A simple name given to a girl with parents who believed in her and pushed her to be bright, independent and to follow her dreams. A bossy messy haired little girl with big green eyes and a thrill seeker from the time she was able to stand and  move about. Climbing, exploring, boo boos from falling on her knees. Pumping those legs on the swings in hopes to touch the clouds with her feet. A little girl with a dream. A need to be seen, to be heard. And she wore her heart on her sleve and her emotions were and still are written all over her face. And boy did she like to sell. She started small with pictures she made and little crafts and potholders from her loom. Then when her little sister, Stephanie Lynne,  was old enough to help, she began dragging out the stand Santa brought her and sold lemonade, sodas, and kool-aide. Her little sister stood waving and holding signs. Using her big blue eyes and long piggy tails to draw people in. Together they worked well together. Together they felt unstopable. They put money in their piggy banks after an afternoon of selling ice cold bevereages on the side of Greenbrier Drive in a river town in Iowa. They’s keep out enough to buy some garbage pail kids and some candy. They’s stick the money in their pockets, climb onto their bike and ride. Ride to the little store down the street and reap the rewards of their hard earned money.

Stephanie Lynne was the little girl full hugs and kisses. She liked to hold your hand and climb trees. She wore her mommy’s heals and pearls and danced in the rain. She was a kid with her nose in a book and always going along with her big sisters ideas. She loved make up and costume jewelry. She dressed up and put on shows. She was curious and always looking for the answers. She read the dictionary so she could say big words and stump her bit sister. She enjoyed encyclopedias and braided hair. She twirled the baton and could hula hoop till the sun went down. She was pink and purple and all things girl. She was a big person in a little body. She’s stand up the neighborhood bullies twice her size and could put the meanest boy in his place. She was a no bull kind of girl. She was a take me as I am or don’t take me at all.

Those two girls grew up. Stacy Lee had big dreams. Dreams to take off and fly. To see all she could see. To meet new people. She felt she was bigger than that small town she lived in. She had a desire to follow footsteps bigger than her own. So she jetted off and joined the Air Force. Just like her daddy did. She saw the U.S. in all it’s glory. She served proudly and had many memorable adventures and saw places she never thought she’s see. While serving she went to college, got married and had a baby. She got out did some more school and had more babies. But something was missing.

Stephanie Lynne was a kid still when Stacy Lee jetted off to wonders unknown. We all have labels. While Stacy Lee was labeled the free spirit, Stephanie Lynne was “the Smart One”. You know…. every family has one. And while it wasn’t always easy to be compared to each other, we knew who we were. We knew where we needed to be. And we were determined to live our lives and to show people that we were more than those labels. While Stacy Lee was doing her thing on the other side of the country, Stephanie Lynne was plugging away at school. Getting good grades and going off to college.

Stephanie lived in the big city in the state the girls came from. She was managing businesses and doing her thing. Living her life the best way she could. But she too knew something was missing.

Stacy and Stephanie dealt with a major loss in 2005. Their knight and shining armor, their daddy, become very sick with cancer. The C word! The nasty nasty C word. And sadly they said goodbye the the most amazing man they ever knew. While he’s not with them here on Earth they know that he is forever with them in spirit and that one day they will all be together again. It took time to heal, but his passing made these two sisters stronger in the end. It made them realize that life isn’t promised and to make the most of each day you are given. They learned too, that when the going gets tough… the tough do get going. So with careful planning Stacy Lee had her mother move to the area she was living in. And eventually after a not so good break up Stephanie Lynne realized that this too is where she needed to be. They whole heartedly believe that their daddy up in Heaven, with help from the Big Guy, was guiding them to be here, where they are, right now. Together.

Sisters. Best Friends. Kindred Spirits.

Today they are taking on a new adventure together. A new way of life. Together. They want to celebrate the life they have been given. They want to share their passion for life, love and womanhood with you. They want to share their eyes with you. All women are beautiful, powerful, strong and courageous. All women should see themselves for the amazing creature they are. With out women there is no life. How blessed are we to be women?

It is Stacy Lee and Stephanie Lynne’s desire for all the women they meet to feel amazing, feel loved, and feel empowered.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story about two girls living out their dream. Thank you or being supportive as they pave this new road. They look forward to what is to come. And they hope you will stay around for the ride!

After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided to come back to the Boudoir side of it all. While I am enjoying the time away from editing, I miss this part of the work. I also want to offer women something different. Something not so studio and not so overly processed. I believe boudoir photography is more about the empowerment of women and setting them on a better body image path than anything else. I also feel it should be classic, classy and sexy. It should be fresh and inviting. Sultry and subtle. And something you will want to share with all your friends.

I have a few things left to work on… I want better packaging, a new site for it all, pricing and even offer up some workshops. So bear with me for another week or two while I get my ducks in a row.

Thanks to all the past clients who have really encouraged me to keep it going!!!

I read a story last week about a mother that buried her oldest child, he was 10, only days before Christmas. A month later her husband died of a massive heart attack, he was 40. This alone set me on a downward spiral of questioning why this would happen… how much does God think one person can honestly handle, and then the fear set in. I found things in her story so very simular to my own life. She was a photographer. She was a mother to three boys. Her husband had that salt and pepper hair like my husband…. and her husband… his name was Aaron. Mine is Aaron too.

The thought of living this life without him by my side physically makes me ill. The thought of losing him, or losing my kids sends me in panic mode and I can feel my heart race and the tears well up. I wish I could shake this… I need to shake this. I cannot live my life in fear.

So in the recent days and an reoccuring dream, I finally stopped and said ENOUGH!  I evaulate all my feelings and emotions. I took some time and sorted it all out in my head, and it dawned on me….

I feel guilty!

If my husband were to leave Earth today I don’t think he would honestly know how I feel about him, or how much I appreciate everything he’s done for me, given me, and how proud of him I am. So here is my public letter to my husband….

Dear Aaron,

While I may not tell you nearly enough as I should, I want you to know that I love you more than I could ever love someone. I find myself loving you more each and every day. I adore you. I love your sense of humor and your ability to make me laugh even when I am at my boiling point. I appreciate everything you have ever given me, even the gold rose I keep hidden in my drawer. Ha Ha. I love that you know me so well that I don’t even have to finish what I am going to ask before you spurt off an answer. I love your intelligence and compassion. I love that you have always given me everything I want…. even when you hated it. I love that when you kiss me, you touch my face. Thank you for allowing me sleep in on sooooo many weekend mornings without quilting me when I come down finally. Thank you for cooking when I just don’t feel like it. Thank you for supporting me in so many ways. Thanks for being my rock when I have been at my lowest points and holding me when I have cried. Thank you for guiding our family and leading us in prayer. Your faith in the Lord inspires me to be a better person and be there with you, always. Thank you for having such high morals and values. You are leading great men and I am happy I have you to share this adventure with. Thank you for being my best friend. God blessed me greatly when he introduced you to me. I couldn’t imagine life without you! And I still stand by what I told you when we got married… where you lead… I will follow.

Your Loving Wife,
Stacy