Monday 31 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- phenomenal



To A Phenomenal Woman

When I was in my younger days,


I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in
to wear a belted dress.

But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
There's comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose--
They're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on
The crotch is at my knee?

I need to wear these glasses
As the print's been getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.

Though my hair has turned to gray
and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,
the outside's changed a bit.

But, on a positive note...
I've learned that no matter what happens,
or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way
he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, 
I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains,
I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

- Maya Angelou




Daily Snap-
Sorry Milk Monster is sick with a high fever.  I hope you enjoyed the writing by Maya Angelou. I love her work. Which woman artist, writer, scientist, mother, etc do you think is a phenomenal woman? Why is she phenomenal to you?
Have a great night.

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- decisions


Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.
It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections
-unknown



Daily Snaps-


This last week's rain has been a nightmare in ref to my photography session schedule. I have also been wanting to go outside with Typhoon Trio. They have cabin fever from being stuck in the house for the last three days.  I figured that we were going to embrace the weather today! Regardless of rain or not we were going to go outside and run off some energy at the park. After lunch we went to the park with a friend and her little girl. We wore galoshes to jump in puddles, jackets to keep us warm and the umbrellas just incase the sky decided to open up on us. We had a lot of fun and Typhoon Trio was able to run off a lot of energy. I tried to do an impromptu session with Typhoon Trio. They weren't in the bit interested in cooperating. The only thing on their little minds was playing, running, jumping and sliding.
I hope that you were able to get out of the house and enjoy today's weather too.  


The Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom. I can't wait for them to be in full bloom for the Cherry Blossom Sessions!!


Here's a few extra for Daddy to enjoy! =) Love & Miss you!! XOXOX 

Saturday 29 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- tonight


In this pocket you will find
A teensy, tiny tooth of mine.
So while I sleep where
dreams are made,
Let's see if you can make a trade.
In this pocket I will lay,
the little tooth I lost today.
Please, dear fairy,
tonight as I sleep
leave me a coin.
My tooth you can keep


Daily Snaps-

Miss "R" lost her first tooth before turning 6 yrs old. A few days later her second tooth started to get loose. I was very proud of her because she waited patiently for it to come out on it's own. When her tooth came out today I asked her "do you remember how much the tooth fairy brought you the first time?" Miss. R quickly replies with "she left me $5.00". My first thought was Mr. Tooth Fairy and I need to have a talk when he gets back. $5.00 I don't think so. LOL So I quickly explained to Miss. "R"  that the first time was a special amount because it was her very "first tooth" but that after that the tooth fairy only leaves a dollar. Lucky for me she went along with that idea. 

Miss "R" is getting so big and I can't believe how quickly she is growing up. Someday she won't believe in fairies but for now we are enjoying their childhood imagination. 

Friday 28 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- soothing repetition


If today were a fish I'd throw it back
-unknown




Daily Snap-


This week I was invited to join the MCP Project 52 as a Team Leader. I'm really excited to give back to a wonderful community of photographers, helping moderate the group and being a guest blogger on the MCP Actions Blog. Thank you Jodie and the MCP Project 52 Team this is going to be a great year of wonderful photographs!


Today's daily snap photograph is also my picture for this week's MCP Project 52. The weather has not been cooperating with my ideas for this week's theme of soothing repetition. I finally realized that I had something in front of me all week. I love my koi tank because of the soothing repetitive sounds of the bubbles and the water going back into the tank. I love watching them because after I always feel so peaceful. Make sure to go leave some flickr love for the photographer's doing the MCP Project 52.

Thursday 27 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- happy little accident



Pararescue Code
It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid the injured. 
I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, 
placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. 
These things I do, that others may live.
- originally titled "The Code of the Air Rescueman"
penned then by Lt. Col Richard T. Kight



"We don't make mistakes here, we just have happy little accidents"
-Bob Ross

Daily  Snaps-

I'm currently working on a project for KB's Squadron's Warrior Banquet. We are going to utilize the Angel of Mercy, which is a symbol on their flash, for our outfits. Those that know me already know that I have a love/hate relationship with Photoshop. This a photograph of a wooden plaque that was given to KB from his last base. I had  the image open in PS and had a happy little accident. Now don't ask me how I did this because really I have no clue but I thought it looked interesting. It reminds me of weathered metal. So, I'm sharing my happy little accident with you today. 


Babe! I'm very proud of you and All CSAR members for everything you do so "That Other's May Live"

Here are some links for those interested in the history of Pararescue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Pararescue
http://www.specialtactics.com/ 
http://www.af.mil › Information › Factsheets
http://www.pararescue.com/
http://www.thatothersmaylive.org

Video by G3SM

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- six


Cupcakes are fun
Uplifting treats to make
Pleasing to eat
Children love to decorate
Abandoning manners
Kitchen in a mess
Entirely happy

-Tara Robertson


Happy 6th Birthday K & R!!


Daily Snap

WoW! Had you told me 14 yrs ago that I was going to have more children I would have said "You were out of your mind".  But God had different plans for me. God changed my life when he brought KB into it. Fast forward 7 yrs with infertility treatments and we decided to do IVF. God blessed us with three wonderful Doctors who were instrumental in the conception and delivery of our beautiful twins. Six years later, I'm still in awe of the little miracles that God gave us. Trust me there's days I would love to duck tape them but I still think they are a wonderful addition to our family. So moral of the story is "never say never" because God has plans that you may not be aware of at the time.

Thank you, KB for our children. I am a better person, wife and mother because of you. I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life. Wishing you were here today. XOXO


Tuesday 25 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- a peck


Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
-unknown



Daily Snap-

I'm still feeling under the weather. When I'm not feeling well my comfort food is chicken soup. Of course I didn't have any of the ingredients to be able to make it. As much as I disliked the idea of going, I went to the commissary for a super quick visit. When I walked into the produce area it was set up so beautifully. Someone must have had a lot of time on their hands or no one had a chance to destroy the display. It was too cute all the green peppers where standing all in a row and so were the red ones. I immediately saw a chance to do a color contrast picture with these beautiful peppers. Of course I didn't have my camera but I did have my iphone ;) Not the best quality but a great example of  color theory and rule of thirds. One funny thing was it didn't even faze my oldest to see me moving produce around and taking pictures of the pepper. I hope you are having a great day. We are going to go eat our chicken soup now.

Monday 24 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- blahhh



Daily Snap -

I've been feeling under the weather since KB left but it's one of those things I tend to ignore. The last person who can be sick while Daddy is gone is the Mommie. I've have spent my day really doing nothing. I spoke to KB which lifted my spirits but other than that I have felt blahh today. Miss "R" and Milk Monster decided to build a spot for me to snuggle with them while they played. They brought down pillows, books and lovies and placed the town toy as a barrier for the dogs. It was so cute because they were so excited. Miss "R" said "we're going to relax under the heart tree". Children are God's gift because I definitely needed that smile. 

Sunday 23 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- hmmm



Daily Snap-

Took a quick drive over to see how the Cherry Blossoms are doing for the up coming sessions. Hmmm... they are not exactly blooming very fast this year. They're very sporadic but as you can tell they are still absolutely beautiful. Other then that most of today was spent editing and trying to keep Typhoon Trio from killing each other. There must be something in the air today. I kept telling them I was Switzerland but I guess they didn't get it ;) 


Okinawa Photographer - giving back


Believe in miracles


We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give
- Sir Winston Churchill



Giving Back - 

I'm a big believer in giving back to the community. I provide pro-bono photographic services to organizations such as Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and That Others May Live Foundation. This last month I was contact by a mother who wanted to know if I would take her 3 month old daughter's photograph. Her daughter was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and would be under going surgery.  I was more than happy to photograph Miss "B". The above pictures are of Miss "B"

Here is a note Brigitte wanted to share with you the reader. 

"First off I would like to thank you Denise for your gift of photography, your sweet heart, and your compassion to a family that is going through a stressful time.
  We found out that something just wasn't right with "B" a couple of hours after she was born, her dad was feeding her and it looked like she was "Trying to Breath" (Kinda like she just got done running). He called in the nurse and everything went crazy, she spent 12 hours in the NIC unit and we were told that she had a murmur. We were not happy but her father had one as a baby and it seemed like so did every ones mother, brother, sister and friend, so we were hopeful.
  During the time in the hospital it seemed like test after test were done. We were told that "B" has Tetralogy of Fallot. Which in simple terms means the the valve from her heart to her lungs did not line up correctly, and her blood oxygen levels were very low. Also a normal heart has four chambers, one of the walls in her heart that seperates two different chambers did not connect,so she only has three chambers.
   Because we live on Okinawa and the health care is limited, Twelve days after she was born "B" and I took a trip to Hawaii to meet with her Doctor. He explained to me that she would need heart surgery to correct the deffect before she was 5 months old.
 Her condition is really mild in comparson to some children I have read about. Although our little girl is going in for heart surgery we are staying in prayer and leaning heavily on God to get us through this. We know that he has "B" in his arms and going to guide the surgeon's hands.
Thank you again
Brigitte L."

Note, I removed the baby's name and family's last name to protect their privacy. Please take a moment to place this family in your prayers.

Many blessings to you and yours.

Saturday 22 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer- Daily Snaps - caution


engrish


Daily Snap

Today we went on an outing with Typhoon Trio, My Sister Anna and my niece Savanna. The above sign was located at the park we visited in Okinawa City. I thought those of you who have not been exposed to engrish would get a little laugh out of this. I myself find this sign very amusing since I was a mandated Police Officer in the states. Here is a link documenting some more of the amusing misuses of the English language.

Friday 21 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- pretty


I'm a pretty little thing,

Always coming with the spring; 
In the meadows green I'm found,
Peeping just above the ground,
And my stalk is cover'd flat
With a white and yellow hat. 

Little Mary, when you pass
Lightly o'er the tender grass,
Skip about, but do not tread
On my bright but lowly head, 
For I always seem to say, 
"Surely winter's gone away." 
- Ann Taylor 



Daily Snaps

I love Gerber Daisies almost as much as I love Sunflowers. Theses pretty little things were bought by my oldest boy "A". Actually he's not a boy anymore but a young man. I usually don't talk about the two oldest just out of respect for their privacy but I wanted to share how thoughtful and helpful he is when his Dad is gone. I'm very proud that he is our son.

Okinawa Photographer- Cherry Blossoms - Nago City, Okinawa




Sakura (cherry blossoms)

The above picture was taken during this years outing to Nago Central Park. It's been a tradition since we arrived on Okinawa to go as a family to see the Cherry Blossoms in Nago. Since KB wasn't going to be able to attend this years Cherry Blossom Festival we decided to go up before he left. The first year we missed the festival but saw the blossoms in full bloom, the second year I was recovering from surgery so I wasn't able to walk up the mountain so we enjoyed the festival and the great food and drove the mountain, this year we'll have to see if I'm brave enough to take Typhoon Trio by myself to the festival. If not we'll go up on a not so busy day and take some photographs of the blossoms. 

If you decide to go Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) I highly recommend packing a picnic. It's very beautiful to take in at a leisurely pace and the children will have a blast playing at the park.

Directions from Kadena AB
Take Okinawa Expressway, exit at Kyoda the last exit. Continue North towards Nago. Once in Nago, turn right onto Route 84 (you'll see a fire station to your left and you'll go under the walkway)Start looking for Orion Brewery on your right. Turn left at the brewery (there's a signal light) and a immediate right. During the festivals I would try to parking away from the park. Parking is very hard to find close by. Approx time (depending on traffic) 60 - 90 mins


Thursday 20 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer- Daily Snaps -smooth as silk


Moo, Moo, Brown Cow

Moo, moo. brown cow
Have you any milk?
Yes miss, three jugs smooth as silk.
One for you,
And one for me,
And one for the little cat
Who sits in the tree.
- Anonymous



Daily Snaps


Today we started off with doing a big sister/little bro shoot. Baby "K" was only 7 days new and absolutely adorable. His BIG sister had the sweetest smile but she was having nothing to do with sitting down. I could of eaten her up she was soo cute and those cheeks =) Hopefully next time she will want to take some photographs. Later today after Milk Monster's nap we went over to see the "Moo cows".  I was missing Papi a lot today and decided to go do something we like doing together. The Moo cows live in Chibana which is close by to us. A quick trip and  a couple of pictures later is today's Daily Snaps. The above pictures are of this very cute and inquisitive little brown cow. He was so funny because every time the shutter went off he would get startled. I love visiting them even if sometimes when the wind is blowing just right it doesn't always smell like roses. Below is a quick pic of Milk Monster.

Okinawa Infant Photographer - in your eyes


There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
- Chinese Proverbs



Wednesday 19 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer- Childs Play Session - Love u ooodles



Rising Sun Memories 
brings you
Child's Play Photography Sessions!

Child's Play Photography Sessions are $75
  • Theme - Luv you ooodles
  • 20 minutes
  • up to 3 children, additional $10 per child
  • private online gallery for 30 days to share with family and friends
  • all edited high resolution digital images on disk, 5 digital images
  • personal printing release for digital images
  • prints, canvas and boutique items available for purchase
  • Quick turn around on disk
Date
  • Saturday, 5th of February
Times
  • 9:00 am
  • 9:30 am
  • 10:00 am
  • 10:30 am
  • 11:00 am
  • 11:30 am - BOOKED
Location
  • Rising Sun Memories Studio, Kadena AB


READY TO BOOK!?!
Session fee is not refundable. If you are unable to attend your session but give a 48 hour advance notice, you may apply the amount to a Session. $75.00 Session Fee must be paid to secure date/time. Openings will be assigned in a first-come, first serve basis. Thank You =)


Okinawa Photographer - Daily Snaps- precious treasure

Sea Glass

A scrap of glass
wave rolled salt etched

opaqued by time
ground down by
the gravity of life

Plain unpretty treasure
Beer drunk brown

unbanked green
or common white
clarity lost
in priceless time

Yet you are a precious
treasure

a child’s memories hidden
in a secret life locked drawer
with other
cherished things

From within this

smooth edged shard
come timeless shrieks
of care less skipping days
hiding in some heart thumped
secret place
longing to be caught

And searching

on the shore
with passionate intent
to win the greatest prize
“mommy daddy
look what I have found.”

- Keith Farman



Daily Snaps

Today we headed off to the beach in search of some branches for a project my friend is working on. During the search I remembered about a dear friend telling me previously where to locate sea glass. So after finding some branches we drove over to Tori Station. It's funny because I love sea glass but I hadn't bothered to check the location out to see if there was any there previous to today. While we walked the shoreline collecting sea glass, Milk Monster had a blast throwing rocks into the water. Of course by the time we left Milk Monster had managed to get his new shoes, half his pants and his sleeves soaked. What's funny is it really didn't matter. Wet clothes and shoes can always get washed and dried. Today I have great memories of him playing on the shore and his face beaming when he found his first piece of sea glass. Remember somethings are more important than others. Don't sweat the small stuff! 

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Okinawa Photographer - Child's Play Session- luv u ooodles!


Fun To Be With

Please be my special Valentine;
There's no one quite like you.
You're really fun to be with,
And a very good friend, too!
- Joanna Fuchs






Child's Play Photography Session

This is Typhoon Trio's "Child's Play Photography Session" for January. I started styling this session during my winter vacation. It took a couple days to set it up and to cut out over 100 hearts but in the end it was all well worth it! We had a lot of fun today just playing. Of course I was sporting my Mommie Googles when I picked the photographs and I love every single one =) I hope that you have fun looking at our Child's Play Photography Session too.

Papi, this session is dedicated to you! We miss you tons! BIG ((hug)) XOXOX
 
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