I will soon be posting some pics, but the moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived!!!!!  Lainey Boo is WALKING!!!!!!!!!  Yes, that's right, she started walking last Friday evening.  We had some friends over, our power went out in our neighborhood for almost three hours.  We quickly realized that we don't decorate with nearly enough candles, so we just went in the playroom and sat on the floor.  Rachel stood Lainey up on her feet and off she went!  That was it, she walked back and forth for what seemed to be an eternity!  I was so proud at that moment, as I'm sure you can imagine, anything that takes 17 months to accomplish is quite a task.  Now her favorite pastime is walking, everywhere and anywhere, and boy does she go fast!  It's hard to keep up with her sometimes.  A favorite game of Daisy and Lainey's is chasing each other around in the playroom carrying those big bouncy balls (you know the one's you get at target and wallyworld, that are like 1.99 and are swirly colored), anywho, they chase each other and bump into each other with them.

So..what's it like to be 30?....

Okay, all of you young folks who anxiously await the answer, here goes...

10 truths about being 30:

10. you don't get carded for anything anymore

9. going to bed at 9:30 is a treat

8. looking in the mirror is easier because you've convinced yourself "it's not that bad"

7. you can afford more things than you could when you were 20

  7a. unless you've gotten yourself into debt, then you can't afford anything anymore.

6. by now you've discovered who your true friends are because they're still around.

5. you look through your closet and finally throw those high school size 2 jeans away, because that's now been over a decade ago.

4. you realize going on a date with your husband is way more awesome than going on a date with a boyfriend.  (benefits are better)

3. hearing your children laugh is one of the true joys of life.

2. hearing your children cry makes you cry sometimes.

1. Your relationship with God is better than it's ever been in your life!

yes, I'm thirty now and really excited because my dad always said:  "You don't grow your brains until your 30" and "you lose them when your 60".

so, watch out dad, that's right around the corner for you.

Okay, so it's been forever since I've been here, I know.  My deepest apologies, however, I've been creating.  Just thought I'd show everyone what's kept me busy for so long.  I decided to make Lainey boo's fall wardrobe.  I was having trouble finding clothes that were super cute, or didn't want to pay that super cute price, I sent myself on a journey.  I know some of you have been waiting anxiously to see these.  All I have right now to post is the one outfit, but I'm working on her little jacket right now.  I'd love to hear some feedback, especially from all my sisters, you know your opinion matters to me.

Love,

Melissa

not much to say, but...

Sometimes that's a good thing.  We've been in such super fast mode lately trying to swing into the school of things.  Trying not to feel like a failure as a mom on a daily basis.  You moms know what I talking about I'm sure:

packing just what they'll eat for lunch (or possibly throw into the school trash can)

remembering their allergy meds (which, unfortunately we sometimes remember only when they start sneezing) and all vitamins each morning,

then realizing we didn't do last night's reading assignment - urgg!

-or homework,

And if ya'll only knew what we have to go through with that hair every morning!!

then there's the extra curricular stuff!  

did I mention taking care of a baby while doing all of the above?

Really how do you moms do this with more children?  Please come mentor me - lol!

Honestly, I love what I do and I'm truly very blessed to stay home and do what I do (there is no name or definition for "what I do"), I know it's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me. 

My children are a gift from God, and I'm so glad that He gave me the ones He did. 

my precious mother in law

MY MOTHER IN LAW IS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!  We couldn't be more excited to say this.  Daisy literally screamed when we got the call.  She needs much rest and time, but she is on her way back.  God is so good to us.  We are still believing for her complete healing.  I want to thank everyone for their prayers for her over the past week and a half.  The prayers and visits have meant so much to Brenda, and I know it was that, in part, which has made her stronger.  She knows how many people love her and are fighting right along side of her.  It's been quite a journey for all of us, but I have to say that my father in law is one of the greatest men I have ever met.  So, please continue to pray that she moves forward still in this road to recovery.  Once again, thank you everyone, your prayers are priceless!

~Melissa

SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL!!!!

With first grade right around the corner, we had to do some shopping!!!!  We are just about done with all of our shopping now and I just thought I'd post some of our top picks for clothes, yes I realize my daughter is an absolute ham in front of the camera, but can she help it?  She is so adorable.

aaahhh, the IPOD, remind me why we got her that?

she said this is the face aunt Lauren told her to make.

Relying on God

My mother in law is so much more than just a mother in law to me, she has not only accepted me into her family, but has really loved me as a daughter. She has listened to me, prayed with me and loved me through some pretty low times in my life. When I found out she was in the hospital my heart sank. Sadness came over me like never before. While putting my feelings aside, I had to be strong for my husband this time. Seeing him in a way I've never seen him before, I wasn't sure what was going to happen to him. When you can't say "everything's going to be fine", or "don't worry, she'll come out of this and be okay", you don't really know what to say. Those are the words of comfort we usually tell ourselves when tragedy strikes. I'm a "fixer" by nature, so when something happens, I want to "fix" it. When my kids get hurt, I fix it as fast as I can (it's probably a coping mechanism). Well, for the first time in our marriage, instead of trying to "fix" this situation, I just listened to my husband and let him talk, and that was it. I just heard what was on his heart and I didn't have a solution. I just relied on God to heal his hurt. I am relying on God to heal his mother. She is in the hospital for the third day in a row in ICU, and I found out a little bit ago that she is doing much better, and will only need a minor surgery to clear her lungs. I am still believing God for a complete healing of her body. For that, I will never give up, I will continue to pray for a complete restoration. I know that God is still a healer today, and nothing is too small for Him. I truly believe He can do it, and I will watch and see what He will do.

I was on the phone with a friend of mine this morning and started talking about all the people who have taught me along the way about photography, and it prompted me to want to give a very big thank you to the greatest supporters in my life who've really encouraged me down the road of photography.  I'm not sure who I've really thanked in the past, so here goes...

  To anyone who I know that has a child whom I've stuck in front of the lens, all the brides I've had the gracious opportunity to capture on or before your big day, thank you.  The hours that my friends (I believe you know who you are) have spent with me teaching me the ins and outs of photoshop.  Those of you who endured my awful first shoots (not sure if I should say sorry or thank you to you guys).  To the many who've bared those bellies for me, which also held your tiny miracles, thank you.  Everyone I've bugged for opinions and made you look through all my prints, proofs, webpages and all else, thank you.

     To my precious children who have remained patient with me(some, more than others - and I believe you know who you are) :)  But my sweet girls are extremely tolerant of my hobby.  They are diamonds in the rough, and I have really enjoyed capturing them over all these years (as most the pics on the website are of them).  They are truly my favorite subjects, and I believe the cutest children in the universe.  Sorry all other parents ~ yours do come in a close second.  :)  With the exception of my nieces and nephews who come in a really, really close second.

But my biggest supporter and #1 fan is my husband, whom without I would not be here today.  You have lovingly guided and offered support when needed.  You have encouraged me to reach higher goals, then create new ones all the way.   Being married to you has been the single greatest highlight of my life.  And without you by my side, everything else would mean nothing.  Thank you, for all the many ways you've supported me throughout this journey.  For making me laugh so hard, especially when I'm down.  Nobody makes me laugh like you.  And for all the fun and not so fun times over the past nine years.  Happy anniversary, baby!  I love you and appreciate you.

To God, I am forever yours for giving me the gift of salvation.  I ask that You would help me to use photography as a way to lead people to you.  You have blessed me beyond measure and I do not have the words to say thank you.  Through the years I have learned many lessons and have seen many things, and each time I have been prompted to look for You in everything.  Thank you for always being right beside me and never, ever, ever giving up on me.  My heart belongs to You.

~Melissa

Well we're back from vacation all too soon.  We had an amazing time pretty much doing nothing, just relaxing by the pool (which was just what the doctor ordered - not really, just a figure of speech).  It was wonderful, but some of the most exciting news was that our precious Daisy learned to swim!!!  No "floaties"!  She was swimming in the kiddie pool and I said, "ya know, Daisy swimming in the big pool is just like that, nothing different except you can't reach the bottom".  So we went over to the big pool and I said "I'm letting go and you just swim to the steps".  She did and that was that, she was swimming all over that pool!  We are so very proud of her.  Now we can't leave out Lainey Boo and all of her accomplishments, however we are chomping at the bit to see her biggest one yet....walking.  Hopefully that will be in a week or so!  Keep checking to see when the big day is.

~melissa

So, after getting out of the shower this a.m., I decided to trim my hair a little.  After I trimmed it, I was using my thinning shears to take some of the bulk off of the ends.  I pulled the hair in the front out to the side and took the thinning shears about two & a half inches back and cut realizing IMMEDIATELY THAT I ACCIDENTLY PICKED UP THE SCISSORS INSTEAD OF THE THINNING SHEARS!!!!!!!!!!!  So after calming myself out of a coronary, I decided to do a swing bob, after all, it looks adorable on Daisy, right?  Well, it took me about an hour, but I actually did it.  I couldn't believe it!  Oh well, you live and learn, right?

lesson:  pay attention to what you're doing! (especially when what you're doing involves a pair of scissors)

These are the two most important little people in my life.  They also just so happen to be my favorite little models!  Everyday that I wake up and get to hold, kiss, hug, and see these angels gives me a joy that can not be matched.  God has blessed me beyond measure, enough for 100 lifetimes!  How do you thank Him for giving you a life you are undeserving of?  You can't, but you can choose to give Him all that you are everyday He gives you here.  There is none greater than God's love.  

Psalm 13:5

all about the fam!

     Today, I wake up and all is quiet in the house...could it be? I was not awakened by the tap, tap, tap of a tiny finger this morning?  Well, you know what they say....if you put the kids to bed late enough, you'll wake up before them.  Okay, okay I'm the only one that says that (and maybe every other mom who enjoys long summer mornings).  Actually, there's not much in life cuter than a teeny person fresh out of bed stumbling around trying to balance the giant bouffant hairdo they worked so hard on all night long.  

     Well, at our house the buzz is VACATION!!!!  We've gotten all of our plans made, and now it's just a ticking time bomb until departure!  We can not wait for our week of relaxation - okay, so everyone knows vacation is not relaxing, but it's always fun!  So if you would like, please send out prayers our way for a safe and fun trip!  see you later!