September 7,2009

Here we are! Another school year has begun! In case you have not noticed, haven't done too well with the blogging thing! I am going to not make any promises, but I hope to do a little better a little at a time!

The summer absolutely went by so fast that it left my head spinning! In May, the girls all had a dance recital to finish off the school year at Hillsboro High School. Maddyn did her number in ballet, Mallye in hip hop and Ann Michael in ballet and hip hop!! In June, my sister, Dana, and I enjoyed teaching swimming lessons at Mimi and Papa's Pool as we have done for years now! We celebrated Mallye turning 6 years old June 23 rd!! At the end of June, we all enjoyed a week long vacation in Panama City Beach! Nothing fancy . . just a little much needed R and R!!

In July, Ann Michael began her month long "intensives" at NDC where she will be dancing with "Company" this coming school year! Way to go girlie!! John Matt finished up Crieve Hall Baseball with a fun trip to Cooperstown, New York! Wow! Never been to NY before!! It was a wonderful week spent with him watching him play with some of the best kids across the country! He so much enjoys spending time with all his buddies! Mallye and Maddyn just get thrown in the car as we travel from one place to the next! They just simply go with the flow! They spent so much time this summer playing with Bitty Baby and playing with their Dora and Doll houses together! They are just at a time where they enjoy spending so much time playing together!

August brought the getting ready to go back to school mode! John Matt was preparing for 6th grade at DLMS and Ann Michael for 4th grade at DLES. Ann Michael also celebrated her 10th birthday!! Mallye was accepted via lottery to Kindergarten at Percy Priest which we were thrilled about! It is a precious little school along with Otter Creek where Maddyn will be in the three year old program!

Snoopy Days, Colts Football, Registration . ..always busy! Lots of excitement! Once everyone gets settled, I really enjoy the beginning of a new school year! For me, it is a new beginning for everyone! I just feel a tendency to get moving and get some things done! I love to get ready for Fall Pictures .. .children, families... sports! Fall is just a great time of year!

DPM Photography continues to be a huge blessing in my life! The galleries continue to grow daily on the website! The last few months have been filled with anniversary parties, beach sittings, Sr. Pictures and more! Nothing brings me greater joy than to capture those special moments in your life and the lives of those you love! Don't let the moments pass you by!
Capture all that you can while you can!

DPM Photography will be spending a "Sunday Afternoon in the Park" this fall capturing families and children sharing time together! Call or email for details. It will not be something you will want to miss! There will be mini sessions along with one low package price. Don't miss a great opportunity for a family picture on a Christmas Card this year! Christmas Cards will be available for purchase.Just call or email and we will find the perfect card that meets your family's need! . .

For now. . I will be capturing lots of sports shots! I can capture sport shots of your athlete as well! Enjoy the beginning of a new school year! More importantly, enjoy spending priceless moments with those you love! More to come soon! Take Care!

FEBRUARY 2009

Where has February gone? It just seems like yesterday I sat there and watched my children tear into their Christmas presents with eyes full of excitement! The days just pass us by! February was a very busy month .. one word . . Basketball! With John Matt playing on two teams and Ann Michael playing on one team, not to mention my team at Brentwood Academy . .we were in the gym every night of the week it seemed. On the nights we didn't have a game or practice, we were so happy to be together at home! .
Brentwood Academy was such a blessing this year! I looked forward to everyday walking into that gym with those girls who are so full of life. Basketball is very therapeutic for me! In all the craziness of trying to get my kids somewhere for someone to watch them while I go to practice . .it was all so worth it for me just to get to step through those lines! It is almost like you take on a different personality. Something that has been a part of you all your life, it is so hard to ever let it go! I would like to think that I was that mentor for the girls and that influence they need in their lives. But, the other is just the case. I am the one who is on the receiving end! The joy that they bring each and every day! They make me a better person! What means more to me than anything is seeing them interact with my children and seeing the love my children have for each of those girls. It's like I told the girls the last game of our season . .."When you love my kids, you have my heart!"Just to see my children light up when they see the girls and run into their arms . .that is worth it all!
Now we are wrapping up basketball and getting ready for Spring Break! Looking forward to the beach! Planning on taking some family beach pics so if you are in the Destin area around Spring Break, I will be there! Beach pictures are by far my favorite pictures of all my pictures of my children. I am such a beach person anyway! It is such a place of peacefulness for me! There is nothing like that sound of the ocean all day and leaving your window open at night and hearing the roar! Yes, it may be slightly cold at Seagrove Beach in March, but I am so happy to be away with my family and friends and focusing on each other! There is nothing like friends and family. Without them, I would be lost! They make me a better mom each and every day! Have a wonderful spring! It is just around the corner!

BLESSINGS ON YOU ALWAYS!
Daree
dpm Photography
www.dpm.smugmug.com

January 2009

Well, since I failed at my first attempt to blog late last summer, I thought I would start the new year out right! The days just go by so quickly. I watch as my kids change right before my very eyes. It seems we are so busy, that we often miss the sweet little moments that are just passing us by.

All the kids got off to a great start of the school year. John Matt and Ann Michael are at David Lipscomb while Mallye and Maddyn are at Otter Creek. Mallye is in Kindergarten and that just cannot be!

John Matt is in 5th grade and started his first year of school football. No more Brentwood Blaze for him which makes me a little sad! He is officially a Colt! What a great season the 5th grade team had. Many of the kids had played in the past, but most had not. The coaching staff did an excellent job giving the boys such a positive experience. John Matt did a great job at quarterback and leading the team. We are so proud of him! He is growing up and changing everyday! He has such a kind heart and so wants to please!

Ann Michael is in 3rd grade! Wow! What spirit she has! She loves to cheer ( which mom is not so sure about)! We took a leave of absence from cheerleading since brother wasn't playing for the Blaze. She presently dances at NDC and has such rhythm! She has grown in her love for basketball(hurray)! She has an outstanding shot for her age. However, we just only like the game when we are open to shoot! We are working on some skills and I think she may continue to succeed if that is her wish! She is so full of energy that she wears me out. I forget what it is like to be 9 yrs old! ( and a girl at that)!

Mallye is 5 and just so goes with the flow. Her favorite words every morning are "What do we have today". Oh, I don't won't to forget those sweet words. Bless her heart . .she just is used to being on the go! She is so loving and snuggly! She is such a good big sister always giving Maddyn her way. She never really fights with her! She just knows where her spot is. It must be tough to be in the middle . .not the oldest and not the youngest, but still such a sweet baby! She loves her friends at Otter Creek. However, we are sure to have a few"at home" days together since she will be in Kindergarten again next year!

Maddyn.. .oh my, what a blessing in our lives. Even though I couldn't believe we were having another girl, I can't imagine life without my little Maddyn. She is so smart and so fun! She is learning so quickly! I cannot believe how fast she is growing. She is so well rounded and just everyone's little sister! She has so many big brothers and sisters because all of the siblings friends think she is part theirs too! Maddyn loves school at Otter Creek. She loves to see Miss Eva and Miss Shelbi . . Never once did she cry about leaving me and going to school. As much as I hated to see her go, I love that confidence about her!

The Fall days went by with Halloween and Thanksgiving. During those days we played lots of football and fall basketball for Ann Michael. Dad took time to fish in some fishing tournaments which he enjoys doing. I am so blessed by my family. Each day, I see more and more of Christ through my children and that is a parent's greatest joy! It is so true that it takes a village and we are so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends!

I rounded out 2008 with my new little business: dpm Photography. I never really took my own pictures growing up because my mom and dad always were the ones with the camera. As I had children, I realized quickly that I was becoming just like my mom and dad! However, something was different. I developed a passion for photography! Everyone sees things differently. That is what makes each photographer unique in his own way! It is up to you to decide what exactly it is you desire in a photo! I particularly enjoy shooting children and sports. I grew up loving sports and earned a basketball scholarship to Belmont! And boy, did those days sure go by fast! Even though I have an education degree, I really love photography and would like to take it to a higher level! I have spent most of 2008 shooting children of some really good friends! My desire to do this has escalated even more! I love children, sports and photography! What a combination!What a dream job!

I hope you will take the time to browse my website. I would love to help you capture those special moments with your children as well. Hug those little ones tight! They will be gone tomorrow! Be sure to always thank God for each day you have to spend with them.

Have a wonderful start to the new year and God bless !

Blessings always

Daree Merritt

dpm Photography
www.dpm.smugmug.com