Kelly | Mamas

I had a wonderful morning with this little family (in Que plus one!). I'm so excited to meet this little bundle in less than 12 weeks! I just LOVE babies!! Squishy lips and chubby bums! I'm already planning the session. Anyway... Kelly answered my modeling call for an expecting mama and to tell you the truth I don't think the fates could have answered any better than they did. We all clicked and had a great time touring Scout Island in the beautiful morning glow. The sun was shining, it wasn't too cold and we got some amazing shots on this beautiful day. Life. Is. Good.









Wenona and Dervy | Sweet Love & All Together

I had a wonderful evening with this little family! It was kind of a dual session as I shot engagement photos as well as family photos. The weather was absolutely gorgeous as well as the location. Couldn't have asked for a better combination: beautiful weather, location and family equals stunning photos and wonderful memories!









A Mother's Day of Glamour Contest Winner!

After 2 weeks and 19 heart warming entries we finally have a winner! I was going to wait until the 4th of May to announce who won but I am so extremely excited for this contest that I couldn't even stand to wait a day. I'm grinning from ear to ear.

Before I explain how the winner was picked and announce the winner, I would like to give a huge and very BIG Thank You to the businesses that sponsored this contest. They have ever so generously donated their time and their services to make one Mom feel amazing this coming Mother's day. Some of these businesses I have worked with before and some of them I actually only had just met. It is truly amazing to see so many businesses in a community come together and that are willing to reach out to our community, and show our appreciation! So again, THANK YOU! You guys all rock! Here is a list of our sponsor's in case any one had missed who donated to this contest:

Dandelion Living
Satya Yoga Studio
Inner Balance Wellness Studio & Spa
Tickled Pink Beauty Bar
Adorn & Beauty Naturally
Amberama Do's & Esthetics
Taylor Made Cakes & Sweets
Williams Lake News & Events! As They Happen

There were some pretty amazing and tear making entries that came in. Since I myself am going to be a new mom this year, to hear all those stories about how much people in the community respect and love their Mamma's had me tearing up each time I read an entry. So I definitely want to say Thank You to everyone who participated and sent in entries for their Mamma's and even those who sent in entries for themselves. I truly wish we could give each and every Mom a day of glamour but we can only choose one. So here is how the winner was picked.

As I collected entries I gave each entrant a number. We had 19 entries so the numbers were distributed from 1 to 19 in no particular order to ensure that the contest is fair. After all entries were in I fired up the random generator which generated a number. The entrant with that corresponding number won! Fair and easy! I know some people might ask why doing it this way instead of it being a voting contest is because we all agreed on fairness and equality. Each entrant deserved a chance to win. If there were multiple entries for a particular person their name was still only entered once. This contest was about how much we appreciate Motherhood and we wanted to hear all the amazing stories out there. The nominations were to simply share why we love our Mothers and show them how much we care about them.

With all that being said its finally time to announce our winner! Drum roll please...........................


Bonnie-Jean Bathgate!!
Congratulations Bonnie! 

Bonnie-Jean's number #4 was generated on the RG.
 
Here is her entry story:
In Sept. 2000 we moved to Abbotsford. Well things seemed to be going along well, although the kids and I missed Williams Lake. Easter 2001 we suffered a house fire in which we lost everything. All we had left was the clothes on our back and the animals.Needless to say things continued to go downhill and we longed to be home. I had to sell all the livestock to get clothes for the kids and the necessities to get us by. We still missed how things used to be back on the farm and all the animals. Someone on my daughter's Facebook sent her a link to a miniature horse rescue society. There my daughter Emma Jarvis saw what we believed to be our miniature horse Cutie-Pie. As time went by over the last couple of months I forgot about the horse, knowing I could not afford to buy him back and then to have to try and find a place to keep him or even afford the keep to feed him and all the other things horses require.Emma called me up and asked if I wanted to come visit some horses she was looking after just up the road from me. When Emma picked me up, she took me to what I thought was the first stop, to put one horse in it's stall and feed it and then were to go to the persons house to feed the other critters, as she called them. When we arrived she asked me to go get the horse and put it in it's stall while she got it's grain and hay ready. She showed me some paddocks and that he was in the one with the green halter. I told I couldn't see a horse in there from where I stood and she was persistent that there was a horse in there and to just go get him. When I arrived at the paddock I was in total shock and burst into tears, as there in the paddock was our little guy Cutie-Pie. She went far above even the furthest star because she knew how happy it would make me to have our little baby back with us. I am so proud to have such a daughter who would love her mom so much to do such an incredible thing just to know how happy it would make me feel. This truly shows the love a daughter has for her Mom that I just had to share this incredible journey of heartbreak and to have it end in so much heartwarming reconnection. There truly are Angels among us, and I believe my daughter is one of the Angels here on Earth.

Bonnie-Jean's entry was a nomination for herself but it's awesome to hear when your amazing children go so far for you to make you happy. A wonderful reason to be a mom!


Just for clarification to show the fairness of this contest I have included the list of names below as well as a screen shot of the random generator. :) Again thank you to everyone who have participated and I can't wait to do this again next year!!! :)

Entrants Names

1. Tracy Roy
2. Donna Barbour
3.Mickaela Gainer
4. Bonnie-Jean Bathgate
5. Rhoda Wilburn
6. Jolene West
7. Gailene William
8. Joyce Gibbs
9. Jennifer Lachapelle
10. Cindy Davis
11. Cheryl Bailey
12. Stacy Dube
13. Heather Nyack
14. Patricia Petty
15. Maureen Lebourdais
16. Gloria Harford
17. Sonyia Tower
18. Jordan Wideman
19. Enda Lulua


Again thank you to all who participated! :)

A+L+H = Love | All of us Together

I had the joy of having some family friends in the home studio today! Allan and Lauren brought their oh so adorable 1 month old Mr. H to have some family and baby pictures taken. Poor guy was so tired but he just really wasn't all that thrilled with getting his picture taken. He would snuggle up to Mom and Dad but wouldn't stay asleep for his own portraits. But we did get some pretty cute photos of when he would fall asleep. He definitely has a mind of his own! It was a definite blessing to do some photos for them today, and I just love baby smooshy lips!









Creativity is the key!

I had a pretty awesome day today. I set out with my camera in hand and my hubby by my side to go capture some pictures of the Earth Day mural being painted down by the local Rona store. Rona supplied paints and brushes, the Potato House Project along with the Art for Wellness organized the event and children, parents, and people passing by were offered to help paint the mural or make salmon flags.

I took some snap shots of all the helpers painting and when I finished I got this overwhelming urge to paint something. Painting is no stranger to me so it was like a romantic rendezvous to feel a paintbrush in my hands again. I haven't actually sat down to paint something in some time. Usually it's work or something else that gets in the way but boy did it feel good just to let my creative juices flow. I had been feeling the itch to do something super creative again. Not that photography isn't creative but my first real love and passion is drawing and painting. So armed with my paintbrush and some paint cans I went to town. First painting a tree, then a sun with some beautiful blue and white clouds and then on the adjacent wall a big and beautiful sunset setting on water. Two of my friends were passing by and stopped to join us in all the painting fun. While I painted the sunset I was joined by two little boys who painted spawning salmon in the water below. It was an amazing accomplishment of team work. I felt relaxed but proud that I was able to come together with people in my community to create something so beautiful, especially on Earth Day. It was a great gift to Mother Earth. A mural that showed our appreciation for all that she is. But it just wasn't this team work that taught me something, it was the ability to just let creativity flow itself.

I had seriously forgotten how much I adore painting and how amazingly good it makes me feel. I believe it was no mistake that I happened to run into Mary (who is an essential part of the Potato House Project) yesterday where she invited me to come and take some shots of the mural painting. One creative output turned into another and right now after participating in painting I'm sitting here grinning from ear to ear. I feel great! I remember that doing something this creative truly lets my soul shine. I feel like I can do anything and that I can accomplish anything and be exactly who I need to be. I love doing things with my community, and I love the feeling of connection between people. So being able to be right in the middle of that space has me feeling like I have done something great! I got to spend two hours with some pretty awesome people! I got to share something that I love doing with others, and that truly makes me happy. I adored hearing the children talk about what to paint, and chatter while they did. They were so proud of themselves for what they created and I figured why can I be too? I felt like a kid again and it was an amazing experience to be able to share it with them. We all melded our imaginations to create something so beautiful!

So here are a few photos from the day!









Individuality | Kim

Kim and I met last fall in Kamloops and right away we clicked. She's super fun, fashionable and such a big sweetie! We arranged to have coffee at Starbucks  to talk about her fashion shoots since she is trying to break into modelling and one Starbucks coffee meeting turned into another! Our chats turned from photography, to life, to boys and SHOES! We both have a deep love for shoes! So thanks Kim for being amazing and showing me that the right accessory can pull off a whole outfit! And for not laughing too hard when I fell flat on my butt on a pile of logs! 

















A Mother's Day of Glamour Contest Nominations!

The Mother's day of Glamour contest is now officially closed! These are all the wonderful nominations that we received over the two week entry period! So many of them are so sweet and touching. It's amazing to see how much we all appreciate the hard work and love of our mothers. Thank you to everyone who sent an entry in. I cannot wait to see who the lucky Mom will be! 
A winner will be chosen via random generator tonight and will be announced later this evening!! So stay tuned!

Bonnie-Jean shares her story!

In Sept. 2000 we moved to Abbotsford. Well things seemed to be going along well, although the kids and I missed Williams Lake. Easter 2001 we suffered a house fire in which we lost everything. All we had left was the clothes on our back and the animals.Needless to say things continued to go downhill and we longed to be home. I had to sell all the livestock to get clothes for the kids and the necessities to get us by. We still missed how things used to be back on the farm and all the animals. Someone on my daughter's Facebook sent her a link to a miniature horse rescue society. There my daughter Emma Jarvis saw what we believed to be our miniature horse Cutie-Pie. As time went by over the last couple of months I forgot about the horse, knowing I could not afford to buy him back and then to have to try and find a place to keep him or even afford the keep to feed him and all the other things horses require.Emma called me up and asked if I wanted to come visit some horses she was looking after just up the road from me. When Emma picked me up, she took me to what I thought was the first stop, to put one horse in it's stall and feed it and then were to go to the persons house to feed the other critters, as she called them. When we arrived she asked me to go get the horse and put it in it's stall while she got it's grain and hay ready. She showed me some paddocks and that he was in the one with the green halter. I told I couldn't see a horse in there from where I stood and she was persistent that there was a horse in there and to just go get him. When I arrived at the paddock I was in total shock and burst into tears, as there in the paddock was our little guy Cutie-Pie. She went far above even the furthest star because she knew how happy it would make me to have our little baby back with us. I am so proud to have such a daughter who would love her mom so much to do such an incredible thing just to know how happy it would make me feel. This truly shows the love a daughter has for her Mom that I just had to share this incredible journey of heartbreak and to have it end in so much heartwarming reconnection. There truly are Angels among us, and I believe my daughter is one of the Angels here on Earth.

 Jordan shares her story!
My name is Jordan Wideman and I am a mother of 3 young boys. I would love to enter myself into the contest. I would love to have a day of pampering as busy as I am. I never ever have time for myself as my boys keep me very busy and I also babysit 2 other boys as well so I would love to win!!! I think I deserve it :) thank you for this opportunity!! 
 
Heather nominates her mom Tracy!

A story that I will always remember about my mom!

I remember when one night, my mom and I were sitting outside on the deck, and she was having a cigarette as she had always done. As I sat there, watching my mom, I had thoughts of what that cigarette was doing to her. My eyes filled up with tears as I told my mom that I was afraid she wasn't going to wake up one day because of those cigarettes. My mom quite smoking from that day on. We both talked about it, and cried together. She had smoked for over 20 years, and hasn't had a smoke now since that day. It's been years now and she hasn't even touched a cigarette. 

It goes to show you the power a mom can have, and the love to go with it. My mom has been there for me through everything in my life. She's climbed over mountains to help me, and prove her love for me, even though she didn't have to. She is the best mom ever. I love her so much, and could never live without her. She is my super hero! 

I love you mom!

Darlene shares her entry for her mom Donna! 

I was three years old when I last saw my mom. I remembered her vaguely. More like a shadow image really, but I had a "feeling" about her, an emptiness that no one could fill. At the time, I didn't really know what that emptiness was. My father, well, suffice it to say he was not a nice man. There came a time in their relationship when my mother felt she could endure no more and she had to make a very difficult choice. She left, with the intention of finding help to get my sister and I away from him, but by the time she could do so, my father had disappeared and my sister and I along with him. I was 17 years old when I met my mother again. A phone call and many tears later, I flew from Oklahoma to Washington, leaving everything I had known, including my sister, to come live with a women I didn't even know, a little sister I had never met and a new father that would forever love me. Our first meeting, in the lobby of the airport was dramatic. Tears flowed, if truth be told, it was probably more like howling. It was incredible. More importantly, the bond that had been torn apart 14 previously, was immediately healed. It was like we had never been apart. 

May 13, 1983 (Friday the 13th) was the day my entire life changed and a beautiful woman came back into my life. This year we will celebrate our 29th
year together. I love my mother more than words could ever say, more than I could write in this note to you and I could never repay her for all she has done for me. She saved me. I don't know what would have happened to me had I stayed in Oklahoma. I only know that my life would never have turned out as wonderful as it has.

My mother gave me a beautiful life. One that continues to bring me joy, especially because my mother is in it. My mom deserves this make over, 29 years and more in the making. She is a beautiful spirit and I love her very much.

Tracy shares her story about her Mom Edna!

Hi my mother Edna Lulua comes from a family of seven, her mother just turned 92 on April 18, her name is Yellicy Hunlin. My mother has 4 children but one passed away. My mom is a Chilcotin language teacher in her community, Redstone. She is passionate in every thing she does, she teaches her grandchildren the Chilcotin culture. During the summer they go dip netting for salmon and the grandkids gut and hang the salmon. She also prepares moose or deer hide for people to make moccasins. She volunteers her time at community' bingos, dinner and auctions.

This July she will be a great grandmother, and July is her birthday month. In 2010, she lost her son in a tragic death, she is grieving but finds great comfort within her huge supportive family. Her granddaughter is the one that lost her dad, Edna's son. My mother so deserves this as she needs to be pampered as he always tends to people who need a helping hand.

Mikaela shares her story! 

 I gave birth to my daughter 11 months ago and i can happily say its been the best feeling in the world being a mom. Getting to wake up and stay home with my daughter everyday has been a blessing I am truly thankful for. although my daughter was not planned I would never regret having her because she changed my life for the better, and I am truly the happiest I could ever be!!

Amber sharing her story about her Mamma!
 
I believe my mother should be pampered on mothers day for the simple reason that she is the most caring, loving thoughtful person I know. She is my best friend. Shes always been there for me through everything. She is pretty much, to me, the greatest mother on earth. Helping the family out and supporting us in every way imaginable. We speak at least a few times a day and if we don't we call each other missing the company. She loves so much and so hard I admire her. I only wish I can be the mother she is one day. I know that with her guidance I will be at least one of the greatest mothers. Because of her I have learned love,respect, responsibility and friendship. There is nothing on earth that can thank her for everything shes done for me over the years but this might be a great start.

Colleen nominates her daughter Jolene!
Mother's Day... an honorable day recognizing the most rewarding, loving,challenging experience of being a mom! How great your business Instinctive Images recognizes this special day! I am a mom, however would love to nominate my Daughter,Jolene West for some pampering. Jolene is a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and friend to many who extends herself beyond her own needs with love, compassion and support to others. She is a loving mom to Mason ( 2 ) and Cole ( 6 mo. ) Recently, Jolene has overcome huge health issues with strength, determination and patience and made a remarkable recovery. A day of pampering would polish a beautiful, deserving soul , complementing a shining star as she returns to the job she has a passion for! Thanks for this opportunity! 
Colleen Whattam

Gailene Williams shares her story!
I am a mother of 3 children. My daughter Alicia Madison is 10 Years of age, and I have twin boys Jacob & Zack are now 17 Months Old. I am a stay at home mom. I left my Payroll position when I got put onto maternity leave by my doctors on September 30th. From that date up until November 17th I happily stayed home with my daughter and did my best to rest until my cesarean date. I was able to carry my twins full term which is 37 weeks. My twins were delivered here in Williams Lake and were healthy so we only spent 4 nights in the hospital then we got to go home with our boys.For the last 17 Months I have stayed home with my 3 children. For the most part except for colds and the occasional fever my children are all healthy. My daughter is active and participates in Minor Hockey, Youth Soccer and is up to level 9 in her swimming lessons. With my husband working hard so that I can be a stay at home mom I have had to bring my twins along while we go to Alicia's hockey practices, games, soccer games or swimming lessons. But I wouldn't change a thing, I couldn't be more blessed than to be able to stay home with my beautiful children.It hasn't always been easy to raise my twins boys, because most of the time I was home alone while my husband was hard at work. Fortunately my boys are good babies and most of the time slept through the night and take their naps together. I don't know what I did right to have such a beautiful home, beautiful children and supportive husband, but I am very blessed and very thankful!

Lorraine nominating her mother Joyce!

I'd like to nominate my mother Joyce. Mom moved up from Kamloops to be near me following a decline in her health. She is now 82 years old and feeling the aches and pains of her age. As a very social person she immediately joined the 'red hat' ladies. Unfortunately one day on her way home from one of these events, her driver missed a stop sign and was T-boned. My mom took the brunt of the injuries and her health then began to decline quite rapidly. She now spends three days a week on dialysis at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (4 hours per shift). This of course is not what you hope to spent your twilight years doing. However she's still as fashionable and stylish as she was when she was 25. She gets her hair dyed and styled on a regular basis, as she does with her manicures and pedicures. 
Although mom has been through a lot of health scares in the past year, she keeps her chin up. She would be a fabulous candidate for a little pampering.

2 year old Mason sharing his story about his Mommy Jolene!

My mommy is the best mom in the entire world! And has had a bit of a tough year... In October, my baby brother Cole was born - and we were all so excited! I am 2 years old, and was very happy to have a playmate - especially a brother...When my mommy and Cole came home from the hospital, everything seemed perfect. Two days later, my mommy got up to feed Cole in the middle of the night (lucky Cole), and she had a seizure. My daddy called the ambulance, and my brother and I stayed with the neighbor while my parents went to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, my mommy had another seizure. She had two more in the hospital, and also suffered a stroke. The doctors decided to send her to Kamloops, to see more doctors, and my brother and I stayed at home when my grandma came all the way from Kelowna so that daddy could stay with mommy. Doctors found out that mommy had blood clots in her brain, probably a result of being pregnant with my brother. 1 in 220,000 mommies get this, and most aren't as lucky as my mommy was. About a week later, my mommy came home to be with my brother and I. She was still pretty sick, and very very tired, but we were so happy to be able to snuggle with her again.Today, my mommy is fully recovered, and is as busy as can be. She takes great care of Cole and I - and even my daddy! She is going back to work early because she had to share her time off with daddy, and I think she would really enjoy a day of pampering. A nice break from her household of boys!
Thank you!

Jennifer sharing her story!

I am gonna be nominating me, I am a stay at home mom of 2 great kids ,plus I run a day home. Extra time does not happen for me, and it would be fantastic :)
TY for your time.

Nicole nominating her mother in law Cindy!

I'm nominating my step mom. My mother passed away 2 years ago, and since then she has always been there for me. She loves my kids as thinks them as her own grand kids. She has made me memorable keepsakes of my mom. She has always gone out of her way to help me or just be there for me. Shes a friend. And even though I can never re-place my real mother she has been a very important part in my life for these past 2 years. And I want to say thank you to her and doing so I think she deserves to be recognized and pampered.
Cheryl sharing her story!

I am a mother of 4 who seems to forget to pamper herself. when my first child was born the husband said he would treat me to a day just for me and now 4 kids later I'm still waiting.....but that's because I put them all before me.

Mari nominating her daughter in law Stacey!

I am submitting my daughter-in-law for your mothers day contest. She is an amazing mother and wife and has been through some rough stuff the last year. It started in May when their house burnt to the ground. The resulting problems with dealing with the building of their new home and furnishing it while still keeping her family together and happy has been a great struggle. She has just gotten into her new home and winning this contest would be wonderful for her. She really deserves some nice things to happen for her. Stacey has 2 beautiful children, a boy and a girl.


Ashlianna nominating her Mamma Heather!

Since I was a little girl my mom has been my best friend, my rock when I needed her the most and my shining star. I myself have recently became a new mom of twin boys and from the day I found out I was pregnant to the present day, she has pledged to assist me as I need it and allow me to continue to heal from a very difficult delivery. She has been the most supportive person through everything, sitting beside my bed while I had contractions, going with the babies to the NICU when they were born and staying by my side and assisting me through everything while I was in hospital. Never have I known a woman so kind and gentle as my mother. She has taught me how to multitask and be a great mother. From cooking to comfort, everything I have learned to take care of my own children is thanks to my mother.

Kendra nominating her Mamma!

My mom, Patty, has been my rock all of my life. She has nurtured me and taught me determination, humor, and to stand up for what I believe in. Last year she became seriously ill and required emergency surgery. She was given a 50/50 chance of survival. It was the longest six hours of my life because she wasn't just my biggest supporter but she is my best friend and I couldn't even fathom what my life would become without her. I am happy to say she survived and not only that, she grew stronger at a faster rate then the medical staff anticipated. She never gave up and I learned just how amazing her will power is. I hope that one day if I am ever lucky enough to become a mother, that I will be even half as great as she. I love you mom, now and forever.

Angie  nominating her Mamma in Law!

I would like to nominate my Mother In Law Maureen LeBourdais. She is a mother to two grown boys of whom she did a wonderful job of raising to be open minded and supportive. She is also an awesome grandmother to my beautiful little girl Emma. Good luck to all the contestants!

Justin  nominating his Mamma!

Well she is my mom and I love her, and have no idea what to do for mothers day other than cards and a phone call. But a story about my mother eh? Well she is a pretty good mom if you ask me, always there to make sure I'm going to bed on time for work and that I don't harass my father too much. What can a guy say other than that she is my mom and I love her
Sonyia sharing her story!
My name is Sonyia I am a mother of two beautiful children , Tegan 5 and Kylee 13. My husband of 18 years and I chose Horsefly for our home 5 years ago. Adapting to small town life came easily. We have pursued many ventures in the last five years everything from a business , university , building and developing our land. It's been busy, busy and fun. I have had the opportunity to meet many hard working , amazing women. Is there anything that makes me more worthy of this Mothers Day packagethan any other Mom? Nope but definitely as worthy. Good Luck Ladies!!!!! 
Sonyia