Roughing it never felt so cozy....

We stayed 3 nights in this little home away from home at Immigrant Springs...just between Pendelton and La Grand Oregon.

We all enjoyed this cozy little cabin in the woods!

The Smores were down right yummy...

It felt so good to get away from all the noise, business and distractions of our everyday lives The silence was more than welcoming! Time spent reading, resting, playing cards and doing puzzles...was the perfect summer time retreat!

Every trail was a new adventure filled with discovery.

Our trip led us back home, more rested and connected as a family...

and excited for our next big adventure!

Road Trippin...

Summer fun on the Road...

The American Dream

2 kids, 2 dogs and yes..even a very packed mini van!

More than Conquerors....

A few weeks ago I was taking some photographs of my neighbors flowers. I was drinking in the colors, textures and smells. A scripture came to my mind as I reflected about how completely different I am compared to who I used to be.

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

I continued on and as I approached one particular flower, all seamed peaceful. It was not until I drew closer that a little surprise was waiting to be discovered. Do you ever feel like danger is lurking in the shadows, just waiting to pounce and devour? The beauty entices and draws you in and then hiding ever so silently in the darkness lies something unexpected and even frightening.

There is always some unknowns in our lives (those hidden dangers) just waiting to be revealed by time and circumstance. Weather we are in the grip of illness, injury, uncertain future or death.

We all have to face our fears in one form or another.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4

I believe that darkness and light, sorrow and joy, suffering and healing, grief and acceptance, bondage and freedom go hand in hand with one another. This is Gods design. Darkness, suffering and pain isn't just a black void that destroys us, it is a means to define and reveal to us just exactly where the light exists.

Being held in the darkness of our fears in some strange way can actually become a gift that helps us all see how bright the light really is and how much we need (Him).

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for some

one to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

1 Peter 5:7-9

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.

For your sake we face death all day long;

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are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:35-39

Summer Winds.... a'Blowin!

Take a look at the size of these dandelions!

A true sign that summer is finally here!

I love the team effort here as big sis,

helps little brother with his wind velocity!

It's all Puppy Play...

Besides photographing families and babies...

I think puppies are about the next best thing!

This is Chip! He belongs to Luke's preschool teacher...we got to love on him for a day.

I couldn't resist snapping a few shots of this sweet boy.

Summer Adventure's Gateway...

This covered bridge represents our first stop on a road tripping, site seeing summer that we have planned.

This beautiful old bridge is just outside the town we live and after 3 years of living here, we thought it was about time we stopped to take a look and enjoy.

We have many more stops to make in the months to come and look forward to sharing the journey with one another. We are excited to see where the road may take us!

Remembering Dennis...

I know that Memorial day is a day to remember and honor fallen soldiers, these are some photo's of a very special man and soldier in his own right. He never served in the military...He was one in God's Army... Brave and True!

His name is Dennis.

I had the privileged and true blessing of taking these images of Dennis and his mom one year ago this month.

Dennis went to be with the Lord....this past Wednesday evening

May 26, 2010

We love you and we will miss you Dennis!

His mom knew that Dennis' health was quickly deteriorating and had asked if I would be willing to take his picture before things got to difficult for him. We had to rescheduled several times and finally had the opportunity to take a few moments after church to snap a few pictures.

I remember taking Dennis' frail hand and leading him to stand near a shady tree, near some flowers that he liked. He seamed truly delighted to be the center of attention and stood so tall and proud. I knew in my heart as I peered through the lens of my camera, that these images may soon be some of the last that would capture Dennis' sweet smile.

I think deep down Dennis new it too.

To the very last moments in life, Dennis was always thinking of and caring for others... He shared Gods love in only ways that Dennis could. Unique, Beautiful, Quite and Humble ways. I think that I and my family learned more about who God really is by watching the Love shared by Dennis and his family. Through the pain and the suffering, through the illness and disability...Christ has been Glorified through Dennis' life in amazing

and uncountable ways.

Any of us still this side of heaven can only hope and pray that our lives can shine so bright for the Glory of God!

Be at Peace with Jesus Dennis...

We celebrate your life and we now rejoice that you are free at last!

We Thank the Lord for sharing you with all of us...dear friend and brother!

It was a Buggy Birthday for our Boy...

Happy 5th Birthday to our Big BUGGY Boy, Luke!

Luke's birthday was on Mothers day this year so he got an extended celebration...One cake with his family on his actual birthday day (May 9th) and yet another friends celebration and one more cake just a few days later.

Cake 1

(We had so much fun backing and decorating these cakes...

and ohhhh man where they YUMMY... Carrot Cake ROCKS!)

The city park was perfect place for this buggy bunch of boys...

Big sis was able to join in on all the fun too, she was a huge help in keeping the celebration fun for these busy little men.

Cake 2

What a wonderful group of boys...Luke has been truly blessed with some great friends!

We love you Luke....

Happy 5th Birthday!

Where Oh Where does the time go?

Growing, Growing...Everyday....

Tall man Luke has grown an entire window pane in just 2 years!

and his big sister Makayla has gone from our blue eyed baby girl to...

our elegant dancing princess in a blink of an eye.

We treasure the images we have captured of this brother/sister pair along the way

From Crib to...

a world full of adventure.

Hand in hand along the way...

The blessing of sibling love is evident with these two...most of the time!

Thank you Lord for these two precious kids in our lives,

may you help make them forever friends!

Setting with a Purpose and my Kids

I was having fun trying my hand at shooting "Setting with Purpose" over the past few weeks. Here is another of my daughter in one her favorite places....her Bedroom. As I look at these images I see that they could also be a study of details, or even conflict as she struggles to tie her shoe. I like it as a "setting with purpose" for the sake that I always want her to remember her bedroom was a place of safety, rest and childhood enjoyment...a place of great value and purpose in her life.

So onto my son spending time playing at the park...a Setting that has MUCH Purpose to this busy little boy!

Here is another of all the fun we had as a family celebrating Luke's last day being 4.