We took photographs as she was moving from her childhood home.  Mostly we shot outside because the house was in boxes, but at the end, we ran upstairs to her room and I'm so glad we did.  Her mother died unexpectedly when she was a little girl in elementary school.  And as I walked into her room, left mostly as it was designed by her mother, I was overcome.  It was beautiful, peaceful, a cozy hug.  Love in every well thought out valance and sconce.  No detail overlooked.  I was just a photographer that day, lucky enough to witness the loving connection between two amazing women.  In a few more weeks we begin house projects at my own home.  I've been gleaning inspiration from the usual sources (magazines, blogs and pinterest).  But also, I've opened this folder many times as a reminder that creating a beautiful home with things is possible, but when done with love for the people inside, well, the effects can last forever.

xoxo

Pumpkin time

It happens each time.

Once the new baby is born, your older baby seems so grown up. So big.

Roman is unassuming and pretty chill with his new responsibilities.

But what my eye kept seeing was how little my boy still is.

Sucking his thumb in a great big pumpkin patch.

My sweet Robino-robotto-robaby.

One of my favorite fall rituals...updating the photo wall

Love my babies.

Can hardly believe how quickly they grow!

Also, I have FOUR frames in my hallway.

So much to be grateful for.

In case you want to look back (like I do)

2009

2010

And in hopes to prove to my children that, yes indeed, they thought my jokes were funny at one point in their lives...

(except for one...she's a tough sell!)

1 Month

Perfection.

The newborn stage has a tendency to be a bit hazy.

As in, sleep deprived mental haziness.

I want to remember the things that make all the sleep deprivation WORTH IT!

Her sweet sweet smell. She is so yummy.

Our mommy / baby connection.

She quiets down when she hears my voice.

(or sometimes screams even louder just to ensure that I KNOW SHE IS HUNGRY!)

Secretly, I think that is so so cute.

Seal the deal my little girlie.

I love feeding her.

It takes so much time out of my day.

And that, I think, is precisely why I love it.

I get to slooooooooow down and cuddle up with my baby.

My perfect, 1 month old baby Poppy.

Poppy Sloan Painter

Born Sunday September 11, 2011

6lbs 4oz

18" long

As sweet as they come.

The BEST kind of "before" and "afters"

I don't often post shoots I do for other people, but I keep coming back to these cheerful colors and that beautiful little boy.

Congrats Angela and Matt!

it's my favorite thing...

I'm not sure why, but looking at the Christmas-card-photo-rejects is my favorite thing to do.

It might be because every year I decide last minute, LAST MINUTE that "today's the day!" for pictures.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 (37 degrees outside)

1:15 - "Hey Margaret, what are you doing around 3:30 today? Wanna snap a picture for me?"

1:17 - "Hey Babe, what time are you getting home today? ummm, well, think you could reschedule and be home at 2:45?"

...shower....iron...run around like crazy...

2:10 - (Zach home early from school) "Kids, Kids!! No time for playing, it's PICTURE DAY!"

...brush teeth, dress kids, comb hair...

3:00 - in the car...where should we go to take a picture?

...really bad lighting...

...oops...modesty check....

...150 photos and three locations/two photographers later...

It's a wrap.

Time to blow off some steam.

Until next year my loves.

Time...

It's been a year since I took these photographs (link to old photos).

So it was time, it seems, for an update.

Tonight, I just want to share a small sentiment that has been marinating in my mind all day. It's a mash-up of two different experiences. Today I thought about how much better I am feeling, (and how long I was sick) and began to make a list of all the things I've been wanting to tackle, that have been on hold for a week +. And then this afternoon I prepared food for dear friends who are in the process of saying goodbye to their father.

It's not that the two are related, because one is supremely more significant than the other, but it was the combination of processes that impressed my soul.

Tonight I am full of gratitude for my blessings.

for eternal marriage

for my beautiful babies

for each and every day i have on this earth

...to learn, to grow, to serve.

I hope to fill the frames with those sweet faces for many many years to come.

But I also understand that there are no guarantees.

Life is beautiful, and sometimes I'm reminded, fragile.

It's a spectacular thing to remember.

Because it elevates each simple and small moment.

Life.

moment.

Two Rocks

It was a no school Friday so we made a trip down to Montrose, Missouri to visit Dave's mom and step-dad. On the road I spent the whole time reading Town and Country and Harper's Bazaar Magazines. Just when I thought I'd reached my limit of overly sexed advertisements for expensive watches and perfume...I turned the page and saw a naked man covering his groin with a cologne bottle. No really, I almost spit out my water in a fit of laughter. That man, he's alive somewhere on this globe, and what in the world would he think about fishing, and rifles, and hot dogs, and pears from a tree in the middle of Missouri? Oh the dichotomy. I wonder what a life glamorized in those glossy pages would feel like. I'll be honest, I haven't a clue. But all day long the sky was soft and cloudy and the wind was blowing. The open expanses invited introspection. There are certainly endless ways to fill a day. I feel refreshed and peaceful tonight, so I'm content with the way I filled mine.