Go Red For Women!!

The American Heart Association has gone red for the month of February! What does this mean?
Well, it turns out that Heart Disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Ladies we've got to take care of our hearts ...so this month, please wear red to bring awareness of this fact!!!
Go to http://www.americanheart.org/ to find out more information.

I was invited to join a group of volunteers last week to start bringing this awareness to the locals here in San Diego. I started out the evening by joining two of the staff of the American Heart Associate here in San Diego....Emily and Rebecca. They handed out signs, pins and stickers to the businesses down town. Way to go ladies!

Also in honor of the kick off for American Heart Month both the San Diego County Building and U.S. Grant Hotel helped by lighting up their buildings in red!! Check out the pictures below.

So....wear red this month and ALWAYS love your heart!!!

Rebecca and Emily handing out "Go Red For Women" signs, pins, and stickers downtown San Diego.

The San Diego County Building lighting up in red to honor women and their hearts!

Some of the volunteers and staff holding their signs to bring awareness to American Heart Month in front of the County Building. How great are those red dress signs?!

My good friend Alison and I showing off our red dresses to promote awareness.

A couple pictures to show off the US Grant Hotel bringing awareness in down town San Diego.

CELEBRATING ADOPTION

Last year in July of 2007, my best friend Joy and her husband Hans, adopted a beautiful girl from Thailand. I traveled the world with Joy in 2001, making stops in the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand. During our travels Joy and I were struck by the horrible and frightening abuse that children experienced, and they have no voice to change it. Joy has always had a heart for children, but after having her own child (a sweet little boy, River) in 2003, her burden for children grew. She wanted to give them a voice, love, and a home. However, Joy was slowly but surely realizing that she couldn't save them all....but she and her family could make a difference with one.
They made the bold and beautiful decision to adopt from Thailand and expand their family from 3 to 4. And now they are complete.

I have been so inspired by their story and others who have given childen without a home...a place to call home! I wanted to give my talents and time to those who are giving their time and love to children around the world, so I have joined a group of wonderful photographers to give the gift of great portraits of newly adopted children.

Here is a little snipit from the Celebrating Adoption website:

"Celebrating Adoption is an organization of photographers dedicated to promoting adoption. Our participating photographers are very different: some shoot with natural light while others use studio light; some prefer posing the subject while others prefer the spontaneity of lifestyle photography; but we all have one thing in common, the desire to celebrate your adoption with you!"

My first opportunity to photograph a little boy who was adopted from San Diego came this last week. His name is Bryce and is a beautiful, fun loving little boy.

A little about his story...
"Bryce was like a gift from heaven from the start. We were chosen to be his parents only 6 days after being approved to adopt...and have felt lucky ever since. Bryce joined our family from the San Diego county foster system at 2 months old. And we finalized the adoption when he was almost two. He is the light of our world, so happy and loving!"
Eris Wilson

I hope you enjoy these photos...and be watching out for photos of Joy's family in the very near future! And to those of you who are adopting or thinking about adopting, please give me a call to schedule a session with me. I would love to capture your new family member! :)

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Alia!!

Okay, so I can only say I am sorry for being so slow to get another blog up. Wow....it's been six weeks. But I did want to say Happy New Year to you! The thing I love most about new years, is that it gives us both a chance to reflect on time past and get excited about the possibilities of the time to come! We each have probably created our list of new years resolutions...partly out of habit and partly out of expectation (even if you don't really want to). I think it's always a good idea because it at least gives you something to aim for, no matter what the list entails. I wish you all the best on reaching your goals for 2008. I will be sure to let you know as I reach successes in my life! :)

On to the celebration of my niece's 2nd birthday! Happy Birthday Alia! It was so fun for me to capture a few shots at her birthday .....watching all her delight that the day was ALL about her. I think she reveled in every moment of it.


Little boots on Alia's little sister's (Ella) feet. No significance to them, I just like the color.

Anthony, Alia's little cousin....he's 11 months old.

A look of surprise....

How cute is this cake?! My older sister (Alia's mom) made this cake. She had such a cute idea to make snowmen out of donut holes and create scarves out of foot long gum. Darling! Here is a view from the top.

Tea time anyone?!

Alia being silly and shy at the same time. She is going through a faze where she doesn't really want to smile for the camera. I am lucky if I even get a silly face. :)

I just thought this was so sweet. It's Grandpa's hand wrapped in love from Ella (the littlest one of the bunch). Alia was so focused on this card, you would almost think she could read at just 2 years old. I always knew we would have a genius in the family!

A rolling pin to add to her collection of kitchen stuff. This girl has a full on kitchen...no joke! What a lucky girl.

Waiting patiently for the best part of the day...her cake!!

She almost has it.

Ah...success! Happy Birthday Alia!