Sunday Snapshot: My Ray of Sunshine

See this little ray of sunshine?
She's my shadow.
Glued at the hip, she and I...
and I wouldn't have it any other way.

She's an explorer, just like her Mama.



She's curious...curious to see it, smell it, touch it
and absolutely compelled to talk about it...

to anyone and everyone who'll listen.




She's a chatterbox, alright...she must get that from her father.





She's plenty capable of amusing herself no matter where she is.
But I'm her favorite playmate so there's little chance of me getting ANYTHING else done when she's around.

And, of course, she has to add extra DRAMA because, well....it's just in her blood!
She's a Diva on Training Wheels.







She's full of energy, happiness, smiles and boundless kisses all day, every day.
She runs through the house and kisses me for no reason at all
(which is clearly the very BEST reason I can think of)

And, did I mention, she always gets her way?
I didn't really need to mention that, did I?

Well....just look for yourself.
Take a gander at her "moves"...she's got 'em all down pat.
It's impossible not to give in to her...kinda like trying to keep your eyes open when you sneeze.
Nope...its NOT happenin'.



In a few short weeks my shadow starts kindergarten.



She keeps reassuring me and reminding me not to worry because I'll be okay while she's gone...
and she tells me not to cry when the school bus pulls away each day.



I knew it was inevitable...she'd be off to explore new things
but I never thought about the fact that she'd be doing that exploring without me.
Nor did I imagine that the time would come so soon.

My little Miss Confident.



Don't grow up so fast Little Girl.




I just want to savor the sweetness of another wonderful day
 in the life of me and my very BEST friend.

All images were taken with my

Canon 50D

85mm 1.4

The first image settings were: 

ISO 320

f 2.2

It was processed in CS5 with MCP Fusion and then

I then used several curves and level adjustments to give the image as clean a look as possible.

Be sure to visit Stefanie at Ni Hao Y'all.

She's always up to something over there

and there are some amazing photographers linked up just waiting 

for you to discover the beauty in everyday.

UPDATE: Thrilled beyond words to report: I was featured as a the weekly winner this past week on Stefanie's  Sunday Snapshot at Ni Hao y'All!

And, therefore, I proudly display this exquisite blog SWAG 

provided by one of my all-time FAVORITE blographers....

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Snapshot: Freezing Time

Some of the most beautiful moments in life are those we glimpse accidentally. 

I am blessed beyond measure to stare at this precious child most of my waking hours.

I am, likewise, blessed in that my camera (and desire to grab for it) is never far from my reach.

So when my daughter has moved on from her childhood pursuits to follow the path of her own life's journey...

I will not have to go far to look back on these moments that took my breath away and relive my own life's journey over and over again in the images of our lives yesterday, today and tomorrow.

What a gift to freeze time, if only for a moment.

Here's my time machine:
Canon 50D

85mm 1.4

ISO 800

f 2.2

The first image was processed in LR with MCP Quick Clicks

 then in CS5/Dodged and Burned 

then layered with 2 free Jerry Jones textures.

Be sure to visit Stefanie at Ni Hao Y'all.

It's never a dull moment over there

and there are some amazing photographers linked up just waiting 

for you to discover the beauty in everyday.

UPDATE!!!

I'm tickled pink to report that Stefanie chose me as a runner up in this week's Snapshot Sunday...so I get to decorate here with some exclusive Ni Hao Y'all official blog swag!

BEHOLD......
(don't be a hater!)

Sweetie Grows Up

 As I was getting my baby ready for her second dance recital last week I found my mind wandering  applying the requisite makeup she certainly didn't need  her flawless skin....

I imagined myself catapulted 20 years...to the day I will hold this same exquisite face (the one I've kissed 10,000 times and will kiss a million more) in my hands on her wedding day.

A force to be reckoned with for certain

Sweet perfection

And everything in between....

She is...

forever my daughter

my heart

my every.single.thing.