Goodbye Summer....

and homeschooling.At least for now.Today Alexandra & Blake headed back into the world of public school.We have homeschooled for two years there were so many great things about it...but there were some not so great.We have always said that we would take it year by yearand see what we felt we were lead to do with each new year as it came.We have also said that if it was causing more stress or harmto our lives as a family...then it was time to stop.With two little ones not in school, it was a constant worry for me that they were being pushed to the side. I have felt as if I was failing at everything at timesand the stress & worry that caused me wasn't healthy for me or my family.I know that I have four great kids who I want the best for,spiritually...emotionally...educationally...if it means that the last of those above has to handled by someone other than me,I am no less of a parent...mother...teacher.We prayed and asked that God give us peace about what to do,we have been reminded that if you teach your kids the right things, whether they are in school or at home,it doesn't make a difference.Each child will face situations as they get older,we can only teach them the truth during the time that we have themand pray that God will give them the courage to stand in those situations.~~~~~As we went to the schools to take care of getting them registered,We felt blessed and proud. In situation after situation, we were told what wonderful kids we haveand that the reputations that they had upon leaving therein the 1st and 3rd grades were something to be proud of.~~~~~Indeed, I do have some wonderful kids & as I told them,now is not the time in their lives to stop doing the right thingsbut to determine within themselves even more to do what's right.Please say a prayer for them...Alexandra is heading to middle school, that is usually intimidating enough without having been away for the last two years.Ol' Blake is headed to the fifth grade and thinks he is too cool for words.They were both nervous & excited today as they headed back.Me, well, I truly felt as if they were heading off to kindergarten again,so you may want to say a prayer for me too.!!~~~~~Anyway...here are a few photos from their first day.Goodbye Summer.......
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~~~Miss Middle SchoolerI would hate to admit it to her...but she doesn't look like my baby anymore.She really is growing up.lets keep that between us!
~~~ ~~~We love you, Sis...~~~

~~~and we are very proud of you.~~~
~~~ Mr. Fifth GraderI think he was most excited about his bag which he had organized to the hilt.In fact, he had it so full it looked bigger than him!~~~ ~~~We love you, buddy...~~~

~~~you make us so proud!~~~

~~~I know this year will be bring new challenges for all of us...but I also know...that as family....and with God's help...there's not anything we can't do! ~~~

Abby Part II... for Angie & Terry

Just some more photos of one of the most adorable one year olds I know.Angie and Terry,this should be the last round.There may be a few others to look atwhen I give your hard copybut for the most part, these were my favorites.There are too many to count!

~~~Angie & Terry,as I sat on the ground, taking her picture as she was swinging,I saw these little feet coming towards me...I just wanted you to have something to look at in the years to come to remind you of how little she was once upon a time.Take the time to kiss those little piggies...count them and tickle them every chance you get...they don't stay this little long enough.
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~~~whether she is smiling or...~~~

~~~serious...she is as cute as can be.~~~

~~~one from yesterdaywith a vintage flair~~~

~~~If only we took the time....~~~

~~~to explore...to investigate....~~~
~~~& to appreciate the world around uslike the little ones around us do. ~~~
~~~If that is not the look of a girl up to something...I don't know what is!!!~~~

~~~Doesn't the above phrase say it all?~~~~~~a little vintage with some sepia tones mixed in~~~~~~~~
~~~As Abby grows older...I know that she will fold her hands just like this...and say a prayer of thanks to God for sending her to you.~~~

~~~~~

~~~~~~~~Terry,I hope that you realize that with looks like this...you are putty in her hands!!~~~
~~~~~

~~~I do believe that you guys have a little model on your hands.She doesn't mind me pointingmy big, black camera at her one bit!
~~~
~~~I posted this in black & white yesterdaybut with how her beautiful eyes stand outin this color version...I couldn't resist posting this one as well!~~~~~~~~
~~~Ok...Angie & Terry...when do I get to do it again?!!!~~~
I am playing around again,this time with some prints.The color looked a little wonky once I saw it on hereand I didn't get the sizing just right...but what do you think...is there potential here?I love to hear some feedback!

You can't have too much of a good thing...

isn't that what they always say?
Well, I tend to agree
especially when you are referring to a little girl
by the name of
Miss Abby.
I have a TON of photos of her to share with you.

~~
Her parents and grandparents are eager to see
what pictures I was able to capture
after spending the afternoon with her last weekend.
It was very hot, and I have had some obstacles
to overcome with some of these,
but every bit of that was well worth it to me.

This little girl has been

one of the most wonderful additions

to our family.

I truly have treasured the moments

I've gotten to share with her.

It is really true what they say about

the best things in life being worth the wait.

I know that her parents,

Angie & Terry

will certainly agree with me.

~~~
I have tried some new things with these
there are some color as well as black & white,
& a new little vintage look I have been wanting to try.
I enjoy photography as a hobby...
mainly because I get to spend time with
sweet little angels like this.

***

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She started out in the creek

nice & dry...

but then what fun is that?!

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She's such a sweetheart!

~~~

Angie & Terry found a field just down the road

from their home.

It looked like just the place for a photo

such as this....

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This one is for those who like a little black & white

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One with a little more saturation

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and one with a little vintage touch...

not sure if I like this yet or not.

Maybe an occasional choice.

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What's a girl to do when she finds herself

down & out

in soaking wet clothes?...
She takes a moment to enjoy the fact that she's 1 Year Old

and can still get away with doing something this fun.

~~~

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Does this look like a face that's worried

about the fact that her clothes got soaked

and

she got to wade & sit in the creek naked?!!!

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A couple more from the creek

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Abby & her bunny...

Inseperable.

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We ended up at the park at sundown...

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a little reward for a job well done!!

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trying to catch the little bugs flying through the air.

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Miss Abby has the most beautiful eyes.

They draw you in as soon as you meet her.

~~~

~~~~~

one.

two.

THREE!!!

~~~

Not your typical photo...

but serves to remind you to think outside the box.

When I took it

I wanted it to draw attention to what

I think are her most beautiful assets

Can you guess what they are?

~~~

~~~

the last two are from the field her parents found.

I had some challenges with those taken in this field due to several factors.

Regardless of any problems I might have had

one thing's for sure...

the innocence, sweetness, and beauty

of this little one shines through.

Angie & Terry...

you are truly blessed.
~~~

~~~~~

This last one was my final experiment.

I have seen a lot of photos that have texture added to them.

The look of them put me in mind of the

old photos/paintings you use to see many years ago.

Miss Abby...

Thank you for being my sweet, beautiful subject.