Forever and Ever

I arrived to my Theatre 255: Lighting Design class several minutes early because I hate being late to anything, especially on the first day of class. I took a seat and began reading (my favorite early-to-class hobby). I looked up from my book to see one of the technical theatre professors talking with a man I'd never seen before. The theatre department is like a small town, so it seemed odd that I didn't recognize this Mystery Man.

Class began and Mystery Man introduced himself. He was the newest member of the Theatre and Dance faculty and was our lighting design professor. As I studied his outfit, I immediately thought, "This man must not be married. There is no way any woman in her right mind would let their husband leave the house looking like this!" Clearly, no one told him the grunge look from the 90s was over with.

I was right. He wasn't married. But in the not-so distant future he would be. To me.

I was the first student in his first class on his first day in Springfield. He didn't know why, but for some reason, my name was the first out of all of his students that he remembered.

One date was all it took for both of us to fall in love. He proposed two weeks after that first (and only) date. We were married four months later. Though our path was not a typical one, it's a love story that's greater than I ever could have imagined!

Micheal, thank you for being more than I ever knew was possible. More loving than I'd ever known. More thoughtful. More sacrificial. More supportive. More hilarious. More wise. And thank you for continuing to grow into more and for taking me along with you on those journeys. Thank you for always seeking the heart of God and honestly doing your best to align your life with His word. Every day you teach me about our Father's character by the way you live and love.

I'll love you forever and ever and longer if they let me! Happy Valentine's Day!

Maternity: Stacy

There are certain people in the world that I would love to have in a snow globe. Stacy is one of those people. Whenever you needed a little bit of joy, you could shake the globe and excitement would swirl around. Stacy and her husband, Adam, are expecting their first baby in March and I'm sure when he is born, he will be snow globe perfect as well! Stacy and Adam are kind, full of laughter, and incredibly genuine. This is one lucky baby boy to have them as parents!

If Stacy isn't fierce, I don't know who is!

Much love for the baby...and those cookie cravings too!

Stacy and Adam, thank you so much for letting us share in this special time! Mike and I can hardly wait to meet the little guy!

The Little Things

This post is inspired by Hanson. Yes, Hanson.

My sweet husband offered to watch Liam, our son, this past weekend so I could have a girls night with some friends. As I was driving, it dawned on me that I was alone in the car. I hardly knew what to do with myself! Then it hit me...I can listen to whatever music I wanted, as loud as I wanted! Enter: Hanson.

As the three brothers were serenading me, I thought, "It really is the little things in life!" So I've decided to begin installments of blog posts about exactly that...those wonderful little things that make life that much more fantastic.

-First and foremost, of course, is Hanson and all the other guilty-pleasure music out there. Everyone has musical skeletons in their closet. I say now is the time to free yourself of the shame...admit your guilty pleasure!
-Snowmen. Thanks to these little guys, I'm able to put off packing away all of my holiday decor because really, they aren't solely Christmas related, they're WINTER!
-Lastly, I am so thankful that I married a man who laughs at my Sally O'Malley impression. Every time. And it happens frequently. Because really, who doesn't like to kick, and stretch, and kick!? (If you're confused right now, head over to http://www.hulu.com/watch/4129/saturday-night-live-rockettes-open-audition and watch that video. It will be the best 6 minutes of your day!)

I'll end this post with a picture because well, this is a photography blog after all! Here's a picture of my two favorite guys sharing a cuddly moment (which are very rare because Liam never sits still!).

Feel free to leave a comment and share some of your favorite little things or be brave and come clean on your musical guilty pleasures!

The Beginning

English teachers drilled it into our heads that it's best to begin with a quote, statistic, or interesting fact.

Quote: Jasmine Star, world famous wedding photographer (and my B.F.F. though she doesn't know it yet) said, "A few nights ago I sat down...and created a list of goals for 2011 and made sure I was afraid. Afraid to un-dream. Because one thing I've learned this past year is in the darkness of dreams, strength is revealed and passion takes flight..."

Statistic: I am 100% afraid of making myself this vulnerable.

Interesting Fact: I'm glad this is being typed and not spoken, because I have a lot of trouble saying the word "vulnerable".

I debated changing the title of this blog page. In big letters for everyone to see it says "Foster Photography". Though I'm a fan of alliteration, the weight those words carry is both exhilarating and terrifying. I am not a professional photographer. I have taken no classes. Until 4 months ago I would have thought an F-stop was a hip-hop dance move. But something changed when I picked up that camera. Dreams were created where previously there had only been caution.

At first, I thought the possibility for failure was a lot. Gigantic. Enormous. Humongo. What if people don't like my pictures? What if I can't learn all of the technical aspects? What if I'm just not good? And then I pick up the camera and the feeling of joy comes over me again and I realize that as long as I'm doing something I love, there can be no failure.

This is the beginning of a journey. I have a lot to learn, and that takes practice. I'd love to take your picture and hopefully share with you the joy that comes from being afraid to un-dream.