Day 15/28: Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl and her wonderfully devoted Daddy. I love you both more than words can say.

I just love her crooked teeth! And his teeth…well…he’s just perfect :)

Here are a few more of baby princess as she enjoys her first day of being two years old…

Eating her birthday breakfast of “Pippy Wice” (Crispy Rice!)

Her new princess and tea party toys

He had a tough day today, he showed a side of himself that he rarely shows. My sister got a good view of it today…good thing Auntie loves her nephew unconditionally :) I sure do love that boy and I am every day endeavoring to teach him right from wrong and how to direct his strength and temper for good. After we wiped the tears and had a few good long hugs, he allowed me to take some photos of him and he actually enjoyed it.

Today is a day that I am thankful for, because I welcome teachable moments with my kids. But I am also going to bed tonight so thankful that tomorrow is a new day. I am happy for clean slates, like an empty book waiting for the first page to be written. I know little Z will write a good one :)

“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen.  When they’re finished, I climb out. ” ~Erma Bombeck

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”
~ 2 Corinthians 1:19

The year of Yes…

I never used to care that they would mix the play dough colors. Snack time used to be a loved event, laboring over what they should eat at 10am and 3pm. Something not too filling, but something that will tied them over until Dinner. Do I let them graze? Do I let them eat a brownie? Do I create a gourmet snack with a side of guilt dished up just for me?

“Speed Baths” were rare and not the norm. They would splash and I would clean up afterwards, not caring the bath water just MUST stay in the confines of the tub. Heaven forbid water would fall on the floor, forcing me to wipe it up, keeping the floor clean in the process!

I used to not be so afraid, afraid of loosing them, afraid of loosing him, afraid of sickness. Grandma died of cancer. I’m tired of being afraid of cancer. I’m tired of being afraid of being afraid. Afraid that they won’t follow the right path, afraid to let them out of my sight. I used to know who was influencing them. But now, are their little minds being protected when I’m not there to shelter them? Am I doing a disservice to them, allowing them to be taught and play with other children, or within my home, their mother as their teacher, should I have chosen that instead?

Apprehension in the place of peace, doubt in the place of belief, suspicion in the place of trust, fret in the place of stillness. Is that me wringing my hands? Is that a shake? Is this just the future that I am required to accept? Become a mom and a wife…say goodbye to rational thinking.

I refuse to accept it.

This is the year of Yes. The year of Now. The year of Truth.
Of speaking truth
Of believing in what is true
Of crushing the lies
Of not repeating the lies
Of real truth revelations
Of hearing the voice of God like never before
Of believing what that voice says…

“Child you are safe. Child you are loved. Child you are forgiven. Child you are worthy. Child you are just plain DOING A GOOD JOB.”

Who is this woman…held back by fear. Fear of man, fear of the unknown, fear of new things. Fear of losing something, fear of failure, or is it a fear of actually being successful.

Thank you Jesus today is a new day. You make all things new.
New days to laugh,
to play
to have tickle fights
to cuddle to sleep
to eat yet another pb&j sandwich, and be satisfied in it knowing their bellies are full and energy is flowing through their veins.
No guilt, no shame.
A day of challenges
A day of finding joy in the challenges and of how to tip toe around the guilt, into full freedom in Christ.
A new day to say Yes.

Yes we may throw blankets on the floor, pop popcorn, eat brownies and watch your Barbie movie.

Yes we may have a picnic in the living room. Let’s pretend the blanket is an island and the carpet is the water. I’ll clean up the ground in carpet jelly later.

Yes you may play outside, let’s get you bundled up and I know you will come back in 5 minutes later because of the cold…but I won’t resent the mud on your shoes.

Yes you can have your nightlight on and have another drink and go potty one last time. Kiss me on the way back to bed.

Yes I will lay with you, talk with you, dream with you. Even though I’ve had 3 little ones at my skirt all day long…you are my love…my best friend…Yes I have time for you.

Yes I will wake early, don my robe and pour coffee. Sit in the darkness and soak in the loving arms of Jesus. Yes I will listen and be still. Yes I will talk to you. Yes I will believe you.

I know the way I am writing is so beyond what I share here. I know it is borderline bearing my soul. I feel that I have friends out there…some I may know of…some I do not. All of which will become my fast friend in due time. I know some women need to bear some souls. To reach out and know there is someone else out there, in the beyond who is stepping along side of you day in and day out. Wearing a tread in the carpet…to the dryer….to the play room…to the fridge…to the changing table…and back again.

Bear your soul with me. This is the year of Yes. The year of Truth. Speak Truth. Now stop reading and go play with your kids…

I am happy to say she had pruney hands after this bath…and the floor was soaked.

Both top teeth gone…she’s so stinking cute. She’s got a little lisp now too. Vacation ended for her and she went back to school. *sigh*. The house was much more loud and fun when she was home!! Almost makes me want to home school again, but I know going to school is what she needs.

I was out to coffee with my Mom and Sister, we got to talking about 2009. I realized that two really good things happened in 2009, we bought a house, and baby E-Diddy was born. I’m not saying absolutely nothing good came of 2009 except for those two things, I’m just saying…along with the majority of people that I’m hearing, that 2010 is going to be awesome. I didn’t make resolutions last year, I usually never do. And when I do, I call them “goals”, but this year, I want make some changes, especially when it comes to photography and using this gift that the Lord has given me.

#1. I want to take more photos. For someone who love photography so much, I don’t pick up my camera very much. It is sad really.

#2. In taking more photos…I want to blog more. A lot more. Blog everything. It is my online journal and one day I will print it and put it in a beautiful book for my kids. I want to post pictures, not for anyone else’s approval, just for my kids’ future.

#3. I want to put myself out there, gain more clients and grow my business. I love love love taking photos for other people. I’m not able to do it nearly enough. But this will take a lot of work and a lot of courage!

#4. More projects…more challenges…I’m thinking a self portrait challenge or a photo a day challenge…who’s up for it with me? I would rather not do it alone! Let’s talk about some ideas!

Well…that is it. At least that’s all I will post for the world to read! The rest goes in my private, non-digital journal!

There were so many photos that I loved this year. So many I never got to post here or share anywhere for that matter. So I’m doing it now. They are all of my kids of course! So here’s a big random share of pictures throughout 2009.

Thank you to all my blog readers, my clients, my family and friends for coming here and supporting me in my photography. May 2010 ROCK!! :)

It happened again, and I couldn’t stop it. She lost another tooth…and the one right next to it will very quickly follow it. When did she get to be a big girl? Her feelings were hurt at church (of all places!) by another child. After she told me what happened, I just wanted to scoop her up and tell her what an amazing little girl she was…and I did…I looked her straight in the eyes and made her promise to be no one but ABBY.

What if we all truly were just ourselves? Not the insecure, pretend version of ourselves, but the real version that God had in mind when he created us. Sure we all have flaws and we’ll never be perfect, but what if we just decided that who cares if so and so doesn’t like me…I am living in the will of God and as long as Jesus thinks I’m cool…than I am! I don’t mean that by being ourselves that we hurt others…I mean that if others can’t see us for the beautiful creations we are…then we are allowed to surround ourselves with those who do.

The sweet, energetic spirit that my daughter has is contagious. The kind of spirit that will sing the entire Polar Express song to a stranger in line at a store, the kind of Spirit that after receiving a dollar for doing chores, will then immediately make a list of what she can buy her brother with that dollar. She worships, she sings, she loves to draw, read, write and take pictures. She’s my kind of girl!

I never want her to change. Never. For her sake though…I do want those teeth to grow in straight.

Christmas countdown is on! Only just last night did I start Christmas shopping. I’m kind of a procrastinator, so I’m trying to turn over a new leaf and get all my shopping done before Christmas eve (I hope I can do it!) In all the craziness of the holidays I haven’t had much time to focus on my own photos. Lily is getting so big and I need to pick up my camera more!! I’m going to blink and she will be able to pronounce it “lemonaid” and not “nemon-nemon-aiiiiid”

She was cracking me up a few days ago. When something is new she makes this face, like “oh my goodness!”  She kept hearing the neighbor’s dog bark and it was *very* fascinating!!

…someone please….to somewhere where it is hot and humid with lots of sand and a beach. The awesome church we attend is moving buildings and my husband and I are deeply involved in the move…there is much to do! It is great, a wonderful thing, but its a lot of work! Today was a pack day and it was actually a lot of fun. Lily got lost a few times in all the boxes but our awesome friends always helped us bring her back (no I’m not joking!) Pray for us and mostly my parents who carry the greatest burden of the move on their shoulders. In a nutshell…my mom and dad ROCK…’nuff said. Pray that this would be a smooth and peaceful transition.

On top of the move I am amazingly busy with photo sessions, something that is very welcome and I pray continues. And on top of THAT…I’m going back to “school”…more on that later…I’m so excited! And on top of THAT!!! (I could go on….but I won’t!)

Lily’s got the right idea…

We’re having our housewarming party this weekend and it has kicked me into high gear. I’m finally putting up a large wall gallery in our home and in looking for the best photos to display, I’ve come across some oldies.

Baby Zach over a year ago. Look at those chubby arms!! It melts my heart…

Its all the rage…Do It Yourself. We bought this house just about 7 months ago and even though it isn’t in bad shape, it is a fixer upper! That is what we wanted though. I am totally on a DIY kick these days…I have about 10 million projects going on right now and have yet to finish one! As soon as I finish one, I’ll start to post my before & afters here on my blog. We finally have our Open House on the calendar (its about time!!) and so we’re working hard to get this house a little bit more presentable. In the mean time, I’m hopelessly obsessed with DIY mommy blogs…I’m amazed at some women out there and all the projects they can get done and still homeschool their 25 children (or something like that!)

Karla from one of my favorite blogs, it’s the little things that make a house a home,  is hosting a give-away for a decal from Leen the Graphics Queen. I’ve always wanted one of these cute decals for my home. I know you like them as much as I do! Enter and see if you win! If I win, I will probably get this one…since you’all know laundry is the bain of my existence and I have great redo plans for my tiny laundry closet.

or this one would be adorable over Lily’s crib…

(photos from Leen the Graphics Queen)

A face this cute needs dandelions over her bed!!!