This precious family reminds me so much of our own  years ago. While life was so chaotic when they were little, I wouldn't trade it for the world. (I do wish I'd kept a journal, though!)

"The days are young, but the years are short."

What advice do I have for mothers in this stage of life?

• Give yourself grace.
• Keep a journal, seriously! Even if it's just writing a sentence a day in your calendar, planner or notebook.
• Download the "1 Second a Day" app or something similar.
• Take lots of photos, and be sure YOU are in some of them!
• Keep regular date nights with your husband, whether once a month, week or quarter. If your budget doesn't allow, then trade babysitting with friends and just have a dinner at home with no kids or distractions. 
• Above everything else, spend time in God's Word and in church with a community of believers. This summer, look for area churches offering Vacation Bible School, backyard Bible clubs and other activities. If you don't have a church home, I'd love for you to try mine!

We managed to have one of the prettiest days this Spring for Grace's senior high school session. With graduation right around the corner, I am glad everything came together for this session. 

This impressive young lady started the Project Lit Book Club at her school, and she is a National Merit Commended student, which is awarded to less than 5% of the test takers.

She hopes to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to earn her pharmacy degree and also minor in Spanish. Best wishes, Grace, as you begin this new adventure!

We just wrapped up our dress rehearsal for A Kansas City Christmas, the annual Christmas program at Lenexa Baptist Church. And let me tell you, it's going to be incredible!

After 18 months of no choir and orchestra, we began rehearsing again in September. We have rehearsed each week while spread out in the congregational seats, so being all together up on the stage tonight was rather exhilarating.

There are three opportunities this weekend to see the program:

Saturday, December 4 at 1 & 5 pm
Sunday, December 5 at 5 pm

Can't make it in person? Then you can also watch it online at the website.

It's always fun to do a session for friends. We serve together at Lenexa Baptist Church, and  this family is amazing! From their commitments at church to their kids activities to all their teaching jobs and more...I have no idea how they even had time for family photos!

Here are just a few shots from their session.

• Family Photography •

"But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."

— 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB)

This last-minute session was a blast. I knew from the moment Laurie stepped out of her car with her beautiful pink jacket and matching shoes, that she would be a blast to photograph! And she did not disappoint! Even though it was a freezing-cold day, Laurie was a trooper, letting me move her from place to place around Legler Barn in Lenexa.

This jet-setting woman is never in one place for long, so I was truly honored that she stopped long enough for little ol' me to take her photos. 

Nothing like a little bit of country right in the big city!  Legler Barn is situated on busy 87th street in Lenexa, Kansas, and is right down the street from our church, Lenexa Baptist Church. Pastor McDonald and his family met me for this quick session right before the sun began to set. I just love how we stayed in basically the same area of the park, and yet depending on which angle I shot from, we had completely different backgrounds. Photographers can spend hours scouting new locations. All I had to do was turn from one direction to another!

I'm pretty sure we picked the coldest day of the year so far to take family photos! This family didn't let it stop them, though. The sweet boys climbed out of the wagon and did their best to brave the cold winds. Bless their hearts, they couldn't keep their teeth from chattering. Did I mention it was cold? The kind of cold that makes your eyes run and the tears freeze to your face. It was a sweet moment when Mom and Dad at different times took off their coats to help warm up the children. Here are just a few images from our session at Fleming Park near Missouri Town.

This family couldn't be more precious! We had perfect weather for this beautiful session, and when Mr. C mentioned Heritage Park, I knew the perfect place! When we got there, the sun was sparkling through the trees - a photographer's dream! At first, little M wasn't into taking pictures, but after just a few minutes, she was flashing those pearly whites. Her big sister A was a natural in front of the camera. 

Your search is over. This home has it all! The main level boasts high ceilings, formal dining, master suite, an open floor plan, and a remodeled eat-in kitchen with granite, a walk in pantry and 1/2 bath close by. The master suite has a large walk-in closet with beautiful built ins, and a large bath complete with vessel sinks, gorgeous tile and a corner Jacuzzi tub.

Upstairs you'll find another 3 bedrooms, plenty of storage and a 2nd family room with a wet-bar. A second laundry area makes life a breeze. The walkout basement features a large workshop area, plus 2 more rooms with built-ins that have been used for craft rooms.

I was photobombed! This sweet doggy looked so comfy warming in the sunlight.  I hated to ask him to move, but I don't think his owners minded much. The house went live on the MLS after midnight on a Sunday, and by 2 pm the same day they had an offer.