I LOVE this family.

They're just fun. 











Mariana and Jack are such good big sibs!


The kids are good looking for a reason...

Eliana is the latest addition to the family.  She's so special... and so beautiful!  What a gift from our gracious God.





There is so much laughter & love in this family... it's a beautiful thing.

This morning I got to eat breakfast with dear friends... and I got to meet a beautiful new baby girl named Finley Grace.

 
Finley's cousin Sarah just happens to be my oldest friend in the world.  We met when we were both Finley's size!  Sarah and her family moved to Maryland when I was little, but we've stayed close throughout our lives.  This coming April, I'll be watching Sarah walk down the aisle as she marries the man of her dreams!  I love growing up.



Finley can look forward to a glorious life of being spoiled rotten by her beautiful Auntie Trina.  I'm pretty sure it's Trina's goal in life to make people feel special and loved... at least that's how she's made me feel my whole life!

Finley's pretty mom, Mandy, is such a bright, warm, and loving person... what an amazing family this baby girl has!





Thanks for the lovely breakfast, girls!  So fun to celebrate a new life while catching up on all of the exciting things going on in our own.

Misha's face is usually drawn into a look of curiosity.  His eyes are focused and his lips are stuck together in front of unclenched teeth.  He looks up and out at the wide-open world, taking things in, processing ideas in his head.  Once he notices you looking at him, he doesn't shy away.  His mouth spreads into a wide, sweet smile and his eyes brighten.  If medicine could harness that smiling face, it would cure every known disease.  To know Misha and to take in his bright spirit is a gift.



I met Misha at Pravda Orphanage when I visited Ukraine this past summer.  He is an orphan - and he is a bright, smart, athletic boy.

I'm so happy to tell you that an amazing couple in my town has decided to host Misha for Christmas this year!  Misha... adorable Misha is going to do something that few Ukrainians get the chance to do: leave Ukraine and travel to another part of the world. 

Not only does he get to come to America for the Christmas season, but Misha also gets to experience something extra-special: he's going to be a part of a family.  He's going to eat home-cooked meals, he's going to be tucked into bed with a kiss each night, he's going to go to Disneyland, he's going to go to the dentist, he's going to get new clothes... and he's going to be loved by two incredible host-parents. 

It makes me smile to even think about what all of this will mean for Misha.  It's going to change his life!

The reason I'm telling you about all of this is not only so that you can get excited for Misha and for this family... but also so that you can get involved.  The trip is costly for the host-parents... and it's not only the plane ticket.  It's all of the extra things they want to do for Misha -- Disneyland, clothes, medical and dental attention, etc. 

I'm excited to get involved and help in any way I can - and I invite you to join me!  If you know a Doctor or a Dentist who would be willing to donate their time and skill to see Misha... If you have gift cards to a clothing store where Misha could get new clothes and shoes... If you want to remember to pray for Misha while he's here - that he would have the experience of a lifetime... If you'd like to give financially to help with the costs that the newly-wed host couple are going to be facing... it would all be a blessing. 

If you would like to be a part of this special time for Misha in any way, you can email me at kathrynvphotography@gmail.com.  If you would like to give a financial gift or learn more about Misha's visit, you can go here.

Let's all be a part of making Misha's visit special.  Let's bless him!



James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

It's an exciting time to be Carter Strange... for at least three reasons.

1.  He's celebrating his very first birthday!  And his parents are throwing him a super-cool party that involves a cake that looks like a monkey (made by his Auntie Mal)... I'll admit it, I'm jealous.

2.  He's got a very handsome and charming older brother to look up to. 

3.  He's going to be a big brother in 2010! 

Yeah, I'd say life is good for this little guy.


Please look at this smile.  That's joy right there.



Mmm... eyes!

Brothers.



This shoot was all about Carter turning one... but of course we couldn't leave big brother Jackson out of the fun.  When you're this well dressed, you need to be photographed.




Happy Birthday, Carter!  It makes me smile to see the blessings God is pouring into your life... right from the start!

My dear friends Mark & Margo welcomed baby Juliet into the world -- while I was on the other side of it.  Since returning from Europe, I've been so excited to meet her!  This past Sunday, my wish came true. 

Juliet is a beautiful baby! Her big blue eyes steal the show.


Looking forward to seeing those pretty blue eyes again soon...

Congratulations and so much love to your growing family, Mark & Margo.