Alex's day as a "model"

I posted a sneak peek two weeks ago of Alex's photo session.  I just got the rest in.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE these photos!  They truly capture all of Alex (which is hard to do, but she managed to do it!) Enjoy :) Are we in trouble or what?!?

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Working woman

January 30- February 1st: I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, GA for the Ciena "All Hands" Marketing meeting.  I have been with Ciena for a year and a half and it's been such a blessing to me and our family.  Since moving to Little Rock, I've been able to adjust my schedule so the kids don't even see me work.  I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-2 (15 hours a week).  By the time the bus arrives, I've put my "Mommy" hat on and I get to be "all in" with the kids.  I can't imagine it being any more ideal.  We are so blessed and thankful!

While in Atlanta for the work conference, we had professional head shots taken.  See, kids - I do dress up every now and then :)  It was a fantastic trip!  I met many new faces and learned a lot about our company and the direction we are headed - all great things.  Thank you to DeDe for watching the kids while I was gone.  I literally wasn't though airport security when I got the call that Carson had 102 fever.  He had strep throat the entire week I was gone.  She stayed home with him everyday - so a big thank you for DeDe for stepping up!
Headshots:

Now, back to the yoga pants and t-shirt...

Mommy, wow! I'm a big boy now.

Look at me!  I'm such a big boy.  This is my first time to ever wear big boy underwear.  My sister is nuts and calls them panties?!  What's up with that?  Wish my mom & dad luck - I'm gonna give them a run for their money :)
Love you all,
Carson
(3 years, 5 months old)

Alex's 7th Birthday photo shoot

Today (January 28, 2012) - Alex and I headed to downtown Little Rock for a photo shoot with Jennifer McHam (Jen).  She is incredible!!  I cannot say enough about her talent and abilities to handle children.  We had SO much fun today!  I loved that today was all about Alex.  We all know it - family photo shoots can be a whip.  I wanted Alex to have the attention today and do a little something special for her upcoming 7th birthday.  She has a loose tooth, so I figure this is probably my last chance to get pictures of her with a full mouth of teeth for years ;)  I really wanted to capture a funky, urban look - and I definitely think we accomplished that. 

I've only been sent 6 "sneak peak" photos, but I couldn't help it - had to share these!  I'll be sure and post the rest when I get them.
Jen's website is: http://jennifermchamphotography.com/
 She is incredible - highly recommend her!   Okay....here they are!  AHHH!  LOVE THESE!!!!!!

All smiles

Love, love this!

This truly captures her spirit - sweet, fun & full of joy!

I'm not even sure what to say about this one.  It's my favorite by a mile.  I feel like I am looking at my 20 year old daughter.  AHHH!  Love this picture!

Trip to Bentonville - adventures with ABCDE, November 11-13, 2011

Reason number 1,285 that we love living in Little Rock = we live closer to ABCDE. We hate not being close to our Texas family, but at least we still have family to visit on a weekend! Nathan has never EVER visited his brother’s home (I’ve been there several times), so we were due to for a trip to Bentonville to visit Andrea, Brandon, Caden, Dru and Eston (ABCDE). We loaded up the kids after work on Friday and had a good and easy drive. We were so excited to get away for the weekend and Alex was over the moon about getting to hang with her cousins.
As we hoped and expected, it was fantastic time! The kids were in heaven playing together. It was really nice for us because the kids were amazing with Carson and we didn’t have to step in much. Caden, Dru and Eston are unreal with Carson – they are the experts! A few highlights from the weekend:
1. Nathan finally “experienced” ABCDE’s home (it’s beyond incredible – wow!)
2. Darby cousins played outside for hours.
3. All the kids are gluten free so the cooking was easy.
4. Andrea and I were able to sneak away for a girl’s night out – dinner at PF Changs and shopping. We shut down the restaurant catching up!
5. The guys were able to watch the Razorback football game in B’s media room.
6. We got to visit their church – Fellowship in Bentonville. The sermon was on “healing.” I was a mess because it hit home with Carson but was very encouraging – loved it!
7. We got to experience “Mellow Mushroom” – auhhhmazing food!
8. We were even able to squeeze in a surprise photo shoot of the kids. Andrea is such a talented photog – score! We kept this a secret in hopes of surprising the Grandparents with pics.

The pictures can tell the rest of the story. I am so blessed to have such a fun and loving sister (Aunt Onnie to my kids) and Nathan loved hanging with his brother. The kids weren’t ready to leave…in fact the oldest Darby kiddo, Caden, said, “This was one of the best weekends I’ve had in a really long time.” That speaks volumes b/c the kids are all younger, yet he still had a blast. I love these boys with all my heart. Okay, okay I’ll stop – here are the pics from our weekend!

 

Happy, happy boy!

Did I mention he is always happy?

Dru - the Carson whisperer

Nathan is having a blast with our "twins"

Sweet Carson gives us a cute face

Our kids loved the backyard and played so well together

Funny, funny brothers made fun of our excessive picture taking...here are a few examples :)

Example :)

Um yep, example :)

Okay, I *think* maybe they are trying to behave and take a real pic

Ummm nope, absolutely not!  Really boys?!?

Okay, thank you for finally cooperating!

Eston, Dru & Caden (gorgeous, amazing, men of Christ...yes, they are little men!)

Alex & Onnie hammed it up for a few pics

Sweet lovin'

These have to be my favorite - love it!!

Goofy girls

I think this is a magical pic...because Onnie & Carson have magic together...and you can tell.

More magic

Aunt Missy even gets a few pics in with her stud nephews

These boys fill my tank!!

Onnie has a blast with my kids on the playground

Okay, so perhaps I spoke to soon...this one is my favorite.  GORGEOUS!

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Saving the best for last - here are the photoshoot pics at the deserted railroad/factory:

If Gymboree is looking for a few models, I might know where to find them!

Aren't the kids precious?  I can't stand it - ridiculously blessed!

My sweet girl is growing up - she looks sooo big here!

Thank you, ABCDE for an awesome weekend!  Can we come back now?

Deep thoughts

I loved my morning devotional...hopefully someone will read and be encouraged as I was:

"Let me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you.  I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey. You'd feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead.  However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me.

I will not show you what is on the road ahead but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey.  My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way.  Stay in continual communication with Me, whispering My Name whenever you need to redirect your thoughts.  Thus, you can walk through this day with your focus on Me.  My abiding Presence is the best road map available."

Exodus 33:14, John 15: 4-7

Those of you that know me well have heard me say (more than once) - I just wish I had a map to navigate this journey with Carson.  Thanks for the reminder, Daddy!