capturing life one image at a time
When his mom asked if I was interested in watching him a few days a week, I never imagined what a gift it would be. What a gift he would be. I have loved our year together and will miss our weekly visits. This little man has a really special place in my heart!
There aren’t enough days in the weekend. Especially when they are spent with these people.
Thoughtful, insightful, and nurturing are the first words that come to mind when I think about Jennifer. She has a strong commitment to her family and to loving them well. She also has a great eye for design. Her role as wife and mother, coupled with her understanding of interiors, gives her the incredible ability to design spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Jennifer is passionate about creating rooms that bring families together, and she does a phenomenal job.
I recently had the opportunity to peek inside a bathroom that Jennifer designed. What had been an outdated and cramped space had been transformed into a bright and inviting retreat. Every detail had been thoughtfully considered and the homeowners were ecstatic about the finished product. If you’re struggling with ways to make your home meet the needs of your family, I highly recommend Jennifer Harvey Interiors. Be sure to check out more info at https://www.facebook.com/JenniferHarveyInteriors
Michael and I recently took a weekend trip to the mountains. We booked a room in Hendersonville out of convenience. It’s close to Asheville, where we planned to spend some time, as well as the state park where we planned to do some hiking. We did not intend to spend much time in Hendersonville, so we were pleasantly surprised by the charm of this small mountain town.
The historic downtown is clean and walkable. There is a long list of local restaurants that all looked amazing. And best of all, we happened to be there during the annual Garden Jubilee. The streets were filled with flowers and shrubs, herbs and vegetables, all locally grown and all for sale. I’m a sucker for a street festival and this one was beautiful.
These girls spent the entire afternoon being silly and playing games. They broke into fits of contagious giggles as they challenged one another to eat gross flavored jelly beans. They knew every single word of every Taylor Swift song that came on the radio. And they sang and danced without abandon the way only ten year old girls can do. This birthday party wasn’t about painstaking details or fancy decorations. It was about having a great time with your best friends. I hope that some day, years down the road, they look back on these pictures and remember the simple joy of turning ten.
For those of us who struggle with the dark cold of winter, the warmth and light of spring are most welcome. In spring, there are so many reminders of new life and of hope. And goodness knows we could all use a fresh dose of hope.
In winter, the trees are stripped bare and then made to wait. For long months, they stand waiting with empty branches. Waiting. Waiting for the winter to end. And when the snow does melt and the sun reappears, those same trees are given new life. The waiting produces something beautiful.
Waiting is hard. It can feel empty and lonely and dark. But winter can’t last forever. Spring is inevitable.
I’m thankful to be loved by a God who knows the pain of waiting. A God who watched his son die a terrible death on the cross and waited while his body lay in a tomb. On the third day, when Christ rose from the grave, the purpose of the waiting was revealed. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we receive new life. And that is reason to celebrate!
The arrival of spring has given me new motivation to get outside with my camera. There is so much light and so much color and I enjoy the challenge of trying to capture some of it for myself. A recent visit from my sister and brother-in-law became a perfect opportunity for an impromptu photo outing. These two are basically pros at being awesome in front of the camera.
It seems there’s no amount of planning or preparation that can completely equip you for becoming a parent. You can draw up a birthing plan and furnish a nursery and read parenting books, but ultimately babies are full of surprises.
Ten days before his due date, Nolan surprised everyone with his arrival. Turns out this little guy was doing things his way and on his schedule. He must have his mama’s determination.
Brittany always said she had a good chance of having twins. They run in the family. Last October, she and Danny welcomed their little nuggets into the world. There are twice as many diapers to change and twice as many mouths to feed. But there is twice as much joy and twice as much love. It’s definitely double the fun with these two.
He won’t remember his first days. He won’t remember the tears in everyone’s eyes the first time they saw him. He won’t remember the way he cried every time his diaper had to be changed or the frustration of trying to learn to eat. But I hope, that deep down, he remembers the love he received from family and friends.
David, you are a gift. One that I’m so privileged to love.
rachel baughman photo 