tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36175525281527559432024-02-19T09:21:03.636-08:00Tricia AllenTricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617552528152755943.post-12004944473421802009-02-05T04:04:00.000-08:002009-02-06T14:00:57.813-08:00Call me Treasure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8uz1ldoCOQKBaKb_XwgQHmbbqwDMrmoUx4Nsk5T203Cw4ySeRqdeXgQXcnu4kAFVxL5AYTeilIiIiTfLSOmgOLNWiF4t4XDTm0TClotTjEFXlvplGbCdQs9d_BSv3wdI-HmO334apXs/s1600-h/Vday_Flier.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8uz1ldoCOQKBaKb_XwgQHmbbqwDMrmoUx4Nsk5T203Cw4ySeRqdeXgQXcnu4kAFVxL5AYTeilIiIiTfLSOmgOLNWiF4t4XDTm0TClotTjEFXlvplGbCdQs9d_BSv3wdI-HmO334apXs/s400/Vday_Flier.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299807654884930898" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Valentine’s is almost here. And in case you haven’t given it much thought you can put a smile on your man’s face by being your own super model and creating sexy photos for his eyes only. There are going to be some happy hubbies out there! So many guys are going to be saying to their Valentine, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">This is the best gift you have ever given m</span>e!" Boudoir photography on Valentine's Day is a sure hit. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">And although Valentine’s is a great time to create boudoir photos it is an all occasion gift for your man. It can be given as a book of images from a bride to her groom as wedding gift or for birthday or anniversary present or for something different on Father’s Day. If your guy is away in the military this is a great gift for him too. Every woman is capable of looking glamorous and sexy. And isn’t it great when you can show your man that you are just as hot as the girls on any page of Maxim or Playboy. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is exciting to get dolled up and to able to be transform yourself in a tasteful girl environment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="color:#5F497A;mso-thememso-themeshade:191color:accent4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Unlock the treasure</span></span></i> within to show your soft classy side.</p>Tricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617552528152755943.post-16363024668270246082009-01-23T15:55:00.000-08:002009-01-25T17:36:40.602-08:00New Beginnings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLm0XQJKN4uqGZ4XBEdGHAuolT8n878Vi1yCgelz7g8jfGYUQOzkKJTm12eAW1IT48vl0RhXFVQkLe5zdyrRl29mm8Bai2BdSvMRtQmse6lZbc8ozAVNuzLJRx394UtT1dQXpJ4PC5Vo/s1600-h/new_begin.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLm0XQJKN4uqGZ4XBEdGHAuolT8n878Vi1yCgelz7g8jfGYUQOzkKJTm12eAW1IT48vl0RhXFVQkLe5zdyrRl29mm8Bai2BdSvMRtQmse6lZbc8ozAVNuzLJRx394UtT1dQXpJ4PC5Vo/s320/new_begin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295406738480809026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This week the country and the world witnessed a New Beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What do you think of when you think of New Beginning? The mommy side of me thinks of a new born baby. The business woman in me thinks of a fresh look.<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"> The photographer in me thinks of new portraits. The Christian in me thinks, “<span class="apple-style-span"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation</span></span></span></span>” IICor 5:17</span>. The friend is me thinks or new friendships. The political activist in me thinks of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">CHANGE</span></span>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Whatever inspires you toward a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">New Beginning</span>, make the decision today to take the first steps. Visualize what that would look like and step into it. I have decided on a theme for 2009 and it is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Unlock the Treasure</span></span>. And each month I will work on personal or professional projects that tie into the theme. As such January is, you guessed it, New Beginnings.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A hotly debated topic by photographers is how much can a portrait really tell us about a person? I don’t have the answer, but I feel that my work embodies relationship – from a mom communicating with her unborn child in maternity portraits to the warm embrace of a family or the confidence exuded by a professional consultant.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This month as part of unlocking the treasure within by creating a New Beginning, I am offering you the opportunity to present a fresh look to your clients by updating your business portrait. A fresh business portrait is a valuable tool to help your clients connect with you. Many business professionals are using social media sites like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1314891002">Facebook </a>& <a href="http://twitter.com/triciaallen">Twitter </a>to stay in-touch with existing clients and to reach new clients. If your business portrait is on your card, web site, brochure, etc., chances are that's the first impression people will have of you. Does your current headshot support the image you want to portray? Even if you hate sitting for a portrait, I can help.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Let me help you make a good first impression.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><table width="200" border="1"><tbody> <tr> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5qOHw6nOupl2y448EBxBsjQP5p9ubJ6DF5XJiX-NLhDogsnRPOijX_vTFy9MQCP8f4RmhV0AiU5ql69rIHCK0m_Jq_Xrp7d0aVmpvfQf-a3hxm4dVnJGBY0wvcfPh47lK4FCpxK5JyI/s1600-h/doreen_sjleads__business_portrait.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5qOHw6nOupl2y448EBxBsjQP5p9ubJ6DF5XJiX-NLhDogsnRPOijX_vTFy9MQCP8f4RmhV0AiU5ql69rIHCK0m_Jq_Xrp7d0aVmpvfQf-a3hxm4dVnJGBY0wvcfPh47lK4FCpxK5JyI/s200/doreen_sjleads__business_portrait.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295409034309598274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a></td> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zJXi96vge41k41BtODEJJfBa8XS8I8k3JuAbS7KFYqVEFqpoWYbFa8KW_2gSb4XnBGdUKwaI4xvhm9y9cf6B4wov9WvyBIzIlNPesIRnBMX7ds_-57_ZXEJnPMsch-LfLRVPWVEi8L4/s1600-h/Portrait_BrendaKegel.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zJXi96vge41k41BtODEJJfBa8XS8I8k3JuAbS7KFYqVEFqpoWYbFa8KW_2gSb4XnBGdUKwaI4xvhm9y9cf6B4wov9WvyBIzIlNPesIRnBMX7ds_-57_ZXEJnPMsch-LfLRVPWVEi8L4/s200/Portrait_BrendaKegel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295409031366824370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px; " /></a></td> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zJXi96vge41k41BtODEJJfBa8XS8I8k3JuAbS7KFYqVEFqpoWYbFa8KW_2gSb4XnBGdUKwaI4xvhm9y9cf6B4wov9WvyBIzIlNPesIRnBMX7ds_-57_ZXEJnPMsch-LfLRVPWVEi8L4/s1600-h/Portrait_BrendaKegel.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ6h1XZ7YXBGfJlWyPN8m19yluBN36u7byMlLKaAo-tX2nM6I9YbixyoS36EuZ4cp9emcaDwnZJH0qhcwcTUwINWZrpA9b1LxSIqbARX4SJJy3IIMDGLGcflnsUzsDPUUOmGuiIXElaw/s200/sjleads_business_portrait_corrine.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295397891174882514" /></a></td> </tr></tbody></table></div>Tricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617552528152755943.post-44554786151360890102008-09-10T16:22:00.000-07:002008-09-10T16:37:53.086-07:00Have you heard of Good GuideRemember you read it here first. GoodGuide.com is a website that rates products that are good for you. GoodGuide's mission is to help you find safe, healthy, and green products that are better for you and the planet. You can do a search for your favorite product and then determine how good it is. Did you know that Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo, the most popular selling product, has a carcinogen in it? It is not intentional but is a byproduct of their production process.<br /><br />This company uses scientific data to rate products. I was amazed to search for products that I use like deodorant, laundry soap and perfume. You can create a shopping list with alternative products (just in case your local Target doesn't carry your target product). While you are out shopping you can also text the UPC code to GoodGuide and receive a text back. Pretty Cool! They will also be launching an iPhone app in a few weeks. (I wish I had an iPhone to test it.)<br /><br />Go check it out! <a href="http://www.goodguide.com">www.goodguide.com</a>Tricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617552528152755943.post-62100975355439362812008-08-07T09:29:00.000-07:002008-08-07T10:27:23.654-07:00Jamaica's Independence<strong>Jamaica</strong> is celebrating their 46th year of independence from British rule this week. And I am so very proud and honored to be able to say that I am Jamaican.<br />I read an article this week about the varied people of Jamaica and this is true and evident in my own family. I am planning a trip to Jamaica in October for my Dad's birthday and could make it a destination photo shoot if any is interested please contact me.Tricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617552528152755943.post-34781109586361989282008-05-09T13:50:00.000-07:002008-05-09T14:07:20.977-07:00Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;">Happy Mother's Day!</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />My sister shared this with me and I thought I'd share it with you.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for the mothers who have sat up</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /></div> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">all night with sick toddlers in their arms,</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><i><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; font-style: italic;">"It's okay honey, Mommy's here."</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who show up at</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">on their blouses and diapers in their purse. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">For all the mothers who run carpools and</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">And all the mothers who DON'T. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for the mothers who gave birth to</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">babies they'll never see. And the mothers</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">who took those babies and gave them homes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for the mothers whose priceless art</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">And that when their kids asked, <i><span style="font-style: italic;">"Did you see me, Mom?"</span></i> they could say, <i><span style="font-style: italic;">"Of course, I wouldn't</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><i><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; font-style: italic;">have missed it for the world," </span></span></i><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">and mean it.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who sat down with</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">their children and explained all about making</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">wanted to, but just couldn't find the words. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who go</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">hungry, so their children can eat. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;"> For all the mothers who read "Goodnight,</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Moon" twice a night for a year. And then</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">read it again, <i><span style="font-style: italic;">"Just one more time." </span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who taught</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">their children to tie their shoelaces before</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">they started school. And for all the mothers</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">who opted for Velcro instead.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who teach their sons</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls <i><span style="font-style: italic;">"Mom?"</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">in a crowd, even though they know their</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">own offspring are at home -- or even away</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">at college -- or have their own families.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who sent their kids</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">to school with stomach aches, assuring them</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">they'd be just FINE once they got there, only</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">to get calls from the school nurse an hour later</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">asking them to please pick them up. Right away.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for mothers whose children have gone</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">astray, who can't find the words to reach them.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">For all the mothers who bite their lips until they</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">For all the mothers of the victims of</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">recent school shootings, and the mothers</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">of those who did the shooting. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for all the mothers who taught their</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">children to be peaceful, and now pray</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">they come home safely from a war. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">What makes a good mother anyway?</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Or is it in her heart? </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Is it the ache she feels when she</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">watches her son or daughter disappear</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">down the street, walking to school alone</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">for the very first time? </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">The jolt that takes her from sleep to</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">her hand on the back of a sleeping baby? </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">The panic, years later, that comes again</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">their key in the door and know they</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">are safe again in her home?</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Or the need to flee from wherever she is</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">and hug her child when she hears news</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">The emotions of motherhood are</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">universal and so our thoughts are for</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">young mothers stumbling through diaper</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">changes and sleep deprivation...</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">And for mature mothers learning to let go. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Single mothers and married mothers. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Mothers with money, mothers without. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">This is for you all. For all of us... </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Hang in there. In the end we can</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">only do the best we can. Tell them</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">every day that we love them. And pray</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">and never stop being a mother...</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;"></span></span><i><span style="font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; font-style: italic;">"Home is what catches you when</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; font-style: italic;">you fall - and we all fall."</span></span></i></p>Tricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617552528152755943.post-32405516803191701582008-04-25T13:40:00.000-07:002008-04-25T14:18:18.294-07:00Olivia's walking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlzTH9wRuMw_aaCkNtUmA9thdkaazlFe7GCnxNFSlq2bEHbxbIZ4K6V0EUltUEebYI_KGWpw5xSezxD_HL4kxXuiDhhJwuCCHF7V_LdXxMbRNHR-Xh4b19KTTiMN-GX0S37yvgWh9w74/s1600-h/Olivia_3273.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlzTH9wRuMw_aaCkNtUmA9thdkaazlFe7GCnxNFSlq2bEHbxbIZ4K6V0EUltUEebYI_KGWpw5xSezxD_HL4kxXuiDhhJwuCCHF7V_LdXxMbRNHR-Xh4b19KTTiMN-GX0S37yvgWh9w74/s320/Olivia_3273.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193295320679019234" border="0" /></a><br />As a working mother, it hard to know to that many of your child's first may happen when they are away from you. But 2 nights ago our little <span style="font-style: italic;">Livi </span>took her first steps and I was there to witness it and cherish it. As a mother, I sometimes look back and think what could I have done differently with my first child. The biggest regret is not spending more time. We can't get the time back so I am learning with these two little ones to slow down and just be in awe and wonderment of them each day.Tricia Allen Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566715092556030537noreply@blogger.com0