Emily After Waking Up This Morning

Yesterday Emily took a marker and drew a smiley face on both hands—something she desires thanks to a few Costco workers. I didn't think much more about it until she woke up this morning. I had to giggle a bit when I saw the smiley face on her forehead/eyebrow. She looked puzzled until I explained to her that her smiley face had transferred to her face while she was sleeping. Boy, was that tough to explain. After I had tried about 10 different explanations she finally decided it was cool; now she had a tattoo. Seriously, a tattoo? Where did she make that leap? I am so not ready for that conversation yet. ;)

Greg Studying

I am absolutely convinced that my husband simply enjoys being a student. I believe it is because it is so darn easy for him. He graduated from college summa cum laude; I graduated and thanked the Laude.

Don't get me wrong; I have no problem with him continuing to educate himself. We are both huge fans of lifelong learning, but it has been a bit of an adjustment. Right after we got married Greg began graduate school, and the hours were long, and it was kinda tough on us both. This is a bit different. Now we have kids and three businesses that we run, so time has to be managed very well for it all to work. Sometimes it doesn't work so hot, but so far this endeavor has been going well. I will confess that it is strange to hear him say he needs to study or has homework. And it might occasionally be a bit of a temptation to be a distraction to him while he is working. ;) I fear that I am not good at sharing him with his educational mistress. However, he has been doing a fantastic job at being patient with me as I adjust to this balance again. After all, he does get to take these classes for free—one of the only perks to his day job. :) I can't really argue with that.

The Girls Playing in the Rain

I love the rain, and I love it even more when the sun is peeking through and creates a juxtaposition of sorts. It is beautiful, refreshing, and peaceful. But what I enjoy even more is playing, dancing, and running through the rain. Love it! So, today as the rain gently fell and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, I invited my girls outside to have a little fun. That's right, I let my kids play in the rain. It was so much fun. Emily grabbed the bubbles, and they all danced around as Anna squealed and Ariana laughed. I love my kids. They have to be some of the happiest people on the planet (most of the time, that is). :)

Kenny Speaking to the Trip Participants

Tonight we had our last meeting for preparation before we leave for Mexico this Saturday. I can hardly believe that it is almost here. I am not prepared in so many ways. I have much to do before I can leave on this trip—business and personal stuff that needs to be wrapped up a bit—and I fear I do not have enough time to do it.

I am excited, though. I am excited to see the story that is going to unfold during the week we are there. I am excited for the seven families that will be getting homes of their very own. I am excited to get to be a part of what God is doing through the Amor Missions Organization there in Mexico. I am excited to get away from my normal, to get outside myself and my comfort zone. I am excited and nervous to document this trip. (What if I don't do a good job?) For me, my hope is to use a little photographic art to help tell a story that God is creating. It is not about business; it is personal. And what am I most excited and nervous about? Whatever God is going to do in me, cause the good Lord sure doth know that I am always in need of some serious changing. ;)

It is a bit bittersweet though. I will have no computer/internet/cell phone access while I am gone, and that means that I will not be able to keep up on this blog in real time while I am gone. I will have to wait until I come back to post the entries. It makes me a teeny bit sad, only because I have not missed posting a single day since I started this 365 Days in the Life of a Photographer Mom project. I'll get over it, and I am hoping that my readers and clients will forgive me for delaying that week's posts until I return.

Until then I have much to do to prepare. And if you are of the praying sort, I would deeply appreciate your prayers while I am gone. We have had to make lots of changes so that I can go on this trip, including but not limited to having Greg take the week off from his day job to stay home and be Mr. Mom while I am gone. I have no doubt things will be fine—with the good Lord's help and having grandma on speed dial, that is. ;)

And I would be completely remiss if I did not explain the photo from this evening. Recently—like two weeks ago recently—our church got a new youth leader. His name is Kenny. Kenny and his lovely wife Kimberly are also going on this trip, and I am so excited to get to know them a bit better. Kenny will be sharing with the group on several of the days we are gone, and he started by introducing himself to the group tonight. He is animated and has a great sense of humor, and I can't wait to see how God uses him in the lives of the youth group. So, local peeps, if you see him around make sure to help him feel welcome; he and his wife are new to town! :)

"A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of our greatest triumphs in this life has been to have had enough sense to surround ourselves with friends more brilliant and incredible than ourselves. We are so incredibly blessed in knowing some truly fabulous people whom we have grown to love so dearly. They have touched our lives in so many ways and continue to be a source of incredible support in this journey called life.

Today, nearly 2 years after the beginning of our journey to adopt the precious little Anna, we finally got the opportunity to have the celebration we have been dreaming of. Our greatest wish for today was that we would have the opportunity to celebrate and love on some of the beautiful souls who have helped get us through the arduous journey of completing Anna's adoption.

I would be remiss, though, if I did not give a shout out at the 100's of people from around the country who could not join us today but who have also helped to support us during this time. Together we give a huge shout out to all of you who have prayed, loved us, and cared about Anna's adoption story. Words cannot express our deep gratitude and love that we have for each and every one of you. Thank you!

And, quite possibly the greatest idea I have ever had was to create a "photo booth" at our party today, which as you will see, has provided us with the most awesome photos ever. :) Thank you for all who came to celebrate with us today. Here are a few of our "photo booth" favorites. Enjoy.

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