So Very Blessed

I am so very blessed to have my children. And they are sweet and wonderful beyond expression. Benjamin makes the coffee every single morning...almost without fail. And when the coffee is ready, Max fixes a nice big mug for me...EXACTLY the way I like it. And this sweet and beautiful routine happens most every morning. Never ONCE have they been asked to do this. They just take it on themselves and do it just because they want to do something nice. And Clara is equally as thoughtful. She is not big enough to make or deliver hot, steaming coffee, however, this morning, when I woke up with a very sore throat and sinus headache, my sweet, sweet four year old girl offered to make me breakfast (as long as it was something that,"you know, I can fix by myself...like a poptart....or, well....if you want a poptart, I will fix it for you." My heart just melted to know that she would even think of that and so sincerly offer it. It gives me hope and great comfort to know that my children are developing the ability to think of someone besides themselves!

On a different note....my affiliation with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep came through this past week. I am so honored to be able to provide these families with memories of their sweet babies...but at the same time I am so very nervous. I have not received a call yet. In a perfect world, I never will....because it will mean noone is losing a baby. However, if and when I get that call....it is my prayer that I can really create something special and meaningful for these families that have lost so much. I also met with Tu Nidito today to find out more about their organization and to volunteer my services through the Charity Guild. Both organizations mentioned here are amazing and I am pleased and proud beyond belief to be able to be a part of it. You can check them out at www.acpcg.com and at www.nilmdts.com. If you aren't familiar with these organizations, you should click on them and learn about what these amazing photographers across the nation are doing.

Chris is traveling for two weeks...so it is just me and the kids. But life is busy...so time moves along quickly. Life is so very good in Arizona....and I am just so very blessed!

New Year Update

I realize that it has been quite a while since I checked in with the blog! So I thought that I would provide an update. Since my last update, I have indeed started my own photography business. It is up and running and doing well. I have had some real highs and some real frustrations and I am learning this business little by little, day by day, as I go. One major high was being able to join the American Children's Photography Charity Guild, which you can check out at www.acpcg.com. I am excited beyond belief to be able to provide photography services free of charge to these families who stand to lose so much...their precious children. And it is a great honor to be entrusted with the responsibility and task of putting a beautiful memory of these sweet children in the hands of the parents they leave behind. I just pray daily that I will have enough paying work to be able to provide services for the many families here in Tucson facing this reality.

We had a sad moment at dinner tonight. Clara was telling us all how excited and ready she was to start kindergarten this upcoming fall. She then proceeded to tell me how busy she would be at school with all the crafts and the new friends and how she would get there and be so busy that she will forget all about me....well....tears followed...shed by me. As okay as I am about my baby starting school...I have to admit that Clara's statement rattled me a bit and left me longing for the child who has not yet even stepped out into the world and away from me! There is just something between Clara and I...it is hard to explain...but there is a connection between the two of us that is eerie at times...we just "get" each other and I truly will miss her little spirit around the house when she goes. It started to hit home with me tonight just what it might be like when Clara is at school all day, every day next year. Bottom line is...I adore that child...to the point that she is practically an extension of myself. And I truly fear that come August, I may truly find myself missing a piece of me...as my baby girl heads into school. It's really a weighty issue to have to consider!

The boys are great. Busy with school. Sweet and bright. They are turning into young men.....leaving those sweet little boy days behind. Max continues to do Odyssey of the Mind this year and guitar....and Ben is thrilled to just finish school and get to come home and play. He is a bit of a homebody, our Ben, and likes to spend as much time as possible here! And so our school year marches on...half gone already....with two of my three children hurtling toward major milestones....Clara into Kindergarten and Max starting middle school. Ay yai yai....what is a mom to do in these days but pray?

And so....we are current right now...plenty to come as time allows! Check out my website at www.tonyarobertsphotography.com to see my business website and check out my gallery!