milestones & behind the scenes: all because 2 people fell in love

this past week we celebrated a few milestones in our family:
1. our favorite little mister turned 7!
2. sunshine girl got her first major hair cut (6 inches!)
3. and, finally, sunshine girl graduated from preschool
the above is the original image taken for "all because 2 people fell in love". our favorite little mister was 7 months old in this shot & so it was our first "photoshoot" where i was able to take them of him sitting up & not being awkwardly propped up somehow. this image is his daddy's favorite pic of him ever. and, who knew at the time he would be immortalized by DEMDACO in their wall art line?!
and, here he is now... sporting his fresh hawk, watching as his little sis gets a new "do" of her own!
could she look any happier?! for about 6 months now, she has been requesting "the mrs. rogers" haircut, which in reality is even shorter than what i let her get (i couldn't lose any more of her beautiful hair!) (OH, and mrs. rogers is a friend of mine whom she loves & she thinks she is sooooo beautiful & wants to look just like her :)
here she is getting it styled. so giddy. i could not believe 6 inches of hair, almost 5 years of growth lay on the floor.
class of 2023!
here she is coming down the aisle & i love this shot because she is specifically looking for daddy's approval to the cut (she knows her daddy likes long hair) ... he thinks she is so beautiful!
i had to get one of pumpkin-poos in here, cheesin' it up for the camera!
after the graduation back at home, sunshine girl asked to take more photos. (can you tell she loves the camera?!) here is the final result of the haircut: a very happy little girl who keeps peeking at herself in the mirror, then giggling.

grace & peace,
julie

behind the scenes: psalm 37

delight yourself
in the Lord
and He will give you
the desires of your heart.
psalm 37:4

this is a lifelong verse of mine and i will never forget joyfully reading it at my friend's wedding reception, as i saw it come true in her life.

lately, i have been reading through the psalms and greatly enjoying how very personal God is with us and how David so freely pours out his heart to his Lord.

when i saw this beautiful hibiscus last summer, i knew right away that i wanted to use it to illustrate this verse. i love the vibrant passion and yet delicacy that i think portrays one's heart. (one website i just looked up said the meaning is delicate beauty & consumed by love)

i love how full of life it is. so full of color and joy. and that is just one thing God puts in our heart.

then, today i found this great teaching on the passage by one of my favorite worship artists (you should all already know: christy nockels!) go check it out. listen closely. be encouraged.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLxpISGO_iw&NR=1

and here is the final result of my artwork.

grace & peace,
julie

happy mother's day!

dear mom,
happy mother's day! i hope you had a great one because you deserve it.

i have learned so many spiritual lessons from your life that you probably don't even know, which i can only hope to model in my own life as a mommy:

1. you serve others constantly, putting their needs above your own.
2. you do it with a selfless attitude, not expecting anything in return.
3. you do it quietly and humbly.
4. you do not complain about things (hardly ever, at all!)

i am so thankful to have a mom like you: one who went to all of my soccer & volleyball games, one who was always at home for us, one who even drove 1.5 hours just to take care of her grandbabies so i could work!

you have taught me much and been a great example for me.

in fact, it was you who inspired this art!

much love,
juls

so proud of you dad!

dear dad,
happy retirement from the force. you should be so proud of your career. over the last 38 years, you have not only helped countless numbers of people in their time of greatest need, but you have also helped train other firefighters to do the same (including your own son). i know you have greatly enjoyed your job. i know that it is not just "a job", but a way of life. i will miss your stories (gruesome and crazy as some of them may be) at the dinner table and i hope you greatly enjoy these next years, the new chapter of your life with mom and the rest of us!

i am so proud of you & so happy for you.

now, get painting the kitchen. (HA!) go out & enjoy the sunshine.

much love,
your little girl