{baby brenan}

I had seen the room weeks before. I admired the wall decor and the little carousel that sat on a blue dresser by the window. I later learned that the carousel actually belonged to the soon-to-be father, it decorated his room when he was just a baby. And he was passing it down to his son. That, along with many other things. Physical objects being the least of these.

Many of these things are yet to be discovered. Perhaps you can see a glimpse of his mom or dad in him at times now, but there are other things that can only be found out with time. His personality, his talents, his favorite college (although something tells me this one may already be deeply ingrained). And while his daddy might be an avid LSU fan, something tells me daddy wouldn't trade this new little tiger in for a win...

age: zero months. wear it while you can!

the paper from the day he was born....and one day he WILL fit into his newsboy hat!

...let freedom ring! (in the form of a loud cry, of course)

expect it

On Saturday morning I knocked on the door of a home I had visited just a few months before. Things looked a little different this time around. Bellies were smaller, and joy was bigger. And a new breath of life was the reason for both. It reminded me of how quickly time goes by, and how there are so many precious moments in life to be savored. How thankful I am to have been asked to take part in helping to savor a few precious moments in the life of this growing family.

I'm also reminded that being able to capture such moments is a true blessing...and that sharing these moments with others is a major part of that blessing. And so I need to do more of this...the sharing. In many parts of my life. So be patient as I rewind a bit. Because before this baby arrived there was a very important growing and nurturing season certainly worth cherishing.

a new recipe

Before Benjamin. This is how I came to know Laura. A delightful chef with a good spoon. The right spices made her smile and you could see her soul warm with the first taste of a food which had been rightened by the likes of her special touch. She loved friends. And dinner guests. Perfectly, she loved friends as dinner guests. Impeccable playlists would serenade as she dished out the tastiest of meals to us, the lucky ones sitting around her well set table. Good food and good company, making for quite the good life. She could almost fool you into thinking this was all she might ever need.

Until Benjamin. A classy gentleman from the south, who one day caught the attention of this classy midwest gal. It wasn't long before Laura was in the kitchen stirring up new recipes for HIM to enjoy...all the days of his life.

baby, it's been a while...

....but I think you will agree that this baby was well worth the wait! He is my nephew, Colton James Crawford. And while I have many entries to post in an attempt to catch you up on the latest, I must begin with him. I mean, what kind of aunt would I be if I didn't?!

I will never fully understand how we are able to form a love so genuine and pure in what seems like an instant. I've experienced this multiple times now, with the births of each niece and nephew. Your heart just makes room...and it's probably one of the sweetest experiences in life. I'm blessed and thankful that I was able to experience that joy (yet again) while in California this last month. I walked in the door a week after my nephew's birth, held him, and instantly loved.

Making things even better was seeing my oldest nephew love his new little brother so well. How it's even possible, I don't know, but my love for them just continues to grow. And when you see these Crawford boys...you might just understand!

and the big brother....