Theme: Defeat

Week of August 22nd

Try as I might, I often feel defeated...mostly by the amount of things I need to do/want to do/wish I could do, and the lack of time I have to accomplish them. My house is one thing I have had to learn to let go of a little bit. It is never as clean or as organized as I wish it could be, but I have slowly been able to accept that at this stage of life it just isn't possible, so there is not reason to let it stress me out.

This past week as I was driving home from a youth activity at church I was struck by how pretty the clouds were looking as the sun set. They looked as if they were painted and the light was changing color in a beautiful way. It was hard to see once I got home, surrounded by trees and houses, but I tried to capture just a little of it. Moments like that remind me what my priorities should be and help me from feeling defeated.

Theme: Peace

week of August 15th

I actually thought a lot about this theme during the week...what makes me feel at peace and what I could show in a picture to portray it. I think I feel most at peace when I am relaxing with my family in the outdoors, just observing them loving each other. It has been way too sunny and hot to have a very peaceful time outdoors lately though, so I'm posting this picture from last summer. We took a trip to the beach with my family, and although a hurricane came through and ruined most of the weather during our week there, we still created some fun memories together.

Beautiful Baby Tatum // Katy, TX Infant Photographer

Sweet Tatum was absolutely adorable! In fact, she was cute enough to almost make me want another baby...and that says a lot :-). She was pretty serious when we started, but after eating and resting for a little bit she finally broke out her smile. It was worth the wait!

I was completely entertained by big sister Taylor as well. She was telling me all kinds of stories and asking me to take pictures of her with her toys. These two sisters will have so much fun together as they grow up!

We got pictures in her blessing dress first.

little model Taylor

I think Tatum preferred being naked.

This is one of my favorites and I love it equally in color and in black&white.

(headband from Pineapple Hill Designs)

Theme: Shadows

Week of August 8th

With all these hot, dry days of summer we definitely see our shadows plenty! We were out one evening running errands and I had the kids stop really quick in a parking lot for these. Preston doesn't stop for long though!

Little Norah // Katy, TX Children Photography

I was so excited when I was asked to take picture of sweet Norah! Her family was one of my first photo shoots last fall and I can't believe that she has grown up so quickly. I had forgotten how much easier it is to get pictures of babies who can't run away :-) and Norah was happy as could be. We just sat her down, she would smile and we would move on to the next spot. She was a pro!

We tried to get a couple shots with big sis Bailey and it got a little tricky :-).

Theme: Water

Week of August 1st

Hooray! I'm actually on time with this one :-). 
It definitely helps that we spend nearly every day at the pool so there are plenty of opportunities to capture some water. I don't typically bring my camera with me swimming because I am busy keeping up with my 3 kids, but my sister came with us one day this week so I was sure to take advantage! Only a couple more weeks of real summer left and we will be sad to see our days at the pool over!

Theme: Time

week of July 25th

Having just returned home from a reunion weekend with my college roommates, the first thing that came to mind when I thought of "time" was how quickly it goes by! It doesn't seem like long ago that we all met freshmen year and decided to get an apartment off campus together as sophomores. We were finding out who we were and what we wanted in life. Now, 12 years later, we are all graduated, married and have accomplished so much. We are doctors, professors, mothers (11 kiddos between us all), and world travelers. I learn so much from my girls every time I am with them and am so happy that we have been able to keep in touch as the years go by!

In 2000 all living in our apartment together...

...and in 2011 all grown up :-).