FAMILY SESSION: Saying Goodbye

I'm in a bit of a quandary with regards to "words" as it pertains to their story...

there is so much to say...

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I suppose I could begin by gushing about my adoration of this sweet family...

How I watched this family of SIX interact in their home...
how Daddy is an instigator who is FULLY present in the lives of his kids...
how Mommy SHINES in her role and somehow still looks like a teenager...
how ALL.THE.BOYS. are definitely ALL BOY, while simultaneously not only know when to reign it in, but how to be gentle and kind, to show respect and obey...
how baby sister relishes her spot in the lineup...being able to hang with the brothers, and dish back whatever is given...while still twirling in her dresses and loving on her baby dolls...

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I expect, I could next discuss how they've lived in this house for years...it's where they brought home their babies and built their memories...

how every room has a hand made touch...from built in bookshelves to shiplap...and curtains to chalkboard doors...

how each nook & cranny has a story of it's own...where love has grown and relationships have been cultivated...

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Ultimately though, it all comes back around to the  whole STORY of it all...

We live in chapters...

There are the main characters...who are affected by other minor characters throughout the narrative...
There are details...like favorite toys or haircuts...sports or books that influence those characters...
There is definitely action...it's a constant...it's the way the characters move within their story...and it's always changing...from one season to the next...

And, there is a Setting...

and for this family, the setting of HOME has been this house...

If the walls could talk, they could tell you all about each 'character' that has lived within it's spaces...the laughter and tears...the friends and adventures...the plans and late night talks...the parenting dilemmas, successes and failures...

there has been a tender security in this place...

where "two became one" and out of that came a full family...

Yes, "home is where your heart is", but that doesn't lessen the meaning and the memory that went into the building of that home in the first place...

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They wanted to commemorate and celebrate the "setting" of their story, in this season of their life...

it doesn't mean that memories won't continue to be made...it doesn't even mean that they won't continue doing the same things they've always done...games and baking, basketball and reading...

it will just move to a different location...

but for now, they wanted to honor THIS time...HERE...

And so, they baked cookies in the kitchen...like usual
they played dominoes on the dining room table...like regular
they pulled out the legos and jumped on dad in family room...as typical
they read books and played video games in their rooms...they cuddled in their bed...they sat on the steps that they climb everyday...

and they will remember...
they will reminisce...

and they will be thankful for the HOME that they built together...
















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SENIOR SESSION: Hannah CO2019

Neighbors are the BEST!

and we live in the coolest neighborhood...

I know that I've mentioned living out in the boonies...and we do...

we don't do "trick or treating" because our "neighborhood homes" are way too far apart...

for us...we just block off a street or two and everyone hops on tractors and trailers...neighbors walk to the end of their longggg driveways and hand out candy....

...on the 4th of July, we all gather together and watch fire works from our backyards...

...we all get around on golf carts and pass out beers and sodas on those long summer days of mowing lawns and chasing dogs...

It's in those moments that you realize that belonging to a community is priceless...

Maybe it's the same in a big city, I have no clue...I can only speak from my own experience...and that comes from having neighbors, like Hannah's family...

people that watch out for your kids...
friends that wave to you as you come in and out of the neighborhood...
sweet folks that stop by for a quick chat on a warm day...

And so, jumping in a big van together to head out for pictures came naturally...
talk was easy, smiles abounded and laughing was a given...

Hannah is authentic and natural...no pretense...

the wind was blowing in a ghastly way the day of her session...I wasn't absolutely positive about our choice to go ahead with pictures...but Hannah didn't have a qualm about it...she just plopped on her hat and out burst her genuine smiles...

She's relaxed and fun, happy and silly...and has a twinge of mischief in there for good measure!

I had an absolute blast hanging out with this future graduate!  

Her time to fly has come...and she's going to soar!!!
















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SENIOR SESSION: Nico CO2019

It's not often I get to meet up with other creatives in this way...

I've loved chatting with the Theater Crew at my daughters' High school...Man, I wish I would have had (or taken) more opportunity to learn different trades and crafts growing up... (although, I'm fairly confident that back in MY day, we didn't have "digital" cameras and computer software to whip up photoshopped images and the like...ahem)

Anyway...I AM thankful for present day and the way that the creative arts draws people together!

Nico not only has a keen eye, but he loves to entertain and amaze...

It takes an engaging personality, with a hefty dose of courage and boldness to attempt to astonish people with a practiced skill or talent...

and Nico has just that!

His eyes lit up when we started to discuss his YouTube channel and the plans he has for the future...

he has found a "calling" within his passion & talent and his enthusiasm is contagious...

no wonder he continues to gain followers...

Our time together was spent collaborating on his own vision, while still capturing the essence of NICO...his charm, his kindness, his humility coupled with his energy!

He is a marvel!

Congrats Nico...I can't wait to see what you do!!! 















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FAMILY SESSION: Fresh as Spring

Spring was nearly non-existent in 2018...we went from Winter temperatures to Summer temps almost immediately...it was either absolutely freezing OR incredible hot with brown, dried out grass...

THIS YEAR HOWEVER...is another story completely...

Yes, we've had some issue dodging raindrops (and I suppose Chicago wouldn't be in agreement with my "spring assessment" after this past weekend) but, it has definitely brought some incredible freshness and beauty!

The bright sunshine has been a gift...especially after a rain shower...to encourage bright green grasses and buds on trees...to make the tulips grow...to put that sparkle in our eyes and a halo around our hair!

I've known this family since their oldest was the same age as baby sister...it might have even been earlier...

They are kind and gentle...and even though momma loves a schedule and a plan, they are the most easy-going, HAPPY-go-lucky people...

I'm happy to see them in multiple seasons...

both in weather and in life!

They are like a fresh, Spring breeze that makes you lift your face to the sky and smile!

It is such a treat to tell stories such as these....











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"Teach us to number our days, (savor the moments) so that we may gain a heart of wisdom" ~Psalm 90:12

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