Happiness. This Year and Always.

There was a song, by Ed Cash, at Windy Gap merging into my Senior Year of high school in Asheville, North Carolina. At the time, the song probably didn’t strike a chord as it does today. Simply, the lyrics are happiness and meaningful.When I saw these pictures, my first thought was that "I am truly happy" and this tune came to mind. Peculiar how a mind works but it fluttered out of my sub consciousness.

Anyway, these are our Christmas card pictures and this season of life. What the pictures don’t show are the dirty diapers, the dilemma of changing clothes, and scurrying to listen to the Aggie game. That’s life though, isn’t it? I know that I will miss these days of racing to the next thing, going to work with wet hair, and falling asleep watching Polar Express with my loves. There is always something else to do but living in the moment, that’s the best way to experience this golden opportunity.

I yearn for more and more of these days as they seem to churn by. Suddenly Laney says silly, and startling, things like "I need to brush my hair, it's crazy" or "Momma, it's just a bump in the road!" and Landry is stumbling around trying to walk only to discover she really loves to crawl. Still, how did we get here? I realize these babies turn into children and then eventually adults but oh the precious days.....

These pictures were such a special memory in celebrating the chaos that we love to call our life. The facial expressions and laughter, the in between frustrations with bottles, and the transparent love of a growing family.

In no particular order.....

 Ah yes, we fell off of the hammock! It was pretty funny, even though I was scared to try again and get back on. We didn't get any pictures worth framing but it is fun to recall how we were unable to sit properly!

Easter Pictures Take 1

It is official that having Laney's pictures taken is simply just a challenge. It took me almost 6 months to realize this as a task that I can prepare for the fullest for and life is unpredictable . We tried for Easter pictures Sunday afternoon and there were several reasons why we didn't think they'd turn out. These difficulties include Laney throwing up, the cloudy sky and light sprinkles, my hair with the wind, and Laney's overall disposition. But in all of the hecticness most of the pictures that Carrie captured are priceless! She is an amazing photographer and has such a unique eye! I'm fortunate to be able to have her as a friend! As a mother, and photographer, she was absolutely understanding and we are going to re-shoot on Wednesday or Thursday when we see the sunshine again! Her business is called "in the still photography" and I am going to upload her blog site as one of my links. These are my favs:

Note: Momma went to the car to get a hair clip and this is what I came back too. I think this picture is priceless though, I love Matthew's smirking smile and Laney looking out over the water!

I should have more to upload later this week or weekend!