So...I Lied!!

Alright, alright...I was fully intending on taking a break from the blogging world, but I had to post some recent pics of the boys.

This holiday has been super busy with Sugar Snap, and I have been consumed with tons of wonderful families pictures. The only problem was I had NO time whatsoever to take or edit pictures of my own family! So today, while I still had Paul to help me toat them around, I took them out and snagged some shots!!

They are growing so fast, and Judd is really starting to get around now, he is so funny toddling around. Bowen has really been the best big brother ever. I am so impressed with how he handles his little brother, he is so special!

Now, I have been on the hunt for some vintage suitcases the past several weeks...and finally I came across some that I really loved! I am always on the hunt for new props for my business and I really loved the way these turned out.

Now processing these was different, I always feel like I should try new things to see if I can learn something new, so some are processed a bit different, but I love them all.

We head out the beginning of the new year to visit my family up north, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have a change of scenery! I will hopefully be taking some pictures of my cousins kids ...hint hint!!

Anyways, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. I will come back rejuvenated and ready to be a part of the blog world once again!!!

A much needed BREAK!!

So I have been slacking on the blogging...But for good reason. I have been SUPER SWAMPED with taking and editing pictures, this has me spending lots of time on the computer, SO for the sake of my marriage (ha, ha) I have decided I will be taking a break from the blogging until the new year!!

I have tons of great pics from the boys, and will be working on them through the rest of this year, and should have lots to update on in the coming weeks!!

I hope everyone has enjoyed the holiday season thus far! And I am wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! I hope you all take the time to rest and enjoy the ones you love the most!! I know I will!!

One of Many!

So last night a friend of mine took me out to dinner for my birthday....yes my birthday was last month but we are just now finding time to get together and do this! I am so thankful for Cynthia, she has been a friend of mine for many years now, and even though we have had times where we were closer than others we always kept in touch and each time we spoke it was like we never had a lapse in conversations.

Cynthia was there through the dating times of Paul and I, she has always encouraged me and spurred me on to be a better woman. She loves people is a great baker and has a beautiful family!

Cynthia, thank you for making me feel so special, and thank you for taking the time out to let me know it! I am so thankful for the many different seasons of our friendship. It seems like yesterday we were planning our weddings together and then rejoicing in the news of upcoming motherhood together as well, you have been with me through some major changes in my life, and I love you very much.

I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends, Cynthia is one of many that God has blessed me with, and I am thankful for all the lovely ladies in my life, you all are special to me in your own unique ways!

Bert's Farm!

I should start this post off by saying, only have pictures of Judd, because Bowen would not stand still long enough to allow me to snap anything worth keeping, so Yes I have 2 kids, but this is the one who still has not gotten the walking thing down yet!!!

Every year my family makes a trip up to Bert's Pumpkin Patch! These pumpkins are huge and I love them. I love the whole atmosphere of it all, the fall leaves, crisp breeze, boiled peanuts, cotton candy, Carmel apples....I could go on forever! It is a blast! And I love the tradition of it all for us, it is free to get in, and we typically will resort to purchasing a pumpkin from Wal-Mart, to save some pennies! But either way it is fun!!This year we went up there with some of our very dear friends the Ford's. We love this family and were so glad they joined us on this beautiful day! Here are a few shots. Judd was great, he sat still for me to take pictures....Bowen on the other hand ran around crazy playing hide and seek with Paul the whole time so I snagged what I could!

I love this time of year, I love the anticipation of "going to Bert's" I think it is one for sure day out of the whole year where I know I will get to enjoy spending the day with my favorite people! After the farm, we always head to this little hole in the wall called Under the Hemlock, it is a great place right next to Bert's and we eat hot dogs, chips and a Coke! It is cheap but we love it and you sit outside on the picnic tables and just enjoy the day! Plus the kids can run around and play to!

I am Super PUMPED, for this trip next year, we will have our camper!!! I think we are looking at making a weekend out of it!! I can't wait!! Me and my family had tons of summer memories in a camper and I am elated to pass this tradition on to my boys, and start making our own family memories!!

P.S I miss you Grandpop!!!

I left my camera home....BUMMER!!!!

I must start by saying, I ALWAYS have my camera....this drives Paul crazy so this day(our anniversary) I decided to leave it nice and securely in the case....I should have just followed my gut and brought it!!!!!!!

So yesterday was my anniversary, 4 years, it is crazy how time flies!! 8 years together, 4 years of marriage and 2 kids later.....life has been busy!! I love it!!! How I look back and see the amazingly sweet memories, and what stories we have written together. What history!!

Last night my hubby surprised me with a great night out, we had diner at Red Lobster (one of my favorites)! Dinner was great and Paul is so funny he forever keeps me doubled over in laughter. One reason why I love him! Even when I don't want to laugh, I can't resist his silly faces!

After dinner we headed over to Starbucks (another favorite) for dessert and some nice conversation. Well, we walk in and there is a table set up with roses on it and coffee cups that spell out I love you!!! My favorite drink was waiting for me and we enjoyed each other and we enjoyed Starbucks! This was so awesome!! I could not help but smile from ear to ear, I felt so special!

I was very impressed with Paul's creativity!! And loved how he had to plan it all in advance!!

There would not be enough room on this post to write down all the things I love about Paul, yes we have had our moments, and times have been really great, and times have been really tough. My heart is happy when I reflect back on the past several years and see the story of our life unfold, our marriage, the birth of our children are some of the most sentimental moments and sweetest moments of my life. I am so thankful I have a partner who loves me for me, and loves our family with an unconditional heart! I am so proud to be married to Paul I could not begin to imagine what life would have been like with anyone else!

I love this road we are on, and though there will undoubtedly be bumps in the road ahead I will enjoy the scenery with my very best friend. Paul you are one of three reasons this life, no matter what will always be sweet!Thank you for your commitment to me, the boys and to GOD! You rock my world and I will love you FOREVER!!!!

Where to begin......what a birthday!

It is the end of what has been the best birthday of my life......

I don't know where to start, I fell like the story could go on forever,so I am just going to type, and pray that everyone can follow all that is going on in my world, in my mind and in my heart.....so here it goes.....

I should start by saying that I am and have always been thankful for Gods provision in my life! I thank Him daily for my family, husband , children, house...a lot of different things and He has ALWAYS provided, in some form or fashion. We may not have a cent extra at the end of the pay period, but we want for nothing... But, today was different. I have been wailing since this afternoon, when I got a call from my friend relaying a message from my angel.....

It was my birthday and I received a ton of calls, emails and such wishing me a happy one thank you all so much for thinking of me, it warms my heart to feel as loved as I have felt today. So thank you all again. One call was different, it did not start off that way, this messenger is a very dear friend of mine so of coarse we laughed and joked around and had our usual conversation and questions. Some how it came up that our heat was out, I was really bragging on my girlfriends cause last night they brought me 4 heaters to heat my freezing house.This friend was unaware of the fact that we had no heat (not on the top of my list of happy things to talk about I guess) someone got wind that we had no heat, and called her up to tell her they wanted to help us out and fix whatever was wrong with it........WHAT!

I say WHAT so emphatically because I was a bit confused at first, I did not think I was hearing her correctly, someone who wants to remain nameless wants to send a heater fixer to my house and fix it for us, just does not make sense to me! My sweet messenger friend is sworn to secrecy and I am not allowed to ask any questions.

I am asking again, are you sure it is us, are you sure they don't want to help someone else? We do have 4 heaters (thanks ladies, I love you)? I would understand if they found this out that they would not want to follow through....I get it, there are people who are far worse off then us. She reassured me that this is what they feel led to do for us!!

Can I just tell you what a humbling experience it was for me, to allow this blessing to come my way. We need heat, I certainly can not have my babies in a freezing cold house, we just went through 2 ear infections and an Er visit a couple days ago...we need heat.

My heart, my mind can not wrap around this whole thing yet, I am so very grateful. My heart is full, the fact that someone is doing this for my family, when they don't have to.... we are in a economic crisis now, and someone wants to help my family, I am in awe, in awe of a God that promises to never leave me or forsake me. A God who promises that I will never be given more than I can bear. A God who promises me that if I walk with Him my burden will be light. A God who says rejoice, I will supply your every need.... I stand in awe...

To our Angel,

Where to begin to express my heartfelt gratitude? What words could possibly let you know how you have blessed us. I am So thankful. I think it is even more beautiful that you want no name but HIS attached to the blessing. I don't know how you found out our circumstances ....I believe it was a God thing, that was the only way our heat was getting fixed. With all that is in me I am encouraged by your kindness! We have witnessed first hand God intervening for us in a huge way. I was able to share my story of your generosity to some family members who I don't believe have a relationship or know our Lord, and they were blown away, they could not believe it. I want you to know that your gift was so much more than heat... I pray that you will read this, that you will know how much it has meant to my family. What an amazing birthday gift, what an amazing story to tell my kids of Gods love and provision, what an example of obedience.

If I knew who you were, I would hug your neck... From all the Estes we thank you, we thank God for using you to bless us. I have prayed all day that you would be blessed in return triple what you have done for us. I am so humbled by your gift.

I pray that one day we will be able to bless and encourage others the way you have blessed and encouraged us. May God Bless you.

So I am suppose to hear from the heater fixer by tomorrow, wow, I cry as I type...I love music, that is my favorite way to worship, I have been singing HIS praises all day.

My in laws made me dinner and the whole family was there to celebrate me, thank you all as well, I love you! My girlfriends made the night special too with campfire, hot coco and great conversation, you are the best friends any girl could ever ask for(believe me I asked/prayed for you), you all encourage me daily and I am so thankful for each one of you...

To my very dear and precious husband....I know this has been a hard time for you, and I know accepting these blessings from others is even more difficult, but be encouraged that I would stand beside you and be happiest in the freezing cold for the rest of my life if I had to as long as I had you beside me. I promised you almost 4 years ago that I would love you forever and I mean that more today then yesterday. You provide for your family in more ways then you know. I am honored to be your wife, through the calm and through the storm!!! I love you!

I don't know how to end this except to say thank you God, I stand in awe of you once again...your love for my family is astounding.

How great is our GOD!!

What a Weekend!

Before I get into the detail of this post I want to say thank you so much to all my amazing friends and family who prayed, called and emailed to check in on my family! It means more to me then you all will ever know! So again, thank you!!

Saturday night is when it all started Bowen woke up in the middle of the night and said his ear needed a band aid. Obviously his ear wash hurting, so I gave him some Motrin and we attempted to go back to sleep and get some rest. Needless to say, rest was not in the forecast for our family this weekend. After a long night full of whimpers and coughs, I woke up and headed to my friends house, she has drops to numb the ear and also antibacterial drops as well. In my mind I am hoping and praying that the drops will work and we can hold off from the Emergency Room and as soon as I wake up Monday morning I would make an appointment!

All day Sunday Bowen did fine, again a bit fussy with minor complaints about his ears I thought we would be in the clear till Monday! So Sunday night we get all the kids in bed and Paul heads to sleep, I am up editing pictures and Judd wails out this horrible scream (I have not ever herd this type of scream before) I run into the bedroom and pick him up....he is on fire, I mean SO hot. I take all of his clothes off to try to cool him down and his entire body is beet red, it looks like he had a sunburn all over his body. I go and get the thermometer and take his temp...104.7!! I am freaking out a bit at this point cause 105 is the limit for taking them to the ER, so I am nervous, praying that God would take down the temp a bit. So I give Judd the Motrin and we wait till the fever drops a bit, I put a T-shirt on him and lay him back down for bed.

As soon as I lay Judd down and I proceed to lay my own head on the pillow, Bowen wakes up and his ear hurts, so we are up again for another 3 hours trying to calm him down. So Paul and I are now on day 2 of slim to none sleep!!

Monday morning, I call the Dr. and tell them what the past few hours have consisted of with my boys and can they please let me know what time I can bring them both in to be checked out? She says that the earliest time is 5pm, so we wait and continue to take medicine to keep the fevers at bay. Now mind you even with the meds the boys were still having fevers that were reading into the 103's, so I am home by myself(Paul had to work) all day with 2 kids who are very clingy and do not feel well. We had a lot of snuggle time on the couch and that was the only nice part of the sick time, my kids are all over the place and to snuggle on the couch for 4 hours, well you know they must not feel real well.

5pm, we are in the Dr's office, both boys have horrible ear infections in one ear with the signs of the infection creeping into the second. Judd' s was so bad they had to give him a shot. Now, I am pro fever, I think it is good and well to have a fever if it is under control. In most instances I will hold off on the antibiotic to see if the body will just fight it off itself, that is the ideal situation. But when we get to the Dr. and the fevers are still in the high 103's even with Motrin, I decide I am ready for them to feel better, so lets do it!

We left the Dr, and I feel pretty good, sometimes we go and there is nothing the Dr can do, it is viral, so to leave there with an answer as to what is ailing my children was nice. We go to the pharmacy, Paul meets us there and we swap kids. The prescription was going to take a while and I had a few things I was going to pick up at the grocery store, so off went Paul and the boys!

A few minutes later Paul calls me and says that Bowen is complaining of his belly hurting and is a bit lethargic, I ask him to check Bowen's temp again and call me back. When Paul calls me back and tells me Bowen's temp is 105.7 I tell him to take all his clothes off and wait by the phone while I call the DR back, so a few minutes go by and the Dr calls back and basically says that we need to take him into the ER and that 105 is the most they would say a fever should get to, and that anything above 105 can cause convulsions and or brain damage if the fever were to say that high for a while...GREAT!! So I call Paul back and tell him to pack up the kids, I am on my way home from the grocery store and I will be there in A couple minutes.

Here is where the Panic sets in for me as a mother. First of all I am not there to lay eyes on my child and see for myself if he is alright....I know you mothers know what I am saying. WELL, Paul calls me back and informs me that he took Bowen's temp again and it is now 106.3!!!!!! I without any hesitation tell him to throw the kids in the car, don't wait for me to get home, I will meet you at the ER.

I am knees to the earth at this point! I turn my car around and race to the hospital where I proceed to fill out what I need to fill out in order to expedite the process of them seeing my baby! While I am waiting on my family to arrive, the only thing that brings me comfort is to get on my face and pray to the Lord that cares more about my children than I do, So that is exactly what I did. I walked right out of the ER and fell to my knees and prayed out loud that God would protect my child an heal him in His name.

Meanwhile there are people walking in and out of the hospital right beside where I was praying, one of them must have been alarmed because before I knew it the security guard is out there asking me if I was alright, well no, I am not alright I am worried about my baby. I am a firm believer in prayer and I was adamantly calling out to the Ultimate Healer.

To make a really long story short, God answers my prayers and Bowen's fever began to immediately fall and by the time we left the ER it was 99.5. I am so thankful to God for looking after my family, and I am so thankful that my world, my life...my babies are fine!

I am looking forward to some good sleep tonight! Thank you once again for all the prayers, our God is good and your prayers were felt!

Blurb!!!!!!

Alright!! Here is something really cool!! My cousin Suzanne just sent out an email about blurb. What is it you say?? Well this cool website allows you to download software to make your blog into a book!!! I am totally pumped about this. Check it out for yourself at www.blurb.com and see what kind of neat things you can create.

I have been printing out each post on my blog, so that I can keep it since it is like a little journal for me, and now that there is this sweet software, I will certainly purchase a book at the end of the year to document the happenings in the Estes house. So for all you bloggers out there, enjoy this cool new site!!! Thanks Suz for sharing, and I love your book!!!!

My Little Chick-A-Dee

So here he is...Judd, my little chick! A couple weekends ago we attended a costume birthday party, and before we got there I pulled off to snag some pictures of the boys.Bowen decided that he did not like his costume, so I had to settle for Judd pictures only!! Who Knows what Halloween will look like, it may rain or be so cold we don't go out so I thought it would be nice on this beautiful day to get some before Halloween shots!! Paul hates this costume, he says it is "gay" I however think it is adorable!! Come on! He is only 1, pretty soon he will be picking out his own horrible costumes that I will surly despise, so as for now, while he has no opinion this chicken was a winner!! He looks thrilled doesn't he?


I love this, there was a little antique shop that was decorated so wonderfully for the fall, so we stopped there to admire the decor.

Nothing else really going on, today is a gloomy one so we have been confined indoors, which I hate, but it has been nice to make me sit and relax in my own home. I am still sifting through my Bert's farm Pics so I should have those up in the next few days!! I am looking forward to this weekend, Paul is singing at church which is always my favorite, I have several shoots this weekend including a bridal session which I am thrilled about as well. I got my new camera in and I am loving it!!! IT is amazing so check back, I will have several updates!!

Pumpkin Pancakes!

In honor of fall and October, I decided that this morning I was going to make pumpkin pancakes!! They were delicious! I made the batter the night before, threw it in the refrigerator and this morning pulled out the griddle and it was easy! Topped with confectioners sugar and some fresh raspberries and blueberries, it was a meal to savor!!

Bowen, who is not the biggest breakfast eater had 4 pancakes!! Judd who eats more than Bowen also devoured a ton himself!

I am inspired in the fall to bake and cook different things, next week I am making pumpkin roll, one of my seasonal favorites! Tradition in our house is pumpkin rice crispy treats (not made with pumpkin) They are shaped like pumpkins and I color them orange, tootsie roll serves as a stem, candy corn for the eyes, and an M&M as the nose, these are fun to do with children!

In the background of this picture is the recipe book Deceptively Delicious. It is an awesome book for parents who's children have an aversion to veggies and other nutritional foods. The thought is, if you puree veggies and add them to your recipes then your family will still get the nutrients from those veggies. I will be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first...I thought that we would have to add tons of sugar to hide the taste of the veggies, and what would the point of that be? I certainly did not what to fill my kids with sugar just so they could eat broccoli. Much to my surprise, this book is very health conscious, using things like flax seed and stone ground wheat, it is a much healthier approach to cooking than I have ever done.

So this week was grocery week, and I decided to give it a whirl! I have come to realize I love this book. It did take me a while to find all the ingredients in the grocery store and getting used to the idea of pureeing and freezing will take some time, but I think it will be so much better for my family, and so far all 3 of my biggest food critics have not noticed a thing!! Pretty awesome when you think of brownies made with pureed spinach, Hugh???



This morning was the best morning to break out the pumpkin pancakes, it was raining with a chill outside, we have the windows open and are enjoying the rain and each other! Savoring the few hours we have until life gets busy again, rehearsal dinners and such tonight! I think my sis-in-law and her kids may come over and we can keep in good company, all enjoying the rain together. Not to mention the perks of wearing the kids out with some good family playtime, and then nice long naps for tired mommies!!! :)

My Boys

Here are my babies once again I have made them be my models.... not really, I just wanted some fall pictures of my kids so we headed out and caught a few of my favorites!! I love the sun in these images!

Just an update, things are good at the Estes household. I am still in my bible study and loving it! Paul and I are reading together a book called Love & Respect, I am excited about this book too. This weekend is very busy, but I am so looking forward to everything on our to do list! From a killer Halloween party with some new friends, a wedding, Bert's Farm, pumpkins, and apple picking!!! OHHHH my I can hardly wait!


This is Bowens silly pose!! He looks so GQ here it is hilarious to me! But I love it!!


This one slipped in there cause I think it is cute, we took a few Christmas pictures for our Christmas card and I loved this one of Judd, I know he is not smiling, but I still love his expression!

On another note, Paul and I have started mentoring with this awesome couple, I am so pumped about this. I think it will be good for us to have others who have been where we are in life and help Keep us on the path of serving one another. I have been learning a lot lately about God's provision in my life, and about being obedient in honoring my husband I am so excited to see what he has in store for our marriage.

Here is a part of the bible study I am reading. I really like what Kelly says here. I found it very pleasant!

" I believe obedience is the precursor to experiencing God's satisfying presence and the richness of His blessings. This is not a formula but a path that manifests itself in a relationship that is honest and open between God and us. It functions supremely when we are looking solely to Him as Savior."

I love it, I love the picture it paints of our relationship with God! Oh there is so much in this study that just ROCKS my socks off...

I feel this pertains to my obedience to God in respecting Paul, even when he does not deserve it, and I must be more obedient in loving Paul, even when he is not lovable. I love how the things I do with my study group of amazing ladies, always seems to go back and pertain to my amazing husbands, God is so good to intertwine the two....He is much smarter than I give Him credit for at times!

Van Gogh.....maybe so?

I will start off by saying October is a hard month for my personal blogging time. We have been really busy around here, partly because we have a bit of relief from the hot weather, and also because it is almost fall, my favorite time of year. There are parties to attend, festivals, fairs, pumpkin patch's...you see! I am guessing that because of all this fun, Bowen was inspired...

Here is what I walked into the other day....Bowen, who is almost 3, plays well by himself, I usually can do some laundry or some other chore around the house and he will entertain himself very well. So walking into this was a shocker. Now all of the art supplies are in a container in his closet and it would be really hard for an almost 3 year old to reach, right??? That's what I thought, and I think I was wrong.

I was bothered, of course, just one more mess to clean up, but I was thankful it was washable temper paint!! WRONG AGAIN!!!!!! A while ago I bought letters from Michael's to spell out Bowen's name and I was going to come home paint them and hang his sweet little name on the wall. Well I did that but I put the acrylic paint in Bowen's art box....you see where I am going? It is NOT the temper paint that would wash right off of the walls, it is the acrylic paint that is not budging no matter how much elbow grease I put into it! So it looks like I will be painting the room all over again...The tan color was leftover from our hallway and we used every drop for Bowen's room. No touch up paint left.

He was reprimanded, but he was so proud of his work, I couldn't help but think it was sweet! OH, since then we have moved the art box..

The dolphin is not part of the artwork (in case you were wondering)!

I will update soon with lots of fall pictures, we are heading to the piumpkin patch this weekend. It has neen a tradition for our family! So I will have lots of pic to post real soon! I hope this finds everyone well!

Interesting to say the Least...

So this week and last weekend has been pretty crazy! My family and I drove out to Gwinnett on Friday night, so we could go see my family. And also one of my friends just had a baby and she lives about 10 min from my mom so we decided to pack up the family and make the hour and a half trip out to Stone Mountain.Well... before we packed up the kids, I called and asked my mom if there was gas out her way, cause there was NO gas anywhere around Dallas/Hiram area. My mom assures us that there is plenty of gas and we should head on out there and we will find gas on our way. Now mind you, we only had enough gas to get out there and not to get back...So Paul and I are looking at every gas station and we keep passing one, two, three...no gas! We pull up to my moms house, tell her the news of No gas anywhere out there either and she apologizes, and we wait!!



The next morning I call my friend and tell her I do not have enough gas to make it out to see her and meet her new baby girl, and she assures me that there is gas out by her and I should head on over. Now, she had her husband go up to the corner store before I left just to make certain there was gas, and there was. So I head to her house to see her and Lela, I take a few pictures, visit with the family, and head out to stop by the gas station they said had gas...and they did have gas....until I pulled up to the pump, then, of course, they ran out. So I barely make it back to my moms, and we had every intention to hang at my moms till about 2pm, eat lunch and head over to a friend of mines daughters 2nd birthday. But that was not going to work, cause we had no gas, and unless we waited on the closest gas station to get gas we would run out searching for a place that had gas. It was a vicious cycle.



Now after the birthday party(which we never made it to) I was suppose to go up to the hospital and visit some friends of mine who just had their little boy, and of course take pictures as well, BUT without gas I was stuck and could not go anywhere. So I unfortunately had to cancel that as well.



Now I am panicking, I need to get home, I am singing at church on Sunday morning and I needed to get back to Paulding county and I needed to get to church. Well, we sat in line for over 2 hours to get gas, we waited and waited and we were ready to wait as long as we needed to. Finally got gas and did not make it back to our house till after 2am on Saturday night! Awesome, I was home and getting ready to sleep only to have to wake up and go to church and try to sing with a man voice cause I had no sleep. I will be honest I thought about canceling at the church, but I am so glad I didn't, I always enjoy it so much and it was nice to be back in my element(it has been a while)



Now, in between all that Paul and I were stressed out and we took it out on each other, had an argument in front of Bowen and had to go back and apologize to him, I don't think he gets it, but at least he saw us resolve our conflict! Aghh!!! I hate that!



And in the meantime since we were literally stuck in Gwinnett, we went and watched my brother play football. He only has 2 more games left and I have yet had a Saturday where I was free to go watch him, so even though things did not work out like I had planned them to, it was still a nice weekend, and I did enjoy the extra unplanned time I was able to spend with my family!



On another note, Paul took me out on a date to see the movie Fireproof, and well it helps to put things into perspective, and our little scuffle is over, Thank God! I do think every married couple should go see it and maybe even keep a copy on hand at home! I cried the whole movie and I loved it(once I got passed the poor acting) The point of the movie is awesome!!

The Many Faces of Judd!!

Well, I know you all saw the birthday celebration for Judd's one year birthday! September 4, 2007 a day that brought new light into my life! Here is my super sweet baby boy!! I had a few minutes with him without Bowen and decided it was a good time to get some one year pictures. It was short and sweet! They are always the best! We went and had lunch together at Chic--fil-A, and with a full belly and a happy baby we were off ! I wish there was a way to preserve the sounds as well as the images of certain moments(without chugging both the camera and camcorder everywhere). If you could have only been there to hear the deep cackle that came from my child at this point! I do believe that my children's voices are like angels and when they laugh and are happy it is so good to my heart and soul! I had always prayed even before I met Paul that one day when I was married with children, that laughter would be the resounding sound that echoed around my house. My children have helped that prayer be answered, not only with the giggles that come from them, but the continuous comedy that we are entertained with daily!!

Oh, my his teeth...my little child is a year old and still sporting only the 2 bottom teeth, but he is proud, and this picture just shows how proud he really is! It is so endearing to me to see Judd smile, my whole life every picture I see of myself smiling my eyes have disappeared behind these teeny beeny cracks called eyelids....I think Judd has inherited the disappearing eye trick his momma is so good at!!

This would be his squish face! You ask him to do it and he is right on point! Ready to preform!! Again, just another one of the many reasons I am laughing throughout the day...right here, you're lookin' at it!

My serious thinker, Judd really is extremely laid back, he studies things around him and is pretty sharp already if you ask me. Now I know I am his momma, but I am not saying this from a partial standpoint, I just really think he is! Now he is not walking yet, but he has way more complex things he is trying to figure out right now. Give him a few weeks and he will be off!!

This is the dancing machine! Ever since he was 3 months old he has been dancing, moving his head back and forth with serious conviction! I was a bit alarmed at first(I'll be honest) it threw me for a loop, this little baby just moving in this manner, but now we have come to realize that he loves music, and loves rhythm!! I think the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Talking and crawling' this is the life! Here is his usual stance. He is really fast too! Now when he sees me coming he turns around and crawls as fast as he can laughing along the way! I follow suit of course, and crawl after him, laughing right along with him! As soon as I get to him he grabs my face and opens his mouth, as if he really knows how to kiss me! I love it, wet and all...you never know where his mouth will land, he is passionate(another trait he comes by honestly) and will go for it, so you better be ready!!

I love the"many faces of Judd" they are are so dear to me, and I hope this gives you a better glimpse of why he brings so much happiness to our world, he is special in every way, in every laugh and in every cry he becomes that much more special to me, for it is one more chord that binds us together, one more moment I get to store up and look back on.

I am so thankful for all the memories and sweet moments I have because of my husband and my children. I try to savor and preserve the sweet gifts from God, etching all that I can onto the tablet of my heart, for I know one day I will need to pull from this reserve, from this precious treasure in my mind to re live the euphoria I feel for my boys (all 3 of them) in this very day and in this very moment!!

Another day of Outside Play!!

So the plan is to take the kids out and play everyday, and in some way , shape or fashion we always do(weather permitting) Here are just a few of us playing outside! One thing about being a photographer is that I am able to preserve the moments of a lot of people! I am trying to remember to preserve my own moments with my own family! So this blog has almost in a silly way held me accountable. I want to post pictures of my family for the rest of my family to see and enjoy, there fore I remember to slow down, and enjoy preserving my own memories.

So while these may not be the most amazing images I have ever taken, they are certainly taken of some of the most amazing kids! I love to hear them play together, they laugh and chuckle, with belly laughs that make a mother's heart melt! So these pictures are a sweet reminder of this time, for I know it is fleeting....


Tuckered out from jumping for hours..Bowens tuckered out is just a few short seconds, funny the energy children have!

Judd wants so desperately to make it up the slide and jump with his brother.! Just look at that "please help me" face!

Just another venture I have embarked on is a bible study, with some of the best gals ever. I am so enjoying this time of getting to know them, and each week I look forward to the next time we will get together. What a fun group God has formed. I always find it interesting to see such different women with such different backgrounds and different upbringings come together and have so much in common! Well, that post is for another day! I am looking forward to the next few days, I have dinner with great friends, I will go and visit my family out in Gwinnett, get to meet a friend of mine's new baby girl, then sing at church and in between celebrate my nephew's birthday and some of my very sweet friends little girls birthdays too! So lots of posting to come!

By the way if you are reading this, please pray for Paul, as he has been traveling and will be on the road a while and hopefully home this evening! So safe travels, my love, we can't wait for you to come home, right where you belong, see you soon!

A Whole Lot Of Nothing!

Well, this week is off to a good start, a fast one at that. No news to report, just the same old same old! Which I am fine with, Usually we are running around like crazy and this week(until this weekend) I am able to relax and enjoy this amazing weather we have been experiencing!! Paul has been getting home early the past 2 days so we have enjoyed spending some extra time with him as well. This weekend we have lots of birthdays to celebrate so I am sure it will be tons of fun full of junk food and laughs!! I will post pictures!!

I leave you with this sweet face! Hope you all have a great week!!