Maddy {New Big Sister to Mia}

She didn't want to smile

and I'm ok with that.

Sometimes we just don't want to smile.

She is 4 and the new big sister.

I believe her comment to her mom was, "Mia can go back to the hospital now."

It is hard, isn't it?  Life and all of its changes.

She is used to being the one and only.

So on this day we went to the park with my kids (her cousins)

And we sang songs (I did a glorious rendition of The Ladybug Picnic)

which led to us talking about what we'd bring to a picnic (she'd make PB&J)

and we stayed on the swings for as long as we wanted.

And we only smiled when we felt like it.

It was on the swings that she got the giggles...

Mia {one week old}

This weekend we traveled home to visit the latest addition to our family.  

Meet my niece Mia.

A tiny bundle of love born almost a month early.

We instantly fell in love with her...

those little baby feet...

her little ears...

that little nose...

those little fingers that wrap around yours.

Pure sweetness!

   

Welcome Mia!

The Moments In Between....

One of the things I love most about being a photographer is capturing the moments in between.  It seems to me, we're often so focused on the big events that we miss the details.  So much is revealed there in those seconds...

My brother was recently married and  he & his wife asked if I'd photograph the wedding for them.  Although I was hesitant, I'm so glad I did.  Do you know what I found in those in between moments?  A genuine tenderness for one another.  Kindness.  Friendship.

It was in the stolen glances between them that I was able to see 

just how much they love each other.      

Below you'll find a little sneak peek of their beautiful day...  

Congratulations Dan & Krista!

Can it be?

The last time I photographed these two sweeties, he was barely a month old and she was growing into her role as the big sister!  He is now six months and starting to CRAWL!  

Can it be?  Where does the time go?  

Saturday morning I spent time with these very dear friends hiking and playing outside.  I love this time of year.  Cool and crisp mornings with hats and sweaters...the leaves of the trees changing colors...beautiful!  You know what else I love?  Photographing my friends' families growing and changing.  I appreciate being able to spend time with them and feeling how much love they have for one another.  

Thank you for sharing your morning with me!  

Enjoy this little sneak peek!  More to come...  

Being beautiful can wear a little girl out...

Meet Miss Maria.

Adorable.

Sweet.

Lovely.

Beautiful.  

She will melt your heart, I promise.  

Thank you E.

xo

   

    

  

Making Time

"Everything changed the day they figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in their lives." ~ Story People

Lately, we've been rushing.  Rushing to school and work and choir practice and meetings.  We've been scrambling to get out the door on time.  We've been organizing and planning ahead.  And in the midst of the hustle and bustle, my children are growing up quickly.  Too quickly.  


Recently, I've been trying to quiet my mind and slow down.  I've been trying to be present more often.  Trying to savor the moment...the sound of my kids giggling and the way my daughter says, "lellow" instead of "yellow."  I've been trying to forget about the dishes when my little boy asks to snuggle.  (He's five and I wonder to myself how much longer he'll ask for cuddle time.)


Since her third birthday, my daugher's been wearing a princess costume almost constantly.  Everyday I say I'm going to photograph her wearing it and then life comes along and distracts me.  This week I set aside the distractions and took her to play for the morning at our local art museum.  She loved running and jumping and twirling.  She chased bumble bees and pointed out the "lellow" flowers.  And as I watched her play, I was reminded that there is exactly enough time for the important things in our lives.        

And I imagine...

And I imagine...

that the paint cans were filled with the colors of her dreams...

and that the afternoon light poured in and filled her with happiness...

the lines of the space held her...

soothed her mind...

and she was lost in thought...

creating her future....

wrapped in light and love and possibilities.