Pray for our World. Pray for Ukraine. Pray for our Military and their Families. God Bless us all!
Pray for the world Pray for Ukraine Pray for our Military Families
The news is not “just news”. Maybe it does not & most likely will not affect you directly. But for military families across the country, we are living in an intense waiting game of what’s to come. Some are waiting to hear from their serviceman/woman who have already left, some are watching them pack in anticipation of leaving, and others know in their gut what’s coming- it’s just a waiting game at this point.
The Childers/Hernandiz Family
I look at these photos of my family and wonder when will I see them again? It’s been almost 3 years since I have seen my daughter and Granddaughter. What’s next? And where will this lead our military, and what is to come? This is a real overwhelming fear right now in military families.
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America and her freedom is such a beautiful place because of men and women willing to serve, but it would be extremely naive to think none of us are scared, that none of us are worried. Latch on to your military community, pray for them, and love them- like there is no tomorrow. We need words of reassurance right now, we need words of kindness and gratitude to our service members, they are struggling right now. Save the political debates for someone else. We need each other and the support of this country more than ever right now.
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Please remember, freedom is not free and this country is amazing because of the military men & woman willing to lay their life down for it, even if that sacrifice comes with the despair of their own family.
Pray for the world Pray for Ukraine Pray for our Military Families
Master of Arms Sailor - Combat Medic Soldier
Charlotte Graces Mama wears combat boots
Proud Mama Rhonda Belinda with her girls
Thank You to Carrie June Moon Photography for capturing my family portraits. It is just as important for professional photographers to hire a professional photographer. Thank God I hired Carrie because these memories hang on my wall and every day I see my babies. Even when they are a world away but I have my coffee with my family everyday!
Just Breathe
At this moment I am alive & breathing in my own bed.
It started out with 7-up, cough drops & tissues on the nightstand, feeling awful because I had a “SUMMER COLD.” Can you believe it?? A freakin cold! For the past year or so I spent my time isolated, trying to avoid this terrible illness. — I had a slight cough and a scratchy throat I kinda sounded like Lindsay Lohan. Then my throat hurt, I had congestion & I felt like crap but I thought it will pass soon. My youngest daughter with every symptom insisted I had Covid. I kept telling myself & everyone, I am fine I just have a bad immune system and I need to rest. Slowly but quickly, I got worse but I did not want to go to the hospital. “Once you check in there you never check out”. I would say. I was tired, I was sick, I was not getting better and the next day was my youngest daughters 19th birthday. I was not in the mood to celebrate. I had no energy, no appetite and although I could still taste, nothing tasted good. I continued to tell myself “it’s not COVID.” Somehow by the Grace of God my daughter convinced me to just go get checked by the doctor. They would give me medication and send me home.
I could barely shower, we threw on my pajamas with no bra and headed to the Emergency Room. I was so tired I just wanted to crawl back in my bed. (I really wish they did house calls.) My husband (who was also beginning to not feel great) drove me to Kaiser in Modesto, California. They checked me in at 12:30 but they had no beds available. I was just looking for medication and wanted to go home. We sat there for hours, I was in a broken wheelchair that poked my back in all the wrong places. I don’t know why I didn’t switch chairs but I kept telling myself it would only be a few more minutes, and I was in and out of consciousness. Finally at 6:00pm waiting in the entryway/parking lot for hours… I was brought to a room. It was a kids room in the ER with a comfy cot. I just wanted to lay there and sleep. They gave me oxygen, I felt like the Jefferson’s. I could hear the Jeffersons theme song, “Moving on up” in my head. I was like I am good, I will just sleep here, aweee yes!!!!! Next thing I know, the nurse is pushing my cot faster than I had seen anyone move all day. I didn’t know what was happening but it was hilarious to me because Scott couldn’t keep up. I teased her that she was trying to ditch my husband. I was laughing and choking at the same time, I am sure at this point I was delirious. Next thing I knew they asked my husband to leave, no one was allowed on the Covid Floor. I was glad he had seen my room and was grateful to have a room. I was defeated and I accepted the fact that I was a Covid patient with Pneumonia. They needed to watch my liver, my heart and monitor me for strokes. They also found out in a test I am prediabetic. They immediately started me on Remdesivir Therapy.
The tests and medications started and I had missed my daughters 19th birthday… and the next thing I know a week had passed. I had no shower, I wore my same PJ bottoms and the bright yellow hospital gown the whole time. I had made peace that I was there to heal but I spent many nights alone and isolated in my room, on death’s door. I had never experienced such pain, I have been through some serious pain as a child having issues with my kidneys bladder and urethra tubes. I’ve had multiple surgeries and operations that cured me. I had been in accidents, fires etc. I think I may be the bionic woman? All the pains I have experienced, including childbirth/C sections. This was the first time I ever experienced this feeling of pervasive death all around me. I would hear “code blue” and I didn’t know if this was for me or another patient? I would think of my friends that lost this battle to Covid and I would sob for them. I thought of my Father in Law that passed of Cancer and all he could say was “Fuck”. I understood this now like never before I would shout out the word Fuck . I thought of my own Mother & how she died alone in her bed. I wondered did she suffer like I was suffering?
“FUCK”-Kelly Mitchell
I cry thinking that death has new meaning now. I used to see it as this place between Heaven and Earth. I still see that but its dark and confusing, but at the same time it makes all the sense in the world. You see God and and you see a bubbling brook, you see all the beauty in the world but you also see this life that you love and you’re not ready to end it yet, Your heart sinks, the ride is over but only for you and everyone else is still living. You see the people you have spent your life with you and see them praying, you see them living, you see their heart, their intentions, and you see ugly truths. You are still alive but you see things you’ve never seen before. Is this a movie? Is it a dream? Is this real life? Can I wake up from this? I have more to give this world and I have more to take from this world. I see Angels all around me and God is showing me the beauty and that’s all that matters. I see this now but is it all over? You need rest, but you can’t sleep because your mind won’t stop… you’re scared if you do, you wont wake up.
The hospital needed more beds for Covid patients and as bad as I was, there was people worse off than me. Those repetitive Code Blues and patients like me, kept the nurses busy night and day. Time in the hospital is like a vortex. I decided every nurse I met was an angel every one of them was put there just for me. Suddenly a nurse appeared in my room and stated his name was “Angel”. I said of course it is! I texted a friend and told her God’s over here writing my story. Oh Lord, why didn’t anyone take my phone away??? I guess it was good to have a digital diary but still girl put your phone down! I am pretty sure the nurses cant be recorded but yeah, they did their thing, I did mine.
Thank You Penny Wilcox for sending me a beautiful card that literally matched my hospital outfit
So they send you home to sink or swim. I slept for 3 days with my daughter praying over me, monitoring me, nursing me back to health. You can’t sit yourself up, you can’t take yourself to the bathroom, you can’t bathe, or brush your teeth. You can’t laugh and you can’t cry. Every simple task I do, like blowing my nose or walking across the room makes me feel like I ran a marathon. I am still so tired and sick, but sick of being tired and tired of being sick. Food tastes amazing because my body wants fuel. I love fresh fruit and I think I have never tasted anything so amazing in my life. Particularly cantaloupes and blueberries, OMG soooo good! Last night we got El Portal (my favorite taco truck in Patterson, California) After I finished eating my daughter Jacinda helped clean me up. I felt like a 2 year old. She literally had to change my shirt because I fed myself.
It’s crazy how just a few short years ago I was caring for my baby, now my baby is caring for me. I can’t help but reflect on the circle of life. I was literally in the hospital 19 years ago unable to move with this fat cheeked lil baby that just stared in my eyes… she gave me life then and when I wake up choking that same face on a young lady stares in my eyes and gives me life once again.
God gave me you!
When I was 17, I met my first husband and we had 4 kids together. We had our 1st child when I was 21 and our last when I was 32. He was the only family I had. Sadly our marriage ended. He left for many reasons but ultimately started living his own life, living freely without responsibilities. The role of a father was left empty and ultimately I became the Mom & Dad for years.
I did find love again after spending time taking care of the kids and focusing on myself. I would casually date but nothing more. My son was in college, so it was just me and my 3 girls for awhile. I don’t think my kids remember when their step dad walked into their life. But they do remember how he made them feel and how he treated me. The kids were protective and territorial of me. I let them know I had a date and they watched him open the car door for me. They said he was a gentleman, but to me he was just a guy I was enjoying a night out with. “It was just dinner,” I would say to him and the kids. I don’t even remember the day it changed. I also don't remember what life was like without him. Immediately I felt at home with him, he also became protective and territorial of me. He is the family I needed and prayed for.
He slowly became my kids' Dad, and he accepted this challenging role. I was a package deal and I am extra like guacamole.
Not only do stepparents make a single parent believe in love again, they also embrace their children as their own. In our case, my husband had no experience with children but he was about to get an instant family. I don’t know how he did it, but I know it was fueled by love and a desire to show me & the girls that men can and will provide for a family and be the King they deserve.
He showed up for everything for us. He was there for all the things! He opened doors for us, made dinners and put fear into boyfriends the girls came home with. He brought us back to Patterson, the girls hometown so they can go to school where they grew up. He commutes 4 hours a day so they could have the best life in the town they love.
My husband saw each kid off to the military or college. He moved them out and settled them into their new homes. When they get married they will choose a wonderful man like him, and he will walk them down the aisle with tears in his eyes.
What our kids didn’t see behind closed doors was that he struggled to learn to parent children who weren't his own, all while he was mending my broken heart. He was not expecting to fall in love with a Mother of 4. I was not expecting the life I had created to crumble. I was broken, battered and abused. I felt alone and worthless for so long.
My Husband has brought life into the hearts of our children and mine. He has shown us the deepest, purest form of love there is—that of a father and husband.
My husband never thought of our kids as a burden. He and his entire family embraced us all since day one. To my husband the kids were an added bonus. These are not just my kids, they are ours and you know what? Their stepdad is their Father. He is who they celebrate on Fathers day.
It's not easy to inherit kids when you start a new relationship, but he blended into our family perfectly. We love you Scott and are forever grateful for your acceptance and love.
Open Letter to the Daughter Who Has to Wake up with no Daddy
To the Daughter Who Has to Wake up Fathers Day Without Her Daddy,
It's so sad he is the last thing on your mind when you go to bed Saturday night, and he will probably be the very first thing on your mind when you wake up Sunday morning.
To the Daughter Who Has to Wake up on Fathers Day Without a Daddy,
Isabel is the apple of her Father’s eye.
Dear Daughter
It's so sad he is the last thing on your mind when you go to bed Saturday night, and he will also be the very first thing on your mind when you wake up Sunday morning.
I know you have such a broken heart, You don't remember a life without the pain.
You wanted him, needed him. You longed for time with him & to know him. You feel abandoned and alone; you don't have the man of the house everyone else is celebrating.
You will never be Daddy's girl. You will never be Daddys lil Princess and he will never be your knight and shining armor
This is that Dad that every daughter deserves.
I did not have a Dad like Mr. Toste but I always had our heavenly Father.
I know that pain that your chest feels when the phone rings, when you think it could be him. It's not him, it never is, he's not coming to see you and he will never call.
You always yearned for a piece of advice, a comforting hug only to turn around and he was never there.
It's such a beautiful fake smile that you wear, the forced laughter that you have. Pretending you dont care.
So, Daughter Who Has to Wake up Fathers Day Without Her Daddy,
I know on this day you will always wonder what it must be like to be a Daddy but not know your daughter. You wonder does he ever even think of you... he must at least this day? I know the hurt and on this day you feel more alone than ever,
Please know that you are not alone.
Because I am somebody’s daughter, the one who has to wake up on Fathers Day without her Daddy.
It’s me I am her the daughter with no Daddy. I am you and you are me.
You are not alone!
I was never alone, my Father is the King of all Kings. Happy Fathers day to my King, my Heavenly Father!
“It is a wise father that knows his own child."
-William Shakespeare
Happy Father's Day to all the men Blessed to be called Dad. To all the Father's out there making a positive impact on their children, have a wonderful day today & everyday .
“My father wasn’t around when I was a kid, and I used to always say, ‘Why me? Why don’t I have a father? Why isn’t he around? Why did he leave my mother?’ But as I got older I looked deeper and thought, ‘I don’t know what my father was going through, but if he was around all the time, would I be who I am today?”
These images are from my session with my Beautiful Senior Isabel Toste. A you can see her Father is one of a kind, I love my Job and my amazing clients they are such a blessing. This Father right here is a class act he is everything every little girl deserves in a Dad. No wonder Isabel is so amazing… she has strong roots and is very grounded with 2 amazing parents!
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads, Step-Dads, Grand Dads, Moms that play the role of Dad, Foster Dad, Uncles, Brothers, Cousins and Friends who step up to show a child what it truly means to be a Father.
A huge shout out to Isabel’s Father for warming my heart this Fathers day, And my amazing Husband Scott who not only is a great Father to our children but he shows us everyday what a real man is. We love you!
What is something new you can try today?
I’m realizing it doesn’t matter what age you are, we can always try something new…
These might look like empty bags
but to me they are full.
Yes, they’re full, because my heart is full. These bags are more than just a nice gesture to me. The Ziploc bag came from my good friend Debra. I’ve known her for about 24 years now. The second brown paper bag came from a friend I recently met, she is my new neighbor.
Now those of you that are new here, let me tell you I have a story for everything, and I have a picture for everything because that’s how I roll! I also live my life to the fullest, and surround myself around positive people that inspire me and help me grow. With that said, I want to talk about these two friends and tell you what they mean to me. Also, let’s talk about how delicious their cookies are!
So my friend Debra wanted to do something nice for my birthday. She decided to make me homemade cookies. When she dropped them off she told me I’m not a baker…she did tell me that her daughter Elizabeth is the baker in the family. Debra told me Elizabeth wanted to make the cookies, but Debra declined because she wanted to make the cookies herself, and show me some love. Debra always says I have no duplicity, that I am very blunt and honest, this might be an example of why. I then told Debra well, if you wanted to show me some love, you should have had the baker make them! I would prefer to have tasty cookies. Regardless of my joke, I gratefully took Debra’s cookies. Of course I was happy but I just felt like if Elizabeth, her amazing baker daughter, made the cookies, I could possibly feel like Frank. (Feeling like Frank is something I’m always striving for, and again another long story!) Later on, I was having a birthday dinner and I hadn’t tried one of Debra‘s cookies yet. I had some friends over and they all sampled the cookies before I could. A few of my friends were raving about them being the best cookie they’ve ever had. I said you have to be joking because Debra told me they weren’t that good! Debra stood corrected because the cookies were delicious. In fact, they were the best cookies I have ever had in my life! Had Debra not made me those cookies, because she felt like she was not a baker, I would’ve never tasted such deliciousness. So of course, I was very grateful when Debra brought over another batch just a few days ago. Of course I ate them all probably much faster than she could make them, so I didn’t get a picture. But I did get a picture of the empty bag.
Last night, I ate the last two cookies in that Ziploc bag from Debra. Now, this morning my beautiful new neighbor brought me over this brown paper bag with some more delicious cookies in them. She made them something special, something I’ve never had in my life. Now one thing I absolutely hate is oatmeal raisin cookies! Why? Because they look so delicious, and then you take a bite… and you’re filled with disappointment. They’re filled with raisins and not chocolate! Like who thought of making such delicious looking cookies and filling them with nasty raisins? Yes, I don’t like raisins and I never will. It’s a rotten grape. I love grapes, but I can’t stand raisins. I think I would prefer somebody to bring me a fruit cake, which is something nasty in itself. Well, my neighbor brought me beautiful chocolate filled oatmeal cookies! Not just regular chocolate but DARK chocolate! The cookie was not too sweet. I have been cutting sugar out of my diet. I’ve been eating everything all natural. I love chocolate but I’ve been sticking with dark chocolate because my doctor put me on a Mediterranean diet. Now my new neighbor, she’s a vegetarian and she’s Indian. I am new to my somewhat plant-based diet and I also do not care for Indian food, even though it is my husband Scott's favorite food. Last week, my neighbor invited Scott and I over for brunch and we had tea and Indian food, it was delicious and it was healthy and tasty, I was shocked I actually liked it. I would never know how delicious my neighbors cooking was if I was afraid to try new things.
So, when my neighbor brought me over the cookies this morning, I had already been reflecting on Debra and how she had made me amazing cookies. Debra stepped out of her comfort zone and had she never done something because she thought she wasn’t good at it, and someone else was better, I would’ve never been able to try the best cookie I’ve ever had. If I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone with my neighbor and tried her cooking, it may not have led to me having another one of the best cookies I’ve ever had.
I’m realizing it doesn’t matter what age you are, we can always try something new… learn something new… taste something new… enjoy something new. You never know how talented you are, you never know what you’re good at until you actually try. See these cookies? They were made with love! Debra’s were made with love for an old friend. My new neighbor Sheetal’s, were made with love for a new friend. “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold! A circle is round, it has no end, and that’s how long I want to be your friend!” (Sang in my best Girl Scout leader voice, of course.) God, now that reminds me of Girl Scout cookies! (another delicious cookie) I need some of those before they’re sold out. I may have issues.. I relate my love to cookies but whatever gets me through the day right?
I just ordered some Girl Scout cookies & they were sold out of my favorite thin mints & caramel delights. So I am going to try something new, a cookie called Lemonades. What is something new you can try today?
This is my golden girl/ dear old friend Debra
Her love is homemade
Rhonda Belinda is a Military Mom and a portrait photographer in the Bay area and Central Valley, California. It is her dream to make a positive difference in this world by sharing herself and stories while creating and capturing new ones with others. 100 years from now her legacy will live on through photographs and the positive difference she makes in the life of others.
Patterson Pandemic Seniors Class of 2020
2020 Seniors are the first to experience this loss.
Hey, Class of 2020!
This Year didn’t turn out the way it's supposed to. You're probably feeling worried or anxious about the future. You missed out on all of the events & activities that you had planned.
I get it
But one thing I know- you deserve to be CELEBRATED.
Senior year is for senior portraits. Last time for you to play sports for your school. The last performances as a highschool student. You order your cap and gown. You probably worried about the SAT or military entrance ASVAB exam, or applied to get into your dream college or a specialty program. Maybe you were planning a big graduation party and then moving into a shared apartment with a best friend, or a road trip with a buddy. You were thinking about senior ditch day or senior assassins (and not getting caught), and senior sunset. Grad night and prom & signing yearbooks. Some of you were going to be the first one in your family to graduate and walk that stage. Others are the baby the last sibling to graduate, finally this was your time to shine. Some were supposed to be valedictorian and give a speech, along with the school president and class president. Many of you earned medals and cords to mark exceptional study. You were going to drape them around your neck, in your cap and gown.
All the events that define your senior year. Sober grad night after the graduation ceremony. The last times with your friends before your lives change forever and you go your separate ways into adulthood.
It is all gone now. You have been seeing your friends on a screen, not in person. Your times to simply hang out have disappeared and you now have to wear a mask to even go outside. Rather than planning a graduation party and figuring out who gets a ticket to attend, you now cannot see anyone and there is nothing to attend.
COVID19 is dangerous. It’s deadly. It’s taking lives around the world. It’s scary. Your parents and many grandparents have never seen anything like this. The pandemic is awful. It is changing our communities and the world.
This virus stole major milestones and events from so many. It took away time with our friends. High school seniors aren’t supposed to be home all the time. This is the year for memorable chaos. Now school is on a computer now all the teachers are online.
Some people are minimizing the losses by comparing them to the deaths caused by COVID 19.
Many seniors don't share how much this hurts because they feel selfish or they don’t want to stress parents. Their parents may already be stressed by working from home or job loss or fears for friends and family
Some seniors can't express or find the words to say what this means to them.
We can't compare losses. Nobody can tell us how to feel.
2020 Seniors are the first to experience this loss.
Talk to each other, tell you friends how awful everything feels.
Hang out together online.
Use all that creativity and all those skills that belong to only your generation. Create what you want and how you want to do it. Ask for space if you need it. Express how you feel, draw, paint, create music, rap, dance, run or write. Express those feelings in a way that works for you. Make a scrapbook or journal documenting your life or how much it has changed. Start planning your future or planning for college. Make an amazon wish list. Appreciate this life, yes this is the new normal. Thank God for another day. Pray about everything worry about nothing, be resilient. One day you will have 2020 hindsight and you will reflect on it all. Today it is all about 2020 vision, so start dreaming about your future now.
Take your big day and events back. Even if your school is not doing it, you and your friends and families can plan something to honor and celebrate you. Participate in a graduation parade in your community. Make your own graduation stage. Have your own prom. Take your senior portraits in your cap & gown. Print those pictures hang them in your house and post them on social media. The class of 2020 is making history give them something interesting to talk about.
Class of 2020, you will get through this. You have losses that can't be replaced. You will never get this time back but you can make it your time. You are the future class of 2020, you will change the world. This is still your year take it back. Live the life you want to live.
Celebrate~ Love~ Dream… Shine on!
The day her Mama Died
Rhonda Childers is a Military Mom/daughter and a portrait photographer in the Bay area and Central Valley, California. It is her dream to make a positive difference in this world by sharing herself and stories while creating and capturing new ones with others. 100 years from now her legacy will live on through photographs and the positive difference she makes in the life of many children.
The day her Mama died, a big piece of her died, too. She learned this is a piece she could not fill. It is a piece that could not be replaced by anything, ever.
The day her Mama died she stopped breathing for a moment, too. She wondered how the world around her continued to go on.
The day her Mama died, she began a new life. Her new life was motherless. She felt like an orphan. It was different than before, in the most painful and heartbreaking way.
The day her Mama died she looked around and questioned everything. She questioned her faith, her last words, and every moment she spent away from her. Her questions will never be answered, but she kept asking anyway.
The day her Mama died she was in complete disbelief. She refused to accept this reality but it stayed with her. One day the reality sank in. That day was just as bad as the day her Mama died. She was frozen with heartbreak, confusion, and terror, the day her Mama died. She developed new anxieties and fears she never had before. Some days those new fears were debilitating.
The day her Mama died, she became an adult. The kind of adult who doesn’t have a mother. It was a different kind of adult than before.
The day her Mama died she longed for her hugs, her time, and her presence. This longing never went away.
It stayed with her, but so does her Mama, because . . .
The day her Mama died she gained the most beautiful angel.
She can’t see her Mama, but she is there, just as she promised.
The day her Mama died, she looked around and was grateful for all of the people there supported her and helped her pick up the pieces. The people who showed up are her people. She will never forget the ones who showed up; they are special.
The day her Mama died, she learned that she loved so hard, so deeply, so purely.. she grieved hard because of that beautiful love.
The day her Mama died, she learned that her Mama loved her beyond measure. She mothered her more beautifully than any story ever written. Her Mama believed in her more than she ever believed in herself. She realized that Her Mama took care of her like she was the most precious cargo on the planet, even as an adult.
The day her Mama died she realized, without hesitation, that she was the most amazing woman she had ever known and will ever know.
The day her Mama died she appreciated her more than she ever had, she prayed to have her back. Unfortunately, no prayers could bring her back. No wishes could make her appear. All she has is her memories and her Mama’s beautiful portraits that she hangs on the wall.
Senior Model Team 2020… all eyes on you!
It’s that time of year and I am super excited! My search for the 2020 Senior Model Rep Team has begun! I have so much planned for this year for the model Team and I want you to be a part of it! Think fun, adventure, personalized, and locations that reflect who you are all the while creating memories and images that you are gonna love! If you are Senior for the 2019-2020 school year, loves getting your picture taken, then this is for you!
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
WHAT IS A SENIOR MODEL?
Rhonda Childers Photography strives to lift the confidence through showing my clients their true beauty both inside and out. One of the best ways I do that is through the Senior Model Program. Each year, I select a limited number of Seniors to be apart of our senior model team, where they join a few peers to participate in exclusive portrait sessions and other fun events throughout their senior year of high school
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Senior Models are representatives for Rhonda Childers Photography for their entire senior year of high school. Each senior is selected based on their personality, academics, and extracurriculars. No model experience is required. The senior model teams goal is to encourage each other as young people and to lift each other up.
WHY BE A SENIOR MODEL?
Current Senior graduating class of 2020
Someone who wants to make a difference not only in their own life, but in the lives of others
Someone who is active on social media and in their community
Someone who is excited to represent RCP in their senior year of high school
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The senior model team is a BLAST! You'll be a part of a family of people who encourage and inspire one another
You'll have the opportunity to participate in various photoshoots and events
You'll receive many perks that are exclusive to the RCP model team
SENIOR REP APPLICATION
Invitation to exclusive portrait shoots throughout the year
Individual senior portrait session the summer before your senior year
Cash for each referral brought to Rhonda Childers Photography
Make new friends
Community Service hours
Complimentary RCP senior model t-shirt
And plenty more
Apply Now. Potential models must be available for a group shoot (date and time to be determined) A parent or guardian must sign the Senior Rep and Model Release contract in order for you to participate. Reps must be in Senior year of high school graduating in the class of 2020
Who's Next?
FILL OUT THE MODEL TEAM APPLICATION & SHARE WITH A FRIEND, SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT 2020 SENIOR REP.
I remember you! Memorial Day is everyday...
A parent's death makes a severe impact on a child, that then affects their own children and their children's children, and so on. First Lieutenant Russo went to UCLA, he was a track and football star. He met his wife Olga at UCLA. After graduation, they married and they started a family. He was killed in action on April 3rd, 1945 on Luzon. His death changed many lives. He left behind a wife and his one year old son. Lieutenant Russo named his son after himself, even though his Father Salvatore offered him a substantial amount of money to name the baby Salvatore after him. Lieutenant Mario Russo chose to name his son Mario after himself, in fear he may never return from war. The name Mario and photographs in a frame, were the only thing Lieutenant Russo could ever give his son. He died a hero yet he left behind loved ones now broken damaged and confused.
Little did he know that he was leaving behind a legacy as well. His future grandchildren and great grandchildren would never see him, only the photos that hang on their walls. They will only know him through the photos and stories shared by family but he is still so much a part of them. The more I learn about my grandfather Mario from my favorite Uncle Tony, he reminds me of my own children. They have followed in his footsteps in so many ways. The name Mario was a great gift to leave your son, but your family and your legacy was an even greater gift. We will continue to share our photos of our hero with the legacy he left behind. Lieutenant Russo lives on through us all. I just can't imagine how different my life would be if my grandfather was there when my father grew up. I am grateful for the photos and the stories I can share with my babies. Having these photos has taught me to appreciate and savor the past through images. I am thankful for all he has given us; veterans, intelligence, physical and mental strength, athletics, track stars. He now has great great grandchildren who will know and remember their hero through the photographs that hang on the wall, those pictures tell it all. With all that was given I sit back and watch my own daughters and one with her baby and their sacrifices they give for our country. Always remember .....All gave some, some gave all. So much sacrifice for our freedom. We all have a story to tell through photographs on the wall!
Rhonda Childers is a Military Mom and a portrait photographer in the Bay area and Central Valley, California. It is her dream to make a positive difference in this world by sharing herself and stories while creating and capturing new ones with others. 100 years from now her legacy will live on through photographs and the positive difference she makes in the life of many children.
My sailor girl
My soldier girl
My First Born son I celebrate you and 28 years of blessings today.
Oh, my dear sweet child. If only I knew the things that I know now. You were my first child, and to be perfectly honest, I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn it all with you, because of you I became a mother. And for that I am so grateful.
Oh, my dear sweet child. If only I knew the things that I know now. You were my first child, and to be perfectly honest, I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn it all with you, because of you I became a Mother. And for that I am so grateful.
Nikolas
I fell in love as soon as
I heard your heartbeat!
God knew I needed you first to help mold me into the Mom I needed to be. You did that. From the sleepless nights you gave me when you were just an infant… to the times I couldn’t take my eyes off of you when you finally closed your eyes. From the time when I first heard your little laugh… to the time when we were both rolling on the floor in fits of laughter. From the time when you were inconsolable and I had no idea what to do… to the time when only Mama could make it all better. I have loved you more than I ever loved another human. I have prayed more than I ever even knew how to pray. You did that to me. I loved you from the moment your I saw your little heart beat. At that very moment when I met youI knew you were a boy. I knew I would name you Nikolas and call you Niko. I drove home from the doctor after seeing your heart beat grinning ear to ear. That truly was the happiest day of my life. Many happy days followed after that and you continue to make me smile. If the phone rings or even just a text my heart races and beats as strong as yours did the first day I met you on that ultra sound. Your first picture was taken that day. This was your first of a life time of pictures. From your first heart beat until my last heart beat I will pray for you!
You were so little yet you taught me so much about being a mom. I’m sorry that you were at the center of all of my trials and errors. I wanted so much to get it right. I think my expectations of you when you were that small were unrealistic. I spent so much time worrying and stressing that I didn’t allow myself to just enjoy the the simplicity of your childhood. You were my first. Never again will I get the chance to do it over. You grew so fast. One minute I was rocking you to sleep in my arms, and then I blinked and you were graduating college. Where did the time go? I am so thankful I captured these moments on camera and preserved or memories.
Sometimes, I wish I could go back and do it all again. I want to go back and cherish those moments. The moments I lost, stressing and worrying. The moments I savored playing, dancing, singing, riding bikes. We spent time together alone, just you and me until your sisters came along. I spent time just holding you.
I spent time reading with you, the naps we shared, the classes we took, the teams you played on and I coached. You were my entire world, you changed my entire world. You were my game boy, the man of my house and my heart. You turned out to be an amazing person, more than I could have ever imagined. Just know that I love you so, so much. That will never change. You will always be my first little love, nothing will take that away. I am so proud of the man you are. You are great example for your sisters and I couldn’t be more proud.
The truth is, my amazing son, you will always be my first child. You will always be the one who taught me how to be the best mom that I can be. You will always be my first baby…always. That will never change. You paved the road for your younger siblings. That was a big job, I know.
I've always loved you because you were my first miracle.You were new, you had an unused Nana, you had so many clothes your closet looked like Mama was having triplets. You were the original model for a mom who was just trying to figure out life for herself. You helped me figure it out life. I thought it was I that would teach you but know you have always taught me everything I know. Your sisters came along and things got crazy beautiful and you all shaped me into the Mom and person I am today. But my son you were the beginning!
Being a mom to you has been the greatest joy of my life. Know that I will love you forever. You grew up, I had to let you go spread your wings and become the person God intended you to be. I’ll never forget that you were the one who made me a mom.
Happy 28th Birthday Niko-Man. I love you with all my heart & soul.
Mama
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” (Robert Munsch)
10 things I realized when I lost My Mother. Happy Mothers Day
The loss of my mom has placed me in a frame of mind I was not prepared for. A mother's love is like no other. Since she has been gone, I somehow find myself feeling incomplete. She was the wind beneath my wings. My Mama has been gone 15 years. She died on Friday February 13th, 2004. I found out on Valentine's Day and it broke me heart. I miss her everyday.
I never realized my mom was not invincible until it was too late. I grew up thinking she was a superhuman being. She could do anything she was a single Mom of 4 crazy girls. As I grew up I didn’t see she was ageing, too.
Before I knew it, I watched my superhero turn into an old person. So here are 10 things I want to share with you that I realized when I lost my Mama!
1. You'll realize how much you loved them.
We never really appreciate what we have till it's gone. There is so much irony in loss. You only realize how deeply you loved someone until they aren't there anymore.
2. You'll still want to call them when something happens.
Sometimes when your phone rings you catch yourself thinking its them. Then your in tears because you realize that they aren't here anymore.
3. You'll learn parents secrets.
You'll uncover details about your parents' lives that make you uncomfortable. You'll realize that they were actually people, not just parents, and you get it now! You will understand who they are and what they did more than ever.
4. Holidays become lonely and sad
Even if you have your own family, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas and any other special day will never feel the same.
5. You will be jealous of anyone who has parents that are living.
You'll envy anyone who gets to spend time or holidays with their parents. You'll lecture anyone if they complain about their parents for any reason.
6. The emptiness & sadness never leaves your heart.
You feel like an orphan. At times you will cry just as much as you did the day they died. The pain changes & subsides with time, but it's never ever gone.
7. You'll wish you savored the moments and took more pictures.
You'd give anything to have just one more moment with your parents. You will wish you could take one last photo. See their smile hear their voice one more time. So take those photos like they are your last because it could actually could be!
8. You'll feel loss for the grandchildren they will never know and great-grandchildren they'll never meet.
The family photos you won't get to take, the holidays you'll never spend together. A lifetime of memories you have not been able to have will be forever missed. So if you are blessed with family get those family portraits they will last forever when you print them. They will be loved and cherished by you and your future family for many years to come.
9. You won't be able to function at times.
One minute your fine then suddenly your in tears when someone or something reminds you of your parents. You'll feel sick & beside yourself. You'll wish more than anything that your Mama was there to make you some soup and take care of you. At times you will want to go somewhere only you know.
10. You will understand the importance of family like never before.
No one else is ever going to love you unconditionally like your parents. We spend years wishing our parents would get off our backs only to realize they were the ones that really ever had our backs!
Those of us that have lost our parents, understand and we miss them everyday. They may no longer be here on earth, but their legacy will live on through us. As life passes by we lose our parents, some sooner than others it changes us. We learn to appreciate the little moments take more pictures savor time with our own kids. Hopefully the memories we make will comfort them when it’s our time to go to heaven. I do find peace in knowing my mother is in paradise and is no longer suffering here on earth. She is home with our heavenly father. We will be together again one day. What lessons did you learn after losing your parents? Let me know and make sure you share this blog with your family & friends. If you are blessed to still have time with your parents let this be a reminder to show them some love. “The greatest lovers are Mothers” ~Mary Rivers; Yup thats my beautiful great grandmother at 94 in the article below she was a gem!!
The transcript for article above.
ARGUS . Fremont- Newark. Sunday. May 11, 1975
"The world’s greatest lovers are mothers." The above message comes directly from, choose one (A) A bumper sticker distributed by a maternity wear manufacturer (B) A graffiti collection in a Berkeley restroom. (C) A Mother's Day card made by Mary Rivers, 94 a resident of Crestwood Convalescent Hospital Fremont. How did you guess? Mrs. Rivers is the author of that line. An avid card sender, she's been known to mail dozens of invitations for her own birthday party. One year the huge piles of valentines she received truly astonished one of her daughters, Sister Leonarda Rivers. When questioned about the onslaught of cards, Mrs. Rivers confessed, "I threw out the bait first." She'd prevailed upon several relatives to mail batches of her heart-shaped notes early in February. But Mrs. Rivers insists her Mother's Day card isn't bait. This time is different; this time it's because we have to take care of the children." she told her daughter. After establishing once and for all who the greatest lovers are, at least in her estimation, she goes on to plead. "So let us join together, m o t h e r s , grandmas, and great-grandmas (she is all of the above), and. with a mother's love in our hearts, help make this world a better home to live in." In her ninth decade, she finds much joy in being "young enough to care and make sacrifices for God's children." and appreciates the care she herself receives from visitors and hospital staff members. She pays them the highest compliment she can imagine: "They're very good; they have the mother's caring." As the mother of 9 children of her own and 16 foster children, the grandmother of 17. and the great-grandmother of 23, she still has a roll of caring for others. Now she tries to demonstrate that concern by giving her family a good example. How does she do that? "I listen and keep the mouth closed," Mrs. Rivers said laughing and making lip-zipping motions. She hesitated to comment on mothers today, at first dodging her daughter's questions and saying, "I feel love for the mother, because I was a mother; I know what it is." With repeated questioning. she eventually conceded, yes, mothers are different now. "How are they different?" They give more liberties to girls." "Too many?" Said with a smile:"Yes." After thinking a moment, she remembered meeting some women who weren't cut out to be mothers, and said she thought mothers should avoid working outside the home if possible. Does she think the job of motherhood is becoming more or less difficult now? That , too, took some thought. -It's easier in one way, because you have somebody to help educate the children, but it can be hard. Sometimes the fathers aren't good; they don't help them out." Good mothering doesn’t ensure good children, though, she indicated. It's not always the mother's fault if the children get into trouble. -Sometimes the children keep bad company." she said. Among her daughters and foster daughters are mothers who make her very proud. They told me they had a good lesson with me." Mrs. Rivers said. She was pleased to see some daughters become mothers while one became a nun. "That's good, if they're happy and you're happy." she told Sister Leonarda. "I like you to be what you want. You love and care like a mother, but you never can have that feeling, the mother's feeling." With that loving feeling may come sacrifice. She didn't deny that. After her husband died in a farming accident, she had to manage the ranch and her family with help from neighbors. But she said she wasn't sorry for what she suffered. Would you do it again?" Sister Leonarda inquired? Her mother laughed "That's very hard to answer." Finally, she said, that yes she'd have a big family and take care of the foster children again, if I were young again. "I don't refuse life."
2019 Senior Team Model
A Once in a Lifetime Experience
Rhonda Childers Photography strives to lift the confidence through showing my clients their true beauty both inside and out. One of the best ways I do that is through the Senior Model Program. Each year, I select a limited number of Seniors to be apart of our senior model team, where they join a few peers to participate in exclusive portrait sessions and other fun events throughout their senior year of high school
What is a Senior Model?
Senior Models are representatives for Rhonda Childers Photography for their entire senior year of high school. Each senior is selected based on their personality, academics, and extracurriculars. No model experience is required. The senior model teams goal is to encourage each other as young people and to lift each other up.
WHY BE A SENIOR MODEL?
The senior model team is a BLAST!
You'll be a part of a family of people who encourage and inspire one another
You'll have the opportunity to participate in various photoshoots and events
You'll receive many perks that are exclusive to the RCP model team
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Current Senior graduating class of 2019
Someone who wants to make a difference not only in their own life, but in the lives of others
Someone who is active on social media and in their community
Someone who is excited to represent RCP in their senior year of high school
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Invitation to exclusive portrait shoots throughout the year
Individual senior portrait session the summer before your senior year
Cash for each referral brought to Rhonda Childers Photography
Make new friends
Community Service hours
Complimentary RCP senior model t-shirt
And plenty more!
SENIOR REP APPLICATION
Application is due now. Potential models must be available for a group shoot (date and time to be determined) A parent or guardian must sign the Senior Rep and Model Release contract in order for you to participate. Reps must be in Senior year of high school graduating in the class of 2019.
Who's Next?
FILL OUT THE MODEL TEAM APPLICATION & SHARE WITH A FRIEND, SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT 2019 SENIOR REP.
Preserve the memories not the lines...
My last visit to my Grandma's house was 14 years ago. My 4 kids and I went to see my Grandma Olga. Niko was 12, Daniella was 9, Makenna was 3, and Jacinda was 10 months old. My grandma lived in a beautiful home she built in the hills of Lafayette, California. It was literally over the river, through the woods, to Grandma’s house we would go. When I pulled up to the front of her house, it looked like something straight out of a magazine. I loved her yard. The fruit trees, the gardens, the flowers, the pond, the pool and the gazebo. My Grandma's house was perfection, I always remember thinking how amazing it would be to have such a beautiful home, full of rooms and bathrooms and a huge kitchen that yearned to be full of family and fun. I can't remember a time that my Grandmother's home was not spotless. However, what stuck out the most in my mind and sparked a completely different envy than just the size of her house, was the vacuum lines that remained in the carpet in the formal dining room. I was in awe as I noticed her vacuum lines were still in her carpet probably a week or more after she had vacuumed! I thought to myself “ I wish I could keep my house this clean and have it stay picture perfect for more than 5 minutes!” I couldn't wait for the day that I would be able to do that and not have it messed up by sticky little fingerprints or find Legos hiding all over, or walking in to discover the girl's latest art creation they had so carefully designed on the wall with crayons.
What I didn't know at that time, that to have all of this perfection and cleanliness, the kids would have to be gone. You see, I wanted those things because the everyday struggles of 4 loads of laundry, toys everywhere, meals to prepare, beds to make, were overwhelming to me, and the beauty of a pristine home was something only dreams were made of. It took me forever sometimes just to find their bedroom floor before I could even think of vacuuming it. I never grasped that no vacuum lines represented my kids would one day grow up and leave. Those thoughts don't exist in a young mother's mind. "Watch out your kids will grow up in no time" was just something that older ladies say. I never realized the hardest part about parenting would be my kids growing up. I never really listened or understood the reminders... "it all goes by so fast". I tried not to blink.
Then one day I woke up, went to clean my house, and I noticed carefully placed vacuum lines in my carpet, I looked at my beautiful dining table with no fingerprints knowing it would stay that way for days...that's when I realized that vacuum lines are lonely. That Legos, and dirty clothes, and mouths to feed, hair to brush & style, and backpacks to get ready are sometimes very overwhelming, but they're never, ever lonely. What the older ladies had been telling me was true! When did I blink? The Legos & dolls slowly disappeared without me ever noticing. They were replaced by video games, and movies, books, makeup and clothes... then by empty bedrooms waiting for a visit home. Loads of laundry gradually got smaller, the dirty dishes were less and the endless treasures of Pokemon cards, stuffed animals, refrigerator art, Polly Pockets, rock collections and everything that resembled the happiness of childhood that had always been so present, all disappeared. Everything is almost picture perfect now and I appreciate and love this time of my life. I only wish I had known the cost of vacuum lines, because then I surely wouldn't have wanted this day to come as fast as it did. Always take pictures hang them on your walls, display them in alums, preserve the memories you will cherish them more far more than the vacuum lines.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere. Trust me don't blink, the vacuum lines are overrated. To the new “moms to be” don't rush things because it will go too fast, and it's not just something that older ladies say. To the young mothers who struggle through the mountains of laundry and responsibility cherish your children, their messes and stresses and the moments pass much quicker than you’d imagine. To the moms with the vacuum lines because their teens have 1 foot out the door you're gonna miss this, even with all the attitude. To the mothers with vacuum lines who miss their children dearly cherish the memories. To my own mother Elizabeth & grandma Olga in heaven, who I lost just 1 week apart, I miss you everyday. I cant believe this will 13 Mothers days without you. Vacuum lines aren't permanent and neither are mothers. To all the children that are blessed enough to still a have your Mother in your life take some time recognize her because tomorrow isn't promised Your Mom wont always be here and that too is not just something older ladies say.
Then
Now
2018 Senior Reps
LOOKING FOR SEVERAL UPCOMING 2018 GRADUATING SENIORS TO BE PART OF OUR SENIOR BRAND AND CONNECTION WITH LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS.
What is a senior representative?
A senior representative is a high school senior who I choose to represent me and help send clients my way. Since you will be representing my business, I choose high school seniors who:
Achieve good grades
Volunteer in the community
Are involved in extra curricular activities
Are positive role models
Are easy to work with
Like making new friends
Excited to spread the word about Rhonda Childers Photography
Here are the amazing perks you will receive for referring people who order with me and mention your name:
Cash
Discounts on your order
Fun group shoot
Two shoots
Rep cards to hand out to your friends
Featured in my marketing materials
Meet new friends
Have a ton of fun
That's it!! If this is something you would be interested in, please complete senior rep application!
Seeking magnetic and engaging high school juniors that love the images I create and want to have fun portrait experiences their senior year. Ideally applicants should be confident to share their images and experiences with their peers.
You don't need any experience to do this. There are several benefits to becoming part of the rep team.
FILL OUT THE MODEL TEAM APPLICATION & SHARE WITH A FRIEND, SOMEONE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT 2018 SENIOR REP.
SENIOR REP APPLICATION
Deadline for application for high school students is due now. Potential models must be available for a group shoot (date and time to be determined) You must schedule your senior session no later than August. A parent or guardian must sign the Senior Rep and Model Release contract in order for you to participate. Reps must be in Junior year of high school graduating in the class of 2018
What the cup?
Seriously, I have a coffee obsession. People always wonder, what I'm addicted to more the coffee or the cup? I seriously have a thing for coffee it makes me happy, it brings me comfort. One of my earliest memories as small child is sneaking sips of my mothers coffee (she drank it with cream no sugar) I grew up with coffee, it's my comfort food. Our home is somewhat decorated like a coffee house it's comfortable, “Childers Coffee Café”. This love, OK my addiction for coffee is a little out of control, but whatever gets me through the day. I've acquired quite the collection of coffee cups. Each and everyone of them is very significant to me and has very special meaning, they have become a part of me. As I reflect on the years that have past coffee has been a big part of my life. So honestly I wonder what I am savoring? Is it the coffee, the cup or these coffee moments? What am I holding on to? To me coffee is life or maybe it's just life is like coffee? Let me share with you one of my favorite inspirational coffee stories.
Life is like a Cup of Coffee.
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.
Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee.
In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups, and then you began eyeing each other’s cups to see who had the best one.
Now consider this said the professor “Life is like a cup of coffee”,
and life is the coffee, the jobs, money and position in society are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.
“Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee”.
So Savour the coffee, not the cups.
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything.
Live simply, Love generously, Speak kindly, Care deeply.
Life is like a Cup of Coffee : Author unknown
Senior favorites for the class of 2017
Check out the best of the best high school seniors. I've had the opportunity to capture some great moments this year. I gave my high school seniors an experience and together we made some great memories. I always enjoy spending time with each one, getting to know them and bonding with them. We are saying goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. It's time to reflect back at each of the senior sessions. I gave each one title even though multiple titles can apply to some or all of them. I chose a characteristic that stood out the most. Please enjoy the class of 2017 senior favorites of Rhonda Childers Photography. Feel free to share! Congratulations to each of them. I am beyond excited to see where life leads them after high school. I adore these Patterson High School seniors and feel blessed to be able to be a Patterson California photographer in the central valley. Shooting in studio and as an on location photographer.
MOST SWAG
Angel Rojas
Angel loves cars and shoes but this guy lit up the city with his great fashion sense. We had an amazing shoot from Santana row to San Francisco. He was definitely celebrity status for the day, in fact several people inquired about him. We just said “Sorry, no autographs.” and moved on with our photo shoot. I have no doubt he is ready to take on the world.
KINDEST
Janiah Wallace
Janiah is one amazing young lady, she is beautiful inside and out. She has a good head on her shoulders and will surely have a successful future. I feel so blessed to have met this girl, she restores my faith in humanity. This young lady is truly sent from Heaven. She is sweet, funny and such a kind soul. She literally warmed my heart. This young lady will make a huge difference in every life she touches.
BEST EYES
Isabel Contreras
This girl is amazing, she has beauty and brains. Her eyes smile and make you smile with them. She is sweet and and humble as they come. We had so much fun on her photoshoot! She is a brilliant young lady, she is so wise and independent. I have no doubt her future is bright as her eyes!
BEST SERIOUS FACE
Martha Curiel
If looks could kill? This girl has a smile that lights up any room but watch out for her resting B**** face, it is fierce. She is a daddy's girl and she even gets her beauty from him, especially her serious mug face. This girl was so much fun she even hijacked my Snapchat, she is a girl after my own heart. Gotta love beautiful, clever and witty girls.
MOST PHOTOGENIC
Nicole Canals “Lexi”
To know Lexi is to love her, she is picture perfect! She rocked her photo shoot and was up for anything. We had a blast. Lexi she is always laughing, joking around and she has the sweetest, loving heart. She knows when to have fun and when to be serious, the camera loves Lexi and so do I. We had a blast making memories all over the city. Beautiful Lexi is going take on this world single handedly no doubt.
BEST HAIR
Shayla Guerrero
Shayla wanted a backdrop filled with buildings so that what's I gave her. Her photoshoot was in San Francisco, it was windy and crazy as we went up as high as we could. This girl straightened her curly hair and it embraced the crazy wind this day. She is a natural born model and knows how to strike a pose. I adore this girl and feel beyond blessed to capture this milestone for her. I am excited to see what the future holds for her.
MOST LIKELY TO ROCK ANY POSE
Emilio Gallegos
He had his heart set on a shoot in San Francisco. We were pushing the yearbook deadline and working with his mother's busy work schedule. We managed to squeeze a session in the city on Halloween. This boy is as determined as I am, he is definitely up for anything and everything. I warned him when he chose me as his photographer that it was going to be an experience, and I definitely gave him one. This guy was ready for anything, I was beyond blessed to have him as my last Senior for 2016.
