Monday, August 29, 2011

Sisters, Best Friends & People who mean the world to Us

Today I spent the day running around.  I always find myself thinking crazy, deep thoughts when I'm alone in my car.  Today was no different.................................

I got to thinking about Sisters & Best Friends and the significance of the relationship those titles allude to.  When we introduce someone as our sister, it is someone we are very close to. Someone we grew up with, confided in, someone we love.  Then I got to thinking, sometimes people might not "get it" and we go on to explain,  "she's my sister and my best friend"  as if being sisters doesn't convey the strength of the relationship.  I realize that there may be people who have sisters that they aren't that close to, and best friends who are closer.  To have a sister who really is your best friend, oh my goodness, there is nothing quite like it.  Having a sister is one of God's greatest gifts. I am so fortunate to have had Carol for the first 46 years of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the gifts she has given me.  While we are different in many ways, we are the same in others and I always like to think, together we were the best of our Mom.

My thinking didn't stop there, oh no,  I went on to think about when we introduce our best friend to people.  For friends we are really close to and have had in our lives for a long time, "best friend" doesn't always convey the significance of the relationship.  So we take it one step further and explain, She's my best friend and more "like a sister".  I am fortunate enough to have friends who I explain they are "my family",  I count myself lucky to have those relationships.

Isn't it funny how the words and titles we use, when used alone don't always convey the depth and significance of the relationship &  have to use the other to strengthen it...

I think this can be said for any close relationship whether a sister, mother, brother, father, aunt or uncle.  I know when I tell people Kristen is my niece, I want them to know, that she is oh so much more to me than a niece,  She's also my sister, my best friend and lately she's been reminding of my Mother!  She has so many of my Mom's qualities.  It's amazing.  I just love seeing it.   Maybe Kristen and I are the best of her Mother (my sister) and my Mother (her Grandmother) ...  I love that thought.

I could write for days about my sister and the amazing relationship we have.  I won't tonight for I choose to keep it close to my heart.  One thing I know for sure is that the joy of the relationship is why there is so much pain when the relationship changes.  My relationship with Carol is still as strong as ever in my heart, the change is that I can't have the two way, out loud conversation with her that I had most of my life.

I wish you all the love of a sister and strength of a best friend, the joy that makes the pain worth it..........

August 2011 has been an interesting month.  Lots of things have happened this month to bring Carol (my sister and best friend) to the fore front of my mind. 
It has been a great month having her spirit so close.

Carol & Kristen 2005  <3


Before I was anything else I was Carol's little sister
                          
                                                                                     aka ~  Janet

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Our Little Max Man

Tonight was my first solo night with Max.  How great it was....

There is nothing better than cuddling with an infant. Oh my goodness.  He is so so sweet.  My little Max Man.   I could go on, but won't.  I'll just get to the photos, 'cause ya know I had my camera.  Max's Mother does take tons of pictures of the little man and so I had to challenge myself to try something different with him.   Let me know what you think, (don't worry I won't share the 240 pictures I took of him, I'll just share my favorites)

                          And so, folks,  I'd like to introduce you to Max!











Love 



 I hope you enjoyed meeting Max.... Oh and the lovely embroidery,  done by none other that Max's Mom, Kristen! 


                    Janet

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Wednesdays are "Nana Days"!

Okay folks get ready... for the next couple of weeks, Wednesdays are "nana days".  I'm the nana and Jamison and Colin are mine, all mine, all to myself for a few hours each week.  Heaven!

There is nothing that melts my heart more than when I walk into daycare to pick them up in the afternoon and they coming running to me, arms up, calling "Naaaa Na".  Oh I love it.  For a brief minute, I am the center of their universe. 

Tonight we made pizza.  I think all the fun was in the making, because Sienna, their pupper ate the most.  Colin ate the toppings and Jamison had a bite or two.  Oh well.  I remember my mom saying, kids won't starve themselves.  If they are hungry, they will eat. 

We did have fun (I did anyway) and  I can't help but share the fun with you....

Love

Sienna.... Lucky dog!

Don't cha love those eyes!  I do...




Stay tuned.... next week we're going to Micky D's playland on Nana Day!

                                         Home to Popi Jay and my Sadie Girl.

                                                                              ~Janet~

Monday, August 22, 2011

I believe....

I believe in love,  I believe that if you do good, good will come to you.  I believe in God.  My God.  It is a very personal relationship, it's my relationship with him.
I believe in friends.  My friends.  I believe in dogs.  My Dog.  I believe in pets, all pets.

I believe that true love sneaks up on you when you aren't looking!  I believe in  my wonderful husband. 

I believe in my family.  I believe that babies are a good start for a human!

I believe that bad things happen naturally.  We don't have to do anything to have bad things happen.  They just do.  I believe that we shouldn't waste our energy making bad things happen.  I believe we need to make good things happen.  I believe we need to be kind to one another and if we can't do that, we need to stay away from the person, activity or thing that we can't be kind to.

I believe in you!  I believe the things you believe in are important to you.  I will not tell you that what you believe is wrong.  I will support you to believe in your beliefs.

I believe you will support me in mine.  If I tell you something I believe in and you don't, don't burst my bubble... let me believe!

My little Grand Baby Luke says it perfectly!  When we say, "Lukey, I love you"  He responds with "Love me"  & I do!  Love you!  thank you for letting me believe!

                               Believe.....                     
                                                                            ~Janet~

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Libby & Mike

Last weekend Kristen and I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon and evening with Libby & Mike, their family and about 130 of their closest friends.  What a blast!  Forget the hot, steamy weather, it didn't ruin the fun.  We're kind of used to it now.  Right... now we're used to it and before you know it ~ winter will return to western NY.  Sorry,  I know the thought of winter. Yuck...  I'm an Island Girl.  Okay, so a Long Island Girl but still an Island Girl!  Perhaps someday a PR Island Girl... hey, a girl can dream!

Anyway, back to Libby & Mike.  I'm glad we met them.  Libby grew up just a stone's throw away.  Really right down the street from us.  Imagine that ~ such a great family and I am just meeting them now.  I told her Mom the other day I love them so, I want to adopt them!   They are just the sweetest couple! Living in a small town, usually you know most people.  Guess there are just more folks I have to meet here.

Last weekend they celebrated their wedding and asked Kristen and I to document it.  (like that?  classy way of saying take the Wedding Pictures!)  Of course this great couple got married in the sweetest little church you ever want to see.  Libby's Mom told me it was the church she (Libby that is) was Baptised in.  It is just a beautiful little church.

We really had a great time.  I loved every minute of it!  How lucky I am.  I was able to take a job photographing the wedding two of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet, met a bunch of really interesting, funny, crazy people...had a great time to boot.    Love it!  Life doesn't get much better.... Oh yeah I forgot the best part... I did all this with my best friend and favorite niece, Kristen.

So enough about me and Home Town Weddings.  Here are some of our favorite shots of Libby & Mike's Wedding. I hope you like them as much as we do.  (not only Libby & Mike but the pics as well!)











I love these two!!!
















Such a sweet, beautiful family.




Thank you Libby and Mike for letting us be a small part of your beautiful day.  Please keep in touch & come visit when you're back in town.

                                                                                   Janet & Kristen





Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Desa Rae & Joe's Engagement photos

A few weeks ago I met some new friends, Desa Rae & Joe.   Jay and I are shooting their wedding in September.  This is Jay's first booking.  He did such a good job!  I love these two.  They are so sweet and easy going.  I can't wait!

We spent some time with them taking pics at The Five Arches Bridge in Avon.  They were both really good sports.  At one point, I had them sitting in a spot that angled down behind them.  Opps, sorry.  It kind of made it hard for them to balance.  They did it and didn't complain. 

Thanks You two for being so willing to roll (hahah) with it!  The pictures look beautiful!  I can't wait for the Wedding!  Here is a look at a few of my favorites .











     See you in September!!!!!     
                                                                
                                                                          Janet

Monday, August 8, 2011

Kelly & Justin July 23, 2011

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of shooting my good friend Maurya's daughter, Kelly's wedding.   Yikes, it hit me, I am old enough to have close friends with daughters who get married.  Yep,  while that has been happening for a while, it wasn't until I saw how beautiful and poised and grown up Kelly had been on her Wedding Day that it hit me.

I am so proud to have been able to shoot this beautiful couple.   I must add, it was one hot Wedding Party... Looks as well as heat.

It was probably one of the hottest days of the year in Western New York.  I'd like to think the heat just added to the everyone's glow. 

And Kelly.... I have always thought Maurya had two of the most beautiful girls in the world.  Well just take a look at Kelly in these pictures.  Oh my goodness she is stunning!  (Jess is as well!  ~ I can't wait to shoot your Wedding! ... ?) 

Heat and all what a beautiful day!    Here's a peak as some of my favorite shots.

















Thank you Kelly & Justin for letting me be a part of your day!  You have a beautiful family and an exciting road ahead of you.

I love you guys!!!!!!   

Janet