Heritage Poultry - 9.26.08

Yesterday morning, Malakai and I had a little road trip to Annville. It was a beautiful 40 minute drive. I took some back country roads home which was even more wooded and scenic. My brother-in-law, Jason works for this business and they asked me to do a company picture. I had fun joking around with everyone and I think it was a good mid-morning break for them. It's always rejuvenating to get some fresh air when you work in an office all day. Believe me...on "editing days" I can definitely use a walk in the evenings with my family after being pent up in the house all day long. Thanks for babysitting Malakai while I was shooting, Monica! He slept the whole way home :)

Katie & Ellie - 9.24.08

Sister, sister...how adorable are these girls? Their mom and I are good friends. She was my field hockey coach in high school and after I graduated from Messiah College, I came back to coach under her for the JV team. Our friendship has grown through the years and more so recently as we adopted Malakai. Her & her husband have been an incredible support to Eric and I as they have gone before us in the adoption journey, adopting Katie from China several years ago. Katie and Ellie are starting dance lessons soon and Lauri got these cute matching dresses for the girls. She wanted me to come out to their house and get some shots of them together and I had a blast with these two. They were leading me around the pond with my eyes shut, twirling around in flowy dresses like every little girl loves to do, and enjoying each other's company. It took some bribing (ice cream always does the trick!) towards the end but they were troopers and I know they had fun which is the most important part of any photo shoot in my opinion. Lauri, your sweethearts are full of life and you are one awesome mommy. Can't wait to hear how dance class goes!

Carissa - 9.22.08

Natural beauty...those are the words that keep running through my mind as I look over Carissa's senior portraits. She was so much fun to photograph. I really didn't have to giver her much direction, she just posed and I captured her personality that came out. She was lovin' the camera, even though I think I woke her up pretty early to meet me at Masonic Homes. We met Carissa and her family this past spring. Her parents adopted five children and are a bi-racial family a lot like ours. We have enjoyed this connection and are blessed to have people like Carissa and her family in our lives as we raise Malakai. Carissa, you are one incredible woman and I am excited to see how God uses your life as you pursue Him and the calling on your life for creativity and design. Enjoy a few favs...

New Office Manager

A good manager is hard to find...he can be pretty tough on me sometimes, but he is a great addition to my office! If you ever wonder what I do while I'm editing to pass the time, here's a little window into my not-so-boring life as a mommy/photographer.

Bath Toys

This morning, Malakai was especially excited about chomping on his bath toys. He still loves getting in the water and splashing around.

Martin Family - 9.20.08

"Do you have family pictures taken every year?"
"Uh, no..it's been 14 years."
"Well, what an honor to be the one to update them!"

That was the conversation I had with Mrs. Martin before I began the session so I knew they would be a lot of fun. They had lots of ideas and were anxious to try new things. They even got Dad a new outfit from AE...looking sharp, Mr. Martin! I coached their one daughter Ashley in field hockey at LMH so we had a little background with each other. It's always so fun to see what "my hockey girls" are up to after high school. Here's a few favorites from our morning together.

Fellenbaum Family - 9.18.08

Last year I had the opportunity to do the Fellenbaum family and this year they asked me to come back to do the extended family portraits. We had a beautiful evening for the photo session on the family's residence in Mount Joy. The kids did great and everyone seemed to have fun. Some of the kids had school pictures earlier that day so they were about "pictured" out, but I was proud of them for hangin' in there with me. The family even invited me to stay for pizza afterwards which my growling stomach couldn't turn down. Thanks for a fun photo shoot!

Keith & Chelsey - 9.14.08

Don't let the fall fool you...it can still be 90+ degrees in September. That's what the temperature was on Sunday afternoon and we had our sweat rags busy! We met at the church where everyone was getting ready. Keith was blindfolded and led out to where Chelsey was waiting for him for their first glance. It was really sweet. Then we headed to a nearby farm for some pre-ceremony pics. Let the sweating begin! It felt so good to come back to an air-conditioned church. Afterwards we took just the two of them to an old stone mill for some newlywed portraits. It was a fabulous spot and they were really enjoying their first moments as husband and wife together. We even got to go outside and get some sunset pictures during the reception. These were probably some of my favorite shots...something unusual and extra special that not every couple gets to see. Keith & Chelsey, you two are a lot of fun. Eric and I enjoyed the time we were able to spend with you and know that your marriage will be a strong one. It's obvious that you are best friends and that is key as you learn how to love each other more deeply.

Arnold Family - 9.16.08

...Another great night in the cutting gardens at Masonic Homes with the Arnold family. Last night was a fantastic evening for pics. Mrs. Arnold has been wanting to do a family picture since May (when we got rained out) and finally it happened. I enjoyed getting to know your family a little bit and had fun seeing your reactions to the different things I asked of you. For example, "Justin, can you look at your sister?" "What? No way...that's too weird!" But guess what, I caught the moment when you didn't even know I was taking the picture. Hope it wasn't too painful even though all of you told me you don't enjoy getting your pictures taken. Mom was very excited and that makes it all worthwhile, right?! Here's a few favorites...

Rylan - 9.15.08

Monday evening I did senior portraits for Rylan in downtown, Lancaster. The weather was beautiful...crisp, fall air (it's about time!). He was pretty quiet at first but as the session progressed he began opening up a bit more. I asked him if he had any ideas for poses and he said, "Well, ya know...I like different angles...I just bought a nice camera, I mean, it's not as big as yours but I'm having fun." There it was, a little piece of his personality emerged and his spirit was unlocked to be the person he was created to be. I could tell a big difference in his countenance after we had that conversation. I love that I am able to witness that freedom that comes over a person when they know the pressure is off and they loosen up. Rylan, enjoy your senior year and continue to pursue your passion for photography!

Malakai's Little Friends

Just wanted to show you evidence of how well Malakai "plays" with his little friends. The first couple shots are of Jacob who was born three weeks ago to our good friends, Josh & Shelly. I forgot how tiny they are in the beginning! Malakai wanted to touch him and play with him but doesn't have a "gentle" button. It was fun to see them together. The last ones are of him and his good buddy, Hayden who actually just left with his mom a few hours ago. My dear friend, Denise is here for the week from NC again and we got to hang out with our boys this morning. Unfortunately most of time when one was up, the other was napping, but they got a little play time together at the end.

Kopp Family - 9.13.08

Saturday morning we met Eric's cousin Justin and his wife Janel and their two boys, Everett and Dylan at Long's Park. Everett was especially excited to play in the park as they live two hours away and after each pose he'd ask me, "Now can I go play with Daddy in the park?" He seemed to really enjoy getting his picture taken. Little Dylan was full of gummy smiles and didn't mind getting his outfit changed several times throughout our session. Justin & Janel, we enjoyed our time with your family and hope your trip to Lancaster was a fun-filled adventure for all of you.

Malakai's 9 month pics

My baby boy is growing up and is now 9 months old. Saturday morning I had a family photo session at Long's Park and we got there a little early to take some shots of Malakai. He wasn't in the greatest of moods, but I managed to get a few cute ones. He is so much fun these days and has become very verbal...spitting, singing, and growling. Here's a few of his faces.

Danny & Becca - 9.6.08

And the rains came tumbling down...but there was a beautiful wedding anyway! Danny & Becca had planned on having an outdoor wedding and reception, but the weather last Saturday would not cooperate and they ended up indoors. I have to say, their attitudes were amazing. I know it was disappointing but they made the best of it and we still went outside for some pictures before and after the ceremony. It was so windy, but our umbrellas helped out a lot. I wish someone could have taken a picture of Eric and I huddled together, trying to keep our equipment and ourselves as dry as possible. It's definitely a wedding I won't soon forget nor will anyone else who was there. Danny & Becca, God really did shower you with extra blessings on your wedding day. A lot of couples have wedding pictures in the calm of the day, but yours were taken in the midst of the storm and your faces are still radiant. That is true love...you've already weathered your first storm together! Here's a few favorites from our memorable day.

Zodet Family - 9.8.08

I love being able to follow families as their children grow up and Monday evening I was able to have a second photo session with the Zodet's. Their two little girls are just so sweet and adorable. Autumn, is now 6 and in first grade...quite a young lady. She is very intelligent and kept saying to me, "This is fun...this is fun!" Avery, her two-year old sister is anything but boring. She was buzzing all around, eating goldfish and raisins and flashing me her big blue eyes in between exploring her new surroundings. Brian & Vicki, thanks for sharing a fun evening with your family in Lancaster City with me. Hope the Iron Hill Brewery was just what you needed after a long photo shoot!

Canoe Ride

Another night at the Martin farm where Gideon can never get enough play time in the pond. He was jumping off the dock for the first time tonight to fetch his bumper which he did over and over and over again. Then Eric got in the canoe and was paddling around the pond with Gideon chasing him. It was hilarious! Gid really thought he could climb inside a moving canoe. After he was all tired out, he swam to the pond's edge and then we loaded him up for the ride of his life. He was lovin' it...and so was Eric. Here's the adventurous pair.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game...

Thursday night we went to a Barnstormers game with our friends, Taylor & Sara. It was Malakai's first one and he did great...for the hour that he was awake. We got lawn tickets so he could have more freedom to crawl around and by 8:15 he was snoozin' in his stroller. Even though the 'Stormers lost 10-4 we had a great night with our friends and enjoyed one of our favorite snacks...funnel cake!

One Life To Love

Today the LORD used a lot of different things to get my attention. And my heart was listening, really listening. I was talking with a friend of mine who shared with me about a 14-year old girl she knew of that just had an abortion. This is especially hard to hear when having biological children has not come easy for us. My eyes filled with tears as I watched Malakai crawling on our kitchen floor where the two of us ate breakfast together and thought of his birthmother possibly destroying his life simply because it might have been an inconvenience for her. She really was selfless in giving him life and then choosing Eric and I to be his parents. Her choice still amazes me. So today, I am extra thankful for my little 21 pound, dark-skinned, 8 month old son. He is a miracle in so many ways. I am beyond blessed to be his Mama.

Later on, I went to get my hair cut, which is now a new favorite event that happens four times a year (when the season changes) and afterwards I was driving around in the car doing some errands while my wonderful 70-something neighbor, Esther was watching Malakai. I had the radio on and this song caught my attention. "You've only got one life to love," was the chorus. It was about this man who was looking back at his life and saying how he wished he would've worked less behind his desk and spent more time loving on his wife and children. Sometimes in the busyness I find myself in, I miss the simple pleasures of just watching my son grow up and spending evenings at home with my husband. At the end of my life, I want people, and especially my family, to know that I love them deeply, more than anything else. Today I was challenged to slow down and love life again. I am so thankful for the ways that God reminds me how life is so precious and is a vapor...at best, but a vapor.

Eric, your love is more wonderful than the day is long. My desire is that our love continues to be strengthened with each passing year. And Malakai, my heart is expanding with love for you as I get to know you more and more each day. You are such a treasure. My life is forever changed knowing you.

Labor Day Camping Trip

It's an annual event on our calendar...camping over Labor Day Weekend. It's always been like a mini vacation for Eric and I but this year we had a realization: camping with a dog and a baby is more of an adventure than a vacation. We packed up our vehicle on Friday night in the pouring down rain and headed to Codorus State Park about an hour away (an hour and 45 minutes with traffic). Eric went to work right away when we pulled into our site tying up a big tarp over the picnic table so we could eat and hang out in a dry place. I love to watch him run around and brainstorm ideas of how to make something positive out of a negative situation. In a few hours my cousin, Marv and his wife, Dori showed up too. They also have Reham, a girl from Jordan staying with them for the next 6 months. She got to experience her first camping trip. I think she liked it for the most part. Saturday we went on a hike with everyone and Gideon got to go swimming which is always a treat for him. It's so relaxing for us to just be out in the woods and enjoying nature. We decided that two camping weekends in a row is more than enough for the rest of the season just because of the extra work it brings. Now it's back to more weddings in September and October. Gotta love fall wedding season!