Sweet and Simple Necklaces

My sister Sarah sent my girls these sweet necklaces in the mail the other day.

I had it in my mind to do a photo shoot with them wearing their gifts, but Emma and Shiloh were eating up their dinner when the package came. I don't know about you, but I'm convinced I have the world's messiest eaters in my house.

{I let them do it completely themselves, so I'm sure I'm only getting what I pay for.}

So, Steven gave them baths {with promises he could stay home with Keller} while I rushed around and loaded props in the van and grabbed my camera.

The sun was setting and you can get the best photos if you start around 7pm out here. Our sunsets are to die for! I didn't know where I was headed, but ended up stopping at a hospital a stone's throw from our new house.

I lucked out BIG time! Only it wasn't luck because I talked to God about it while I was driving and looking for a good spot.

He knows how to deliver let me tell you. :-)

In the end I didn't need any of my props, save for one of the new grain sack pillows I used for Shiloh to sit on.

{Shiloh is wearing those pants from Paris that I scored for a dollar from Goodwill. Emma's romper -which she calls her rhombus - was a $2 find from Goodwill and her belt was made by me.}

I hardly ever ask my kids to pose. Those kinds of photos turn into cheesy grins, frustrated mammas, and tearful kiddos. Nope. Not what I'm going for.
Believe me.  I've been there.

Instead, I let them play, but ask them to sit every once in a while and sometimes I dare ask for a smile.

I love capturing them in their natural selves. I want to remember them just the way they were.

This is one of my favorites...

I didn't ask her to pose like this. I'm not even sure I'm creative enough for that or would have thought she would have cooperated even if I did ask.

She's a natural I tell ya...when she wants to be.

I think this one above might be my most favorite.

I love how God gives us ALL creativity...even 3 year olds.  He's just waiting to unleash it.

Do something creative today!

And thank you, Sarah, for such sweet gifts!

Kiawah Island: Family Pictures

While the babies are sleeping, (and I'm finally sitting down to eat my salad for lunch) I wanted to share the family photos we were able to get while we were gone. I was so grateful to be able to get a few to document this season of our lives. They are not flawless with children perfectly posed, smiles plastered dutifully on our faces, hair all in place, and my baby weight completely shredded, but they are us. An imperfect little family. =) And I love them.

You can see which child we were having trouble with!

and this...

is when we decided we had had enough.
...............................

This one is the best we got and my personal favorite. We are natural. Emma and Shiloh are not looking, but you can still see their beautiful faces. Keller is sucking on his fingers, which perfectly depicts what he does all the time. Steven and I each have a child in our arms. The wind is blowing our hair every whichaway, but I love that you can see that it was windy. Yes. I'm very perfectly pleased with it.

If you don't take the time to get family photos done because of the stress and hassle, I encourage you to go for it! It may not be perfect, but you will capture the most important elements of your family at that time. And I guarantee you will be able to laugh at the imperfection later down the road. =)

Thank you, Jenny, for photographing our difficult family!