Thursday, May 31, 2012

Family Photography in Castle Rock, CO

Funny story about how April and I hooked up for her family pictures.

I was at church waiting for Bible study to begin, when my B.Buddy, Tina asked me to help get a new girl all signed up and assigned to a small girl.  New Girl = April
We chatted a bit while I got her all signed up and then we went our separate ways.

A couple of weeks later I spied April holding with sweet little red-head and I was smitten!!
"You have to let me take her picture!" I said.
The nursery girl, Tami, chimed in "Oh yes, you have too!!"
April looked a bit overwhelmed... like okay you weird ladies back off.
But she was sweet and instead said "Oh... are you a photographer?"
I tried to reel it in and play it cool...  I explained that I was indeed a photographer and that if she was interested in getting pictures done she could check out my website "it 3, the number, Wishes..."
"What? You're 3 Wishes Photography?" She interrupted.
She had been spying out my work for a while!!
Pretty cool huh!?!?  That very afternoon, she posted on the 3 Wishes Facebook page
"Cija: I'm in awe of how the Lord works! I'm so glad to have found you and look forward to doing a session (or two) in the near future! Blessings, April (Jake & Hannah)."
 A few weeks after that and here we are!!!
I must admit her kids are A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!
Tina is going to be little ticked with me, she told me before she left that they had the cutest baby ducklings and I just had to get a picture with the kids.... I forgot : (
(Why was Tina there????  Because she is the BEST hair and make up artist EVER! and she came to pamper April before her shoot.) 
 Gene and April live on a beautiful piece of property just a hop, skip and a jump south of me and it was so much fun 4 wheeling in the truck going from spot to spot. (I even thought we got stuck one time, but no, Gene managed to get us out!!)

We stayed out there until the last little bit of light faded away!  
Now it's time to find my kids, they went to the pool with the neighbors and get ready for my shoot with the Love's this evening!
Until next time!!
www.3wishesphotography.com
cija@3wishesphotography.com

LOOK UP!!!!


If you ever visit the Children's Museum in Indianapolis... when you are in the basement be sure to look up to see a beautiful display of Chihuly blown glass.  This morning I received an email from a dear sweet friend of mine that has faced several years of drought and hardship, I prayed for her this morning and the Lord prompted me to write her back with encouragement from His word, He further  prompted me to share it here for any one who might be facing a difficult time right now.

"I am studying the book of Ruth and was confronted with how many times I make decisions based on my circumstances or desire for physical nourishment vs. waiting on the God of those circumstances.  It is truly the human thing to do, trusting in a God who can't be seen or audibly heard is hard and takes a lot of Faith (like Daniel was must purpose in our hearts). But  I am ever thankful that Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith and that it isn't something I have to try and muster up, I need only ask Him to do what He promised to do.  The Bible study posed the following question:
"Have you ever allowed your circumstances to direct you instead of leaving room for God's direction?  In what specific ways can you act on God's leading?"
I thought about this in my own life my circumstance OFTEN lead me to worry and anxiousness.  Then I thought about what the Lord would want me to do instead… 
- Don't worry PRAY
- With THANKSGIVING ASK
- BE STILL and know that He is GOD
- TASTE and see that He is GOOD
I read over your email again and just wanted to share some thoughts I had along the way…
I want to jump to the middle of it, since that seems to be the most tender… "I am begging the Lord for His mercy and His pardon and His rescue."  I wonder if you realize that you already have the first two.  Mercy and pardon are required in relationship to our sin.  God gave you his mercy in that while you were still a sinner Christ died for you, and when you gave your life to Him He issued a pardon for your sin, the sin of your past, the sin of your present and the sin in your future… His blood covers it all.  Your circumstances are not punishment for sin.  God has different reasons for allowing certain things into our lives, David, Job and Paul loved the Lord with all that they were but their circumstances were crushing at times. But their lives were forever changed.  Job said "My ears had heard of you but NOW my eyes have SEEN you."   David said "Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the hour of your servant.  Is this your usual way of dealing with man?  And Paul reminds us "this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God!"  

This is the place that I often get stuck, I am a doer… and if there is something I could be doing well, by golly I am set on doing it.  I was recently struck by a verse in Isaiah that has help me see the need to stop striving and trying to do it all on my own and to step aside and let God impress me with His Godness!!  It's Isaiah 50: 10-11  Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?  Let him who has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.  (This is what I should do, but often I am doing on my own trying to make things happen, trying to light a fire and get out of the darkness, this is what the Lord says is the benefit of that.) but now, all of you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go walk in the light of your fires and of the torches YOU have set ablaze.  This is what you shall receive from my hand;  You will lie down in torment."  This verse is so true, when I try to do it, I do lie down in torment and worry. My thoughts and worry weigh so heavy it feels as if my flesh is being torn from me.   But that is so contrary to what the Lord has for us.  "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil HE IS WITH YOU.   Sometimes, we will have no light but God wants us to trust him in the darkness and to stay there in the dark with Him… He wants to be the one that lights the way when He's ready, when the timing is perfect, when we will be blown away by the splendor.  (It's in darkness that we can see the stars, comets and even the beautiful northern lights, there is beauty even in the darkness). 

God LONGS to show me what He can do and so often I am too busy trying to make something happen on my own that I am not even looking to Him.   Oh am talking… I'm praying the whole while my nose is to the grind stone but what I need to do is STOP and LOOK UP!!!  And see Him seated on His throne and the train of His room filling the temple and the angels singing "Holy Holy Holy"!!  If I would look up I would also see Jesus at his right hand… standing!! In Acts 7 when Stephen was to be stoned, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he looked up and saw the glory of God and Jesus STANDING!  When we face difficulties Jesus doesn't just sit there He stands up!  Think about it, Jesus is standing up for you… right now!   

I want to encourage you with the words of Habakkuk 3:17-19  "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, AND I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOR.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. "  I read a commentary on this verse and while deer's feet allow them to climb and hang on to rough and rocking surfaces he also pointed out  that he would " do more than merely plod along, he would skip about with life and joy!

God knows exactly what is wrong with (_________________) and just as king's heart is in the hand of the Lord and HE directs it like a watercourse wherever it pleases, He will direct in this situation because is He good and right and wants good things for his children.  So… pray about taking a day and laying all your efforts aside, turn the phone off,  and spend the day enjoying the green pastures of being a child of God and let the Lord worry about the rest.  He knows what you need (all things included) and His grace is sufficient!  He has a plan… and it's really good one!  So look up and see what He is going to do!!

Hugs to all of you!!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Newborn Photography in Castle Rock, CO

Say "Hello" to James.  He is 3 weeks old and just buckets of precious!



I think this little butt shot is going to take my Fave of the Day... just look at the piggies!

 Ah.... so Über CUTE!!!! (hmmm... I don't know what my auto-correct just did to uber but it's kinda cute so I am leavin' it!
This is James' big sister... is she just dreamy or what? (Yes, I know this is James' photoshoot, but I couldn't look at that cuteness and NOT take a picture!!! I just couldn't do it!)

 That's it!  I am officially on a hunt for a grown up size basket, I want to sleep all cozy like that!
All little brothers need big sisters to teach them how to play "patty cake"!
 Ah... there's mommy, look how content he looks.
 Well, I am officially booked for June!!   Thanks Guys! And I booked my first "fall" session this morning, welcome to the busy season!

Couple of updates for those of you have partnered with me in praying... 
Adi (2 month baby/open heart surgery) continues to have a very difficult time, they are very concerned about a blood clot forming on the new value, and with how wet her lungs are. 
Tamara (25 yr old/lung transplant) is doing well, but it will be a slow process, she was taken off the heart machine today and has opened her eyes a few times, both of her donors are now home.
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray!
www.3wishesphotography.com
cija@3wishesphotography.com






Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Photographer in Castle Rock















 On Saturday evening, I headed over to the campus at Denver University to spend a couple of hours with Kathryn and her mom.  Kathryn is is graduating for DU with a degree in English in just a matter of days.  She is planning to take a year off and then hit the books again.  
It was SUPER windy but we were able to use it to our advantage!  Kathryn is a sweet and striking young lady and I enjoyed every minute of our time together.  I pray the Lord will bless all of Kathryn's future endeavors!

I also wanted to give you an update on baby Adi, she had a difficult time since her surgery but that fact that she made through surgery is miracle in and of it's self.  They extubated her earlier today and her chest X-rays looking worse today as well... she is also struggling with some vomiting.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.  The Lord is our hope in all situations.  You read Adi's whole story at www.adisheart.com.
See you in a bit!
www.3wishesphotography.com
cija@3wishesphotography.com

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Newborn Photographer in Parker, Colorado

HA!  and I wasn't going to work this weekend!  I just can't help myself and the thought of Norah's mama having to wait all LONG weekend to see her sweet baby's pictures, well I just couldn't do it.

Isn't she sweet, sportin' all her accessories!  Pearls, bows, wings!!  What more does a little puddin' pie need!  I must admit I secretly wish I could dress like a little girl, I would rock a tutu and pari of high tops!


We got a picture of big brother, Jonah with one little eye peeking too!!
 I am in LOVE with the back wrinkles!!!  Dreamy eyed LOVE I tell you!
Ah.... the sweetness!  A double dose for sure!
 Norah was the best!  Congrats mom and dad, she's a beauty!!
Couple of updates for you... Let's start with Adi.  Yesterday was not a good day, several complication that they are still trying to work their way through, she needs to be covered in prayer. 

Now for Tamara, back in January I told you about Tamara, the 25 year fiancé' of one of my best friend's from high school's son.  She has cystic fibrosis and was in need of a lung transplant, she had her transplant surgery earlier this week, she has been sedated for the last 4-5 days due to an infection and the need to be put on a heart machine.  She is improving and they hope to move her off the heart machine this weekend and start waking her up.  Then early next week they will try to take her off the breathing machine and let her breathe on her own.  

I so appreciate all of you who are praying with me.
Until next time!!  Cija
www.3wishesphotography.com
cija@3wishesphotography.com

Friday, May 25, 2012

Children's Photographer in Parker, Colorado

Well, we made it!  It's Friday and a 3 day weekend!!  Right on!
Although, I must say it has felt a little bit like the weekend since Wednesday, since the girlies are home now during the day.  In fact, last night I dragged the whole family with me on my shoot with Ayla and Aidan... I thought the girls would enjoy the park and I would enjoy the car time with my hubby.
The flowers are starting to show up!!  They didn't have a lot but this small section that was in full bloom was absolutely beautiful and the perfect backdrop for this beautiful little girl
 I may have gone a little picture crazy on this post, but I just loved too many of them and couldn't choose and that's when it hit me... it's my blog I can put as many pictures on here as I want too.  
Oh their I go again being all Miss Attitude!
 Yes, I realize that Ayla's eyes are closed but I don't even care... I LOVE IT! In fact it just may be my FAVE of the day!!!  So what do you think about that!
 HeaRt MeLtiNg...  

 I appreciate all of you who have been checking into to see how Adi is doing.  The Lord provided a huge miracle when little Adi survived her surgery and the whole family is so grateful.  

 Yesterday was a difficult day for her, her lungs are very wet and she had to intubated again last night, please continue to pray for her as well as her mommy and daddy.  You can stay up with the latest information by visiting her website it's:  www.adisheart.com
Well... I have many bags of groceries begging to be put away (I hate that part!) so I should go!!  Have a super duper 3 day weekend!!!  and I will see you on the other side!
xoxo, Cija
www.3wishesphotography.com
cija@3wishesphotography.com