Everyone Loves a Good Book...

Even M who rarely enjoys a book quite this much. I saw her sitting out on the backyard swing and was struck both by how much older she is getting and how totally peaceful and in her own world she was. I was hesitant to allow her to read these books but after speaking with some friends with similar Christian beliefs and values as mine and reading a few articles and then weighing it all, I decided to let her provided that if she should come across anything that she had questions about that she bring those questions to me or her dad. I seriously doubt the she will be confused about whether or not vampires are real so I can scratch that off the list of possibles, but the questions about pre-marital sex, pregnancy and divorce and the ramifications of them are doors not easily opened without a catalyst such as a book or movie. She has had friends who are dealing with divorce but speaking about them feels occasionally like gossip or betrayal so she shies away. Thankfully she hasn't come across those who are considering loosing their virginity just yet though we have had some stepping stone discussions with her already just in case.

Rental...

Not my Suburban still, but it gets me from point A to point B and for a mere $10 a day over what the other guy's insurance wants to pay. I guess they'd prefer I drive 3 kids around in a 2-door spec..uh huh. On the subject of the other folks involved in the accident... In my original post about this accident, I mentioned that the man in front of me decided to go in an ambulance to the hospital and I was slightly suspicious of this given he was perfectly fine until the police officer arrived. Turns out I got a lovely call today from his personal injury attorney requesting my insurance information. Sorry buddy but the officer on the scene determined that the man behind me was at fault and you'll have to go after him for any damages which is why he gave us both that man's insurance information along with the case number. When I inform him that I will not voluntarily give him my info he tells me that he has no plans to "go after" my insurance company but needs to "inform" them so they can work it out with the at-fault driver's insurance. Ya know, I am a lot of things but stupid is not one of them. UGH! I can only work for spurts at a time before my back starts to feel like someone is poking me with needles yet have I contacted an ambulance chasing vulture...no, I haven't. THIS is why insurance costs so dang much. Be honest people!

I Almost Forgot...

And in truth, I would really kinda like to but the day before the accident was my bday. I need not give any more information other than to say I have some terrific friends who remembered even after being asked to forget and a wonderful family who all wished me a special day in their own ways. Here are just a few :-)

Not the best thing that could've happened today

Ok, so quite a few of you know that I am involved with the charity organization, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and I donate my time roughly twice a month. This morning, while on my way to the medical center in the usual stop and go Houston traffic, the car in front of me stopped abruptly and in response, so did I. The problem came in when the man behind me did not and subsequently crashed into my beloved Suburban with such force that he pushed me into the pick up truck in front of me. You can generally spot the person responsible for a fender bender by zeroing on the one protesting the loudest and with the most enthusiasm and this case was no different. Repeatedly the man behind me ranted about how he couldn't possibly be at fault because he was only travelling at roughly 62 mph and I just stopped out of the blue....yeah, which means YOU should've been stopped too and not with the help of the back of my car. AT one point he seriously tried to suggest that I had put my car in REVERSE...what?!?! Luckily, the two truck divers that arrived on the scene were wonderful and after moving the wreckage off the left lane of I45 and into a nearby parking lot, the no-nonsense cop did not take long at all to assess what happened and write a ticket for the less than pleased fellow who hit me. The gentleman in front of me ended up going to the hospital complaining of back and neck pain (insert dubious expression here) but I opted not to with only a little irritation where the seat belt had tightened. Wouldn't you know that as the day wore on, my head started to hurt more and more and suddenly I had no peripheral vision on my right side. Uh oh. My hubby, friends, family and even a couple clients insisted that I get checked out and after getting really nauseous and realizing that I couldn't string a sentence together, I went and had a CT scan. The scan concluded that my brain was normal which was a relief as well as an end to any concerns that T has long had that I am "not normal"...HA! Anywho, after a shot that only made me sleepy and another dose of Ibuprofen, I was on my way home to sleep for the next two days.

Her spot

This has to be the crappiest piece of Wal-mart junk table ever and I even have a nicer table to replace it but I am having some difficulty with getting rid of it. You see, this is HER spot where she keeps me company during the day and where I help her fight the urge to chew up every tiny object she can find. We are in-sync, she and I and who am I to change that over a piece of albeit, UGLY furniture (and I use the term furniture very loosely)?
Just one for fun...T thinks she looks like Animal from the Muppets but I personally think she looks more like a Fraggle though the irony is that both shows were done by the late Jim Henson so I guess we're on the same page.

Classic Cool

I have wanted to take these pictures of him for about three years now and never could seem to find the time. Well last night after the bluebonnets, I saw him sitting at the counter eating his burger with his fresh haircut and white tee and had to do it right then. He is such a natural in front of the camera when it's just him and me, no pesky sisters and no distractions like ducks, ladybugs and joggers with their dogs. I know in the not-so-distant future, I will cherish these pictures even more than I do now. I only wish you could hear that sweet little boy voice that I know will change into the deep husky tones of his father. These are the days that I wish I could push pause and stop the hands of time to take a breath. This is exactly why I am a photographer, to freeze these moments forever.

Bluebonnets

I was absolutely determined to get bluebonnet pics of my kids this year and though my schedule (and the weather) has not allowed me to schedule any for my clients, we were able to sneak away this evening to grab a few for us. The wind was CRAZY, but the clouds allowed for some even lighting and we made the best of it. As a photographer, photographing my own kids can be somewhat of a nightmare but as they get older, it get a little easier.

These are the smiles I don't get in a "portrait environment", they are only available in those totally relaxed moments when I am only mom and they are enjoying a happy meal...

Twelve?!?!

Was it really 12 years ago that the Lord sent down the one thing the doctors said I couldn't have? My first glimpse into heaven, the gift He gave me which would change me forever in ways I never ever thought possible arrived 12 years ago and it still seems like yesterday. She is kind, forgiving, generous and a little shy. She is talented, smart and a little less confident than she should be. She is loved by everyone who meets her and she makes me proud in so many ways, I couldn't possibly list them all. She loves all animals and hates fruits of all varieties. She has porcelain skin complete with the perfect amount of freckles, sea blue eyes and an amazing smile. She is my muffin and I love her with everything I have inside me. And she is twelve.
Just like her mom, M has a soft spot for fresh flowers and these just called to me while I waited for her balloons...

We've lost her for sure now...

12 balloons and a volleyball to grow on...

We also got her a cookie cake to share with her friends at volleyball practice but bad mom forgot the camera.

What's been going on...

Yes it has been a while to say the least and thanks again to all who have checked in on me and asked how things are going while ever so subtly asking when I might get around to posting again. Admittedly I haven't had much time to take any pics other than those I am paid to but I did take a few.

Let's see...there was Valentine's Day Parties
He always finds a way to impress the ladies ;-)

We painted walls...

While M & Lola snoozed though notice she is never far from her Ipod or phone...

She was bright eyed and bushy-tailed to paint her own room...

We have some terrific friends who stayed over until midnight to help with M's room...

Lola helped fold some kitchen towels which were promptly put back in the basket for rewashing...

T's mistress...

I still love her in pigtails, it's such a bittersweet reminder of the little girl who used to be. Maybe I'll dig up an old picture of her in pigtails when she was small...

L's class did a series on pigs right before spring break and knowing that L collects them, her teacher invited her to bring some. Wouldn't you guess that every day she wore her pig earrings (yes, she owns a pair) and she brought two different members of her pig family.

Just cus he melts this mom's heart with those eyes and overgrown hair...