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I’m so excited to announce that we’re doing a trunk show for Joah Love this Saturday, December 12th, from 1-5pm in Santa Monica, and everyone’s invited!! Join us for a glass of good cheer & and shop Joah Love for your little ones at 60%-75% off retail!! There are some REALLY cute clothes for little ones 6mos. – 6/7 years old that will make ADORABLE gifts! A portion of the proceeds will go to Casa Hogar, the orphanage in Monterrey, Mexico where I spent Thanksgiving with my family. Here’s the 411:

Joah Love Trunk Sale

Saturday, December 12th – 1:00pm – 5:00pm

533 21st Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Everyone’s invited, so feel free to share the details with family & friends. RSVP to babies@joahlove.com. Hope to see you there! Here’s a little sneak peek of some of the line, and our super cute models!!!

Joah Love was recently named one of the West Coast’s hottest selling new brands by Earnshaw’s Magazine!

Joy Marie Photography, and our family have been lending support to Casa Hogar Imperior de Amor for a little over a year. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we had the privilege of being invited to meet these incredible kids, and the leaders who serve them, in person. Words can’t even begin to describe how much love was in that place. We went expecting to help out & serve for a few days, and came away with so much more. These kids have been through difficulties most of us will never have to face, yet they still have such an AMAZING capacity to love. Here are a few pics from our trip, and be sure to check out the slideshow to see the whole story! What an INCREDIBLE experience…

[caption id="attachment_1714" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="David's bald head caused quite a stir south of the border!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1716" align="aligncenter" width="630" caption="these dogs make american junkyard dogs look like toy poodles..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1718" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="this is where they're building a new laundry facility & cafeteria for the kids!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1725" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I'm sure you'd have a difficult time picking my three boys out of this crew...well, maybe the curls give them away!"][/caption]

Nothing melts my heart more than watching my boys with their dad.  It is such a gift to have a husband who devotes so much of himself to his children.  He is an incredible example to them of what it means to be a husband, a father and a man.  I am blessed.  Happy Father’s Day, David…I love you!!  

While in Oklahoma City, we stopped at White Water Bay Park, and then hit the road for the long stretch to Albuquerque, with some interesting stops along the way. It’s amazing what you can discover alongside the freeway in the middle of nowhere:

[caption id="attachment_974" align="aligncenter" width="504" caption="keepin' it real...texas style!"][/caption]

Lessons learned today:

1. They DO actually make a cocktail for kids. It’s called grape juice and Nyquil: The sniffling, coughing, sneezing, stuffy head, make-your-kids-shut-up-so-you-can-rest-medicine!

2. When a 4 year-old says, “I have to pee!” right in the middle of timbuktu, he doesn’t mean, “please stop at the next rest stop, so I can relieve myself.” He means, “pull this car over NOW, or you’re about to get sprayed!”

 

After leaving Nashville five hours later than expected (it’s tough getting 5 people out of the house), we’re off on this cross-country road trip! First stop, Gould, Arkansas (population 501) to visit David’s mom. Here are a few pics from day 1 of this grand adventure in stops at happy towns along the way. For more spontaneous moments along the way, be sure to follow me on Twitter!! I’m @joymariephoto…

[caption id="attachment_932" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="It's an absolute miracle getting these 4 to all stand still for a moment!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_938" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="...then the testoterone kicks back in!"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_934" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="plug-n-play!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_935" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="mom's got some hops too!"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_939" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I think this crew would rather fly than drive (literally)! Albuquerque, here we come!"][/caption]

Lessons learned today:

1. The mosquitos are the size of hummingbirds in Arkansas, so it’s advisable to stay indoors.

2. If you lean towards a vegetarian diet, bring your food with you through these parts. Even the veggies are fried down here!

3. For more extreme outbursts of spontaneity, follow me on twitter at @joymariephoto

Stay tuned…

This weekend I celebrated my marriage to an incredible man.  My best friend, my rock and the love of my life.  More than an amazing daddy, he is a beautiful example to my 3 little boys of what a good husband, father and friend should be.  Whenever I have been scared, he has encouraged me to pursue my dreams and he is my biggest fan.  He is the silent partner of our business, but truth be known, I wouldn’t last a day without him.  I think he knows me better than I know myself, has somehow overlooked my flaws and STILL loves me.  I thank God for the gift of this incredible life partner that He has given me in David.  I had the pleasure of using his adorable self as and assistant on a recent shoot and here’s a few of our ‘light test’ shots.

Happy Anniversary, Baby…I love you!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of being involved with the annual celebrity fight night fundraiser hosted by the Marconi Museum and the Marconi Foundation for Kids. The Marconi’s are a WONDERFUL family, and every year they put on this event and others like it, to raise money for children’s causes they believe in. They’ve literally raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various causes! Giving back is what it’s all about! I’m glad I was able to be a part of it. Celebrities, athletes & business leaders from Orange County and all over the country came out to take part in this event. This particular Fight Night benefited The Freedom Writers Foundation. The evening was a cool mix of socializing, fun and entertainment provided by some KICK-BUTT boxing. I’ve never been that close to the action before! Here are a few pics from the night…

[caption id="attachment_521" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="The Marconi's also honored our soldiers by having some attend the event"][/caption]