E's baptism

Our attempt at a four generations picture...

You know that country song were she sings, "every little thing does not have to be perrrrrerrrerfect." Well, it has come up on my pandora station many times lately and it is a lovely reminder that all is well. When James Henry was baptized, I had everything just right. I took pictures of him to be featured on custom made stationary inviting all of our friends and family to a lovely brunch reception in his honor at our home. Flower arrangements, homemade cakes and salad, glass plates, silver, the works. We had a photographer come to take pictures and we were definitely on time.... Oh, how things have changed. We almost missed Eli's baptism. We were there on time alright, I was just in the nursery feeding him and getting him dressed as they called us up to the front. The preacher did a great job stalling and eventually cutting to the music. Meanwhile, Uncle Wilson gets lost in the church looking for us, Monnie informs me that we were late, and then I am running to the sanctuary with Eli half dressed and burping down the aisle. I was mortified. Obviously, no one was mean to me about it, just lots of bless your heart looks, (something I have become familiar with lately). That was just one of the events on a laundry list of reasons why it was not perfect. Some others included, but were not limited to: giving James Henry a really bad home haircut the night before, having spit up on my new sweater, forgetting to give directions to the restaurant for our out of town guest trying to meet us for lunch, and my dad's flat tire scare. None of those things have eternal consequences, and they definitely do not mean that we love Eli less. It just means that I need Jesus more. More than ever! The focus this time was definitely less on ritual, flowers, and silver, and more on our need for a gracious heavenly father. I don't need to be perfect, but I do need His perfect love. I pray that as I receive it, I can in turn give it to others. Thank you Jesus that we were together, everyone had safe travels, Eli was in fact baptized, and haircuts grow out.

still here

We're still here! If you are reading this, it may mean that you care about our blog and have not given up on ever reading it again. Thank you! I hope to post more pictures from Eli's baptism soon. There are some images from our trip to Gentry's last week on my photography blog.

big boy in boots

This weekend we went out scouting new locations for my photography sessions. I am looking to give my clients an "urban" option for their portraits. When we came across the greetings from Nashville sign we all hopped out of the van and I put my little muse to work. He is a bit more cooperative than he use to be... but, just a tiny bit! Most of my sessions are 100% child directed. Meaning, they do whatever they want and I take their picture doing it!

back at home-

I freak out just a bit every time I take his picture and he looks like a big boy. You can imagine my reaction when this image popped up on my computer screen!

greetings from...

From Nashville!

three monthaversary!

Eli turned three months old yesterday! He is so super sweet, rarely cries, is a good sleeper, loves to talk and smiles all the time. He makes the cutest cooing sounds and can be very serious when he is really trying to tell you something. Bath time is a favorite, as well as looking in the mirror. He is showing off his newest trick here- sitting up and looking precious on the arm of a couch or chair.

baby blog

I remember a time thinking that I would never have a blog and that facebook was ridiculous. Here I am two blogs, one website, and a facebook account later- When I started this blog my ambition was for it to be a creative journal. A place to show various domestic endeavors, sewing projects, painting, and crafts, with a bit of James Henry sprinkled in. Definitely not a baby blog. I thought that people who talked about their kids all the time were boring and self indulgent... 98 percent of the post on this blog have been just that. As it turns out, I don't have time for all of that other stuff, and in this season of my life I am feeling much more nurturing than creative. Photography is a wonderful mix of both, it allows me to creatively document the most precious of subjects. Is it that art imitates life, or life imitating art? I dunno, but my boys are examples of both. God is their creator but he so graciously allows me to take part. I am a co-creator. It is fun for me to consider myself a little intern to the creative genius Himself! I am so grateful to be one of their earthly parents and comforted to know that He is their Heavenly Father. I kinda flipped out the other day when a photographer that I admire left a comment on this blog. I felt embarrassed that she had seen some of the snapshots that I have posted. I wanted for all of the images to be perfect and artistic and my words eloquent and meaningful (isn't that how we would all love to present ourselves, but that is a whole 'nother post) Clint reminded me that it is the capturing of moments and the genuine smiles that he cares about seeing. Life is art. Art is life, and baby blogs are not so lame after all.

bedtime stories

Every night before bed we make our way through a tall stack of books. Mostly because James Henry loves books, and partly because he knows for every book we read he does not have to go to bed yet. He is really learning to work the system. Tonight I told him one more Tommy story and then it is bedtime. When it was over he asked for "bubble peas" (Bible please). What mom says, no we cannot read the Bible?! He did indeed get one more bedtime story.