I Heart Faces - Whimsical

She knew it would not be long before her brother noticed his tube was missing, but the afternoon sun was insufferably hot, and the water seemed to summon her…

Check out other I Heart Faces "Whimsical" photos this week here.

I Heart Faces - Let's Hear it for the Boys!

These boys are fierce! They’re the roughest, toughest soccer team around! So, when it came time to choosing a team name, these fearsome four-year-olds didn’t mess around. Their motto—“Mess with us, and you won’t forget it!” This may be "Bitty Sports," but there's nothing bitty about the Orange ELEPHANTS!

Yeah...we don’t get it either.

Let’s Hear it for the Boys this week at I Heart Faces!

I Heart Faces - Vivid - To Infinity and Beyond!

They meet their instructor along the side of the pool, and their lesson begins promptly at 6:45. Moms and Dads watch from afar as they gather together along the water's edge on blankets, towels, and whatever empty chairs they are lucky enough to locate. This is no “mommy and me” class. These boys are in the big league now.

First, the instructor lines her little eels along the edge of the pool wall, securely fastened into what she playfully calls their “space backpacks.” She begins her address on the rules of safety. They listen. Next, she proceeds to demonstrate the goal. They watch. Finally, she pulls each boy into the water, one at a time. They do.

I am intrigued by the instructor’s ability to capture the focus of these boys for the full half hour. Whether she is teaching them one on one, or in a group, these boys offer her their undivided attention. They seem to know that this is important. I am focused too. I am thankful for my camera’s zoom.

Pleasantly exhausted after a good swim, my boy goes to bed early on lesson night. I am able to sit down and browse through my photo captures of the day. In these quiet moments, I can vividly see the future as I imagine he sees the future.

I pretend to hear my little guy talking to his friend. “One day,” he says, “we are going to cross the pool!” Yes, my little one, even without your backpack, I know you will go “to infinity and beyond!”

This week, I Heart Faces wants to see our Bright and Vivid photos. Check them out here!

I Heart Faces - From a Distance

Recently, my family was blessed with the opportunity to take a Disney Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. For several days, we sailed the ocean blue. Each morning, my daughter and I would order room service, and sit on the verandah of our room and watch the water go by. It was magical!
The most fun mornings, however, were those when our ship would arrive in port, and pull up alongside other cruise ships. With only a pier between us, we had the pleasure of spying on neighboring decks and balconies.

"Check out their lounge chairs!"
"Do you see the size of that balcony?! Is that an outside shower?!"
"Look at that cute couple in their matching bath robes."
"Seriously? Does he have to drink his coffee, on his balcony, in his speedo?"

I am sparing us all the Speedo shot. (Of course I had to take it. Don't judge me. You would too.) But, I really love this (distance) capture of several sailors taking a morning break aboard the Holland America cruise ship.

"Look Jenny! Sailors! There's your boyfriend."

Standing there, looking so official in their sailor hats, aren't they just adorable?

Check out what others view from a distance this week at I Heart Faces!

I Heart Faces - Motherhood

I always swore I wouldn't encourage this shot when capturing moms-to-be. It seemed so unnatural. I equated it to telling a child to "Say Cheese," while trying to capture a genuine expression. Can we say Cheese Face!?

But someone--I'm not naming names, but you know who you are--yelled, "Make a heart on her belly with your hands!" seconds before the click.

This seemed to crack Mom up, and her spontaneous expression is priceless!

So, here is my Motherhood entry this week for I Heart Faces. Check out more here.

I Heart Faces - Best Face Photo of March 2011

Through the Fence "When I was little," he tells me, "I didn't play T-Ball." I just love these "experienced" eyes. Although he is way on the other side of the fence, he still checks in every now and then to allow Mommy a few close-ups. This is my favorite March Capture, and you can vote for it here. While you are there, check out other March Favorites at I Heart Faces this week.

I Heart Faces - Slice-of-Life

Although he has been preparing for this moment from the very instant he heard the words, “It’s a Boy!” Daddy clearly isn’t ready. You see, we have come to that bitter-sweet slice in our life where Daddy finds himself on the opposite side of the fence. It’s called Little League, and the rules are clear. NO PARENTS ON THE FIELD OR IN THE DUGOUT.

(As I stood beside him, documenting my little guy’s momentous t-ball beginnings for a photo series I like to call, “Through the Fence,” I looked over and found that, in the moment, Daddy’s face told a better story.)

Check out others’ Slice-of-Life captures this week at I Heart Faces here.

I Heart Faces - Sunflare

The Dichotomy of Jenny!

di·chot·o·my: n. 1. Division into two usually contradictory parts or opinions.
"The dichotomy of the college girl who is still a child at heart."

Check out other I Heart Faces sunflare photos this week here.

I Heart Faces - Anything But a Face!

This week's I Heart Faces challenge is Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes...Anything but a Face. I am so excited to submit Nicholas's Chalky Chucks. This capture goes down as one of my all time favorites.

I captured the photo after reading Chris Orwig's Visual Poetry book. If you haven't read it, it's a must! After I uploaded the print to Flickr, the photographer/author, himself, commented that he "loved" this "No Faces" shot--specifically the moment and colors. How cool is that?! A poster-sized version hangs on Nicholas's bedroom wall.

About the photo:

You will notice that a three-year-old Nicholas is standing in his "house." This was the first time that I realized my little guy may have artistic ability. Perhaps one day he will join the ranks of 3-d Street Painter, Tracy Lee Stum. For now, I am enjoying his pretty accurate diagrams of our house, roller coasters, animals, and various locations around town.

And when he uses chalk as his medium, I actually take pleasure is scrubbing his knees.

Check out other captures at I Heart Faces this week here.

I Heart Faces - Red

Take your heart health into your own hands! Remember, your heart doesn't just belong to you.

Cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were not paying attention. In fact, many even dismissed it as an “older man’s disease.” To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women – a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health.

To find out more about Go Red for Women, click here.

I Heart Faces celebrates Valentines Week by spreading the word about an inportant cause--Go Red for Women. See how others spread the word here.

I Heart Faces - Hearts

I Heart Faces is getting into the spirit of Valentine's Day a little early this week with their challenge topic--Hearts! Check out what others are doing with their hearts here.

I Heart Faces - Best Face Photo of January 2011

For those of you that missed her the first time I posted this (one of my favorite photos of Jenny EVER) from our fun 80s night shoot, here is another chance.

I Heart Faces is asking for our Best Face of January! The good news--if you like Jenny's photo as much as I do, your vote counts! Please go to I Heart Faces and vote for Jenny! Perhaps your vote will help inspire her to keep posing for Mom. She's a natural!

And, check out other Best Faces this week here.

I Heart Faces - Innocent Wonder

Wonder Friends

Sometimes, when you have a friend that is so awesome, so fearless, so fantastic, and so fun, it makes you just sit back and wonder, "What comes next?"

This week, I Heart Faces explores Innocent Wonder. The subject is open to interpretation. Are you wondering what fabulous photos others are posting? Be sure to find out here.

I Heart Faces - Smile

Oh for those sticky pink lips, delectable cheeks, and eyes that sparkle with sinful delight...

In just a few, short weeks, I Heart Faces will offer us the soft and sweet challenge. I almost hesitated posting this one now. Almost.

But, with a smile this delicious, I could just eat him up!

Wanna see more sugary goodness? Check out other smiles this week at I Heart Faces!

I Heart Faces - Best Face Photo of 2010

Dear Mom,

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

Papa isn’t the only one who thinks so.

A few weeks ago, after spending the day with you, Jenny commented, “I felt like I was with you all day, Mom. Mapa would say something, or do something, and I would think, ‘Yep! That’s just like my Mom.’” What a lovely compliment. I can’t think of anyone else I would strive to be like.

I took thousands of photos this year, but have so few of you. Of course, I snuck in a few. One day, your grandchildren will cherish them.

I hope they will also learn to value another trait I may have received from you—tough love. Since I was a little girl, you have always been honest in your opinions (photography included). If it wasn’t good, (if we didn’t give it our best) it didn’t go on the refrigerator. But, when it did, we knew we could accomplish greatness.

Gone are the refrigerator days. With all the miles between us, and separate refrigerators, we have to make adjustments. Enter Facebook.

When you selected THIS photo as your Facebook profile pic, MY photo, and a photo of YOU, I felt prouder than a kid in front of her very own refrigerator art display.

As a result, out of the thousands of photos I took in 2010, this one stands at the top! I call it “Who Loves Ya Babe?"

I do.

Love,
Hayley

Wanna see more Tops in 2010? My selection came easy, but can you imagine picking your favorite from the entire year?! Check them out this week at I Heart Faces.

I Heart Faces - Black and White Scenic Landscapes

This week's I Heart Faces challenge reminded me to start capturing more landscapes. You should check out some of the amazing ones that were summited this week. Wow!

I Heart Faces - Paper

It's all about the Popcorn!

A chipmonk-cheeked, contented Nicholas sits with his paper-bag-filled, movie theater popcorn as he watches his afternoon shows on what he refers to as the "rectangle" TV. Yep! It's almost like the actual movie theater.

"No fair!" claims Nicholas as he states his case for his need to view the latest Harry Potter movie in lieu of staying home with his very favorite babysitter. Has Nicholas read the books? Nope. Does he even know who Harry Potter is? Not a bit. But, what Nicholas DOES know, is that movies=popcorn.

So, what is a mom to do? I'll let you in on my secret. I simply buy the large popcorn for hubby, Jenny, and me, and when the movie ends, we grab a refill on the way out the door. It's a total win-win!!

This week's I Heart Faces theme, Paper, was quite a challenge. I am in awe of the many wonderful photos posted. You will be too! Check them out here.

I Heart Faces - Silhouettes

There is no holding Meme back from showing off her sexy silhouette after a day of pampering at the local grooming salon! I Heart Faces' Silhouette theme gives her just the opportunity to strut her stuff right into the sunset!

You really need to check some of the other silhouette photos this week. Some of them are truly spectacular!

I Heart Faces - Orange

I was on the baseball field that night to watch their brother play, but the loving gestures of these two sisters captured my attention (and my camera's direction) instead. Who knew that the orange clay of the field would make such a lovely backdrop for this week's I Heart Faces theme--Orange?

You can check out other orange-themed photos here.

I Heart Faces Brings Awareness to Breast Cancer

This is no monkey business.

In addition, about 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

These numbers are staggering. And, when I think about the many many children left without their mothers as a result of this horrible disease, I almost cannot bear it.
On a positive note, at this time there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and we can raise this number! We can! Through education and awareness and the dedication of many individuals and organizations throughout the world, we will beat this disease!

Hot Pink Housewives is one such organization that I hope you will check out! Co-founded by my friend, and a Breast Cancer Survivor, MaryAnn, Hot Pink Housewives is a Facebook group "created to promote Breast Cancer awareness through love and support."

Note to my sister, Ashley, who walked in a Breast Cancer Awareness 5K this weekend: I'm very proud of you!