Tyler is 13, Lucas is 8, and Tessa is 5.  Please note her Hello Kitty socks.  It was very important to her that you be able to see them in the photos.

As a photographer, you may think taking pictures of my own kids would be like any other session.  I’m going to tell you it’s a lot like trying to staple jello to a wall, it’s quite difficult.  They are so used to Mom with her camera…an extension of my arm.  If I wanted to capture frame after frame of my kids looking away from the camera and not even in the same frame (as they don’t stay still long enough)…it would have been no problem. Midway through our little photography session, I realized I morphed into the sideline Mom as well as photographer (mostly sideline Mom) yelling out bribes between frames along with “These are MEMORIES kids…please, for the love of chocolate, SHOW SOME LOVE TO EACH OTHER!”.  I may have to seek out one of my photographer friends to do the job next year!

Every Mom thinks their kids are THE BEST, but I just want to share with you what makes each one of my kids special to me.

This is my oldest son Tyler.  He’s going to be 14 next month.

He’s a teenager now.  This fact still hasn’t sunk in yet.  To me he’s still the talk-your-ear off little boy who was like my shadow.  For 5 1/2 years it was just me, Tyler, and my husband in our little family.  My hubby worked away a lot, so Ty and I spent a lot of time just the two of us.  He was (still is) such a social child.

I remember years ago during our family holidays we would rent a cabin.  My sister’s and their families also rented cabins beside us.   I would put Ty to bed for the night, and my sisters would quietly come over to my cabin after all the kids were tucked in and sleeping, and with the first noise Tyler would scream “Who’s There! Tell me who you are! Come poke your face in my room so I can see who you are!”  When I had friends over to my house, Tyler would coax them into his room, shut the door, and block it while he scream/sang “Jeremiah was a Bull frog, was a good friend of mine” (Joy to the World by Three Dog Night).  He made them sit in his room and listen to the entire song before he released them.

He’s a sensitive soul, has the spirit of a leader, and has a wicked sense of humour.

This is my son Lucas.  He’s 8.

He’s also a people person.  He’s very soft-hearted and definitely marches to the beat of his own drum.  He’s mechanically inclined too.  From the time he learned to walk, he had this desire to go exploring.  He used to stack stools, toys, whatever he could to reach the lock on the door to go outside. He figured out how to open a deadbolt along with an additional door lock when he was just one.  I had to get an extra lock installed at the very top of the door to keep him from going outside alone (that’s three locks on one door!)

He has so much energy. He’s a morning person. He bolts out of bed like a jack-in-the box ready to take on the day.  He has a soft spot in his heart for animals and for kids younger than he is. He’s a natural caretaker, and if we go to the park he usually seeks out a toddler to help down a slide.

This is Tessa.  She’s our baby and will soon turn 6.

Tessa prefers peaceful quiet to busy and loud.  She can play on her own for hours and she is wildly imaginative. She’s already decided she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.  She loves animals, especially our dog Teddy.

Tessa is also tender-hearted.  She feels not only sympathy for others, but also empathy.  If she sees someone hurting, she’s the first to offer a big hug.  She asks A LOT of questions…about everything and anything. I recently took her for a hair cut, and it ended up taking 45 minutes because she asked the hairdresser questions the ENTIRE time.  ”What’s that thingy over there?  How long have you had those flowers? I gave my Mom a flower once but it died and she put it in the garbage. I like your necklace.  Do you like my necklace? I have a dog named Teddy. He chews my toys. I can jump REALLY high. I have a friend named Zoe at school and she has glasses”  and on and on from there…(you get the idea).

Tessa is so loving.  I love that about her and often all she needs to turn her day around is a hug or a cuddle on my lap.  We have this little game we play.

I start with “I love you Tessa.”

Tessa: “I love you more.”

Me: “I love you to the moon and back.”

Tessa: “I love you to infinity”

Me: “I love you infinity plus one.”

Tessa: “I love you infinity plus infinity…I win”

Me: “You couldn’t possibly love me more than I love you…”

Tessa: “Your the best Mom I’ve ever had”

Me: “Your the best daughter I’ve ever had”

Tessa: “You look beautiful today…now aren’t you going to say something nice about me?!”

She also just learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. She’s so proud!

My kids LOVE riding their bikes, so getting a picture with their bikes was a must.

Ty sticks out his tongue when he concentrates…as all of my kids do.

At times when I realize how fast my kids are growing up, I get a little panicky.  It’s a reminder to slow down and rather than worry about the person they will become,  instead invest time in learning who they are now.

It’s easy in the stress of one of those “I need a dozen cupcakes for school by tomorrow” kind of days to forget how blessed I am to have three amazing, unique, beautiful children.  I love you to the moon and back!

I stumbled across this poem the other day that touched my heart…

“Just for Today”
by Sally Meyer

Just for this morning,
I am going to smile when I see your face…
and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning,
I will let you wake up softly in your flannel p.j.’s…
and hold you until you are ready to stir.

Just for this morning,
I will let you choose what you want to wear…
and I will say how beautiful you are.

Just for this morning,
I will step over the laundry to pick you up…
and take you to the park to play

Just for this morning,
I will leave the dishes in the sink…
and let you teach me how to put your puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon,
I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off…
and sit with you in the garden
blowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon,
I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you
scream and whine for the ice cream truck…
and I will buy you one, if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon,
I won’t worry about what you are going to be
when you grow up…
I  will simply love you for the joy you bring me

Just for this afternoon,
I will let you help me make cookies…
and I wont stand over you . . .  trying to ‘fix things.’

Just for this afternoon,
I will take you to McDonald’s and buy us both a ‘Happy Meal’…
so you can have two toys.

Just for this evening,
I will hold you in my arms and tell you the story of how you
were born…
and how much we love you.

Just for this evening,
I will let you splash in the bathtub…
and I won’t get angry when you pour water over your sister’s
head.

Just for this evening,
I will let you stay up late…
while we sit on the porch swing
and count all the stars.

Just for this evening,
I will bring you glasses of water…
and snuggle beside you for hours…
and miss my favorite t.v. show.

And tonight when you are sleeping safe and warm in your bed,
I will think of the mothers and fathers
who mourn for the children they have lost.

I will remember the parents who sit by hospital beds,
watching over the little ones they love.

I will weep for those parents whose children are cold,
hungry and suffering,

and …. this evening,
when I  kneel down to pray,
I will simply be grateful for all that I have

and not ask for anything…

except  just one more day.

As a photographer I find beauty in love, in the strong bond of family, and within a person’s soul…the very essence that makes them who they are.  Beauty comes in all forms and to me has little to do with what is on the outside: shy, witty, outgoing, peaceful, kind, loving, powerful, reserved…it’s all beautiful.

I recently read an article where a bride was told that her wedding wouldn’t grace the photographer’s blog because he only blogs “publicity worthy” couples. Are you serious?  I was so angry for her.

Some of you know that I have two blogs. This one, and a blog called “Reclaiming Life”.  I haven’t shared my Reclaiming Life blog here, because it’s quite personal, but I’m going to now so you know where I’m coming from.

Here’s my story of losing 90ish pounds.

http://reclaiminglife.wordpress.com/my-story/

Through the years of losing the weight and to this day of keeping the weight off, I have learned…no I have fought to remember…that I am NOT defined by the clothes I wear, by what the scale says, or by how I age as I grow another year older and wiser .

My laugh lines are here because I laugh.

My stretch marks are here because I was blessed to have three amazing children.

The dark circles that appear under my eyes is often because I stayed up late with friends laughing or because my kids were up in the night and needed me.

The reason I have worn the same dress to the last few functions is because I detest shopping. My favourite dress is comfortable and I feel good when I wear it.

I rarely wear heels because I am clumsy and I will fall in public.

I often sport roots because I don’t have the time to spend three hours in a hair salon, but when I do go I love it and have a swagger in my step.

Now…does that make me any less worthy than someone who is aesthetically more “Beautiful” by society’s standards?  Am I anymore worthy to grace someone’s blog at 150 pounds than at 242 pounds?

I am the same person in so many ways, only now I don’t walk with my head down. I walk with my head up…shoulders back…and a smile on my face because I have found out who I am and I make no apologizes for it.  It’s not because I weigh less.

I will blog every single person I photograph (unless it’s their wish that I don’t) because you are all beautiful and you are worthy to be celebrated just as you are.

That’s it. That’s all.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

I have dreamed about taking pictures of Grandma for a long time, but when we all get together…well, it’s rather hectic.  We have a very big family, and Grandma is most often in the centre of it all holding a baby, recounting fond memories of times past, or handing out her knitted treasures.

Let me tell you a little bit about my Grandma.  She is kind…so very kind.  She is an unbelievably strong woman of great faith.  She lives her life for God and for others.  She has overcome obstacles during her 93 years with great dignity, pride, and with an immeasurable amount of strength.  She has done so with a smile on her face, love in her heart, and a spirit of joy and resilience.  She’s amazing.

During the 100 year celebration of the farm, it was my mission to steal Grandma away for a little photo shoot.  It almost didn’t happen as the program ran well into the evening. But just as the sun was setting over our family field of green, we had a few minutes together for photos.  I’m so very thankful for that.

My cousin Kevin picked out the chair that he thought most screamed “Grandma”.  Good choice Kev, it’s a very “Grandma” chair.

After our little photo shoot, Grandma was in a hurry to get back to the family to give out her hand knitted wash clothes.  I’ve never seen her more proud than she was at the reunion.  She’s a very special woman to so many of us.

Grandma with her twin brothers

Grandma and her kids. Missing from the photograph is my Aunt Marion who is in Africa and my Aunt Lorraine who passed away.  Missing you both so much.

The row of trees in the background is the old homestead that is now 100 years old.  When my Grandmother first moved there, there were no trees. It was a bare field.  She planted everyone of those trees.  It’s a homestead full of trees but most importantly great history and memories.

This final picture is the epitome of my Grandmother: Holding her Great Grandson Logan.

I love you Grandma!  Thank you for passing down such an amazing legacy and for always being such an powerful example to all of us.