this one's for vinnie

i have this friend. he's the kind of friend that will call and never say who it is but launch into some story or inside joke. he's the kind of friend that makes me blush, a lot. he believes in me, and when i sheepishly say thanks for the compliment he says, "no you don't understand, you're........" i went to his office the other day and i'm not really sure how, but like all things with vinnie he launched into a story.

this was his hang out. after football practice the guys would go to LaSala's for sandwiches. the guy behind the counter would cut the boys a deal with the end trimmings of the meats- it was still good, just cheap. this was his neighborhood, the building next door is adorned by his family name. i could picture it all in my mind, and i'd never been there.

i thanked vinnie for the story, and his time and was on my way. with curiosity getting to me, and an hour before a photoshoot i had to find LaSalas. i walked in the door and fell in love. great food- you can't get this sort of sandwich just anywhere- my basic turkey on Italian was hands down the best sandwich i've ever had. but i have to admit, my favorite part of LaSalas was the guy behind the counter "you want this for here or to go doll?"

straight and strong

i can remember like it was yesterday. we were so excited to have our ultrasound and see this new little life that i was growing. our mothers came and we stood in a tiny room staring at the screen. they pointed out the heart, ears, toes, hands, and feet. tiny feet. our mothers left and we sat waiting to talk to our doctor, we waited, and then waited some more. i knew something was wrong.

19 weeks is when club foot usually shows up, and no one really knows why. sometimes it is attached to other issues, or syndromes, sometimes it's not. doctors warned of downs syndrome, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis and on and on, each appointment was a list of potentials. so for 21 weeks we waited, and prayed. i grew to understand love without a condition attached, i grew to understand my mothers love for me.

his feet were not beautiful, and could not be craddled in my hands like the images you see on hallmark cards, they were twisted and turned and would soon spend months bound to heavy casts. my 4 day old baby boy was introduced to physical pain long before i was ready for him to endure it. and i battled for the first time wanting to take from my child what he had to bare himself. they told me he may not jump, he may not run, and my heart broke for his unknown.

by grace, we found dr. ponseti the undisputed best club foot doctor in the world, in his 90s to top it off. he and his team became like family in Iowa City. we walk in the door and are greeted by name, with hugs, toys, and stories. each visit introduces us to new doctors coming to learn the Ponsetti method. researchers from Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, India and beyond all lean in close to hear his quiet voice speak to me in his faded Spanish accent. deacon believes that doctor ponseti is the boss of his feet, and agrees to wear his brace because that is what he says is right.

now doctor ponseti comes in rarely to see his babies, but this one now runs, and jumps, and plays.

Teaching Whitney

on saturday a couple of my old young life girls introduced me to their roommate Whitney! she is an aspiring photographer and wanted to learn a little bit about studio lighting.

it was so fun getting to teach someone a little of what i know, and give her little assignments! i asked her to send me a couple of shots so i could see what she captured! I did a quick edit for her and here they are! she did a great job!

good night/ bad photos

remember sara swenson? i took some photos of her this summer to help with her promotional materials. http://meredithgutshall.blogspot.com/2008/08/you-cant-buy-faded.html

well, she's amazing and is all over kansas city performing, that is when she's not in the class room teaching. friday night she played a concert in my town to benefit Young Life. her voice haunts me. sometimes you hear an album and then you hear them live and think, is that the same person? not sara. when i see her perform i am sucked into her sensarity, passion, and soul. PLEASE check her out.
http://www.myspace.com/saraswenson

she had a friend with her to sing backup, i can't wait to check out his band too http://www.barclaymartin.com/

the first time i heard ryans voice i wondered what he looked like. i know that may sound strange, but he sounded different than anything i had ever heard before. he sounded wise, worn, and hopeful all at the same time. i got to know him later that summer at a young life camp where i was working as the video intern. he was there doing the music, and i got to hear and more importantly see his story. he loves God and he wants people to know Him. as simple as that statement is his music and presence have a profound effect on people, myself included. if you've never listened to ryan, please do me and yourself a favor and check him out. he will have you dancing, laughing, crying, and wishing for more. www.ryanlong.com you can also find his music on itunes.

without any light, except for the orangey spot light, my camera skills quickly diminish. just for posterity here are some shots.

tonsil fever; a lot like cabin fever

our sweet little friend max had his tonsils out last week. needless to say an almost two year old in a lot of pain is no fun for anyone. they have been trapped in their house of over a week hoping for the day when max felt good enough to play! so today, because we felt it was necessary, deacon and i made max and natalie go on a little trip to Crown Center. the only way max would consider getting in his car seat was the promise of seeing trains, so we found some trains! i love how excited max got when the horn blew. then we had lunch at a fun place another friend took me to last week- what can i say i really liked it! the light was perfect and the brownies were amazing.

i took a few shots of the boys. we both feel like it's hard to imagine what our boy will look like when they are older, but i just want to remember them like this forever.

and it's always been that way

she's about as close to perfection as they come, seriously. she is naturally beautiful but people have always looked to her sense of fashion, this time in Coach boots and skinny jeans, in forth grade teal and purple umbros. she has always been the top of the class, perfect handwriting and domination in spelling bees in first grade to dr. melissa years later. there is just something about her that makes you stop and take notice, and it's always been that way.

it's mildly, okay really, intimidating to be around someone that has their stuff together like missy. i could slump into a deep state of depression thinking of her accolades compared to mine, but the thing is she recognizes the good in you too. i've never been with missy without receiving a compliment, but it's usually two or three, and it's always been that way.

now she has this precious little girl, an amazing husband, residency, and a life that i'm not a part of day to day but still when i see her i can't help but think she has got to be the most amazing person ever, and it's always been that way.

history

the farm has a history that i'm not clear about. but a piece of that history belongs to her. they brought her to the farm in a shoe box, 87 years ago. maxine white chased rainbows along the ridges. when she left the farm she became maxine davis and her brother stayed behind to toil the earth and build a family, and he still does.

maxine has a rich history, beyond the farm. a family, a career, and rich friendships. a locket she wears holds the dates of service to her career. her granddaughters have always had her heart. now they comb her hair, apply lipstick and kisses. now she lives in a place that can care for her in the way she needs, and her memories are slipping away, but those who love her remind her of why her history is important.

i lose faith as fields and family names lose ground. i know they say building is progress, and new homes are necessary but when i see the pride that wells up in herman's eyes as i tell him how beautiful his farm is, i can't help but think about the others before him and the history they have left at the land beneath their feet.

in thinking about these things i felt like i needed to put the final photo up. i hope the farm has a special place in his little heart and as he grows i hope he appreciates the history laid before him.