she calls me shoe.

Elly and her mama came over for lunch today.

Her vocabulary is growing, along with her sharp little mind.

She knows what a cow says, and a puppy, and a horse.  Lots of other animals too.

Her fish is particularly impressive.

And she calls me "Shoe." 

I love it.

She got a dolly for Christmas who gets lots of tender lovin' care.

And fresh diapers.

She takes this whole procedure quite seriously.

She's going to be a fabulous big sister.

But today, her heart belonged to Nick.

Perhaps, "adoration" is a more accurate term.

She has excellent taste.

p.s.  I love her little Toms!

http://www.toms.com/

coffee, tea, and charley, please.

It really was more party than photo shoot. 

Pete offered me coffee.  Yes, please.

Ruby fixed me some tea. Yum.

Charley was the sugar.

So perfectly sweet.

 Miss Ruby getting in the action!

Six Months Old.

Tea party with the Moores?  Anytime.

homestead of petersen.

This makes me smile.

We went over the river and through the woods...well, I'm not sure we actually traveled over a river,

but Jim and Genny's property is filled with trees and deer and plenty of room to watch their kids grow.

It looked like a Christmas card when we drove up and felt like one when we walked in.

Christmas through the eyes of a child.

Love love love their sweet cheeks...

...and sweet smiles...

Um...ok...so...getting the perfect portrait was not easy...lots of wiggles and giggles...

but these images will freeze the Petersen family Christmas 2010 in time for years to come.

I will end where I began...with the same image in black and white.

Because I love it that much.

And now I must go bake some cookies.

My own kids will be home soon.

Christmas blessings to you!

glad tidings.

birthday girl.

Indulge me. 

Twenty-three years ago on a snowy morning (2:49 in the morning to be exact),

this brown eyed, dimpled, dizzy-haired girl made her grand entrance into my life,

changing it forever. 

I would love to post a long, sentimental, rambling sort of entry

about how she's caused me to

love

hope

change

forgive

defend

cheer
 create
improvise

soften

stretch

laugh

cry

worry

relax 

pray

wait
challenge
support
confront
train
encourage
remind
wonder

applaud

listen

think

study

ask
watch

shut up
wake up
stay up
clean up
ease up
step back

let go
celebrate

but this really isn't the place.

After all, this is SusanChambersDesigns, not SusanChambersMotherhood.

So I'll save the sappy prose for her.

However,

this IS the place to share images I love.

So, here are some recent images I love

of the girl, now woman, I love most.

Happy Birthday, Natalie Michele!

Thank you for all you bring to my life.

baby it's cold outside.

A blizazrd warning was in effect for much of the mid-west, so we stayed inside for Fallon's six month session. She has grown and changed so much just since October when we met in the pumpkin patch.  I simply had to sneak a few snuggles between snapping pictures of her wide-eyed smiles and Christmas cuteness.  It may have been cold outside, but inside it was warm and wonderful!

 I'm getting a little tired....

 Please, can we be done now?

Christmas Shoes.

giving thanks.

I'm pretty sure I have the best friends in the world.

I surely don't deserve them, but I give thanks for friends like the Larsens.

We had planned to take family pictures outside (and one day we will),

but today was too cold and yucky. 

So instead, we moved every piece of furniture in their great room

to capture some Thanksgiving Day shots.

Then my kids showed up, and we all had pie.

All in all, a lovely afternoon.

I'm giving thanks.

Jim.  Mich.  Sara.  Holly. Sean.  Kirby.  Tess.

goodbyes. dislike.

I hate goodbyes.

Today in the Panera parking lot I hugged my friend Carrie goodbye.

I didn't like it very much (yes, I cried).

She and her husband are moving to Austin, Texas. 

They are taking this cute little boy with them.

Sigh.

Carrie and I have been friends for a long time. 

We worked at Eastview together.

We traveled to Trinidad together.

She lived with my family for a few months before she was married.

We once decided to take a trip to Michigan,

and within a half hour were packed and driving north on I55.

I was a (very old) bridesmaid in her wedding five years ago.

We've celebrated the best of times and learned from the worst of times. 

I know she's over in the next neighborhood, and she knows where I live.

Our friendship is comfortable and easy.

I love her.

I will miss her.

Earlier this fall, I took some pictures of her little boy Ryan, who just celebrated his second bithday. 

The images were a surprise for Daddy, so I haven't posted them until now.

Ryan is obviously an adorable little guy. 

He is also happy, smart, and plays a mean peek-a-boo.

I hope he comes to visit often.

I will want to catch up with his mommy, see how he's grown...and of course, take more pictures.

Until then, God's richest blessing on you, dear friends!