Time to grow!

I am making the move from blogger.com to another blogging site that allows me to showcase my images in a larger capacity. Please follow me there as I grow not only to another blog, but as a photographer. I am very excited about this change...especially because your pictures will be shown off in such a grand fashion now! Come with me to http://www.paschallstudios.squarespace.com

There comes a time...

Warning: a little more writing this post, promise it won't be a habit!

Yes, in every parent's life, there comes a time when this inevitably happens. Not a marriage, or college acceptance or even a drivers license. But the first big step...Pre-K! :) Our first born is going to pre-K. She is only going 3 full days a week, but she is beginning a journey in a Catholic grade school similar to me when I was her age. She is wearing the same jumper I wore and she has that innocent girlie laugh that she shares unconditionally with no worries of who will hear. She is our first born, the one we have learned from and the one who opened our hearts so much more than we could ever imagine. This is the one, when we brought her home from the hospital sound asleep and so peaceful, my husband made the funny comment, "okay, now what do we do?". Five years later as she continues down her own path of what we have already ventured....I ask the question, "okay, now what do we do?".

Well, for starters we will pray that when she leaves our door and spends her day with those that will guide her, she listens and soaks up what they are teaching her. We will pray that she chooses her friends wisely, respects them and enjoys them for the individuals that they are. We will pray that every time she gets her feelings hurt, she will stand tall and know that 'this too shall pass' (and that we are ready to hold her tight). We will pray that every boy she likes has praying parents as well. And, we will pray for that one boy that will someday be her soul mate. We will pray....all the time, we will pray in thanksgiving for this internally beautiful child we have been trusted with.

On a fun note (photoshoot worthy....of course), we will watch as Molly and her friend, Clare, have the time of their lives! I look at these pics of the girls sitting on a bridge on the golf course. I can't help but imagine them sitting there over and over sharing secrets along the way. (Yes, only when the golfers are finished for the day or when the club is closed...don't worry!) We are so excited that Clare not only lives 3 doors down but she also attends Holy Rosary. I am so ready to witness these girls grow up...but please, may I beg the obvious...not too fast!?! Happy school year, girls! Our hearts are full of love and they are beating so proudly!



Did I mention that we make them walk to school on a dirt road? Hey...they have shoe's on, at least...and it isn't uphill! haha Kidding...just a fun photo op!

My first miracle...again!

I know I use the word 'miracle' with children all the time, because that is how I truly see each child! Well, it seems, I JUST posted 'My first miracle', yesterday when Molly turned 4. Wow, I only blinked for a minute (as they say), and now she is FIVE!!

I love Molly's passion behind every decision she makes. She is my sensitive one who's heart is on her sleeve. She embraces new friends and absolutely does not forget a name and where she met them...and she will quiz you on it as well! Oh, I wish I could keep going and write more about what this milestone means to me. However, I absolutely have to get some sleep so I am ready for her present opening and birthday celebration tomorrow morning (or is that today?)! I hope her smile brings one to you, her laugh makes you giggle and her glance into your eyes brings you one step closer to your own inner child. Molly Moo...our first miracle!

Part two of two BEAUTIFUL newborns!!

And here she is...5 day old baby Madysan! Oh my...she is just like my youngest daughter, Lily. The hair, the skin color and the fact that she is a girl was such a strong reminder. It made me want to scoop her up and take her home!! She was the fastest newborn to shoot so far! We got through 5 different poses and areas of the yard before she was ready to eat. Of course, since she was so good...I had to try a few more after after her little break. And just like baby Jakob (post directly prior), she was a perfect baby and never made a peep. Oh, but she did make plenty of poop! haha My towel, a few wash clothes, her mommy's tummy...just to name a few!

K&J, enjoy falling in love with your own little miracle!







If you are just checking in...be sure to scroll down and see part one of the two BEAUTIFUL newborns posted yesterday!

Part one of two BEAUTIFUL newborns!!

I had two newborn shoots this past weekend and both are equally dear to my heart. I had wanted to blog them together, however...there were too many to choose from. It was difficult for me! Seriously, this started with 13 pics and I KNEW I couldn't do that many for just one baby. Enough of my issues...on to baby Jakob!

His parents brought him over and we did the shoot in my backyard. It was a nice day in between all of the showers we have been having. Jakob was a tiny 6lb-er and PERFECT! He smiled so many times and I even caught a handful of them with the camera. He never cried, not even when he was hungry...really! I enjoyed him and am so excited to watch him grow up! What a trooper he was for his first shoot! (and YES..I am upgrading my blog soon so you can get the full effect of my pics...these little ones just don't do the images justice).

All it takes is one infant smile to have a domino effect on a new mom and dad...this was definitely 'in the moment' and I loved that I captured this 7 day old family all smiling together!

Add to your prayers...

Myra and her family had a recent, sudden turn of events that put everything that is important into perspective. Myra was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last week and scheduled an immediate surgery for this past Tuesday. She called me last week, to move her family photos up from a later time in the year. I was fortunate enough to be in town for ONE day between production gigs, so I was so thankful that I could accommodate her. Please keep Myra and her family in your prayers as she regains strength to begin her chemotherapy sessions. Myra has such a positive and beautiful outlook on life that I admire. I feel honored that she asked me to capture their time together...and we had some fun with the kids, that's for sure!

Oh boy!!!

Would you believe little C is 6 months old? This client (now a friend) was smart to purchase the package of 5 events in one year! Some want it for random times with multiple children's bdays and a few holidays. But, here you just have one little guy with two proud parents that want to preserve his first year! Smart parents, as most of us know they grow WAY too fast! I am in love with little C here! He surprised me with how mature he seemed during the shoot. He knew what he wanted, where he liked to sit and had nothing to do with his tummmy! Ha! Don't worry little man, I will get you in October at your 9 month session! Don't you think he looks like one of those china dolls in the first two pictures? His piercing blue eyes, snow white skin and that precious smocked outfit made just for him!

Cannon Texas Open

is being hosted this year by the Dr Pepper Star Center in Euless. You can check the hosting team out for yourself at their Benefit show on Saturday, August 22nd. It benefits Our Father's Children, Inc that reaches out to the abused and neglected children of North Central Texas. Not only is it a heart-tugging charity to support, but you might even get a glimpse at some Olympic hopefuls! I know I am taking my big eyed girls to watch! Here are the incredible (and even some young and upcoming) athletes on the hosting team.

Instructors turn!!

You may recall the 5 blogs of the United groups (back in the May category). If not, check them out...we are all proud of them! But, here we have a few of the instructor's children that finally got their photo shoot! First up is Sydney! She had fun with it all and even brought her little sister who is already taking tumbling up at United (they start them at 18mos, it's awesome!) .




And, second is Zoe! Zoe is a super star in my eyes! She had 6 costumes (couldn't show them all here) and danced in 9 of the recital numbers. Yes, I know you are wondering...is that possible? haha She competes, dazzles, entertains and most importantly has fun! I loved her standing split...yes, she stands on one leg, holds the other leg straight up and continues to smile! I couldn't blog it because it doesn't do justice to show it on such a small scale. But, trust me, I got the shot! :)

LOVE this family...

And, I do mean family! These beautiful kids belong to my cousin, the closest thing to a sister I have. My mom is one of six kids, four of which are girls. The four daughters had only one daughter each (and boys mixed in), so us 4 girl cousins have always been tight. (There eventually were three more girls thrown into the mix of 21 grandkids and we are building to the 28 great's annually...haha)

So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to FINALLY get our schedules together where we could do this long awaited shoot! I am so proud of these kids, they are fun, well behaved and I am honored to be able to see them grow into the people they are becoming. They are a mixture of organized, artsy, brainy, bossy, funny, dramatic, loving, and goofy! And, I can't help but mention that I am glad my cousin has a 'crazy' one like Lily too! Love you all so much! I had a fantastic time laughing with you! and btw..there are TONS more pictures where these came from!