Joshua Coburn: A Texas A&M University Graduate

Who: My brother Joshua (A Second Generation Aggie)
What: His Graduation from Texas A&M University
With: A degree in Construction Science
When: Friday, May 15, 2009
Where: College Station, Texas
Wow: There were close to 1500 students who crossed the platform with Joshua and his ceremony was only one of three scheduled for that day. I think I heard there were 5,000 students graduating Spring 2009.

Joshua's graduation was a proud moment for all of us, but especially for mom and dad.

I've been told my blog is a bit girlie. Maybe this picture will "guy it up."

Favorite pic from the day. Ring, diploma and a cool graduate.

Dad checking to make sure the diploma is in the tube. It was! Whew!

Marin was a trooper. She sat through the three hour event and was the best behaved child in our section despite everything taking place during her typical nap time. She was understandably asleep before we were out of the parking lot.

Group shot! It's weird to see my family so grown up. I still imagine mom and dad with six kids when I think of our family.

We can not take family pictures without some funky fun. Somehow the tradition of a "crazy picture" began. Someone always shouts "Now let's do a crazy one." I always love these moments. They are a perfect opportunity for personal expression.

Congratulations, Joshua. We love you!

Pickled Eggs and Beets

I recently had to photograph pickled eggs and beets to accompany a recipe we are publishing in Escapees magazine. Just the sound of those four words (PE and B) kinda makes me want to gag. How can something that sounds SO gross look so pretty? I enjoy these side photography projects. It’s a welcome break from the routine of article design/layout. However, I was a bit apprehensive of the PE and B project. These were surprisingly pretty despite their unpleasant smell. I’m quite certain I’ll never eat PE and B, but I MIGHT include them as part of a large spread of food, simply for their looks. Anyone ever tried PE and B? I just couldn’t bring myself to try them.

Farewell Funky Curtain

Remember Marin's Easter dress creation? The day I bought the jacket (turned dress) I also found this gem! How totally funky is this curtain panel? I snagged this little piece of 70's history for only 50 cents. Anyway, I've been looking for just the right pattern to turn this curtain panel into a bag or purse. I finally found it! I'm hoping this super fun pattern will transform this fun piece of "history" into a stylish summer purse. Check back later to see the final product. Until then, farewell, funky find!

Freelance Project: Memorial Medical Center

Here are samples from my most recent freelance project. Each year Memorial Medical Center in Livingston holds their Service Awards Banquet. I was asked to design an invitation, RSVP card, certificate, and program for their lakeside event. An inexpensive, but attractive idea for an invitation is to have 4x6 prints made of your favorite picture or personal design. Add text or graphics to the photo and then upload the artwork to a photo printing facility (I typically use Wal-Mart). Then attach the photo to a folded 5” x 7” (open the paper would be 10” x 7”) card, using double sided tape. Tada! A full color invitation for just a handful of pennies.

Mommy and Marin

I love little Marin, love her I do.
I love little Marin, Oh what can I do?
Marin, I love her, she is all mine.
Marin, I love her, until the end of all time.

(Written by daddy, sung often by mommy)



Thank you, Katherine for taking our picture. What a happy day.

A Mother’s Day Story

My friend Marolyn has had a tremendously challenging year. Soon after the New Year, she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. This report came after months of extreme discomfort and worry. She’s since undergone various tests, treatments and even minor surgery. On top of all that, her youngest son joined the army just one week before her official diagnosis. They’ve had only brief correspondence and contact with one another. As his graduation from boot camp drew near, Marolyn grew anxious to see him. Sadly, his sergeant called to say that her son would not be graduating with his class because he had come down with pneumonia and was still in recovery. The sergeant said it would be impossible for Michael to complete his PT test and would have to test once his strength returned, delaying his return home. Now, I’m not sure how it feels to be away from your mother when she is undergoing such difficulties, but it must have been just the thing to motivate Michael. Despite the pneumonia, he passed his PT test and flew home that weekend.

Here are pictures I took of Marolyn and Michael just a few days ago. There was such tenderness between them. The bond between mother and child is a beautiful mystery, one I cherish and am always amazed by.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Bath Buddies

Darci and Dan came over the other night to visit and Jami borrowed our bath tub. Marin had just gotten out and was still clad in only a diaper. They were having so much fun exploring the bathroom together, I just had to snap a couple pictures to capture the moment. These pictures make me giggle every time I look at them!!!!! There is just so much to love about baby booties!