Choose Life :: Video Project

about 5 years ago i came across this movement called BOUND4LIFE. It blew my mind. It was not a traditional pro life movement, or an angry abortion protest, but a what they call a 'prayer siege'. You may have seen the red tape with LIFE written on it across peoples faces on pictures. This is that movement.

Groups of christians get together and pray outside court house & abortion clinics, wearing this life tape. Reading the word. Praying. Praying for God to break through the mindset that a baby in the womb is not classed as a valued life.

I know this sounds a little heavy for a blog, but it is something i am passionate about. Even more so when we lost our first baby, Joshua, at three months pregnant. I believe my son was a live inside of me from the moment we conceived. I believe God had a purpose and a plan for my baby, even if it was for just three months, and his face remained unknown to us. He was ours. He is God's. He will always be my first baby.

Now a year later, a hold my second son, Finley-Stephen (means courageous one). I saw his black and white picture on an ultrasound at 12 weeks pregnant. He was alive. heart beating. Body forming. It was life. Life staring at me straight in the face.

When he came into the world, i could not believe this precious life was mine. I was so happy, so joyful.

The second day in the hospital, my husband put on some worship music, and i started to think of my first baby.  That tiny 12 week baby in my belly, would have looked a lot like the baby i was now holding. Finley started out just that small too, and here he was, a strong healthy baby. With purpose.

No matter how bad life can be, or what the circumstances are, that little life is life. it is joy. it is the promise that God loves us. That God is creator.

When i borrowed Mr J.L's camera, i took a couple short clips of Finley just on the floor playing, and when i looked back at the footage, i couldnt help to think of those babies that were created and never given a life on this earth. I am not a protester of abortion, i am pro life. Pro God.

Here is a little video i put together. Simple. Nothing too flashy. Hope you enjoy. Press link to view.

https://vimeo.com/36431678

CHOOSE LIFE.

Snaps :: Impromptu Baby shoot (thanks to Mr JL)

Last year, we used to meet at our house once a year with friends to just pray and read the word together. We had some amazing times, and among those times we got to know this guys, lets call him "Mr JL". My brother in law invited him along, and it soon became clear we had a lot of the same desires, and thoughts. The husband and I thought he was pretty cool. When i found out he loved photography and videography, it was just another thing to add to the pro list :)

I have been very fortunate to have him trust me to borrow his camera on a few occasions, and i had the chance again yesterday night and today. As soon as the camera arrived i couldn't help but take some photos of my baby boy, and i just fell in love with his camera all over again.

Thanks Mr JL, for being too cool for school and lending me your awesome camera! 

Here are a few sneak peeks from last nights impromptu 4 month baby shots.

 he loves his grandad. skype dates with him are noisy and smiley!

 he thought he was quite funny here... every time we would sit him up he would fall forward (on purpose) and then stick his bum in the air. this pic catches him in action trying to simultaneously lick the couch.

 i could kiss this face all day

 those little pursed lips... he can offer an array of looks at any given time

 this is his face most days.... happy as larry

 tummy time

this is his "im talking to you face, and you better be listening"

"Her bump, her lovely little bump... check it out"

I love when i get to photograph people at pivotal moments in their lives. I love weddings, expecially watching the father see his daughter in a white dress for the first time. Or the grooms face as he sees his bride walking down the aisle.


But the gift of life has to be the most precious of all. To know that we are capable of creating another life is amazing, to be responsible for raising that life is a little scary but still amazing, and i am on that journey myself with my 4 month old.


When my friend, Wellard (thats just what i call her) asked me to do her baby bump photos, i, of course agreed. Her and her now husband had me take their engagement pics right when is started to get crazy about photography.


Here is the shot they used for their wedding invites in 2008... man, how time flies!

Now as they are about to celebrate their 4 year anniversary on Feb 9th, they await the arrival of baby bolan... boy or girl? they won't tell. I can't wait to meet their little one.

Feb 9th 2008 :: their wedding day www.traceylheppner.com

"Wellard" and I have been friends since october 2007. We spent pretty much nearly every evening and day off she had hanging out with two other girls. 

christmas 2006/2007 single ladies once upon a time

She was the Pocahontas beauty that worked for a paving company, and now at the mines, you wouldn't know it to see her, but she can drive bigger machinery than any other man i know!


I got the privilege of being one of her bridesmaids, and she was one of mine too!

she hosted my hen night (bachelorette)

 so finally, after all my rambling, here is a sneek peek of baby bump.... hoping she will call me up to capture what will inevitably be their beautiful bundle of joy

blessings to you both and enjoy the most amazing ride of your life!

Sprinkled with Love... valentines decor session 1

Welcome to the first tutorial for our Sprinkled with Love series!

This first one is an easy, cheap way to love up your nest ready for valentines.

All you need:

1.Foam wreath (or use a swimming noodle and duct tape, or foam pipe from the hardware store to save on the pennies)

2. Pink yarn

3. 2 red roses or embellishment of your choice

4. dollar store mirror letters

(and i used frosted spray paint to give my letters a blue frosted tint to it)

Start by wrapping your yarn all the way around your wreath form. i just use scotch tape to attached to yarn to wreath and cover it by wrapping the yarn over it

this is the longer sometimes a little tedious part but its well worth it!

Then with a hot glue gun just stick on the red roses where you like the best, and i spray painted my LOVE mirror "phrase" and rested it against the wreath. 

I have decided that i am using the top of my storage cube system as my valentines display for this year

And there it is. I really love the contrast of our blues walls and the pink wreath!

You could hang it on your door or on the fireplace...

Share your photos if you give it a go!

Coming up for the season of LOVE

With Valentines day on it way, i am going to do a few different things to celebrate this season of love.


I have to admit i am not really a lover of valentines day (ironic statement). I don't actually like the way people hate on it, or the expectation that thats the day of the year to show love. We all know it should be every day, but i have come to think, it can only be a good thing to at least be reminded once a year to set that day aside to make that someone, or some people in your life feel special.


So im not doing this to succumb to just one day, but i am going to embrace it this year. I love my God, i love my husband, i love my son, i love my family and i love my friends. Not only that i love those people i know but to commit to doing something IN LOVE for charity.


The next 2 series of posts will be:

DIY & Crafts to give to others, spouses, family, kiddies & friends, and even be a little charitable in this season of LOVE!

I'm gonna deck my home with some handmade things to fill the home with looooveeeee!!

Christmas Look back

Happy Belated Christmas blogger world!! Soon there will be a DIY post. With a new year beginning its time to venture to the thrift store, and search out the dollar store for some fresh new ideas! i have a list of craft to do list, and i cant wait to share them with you!

But here is a little look at our first christmas with our dear baby boy!

Christmas eve started with me getting a 24 hour flu bug, but we still managed to have a great christmas day, and a great new year that was spent in Banff, up in the rocky mountains... was amazing.

Finley is now a welcomed addition to our christmas ever tradition of my mum reading us "twas the night before christmas"

yes, its sad, but we are all wearing a onesie! :)

My mum and dad bought him a sledge (sled, for you canadians) and he had his first ride in it

he slept through the whole thing :)

My sister (one of my fave people in the world) came for christmas... Fin just loves his auntie lou

Christmas day family shoot... the in laws and great grandma's uncles and aunts... Fin was loved this christmas beyond measure

me, my sister & grandma goofing around in canmore

me with my parents and fin! The older i get the more i appreciate my parents. they are wonderful grandparents and i couldnt ask for better. Fin lights up when he sees them, even on skype each day!

Christmas, even with the flu, was a beautiful one that i will never forget. I am so blessed in this life to have what i have!

Merry belated christmas!

Back Blogging

well its been just over two months since i have blogged! Thats a little ri-donk-ulous! My apologies! My last blog was a photoshoot to try and pass the time as i was overdue with my baby boy!

October 6th rolled around and our beautiful baby boy was born! He is our little miracle, our joy bundle, and although he ended up having to come out via c-section it was the most amazing moment of my life. Seeing my son lifted up to capture his face for the first time is something i will never forget.

The husband and I have been blessed with a happy and content baby. He is beautiful, and has an array of facial expressions!

Finally i get to practise my newborn shoot skills with my own newborn, and it was a blast.

I had my mum stay with me for a month, and she has only just left, but she was a true blessing, and we couldnt have done it without her. She and my sister (who flew from england as a surprise) helped me capture my little boy!

Here are a few sneek peeks of the boy! He is pretty amazing!

Our bundle

He is such a peaceful happy baby

these blue eyes melt me

I am starting to get into more of a routine now, even though he is such a good baby... NO NIGHT TIME FEEDINGS... can you believe it? Anyways, i will have some more posts coming soon!

We are just so happy to have our little family:

much love... dani x

Still pregnant...

Yes, i am still pregnant! Now 6 days overdue, tomorrow we will be making decisions are to how best to proceed for baby and me. It feels like he's never going to come!

Probably the silliest thing to say to a 41 week pregnant lady is "still pregnant then?" My sarcasm trigger is set on high alert, and my response wants to be "NOooooooo, im not still pregnant. What gave it away?? My huge stomach that is hitting you in the face right now, or the fact that theres not baby in my arms right now".

But i resist the urge,.. try to be nice, even though i dont feel all that nice.

Me and the hubskis went on a little photo taking date, to not only take our minds off the late arrival, but to spend some time together and to catalogue my over due bump. My husband is getting quite good with the camera. So im sorry there is not craft again, but here is what i have been up to... we even tried some "owling" and "planking". You should look it up if you dont know what it is, soo fun!

 the bubby "owling" on a haybail

 "planking" on a haybail

 i tried some owling... planking was too difficult with my belly

 my husband capturing a 4 day late baby bump

 i know he's mine, so im bias, but he is hot stuff! :)

 He actually was brilliant with working the light for the silhouettes!

 playing around with the camera... we never know when our family of two is going to quickly turn to three

A photo date, is quite fun, even if your not an avid photographer, it can be a great date time for you and your partner, or even with the kids. you should give it a go