Merrickism

My oldest always says things that make me laugh. The way he comes out with things...and the way he words things...hilarious. I've even deemed these phrases "Merrickisms" and if I tweeted them as often as they happen I'd make a nuisance of myself even more so than I usually do. ;)

Speaking of Merrickisms, yesterday at breakfast he came out with a doozie. I overheard him explaining to his little sister that Jesus died and rose again in a tuna. I believe he meant the "tomb", and I also believe he has his Jesus and his Jonah mixed up. I nearly spit out my coffee...and then laughed until I cried. He was totally serious about this.

Later on that same morning I noticed he had started calling his little brother "J-Buzz-Lightyear". Such a big name for such a little guy. Merrick informed me that "J-Buzz-Lightyear" was awake and ready for his breakfast. He's so helpful. Speaking of his new brother, he also thanked me for "getting this new brother out of my tummy".

A few more before you go? He is not so great at taking his naps anymore, but he does have to have quiet time in his room. And quiet is used very loosely. When I questioned him about all the noise and lack of sleep recently he gave me several reasons for this, my favorite being he had gas...in his eye. Oh, and that there were ants outside his window swinging in their webs. Ants these days.

Check out more shots at Wild Wonderful Wednesday, and Wordless Wednesday.

The next to last shot is for Give Me Your Best Shot, This or That, and Show Off, and the last shot is for Texture Thursday.

Dandy-lies

...the radiant dandelion, shining in the grass, like a spark dropped from the sun. / Beecher

It's always funny how when your kids mispronounce something, that's the official name for it around the house. What used to be a dandelion is now "dandy-lies", even when it's just Billy and I talking about them. The kids love finding these; you'd think they were roses instead of weeds that people all over the country spend money trying to get rid of.

When they bring me a bunch of them, so proud of themselves for finding these unappreciated weeds, I kind of think they are roses, too. It's a win-win, since they keep the yard free of them in the process. It's the little things. ;)

The first shot is for Macro Monday Monday.

Check out more shots at Monday Rewind, and And Then She Snapped

The last shot is for Tones on Tuesday, Communal Global, Sweet Shot, and Happiness Project

From our blog:
http://bunchofbarrons.blogspot.com/

Once in a Lifetime

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment. :: Ellis Peters

I was able to do an engagement session for a couple the other day. The girl is someone I have known since I was in high school, and she was in middle school. It was fun to see how well life is going for her and her hubby to be. They seemed so genuinely happy together and spent a good amount of time laughing at each other. Perfect engagement session material. ;)

I also saw the quote at the beginning of this post and it got me thinking about engagement sessions in general. Sometimes as a photographer it may feel like just a gig, a job, another scheduled session on the calendar. This time with two people who might giggle if you ask them to kiss, instead of maybe a little baby, or a family with lots of kids running different directions. But when I really think about it, that's not what it is at all.

Just like every Spring can be seen as "just another Spring", it can also be seen as something totally unique and special...something you've never seen before. For every engagement session I do, it's a little reminder of that sweet time in my life several years (and babies) ago. It was just us...we were all that we needed. I love getting to see that familiar, but totally different, glow around two people getting ready to start their life together. That "just us" solidarity in their faces.

While this engagement session may be one of many I do in my lifetime, it's a once in a lifetime for this couple. I love getting to be a part of that, and am grateful for the reminder of that sweet time in my life. Congrats to Sarah and David! :)

 Check out more shots at Oh Snap, Photo Friday, Fabulous Friday.

Miracles do happen.

Sunday (Easter) was a great day of family, fun, and plastic eggs. The kiddos got to do two different egg hunts, and sing a special song at church, as well as hang out with aunties and cousins all afternoon.

Even their daddy had a little bit of fun hunting eggs, and found one that was just his style.

The only down side to the entire day was my own two, dear, sweet, angelic children refused to cooperate for the "cousin" shot I tried to get. Of course, the photog's kids would be the ones. At least we have a shot where they are all in the same frame. I'm thankful for big and small miracles this Easter season. ;)

Check out more shots at Wild Wonderful Wednesday, and Wordless Wednesday.

Glow in the Tub

I've recently seen lots of people posting on Pinterest and twitter or Facebook about putting glow sticks in the tub for the kiddos to play with. At first I was afraid this would do brain damage or something, but I realize now glow sticks are non-toxic. Whew.

So once I realized I wasn't going to kill anyone I thought the hooligans would like to try it. Had Billy grab a few glow sticks at Walmarts (kidding...I totally don't call it that) and got out my raincoat, which is usually necessary when they are in the tub.

They had a great time playing in the tub, and are continuing to drag the no-longer-glowing glow sticks around with us. They have apparently inherited my trait of getting your money's worth out of things.

Check out more shots at Monday Rewind, and And Then She Snapped

The last shot is for Tones on Tuesday, Communal Global, Sweet Shot, and Happiness Project