Sweet Alex

Over the weekend I was able to photograph this little guy. His mom wanted to capture a few moments of him at 9 months old. And why wouldn't she? Oh my goodness! Those eyes. Those expressions. Just look at him! I was smitten to say the least.

Big sister shared in the fun, too!

I am in awe that I get to do what I do. Photograph families. Capture them in specific moments in time. The moments that they picked out they want to remember for the rest of their lives. I get to be a part of that. (That's just crazy!) I am beyond thankful for the lives that photography allows me to touch, even if I'm only physically with them for a short time any given afternoon. But, these images, they are timeless and they will be with the family for years to come. I can't help but get a little giddy over that.

Down by the Creek

A few weeks ago we headed down to the creek. It was Memorial Day and Anselmo's day off. 

Woo hoo!

The boys LOVED it.
I mean, look at him. "Woooah." That's over one shell he found among thousands on the floor of the creek. He was able to pick out one that pretty much looked like all the others and find the beauty in it.
Sounds like a good lesson to me.

So uninhibited. No holding back. I mean, let's not just get our feet wet. Where is the fun in that? With him it's all or nothing.

My boys could not be any more different. One is all or nothing. The other is much more cautious. So curious. I love how unique they are, comfortable in their own skin.

We had a little time to "pan for some gold".

But my favorite part was just watching them with their daddy.

I love that man. He is so good to us. I learn so much of God's love through his love. His sacrifice. His laughter. Each time he comes through the door, I let out a sigh of relief and my heart seems a little lighter. The cheers go up all around. Daddy is home.

Happy Father's Day, Anselmo. Hoping and praying for many more days watching you with our boys wherever we are...at home, out and about or down by the creek.

Walkin' Through the Zoo

We decided to go to the zoo last week.
Along with every school in the area.
I drove up and saw 20 school buses parked along with a parking lot full of cars. I strongly considered turning around right then and there. But, I decided to keep going. After all, the boys and I were meeting friends for a playdate.

A long line at the ticket counter. Another 30 minutes. Two impatient kids, one of which was already in tears because I wouldn't let him out of the jog stroller. And with every wail, I contemplated getting out of there.

We finally had our tickets in hand, made it past the initial crowds and joined the small group waiting on us.

So glad we decided to stay.

  Watching the giraffe eat.

Hannah and Phoebe.

 Observing the wild hogs.

They weren't too thrilled about the smell. But then again, they are boys. They thought talking about the smell and the hog poop was the best part.

Off to the next exhibit. How sweet is that?

Kim and Jonas. He loved the cats.

Looking at a monkey. I think.

Laughing at a monkey. And his hind parts. Those weird monkeys with their derrières exposed. 

Hysterical. Or so my son thinks. 

Porter enjoying his ride. These smaller ones have it made. Walk? What is that? 

Here comes the best part of our outing. 

The splash pad. 

Oh, the bathroom is being cleaned and we can't get in to change our kids' clothes? No problem. We'll just get them in a corner and make a cover with our towels. 

Fastest wardrobe change in history.

I'd love to know what Caiden was thinking here.

We had a blast.

Well, except for the fact that Caiden went missing 3 times while we were at the splash pad. So glad I had my mom friends there to be my extra set of eyes. It seriously takes a village. These women help me say "yes" to the things I would normally walk away from because of impending challenges and less than perfect circumstances.

Because, let's face it. Life with kids feels like a zoo sometimes and I need all the help I can get.

Building Blocks

A couple of days ago, I decided to get my camera out and be still. To just watch my boys enjoying themselves and each other. A very rare moment. They were actually helping each other build something instead of being intent on tearing down what the other had made.

I just observed.

It made my heart happy to be still. To remember that I actually can enjoy my kids.

To be thankful for those sweet hands and that 90% of the day they are grasping that lovie.

Thankful for these blocks that will probably belong to someone else one day.

Loving the way he sits on his feet. (I mean, seriously, who still sits like this?)

And, I thank Jesus for the now. For this moment. I thank Him for pursuing me. For reminding me of how he loves me right now. In this very moment. When I am still. Not in the doing, but in the being.

Because, frankly, it's hard to just "be". I want to do. I want to go. But over the last month or so, there hasn't been much doing. I've been sick and worn out. Wondering when relief will come. (And it has, little my little.) Wondering when I will have a clear answer for some ongoing health issues.

I feel like I'm already harsh with my kids and then heap sickness on top of that. Oh, boy. Praying that God would renew my heart and give me more of Jesus. Praying that God will redeem these hard times and make them into something beautiful. Thanking Him for giving me moments like this when I can just be still and love my boys and know that I am loved completely by Him. He has been tearing down the blocks I attempt to build my life upon and I am begging Him to rebuild them with the blocks of His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.

Clinging to verses like Deut 32:4,"He is the Rock. His works are perfect and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He."

Praying that I would believe in my unbelief and that He would be my precious "cornerstone".

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever... 4 Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." 5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. ... 7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes...19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

soccer days // life with boys

It's hard to know how to introduce your kids to sports, especially team sports. You never know how they will respond, if they'll jump right in or run kicking and screaming off the field. Back in the spring, Anselmo was hired to help coach some kids for the county soccer league. It was perfect timing to expose Dawson to the game.

 Here's what went down.

First pep talk by the coaches.

Showing off his moves.

The boy has got some skills.

And a temper...

"Are you kidding me? That was not a foul! Unbelievable!"

He charges the coach.

 "Hey man. Go easy on your dad. It's his first day."

"Come on, Dad. Put me back in. Look, I can even hold the ball over my head. You need me out there."

Ok. Let's see what you got. 

He's a natural.

All kidding aside, we had some great moments. And, the coach is awesome. He is so great with the kids, not to mention incredibly cute! And Dawson, he would run laps AROUND the field if we let him. He doesn't care much for what is going on ON the field. I captured the first 10 minutes he was out there and then we were negotiating staying at the park or packing our things up to go home. We sat the next few practices out, but eventually made it back...and he surprisingly loved it. So maybe we'll try it again, hopefully sooner than later.

 And then there's this little one.

He's happy just being there cheering on his dad and brother.
Me included.