Tornado Hits Home

Tornado Hits Home and I’m in LA !!!

Every one in our group chose their activities for the day; many of us ran around town, went to the beach, some met up with family or friends from the area and my group went to Universal Studios. We went on the backlot studio tour and then rode several of the rides. While we were on the tour I started getting text messages about a tornado sitting less than a mile from my house. I am 1500 miles away from my kids and there was nothing I could do to help protect them or keep them safe from the impending danger which was about to envelope my city.

My family prepared to take cover as the tornado approached. My oldest daughter who is almost 21 was at our house with her little Maltese and my husband picked up my youngest 9 year old from the elementary school. My mother was also at our house, along with husband and our zoo of animals. However my 13 year old was at school taking shelter; had texted my oldest daughter that the power was out at the school and she was scared. Soon after, the phones also lost connections. What seemed like an eternity until I finally received a call from home that my family and animals were okay. The junior high decided it was now safe to release the kids from class and my husband and oldest daughter picked up my 13 year old. Finally everyone (except me) were reunited and home after the tornado.

There are a few moments in my life I’ve realized just how much I love my family, especially my children and couldn’t imagine life without them. Exploring Route 66 over the past ten days has made me think about slowing down and cherishing the everyday life and world around us we often take for granted. It seems many families are busy with work, school functions and sports practices and need a little time to reconnect. It’s been a great experience meeting others along our route, spending time with new found friends and making connections through a shared community on the road.
~ Shelly Perkins on University of Oklahoma Road to Ruscha Trip 2013

Jessica's Sneak Peak

I had a great time meeting Jessica and her adorable family. Jessica helped me with an OU project that I'm working on over the next few months for my Women and Gender Studies minor. Here are a few images from our shoot.

www.shellyperkins.com

Back to School

Can you believe it's already time to go back to school? I always love when the kid's schedules are a little more planned but it always adds so many more activities to our days. Plus at our house having to keep up with students at four different schools is kind of crazy. I have my 12 year old daughter moving up to junior high this year. I can't believe she's already there. I still remember her running around with her adorable bouncy little curls. My youngest is in elementary school and my oldest studies at OSU. Then there's the mama. Yes, I'm going back to school full time again this fall. I'm finally a senior at the University of Oklahoma. Had I not changed schools, changed majors several times and had OU allowed my credits from New York, I would have graduated quite a while ago. It's funny how when you try to change your major and think you want to do something else in life, your heart always finds a way to tell you what you're supposed to be doing.

So yes, I'm back to my Fine Art Photography major and well, after all, isn't that what I am, a photographer?

When my father passed away in January I was so sad and I just didn't even want to get out of bed some mornings. While my Dad was still in the hospital and we found out he would be needing help with dialysis and his care if he were to ever get to go home, I told him I was going to quit school to help take care of him. He made me promise to go back. He told me how well I did and he knew I loved it. He didn't want me to change anything I had planned before he got sick for the spring semester. Little did I know at the time that a week later, he would go Heaven and I wouldn't be taking care of him anymore. My return to OU helped me so. When I felt like I didn't want to get up and do anything I knew I had to go to school because I had promised my Dad. Going back to photography school was helping me and I was doing one more thing for my Dad.

So here it is, Back to School time and Yes, I am going back to school too. A forty year old college senior. In this life, I have learned there are so many things to be thankful for and one of them is being back in college. I appreciate it so much more now than when I started as a freshman at the age of nineteen. When my kiddos think I am crazy because I LOVE doing my homework, hopefully I'm instilling the desire to learn and the importance of school and most of all, the importance of following your heart. Follow your heart and follow your dreams, whether it's going back to school, changing your job, having another child, or confessing your heart to the one you love. Life is too short to not do what love and love what you do. God bless ~ Shelly


.....about the photo.... I created this image of my youngest daughter for a magazine cover that will be coming out this fall. We did a couple of outfits and although this is not the one that will be on the cover, this is the one that I love the most. I wanted to share it with you and tell everyone to enjoy your time this fall as the kids (and mamas) go back to school.

Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Vintage Blacksmith in Grapevine

Vintage Blacksmith in Grapevine

For all those western decor lovers and those who love the old west, I made this image with thoughts of times long ago. We've taken several family trips to Grapevine, Texas and really love the area. There is such a variety of things to do and living in Oklahoma, it's not that far for a great vacation.

Grapevine offers such a variety of places to visit, shops of all types and price range and things to do no matter what your age. If you've got a family full of kids, you'll probably want to stay at either Great Wolf Lodge or the Gaylord Texan. Been to both resorts and there's lots to do. If you're a shopper, then hit the outlets at Grapevine Mills. We bought my oldest daughter's prom dress, shoes and jewelry here. (BTW-she looked beautiful.) If you're like my husband and enjoy vintage like railroads and museums, or like me who and enjoy live artist exhibitions, go downtown around the railroad and check it out.

Here I go on my travel planner tips again ~ but I always like to share when I've found a great place for my family to visit. ;0) Made this image on our last trip ~ I love all things vintage and the idea of a simpler life. Enjoy.

Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com