A Family Portrait~by Mel

     Warm sunshine...flowers brilliant with color...children running from one discovery to the next...laughter...love...family.  It's all in a day's shoot!  

     Several weeks ago I had the chance to photograph my sister and brother in law and other members in their family.  The photo shoot was an opportunity for them to all come together and enjoy time while I let the shutter on my camera fly like the wind.  

     The kids were great!  They ran from flowers, to trees, to swings and more.  They were so excited and it really was so much fun for me to try to capture every minute.  The thing I think I enjoy the most about a family shoot is the moments that I get to be a part of while looking through my lens.  You'll notice that most of the pictures I have posted are not posed and there is a reason for that.  Did I take some posed photos?  Of course and they turned out really sweet and nice as one would expect.  My favorite photos of the day however are those that are not posed, but are those that let the real personalities of the family shine through.  And believe me...this family has loads of personality!  

     Thanks for an amazing day Erin, Jason, Avery, Rylan, Brittanie, Roman, Landon, Ashlyn and Pat! 

 

 

Gratefulness & Gifts~by Mel

 lovely poster made by my partner Mar! :) 

    

     Have you ever been so amazed by God's love that your heart swelled so full of gratefulness that you felt as if it might burst?  If you know this feeling than you may have some idea of how I felt tonight.  I recently interviewed for a new teaching position.  To make a long story short this was the chance of a lifetime for me and I prayed and waited patiently (or tried to) for news on what would come.  Well today I had a meeting and I found out that I was their choice!  I was offered the position and I am so thrilled!  

(I'll be blogging more of my experience in the classroom at a later time)  

     My happiness spilled over and as family and friends were contacted I could hear the pleasure that exuded from their voices as well.  This was all just so wonderful and I knew that people had been praying for me.  I felt an awesome sense of peace the last several days while waiting on a decision and I know that is due in large part to the prayers of so many loved ones.  I am so very blessed and can feel our Lord's Spirit moving within those who care about me.  

     To add to my day I was given a sweet surprise.  My husband planned a surprise party for me to congratulate me on this new venture.  I came home to our newly decorated sports bar basement (Perry's Dugout) and to my shock there were people who gleefully jumped out yelling "Congratulations!"  The evening was complete with pizza, drinks, laughs, hugs and well wishes.  As I looked around I had to do a double take.  I am just so thankful for the souls God has placed in my path.  At times I don't feel deserving of such love but I know that life isn't about what you deserve or what you don't.  Life is about accepting Christ's gifts of love with a grateful heart.  And I am so grateful He has given me such supportive family and friends.  

"Congratulations!"  (I love these people!) 

Fourth Rewind~by Mel

   Eric & Kate light up the night!

     So I meant to post this sometime ago, but things have been busy and you know how it goes. Alright enough excuses on with the show...or the story as it were.  Every year my family gets together and has the annual "Fiala Golf Outing".  This was a tradition started several years ago and it is a blast.  (I am big on traditions...pjs Mom buys us every Christmas--yes she is still doing this and I am 32 years old!...birthday celebrations etc.)  It is the one time of year that I get to see my extended family.  All those cousins, aunts, uncles etc...the event is pretty huge.  We have so much fun together golfing and then having a picnic.  This is the first time for the event since the death of my Grandma Fiala.  Her presence was definitely missed this year as we gathered at her lake.  I know she was smiling down on us from Heaven.  I am beyond BLESSED to have the family that I do.  I could go on an on but I'll stop for now and just say to any of my family that ever checks this blog "I love you!"  

*pictured are my cousin Eric and his girlfriend Kate (two of my fave people by the way!) 

Check it out!

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Stop and smell the flowers~by Mel

     I am a very blessed person and this is one thing I am certain of in life.  The fact that I know this however does not keep my mind from worry, anxiety or the clouds of insecurity that wash over me like thrashing waves on a stormy night.  

     To combat these feelings of doubt I find it helpful to take time out.  Time to "stop and smell the roses"  (or flowers) in life.   Too often we find ourselves busy with the hustle and bustle and we miss life's simplest pleasures and opportunities for growth.  We allow our own thoughts and questions to take over and we forget life's beauty and Christ's abundant love for us.   Like the flowers in a garden blossom over time we too are called to bloom where we are planted and flourish in the warmth of Christ's love.  And so begins the story of the flowers.

     Several weeks ago after Mass, Chad and I rushed home to meet my parents.  We knew they were coming over to visit and we were excited to spend a lazy Sunday with them in honor of Chad's birthday.  Dinner at Pioneer Mill would be on the agenda and of course chatting about the week's events would inevitably occur.  Chad and my Dad would take turns cracking jokes and with each bit of wit, I would reflect on why I adore those men to pieces.  Mom would show up with bags of goodies collected since the last time she visited that she would proudly present upon arrival.  Mom still spoils me to this day and now Chad also partakes in her spoiling. (in a good way of course)-- 

     As our car turned the corner for home we noticed something in our front yard.  Flowers!  Flat after flat of gloriously colored flowers!  We pulled into our driveway and I squealed with delight at the little wonders of pink and red that greeted me.  My parents had surprised us with flowers to plant in the front of our home. I felt like a child on Christmas morning.  Delighted in the moment I rushed from the car and embraced my parents.  I was thankful, thrilled, nostalgic and proud all at once.  

     The flowers were obviously the material gift, however my parents gave us so much more that day. They had given us the gift of their love, their time and most importantly themselves. Who they are is more exquisite than the rarest flower and that includes those that currently bloom in my garden.  Their joy was in our joy and their happiness was in our happiness.  They took time out to stop and experience life and they helped us to do that as well.  You cannot put a price on how important sharing life is with those you love.  Pure contentment can be found in those little moments of just being together.  

     I am grateful that I was able to smell the flowers in my life that day.  Everyday we have the chance to soak up life and the goodness we have been given from day to day.   So take time out today...stop...smell the flowers.  

* Sidenote*  

     My Dad came back the following weekend and brought more flowers with him to finish our garden. (yes this was another unexpected treat!)  He and I spent the day together and I LOVED every minute.  Dirt under my fingernails never felt so good!  

Baby Baby!~by Mel

     Sugar and spice and everything nice.  That's what little girls are made of--or at least that's what little Rylan is made of!  

     Here she is again!  My sweetie niece Rylan Nichole.  She sure has changed from her last set of photos.  It seems like just yesterday that I shot her two month photos and now she is a big four month old.  Four months of smiles, gurgles, coos and wonder.  

     Rylan has had me (aka Aunt Lissa) in her face with my camera from the very beginning and the funny thing is I think she likes it!  Whenever I move around to take her photo, she follows me and looks my way.  I think we may have a future model on our hands!  I had the priviledge to also photograph Rylan's christening.  And might I add, she did so wonderfully that day.  She is such a doll and her personality wins everyone over.  Sugar and spice don't have anything on this cutie...she is in a class of her own!  

Thanks Rylan for being such a sweet baby baby!  

Just click the arrow to view the video! 

Sybil & Shane 6.28.08

     Long red hair trails down her back.  The room is filled with excitement, chatter and a light mist of hairspray.  Laughter, stories and smiles are all part of the picture that our lenses will capture.  Right down the street he is relaxed and awaiting the moment that will surely change him forever.  As the door opens we are now part of both sides in this unfolding story.  The pitter patter of falling raindrops has not dampened this day.

     He is laid back, sweet and fun loving.  She is calm, kind and patient.  Together they make the perfect pair.  Sybil and Shane were absolutely wonderful and Mar and I  were blessed to work with them.  They were so content with just being in love.  The calm energy they exuded was a testament to how much their LOVE was the focus.  

Thank you Sybil & Shane for letting us be a part of your story. 

 

the dance...

One of my favorite shots of the day.  I knew it the moment I heard click that it was a keeper. 

Encore!

Looking good Shane!

A girl has got to have friends to help her through her day...here is one of Sybil's maids painting away.

What a wonderful wedding...

Two great families, two committed hearts, one beautiful day, one wonderful wedding. Mel and I are so happy to have been a part of this special wedding day. We want to thank Sybil and Shane and their families. There will be more photos from this wedding soon...