Futbol, Zion, and an Argentinean Jersey

While Zion completely looks like me (he’s always changing), his fair-skinned and blue-eyed mother, he is 100% his father’s son.  His quiet yet dramatically fiery Argentine spirit and absolute love of soccer, er…um futbol, is matched by no other 2-year-old child I know.

I was in the kitchen washing dishes one hot August afternoon when I looked out the window and saw him playing in the backyard.  I quickly grabbed my camera and caught these photos.  He decided to pose a bit after his “game.”

Years down the road, when I look back, this is how I’ll remember my Zion.  Futbol.  Jersey. And baby-blues.

Fall Session: The Haley Family

We’d been trying to get a session scheduled forever.  Finally, it happened.  And even though it was fall.  It was cold that morning.  Really, really, cold!  You couldn’t tell.  The kids, naturals. The animals, beyond cooperative!  The family, ever so delightful to work with.

And yes, there is a celebrity here.  Oreo, the chocolate-colored horse had quite the previous owner.  Oreo was Bruce’s gift to Demi.  That’s right, Demi Moore!

Encouragement

Things I often hear parents say on a photo session with kiddos:

“I’m so sorry he’s not performing!”

“I canNOT believe she’s being this way!”

“Don’t worry.”  I try to reassure in my sweetest voice.  “ALL kids do this as some point. Even mine.”  Yes my kids, who are so used to having a camera shoved in their face they strike a pose when they see a dangling point-and-shoot hanging from one’s wrist!

I recently received some of the kindest words of encouragement from a friend that I haven’t seen in years.  The timing perfection.  The day: chaos.  My mind: scattered.  I was grateful for her words of encouragement – both as an individual and photographer.

I’m a bit of a dreamer.  I think. I fantasize.  I dream.  My grandmother, an author by trade and dreamer by nature, is my kindred-spirit.  Never once did she kill somebody’s dream.  She always encouraged them.

Dreams don’t always unfold in life as we envision, but they always breed vision.  They propel us.  Move us forward.  The same way an encouraging word does.

Hernán and I were just discussing how important our words are because they always seem to take root and head us in one direction or the other.  Words give life.  They are never stagnant.

Today, may you be an encourager to someone else  and be encouraged by these words:

“Therefore, encourage one another and edify one another, just as you are doing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.” ~Henry David Thoreau

PROOF:

That my kids DO have meld-downs during photo shoots.  Here is ZOE on her NOT-SO-BEST-BEHAVIOR during a recent photo shoot!

Family Session: The Whites

Fall has been pretty perfect across Missouri’s rolling praries this year.  The leaves golden and temps lovely.  Perfect for a family photo session.  The White family’s morning was no exception.

I arrived at the White’s house and to my delight found Logan entranced with the movie UP. “He loves this show,” Mikaela stated.  “We watch it at least once a day.”  “Perfect!” I exclaimed with delight. My props for the family session would be a hit.  Two MASSIVE balloons =)  They loved them.  We all were happy.

Mikaela and I go way back.   To third grade to be exact.  Funny how life is.  You grow up friends.  Move on to college.  And life, well, it brings you back to where you started – close in proximity and friends once again.  Mikaela’s family is as warm and loving as she is.  Kevin, an amazing support to his family; and the kids, enamored with their parents and grandparents.  Rekindling a old friendship has been just one of the best things about taking this family’s pictures so frequently.  And for that, I’m blessed to call you my friend.