Pictures of the Chicago Botanical Gardens

See for those of you out there who doubt... I do photograph more than just my family :)  

But let's Face it, what you really want is to see pictures of my family!! 

Turning 30

All year I have some how dreaded turning 30.  Now that it's hear I am realizing that 30 is pretty great! Growing up 30 was that magical # that you would measure your life by.  What you are, where you are, who you are at 30 would determine if your life is good or not.  Well as it turns out that's not really true.  Anyone at any point can change their life into a good one (or a bad one).  I'm not talking about a nice house, good spouse, well behaved kids, money in the bank (though all that is nice); I'm talking about taking what you have and making it work for you.  Keeping God at the center of your life and remembering that this world is not the final picture of who we are.
So here's to a new decade and more growing up! Oh yeah... and lots of messing up along the way.  

Yes, Maya is in a tight grip here: to keep her from diving head first into my cake.  

  

City Girls go to the farm

It's funny how some things are a novelty to some and very common for others. I remember how excited my nice and nephew were when they visited last summer over all the fun parks and "city stuff" we had here... 

And Morgan was so, I mean SO excited about farm animals this last trip to PA.  She got to hold a chicken at her Aunt Bethany's house, she got to feed the goats during an outing with Mimi, and she got to go to an actual farm.  You would have thought I was taking her to Disney world the way she was talking about the farm on the way.  I was nervous about a let down but no...  She loved every minute and was running from one thing to the next with equal excitement.  I didn't think I would ever get her to leave.  

Maya was just about as excited as her sister at first but it wore off some as it got closer to lunch and her tummy started to rumble.   Maya also wasn't too sure about the chickens at Aunt Bethany's or feeding the goats.  I guess she needs to get a little older yet to appreciate those things.  

David's Graduation!

I now have a movie pitch for Hollywood!
An infant boy abandon at birth, catches pneumonia and is hospitalized.
Because of this is placed with a loving foster care family who nurses him back to health, teaches him how to eat and what it means to be loved.
Through this family he meets his future parents and sisters, whom a Dr's told it was crazy to take him in since he "shouldn't live past age 5 and will never walk. You are wasting your time on him"

He learns to walk, talk and is able to go to school.
His adopted family loves and cares for him.  Helps him get the extra help he needs.
With all the extra care and attention he makes it all the way though to age 21 when he then walks across a stage as they call out "David Malcolm Crane".
He defied all odds, wore a cap and gown and graduated from High school!

Triumphant ending!  Well kind of.  The only thing is his story isn't over!  I am grateful that his story isn't over, but it's scary not knowing what is next for someone like David.

David you are so loved! and I wish I could say it's smooth sailing from here on out, but only God knows the path you are on.
I pray that there is always a place for you where you can feel safe, have things to do, and get your DVD player! :)

Picture from several years ago but I love it!