My Baby Boy graduated from Pre-School

It was the absolute sweetest thing.  Mrs.Chaunta, Peyton's day care/pre-school teacher, along with her staff had a little graduation celebration for all those kids in his class that were leaving to attend Kindergarten next year.  They made their own graduation caps, got diplomas, had a little "Way To Go Graduates" sign, Grad party supplies, a cookie cake to celebrate, and little gifts.  It was just adorable.  He was over-the-moon excited about it and has talked about it all week.  He was so excited about the hat and was super-protective of it when Jaedyn tried to wear it!  So cute!  Below of a few pictures.  I can't believe he is going to Kindergarten next year.  We have been so blessed that when we changed jobs and schools that God led us to this day care/learning center.  They have treated him so well.  He had such separation anxiety at first but has really come to love the people there and made such great friends.  He loves Mrs. Chaunta and she is so wonderful with the kids.  I could go on and on!  Peyton (and I) will miss that place!
Disclaimer...these pictures have not been edited so they are just "proud mom" pictures not "Jennifer Gauer Photography" quality pictures :)  I wanted to be  in the moment so I wasn't concerned as much about perfection!  :)  Just FYI!
Have a blessed  Memorial Day weekend!

One of my favorite graduates...cap and gown pictures, etc

I had the opportunity to take a few more pictures before this young lady graduates at the end of this week.  She wanted me to do some cap and gown pictures and a few with her A&M attire since that is where she will be attending college - Congrats Reagan!  I love sessions with this family.  So fun and energetic.  Makes me love what I do! 

Okay - so I know there is a lot but I couldn't make up my mind which to share.  So I shared several! 
Have a blessed day!

Today is a wonderful day...my babygirl turns NINE!

Can you believe it?  Jaedyn Hope Gauer was born to my husband and I at 12:06pm on May 21, 2002. What a day.  We had no idea how much that single minute would change our lives.  And that you could that instantly fall in love with anything or anyone.  She was perfect and gave us pure joy from the first moment.  It was a little rough start, as who can really prepare for these things.  There is no way to know or prepare for your first child.  You just have to experience it and to be able to do that with my husband, everything new and exciting, was such an awesome experience.  She has always kept us on our toes and still does but we are SO lucky to have her and to know the joy of a little girl, especially one so grounded and has an extraordinary faith and belief system.  She is amazing.  Definitely a challenge, but one  we are so looking forward to watching as she matures even more and becomes a young lady, who goes to college, and eventually a woman as a wife and mother.  Thank you God for giving us an answered prayer in Jaedyn and thank you for giving us the wisdom and your guidance to be her parents and mold her as you would have us to do.  Children are a blessing from the Lord, in every phase :)
We are having a family hot dog supper and party this evening, so we are looking forward to visiting and relaxing together!  May you all have a blessed day and hug your babies today.  Becoming a mommy has certainly been on my mind today - those first moments of having a dream come true in my first born.  There is NO other feeling like it!
Sharing a few pictures from Jaedyn's first year.  Don't have tons on digital.  I didn't get my first digital camera until she was a few months old and it was VERY pixelated so overlook the graininess and just stare at her darling, pudgy face! 

Sweet Baby Reilly

Let me tell you that newborn photo shoots are some of the hardest shoots to do.  It will wear you out and who knew...but  they are also the  most rewarding when you just get those sweet little babies and their parts at their best.  I worked so hard on this shoot and the editing.  (Also special thanks to my fellow photographer friend Brittney Hejl for the help with editing some of  these too!)  This is only my 3rd newborn shoot  so I was very nervous.  But she was an absolute doll and oh so adorable!  Let me know what you think...

editing, editing, and more editing

Sorry I have neglected the blog for a few days.  I am in the middle of editing and planning a big girl birthday party, along with end of the year festivities and chaos!  :)  Coming up...a sweet sweet newborn, a graduate, and some beautiful families to share with you. 
Have a blessed Sunday! 
Loving this beautiful weather...makes taking pictures even more wonderful! 

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there!

Today was a great day.  I slept a little late (after Peyton woke me up at 6:30 wanting to know if he could watch "kid shows").  I tapped Russell reminding him it was Mother's Day so he could take care of that today :)  Then woke up to get ready for church to my kids and Russell running in tiptoeing with gifts, etc.  He had taken the kids to one of our only stores in town to let them pick out something for me this week.  They both got me a couple of outside decorations for the flower bed.  Each made me a card or drew me a picture and Russell wrote me his annual letter telling me he loved me and a few other things :)  It was so sweet. Then after a short nap we headed to a "new spot" to have a cook-out/picnic at the lake.  Russell had scouted out a shaded private area where the kids could ride their bikes and we could hang out by the water.  Pretty fun.  It was a lot of trouble for him to go to but it was so nice and very much appreciated!  Hope you all had a wonderful blessed Mother's Day.  I just want to take a minute to say thank you to all the women who have helped shape my life from my mom, my stepmom, my mother-in-law, my Granny, my Nannie, my Aunt Shirley, and countless  other women.  Each one of  these ladies has been brought into my life by God for a special purpose and has had a part in making me who I am.  I know I am a work in progress, but I do believe each person we encounter leaves a mark  on us in some way (good or bad) and we may never know the purpose God intended for them to have.  But rest assured it is part of His divine plan. I know that each mother/grandmother figure in my life has taught me something through her example, her wisdom, our long talks, much needed advice, or just plain listening with open ears, and caring with open arms and warm hearts.  So, thank you to all the amazing women in my life!  Take time to thank those in your life.  I know I CERTAINLY don't say it enough! 
This was a picture taken today at the lake before we got all hot and sweaty in the mugginess...

My sweet angels...adorable gifts from above!

My (soon-to-be) nine year old "baby" girl...

Well in a couple of weeks I will be the mother of a 9 yr old.  Wow, I know we all say time flies, but as a mother, I am sure we can all agree that time does not go faster than with our kids.  Since I have little time before her actual birthday to get her portraits taken I went ahead and decided that yesterday was the day.  Gave her lots of warning, gentle coaxing, then resorted to a huge guilt trip, and finally bribery and  we got some shots that I was semi-happy about.  I know I have said before but having a photo shoot of my own children is a serious form of torture and does not ever make me feeling like Mother-of-Year!  But it did go a *little* bit better than I had expected.  Thank goodness we don't have to do that for another year!  :)  So here are a few.  Hope you enjoy!  (sorry, I know there are a lot but  I couldn't decide which ones to put on here)