the c family | sneak peek

While they were down for Thanksgiving, our cousin’s family asked if we could have a little photoshoot. I, of course, leapt at the chance. The opportunity to spend some quality one-on-one time with some of our favorite people was a delicious thought. The chance to capture their lovely faces and charming love was just an additional benefit.

This family had already made our Thanksgiving weekend a memorable one – one that we will always cherish. This afternoon proved to be no different – so grand, so fun. Brian and Ammon tagged along – and I was grateful for their help, as always. We always knew that this outing would be a bit of a feat – three children under the age of three in abnormal, unpredictable Alabama weather always seems to make for an exuberant time. The thrill-seeker in me jumps at these chances. And its days like that one that make me grateful for that character flaw.

So thankful are we, for the time we spend with these folks. How lucky we are to call them family. My, but do we ever wish we lived closer to one another – or at least got to see each other more often. There’s very little that we want more, than for this second generation of cousins to grow up and play and bond and scheme together like the first one did. It warmed our hearts to see the beginning of it that weekend. And ... we're selfish enough to admit that we want that first generation of cousins to continue to grow up and play and bond and scheme together. But – while the future deems uncertain and we don’t know what lies ahead – one thing remains clear. We love our family. We cherish these moments. We live for our visits with one another. And we treasure the knowledge that forever is within our grasp. How great is our prize – joy will be our reward.

Grateful for Jacob. And the bond he shares with Brian. For the service he has rendered to our blessed country, and for his safe returns. Despite his support of Brian’s I-Want-a-Beard campaign and his attempts to sway me: I love him, anyway. And am thankful to know him.

Grateful for Laci. And the friendship she offers me. For the wonderful mother that she is. For her strength, and for her opinion. Thankful that she married Jacob and is now a fixture in our family? Yes. Yes, very much.

Grateful for Jade. And the sweetness that oozes from her every pore. Grateful for Gabriel. And the sweet spirit that we now know because of his presence.

Thankful for them. And the love that we share.

Truth. When we number our blessings – we count them twice. Well … a few times.

Enjoy.