Double the Sweetness + One {Shenandoah Valley Photographer}

This family photo session was one of the most fun mornings I have had in ages :-) Beautiful 10 month old twin girls and their four year old big brother are keeping these parents hopping! It was definitely a bit of work for us grown-ups, but I really love the images we captured. The girls are just adorable with their blue eyes, blond curls & chubby rolls. While they aren't quite walking yet, they are most assuredly on the move! Their mom, Amy & my assistant Caitlin were doing some serious aerobic activity helping me move the girls back into position for some of the photos. Their dad, Tony, did an awesome job getting smiles and giggles with lots of silly faces & antics. Their equally cute brother {A} was excited to share his new hermit crab with me and show us all his cool toys. I especially enjoyed photographing him down by the river near his house. Here's a quick sneak peek of a few of the images from the session. Amy, I was so excited to find someone who loves black & white photography as much as I do. I converted a number of images, and even textured the one below. It gives it an "vintage" look...but decided to hand paint Crabby back in just for fun :-) Cait & I had a great time with your family - you all seriously ROCK!

World Down Syndrome Day

My face maybe different

But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry

And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you

To teach you love

As God in the heavens

Looks down from above

To Him I'm no different

His loves knows no bounds

It's cities and towns

That judge me by standards

That man has imparted

But this family I've chosen

Will help me get started

For I'm one of the special children

So special and few

That came here to learn

The same lessons as you

That love is acceptance

It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose

Though not all the same start

The Lord gave me life

To live and embrace

And I'll do it as you

But at my own pace.

~author unknown

Parenting children is a tough job and some weeks are tougher than others. Our son, Gabe, entered high school this year and he is still trying to figure out this brave new world. It is never easy to make big changes and when you are someone who depends on routines to feel safe, big changes are just plain scary. New turf + new kids + new teachers + new rules = stress! Although we have worked to help Gabe with this transition and have high expectations of him & for him, this year has proven more difficult than we would have imagined. But what he has taught me this year is this: Gabe will always look for the fun, Gabe will always embrace his peers (sometimes quite literally if they happen to be female & cute), and Gabe will always, always challenge authority. What I learned most was that having Down Syndrome doesn't make you less of a teenager...it puts you right in the middle of the pack :-) So, today on World Down Syndrome Day I salute Gabriel...and all the others with that extra sprinkle of chromosomes! Thank you for making our world so bright & shiny! Now, let's go break out some ketchup sandwiches and root beer!

If you have ever considered adopting a child with Down Syndrome, please check out this website: Reece's Rainbow - they help find families for children with Down Syndrome from all over the world.