Late Fall

We don't really have Winter Fall here in Florida but if you look out my kitchen window you wouldn't believe that. I snapped these today. It won't be long before all of the leaves are gone and we find bare trees staring back at us. This is for those of you in the North.

Enjoy!

Do they come any cuter than this??

First of all, I have been offered studio space at Little Achievers Preschool and I am giving some serious thought to setting up there. So, for all of you that would love studio portraits but don't have room....get excited!

Secondly, if you know of anyone that is in need of childcare, Little Achievers has openings. She is accepting children 6weeks and older. You can reach Jennifer at 727-841-8900! The school is located near the intersection of US19 and SR54, just North of Sun Toyota, behind the Westminister Church.

Finally, I had the most awesome session yesterday! I tried out the space at Little Achievers (thanks Jennifer!) and it was a blast. It could not have happened without an awesome family though. Thanks Dan and Stacie! Your daughter is beautiful and she truly has the personality to match.

There were so many great photos from this session. I had a hard time choosing so it will be photo overload in this entry. This is M's first birthday and Christmas session combined.

My Baby Brother...

I interrupt this normally cheerful, positive blog to remember my baby brother. It's been three years today since I touched his broken body. I miss him more than words can ever express but I also know where he is and where I will some day be. I know that he is happy and at peace and that is what matters most. I do miss him though.

If you didn't know him... my brother was a giving soul. He loved his family more than anything else. Our grandparents were his heros. He was a loyal friend. He was the first to stop and help someone that was in need. He was an organ donor that saved many lives while giving his up. He is my hero. He is forever 24 years old.

If you knew him, I know that you miss him too. Thank you for keeping Jimmy's memory alive. He lives on through those that remember him. I see him every where I go and that is because of you. He will always be my baby brother and I will love him and miss him until I take my last breath here on this Earth.

James Charles Pearson III

June 25, 1981 - December 8, 2005

Busy, busy weekend... leads to busy week!

Our weekend was so jam packed with stuff that it is overflowing into this week. Yikes! It just flew by!

On Saturday, we started out at a local park for some caroling from A's chorus. They work so hard and they sound great! This was their second performance. The first was last Wednesday evening.




Just after the caroling, we went home and changed clothes and headed out to a Christmas Tree Farm. It was over an hour away. The idea was to get a tree and take some family pictures. Neither of those ideas worked out very well. So, we snapped a fews pictures and we were on our way back.

This is pretty much the way that the photo shoot at the farm went. Seriously, I need a photographer!

The sun was unbareable! I can see exactly where I get those wrinkles from.



Saturday evening was the boat parade. We headed down to the river to find our spot. We were 30 minutes early. No big deal, right? Well, when the parade starts over an hour late it is! So, we sat and tried to be patient but with someone smoking in front us and someone smoking behind us, I finally had to leave (I am allergic!). We had been there for an hour and a half and no boats were to be seen. Thankfully, T, had a great idea and we drove down the street that runs along the river. We didn't go far before we spotted the parade. We parked quickly and hopped out to watch. It didn't last long. On our way home we were stopped by a friendly deputy that seems to be stalking us. No charges were incurred and as far as I know, I still have babysitting rights so all is great there!

Sunday morning always means church and this Sunday brought a special prayer request from a friend at the airport. She was getting ready to board her flight and the plane was iced over. After de-icing the plane twice, they were good to go! After church we finally got our Christmas tree and when we got home, we took our family portraits .... again. It's difficult to take family pictures when you are in them. Lesson learned... trade with another photographer!

This is the only photo that I am allowed to post. T has forbidden me to share any that may be on our Christmas card. So, you'll just have to wait for the rest!


I wasn't kidding when I said that it was overflowing into this week! I have pictures to edit with no time to edit them! I have another session tomorrow that I have been really looking forward to! Yeah! I have a bare tree that is waiting to be decorated, an adoption support group meeting to lead and a Christmas production at church! How will I ever get it all done?

My sweet CC

It's been awhile since you guys have seen my sweet CC. I was able to spend a few hours with her today and we played. She is one of my favorite playmates (along with N and E!). I do love my babies.

Let's see, since the last time I shared her sweet face with you she has gained a few rolls and two new shiny things in her ears. Yes, I went with her Mommy to have her ears pierced. I tried to save the baby but that mean lady at Claires was able to corner her Mommy and assault her before I could say Boo!

Miss CC definitely has my heart wrapped around her little pinky finger.

She is ever so CUTE!

This is my favorite!

Eldon

Every year, Brent writes to Santa to ask if Eldon is all finished with his work. If he is then Santa sends him to our home for vactaion. We love Eldon. He is so much fun. He shows up some time early in December and stays until Christmas Eve when he hitches a ride home from Santa. He reports back to Santa while he is here to let him know how everyone is behaving. It's really too bad that we can't tell Santa how Eldon is behaving. He's quite the mischief maker.

Meet Eldon. He high jacked my Fall wagon and took a few friends for a horse drawn wagon ride yesterday. This is how he showed up! Brent was surprised. That's a note from Santa in his hands and the jelly beans next to him are his food. He sleeps (when he's not making mischief) in the freezer.



This morning he was found swinging from the ornaments hanging from the ceiling. I'm not quite sure what Eldon will get into today. He may just create his own blog.. hmm?

So Much to be Thankful For

It's true. I know that so many people say that they have much to be thankful for but it is so true! I try to remind myself each and every day to be thankful for what God has blessed us with.

Many of you know that I lost my younger brother almost three years ago. Thanksgiving was the last time that he was in our home and the last time that I felt his touch. For that reason, Thanksgiving begins a bittersweet time of year for me. Each year, I struggle with remembering the good and not dwelling on the missing. I choose to focus on living life and celebrating while we are here but it is so hard when I miss him so very much.

I am thankful that my family is whole and in good health this year. I am thankful that my Mother seems to be doing so well and that she is finally able to be herself again. I have missed her and I look forward to having my Mom back!

I am thankful that I have a husband that loves me and supports me no matter what I do. He has funded my business so that I can watch my dreams come true and so that many of you can reap the rewards of those dreams.

I am thankful that I have good children that love and respect us and are doing well in school. The hard work over the years has paid off! There is hope! LOL!

I am so thankful for my friends. You all know who you are. We support one another through thick and thin. We've seen each other at our worst and love one another in spite of it. You tolerate having my camera in your faces at all times and your children are plastered all over my walls and computer. You are my family. I love you!

I am extremely thankful for my clients. You all inspire me! I have fallen in love with your families and especially your children (whether they are furry or human!). Thank you so much for your support.

Here are some photos of our Thanksgiving!

My baby boy doing what he loves..



We don't play football after dinner. It's kick ball! Here's my daughter kicking!

Here's my big boy... he's 14!


And, just in case you needed a reminder.. this is the love of my life..

All of my bilogical grandparents are in heaven so I really love sharing my hubby's. This is his Granny. She played kick ball with us.

Our sweet girl with her great grandpa

Mr. Too cool for pictures. Remember, he's 14!

And, finally, Granny and Grandpa. I am most thankful that we got to spend another Thanksgiving with them!

I'm sorry that I am so behind. I will be back soon to tell you all about a special visitor that we have with us.