Weeping. Rejoicing. And Giving Thanks.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven ...

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...

Sing to the LORD, you saints of His;
praise His holy name.

For His anger lasts only a moment,
but His favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

The LORD is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4; Psalm 30:4-5; Psalm 145:9-10

Reason #846 to love In n Out Burger ...

They are currently in cahoots with our local library, giving kids aged 4-12 a free burger for every 5 books they read. We took our orange camera with us to celebrate Little Dude's first free burger:



ack!!! Always hate to hear my own voice outside my own head ...

Nevermind the goofy family inside ... check out those goofy guys outside. Can you tell they were aware we were playing with a camera?!? ;-)





Anywhoo, just another reason to love In n Out Burger: encouraging kid's literacy!

'Tis the Season ...

I know it's only October, but ... it's time to get started on those Christmas cards! If you've had a session with me this year and would like me to design a card for you, the time to contact me is NOW. :-) And if you're wanting a session before the holidays, then the time to contact me is NOW ;-). I have only five remaining sessions available between now and the end of the year. Visit my website (to send me an email or to call me) to set up a time.



Gosh, I love Christmas cards - making them, delivering them to clients all wrapped up with a bow, sending my own, excitedly daily checking my mailbox for holiday goodness!! My favorite time of year.

Orange County Family Photographer

Because there's some kayaking in our immediate future ...

Big Dude wanted a waterproof camera. And since a whole new waterproof camera is exponentially less costly than a waterproof housing unit for MY camera, we got this:



We call it our Kia camera. It's cute. And small. And waterproof. And video-friendly. And super easy for self-portraits. And Orange.
We've played around with it a bit. I like its B/W mode.



Methinks it will be more than adequate for our kayaking adventures. Tho, I'm not giving up my Big Girl camera with its real viewfinder for all the tea in China.

Lunch + "Recess"

A little mental gymnastics in a game of set. Each "set" of three cards - each attribute (color, shape, pattern, number) must be all the same or all different. I can see a couple in this particular lay-out (ie. striped purple peanut + 2 solid purple diamonds + 3 empty purple ovals).



This next one stumped us both. Couldn't find any sets...

"Summer" finally arrived in September ...

and lasted for about two and half minutes.

We are strangers, soujourners, our days are like a shadow ...

David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you...

Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king.

1 Chronicles 29:11-20

The Last Month's Miscellany ...

Clouds don't happen here often. But when they do, they're glorious.





The Little Scholar ...





So pretty ...



A shadow AND a reflection!



Middle Dude and his zen repose ...





A little vintage flair ...



A little R&R ...





An evening walk on the pier ...





Oh, and I got a haircut ...



Note for all you photo geeks ... these images were all processed using One Willow's fantastic presets (I used the .jpg versions).

The Teen. He Smiles.

I guess he was just really really happy that it wasn't his hair being cut.

A Tale of a Tortoise

that we found in our front yard, climbing on a rock, seemingly minding his own business.  But, minding it in our yard.

 

So we invited him in.  Gave him a bite to eat.  Let him roam a bit and feel at home.

     

 

Tortoise and Dog Dude seemed to be getting along swimmingly.  And Littlest Dude was over-the-moon happy.  A Pet.  That he could catch whenever he wanted.   And carry wherever he wanted.

Then we made a “safe”, slightly confined area in our yard for Aesop (oh yah.  we named him.) to hang out in.  Cause, y’know, he was acting like he was going to be around awhile.  Again, he made himself right at home.  Burrowed right in.  And then went exploring …

 

 

 

All was well.  We’d already adopted Aesop into our lifestyle.  He fit right in.  For four whole hours.  And then it was discovered that a neighbor was missing a tortoise and we returned him to his rightful home.  I can’t help but think … he was happier with us.  ;-)

Beach Evening: Orange County Family Photographer

This darling family is new to Middle Dude's school this year. I very much look forward to getting to know them better.



Did I mention this is a very tall family? Look, Dad's shadow bears witness!





I know it's only October, but ...





we had Christmas cards in mind. :-)



There's a whole lotta beauty and love in this family ...







Altogether, a lovely evening to be at the beach!