Have a lovely Christmas time, and I will see you back here next year!!

We must not forget our deployed & fallen service members and their families during this season. It’s a hard, hard time to be apart from the ones you love. Nothing can replace them, but we can do something to help encourage them and remind them they’re not alone. For instance, the “Let’s Say Thanks” program sends customized postcards to troops over seas for free! David has been on the receiving end of programs like this and has told me about the thousands of cards, care packages, and encouraging words they have collectively received while deployed. It is exciting to see how many people across our country put forth the effort to remember our service members and their families. Just googling the topic brought up numerous organizations involved in encouraging our troops. If you are interested in getting plugged in, here are just a few of the many available organizations: Operation Ensuring Christmas, Trees For Troops, Phone Cards For Troops, National Remember Our Troops Campaign.

And because I can’t post without a photo, here is Aviva Bowman with her hubba-hubby. =) Aviva is an accomplished photographer in Okinawa; her work can be found on her portrait website and in various publications island wide. It was certainly awesome having her beautifully photogenic family in front of my camera for a day. Thanks so much, Bowmans!

“Definitely!” There was no hesitation in his voice when I said I wanted to quit my job and be a stay at home mom. “Most certainly!” 5 years later he applauded my notion to start a photography business. David is definitely and most certainly the best husband alive! I’m thinking of rolling him up in a tortilla to eat. Most definitely. Oh, and let’s not forget the hot sauce! Ah-hem. I love & adore my Dave. I love how he takes care of me, looks out for me, encourages me, and provides opportunities for me.

This time of year causes me to look back and ponder on the past 12 months. I feel so blessed to be doing the two things I most desire to be doing…being available to my kids throughout the entire day and working part time photographing people. Oh! I could just hug my keyboard right now it thrills me so! I do not take for granted the position I am in, and I am thankful to God for allowing me to do these things. But, I am also greatful to David for providing for our family and allowing me to do the things that I am passionate about. I’m about as lucky as a hockey player born in January (read Outliers, it’s awesome).

This time of the year also causes my inner Martha Stewart to come to life. I’ve been in the kitchen all week baking and feasting! I enjoyed sharing these treats today with my girlfriends, and I have even more goodies to make this weekend. Oh, how I love thee Christmastime. Oh how BIG my New Years resolution list is going to be. Speaking of tortillas, did you know we have a cat named Fajita? We named her after our favorite food (at the time), and we miss her as she’s back in the states waiting for us.

We have a fake Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We have one nativity scene. 4 stockings. That’s it. We came to Okinawa with a quarter of our belongings, so Christmas decorations were not high up on my packing list. I find it easy to grumble and dwell on these things as I try to bring Christmas spirit into our home with faux pine scent and carols flowing throughout. But, then Luke comes busting through the door, takes on look at our sad little tree and yells, “Oh, Mom! It’s beautiful! Thank you so much!!!” then turns to tackle me with a giant bear hug. That’s what I needed to snap to and remember what’s really important. My kids. My husband. All the big and little memories we make together. This is our last Christmas in Okinawa. I say that with such amazement of how far we’ve come as a little family. And though we miss trudging through the snow to pick out the perfect fir for David to chop down, and we miss all of our families on the American east coast…we’ll remember our 3 little sub-tropical Christmases in Japan. Windows open wide, shorts on, and it just being the four of us.

The Hoaglands are soaking in their last bit of Okinawa before they say good-bye. Their Okinawa chapter is closing as the new year brings them a greater adventure ahead. Europe! It is always an honor to photograph a friend, and an even greater honor when someone chooses me to capture their remaining moments that will forever visually sum up their years here.

We headed to the beach first for some super fun shots, and of course ended up wet! Living here and doing beach photos, I always end up wet, soaked, and sandy. Sorry, but that’s why I’m not in my Sunday best when we meet up for our session. You look fabulous, but me…bare feet and pants rolled up to my neck.

My personal favorite (below)–this is going on the website!!Look at that mischievous look in Cooper’s eye. Should I throw sand on my sister or not?!

At every family session I always take a few minutes to focus on just mom & dad. Most likely a couple has not had a decent photograph of themselves since their wedding. What a shame!! We must, must, must remember the two who came first, who put in the hard work, who are the foundation and rock of the family. Crystee informed me ahead time that she has not liked a single photograph of herself. Ever. (No pressure, geez) Crystee, you are just stunning, girl! You must never say that again. Ever.

P.S. If you’re looking for Baker’s white & semi-sweet baking bars at the commissary, I just bought them all. =) Sorry to you. Happy baking to me!