I understand we're a little behind on this movie. I think it's about to come to DVD this week. We finally had an opportunity to go out on a date night and see this little tale!
If you haven't seen it yet, the basic plot line is that each emotion a person has - joy, sadness, anger, disgust, and fear - are personified in a character in the person's head. They each take turns controlling the emotions of this little girl as she's growing up....
Read MoreHannah and I ask ourselves often, where do we compromise? What is a lasting reward, a healthy community for our children to grow up in (whether they see eye to eye on everything or not), or building our own set of beliefs? Children who grow up in a belief system without a community to support them in it are highly likely to reject those beliefs. The truths that we worked so hard to uphold our whole lives will die out in the first generation to follow us. That's not a legacy at all.
Read MoreYesterday I was convicted that joy is a choice that is not determined by outside circumstances. I determined at that moment that I wasn't going to allow our circumstances to keep us from being joyful through this season!
Read MoreIf you're from the area, you probably already know these faces. If you aren't, but follow us here, then you probably recognize them from their Family Session they had with us last year! It's kind of funny as you think back when you first met someone. Jonathan was my soccer coach and taught us editorial writing in my high school yearbook class! That just blows my mind! At that time he and his beautiful bride had only been married a few years. And now look at their GROWING family! Anna is going to be a big sister at the end of this year!
Read MoreLinda and Andy had no idea what was about to happen. Their two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Laura, and their families worked behind their backs for months, and together they pulled off the surprise party of the century... or at least half the century ;) Jessica and Laura had planned to hold a music recital for all the grandchildren to perform in (they are all very talented), But Linda - or Gaggy, as she is lovingly called by almost everyone - said, "No, the grandkids just aren't ready for a performance." While Jessica and Laura were frantically trying to come up with another cover story, little did they know that when Andy (AKA Pa) went into the hospital with chest pains, their cover story would be created. The church picnic had to be rescheduled, and it became the most convincing cover story ever. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly!
Read MoreAbout 6 weeks ago, we wrote about being busy. I mentioned how God was sending us small, subtle reminders that we needed to slow down. Don't be so busy - I knew it. I thought I had taken it to heart. No, I had taken it to heart, but I just didn't apply it to my life. We got more organized, but not less busy. And then two weeks ago, God pulled out the microphone. He used a horrible, almost crippling pain in my diaphragm to tell me that enough is enough. There was literally nothing I could do. Even if I wanted to be busy, my body would not allow it.
Read MoreOur next graduate from the 2016 class from Faith Christian Academy is Miss Jubin Kang. She is absolutely adorable, has the greatest spirit, and is #super Asian. :) She is an exchange student from South Korea and she is living with our friends, the Patterson family. I couldn't think of a better match for both her and the family! Like we did for Tabby, we're shooting seasonal sessions for this gorgeous lady as well. Here are a few highlights from her summer session.
Read MoreTime is so fleeting! I can't even begin to tell you how amazing an opportunity we had a couple of weeks ago. As a family grows and expands and travels different paths, it becomes so hard to get everyone together. This wonderful family had everyone together and they snatched that opportunity! I cannot tell you how important it is to grab these precious moments!
Read MoreI know that #FamilyFriday is supposed to be all about teaching our children as we walk, eat, lay down - basically at every opportunity. But what happens when our children have taught us something? I learn the lesson, and one day I may have the opportunity to remind her of what she taught me.
Read MoreHaving our family so spread out, it's almost impossible to get us all together, all feeling well, and dressed well. So when mom asked to take some family pictures this summer, it was very bitter-sweet for me. Again, it was just a reminder that we don't all share the same zip code. But she was exactly right in doing it with what we had. So here's our family, at least a few of them. Here's to making them a priority this year!
Read MoreJust a little over a week ago, some of our dear friends welcomed their second daughter into their family. They were already such wonderful parents, and we are SO excited for them and their new child. But two days ago they took their precious little one to the ER because of a skin infection. Praise the Lord, they took her when they did. She has had two surgeries since being admitted. She has been diagnosed with cellulitis + MRSA. The staff at the hospital has been wonderful and Mom and Dad have had maintained such an amazing perspective. They have been so strong and faithful through this all. As I write this (Thursday night) we're praying for the Lord's complete healing and that they can return home tomorrow. But if there is any relapse, she will be transferred to UVA. I'm sure that when this blog goes live, we will already know the answer, but either way, I want to ask for your prayers for strength for the family and for healing for their sweet girl....
Read MoreWe don't do very many senior sessions, so when we do, we try to make them special. I was so excited when her mom asked if we would do seasonal sessions for her entire senior year! How great is that!?! So here's a few of the images we captured....
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