50 Years: Dick & Lynn Sneak Peek!

More coming soon!! 

Baby Liam Patrick

It was first announced during a BBQ last August. "And God, watch over Jen and the baby in her belly. Amen," My entire family looked up from bowed heads in stunned unison. The feeling of elation cannot even be put into words at the realization of a new addition to the family. Hugs and squeals were exchanged immediately... and then the wait began! 

Nearly eight months later, this little man arrived into the world, making my precious 2-year-old nephew, Evan, a big brother. And of course, melting all our hearts more than we could have imagined!! 

I was beyond honored to be behind the camera with little Liam Patrick. It was pure joy to capture his handsome self! Just eight days old at the time, he was a trooper! And hardly a sleeper - he wanted to be awake for the event! ;) I hope you enjoy the cuteness overload! 

 Sweet heavens, are you posing for me, my dear??

 That's a heart-melter right there!!

 I could not love this one more!! 

 Since Daddy (my big brother!) is a web app developer, graphic designer, coding extraordinaire, I thought it only fitting to bring a little of that into our session! 

 Why yes, we are a New York Yankees loving family!! Yankee Pride, my friends. Yankee Pride.

 The image on the right just might be my favorite. I'm officially in love with the little prince!

 Just precious.

 You are just killing me, Evan!! Your cuteness has no limits!

 A little Toy Story to keep things fun!

Liam, welcome to the world and to our family! I think you're going to like it here! 

Cherry Blossoms... & Hunger Games

It was like a scene straight out of Anne of Green Gables. Or a vision in Narnia. Perhaps I was daydreaming in Pride & Prejudice land... whichever it was most like, it was simply beautiful. Sitting on a hillside, a good book in my hands, spring breezes flowing through the trees, petals softly fluttering to the ground... It was a perfect afternoon. A scene almost straight out of a movie. I would look up from the pages of my book every few moments and just smile. Smile for the weather (Virginia is seriously amazing!), smile for the aromas (between the smells of spring and the local bakery up over the hill, my sense of smell was on overdrive!) and smile for God's beautiful care in His creation. Every spring, the earth comes alive. Without hesitation. His handiwork is seen in every blossom and in every birds' song. 

Speaking of Hunger Games! Who saw it this weekend?? I was the girl who started book one two days before the movie premiered. Yup. That was me. I had two afternoons to get the thing done and I made it happen! I may or may not have read the last 1.5 pages literally IN my theater seat, but I finished it in time! I never do anything (at least I strive great lengths to) that hordes of people flock to; if something is popular, chances are I run the other way. I felt nothing one way or the other over Hunger Games, but my family flew through the series over the last few months (even my hubby!). So, I finally caved when I realized Strom would see the movie with or without me. 

So, to whoever saw it, what did you think? I now wish I read the books sooner, because I was able to point out every single missed detail, it having been so fresh in my mind... But I enjoyed it!! (And honestly, it's 2.5 hours, how much more detail does a movie even have time for?) It follows the book as close as I have ever seen a movie do. The characters are all well represented, and the action well-done. The relational intricacies and emotional elements aren't fully conveyed (yet another time issue, I'm sure!) but overall, it was great and extremely enjoyable! My word of advice is to definitely read the books first. You get so much more out of the movie knowing the extra details and thoughts of Katniss Everdeen, the lead character (the book is written in first person, so all the narrative is missing). I'm not one that likes movie spoilers, but in this case the books are a plus beforehand! And that's my two cents!