Amanda & Tommy (the Rehersal)

Amanda & Tommy were married this weekend and we had ball. I have been going throught the photos like crazy trying to narrow them down to a respectable blogging number...haha! It was a great weekend, as I knew it would be. I have been looking forward to this wedding since we shot the engagement a few weeks ago! What a fantastic couple surrounded by fantastic family & friends!!!! For now here are a few from the night before! Check back in a day or two for the wedding images.

My Loverly Assistant.....

the FABULOUS Courtney... APLAUSE APLAUSE APLAUSE! Well if you haven't had the wonderful luxery of meeting Courtney its a dang shame! This is a LONG over do introduction to one of the 2 people who keep me semi sane (Daniel ofcourse is the other). We met a few years ago at her sister's wallet shoot and then wedding! She is hilarious and keeps everyone around her laughing. She has been working with me for a year and I have to say that with out her I would have closed up shop long ago! I am surrounded by photographers who have had awful luck with assitants and I think they hate me when I tell them how great she is! The only thing that I worry about when she shoots with me is that we are going to get kicked out of a wedding for having too much fun! One of my fav things to do to her is just snap the camera in her face when she talking. I have managed to capture some "flattering" images in the processand thought is would be an injustice to the public not to share them. I feel like my abilty is a true talent because shes a HOTTIE and I still was able to get some "interesting" pics! Thanks Courtney for always making me laugh... even when I slam hard drives on the floor! Your faith in our Lord is an inspiration to me and I thank God daily that you are in my life!

Amy & Steven

Well I'm running out the door for church...LATE again! I will come back and write more about these two this afternoon (trust me I have MUCH to say.... HAHAHA!). I just wanted to have a few up before church so they would have something to look forward to when they got home! Check back to read all about them!

Goodbye sweet Patience

How do you say goodbye to someone who has meant so much? You rammble on and on!

Tuesday October 16th our beautiful babygirl left us for greener pastures. We are very sad to see her go but we know that she is running with Permagard around heaven on new legs. Having the time of her life!!!

More than 12 years ago Daniel began the search for the "perfect" dog and he found her. Patience McGirck as he so lovingly called her. After reading up about a number of breeds and then finding out about Greyhounds the idea of rescuing a dog in desperate need of love sounded wonderful to him. After 6 months of filing paperwork and a home visit he finally was blessed with the presence of the mangy looking 9 month old. She was scared out of her wits... and so was he. As they sat on the front porch together she walked up to him and put her head to his chest and a 12 year love story was born.

I met Patience and Permagard 5 and 1/2 years ago when Daniel and I began dating. I had never seen a Greyhound in person and thought that they look a bit funny. I wasn't use to the arrow dynamic build made for running. It didnt take long for me to fall madly in love with all three of them (Daniel and the babies). I think it took Patience just a little longer to decide she loved me. Ya see he was HERS... hahaha! The first time I ever took her and Perm to the vet alone the receptionist and I talked about how much she adored Daniel. The woman said "ya know there are lots of people who walk in here proud of their dogs ready to show them off, but Patience is the only dog I have ever seen who walks in here showing her human off. Its like she thinks, look at Him, aint he great." And she was right. i have never watched a dog and human love the way these two loved. When he walked into the room you could see it in her eyes.

A couple of years ago heartache taught me to love her the same way Daniel did. When we lost Permagard she and I mourned together. She understood feelings and was very intuned to what was happening. As we would lay together on her pillow she would let me cry into her neck and never got annoyed with me. She knew that I was hurting and she was hurting as well. From then on she was my baby and I was her mommy.

Patience had the strongest determination. Even though her legs were stiff from Arthritis she would run after the boys and let them have it. She had to let them know who was boss every once and a while. She knew anything they could do she could do better. Never for a minute did she release the title "Queen of everything".
She was so Patient when I decided that we should foster Greys. She let them know she was boss, but she also sheltered, loved and protected each one of them. She put up with her rambucious brothers and having to share the pillows and only because slightly iriatated about it. She has been the reason for many greyhounds finding forever homes. Because of her many more greys will call this house home. There had never been a more perfect girl. Heaven is lucky to have her.

Patience Marie (McGirk) Spray May 1995 - Oct. 16, 2007









If you are considering adopting a dog please think about Greyhounds. If you have any questions please let me know. There are many dogs in need of a loving home. And www.greytalk.com is a great resource for any questions you may have!

A special thanks to Kristin Bednarz for the photos of Daniel , I , Patience and Permagard 2 years ago. Now that I can look at them with out crying they mean the world to me! Love ya friend!