I was reflecting on everything that happened and how it effected me. I started to write and this is what came out.

Everyone is asking, “How are you really doing?”
My tiredness is slowly fading
My emotions aren’t ruling
And my thoughts are turning
Towards thankfulness.

In the midst of shaking i felt nothing,
Afterwards I’m still moving,
I keep going back re-living,
Stop second guessing,
And starting to listen.

I needed you more than anything
In the midst of pain I was floating
On the prayers of those caring
My burdens you were carrying
So I could rest and hope.

You were there in the shaking,
And now, I’m still standing,
My heart you were holding,
Keeping me, trusting
The one who held me through it all…is the one that holds tomorrow.

If you’ve been considering a canvas and haven’t ordered one…you have order before 5-m on Black Friday to take advantage of

the biggest canvas sale I’ve EVER had.

Yes. It’s a part of my AMERICAN THANKSGIVING tradition. Whew! Growing up in Canada did not prepare me for this but I have risen to the challenge and can shop with the best of them!

Any other questions about Black Friday?
AND YES, I come home after a long day of shopping and barely any sleeping the night before and I wrap every present. The tree is full for a whole month.

And yes, I do forget most of the presents by Christmas day! I’m presently surprised along with everyone else! LOL

Congrats Matt and Jackie! I can’t wait to capture your wedding!

Order now and get your holiday prints cheaper then ever! So excited for you! I ordered mine and can’t wait to get my Christmas cards in the mail.
ENJOY!

Can’t wait to have her again at the Roundtable FOCUSED Photography Workshop! It’s for anyone who has attended a FOCUSED Workshop in the past and wants to take their hobby/business to the next level! Only 2 spots left!

Here is the lovely couple!

"Do something crazy!" Usually means to the guy...grab something! I love those candid moments.

The Miller’s were my first of fourteen families that I shot for the Mini Sessions…hold on for an incredible ride cause I’ll be blogging up a storm for the next few weeks!

Enjoy!

I feel like I know this family but I don't...I guess that means I want to know them more! They seem so sweet!

This is for Jen. A picture of Justin looking "outdoor-sy" Something for your desk.

I know, we’re supposed to have lovely weather this week and I’m going to have the windows open every minute. (pause here to open yours too)

I’m cleaning and smiling -who does that? I hear my kids playing, birds singing, school buses driving by, and I’m organizing up the wazoo. (AND not cause I’m nesting!) weird.

I think we’re programed by our years of school to start over in September and it feels like everything is falling into place…happy home.

Here’s what I need to do this fall:

#1 Apple Orchard

#2 Corn Maze

#3 weekend away up North

#4 Get Organized – home, school, and life in general

#5 Create simple goals and achieve them.

Are you feeling the fever? What’s on your list to do this fall.

List of things not to do:

#1 Don’t complain about my short summer!

#2 Don’t miss the beauty of the fall by focusing on winter woes!

Help.

$20 off a Ammonia Free Color or Organic Custom Facial. (please tell them I sent you!)

Kasia Organic Salon provides beautifying services with a side of “Beautiful Health” awareness. Put your eco-conscience and its cranial encasement at ease during your services at Kasia

The former nurtures noggins with customized blends of essential oils, repairing damaged follicles while helping to prevent dandruff, some hair loss, and scalp irritation.
With the health of your head restored, a skilled scissor shaman will get to work on the style. We are devoted to designing looks that let each client’s personality shine through, so whether you are fun and flirty, serious and sophisticated, or enraged and enamored, you’ll leave the salon with a ‘do to match your personality.

Using their own specially developed organic products in combination with high-end natural goodies by other brands, Kasia performs a wide variety of eco-safe salon services that help clients look great without the unnecessary step of punching Mother Earth in her face. Call ahead to schedule your appointment, and escape to Kasia’s modern, urban-chic abode for a their specialty in Ammonia Free color and Medical Grade Facials!

Reach our Salon Team @ 612.824.7611

KasiaOrganicSalon.com
822 West 50th Street, Minneapolis MN 55419
Informed Beauty BLOG and Facebook Page!

Remember this face? The "I'm going to perm my hair no matter what you say?" face? Well, that was before!

This is the "happy permed me!"

The side view!

The back! Already I want to cut an inch off the length and get funky layers put in! The change of hair is SOOO FUN!

“LAURA KLEFFMAN – come on down!” (I’ve always to shout that!)

So, mark your calendar and come with your camera and smile!

For anyone else still considering coming to the Workshop we have a couple spots left!

Who should attend?

Aspiring and/or established photographers who want to freshen up their portfolios and learn new technical and creative photography techniques.

Cost Includes:

- Over 3 hours of hands-on training with Noemi Hedrick

- 2 groups of live styled models to add to your portfolio

- Signed model releases on file to ensure you have the rights to use the images you shoot

- Technical & Creative on the spot training

- Learn how to get consistently accurate exposures in changing lighting situations

- Interacting with models, natural posing techniques, capturing images with impact that will stand the test of time

- Q&A during and after shoot to discuss challenges

WHAT TO BRING?

Bring your digital SLR camera and a smile:)

Preferred lens is a 70-200mm to keep everyone at the same shooting distance so we don’t get in each other’s way. You can bring other lenses as long as you are considerate and avoid standing in front of other attendees during the shoot. All gear should be stored on your person to keep you mobile. Bring paper and pen for on-the-go note-taking.

• Date – Saturday, August 27th, 2011
• Time – 5:00p.m. – 8:30p.m.
• Location – Meeting Location will be emailed to attendees.

Register today!

Here’s some from the hike! I decided to put a different color preset on these images just for fun!

I love these first few shots because I remember my nephews being the size of my kids and younger. So weird to think my kids are going to be the big someday.

Everybody act mad!

I love Jumping shots!

Adriah was very brave to trust her cousin not to jump on her! Isn't jumping so cool!

This is Adriah's attempt. I had to post this cause this captures my daughter to a tee...Look at her face and then look at how close the ground is to her feet! LOL

We found lots of cool bugs.

Posing shot...take by my nephew Jacob!

Show a little sass!

The ride back!

I love weather in the 90′s or above…especially when I’m near water.

I’ve taken tons of pictures and I can’t wait to share them. I purposely left my editing stuff at home so I wouldn’t spend my vacation on the computer.

We sent Amy and John (my sister-in-law and brother-in-law) away for a night so we’re hanging with our wonderful nephews! That means lots of games, snacks and laughs!

I’m totally freckled.

Spending time with family makes me happy.

I know from looking at my nephews how fast life flies by…this is my time to enjoy my kids. They are beautiful and each one my gift from God.

I’m resting and content. Love vacations. What are you doing for vacations this summer? How was your fourth? Did you take pics for my contest? I’ve received several entries….let’s keep ‘em coming!

It was supposed to rain but we went anyway and I’m so glad we did. Thank you Sandy (and your beautiful girls) for opening up your home to us! We loved being “in nature.” If you’re willing we will be back!

I should mention that these girls were born 8 days apart. Sandy and I met in our birthing class and have stayed friends for these last 6 1/2 years! Not only have the Mom’s stayed friends, but so have the girls.

Gotta love the cleaning of shoes in a princess dress!

I loved being able to share this memory with my little girl!

How To Build a Blog You Truly Love was created by veteran blogger Liv Lane, who started her inspirational Choosing Beauty blog in 2006. Liv discovered the healing effects of everyday beauty – and everyday blogging – while recovering from postpartum depression and PTSD following the traumatic birth of her first son in 2003. Her blog –  featuring daily photos and reflections of the beauty in her midst – quickly gained a global following and provided a springboard for launching her own motivational company – Choosing Beauty, Inc.  In 2007, Liv left her corporate career in PR and radio promotions to focus full-time on her work as a blogger, speaker, artist, and radio host {Liv co-hosts Get Real, a popular and uplifting Saturday morning radio show on myTalk 107.1 in Minneapolis}.

Her background in broadcasting, public relations and blogging come in handy as Liv consults clients on “meaningful marketing,” from developing mom-focused social media content for a major global retailer to writing compelling radio copy for some of the largest food, entertainment and CPG brands in the U.S. Liv has been featured on hundreds of radio stations and in publications including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Jewish World Review. She is currently working on her first book.

Liv lives in Minnesota with her husband, Brad, their two young boys, one crazy dog and an army of invisible angels.