Captured Light

One of the things that I hoped to do before chemotherapy treatments and such started was get a good family portrait. It might be shallow, but in case I don't look or feel like myself at some point for awhile, I wanted to capture this moment in our lives -- when Milo is at such a fun age, when we've settled into the role of parents (as much as anyone ever can), when E and I have been each other's best friend and partner for more than half our lifetimes already.

I would have been happy with a decent i-photo in the Target parking lot, as long as everyone was smiling, but we are blessed to know Geri at Reminisce Photography and Design. Reminisce took the gorgeous photos of our engagement and wedding, and the sweetest newborn pictures of Milo.

I told Geri that she's documented all the important "beginnings" in our lives, and done it so beautifully. She (and her family!) has such a kind and loving and generous heart and she somehow read my mind and approached me asking if she could take family pictures for us as we set out on this new journey.

We received her email with the images with perfect timing -- just after doing battle putting a teething, cranky Critter to bed -- so we definitely needed the smile that they brought. Not only did they bring a smile, but they reminded me how very blessed I am to be a wife and mama to these two amazing guys, and how much we have to look forward to together. My heart is full seeing the way that E and Milo look at each other, the way his chubby little hands grab our fingers, the way his entire faces smiles. Geri is a beautifully talented photographer who not only captured the sunlight filtering through the trees, but captured the Light from within.

Needless to say, we highly recommend Reminisce if you need a family photographer in the San Diego area.

Hope you don't mind a photo overload. #sorrynotsorry

A sorority sister who is a two-time breast cancer survivor told me recently that there are positive aspects to this journey and that I will find them. I believe her. Even though this is a trial and I hate the way it's hurting the people I love, I am seeing so much good in others. I feel so loved by the well-wishes in the form of texts, emails and messages... People have cooked and cleaned for us, babysat during my doctor's appointments, and offered everything from rides to the hospital to doctor referrals to assistance with insurance paperwork to donated breastmilk for Milo. I only hope that someday, in some small way, I'm able to adequately show appreciation for these acts that deepen my faith in humanity. Until then, I'm going to hold these two handsome gentlemen close and appreciate every moment -- even the crying, teething baby at 3:00am.

With love and light,