Every day I get one email from Quote of the Day, an email service I subscribed to a very long time ago. Sometimes, I read the quote they send out and I swear it's exactly what is going on in the world.  Today, I got TWO emails from Quote of the Day.  I guess one wasn't enough.  I thought it would be appropriate to post them BOTH knowing what so many people are going through.  I know the world does not read my blog, but if you read these, write them down and please pass them on.

"Pain is a part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbeatable, and we need to be taught that."
– Harold Kushner

"The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense."
– Arnold Bennett

All my best~Kristen

It was a terrifying sight to see as my boyfriend, Eoin, and our neighbors drove up our neighborhood hill in Carpinteria and turned the corner to watch the blazing Tea Fire engulf the hills of Montecito.  At 8 miles away, we were safe from the wind and the heat, but watched in shock the natural disaster no one in the car had witnessed before.  After personally knowing what it's like to have your house burn down, my heart was really heavy last night for everyone going through such a devastating loss.  Still, it is a relief to hear no one has been seriously hurt.  My prayers go out to all the famillies and people who lost a home in the inferno's path and to the fire fighters battling the elements.  God Bless and please be safe.  

Ok, so my sister called me up one day back in August and told me she signed us both up for a race. I thought, awesome! I love 5K's! And since we both love to run, what better way to share my favorite pasttime than with my favorite partner.  Well, come to find out she signed us up for the PF Chang's Rock n' Roll Marathon ... gulp ... a marathon!?  She is NOT my favorite partner anymore. :)  I've been 'training' ever since then and it's not going as smoothly as I had hoped.  I've asked my friends and clients that run for some pointers, because I need to know I'm not the only one suffering from chin splints, calf pains, blisters the size of half dollars on my feet, body aches I didn't know existed and all the while an excitement I've never felt before.  I hate running now.  But I love it even more, I can't not love it.  To experience the freedom that running gives me is something I will never take for granted, but my body will be glad the training is over.  But, shhhh, don't tell my body I'm signing up for the LA marathon next year!

Cherry Thomas asked me to come along with her to one of her weddings and help out with the details and 2nd photographer duties. I was thrilled! Although, it was raining like crazy the morning after Halloween, the day of the wedding, Stephanie and Jory were so excited to get married they hardly noticed the crew of Calamigos Ranch quickly moving the ceremony indoors.  The weather, to me, was perfect for dreamy photos of the two of them.  The rest of the night was so fun and full of many fun memories to talk about for years to come.

Sometimes, as photographers, we end up in weddings ourselves as bridesmaids or groomsmen, or even as the bride or groom, and the tables are turned and we are getting our photos taken. Such was the case for my photographer friend, Kristen Beinke, who was to stand up at a wedding in her home town.  So, Kristen called me up and asked me if I wanted to shoot Kai and Kyle's wedding on October 25th. I was so honored that she asked me in the first place!  I met beautiful Kai at the Four Seasons  for some really fun photos of her girls and the most adorable flower girls. Kai is a very sweet person and a little camera shy, but she opened up to me right away.  Once I started quoting movies, she instantly broke into a wonderful laugh and brought her girls right along with the vibe. When we got to the church, Kyle and his men were anxiously waiting for their photos to start and it didn't take much to rouse that crowd.  I had to seriously concentrate on not laughing and shaking the camera.  The ceremony at Montecito Covenant Church was amazing and emotional, you could honestly feel the room getting warmer with all the love. No joke!  The rest of the night was such a blast at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion, but we were able to stop along the way at butterfly beach and catch some gorgeous light, hooray!  I hope you two had so much in Figi! Congratulations Kai and Kyle and keep in touch!