Lonely Blog

Hello, lonely blog... I will get back to you one day. In the meantime, please visit Serendipity Facebook page for updates on goings on with us!
And, Mr. Hacker - bug off. I'm watching you!!!

Smiles

I posted a blog entry a few months back about our buddy, Zane. Zane was our sweet, loyal, 6 year old Dobe - well, he was originally our family dog, along with his special girl, Phoebe - our 6 year old female dobe. When Courtney bought her house, the dogs went with her - they are her babes!
Zane was diagnosed in late winter with cardiomyopathy. A cardiac process that enlarges the heart. He was in congestive heart failure at the time, but with the great care he received from Brannan Vet in Maumee, he was doing exceptionally well. He was eating well, playful & not in any distress whatsoever. Courtney had become very educated in this process & was well aware of the outcome - these dogs generally go into failure within 12 months or they have an arrythmia that suddenly takes them. On Thursday, this is what happened to Zane.
While playing in his yard with Phoebe, Zane collapsed. Thankfully Courtney was there by his side, along with Joe. They were with him & he went quickly. We are all heartbroken & miss him dearly, but have some comfort in the fact that he was spared the discomfort of going into failure & all that goes along with that. He was playing until the end & he was peaceful.
Anyone that knows Courtney is aware of her tremendous passion for animals & adoption of pets. She volunteers with the Humane Society & the Pit Crew & makes transports to take dogs to foster homes. She is more than thrilled when her favorite dogs are placed with loving families. A friend of hers & volunteer with the Humane Society left Courtney a message the other day. She was so incredibly sad to hear of Zane's passing on Thursday. She was then at the Humane Society on Friday assisting with adoptions. A family came in to finalize their adoption of their new puppy. While she was completing the paperwork, she asked them what they were planning on naming their new pup. Their reply - Zane. Speechless....
People all have different beliefs, different views. I guess I would say I believe in little signs, little whispers from the universe. Thanks, Z, we needed that one!

Jen & Gus

I had the pleasure of getting together on one of our rare, nice spring days to shoot the engagement pictures for Jen & Gus. They will be getting married next summer & Jen has been busy planning the wedding from Montana! She was in town recently, so we squeezed in their engagement session at Toledo Botanical Gardens. I'm looking forward to their wedding - it is sure to be a fun one!

Recent kiddo sessions!

Some quick shots from recent kiddo sessions - I love watching my babes grow - some are repeat customers & some are newbies! All cuties! Thanks for coming to see me

Over due Family session

I was able to fit in a family session this weekend between weddings (and storms!). These kids, who happen to be old friends of ours, bought their mom a Serendipity Gift card for Xmas (2009)! With the kids being scattered all over, work & school schedules, it's often impossible to get everyone together for a session. Glad we finally got it in - it was great to see you all again!

Fave Fam!

If you are a follower to my blog and or Facebook page, you have seen these faces around. I have photographed Ms. Bella since she was a newborn (she also happens to be the winner of my Facebook Cutest Kid Contest). We recently met up for a family/engagement session for Bella and her Mommy & Daddy. We had so much fun getting some shots of Erin & Jay and some with Bella.
I love capturing images of families playing & lovin'...naturally. The loving, fun nature of this family shines through in the images. I am so excited to photograph their wedding this September. They have such a great little, happy family - it will be fun to witness them become a great little, happy family on paper - and with a big party!!!

"Before you were conceived,
I wanted you
Before you were born
I loved you
Before you were here an hour
I would give my life for you
This is the miracle of life.

Babies are bits of stardust blown from the hand of God

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."

A Mother's Day post

I am such a bad blogger...always apologizing for being sooo far behind on blogging. However, just wanted to take a minute to wish all you awesome Moms out there a Happy Mother's Day!
Of course, I wish my own Mom a special day, but I also want to send out some lovin' to the girls that make every day a special Mother's Day to me! I wouldn't be the Mom that I am without my amazing three daughters! I am so proud everyday knowing that somehow we have raised three bright, independent, compassionate little beings in this big world.
We didn't have the "typical" Mother's Day that many do - we had Chipotle at home for lunch, then drove Taylor to the airport to send her off to Spain for the summer. Yes, one more adventurous trip for our wildflower. Although I love having all my "chickens in the coop", I know Taylor is following her heart and her passion by heading off for the summer to once again be an Au Pair.
Instead of worrying (which I still do, even if I try to convince myself otherwise), I am content in knowing that Taylor is confident and independent enough to brave traveling alone in order to live her passion. She is truly intrigued by cultures & customs & finds a way to travel & make money at the same time. This is her passion. Likewise, I am so proud that Nicole & Courtney know their passions & live them everyday. Nicole is an amazing teacher who loves her "kids" and puts her all into teaching them & showing them the world in the 9 months that she has with them. And I have never seen anyone with as much dedication & commitment to not only her dogs, but to the strays and neglected animals out there as Courtney. Between volunteering with the Humane Society & driving dogs to rescue homes, she finds the time to be the best, most loyal dog owner to her two (somewhat needy) dobes!
So, thank you girls, for the wonderful Mother's Day - I loved our little lunch, my gifts ( David Gray #4 show - woohoo!!!) and for making every day a special day for me! Love you all!

Sunday Hat Bridal Shower

A little personal blog here... My beautiful niece, Audrey, is getting married this June on Sanibel Island (so super excited for that one!) Her bridal shower was this past Sunday at the amazingly gorgeous Mansion View Inn in downtown Toledo. She had wanted a formal, "Sunday Hat" theme - unknowing that it was the same weekend as the "big Royal Wedding" - funny coincidence. We all had a great time & it was so fun to see all the creative hats that guests came up with.
Thanks, Cheryl, for hosting this special day for Audrey!

Contest Craziness

WOW- I never expected such an insane response to a contest! We've just completed our Furry Friends & Cutest Kid Contest with a bang! Thanks to all who shared our FB site & encouraged your friends and family to join in the voting. Because of this, Serendipity Photography went from 445 fans to 1,049 in a few short weeks. The exposure from this is priceless for me - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Our Furry Friends winner goes to my buddy, Baxter. And, no, there was no ballet stuffing! I did not vote for anyone - Baxter is just a lovable guy! Since there was such a great response & because I love my Furry Friends, I will be awarding all the contestants an 8x10 print collage from their session. We are planning another Furry Friends special this summer. We were able to donate over 100 pounds of dog food to the Humane Society from this contest. You guys are awesome!
The parents in the Cutest Kid Contest pulled out all the stops! I loved watching the posts encouraging votes - so much creativity & fun! Bella was the overall winner with 250+ votes. I know she is adorable, but all the kids are super cuties in my book. Bella will receive a $100 Serendipity gift card, Lucas who gets second place will receive a $50 gift card & Gunnar gets a $25 gift card for third place.
Thanks to all for Sharin' The Love - it's what makes my world go round!

sadness...

I posted a very sad blog the other day about the loss of a little guy that I had photographed last spring. Unbelievably, tragedy struck another family that I have photographed.
This past summer, Courtney & I had the privilege of photographing a wedding for a family that I have gotten to know over the years. I have shot their kids senior pictures & their family & was thrilled to photograph their first wedding. Courtney & I truly had a great time with this group - they are so welcoming, hospitable & know how to have a good time!
We were both totally charmed by the adorable flower girl & ring bearer - so sweet & polite. There were loads of red cheeked, little tow head cousins running around & lots of big, huge family shots done with them all.
Sadly, one of these sweet little tow headed cousins of the bride (the ring bearers' little brother) passed away Sunday due to an accident.
I am having a hard time this week working through all the tears. My thoughts are surely with both these families during this unbelievable time of sadness.
Please use this as a reminder to hug your families tighter, give a few more kisses, cherish your photographs & let the little things go.

Hearts breaking...

I absolutely love photographing children. You never know what expressions you will get or what they will say. Imagine my shock when I saw the face of a child that I had photographed on the evening news yesterday.
Last year I was asked to photograph 3 & 4 year olds at a local church preschool. It was so much fun working with these little cuties. I particularly remembered one little guy because when I photographed him, he gave a big, perfect wink! So adorable.
Unfortunately, this perfect little boy lost his battle with a congenital heart defect this week. I would love to share the image that I have of him giving me his big ol' wink, however, I do not feel that would be appropriate or respectful to his family. Please keep this family in your hearts - I know he will always have a place in mind.

Baxter! Toledo area pet portraits

I wouldn't say Baxter is our neighbor's dog - I have to say Baxter is our neighbor!
I love this big, fluffy, messy, silly dog! Baxter is one of those dogs that likes to get into things - he has had surgery multiple times to remove softball mitts, twist ties, etc. I tried to intervene once when I noticed him eating an entire package of burger buns left briefly by the grill - he didn't seem to mind.
Baxter is getting up there in age; he doesn't hear too well, wanders aimlessly more than he should & needs help getting to his feet. His bark may not be quite as aggressive as it used to be. But he still loves to lounge around on his front porch, he still loves his family & I'm sure he will still eat anything left in his path.
Thanks, Baxter, for participating in our fundraiser - we Love you!

Furry Friends - Toledo area pet photography

The pet mini sessions are running through April. No session fee - just bring dog or cat food to donate to the Humane Society - Thank to those that have brought such generous donations!
Lily and Buckeye are the energetic pups of Andrew & Heather, who's wedding we photographed this past summer. While we weren't successful at getting the two of them in a photo together, we did get some cute images of them. Like all kids, they enjoyed having their picture taken on Mom & Dad's lap! Lily is very fond of Andrew, as you can tell! It was great seeing you guys again - thanks for participating in this fundraiser!

Serendipity Cutest Kid Contest

Thanks to all that participated in the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation Cutest Kid Contest. This is a great fundraiser for a cause that is near & dear to my heart.
Since this is a national contest (huge-o), I've decided to hold my own little Cutest Kid Contest to give these great families another chance to win something - a $100.00 Serendipity Photography gift card!
Go to Serendipity Photography on Facebook, find the Cutest Kid album & leave some lovin' comments for your choices! Each comment = one vote. One vote per entry per person. You may vote for as many kids as you like, but you must "like" Serendipity Photography in order to leave a vote. Feel free to repost & share the contest with all your FB friends & family in order to bring lots of votes to your favorite Cutie! Voting ends April 25th! Votes (comments) must be left in the Cutest Kid album in order to track.
Good Luck to all my Cuties!

Mia - St. Ursula Senior - toledo area senior photography

Mia, St. Ursula senior - beautiful, modest, polite, sweet... Meeting Mia was like a breath of fresh air. She is involved in drama & dance & loves classic movies. Her idol is Katherine Hepburn. She gets along amazingly well with her sister. And, bonus - she was kind & nice to her Mom!!!
Best wishes, Mia, you will succeed at all your dreams!