randon thoughts and revelations

love challenge

2008-02-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

Perfect title for a challenge: love, because it is such a challenge sometimes. Even after 16 years!

Happy Birthday Gregg!

2007-09-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, one of my dearest friends turned 36 this past week. This is a little photo I took of he and his son on the day Gregg married Linsey. I "tweeked" it a bit and plan to give him a copy for his birthday. Happy birthday GW...love ya!

2007-08-19T23:11:00.000-07:00

No one could keep their eyes dry as the preacher explained to Canis, Kayla's eldest daughter, what role Jimmy would play in her life. He paused during the ceremony to tell her Jimmy would not replace her dad, but he would be another father figure in her life. Kayla was especially emotional when she, Jimmy, her older daugher, and the toddler that she and Jimmy share poured four different colours of sand into one vase to signify the blending of their family. Each beautiful and unique; each neccessary to the other. They took their vows on August 4th in a small Baptist church in Commerce.

a few more of kayla's wedding

2007-08-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th!

2007-07-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

Katy and Curtis

2007-07-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

He came home on leave in April. She said to a friend she couldn't bare it if he left and she wouldn't know if he was hers forever, so when Curtis proposed two days later, it was a surprise to noone when she said "YES!". I shot their engagement pictures the same week, just hours before he returned to North Carolina. Katy planned a summer wedding and waited for her hero to return home to say "I Do." They exchanged vows, rings, and hearts on July 6th under the evening sun and then danced beneath stars.

more of katy and curtis

2007-07-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

more favourites

2007-07-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

Jerrod and Cheney

2007-07-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

So, this is Jerrod. He is one of my favorite kiddos from AHS. I was his Engish teacher for five years in arow. (Small school!) Jerrod, who is a computer genius recently came over and spent some quality time with my new computer, so as payment for his skills, I offered up my photography skills to he and his new fiance. We went to Lendenwood Gardens in Grove (quickly becoming one of my favorite places to shoot) and I shot several pics of the smitten couple. They have scheduled their wedding for next June.

more of Jerrod and Cheney

2007-07-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

a few more

2007-07-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

worthwhile event

2007-07-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am a regular reader of jessica claire's blog. www.jessicaclaire.net She posted about a trip she will be taking with a few other photographers next year to Africa. Please read about it here and consider donating!
www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com

South main flooding

2007-07-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Mom, Dale, and I went to south main street on Wednesday evening. Mom saw the fire chief, Ronnie Cline, so we talked to him for a bit. This is Nott's grocery: home of the best deli sandwitch around. I used to run over here on my lunch break about once a week and get a fantastic ham and cheese sandwitch. If you're thinking, "Big deal, what's so great about a sandwitch?" Well, you have not had a Nott's...
They built a 4 foot wall with plyboard and several hundred sandbags, but sadly
the 29.24 ft rise in the water proved to be too much.
In this view I included the south main fire station. According to a city councilman, the station escaped the water in 1986. Unfortunatly, this time there was about a foot of water standing in it. Luckily, several days ago, the firemen moved all the trucks to the station on the north end of town.
Standing in the same location as the previous two pics, I turned to the right and saw water flowing over the railroad bridge. It had been twenty hours since the water crested; I could hardly fathom water where there is usually a 25-30 foot space between the bridge and river.
Somewhere several feet below that water is the road that runs from south main and curves around to the Neosho E street bridge. I couldn't get close enough to the bridge to get a shot of it, but Ronnie Cline said that earlier in the day, he along with a young reporter and a fishing guide navigated a boat upto the bridge. The guide, (I didn't get his name) told the reporter, "This is a once in a lifetime occurance. Reach up and touch the bridge." The water was only four feet below the bridge at that point! Unbelievable amounts of water. So many families affected.

more flood pictures

2007-07-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

July 4th my mom, my friend Dale, and I went to take some more pictures of this overwhelming event in my hometown. Mom wanted to see if her office building survived and I was curious to see if my friends' home was somewhat visible again. We stayed out of the way of any government officals we saw, and I quickly snapped some photos. This first one is of the Dawg mart and laundry mat on central by the college.
Here is an astonishing view of the Townsman motel and restaruant. By this time, the water had already dropped a foot.
Okie burger on Steve Owens Bvld.
A long look east down Steve Owens Bvld. On the left, Immanuel Baptist. On the right, the Townsman.

flooding at NEO

2007-07-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

Various buildings at the campus in Miami where my mom works. The Health Science
building is full of water. It is in the old gym and is slowly making its way down the street
that divides the campus.

This is the new SAC. People were filling sand bags to try to save this beautiful new building, but after this evening, I don't know if the water was held at bay.

NEO stadium

2007-07-04T00:17:00.000-07:00

flooding in miami oklahoma

2007-07-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

My home town of Miami, Oklahoma had flooded this week. The water has not been this high in Miami since 1951. I have lived in this town my entire 32 years and am having a hard time processing all that has transpired the last 36 hours. The water has been high three times before: 1984, 1986, and 1993. 1986, by far, was the worst one. My childhood home (which my parents no longer own), at the intersection of K and 1st N.W., went underwater all three times. This year, my parents' home, in what we thought was a safe location, is threatened. These first three shots were taken standing in my mom's front yard looking west towards the river. Normally, there is no water visible from my mom and dad's house. They live about 3/4 mile due east of the river, but there has never been a serious threat to their home before today. They are second from the corner. Their neighbors who do live on the corner were told by the mayor, city planner, and a city councilman this morning to prepare to evacuate. The water would reach their home.
In the past 36 hours, I have spent 5 hours helping a dear friend move out of her home. Today
we waded water to get to the back side of her home that is now several feet under water. (See the next set of photos). This morning, mom called with the news their garage and home may flood. I called my friend who I helped yesterday, and she came to pick me up and we headed to my parents' house. As I was waiting, I found out that my other friend, Gregg, and his new wife were having to evac from their house across the street from the college. Again, noone has seen water like this in over 55 years. When Jenn and I approached my mom's house, I was stunned and speechless at the amount of water on her road. When we pulled into the drive, Mom said she
wanted us to go next door and help the family on the
corner. Jenn and I helped tape plastic
tarps and stack bricks along the west side of their
home. Traffic was very heavy for our street. Lots
of curious sightseers, and people even got out to fish. Seriously! People were fishing in front of my parents house.... After an hour of moving things out of Mom's garage, Mom decided she was done. Jenn and I went to help Gregg and Linsey. Water was coming in their living room while we (and fifteen other people) were moving things out the back door into the alley. Once Jenn and I finished there, we met mom at her office at Copen Hall @ NEO. Buildings at NEO were under and Jenn and I just needed a physical and mental break. We walked around campus and took several shots. So much freakin water! Such an overwhlming day. I am so proud of Jennifer. She knows her home is full of water. She
knows she and her husband will have to spend thousands of dollars and countless hours of their own time repairing their own home, but she was still out there today helping whoever needed it.

Jenn and her house

2007-07-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

Jenn and I made it back to her house about 3:30 this afternoon. We had already been in the water helping Gregg ang Linsey move, so we figured we weren't really risking anything by wading to get within eyeshot of the back of Jenn's house. The building closest is James' shop. The house is behind that and the water was almost upto the windows, and at this point, only the poles of their son's trampoline was showing.

gregg got married!

2007-06-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

One of my oldest friends got married on June 9th. He and his bride had asked me several months ago to shoot their wedding pictures. I was very flattered but very nervous. I didn't want to be the friend who screwed up the wedding pics. However, I agreed, and I think I got many great shots!

more of gregg and linsey

2007-06-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

some fun shots of the wedding

2007-06-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is from the night before...

Cute shoes!

Just before Linsey Long became Linsey Cass...

Different I know, but i like to shoot out of the ordinary things.

2007-06-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

Devin

2007-06-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

My beautiful son.

Katy and Curtis

2007-05-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Kate is a senior at MHS. She recently got engaged to her Marine boyfriend and only had two days to get any pictures made before he had to report back to Fort Bragg. Here are some of my favorites...the little girl is his from a previous relationship.

Wedding Pics

2007-03-14T09:53:00.001-07:00

She had decided "wedded bliss" was not for her. He had never found anyone quite so lovely. On March 9th, God's plan for both their lives revealed itself a bit as they said "I Do" and gave their promise to each other and thier Heavenly Father.

Good news!

2007-03-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

My MIL came back from the Mayo Clinic with good news...her valley fever is managable! They doubled her meds and told her they felt they could bring it under control. I find no coincidence that hundreds of people have been praying for her healing. She also has to have a spinal tap to see if the infection has gotten into her bones...but she will be healed! In the name of Jesus, she will be healed!

melancholy

2007-02-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Rather wistful and sort of melancholy today. Not for any reason other than I am tired and want to go home. I need some music and my camera. I want to get out and take some pics of my kids and make a book for my mil. She's going to the mayo clinic next week for treatment for valley fever. It is serious, but so is prayer. I need to pray and breathe and shoot some pics.

taylor lynne

2007-02-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Taylor Lynne Andrews was born on January 2nd. She arrived a bit early, but otherwise healthy. Her mother and I are friends; Jenn and I met several years ago at a crop. We hit it off pretty quickly, as we have much in common: Our husbands are in the same type of business, she and I both love scrapping, shopping, and cheesecake ;) and her eldest son is, age wise, directly between Hallie and Devin. Jenn and James waited a while to have a second child. Jenn was in LPN school and wanted to graduate and work a while before having another baby. Last year she became pregnant again and was very excited. I remember how happy she was when she found out it was going to be a girl: all things pink and frilly. Excitement bubbled from her voice as she told me the news, and I remember thinking, "One of each; that is great!" Then Jenn and I didn't get to talk between the months of October and the end of January. Life, Hallie's broken leg, my new job, Jenn's busy schedule as an LPN, other commitments, etc kept us busy. That time is a regret I will carry with me for quite some time.

In January when Taylor was born, I kept thinking, "I need to call Jenn; I need to go see the baby." I didn't know when she had had Taylor, just that she had been born in the first days of January and she was a week or two early. Hallie had also asked about going over to see Jenn and her family (she is quite fond of Jenn). The constant succession of days flowed by and it was February. Still I hadn't got to see Jenn's girl. My mistake and another regret. On the morning of February 4th, as I was heading out the door with Devin for church, the phone rang. It was Gregg. Keith answered and I faintly heard him say a combination of words," Jennifer Andrews? Her baby? Oh no...when?" The world stopped spinning. I remember looking at Keith half begging him," NO! Don't say it! Don't say her baby is dead!" As he raised his eyes to mine, his sorrowful expression told me what I didn't what to know. I was sobbing before my knees hit the carpet. I shrieked and squalled. Keith had hung up with Gregg. I asked him for the phone and called Gregg back. He told me that Lindsay (his fiance), had come to pick him up for church, and Jenn's aunt and uncle had been called out of Sunday school and told about Taylor. As the sun rose that Sunday morning, the Andrews awoke to find that Taylor Lynne had found her wings, slipped away, and soared home to Heaven.

I needed to find Jenn. I made my way to Marvin's to buy some groceries to take with me to the Andrews' home (as though food could make anything better, but it is all people know to do when something like this happens). As I pulled into the driveway, I saw several people in the yard. I, heart in one hand, sacks suspended from the other, went to the front door and gingerly stepped it. I vaguely heard someone say,"She's in the kitchen." As I passed through the living room I saw the form of a girl I once knew. I say that because it was not the Jenn I had known, but a version of her former self. In her face resided more anguish that any mother should be called to bear. I felt the bags slip from my fingers and the sobs once again escaped from my core. She took two, maybe three weary steps towards me and I reached out for her. Somewhere amid the wrapping of arms around one another and the gushing of tears, we puddled to the floor; we sat for some time crying and the only words I could find kept coming from my inadequate mouth,"I know, I know, I know..." but how could I have known this grief that is foreign to me? James came out of the kitchen and knelt to put his arms around us. He too was devistated.

I could write more about that day and the days that followed, but what I want you to know is that Taylor Lynne Andrews' life, however brief, mattered. She was here, she was real, she made a difference in possibly hundreds of people's lives. She, this tiny doll who looked like her big brother, changed my life. Taylor reminded me to live in the now. Not tomorrow because I might not get one. To accept my life for what it is today. Accept my life for what is it tomorrow when I get there. Hug my babies and kiss them a hundred times a day. Seek out my friends no matter how busy my life is. Balance everyday some of what I need to get done and some of what I want to get done. Live it out loud! God bless you and keep you baby Taylor.

creative manifesto

2007-02-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

Well, at Ali Edwards' blog, she encourages us to construct our own creative manifesto. I have listed ten bits to live by in my creative life. Some are borrowed or based on others' lists, but each compiled to form my personal list:
1. It really is OK!
2. Use my voice
3. Tell my stories
4. ENJOY!
5. Remember, "I am art"
6. Use what I love
7. Take the shot
8. Live it!
9. Breathe- keep perspective
10. Seek the connection to God- the master artist!

neglect

2007-01-30T07:14:00.000-08:00

Here my poor blog sits so neglected and abandoned. Somedays i think of these really great things to type and some days i think of nothing but school and students. Well, i want to do better. i dont want my little blog to develop a complex. so, i will post more often.

2007-01-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

This is Toni. One of my favourite kids from Afton. She is an awesome girl who will accomplish many great things in her life. She and I went out one cold day earlier this month and I took some Sr. pix for her. This is one I really like.

beauties

2007-01-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

Over Christmas break, my two cousins, Jo and Tia came home for a vistit. Tia hadn't yet had any Sr. pix taken, so i took the two of them to a senic local and started snapping.

Above is Tia

This is Jo.
Nothing like sisterly love...

This is Tia. 18, beautiful, brilliant, complex.

One word...

2007-01-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

On Ali Edwards' site www.aliedwards.typepad.com she speaks about choosing one word to focus on for 2007. One word...that is difficult. As I pondered this task, I had many words come to mind: journey, balance, peace, harmony, gratitude...but one kept coming to the surface; seek. This year i will seek to become a better wife, mother, teacher, Christian, friend, human. i will seek God's face. i will seek God's will for my life. i will seek to stay nearer to my Lord. i will seek to do more than merely exist day to day. i will seek to see the bigger picture of my life.

Good luck in discovering your word for the focus of 2007.

Fridays...

2006-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

Oh how i love fridays...after spending five days with teenagers, friday is the beacon that draws my soul towards a weekend of rejuvination. now dont mistake me, i love what i do with my life monday - friday. i know that part of the reason i walk the earth is to be a teacher. but, there is something sacred about fridays...wraping up the week, getting to wear jeans, knowing the weekend is just hours away...all intoxicating things for me. i wish you a grand friday as well.

setting sail

2006-12-14T11:03:00.000-08:00

well, here i go. my first post on my own blog. a bit intimidating, this art of thinking thru one 's fingers. putting part of one's soul out for all to see and assess. the main reason i am starting this blog is i am inspired by others who create and share. create either with words, paint, film, scrap stuff, with whatever defines them as an artist and put it out there for all to see. for me, i photograph, write, and scrap. i will be sharing some of my work here. so, it begins.