laguna beach: toes in the sand

laguna beach: toes in the sand

i was able to escape some of the scorching heat and head into laguna beach for a shoot this week.

felt incredible to be by the water. and was so much fun chasing these 2 around.

their mother is a genius for scheduling photos at the end of summer. she's ahead of the game for holiday cards and is comforted knowing she won't stress about it as the chaos of the school year begins around her. 

 

here's just a little sneak peek of just some cute toes :)

hale family: just like family

hale family: just like family

this family has a special place in my heart.  

they are friends with my little brother and sister in-law. 

mike is a marine stationed at 29 palms. he and his wife met my brother and sister in law when they were all living in idaho and have been friends ever since.  i will always appreciate how they "took care" of my family when they lived away from us.  now that mike and chelsey are stationed here in california, we are able to return the favor.  

 

hale family, i have enjoyed our holidays and summer fun adventures with you cheers to many, many more!!

xoxo amanda

ps - chelsey, did you happen to notice how many pics that darn cat was in? he was everywhere. it was like "where's waldo?"!!  ;)

my dear, sweet valentines

my dear, sweet valentines.  

I’ll be very happy
If you’ll be my Valentine;
You’ll fill my heart with joy,
And my day with bright sunshine!

By Joanna Fuchs

i was blessed with 2 sweethearts.  

they are the best gift my husband has ever given me. 

they are truly my sunshine.

one is 5 

and the other is 3.

my husband jokes about valentines day.  he believes we should show some extra love all year round.  i couldn't agree more.  

my goal is to show these two how much they are loved every day of the year.

nico & g,i love you both very much.you are two of the most special valentines i could ask for.  one of the things i love most about you is the way you love each other.  i get such joy out of watching you play together.  i am proud of the way you take care of each other. stay sweet. love always, mom xoxo 

danielle: a strength you didn't know you had

sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you find yourself in a situation you never thought you would be in.  you are forced to dig deep and find a strength you might not have known was there.

my friend danielle is traveling down a road she never imagined being on.  her strength and courageous spirit inspire me.  she digs deep and continues to move forward because of 2 very special reasons: 

reason #1

reason #2

i can only imagine how many times you might have heard the saying: "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  i can also imagine there are some days you would like to have those lemons with tequila and salt.  that is part of the cycle, i suppose.  

this image tells a story

my friend,  i admire your tenacious spirit. you have endured a truly difficult experience.  you are independent.  you are beautiful.  these last few months have been challenging but you have dug down and found a strength deep inside.  you will get through this.  continue to be the woman your boys can be proud of. 

typical brothers...  i love how this picture captures the big brother vs little brother

these boys love their mama <3

danielle, you are an amazing mother to your boys. they think you hung the moon.  i enjoyed our afternoon together and had such a great time with all 3 of you.  i look forward to  hanging out with  you again very soon. xox, aj

a mother's love

a mother's love. this mother is tough.  this mother is strong.  this mother has a huge soft spot for her two kiddos. how could she not?  they adore her.  (as they should.)  and she lives for them. watching this woman with her children was incredible.  spending an afternoon with them was FUN! i felt their connection - deep in my core.   it made me want to be a part of their little club. i found this poem and it reminded me of you, holly: a mother's love: a mother's love is something that no one can explain, it is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, it is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may for nothing can destroy it or take that love away... it is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, and it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking... it believes beyond believing when the world around condemns and it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems... it is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, and it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation... a many splendored miracle man cannot understand and another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand. photo taken by Dina Conover photo taken by Dina Conover i loved being a part of your three-some for an afternoon.  i can't help but smile every time i see you since our time together and a hug is always required. (even you, liam!) they have burrowed a special place in my heart.  i laughed so hard with them; belly laughed so hard that i almost peed my pants a couple of times. my good friend, dina conover and her daughter allie-cat were with us for this comedy hour.  you can see some of dina's handy work above. i didn't want our time together to end.  can we do it again soon? (bailey is probably nodding her head "yes" & holly is rolling her eyes at me- she hates having her picture taken) holly, bailey & liam - thank you for letting me capture these moments with you.  i enjoyed every minute and look forward to when we can laugh together again.  i will never look atthe mcdonald's mcrib sandwich the same way.  nor will i be able to go back to this spot for a shoot and not stop to remember what an incredible honor it was to be with you that day.   i love what we captured and i smile every time i look at your images.  i hope you do, too.   lots of love to you, xox amanda jane

teper family: there is more than one way to create a family

there is more than one way to create a family.  adoption is one of the ways families are created.   adoption is the legal process that allows someone to become a parent of a child,even though they may not related by blood.  in reality, adoption is much,much more.

opening your heart and your home to a child is one of the most generous things anyone could ever do.  the teper family is hoping for the opportunity.  they are on the bumpy and often emotional roller coaster ride known as adoption.  they are opening themselves and their family up and hoping for a chance to expand their crew. 

being a parent is a self-less career.  parenting (good parenting) requires your full attention, full-time.  the demand of children can be all-consuming, but SO worth it.  being a parent is also one of the most amazing privileges you commit to.  as a parent you witness small miracles every day.

marisa told me about their decision to adopt.  she told me her family has to assemble a profile and package for prospective parents to look at.  the package needs to tell their story and express why they want to adopt a child.  pictures should be included in their packet.  we set a date, got her man and her son together at the park and shot some pictures.  

my wish is for the teper family to be selected for an adoption - soon.  my wish is for the prospective parent to see what a loving and warm environment their baby could be raised in.  these 3 have a strong bond and would be delighted to make their crew a family of 4.   
dave works hard to provide a good life for his family.  marisa is a full-time, hands-on mom who helps coach her son's baseball team.  cameron is a quiet boy, incredibly intelligent and kind.  he will be a terrific big brother. any child will be blessed to grow up in their home and be protected by their hearts. good luck to all of you this journey. xox aj

Like My Mother Does ....

i was driving in to work the other night and heard this song come on the radio. the emotions that came over me were intense.  i almost had to pull over to the side of the road. the lyrics are every bit the way i feel about my own mother. the lines in the road became blurry; i had to slow down and wipe the tears that had begun to stream down my cheeks. i started laughing at myself and immediately thought: "i need to get this song for my mom!"

my mother is strong, loving, warm, opinionated, fun and we are so much alike sometimes that "it's scary." my mother is one of my best friends. she has taught me so much about who i am and continues to show me what kind of woman i aspire to be. i am incredibly grateful for the relationship we have. 

mom - i love you. i cherish what  you and i have built.  i hope to nurture this same type of relationship with my own daughter.    you are an amazing woman.  you make me laugh.  you "get me."  you put up with me when i am grumpy. and i feel empowered knowing that you support my hopes, my dreams and everything i do.  thank you.