Happy Heart Day!

"That love is all there is
is all we know of love."
~Emily Dickinson

I'm afraid this might be the last year that my 6th grader will let me photograph him like this with his little brother -- specifically for a card to go along with a Valentine's Day goodie bag for his classmates. Apparently they don't pass out Valentines once they hit middle school. Who knew?

Side note: my grandma made the quilt in the background completely by hand. It's probably 40 years old, give or take. She was a master at quilting, crochet, needlepoint, huck toweling (betcha don't know what that is), decorative stitching (I'm sure there is a better term for it but I can't think of what it is), and a good cook to boot. Even more than that, her heart knew no bounds when it came to her daughter (my mom) and her grandchildren (me and my three siblings). Sadly, she passed away before I met my husband, so my kids never got to meet this special lady who would have doted on them. I have to say, I hit the jackpot when it came to grandparents. I knew all four of them and they set the bar in grandparenting, each in their own unique way. I wanted to include some of that love in this image of my boys, and my old, tattered quilt, special heirloom that it is, was perfect for the job.

On another note.....my husband has been sick and in bed for most of this week, and he said to me this morning, "We're not doing anything tonight, are we?" Well, I'm not a huge fan of "forced" holidays (which includes New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day) -- the ones with big expectations attached that end up being tough to navigate for whatever reason. So I replied, "Nah, it's a school night, no worries." And I meant it wholeheartedly. I was focused on taking care of the kids' needs (as well as my dogs and the photo session I had this morning), and the idea of getting gussied up for an expensive dinner just didn't appeal to me. A simple "Happy Valentine's Day" would have been more than enough. Anyway, he dragged himself out of bed this afternoon just to get me some roses, and they sure are pretty. Lavender ones, not red. Just enough to fill the Waterford vase that I've had since we got married. Now the cat has a midnight snack waiting for him after everyone's asleep (ha ha!). Seriously though, the roses were nice to receive, and they were backed by a kind and loving gesture, but the lesson to our boys on how to treat a lady was the most meaningful part to me. Thank you, John! ILY!

Until the next post, ciao for now.........

Season's Greetings / In Between Holidays

Winter Salutations!

It's weighing on me that I have neither sent holiday cards, nor have I posted a holiday greeting on either of my blogs (until now).  This fall and the subsequent holiday season I was too busy with too many things (Boredom?  What's that?), I just didn't have it in me to get Christmas cards out this year.  Still strongly considering the possibility of sending out New Years cards (which I did for 2010/2011).  I really should, since I didn't send cards to anyone last year and I fear that I will be removed from many holiday card lists!  I absolutely looooove holiday cards, both receiving them and creating my own to give to my friends and family.  It's okay to call them New Years cards as long as I send them out before January 15, right?

I was actually going to take my kids' photos with the dogs outside either on Christmas Day or right after it, but the weather was not cooperative.......we had crazy wind, bitter cold and then wet and dreary.  Followed by a day of necessary lazing around with the in-laws.  However, I did squeeze in a few shots of the kiddos inside on the day after Christmas.  I gently coaxed them into the dining room (okay, bribed them with candy), where they would be beautifully lit through our north-facing windows.  Mission accomplished.  Sort of.  They look really cute in their hoodies and skullcaps, but that sort of attire doesn't really lend a holiday feel for an in-between-Christmas-and-New-Years greeting.  See for yourself:

 

I showed this to my husband and he promptly exclaimed, "They look like thugs."

He has a point.  Even at their tender ages, their head coverings in conjunction with their almost expressionless faces does kinda make them NOT look like they have the Christmas spirit.  Which, if you know my kids, goes completely against what they are all about.

Back to the drawing board.

It's funny how one little unwitting comment can give you a good idea.

Although M & Z are good-natured kids, they are young boys, and they do have their moments.  Without going into great detail of their mischief-making, I came up with this rendition of a post-Christmas "hiya!" which bridges the gap between no Christmas cards and the possibility of New Years cards:

That's a little better.  Only if you read the whole thing though.

Anyway, I hope you had a happy Christmas, Chanukah, Christmukah (sp?), Kwanzaa, Winter Holiday, (etc.), and that 2013 will bring much love, light, peace and joy to ALL.

Ciao for now.
Kim

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for sooooo many things.  Too many to count.  Here is one of them.  Celebrated his birthday this week.  Happy Birthday, Crazy JZ!  I love you!

Now, onto the feasting and merriment.....

Wishing all of you a happy, peaceful, nourishing and entertaining day!

Happy Independence Day!

I thought I'd take a break from the break I was taking and say HAPPY 4th of JULY!  The past six months have been a mish-mash of sooooo many things that have pulled me away from my blogs.....it's really been bothering me so it feels good to post this today.  Not sure when I'll post again, but for the sake of keeping this one alive (although in extended hibernation), I created this patriotic (in color scheme, at least) collage today for your visual enjoyment.

Still so proud to be an American, even with so much going on in the U.S.A. lately.  Here's to the red, white & blue!

JOY TO THE WORLD {Austin Children & Family Photographer}

Happy Holidays!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas/Chanukah/Holiday.
We took a very quick afternoon photo break on Christmas day so I could capture the boys in their matching union suits & puffy jackets.  I think this may be one of the last times they let me take their picture in matching attire -- you can see on their faces they aren't overjoyed, ha!
I also wanted to show off Miss Lucky Claus in her cute little Santa hoodie.  I've never dressed any of my dogs up before and now I wish I had!  To see her "official" holiday greeting, please visit Lucky Dog Photography.

Wishing you all the best in 2012!
Kim

Thankful.....

Another Thanksgiving come and gone, and the day was spent with much to be thankful for:  solid cooking skills (very important, since holiday dinners all fall on me, ha!).......a nice long bike ride in gorgeous weather......a fine family feast (including visiting grandparents).......a final Longhorn victory over the Aggies (Texas Texas YEE-HAW!)......a husband whose hard work affords me much freedom with a dose of luxury......and these guys (and one girl-dog), who add so much joy to my life........

 

 

Thank You, God, for each and every blessing you have bestowed upon me.  I am grateful beyond words.

Kimberly Sarantakes

***end-note: I like the Packers, but I am a Cowboys fan first.  The boys decided that Lucky would look cute wearing a Packers jersey.  Poor Chief is so old and infirm that no attempt was made to put a shirt of any kind on him.***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here is how they looked 365 days ago.

Haven't captured them yet this year because we're not finished with Z's costume yet!  Stay tuned!  And happy trick-or-treating!