This week I’m going through all of the weekend’s portrait parties I did.  In all, I completed 6 sessions for 6 different families.  What I love about portrait parties – everyone is all in one place.  What I don’t love, EVERYONE is all in ONE PLACE!  Some kids do great in a confined area for 20 minutes, and other children need more space & time to warm up to the idea of their photo being taken.  It’s definitely a new learning curve for me.

These two girls, however, did amazing.  Anna & Kate are our sweet neighbors & friends.  Thanks for coming by girls – we enjoyed playing with you!

When I got back from Victory Jam on Friday, these little pretties were waiting for me.  Thanks to my neighbors for getting our mail & many packages that arrived while we were away!    You all are priceless!

I really like the boxes that my proofs come in, but I’m searching for ways to dress them up a little.  This site has been giving me some inspiration.

As some of you know, I don’t really have a “yard” to speak of since I live in a townhouse, but the little garden I  have out front is often my project.  I liked to garden at first to make my house look pretty on the outside.  As the years have gone by, I have found gardening to be theraputic too.  Things have been up & down over the past few days with my emotions, I had a headache most of yesterday, and my garden was a perfect outlet to sort through all of those feelings & just think & pray.  Sometimes my garden gets a little too much trimming, especially if I am angry.  Last night was great since I was able to weed, trim, and talk with my neighbors at the same time.  And my neighbors aren’t just neighbors, they are real friends that I can talk honestly with.

When I started it was light enough outside to get this photo of “before” – when I finished it was just too dark.  Here’s my unkempt garden before I had my way with it!

Our neighbors – being the spring chickens that they are – had about 16 friends stay over for the weekend.  They looked liked they had so much fun.  Here’s a shot from the teeny, tiny session I gave them.

You might have guessed by the above photo that “they” are calling for snow again here in Maryland.  This is a bag of ice salt that my newest neighbors Mary & Chris are so generous in using on our shared walkway.  In fact, this last snow storm, Chris knew we were without Josh & they both cleared our sidewalk, our steps, and our car too!  What great neighbors we have here.  And even though I can hear when either side of me vacuums, or when they are watching a movie very loud, or when they get home late at night, I absolutely love it.  We love living here & wouldn’t trade it for the world.  This home is where we are supposed to be right now. (Oh, and I’m sure either side can definitely hear our loud selves too!)

Okay, and on another weather-related note:  Excuse me Mr. Punxsutawney Phil, but who in the heck do you think you are!  Have you EVER predicted an early Spring?  Huh, have ya?  Cause I’m getting a little peeved over here that my poor daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground due to the warm weather, cold weather, rain, snow, sleet, warm weather, snow, rain, snow, etc!  And my head isn’t handling these changes too well either!  *deep breath*  Okay, sorry little groundhog guy…I know you don’t control the weather.  Thanks for being my scapegoat.

Photos I’ve been looking at:  Samantha Alday.  Samantha is kind of sort of a real life friend, in a distant way.  I am friends with & used to shoot with her sister-in-law Stacy.  I enjoy reading Samantha’s 365 posts because she’s just darn funny & honest!  And she takes pretty good photos too!

Well, I guess you’ll know tomorrow if we get dumped on!  I’m off to accept pizza delivery & pump myself up for the premier of LOST tonight!  All are welcome to view it in the Sroka “theater” on 109 inches of pure goodness!  See y’all tonight!