it was only about five minutes that i had to watch her.  we danced and read a little bit.  but mainly we just danced on my bed.  oh my Sadie lady.

these are fotografs in my library that i recently became aware of.  i made these at various times this past year.  i wanted to resurrect the moments.  simple sayings act as the catalyst for understanding their clandestine seconds.

 

thank you, veterans.  thank you to those who are still serving.  thank you.

for those who missed the parade yesterday, Ben Poenisch (see last foto) and myself went downtown and tried to capture a bit of the essence of veterans day.  i ran into a family from my church while there and they had made signs that expressed a variety of grateful words to the veterans.  veterans were very appreciative of the signs as well as us just saying to them "thank you".  don't wait until next year to tell a veteran or anyone serving the country thank you.  do it now.  do it tomorrow. and don't just say thanks, but pray for them.  get involved somehow.  if you don't know someone serving find someone who is and take the time to write a simple letter to them.  they'll love, i guarantee it!  well, enjoy the pictures and the freedom!

before i say anything about anything, Brayden is darling with his biggg ole smiles. 

little Brayden (as opposed to when he is big and is big Brayden) turned one year old the other day.  i went over to my sister's house to make some fotografs on his birthday, oh boy, what a treat.  he was happy, running around, not crying, playing, happy, getting snot everywhere, really happy, and he participated in all foto activities marvelously!  we also saw so lamas at the nearby farm.  who doesn't like lamas?

we also went to a field.  put your self in Brayden's place.  can you imagine being a child in a new world with things and smells you've never experienced?  the grass is overwhelmingly taller than you.  there is so much to touch.  everything but that one blade of grass is filling your attention.  as adults can we even do that? the cares, the worries are all for a moment hidden.  when you have the opportunity to go somewhere new or experience something all entirely different, remember to truly explore it like a one year old in a field of grass.  because not one bit of worrying about all the things in our lives will add any years to our life, and life is a gift from God.

for his birthday party -- which was before his actual birthday -- we all headed over to stony creek farm out in nobletucky.  there were pumpkins, hayrides, lots of crying, kids everywhere -- a real zoo (of kids, not animals) --, and presents, cakes, and friends.  i loved it, i doubt he'll remember much, because, i mean c'mon, he's only one.  well, anyway, this post is slightly ridiculous and i feel like i can get away with it because Brayden is my nephew, and that's what uncles are/do: be/act ridiculous. 

do you have crazy aunts and uncles? 

p.s. if you don't find this boy incredible cute, you're probably a robot, not capable of affection!!!

p.p.s there is a second post of Brayden.  glass and shadows.