A Beautiful Mother and a Beautiful Sister

First of all, I want you to know how much I love my family.  If it hasn't been evident up to this point, I'm making it clear now.  I have been blessed with beautiful loving parents who have always supported me in my goals and efforts and have always pushed me to do my best and be the best that I can.  When I told them I wanted to pursue a career in visual arts, they encouraged me.  And even though my father had hopes of me becoming an astronomer or mathematician (my childhood career choices), he has done so much to help me pursue a career in photography.  I'm now in New York with hopes and dreams of becoming a world famous photographer, turning in application after application to studios and magazines. Silence.  Nothing.  I've made phone calls, I've sent emails, I've talked to people, yet everything seems like a dead end.  And despite this halt in my career pursuit, my family stands by me and loves me.  I am nothing without them.  Everything I have learned was taught to me by their example.  They have raised four children and continue to contribute to our lives.  My youngest sister turned nine this week and what a blessing she has been as well.  I look at photographs of my family and think to myself, "Wow.  Why was I so blessed to have all this?" 

My family is again spread across the United States.  My father is in Alabama doing more Army training.  My brother is off to college in Idaho.  My sister is on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Texas.  I'm in New York with my mother and baby sister.  Despite our separations and the distances between us, we have maintained a strong bond.

Here are a few photographs I took this week on Allie's 9th birthday.  Like I said, I have a beautiful family.  I wish I could put up recent photos of every  member of my family.  That won't be possible today.  But when it is, I'll be sure to share them with you, too. 

I hope I'm not coming off as a bit of a bragger.  My intention is not to perceive us as a perfect American family.  We are not.  But my intention is to show you how much I love what I've been given.  I hope you, too, can recognize the goodness in your life and cherish the good qualities of those closest to your heart. 

Nine Year old Allison 

Mother and Daughter 

My mother has no idea that I posted this picture of her.  Let's see how long it takes her to realize what I've done!  Until then...enjoy.  Isn't she beautiful?