#4 Photography I have always been fascinated by photos and for years I was rarely seen without my little digital camera. I have many friends who are photographers, and great ones at that, and have oftentimes been memorized by the art and life that they are able to capture behind the lens. Over a year ago, my husband got me my first "REAL" camera and from there it was history. Now I have went through a series of cameras and lenses and my hobby is getting quite expensive. In all honesty, photography has been my secret love.
Everyday, I am learning more as I capture my little Maddox on camera. I love the colors in the above picture. He makes me smile.
The more I have played, the more I am getting approached to photograph other babies, children and families. My secret love is turning into a very public relationship. This excites me beyond all measure and my weekends seem to be booking up quickly. So in the craziness of it all... traveling as a Educator forBare Escentuals and being a wife and mommy, I have still managed to find time to explore this passion of mine, and I love love love it all!
Below are a few of my favorite pics that I have taken recently.
Sweet Maddox's smile!
1 week old baby boy, Lawton. (My nephew)
Precious 1 month old, Lillian.
Day in and out, it is a learning process, one that excites and allows my creative heart to run free.
Today, I celebrated my very first Mother's Day, so what a perfect day to tell you that BEING A MOMMY is definitely on my favorites list. I never dreamed in a million years that I would be blessed with such a beautiful little boy. Maddox brightens up even the shadiest days and never fails to make me smile.
Today, we spent time with my Mom and then spent the afternoon taking pictures at the SOUTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDENS. What a beautiful day to take the camera out and play with my sweet sweet boy!
Why is it a favorite? In 2001, my friend Cheryl Cutlip(Founder of Project Dance) had been vision writing about a project that would change the dance community in NYC and beyond in a great way. While visiting me in SC, Cheryl began to share with me her heart for NYC, the Broadway Community and Dancers who were drawn to perform professionally in a world that can easily devour you. I remember while she shared her vision, my soul would stir in the most amazing way. I too, wanted to be a part of this vision. So, I began to passionately pray about how I was supposed to be involved. I knew that I wanted to help out in some way but I didn't know what exactly.
About a month later, the Lord made it very clear that I was to move to Manhattan in the fall, and help Cheryl do whatever it was we needed to do to make this happen. So I picked up the phone, dialed my dear friend and said, "So, I am definitely moving to NYC in a couple months". Cheryl responded, "Great, would love for you to be here". I went on and said, "I am moving to NYC to help you with Project Dance, so get ready to put me to work". Sounds easy enough doesn't it?
Well funny thing is that Cheryl at the time was just doing her thing. Then it hit her...that someone was coming to NYC for Project Dance. That meant that she couldn't just share the vision anymore, but she would have to act on it. Once I arrived, we set up shop in her tiny 1 bedroom railroad apartment on the Upper East Side, and started planning away. We began meeting once a week with close friends Leslie, Sam, Renee and Cheryl's husband Ron. From there the vision grew greater and it was confirmed that PROJECT DANCE would hold there first event in April 2002 in the heart of TIMES SQUARE. Our Mission Project Dance® is a movement of dancers seeking to positively impact culture through artistic integrity. Our desire is to see every dancer nurtured to their fullest human potential for their own well-being and their contribution to the world. We offer training, education, and performance opportunities for dancers worldwide who desire to dance with integrity to inspire.
This video explains it all!
10 years later, PROJECT DANCE is gaining momentum and growing strong. God is changing lives all over the world through this organization. Event cities now include: New York City, Houston, Toronto, Atlanta, Sydney, Manila, and Hong Kong. (past events also included LA)
Being a part of the Project Dance family has been remarkable. Seeing God work through the art of dance is mind blowing. I have seen moments displayed in detail without one single word spoken, but told through movement of the body, change a life forever. I love Project Dance, what it stands for and believe in it's purpose wholeheartedly.
Project Dance is non-profit and any financial contribution you might make would be appreciated. You can donate online HERE. All donations are secure and sent directly to PROJECT DANCE FOUNDATION by Firstgiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.
PS. It has to be on my favorite list because I met my husband, SHAUN STRICKLAND at one of out event. You never know right!
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... um that song just popped into my mind... uh oh it is stuck. At least it is Julie Andrews singing it, whom I love of course. giggle.
I have decided that I am going to begin sharing with you some of my favorite things. Everyday for the next 10 days you will get a glimpse of some of the things that make me giddy or things that I simply cannot live without.
#1 MUD COFFEE (MUD MOJO BLEND) The MUD Espresso Blend works solo, in your Latte or Cappuccino. The taste is spicy but smooth with a heady aroma, it presents a beautiful golden Crema and will make your day a lil' better. This is a VERY special coffee from a little coffee shop in the East Village of NYC. Mud is about a 2 minute walk from my apartment in Manhattan. From first sip, this coffee made my taste buds tap dance. Hitting up Mud in the mornings was not quite on the way to the subway station, but it was definitely worth backtracking UNTIL.... I discovered the MUD TRUCK. This video makes me smile. Oh, how I am longing right now to see that orange truck smile at me.
The Mud Truck sat at Astor Place and I could walk right up to it and get my morning fix quickly before jumping on the train. Problem is that I don't live in Manhattan anymore. Tragedy huh? I know you feel really bad for me huh? Don't feel too bad cause guess what????? I have become an addict....
Yep, say it ain't true. IT'S TRUE!!!! You can SUBSCRIBE HERE to get your auto delivery of your MUD MOJO. We will be getting 3 bags of MOJO once a month til the day we die :)
Trust me when I say ORDER YOURS TODAY. If you don't want to get auto ship, just order one bag... you will forever thank me and so will your taste buds.
