The making of a big brother

 They say, when you add a baby to the world, a family is a made. A new mom, a proud father, doting grandparents.  But when you add ANOTHER baby to the family.....something really special is born.

A big brother or sister.

Chance is 8....but he's almost going  to be  "almost 9". He has a July birthday .  When people meet Chance, they first notice his fierce red hair. I noticed so much more.

When I arrived to take photos of his new baby brother, Chance immediately extended his hand for a quiet and polite handshake and smile.  I went about preparing for the task that brought me to his home.  He sat quietly on the couch watching Alvin and the Chipmunks ( the new one, not the cool old one from our day his parents and I decided) .

As mom finished feeding the baby and dad changed him, I set out to find a good photo spot - one with good lighting, near a heat vent and away from the busyness of the household . When I found what I was looking for I began setting up my things . Chance appeared in the doorway, asking if I needed any help.

When a child asks to help, I always find something for them to do. As it would go, I did need to test my light and Chance could be my model.

During that 10 minutes, I learned a lot about him....where he went to school, that he couldn't pick a favorite sport because he loves football and basketball equally. I learned of his nerves for the basketball game he was on his way to play. Like any 8 year old boy, he loves games and his favorites he plays on the PS4. 

But what I really learned is that life from his point of view changed pretty drastically ( he might have sleep with his door closed and pillows over his ears when his brother is hungry at night) and then it changed not all.  Chance still has things to do and his parents still have places to go. School still starts at 9 am every week day, dinner still has to be made and eaten. So while life has shifted dramatically, the same things still require love and attention and time and Chance showed  me that this is a pretty awesome deal, becoming a big brother. He told me that, even though he has to share life with a tiny new baby, he never feels lonely and , sometimes, when his brother is really crying, he can play his game a little longer. Not too shabby, I think.

The Brown family

I was invited to photograph a rather momentous and joyous occasion this week- the adoption hearing that would make Harley officially a member of the Brown family. Ruth, Seth and Gavin as well as the Brown's church family had already accepted Harley as their own long ago. This formality, though, marked the top of the journey . The mountain had been climbed, the adoption was complete. 

Brown family adoption gallery

Brown family adoption photo video
              
           
                “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” -Psalm 126:3

Every day life

 There is such beauty found in the hum-drum of every day life. Here's a bit from my spot in the universe.

365 project week 11

Dec 8th - I had a shoot with three kids and three puppies, all adorable

Dec 9th- A trip to the park . She gathered pine cones, I collected pictures

Dec 10th- A trip down town

Dec 11- This lonely tree invited a photo on our way home from school

Dec 12- Our Christmas tree ala Pam Williams ;)

Dec 13- Those baby blues....

Dec 14- Sleeping beauty was the subject of my quick snap before posting tonight!

Please follow the circle to find out what the other girls have been up to! Click here to start with the ever so talented Andria !

365 week 10

Catch up! I'm playing catch up! Here is what I gathered from week 10. This week, my dear friend and I shot a wedding so a lot of my time went to prepping for that.

Dec 1- wedding prep.

Dec 2- It's a thrill getting Christmas cards that feature photos I took!

Dec 3- we have been sick for a week now and this cell phone capture of my cutie is the best I could do

Dec 4th

Dec 5th

Dec 6th- I really stretched my brain working in low lights for only my 3rd wedding.

Dec 7th- such a great friend to me.

KWH- Nov

 The theme this month for the Kids Were Here blog circle is sentimental, an easy one since we unpack our Christmas boxes in November every year.  Here are my submissions for November. Please take a few minutes to follow our blog circle, starting with Andrea|liveloveclick.wordpress.com

Mackenzie's ornament from the collection she shares with her Grammy

This ornament was passed down to my husband from his parents who enjoyed it for many years. Now my kids adore it, watching the train make countless trips up the mountain and down again.

I have very strong sentiments about rainboots. Many of my best memories of a mom include my kids trudging around in their rain boot. Mason isn't picky about whose boots he wears or even if they match.

Project 365 week 9

In a mad rush, I got today's post ready. Several of my photos this week are cell phone snap shots but I love them none the less. There is something really simple about them and I really think I'll be exploring cellphone photography more in the weeks to come.

Nov 24- facination

Nov 25- Bonded

Nov 26- space

Nov 27- climb

Nov 28- tradition

Nov 29- a moment

Nov 30- reality ( back to school)

Please take a few minutes to see what the other photographers have been up to this week, starting with Andrea: liveloveclick.wordpress.com