Giving thanks for a circle of feet

We went to Beaumont for Thanksgiving to see my grandparents. Our visit also gave us an opportunity to see my dad (in from Johnson City).

My dad and Abigail

My favorite part of the trip was the "circle of feet". Have you ever been part of a group standing in a Circle to pray and opened your eyes during the prayer? What you see is the "circle of feet". Just before our Thanksgiving meal, we stood in my grandparents living room and my grandfather said our blessing. When I opened my eyes, I saw the following feet:

1. My grandfather - 86 years old, married to the love of his life for 66 years, an elder in the church for years and years. A man who loves God, loves his family and helps other people without ever expecting anything in return.

2. My grandmother - 86 years old, married to the love of her life for 66 years. A faithful, Godly woman who loves unconditionally and exemplifies what a Christian wife and mother should be.

3. My dad - 64 years old and living life simply at the LBJ National Park in Johnson City. He loves his children and grandchildren very much and never misses an opportunity to say how proud he is.

4. Jeff - my amazing husband who works tirelessly to support the kids and I without complaint. He has taken a lot of crap during his legal profession but never looses sight of the priorities in life.

5. Emma - my big girl.

6. Silas - my big boy.

7. Abigail - my sweet baby.

8. Bill and Bettye Cook - some dear family friends who live in Beaumont and go to church with my grandparents. I have many fond memories of Bill leading singing and Bettye cooking for church functions.

What a privilege it is to be able to come before the Father, as different as we are, and lay our burdens down. I am thankful for that...

Christmas Photos

My sweet kids did a great job as my "test subjects" last Saturday morning. I needed to work on lighting, backdrops, etc. for my portrait sessions so I took them to my "studio" and snapped a few shots. Here are the best ones:

Happy Birthday, Silas!

My big boy is five! What a wild ride these five years have been.

From the day he was born, he was his own man. Weighing nearly 11 pounds at birth, he sent the nurses scrambling to find diapers and a shirt that would fit him. A quick trip to pediatrics proved fruitful as he started his life in size 1 diapers (newborn diapers only go to 10 pounds). By the second day in the hosptial, he was "singing". When we would wrap him up and lay him down, he would hum.

The first year of his life was full of ear infections, ending in surgery and instant relief. Unfortunatley, the persistent fluid in his ears caused speech delay that persists. At 18 months, he spoke only three words and I started to think he was autistic. Obviously he is NOT! God answered my prayers for Silas to talk by giving me a boy that will not be quiet - ever! I had no idea that a child could talk so much. From a broken leg to 5 days in the hospital, Silas has been through it.

He is my strong and brave little man. Sometimes he is a frustrated lefty in a right-handed world but he is learning early that life is not always fair. He has a heart for God and loves to sing praise songs...can I ask for any more than that?

Join me on my trip down memory lane:

6 months (No digital camera at birth - sorry)

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

Portrait Sessions

Don't forget to schedule your portrait session:

Saturday, November 22nd

or

Saturday, December 6th

1 hour sessions booked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Floods and webs

The rain we had earlier this week caused our creek to flood way out of its' banks. You may have noticed as you've come down Rieck Road that the city has built a walkway under the road so walkers/runners/bike riders can get from the park to the other side of the road (more specifically, to Premier Fitness). Since that construction, the flooding has worsened.

On a totally different note, my mom came back from Reno this week with a delivery of toys for my kids. My sister-in-law (in Dallasa0 had sent two presents - one for each of my older kids (their birthdays are all so close that we basically celebrate them together). Anyway, she sent the following:

For Silas - a Spider Man gun that shoots both water and "web" - aka grey silly string.

For Emma - a Hanna Montana doll that has actual hair color (for the doll and the child).

I warned her that when I go shopping for her kids' Christmas presents, I will remember the silly string all over my back yard and the purple hair color all over everything. What's family for anyway?

A new job

Why is it so hard to start a new job? As many of you know, I started to work at Ramey & Flock last Thursday. I am only working during the time that Abigail and Silas are in school so I am able to drop them off and pick them up as usual. It is the perfect schedule for me right now. That being said, it has still been a hard two days. I've met lots of new people (whose names I cannot remember), got lost on the way to the bathroom and ate lunch alone at my desk. All in all, a good experience...but sure to be better as time passes.

Happy Birthday, Emma

My big girl turned 7 years old today. Last night, she had slumber party with 3 of her best friends from church - Darcy, McKenna and Aspen. We sent Daddy, Silas and Abby off to my mom's house (she is in Nevada) and had a "girls night". When I went to bed at midnight, they were still up talking. When I rolled over at 7:00 a.m., they were talking. Surely they slept, right?

Pizza and cake (with Silas)

Matching pajamas for the girls (instead of goody bags)

Morning makeovers with Kendall (our favorite babysitter who is at A&M)

If you will induldge me, I would like to take a little trip down memory lane...7 years with Emma:

36 weeks pregnant with Emma - she came 2 weeks later

Emma's first day home from the hospital

1 year old (before we had a digital camera)

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old (Emma and I went to Disney World for her birthday)

What's in the water?

While Kim was out of town yesterday, I kept Johnathan and Kalleigh for a few hours. When Kalleigh and Abigail were sleeping, Silas and Johnathan went out in the back yard to play. I sent them out with a package of "Halloween Tattoos" and two wet wash clothes. When I peeked out a few minutes later, this is what I saw:

Portrait Sessions Now Available

As this Christmas season approaches, I am offering portrait sessions for your family. I have both traditional and festive backgrounds so you can choose how formal you want your portraits to be. I can take pictures of your family, just the kids or any combination you choose. At the end of the one (1) hour session, I will give you a CD full of photos and a copyright release that allows you to use and print the portraits as you wish. If you do not want to mess with printing, designing Christmas cards, etc....I can do that for you.

Each session with CD is $50.00.

I will have a price list available

for ordering prints or Christmas cards.

The available session dates are Saturday, November 22nd and Saturday, December 6th. Appointments will be set between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

My theory for these sessions: a relaxed atmosphere where you and your kids can get a great portrait without stress or rush. You are welcome to bring as many family members as you want and you may change clothes as many times as you want during the hour. There are no extra fees or charges...just great photos.

Here are a few more of my best photos: