March 28, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {G.G.}

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My mother isn't known as 'mom' around here. That's my moniker now.She's been long promoted to grandmother status. So we call her G.G.Or Grandma Gayle, if you want to get all technical about it.And yes, I am aware that, at 72, she looks more like my sister than my mother.Thank you.My mom and I have always been extremely close. When I was little, I was her constant shadow.That's where I got all my grocery shopping skills. And weed-picking ability. And my eye for a plumb line.Beyond that, my mom wasn't able to rub off on me much. Her talents and qualities rolled off me … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: family, photography, Sunday Snapshot
March 21, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {a man and a woman}

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God blessed us yesterday.I mean, He blesses us every day, but we were keenly aware of it yesterday.In big ways and in little ways.We were actually both ready (showered, dressed, house clean, kids bathed, kids fed, kiddie pep talk completed, bribes in place) with enough gumption and wherewithal to have Asher take our picture to commemorate this occasion.No, not our anniversary. That happens once a year.The fact that we were going out. On a date.And leaving the kids with a babysitter.At least, most of the kids.The littlest was showing signs of a cold and we, being … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: celebrations, marriage, photography, Sunday Snapshot
March 14, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {Saturdays}

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Saturdays at our house used to be lazy days. A day for hanging out. A day for putting our feet up and watching the clouds go by.Or watching clouds go by on TV. We were easy like that.But those days are looong gone.Our Saturdays now, or at least a few hours of each Saturday, are devoted to cleaning up this wretched place.Even the littlest pitch in.For us, this is a relatively new phenomena.No, not the cleaning part. The having all the kids pitch in part.And I gotta say. It is really workin' for me.We've managed to find chores that suit every individual.And some times … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: family, photography, Sunday Snapshot, what works for us
March 7, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {togetherness}

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I tried.That's about all I can say.Six weeks home with Vivi and this is my first attempt to get a picture of all the kiddos.Well, not all the kiddos. All them, minus the two oldest.The weather is outrageously beautiful. 60 and sunny. No excuse not to get outside and give it our best effort.But the Sprite and the McDonald's combined with several hours spent shopping conspired against me.And my camera.Isabelle was clearly irritated.And Jude was distracted.And Shepherd and Vivi were completely uninterested.But there they are. All together.And if I squint, they all look … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: family, photography, Sunday Snapshot
February 28, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {Velvet}

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When we got home from church and realized the cable and phone lines were back up, the first question I asked my husband was who should be the subject of this week's Sunday Snapshot.He retorted, "You!"After I threw up in my mouth a little bit, I asked him who else he thought should be the focus of this week's Sunday Snapshot.And he said, "Velvet."Now that, I can do.I've actually been thinking a lot about getting out and taking some pictures of my old girl. She's not going to be around forever and rarely is she the subject of my picture taking efforts.I must be getting … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: photography, Sunday Snapshot
February 21, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {matters of the heart}

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Adding Vivienne to our family has been easy.Relatively easy.I mean, adopting a toddler is way different from the way a newborn enters a family... all wrinkled and clueless and malleable. At two years old, Vivi might still be tiny, but she is most definitely not clueless.She's experienced a lot in her two years. Too much.At four months, she was left at the gates of the orphanage. At one year, she was moved from the orphanage to foster care. At two years, she was placed into our arms.That's three more familial transitions than any child should ever have to endure. And … [Read more...]

31 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, photography, real life, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
February 14, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {Love}

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I found and fell in love with these dolls months ago.And it didn't take me long to find a holiday to justify buying one for each of my girls.I just didn't know which holiday that would be.Turns out they arrived just in time for Valentine's Day.Which is actually perfect, for several reasons.First of all, these sweet dolls are soft, squishy and downright adorable.What's not to love.Secondly, they are personalized. Each doll has our girl's name written across her chest. Along with a Bible verse, chosen with each daughter in mind.To remind them not only how much we love … [Read more...]

26 Comments
Posted Under: family, Isabelle, photography, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, things I love
February 7, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {Valentines}

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This afternoon, the girls and I prepped for the big day.For the Super Bowl, you say? Nah.For Valentine's Day, baby.Any girl worth her estrogen is going to choose a day filled with candy and declarations of love over football.A.N.Y.D.A.Y.To bestow upon their classmates, Isabelle chose the Princess cards and Sophie chose the Tinkerbell cards.With stickers.And stamps.And everything little girls simply can't resist.For the boys in their classes, we grabbed some Jolly R@ncher Lollipops.Just for good measure.Jude waited not-so-patiently to see if there would be any lollipops … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: photography, Sunday Snapshot
January 30, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: Vivienne

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Ahhh, Vivienne.It wasn't long ago I had some very real worries about this little one joining our family.And when I said I was scared, I really meant it.But now, well... just look at her.Scared?Me?Of her?Obviously, I had too much time on my hands.Vivienne is truly delightful.And I have fallen for her in the worst way.She's beautiful.She's engaging.She's silly.She's jiggly.That might be one of my favorite things about her. After enduring the feeding issues of two *unnamed* toothpick-like children in our home, it's surprisingly wonderful to have a child with an … [Read more...]

49 Comments
Posted Under: adoption, photography, special needs adoption, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
January 24, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: coming home

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We left Guangzhou with a patch behind Asher's ear. And phenergan in my backpack.And high hopes for a vomit-free travel day.We arrived in Shanghai with no problems. Asher felt great. I felt great. And even after a 4+ hour wait for our next flight, Vivi was doing great.No shoes had been kicked off in frustration,Or hair clip pulled out in aggravation,Or cookies tossed in nauseation. I know it's not a word. But it should be.By the time we arrived in Newark, some 15 or so very long hours later, things had changed.One hair clip: goneOne pair shoes and one pair socks: … [Read more...]

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Posted Under: photography, Sunday Snapshot