{double.trouble}

I feel old. For more than one reason, but particularly because I had the utmost privilege of photographing two of my most favorite students EVER as SENIORS. I taught one these beautiful, precious twins in sixth grade. (Her sister had to be on the other sixth grade team, but I still think she ROCKS.) Now they are GRADUATING. HUH? Where has the time gone? Certainly it hasn't been SIX YEARS?? Oh yes, it has. And they're all grown up. I'd hate to be their momma. She has to let TWO go at the SAME TIME. But I know they will both do AMAZING things. Aren't they GORGEOUS? In the mean time, here's some of my faves from the shoot.

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{sweet.o.r.}

I gladly escaped from potty training madness on Tuesday evening to photograph sweet O.R. and her mom and her grandma at the beach. We had a GORGEOUS evening, which was the opposite of the original day we had planned to take these photographs. Pouring down rain, lightning, and such is not ideal for outdoor photographs. We had such a great time playing at the beach and exploring all of the wonders that this rustic beach had to offer. I believe grandma only took shells home on the airplane and ditched all of her clothes! She was so cute! Enjoy this set and HAPPY WEEKEND.

Oh, and in case anyone cares, we COMPLETED our first sticker chart today so off to Target we went in the pouring down rain. Addy picked out "bathtub baby," even though I encouraged something different . . . for crying out loud, how many babies does one girl need? Alas, it was HER choice so the Powells now have yet another baby that will be naked in no time. For whatever reason, none - NONE - of the girls' pretend babies have clothes. Neither do their barbies. Strange.

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{potty.talk}

So I realize it's been a few days since I posted, but know that I would have rather written a million blogs than what has been occupying my time for the past few days. It's potty training time at our house . . . and it hasn't been going well. At all. And it's not because our precious little one isn't capable. Not at all. Have you ever heard of the strong willed child? We have her. Her name is Addy. She is the model child for Dobson's book. Perhaps I should send her picture in for the newest addition. And, after days of sitting for hours on end with Addy, reading the same books over and over again in the bathroom and joyfully (no, not really) cleaning up pee-pee off of the floors as I pray that God will shower His mercy upon us and restrain my hands from strangling someone or throwing something, I have learned a few things.

Every child is different. And, in our family, DIFFERENT is an understatement.

I cannot listen to those precious moms who mean well but only make me feel guilty when my

child hasn't mastered a certain skill (like potty training), but their child has . . . in a day.

I have to take the time to just sit still and know that God will order my day and allow me to accomplish what is important. Sometimes, cleaning the bathroom on Tuesday (yes, I have certain days that I clean certain things) isn't as important as sitting with your child and reading endless stories.

I am so eternally grateful for the opportunity to do such nasty, horrrible things like potty training. I hate it. I think it's torture. I would rather staple my head to the floor. BUT, I realize how many people would love to clean up pee-pee off of the floor just seconds after removing the screaming child from the potty. I am so blessed to have two little girls who are so very normal and extraordinary at the same time.

Today, God has encouraged me. We haven't had any accidents. So what - I know it's only 1:52 in the afternoon, but if you knew where we were, this is monumentous. We went for DAYS just anticipating putting ONE sticker on the potty sticker chart . . . We have placed three, yes THREE princess stickers on the chart today. Oh happy day!

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{i.heart.faces.nostalgia.entry}

So the theme this week is "nostalgia" at i heart faces, and I wasn't really sure what to post, as that word means different things to different people. I found a picture of a little boy that has an expression that screams "nostalgia" to me. I suppose he doesn't have much to look back on in his little life, but who knows what he was thinking about at that moment. He looks like he was remembering something . . . Check out more nostalgic photo entries at http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/!

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{so.sweet}

I had the utmost privilege of photographing one of the most Godly, beautiful, humble, kind, gentle women I know. We have served in CBS together, and she was our Assistant Teaching Director last year. She asked me if I would photograph her husband and her at the marsh, as it is absolutely stunning this time of year in the lowcountry. The marsh grass is emerald green, and it makes the water look almost tropical. Her husband thought that this was literally a one shot deal . . . I took all of one picture, and he started to walk away like, "You got it, right? I'm done." Oh no, I thought. I explained, "I'm going to take LOTS of pictures. Here we go!" My enthusiasm was not matched by his. He seemed less than thrilled. Apparently, he doesn't even like to smile. And I thought photographing two grown adults would be EASY. After all, I chase around two year olds, wait for brand new babies to be happy, and try to avoid eye rolling from the older kiddos. However, I want you to know that I got WAY more than a smile from her husband. I got SEVERAL. And, he even threw in a few dance moves for me. It was SO much fun, and I think he may have just enjoyed himself . . . a little. I hope you enjoy these precious pictures.

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{ew.}

So we're outside swinging in the 100+ degree heat, sweat rolling down my back all for the love of my girls when Delaney has a deep, disgusting, but hilarious thought. One of the swings had received a lovely gift of bird poop and so, being the awesome mom that I am, flicked it off and proclaimed it "clean." However, there was still a dark spot where some lovely bird had deposited his poop, and Delaney asked what it was. (Meanwhile, Addy is crying to GET IN THE RED SWING NOW. She could care less if she sits in bird poop. Heck, she's eaten the stuff. And lived. She wasn't right before, so it's hard to tell if it affected her.) So, in my brilliant thoughts, I proclaim it a "stain" from the birds. And Delaney responds, "Oh. I see. (Her new favorite response.) It's a poop stain. Like the ones I have in some of my panties." Yeah, pretty much. Don't judge, OK? We do try to wear the nonstained ones when we have places to go. But, there are some I haven't gotten around to throwing away to remind me that I must have had God's grace not to kill Delaney when she would poop in her panties. And that is why Addy isn't wearing panties yet. I'm not ready to clean out more poop stains. Sometimes Oxy clean is not a miracle worker.

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{sweet.baby.l}

My amazing friend, Jen (mother of 6 . . . almost 7!), knitted me this GORGEOUS pink, fuzzy blanket and matching hat, and I could not WAIT to try it out! I didn't have to wait long, as this beautiful bundle was happy to let me play and experiment with my newest baby blanket and hat. Baby L also had a super silly brother and sister, who were more than willing to let me snap away while we waited for her to be ready. I just love the expressions of kids, as they are so real and genuine. And, can you stand the baby hat?? I realize it's 100+ degrees here, but I'll do anything for a great picture. You just wipe the sweat off the baby when you're done! (Just kidding.) Enjoy this sweet baby girl and drool over that blanket and hat.

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{i.heart.faces.bubbles.entry}

After a few weeks of being insanely busy, things are quiet on the front again, and so I am super excited to post my second entry for i heart faces. The theme this week is "bubbles," and I instantly thought of a most HILAROUS bubble picture in which the little boy I was photographing was literally foaming at the mouth with bubbles. Mind you, this same little boy cried through all of the other family pictures . . . until the bubbles came out. Then, his most beautiful smile came out! Head on over to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ for more bubblicious fun!

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{my.beautiful.momma}

While my mom says she wants this birthday of hers to just pass by, I cannot, as there is so much to be celebrated in the precious woman that I proudly call my momma. For, she is the woman I will always look up to, even though I'm a good couple of inches taller than her. If anyone could be my hero, it would be her, even though I know earthly heroes fail from time to time. She is a woman of great strength in her fragility that comes not from her but from her God and mine. She is a woman of noble character that cannot be missed, even by people who barely know her. She is a woman who has (and continues to go through) many dark times but is always in search of the Light. Even when He appears to have ceased shining. She is a woman who has shown me what it means to be a Godly mother by being a Godly grandmother to my two precious girls. I have heard it said that the second most influential people in a child's life besides their parents are their grandparents . . . Delaney and Addy are blessed beyond measure! She is a woman who has influenced me in ways she cannot even imagine. I am certain I would be nowhere near where I am today without her and my precious daddy. She is a woman who is one of my very best friends, and I don't really know what I would do without her.

Oh I could go on and on except for two little girls who are fully capable of destroying things in a matter of milliseconds, particularly the one with the shock of blond hair. :-) So, Momma, may I encourage you this very special day. May you know that you are loved with an everlasting love, a love that will never let go, never give up . . . even when it feels just the opposite. I love you so much, my good buddy.

Love,

Me

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{beautiful.baby.o.&.the.gorgeous.triplets}

Have you ever heard sweet triplet girls sing "Jesus Loves Me" to their new little brother? That was the highlight of the photo shoot that I did a photo shoot with a precious baby boy and his three BEAUTIFUL sisters, who just happen to be triplets. (I really needed a video camera to capture the total moment!) I totally jumped at the opportunity to photograph this gorgeous family, and I had such a hard time choosing which pictures to edit, as you can see. Baby O. happily sat in my favorite wooden bowl as I snapped away and then we went outside where I got a chance to photograph his sisters. It is so funny how I didn't really know these sisters and, yet, as I took their pictures for only a brief time, their personalities began to shine. Each one was so distinct, and I loved what I was able to capture through my lens. I hope I get to photograph them again and again and again. I loved every precious minute!

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{you.really.can't.photoshop.those.words}

So it's been a while since I've posted a few funny outtakes from the girls so here we go, before I forget!

Yesterday Delaney and Addy decided to have bacon, tubside. That's right, folks. Delaney grabbed two tupperware containers, filled them with the bacon I had cooked for dinner that night and delivered them to Addy in the bathtub. They had a most lovely time eating bacon while they swam. I saw it as a multitasking adventure . . . after all, should you get bacon grease on you, you can wash it right off. And don't judge me, I'm just desperate for a few moments peace. After all, who can whine when your mouth is full of bacon?

Also yesterday, our sweet friend Hannah came over to play. When she entered Delaney's room she says, "That's not Howard." Addy explains, rather bluntly, "He's in da drain." "Really?" Hannah asks? Of course, isn't that where all pet fish hang out? So, of course, Hannah wants to SEE Howard in the drain. He's not there, of course. Don't you remember me turning on the dish disposal just milliseconds after he slid down the sink? Then Hannah says, "Well, you know, your new fish looks NOTHING like Howard." We're aware. That's why we named her Anna. So I don't have to remember what I did.

Finally, we were doing puzzles today with our Mimi and Pops, and Delaney was dishing out jobs for each person to do. She assigned Pops the "allbra" position. The "allbra," we ask her? Yeah, you know the purple thing on Ariel. That would be Ariel's bathing suit top, which is rather skimpy. Pops declined the "allbra" or bra position. Not really his thing.

More to come, I'm sure!

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{13.kids.and.i.lost.count}

Holy cow. I arose at 5:15 Tuesday morning in order to depart my house and be at the beach by 6:40 am. I needed 20 minutes to prepare for what was about to occur. 13 children and 8 adults descended on the beach at 7:00 am, ready for what we hoped would be fabulous pictures as a present to the lucky grandmother. And, as nervous as I was, it turned out to be really fun and, all in all, the kids did an amazing job. Of course, there were meltdowns (thank goodness for a last minute decision to bring fruit snacks) and, no, I did not get the perfect picture of all 13 kids together (are you kidding??). BUT, it was an experience that I will not soon forget, and I most grateful for the opportunity to try and capture a few precious moments through my lens. What a privilege! Now, I must go to bed. Editing that many pictures will wear anyone out!

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{beautiful.don't.make.me.smile.C}

I was so thrilled to meet a most precious and wonderful family on Saturday that had one of the most ADORABLE little girls ever - even if I had to sweat it out just to see her crack a smile. Have you ever met one of those kids that just isn't super amused by the regular goofy antics? Don't worry . . . we did get her to smile. And even when she wasn't smiling, she was still so stinkin' cute. Can you stand it? Aren't her parents GORGEOUS too?

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