As to jumping on the couch ... I say ... why not!!

Meet the Nelson's... 

Nope ... these ones are not related to me, but I would sure except them as family in a heartbeat. The Nelson's were positively an inspiring family. Their three beautiful girls were kind, loving, and so very polite. They treated one another and their parents with such a loving and kind respect that I adored every second of our time together.

It was a pleasure and a joy for me to allow these well behaved girls to let loose and do something that they would not normally be allowed to do. I sure as the heck wouldn't let my kids ; )!! Like a grandparent ... isn't that the privilege of being a photographer and having a studio? You get to make your own rules!! 

As to jumping on the couch ... I say ... why not!!

And to jumping off the couch while Mom and Dad smile ... of course ... PRICELESS!!

Standing on furniture?? That's a no brainer ... why wouldn't you?!!

Rolling around on the ground in your pictures clothes ... with your nicely fixed hair?? You better believe it!!

The girls were troopers even when we left the warm studio and embarked on our frigid walk into the outdoors. You would never know that they were shivering and freezing from their adorable faces.

I received such a nice complement from Maci (Mom) after the shoot. She wrote me an email saying ... "Thank you again for taking our family pictures yesterday. You made it very enjoyable! And now my girls think you're the best because they got to stand on the table and jump on the couch :)" What Maci didn't realize was that all the pleasure was all mine. It was my sincere pleasure to capture her family.  It is emails like this that fill my heart and remind me of why I am doing what I am.

Maci and Jay and the girls moved to Virginia shortly after the shoot. While I may not get the pleasure of photographing them again, at least I had the joy of working with them before they left. 

Thanks you Maci and Jay.Thank you for sharing a part of an afternoon with me. Thank you for being such wonderful parents, and gifting me with the opportunity to work with your charming little ladies. All my best to you and the girls as you settle into your new life in Virginia. Click here to see the rest of the shoot!!

{Shine On}

... Lindsay ...

My Daddy

The older I get the more I realize and understand how little control I have in this life. As I sit here trying to breath for my Dad that is struggling so hard with each breath. His whole body working just to keep fighting. I am heartbroken. What I wouldn't give to lie down in that bed and give him a break. How much I would like to fix all of this. For him, for my mom, my siblings, my children, and selfishly for myself.

Alas my father is not in my hands, there is nothing I can do but sit and watch the battle. Praying he will be victorious with every fiber of my being. But while he is not in my hands, nor am I in control. He is in far greater and far more capable hands. He is in the hands of our Lord and Savior.

I have no idea the plans of my Heavenly father, I know that he hears my hearts desires. For his body to heal, and for yet more time with him. I question how selfish I am, that no matter the number of days there will never be enough time. Enough time for me to learn from him, laugh with him, smile with him, and enjoy all that this short life offers us. There will never be enough time for my children to spend with their Papa, never enough time here.

Because of Jesus I take solace in knowing that no matter how long or short my time is with my Dad here, there will always be heaven and in that I find comfort. It doesn't make my pain or his pain any less, but it offers me hope. And the greatest thing that has stuck in my mind since this all began is "Lord please give me hope." So it is hope that I rest in tonight, and more hope I pray for as the sun comes up tomorrow.

...Shine On...