Nearly two years ago I met the most beautiful woman, inside and out, who specializes in capturing life’s most sacred and intimate moments between family members.  She introduced herself and basically told us to go off and play!  Have fun, sit down and chat together, tell jokes, and act as if I’m not here, she said.  Easy enough.  We didn’t care about playing and sitting in dirt, or that Jalyn had a red mustache from drinking Gatorade right before the shoot, this was our life true to the very core. 

There were no moments of sit, move your head this way–now that way–on the count of three  fake smile!  Just a regular family out in a pecan grove chilling and enjoying being together. 

I see this picture of my Leila-Loo on the wall and I’m reminded of how far she has come.  Everything we went through to bring her home was totally worth it all; would do it over in less than one heartbeat.  I can literally say to her one day ”I would go around the world and back for you”, because I did.  She knew I was mom and daddy was daddy that day we went to pick her up from the orphanage.  She was sound asleep.  We got her dressed, celebrated with the staff, and we were outta there baby; she never looked back.  I remember her awe of seeing the world for the first time as I cradled her in my arms.  She took it all in, soaking up the sun, the noises, the bumpiness of the car ride, our love and numerous kisses………and then she crashed, hard.  She slept that first night from 4:30pm to 9:00am, that’s what a whole new world will do to you baby!  Soaking up life, that is what she does best, from that very first day to the present.   

I walk through the hallway leading up to J’s room and I see these pictures, so proudly hung on the wall with love.  I look at Jalyn and I see a boy that went from being an only child for five year, to having a sister that flew in on an airplane and set up shop in the hearts of everyone he had ever loved.  I was so darn proud as he graciously sat back and let everyone ooohh and ahhhh over her.  He has come so far from the time this picture was taken as well.  Overnight he has blossomed into this mature human being yet still maintains his animal instincts boys are born with.  I look at him and see his daddy, and I am reminded that this boy was created out of a deep profound love that two people shared.  I felt him kick and squirm, heard his first cry, changed his first diaper; all of which are just little moments in time in which to savor.

As a woman, there is no better feeling than a hug from your mr. and laying your head softly on his shoulder.  The worries of the world disappear and there is only he and I.  The scent of his cologne, those broad shoulders, and strong arms remind me there is no safer place in the world to be.  We protect our marriage and each other along this journey with God.  These pictures of us remind me to take care of my marriage, perhaps even before the children, because unhappy adults equals unhappy children.  Date night tomorrow……Yippee!!!!

Wendy is just amazing!  We are going to see her in November for our next family shoot……..BUT………YOU COULD BE SEEING HER REAL SOON YOURSELF!  Blue Lily is giving away a family session (valued at $450) to one of my VERY lucky readers! 

Want to win?  Of course you do!!!!!  Here is how…….please read carefully!

TO ENTER THE BLUE LILY GIVEAWAY:

1.  Visit Blue Lily’s blog here: http://bluelily.squarespace.com/  Scroll down until you see “WHERE IS BLUE LILY” on the right hand side.  You will see a list of all the different states (and countries) they travel to.  If you see a place near your home, you can enter!  Now, if space is full for that area already, you will have to wait until next year, but we all know how fast a year goes by!  If you are eligible, leave me a comment telling me where you live and why you love Blue Lily!!!

2.  Leave me a comment and tell me about what state you live in and the best thing about it!

3.  Blog, Tweet, or Facebook this post and leave me a comment telling me you did so along with the link. 

4.  Grab my button at the buttom and leave me the link where you did so.

5.  Share with me your favorite ETSY sites!  I entered a category for my fav’s but I want to steal more ideas from you gals out there:)

OK—-This begins NOW and will END Tuesday noon MST.  Please leave a seperate comment for each entry—this gives you extra chances to win!

I cherish these pictures and you will too—just amazing people Wendy and Tyler are!

Now for the winner of the “Round Up My Love” pendant by Tina Steinberg!  First, thank you all for the amazing lunch ideas and comments.  I read each and everyone and I want you to know how much I appreciate you all opening up and sharing pieces of your lives with me.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE……………………..

Using Random Generator……..Winner is comment number 23!  Christa Marik who said:

I love all of Tina’s stuff, and plan to sit down with my husband and show him his options for my Christmas gift!!

Congratulations Christa!  Thank you for your amazing comments, and now you can check one thing off your x-mas list!  Contact me at riesdialogues@gmail.com within one week to claim your prize or another winner will be drawn. 

Good luck to everyone!

XOXO

Rie