(Don’t forget, there’s still one more day to send an e-mail about someone you know who could use a free session and some other goodies.)

This year, we have really enjoyed living where we live. Every month the Bentonville Square hosts “First Friday”.  There’s food and music and balloons and a ton of other good things to spend money on!  When my Dad came to visit this summer, we made him sweat it out in the sun while we watched the kids dance to the amazing Justin Hamby Jazz Quartet.

This is not my favorite picture of me, but I love my dad, and I’m thankful Jamie grabbed this one!

There are just a couple more First Fridays before they pack up for the winter, so we will be soaking them up while we can.

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I met Kristin in her suite at Mt. Whitney Lodge which had the most lovely view. The girls were all buzzing and getting ready for the wedding, but my favorite part of the morning was seeing two of the most important women in Chris and Kristin’s life cinching up her dress.

Chris and Kristin, you two make sense together, and I am so thankful I got to witness that all day long. Thank you!

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For some reason, I have had Christmas on my mind lately. I know that’s ridiculous! But it has brought about an early Christmas gift: I am giving away one free session to someone in our area (within a couple of hours from NWA) who is deserving and could use a little extra something to make them smile. Send me an e-mail if you have a family member, a friend, or a co-worker who is extra deserving right now. Write a quick explanation of their story, and include their location. If you can’t think of anyone, then spread the word to someone who can. This gift includes a CD of the session, 4-8×10 prints, and one 16×20 print.  And because this picture reminds me of last Christmas, I have to include it.

Also, in the spirit of giving… I am having fun with these little accordion books lately. They are barely bigger than a wallet photo, and they’re super cute. So, starting now until November 1st, I’m giving away 3 free accordion books (worth $55) with each session.  My fall schedule is filling up with families getting ready for their Christmas Cards, so don’t wait too long.

Merry Christmas…. sort of.

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I prepared myself for Jacob’s indifference to me taking him to school, and I knew he wouldn’t want me to walk him to his classroom. But what totally caught me off guard was when Emma said she didn’t want me to walk her up either. She warned me a couple of days ago during our “Meet the Teacher” night that she knew where her class was, and she didn’t want me in there. She also asked me to stop calling the bathroom ‘potty’ and to make sure that I don’t refer to Nathan as ‘Daddy’. Now these rules from my kids have been in place for a while, but she was just reminding me in case I felt like reverting to my old ways. And this morning I didn’t feel very emotional at all until we got in the car after me forcing them to take these photos. Emma said, “Mom, were you like this last year on the first day?” I informed her that I would be like this for the rest of her life. I also made it to the bottom of the stairs where I watched them walk away without me to the 2nd floor which is a pretty big deal at our school.  I may have teared up a little to the office staff, but I held the lump in my throat and tried to remember that today I will get to eat my breakfast in front of the TV. I will have 5 days a week of uninterrupted work time. I can use the bathroom, (NOT the potty) without answering questions through the closed door. And I may get to have a phone conversation with my mother without having to explain to my nosy children what I was talking about. … but it will be hard to get used to this quiet house these first few days.  *sigh*

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I’ve been busy this summer scattering sessions in between entertaining the kids and our other low-key activities.  This first guy is Jackson. I got to photograph his family of three right before they added a new little brother to the mix.

Then there was the Weber family who posed for me a few days before their Dad was being deployed.

And finally, I got to take a few very quick pictures while my new baby cousin, Carter slept. I can’t wait to see more of this little Chick Magnet.

Anyway. That’s all for now I guess. As much as I honestly have enjoyed my kids this summer, I’m ready to be back in a good routine and actually get uninterrupted working time.

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Sweet baby Gavin is already 1 year old! It doesn’t seem like it’s been very long ago that I was meeting his parents for their engagement session. This boy gets cuter and cuter every time I see him.

Saprina, thanks for letting me watch Gavin grow this past year. I can’t wait to see how much he changes as he becomes a little man. I love you guys!

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Oh Mallory, what can I say? Perfection, all the way from Tennessee!

Mallory and Penny, thanks for making the long drive over. You guys are so fun and creative, I could take photos of you all day long!!!

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I met up with Chris and Kristin at the Fayetteville Botanical Garden for their engagement photos. This place was pretty magical.

Chris and Kristin, you two are so fun and smiley! I can’t wait to show you your wedding photos. Congratulations!

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I can’t believe that 9 years ago I held this sweet baby boy in my arms. I remember coming home from the hospital to our apartment with the poop brown carpet and sitting on our ugly floral comforter on the bed with no head board, and I was sobbing to Nathan that this little baby was going to grow up and marry some girl and leave me. Nathan thought I was crazy, and really I was…. but he must have thought I was crazy to be thinking so far ahead to the future. But here we are already 9 years later, and I can hardly remember the time in between. This boy has endured two teenage parents who had no idea what we were doing, but we all three survived and even added Emma to the mix. I feel so lucky that he is such a smart and funny kid. He loves his XBox and all things related to the computer. I love when he laughs so hard he can’t talk, and he still loves to cuddle…. once in a while. He knows how to push my buttons, but it’s usually after some of our biggest blowouts that I remember how much alike he and I are. He is getting closer and closer to that day when he’ll move on without us, so I’m trying not to blink. The difference between now and then though is that I’m mostly happy to see him grow and survive and be more independent. It’s happening so fast. I love this little boy. Jacob Christopher.

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One of my favorite friends let me follow around this sweet little baby girl for her 1 year birthday photos. Lily is adorable, and really, how could she be anything else with two of most beautiful parents in the world!

Her grandma made this outfit just for her special day. I thought it was perfect for this little princess!

Happy birthday Lily!

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