Oh man it has been a long day...

Updated to add the quick snap shots that I took.

Had some things that had to be taken care of last night so I was up until 2am. Finally fell asleep sometime after 230am. And then it seems like 5 mins later that the alarm went off. It was actually 630am and time to get up, cut Austin's hair, get the other 2 in the showers and be at NOB by 9am for Gary's reenlistment. We were up and, bathed, fed and completely ready by 8am. So we headed over the Nexcom to drop Sunrita's OPLOVE video and photos off to her. And then sit in traffic to actually get on base. Park forever away from the pier and then head towards the ship. Onboard at 902am but it didn't make a difference. Gary didn't get topside until almost 920am. We headed to the bridge, discussed what was going on with his releif and our orders to Naples. A little after 10am we finally got the reenlistment ceremony underway. Gary was discharged and enlisted in a matter of 3 minutes lol. They gave me a certificate (as usual) for my dedication and support etc... But someone forgot the kids. Not sure if it was Gary or someone else. I guess they will get theirs at some point. We celebrated with a cake. Certainly not the best cake but you could tell it wasn't from a box lol.
We (the kids and I) made it off the ship around 11 or so, and went to the Cold Stone Creamery to order Sommer's Birthday cake for Saturday. She wanted a Strawberry cheesecake ice cream with red velvet cake. Get to pick it up on Friday at lunch time (yay). This is the Cold Stone on Base, can't you see my excitement?
Gary finally got off sometime after noon. He decided that LoneStar Steakhouse was where we would go to celebrate his last 4 year enlistment in the Navy. Lunch wasn't too bad other than it took him til almost 2pm to decide where we were going. Didn't know kids eat free on Tuesdays there nor that they offer a military discount of 10% everyday and 20% on Mondays.
Now we are home and relaxing. I need to process his enlistment pics and get them up and maybe even creat a page or 2 for the scrapbook before we forget everything lol.
So after this very long winded entry I will try to get the pictures up soon.
Think I will head to bed early tonight :D

Oh my been awhile again

Time is passing me by. Ever since we got verbal orders to Naples Italy in February, time has been going by quickly for everything except the hard copy lol.

Hard to believe we are already in July. Last week was crazy, the husband's ship went to the Bahamas for some shindig. Unfortunately no photos to scrap for DH's album as he only got to step about 5 feet outside of the gate. They were only there for 2 days and he had duty the full day in port. Go figure lol.
He finally got home about 6pm Saturday night, which made for a very short 4th of July weekend. We lounged with the kids on Sunday cause it was way too hot to go any where during daylight hours. We did wind up going to see some fireworks that night. Started off by heading to Downtown Norfolk since I was able to get some beautiful shots there last year. After sitting in traffic and realizing most parking decks were completely full we got out of there and hit 264 and heading for Va Beach instead. Stopped at a parking deck on Independence Blvd so we didn't have to fight the Mt. Trashmore traffic. If you are just wanting to "see" the fireworks it was a good location but I only too my 90mm as a "just" in case lense and it was too short. I had trees (which are ok) and powerlines in the way. But all in all I got some ok shots. Hopefully next year in Italy I can get some beautiful shots again.

I will post a collage in a bit of the kids and the fireworks.

Oh and we did take the kids to Kings Dominion on Monday, and OMGoodness was it ever so hot. I literally thought I was going to have a heat stroke or something. It was fun but too hot to really enjoy it.

But I just wanted to say I have been pretty busy with processing clients photos and designing albums.

Like I said before things have been way fast since getting the orders, we have gone to 2 workshops for the move and have another to go but can't do that until we have orders in hand. The kids are moving from phase one in braces to phase 2. Can I just say "Sticker Shock?" This is a busy time of year here in Hampton Roads for photographers, but it has been so hot that many of mine have been moved indoors. My house and studio are turned upside down as we have been packing things we want to keep but no need to take. You know that huge dining room table that is not going to fit in the 1400 sq ft houses over there lol. Yeah that has been oh so fun. We have gone through things and had a yard sale, but gonna have to have another. We are lined up to go to a TAPS class soon, hard copy should be in soon and we are no where near ready. The husband will be in and out until he detaches in Nov., so most of this move will be left up to me again. And after our last move I could so do a DITY but that would be too costly for an OCONUS move. So I am stuck with the movers the Navy hires.

My house is turned upside down and I have another shoot tomorrow. I gotta run and clean but again here are a couple of photos from our 4th of July weekend.

Been an interesting day here today

Not sure how many of you know but we have orders to Naples Italy!!!!! We are so excited, the time to go can't get here fast enough. Anyway....
The hubs and I had to meet with the Orthodontist this morning. We have one child that is still in phase 1 and ready for phase 2, one that has finished phase 1 and should be ready for phase 2 around July. The 3rd they are hoping can hold off until she is a bit older. Any way we were there today to decide what route we want to take for phase 2. We can do just plain extractions and make it all much better. Or he can have surgery and extractions and make it "perfect". I am pretty sure we are leaning towards just the extractions and make the best of what we were dealt. But the real question comes into play with no knowing what Naples has to offer for dependants with braces. So tomorrow at some point I get to try and call or go into Boone clinic and talk with Dental to find out if they have the orthodontic facilities or not. So that was sticker shock, insurance will only pay another 750. Our portion is almost 4000 dollars. Not counting what we have paid for phase 1. But we have started this process, we need to finish it I guess.
Once that was over we actually had lunch together as the hubs was going to miss it on the ship by the time he got back. He left back for work, I tried to schedule that drs appt. that I have been trying to get since Friday still with no luck. Worked on some photos, and took the kids to Soccer practice. It was parents against kids scrimage. Yeah that was a mistake. Pretty sure I broke my toe lol. It won't bend and it hurts like crazy to walk. Go figure, that is my luck. We are home and settled in for the night. While fixing dinner on the George Forman I burned my arm, blisters and all lol. Now waiting on the hubs to get home, as he warned me that this week will be late nights due to training.
So yeah I know this has nothing to do with Photography but I figure if I get into the habit of posting regularly the photography part of it will fall into place lol.
Hope everyone had a more productive day than I have. As I am still trying to search for answers about our DL's (North Carolina and Texas) as we need them valid for the entire length of the OCONUS tour.

Gotta love it!

This is my husbands command and it honestly doesn't shock me at all.
Click the title and it will take you to the article.
But basically it comes down to he had "sexual relations" (lets be politically correct here lol) with a female officer onboard the USS Truxtun. He apparently got caught. And has thrown his career down the drain. Yes we all know he is innocent until proven guilty. But the funny part about this whole thing is there weren't rumors or anything until about the time it was to hit the news. My husband received a call and was told the news. It was on the news within just a few minutes.
I think it is a crying shame that people flush their careers for a few "good" minutes. Seriously? And lets take this a step further, another military wife left her opinion about this on my facebook last night. We have people fighting to get women on submarines? Yeah how many would blow their careers then? That said, you didn't have these issues when women weren't allowed on ships! Don't get me wrong I am all for equal rights, but there has to consequences all around. Any way that is a different topic for a different time.

Published!

I was published in the Military Spouse Magazine February issue. They featured a few photographers and the founder of the organization for Operation Love ReUnited (OPLOVE). I will try to post a copy tomorrow. But for now here is the link to the "extras". Hope you enjoy. I am honored to have been published.

Click the title "published" and it will take you the page.

Kari and Davids OPLOVE session

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph Kari and David. They are such a cute and loving couple. I truly enjoyed their session and truly wish we could have gone outside for a little more variety. All the same I think the images turned out beautifully. Here is a sneak peek of one of Kari. I will as more as soon as I get dh's computer all set for photography, so if the colors are off etc... I apologize ahead of time. My computer was sent back to the shop for the umpteen hundredth time right after Christmas. It is driving me insane, as dh's computer is slower, doesn't have all of my actions etc... So it slows me down tremendously.

Kari and David,

Thank you both again for allowing me to be a part of your session. I look forward to working with the two of you again.

Hampton Roads Navy Birthday Ball

Been a while since I posted. But just found out that the date for the Navy Birthday Ball this year for Hampton Roads will be Oct. 24th.
The time is 6pm-1130 and no child care offered.
It will be held at Rockwell Hall on NAB Little Creek.
I guess this will be dh's birthday dinner again.
I sure hope I can drop atleast 10 pounds between now and then. Hope to see some of you there :D

Christy OPLOVE

Today I had the pleasure of photographing Christy and her boys for an OPLOVE session. Two gorgeous boys you have there Christy. Thanks so much for choosing me as your Operation Love ReUnited photographer. I had fun and it was great meeting you guys.
And here is your sneek peak from the session.

USS Truxtun update

Just wanted to update that 3 of my USS Truxtun DDG 103 images were posted on NavSource Naval History. There website is http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/050110318.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/01103.htm&usg=__pKVZ4_XQDQ6bWJQdTf6Z1HL6BuY=&h=533&w=800&sz=137&hl=en&start=16&sig2=9-iYlwHM1u8HfLTOMfXJBw&um=1&tbnid=pcttLhn9q8h70M:&tbnh=95&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Duss%2Btruxtun%2Bddg%2B103%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2GGLL_en%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=cAYGSoj3M8XcmQeYt73qBA

2 of thechoosen 3 images are posted in the post below. They would be the last 2 images.

These 3 particular images were taken as the ship was leaving the Cruise Passenger Terminal Pier and heading for Naval Weapon Station Charleston. I just wish there had been a few clouds in the direction of the bridge that day.

Or you can just click on the title to this post and it will take you there. I think this is a great and I hope I am able to contribute more images to them in the future!
Thanks again Fred!

USS Truxtun Entering Charleston Bay and Commissioning

I was able to spend the last week in Charleston South Carolina for the Commissioning of the USS Truxtun DDG 103.

Here are several that I have had a chance to process. Some of these are from the ship coming into the Charleston Harbor and others are from the actual commissioning.

I will be posting images as I have time to process them. Check back soon for more.

OPERATION LOVE REUNITED

Here are some images from the USS Ramage Homecoming on April 1st. I photographed three families that day and got some great shots of each one.