8 years of Marriage and going strong

Last Friday, May 16th, was our 8th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe 8 years have already gone by, but at the same time when I think back to when we were just married or dating it seems like a really long time ago.  This last year has probably been our toughest year during our marriage due to expecting twins last March 2007.   

However it has been the best year of our marriage because it has taught us the important things in life.  When our twins were born our son, Maxwell, had to be flown to Primary Children's Hospital in SLC when he was only 3 days old.   They found out that he had Necrotizing Enterocolitis.  Which put in simple terms is a flesh eating bacteria found within the lining of the intestines that on x-ray looks like little bubbles.  He had to be close to a surgeon so that if at any time the bacteria perforated the outer lining of his intestine they could do emergency surgery to remove that part before the bacteria spread through out his abdomen.  It was really hard to watch him go through this for he couldn't eat anything and had to have a picc line to supply all of his nutrients.  After being down in Primary Children's for only 4 days Maxwell contacted spinal meningitis.  I was still here in Idaho Falls with Isabella in the NICU and hadn't been able to see Maxwell since he left.  What a horrible feeling for any mother...I can't even explain.  In the meantime Matt has been staying down in SLC at the Ronald McDonald's house just a few miles from the hospital.  As time went on and good and bad days past for Maxwell it seemed like our lives were never going to return to being a family.  Traveling back and forth to SLC and being separated from Matt and enduring our own trials alone was really hard.  We often only had the phone to give each other encouragement to help us through to the next day.  After 8 long weeks Maxwell had finally made a final recovery and never had to have surgery.  We were able to bring him home on April 26, 2007.  What a joyous day.  It was the first time that Olivia and Harrison were able to see their brother.  (When I find some time I will post the pictures of Maxwell in the hospital.)

So needless to say this year has been the hardest year during our marriage but has greatly brought us closer as a family.  With not knowing if you are going to loose a baby any day you are truly grateful for what blessings you have been given.  With endless prayers and many tearful nights we realized that spending time with our family was by far the most important priority in our lives.  I love you Matt and will forever be indebted to you for helping me be a better, stronger person.  

Exhausted and worn out...but we made it back.

Well we got back into town today around 3:45 pm.  We had the best time in Georgia.  I loved seeing the ocean and all of the palm trees.  My sister lives on St. Simons Island and it was the cutest little town.  We went to the beach every day to get as much of it as we could.  We even brought home some sand in all of the cracks on the stroller.  I already miss eating dinner outside on the patio of the restaurants and being able to see and hear the ocean.  boo hoo.  After I get things unpacked and settled down I will post some fun pictures of our adventure...and tell you a fun mini crisis story.  Till then I need some sleep.

Wish me Luck...Georgia Here We Come!

Well I am off to Georgia for a week with all the kids.  Matt is staying home and my mom and I are flying to Georgia to see my sisters and brother.  I am not sure how I feel about this.  Flying with a 5, 3 and 1 year old twins doesn't sound exactly fun if you catch my drift.  But hopefully we have stocked up on enough goodies to entertain for the trip there.  I am definately looking forward to sun, fun and the beach.  This is the first time I have been on vacation since May of 2006 when Matt and I went to the Philippines and China.  Wow that has been a long time ago.  I sure with Matt was coming with us.  At least he can get the carpets cleaned and the house all cleaned up for our return.  Wink Wink!  We'll see.  Love ya Matt.  Good Luck with that.  Stay tuned for our fun activities and of course pictures of our trip.  See you all later and hopefully tanner.   

Changed Gallery Link

I changed the link for my online gallery since it wasn't working.  Now try it and let me know it there are still problems.  Thanks.

The woes of naming a new business.

After 5 years of thinking of a new photography business name I finally found one...Sparkle Photography.  It had meaning to me and I absolutely loved it.  After I decided on it I then checked around to see if there was any other Sparkle Photographys around...and of course there was in Utah. AARG!   I was heartbroken.  I contemplated keeping the name because maybe being in different states wouldn't matter, but I don't want anyone to ever think that I stole their idea or copied them.  So after talking to some friends I decided to give up the short lived business name and do something else.  After racking my brain again for another business name I was telling Amy my friend about how whenever I have my picture taken I have a really hard time keeping my eyes open and how I have to have a zillion takes to get one decent photo.  Recently my mom commented on how I have butterfly eyes because my eyes I guess flutter in front of the camera.  So when I was telling Amy this story she stopped me and said, "That's it...you should call it Butterfly eyes".  So there you go.  I started thinking about it more and I loved it.  (Not the part of my eyes fluttering in front of the camera but the name).  What draws you to a photo?  Yup the eyes.  If the eyes "Sparkle"  (my original idea)  then you are hooked.  So after all that I am in love with my new name, 

 

Thanks mom for making the comment..I guess and thanks Amy for helping me see a Beautiful Name for my business.   My email address has changed to butterflyeyes@mac.com.  And my webpage butterflyeyesphotography.com will hopefully be up soon.  Until I can get that up and running I have added a link to my online web album under Butterfly Eyes Photography_Gallery.  I would love any comments or suggestions. 

 

Friday I had the opportunity to take pictures of my adorable niece Ainzley.   She is only 5 1/2 pounds.  I loved every minute of it.  I made this itty bitty red tutu for her to wear and it just melts your heart.  Thanks Krystal for giving me the opportunity to take her photos.  I will post them as I get them done.  

Today I took pictures of Amy Hamberlin's new quilt designs.  How lucky am I.  Her work is absolutely beautiful.  I am so excited for her.  She is taking 3 new quilt patterns to market in the next week to come.  She is naming her quilt pattern company Kati Cupcake.  To die for.  I love it.   I wish the best of luck to her and her business.  If you haven't been to her quilt shop in Rigby you have to go..The Quilt Shoppe.  She has to best talent of putting fabrics together and helping you see things in a new, fun, fresh way.  Amy I hope you don't mind if I put your picture on my blog, I think you are absolutely beautiful.