.

he loved his monkey backpack. we were rebels — they were supposed to just have tote bags…but, well, i couldn’t resist.

and his yellow Vans. he adores these shoes. “i can run in them mama..and you can’t catch me.”

always a photographer’s child.

happy school days everyone!

we met at the virginia beach oceanfront for a little sand + water + photo play. the kids had a blast while we schlepped all of their kid gear. that’s a pretty typical meetup these days.

did i mention that rachel has some of the cutest kiddos you’ll ever meet? you don’t have to take my word for it, just see for yourself.

thanks for sharing a piece of your vacation with me ladies. it was a treat!

want more? you can see peta’s version of the afternoon here and rachel’s here.

posin’ for pictures:

liam loves life (and the water)

we broke a sweat getting the kids to the shoreline:

rachel in action:

peta is a baby whisperer:

sweet clover hanging out in the stroller:

gemma is awesome (and gorgeous):

kieran demos his awesome sitting skills:

Liam (age 3) – you, my lumpy, my oldest, are insatiably curious, uncommonly extroverted and silly to the core. you’ve never met a person you didn’t like–or want to talk to. in so many ways, i wish i could be like you — always an optimist, forever looking forward, and yet savoring every moment (then dissecting what happened and why, over and over again). you have more energy than i know what to do with — and truly, if i could bottle just a bit, i’d be wealthier than my wildest dreams could fathom. you are perseverant and fiercely independent, yet you still want me to cradle you, and rock you, and sing to you, and lay with you “for just a little bit, momma.” i love it when you say, “hey, waiiiiiiit a minute!” when you pause to ponder something. and how you always dance with abandon when you hear music, as if no one is ever watching, but of course, someone almost always is. already, you are a voracious reader. and you have the memory of an elephant. you love your daddy more than most anyone in the world…but trains, jets, superheroes, cars, playdoh, swimming pools and trampolines are tied for a close second. you are never lukewarm. you are always passionate–for better or for worse. but when it’s better, it’s one of the most amazing things a mama can witness. and for now, you tolerate your brother (on most days). there’s not much more a mother could ask for–except a long hot bath and warm cup of tea at the end of the day. you wear me out my dear son, but you amaze me every single day. you keep my spirit young. how i adore you. you have shown me a love i never knew i was capable of. you have my all.

Finn (8 months) – you, my sweet baby, are the newcomer here, and in so many ways, we are still getting to know you. in fact, you haven’t quite figured out who you are yet. but let me tell you a few things that only a mama knows. already it’s clear to me that you have a heart of gold. i nearly burst every time you smile at me because there is something magically sincere and true about your demeanor. you are calm. peaceful. restful. honest. you love your big brother in a way i can only pray that he reciprocates some day. you are a quick learner — in the span of three days, you learned to sit up, crawl and began to pull yourself up. you’d rather nurse on mama than eat the homemade food that i diligently prepare for you–and i think i love you even more because of that. you are social and perhaps, the happiest person i have ever met. your daddy is a close second. God has blessed you with a cheerful heart. it shines through and through, and anyone who meets you notices it right away. they also admire the curly mop of brown hair that sits upon your head. hair that is really older than your years–but makes you a bit of a novelty. and, i must confess, you are exactly what i envisioned my children would look like at a time when children were only imaginings for me. you scoot when you crawl and it brings me joy just to watch you move. when you are still, you twirl your ankles incessantly. the day this stops, i will feel like i lose a little piece of you. for now, i treasure it so. that, along with your newness, which is already beginning to fade. you are my little one. the sweetest muffin. my dearest. i love you to the moon and back.

i took this photo of my husband and sons just a few weeks ago during our trip to europe. i dragged them into a field in the middle of the day because the location was simply magnificent…and it was my only chance to take a few shots before we headed to the airport.

i’m so glad they humored me. and i’m so blessed to have these men (the little ones and especially the big one) in my life. my husband is a remarkable father. he loves bigger, smiles wider and laughs more often than anyone i’ve met. not only that, he is a natural companion, an ideal father and the consummate partner (in life + love). anyone who knows him loves him–truly and authentically. my boys are blessed beyond measure, and one day, i know they’ll realize that too.

they’ll realize there are many great daddies in the world. but *their* daddy is simply the one-of-a-kind, couldn’t-possibly-get-any-better-than-this daddy. and my prayer that they will strive to be just like him. to emulate his heart, his character and his life.

thank you m. for being the love of my life…and exceeding every single expectation i could possibly hope for in a father.

saying goodbye is never easy, even when we know it’s coming. since we’re a military family, it comes all too often. we’ve lived in four states in the past two years– california, rhode island, florida and now to virginia (where we started). every farewell is difficult. we never get used to it. no one ever does.

this move is particularly bittersweet because our second son was born here, in my hometown, surrounded by family. our kids got to know their aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents. it was a special time, especially since we never imagined we’d have the opportunity to live near either of our families–at least for ten more years.

the sweet part is that we are returning to a phenomenal group of friends in virginia and an extraordinary church. it’s a familiar place that feels a lot like home. the kind of place where i want my kids to grow up–where families are the priority and the kids we know are surrounded by love.

i am a woman of faith and firmly believe God plants us where we are meant to be; he just uproots some of us more than others. because, although it is difficult, it is never more than we can handle.

during our short stay here, i’ve met an amazing group of photographers. the best part is that it’s easy for us to keep in touch online. so while i won’t be joining them for any more amazing girls’ nights (or spa days!) for awhile, i’ll still keep track of how they’re doing. thank you my generous, wonderful and talented friends…it has been a blessing to get to know you. if you’re looking for a florida photographer, please check them out:

stacy larsen: www.stacylarsenphotography.com
stacey woods: www.staceywoodsphoto.com
jennifer griffin: www.jennifergriffinphotography.com
kristie serra: www.kristieserraphoto.com
amy smith: www.amysmithphoto.com

and since no post is complete without photographs, i leave you with some goodies from my playdate with stacey and her amazing little ones earlier this week.

we were both wearing our mama hats too–toting little ones on our backs. here’s stacey:

photos by deb schwedhelm: www.debsphotographs.com

yesterday my wonderful husband mike and i celebrated our sixth anniversary. he is truly my greatest blessing, my best friend and forever companion. m– i love you more every day i know you. thank you for a life and love full of unimaginable joy and happiness.

and, much appreciation to my dear friend and amazing photographer deb schwedhelm for taking these photos of us on our anniversary last year. can you believe how quickly time has passed?

Whenever she stood in line at the bank,
or while waiting for the bus, I noticed her feet.
The right always in front ,
perpendicular to the left just so.
Even after 2 children,
she still dreamed of being a dancer.
– the storypeople

aquidneck island, the quaint area of new england we call home is filled with more nooks, crannies, hidden trails and natural gems than anywhere else i’ve lived (and that includes many places near and far). some days, when the air is crisp and clear and bursting with light, we make our way to norman bird sanctuary. an island treasure worlds apart from houses and roads and streetlights. liam loves it here–and so do we. it’s a perfect family outing. we enjoy the hike and the way the world slows when we explore its 300 acres–a sanctuary for wildlife and for us. i adore its magnificent trees, berries, ponds and trails…and the way the sun paints watercolor skies just before it sets.

–the storypeople

these images are part of my new “obscura” series. not portraits of people, but of beauty, light, darkness and possiblilty.