**Update - I posted this before Christmas and even today, Miranda's eyes haunt me. Feelings of not having done enough flood over me and cause my heart to break. Our world is full of hurting people and that is exactly what Christmas (and everyday for that matter) is all about - telling the good news of a Savior who came to earth as a precious baby boy just so that all of us who are sitting on the curb, can know His peace, can know Him.

May 2009 find us all reaching to those who are sitting on the curb!

These thoughts have been swirling in my head for a week now, but quiet time to sit and type is at a premium these days.

Last Sunday morning I drove my aunt and uncle to the airport. Between sips of strong coffee, my aunt and I chatted somewhat animatedly on the way there, with the occasional dry witted remark from my uncle. It was only 7:45 in the morning and the day before was one full of activity and excitement. Our extended family celebrated Christmas - it was beautiful chaos. Now we were left to reminisce and look forward to what the rest of December might hold.

After dropping them off at the curb, I pulled out of Hobby airport and began the trek home, lost in my thoughts, mentally planning my day and humming along to the Christmas music from the radio. Inevitably my thoughts turned to Christmases past, more specifically, I began to count how many Christmases have passed since Kyle celebrated with us, here on the earth. This will be our 5th Christmas without him. Like scenes from a movie, memories floated through my mind - Wyatt's first Christmas, Megan's special gift for Kyle the first Christmas that the three of us were a family, the Christmas that Megan and Kyle thought they would be cool and hide my gift in the tree - a sapphire necklace and ring- thank goodness we found them before completely tearing the tree apart. The last Christmas we had as we ate dinner in a restaurant in Temple, TX and he gave me the most precious gift he'd ever given me, all warranted a sigh.

Lest I get too caught up in my own life, the Lord has a way of getting my attention in a hurry. I was almost to the Beltway and out of the corner of my eye I saw her. Sitting on the curb in flip flops, pajama pants, a knit top with a trench coat belted tightly, wind-blown hair and tired eyes with mascara streaking down her cheeks, there she was. I tried to drive on by, but the Lord wouldn't let me. I figured she had a gun in her coat, but He knew she held a blessing just for me. I was so determined to drive on by that I even turned the corner, but quickly turned right back into the parking lot and headed straight for her.

As I got ever closer, my heart began to pound, not knowing what to expect. In today's world helping those who are stranded can come with a risk. I rolled down my window and asked if there was some way that I could help her. She responded that she didn't know, she didn't know what she needed - her boyfriend kicked her out of the car three hours earlier and she was just sitting there trying to decide what to do. She mentioned the cost of the hotel rooms around her and that several men had already stopped to proposition her, but that she was not that kind of girl. It was clear that she was holding onto her composure by just a thread, a thin thread at that. We continued to talk and I asked if there was somewhere I could take her or someone we could call. No, there were no friends, no family. She was just going to wait it out to see if her boyfriend would come back for her. I did tell her I couldn't afford to put her in a hotel room, but I gave her some cash. A drop in the very big bucket of her empty heart and eyes. I pointed her to a church and shared what my experience had been at that church and that I knew they would help her with arms of love and acceptance wide open, no questions asked. She didn't want me to take her there, but she did clarify that she had the name of the church right.

Before pulling away, feeling completely powerless to help her, I asked if she would tell me her first name so that I could pray for her. She kind of half smiled and said, "Miranda". I drove away with tears in my eyes and tears in my heart. Even now as I type my eyes are filling with tears.

It is so easy in this season, but really in any season, to get caught up in our own losses, our own grief, our own agendas and all around us "Mirandas" are sitting on the curb, just waiting to know that someone cares, that they matter to someone. Not every "Miranda" is sitting on a curb outside, it could be your neighbor, your friend from work or high school or college. It could be someone from church or playgroup or your child's school. Rest assured, we are all surrounded by a Miranda.

This Christmas, may our Heavenly Father open our eyes to the "Mirandas" of the world. They're there - just sitting on the curb. Waiting.

Our Christmas Card...

I was so excited when I got the proof for our Christmas card this morning, that I just had to share it and give a shout out to the ladies who made it happen...

Sally Brewer, in Virginia, took the pictures this summer when we were out there visiting my brother and his family - www.sallybrewer.com - all of the pictures were wonderful and I just had to use them for our card.

Heidi, of www.keepsakedesigns.net, created the card and didn't she do a fabulous job??

Thanks ladies - the card looks wonderful and I can't wait to send it to all of our friends and family!

Another sneak peek...

Here's a sneak peek for the "P" family - Mrs. P is a great mom (not that all my other clients aren't great moms, because they are), I kept telling her I needed to take lessons from her on encouraging my kids - she was so positive with them:)

Anyway... here are a few of my favorites... enjoy!

What a sweet "daddy-daughter" moment

Mom and her boys
Mom and her princess

I love it when I catch kiddos laughing...

Little man was sure that his big sister has STINKY FEET:)!

Beautiful family...

I love, love, love this one...

Little man...

The Big Sister...

Big Brother...

"Yes, they are all mine!"

Sweet moment...

Everyone is all smiles...

Sneak Peek for the K Family

A long-awaited post for the K family... Enjoy - it was such fun to be with your beautiful girls and to capture everyone's smiles (and Miss E's other expressions)
on camera.

(Mrs. P - your sneak peek is coming soon!!)

We're having fun now:)

Don't these next two just make you smile??

Sweet little girls...

Such a tender moment!

Little Miss E and her mommy

Princess M and her mommy

The big girls loving on the baby...

Wow... Lock the doors when she gets older, Dad!!

What an infectious grin!

Baby K wasn't too thrilled with this one, but it is still a sweet shot!

The "K" Family

NOT according to plan...

I am a planner. I have lists and I like for things to happen according to MY plans. Don't most of us??

I met Baby "E" a couple of months ago, just as work was beginning (again) on my long awaited blogsite for my photography. MY plan was that Baby "E" would be my first "Sneak Peek" on the new blogsite. How perfect would that have been... "And now... introducing..." - Baby E and my blogsite! New baby, new blogsite! It would have been great.

Obviously, since I am posting the sneak peeks of Baby "E" here and not on my blogsite, things haven't gone according to plan. (Don't worry, "E"s mommy got a cd of all the pics a long time ago...)

December is now in full bloom and my thoughts shift to another time and another place when things didn't go according to plan. A young bride to be, anticipating all that marriage and life would have for her, never dreaming that HER plans would be interrupted and altered with eternal effects. I've wondered what it must have been like to be Mary - to be that young teenager who has to face her groom, her parents, her family and tell them that an angel told her she was going to be the mother of God's son.

Can you imagine the terror that must have taken hold of her initially?? She was fully aware that Joseph could have her put away. She was fully aware that she could have been stoned for what others surely assumed was infedility. She was fully aware that her plan had just been changed. Forever.

And yet, she remained calm. Nowhere in scripture do I find that Mary panicked or ran away or hid or did anything other than rest in God's plan. She knew who held her in the palm of His hand and she knew that He would take care of her. I'm sure that must be why God chose her and not me or any of the rest of us. Oh, to have Mary's calm spirit, to have her faith, to have her peace.

This holiday season I have a plan. Things to do. Places to go. People to see. Gifts to buy. The list is never ending.

This holiday season He has a plan. Things to do - places to go - people to touch and the greatest gift has already been given. His list is bigger than mine. You and I are on His list.

Take a peek at Baby E and imagine another baby, just as perfect, just as beautiful, just as human, who a little over 2000 years ago became the greatest gift ever given. His toes were just as tiny, his fingers just as precious, his yawn's just as big. His mommy held Him in her hands just like Baby E's mommy holds her.

Imagine Mary staring at her baby with all the wonder and joy that Baby E's mommy is looking at her. Imagine what it must have been like to have your plans not just a little but changed, but turned inside out and upside down.

The timeless entered the temporal. It was all part of His plan and aren't you glad?

Sweet Baby "E"

Perfect in every way...
Tiny toes... Big yawn...
Sleeping peacefully...

Tiny fingers...
What better place to be than in mommy's arms...

Sweet dreams baby girl...

Just watching the world...

More tiny fingers...

Baby E and her precious Mommy

May your holiday season be filled with miracles.