Say hello to Oshay, one of my senior reps for the Angleton Class of 2011! Since she's part of the class that will be first to graduate from the new high school, we had to do a few shots there. This is going to be a great location to use over the coming years.


Then we headed over to a place where Oshay has spent lots of time during her growing up years -- the Brazoria County Fairgrounds. I'll bet she has quite a ribbon collection for all of the animals she's raised and shown. And who would have guessed that Oshay's smile could light up this old barn and arena so brightly?

I really like Oshay's sparkly smile and eyes ...

... her intelligence and sense of humor ...

... her poise and naturalness ...

... her elegance and tomboyishness ...

... her sassiness and self-confidence ...

... and her grace and strength!

No wonder she calls herself Oshay The Great!

Let me live whole and holy, soul and body,

so I can always walk with my head held high.

Psalm 119:80 MESSAGE

Look at this adorable little fairy I chased around the park last week!

Because she's a smart fairy, Cambria took her time making sure I could be trusted with her precious smile.

After some kisses and reassurance from her mom ...

... and some tickles and acrobatics with her dad ...

... Cambria was ready to explore. She was not particularly happy with the way bits of grass were sticking to her wet feet, but even that didn't really slow her down.

There was so much to see in her fairy kingdom!

So many new things to try out fearlessly and oh so rapidly!

I think she liked the swing the best since it helped her to fly.

Cambria was much more patient with this slippery bow than was a certain little girl who used to live at my house.

In fact, she was a delight in every way.

I'll bet her parents wonder what they did for fun before she arrived 18 months ago. Certainly nothing that could compare with running after this particular little fairy!

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;

He enables me to stand on the heights...

You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Psalm 18:32-33, 36

This one is my favorite.


Oh, and I love these two.

And these are cute, don't you think?

The shed decked out in Virginia Creeper makes a terrific backdrop ...

... and Ray and Becky make it look like the most romantic place on earth.

Anytime is the right time for a Just Because session. Even muggy, late summer mornings with 99.8% humidity!

What troopers you two are! Thanks for following my lead and playing a little bit for the camera. I knew you could do it!

He who finds a wife finds what is good

and receives favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22

From every angle, this girl is just gorgeous:


Emily is a young woman of many dimensions, ranging from thoughtful and candid ...

... to playful and straightforward.

Her laugh is joyously infectious ...

... and her spirit is confidently free.

Emily has a lot to say and she's not afraid to say it. When she speaks, people tend to listen.

She is a young woman of substance ...

... who, refreshingly, doesn't take herself too seriously.

If you or someone you know is a Brazoswood classmate of Emily's, ask her for a senior rep postcard featuring her photos and my contact info. How blessed I am to be able to show off a bit of her bright light!

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Proverbs 31:25-26

I spent most of this past week in the Seattle area visiting my parents and brother and sister-in-law. Me moved at our usual leisurely pace, but on my last day we took a day trip into eastern Washington. A trip anywhere from my parents' house begins with the ferry because they live on Vashon Island in Puget Sound.


And a trip into eastern Washington includes crossing the Cascade Mountains, which on this morning found us driving through low-lying clouds.

Once on the other side, however, the terrain and climate changed dramatically.

We stopped for lunch in Yakima and spotted this grand old theatre.

Then we hit the road and finally reached our destination after three hours of driving: Toppenish, WA. Why Toppenish? Well, when we were considering possible daytrip destinations, I found this little town in an online touring guide. Toppenish is known for its 73 murals throughout the city, which seems like an ingenious use of art to me. You can read more about that project here and get a peek at just a few of the murals here:

On our way home we followed a PEACHES U-PICK sign into one of the many fruit orchards in that part of the country. As it turned out, there weren't many peaches left to pick or take photos of, but there were lots and lots of grapes and apples. I wonder when it will be time to change that sign?

Rather than going right back to the highway, Daddy toodled along a back road, assuring Mom and me that the road would eventually get us where we needed to go. I wasn't so sure, but there's really nothing you can do with this particular chauffeur but sit back and enjoy the ride. We happened upon some unusual looking fields that turned out to be filled with hops. There were acres and acres of lush green vines, along with a few bare fields that revealed the basic set-up.

I'm not exactly sure how hops become beer, but they smell very nice and look good enough to nibble on.

Lo and behold, our little back road did get us back to the highway, and after a while we arrived at our final destination: Roslyn, WA. If you were a Northern Exposure fan 15-20 years ago (how is it even possible that so many years have passed?), then you may remember that the show's exterior shots were filmed in Roslyn. It's a cute little town that would have been fun to visit a bit longer.

The Brick, site of many scenes from the show:

And a pretty church whose steeple I noticed from across town but don't remember seeing in the show:

By this point the sun was setting rapidly and we had only an hour or so to go before we reached the ferry dock.

We knew we were close to home when the blinding eastern Washington sunlight was replaced by cloudy skies filled with multiple shades of blues and purples.

I'd say this outing was definitely worth an early morning wake-up call. We saw some beautiful, wonderfully made things and enjoyed our day together. Thanks for being willing and able traveling partners, Mom and Dad, and thanks for always indulging my incessant picture taking. You're the best!


Through Him all things were made;

without Him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:3