Sweet Fangs

So apparently, sometimes, sweet tooth's can get a little ugly. I mean, I know when you want something sweet it's hard to resist...but Tizzy took it to an extreme the other day while we were at the mall.

 She's always liked to eat, while Merrick eats like a bird. *Some days I can barely make him eat...while anytime day or night Tirzah will accept gifts of food ;)*

 We went to our most favorite place (chick-a-fway, as M calls it) and on a whim Billy decided to get a cookies and creme milkshake. (This was an upgrade from our usual. We turn in the kids' meal book and get a little ice cream cup.) We knew we were going to have to share with our two young vultures, but weren't quite prepared for the monster fit Tirzah threw when she had to share with someone.

 I think we were nearly arrested for child abuse. Until people noticed that she stopped screaming when there was a milkshake in her mouth. Next time I think we'll stick with the ice cream cup...this was a bit too much work. ;)

Faces

I always find myself looking back through pictures of my son and daughter. I take a lot of pictures of them...so it's easy to see the little changes they go through. It's easy to see the ways they are alike, and the ways they are different. Its also easy to see how fast they are changing.

I also notice how much I'm changing. Little wrinkles and laugh lines that make me a bit freaked out, but at the same time grateful for the memories that caused those smiles and laughter.

I think it's easy to get wrapped up in the fear of passing time, and to get lost in the longings for what used to be. But if I am constantly focused on times gone by I can't be present where I am...here where I need to be. There are memories that I can treasure...but I don't want to miss a minute with these faces.

I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that. ~Lauren Bacall

Different last names, same sisters.

This past weekend was a busy one. We married off another sister. *There are 5 in our family, and one brother...and 3 of us are now officially old married ladies. Well, not sure about the old, one is only 23, and the other who was just married is 19. I'm the old one I suppose. But I refuse to behave as such. ;)*

It was bittersweet, as usual. Marriage is wonderful, and I definitely wish it on all of my siblings. But at the same time, we are creatures of habit, and don't really always know what to do when things change. Our middle sister is now of a different name, and will live a couple hours away. Close enough we can bug her, and to hear her tell it there will be plenty of visiting back home. (If not, sister, we know where you live...)

People have asked me if I photograph my sisters' weddings. The answer is a resounding "no way Jose". I would be totally petrified of doing my sister's wedding pictures. I did her portraits, but that was as far as I want to go. Not like I anticipate ruining clients pictures...cuz I don't, and definitely look forward to shooting weddings eventually, but if you mess up sister's wedding you gotta look at her across the table every Thanksgiving. ;)

I did, however, shoot a bit before the wedding, and at the rehearsal, and while we were setting up. The rest of the time? I was definitely too busy being in the wedding, eating cake, and dancing with my hysterical sisters. No matter how many husbands join the family, I think that's one thing that will never change. The laughs and dancing and down-right ridiculous-ness that goes on when all of us get together.

Hope those brother-in-laws don't mind too much. And they are all pretty much troopers...we've acquired some pretty awesome new brothers this year. By now I think they're used to it. They kind of just sit back and laugh. Only occasionally cover their ears. So even if you do change your last name, I guess you can't get away from your sisters. ;)
 

Check out more shots at Communal Global and Perceptive Perspectives

Mawwage...

"Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us together today. Wove, twue wove...So tweasure your woves forever." I love Princess Bride, so I couldn't resist. My sister got married on Saturday, and I had the exciting (and nerve wracking) job of shooting her bridal portraits...a mere 72 hours pre-wedding. She likes to do things last minute...ya know, live on the edge (and give your photog sister a heart attack.)

I had all these big plans in my head. Outdoor plans. It rained...for 40 days and 40 nights, or just the entire week leading up to the wedding. We ended up shooting at my aunt's house, moving nearly all of her furniture, and commandeering her back porch. Thankfully it worked out...maybe not quite what I had in mind, but it worked and she was happy with the portraits.

Kind of reminded me about how marriage is, too, I think. (If I can be all sappy for a sec...) It's not usually exactly what you had planned, or how you pictured it. But if you work hard and give it your best, maybe rearrange a few habits that annoy your new spouse, it'll be perfect...maybe even better than you imagined. So here's to Anna and Cam...may they have a lifetime full of love and joy with each other, working hard for and beside each other. It'll be beautiful, even if it rains.

Check out more shots over at Lisa's Chaos.

Flower girl has meltdown.

I can see the headlines now. Or at least hear the giggles of all my sister's wedding guests. My kids have their second gig as flower girl and ring bearer/Bible carrier. And I am pretty nervous. My kids are fabulous, and I am so blessed, but they are, how shall I put it, high strung? I mean, I can't blame the poor things...their father has ADHD and their mother is a bundle of nervous energy. I can't sit still for anything. I get the wiggles like a 2 year old.

One sister got married back in March, and Merrick was the Bible carrier. He actually did really well, my husband was running back up on the sidelines since I was in the wedding, and quickly snatched the would be offender before things went downhill. This time, however, we are both in the wedding. So it could take some more interesting maneuvering, or just some wedding guests who understand the wiggles.

This is what happened at the mall while trying on Tirzah's flower girl get-up. I'm hoping it's not a sign of things to come. I'm also hoping for the best, and remembering that as far as kids in weddings go...it's unpredictable and hopefully funny, when they do something like pick their nose going down the aisle or take a detour. Hopefully come tomorrow morning I'll have nothing to report. ;)