{ Reminders }

When I have tough days as a mom...like today...I pray that the Lord reminds me of how I love to take naps on Sunday afternoons with my Emma...or how her hair smells like strawberries...or how her breathing is soft and small when she sleeps.
Help me remember all of the sweet things she says to me like "I love you so, so much!" and tells me how beautiful I am even when I don't feel like it.
Don't let me forget that she loves everything pink, princess, frilly and sparkly.
I hope my mind never loses the images of the funny expressions she makes when she doesn't understand one of my grandmother's sayings or thinks butternut squash tastes like posion.
She is the most beautiful, wonderful and sweetest thing in my life. Lord, help me remember...lest I forget...for time goes by too quickly...and they change so much...in the blink of an eye...and one day soon, I'm gonna miss those Sunday afternoon naps...

{ Casting Call! }

If you are a 2010 Senior...and you haven't scheduled your Senior Session...NOW IS THE TIME!

Every senior/senior parent who contacts me for a session by March 1 will enter their names into my grad hat for a $75 credit toward a print purchase - this is in addition to the prints you already get with your Senior Session!

Senior Sessions are $125 for a 1-2hr session...style changes are a definite...lots of cool scenes to choose from ~ rural, urban, formal, anything goes! AND, every Senior Session includes 10/4x6, 2/5x7, 2/8x10...and just $15 for a proof CD of all of your images! I know...GET OUT! :)

There can only be one winner...so email me soon at tinstarphoto@yahoo.com for your chance to WIN!
The 2010 Senior Winner will be announced on May 1, 2010!

And if you recommend a Senior who schedules with me by March 1...it earns you a referral surprise for your OWN portrait session!

{ Presenting... }

The newest addition to the Perkins family! We are so proud, blessed...and overwhelmed...:)
More to come...w/Big Sis!

{ Related...ya think? }

The first is a picture of Audrey taken 2 days ago @ 2.5 weeks...The second is big sister Emma @ 3 weeks of age...
Some people don't see it...I just think they're crazy...:)...but I can't believe how MUCH they look alike! Two good lookin' little girls...Poppy is in for T.R.O.U.B.L.E!

And an Audrey Newborn Session Preview is coming soon...stay tuned!

~ Blessings! ~

{ I can do everything... }

...through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Written by a man who knew what it was like to be beaten, stoned, chained, hungry, outcast, persecuted and taken to the edge of town and left for dead...and yet he counted his chains as pure joy because he could testify about the One who gave him strength and salvation! That's my hope for this year...not for the stones and chains per se...but that when they come, I will count them as pure joy. That I will relish in the hard times and bathe in the learning. That like Paul, I can/will learn the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want (Philippians 4:12b)...whether I am a frustrated mama or tired wife...whether I know the game plan or am totally clueless...whether I have a slow business day or have too many clients to count in one day! I will learn to be content and praise the chains because they are there for a reason.

This was a weekend of firsts ~ Emma went out for her first big girl bike ride in the park...screaming "WOO HOO...Come on Poppy...one more time!" She could have been afraid; she could have been hesitant; she wasn't...she was fearless! She can do ALL things! That's what I pray she remembers throughout her life...to be fearless in her faith and life!

It was also a weekend of firsts for Audrey ~ first bath, first Dr visit and first big church service. That's where I was reminded by our totally cool but balding pastor that I can do all things, and where I was reminded what I want to instill in my children, my marriage, my business and my life. I may not HAVE it all, but I can DO it all! :)

So this year many decisions lie ahead. Some things I already know the answers to, some I don't. What I do know is that God provides so much more abundantly than I could ever dream if I leave it completely up to Him. So that's what I'm doing! This year will be about expressing my faith more...on this blog, in my photography, with my family and with my whole being. It will be about trusting more and second-guessing less; giving back to my family and the community; worrying more what God thinks about things than what others may think about me.

The desire of my heart for 2010 is that I grow and learn by leaps and bounds through my photography and that God will flourish my business and people will be blessed! I hope you will be a part of it...join me on the journey!

So no matter your struggle today...job, home, health...know that YOU can do all things!

{ audrey jane }

Audrey Jane...I can't believe she's here already...it is all so surreal...the entire pregnancy is all a blur in the rearview and many joys and challenges lie ahead, BUT one thing I CAN believe in is how blessed I am ~ Blessed to have a family that loves and prayes for me and my family daily...blessed to have been bonded for life with an awesome partner, friend and father...blessed to have the smartest and most precious 3 yr old E.V.E.R....and blessed again with my little Audrey.

My worries about how can you love the second child as much as you love the first were all washed away in one glance - your heart automatically leaps and expands beyond your comprehension; it is utterly inexplicable! I am sure within my heart of hearts it is the perfect example of how God can love ALL of His sheep equally and not one more than the other. What an awesome and overwhelming feeling!

Now that's not to say that I don't worry for each of my girl's safety every day - or for their health, well-being, happiness, self-esteem, etc. etc. etc. or that Emma knows that I love and adore her as much as Audrey and vice versa...I wouldn't be a good mom if I didn't, but like the old song says...

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

I want to shout it from the hills...Thanks be to God! I am so blessed!