Two Less Lonely People in the World.

Life is full of unexpected surprises and events that we sometimes face alone. Other times, if we're lucky enough, we find someone willing to share those unexpected moments with us. My niece Klarissa has found that someone in T.J. They're expecting their first child together and will soon be up to their ears in dirty diapers. I'm confident that they're well equipped to handle the pressures that come with being new parents (dirty diapers and all) because they have each other. Best of luck to you both. I love you guys!

To A Child

Do you know who you are,

little child of mine?

So precious and dear to me.

Do you know you're a part of a great design,

that is vast as eternity?

Can you think for a moment how much depends,

on your holding the iron rod?

Your life is forever.

Whirls without end.

Do you know you're a child of God?

Do you know where you've been little child of mine?

It is hard to recall I know

Do you ever remember that home divine,

with a Father who loves you so?

Can you sometimes review how he took your hand,

and placed it within my own?

Saying: "Here is a child from angel land, not a gift but a precious loan."

Do you know where you're going child of mine?

Are your eyes on the road ahead?

Do the spires of his castle gleam and shine,

where the sun grows golden red?

Are you taking enough for your journey child?

Does your lamp cast a steady glow?

Can you hold your course,

when the storm is wild?

You will make it my child I know.

(“To a Child,” by Ora Pate Stewart, [Provo, UT: Fernwood, 1964])

It's strange but the only time I sang this song as a lullaby to my kids was when my oldest daughter Lisi was born 19 years ago and then again when my second daughter was born six years later. I sang different lullabies to my boys and never really gave it much thought until I was writing this post. I don't know if there's any significant meaning for that happening but I do know that it wasn't until I became a mother (and now a grandmother) that the words of this song (a song I also sang for years with my sisters) had such a profound meaning to me.

I am aware of who I am, where I came from, why I'm here and where I'm going. I am grateful for this knowledge and can only hope I am doing my best to instill that belief in my children(and now grandchildren)

I hope my precious granddaughter Kelis will come to know who she is and how much she is loved.

Blue-eyed Beauty

Remember my niece Loriann and her husband Si'u? This blue-eyed beauty is their precious baby boy. I got to meet him for the first time today and he is just as gorgeous in person as he is in his pictures. This shoot was all him. I didn't have to do much. I mean just look at those eyes! Gorgeous I tell you...and precious don't you think? I am looking forward to more shoots with you in the future baby Dice. Aunty loves you! (still trying to workout a proper border and watermark - so please excuse the indecisivenesss w/that)