I know it’s been a really long time since my last blog and you might be wondering where I’ve been.  Well, it was another successful Fall and we made it through our first season in “the new place”.  Katie has been a huge help in settling in and getting through our crazy time.  If you haven’t met her yet, she can help you with anything I can.  Just ask.

Usually, my busy season winds down about 2 weeks before Christmas, but not this year.  I was doing sessions the same day I closed for the holidays.  The kids were out for 2 ½ weeks and I closed the studio for 10 days.  We spent a great Christmas Eve here with Andy’s side of the family – all of them at our house this year!  Lots to prepare for (he’s the youngest of 10 total kids + their families) but lots of fun.  We had a quiet Christmas morning together with just Andy and I and the kids.  Santa brings 3 gifts to them (we try to emphasize the real meaning of Christmas and how the wise men brought 3 gifts to Jesus).  After our Christmas morning, we headed north to my parents’ home in Minden, LA.  We spent that evening opening gifts and catching up with my family.  It was a great 4 days with them since we don’t get to see each other very often.  Then it was back to BR to finish out the week and start off the New Year.  We usually just do fireworks with the kids and can barely stay up to midnight, but this year, we felt like we needed a date night just for us so we attended the LSU Lod Cook Bash!  Lots of fun.  It was back to work that week, however, it was A LOT of catching up, returning calls and emails, processing orders from before Christmas.  Needless to say, I’ve been running ever since.  We took a short vacay last week so we could attend the BCS National Championship game – Nate was especially heartbroken, as were we…..I won’t say anymore on that subject.  Back to work again.  Trying to get back into our routine.

I’m working on the calendar for the rest of the year and hope to have that out to you via email in the next week or so.  Trying a few new things this year that I think you will all benefit from and appreciate.  We’re also tweaking some of our policies to communicate better and to outline the process of each job.  We hope to see you all in real soon.  Watch for our monthly email in the next week or so.  Happy New Year!

As many of you know, I traveled to Diriamba, Nicaragua August 6-12, 2011 on a mission trip with seven others from my church.  It was AMAZING!!!  I’ve wanted to share all of my experiences with you, but haven’t known where to start.  There’s so much to tell.  I have an album on facebook that has a lot of pictures with some info and comments, but I thought I would post this video as well.  We visited 3 schools and shared 3 different topics with different ages.  We were able to distribute Jesus Story/Jesus In Me books, along with crowns/backpacks, candy, etc.  My heart was touched at these schools.  We also visited an orphanage and spent an afternoon there sharing The Jesus Story and playing with them.  Some of these children were handicapped and needed round the clock care.  Some were abandoned and some were just unable to live with their families.  They really enjoyed us being there.  We were able to visit a home for abused girls.  I was astonished to see that the ages ranged from 9 – 19…..My heart just broke for these girls.  We shared with them about how precious they are to us and to God.  We shared the scripture that says God “fashioned” women (He created man).  We were able to show them love without anything in return.  We pampered them with pedicures and manicures (which was a “good touch experience”, which can be a struggle for these girls).  One girl in particular (9 yrs old) just would not smile.  She was so sad.  But when I pulled out my camera at the end to get her with her nails, she smiled.  It was so joyous!!!  Our last 2 days, we went into the “homes” of Nicaraguan people.  I call these homes, but they were really garbage bags or tin over sticks.  Some of them live or have lived at the public dump.  They don’t have much food or jobs.  We brought them bags of food/items…..which got us in their door so that we could share from our hearts about Christ and our life in Him.  All in all, it was a very awesome week.  I have plans to go back (maybe with Nate next time).  I wish I could tell you some of the stories, but it would take so long to write it all.  I hope you feel the love that was experienced as you watch this slideshow.

The studio will be closed through Aug 14th so that we can remodel and move into our new studio space.  We are sooo excited to make this transition.  We have needed more room for so long now.  We will reopen on Monday, Aug 15th.  I’ll also be traveling to Nicaragua from Aug 6-12 on a mission trip.  Please keep us in your prayers.  I’ll send some updates on both of these exciting endeavors as soon as I can.

Be sure to “like” our new facebook fan page (if you’re a member of the old “group” page, it’s going to be deleted this week).  I’ll be able to share more specials and news easily with this page.  Here’s the link!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/bush-photography/168864699852019

As many of you are getting your kids back to school – or know someone who is – I, too, am sending my Bushkins off on their first day tomorrow.  I can’t believe summer is over already.  I know you didn’t hear from me much over the last few months.  I had a very busy, very crazy summer.  I’m steadily booked with appointments, which most of the time doesn’t allow me to answer the phones until late in the day.  Thank you for being patient while I return your calls and get back with you.

Speaking of Back To School, I recently attended the Professional Photographers of Louisiana’s State Convention in New Orleans for a few days. . . my latest school.   I got some ideas about some new promotions, including Birthday Party Packs for kids and Diva Boudoir Sessions.  I also received continuing education on the many skills I maintain to be your #1 photographer.  I am very excited about this coming season, which is my busiest of the year, and look forward to seeing you all soon.  Below is the group picture of the PPLA attendees. . . the best of the best!  That’s me in the very back right-hand corner – in black : )

Nate’s following in my footsteps and trying his hand at triathalons.  Today was the RocketKidz Rookies (50 yd. swim / 1 mile bike / 1/2 mile run).  He finished in 12:30 min (according to Daddy’s stopwatch).  Not sure where he finished overall, but I’m sure they’ll post those in the next day or so.  We are so proud of him for setting this goal and doing such a great job.  Here’s slideshow of this exciting “first” for Nate.  Enjoy!

Sassy and Splashing

I would really appreciate your vote for my entry in the Professional Photographer Magazine Cover Contest.  It’s an image of my daughter playing in water and is one of my favorites because of the natural light behind her and the carefree spirit that she almost always portrays.  I used my Nikon D3s and a Nikkor 85mm lens.  It was shot at ISO 200 and f/2.5 at 1/3200.  If that sounds like Greek to you, keep your eyes open for my beginner’s photography class coming this summer (more to come : )

In the meantime, click HERE to vote…….thank you!

#144 out of 450, in 1 hr: 23 min.  That was my overall finish in my very first triathalon on Sunday.  Not too bad for my first.  Rocketchix was awesome and I enjoyed the “rush” of it all.  It was 350m swim, 12 mile bike, and 2 mile run.  Got some things to work on for next time, but ‘Hey, that’s the only way to get better’.  Here’s some pics my husband took.  Thank you all for the e-mails and inquiries checking on me.  I love you guys : )