I will just admit it.  I am really slacking at getting my blog done lately.  But I am trying!  I promise. It’s just between kids, running my business, and a house, and trying to workout I am sometimes running crazy and I let this slide to the back burner.  But I want to get more clients up, so I am going to do better!!  :)

Today I am super excited to blog a wedding I shot last month.  Meet the beautiful Kourtney+Keaton.  They were married in the LDS Columbia River Temple on a beautiful, windy Tri-Cities day.  Imagine that, wind!

Thank you so much for letting me capture you on your beautiful wedding day!!  Congratulations Keaton+Kourtney!!!

Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky.  (Sometimes I wonder if I am lucky?!?)

Today I figured I would share two pictures of the amazing boys I mean men in my life.  They keep me laughing and on my toes.  You never know what either of them will say.  They both love suits and skinny ties.  Meet the oh so happy to have their picture taken men.

And I will let you in on a secret.  (I love this bright noon light.  I know it’s not normal, but I love it.)

While we were in Utah, I shot several images.  I now have compiled a slideshow of some of my favorite from the time that we were there.  Kevin and Rachel have such a love and I feel like it pours out in this.

Thank you so much for your love and support for this family that we love so much.

Today I am keeping it personal again.  And I am going to share a lot with you.

Six years ago Kevin had a mole removed from his shoulder/back that had melanoma.  He did everything he was supposed to.  He wore sunscreen, he had follow up checks he didn’t miss them.  And things were great.

Kevin was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy mid-March when he noticed his face was drooping.  Nine days later, (March 21, 2013) and shortly after moving from Sandy, Utah to their new home in St. George, Utah Kevin was rushed to the hospital by Rachel, his rockstar of a wife.  He was having stroke symptoms.  When they arrived at the hospital they found that Kevin was suffering from a major brain bleed, and he was in fact having a major stroke that had paralyzed the left side of his body.  He was life flighted from St. George to Salt Lake City.  Thankfully Rachel was allowed to stay with him this whole time.

Early in the morning on March 22, 2013 there was more bad news as they were told that Kevin had multiple tumors in his brain. Not just 1, but 16.  And they had to operate to stop the bleeding and to try to remove part of the tumors that were in his brain.  They were able to remove 4, but the other 12 still remain and are inoperable.  Kevin’s melanoma had come back and spread into his brain and lung.  This is not a curable cancer, needless to say our hearts were devastated with this news.

But he is a Norris, and we have decided that he is even stronger than Chuck.  He is going to fight this cancer with all he has.  You see Kevin is married to Rachel, and she is amazing.  And they have two kids who are 8 and 6.  They need their Dad.  And Rachel needs her husband.  And Kevin is one of those positive outgoing happy people.  And the world always needs more of those people.  So we are going to keep praying for a miracle and trusting in God.

We spent last week in Salt Lake City with him and his sweet family.  We watched as he took hard steps forward.  He is learning to adjust and strengthen his body that is not like it was just a short time ago.  He is showing his dedication to his family and is fighting for his life.  He is working to become stronger.  He is showing us all what determination and hard work look like.  And Rachel, she is simply put, amazing.  Her strength and grace are amazing.  We loved every minute we were able to spend with them.

Kevin was transferred today, April 2, 2013 back to St. George to a hospital there.  His kids get to be back in their new home, they get to go to their new school, and sleep in their own beds.  Kevin has major rehab in front of him as his overcomes the stroke.  And he is starting radiation on his brain to slow the growth of the tumors.  Our hearts and prayers are with them constantly.  We love their family dearly and will continue to pray for a miracle in their life.

If you are interested in donating to help their family please go here.

And if you want to follow his story and get all of the latest go here.

If you would share his story with your friends, family, and anyone you know we would appreciate it, we have a God of miracles I know and believe this with all of my heart.  Your prayers, positive thoughts and happiness on his behalf are so appreciated.  And this is my husband’s cousin and our dear friend.

Hi folks.. today I am reaching out on behalf of our family.  Specifically Kevin and Rachel Norris.

Our heart are deeply saddened as Kevin is facing a battle for his life.  And one that is very scary as he battles metastatic melanoma in his brain and lungs.  Kevin is Randy’s cousin, and also dear friend.  Thursday night he had a severe brain bleed, which led to the doctors finding a tumor in his brain.  This is a very serious and scary diagnosis for his family.  We are asking for prayers on his behalf.

Kevin is a great husband and father.  He has a passion for RC cars and planes he has shared with my family.  He is also pretty passionate about flying and has his pilots license!!  He is kind and positive and one of those people you just want to hang out with.  We are so grateful to be part of his family.

Kevin and Rachel you two are in our prayers.  We are praying for your sweet family and for the Lord to bless you with a miracle.Please join us in prayer for this amazing guy and his family.  And if you would like to help you can donate here.

I am so excited to finally be blogging this amazing family!!  When Randy and I were first married we went to church with this family.  And I loved them from the moment I met them.  They have the most beautiful, talented, and amazing girls.  And the parents are pretty rad too!  :)  They are the type of people you just gravitate towards.  And I am super excited to blog their session.

Meet the *S* Family

Thank you for a fabulous session!!

Over the years I have had people ask me if I was interested in shooting births.  I have always declined and sent them a different direction.  I didn’t want anyone there when I gave birth besides Randy, so why would I want to be at someone else’s birth.  The whole idea honestly freaked me out.  And most people that know me knew this.  And I have been completely okay with it.

A dear friend and I were chatting about her upcoming birth, and she wanted it photographed I said sure and we went with it.  I had wondered if it would really happen, but then I was not even sure I wanted it to happen.  I was hesitant and so when I got a text that her water broke I was excited and really scared.  And then I got there and I was just excited, and nervous that I didn’t know what the heck I was doing.

But the birth was wonderful, and holy.  It was one of the most amazing things to witness and capture.

And it is something I never thought I would consider doing.  And right now I am really considering adding this to my photography.  I was so moved by the experience and loved being able to capture the moment when a precious baby enters this world. It completely took my breath away and I am taken aback at how strongly I feel about this.  So for now I am thinking.  Contemplating.  And hopefully making a decision.

I am still way behind on my blogging.. but I am slowly catching up.  And today I am super excited to share a session that I just love, and a family I love.

Many years ago there was a little boy who was going to be a big brother.  He wanted his Mom to have a baby calf, or a baby sister.  At least that is the story I have always been told.  It is still up for debate which he had.  It may depend on who you ask.  But my brother was blessed.. or cursed to have me as his little sister.  He has always been one of my heroes.  Growing up he was my best friend, the person I trusted 100%, and the person I wanted to be like.  I wanted to throw a ball as hard as he could, run fast like him, and be cool like him.  He still is super cool and one of my best friends.

And today I am super excited to share his family.  Jenni is a fabulous sister, and I don’t think I could have chosen anyone better to be matched up with Seth.  She loves him fiercely and is loyal to the end.  And she is the type of women you want your brother to have in their life.  She is kind and creative.  She is a wonderful mother, and I am so grateful for her example in my life.  She is encouraging and motivating.  And if you need anything crafty done she knows how to do it better than anyone!  I couldn’t ask for a better sister.  Thanks Jenni for being so wonderful and awesome.

And my two nieces are amazing.  They crack me up with their humor.. if you see their parents ask to see a video…  They are compassionate and loving.  And they are extremely talented in everything they do.  I have yet to see them try something that they don’t do exceptionally well the first try.  I am pretty lucky I get to be their Auntie.

After all of this you get to meet the *E* Family.  We shot their session in November at the University of Washington campus in Seattle.  This is where my brother went to dental school.  Hence the purple in the pictures!!  :)  And because I love them so much, Go DAWGS!

Thank you for a fabulous session and for spending time with me running all over campus!!!

And if you need a dentist, you should check out my brother’s office!

You might have seen these pictures on Facebook.  But I love them enough they belong on my blog.  I believe the tire swing is hands down one of the best swings ever.  And thankfully my girl agrees with me!

I am all about keeping it real, so today I am going to tell you what has been crossing my mind.

I wish that people would really see themselves for who they are, instead of who they aren’t.  I see so many people who are so hard on themselves, don’t trust themselves and I wish I could help them see them as I see them.  I feel like we all have such divine qualities that make us unique and I want people to see that in themselves.  Myself included.  It is easy to get down on ourselves and see what we aren’t doing.

Do you ever have a friend who doesn’t feel like they are good enough or worries so much about what everyone else thinks that they don’t live fully?  Do you do that?  I know it is so easy to worry about what other think, but to be honest most people don’t think that much about what I am doing, or not doing.  They are too busy with their own life to worry about my life.  They don’t care what I am doing on my own time.  They care how I treat them, if I am happy, if I need anything.

I sometimes wonder how different our world would be if people saw themselves as other see them.  I think we would be kinder, gentler and more content with ourselves.  Sometimes I wish I could go up to every person I see and tell them what is wonderful about them.  And sometimes I do it.  But then I worry people are going to think I am a stalker… see I let what others might think change my actions.  LAME.

It’s easy to be hard on ourselves, to be a doubter in our abilities, to think we aren’t good enough.  But I am challenging you.  That’s right YOU!  To take a good hard look at yourself and look at who you really are.  What makes you unique and you.  Why people love you.  Ask your friends, ask your family, and embrace yourself.  And then reach out to others, treat them gentle and kind and let them know what makes them great.  Quit comparing yourself.  When I started photography I compared myself to every single person.  I desperately wanted to be great, but all I saw was my own lacking.  And then I realized I didn’t want to be any other photographer.  I can’t replicate them.  I want to be me, the talkative, outgoing, silly, quirky, Lee Ann.  So quit apologizing for who you are.  And start accepting yourself and all that you bring to the table.

Make a list of 3 things you love about yourself, and post them here, or on facebook and tag me!  :)  I will share my 3 things.

1. I love that my body is strong enough to workout the way I want to.  
2. I love that I am happy!
3. I love my height