VLV Photography, LLC

Welcome to another “My Life Monday” post!  I hope your week last week was fabulous!  I had a pretty productive week outdoors and with the rain, I’ve started to have a productive start to my week indoors.

Last week I had an enjoyable morning with my father-in-law.  I accompanied him to an appointment and I just have to say, although he may not realize it, I’m glad circumstances allowed us that time together.  He is a father to me and I adore him and soon he will celebrate forty wonderful years with his bride, my lovely mother-in-law.  I had to ask, as I love to ask any couple who have been blessed to share each other’s company many years – what he feels is the “secret” to the longevity of their marriage.  His answer was so simple and got me thinking.  His reply was “I love her.”  He’s never been one to get too “wordy” with explanation;  however, it got me thinking;  could the secret to longevity in marriage really be that simple?  Quite possibly.  This has been my “deep thought” question I’ve pondered on for the past week.   I do think that any problem, challenge, disagreement, or the like, can be resolved by simply putting your love for that person at the fore-front of your mind.  Granted, relationships are anything but simple.  However, I do agree that if you really do love one another, anything that arises to challenge that, won’t change it, but rather evolve it.

Also last week, I got some planting done in the garden.  The hubby purchased some fruit plants from a catalog and we’ll see how those produce.  If we have great results, I’ll share where we got the plants, but I hate to recommend a company and then expectations aren’t met.  So far though, the blueberry bushes are really coming along nicely, as are the strawberry plants after the nice rain we’ve recently received.  As far as the cherry plants – they’re not looking too promising.  I do know though, it can take until the next growing season until you really see a good crop.  It’s more of a trial and they really weren’t a huge out-of-pocket expense, so I guess time will tell.  If you’re interested in learning more about gardening, I highly recommend Lowe’s website.  This link will take you to information specific to the Midwest region.  Also, while you’re on their website, scroll down this page and you’ll find where you can sign up to receive their free and seasonal “Creative Ideas” magazine.  I always get inspired after receiving it.

Graduations were held over this past weekend and did make it to the one in Strasburg.  We had family commitments out of  town, so I was unable to attend Zeeland’s or Linton’s.  The hubby stayed home due to still recovering from surgery but it was an enjoyable time with family nonetheless.  The kids always enjoy time with their cousins.  Growing up, I didn’t have too many cousins around my age, so it’s great our kids have that.  It will surely be a very busy few years with graduations when they all get to be that age.  Oh vey….I’ll be in my mid-4o’s!  Ten years just doesn’t quite seem to be as much time as you once thought it was in your early 20′s.  Once you hit 30, it seems even 5 years comes much sooner than you expect.

The kids are officially on summer vacation.  My sanity is officially on a tight rope.  LOL!  Something about the days leading up to summer break always leave me feeling very overwhelmed.  Gone are the days where kids entertain themselves.  I was a kid that could entertain myself.  Even today, I can sit in silence, just breathe and think, listen to music, or read a book.  I learned over the weekend that I am the only member of my family that has this capability.  Ha!  Every member of my family learned they drive me nuts.  Okay, that last sentence happens many times over in a week, but truthfully, “idle hands” is a challenge for my family members.  My husband is suffering from “bored-itis” since his surgery, and the kids are too….already.  We’ve had to threaten the “love chair” a few times.  What is the “love chair,” you ask?  It’s where they sit in their little, kid-sized chairs in our entry way, face each other, and tell each other three things they love about one another.  By the time the “love chair” session is over, they forgot what they were mad at each other about, the anger has been directed towards us, their parents, for making them do such a thing, and they recede to their rooms to find something to do.  This idea was actually a product of my husband’s mind.  I can’t take credit but I can say it’s worked brilliantly for our kids.  If you’re on Pinterest, you may have seen a photo floating around of siblings both in a white t-shirt with some writing on it.  I can’t remember what it said, but the idea is they’re in each others’ personal space until they learn to “get along” long enough to get out of the t-shirt.  This too could work, I suppose.  But if you say a hurtful thing, which is often the reason for the “love chair,” then you must be able to say 3 nice things to make up for it.  The lesson for them is this – if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.  As adults this is a practice where we all lapse in judgement from time to time.  We get caught up in conversations, wrapped up in unnecessary drama, and maybe as adults, we should put ourselves in our own “love chairs.”  I have no doubt it will be something they remember far into adulthood, maybe when they become parents themselves.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Yesterday I got through all of Xavier’s clothes for good will.  Xavier would hate me for mentioning this, but I will anyway (lol!) – I had him try on a pair of shorts that I’ve had in his drawers for literally years.  They are size 2T and haven’t fit until now.  So yes, Xavier has shorts currently in his drawers that are a 2T.  I have found shorts vary in how they fit greatly but he sure didn’t like that he’s able to wear a 2T! lol!  The rest of the week, and it will likely take me a week, I will work through the girls’ clothes.

In closing, I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful this week for the rain.  Enjoy some rainy day projects this week!

I shared this video I created on my Facebook page yesterday and thought I would also share it on my blog, as not everyone has a Facebook account.  I wanted to embed it into this blog post but am having technical difficulties doing so.

At any rate, I just wanted to give a shout-out to the great group of seniors I had the privilege of working with this past year.  The 2014 senior season has already started and I look forward to what the year has in store.

As I was writing out some graduation cards for invites that I had received from this year’s graduating seniors, I found myself writing this same message.

“You have one shot at this life.  Do great things and make each day count.” 

I think back to when I was 18, just graduating, and preparing to start a new chapter of my own life.  I spent a few too many years chasing something that wasn’t meant to be, telling myself “I’ll never make it, so why try….,” and wasting so many years trying to be in control of my mind rather than listening to my heart.  In short, I have regret that I haven’t made each day count and the “doing great things” part….well, I think that’s harder to do when you don’t have confidence and I regret it took me [many] years to get the confidence I have now.

Do I have regret?  Somewhat.  But I’m not sure the windy road would have led me to this very point in my life had I not hit the bumps and curve balls along the way.

I’ve had many jobs in my life;  including but not limited to: certified nursing assistant, medic in the Army National Guard, Taco John’s, Pamida, Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Saleswoman (no lie), Phlebotomist at United Blood Services in Fargo, home healthcare….only to name a few.  I learned something about myself and about life, in general, being in various occupations.  The one thing that was consistent throughout those years was my lack of  self-confidence.  I let that get in the way so many times and quit sometimes even before I got started, in some instances.  I just did not believe in myself.

What I relate to most, with my senior clients, is that sense of “pending freedom” and all the responsibility that comes with it.  Although I was mature for my age (in terms of being independent and taking care of myself), I was immature in my heart.  When you think you “know it all,” you really don’t.  When you think you have life all figured out, you really don’t.  And when you think you really understand how the world works, you really don’t.  Only one thing can give you that and that is [life] experience.  And even then, I don’t think we ever really have it “all figured out.”

The advice I would give if I were to give a commencement address would be this:  don’t go through life trying to control it, but rather, go through life open-minded and adaptable.  Change is the one constant in life.  It’s how you adapt to it, where you really learn your true character, and show it to others.  I would also tell graduating seniors that mindset is everything.  Your mindset will bring you down and also lift you up.

I came across this commencement address and shared it, also on my Facebook page, but it’s pretty amazing.  It’s from 2005 but the ideology still applies.  I like “outside-the-box” thinking and different ways information/ideas are presented and this is a good one.

I also came across this post by one of my favorite people, Danielle LaPorte.  Her words in this post offer a unique perspective on self-awareness and it’s probably one of my most favorite posts written by her.  Why am I sharing this in a post about graduating?  Because knowledge gained in self-awareness evokes growth.  There is something out there to learn every single day.  Plus, I like to share things, I think, offer something of value and are worth reading.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2013!  Believe in your potential and that special gift only YOU can give the world.

Good afternoon to you!  I hope all the mothers had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday.  I got surprised with breakfast in bed, a beautiful bracelet made by my oldest two kiddos at school, time with family, and a little sunshine as I planted some plants in the garden.  I don’t know about you, but the sun has been a little like crack-chocolate to me.  After being dreary and cold for so long, I so felt like being a cat yesterday and lie on the warm deck to nap.

If you read last weeks’ post, you’ll know the hubs had back surgery.  I think the first two days my hubby was filled with regret.  He didn’t keep any food down that first day, and despite receiving some very strong pain medication, was still quite uncomfortable.  Fast-forward now a week and he’s getting around better, with the help of a walking cane, and isn’t as cranky.  He’s still taking his pain pills pretty regularly and his boredom is making me crazy.  He’s like the kids when day 3 rolls around after school lets out for summer saying…”I’M BOOOOOOORRRRRREEEEEDDDDDD.”  Speaking of which – last week of school this week.  I do hope it’s a cooperative summer for us to spend time outside.  The kids are looking forward to swimming lessons with their favorite instructor, Holly, as well as staying up later at night.  I wish I could say they look forward to sleeping in but I can’t.  They can go to bed at 10pm and they’ll still wake up with the doggone roosters. :/  Sleeping until even 7:30 is an oddity in this house.  And I am not a morning person.  Although, last summer I was getting up at 5:30 to go running and I did enjoy starting my day that way.  I may just need to start making that a habit once again, now that it’s not 20 degrees in the morning.

This time at home though, has also given hubs the opportunity to really see, for the first time, how our youngest is quite the feisty one.  You just never know what kind of mood she will be in that day and if something sets her off…..watch out.  Her determined spirit comes out and she will fight like a bull.  All I can do with her at that point is put her in the corner for her four minutes (based on her age) and when the timer goes off come to her with open arms.  She just needs that time to cool it and then for me to come to her for her to know I still love her.  All I gotta say is I can wait for the teen years….heck, make that double digits!

In other news….I reported a few “My Life Monday” posts a while back that our van took a dump.  The tranny went out for the second time and we were not about to stick more money into it.  We did end up finding a “new to us” vehicle.  I’m not going to say anything to jinx it, so instead I’ll just share a picture.  It has its cosmetic defects and I’m okay with that.  It certainly is a step up from what we had.

Well, I suppose I shall close for today.  This post only took me several hours to finish!  Sheesh!  Enjoy the rest of your Monday!  Tonight I will enjoy hearing a joyful noise with my kiddos singing in their last music concert of the school year.  Until next time….take a moment to be thankful for the moms in your life and for the blessings that have been bestowed upon you, giving you the honor of being called “mom,” “mommy,” “momma,” “grandma,” or already in my case where my loving husband calls me “ma.”  Yep….it’s already started. lol!

I seriously like this young lady. I was referred to Liz by another sweet gal and I’m so glad I got to meet Liz and her family. They are so down-to-earth and what I like most is – they say exactly what they mean.

During the session Liz was more reserved and quiet. It took a little coaxing to get her to open up and be comfortable with me. When it came time for the ordering appointment, and the entire family arrived, we all shared in laughs, and a lot of hot chocolate. It was also great to know how they really felt as they viewed their images too.

Sometimes people hold in their emotion, as if they’re playing poker and have their “game-face” on. Those times it’s impossible to know what my clients are thinking or liking in terms of the images. But her dad’s reactions were sweet. It was as if, if for the first time, he saw his sweet daughter as more than his “little girl,” but rather as the young woman she has become.

Liz – you’re as beautiful inside as you are out. Just believe it. And keep that feisty spark you have too!

Happy Friday! Oh wait, it’s Monday. No really…it’s Friday as I’m typing this. So yes, Happy Friday and I do wish you a Happy Monday and a great start to your week.

I’m having to pre-write this post because at about the time this is actually posted live, my hubs will be going under the knife. He hates when I talk about him on my blog or post things on Facebook. If he only knew how much I really talk about him on my blog and post things on Facebook….muuuuaaaahhhh!!

No really though – this has been a long time coming. How many people do you know end up under the knife because of a sneeze? No one? Really? Must just be my husband. But that’s exactly what happened.

When I sneeze, I tend to hold it in (silent sneezer) and, according to my husband, kill my brain cells in the process. So, when he sneezes, you would wonder how he even has a head left!

One day, while at work (4 months ago now), he sneezed and something happened in his back that sent him to his knees. He said it was pain he had never experienced before in his back.

After several months of chiropractic care and physical therapy, he was finally referred to a neurosurgeon – Dr. Spagnolia at Sanford in Bismarck. Although the pain had mostly subsided, his left butt cheek and majority of his left leg remained numb, as is the situation today.

Any medical professional with whom we’ve been in contact, has done nothing but sing this doctors’ praises. If you look online at Healthgrades, he has an excellent rating on there as well.  After meeting with him, finding out exactly what will be done, we feel very confident we have the right surgeon for the job.  He was very thorough in explaining everything, never made the process feel rushed, and from what we’ve been told, he’s just a very, very intelligent man.  His nurse, Corrine is equally as nice and pleasant to speak with too.

Although we have been told that this surgery may not permanently take care of the numbness, we can be certain it won’t get worse.  It depends on how far gone the nerve damage is.  He has two herniated discs, one in the mid-back, and one in the lower.  The one in the lower back is pushing downward on the nerve running down the left buttock and leg.  So that nerve will be moved over and the disc area cleaned out/shaven.  All because of a sneeze.  And really – there was zero numbness before, so I can confidently say that that’s what set this whole thing off.

So, where does the title of the post come in?  Well, we had to go for his pre-op appointment and about 10 minutes after we pulled onto interstate, I noticed the mileage on the van was 110,001.  I pointed this fact out and just as I said it, the “1″ turned to “2″ and my husband goes “and two…and it still runs like a champ.”  He went on to add “this van has more miles than my car and pickup combined.”  Yes, this is true.

So, we get to Bismarck and I proceed to take the exit ramp, when we get to the light, the van jerked really hard forward.  The light then turned red and back to green.  I tried to move forward – same thing.  Ugh.  So I did what every woman with a man in the vehicle would do, I said “I’m done driving” and got out and proceeded around the van to get in the passenger seat.  We did manage to get to the K-Mart parking lot.  Fortunately, his appointment was walking distance, and fortunately it wasn’t dead of winter because we also had Jozlyn with us.  Once in the parking lot, testing the van in drive and reverse, it continued to do the same thing.  Our guess was that the transmission was out.  And so there went the idea of it “running like a champ.”  Ugh.  It was literally 10-15 minutes after that jinxing statement this happened.

Several hours later, and after a very sweet offer of help from my dear sis-in-law, we got back to the van.  In the meantime we had called Johnson’s Wrecking Service after having been told they will buy vehicles like this.  After considering towing it home somehow, the fact of really not knowing what was truly wrong with it but knowing we didn’t want to put in another tranny as it had already been replaced 30K miles ago, we were done with it.  I seriously think it was possessed.  How often are you driving your vehicle down the road (in the middle of traffic in a busy city), and all of a sudden it shuts down – the instruments go “dead,” and you’re all of a sudden coasting as if you’re in neutral, as if it were struck by lightning?  Yeah, it’s done that before too.  I was in Aberdeen for my son’s wrestling tourney and that happened.  True story.  Fortunately, it only lasted a few seconds and started going just as normally shortly thereafter.

I seem to recall not talking about the van not long ago, so I looked back on my previous blog posts and sure enough – April 8th – here it is, in a “My Life Monday” post, where I talked about the miles (and I had written 110,000 miles in that blog post) and the sentimental value of the van.  But weird huh….I must have just rounded up the mileage because it would have been due for a 3,000 mile oil change about now too.

Anyway, so – I guess….who jinxed who?  Maybe we’re both married to a jinx. lol!

It’s just totally been a “CALGON TAKE ME AWAY” month of May thus far.  I ended up getting a sinus infection too – the kind where your eyeballs and teeth hurt.  The kids brought home snot noses from school and just like that – BAM, sinus infection.  I can breathe just fine but when I’m snapping at the kids left and right, and I just want to cut my head off and crawl into my bed and hide under the covers to be in the dark, I know it’s more than just a cold.  Knowing Tony’s surgery is coming up too, I thought I’d better take care of me so I can take care of him once he’s home too.

So – this is my Monday and my past week.  I certainly think it can only go uphill from here.  I also realize our situation could be far worse.  Sure we have a little tin can car that can’t fit 3 car seats, and sure we have a pickup that can but needs new tires and coil packs, but at least we’re not without anything.  And that’s something to be thankful for.  Does it suck?  Sure, but as I said there are worse things.   Situations do seem to occur in 3′s to us.  Not making that up either.  The last time the transmission went out on the van, the water heater/furnace (it was old and served double-duty purpose) went out around the same time and we ended up living with the in-laws for two weeks because of it (not complaining – I didn’t have to cook & clean -ha!), and there was another thing….can’t remember at the moment but yeah, that was a really crappy winter in terms of terrible luck for us.  I guess if we’re lucky in anything, it’s “lucky in love.”  Awwwww……lol!  But we sure do have the stories and we’re not even quite 10 years into this. lol!

Well, I’ll certainly share my thoughts on the surgeon and how things go.  In the meantime, I’ll just plan to “knock on wood” more often.

Blistery. Snowy. Cold. Those are the words that describe the weather during Steven & Crystal’s engagement session.

Fun. Connected. Different. That would describe their personalities, relationship, and style…and this session.

I was so looking forward to meeting this couple – together. I had spoken with and met Steven, as he was taking care of the photography details portion of the wedding planning, but hadn’t yet met Crystal.

I was surprised to find out that they’re both from the area originally; however, they actually heard about me through Steven’s mom, who heard about me from my brother where Steven’s mom and my brother both work. I’m not certain if Steven’s mom still works at the same place but just interesting how it all came about.

One of my seniors, Mikayla, is also a relative to Steven, so there should be several familiar faces at the wedding anyway. I love to dance too – so it’s always a little weird when I start dancing with complete strangers. Okay, I don’t really do that but I do love to dance.  It’s like torture just standing on the sidelines watching. lol! So this should be a fun one anyway.

As I mentioned, they’re fun and different and in a good way. In fact, when it comes to color – this couple is not afraid to express themselves. When I stepped into their home, I immediately LOVED it. I too, love color, but it’s the bold blue in the living room area, mixed with the brown furniture, deep wood flooring, and big windows, that made it so inviting to me. I tend to stay with safe earth tone colors in my home: greens, yellows, browns, but it’s the bold style of this couple that I love. And I’ll tell you now, this wedding will not be lacking boldness, in terms of color. I can’t wait to see it all come together!

So anyway, onto the connection portion of the blog post and this lovely couple. I see Crystal as the sweet, quiet, everything has its place and time personality, and Steven brings out the shyness of Crystal; bringing an element of play and fun, and overall “laid back vibe” to their relationship. They’re each the ying to the others yang, And in life, that’s all we really long for is some balance in life.

I am more like Crystal in my own marriage and my Tony is a little more like Crystal in the quiet department but a little more of Steven, however, x10 with a little bit of “big kid with sarcasm syndrome” in him. lol! So, in short, I’m the mature one. lol! We all need a reminder though, in life, that sometimes you just gotta ride the tide and go with the flow, and enjoy the moment. I see Steven does that for Crystal just as my Tony does that for me. Ying to the Yang.

I can’t wait for their big day and what an honor it is for me to have a part in it, as theirs will be my last wedding. I may jump back into weddings again someday, but I know, for me, there are other endeavors/ideas for my business calling my name that need developing.

In the meantime, enjoy their sweet engagement images, which include their super-smart and super-cute pooch.  I won’t even pretend I remember their pooches name.  That royally back-fired on me once before….publicly…..on Facebook.  So, there it is.  I’m HORRIFIC with names.  I’m the person that needs to make up silly rhymes or songs in my head to remember names.  I will venture to guess though, as I believe it starts with an “M,” that it’s “Molly.”  If I’m right…well, let me know in the comments! lol!

Enjoy your Sunday!  And hey, if you don’t feel like cooking (and you’re local to me), head on over to Zeeland today between 9-Noon for a breakfast fundraiser for the Zeeland wrestling program.  It’s a free-will donation and seriously….if the coach’s wife brings her caramel rolls again like last year…um…well, if you don’t come, there’s more for me.  They’re sooooo tasty!  Plus, Junior Nolz (coach) gives so much of his time to these kids, I’d love a great turn-out!  See you there!

What a sweet cutie-patootie that I have had the pleasure of photographing not only as a newborn, but now that she has celebrated turning 1!  She’s so cute she’s getting TWO blog posts!  Actually the first blog post, only included a newborn photo and one image from this session.  So I figured I would do a full blog post on this session with all of the ordered images.  If you want to see this sweetie as a newborn, you can check out that blog post HERE.

This was such a super-fun session; however, Ava wasn’t too sure about the cake. In fact, you’ll sometimes see pictures of kids just totally getting into the cake;  digging their fists in, maybe even doing a face-plant into it, nope – not Ava. She even tip-toed over it, in order to avoid walking on it. lol!

Ava certainly has an endearing personality. Little ones have this natural gift, I think, of getting us adults to forget all our cares and all our worries – if but for a moment. Ava particularly drew me in and I just wanted to wait and see what she would do next – ready, camera in hand. I was particularly waiting for her to give a big grin but she wasn’t too giving in that department – for me anyway. Maybe I should have shown her my fancy dance moves. ha!

I’ve just enjoyed working with this family, seeing how Ava has grown and changed, and just getting to know their family overall. They’re such a sweet family and Ava sure has so much love around her. She’s a blessed little girl, as is the family who love her so.

I created this collage featuring her cake smash and a few of the other images from her session.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  Although, Ava makes it cute.

 Enjoy the weekend with your loves everyone!

I’ve been meaning to get this posted for a while now. I’ve known Jen, the glue that holds this crew together, for a while now. We became pretty fast friends, and it’s because of her I ran my first 5K ever last September in Bismarck. If the weather would ever warm up, I would get back on the running saddle once again. I’m not one for running in the cold…….AT ALL.  Props to those more determined than I.

I spent an evening with Jen and her family this past Fall though, before everything turned brown – yeah, that’s how far behind on the blog I really am. Anyway, it was a little chilly that evening but they were all troopers. When I saw the image of them walking away (which was a special request from mom), I knew it was a quotable. And sure enough, it’s now on their wall as an 11×14. Seriously could have gone up to 20×24 – I would love to have their wall space – so much you can do, it’s like a blank canvas.

But anyway, glad to finally share this wonderful family and their images. Until the next blog entry – it’s not always about who you know, but who you love and loves you back that matters most.

This beautiful young lady just so happens to be my niece. My sister and her family were finally able to come to Hague for our big 4^th of July celebration. During that time, we took a few hours to get Carly’s senior pictures done. I find it hard to believe she’s 18 already. I still remember her as a baby. She had the blackest hair and so much of it too. Sigh….we all grow up someday though.

This coming summer (they go to school into June – yuk!) I will be there to celebrate her graduation. I just can’t believe it. I’ll be saying this many more times, I’m sure of it. I was there when her brother was born. I was only 12. And every summer I would spend at least two weeks with my sister and was like a second mom to those kids. Come to think of it, I think back now and how stinkin’ lucky my sister was! What I wouldn’t give to have a little sister now to come visit me for 2 weeks every summer! My sister has paid it forward though. Last year she took my older two for a week, I think it was. Since they never leave home often, I’m thinking two weeks would get to be a little long for them. I’ll save the two weeks for when they’re unruly teenagers! Lol!

One trait Carly did not inherit from neither myself, nor her mother, is Carly is quite the social butterfly. Okay, if you know me, you may disagree.  In my opinion, I typically need a little “liquid courage” to be outgoing, if you know what I mean!  Fortunately, I’m legal.  lol!  But, I digress.  She clearly gets that trait from her grandmother (if you know my mom you’re shaking your head in agreement and saying “mmmhmmm…” Another trait, that more young adults should have, is that she is not afraid to speak up for what’s right, and often will side with the underdog. We all know bullying is a huge issue in our country, but this is where Carly’s personality shines. This is one trait I hope she never loses sight of in life.

And now onto the images of this bright, outgoing, young woman that is my niece – Carly.

Detail shots aren’t only for weddings!

I couldn’t decide if I liked the chocolate b&w or the color image more – so I included them both!

I love her thick hair, however;  I’m sure most days she hates it! lol!

 Love you, sweet niece of mine.

I hope everyone enjoyed the absolutely gorgeous weather we had over the weekend!!!  I know I sure did!  The week went so fast and I honestly cannot even remember what I did over the week but my weekend was super-awesome I know!

I had these four beautiful ladies in the studio for a mother and daughter’s session on Saturday.  It was also their mother’s birthday!  What a wonderful way to celebrate!  If you’ve followed my work, you’ll already know I’ve worked with this family for a few years now.  From newborn to wedding, I’ve really gotten to know this family and have enjoyed capturing their best moments for them.  On this day though, it was all about mom.  I also can’t forget the grand-babies, whom also got some photographs taken with their grandmother.  She may be their grandmother but she hardly resembles the “stigma” that typically gets applied to the word “grandmother,” if you know what I mean.  She’s gorgeous!  Not only that – she’s wiser.

I find it interesting though,  as women are becoming grandmother’s earlier in life, I think the role itself and how a grandmother is expected to look are respectively changing and evolving.  It’s the baby-boomer generation that, I think, are often left out of main-stream media and in marketing.  You don’t see too many baby boomers in ads on tv, do you?  I love this demographic though.  These men and women are confident in their own skin, they’ve lived a little, have had life experiences, and are at the point in life where they realize these are their best years and want to make the most of it.  Maybe that’s why there’s this idea that men have a “mid-life crisis” and buy a convertible or some other hot-rod. lol!  I just think they realize, at that point in their life, that it’s “now or never.”  Maybe they waited longer than they should to take that risk or that chance, or maybe there is this urge to just try something crazy and new.  I think, if only we would really realize these things earlier – maybe in our late 30′s or 40′s, instead of having it in our heads that “there’s plenty of time.”  The truth is, we just never know how much time we really have.  A lesson we all should take out of the page of life of those wiser than ourselves.

Thank you for sharing your Saturday with me ladies.  And there are more images from this session to come too at a later date.  And I just can’t decide if I like the black and white more….

As the title implies, you may (or may not) have noticed something different about my website.  In case you haven’t noticed, the category “Weddings” has been removed.  GASP!  Shocked?  Okay, maybe or maybe not.  You’ll also find that several the links/pages don’t open to anything – that’s a work in progress.  In any case, I just wanted to share a little behind the “why,” in case you’re wondering what the heck happened.  Nothing happened, really.   In fact, I have a wedding coming up this June with a fantastic couple, but alas, it will be my last.  I will actually be posting their engagement session to the blog this week, along with a few others I just have not gotten to yet.  All this week.  I promise.  There, I put it out there so now I have to do it. lol!

Anyway, I just really am excited about ideas I’ve had for a while and I really want to devote more time to developing those ideas.  I’m really excited for what I’ve had up my sleeves and just really ready to finally get my hands dirty and commit.  So, for now – I will pass along wedding photographer’s I know and would recommend to those interested.  I know I mentioned a while back, a blog post series on planning a wedding, and I do have all of my info compiled – just need to get everything typed up.  Now, this has been “a work in progress” for what seems like forever (to me) but I think, regardless, it’s information brides would love and find beneficial.  So that is still to come too.  See what I mean – my hands are in too many cookie jars!   lol!  If there is anything you REALLY find difficult about planning a wedding or that you discovered when planning your wedding, please email me at victoria (at) vlvphotography (dot) com and I’ll work it into the blog series.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention….I learned something new this weekend and did something yesterday I never thought I would ever be doing – tying fence posts.  I think that’s what it’s called.  It just so happen to work out where my mother was here over the weekend (since I had a session Saturday), and my husband enlisted me to help out.  And I have much respect for those who have had to fence.  Ever.  This was just a small section yesterday but honestly, I feel like I have 80-year-old hands today and for some weird reason my jaw hurts.  I must have really gotten into using the pliers!  I also think that this comes back to really being passionate about what you do.  A farmer/rancher would not be doing what they do day in and day out if they really, in their heart, were not passionate about it.  They say, if you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.  For me though, as much as I enjoyed the quiet, the wind in my hair, and the grit in my teeth, I really wouldn’t care if I never saw another pair of pliers again.  There HAS to be someone out there that can invent something or a way that fencing could be far easier.  My father-in-law is brilliant and created his own fencing tool for driving in stakes using his skid-steer, but still – the tying part…..that’s for the birds! lol!

Have a wonderful week and I’ll be posting those blog posts this week – all 4 of them!  Carly, Andrea, Jen, and Steven & Crystal…..they’re coming!