Archive for December, 2008
This is Zack, my very loyal and faithful dog. He is cute, isn’t he? I am not and have really never been a “pet person”. Just ask my extended family. It may go back to losing our dog, Dusty, one summer day when he was hit by a car. I must have been 6 or 7 years old and I think I loved him. I remember my mom scooping Dusty up and piling all the kids in the car and driving him to the vet. He didn’t make it and maybe that’s when I stopped giving my heart to dogs. I don’t know….maybe a bit dramatic of me, huh? But, Zack has been a part of our family since 2004 when I, yes I, went to the Lawrence Humane Society and picked him up. He was a gift for my children and I had pre-requisites; must be cute, must be neutered, must be house broken and must be nice. He had it all. Well, my rescue of Zack caused him to love me like none other. I can’t deny it that I am absolutely the love of his life. He follows me everywhere, sits at my feet while I edit pictures, waits for me at the door when I am gone and won’t eat until I get back. I don’t love him the way he loves me, but that never stops him from loving me (kinda like me and God). This week, I picked up this plush pet bed pictured below; an early Christmas present for my faithful sidekick. I could not get him to lay on it. I tried and tried. The closest he got was putting his chin on it. Crazy dog! It has to be better than the hard wood floors! Merry Christmas Zack….thanks for loving me!
Since children are a blessing of the Lord, this family is overloaded with blessings…7 gorgeous and wonderful children. Everyone was looking o’ so dapper in their suits and dresses. I had such a great time taking these pictures and couldn’t help but giggle as I looked through all my shots. I happen to think that the “three amigos” are fun and total cutie patooties! I don’t think we could finish fast enough for them to get out of their suits. They did a great job and everyone looks spectacular, don’t you think?
All because two people fell in love….
The tough guys 
“Okay, Rayas, give me some attitude”…
And, finally, the beautiful ladies of the House of Raya…
You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.
You know someone. I guarantee it.
I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $500 worth, to be exact. Whether they choose a gallery-wrapped canvas, an album, or prints for Grandma. . . it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. Oh, and a little bonus…the person who nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason do you need to show some love?
The rules:
1. You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar vacation home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
2. The nominee must reside in the Kansas City area or be able to travel here for their session. If your nominee lives outside the area, send me an e-mail, anyway. There are loads of incredible photographers partnering on this project and there’s sure to be one near you.
3. Comment on this blog entry to let me know you’ve entered and e-mail me the full story: heidiabbott@thrivecreativestudio.com. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve their life translated into art. Please include contact information for your nominee and yourself. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve . . . get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season. And thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.
With love,
Heidi
Kristen Kalp of Essential Imagery, the brainchild behind Giving is Awesome, has taken this philanthropy effort to new heights. Currently, there are 79 volunteer photographers from 3 continents donating their time and art – worth over $130,000 – to the people who need it the most. But photographers are signing up by the hour and the circle of giving is getting bigger and bigger. If you live outside the Kansas Ctiy metro area and you want to nominate a deserving person, couple or family, visit Kristen’s Giving is Awesome website for the latest linkable list of participating photographers.
This just happens to be one my favorite families in the whole wide world! My pastors and my friends and up until just recently, my bosses. I was blessed to take this ultra hip, ultra fabulous, family’s portraits. It was very hard to pick out just a few shots to edit right away and put up on the blog. Believe me, Pastor David and Tracy, there are so many to choose from. Thanks so much for asking me. I love your family!
I L-O-V-E this fun picture. It definitely tells a story.
Today I had my ordering sessions with two awesome seniors, Courtney and Danielle. I always love seeing the pictures that clients pick for their collections. Here’s a few of their choices. These girls are sooooo gorgeous!
| Today is December 1st. We have already been working hard on getting in the Christmas spirit around here. For the first time in long time we put lights on the house; the tree is up (although not decorated yet); and we watched two Christmasey movies already. I came across this email questionnaire and thought it would be a great December 1st post.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I am not a great wrapper. Although I can rap. No, actually I can’t…just joking! I do both. Since we are usually packing it up and heading out of town, I never do bows. What’s the point? 2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial baby! Bath and Body Works make a great Evergreen oil to infuse the house with that tree smell without the tree mess. 3. When do you put up the tree? This year, we put it up before Thanksgiving with plans to decorate it with our college boy while he was home. Funny thing…we didn’t get to it. Thought we’d do it tonight, but Janelle has to work. Maybe tomorrow! 4. When do you take the tree down? Usually around New Years. 5. Do you like eggnog? No thank you! 6. Favorite gift received as a child? It’s a toss up between my Blue Velvet doll and a typewriter. No wait a minute. My sister got the typewriter! Come to think of it, I always wanted HER presents. I still talk about the super cool toy she got that made things out of Tootsie Rolls. You could even make a whistle! Oh that little green monster….jealousy. 7. Hardest person to buy for? my brother in law, fo sho 8. Easiest person to buy for? My hubby. 9. Do you have a nativity scene? Absolutely! It is more important than the tree, but not as big. Last year I upgraded from my newlywed $5 set to a nicer one. 10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I admit it; I have done the email card once. It was either that or nothin’. I just ordered my custom created cards today. I can’t wait to see them! 11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My brother gave me a pencil one year. A PENCIL!!! 12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, Rudolf, A Year Without a Santa Clause….all of them! 14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? hmmmm….I’m not telling. 15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Gosh, I can’t narrow it down. There are so many yummy things. 16. Lights on the tree? The more the better even though Bryan does not agree. 17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night sung by Charity Von. 18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Always travel. Once we stayed home and it was not the same. 19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. And of course, Rudolph! 20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star 21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? With Bryan’s family on Christmas Eve, my children on Christmas morning and my family on Christmas afternoon. 22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People trying to take CHRIST out of Christmas. 25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I great week with our family in Ohio. I need a huge family fill up….my tank is empty! |
My kiddos in 1996! In 1996, a mailed Christmas card in and 2006 part of an email card!
