My friend Jessica is a fantastic photographer.

She has a pretty fantastic name, too.

And a pretty fantastic giveaway going on over at her Gigglebean blog.

This is us in 1993. At a youth group retreat near Santa Cruz.

Dave’s the hottie (top row, centerish) in the letterman jacket.

I’m in the row below his, in a white shirt with more bangs than main hair.

Those bangs.  I remember that prep process clear as day.

It involved an unhealthy amount of Aussie Hair Spray and a plastic white visor.

Photog extraordinaire is rocking the maroon Northface jacket in my same row, 4 sets of horrid bangs to my right.

Anyhow, back to 2011.  Quickly.  Please.

Or 2009, actually, when she took family portraits for us.

Before I started this blog.

I could go on and on and on about her magical talent.

But I figured a picture is a worth… Well, you know.

Here are some of my favorites.

Let it be noted that both girls were fighting colds that day and pretty crabby/snotty.

Jess + Photoshop = Adios runny nose x 2.

Jess + bribe candy = Adios crabby x 2.

Girl’s got mad photog, editing AND people skills.

My girls loved her.  And we think she’s pretty great, too.

When Gigglebean hits 500 Facebook fans, she’s giving away a free local photo shoot.

So hop on over to her Facebook page and become a fan.

For your chance to win, leave a comment here saying that you did.

And if you don’t live in the Bay Area, enter anyway.

When you win, book a flight.  It’s a perfect excuse to visit.

You can stay at our place.  I’ll do your bangs.

Congratulations, Jamie!

From a total sign hog (and her older sister).

About 8 years ago my husband went to have burritos with friends.

And came home wanting to take out a small business loan, learn how to screen print and start a clothing company.

They even named it that night.  Right there in the little taqueria.

Disciple Clothing Company.

I was 8 months pregnant with Kayla.  And hormonal.

Making rash decisions left and right.  So I agreed.

But it really was the perfect fit.

Jason was our ridiculously talented graphic designer.

Drew was a marketing genius with 104,789 myspace friends and connections to EVERY band on the planet.

And there was Branden, my brother, and his crazy sales skills.

And Dave, our self-taught screen printing workhorse.

It seemed like a slam dunk.

And, looking back, it was.  We had a blast.

All the printing was done in our garage and our living room was always filled with boxes.

We took a crash course in Christian Musical Festival 101.

Spirit West Coast: Del Mar and Monterey.

Joshua Fest.

Creation Fest.

Joy Fest.

Every Fest known to man.

And though it was hard work, those were the best of times.

Dave and Drew worked together in youth ministry.

So we had unlimited access to cheap (we paid them in clothes) labor.

And they worked hard.  And we are forever grateful.

We met lots of wonderful people.  Amazing companies.  Lifelong friendships.

It was very exciting to see a dream that was born on a whim over chips and salsa come to fruition.

And a little company based out of our home garage grow and make a name for itself.

Sadly, in May of 2007, a band threatened to sue us over trademark issues.

Although we were growing, we were still too small to fight against a record company.

So we hung up our screens, closed up the garage and called it a day.

R.I.P. Disciple Clothing Company.

It was fun while it lasted.

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But enough with the sad stories.

Guess what?!

My blog turns one on March 8!

And I’m giving YOU a present.

A $50 store credit to Make Pie Not War

Alana Little is one of those wonderful people we met during our Disciple days.

She is gorgeous, hysterical and full of life.  She lights up a room.

And her company is amazing, too.

Just leave a comment below and you’re entered for a chance to win.

And I don’t even really care what you say.

You can head over to Make Pie’s Etsy shop and tell me what you’d buy.

Or just “hi” is fine.

You can even tell me that you love bands that sue over trademark issues.

Whatever your little heart desires.

Winner will be chosen randomly.

“Like” Make Pie Not War’s Facebook page for a second entry.

Tweet about the giveaway for a third entry.

Just leave me separate, additional comments saying that you did.

Giveaway will go through Tuesday, March 8.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 9.

Alana’s jewelery is beautiful.

And I’m so excited to share it with you.

Happy Birthday, little blog!