Why We Became Foster Parents

There are many reasons why Dan and I chose to become parents via foster care.  Put simply, fostering was how we wanted to start a family; we wanted the chance to adopt a child.  But, when I really sat down to think about why I wanted to be a foster parent, I can trace it back to a news story I watched as a teenager.  It was a special news segment about child abuse.  A three-year-old boy was horrifically beaten by his  parents.  Still ingrained in my mind is the picture of this gorgeous, sweet, blonde boy smiling through two black eyes, a smile that could light up the darkest night.  I wish I could remember his name.  I still get tears in my eyes thinking about him.

What fostering a child has done for me and my heart has been life-changing.  Being a foster parent has been the most rewarding experience of my life.  I'm taking care of someone's child, loving him as my own, attempting to give him the best childhood possible and showing him that there is a God who loves him.  You might think that being a part of foster-care would harden my heart, build up anger in my soul about the way these children have been treated.  But, I have learned about the overwhelming chaos of addiction.  I have learned that every parent loves their child - no matter what their behavior may exhibit.  Above all, I have learned that God is in the business of changing lives and I know in my heart that foster-care and fostering-to-adopt is God's perfect plan, no matter if the child returns home or gets adopted.  I am so thankful for the foster program, flawed as it may seem at times, because it has opened my eyes to how big God's love is.  

I believe that anyone and everyone who enjoys parenting should consider being a foster-parent.  You just need a little room in your home and in your heart.  (Cheesy, right?  I came up with that.)  To quote my friend, Janelle, a placement coordinator at our agency, "A lifetime of change can begin with just one word: 'Yes.'"

I would love to answer any questions that you may have.  So, ask me questions!  Ask me anything!

** I was given pre-approval to post this by our agency.  

Family Photos in a Park!

I love taking family photos but I know first hand how stressful it can be when you're on the other side of the camera.  I am the oldest child in a family of 6 (two parents, 4 kids) and every time we got ready for family photos someone wasn't happy.  Someone was having a bad hair day or hated their outfit and there was a lot of screaming and pleading and sometimes crying weeping.  So, I am hyper aware of the drama surrounding family photos and I try to avoid it as best as I can.  I try to give clients tips on what to wear and let them choose their location.  

This is Nicholas, Eric and Tasha (and baby Paige!).  They wanted us to photograph recently-turned-3-years-old Nick and also get some family photos before Paige arrived.  The location is Bradley Lake Park, the attire was casual, and no one wept.

Nick was great!  He loved exploring the park, he wasn't overdressed, and we had a blast staging him and chasing him all over the park.  Tonight I'll be taking photos of baby Paige who was born a week ago!  I love repeat customers!

Happy Birthday to my BFF

My best friend was born thirty years ago!  (I can't believe we're thirty this year!)  I am so lucky that our dads are BFFs and that I've had the privilege to know Sara my entire life.  It's amazing that we've known each other so long and yet the amount of years we've lived in the same town (or country) are limited.  We've stuck through it.  We've had many trips and vacations to keep us close, years of summer camp, and, of course, spending 3 years of high school together.  Now you're a teacher and a wife and I am so proud of the lady that you are.

Happy birthday, Sara!  I love you so very much!

What to Get Your BFF for her Birthday

I am not a very good gift-giver so I was wracking my brain about what to get my best friend for her birthday and I decided to look up some ideas on Pinterest and Google.  I came across some really terrible lists on the subject.  So, I've put together my own list of what to get your BFF for her birthday!  In honor of my best friend, Sara, turning thirty tomorrow here are some of my BFF Birthday Gift Ideas!  

(Sara, I'm not spoiling the surprise.  I didnt get you any of these things. Okay, maybe one thing.  I cant lie.)

1. Best-friend necklaces have gotten quite a bit more interesting since the broken-heart pendants we gave each other in the 90s. PB and J necklaces by: bookmarksnrings on Etsy.  
2. Wall art to match her decor is sweet and thoughtful.  This pretty watercolor by: jellybeans on Etsy.
3. Wallet case for her iPhone! An essential accessory for a girls night out!
4. A lady needs time care for herself.  Get your zen- (or not so zen-) BFF a pretty new yoga mat. 
5. Last year I got my friend Danielle a little bag of the newest nail polish and she LOVED it. Trust me on this one.  It might seem lame but wouldn't YOU want a bag of nail polish?  Pictured is Essie's latest line.
6. Every woman with a birthday in 2013 needs to get JT's new album.  

Pictures of the 3 of Us

April 2012. Photo by Jade Ehlers.

I pulled some photos of the three of us from the archives. It's so rare to get a photo of the three of us because usually Dan or I is behind the camera.  I'd like to get some professional photos taken again.  Jade and Kaitlin Ehlers did such a wonderful job last year. The date was chosen a month in advance and once it got to that day it just so happened to be the day that BB had 2 appointments and a new nap schedule.  He kept it together but he barely smiled.  So, now that he's full of personality I'd love to have another shoot. 

I know I'm more obsessed with photos than most people but how often should you get your family's photos taken?  Once a year?  Twice?  Every month?  If I had it my way, it would be weekly.  OBSESSED.

October 2012.

March 2012.

December 2012.

June 2012. A very hot, sweaty but super fun road trip to Spokane, WA.

August 2012.

Happiness and Sadness

Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length. -Robert Frost (1874 – 1963)

Although Dan's travels have become second nature I still miss him so much when he’s touring. When he’s on the road it’s like a part of me is gone. I find myself feeling a bit lackluster. I should be used to this by now.  I keep telling myself, "It’s not that bad!"  And, it’s not. But I miss him.

This weekend, BB got a new ball.  He said "ball" about 7,582 times while running and throwing that ball all over the place.  Dan taught BB how to play the harmonica.  They've been trying for months.  There was such sweet, chaotic noise throughout the house. 

This morning BB ran into our bedroom after breakfast to see if dadda was still sleeping.  "Dadda's at work", I said.  BB wasn't satisfied and climbed on the bed to look for him.  My heart is so happy that he loves Dan and so sad at the same time.  Two weeks will be up before we know it and we've got big plans for April!  

A Rainy Seattle Day

Last weekend, we felt like spring was here.  We had a glorious, sunny Saturday.  The best weather of 2013 for sure.  On Sunday, we drove up to Seattle to see my friend, Jordan, who I've toured with before, and his wife, her sister and her sister's husband.  We did a whole lot of walking around, went into the Seattle Underground, shopped.  It was lightly raining - "misting", if you will- but not too bad.  We had fun!  I love exploring cities and even though I've been to Seattle a million times I always enjoy it.

What's your favorite city to explore?

Bloglovin'

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Renewing our Vows

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Over the past year, I've been attempting to fulfill a list of 30 simple things I wanted to do before I turn 30 on August 15, 2013.  Number 18 is:  Renew my vows.  I'm not sure why I wrote that last August 15th.  Perhaps it is because when I think back to who we were when we started dating in 2001, I see that our relationship has changed immensely over the years.

We are not who we were when we were 18 and 20.  We've grown and changed and spent several years abroad, and, I think, spent more time together than any other married couple which is why we've changed together.  The changing and growing that you do in your twenties was done side-by-side, hashing it out, talking it through, and analyzing everything.  And so, we renew our vows because our love is different today than it was in 2001 or 2003 or even from last year.

Initially I thought about a party, a weekend getaway or a full ceremony.  But this little piece of internet here seems like the perfect place to do it. And so, my husband and I pledge our love again today - and every day heretofore.

Daniel, 

Ten years ago I said "YES" and five months later I said "I DO!"  You are my sunshine on the dreariest of days.  Your wild ideas and passion for life have made my life so much more fulfilling and exciting than it would have been without you.  You are the best husband a woman could ask for.  You are, without a doubt, my better half.  I love you forever!

Lindsy, 

You are so beautiful and incredibly funny. You are my favorite person in the whole world.  You know how I get about sunsets, they happen every night and yet every night I can't help but stand in awe.  I feel ten times more about you. I am caught off guard every day by how much I love you. You are the best wife a man could ever ask for. I am so madly in love with you.

Birthday-Anniversary-Combo

This guy!  10 years ago, this guy proposed to me on his birthday!  He did it as an act of selflessness; he wanted to share his special day with me and make it ours forever. Pretty romantic, isn't it?  Dan, you are so much fun.  You deserve the biggest, wildest birthday party but I know that your introverted self just wants to stay home and watch movies.  I love our balance of introversion, extroversion, relaxing and seizing the day, and the joy and strength that we give each other.  I love you with all my heart!  Thanks for being born, thanks for asking me to marry you, and thanks for indulging my desire to celebrate you today!  

Dan's birthday, 2011

Technology

I never thought DVDs would catch on and I might be the proud owner of world's newest VCR, circa 2001.  According to Wikipedia, the knower of all things, DVDs came out in 1995 and I'm sure I didn't own a DVD until 2003. I've never been the type of person to get the latest and greatest technological thingy.  I mean, our iPod is ancient, my desktop is from 2009 and my Macbook is at least 6 years old.  But, as a photographer, it's very important to have great gear.  My friend, Rachel, was selling a lens and it had been a year and a half since my last new lens! So, I went for it.  These are some test shots from her house.  Rachel is always a great host.  BB got to eat a doughnut and climb the stairs for, like, 30 minutes!  Charlie, who's 3, is very good at sharing with BB ... and very good at destroying his room.  See: HERE.  

Charlie

"Oh, let me just make myself at home."

"WHUUUT."

Rachel must have said something funny ;)

I See a Green Frog Looking at Me

This is currently our favorite book:  Eric Carle's Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?  BB likes to bring the book to us and flip through it himself.  Other times he'll sit and listen to the whole book. 

My favorite part is the last page that shows all the animals:  brown bear, red bird, yellow duck, blue horse, green frog, purple cat, white dog, black sheep and a gold fish.  I have asked BB on four separate occasions which one is his favorite color and he always points to.... the green frog! Green is my favorite color, too. How special!

It's Tearin Up My Heart

You guys! I just cant decide which one is better.

Hours of cruising around the 'Couve in my '84 BMW with my pals blasting N Sync's No Strings Attached.  Hours, I tell you.  Because that was when gas was 99 cents a gallon and teenagers are wasteful.  So, back to the important stuff:  BSB is overall better looking but N Sync has better dance moves.  And, I mean, JC, why cant we be lovers?  I never realized it when I was 16 but that Kevin guy in BSB is hot.  And, Justin Timberlake...  Dont even get me started on Justin Timberlake.  I think N Sync will always have my heart. 

So, what do you think?!  BSB or NSync?

This post was brought to you by 1999 and inspired by my friend, Rachel.  Happy Friday!  And, if boy bands aren't your thing, check this out.... SO FUNNY!

Washingtonians

A true Washingtonian will never waste a sunny day.  It could be 40° but if it's sunny you can bet that you will see people:  wearing shorts and/or flip flops, mowing their lawns, possibly even swimming.  This is truth.  Ask anyone.  

I love the sun!  We didn't wear shorts this weekend but we did spend the entire weekend outside.  We explored the back yard with our 4 year old neighbor, we went out for a picnic and a hike in the woods.

I would love to spend every sunny day outside - I just wish it was warmer!  I'm already dreaming of summer.  I've been looking for swim suits online and dreaming of a pool party for my 30th birthday!

The sun hurts your eyes when you're not used to seeing it!