Keep in Mind

I've been dreading August 24th all summer.  BOTH of my baby sisters leave for college, one entering her Freshman year, one entering her Senior year.  The only comfort I have is that they'll be together.  I've tried to write this post for the last 3 weeks and I get too choked up every time.  There's too much to say and not enough words to say it. 


Then, I heard this song yesterday and it stopped me in my tracks.  In lieu of a post, I'll just leave you with the lyrics.

Keep in mind
As you head out in that cold
Don't forget to take your coat
TV's sayin snow
Keep in mind
That old car of yours
Ain't no good on slippery roads
And I won't sleep a wink
With you out there all alone

So keep in mind
I'll be waitin on a call
In this little house you grew up in
When your world was safe and small
Ease my mind
With the sound of your voice
Let me know no matter where you are
However far
Your home is still your home

There's angels all around you
Keep in mind
We're always thinkin about you
Keep in mind
We know you're gonna make it
But before you leave and spread your wings
I hope you take these things
The family and the friends who prayed
Who cried and watched you drive away
Askin God to please keep you in mind

Keep in mind

I know those dreams you're tryin to chase
You want 'em now but they won't wait
Last thing you're thinkin about
Is slowin it down
And the ones you left behind
But I'm always thinkin of you
Cause when somebody loves you
That's what they do
All of the time
So keep in mind

Lyrics from Locash Cowboys, "Keep in Mind".

A special thanks to our Papa for keeping such detailed notes of us growing up and taking SO many pictures.

Friday Friends: Nic & Whit

We parked on the same road just off of A1A where we used to bar hop the beach, shutting a different one down most nights of the week (ahhh, college, how I miss you).  The same place we parked when we celebrated many 21st birthdays, the same place we parked when my husband took me on our first date, the same place Nic parked the night he met Whitney, and tonight?  The same place we parked as we took our two little families to the beach.

So much has changed in the time we've known each other but for some reason it didn't hit me just how much had changed until we parked and set foot on that beach.  Flashes of Nic on his 21st birthday saying to me "this is my friend Gary"; Nic standing up beside Gary on our wedding day; Gary telling me "Nic thinks he met the one" and then telling me about Whitney; Gary nervously pacing before his Best Man speech on the day Nic married Whitney; Whitney laughing as Gary and I (with a very round, pregnant belly) danced at their wedding;  Nic calling Gary, his voice catching as he said "she's here, and she's perfect" on the day his daughter was born; and now?  Us walking those familiar wooden planks to the sand.....babies in tow, laughing over the latest diaper mishap or someone's temper tantrum.

We talked about getting ice cream as the kids played in the sand and played with the balloons.  As the sun set, both kids got cranky and we scrapped our ice creams plans as it was already past their bed times.  Whitney laughed and said "oh well!  Gone are the days...."  I laughed with her and thought "yes, yes they are".  But each day seems to be better than the last and it's pretty amazing to have friends like these to share them with......

Nic & Whitney, enjoy your preview!  We miss you already and can't wait to get back down there again!  Hugs and kisses from VA!

I don't even know what to say about this next one....her expression is priceless!!



The H Family

I got to hang out with this sweet family a couple weeks ago.  Not only were they a dream to work with, it was actually little Miss' very first birthday so this session was extra special :)  Mom has been crazy patient waiting on this blog post and for that I thank her :)

H Family, enjoy your preview and your 1 YEAR OLD!!!

Friday Friend (and a squishy newborn): Bethany

Best friend isn't exactly an appropriate term for her. 

She's more like......a friend soul mate. 

She is the friend that you talk to every day (sometimes multiple times a day).  She is also the friend you may not talk to for 3 weeks because life gets in the way.  She is the friend that never asks why you haven't spoken for 3 weeks.....if something is wrong, she knows you'll tell her.  She is the friend that you go grocery shopping with and have the time of your life.  She is the friend that you laugh so hard with, your face literally aches.  She is the friend you will cry over when you move 800 miles away because, well.....who will you go grocery shopping with?  She is your own private book club.  She is the first friend you call when you welcome your baby boy into the world....even if it is 3am.  She is the friend you analyze blood tests and fertility results with when you both discover that getting pregnant isn't quite as easy as it seems for a young, healthy woman.  She is the friend that, at age 22, your professor threatens to "separate you" from if you don't stop talking during class.  She is the friend that buys mac n cheese for the ragged looking father counting his change in the Wal Mart line, then calls you to tell you that all those problems she cried to you about this morning really aren't that bad after all.

She is the friend that is somehow perfectly imperfect.

Last week, I finally got to meet my very best friend's baby girl who decided to make her grand appearance 3 weeks early.  She came out pink, healthy and screaming while I rejoiced, cried (happy tears!), and said a prayer from 800 miles away.  Then I panicked as I realized that my plane tickets were scheduled for her due date and she would be 3 weeks old by the time I got there to do her newborn pictures (this is ancient for newborn photography!!).  All my worries were for nothing as she was an absolute angel during her session.  The best part of it?  Her beautiful Mama and I sitting on the floor, sshh-ing her and adjusting backdrops all while catching up, gossiping and repeatedly saying "can you believe we have children??".  Oh how I miss simply talking to you face to face Bethany!!!  I miss you and love you like no other.  Now grab a ginormous glass of water and enjoy your preview!

Oh how I love me some squishy lips and milk bumps!!

Daddy was at work for the first half of Kinsley's session.  Can you see her telling on me with her eyes?  "And then they wrapped me up and put this head band on me, it was awful Daddy!"

One of my favorite things about newborn sessions is the look of complete and utter love on a new mommy & daddy's faces.  Seeing that look on my best friend's face almost made my heart burst with happiness <3

I think it's safe to say she has Daddy wrapped around her finger already....

Sweet little Kinsley, you have no idea how lucky you are to have these two people as your parents.  To the H family, congratulations!  I could not be happier for you!!!!

Osbourn Park Senior: Cole

So, I know it's not typical to do a Senior session AFTER graduation but I didn't want to miss the chance to get a few shots of Cole.  He's been a surrogate little brother since he was born, growing up just 3 houses down.  He was the first kid I babysat (that ended the night his parents came home to an ambulance in front of the house....long story, he's fine as you can see).  His sister's wedding was the first wedding I ever shot solo.  Our families have been together through countless weekends at the lake, weeks in the Outer Banks, holidays and "porch parties".   To this day, he's the only boy that has ever consistently been allowed to spend the night at my parent's house.

My favorite thing about this guy is his intense overprotection of my little sisters.  He was born 6 months after my youngest sister but that doesn't seem to matter much these days as he towers over both of them by about a foot.  I love that he doesn't think twice about sticking up for them and I'm content knowing he's with them when they're out and about.

Cole, I love you kid!  Thanks for being a good sport and I'm glad I could teach you about GQ :)