No Tears Today

OK, maybe a few....

I couldn't resist showing a glimpse into the....um....variety....we capture on a shoot. And how hard these kids (and parents) work to get a good shot.

Things have been pretty serious on the blog lately. I'm happy to report that with holiday card season in full swing we'll be more jolly. But I also feel a little restricted in my photo selections. I want my families to be able to unveil that perfect shot on their holiday card. So my selections for the L family today tend toward the candid variety. No worries I got plenty of goodies.

Like this one: my new favorite shot ever!

I put this one on my Facebook page already (what? have you not Liked me yet? get on over there!) but I couldn't resist sharing again and with a broader audience. And look at this gem, so cute right? Love these little beauties.

The oldest is Grant. Responsible, confident, a natural leader, mature for his age. Dare I say Type A. I caught him here in a rare moment of silliness.


And then there's sweet Charlie. The middle child. A bright ray of sunshine and happiness. He's the snuggler, the lover, the poet.

Lastly we have Baby Caroline

Who isn't a baby anymore. Walking and exploring - Caroline definitely has opinions about how her world needs to be organized. And as the youngest she has the least amount of pictures in the family album. And that is a challenge I just can't resist.

Her Mom said she just had an intuitive sense after Charlie was born that she wasn't done and that she was meant to raise a daughter. And this beautiful girl is a reminder that when we listen to our gut, that whisper inside, it's always for good. Not necessarily easy, but definitely for good.


So the trio is complete. And there's a big world out there for them to explore. And Mom and Dad are just trying, like every parent, to hold on and remember as many of the details as they can. Cherishing the little moments. Because the cliche is true - it all goes by so quickly.

Happy Birthday

This is Betty. Or as she's often called in these parts - THE BETTY.

She is my local family. The fact that we're actually not related is a mere technicality. She, more than anyone else, shares the intimacies of my life. I call Betty on good days and bad days and she's always there for me. She is my rock and without her I'd be lost.

She's not only a rock for me, she's a rock for many. It's who she is. It's what she does. People are drawn to her vibrant light and supportive, safe, and encouraging nature.

Meet Bernadette and Alexa. Betty's actual relatives (well, 2 of several). The closest sister in age to her, her Irish twin, and soul sister. Alexa is Betty's niece, Bernadette's daughter. And they were here recently visiting from Betty's home state of Washington. Are you following along?

Good.

One of the things that makes Betty so special is her ability to feel deeply and truly adore her loved ones. She shares her heart abundantly. And she LOVES these two so much.


And thought it would be a nice birthday gift for Bernadette (and Alexa) to have a fun photo session.

I relished capturing them all together, having fun, enjoying each other, goofing off.


Alexa is 13. A teenager. And she's acting like a teenager. Her Mom is patient, forgiving, silly, sweet, and stern when she needs to be. She takes her parenting seriously and nothing in the world is more important than her daughter. Even if it's not obvious between them all the time (because that would be impossible) it's a truth that can't be denied or shaken.

The first time I met Bernadette she was on a trip by herself here in Chicago to see Betty. It was January 2009. We had this lovely dinner, her trip was almost over. And her heart was aching for Alexa. She was enjoying her time so much but saw Chicago through the eyes of someone who wishes she had her favorite person with her to share it. Later that night - thankfully safely in the care of her Betty - she got a call-in-the-middle-of-the-night. And journeyed home the next day hoping that no one would get to her daughter before she could, to tell Alexa her Daddy unexpectedly and suddenly died; he was gone and she'd never get to see him again. Hear him laugh. Have him hold her in his arms.

No young person should have their world so shaken. It just isn't right or fair.

But she's OK. She's a normal teenager. And she's been given the space to talk about her feelings and her Dad as often as she needs or wants to. And of course the little girl in her wishes she could bring him back even for just a moment.

But the strong young woman in her holds the key to wisdom some adults never learn, "Hey guess what life - you've shown me the worst and I didn't crumble. You.don't.scare.me."