So Thankful!

My husband was just home for two weeks, but he had to return to the war...you know, the one that really isn't getting much attention any more. The one that still keeps thousands of our men and women in arms away from the loving arms of their families this Thanksgiving.

But I am still thankful. I am blessed with an amazing husband. I have three fabulous children who bring their unique flavor to the family, making us who we are day to day. I live in the greatest country in the world, enjoying freedoms other cultures only read about in books. And I get to spend this holiday with my father and my grandmother, watching three generations together, exchanging memories, making memories and enjoying these rare moments. I am indeed living quite a life. And I am so thankful.

Three Little Ladies (and their parents) :: Killeen, TX Family Photographer

I come from a family of three girls. I have two daughters myself. There is something about sisters that just pulls at me. The bond they will share will weather all sorts of strains, survive every boyfriend that comes and goes and remain strong through the later years when they move away from one another. They will turn to each other for comfort, advice, suggestions and companionship. I know this will all happen a few years from now, but I got to meet them now. When they are so young and cannot fully realize how special each sister will be to them.

But right now, they are vivacious, happy, gorgeous little ladies. And their parents aren't too bad either...

iheartfaces week 47, Paper :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

Paper, to me, equals words. Books. Letters. Journals. Thoughts of mine, thoughts of others, things that will be read by millions, things that will be seen by no one but the author. I love words. I admire the way gifted authors can craft a sentence, encapsulate a feeling, convey a scene, all through their unique use of words.

At this point, my baby does not use words. She cannot read words. But she does love paper. Eating it. Sucking on it. Crumpling it. So, she likes books. And for I Heart Faces' challenge this week, I decided to throw her in amongst my collection of classics. Every child needs a familiarization with Camus' The Fall, right?

This week is bound to be interesting as everyone interprets the theme differently. Come have a look by hitting the button below...and join in the fun!

She's Officially a Girl :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

Her life today was like a cheap infomercial. You know the kind. Before the "must-have-can't-live-without-it" appliance, the disgruntled housewife only viewed her life in black and white. All hope wasn't quite lost, but she was darn close to cashing in every last chip and heading to Aruba. Until, why yes, the "must-have-can't-live-without-it" appliance entered her life! And color was restored. Normalcy returned. And life in Peoria was so exciting and perfect. Yes, today was like that for my sweet baby girl.

Oh, excuse me, my toddler girl. The one that Baby Center has determined, as the clock struck One Year, is no longer a baby. She is a Toddler.

She had no idea that she was living in Black and White this morning. She was smily. But she was void of color.

And then, wonders of wonders, after a trip to the mall, she transformed into color. Bright eyes, enthusiastic, same as always, but in color. For she received the "must-have-can't-live-without-it" appliance that she didn't even know she was missing. (Isn't that so often the way?!)

Now, for you to go on a little scavenger hunt. Can you find what changed? (A couple hints: she has always loved the cat. She has always sucked her thumb. And she has placed a number of calls to friends and family.)

Holding Hands :: Harker Heights, TX Family Photographer

When you think of a child's entire life, the years during which you get to hold her hand are few. Fleeting. Utter dependence replaced by fierce independence in the blink of an eye. But for this family, those precious years of holding hands are just beginning, as their sweet baby girl starts toddling, clinging to the offered finger as she steadies herself. I could easily see that she will forever hold her parents' hearts in her hand, even when she no longer reaches for their hand to hold. But right now, in this moment, she is their baby and they have her tiny hand in theirs.

iheartfaces week 46, Silhouettes :: Harker Heights, TX Children's Photographer

Susan Keller is the reigning expert on silhouettes. Bolstered by the instruction in her tutorial on I Heart Faces, I decided to give it a shot during our vacation to Port Aransas back in August.

We drove 5 hours to get to Port Aransas. We found our rental house, unloaded the car, then hopped back in to search for a dinner location. Having filled our bellies, we decided to hit the beach right at sunset. And I was without my "real" camera. After lamenting its absence, I realized I had tucked my point and shoot in my purse. And boy am I glad I did! For we did not see another sunset over the water the rest of the trip. There are quite a few images from that evening that are now personal favorites. It is the memory, not the camera, that is most important. And I love that tiny point and shoot for helping me capture those memories.

Come on over to I Heart Faces and share your silhouetted faces!

Birthdays and Pictures :: Central Texas Family Photographer

Before we were ever properly introduced, she was at the hospital taking pictures of my first born. Two years later, I was at her house taking pictures of her second baby girl, just 5 days after her birth. Over the weekend, we again met up for pictures and birthday celebrations. And I have to say, these reasons sure are good ones to get together.

They are such a gorgeous family with an ease about them that invites anyone to become a friend. The girls are rough and tumble, with bows in their hair and dirt on their boots. Despite the cold start to the morning, everyone hung in there and gave me some fabulous smiles.

Cheers, my friends, until the next baby is born or the next birthday needs celebrating! (And I am NOT the one having the next baby...!)

A Rich Harvest :: Killeen, TX Baby Photographer

It's just one more child. One more tiny, 8 pound bundle to love. But the whole family shifts and changes to make room for this new gift. Though it has only been two weeks, I know she has firmly claimed her place in everyone's heart and they cannot imagine how things were without her there. (Well, maybe her big brother can remember life as an only child...) Daddy is a sucker for her goofy faces and sweet noises. Mama can't help but look at her with the smallest of smiles playing on her lips. Life is bountiful.

She brings fullness. Theirs is a rich harvest.

A Lifetime :: Central Texas Photographer

As she divided her bouquet amongst the single bridesmaids, I heard her gush, "The wait is hard but it is so worth it! I cannot believe the man God had for me all along. He is so much more than I ever imagined!"

It took them a lifetime to arrive at the altar. A lifetime of questions, forced smiles at friends' weddings, thoughts that standards might be too high. But they each held fast to an unflagging belief that God's timing was perfect and He would reveal His plan for their lives.

His gift for their faithfulness was a love as pure as the sky under which they were wed. As she looked up into his face, hearing him pledge his life to her as her husband, I could see the love, the excitement, the eagerness to be one. One life, one love, one lifetime to travel together.

May your lifetime from this moment forward be filled with happiness, companionship and above all, love! What an honor it was to share in your most special day, my friends!