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I am a Christian. I am a loving wife to my Army-National-Guard-Recruiter-Husband of 15 years. I am a stay-at-home-mother to our four handsome sons. I am a photographer. My blog is about as erratic, eclectic and random as I am, painted with rainbows of photos and words that are hills and valleys you travel; so lovely sometimes that they hurt you. These are the stories of how far we've come in the last 15 years as Christians, as a family and as individuals.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Rozalyn Gonzales, what can I say about Rozzie? In December 2001 I met her as a bubbly, 13-year-old from next door the day we moved into our Victorville home, offering to babysit FOR FREE (otherwise she wouldn't get credit for her "community service" at school) and all I had to do was fill out and sign a form stating the times, duration and dates she babysat. The best way to describe her is a devine gift from God himself! We became very close friends despite our 11 year age difference and she has been a wonderful addition to our family: aka "Nanny Rafa". Over the past 8 years I've watched her grow into a beautiful young woman, she truly is one of the very best people I know!




Sunday, she presented to me the biggest, scariest and most flattering opportunity ever! She got engaged two weeks ago to the boy (now man) that she used to pine over when she was 13, yes, she's been in love with him since she was 12, and the wedding date is May 2, 2009. --The opportunity you ask? She wants ME to photograph the most special day of her life! I couldn't believe it! I'm NO photographer! I can't believe she trusts me with such a task! She has told me many times in the past I should charge people for taking their pictures (something I do often at kids' birthday parties, school skate nights and such) but I just thought she was being "nice". Apparently she has more faith in my abilities than I do. I'll take (and apreciate) any and all advise I can get from those of you who are photographers! I have just under 5 months to prepare, HELP!

Here's the best engagement photo I could muster in the five minutes before she was off to work yesterday (with no prior notice by the way, no time to prepare my mind for a pose).





4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Mandy Jinks its your friendly neighbor next door. I want to thank you thank you THANK YOU 4 acceptn to take may wedding pictures. You have an amazing eye. You dont have 2 b called "Proffesional" to be considerd a photographer. In that 5 minutes you captured some of my favorite moments. I love you forever Amanda and here or Florida Ill always always remembr you!

<3 u lot's Rozalyn soon "Berdeguez" AKA Nanny Rafa!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I know it seems scary to you that you've been asked to photograph one of the most important days in someone's life...however, I know you have a good eye and you will do a great job!
Also, I plan to be there to help in any way I can (like keep the boys settled down and away from mommy) so you can have the space you'll need.
Mom

Me and Mine said...

OMG! I didn't know they were so serious! That is so awesome! I need her address so i can send her a congrats card! The picture is very good and I think you'll do great as her photographer for the wedding. I wish I had the guts to do something like that. You do have an eye for photography. Every thing I learned is all book taught. I don't really have an eye for it. I can't come up with poses on a whim. It is very difficult for me. I have faith in you too! You will do wonderful I'm sure!

Laura Miller said...

that's a great picture.