A Great day to be FOUR!

I know that as we get older, we tend to shy away from the birthday thing.  The whole "aging" process sometimes gets us down...and I understand that...

However, birthdays aren't just about getting older or about the presents...it's about celebrating the day that you came to BE!  I, for one, am very thankful for the birthdays of those that I love...and though I VERY often forget the actual dates, I do not forget to be thankful that they are in my life.

This sweet girl had her birthday recently and her Mommy & Daddy wanted to be sure to capture her day...it's not everyday that someone turns the big FOUR! Time really starts flying too...it's at this age that the baby voice starts to go away, the toddler-ish looks turn into Big Girl expressions...

They had everything set with balloons, flowers, a special dress and even a big bouncy ball!  We had a wonderful time running around in that beautiful light!

I'm sure her smile will be contagious!!!







 

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The Journey of Family...

I did a little play words there...

Sometimes I think I'm just so clever (and then my husband rolls his eyes at me and I realize, I'm not as funny as I think I am) 

You won't "get" my play on words until after you read this post and get to the part about this Momma's blog...and you'll think "oh she is just so clever"...or maybe you'll think, "oh good golly, this poor woman needs help!!!"

Anyhoo...let's just get to the good stuff, okay?  you with me?

Let's begin with the fact that I knew these guys from college...I think...

The truth is, I don't really remember HOW I knew them...We were really trying hard to figure it out while I was taking pictures, but we couldn't figure a time where our paths would have crossed...nevertheless, when this sweet Mommy saw me at a Bible Study a few years back, we both recognized each other immediately and when we exchanged names, light bulbs went off in our heads...

And thus began a continued friendship...

I won't do this family justice by trying to explain all the ins and outs of the journey that they have had...I think she does it best on her blog HERE  It's called a "Joyful Journey"  (did you get my little play on words with the title??)

I'll stop now...thank you

Let me just tell you about my time with them, because I don't think one can spend time with this family without going away feeling good...and I mean really great...they just have that effect on you...

Think of what it would be like to meet people that are just content in their own skin...kids that seem to naturally enjoy one another and more times than not, think of their siblings BEFORE they think of themselves...I loved how their oldest is just that typical first born...he's a born protector, the "watcher"...and at the same time, he can find such joy in small things...the next one likes to make you laugh...I can't tell you how many times I'd be snapping away and my smile would get bigger and bigger until a laugh came out because of his antics and his attempt at just being silly!  Boy Number 3 will just melt your heart (much like the other two as well)...he gave me some pretty cool knock, knock jokes and had me rolling.  He's lived a LOT of life for only being here for about 6 years...I'm sure his parents would say that he, at times, can have a bit of that beautiful "old soul" in him because of all that he's had to endure in just a short time.  And then comes baby sister...this sweet little pixie knows that she is adored by older brothers...she just knows it!!!  I loved her carefree spirit!

It just comes down to the fact that these kiddos are just amazing...their parents have done such an amazing job of balancing life for them...they've kept the main thing...the MAIN THING!  It's what life is ultimately all about...

I ran into them about a week later, all sitting up front at a high school football game...everyone just glued to the field and having a fun family night out!  THESE are the moments and the relationships that make life worth living...these are the times that you get to cherish for your whole life...

And they know it...they are teaching it to their kids and they are LIVING it day in and day out!

I'm so glad to know them :)



 



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Love...Love...Love...

People joke about marriage all the time...
"the ole ball and chain"
"the old man...the wife"
"the nagging or the constant sports watching"
 
And I know that every marriage has their "challenges" that they choose to work through...
 
What I am fortunate enough to see through this "job" that I have, is the opportunity to see marriages that are REAL and healthy.  I can't tell you encouraging that is to me!!!
 
When you choose to be committed to someone through thick and thin, sickness and health, richer or poorer...you don't know what the future holds and yet, you have faith that God is going to give you the strength and will to follow through on the commitment that you made. 
 
When I get to meet people that choose to serve one another, love each other better than they love themselves, forgive when it's not deserved, choose kindness in the everyday...it's in those moments that I get to see the true definition of LOVE...
 
It was this way with this family...They eloped in Vegas over a decade ago...they've built a family and a life together...and it is OH SO EVIDENT that they are still as much in love as they were then...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thank you for a great evening!!!  I had so much fun!
 




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Twinsies :)

I don't know what it's like to parent twins. 
 
My brother's family has them...I've spent considerable amounts of time with them...I wonder if they ever feel like it's just a part of their identity?  I also wonder if they feel like they always have someone who will "have their back"?...
 
One thing amazes me however...whether fraternal or identical...no matter that they grew and formed together in their Mommy's tummy...they come out completely and utterly different...
 
same parents...same nurturing conditions...for heavens sake, same womb...and yet, here are these unique and wonderful individuals.
 
I've been taking pictures of these little girls since they were itty bitty...
 
and each time I meet up with them, I am amazed once again, at their unique-ness! 
 
Not only that, but I think it takes special people to be parents of twins...I think it would be hard not to just consider them "the same"...but time and time again, I meet up with parents of twins who have this incredible ability and insight and understanding that these little bodies are each one of a kind! 
 
I love spending time with them...I love listening to how much they've grown and how much more of their personalities are developing...AND I love watching their Mommy and Daddy interact with them...in the ways that make each of them feel like their own person...
 
You all are doing a fantastic job!  What an amazing family!  I'm privileged to know you!
 
 
 





 

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Fighting Irish...baby style :)

Another perk of being able to photograph newborns and families, is that I am welcomed into so many fun homes...

Your home can tell a lot about you and of course, I gravitate towards any and all pictures that are hanging or sitting on tables or even on the fridge!

I wish I would have snapped a couple of pictures OF THE PICTURES in their house...because they told a story...

They told a story of happiness and laughter and loyalty and just plain fun...

Picture a gorgeous bride, in her downy white gown, hair and makeup absolutely perfect, smiling from ear to ear...

Now picture that same bride, with a Notre Dame jersey over top of said wedding dress, alongside her husband dressed not just in his tux, but with his jersey over top as well...

yep...you better believe I was eatin' it up going through all their pictures...can you just imagine what their wedding day was like???  AMAZING!!!

They've got that "fighting irish" in their blood...and along came sweet little princess...and they couldn't help but pass on the tradition!


She is such a precious little baby who is absolutely adored by her parents...I wanted to be sure to get all those tiny details...because they grow up too fast...
 
It's pretty easy to figure out that Mommy is an educator because she knows to start that reading EARLY...her book nook is just amazing and this sweet girl is going to spend hours of listening to her Momma and Daddy's voice reading to her for years to come! What a treasure!
 




I have no doubt that this little girl is going to feel cherished by all that are in her family and by those she has yet to meet...what a special blessing!  Thank you for opening your home to me and for allowing me the privilege of meeting this precious bundle!!!

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AMANDA: Senior pics

There are people with whom you sometimes just click...

Maybe that's not the right explanation...maybe it's more about the fact that there are people, that when you meet them, you automatically get a smile on your face...

you can't help it...it just happens...

They pop right in front of you and it's like this sweet feeling of joy bubbles up inside of you and you can't help but smile and think, "wow, I'm just so glad I get to spend time with this person"!

That's how it is with Amanda...she's energetic and FUN...she's creative and imaginative...she is a person that has goals and dreams and just enjoys the journey along the way!  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her...she makes you feel good about yourself, just being around her!

You'll see her multifaceted personality through these pictures...her creative mind at work...the way she thinks outside of the box and looks for opportunities to brighten the world around her!!! 

Enjoy!







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BETHANY : senior pics

Mild-mannered, soft-spoken, gentle, gracious....

These are all words that I would use to describe Bethany...

However, her eyes are what struck me first...They are captivating...it's almost as though you believe you can see to her soul...

She has a graceful way about herself...the way she handles herself, the way she interacts with others...and though she is a gal of few words, I gathered that she had a passion in her when it came to the artistic side of life...

I thoroughly enjoyed my time walking around, talking about her future, learning about the things that make her happy...

This last year, before college...it's such a transition of life...going from semi-child to full-fledge adult...I have no doubt that Bethany will transition with grace :)






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The best way to contact me is either through Facebook Messaging or emailing me at ctphotomemories@gmail.com

I can't wait to hear from you!
"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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