Kiddos.

They're popping up everywhere and I love it. 

We LOOOOVVEE our sweet Lucy and all her pals she invited to come hang out with our family.  

To all my pals with babies: Thank you for letting me snap pictures of them. 

A Father's Love.

call me crazy. 

But - as I was editing these photos I just couldn't help but connect with sweet Adriana's smile.  

It made me think of God as our father and us- his children. 

It made me question what my life could be like if I really allowed him to be that role. 

Would I smile from my spirit as deep as Adriana? 

Yes. I think the answer is Yes. 

Creative Release

I needed to stop writing and just take some pictures.  

I'm so grateful these girls ran around with me on a summer evening! 

Hope to see them again sometime soon, they made me ache for middle school and high school friends again. 

Beat the Heat.

I dont know about your neck of the woods but it is

H

O

T

T

Here in mine.  Mine being Virginia and Tennessee.  Today, before getting 

R

I

P

P

E

D 

Off by a mechanic, I may have hallucinated from a little too much heat. 

I think that made the mechanic's ridiculous bill seem like a hazy, wonderland like experience.  

Over the weekend I was in God's second favorite country being with people who matter to me a lot.  What a sentence. 

Whew. 

I was with people I love. 

Okay. 

These little fellas were there too, and they were showing us all how to beat the heat. 

I think I'm going to go buy a big sheet of plastic and make my own, Merry Size Slip N Slide. 

*Note:  I got soaked in the second picture because I was so focused on this little guy's smile and joy....and WHAM.  Luckily, Marky Mark, My Camera is doing just fine.

E, Myself, and I.

 “I don't remember who said this, but there really are places in the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child.”

 Anne Lamott, Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year 

Isn't my sweet sister friend a dream come true

She's really growing into a beautiful momma. ***

Check out her blog. She's the best.
(more to come from this day, but some things must stand alone)

***(this makes me ache for Jane - and a photoshoot in Houston with Forest, my Godson - more on that big news later)

Christmas Card Blitz

The goal is to write about 2012 - at some point.
But for now. There are pretty pictures to share - red eyes to recover from - real work to be done - and sleep to be had. So. That said. I want to share a shoot I
L
O
V
E
D

I took a lot of Christmas card photos this year, including my own families.  I loved each shoot.  Being with a family can be such a blessing - when you watch mom's and dad's love their children well - the way it was meant to be.

I love that.

It sort of gets me. Like, every time. Duoy.

This shoot -was one of those.  The precious little girls living into their great personalities and their parents just helping them in that process.  It was my first shoot with Pocahantas as a main character, and I must say I hope she returns.

I met Danielle and Corey when I was in college serving on Summer Staff and they were this beautiful couple running work crew.  I don't know how she managed to look beautiful in 100+ heat every day - but she did. I loved reconnecting a bit when they returned to Roanoke to work with high school friends again. 

This family is off to the North to share about the gospel. I know they will be missed in Roanoke, VA