If you are my Facebook friend, you have probably seen my *many* updates about my fundraising efforts for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I joined their team in Training program last month to accomplish two BIG goals - to train for and compete in a TRIATHLON - and to help raise money to help cure leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers. Many of you know I had my own brush with breast cancer three years ago - I was VERY lucky - we caught it early and I just had two surgeries and then 5 weeks of daily radiation, but no chemo. It was a scary time, but I was so very very lucky. Now it is time for me to *give back* and I could use your help!

Meet Tyler. He is my *honored hero* - the person I am running this race in honor of. When I am tired or lazy or sore - I just have to think about Tyler and his family and all that they’ve been through these last few years. Kinda puts my little *aches and pains* into perspective….

Tyler is in second grade at my son’s school. He is home-schooled right now while he is recovering from a bone-marrow transplant he had few months ago - but he is looking forward to attending third grade in the fall with his classmates! I stopped by his home yesterday and took a few quick shots - and he just melted my heart. He has such a sparkle in his eyes and such a positive spirit and engaging personality ( I learned a LOT of basketball facts in a short period of time!) He loves the Lakers AND the Celtics (which his dad mentioned was a no-no!) and was happy to show off some of his moves on the court in their driveway.

Raising money is a tricky thing. It is HARD to ask people for money (or it is for ME anyway!) but this is for SUCH an amazing cause. This is my THIRD event with the Leukemia Society’s Team in Training. Way back before I had children of my own I did my first event - and now that I do have children, I am so thankful tat they are healthy. This could happen to me. This could happen to you. And if it did, you would want me raise money to help your kid, right?? So PLEASE, please help me help Tyler - he deserves this! At the bottom of this post is my fundraising update box-thingy - You can donate online - quick and easy - I have a LONG way to go and can use all the help I can get!

If you cannot see the fundraising box at the bottom - click HERE - Jen’s team in Training Page! to visit my fundraising page!

And, while you are at it, if you’d send me some good vibes for no blisters, no sprained ankles and finding a sports bra that actually controls bounce - that would be great :)!!

If you cannot see the fundraising box above - click HERE - Jen’s team in Training Page! to visit my fundraising page!

I am a lucky girl, I have been blessed with some of the best friends one could ever hope for - and Lisa is right up at the top of the list! In the 5 years since we met, we have gotten so close. Lisa is an amazing photographer and a constant source of inspiration, but she is an even better friend, late-night gossiper, workshop partner-in-crime and cheerleader. I am so thrilled that she finally has her long-awaited baby girl…

Lisa lives about 3 1/2 hours from me, so five days after baby *b* was born I travelled up there with another fantastic photographer, Raye Law from Arkansas (yes, she flew out here just to take photos of Lisa’s babe!) Raye and I hadn’t met before I picked her up at the airport, but by the time we made it to Lisa’s house we felt like old buddies. (I was worried that she’d think I was a nut when I had to stop and rescue a stray dog along the way - but she was a good sport and we had a vacation dog* for a day until I found his owners the next day!)

Without further ado…. this used to me *my* room when I would visit :) at least there is still a bed for me!

her first bath…

…and now she is ready for her close up…

Working with Lisa and Raye (both INCREDIBLE newborn photographers, they should be called the baby whisperers!) was not only fun but educational - they take the time to ensure that each detail is pure perfection! I wish I could take the credit for these next few photos, but they did all the work setting up the shots, all I had to do was press the shutter - wish they could come with me to all my sessions!

there are so many photogenic nooks and crannies in Lisa’s little town….

Isn’t she beautiful?? Inside and out :)

Lisa, I am so happy that you have your baby girl - she is the luckiest little babe around to have you as her mommy…

Just a quick snap from my car window to show how lovely it is in San Luis Obispo - I love it!

Today it is my turn to participate in *Blog It Forward* a blogging *mashup* by more than 300 bloggers started by Victoria at sfgirlbybay The topic is *what inspires me…*

For some one who normally lets my photos do the talking - today I am going to {mostly} try to WRITE about what inspires me…

…my son’s endless fascination with how things work; his weird sense of humor and how he cracks himself up; his love for nature and animals (and Bindi the Jungle Girl)…

…my daughter’s complete and utter fearlessness….and her giggles…and her fashion sense… (that last one is a joke!)

…when I catch the two of them snuggled up on the coach…or hiding in a *fort* made with blankets….or scheming together over some practical joke…

…that my hubby still brings me flowers…a LOT :) and chips and salsa :) (not saying which one i enjoy more!)

…the book “The Happiness Project”
by Gretchen Rubin which I just finished reading and can’t bring myself to loan out yet. ever had a book just *speak* to you?? that’s how i feel about this book - i am driving my friends bonkers with talking about ideas and theories….but I can unequivocally state that *I am HAPPIER* since reading it and starting to put bits and pieces into play in my own life…

….hiking *my mountain* - a local 2 mile hike that I’ve been doing recently (it makes me *happy*!) sunshine, clean air, and wildflowers blooming like crazy….

…dogs. especially mine. and the people who love them. dog people are just good people :) my *puppies* (i have 3) are all getting a bit older and I can’t bear to think about losing them someday…whenever i am sad snuggling with my pups makes me feel better. i know the non-dog people out there won’t understand…but that’s okay :)

…my friends. i am so very very lucky - i have funny friends :) they make me laugh - and they put up with me - and they accept me as i am :) yep, i am a lucky girl…

…auto-correct on the iPhone - it is good for endless fits of giggles because I never read any texts before hitting *send* so some of the texts i send are just meaningless rambling - cracks me up! - and while we are talking iPhone, might I also mention the Hipstamatic app? and ShakeItPhoto? oh, oh, oh - and if you have kids, you must try *SmackTalk*!

…the cast each season of *the Biggest Loser*. at the finale each season I cry like a baby - i am so happy for them knowing they have transformed their lives, not just their bodies. Kind of like I felt when Eliza Doolittle comes down the stairs dressed for the ball in *My Fair Lady*. So proud. Silly, I know….but proud anyway…

…too many photographers to name inspire me (that’s a whole ‘nother BLOG in the works!) but for right now - I will say that I am inspired by those photographers who put their gifts into action…like my friend Nichol Krupp who just started returned from Haiti and started an organization Hey! Tee to help with the disater relief there….and Jeremy Cowart, who in adddition to being a brilliant photographer, started Help-Portrait where photographers can come togther and give back…and my friend Jessie Baldwin who is in Africa right now documenting an adoption but also helping an orphanage…these people are a TRUE INSPIRATION…

…this clip from the movie “Rocky Balboa”. Why, yes, i am a giant dork and I love the Rocky movies and I love the message Rocky gives his son in this clip. I **heart** Rocky. :)

and lastly - i have been recently inspired to take on a BIG challenge for an AMAZING cause. I have just started training for a TRIATHLON with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program to raise money to help fight leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and other blood cancers. You can read more about my endeavor by visiting my page (linked in the box) including information about the 7 year old boy I am doing this in honor of - his name is Tyler and he will be featured here on the blog in the next few weeks (as soon as he is feeling up to it!) Please visit my page, donate if you can and send me lots of good wishes and positive energy - I will need it!

Thanks for checking out my site! You can read more about the Blog It Forward mashup and see a list of everyone participating at this list at sfgirlbybay and visit the other bloggers participating today: Audzipan Design , Oh So Beautiful Paper, Clementine, Reading my Tea Leaves, Enhabiten, Sonya Mac Designs, The Fairly Constant Reader, Make Something, Where Women Create

I travelled down south to San Clemente and met up with this lovely mommy and her adorable family. It was one of those so rare rain-pouring-down-in-southern-California days - I was a little concerned that we wouldn’t be able to shoot - but I’m so happy we went ahead and tried! Little miss *K* is such a sweet and friendly little girl - she took me by the hand and showed me her treasures, her room and the new baby’s room (baby is due any moment now and they still don’t know the sex - I think that is so cool!)

So, i said *let’s all pile up on the bed for a family shot* - and look who wanted to take center stage!

beautiful belly in bright baby’s bedroom (try saying that 5 times fast!)

miss*k*’s new room - fit for a princess!

one hot mama!

she was so proud of the *big sister* t-shirt!

seriously? are you supposed to be this gorgeous and glowing? look at that smile - she just lights up a room!