The Photographer In Action

She takes all the pictures.  She discourages me from using my "piece of junk camera".  She is a bit of a camera snob, firing away with her Canon digital in one hand and the Nikon 35mm in the other.

But she's good.  She knows what she's talking about.

And she is cool, to the nth degree.

And I snapped a few shots of her when she wasn't looking.

An Applicious Day

We went to Carter Mountain Orchard today.  A 60 minute drive to Charlottesville produced some great conversation - included some heated political debate and discussion.

The weather was perfect - absolutely beautiful.  Virginia in the fall is spectacular.  

We haven't been on the road much - at least not like we used to, when we made monthly jaunts to Ohio or West Virginia to see Lonnie.  As hard as it seemed at the time, we realize now how much we miss the opportunity for frequent road trips.  Listening to music, reading and napping, having sometimes-intense conversations - it's all part of the fun.  I'm really thankful for a day off and an opportunity to see the countryside.

And pick apples.

Sarah took about 487 pictures.  Here are a few.

The leaves were beautiful; they are just beginning to turn.  Sarah caught a great shot of gold here...

Big Red!  This car has been such a workhorse; close to 200,000 miles and still trucking!  

Syd was literally hanging out the car window as we drove down the mountain.  Sarah encouraged her every step of the way...anything for a photo!

Ah, my girls....

Foraging for fruit...we were lazy pickers, but we ended up with a bag full.

My youngest daughter....

David is never very interested in posing.  But he liked the pumpkins.  We brought one home - all 30 pounds...

May I Introduce To You...

Madame President.  Currently presiding over the Freshman Class of 2012.

Woo hoo!

Major props to Katelyn James of Inspired Designs by Katelyn James, who is a stunning photographer and a terrific individual.  If you're in the Richmond area and need a photographer for a wedding, senior portraits, or any special event, contact her.  She does excellent work!

Forty Five, But Who's Counting?

Today is my dad's birthday; yesterday was mine. We celebrated, as we do most every year, with a joint birthday dinner. Mom cooked a huge pile of ribs, beans, fried potatoes - and this unbelievable HOMEMADE ice cream cake.

My mother, she is amazing.

She also didn't blink at the THIRTEEN people in the house. Travis and Elijah were guests of the girls (and they brought cards and gifts as well!), Syd had a friend, and Justin is staying with us for the weekend. Mom was the perfect hostess.

(((loud applause for an outstanding woman)))

My birthday? One of the most remarkable for me, because of it's UNremarkable-ness (a made up word. Thank you.) This season of my life is one of contentedness, it seems. I don't know that I've ever experienced feeling so settled. All day long, there were text messages and facebook posts and emails and phone calls wishing me a happy birthday, and through it all I just felt fine. I even got a birthday biscuit at my 7:00 a.m. meeting - complete with a candle. And then I got the rest of the day off.

I'm settled. I love my savior, my church, my family, my job, my friends, my best friend, the rhythm of my days and nights. I am thankful.

So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10.22-25, The Message