52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 52

And just like that, another year is over! I wanted to end with a photograph of me and my kids...finish strong. I cannot even put into words what these children mean to me. For someone, who for so long, did not even know if she wanted to be a mother, who thought she would gladly forgo that chapter of life, sometimes I look around at where I am now and I could just cry at what I might have missed out on.

I am a better person for them. They bring me joy and laughter, they love me when I feel unworthy, they stop playing in the middle of a playground and without even grumbling, happily take photos with me, because they know it will bless me. I hope that one day they will look back on these moments that I have captured and that they will smile, that memories will come flooding back, that they will see all that we had.

These family relationships are what shape all their future relationships, I am so glad that love flows freely in our family, that this is a safe place to express emotions and feelings and although I know we will all change over time I hope we will always be close.

Some families just seem to grow apart and it saddens me, even within my own extended family to see how that can so easily happen. Distance, I know from my own experience, does not help, but family ties should be treasured and nurtured and sometimes it takes work and I know I will fight for that with my own children.

I hope that 2013 has been a year you can look back on and see growth. Maybe things went well for you, or it may have been a hard year, but either way we keep moving forward, pressing on. We are each responsible for our own actions and the things we say, or do not. If each day of the coming year we can make a difference, no matter how small, in another person's life, then by the end of next year we will have each had a positive impact on over 300 people. We have huge potential. Let's not waste it.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you, here's hoping for greater things in 2014!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 51

Christmas day has to be one of the most exciting days of the year. I remember as a child, waking earlier and earlier each year, full of anticipation, eager to open gifts. Now I get to experience the excitement all over again watching my own children. They are so happy and grateful and I truly get to live the fact that it is better to give than to receive. I feel so much joy at their joy and it is the most wonderful feeling.

My Family - Happy Christmas {Marin County Family Portrait Photographer}

From my family to yours, we would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas. This really is the most wonderful time of the year, not just because of all the excitement and presents, if you have children, but because we get to celebrate and remember the birth of Christ.The gift he gave in giving His life.

I have the most amazing family and friends and clients and I am grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for visiting my blog and following along. Enjoy your time with family, whatever that looks like for you and don't eat too much!

I have to end with just one of my amazing children, the most amazing gifts in this life of mine.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 50

Last Friday my amazing husband graduated from Seminary with his Masters (Missiology with an Urban Concentration). I am incredibly proud of him. He worked hard, not only with his studies but also working full time, running his business and providing for his family.

In many ways it has been a long time coming. When I met this man, seventeen years ago, I knew he had a call on his life. He is a man who loves God and loves people and his greatest desire, all these years, has been to serve God, fully. He has done that faithfully, in whatever he has done.

He was always someone who wanted to be a doer, not just a talker. When our first child was born that desire increased dramatically, as he felt the burden of being a real life example to his own children. Willing to risk it all, not just talk about risking it all and making sacrifices. Some may wonder at a grown man, with a family to support, going back to school, but there are times when we do what we must, regardless of what others may think. Could he have continued running his business, with some ministry here and there, as time would allow? Of course. But by furthering his education, new doors can open, new opportunities to serve more fully.

It has not been the easiest few years and there have been challenges, but this was a great accomplishment.

For now, this non-denominational, baptist seminary attendee, is returning to Anglican roots and pursuing ordination. In the meantime, there is some more studying to be done....but watch this space.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 49

Children and puppies, I swear, are a match made in heaven. No judgement, just love. We could all learn a thing or two from them. This beautiful little girl, unfortunately, is not ours, but she has already become a firm favorite.

Our good friends have extended their family and we get to live vicariously through them, until such time as we move to a place where we can have a pet of our own. Then we too will, hopefully, complete our own little family.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 48

She arrived on his birthday, such a perfect gift. They will always share that, share their special day together. She is his baby, our baby...although yesterday she turned six. The oldest and youngest in our family, they have such a sweet bond.

I hope that our girls will always remember the love their father has for them, the love he shows for me and that it will always serve as an example of what is out there. I pray they won't settle for a cheap imitation, for not all men are equal. I was blessed to find my own prince (minus all the wealth :P ) and I wouldn't trade what we have, for anything.

Happy birthday to two of my loves!