It's almost Friday so this particular Love Thursday post is cutting it pretty tight...but I had to post it!  I have been thinking about this post for days now.  A few days ago I had the pleasure of photographing two friends of mine.  They just got back from a life changing trip to San Francisco.  They finally got married.  I first met Ross and Tim shortly after I first met Steven (my husband).  They were a couple then and now, 10 years or so after I met them, they are married.  I am so excited about it.  I am excited because it is them and I love them.  They are great people and they are wonderful together.  I am also excited because it is the beginning of what I hope will become common in our society- marriage for everyone who wants it.  That to me is family values at its best- making committed families.  I can think of nothing better than two people putting all their hopes and dreams into one single basket, taking a huge amazing leap and saying to the world that they are here to stay, together.  It is one of the ultimate outward signs of hope.  Marriage is hard work.  Anyone who wants to step up to the table, heart in hand and promises ready, I applaud you.  So, give your heart some wings tonight, think about the ones that you love, the love promises that you have made and have some hope.  We are in a changing world and it is such an amazing thing to be a part of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love you Ross and Tim!

 

One of Finn's true loves is his little silky blanket.  It was a new baby gift from my cousin when Finn was first born.  It is made by Little Giraffe.  I don't remember when it happened but he connected to it in a big way.  He has one little corner of it that he runs through his fingers back and forth as he falls asleep.  It is his way of relaxing and de-stressing.  It has almost been left or lost many times.  When we took it to France this summer I was on high alert- always checking to make sure we still had it.  Well, sadly, it is falling apart.  Over the last few days I have been talking with Finn about it.  We look at the rips and talk about how it is wearing out and that he might need to get a new one soon.  Poor little thing gets upset and holds it tight saying, "but I just love it so much!".  Yesterday, I went up to the store and bought him a new one.  I wrapped it all up in a bag with a bow and presented it to him last night.  He was so excited and dragged it around all night.  So, maybe we're ok?  We'll see how it goes.  Last night he slept with the new one and only asked for the old one once.  In an effort to encourage bonding, I let him take the new one to school today.  Send the new lovey and Finn some good bonding vibes.  We need it.

A while back I had posted about the lovey and a few people commented wanting to see what it looked like.  So, here's your chance!

The original "white silky lovey" as he refers to it.  The pale blue that is used to be has been completely loved out.  Finn just doesn't remember that it used to be blue and have velvet on one side.

The new lovey.  This is what the old one used to look like.  Pretty hard to believe right?

A side-by-side comparison.  In case you were wondering, this is what true love looks like.

 

Being pregnant is the ultimate experience in hope.  It's 9 months (and often part of a lifetime) spent dreaming, wondering and hoping.  You take this giant leap into vulnerability.  The love that you have for your children, even before they arrive, is so deep and so strong.  I never experienced fear like I have since becoming a parent either.  All of a sudden it all matters so much more.  I now have a strong connection with words like unconditional, primal, hope, loss and vulnerable.

And my husband...seeing him become a Father has changed the way I feel about him as well.  I love him so much more.  Our relationship went from being elective to being imperative.  Like everything else, it all matters so much more.  Before I felt like we were two people in love choosing to join our lives and now we are inexorably partnered in this real, deep, substantial life.  No matter what befalls us, we will always be linked by our children.  It's beautiful and I'm so grateful.

 

 

 

 

Today's images are of the lovely Elizabeth, who is knee belly head deep in hope and joy as she awaits her second baby girl.

I live with 2 little boys and one now-grown-up man. We also have a boy dog. Life with boys is messy. I mean little dirty socks, sticky hands, stained clothes and sweaty bodies kind of messy. My littlest boy, Finnian, loves mess. He likes playing in the dirt and he loves spraying water all over everything. When water and dirt collide, he's in heaven.

At least in our house, life with boys is also naked. For them clothes, except for costumes and a few favorite pairs of pj's, are a nuisance to really good relaxing and playing. While I, personally, do not agree it seems I am out voted.

Life with my guys is silly. Case and point...a few weeks back, while in the car, Steven had the boys in hysterics when he kept saying "I love you Mommy" to me in burps.

 Sometimes the naked, the silly and the messy all come together too.

There are some days when it all gets to be a little much. The boys are being too messy, getting destructive, being silly and being rough. Those are the times when I fantasize about little girls playing with dollhouses, cutting out delicate paper dolls, and wearing pretty dresses. That is also the perfect time for me to take off and spend a few hours wandering around Nordstrom, shopping, taking in the details and feeling girly. I'm not super girly really. I mean I did wear purple combat boots to my prom. So sometimes I think I was meant to have boys and that somehow I am way better matched in the land of burps and mud.

The best thing about boys, though, is that just when the mess seems way too messy and the burps aren't that funny anymore, they show you that super mushy boy side. They have this amazing capacity for simple and true love. I'm sure little girls do too but I wouldn't know as much about it. These little guys love me in the most unconditional way. It's beyond perfect.  For me, I have never loved anyone the way that I love them. It is the most vulnerable that I have ever been.

Every night, before I go to bed, I check on them. I take books out from underneath them, adjust the sheets, take about 10 of the 20 stuffed animals out of the bed, whisper sweet nothings into their ears, kiss them and turn off the night lights. Looking at them while they sleep always erases the hard parts of the day. They could have been terrible that day but in the glow of the night lights, freshly bathed, in clean superhero pj's and all nestled in their beds they only look like angels to me. I wonder what did I ever do to be given such an amazing gift?

 

On the day that hurricane Ike came to Houston, I had one session scheduled in the morning.  I had packed away all the computers, prepped the studio and was planning to leave at noon.  Jo had a session scheduled at 10 so we went ahead and kept the appointment.  It was a fun way to spend a kind of tense morning.

 

Lots of sisterly love!

 

 

The littlest Veeningen

 

 

 

I love this one, so hilarious.  Little girls can be pretty rowdy too!

 

 

 

I love how kids change their expressions so fast.  So much personality!

 

 

 

 

Look at that pretty smile.

 

 

 

Big sister

 

 

Thanks Jo, your girls are wonderful and so much fun!  Full of JOY, love and life!