Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

I do not usually know where to begin to write to communicate my thoughts and all that I am thinking. It takes me time to think about all the points I want to say clearly. This is probably the hardest for me to do with my mom. There is honestly so much to say about the person who raised you, taught you to ski, walked with your through teenage years, planned family vacations and the best birthday parties, who has loved you through no matter what, always there, and who now has become a friend as we are both older. The other day I was reading with Myla and love was defined as “giving willingly of whatever I have to meet someone’s need”. I immediately thought of my mom. This definition of love characterizes her. She gives of herself to serve, care and love others. When I think there is no humanly way possible to give more, she does. And she does it out without complaining, but out of complete love for others. I have been privilege to have receive her love over the years and the million ways that she seeks to serve us! Thank you mom for loving me and loving others as Christ has loved you. Thank you for your example. I love you!!

 

This is one picture I had from the archive. My mom loves the beach and she was the one who taught us to dive through the waves fearlessly.

For over 20 years my parents host a Wreath Making Party!!!

When I was in labor she stayed up all night praying for me and the delivery. The rest of the family camped out!! Such troopers!

The pictures above are within minutes of Myla being born.

The next one are from Tina when Myla was 6 days old!!

My mom swam at college at West Chester and Myla has always loved the water and swimming with Grande!

Myla’s first birthday!I am learning and beginning to understand the happiness a mother feels when all her children are at home.Loves these of her and Myla!!I’m thankful for their marriage and how they truly love one another! They are high school sweet hearts.My mom and dad have created traditions in our family. 4th of July blueberry picking is one of them!

This year Myla insisted on having her egg salad sandwiches in heart shaped because

she remembered how Grande made them special last Valentine’s Day.

Any ounce of creativity in me comes from my mom. I’m thankful she loves to paint and get messy with Myla.

More of Myla and Grande (sounds like Gran D)

Halloween customs were always in our house growing up thanks to my mom love of a good time together and creativity.

This year another grandchild enter the family, Liam.

All the girls…We planned dinner together; not the outfits. Though we all showed up coordinating.

(Missing my sister in the picture as CO is too far to come for dinner)And last night we went out to celebrate her!

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Pat Shoff

What a beautiful tribute to your mother! Just had to tell you that I, too, have been enjoying your wonderful gift of creativity through your photography.

Ashley Ralston

Jamie, this is an amazing tribute! I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you or your mother, but I feel like I know you both already! What a wonderful wonderful family and such love that overflows! Thank you for sharing and being such an inspiration to us all :)

Awww so sweet!

I love your mom too! She’s been so encouraging to me. I’ve been in many small group ladies Bible studies with her, worked with her on our latest big event at church, have been blessed by her hospitality like coming over to use the pool or their property for one of my own photo sessions. She’s a beautiful lady, inside and out! :)

Instagrams (April)

 The last day in April came and went and I totally forgot to post my instagrams for April. I had it planned on my blog calendar (yes, I even have a plan for blogging); but posted someone cuter! I was going to skip posting April instagram’s simply because well it’s not April anymore. However I got over my type “A” personality and decided to post them even if we are in May. Pictures, especially these, help document my everyday moments that I want to remember.

eating breakfast together.

her hair is getting so long and i love it in a pony tail.

when I looked at her from the kitchen I could not believe how much older she looks to me.

I love the chair she is sitting in that we are borrowing from the Millens!date with Grande (my mom) at Starbucks and then a trip to Trader Joes! Myla loves pushing her own cart.A trip to Leesburg VA with Amanda Austin Interiors.

Another date to Starbucks. We went to talk about myla’s question, “How can we hear God if he is in heaven?”

an Easter picture of the two of us.Easter egg competition: Lyndon won!!Myla loves her babies!!!new wall art by Made by Girl in pink of course.Trip to visit Gigi and Bebe with cousins!!!One  hot day in April we made a trip to Lititz Park to meet Kaleb!She is signed up for Pre-K in the fall! Half breaks my mommy’s heart that we are already at this new stage together!a wonderful trip to NC to visit good friends!!!

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kendra

So enjoyed looking at these! She’s growing up fast. I miss you.

ang

yay! thanks for posting these even though its may 😉
love it.

My helper

I have loved capturing Kaleb over his first year of life. I love his big brown eyes, his happy spirit and his smile!!!  I, however can not take the credit for getting him to smile on his one year old session. Myla usually does not join me on a shoot however I was thankful she did. I am not a child photographer and as I realized how Myla gained Kaleb’s attention fast then I could, I put her to work. Myla would stand behind me and call Kaleb’s name! He looked. Myla laughed. Kaleb laughed. Myla made a silly face and Kaleb laughed some more. She has turned into a BIG helper! Myla listened so well, payed attention to directions and held onto the balloons for the end of the session. Well, at least till the very end  of the session until they made their way up into a tree! And yes,the balloons were all tied together with a weight!!! I’m hoping one day that she will not be holding the balloons, but a camera in hand and shooting along side of me.

If you look closely you can see the bunch of balloons up in the tree in the picture on the right!

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Sally Krueger

awww…. I love that!!

Kaleb: ONE

I now can not call him Baby Kaleb. He is officially ONE!!! As a mother time just seems to fly. You look back and see how quickly a year passes and how much your child has grown. I love pictures as they freeze these moments of them that change before your eyes. He is now walking on his own! I forgot how fast little walkers are and how they just keep going! There was no slowing Kaleb down once out of his mama’s arms! Kaleb has the sweetest spirit! He loves being around people and there is always a smile on his face! A BIG smile of happiness! It was such an honor to capture him through his first year…you can see three months here, six months here, and nine months here. Thank you again Mirjam for allowing me to capture your little boy! Enjoy!!

LOVE his hat and those dark brown eyes!!!

such happiness!!!

He is now a big boy walking on his own!!I loved all his sweet touches between him and his mama!!Look at his little hand on his mama’s face! O-so sweet!!Above is a favorite!!!And, yes, that is a baby bump! Kaleb will be a big brother come late fall!!!And what is a birthday without cake??!!I think he loved it!!!All done and cleaned up from the cake!!

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Sally Krueger

A-DORABLE!! I absolutley LOVE the ones where you can only see his Mama’s hand holding his and he is just beaming!! so cute!

[…] happy spirit and his smile!!!  I, however can not take the credit for getting him to smile on his one year old session. Myla usually does not join me on a shoot however I was thankful she did. I am not a child […]

This is my great nephew. And he is really precious…and his mama is beautiful. Aunt Rachel

Lori

Wow, what a cutie! Great job, Jamie.

Such a cute outfit! Love the woodpile!

cute! great location and fun photos