J Cooper Photography

I spent the morning with A today.  It is so rare for me to get to see her for hours of un-interupted time.  In fact…I can’t really think of a time I’ve had her all to myself for that long since her sister was born.  She’s such a quirky kid…I just love to hear the crazy things that come out of her mouth

I took her for cookies at MeMa’s Bakery.  There was a sign near the cash register asking the patrons to please refrain from using credit cards for purchases smaller than $5.00.  Of course I never carry cash so before we paid I apologized to the cashier and asked if I could use my debit card…she graciously said that was fine.  A looked at me with her little furrowed brow and said, “you don’t have ANY money??”  And although somedays it does feel like that…I tried to just explain to her that I didn’t have any PAPER money on me.  “OH” she said…”well I have tons of that stuff in my wallet at home…but I didn’t bring it…and I can’t help you anyways because I’m saving for a horse!”  That got a good chuckle from the cashier.  So A added “either that or I may decide to go to college.”  (glad she’s got a plan!)

Tonight we are trying hair rollers for the first time…it’s such a rite of passage for little girls   I remember sitting for “hours” in front of my mom while she put pink sponge rollers in my hair and read me “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” EVERY Saturday night

I’m hoping these roller will be a bit more comfy for sleeping in.  They are little square foam pieces with a thin wire going through them…then wrapped in white cloth.  We’ll see what the end result is tomorrow!  A actually started to cry when she first looked in the mirror…she thought she looked like an alien

Hoping for a smooth night tonight.  Last night went something like this:

11:29  tucked in nice and cozy in my bed

11:30 Little man screaming wildly

11:30-2:00 trying to do everything under the sun to get our little man back to sleep (sleeping with us, rubbing his back in his crib, giving him a yogurt, giving him a drink, giving him Tylenol, watching tv…you name it!

2:30 success…he finally cried it out

3:00 A has lost her favorite blankie between her bed and the wall and needs help

3:15 A is in the bathroom calling for us because there is no more toilet paper

4:00 J in my room waking me up asking me if I would mind coming into her room and giving her a back rub for awhile

4:01 SLEEP FINALLY!

Whew!  What a night…just like having a newborn again   My kids really are fantastic sleepers…they all go to be relatively easy (especially the little man) so I’m not sure what the problem was last night…but I hope not to repeat that again anytime soon!

Don’t forget to SPRING FORWARD!  Nighty night!

There are so many photographers I admire.  Blogs I stalk, galleries that make me cry, shots I try to re-create…but when one of my favorite photographers reaches up through her own grief and shares something huge, I take notice.  You can read her story HERE.  But the main points are:  she loves God, she loves people, and she loves photography (and in that order I might add!)  Wow.  That inspires me.

I don’t know where I am headed in this journey with my business.  I don’t have plans to become a world renowned “name” or to win any grand awards.  I just want to remember this:

MY FAMILY.  I want to keep our memories fresh.  I want to create a legacy.  I want to capture that tiny freckle on Anna’s cheek…the dimples on Julia’s ever-slimming arms…and the twinkle in Sam’s mischievous eyes.  But since I started my business the game plan has changed.  I used to spend hours reading photography literature, practicing my photoshop skills, and designing templates.  Now I’m busy pouring over adoption blogs, reading about the orphan crisis, and praying for our child who is on the other side of the world.  Everything has changed because I let go of MY PLAN and chose God’s plan for our family.  Which coincidentally, is everything I ever longed for and just didn’t know.  And that inspires me to keep shooting…to keep memorializing the every day moments in our lives that write our family story.  And this next chapter…it’s going to be a wild one to write!

There are sacrifices….financially and emotionally.  Less shopping, fewer vacations, busy photography schedules, midnight sewing for fund raising, and two little girls who have already sacrificed their own rooms in preparation for their newest sibling. But to love a child is worth it all.  It’s worth it to watch my children fall in love with Africa and trust in God’s plan. I feel so blessed to be called to mother the motherless…to open up the world for my children…to mirror God’s adoption of us.

When we decided to pursue adoption we researched, planned, calculated the costs and risks…and ultimately tore up the notepads and got down on our knees to pray.  Because by the world’s standards…it’s NOT worth it.  There ARE risks and they are scary.  But we serve a God who is much bigger than any potential problems and we have decided to just TRUST him with the details.  And while the road to adoption is never easy we’ve enjoyed the ride so far.  But once again, the game plan has changed.  We received a call yesterday from our agency that at first seemed to change everything.  Problems in the Ethiopian program have cropped up.  The Ethiopian government is now requiring TWO trips to Africa.  There will be significantly more expense, a greater risk of losing our referred child, and a longer time line.  And while my immediate thought was “NO…that’s not the plan!” the more I thought about it the more I realized that I was never in control to begin with.  We are just along for the ride. The plan has already been laid.  And there WILL be sacrifices but the end reward will be what I have always longed for…MY FAMILY.

It’s no secret around here that I have been doing a lot of sewing.  Earlier in the week I was busy working away in my “sweat shop” during nap time.  Usually Miss J hangs out with me while I work.  She pins together scraps of pretty fabrics, sorts my buttons, or puts on little variety shows with my mannequins.

But this particular day she was mad at me that I wouldn’t let her play with my needles.  I tried to reason with her but she just wouldn’t have it and stomped out of the room.  My sewing room is just off the play room so I assumed she had immersed herself in another game elsewhere until I noticed things had gotten strangely quiet.

I opened the door to my studio (she had slammed it shut when she stormed out)…and nearly tripped over this.

A self induced time out. Gotta love that

Ever had a day when you just wanted to curl up on the floor and start over?  I’ve had a few   She woke up a few minutes later all smiles…ready for the next show.  She was actually confused about how she even got to that spot…no recollection of being mad…just ready to play.

I think she’s on to something!

{Just for fun I’m going to sprinkle some oldies but goodies throughout this post just so there is something interesting to look at.  I just killed a good hour reminiscing through files…sigh.  I’ll have to do this again and really dig out some old ones…like J falling asleep in her green beans and A in her diaper and daddy’s shoes!}

1.  NEW NUMBERS!  Not a whole lot of movement this month…CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THEY ARE?

2.  Super Sam is doing much better.  Not even a bruise to show which is fairly incredible to me.  That is one tough head!

3.  Tomorrow is the last day of school for 10 days due to Spring Break.  Lord. Help. Me.

4.  Going to be re-stocking the TAKE A BOW ETSY SHOP very soon!  It has been a regular sweat shop around here.  And let me tell you…there are going to be some DEALS!  I dug through my blanks stash in the back of our store room and located 20+ jean skirts that are getting some fun treatments and will be priced at Bargain Basement prices.  Fun. Fun!

5.  I got THIS LITTLE TIE for Mr. Little to wear for Easter (remember that that doesn’t count because I mentioned that as an exclusion in my lent post).  I really haven’t been that strict anyways…but I have done a decent job of curtailing any major spending and that was my purpose.  That and the whole sacrifice thing….hmmm??

6. I’m realizing after I posted these images that most/many of them were taken well before I ever became a photographer.  I’ve always been a “wannabee”.  Wow.  Mr. P and I were looking at images from 2004-2005 of Miss A in the backyard posing for me with my chairs as props   That poor child just doesn’t know any better I guess.  She has spent her lifetime in front of my camera…for better or worse!

7.  Where did my baby go?  {can’t wait to get my new one}

8.  I just ate a brownie bigger than my head.  What’s your favorite treat?

9. J spent the day begging me to buy her a Nintendo DS.  I finally told her that maybe she could have one as a gift on a “special day” (I was thinking birthday or Christmas)…she chimes in with “every day with me is special”.  Didn’t see that one coming.  {She still didn’t get the toy}.  But she did win a few bonus points.

10.  I’m collecting orders for Round Two of HAMMOND BAY to order on March 15th (the new pieces will be online tomorrow).  If you want to join in on the $4 trunk shipping get your order to me ASAP!

Thanks for allowing me the little jaunt down memory lane.  Merry Tuesday my friends!

It’s never good to have the director of the church nursery personally come find you in your pew during the morning service.  Never a good sign.

Apparantly Little Man had a little run in with the wooden rocker in the nursery.  I don’t think he won.

I took these pictures SIX hours AFTER the little incident…you can’t even imagine the size of the egg on his noggin when I finally got back to his room to console him!  And as if one wasn’t bad enough…he has another one on the top of his head at his hairline where that dumb ‘ol rocker bit him again!

It doesn’t look nearly as bad for some reason in these pictures.  But of course I had to document it just the same.   He outght to have a nice bruise there come morning!

I still had the incident report tucked in my jacket pocket when I went to pick up the girls tonight from our Sunday night activities…and the director was waiting for me AGAIN with ANOTHER REPORT!  This time A had cut her finger on a hoola hoop that had broken in half…she was bleeding like crazy and laughing hysterically (better than crying I guess?)  WOW.  We have put those sweet child care workers through the ringer this weekend.  Hope they let us back in the doors next week!

You just can’t beat a Saturday morning with a newly turned three year old!!  Especially if your subject is a gorgeous little giggle box like this one!  She showed me her room…her big girl bed…read me a book in her play room…pointed to trees and rocks outside…she even told me about how she learned long division at school   I haven’t had that much fun at a home session in quite awhile!

Here are just a few sneak peaks for her mommy (cause I know she can’t wait to see how her little peanut did!)  These were the first few images that grabbed me when I loaded them from my camera tonight!

Thanks for our little playdate my friend!  Can’t wait to see you this fall with your mommy and daddy in tow!

The sun was shining…the swings were calling…and I’m tempted to announce that spring may {finally} be on it’s way!

After all the snow and ice it feels so good to get outside for a little fresh air!

And although it looked warm and balmy from our kitchen windows…that March wind proved to be a wee bit nippy.  So we made it quick (and of course I brought my camera!)

Mr. Grumpy Pants even gave me a few smiles (although he didn’t dare LOOK at me and smile…those were reserved for his silly sisters).  He was a bit ornery today…but we still managed a couple happy faces.

This kid has so much energy it is exhausting.  You’d think she’d be tired after a full day of school but I swear she comes running through the door bursting with stories, smiles, and the need to RUN!

Just hanging around…

And  lest you think I nail every shot and always catch a cute smile (right…you know better than that!)  Here’s a funny outtake from our afternoon:  out of focus, bad crop, brother screaming, bike shorts shot, crazy face.  What’s not to love, right?  HA!

Enjoy your WEEKEND!!  We’ve got a full agenda including 2 birthday parties, a photo session tomorrow, a date with a great friend, violin lessons, and church!   Hope you get some sunshine!

and I’m so thankful for two little pieces of my heart that want to learn about it.

I worried a bit when we started this adoption process that their {little} minds wouldn’t get the importance of fully embracing another culture.  That they wouldn’t have room in their hearts for another sibling.

But I worried in vain.  They get it.  And they are embracing it.

And when I get a little scared…I just remember that they have already carved out a spot in their hearts.  They already love the next little one.  They’ve saved a special place for him.

Dear little one…we are saving a special spot in our hearts for you.

Until then, we’ll keep praying and learning…and waiting.  And loving.

1.  How is that Tuesday seems to come twice as quickly as any other day?  Didn’t I just post a 10 on Tuesday?  Is someone sneaking in extra Tuesdays…what gives?  I shouldn’t complain because in all acutallity Tuesday is one of my most favorite days.  It’s the day reserved for just me and my little Jules.  We go to violin, out to lunch, and then to ballet.  It is SO fun to watch your child exceling at something.  And let me tell you…today at her violin lesson she seriously rocked the house.  Her rendition of “May Song” deserved Carnegie Hall.  I was so proud   For all the grief she caused during her 4th year…FIVE has been darn near perfect.  So happy I still have a few more months to soak up her five-ness.

2.  It seems everywhere I turn these days there is sadness.  I’ve been following SWEET KATE’S STORY for awhile…and also the story of TINY LAYLA GRACE.  These two tiny bodies are such an inspiration to me.  Then a few weeks ago I got an email that completely rocked my world.  Cancer.  A dear friend.  Stage 3.  I sat on her bed after her first round of chemo…snuggled up in her comforter and tried to appear strong while she poured out her heart to me.  She asked me “why”…and I SO longed to have an answer for her.  But I DO know that GOD LOVES these precious people SO MUCH more than we can fathom and has BIG BIG plans for their lives.  Sometimes I wish I had more answers but I’m also thankful that the hurt we experience in life makes life real and helps us to appreciate the many gifts we are given.  Would you join me on your knees in prayer for my friend?  We’ve known each other since kindergarten.  Almost 30 years.  She is so beautiful, strong, and full of life.  I’m praying that she knows how much she is loved by God and that He provides the strength she needs to endure!

3.  We should be receiving our new wait list numbers this week.  Things have been a bit SLOW lately so I’m praying for BIG MOVEMENT in March!

4.  Many of you know that my sister’s heart for adoption inspired our journey to adopt.  She will be receiving a referral for her PERUVIAN PRINCESS soon and is raising travel funds by selling some AWESOME tees she designed.  You can purchase them on HER BLOG.  I have one of each color and they are the coolest tees I have in my closet!

5.  Happy Birthday to my BEST FRIEND tomorrow.  You know who you are.  And I couldn’t love you more!

6.  Did I mention that I am wearing TWO shoes these days?!?  Finally kicked off the big ugly boot last week and now I’m footloose and fancy free (well almost).  I wish I could say my poor toe is pain free…but I’m glad to have my leopard ballet flats back!

7.  I bought Mr. P a food processor for Valentine’s Day.  Pretty romantic huh?  But seeing that his favorite toy from his childhood was an Easy Bake Oven…he loved it!  Now I’m getting fresh home made hummus every week…yum.

8.  I’m working on getting MY ETSY STORE re-stocked.  Wow is it a lot of work.  Any special requests?

9.  So what are your kids wearing for Easter this year?  Are you a dressy family?  Or do you keep it casual?  I’ve always dressed the kids all up…but I’m thinking this will be our year to tone it down a bit.  We usually do an egg hunt in the back yard (in snow) and they wear their winter coats over their white sandals.  What’s your game plan?

10.  Tonight I snuck out of the house as soon as my husband came home from work for a bit of ALONE time.   It has been WEEKS since I have spent ANY time alone.  Don’t get me wrong….I love the pitter patter of those little feet and the incessant chatter that accompanies it.  But it’s nice to miss it for a few hours isn’t it?

The Matilda Jane orders came today!!  I am working on getting everything delivered and mailed out as quickly as I can!   The clothes are just SO PRETTY in person…and we were fortunate enough to get KEYS!  If you don’t know what I’m talking about…head over to DENISE’S BLOG to get the scoop!

It is really bugging me how crooked the base board is in the image…but her expression was too cute not to share    I think my head is on sideways…I CAN NOT take a square picture to save my life!