For the Love of Breadsticks, Facebook and Old Friends

Although I happily call myself an Indiana Hoosier these days, I am also proud to claim Clarkston, Michigan as my hometown. Home of Kid Rock, The Jungle, and of course, Gregg's breadsticks, Clarkston is a small, close-knit community with some pretty awesome places and people.  Now, I won't go into detail about how long it's been since I walked the halls of Clarkston High School (I'm already having "How did I get this old" panic attacks at the thought of Trenton starting kindergarten next week!), but let's just say it's been a few years. So it's really nice when I get to reconnect with the places and people from my hometown.  This can be hard to do living 4 hours away with 3 kids, but there are ways. . . I've been known to put in special-delivery orders for massive amounts of Gregg's breadsticks whenever anyone heads up to Clarkston for a visit.  And of course, there's always Facebook.  Three cheers for Facebook!  What a great way to find old friends and see what's been going on in their lives. And it's even more awesome when they contact you and want to get together for a photo session!  Seeing them in person AND meeting their families?!?  Yes, please!  


So allow me to introduce to you to Jenn, one of my long-lost friends from CHS.  Like me, she no longer lives in Michigan (Looks like someone else might be dreaming of Gregg's breadsticks, too!).  Jenn and her husband, Tim packed up their two children and drove all the way to Indy from their new home in Dayton, Ohio for a photo session. Let me just say--I am so honored that someone would think enough of my work to drive that far!  We met at the Indianapolis Art Center to take some shots and do some catching up.  We had a fun time, and it was so great to see Jenn again and meet her awesome family.  Although I'm still not sure how we're old enough to be married with children.  We did just graduate high school, after all.  ;)

The Gugle Family

Three years ago Labor Day, Matt and I were sitting in the hallway outside Riley Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, absolutely crushed.  Our oldest son, Trenton was recovering from his second open-heart surgery and had taken a turn for the worse, to put it lightly.  We'd basically been told to wait outside while the doctors and nurses worked on trying to save him.  I can undoubtedly say that was one of the worst moments Matt and I have ever had to endure in our lives.   I am sure it was clear to anyone passing by that things were not going well, but one brave soul approached us and simply asked if she could pray with us.  Since neither Matt or I had the words, we were so thankful for this complete stranger who somehow knew exactly what we needed to pray!   We later learned that her name was Jen, and her daughter Kathryn was also in the PICU after having surgery on her heart.  It's amazing how God just puts the right people in the right place at the right time.  And what a bonding moment for all of us!  Of course, those of you who know Trenton already know that he quickly recovered from that horrible  couple of hours he was having, thanks to the Lord placing some amazing doctors and one nurse that literally stayed longer and worked harder than anyone else (We love you, Sheila!).  It was a night we will never forget, and we formed a friendship with Jen and her husband Andy that started on a level that hopefully none of you readers would ever have to understand!   So you won't be surprised that I have Trenton and Kathryn already married off in 20 years!  Ha ha.  Sadly, we've only ever seen and visited each other when one of our kids were in the hospital.  So it was time for us to hang out in the real world!  ;)  And what better place than the IMA for some fun pictures (Don't worry, we got together again a couple days later for some non-picture-taking fun!)!!  It was so much fun to spend time with the Gugles, and so great to see Kathryn running around and doing so well!  Here are some of my favorites.

Andy, Jen, Jack, Josh, and Kathryn  :)

Family Photo Extravaganza

We interrupt these wedding pictures for a Todd Family Photo Extravaganza!*  :)  


Last week, the Todd family introduced me to the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.  Ahh, what an awesome place to take pictures!  It's also a sentimental place for the Todd's as they'd previously taken some family pictures there.  Since that time, they have added a new addition to the family, little Mihret!  And oh, are pictures with that little girl so precious.  Her huge, gorgeous eyes just steal the show!  All three of the Todd children were such good sports despite the hot, sticky evening.  We added to the stickiness with some fun lollipops, and had a great time!


*I owe this title to Matt Todd, from his own blog.  Thanks, Matt!

FUN AT FALLS PARK

Matt and I recently had the chance to hang out and talk with some of his old schoolmates.  They'd gotten in touch with us (gotta love Facebook!) after hearing about our son's heart condition.  They are currently pregnant, and have been told there might be a chance their baby is born with a heart defect, too.  So we shared our heart experiences and spent some time getting to know this fun family!  Over some delicious Mozzi's pizza, of course.  :)

Naturally, I was so excited to take some pictures for them a couple weeks later!  We took their daughter's 2 year-old pictures, some family pictures, and of course, some maternity ones.  Little bit of everything, and we really got some great photos at Falls Park in Pendleton.  Check 'em out!!  

  

 

SCHOOL FRIENDS

My older son has really befriended a couple of his classmates at preschool this year.  One of them being a sweet girl whose hand he insists upon holding every day as we walk to the parking lot after school (Aww, I know, it's precious!!).  It was so much fun to take Shelby's pictures with her mother and grandmother at the park!  She was such a good sport and could really rock that scooter of hers!!