Dear Alexa Jane,

You were born into a house of love. The kind of love that costs big.

I met your Daddy when you were days old. His sweatshirt hood pulled low to hide the pallid face of withdrawal, I served him lunch when his shaky hands could barely hold the tray.

Late winter broke into verdant spring and your Daddy continued to come through my line.  I began to know him in snippets. First thing he ever shared with me?  “I have a  daughter, Alexa Jane . . .she’s a month old.”

Each of us has a story, and your Daddy had the courage to tell his piece by piece.  Months passed and  in the heat of late summer I saw your Daddy out on the sidewalk. We had our first real conversation.

I could tell that he was very bright. Incredibly bright. One of a tribe of highly successful, ambitious siblings. And he had struggled with drug addiction for some time. It was one step forward, three steps back for several years. And he was weary.

And then you came along. And love won out.

Alexa Jane, your Daddy held you as a newborn and knew that he didn’t want to hold you with compromised arms.  He wanted his embrace to be strong and true. Not perfect, but true.  The embrace of a father who would go to the ends of the earth for his little girl. I know this, because I have that kind of father.

Alexa, your Daddy has the kind of courage that moves him from the darkest night toward the life he was meant to live. And his day one at HUM is not the one that matters so much, but it’s the day after day of life choices that  make the strongest stand toward that end. Yep. Your Daddy has integrity, Alexa Jane.

Thank you, baby girl, for allowing me to share your first birthday party with you. You were surrounded by your people . . .  family and friends that love you and your Mommy and Daddy. Yes, you are well loved, Alexa Jane. I watched  you taste your very first finger swipe of chocolate frosting, then turn to share it freely. I watched you pad around exploring boldly  in your pink tulle skirt and sassy leather slippers. And  I watched the sandman kiss your forehead, giving your eyes the glaze that says, “It’s been a good day, and now I’m going to float in the arms of the one who loves me.”

Know this, baby girl.  Hope begins in the dark.

To hold and be held? Well, that’s to feel the sun from all sides.

And love wins. Every time.

.

But Caroline, my Caroline. . . yeah, I want her on my roster:)

Check out the whole stinkin’ cute gallery right here. . . .and Caroline’s girlfriends . . . right click and snag away:)

And she, being full of spark, full of life and full of firecracker, feigned frustration, tersely quipping that he was putting undo pressure on her only a month before Christmas to pull off the impossible. How rude. How selfish.

Karen called me with a giggle in her voice. I drove out to their incredible cabin in the woods on a rainy weekday, careful to time it so that I would not run into him. Yes, he comes home to lunch with his girl.

It took about ten minutes with Karen to know that she’d have pulled off that little mad act perfectly. Boy, she loves her man. We got it done. Plenty of time to spare.

Wondering if you still have time, reader, to pull off that perfect Christmas gift?

YOU DO. GO FOR IT. I’LL HELP.

ROI.

Return on Investment.

He understands it completely. Yeah, he’s a rock star commodities broker, but that’s not it.

A couple of boyhood friends, well chosen.

A cadre of family and friends, with serious history.

A wife, well loved who loves well.

Parents, honored for the sacrifices they’ve made to preserve two cultures.

Pejman’s 40th birthday weekend gives testiment to his fine ability to invest purposefully and wisely.

And when his nieces and nephews are in his arms . . . he is every bit the rock star, deservedly.

Just one more commentary . . . how many friends do you have that would transport the entire party from the Hamptons to Annapolis, due to the imminent delivery of a baby preventing mamma travel? No kidding. Shannon rented a home on the river, chartered a schooner, had individual custom tees made, invited the posse and created a weekend that made Pejman feel like the luckiest 40th birthday boy to sail the high seas.

Access the entire party right here . . . .

This was one of those days of little miracles. Not taking credit; the photos were a gift.

Sailing. By the Sea. Shooting. I could have stood in a 2×2 area the entire day and just absorbed the love that surrounded me.

Happy birthday, Pejman. You are well loved.

And thank you, every single one of you,  truly, for making me feel part of the circle.

They are wise enough to know that little boys need space to run, trees to climb and guns to play cops and robbers. They are also wise enough to know that these days fly by way to quickly . . . hence the need for lots of photos.

I’ve lived life and motherhood alongside of Jill. We both know that the brief moments of snuggles and affection make the daily routine exhaustingly sweet.

Check out the entire gallery here.

Having done that whole transition myself, I know what Stac has to look forward to . . .

At forty, you have the confidence to say the things you used to only think about but were too afraid to let fly, yet have the self control to keep the petty thoughts to yourself. You aren’t afraid of knowing what you love, no matter if not one soul is in agreement. You get serious about living, going for the big ticket items that you once only dreamed about. You are not afraid to get hurt, because you’ve been there before and know that you will heal. You learn to forgive, stop rushing, and stop apologizing all the time. You learn to let your yes be yes and your no be no and are no longer a victim to guilt. You spend time around people that lift you up and release those who bring you down.

You stop giving your power away. You know who you are, and whose you are.

Enjoy a peek into Stacapolooza . . . it was the birthday party to end all parties, and by her side were her adoring husband, Jason, their children and her closest family and friends.

Tim Hinsche and I had so much fun shooting this party . . . we even climbed into the photo booth ourselves!

A wise woman surrounds herself with people more talented than she.  That’s what I think of Tim, my rock star associate . . . he gets major kudos for operating the photo booth and capturing the spirit of the party.

View the entire gallery here!

This weekend she’s performing in her twelfth . . . no lie, ballet recital, and we gathered at the venue to get some post dress rehearsal shots.

Meghan studies with Medora Lynn, the same ballet instructor that taught a little five year old named Kathy Shilling just a couple years ago:)

Today was the day. We woke to rain, but Tina prayed it away. And we did the shoot under blue skies and billowy clouds. She did bring the whole clan . . . Tom and the girls, Nanny and Pop, Aunt Claire, and Uncle Jim and Dan. We had a blast and laughed hard and then they drove off into the sunset to a big family dinner celebration. That’s family done the right way:)

I think this is my favorite image of the day . . . . can you tell who the knight in shining armor is in these princesses’ lives???  Rock star daddio- Tom!

Precious Emily. So beautiful!!!

Nanny and Pop and the girls . . .

Uncle Jim and Dan . . . .most likely  the biggest spoilers of little girls one can imagine. Just the way it should be *)

Dear reader, take the time to document your family.  For the one who normally hangs out behind the lens, it’s a chance to be journaled into the family annuls.  It’s a keepsake that will stand the test of time and be a testimony to the legacy you’re building. That Tina is one wise woman.

View the entire gallery here!

Nothing says summertime like a tiki bar, pool party, strawberry extravaganza with all your best girlfriends! And that’s why I love ladies’ night at Crossroads. We gather as the sun is setting, laugh a whole lot, share our struggles and our triumphs, and basically encourage one another in the messy journey of life.

Only in Carroll County do you get a whole row of beautiful cousins swinging simultaneously.

Some of my favorite ya’s that are taking on the world in a big wayyyyy!

You want in on the action?? Come join us. You’re in. You’ll definitely find someone who can relate because our group covers all the bases. Come check us out at Crossroads Community Church.

As my friend Josh says, . . . “He who finds God, finds life!!!” Get yourself some good livin’ today!

Meet Arden, the two week old princess that I met for the first time this afternoon. The peace of holding a naked, sleeping baby . . . right up there with my all time favorite things in the world.

Arden joins a life in full swing. She’s number five, and her oldest sister is seven. But it’s all good, because she born into the parentage of my dear friends, Jennifer and Mike.

Sweet. Life.

Arden Ruth. God’s opinion that the world should go on.