I don't think there's a nicer bunch of brothers and sisters than Rachel, Payson, Nathan and Amber.


They brought their dad Terry for our photo shoot ...

... along with their fun-loving mom Teri:

It's clear to see that Mom and Dad have passed their loving, silly ways along to their kiddos!

We started out our session with some basic family poses ...

... which quickly progressed into shots that encouraged them to get active ...

... and silly. Guess which kind are my favorites?

After a year of fighting cancer, it's wonderful to see what God has done in this family. The love that already existed between them is now even more vibrant and tangible, and the future is bright with opportunities that will be even more deeply appreciated than before. Bless you, friends. Capturing these images certainly blessed me!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Ready!

Set!

LIKE!!!

Head over to my studio Facebook page (Laurie Heath Studio / Wonderfully Made) and LIKE it, if you haven't already. Then choose your favorite from the Family Photo Contest album and LIKE that too. With just a couple of simple clicks you can help give a family a free portrait session and set of custom Christmas cards. What a nice person you are!

Voting ends Wednesday 9/1 at 6:00 pm, so you'd best get after that clickin'!

Here's how it works:

1. Email a snapshot of your family to laurieheath@sbcglobal.net by 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 29. Your snapshot will be included in an album titled Family Photo Contest to be posted on my studio Facebook page. Photos taken by professional photographers will not be accepted.

2. "LIKE" my Laurie Heath Studio / Wonderfully Made Facebook page if you haven't already.

3. Send your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, classmates (you get the picture) to my Facebook page and ask them to do two things:
- "LIKE" my page (so they can vote)
AND
- "LIKE" your family photo (to record their vote).

4. Voting begins Sunday, August 29 at 6:00 pm and ends Wednesday, September 1 at 6:00 pm. The photo with the most recorded "LIKES" wins the contest, and the winner will be announced by 8:00 pm on September 1!

5. ONE entry per immediate family. ONE vote per person.

Here's what all this "LIKING" will get the winner:

1. 1 family portrait session (to be completed by November 6, 2010)

2. 50 custom-designed Christmas cards featuring your portraits

Do you LIKE it?

Then go for it!

Can't wait to see your family's wonderfully made faces!

How did they go from this ...


... to this ...


... faster than I could catch my breath?

One minute the Oldest was starting fourth grade and the Youngest began Kindergarten. Three days ago we drove the Youngest to college. Literally three weeks passed between those two milestones. Well, maybe a tiny bit more than three weeks, but not nearly long enough!

My heart goes out to all Mamas struggling to celebrate exciting new beginnings while flooded with sadness over having to turn loose of little hands. No matter how old our children are, no matter how wrinkled we may be, I still believe God speaks these words as a salve to each of our hearts:
He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11

These lovely ladies met me in downtown Lake Jackson a few days ago for an end-of-summer, off-to-college session. Gaze upon the beauties known as Cassie, Jamie, Cat and Amanda:


Jamie's mom wanted to have these photos taken before Cassie heads to Huntsville, Amanda returns to San Marcos, and Cat flies off to Vancouver, British Columbia. Their bonds of friendship are certainly strong enough to endure even this much distance.

We probably should have warned The Local that we were headed for their front porch since we sort of stopped traffic for a few minutes.

It was quieter over at the old Lake Theater, which gave us ample opportunity to kick up our heels.

Doesn't this look like the most epic group jump ever?

From the front it looked a bit more like this. Hey, I was impressed they were even willing to jump at all in the heat!

We were working our way down to Cafe Annice when this fellow caught my eye. He made a splendid addition to the group!

After resting and giggling and singing on the bench in front of the Uncommon Market ...

... it was time to head out into the wild blue yonder, courtesy of Cassie's convertible. I wonder whether all of the downtown business folks enjoyed listening to Boston as much as we did?

Anyone who spends time with Jamie falls in love with her, but Cat, Amanda and Cassie are especially fond of her. I'd say that four lives have been changed by the time they've spent together. May you continue to inspire and encourage one another, ladies, no matter how far apart your paths may lead!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

for He who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on

toward love and good deeds.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,

but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrew 10:23-25

How do I love thee, Lesh Girls and JoAnna? Let me count the ways.


I love thee for thy distinct personalities.

I love thee for thy dorkiness (well, mainly Diane's).

I love thee for thine ability to find and adore animals wherever thou goest.

I love thee for thy budding beauty.

I love thee for thy fabulous hair and radiant smiles, even on a sweltering July afternoon.

I love thee for thy willingness to follow my posing directions, thus making thineselves look like complete idiots.

I love thee for finding thine own even better ways to display thy ridiculousness.

I love thee for thine adoration of one another.

I love thee.

China may borrow thee for a while longer, but thou art always in my heart.

What doth the LORD thy God require of thee,

but to fear the LORD thy God,

to walk in all His ways,

and to love Him,

and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV

Caitlin and Raul got married!


Their wedding ceremony was actually in Maui, but their families held a reception for them a couple of weeks ago at the new Stahlman Park Pavilion at Surfside. Gorgeous light streaming in through the windows, a sand-colored dance floor, plus turquoise and white decorations created the illusion that we had all traveled to Maui for the event.

So many pretty details!

Such considerate and careful feeding!

Raul says he's really not a dancer. I don't think Caitlin minds, do you?

When Dad whirled Caitlin around the dance floor, not too many eyes remained dry ... especially Mom's.

These faces tell a marvelous story: Love. Peace. Joy.

And the best is yet to come!

Thanks for asking me to record a bit of your special day, Raul and Caitlin. Blessings upon blessings to you both!

You shall go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12