A Breath of Fresh Air

This Presidents Day weekend has been pretty great so far. We started off yesterday with taking the 2 hour trip to my favorite place to shop, a town called Rancho Cucamonga. They have an awesome outdoor mall with lots of yummy food options. We got our tires replaced, shopped at REI looking for some compression sleeves for my calf muscles, Doug and the kids saw a movie while I shopped for some new clothes. We then went and picked out some wine and came home.
Today I had a photo shoot with a friend, so much gun! She wanted to do something for her 10 year wedding anniversary, so she put her wedding dress back on, she looked amazing; and we went to town. My husband in the mean time, was so sweet, he stained and distressed my wine rack for me, and tomorrow we get to hand it. Yay! Now I will have a place to store my wines! I wasn't really a wine person when I came to California. I still haven't even been to a winery. Thanks to a few awesome friends they have taught me to appreciate it. Some are an acquired taste but I've learned to really like them and I'm even starting to taste a few of the different flavors in the wines.
Upstairs got nice and cleaned today. I went through Chloe's clothes and got rid of stuff that she never wears or are too small. I cleaned the walls and started the bathrooms, now all we have to do is clean the carpets and the bath tubs, and a few more loads of laundry. I also started two new art projects for the walls in the kids rooms. I love DIY projects. They are really helping me to be more creative on the things I want to do to decorate my house. I'll post pictures tomorrow as well as Lucas's video of him walking..

Have a wonderful night!
To

He's Officially a Toddler.

Its amazing how quickly things change. Just yesterday Lucas spent all day crawling around the living room floor, giggling and laughing and chasing the dog making whimpering noises. They are my favorite. Its how he says "Puppy". We will go to the store and he will see a stuffed puppy and make little woof sounds and reach for it. Its the cutest thing. Then last night, Doug and I were sitting on the couch; I wan finishing the tutu I was making for Chloe to wear today at school; and all of a sudden Doug yells "He's walkin!" I look up, and sure enough he's got this huge smile on his face and he'e walking right to Doug. Lucas thought it was hilarious. So he kept getting up and walking after Chloe and the dog, and Aiden finally came in and joined in on the fun too. We played for about an hour like this and he finally got tired. Doug made a video of it and I will post it soon for everyone to see.

This morning I woke up and I started to get everyone ready for school and realized, he's not a baby anymore. Now that he walks he's officially a toddler. I'm thankful that I spent every second possible enjoying his baby-ness, yet I still can't believe that, that's it. No more babies. The other two have grown so fast, now just as soon as I blink, Aiden will be 13, Chloe will be 8 and Lucas will be 5 and in Kindergarten. This precious time goes so fast.

Aiden already has his first "girlfriend" he even bought her a silk rose for Valentines Day. He said, "Mom if we buy her this one, then she can keep it forever and not have to throw it away" Smart thinkin for an 8 year old. He was so excited. He wanted to buy her everything that he saw. He's gonna grow up to be just like his Daddy, because Doug does the same thing. He's got an amazing heart and is always thinking of others, Aiden does that same thing. Whenever he wants to spend his money, its never on himself.

And Chloe, I can already tell that she will make one amazing Mommy. She is already so sweet and gentle, not to mention patient as ever. Especially when it comes to Lucas. Lucas can get pretty rough. Believe me he doesn't take anybody mess. He can hold his own. But even when he's being a stinker, Chloe just smiles at and taps him lightly on the nose with her finger and says, "No hitting Loukie. Silly fat boy" and kisses him on the head.

I am so proud of the three if them. We are so very blessed, I wouldn't change a thing about any of them.

Lots of Love,
Ro

Love can conquer all odds

The past few months have really re-validated to me the reasons I chose photography as my calling in life. The importance of a photograph and not only that but a good photo session. It is so important to capture the moments to look back on such wonderful memories. Quite a few months ago I had a wonderful friend adopt a special needs child. She, her spouse and her kiddos did wonders for this little man. Boy has this little man thrived! He has come so far from where he was when they first brought him home. They got a compassionate reassignment to be closer to a doctor that could take care of his needs. I had offered a completely free photo session in celebration of their new son, which was never fulfilled due to schedule conflicts. Not even a month after their PCS a devastating tragedy stuck their family, and her husband died in a helicopter collision during a routine training exercise. This piece of news, hit way to close to home. It was my first experience of a friend losing a spouse. As a military spouse we never think that, even though their "Boots are on the ground" it doesn't mean that things can't happen even when they are not deployed. I cried, I prayed, and cried some more a lot over the last 2 months! The question deep down in my heart, one I tried to ignore, was "How is she going to take care of him without her husband?" She has three other kiddos to take care of. She was fighting with this herself, and had to make a decision on what was best for this sweet little boy and for her family. He was a struggle even before her husband died. So she came to her decision, one we all knew was going to break her heart. Many of us believe that God used her as a tool to get him out of the situation he was in to the next step. She has done everything that she could do, and now his story continues with a new family. It will be strange to not hear about how he's doing or see pictures; she would post tons of pictures and videos; but he is loved, from one end of the country to another. And now his new family gets the joy of watching him continue to beat the odds the doctors keep setting on him. I will continue to pray and he will always be in my heart.
Rowan

Hello 2012

The year 2011 was very good to us. For no particular reason, but things were just nice and pretty easy going. I may not like living in the desert or having to drive 90 minutes to get to a restaurant or shopping center. I have however, met some of the most amazing people I have ever met and I am so blessed to have them as apart of my life. I hope 2012 is equally as good if not better.

The end of 2011 became extremely humbling. On December 12th, I went to bed after watching a friends video of her husband flying his helicopter over their house, thinking what an awesome Dad. I woke up the next morning to the horrible news that, that soldier, husband and father died after his and another helicopter collided together during training. Her life and her kids lives are altered forever. I wish more than anything that I could do something, anything, to take this pain and devastation away from her and her four children. I want more than anything for this to just be a bad dream or a mistake, and for her husband to walk into the door and back into their arms. They are the last family that deserves this much pain. That horrible accident has changed something in me forever. We all worry about our spouses when they're deployed, we never think of something happening when their boots are on our soil during an everyday training mission. It has taught me to not take a single moment for granted. It has also shown me that in all honesty, I do not care about what others think, about me, my marriage, my kids. I may not be a perfect speller as my brother has pointed out many times the last few weeks, I may not articulate things very well sometimes, but, I am a good person, I love my family and my friends with everything that I have. If you don't like me, then you know, that's really ok. All I can do, is to live my life, every single day like it may be my last, or someone elses last. We may never get another chance to tell someone just how much they mean to us. We can only hope that they were left not only knowing, but FEELING that they were loved. So this year, I'm not making some New Years resolution that will more than likely be broken. I am just going to live each day and do the best that I can, and make sure that the ones that I love, FEEL Loved. I'm going to have fun with my family, take them to some theme parks, let my kids stay up late to watch movies and cuddle up on the couch. I want them to laugh so hard at the dinner table that their chocolate milk is coming out of their noses. So here's to 2012 and some amazing family time.

Ro

Very excited..

... Thanks to OCSC, I met this awsume photographer here on base. Unlike a lot of other photographers, she is totally willing to help others become better photographers. I just ordered two books today, Understanding Exposure, and Understanding Close Ups. I am more of a hands on learner. And she tried to explain to me "metering peoples skin". And I think I've started doing it, but I'm not sure if I have it done right. She shoots with a Canon and I shoot with a Nikon. I just wish I could see what she is doing first hand. The other issue I'm having is when I get up to my subject to meter their skin, I am using my telephoto lense and it doesn't want to let me get to close. So I hope I'm doing it right.. I'm hoping that once this Undertanding Exposure book gets here, I will know exactly what she's talking about. I also bought a Wedding Photography book yesterday. I LOVE it. It really gives good information that really pertains to all photo shoots. I have a feeling that this is going to be my "Go To" book, before my shoots.

I have also decided that I'm going to follow suit with Michelle and take one self portrait a month. Everyone is always complaining about me not being in any pictures. Well that all changes today! Also, my Maternity couple just had their baby! So I have a shoot this upcomming Tuesday to do his newborn pictures!! I'm so excited and I have a million butterflys in my stomack! I've got some great new newborn ideas thanks to a lot of online research!

So until next time..

Rowan

The weather has been so fantastic the last few days. This is the kind of weather where you wish it would stay like this all year. Unfortunatly Aiden is home with an ear infection, but we're keeping his temp down with some motrin. He was feeling crappy all weekend, but since the clinic was closed, the poor kid had to deal with it. The first appointment they have is tomorrow, so looks like he'll be home then too. On the other hand, he's been getting up all by himself in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. 4 days in a row! GO AIDEN!

I updated my website for my buisness and I also added a facebook buisness profile. I'm also thinking about starting up a blog for it. So Melissa, I may to need your help once you get home with adding a picture to the top. The next thing I need to do, is to purchase my slideshow maker. I feel some great happening with in the next month or two. So far 2010 is shaping out to be a pretty decent year for The Rakers Family. I hope it stays like this.

Chloe is being cute as a button today. She keeps teasing me with her snack. She acts like shes gonna feed me and then snatches it back and giggles like crazy. She was feeling a little crappy yesterday. All she wanted to do all day was lay on the couch and cuddle. And in light of whats going on with my friends son, I let her. She's in an amazing mood today. So even though Aiden is home sick, he is feeling better than he did yesterday; so I'm going to let them both enjoy the day today. He still has a fever, so he CAN'T go to school.

:).....

I'm having a great day! I have a possible job comming up for March. It's really big, its for school pictures. On Sunday I have a maturnity shoot, and in about 2-3 weeks, I get to photograph their baby. I'm very excited. Aiden has his second soccer game today and his birthday party is on Saturday. He's so excited. I've taken him out of karate for the time being.. I've decided that the person teaching the activity, really has no structure and I realy don't think he's learning anything. Yes, he's learning how to behave, and pay attention. So I don't know, and he did earn his orange belt, but hasn't received it yet. I don't know, maybe I'll put him back in.

I'm starting to get baby fever pretty bad. I have a high school friend who is pregnant and it's fun to hear about her pregnancy, and it makes me miss feeling that little miracle kick around in my belly. I think pregnancy is such a magical time. Although yes at times it can be a pain with the night sweats and cramps, both of my pregnancies were a wonderful experience for me. Even Doug is starting to hold other peoples babies, and normally he doesn't care to do that. I had a friend over the other day and she started crying to he reached out and held her. Soo cute. There is always the guilt when you start to plan to have another baby, about worrying about what the other children will feel like and if you'll be able to give them as much attention.. Chloe is already jealous and she's the baby! Doug told me one day, "how can you tell her that she's not the baby anymore?" So yeah I felt bad. Aiden wants a brother. So when we actually have another baby, I would love to have another boy, although doing all the girly stuff is really fun. SO honestly, I can go with either.