{This is Our Life} 38.52 {Sunshine}

changing leaves in the sunshine...happy fall

A new smile for Isabelle!

Isabelle got her expander and her braces off Monday!  She will wear a clear retainer for now and she is all about eating popcorn and candy again.

Anderson orchard

On Sunday the girls and I met our friends after church at Anderson Orchard in Mooresville.  It was such a beautiful and sunny day and the girls enjoyed seeing the Sofianos' kiddos, picking apples, playing on the hay bails and swing sets, eating caramel apples and drinking cider slushies.  Juliette and Cassie were our expert apple pickers each filling a bag of their own.  :)

{This is Our Life} 37.52 {Fear}

So many fears fill my heart and lurk in the shadows of my soul and I am afraid of saying them out loud, scared that they might come true.  We try to shelter our children from so much and yet we can't always make their own troubles go away, nor should we.  I feel that in order for us to appreciate what happiness truly is that we also need to understand and experience loss and fear.  

I asked of each of my daughters what "fears" they had and one that resonated was that they were afraid of being alone or not being able to "find" me.  

My girls, 

I love you so beyond what words can possibly express.

I am always always here for you...if not right next to you while you play, laugh and embrace your childhood...then you will find me deep in your heart...

and of course I will be writing your story and capturing it through a lens so I can savor those sweet moments of innocence forever in a photograph...

{This is Our Life} 36.52 {Time}

Isabelle and Allie are the 5th generation to play on the Gulbransen upright piano.  Great Grandma Trafton told us about the story about her mother buying the piano before the Great Depression and how she pooled the money of hers, her brother and to buy this.  She did this right before the market crashed. Grandma told us how she used to lay on the cot next to her mother while she played and how much she loved it (this was before radios and TVs) and what a great musician she was.  Great Grandma Trafton didn't play but Grandma Miller did.  Grandpa brought the piano to Indiana in November and we took it to get a sympathetic refurbishment from Piano Solutions.  The girls have been taking lessons since late spring and really enjoy it.  

{This Is Our Life} 35.52 {Fashion}

 Allie and that adorable, spunky personality of hers...you can't help but smile!  

There is absolutely no shortage of many forms of "dress up" in this household.  From accessories to make-up and high heels to sticker earrings, the girls love it all.  Isabelle and Allie are very tame on their daily outfits, but Juliette (from her 12 or so daily clothing changes) comes downstairs with some doozies!  

Happy birthday Grandma!

 The great grandchildren

We all surprised Grandma with being able to celebrate an early birthday over Labor Day weekend.  I love talking and spending time with her.  She has so many amazing stories to tell.