144/365: Walk This Way

Have we mentioned that Jaden is walking now? Well, if we haven't, we're informing you now. Here he is informing you on his own. He walks around, arms raised in what I think is showing everyone how victorious he is. :)

Thanks to the "big red ball" that the Summers got him for his bday, he's had a great way to learn how to walk.

He's getting so big. Trying not to blink as time seems to be flying by.

143/365: Late night at the Office

This weekend I had had a first happen. I got to witness an engagement happening, and caught it on camera. :) I admit it made me feel all fuzzy inside. Look for more photos of Erin and Mik's (literal) engagement session on the business blog in the next few days. I always talk about how I enjoy engagement sessions, but it's so true. It's 12:30 am, and I'm still up editing, and taking a break to blog. I'm blogging recent sessions because I've had nothing exciting to photograph except work.

If anyone thinks that I don't work, let me tell you, I may not have official office hours, but I have plenty of "work," even if it's 3 hours after Jaden goes to bed, and 3 hours while he naps during the day, and crazy hours at night. If you're a photographer, you have a family, or another job, or both, and you're reading this, you understand where I'm coming from. It's totally worth it though. Everyday I feel like I have the best job on earth, and the best of both worlds; a "working mom", and "stay at home mom".

I'll take the occasional "late night at the office" for the joy I get from both.

142/365: Bittersweet at 20 Weeks

I know we're skipping one, but we messed up the numbers a while back and repeated a post # so I'm being lazy to fix it.

Thursday was the 20 week mark for us. While we're excited and happy that we're half way there, it's bittersweet. I found out a friend of mine, who was only 4 weeks behind me has had another miscarriage. This makes 2 for them in the past year. With every text and every comment from her, my heart breaks, and I can't help but tear up.

We rejoice knowing that in 20 weeks we'll see our little boy, but our hearts ache for our friends who will not see their baby again until they get to Heaven. I can't even begin to imagine the pain they are feeling, both physically and emotionally during this time. This week I've been praying for them frequently, and I ask that you would pray for them as well. I know our prayers have been answered already by the obvious strength and faith they've shown in the contact that I've had with them.

In the words of Stephen, "Tragic loss doesn't make me lose trust in God. I love Him still, but it doesn't mean I hurt less."

Please remember the Miller family in your prayers this week.

140/365: Be still

Life in the Loeffler house moves fairly quick and it seems that the accelerator is sticking to the floor. The days off turn into work days or days of anxiety for the work that needs to be done.

Then there is the whisper that says... Be still. Come, sit down, and listen. Stop the talking, stop the "doing", and just be still.

Don't get too busy for God. Be still. Listen for the whispers.

-steve

139/365: Ben and Jerry

This is not a current photo. I do however wish I could jump into a time machine right now and transport myself back to 2 years ago when this very carton of ice cream sat in my freezer.

I apologize for the multitude of blog posts over the past few days. Trying to once again catch up to date. Only 5 behind as I type this!! Yay!


We've failed terribly.

138/365: Picnic

I haven't been on a picnic since I was a kid, and even then I rarely remember ever going. I went on a pretend one for an engagement session last week, and saw images from my friend Bonnie's picnic with her man and it made me want to go on one too! (by the way Bons, your KFC picnic idea looked amazing. My mouth is watering just thinking about an extra crispy drumstick right now. Can you tell I'm pregnant?)

Things have been pretty busy lately, and Stephen and I are lucky to get one night a week where we're both at the house at the same time (and one of us isn't sleeping). So, I hated to ask him if we could go on a picnic. So, I took my second favorite date on a picnic this morning and we had breakfast in the park. It was absolutely gorgeous this morning and I wish I would have brought my camera. We had a good time reading God's word together and playing catch. Maybe we'll make it a weekly summer routine. :)

In the words of Dolores Lynch, "A good time was had by all".

137/365: Just Like Daddy

Ever since Jaden turned one, we've been having him brush his teeth a couple of times a day. (most days) Steve finds this pointless. "Those teeth are going to fall out anyhow so why do we need to brush them?" But anyhow, Jaden actually likes doing this. Teeth brushing time usually involves me brushing his teeth then letting him chew on the bristles, and hit/brush the mirror, wall, or cabinets (see photo listed). Stephen will probably kill me for posting this picture.

I know I'll have 100 more times like this but I loved this image from the other morning. Jaden was brushing his teeth with his daddy...and mommy had to take a photo.

Lately I've noticed Jaden starting to mimic us more and more. While putting together my furniture from IKEA, Jaden had to have the tools that I had and proceeded to rub the hammer (because it was too heavy to lift) on the cardboard box my nightstand came in, and wanted to touch the drill that I was using.

I look forward to the many more moments where I'll see him doing the things that daddy does. Stephen truly is such a great daddy. I can see how much he loves him everyday. The role of a dad is so important in both boy's and girl's lives and I'm blessed to both have had one growing up, and to have one now for our son.

136/365: Extra Snuggles

I hate that Jaden has been stuffy the past couple of days.


But, I love that he's been extra snuggly. Loading this one in the memory bank of things I will miss when he's 12.

135/365: May 21, 2011

This weekend was marked by a certain individual and his followers as the beginning of the end. The date 5/21/11 was supposedly the rapture date for believers. Maybe you believed, maybe you didn't.
Matthew 24:36 says:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

You can search online the details about May 21, 2011 to get the whole story, but even though this man didn't have me convinced that he knew more than Jesus does, it did make me stop and thing about if it were to happen. It gave me mixed feelings.

I felt ready, because I have placed my faith and trust in Christ. It made me excited to be in the presence of my heavenly father. It also made me nervous to think of how unworthy I am to even be considered a future resident of Heaven. That's when I felt thankful; thankful for Jesus Christ, the price he paid for my sin on the cross, and the grace and mercy that God freely gives.

Am I alone in this?

Like I said, I wasn't convinced, but I admit that in the back of my mind I was excited about the idea of it really happening, that day!

I read an article that had an interesting perspective on the whole thing. Check it out.

134/365: Baby Steps

It's started. Jaden has officially been cruising around on two feet. The first steps he took were right after a bath a few weeks ago. Nothing consistent had happened since then. Then out of nowhere, yesterday afternoon while Steve and I were leisurely enjoying Saturday afternoon, he took 5-6 in a row!

I cried.

Stereotypical as it may be, images of him as a newborn flashed across my mind, and cuddles with my precious baby boy, and I realized, he's really growing up.

I had a session last night so Steve was on baby duty. I received multiple texts and this video from him. Today he's been walking up a storm. I anticipate him getting the hang of it very very soon. How will I ever keep up?

I love that when he walks his arms are stretched up to Heaven. I think Jaden walks with his arms in the air in sweet victory. "Yes I did it!"


He is officially 14 months old now, and is just now taking his steps. As a mom you are wondering when he'll catch up to all the other babies that you know who are advanced in every aspect. An update on him verbally: (partially for myself to remember)

Jaden regularly babbles syllables of all sorts. Dada, mama, duck, ke ke (in high pitched voice for kitty kitty), Sta Sta (in high pitched voice for Sasha), and De da are popular words in his vocabulary.

Our little guy is growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. I love you sweet boy. You're the best.

133/365: Right Near Da Beach

It was the last day of school for our students. Graduation was this evening and summer has officially began. Days like today make me miss the beach. Really, any day makes me miss the beach. What's so fantastic about the beach? How about the wonder of the way the waves crash on the shore and their power as they turn surfers into drowned rats. If I close my eyes and concentrate hard enough I can hear the waves crashing against the shore, seagulls scrounging for leftover tourist's crumbs, and smell the sunscreen. There's something about being there that makes you want to kick back, relax, and not worry about a thing. I think we all need a beach in our backyard. Don't you? If it wasn't for the glare, I would totally take a laptop to the beach to sit and edit while my legs got some sun.

Maybe someday we'll live near the ocean again. Or, at least be able to visit more frequently. I imagine our boys will enjoy playing in the sand. Of course the last time we visited the beach, This was Jaden's experience....
Maybe next time will be much more pleasant for him. (and his little brother)

132/365: Makeshift Office

My dream someday is to have a beautiful office in our home. A large space, that is just my style. We have been so graciously blessed with the home that we are in, and although we don't have a room that we can spare for my "office", I do have a space to work with as my office. I hated this area before last night. It's an awkward space, and we didn't have the furniture to put there. It was basically a junk collector cubby. My friend Becky and I (and J-Man) took a long trip to Chi-town to visit IKEA on Monday and returned home with less money in our pocketbooks, and our vehicle was panting all the way home from the weight of our furniture boxes. I came home with some new nightstands, a side table and new knobs for the nursery, a bedspread, and my most exciting find: office furniture! Here's the update to our "Junk Cubby": transformed into my workspace!

I just need some curtains and a wall full of Organic Bloom frames over the futon now! :)


By the way have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE Ikea????

131/365: A Story Behind Every Lens

A few months ago I purchased and inherited what I fear may become my newest (or oldest) collector's item. I love all things vintage, especially cameras. If you asked me how to use the ones I have, I'd tell you that honestly I have no idea. I love the look of them though. Don't you? What I love most about them is the idea that thousands of memories have been captured by the lenses that I have. It leaves so many options for the imagination.

Perhaps it belonged to a dad who was able to capture the beauty of his little girl on her wedding day. Maybe it's been across the world, on many adventures and foreign travels. Whatever the case, there's a story behind every lens. If these lenses could talk, I bet they'd have lots to say.

This first camera I received from my mother in law. I believe it was her dad's, or maybe grandpa's, and the other I found at an old antique store for a good deal.

I can't wait to get more. And, as you'll see in my next post, I have a workspace that actually LOOKS like a workspace now! Woo Hoo! :)

130/365: Flashback - For Julie and Dave

We spent the weekend with some long time friends. As always, we got to reminiscing about the past. One thing that came up was the summer that Julie and Dave started dating. I'm sure they could tell the story much better, but Bonnie and I (and God) are responsible for getting them together. The summer after we graduated high school, we somehow were trusted to be in charge of our youth group. Yep. 4 18 year olds in charge of chaperoning and teaching youth group! :) It was so fun that summer. It was a lot of work, but I remember getting to spend so much time with some of my best friends. We roped in some friends of ours to help out whenever we could, Dave included. I remember discussing Julie at some point with him as I was "teaching him to play guitar" in the Way Inn, and talking about her with him as we roamed around Walmart after church one summer night.

He told me that night that he was going to marry her, and they weren't even dating.:) (awww)

I don't remember exactly how they started dating, but I do know that there was something to do with purposely taking way too long to put up a shopping cart so that he could talk to her for longer that night. However it happened, I for one am glad it happened. Julie has been one of my best friends since I was just a tot. We grew up together and lost more hours of sleep than we could count together. I always hoped that someday my friend's husbands and my husbands would be great friends. My wish has come true. I'm speaking for Steve, but I know that Dave means so much to Steve, and has been a great friend to have and brother in Christ. When we were growing up, Julie was always "the mom" of the group. She ALWAYS had anything you needed on trips, had the best route mapped out, with coupons, and knew how to fix things. Now, 10 years later she really is a wonderful mother to her beautiful little girl (aka Jaden's future wife) Hayden. Julie, Dave, we're so blessed to have you guys in our lives. We love you!!!

129/365: It's a.....

Thursday we went to find out what baby number two will be...

It's a.....


BOY!! :)

We will be having another boy mid October. :) Steve is thrilled, and I could see him beaming in the ultrasound room. I too am happy that Jaden will have a little brother to play with and to get into trouble together. What's a girl to do with a house full of boys?

For those of you reading this and are familiar with the "homer lip" notice this baby is doing it too. We have sonogram photos of Jaden doing the same lip. Gets it from mom, and you know what Bryan Hosick would say about it. :)

128/365: blue beast

Traveling in the "blue beast" today reminds me of when we were dating, except for I'd be sitting in the middle of the truck and there would be neither baby in back or baby in front. I remember going on dates and sitting in the passenger seat. Stephen would give me a funny "why are you sitting so far away from me" look, up the armrest and smile when I would come closer.

I admit I have a little bit of a love for the beast. While Steve was deployed little 5' me drove it around Jacksonville and got strange looks from all the truck driving marines. Although my feet barely hit the floorboard and it currently has no radio, It got me where I needed to go, and can haul quite a bit.

Although a newer model would be nice I will miss this thing a bit. Lucky for me we have no money for a new one.:)

126/365: Some things never change

Maybe it's just my friends and me, but does anyone else have this kind of friend? The ones that no matter how old you get or how long its been since you've seen them, when you get together... nothing has changed. We aren't the completely same people we were 10 years ago, but there are definately aspects that never change. Things like:

-Always looking for an opportunity to give each other an unexpected "cheap shot".

-Calling each other names that would offend most decent people... and sometimes veteran sailors.

-Quality friend times includes watching TV/movies or playing video games. Talking optional.

-Flirting with my girlfriend (now wife) right in front of me to get a reaction... getting punched.

-Never taking a serious picture!

These are just a few things that never change with Chris and me. However, apparently one thing that has changed is that, in this picture, I look much larger than Chris. It's just an illusion.

-Steve

125/365: Twinkle Toes

I love watching Jaden's feet. Within today, he has kicked them freely in his stroller, dirtied them on the front porch (they were literally solid brown), rubbed my sides when he was cuddling with me before bed, stood on tip toe to reach things he wasn't supposed to get on the coffee table, and moved at lighting speed as he crawled across our carpet.

I keep waiting for him to use those toes and feet to start moving about freely and independently on a regular basis, but no such luck yet. It feels like he's taking forever, but I'm sure that once he does start walking, I'll wish for the days when he wasn't into everything! :)

I love his "piggies". He is very ticklish on his toes. He thoroughly enjoys tickling mommy and daddy's toes as well. Most of all, I just love him, and everything about him. While I try to teach him everyday, he teaches me so much about life, about Christ, and about joy sometimes more than any other person I know. I hope that never stops.

124/365: the great outdoors

This is how jaden and I spent the afternoon; playing outside, tossing helicopters and grass in the wind.
Today was a relaxing day. I should take more of these days. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and for once I intentionally didn't pick up the house or do dishes, work on editing (etc), or laundry. I just took the day and enjoyed spending time with my little boy.

So now at the end of the day, my house is a mess, dishes are dirty, laundry needs done, and there's plenty of "business" I need to take care of but I'm glad I took the day to just be and enjoy the moment.

I love you Jaden Christopher.

123/365-Spring cleaning

Trying to get some spring cleaning done this week. I have a lot left to so but steam cleaning a few spots on the carpet is a start. I don't know anyone who really likes cleaning and I'm a procrastinator for sure. Don't be surprised If you drop by and see the furniture moved around or myself covered in dust!

122/365: 5 Tips From A Pregnant Lady

You probably know someone pregnant or will know someone pregnant close to you in the future. Here are some words of advice from one pregnant lady. (here I go again with my lists)

1. It is not ok to touch a pregnant lady's belly without her permission. The bump isn't a free ticket to handsiness. (I think I just made that word up) Unless you are her husband, best friend, very closely related (we're talking immediate family) or 90 years old, you shouldn't assume you can touch her growing belly, unless you would be ok with her patting your own belly back. (I've been tempted to do this many times)

2. Never use the words fat, huge, quite a belly, bigger and bigger, or anything that implies the size of a house. That's just rude. The only one allowed to refer to the belly in any of those terms is the carrier of the belly. Also, never ask a pregnant lady how much weight she's gained unless she brings it up.

When pregnant with Jaden I had a lady tell me "you're just getting fatter and fatter every week!" Not the most flattering compliment in the world.

3. On a related note, it is not necessary to remind her of how huge she is getting everytime you see her. An appropriate and nice way of saying this would be to add the words "cute", "adorable", "tiny", "little", "sweet", and anything else that says "I notice your belly" in a nice way.

Again with Jaden, a relative of mine always likes to mention that my belly is "really sticking out there!" and insists on sharing with people how much weight I've gained. Not cool.

4. Offer to help when you can. Something as simple as carrying in the groceries can go a long way. (not a hit on Stephen. He always helps carry them in when he's home and it's helpful.)

5. Women's feet swell when they are pregnant. If you are a husband offer a foot rub if she's been on her feet all day.

P.S. This photo is NOT a current photo. It is me at 39 weeks pregnant with Jaden. More from the pregnancy files to come at a later date.

121/365: Beauty

I had the opportunity to photograph a wedding alongside a friend of mine this past Friday. The wedding was beautiful, the location, the flowers, and most of all the bride.

Every girl dreams of her wedding day, and I've never seen an ugly bride. Every woman is truly beautiful on her wedding day. I have many favorite things about a wedding day. One of them is the transformation of the everyday girl to glamorous princess and the other is the reaction of her groom when he sees her for the first time.
I love when husbands refer to their spouse as their "bride". Especially those who have been married for a number of years. It's so sweet.

Somedays I wish I could feel the way I did on my wedding day. I can remember in particular right after Jaden was born, in sweats and spit up, I would catch myself drowsily daydreaming about how pretty I felt on that special day. I am assuming I'm not the only girl who feels this way. What happens between the now and the "day of your dreams"? Life happens I suppose.
As I sit here tonight in my old Blankenship Construction, coach pitch softball t-shirt, no makeup, and wet hair, that I realize that I have found my answer.

So why do girls love things like weddings and proms? Because every girl wants to feel beautiful and wants others, particularly one other person to think that they are beautiful.

Here's what the word of God says:

"For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." - Psalm 45:11

There are three things I love about this verse. (and I like lists)

1. God is referred to as "your royal husband" and in some translations, "king". This implies that if you are a follower of Christ, you are royalty in the kingdom of God.

2. I'm certain that there are no translations that add in "on your wedding/prom day". He thinks your beautiful; always.

3. Just the fact that the creator of the universe would call you beautiful- that makes me smile and even gives me goosebumps at times.

I'm convinced that every woman is beautiful, no matter what their size, shape, race, imperfections, or quirks. If you're reading this tonight, remind your "bride" how beautiful you think she truly is. It will make her day.

120/365: Spaghetti Head

My mom has a photo of me when I was about Jaden's age eating spaghetti. However, I am fast asleep with spaghetti residue all over my face and in my hair.
I hope I can find that photo sometime when I'm visiting mom (and not working).

Last night was spaghetti night for us. Clearly it's one of J's favorite suppers. I thought it may be a good idea to remove his clothing before he dug into this messy meal. Good decision on my part.

Because we're behind on the blog, I figure a few photos of our cute kid would help to pardon us. Working?

119/365: Meet Dan

So, I have fallen way behind in blogging. Sorry honey, I have failed you. But instead of dropping the whole thing, I'm going to catch us back up.

So meet my older and only brother Dan, or Daniel to you. Not many people call him Dan, but since I put up with his beatings all my life, I get to shorten it. He's lucky I don't call him worse! I'm kidding, he has been the best brother I could have asked for. I am extremely proud of who he is.

As my brother, his worth is more than the accomplishments he has made, thus my pride in him goes far beyond any sucess he could ever have. But he has had many a success in his life. After 9/11, Dan joined the army to be part of the 82nd (All American) Airborne Infantry. He has served on several deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan as a scout sniper, squad leader, and most recently as an officer. He has a wonderful wife, Dorothy who is an amazing teacher and mother, and two little girls Allyson, and Haley.

I was very blessed while I was in the Marines to be stationed along the East coast where I could always drive 2-4 hours to spend a weekend with them. They never complained, even when I am sure I was intruding a few times. Haha. I miss those weekends, though I don't miss having to drive back to base to be by myself again. So, thank you Dan for putting up with me. You are the best. Even if you do it out of obligation or feeling sorry for all those times you whooped the crap out of me. I still appreciate it. God bless you man, and good luck with the live fires and evaluations this week. You'll do great!

-Steve