I felt her.

The moment the Indian air touched my face and I breathed it into my lungs, my eyes swelled up with tears. It hit me, my mum was gone and I was in India to fulfill a promise that I had made to her 8 months back.

Its 19 days later, and I'm home with 1,700 photos and a feeling of closure.

India was great. It was more then great, it was incredible. It was emotional, and I was an emotional basket case half of the time. There were so many moments when I literally felt my mum at my side smiling with joy. I got to meet so many amazing people, with amazing hearts that were full on for God. I got to see the poorest of poor, and how they still smiled and were so thankful we came to see them. I got to experience India. 

There are so many stories. So many memories I will have. I will always know that my mum would have loved it there, and I will always know that I left a little bit of my mum in India. I will always be grateful for such a great mother, and for an adventurous mother who taught me so much.

I blew her ash's off the roof at sunrise our last morning in the village into rice patties and a peanut field. It was one of the best moments I had. I got to see the well that was drilled in her memory. I got to see the clean water that was poured into the buckets, that gave nourishment to more then 100 families. I couldn't think of a better tribute for Jan LaMattino. She would want nothing else but to help families. I got to meet over 50 widows, women who's husbands had left them or died. Their families abandon them, and they didn't have money to eat or a place to live. I got to give them money, a hug, a smile, and take photos of their beautiful faces. 

My trip was better then I could imagine. I got closer to God, got closure, and got heaps of photos. I am going to post more as time goes on, and tell you more stories in depth. I'll tell you more about the organization that I went and worked with, and how they treated me like royalty. How you can help, and how my mums legacy will live on thanks to everyone who loved her so much.

Thank You.

unbelievably calm.

Its 8.13 AM on the 28th of February. I am trying to get some last minute work done, and trying to think if I have forgotten anything. 

Today I'm going to India.

Today, I am going to go India for my mum.

Today, I am going to continue her legacy.

Today, I'm unbelievably calm.

I'm bursting at the seems to be able to see the photos I'm going to take. I'm doing this for me, for her, for all of you. Its a big deal, yet its not. Its so meant to be. Its so God. Its so her. Its so perfect.

Thank you for everything. Thank you for letting me take this trip, thanks for the prayers, the support, and the love. Right now, 42 minutes before I take this journey, I'm feeling all of it.

-Ashley

disney and love = the goodness

Brian & Heather
Engagement
Disneyland


When I get an email asking if you can take a couples engagement photos, I get so pumped. Then, if they want them taken at the happiest place on earth! I will jump around my house in excitement and scream "I LOVE MY JOB!" This is precisely what happened when Heather asked us to shoot their engagement session at disneyland! I was the most pumped person ever. They also offered to let us bring some family to have a bit of a vacation. Trust me, we needed a holiday. So one of my bestest friends ever, Dominika, and my sister and her hubbs. Well while they played, we played! We went on big thunder mountain railroad first, then the teacups, then small world, the train, pirates! Everything. Also, such a big trip, because it was Kellens first time to Disneyland. (I told him that if he didn't like it, our marriage would be in trouble!) BUT HE LOVED IT! It was amazing, and so were Brian and Heather!


Thank you, you two. It was amazing. You treated us more then amazing with all of your hospitality. I hope your in awe over them. I know that I love love love them. Enjoy! And  happy marriage!

Mickey. Love. Rides

We got to go to Disneyland this weekend to shoot an engagement. I can't love my job enough. Here's just a little view of whats to come! OHHHHHH GGGOOOSSSSH!!! I love Disneyland and Brian and Heather!

Joni Mitchell. God. Family.

Two and a half weeks ago today I lost my mum. Fourteen days ago, I wrote "mum. love. india." 


I'm in awe and truly inspired. I feel blessed. I feel loved. I feel supported. I hope everyone who loses someone has as much support and love as I have had. I'm overwhelmed (in the best way possible!) by the people, by the cards, by the money that has come in in the past days. It makes everything okay. I have the best stories now, and the best memories. People have shared their hearts with me, and shared with me what my mum meant to them. So many good memories, which make up for the best smiles and laughs. 


At her reception, or "celebration of life" on Saturday I got to meet so many of you, and got to hug you, and thank you. I felt so blessed, and after I walked away from it all on Saturday I strangely felt "fed". I think its such an odd, but amazing feeling to feel that after such a sad moment. Someone shared with me, that she walked away wanting to be a better person. IT WAS PERFECT! So exactly what my mum would have wanted. There were over 400 people at her celebration. They all loved her, and I'm grateful to everyone one of you who came and everyone who wished they could be there. I wish I could have hugged and talked to each and every one of you. I wish I could hear your story. 


With that, so many read my blog. People who I didn't even realize knew about my blog, or  were telling me that they wanted to help with India. In one week I had over $1000.00! WOW! Its truly a gift that you are giving me. I now have the funds for my trip, and whatever is left we have decided to drill a well in my mums name. We will give clean water for all the mums, for all the dads, brothers, sisters, and little kids to drink, to bathe in, to enjoy for the next however many years. THAT IS HUGE! Again, I can't tell you how thankful I am for all your support. I want you to know that I am going in the name of my mum, but I'm just the body that gets to go. Its all in us. We are all going, we are all helping. We are all doing good. We are being better people. My mum has brought so much good, in what could be the saddest days of my (our) life. Again, THANK YOU!


I had my first meeting today for India. There are a total of 4 of us. A Media team. We get to go and do what we were made for, and use the talent that God has given us and help the widowers, the orphans, and the organization. We leave the 28th of February and return the 12th of March. Its a quick trip, but its going to be incredible. We will be flying to Chennai, and going to a village 3 hours away. We will get to stay in the "girls home" and live a bit of their life. Get to enjoy a bit of what they enjoy, and endure a bit of what they endure. It will be emotional, it will be happy, it will be hard, but most of all it will be what God wants it to be. 


India. God. Mum.
Mum. Love. India.


Its happening. I'm going, I'm using my talents. You helped. Again, thank You from the bottom of my heart. My mum is smiling, decorating, and dancing in Heaven. She is looking down on us, and is happy. I'm proud to call her my mum, and am thankful for the time I had with her. She taught me so much, and her legacy will still live on. 




I made this slideshow for the Celebration of Life..
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
Its a perfect depiction of my mum...







P.S.
If you did donate money I want to send you updates!! I don't have email address for all of you. SO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE shoot me an email at ashley@weenophotography.com
I want to keep you updated, show you photos, and tell you exactly what is happening. Also, feel free to email me anytime to ask questions, to ask whats up, or just to say hi! Thanks so much..