The Cushman Family

This family is special to my family.  Julia is my friend.  Courtney is one of our babysitters.  Sarah is my oldest daughters friend.  Grant is buddies with my son.  Scott loves to play in my backyard.  It is so special to have a family that meshes perfectly with your own and this is the blessing my family shares with the Cushman family. 

We had such a wonderful afternoon together.  They followed my lead and I found a location that suited them perfectly.  Beauty truly comes from the inside, and what is beautiful inside, always shines through to the outside-through smiles, sparkling eyes, hugs, kisses, and laughter.  The Cushman family has this kind of beauty.  Cushman family, you are one of the single most generous and kind family we, Willmers, have been blessed to know.  We count you and your friendship as one of God's special gifts to us :)

Sneak Peek: The Cushman Family

More of this 1st grader and his dear-to-me family to come....

Always on the go

I have been out looking for new locations for Christmas family portraits.  

The twins go with me where ever I go. 

This was our first hike together: me, my camera, and two almost 2 years olds going in different directions.

They don't pose too well for portrait shots, because they don't sit still. 

It is a beautiful spot though, and 2 very happy kiddos doing what they do best: smiling and running.  

I'm just glad they are running towards me :)  The photos would have a whole different sense of urgency had they been taken running away from me!  

This location is perfect for a family on the run :)

The Ketterling Family

What a special afternoon this was for me as a photographer.  I have one photo with my daughter, my mom, my grandmother and I all together.  It was taken by my aunt in my grandma's kitchen.  I love the photograph.  It was a special  moment in time.  So when Bonnie asked me if I would be willing to photograph 4 generations of Ketterlings, I jumped at the chance.  I love to see God's blessing through generations.  Thank you Bob and Bonnie for choosing me to photograph you and your family.  Your sons are kind young men and have chosen their wives so wisely.   Your grandchildren were so unbelievably scrumptious.  I hope you were able to sit back a little during our afternoon together and take in the beauty & fun of your family.  God has been so good indeed!

9

Emma is 9.  She is one year away from hitting the double digits.  More poignantly, she is 1/2 through her time in our home.  I think she will always be my child that makes me feel both old and young at the same time.  Young, because she is so full of life, energy, and radiance.  Old, because she begs for us to turn our music down when we get close to the local Junior High School intersection (which only makes Brian turn it up and sing along), her math is getting hard for me to remember how to do, and her thoughts and ponderings are getting ever so deeper.

Emma you are God's handiwork.

You are simply beautiful.  Your eyes sparkle with happiness.

You have a special love for kids who are in need.

You are goofy & yet wise beyond your years.

I love that you think lunch boxes, binders, fish, and plants have feelings. That's why we own our unattractive beta fish-the only non-colorful, tiny finned one ever sold.  

You were right, when you said none else would buy him, so we had too. 

I love the big sister you are and am so blessed by the daughter you are.

I love that you are a wrong lyric singer like me.

I love our bedtime talks and your honesty.

God's got plans for you my love.

Be patient, as your dad and I continue to point you towards Him.

I love you,

mommy

7

Happy Birthday Addie. 

I love that you never know where your shoes are.

I love how much you love Slurpees.

I love how you skip around the house clapping for joy.

I love how you talk about your birthday party for 364 days of the year.

I love that you can unbuckle Gwenie from the backseat so I don't have to.

I love how you laugh so hard you almost pee.

I love how you share your bed with Big Son so he doesn't have to sleep alone.

I love how you bolt across the yard like Jackie Joyner Kersey, every time Ruthie comes near.

I love how your nose squinches up when you laugh hard.

I love how you beg for a song and for your back to be scratched every night.

And I love how tender hearted you are.  

You were very, very good at being 6.

I guess I'll let you be seven :)

Summer

We wrapped up summer over here about a month ago.  I was going through our family photos and came across this one.  It made me smile so big. I wish it could be summer a little longer.

I love the bare feet, messy hair, warm late nights, and the huge smiles that summers bring.

Unplugged

My computer has been in the worst mood.
It has been away for a week-getting help.
My home phone is missing...
It has been missing so long, it doesn't beep when we page it or ring when we call it.
My cell phone has no internet access.
We got rid of cable TV last month.
My youngest dropped my iPod in the toilet a few days ago.
I feel like Joan Cleaver.
Minus the cool heels and stylish skirts.