This past weekend, I had the utmost privilege of Lisa Lucky Photography to shoot our family photos.  I cannot wait to see Lisa’s magic!  It was quite an adventure and a haul to get out to see her, but I’m so glad I did.  It was so neat to be on “the other side” of the lens.  We spent the rest of the weekend recuperating… and then I remembered.  I hadn’t done my weekly photo.  I have to tell you,  I almost didn’t do it.  I have a cheesy iphone photo I thought about sharing.  But then I remembered the balloon Audrey got at church, and then I saw how gorgeous the light was to the side of our home.

I’m so glad I went out and took this.  She takes my breath away!

It doesn’t seem like it was too long ago that this little guy… was well… little.  And, oh boy… he was mine, all mine.  These last 5 and a half years, he’s been my buddy, my rascal, my tester of patience and wills.  But he was all mine.  I tried my best in teaching him right from wrong.  That “To Have a Friend, You Need To Be a Friend.”  To listen and obey.  I hope he’s ready.

Because, he’s not “all mine” anymore.  Now his teacher, Mrs. H will have him for 35 hours or so a week.

My first baby started Kindergarten.  Amidst my tears, he climbed that bus, and he had a great day.  Seth is growing up, and I hope and pray that he’s ready for this world.

It’s that time of year… where summer is winding down, and in our case, very first backpacks are being bought.  It’s also the annual tradition of heading to the county fair for the afternoon and evening.  Lucas was so excited.. he was finally big enough to ride rides this year!  All by himself on a few of them too!  I love the colorful light in the background of this… I also love that look on Lucky’s face.  He’s biting his lip, trying to suppress a smile.

Happy last few days of summer!

sun, sand, surf, and each other.  This is just one snap out of the 410 I took last week.  Be certain this will be printed HUGE on canvas somewhere in my house.  I’m totally in love with it.  More to come….

I recently saw on facebook, a photographer friend post some fun photos of her son in rainboots and a cape. I just *had* to get Lucas in a similar getup.

we both had fun with this, lol!

The last 5 days we had my sister-in-law and her family here. My kids LOVE their cousins and vice-versa.  We did a lot of the DC-touristy type things, like the National Mall and the zoo.  There were also a few competitive Yahtzee games.  ;)  Obviously this photo doesn’t need much explaining… but I will say I was in the water with them, a first for me & my camera, lol.

You’ll be seeing my beautiful nieces and nephew again, very soon, in a more portrait-type setting.

You know, when it comes to your children, you really think they are just the most beautiful in the world. So imagine to my delight when clothing companies want my Audrey to start modeling their clothes… LOVE it!  I’m currently working with two companies, Missie Moosie and Dollcake.  The below photo is a sneak peek for the Missie Moosie fall line.  Audrey, my little muse, is now quite mobile and is harder to capture.  But I love this image of her.  Her smile just warms my soul.

Sixty years ago two of the most beautiful people in my life, met and married and started a long lasting legacy**.  My grandparents “Granny & Goodaddy.”  They met at Toccoa Falls College in the late 1940’s.  They courted, and on a choir trip, my Gooddaddy asked Grannie to marry him.

Two daughters (plus spouses), five grandchildren (and three spouses), and four great-grandchildren later, we all gathered in North Carolina to celebrate sixty years of wedded bliss.  I love how they love each other.  They tease each other, he calls her his “Sweet Baboo.”  They hold hands, they pray together.

Happy 60th Anniversary to the sweetest and gentlest people I know and cherish.  I love you both so much.

***************

**Out of the above mentioned 14 adults, Ten are Toccoa Falls Graduates, Three more having attended at least a year.

Last week my husband and I were in Louisville, KY with 9 teens from our Youth Group at Church.  It was five days of worship, sessions, seminars, concerts and playtime! It was the C&MA (Christian & Missionary Alliance) LIFE 2010 Conference.

One of our favorite musicians is Trace Bundy.  We’ve had the pleasure to see him in concert quite a few times, and get to hang out with him at a few different seminars over the past few years.  He really is a treat to hear and watch… in fact watching him play is key to the full Trace Bundy experience.    Here’s Nate, Trace & myself at the conference….

And in case you’re interested… because I *know* you are… You can see a video or two of him on Youtube.  You won’t be disappointed!

“laugh often, long and loud. laugh until you gasp for breath. and if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with them.”

-unknown

and with this photo, marks half the year gone.

experienced.

enjoyed.

lived.

I will seek out and make more time for moments like this.

And PS, exactly 2 years ago….