Reminiscing:: Narvon, PA

Some of my most fond memories of childhood are our trips to Lancaster, PA area. My grandparents lived in Narvon, PA - completely surrounded by farmland. The 'A' in the middle of the image below is the street they lived on.

(screenshot from Google Maps of the street my grandparents lived on)

The back of their house butted up against a field. I can remember so many times when my cousins, siblings, and I would play outside, collecting crabapples in the oddly shaped wheelbarrow my grandpa had. I vividly remember picking up past-their-prime corn, and plucking the hardened cornels off to leave for the deer that might come by.

We also often played in my grandparents basement. It was always warm down there, as the woodstove was kept there. My grandpa collected clocks, so one entire room was dedicated to all his clocks. Many cookoo clocks were kept there, and he constantly was tending to them - winding them and making sure they were all running properly. But the basement had this white cabinet, and the kids' toys were all kept inside. There were pick-up sticks, a truck with a wagon, farm animals, and the like. Each toy is imprinted into my mind.

We also enjoyed many meals around the table. My grandparents table could (at its smallest) fit 6 people. With leaves inserted, it could fit upwards of 15. My grandparents were both great cooks; I often remember walking in and smelling something cooking. If it weren't a meat being prepared, it was chicken corn soup, a homemade pie, or a medley of spices for some dish they were whipping up. They always had snacks too - ice cream wedges in the freezer, those sugar wafers (white, chocolate, and strawberry) with the cream inside, or glazed cookies in a cookie jar!

And we often had sleepovers too. I can remember going in each room, thinking it was such a big house. The 'office' had a rolltop desk, where I got my love for desks of that kind. One Christmas I got my very own rolltop desk, and still to this day, it's in my parents basement. The bed in the room I often slept in had a shelf above the headboard. It had pegs on it, and I know this is where they say my pacifiers were kept. I used a pacifier all the time. It also was the 'home' for my little red baseball cap that I wore all the time.

The living room was a bit formal. I don't remember sitting in it too often, as we always went downstairs for playing. But there was always so much warmth in the house. We knew when we went that we'd be fed well, entertained well, and loved on well. There are times I wish I could go back to that house - smell those familiar smells, play with the toys, hear all those clocks ticking, and enjoy childhood all over again. But I am thankful for so many wonderful memories that were made in their home. And I'm thankful for wonderful grandparents who raised my dad and his brothers with a love that is rare these days. Their marriage of nearly 70 years speaks volumes of the kind of people they were. 

Family truly is one of God's greatest blessings.

Sisters:: Lancaster, PA

Two months ago, my grandpa passed away. Just two short months later my grandma followed. They were married for 69 years. She wanted to be with her husband, and her Jesus. While we are joyful they have met their Maker, of course we grieved, especially since their passing occurred within months of each other.

When we had my grandpa's funeral in January, my grandma's two sisters - who also live at the home where they were - came to the viewing. Anna Mae is 96 and Mary is 94. My grandma was 92 and my grandpa 90. Anna Mae and Mary like to share that I am named for their mother Sarah. Neither Anna Mae nor Mary ever married, and for years upon arriving at Landis Homes, they shared a cottage together. Because of their various health needs, they no longer share space, but live in different parts of the home.

When they came to my grandma's viewing, they shared with me some of their story. They talked about their world travels when they were younger, about their family and where they grew up (in total, there were nine children, four of whom are still living). Their recollection of moments in time is tack sharp. They remember people's birthdays and where they were in a given year of history. What a rarity to be 94 and 96, still walking and with a mental capacity such as they; they are true sweethearts! And what fun to live life with your sister by your side for so many years.

They were able to go to the graveside service for grandma, and while seated, Mary grabbed onto my hands, wrapping them around her neck. What a sweet reminder of the fragility of life, and the blessing that these women are. I don't know either of them very well. I remember them from family reunions and some visits while seeing grandma and grandpa at the home, but they have a very special place in my heart. I remember attending their mother's funeral (I must have been no older than five) and they gave me a pink stuffed animal.

It was so wonderful getting to see Anna Mae and Mary. I asked them if I could take their pictures. I love their simplicity. I love their cute grins and their kisses. I love looking at their aged hands and for the memories that they have stored within their heads.

Anna Mae

Mary

sisters

Burkholder:: Lancaster County, PA family session

I love when friends and family of my clients contact me to do sessions. Jacqueline and I talked on the phone back in November, and she inquired about getting a gift certificate for her in-laws for the holidays. Since Jacqueline and her husband Matt live in Indiana, they mentioned we'd likely do the session in the spring, but we set no timeframe. When Jacqueline wrote and said they'd be in town in March, it happened to coincide perfectly with my cousin's wedding. We planned the session for hours before the wedding, and picked a historic location in Lancaster County - Pool Forge.

But the day before the session, we realized the weather was looking quite terrible. It was going to be cold and rainy/sleety. Thankfully we were able to push the session to the following day, and while it was chilly, it was a gorgeous, sunny Sunday!

It was wonderful to meet the Burkholders. They braved the cold and had an ease about them that made me feel as though I had known them for years. Thanks to all of you for allowing me to spend some time with you.

To see more photos, head here.

Maurer:: Leola, PA family session

My cousin recommended me to a friend of hers in PA. I was able to photograph their family before Christmas, and with so much going on, I'm just now getting to blog their session.

It's always a bit nerve-wracking when there are 'new' kids involved. While I feel like I am well liked by most littles, there's always this element of the unknown. As soon as I got the Maurer's house, the two older girls greeted me with smiles and had on the cutest outfits. I asked them some questions about their little sister, who had just been born a few weeks prior to our session. I knew immediately these little girls would be easy to photograph. While it was a cold day, it was nice enough to head outside to get some pictures. When I asked the girls to smile, immediately they smiled and were little pleasures in front of the camera....gotta love when your job seems easy!

Maurers, thanks for allowing me to come into your home and photograph your family. I'm also thankful for the conversation we were able to have and to watch the girls play while we talked.

90 years young

Today is my grandpa's 90th birthday.

I feel like it's more rare these days for people to live till their 90th....and I am grateful for his life.

Yesterday he had cataract surgery; the doc said his eye was one of the worst he's seen. But when my grandpa realized some sight was restored, he looked at my dad and said "I can see your face, Kenny...and I can see the exit sign." To think of my grandpa saying those things - the way the words were uttered - makes me thankful to have a grandpa like him.

I am thankful today for the man my grandpa is...for the marriage he has and the love that is shown in the care he has for my grandma. I am thankful for the four boys they raised, and for the sense of family that there is, even though they don't get to see each often. I'm reminded of the many holidays spent at my grandparents house and for the sweet memories that we have of time as a family. While my grandparents weren't the type to talk about sports or the latest fashion trend, or movies in the theaters, they showed me their love by the other ways that showed their care for me - asking about my job, my living situation, or praying for me. Those intangible things carry a far greater value.

Happy 90th birthday grandpa!

Cuteness Overload....

To some, taking pictures of a lot of children can be very overwhelming, but to me, it's pure joy!!
I had the opportunity to get together with a number of my family members to take engagement pics, kids pics, family pics, and lots of little things in between.

A big ol' blog post will be coming soon...for now, this is one of my favs from the day....such sweetness and I just adore that flower.

Heritage

I feel incredibly blessed to grow up knowing both sets of my grandparents. I even had the opportunity to know my maternal great-grandparents throughout my childhood, and have fond memories of times at their house. I also met my paternal great-grandparents, but I was so young, I don't remember much.

I was named after my paternal great-grandmother, and consider it a privilege to be named for someone who raised such wonderful children. I am - without a doubt - a product of my parents, and it's neat to see the characteristics that are carried down throughout the generations.

My dad's parents live in a retirement community in Lancaster County, PA. They have lived there for a number of years, so many of my adult memories are of times spent in the apartment they've lived in for over 10 years. Just recently, they moved into another part of the facility. As they age, they've realized the need for further care, care they just can't provide for themselves.

There is still something so very sweet about them. While they don't show each other much physical affection, the love that they have for each other overwhelms me. My grandpa cares for my grandma with such ferocity. Equally there is this incredible tenderness with with he tends to her needs. But lately, his eyes have been causing him issues and he is nearly blind in both eyes. So he hasn't been able to do the things he once did.

A few weeks ago, I went to visit them with my cousins. It was the first time I saw their new place. It's smaller but still great for them. They are on the first floor now (previously they had a second floor apartment), and so my grandma was telling me about the ducklings that were frequently outside their bay window. And sure enough, while we were there, they came (about 10 of them) to get water out of this tiny water basin.

I asked them if I could take a picture of them. When I sat them together, my grandma was in her recliner and my grandpa sat stiffly in a folding chair next to her. They are both very stoic. So I thought to capture individual shots of both of them. As I focused on my grandpa, I treated him as though he were a kid in front of my lens, and said, "SMILE, grandpa!" and gave his knee a little squeeze. He smiled SO big...a genuine smile I've not seen in awhile. And then I told my grandma to smile and - well - you see the result below.  I know there is a glare from her glasses, but I really like her expression. She is going to be 92 this August...unbelievable! And on Tuesday, June 5, they will celebrate sixty-nine years of marriage.

This, my friends, is a picture of my grandparents. I am so happy to be part of their family, and grateful for the support they've offered. While I don't get to see them very often, I know they love hearing about my goings-on and regularly pray for me. What a joy to have grandparents who may not show you the outward affection, but passionately love you on the inside.