that we don’t need to buy each other stuff just for the sake of buying something.  We get what we need and want throughout the year.  So somehow a Christmas present isn’t that novel.  That’s just us.  What I do receive from Perry every Christmas, and is most dear to me, is a letter.  A simple, personal letter written by my sweetheart, full of his feelings for me and our life together.  A gift that has nothing to do with Black or Red Fridays, and means more to me than any gift he could have thought to buy.  I like the idea of giving without spending.  I think the point in giving, is to give gifts that matter, whether it’s your time, something said, something needed, or especially, something to eat.  :)

And I really liked how the book ended,
“The point is to emerge from Christmas relaxed, contented, happy to have kept this season.  To emerge closer to your family than you were when Advent began.  To emerge with some real sense that Christ has come into your world.”

Thanks Heather, for getting me to reevaluate what my Christmas celebration should be.

Pam Lee - wow Lauri what wisdom!! I loved all your comments and will think deeply about them

monique - ahhh what a lovely post! As I have been listening to gals at church talk about what they are buying their kids this year or how much money they are spending, I began to think I was alone in my way of thought.

Heather - I'm so happy you enjoyed this book (and my other book recommendations -that made me smile! Once I read this book, I knew I needed to pass it on to someone - and I'm glad it was you. I absolutely loved what you had to say about your take on Christmas and gift-giving. Truly inspiring.

Christy Penn - Absolutely Magical post Laurie! =)

Outdooring

Photographing Childhood.

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Not much going on this week.  Just getting ready for Christmas in Utah!!

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Heather - Oh, that hair!!! Simply amazing.

Football head

Photographing Childhood.

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Little linebacker.

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Of course you’re adopted!

I’ve often wondered how I would tell Jack about his adoption, and that he was loved, not abandoned.   He will always know about his adoption as it’s nothing to hide.  It’s a part of him, and a part of us.
I read this the other day in my “Adoption Manual” our agency gave us a few years back.  Somehow I never noticed it till now, but it is such a clever explanation.

Some years ago when the Carrol O’Connors were living in Rome, they decided to adopt a baby boy.  Having no children of their own, they lavished love and affection on the boy.  They were the kind of parents every child would like to have, but all too few get.  When their son became old enough to understand a few things, he somehow got the word that he was adopted before his parents were quite ready to tell him and he went to his mother to find out if it was true.  She took him in her arms and said, “Of course you’re adopted! We’re all adopted.”  She went on to say: “Your father and I adopted each other, too.  We’re not related, you know.  I fell in love with him, and he fell in love with me, and so we adopted each other legally, so that we’d belong to each other forever.  When we found out about you, and saw you, we fell in love with you and adopted you, too.”

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Finalization.  The day our family became legal.  June 2008
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monique - oh my goodness! That is BEAUTIFUL! I am so anxious to see the new one on the way! (because I am secretly wishing for another red head in the world ;)

Yo - I love it!! What a great way to look at it. I just love how open adoption is nowadays as well - so much better then keeping secrets.

Christ the Lord

The open invitation to “Come let us adore Him” has a significantly expanded meaning to me and my family this Christmas, more than it ever did before.  For our father was taken away, ever so suddenly this year.  Hearts were broken.  I watched us all cry.  I still cry.  My heart aches to see my dad’s smile again, to hear him say he loves me, and that everything will all work out.  So many times he gave me words of comfort.  He had such wisdom and a personal relationship with Christ that I admired.

But because of our Lord’s birth, His death and His resurrection, life will be restored.   He will rescue us all from death and we will see our daddy, grandpa and spouse again.  That smile I can envision in my mind, I know will twinkle again some day.  For this precious gift, I most gratefully adore Christ the Lord.  He is the Prince of peace to all.

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Christmas 1960

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Christmas 1972

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Christmas 1973
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Christmas 1978
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Christmas 1981
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Christmas 2004
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Christmas 2007
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Ananda - Thank you, thank you!! For sharing such sweet memories; can't wait to see you:)

Bridget - Boy, thanks for making me bawl. I sure miss Grandpa!!! There are so many times that I feel like he is still watching out for us and that he still has a hand in our lives. We did sealing in the SLC Temple last night, dear sweet Grandma Blue was with us, and I couldn't help but wonder if Grandpa was watching as well. I am so emotional today, I'm such a mess! My goodness. We girls are all on the same page. I sure love you and can't wait to see you!

Saren - I love you guys! Thanks for sharing those. Wow my cousins sure look a lot like their parents. lol. I saw one pic of Doug and thought it was wheeler for a sec.

Britt - Hey, just thinking about you this morning and now I can tell we're a little on the same page. I sure love you and miss you. Cna't wait to see you guys! Love Britt