Where do I even start with the wedding of Andrew and Melissa? 

Melissa had asked me soon after my first daughters wedding if I would also capture hers and of course that was a given after our intial meeting with herself and Andrew.  I absolutely loved working with these two with Melissa's infectious smile which made every encounter with her full of fun and Andrews insight to what he wanted in a photo making my job capturing their day a pleasant and easy one.

Their wedding was held at Daltons Plantation in Matamata and what an absolute delight to be working in the company of such wonderful staff out there where nothing was a problem.  I also got to work alongside the girls at Adoir which I have been lucky enough to do in the past and what a hoot they are!  Super fun to be around and super perfessional too.

If there was fun to be had then it was going to be had by this lovely group of friends.  

The day was perfect down to the finer details, the cake, the wedding reception, the rain that was once predicted on their wedding day even stayed away and the sun was out to shine on this couple.

So we all have that one friend. That one friend who has the ability to drive you absolutely crazy but at the same time you wouldn't want her any other way!  Please tell me you have one of those friends surely I can't be the only one?  Her name is Kat and she is my little bit of crazy - you know the happy jolly kind of crazy. . .

You see Kat phones me and asks me if I am doing anything on the first of December. " well no pretty sure I'm not" I tell her "well hold that date free" she says down the phone, it's about this time that I know she is pretty well up to something and try and encourage her 'spill the beans, luckily she didn't need much convincing and proceeded to tell me of their plan for an engagement party which would turn out to be their wedding and would I be down for taking the photos? Of course when Kat asks you don't have the option of yes or no she will only listen to anything sounding like a yes answer, so yes it was! 

The ceremony would be held at night 'hmm Kat we need to chat' you see I use natural light whenever possible but this I could tell was going to be one of those times I would take a step out of my comfort zone and I am pleased I did!

My gorgeous friend looked stunning absolutely stunning of course I wasn't expecting anything less, she is stunning on a bad day and lets face it she could have shown up with no makeup and her hair in a scruffy bun and Nigel would have still married this fun loving lady.

And Nige, kind and thoughtful, the type of man you would want your dear friend to marry.  Nigel looked amazing in his tanned suit and we would soon discover it was the perfect color for the sunset backdrop that their ceremony would give them later on in the evening.

In the past 12 months I have been attempting to follow in whatever it is my grandchildren are up to and this has mainly been keeping up with our oldest grand-daughter Tayla as she competes around the countryside doing what I am sure she was born to do.  She and her little friends have so much passion for their chosen sport its hard to believe this comes from girls as young as they are.  I guess like any passion it drives you to be the best you can be.

This girl has impressed me no end with how dedicated she is and how much gymnastics mean to her.  She tries so hard and she can change from the fun loving character she is with us to a serious little creature we almost don't recognise.

Above is a special image made especially for Tayla and her friends who share the same passion as she does.

Allow me to introduce little Daelyn Douglas Brocklehurst who blessed the world at 9:55pm on December 23rd. (Yeah I know, I know I'm really late getting his blog written)  He weighed in at 8 pounds of awesomeness, don't really care if that's a word - I'm going with it! I have known Isla for a few years now as we both were Hospital Aides for the Matamata's local hospital.  During this time Isla and I  have had a couple of photography shoots as she has helped me out with some promotional shoots and I might add they were very eventful but that is not for this blog, breathe Isla. I have watched her grow into the wonderful caring Nurse and mother she is today and now she is...  well... actually... now the little brat is kind of my boss in a sense.  Haha I'm just kidding I think the world of her and wouldn't have it any other way. ?  She is one of the best Registered Nurses I have had the pleasure of working for and we all think the world of her and can't wait for her to return! Isla's pregnancy seemed to go really really fast... I think I discovered in October she in fact had a lovely man and they were expecting - so much for the rumor mill around here!

?Little Daelyn was born just before Christmas, in time to see the jolly man in the red suit!  He had a short stay in hospital and left on Christmas morning before I got a cuddle...  Not your best plan Isla dear! Never mind, by lunchtime I was almost over it ha ha. A week later though I was blessed to meet this little man and get cuddles!  He slept.  I prodded.  He slept.  I changed arms.  He slept. Hmm this would be great if we were having a shoot right now but now was cuddle time, during cuddle time Daelyn we talk to Aunty photographer! Bring on the next day.  We changed him. Eyes open.  We or rather Isla fed him.  Nope eyes opened.  Daddy rocked him. Eyes opened. I'm sure you get the picture!  We tried ever so hard to get this wee man into a relaxed sleep but he was having none of it! We did manage to capture some sleepy shots although one did have to be fast!  Never mind we went out for a quick family session in a nearby location.

As you can see we managed to get some great little family shots and Daelyn did a great job but (yeah there is a but)  for those that know me, if I'm not happy then we shoot again so round two was a week later.
This time at his house.  He was already asleep. We decided on a basic set up with the window light being perfect in the lounge.  I had dragged my son Kerry along to be my backdrop stand (holding the blanket this way, holding the blanket that way - you get the idea, he did great, thanks kiddo)
So after spending almost four plus hours the first week we were shocked to be finished an hour later.  I double checked the camera, looked at Isla and told her we had it.  At this stage I think she thought I had finally lost the plot (I'm pretty sure this won't be the first time these thoughts have crossed her mind, nor will they be the last).  Clearly this little man loves his own surroundings, he had slept perfectly.  Happily giving us smirks and smiles as he enjoyed dreamland.
?I will admit we did limit moving him too much ... just incase we woke him completely.

Daelyn - I haven't known your daddy for long but I can tell an awesome dad when I see one and I know that as far as parents go, you are one lucky little boy to have these two.
Isla and Karl - He is absolutely gorgeous, perfect beyond words.  Make the most of when they are this age, I know been sleep deprived isn't easy but he will be asking or rather taking the keys to the car before you know and you're not going to sleep then either may I add!   Thank you both for trusting me with your little bundle, it was so nice having some time with you.   
Until our next cuddle Daelyn, much love to you little man x.

Little update for my work family... (past and new).

Sadly I will no longer be the thorn in your side on the ward.  ?While I am healing nicely (except for today- today is not a healing nicely day) and after yet another doctors review I/we (husband) along with my doctor - think it will be for the best that I not return as a HCA.

I have struggled so much over the last week with coming to this decision but honestly I'm just not confident that I would be able to give my role 100% and I could not live with myself if I injured a patient. ?It now appears I have made the right decision after getting out of bed this morning and standing on the TV remote, sealed the deal.  While I re-adjust the ice pack once again on this stupid foot of mine please know that I am grateful to each and everyone of you who have taught me along the way.

It takes a special bunch of people to do what you do and still be able to smile when you enter the next room.
I have worked with some of the loveliest families in our little community and I have worked with some of the grumpiest and dysfunctional families but I feel blessed and honored to have known you all - in many cases under the saddest of circumstances.

Through this amazing role I have grown as a person.  I have loved my (at times) thankless job. I have been pooed on, peed on, had vomit expelled in my direction, been screamed at, pushed, pulled, punched and pinched, but with all that comes so much more.  I have had some of the sincerest of conversations. I have had the best hugs on an otherwise not so good day.  I have observed the blank stares when loved ones are no longer recognized. I have listened to stories of days gone by.  I have tried to comfort families who are experiencing pain of loss.  I have cared for someone who turned 103 and I, yes little ole me, has had the absolute honor to hold the hands of some of the most loving gentle and (not so gentle) souls as they take their final breath.  ?My heart has broken with every set of wings given out. In most cases I have been strong but there have been times when I haven't. I have learnt something from every situation I have been faced with, good or bad as there is a life lesson in everything - learn from it!  

Rewarding?  Definitely so!