Up and running (ok, maybe just walking)

So it's been a long time coming, but I think I'm finally ready to introduce my little project that I've been working on. Most of you know that I've decided to turn my little photography hobby into something bigger. Something that fulfills my passion to create and something that can also raise money for the American Cancer Society. I have been busy expanding my portfolio, working on a website, and developing a still-in-progress blog where I can post my photos in a much larger format.

Well, I'm finally ready to introduce you to my new venture...Megan Squires Photography. Check it out and check it often as I'll be adding new pictures of my adorable clients. The blog is where you'll see each individual session that I do.

And I want to give a special thanks to my friend Sandy over at Sandy Runner Photography. She has been developing her own business and I look at her as my photography big sis. It has been so fun learning with her and from her. Thank you Sandy for all of your help and advice! It's going to be a fun ride!

Me too!

Brad and the kids and I went to the park this afternoon and I snapped this picture of Abby trying desperately to keep up with JJ and Daddy. She is such a "me too" kid and tries her best to keep up with the big guys. This photo just reminds me of what a sweet heart she has and how she loves her big brother and wants to follow in his footsteps.

Not Me! Monday

After reading many hilarious “Not Me! Mondays” I decided that I just had to jump on board. If you haven’t heard about it, go check out MckMama's blog and join in on the silliness with all of us!

So I did not sleep in until 9:00 am yesterday. I did not hear Jacob making noise around 8:30 and then choose to stay under my warm covers until his sweet singing turned into, "Mommy, mommy? Come get me...I'm awake!" And then I definitely did not convince my husband to get him while I stole a few more minutes of serene snuggliness. That would be irresponsible for a mommy to do and I most certainly would never do that.

I also did not spend all Sunday afternoon developing a logo for a business that I haven't actually even started. That would just be silly. I would never sit in front of a computer playing with fonts, colors, and flourishes for that long. And I would never be excited about fonts, either. Who gets excited about fonts? Not me.

And I definitely did not contemplate staying up until 12:00am last night to post my Not Me! officially on Monday. And when I woke up at 2:30am it did not cross my mind to go out to the computer and post. That is just plain crazy.

So now that I've told you all what I did not do this weekend, fill me in on the things you didn't do.

our afternoon task.

So as many of you know, I'm hoping to turn my photography hobby into something that can raise money for the American Cancer Society. I'm still working on my portfolio and am a ways off from officially starting anything, but Brad and I have been hard at work this afternoon trying to come up with a logo for me to use once things get rolling.

So without further ado...

my two boys.

Poopy face.

So my children are officially tired of me taking pictures of them. I'm trying to build my photography portfolio and they have had enough of it! I was really excited because I found this great trunk at TJ Maxx and was dying to try it out and finally convinced a reluctant Jacob to be my model. So we go out to the "studio" (Daddy's office) and I have everything all set up and he sits on the trunk and this is what I get from him.

Then, from behind my camera I hear "POOPY, POOPY, POOPY!" I look over my should and I see my husband, Brad, trying his best to elicite a smile from Jacob. And what do you know...

Ready....set....

LAUNCH! It's here! After many hours of hard work on my husband's part, we have the new and improved Squires' Family website. I know, I know. You all have been sitting on pins and needles, anxiously awaiting this day of unveiling. Well, wait no more my friends. It is here.

(I apologize for all of the unnecessary hype. Can you tell I'm excited about this?)

So go...check it out. And then leave a comment and let me know what you think.

www.thesquiresfamily.com

Princesses and Heroes

I am always so amazed when I see Abby pick up a doll and feed it a bottle. Or when Jacob puts on a shield and lifts up his sword to slay the dragon. Where did they learn these things? I certainly didn't teach them (maybe the baby doll part, but definitely not the knight in shining armor.) But I know who did teach them.

God.

From the moment they are conceived, God already has great plans for them, has their personalities created, and has placed desires in their little hearts. Desires to be the princess that is sought after and wooed. Desires to be the hero, to be strong, to be the conqueror.

Every time I see my children do these things that are so innate I am reminded of God, our Creator. Of how he makes boys and girls, men and women, so different, yet both in His image. I praise God everyday for my little princess and my little hero. I praise God for these two, totally different individuals that have both captured my heart.

Goof--Ball

Twenty five years of Hope.

Twenty-five years ago one man decided to take one step toward eliminating cancer. One step to launch millions and one dollar to lead to billions. In 1985 Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington surgeon wanted to increase the income of his local American Cancer Society's office. As an avid marathon runner, Dr. Klatt decided to take pledges for his 24-hour walk around the local university's track. One day, one night, and 83 miles later Dr. Klatt raised over $27,000 and the idea for Relay for Life was born.

I had the privilege of attending the Relay for Life Summit this weekend in Los Angeles. It was truly a weekend I will never forget. Being in the same room with over 800 people who hate cancer as passionately as I do, who each have their own, personal reason to Relay, and who are working toward raising money to eliminate cancer was motivational. Through the dynamic speakers, workshops, and sessions I learned so much about the American Cancer Society. What they do and what they have accomplished. It is truly remarkable how this organization has pioneered so many studies, lead to so many laws being changed or created, and given millions across the globe hope.

I can't wait to be more involved this upcoming year as Team Development Chair for our own Relay for Life. I can't wait to meet more people within my own community and to raise money to work toward finding and end to cancer. I know this can happen in my lifetime. I'm confident that one day I will tell my grandchildren about a horrible disease that people used to get called cancer. This is my hope and this is my reason to Relay.

So join me in celebrating 25 years of Hope. Happy Birthday Relay for Life! I can't wait to see what you can accomplish in the next twenty five years!

How could it be possible

that this sweet, innocent face could have me on the phone with poison control this afternoon? What exactly does happen when you eat an entire tube of Toddler Training Toothpaste? Luckily nothing too serious and at worst I'll be cleaning up a little vomit and Jacob will have learned a hard lesson in "Toothpaste is just for brushing."

Who's the fairest of them all?

You have to love after Halloween costume clearance time! I saw this for 75% off at the Disney store and couldn't resist. And it fits Abby perfectly. And though I think she is the most beautiful thing in the world, what matters most to me is that she finds her beauty in Christ. That she wouldn't grow up to compare herself to other girls, to worry if she's too thin or too fat, to think that she has to have all the right clothes and makeup to be beautiful. I pray that she would know that God created her in His own image and that she is truly remarkable just because of this fact. I do pray that she would would have a healthy self image and be confident in her outer beauty, but more importantly in her inner beauty. I want her to be the "fairest one of all" and stand out not because of her looks, but because she follows the narrow path, seeks after God, and has His own heart. That, to me, is truly beautiful.

Treasures in a camera bag.

This afternoon I decided to begin an internet hunt for a cute, vintage camera bag. That's when I remembered that my dad had given me his camera a few weeks before he passed. When he was younger my father was very into photography (and I have the gorgeous photos of my young mom to prove it. They were quite the stunning couple). I had just started showing a greater interest in photography before he died and he told me that he would be happy if I would take his camera.

So this afternoon I took everything out of the bag again and realized that he really did know what he was doing. Lenses, filters, flash, you name it, he had it. And I even found this.
A brochure from Sutters Fort when he accompanied my sister's fourth grade class on their field trip. My dad really did save everything.

So here is a picture of his beautiful camera.

Where is the strap you might ask? It found a new home on my camera so that I can always take a little piece of my dad with me on each picture taking adventure.Oh, and I'm still searching for a camera bag. I've decided to leave Dad's the way it is and store his camera and lenses in it. So if anyone knows where I can get a cute one, let me know.

Experimenting with light

So far I have only used manual mode outdoors. Today that wasn't an option as it's been raining all day long! So I decided to get out the camera, set Abby up near the window, and fiddle with the settings. This is the end product. I'm loving not using a flash and only relying on natural light. It really makes things look so much better, less shadow-y (if that's a word) and crisper.

Love this silly face.

Conversations with a three year old.

Jacob loves puzzles. He will spend an hour putting together, taking apart, and then putting together a puzzle again and again. It really amazes me that this boy who goes 100 mph all day can slow himself down enough to focus on such a skillful activity.

So yesterday I was watching him put together his puzzle at the coffee table and he kept asking me where the pieces went. I clearly realized that he didn't need my input; that we was perfectly capable of putting them together without my help. Here is the conversation that followed.

J: "Where does this piece go?"

M: "Jacob, are you asking me where to put the pieces? You seem to be doing a good job without my help."

J: "No Mommy, I'm asking God. God, where does this piece go?"

M: "Oh, I see."

J: "Yes, God likes to do puzzles. Where does this piece go?"

M: "Me or God?"

J: "God. Thanks God, that's a good spot for that piece."

I wish that my own conversations with God were as candid and simple. A lot can be learned eavesdropping on a dialogue between a three year old and God.