P52 - Week 45 - Mr. & Mrs.

I'm so excited to share this week's photo!


This young man came to work for me a few years ago. He quickly outgrew his role in my group and has moved on to bigger and better things, but I am thankful that we still get the opportunity to work together off and on.

He's always been pretty hush-hush when it comes to his private life, but he took that to new heights and surprised us all when he scheduled a last-minute day of leave so that he and this sweet lady could tie the knot. Just like that!

I am so glad they let me do this little photo shoot as my way of congratulations. I got a rare glimpse into their world outside of work and it looks like a great place to be! I wish them many more years together, now as Mr. and Mrs.!

P52 - Week 20.5 - Silver

I know I already posted a picture for this week, but I just *had* to share this one too.

You see, today is Wonder Dad and my 25th wedding anniversary! And to kick things off, I was presented with this amazing gift:


Each and every time I see it, I tear up.

My guy knows me so very well and this sonnet captures us so perfectly!

Another quote that I love, though I do not currently recall the author, says something along the lines of "finding your soul mate doesn't mean you've found the perfect person, but rather, you've found the perfect person FOR YOU."

After 25 years of being married to my favorite guy, I can say that these 2 quotes sum up our marriage pretty darn well - at least from my perspective.

I still have many days when I am not sure why he chose me, but I *CAN* say that I am so very glad that he did and continues to make that choice each day.

I am truly looking forward to our next 25 years!

P52 - Week 20 - Mom's Day

One of my favorite days of the year is Mother's Day. It's not that I need some red-letter day on the calendar for my boys to show me their love and affection, they both do a great job of making sure I am loved and appreciated on a daily basis. But there is something about the second Sunday in May that always gives me pause.

It's not exactly a secret, but I wasn't sure, growing up, that I would be well suited for motherhood. I resisted it for a very long time. My better half married me knowing that children were a long shot at best. He had a heart for family, so I was surprised that this wasn't a "deal breaker" for him. But I am oh so blessed that he decided to ride this roller coaster of life with me anyway.

We were married for nearly a decade before I was ready to take the plunge into parenthood. And I must admit that, aside from my marriage, it has been the greatest blessing I have ever experienced in this life. So this is my day each year to be thankful that I changed my mind, that I took a chance on this amazing adventure that is parenthood. I couldn't do it without my partner in crime. He is everything I am not and it is only together that I can walk this particular road.

We actually had a very laid back day since Wonder Boy was swamped under with school work. But we did make it out and about for lunch at my favorite local Tex-Mex place. And then we splurged and went out again for dinner - though technically, that was to satisfy one of Wonder Boy's class assignments.

I think I needed the slower pace this year. I find myself trying to hold onto every minute now that the clock is ticking before our Boy heads off for college and forging his own path in this world. It was a good day and I couldn't ask for anything more!

P52 - Week 8 - In Memoriam

This is not the image I really intended to share for this week. Signs of spring are popping up everywhere and that always makes for fun photos. Wonder Boy got to kick off his soccer season this week as well. And goodness knows, that is probably my #1 subject through the spring and again in the fall. But this snap of my dad at a memorial service for my great uncle is one I just could not pass up sharing.

Technically speaking, this is not even a very strong image. But I truly do not care. When I look at this photo, so many thoughts come to mind and I just don't want to lose that by filing this photo away in mass storage.

You see, today my family said its final good-byes to my great uncle. He and my dad were particularly close. My oldest brother is named after this uncle. And in turn, his granddaughter is named after my dad. I guess you can tell we were a tight bunch.

My dad read the obituary at the service and barely got through it. He's not an emotional man, so this struck me more than I would have guessed. My dad has always been this larger-than-life character. But in recent years, especially over the past few months, it has come home to me just how mortal he really is. It's not something on which I like to dwell, but it IS part of who he is today, and as such it is something with which I will have to come to grips.

In this shot, my dad is resting on the headstone of his grandfather's grave. And oddly enough, at least at this moment, he actually resembles my great grandfather.

Despite all of the sobering facts of a funeral, this day was actually a really good day for me. I got to spend time with family that I love, some of which I had not seen since we were small children. I got to laugh about the things we did and said growing up in this rather boisterous group. I got to spend a few precious moments with those that helped to shape me into the person I am today. And I got a reminder to hold onto the things that are truly important in this world.

So I share this image in remembrance of my Great Uncle. He is sorely missed. But I hope he knows that he lives on in our hearts and in our shared memories.

Rest in peace Uncle.

These Two ...

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. ~Michael Leunig

I've had the pleasure of knowing this young couple for a number of years. And to see them together truly warms my heart.


The last time we did a little photo shoot like this, they were both mere teens. And now, as I watch them strolling hand in hand, it dawns on me how much they have grown and changed - both individually and as a couple.

When I see them together like this, I cannot help but think back to my own youth and meeting my better half. And I hope that their future together is every bit as wonderful.

K & D: I wish you guys much peace and love in this season of your lives. May today be brighter knowing you face each day together.