fergus.

remember him?

he likes to hang outside with the kids.

and sniff.

but, guess what?

his life is about to change…

that’s right,

there’s a new kid in town.

he’s ace.

the alpha dog.

dun, dun, dun, dun  { insert sound effects here }.

our whole family,

and our neighbor’s whole family,

pulled up chairs

to watch the show unfold.

the kids even brought popcorn.

“better than TV,” they exclaimed.

the dogs played.

and played.

and played.

they swam.

and then they went back

to doing what puppies do.

and then there was the final take-down…

and we decided to call it a day.

fergus and ace shared a drink…

and the puppies went home to their respective homes.

until tomorrow…

xo

A

p.s.  no puppies were harmed in the making of this blog post.  fergus and ace are actually no-kidding brothers.  same mom, same dad, same litter.  we suspect ace may have been first in the birth order.    fergus lives with us.  and ace just arrived today as a very welcome new member of our next-door neighbor’s family.  when i asked their six year old daughter how it was to have a puppy, she said, “it’s AWESOME.”  and it is.  we look forward to watching the puppies grow up together.  and their dad is just around the corner.  it takes a village…  good weekend to you.  A

there is a spot

in our backyard

at the base of our back steps

where the ground dips

and forms an indentation.

a result of tearing down a house

and building a new one.

settlement.

we have filled it,

and it sinks down again.

into the same size.

and now i have found,

it is the perfect size

for a 10 week old puppy.

it is where he plops outside

when he doesn’t want to come in.

now the spot is filled.

finally.

xo

A

stood a tree.

and while the Civil War raged in Virginia,

the tree stood on.

and now,

many, many years later,

two little girls

swing nearby,

right next to that gorgeous tree,

which sits on their property,

right outside Manassas Battlefield National Park.

the little girls

make wishes

upon

the seeds that grew

from the plants

trampled underneath

the soldiers’ footsteps.

the girls close their eyes

and

say thank you,

to those men,

those families,

that went before.

the girls run

in fields once fought upon.

life.

it goes on.

history.

where have you stepped today?

xo

A

Amy’s Army is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing grants to women battling any kind of cancer in the Northern Virginia area. Financial assistance is provided for non-covered medical bills, for basic living expense emergencies, and for non-medical expenses related to medical treatment.

This wonderful organization grew out of a team of women ~ friends ~ who rallied around their friend Amy, who was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at the age of 37. They formed a team for various fundraisers, such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and they were literally off and running. Their stamina and determination to keep fighting for cancer awareness and for cancer funding is unparalleled, except of course, by their friend Amy’s determination to keep fighting the disease battling for her body.

The fight continues.

I was fortunate to spend an afternoon with Amy and her family several weeks ago. It was as if the stars had aligned to allow such a spur-of-the-moment, impromptu photography session to take place. After weeks of trying to match our schedules (me with 4 kids, Amy with 4 kids, and all that entails with sports and social responsibilities), one morning a mutual friend (thank you Tammy!) placed a single simple phone call and said, “How about 3pm today?”

And it worked.

For everyone.

Outfits were thrown together in a flurry. Showers were had at the last minute. It was hot, and some people (Hi Martin!) don’t like wearing jeans when it’s hot. I can completely understand.

But it was worth it.

I’d like you to see more of that afternoon, and if you have it in your heart (and in your pocket!), please consider donating to Amy’s Army. You can donate directly through their website, and all donations are 100% tax deductible.

Amy, talking to your husband Martin and your sister Elizabeth last night were some of the most memorable conversations I have had in my life.  Seriously.  Your gifts to this world are innumerable.

xo

A

Three years ago, at age 37, Amy was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer.

She has defied odds and continues to fight with courage in her heart and a smile on her face.

I want you to meet her because she is not a statistic.

If this encourages just one woman in your life to do a monthly check or receive an annual mammogram, then that is great.

Amy’s breast cancer has metastasized to her lungs, but she does not let her “cancer” define her in any way.

She is Amy.

She is a mother.

She is a wife.

She is a daughter.

She is a sister.

She is an aunt.

She is a friend.

She is beautiful.

She lives for these kids, and if she can be here an hour, a day, a month, a year longer,

she will be.

This is Cody.  He’s still growing up.

And appears to need a strong motherly influence.

This is a family that strategizes together.

And plays together.

And is together.

I get the sense that this one likes to relax a little.

Just have to say, this is her own pose.

And, in fact, her own request for a picture “here” “like this.”

She made me smile.

And, in fact, Amy’s children all made me smile.

They’re dealing with a lot.

A LOT.

And they are simply the most sweetest most lovingest children.

And, you know what else they do a lot together?

Laugh.

And that, I think, is part of their successful fight.

All this little guy wanted was to get a family picture with everyone doing “bug eyes” just like he had been doing for many pictures.

Amy obliged.

And you know, this may be my favorite picture of the day.

Is it a beautiful picture for the wall?

Probably not.

But, it’s a moment of love.

Between a mother and a son.

It’s a laugh.

Shared.

It’s life.

Embrace it.

xoxo

A

P. S.  And here are a couple more for Amy and her friends and her family.

P.S.S.  Here is a link to more images of Amy and her family.

On a train.

To New York City.

I met my new nephew.  Scroll down if you’re even hoping for a peek of his preciousness, but you won’t see much.

Some in my family actually like to keep things private { HUH? }.

But I have other things I can share.  Something I did just for me.

I took a film camera and walked around the city on my way to my brother’s.  And I did some street shooting.

And I had a blast.

I met the new little guy { see him back there with mom and his big brother?  didn’t think so! }.

And I went out at night with my brother.  A little brother-sister time.  Everyone needs it.

Great DJing at the Vig Bar.

and then it was time to leave and get back to my real world.

Bye NYC.

Hope to see you again soon.

xo

A

When you just wish things would stop moving forward and you could hold on to the moment forever…

Hold your children forever.

Your spouse forever.

Your life forever.

Hold them.

xo Amy.

More sneak peek coming soon.

A

Inspiration.

I pondered it for a long time.  The truth is, I find inspiration in so many places.  Curves, lines, colors, lighting, people, expressions, relationships.  So, I went about my life with this question hanging in the back of my head.  And a couple weeks ago, I worked an 80th birthday party of a dear friend of mine.  She is the mother of my neighbor.  My neighbor is the youngest of 7 and has 2 young daughters herself.  Those little girls are almost like my own.  I have been photographing them practically since each of their births.  That 80 year old woman has LIVED her life.  She had 5 children in her first marriage, and at a young age, fled a bad situation with all 5 children in tow.  Eventually, she met and married her husband and had two more children.  They have been married 39 years now.  Her youngest son was involved in a tragic car accident leaving him with a serious brain injury.  He hovered near death for a long time.  He is married (and was at the time), and is a father to an 8 year old autistic son.  This grandmother, this woman is full of peace, despite all the hurdles and struggles along the way, and there is no other way to describe it ~ inner peace with herself and a desire for peace for the world.  Her heroes include Thomas Merton and Mother Theresa.  Her home is decorated with her beliefs (Tibetan prayer flags), crosses of all styles, campaign signs (Obama), anti-war signs.  Her home is filled with love with family photos everywhere, in every nook and cranny.  Knick-knacks from around the world decorate everywhere.  Her home has been lived in and loved in.  And yesterday that dear sweet woman turned 80.  What a life.  In editing some photos from the birthday party, I kept coming back to this one.  It is the 80 year old birthday girl and her two year old granddaughter (my neighbor’s daughter).  I look at this image, and I see the spectrum of life, from one stage to another, generations holding onto each other and helping each other along the way.  Both gingerly in their steps, but moving forward together.  One life passing on to another.  Continuity in this universe.

It is these connections that inspire me the most.  When I capture an image like this, I consider myself so grateful to be a witness to this absolute beauty, this absolute love.  There is no greater inspiration.

Peace,

Aileen

The year before my oldest daughter was to attend kindergarten, I went to our local elementary school to attend their “back to school” night.  There were two kindergarten teachers, and I wanted to check them out.  I’m a little anal that way.  I used to be a Girl Scout you know.

What I found was the organized list-making quiet two-job-working teacher, and the young, cool, like awesome, hip, talkative, crazy teacher.  I’m summarizing, okay?  The first one seemed a bit like me, and well, the second one seemed, well, young.  Like really young.  Really really young.  And really really outgoing.  I’m a bit introverted, so those outgoing souls sometimes intimidate me.  I know, poor little old me.

So I went home and declared that if OUR children were to attend such elementary school, they would be best with (what I equated to) the “responsible” teacher, and not the talkative friendly one.  HA!

Time passes.  Parent matures.  Our oldest doesn’t attend said elementary school for kindergarten, BUT our second does, and do you know what?  I wanted the crazy teacher.  You see, my second child, at that time, was timid and shy.  Hesitant to participate, she, I knew, would be best placed with a teacher who would draw her out and nurture her, not someone to hold her “responsible,” as I was taking care of that very well at home, thank you very much.  I’m the oldest, have I mentioned that?  It will come up later.  Remember that.  I.am.very.responsible.

I LOVED the crazy teacher.  Perhaps I should stop calling her that.  I LOVED the teacher whom my child loved.  And do you know why all the kids love her??  Because she’s crazy that’s why!  She is like a child.  And I mean that in a genuinely nice way.  She is on-the-ground, singing, laughing, silly-dancing, cooking, paint-spilling FUN.  And kids LOVE that.

I loved her so much that when it came time for my third child to attend kindergarten, I prayed every night that she would be placed into the crazy teacher’s classroom.  And she was!  Hooray!  And my third daughter loved her just as much as my second daughter and almost as much as me. 

And then I found out I was having yet another child.  Whew, keeping those public schools in business.  And as soon as I found out, I started praying again, please let him have the crazy kindergarten teacher.  But, oh no….

Something went wrong.  And yet, something went so terribly right.

She got married.  { sigh }

And her husband had a daughter who now made my crazy teacher a mother.  { more sighs }

And then she had a baby.  { even more sighs }

And now she won’t be my children’s crazy kindergarten teacher anymore as she will be staying home to mother her own children.  { more sighs }

But now instead of calling her my children’s crazy kindergarten teacher, I call her “friend.”  { go ahead….  sigh }

So, my friend had a baby and of course, I took some pictures. 

Let me introduce the star of the show, the little baby boy.

Isn’t he adorable?

And here is my favorite kindergarten teacher, now “Mom.”  She’s a natural.  And I had no doubt about that.

Oh my gosh, can you just feel the love here?

That peaceful sleeping baby face.  Melts my heart.  Look at that soft skin.  Precious.

But wait!  His sweet baby life gets even better!  He has a Big Sister!

She loves him dearly.  You can just tell.

It’s all in the protective embrace.  The big sister “I’m not going to let anything happen to you” embrace.

Even though I’d only met her a couple times, I found that while photographing her, I had a special place in my heart for her.  Blended families can be hard.  There are lots of emotions and adjustments involved.  I know because I come from one.  And at the same age that this big sister is, I too became a big sister, to a new baby boy in my new family.  I wanted to capture her in the “now,” in the “this is me at this time in my life.”  She doesn’t know it now, but her life has changed, and she has so much ahead of her with this little brother.  He will be a pain at times, guaranteed.  I know that’s hard to believe from looking at that little sweet face, but trust me on that one.  More than that though, she has found a friend.  This little guy will always look up to her, even when they’re big and all grown up.  And it will surprise her when that happens.  With his birth, she became a Hero, without even knowing it.

When I took this next image below, I knew it would be my favorite of the day.  The lighting, the look, the age, the gorgeous eyelashes.  As if she knows the responsibility that comes with being a Big Sister.  She is humbled to begin.

What fun they will have together!

And what love they will share.

Yes, blended families can be hard.  But they don’t have to be.  And when you have a crazy kindergarten teacher as the Mom, and an adorably cute little baby brother, life is looking good.

Thanks so much for a great morning and for a peek into your family.  Congrats!

And next time, we’ll have to do this when Dad isn’t working!

xo,

A

I’ve been absent.  I think it may be a February thing.  This year in particular, there was a lot of snow.  Add to that, shorter days, being cooped up, and you get a big hunkering down ~ almost as if I’m wrapping up into my own little cocoon.  I’m so happy to see March, and I want to thank the D family for opening the door out.

So, the D family.  What fun I had.  The best part of my job is meeting new kids, new little people, new little people becoming bigger people.  I LOVE these ages.  And I love seeing how God has worked his magic in creating different individuals from the same parents, same upbringing, same environment = different personalities, different interests, and different dreams.  Let’s see what I found on this Sunday afternoon!

The little sister, E, and her two big brothers.  Would it surprise you to know that on this afternoon, she had just gotten back from a laser-tag birthday party where she was the only girl in attendance?!  Probably not.  With two older brothers, I get the impression she is not your dresses and dolls kind of girl.  The entire session, she was climbing, swinging, more climbing, jumping.  When it came time to climb high up onto a tree-stand play house, she refused her oldest brother’s help and insisted on doing it herself.

I’ve known E for several years now.  She and my E have played soccer together for about three or four seasons.  I’ve done the team pictures and individual shots, and can I just tell you, this girl is beautiful.  And she gets more and more beautiful each year.  Her eyes.  Wow.  As I shot her on this day, I saw shades of her as a teenager.  Mom and Dad, watch out!

The middle child, R.  This guy cracked me up.  Such a fun personality and great sense of humor.  He was hesitant for me to take his photo, so I had to catch him unawares at times.  It became a game, and I had fun playing.  As the session went on, R started coming up with shots for me to try.  Down below, the Abbey Road shot, all his idea.  I liked his imagery.

A family of gorgeous eyes, as you can see.

I love eyes.  Probably just about my favorite part of a person because there is so much there, so much presence (or not, and that tells you something too).  The oldest here, C, had such genuine eyes, laughing and fun.  And what a smile.

He is a budding actor (just had the lead in the high school play), a talented musician (plays four instruments),  and a great guy.  And as he told me, collared shirts?  Not really his style.  He wanted to make mom happy, but when we were done, I had him change so that I could get a few shots of him as he sees himself, doing what he loves.  And here he is.

R ~ here’s your Abbey Road shot!  Love it.

And then it was time for me to go home, though I would have loved to stay and play Rock Band, but you know, my kids were waiting for mom (my other calling). 

I love this last shot.  The sister with her big brothers.  It was such a natural togetherness.  And though there are differences amongst them, the love, caring and support is unmistakable.

Thanks guys for a great late afternoon.

xo

A