Out of town...

...with my sisters and mom, and this gorgeous little man! My sister, Kiersten, took these today. I love them. I love them because I rarely get the chance to be on this side of the camera with one of my kids...isn't he adorable? He is sleeping right next to me as I type, and those of you who know the craziness of our life the past several weeks know that I should quit typing on here and get some rest...and so I will! Have a great weekend!

Our Small Little House Fire...

Yes, it has been busy around here. Yes, there is never a dull moment. And, yes, I feel more blessed than ever. A week ago from today (Monday), our dryer caught on fire...the day before we were to leave for our mini-vacation.

It was pretty fast and furious, but thankfully with the speedy fire department who were at my house with their hoses in just over 5 minutes from my 911 phone call, it really could have done even more damage.

Now, let me tell you the damage is pretty significant! The laundry room is charred, and the rest of the house is filled with smoke damage. We left last Monday night, not quite knowing what to expect, except that we knew we weren't able to stay in our home. The next morning we met the general contractor bright and early, and things continued to roll from there. We are out of our house for another 4-6 weeks from Wednesday, but we are staying in a beautiful comfy condo...much thanks to my in-laws who live in FL but have this beautiful home here. The girls are comfy here, and we are adjusting. I have learned oh so much through this process, and God has been oh so good to us. We have been learning to be content. For example, we have a limited amount of clothing. It is enough clothing to last a little more than a week, but I have woke up about every morning thinking of, "Oh shoot, wish I had..." fill in the blank! :) And then I am reminded of how much I really do have, and that I need to thank God for all that He has blessed me with and has continued to bless me with.

It was pretty scary. Bean was pretty shaken up, and continues to be. Every odd noise she hears, she questions if it is a fire. She is a little nervous falling asleep at night, worrying that there may be a fire. God is teaching her too, at such a young age, to trust Him and lean on Him for comfort (ummmm...I do have to give a little guidance in that department too!). Cakies refers to our house as the "fire house", as to not confuse anyone when she talks about "home". Tonight was her first night that she whined, "I wish we were in our white fire house," as we passed our neighborhood. I have to add, our house is really a light grey...not sure why she always says "white", just a cute little side note! Geebers is doing okay also. He came down with a cold last week, and actually, I am taking him to the doctors tomorrow to get him checked. He has been batting at his ear, and has been sleeping horribly. Not sure if it is his ear that is causing his rotten sleep, or if it is because we are in a different location.

We are settling in for sure. The condo now looks like kids have lived here for several months...toys, crayons, coloring books, stickers! I promise Mom and Dad A that we will have it looking spiffy for when you come to visit! :) I want to thank many of you who have heard for your sweet comments, emails and actions. We have been given toys to borrow, books to use, coloring stuff, a crib and lots and lots of LOVE!

Tom is doing well also. He has been a super trooper help, as I am lacking in sleep, and also lacking in routine and consistency. I have thrown myself a few pity parties, selfish I know, but have tried very hard to remain positive, and focus on being so grateful that no one was hurt and that the damage could have been way worse. God is also teaching me patience...daily. There have been some really, really ugly moments and I am having to really, really work hard and I really, really haven't done fabulous every time...but I am praying and working on it, knowing that He is molding me into what He wants me to be. And, I truly believe and know that God is good...all the time. He is our Rock and our Comforter, and we are leaning on Him to carry us through.

A fun positive: I will be returning to a beautifully restored home, with new paint, carpet, mattresses, clean air ducts, industrialized clean clothes and many other positives! :)

To those of you waiting for your sessions to be finished, I thank you so very much from the bottom of my little ole heart for your patience and understanding. I have been working very hard to try and get caught up, and promise that I will continue to work until all is finished!

And another note, fall sessions are really starting to book...so if you are interested, please let me know soon!

Lastly, here are a few sneak peeks from a week ago Sunday...one of my besties little babes, just a few days younger than Geebers...Mr. E! :)

I LOVE all of these...his smile is so contagious, and he is so darn cute! Happy almost 8 months little guy!

Beware...too much cuteness!

Geebers turned 6 months old last week. Here are a few of him a few days before his 6 month birthday. Ummmm, yes, he is adorable, squishy, giggly, smiley, so sweet and the best little baby ever...so you should be jealous! ;) His biggest milestone right now is rolling over, he is working on sitting, he loves jumping in his jumpy seat (seriously LOVES it), working on getting teeth, and he entertains us all. Ooooo, I love him!

These were taken in our bedroom on our bed...I love my room and my chocolate wall and bedding! :)

Bean picked out this shirt for Geebers...and I think it is very fitting. I told my husband that I would like to find one for him...both my men are AMAZING!

I love this one...soft light, little bum and of course cute feet!

Had a super cute session today, and have many coming up in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned for updates! And, I will also have some shots from our mini-vacation up north this weekend. Bean cried for 35 minutes last night in her bed because she wanted to be at vacation...just tells you we all had a blast!

Don't You Wish...

...that you looked this pretty without brushing your hair...

...this cute with a silly little grin...

...and this good naked? Ha! Love my kiddos!

Took these shots this weekend with a quick impromptu photo session with my kids. My only requirement was that the girls get dressed out of their pajamas...and they even picked out their own outfits. This is the best I have gotten so far with the three of them together...I had to shoot fast though, because the girls lost patience after about, oh, 3 minutes! Here are a few more...

...your lip would do this too, if your cheeks were this big...

...about to cry...

...and then I peeked out from behind the camera and got this big smile...

...and these last two are when Cakies decided to run around Geebers in circles as I was trying to get him smiling...I will say, he was entertained!

I had a great session Saturday morning with a repeater...and I love to see my repeaters grow!!!! He is a super cutie, and those sneak peeks will be posted soon! Hope you had a great weekend!

And the Winner is....

Beanie picked the winner out of her daddy's UM hat, and the winner is...

Kelly O'Neill

Although Kelly's comment is not posted on the blog here, Kelly left several messages on facebook, because she couldn't figure out how to comment here. Several of you were having problems with leaving a comment, so I put you in the drawing even if you couldn't post here. Here is what Kelly had stated:

"hey tara i want to know if u can take pictures of sarah and missy.. its her horse.. i need someone (to) take her picture.. u take awesome pictures.. u up for the job? i want to do it in july after the fourth?"

I am super excited to do this session, as it will be the first one with a HORSE! :) I truly was touched by each of your comments, and I am so blessed to have each of you in my life...even if it is just through the computer! :)

And, those of you who know me, know that it kills me to pick a winner and have those of you who commented and weren't picked not get anything at all! I was talking to Tom today and said that I should just give all o f you the "giveaway" deal ...he kaboshed that idea...well, in a kind way of course. So we compromised...and if you (one of you commenters on the contest) do book a session with me this year (2009), then I will add an additional $15 print credit to your session. That would total a $30 print credit with your session fee. So, if you do want to book a session, feel free to email me and I can get you on the calendar. Thanks to all of you who participated!!!!!

Enjoy your summer days this week. I will leave you with pictures from our strawberry picking trip last week.

No, this precious face didn't go strawberry picking, but I cou ldn't post pictures without him... :)

...I love his hat (his dad doesn't!)...

Learning how to really "pick" through the berry plants....there were SO many rows...

Four helping hands...

My beautiful sister and her kid dos...

C-man...."Is dis a purfect one, Aunt Taya?" This was repeated and repeated...he ate a few more than he picked...just check out his face and shirt!

Cakies also "helped" in the "picking"...

Bunny...so proud of her pickings...

Yummo...

These beautiful berries made tons of freezer jam, two strawberry pies, strawberry shortcake, and then two gallon freezer bags filled and frozen with berries...

Beanie and her box that she "picked"...

...tough work...

That is all for now...have a great week!