I thought the day would never come…. But it did. My parents finally let me take their pictures for real! For a while there all I would get from them is dirty looks and excuses like “I look like an old lady!” and “It’s Sunday.” Well, they caved… and asked me to take some portraits of them to celebrate their 30th birthdays. (That’s not really how old they are, but I think it wise to pretend they’re younger…. for my own protection ) They chose my dad’s favorite place on earth, Laguna Beach, to take them… Here’s my favorites from they evening…

This one was my absolute favorite…. I love their smiles.

This was their absolute favorite…. because you couldn’t see their faces.

They thought they were soooo funny…. too bad they didn’t notice all the tourists looking at them funny…

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thanks for being so supportive and generous people. Thanks for loving me and Melissa the way you do. I hope one day you’ll love these pictures as much as I do…. and, despite what you think, they don’t make you look old.

Love,

Kate

Lately I’ve been pounded with the word “gratitude.” Not in the “you should be more grateful” kind of way, but in the still small voice that says, ” I love you; you’re my desire.” Living in a part of the world that screams “I want more” in every aspect of its lifestyle, it’s really difficult centering yourself on a different road than the one most traveled. But gratitude is worth the fight, I think…. and it’s only in that thankfulness and willingness to have a loose grip on the things I’ve been given that I find the peace and fullness I need. In the past few weeks my eyes have been opened to how He loves me… and in seeing his blessings unfold before me, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly grateful. Those blessings have taken the form of some roses Chris picked and surprised me with in the middle of his work day, some Tulips that were given to him randomly… which he, in turn, gave to me. It’s also taken the form of abnormally spectacular Socal sunsets this January, and even in the “cozy hot chocolate and blankets while it’s pouring outside” kind of weather we’ve been having here the past week. They haven’t been monetary things, they’ve been simply beautiful…. it’s the simple things that get me sometimes. Just wanted to share my thoughts…

Here’s a sneak peek at a mini shoot I did for my parents recently in Laguna….