There's a nerd inside all of us

Maybe these photos will help bring out your inner nerd. 

I know it's there. Don't pretend I'm wrong.

:)

This, coming from the queen of all nerds. My junior high days were filled with:

marching band
show choir
honor society
girl scouts
extra-curricular math and problem solving clubs
sign language club
no boyfriend/I'm invisible to boys club

I'm still in a band (of a different sort) but I have a permanent boyfriend now (phew). And he sure is a keeper. But I'm still nerdy, deep down inside. Maybe I passed it down to my mini-me? She's so golly-gee cute though... she makes nerd the new cool. Although I think Clark Kent may have started that a while ago...

I set the princess up for this shoot then ran to the other room to get my camera. When I returned she had eaten half the apple.

"What did you do? You ate the prop!"

"I was hungry!"

"Ok, I'll get another apple."

"Alright, look nerdy!"

Click. Click. Clickety click. 

"Mom, are we almost done? These are enough pictures."

:)

Sweet newborn

This little guy holds a special place in my heart. I've watched him grow in his mother's womb for months, and to finally meet him brings me so much joy!

He was born a few weeks early at a mere 5 pounds. He is 8 days old, but he has already stolen my heart. He's a fighter, and a sweetheart.

This precious boy was alert and awake our entire session! His mamma said he usually sleeps constantly. So even though I was dreaming of sleepy newborn shots, I feel blessed to have captured his wide eyes.

Every newborn brings me to my knees in awe and wonder of our awesome Savior. What a creative God we serve who forms little humans into beautiful masterpieces made in His image!

She's having a baby

And I can't resist that teeny-tiny baby bump! Oh how I love it.

My sister-in-law is going to be a mamma. Time flies. It feels like just yesterday I was driving her around town before she had her license and having her over for sleep-overs Now look at her! Radiant with that pregnancy glow. My heart skips a beat thinking of that little one growing inside.

The miracle of life.

I was in such a blissful mood this evening that I played the ivory keys for hours. My 4 year old daughter painted my nails for the first time ever. That pretty red paint didn't go on perfectly, but I loved every minute of that sloppy, heartfelt moment.

Lots of love in my heart today. Lots of love. Gets me all sentimental.

To quote a song I wrote before meeting my husband...

So take my hand and lead me there

Promise you won't  lead me where

I can't find you

Whisper in my ear again

Tell me you'll be with me

Until the end

Valentine's Photoshoot

Welcome to the Gilboy children Valentine's photoshoot. Where mamma bribes her wee ones with heart suckers, hot chocolate, and promises of going to Wal-Mart. (Sitora came up with the Wal-Mart part herself... crazy girl!)

"Smile! No, look at me! Over here! Oh no, make Peter smile because he's sad. Don't put your sucker in front of your face. Your dress is covering your necklaces, flatten it down a bit. Let's not make crazy faces honey, give mamma a nice smile! Oh that hot chocolate is going to be so warm and yummy! One more shot... over here! Smile one more time for mamma!"

It was totally worth it, don't ya think?

 

I just love them all. Which is your favorite? 

P.S. Wanna hear a little secret? I'm planning a personal concert at a coffee shop in a nearby city in a few months. Eeeek! I'm so excited I could pop! The concert will be a compilation of love songs I've written my husband, songs I've written about my relationship with God, and my favorite songs from other singers over the years. The manager asked me to write up a bio of myself and this is what I came up with. I know... I know. Cheesy. But those that know me well, know that I am the definition of cheesy.

I am short and spunky, married to the most amazing man on earth, mommy to an adorable toddler princess and precious baby boy. We are both from the Midwest, but have traveled the world and back again. My relationship with God is the most important thing in life to me, and has fueled my passion to serve orphans in third world countries for years. My top dream is to adopt at least two children someday. I love coffee, writing music, dancing when no one is watching, photography, and all things vintage.  I’m carefree and whimsical like the whip cream on your latté.  

Don't laugh. Well, okay, you can laugh :)

Enter your friend to win a photoshoot!

Who doesn't like something for free? :) I sure do!

In honor of the New Year, I am having a giveaway! But this isn't your typical contest. Why? Because you aren't trying to win for yourself. 

This giveaway is for someone else you care about. I wanted to do something unique and special to ring in the new year, and I decided this would be the perfect opportunity!

I am offering a FREE photoshoot to a person or family, and I need you to nominate who you think deserves it! We all know someone who tirelessly serves others and genuinely gives of themselves on a daily basis. They are the kinds of people who help when no one is watching, who love 'til it hurts, and who make this world a better place. Oftentimes these people are the ones who don't take the time to do things for themselves. They wouldn't think twice of giving money to someone in need, but they most likely never buy themselves anything special.

This is the kind of person I want you to nominate to win a free photosession with me at JavaMamma Photography! Whether this person needs family photos, senior portraits, and engagement session, a newborn session, or maternity portraits, I want to be the one to bless them!

How to enter:

1. Get as many friends as you can to "like" my JavaMamma Photography Facebook page here. Tell them to comment on my page that you sent them! (This part is important. If I don't know you sent them, then their "like" doesn't count towards you winning. Please have them use your full name as there may be others entering with your same first name.) The person who gets the most people to "like" my facebook page wins a photoshoot to give away to someone they feel deserves it.

2. Check out my new website at javamammaphoto.com! If you post about my website (javamammaphoto.com) and my Facebook page on your facebook page (and tell me you did it) I will add 20 "likes" to your total score!

3. Comment on this blogpost or on my JavaMamma Photography Facebook page who you would nominate to win the free photoshoot and why. 

That's it! This FREE photoshoot is worth $200! What an easy way for you to bless someone you care about with a priceless gift!

For all my friends and family scattered around the country, I urge you to enter as I will be traveling this year to visit many of the places you live! The cities I will be visiting this year are Fond du Lac, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and Kansas City (Anchorage, Alaska is a possibility!) If the person you nominate lives in any of these cities, I will let you know when I plan to travel there and we can book their photoshoot if you win!

The contest ends this Saturday, January 19th at 10:00pm CT. Thank you everyone for your support and love, I can't wait to see who wins :)

Ready, set, go!