Then, I was reading through my mail a few days ago and the Union Gospel Mission newsletter arrived.  I always go to the NEEDS section to see how we can help.  I noticed the first thing on the list was alarm clocks/watches.  I guess we take it for granted that everyone has a cell phone, when in fact, cell phones are still a luxury item that we all possess and are in no way a necessity of life.  However, alarm clocks help us to wake up on time to get started on a productive day.

 So, why am I telling you this?

 Because, I am asking you to join with me in collecting items for the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County for their Christmas NEEDS.  If you email or call me (817-371-4799) I am happy to come by your home to collect your donations.  And when you are giving, remember that our own Savior gave us his best…so do not just dig at the back of your closet.  If you have a new pair of shoes that you have been intending to wear for the past two years…give.  If you are out shopping on Black Friday, pick up some socks and underwear or an electronic game for a teen.  I am sure there will be many crazy deals this season. 

 I will  be collecting donations through December 5 and then delivering them to the UGM.

 You know how good it makes you feel to put on your best attire…imagine living on the street and how much it would perk you up to know that you were given someone’s best…not their leftovers.    Of course, I know that most of our “old stuff” is like new to anyone else, so all donations will be greatly appreciated.

 Many, many wishes for you and your family and safe and wonderful holiday season.  How blessed we are.

 NEEDS

Alarm Clocks/Radios

Watches

Men’s and Women’s clothing – all sizes

Socks and underwear

Bras

Games and electronics for teens

Children’s toys and clothing

Shoes/boots

Coats for men, women, and children

So, today I am reminded of the birds on the beach…and the birds outside my window…that always seem to find a way.  Surely if he shows them the way, so, too, will he take care of me!

Where was I?  Oh yes…light.  In my most humble opinion, I believe a photographer’s best tool is light.  Yes, a good camera, the right lens, and some computer stuff to go along is helpful, but if you do not know how to see light, and use it…you end up with a backlight (dark front…meaning your child’s face is dark) subject.  So, my number one asked question is how do I get the color in my child’s eyes?  So, here is lesson #1 of how to use light to get bright colored eyes.

Take your child into their room and face them away from all windows, like towards the closet or something.  See how their pupil dialates large and the iris gets really small?  Now, take them towards the light (a window.)  Go at a time of day that the light is not making bright spots on the carpet…just filtering in the window.  In other words, when the sun is on top of your house or on another side of the house than the window you are facing.  As you bring them closer to the light, notice their pupils get smaller and the iris gets bigger…and NOW you can really see those baby blues or big brown eyes!

See, if you shoot with a flash in a dark room, the pupil doesn’t  have time to dialate smaller with a flash of light.  But shooting with natural light in a well-lit room…allow the iris to be larger and reflect the light…producing a beautiful colored eye.

…and isn’t it wonderful how God speaks to us in so many ways…just as the light brings out the beauty in our eyes…if we turn our lives towards Him…and let His light shine through us…we become more beautiful as well.

I hate to admit…while bathtime and books have been a regular routine in our home since week 2 that we brought Evie Kate home…prayers and brushing teeth came much later.  Why is it easier to read a book than to pray with your child?  I guess becuase there is no script?  So, we have recently added this to our regular nighttime routine.  It is really my favorite time of day…to get to hear what she is thankful for or who she thinks to pray for without being prompted.

So, tonight Evie Kate says “let take turns.”  I say “okay, you first.”  She says, “no you first.”  So, I pray for all the things I myself pray that she’ll be thankful for…someday…like the amazing relationship she has with her brother (I am believing Christ for this one!) – and then it is her turn.  We just sit there.  I says, “Evie it is your turn.  Tell Jesus what you are thankful for.”  She looks at me with those big blue eyes and says “mama, I am listening for Jesus to talk to me.”

Gulp.  My bible study lately has been about how sometimes I need to hit my knees to listen…not always dump a laundry list and get on my way.

I am so blessed.

It was Tuesday morning and much like most men, the first thing my son thinks of when he wakes up is food.  Our morning greeting goes something like this. 

Open door.  Enters mother.  Son lifts sleepy head from laying on belly position and begins rubbing eyes.

Mother: Hi baby.

Son: Hi.

Mother: Did you sleep good?

Son: I ca-cakes.  (translation: I want pancakes, please mommy.)

So, I carry him to the kitchen and open the freezer only to realize we are out of frozen breakfast items.  So, I close the freezer to be greeted with a small monster.  Full on fit…head spinning…spitting…I ca-cakes…I ca-cakes….

I noticed a banana on the cabinet (little Z LOVES some nanas) – so I decided to make homemade pancakes (okay from Bisquick mix) with bananas.  I quickly grab the ingredients, frantically showing him the picture on the box to assure him I have not forgotten his wish for pancakes.  But he is now hanging from the handle on the freezer screaming and tears flowing…snot on the way.  I keep saying “look baby, bananas and pancakes!”

He finally gives up on me and goes to the playroom to pout, thinking for sure I am never going to feed him.  All the while, I am at work in the kitchen whipping up something way better than frozen mini-pancakes!  This is a HUGE hot, pancake, filled with real bananas, topped with syrup!  Yum, right?

I am finally done, the pancake is ready to eat and I go get him from the playroom.  I sit him at the table and I even made me a banana pancake to enjoy with him!  He digs in…smiles and says “yum!”

Lesson learned: So many times God asks me to be paitient, wait on His perfect timing, trust Him that if he feels the birds of the sky and clothes the lilies of the field…won’t He surely take care of me, too?  Yes, so often, I follow His lead half-heartedly or I go kicking and screaming when I pray for something that doesn’t come to pass.  When, all the while, God is in the kitchen cooking up something better than I could ever dream up…and He wants to be there to join me when I get to enjoy it!

I am humbled…again.

Thank you so much Vicki for trusting me to capture Mr. A for his photo-debut.  We’ll get him and big brother together in the Spring…and I PROMISE – we’ll get some sweet brother love!

I usually do not post a ton of “lifestyle” portraits becuase they can be mistaken for snapshots…but…I personally LOVE this picture…it’s such a true capture of their family at this time in their lives!  Dogs and boy running all around two pillars of love, the foundation that makes a family!