I debated putting this up here worried if it would cause more pain for me then it’s worth. But I can’t shake the sickness I have in my stomach about what happened. As you might remember, I used to have a blog hosted on blogger. When I moved over to this new blog. I all but forgot about it. I used to get nasty comments on that blog (that luckily I was able to delete before most of you saw). When I left I turned off the ability for people to post comments and figured I was safe. I was WRONG!

It seems earlier this month I was hacked and a very inappropriate post was left. Since I never check that blog I had NO IDEA! It was actually a fellow photographer that came upon my old blog and that post. I immediately logged in, deleted the post and my entire old blog! I was so ashamed this post was out there! I was able to look at the stats for those that had recently viewed my site. I seemed to be getting a lot of hits from the same IP address in California, so I suspect that may be where I was hacked from

I want to apologize to any and all that saw that post! It was NOT from me!!! And I am just sickened at the length of time it was posted on my site! Second, I want to share that security is why I switched over to a blog on my own site. You would not believe the spam that comes to my blog, but luckily my new blog has better filtering and security! Third, I want to caution you out there in Cyberspace. I try to protect your children by not posting names and avoiding locations. You should see some of the things people are searching for when they find my site. There are a lot of sick people out there!

Please know, especially as a mom, my concern is for your children and their safety. All of your galleries are password protected and removed from my hosting server when they expire! And if you prefer I will avoid posting your sneak peeks on the blog all together!

I want to thank those out there that knew immediately the post on my old site was a hack and attempted to notify me! It’s nice to know there are people out there looking out for each other.

I thought I should update my blog with the results of my mom and sister’s 3 Day Journey.  First off my sister managed to raise over $2500 and my mom raised over $3100.  The Detroit walk raised over $7 million total!

My sister made the entire walk, all three days.  My mom fell victim to a horrible blister and had to sit out the first half of Sunday’s walk, but all told made it about 53 miles.  I’m so proud of both of them for doing this!  Madeline and I got the chance to cheer them on Saturday as they walked through Plymouth and again Livonia.  It’s truley amazing to see all the walkers and the supporters!

I want to thank those who ordered throughout the summer (remember 5% of your sales total went to the walk) and those that took advantage of my digital collection offer.  THANK YOU!

My Mom and Sister

My Sister got to carry the “My Mother” banner for awhile on Sunday.

My mom, sister and their BFF’s (Breast Friends Forever) MaryAnn and Shirley.

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 7 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag.

I was tagged by Kim

1. I’m a parrothead (Jimmy Buffett fan) and a Blockhead (New Kids on the Block) and I’ll have seen BOTH up close and personal this year (2nd row for Jimmy and somewhere in the first 10 rows for New Kids at the end of the month)

2. I collect Elmos. Yes, the red monster from Sesame Street. I’ve probably got 1,000′s of them. Kevin Clash (the muppeteer for Elmo) called me once and sent me an autographed Elmo

3. I love chocolate. I’ve made my husband love chocolate and now my daughter.

4. I can not function without my iPhone. I dropped it in the toilet once (it died) and I about hyperventilated the 4 hours I was without (until I could get to the apple store and buy my replacement).

5. My absolute favorite foods; my mom’s au gratin potatoes and my mom’s french toast!

6. My current happiest place on Earth is Chicago! I just love the city!

7. Most people don’t know, I only got my Mrs. from U of M. My BS is from UNLV (yes, as in University of Nevada Las Vegas) and my MA is from Ball State. So on paper I’m a Rebel and a Cardinal, but I am a card carrying Wolverine Alumni On a side note, I find it hilarious that all the alumni stuff from UM comes in my name and not my husband’s. He has the degree, I have 2 years of classes there, LOL!

Okay, now after my lame revelations….. onto those I’m tagging……Mandy, Lindsey, Chris and Michelle, Sarah, Jen ,Rebecca, and Ann.

Photographing V and her parents is becoming a tradition I look forward to each fall. You all know V. She’s on my site as the Sassy 2 year old rocking the argyle socks. I can’t wait to see each year what crazy socks mom has picked out, and she didn’t disappoint V, happy 4th birthday. You’re as sweet and sassy now as you were at 2!

I just HAVE to share some silly outtakes from this session, mom and dad I have a TON more, I honestly could not narrow them down. I was laughing so hard as I pulled up the files from this card! V, I can’t wait to see you next September when you’re a big kindergartener!

V throwing down her gang signs, LOL!

I’ve got a secret I can’t WAIT to share with everyone.  If all goes well I can spill the news tomorrow   This is something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile but have been holding off.  It finally seems like everything may be in place!!!!

So check back tomorrow to see my secret!

I’m going to try something new this fall, Holiday Mini Sessions. Holiday mini sessions are 20 minute sessions that will be held at Mill Race in Northville on October 12th. The sessions will be scheduled every 30 minutes.

For $175, you get a 20 minute photo session and your choice of 25 Holiday cards (from a selection of premade designs) or an 8×10 image. You will be shown up to 10 images from the session to make your selections. Portraits, additional cards, bulk image discounts and albums will be available for purchase as well.

The Holiday Mini Session gives you the chance to get an updated image for Holiday cards and gift giving, without locking yourself into the cost and time of a full session.

You can sign up and pay for your mini session online, Holiday Mini Sessions.

Times available……

9:30am – Law

10 am – Damiani

10:30am – Damiani

11 am

2:00 pm – Dunnigans

2:30pm

3:00pm

3:30pm

It’s been almost a month since I’ve posted to my poor neglected blog.  I got wrapped up in the end of summer and the beginning of yet another school year.  But before all that happened I got to do my 1 year session w/ Miss L.  Miss L was one of my baby planner clients.  I got to watch her grow from a very tiny newborn into a spunky 1 year old who wanted to show me all her new birthday toys.  Miss L and family, I’m so happy I had the opportunity to help document L’s first year.  Here’s to many more happy ones!

I had the pleasure of meeting Miss L last week.  She was absolutely adorable.  And though I’m a fan of the blue eyes, Miss L is definitely a brown eye girl and just as cute as her blue eyed counterparts.  I have to share an image of Miss L’s smile face.  It just cracked me up!  And of course I need to share her big brown eyes too!

When I got the call from A and D’s mom, I thought I would just be coming over to do another session. Little did I know that since the last time I saw them, A and D became big brothers to a new baby sister. Not only that, D grew a head of curly hair! It was nice to see A and D again, and meet the new baby E. And can you believe baby E was only a few weeks old holding her head like that!!!!

This has been one of my busiest summers to date. Not with clients per say but we’ve been very busy ourselves. As you recalled summer kicked off for me this year with the workshop I coordinated in Detroit. After that I was off to my family reunion. What does it look like when your mom has 12 brother and sisters? Oh and when the extended family comes from California (cousins). And I should note, not everyone was present for this photo!

After the family reunion we took off for a family vacation to Kings Island. I can’t recommend that place enough for those with children. When we returned from Kings Island we were off back up to Au Gres, for a family friend’s firework’s show. While I haven’t edited the firework photos, I do have two of my sweet Mads (and yes, she’s in Matilda Jane, LOL!)

Then went sent my husband off to Minnesota for his sister’s wedding while I tackled the Plymouth Art Fair. For those that saw me, I’m sorry, LOL! For those that didn’t, let’s just say thanks to the crazy girls on the Matilda Jane board, I managed to buy about $5500 worth of Matilda Jane. I was in heaven with so much in my house. But alas it is all gone and shipped to it’s happy new owners. But nonetheless our frequent trips to Plymouth brought about a new friend for Madeline, Denise,  Matilda Jane owner/designer/guru and overall awesome gal! And yes, Mads is in Matilda Jane, LOL!

And in the last week I’ve been trying to get back to real life, and that is when I discovered that summer is nearly over! Look for a new email newsletter soon with a special deal for August sessions

And on one more note, anyone in the Troy/Rochester area, my mom and her 3 Day walk team are holding a fundraiser at the Marinelli’s on Sunday. From 5-8pm, all you can eat pizza and salad, $20 for adults, $10 for children. There will be a 50/50 raffle and also raffle baskets (including a Lil Sweet Pea Photography session). You can email me for more information if you’d like it