"A family is one of God's masterpieces"

With new phases of life, I always pray and ask God to put someone in my life to share my new experiences with. When my husband and I got married, we prayed for like minded couples. Through that prayer we became leaders within a couples ministry and formed strong bonds with 4 other couples. When becoming pregnant, I prayed that God would give me someone to share my experiences. I connected with several ladies in an online forum (I have shared that here before). Over four years later, I share experiences with them. With this experience God gave me a double blessing (maybe because starting a family is life changing in every way imaginable). A few weeks before Elise's baby shower, my roommate from college shared with me she was expecting too! You would not believe how excited I was. While the ladies on the online forum were there when I needed them, I now had a very close friend to share with. We not only went through pregnancy together once, but twice. Our children are 6 months and 2 months apart. We vacation together, the kids play together, we share celebrations and frustrations... and I must mentioned our themed potlucks... Oh, they are so much fun.

Mom really wanted family pictures for Christmas cards this year. She planned outfits, I planned a location and the kids really SHOWED OFF. They gave extra hugs and kisses to one another (not at my request, either...), lots of natural smiles and eye contact with the camera!

Take a look....

Mom did not want a picture by herself but I told her she did not have a choice. I wanted to document her natural hair journey. This is a few weeks after the "big chop". Beautiful, right? And she is just as beautiful in the inside as she is out. I promise, this lady has a HUGE heart.