She’s The Sweetest

A couple of posts back I shared about having the amazing privilege of photographing the birth of my niece’s daughter. And while I haven’t been able to attend the arrival of my other niece’s two sons I have had the great joy of doing their newborn pictures. So I’m really happy that tradition is being carried on with Miss Kya’s sweet self.

She is absolutely adorable and we spent a lovely morning together last week taking pictures. Because her mama is who she is and my niece’s mama is who she is the child is not lacking in cute outfits and head bling to wear.

But her Daddy gets all the credit for picking out the most adorable coming home from the hospital outfit. He found it and ordered it online as a surprise for my niece.

See what I mean? Worth the wait all sparkly and then those leg warmers! But then we have this on so fancy head piece.

The sweet little baby was a trooper during her pictures. She was awake a little bit but when her mama got her to settle and go to sleep she was out and let us move her all around without a whimper.

And how perfect is this bridge? My mother-in-law just got it as a sweet birthday present for my daughter. It made the most phenomenal prop and I am already plotting and planning how to use it again.

Looking at these and I just can’t wait to love on her some more. She is so precious and we thank God for her life.

Welcome to the world little one! You are so loved.

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Pinterest Test Kitchen #97 ~ Banana Pudding Cupcakes

A while back I hosted a baby shower for my niece who loves banana pudding. Because I am all about the presentation I just did not want to put a bowl full of banana pudding on the pretty dessert table and I did not want to do individual cups either for some reason that I no longer remember. I’m sure it was a good one though.

Because Pinterest is magic it didn’t take long for me to discover banana pudding cupcakes and they were a hit at the shower! I’ve made them twice now and tweaked the recipe a little the second go round and probably have one more adjustment that I’ll make the next time I make them.

The first time I followed the recipe exactly with the exception of using banana flavored pudding. (I totally got suckered by the Minion packaging.) I wasn’t a huge fan of the cupcake itself so the next time I made them I used this recipe for the cupcake and added mashed bananas to the batter. And while no one complained of the pudding I found it to be too thick so I will probably change it to just regular banana cream pudding and not make it with the sweetened condensed milk next time.

What you’ll need:

12 to 15 cupcakes 

1 box instant vanilla pudding (or banana cream), prepared

Nilla wafers, about 1/3 cup crushed and 12 to 15 whole ones for garnish

Cool whip

What you’ll do:

Hollow out a portion of each cupcake being sure not to go all the way to the bottom.

Sprinkle the Nilla wafer crumbs into each cupcake.

Spoon the pudding into the holes with enough extra to do a layer of pudding across the top of the cupcake.

Ice the cupcakes with the cool whip.

Garnish with the Nilla wafer.

Enjoy!

The Way She Studies

Working Through Romans

At the beginning of this year I was able to get involved in Bible Study Fellowship and study the book of John. I loved the experience and got a lot out of the study even though I was coming in halfway. This month I am excited to be starting at the beginning as we go through the book of Romans, one of my favorite books in the Bible. I sort of got into the habit of sharing bits and pieces here on the blog from the John study and that is probably going to happen again with Romans.

The same day BSF started up I also began a ladies Bible reading challenge with sisters in Christ literally from all over the world. We’re following a reading plan to read through the entire Bible in nine months. (It’s not too late to take part so let me know if you’d like more information on this! There is a facebook group with all kinds of fellowship and resources.)

Yesterday morning I had an interesting overlap between the day’s readings and the extra reading of Romans I am doing. The Old Testament Bible reading covered Genesis 12-15 and then in my reading of Romans I was in chapter 4 both of which coincidentally covers Abraham.

It was interesting to hear the story of Abram in those OT chapters and then to read Paul’s description of Abram’s faith. If you only read Paul’s account you would never think that Abram ever questioned God. But in the Genesis account it’s almost as if he whined to God about the lack of fulfillment of the promised heir.

What struck me is that Abram’s questioning of God and His timetable was not considered a lack of faith in Abraham. It’s more like God recognized the limits of Abraham’s understanding. Paul goes on to say that, “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.”

It’s comforting to know that while I may lack full understanding in all that God is doing I can continue in faith, giving Him glory, convinced that He will indeed do all that He promises.

As I added the link in for BSF I realized that not only am I reading Scripture with women from all over the world with the challenge but I am also studying Romans with women all over the world. How amazing that I am reading His words and learning His truths with people I have never met but will one day share eternity with.

Sisters

My niece had a baby last week and I had the great joy of being there to photograph it. She wasn’t the first of my nieces to give birth but she was the first that I was able to be present with for a long day of labor and delivery.

Birth photography is new to me but I am so loving it. There is something so amazing about witnessing a birth but it’s also about capturing those beautiful moments between family and friends as they wait together and then celebrate the little one’s arrival. It takes on a whole new meaning when it’s my family though.

When I saw this interaction between my sister and niece I was quick to focus in and catch it with my camera. But it wasn’t until I got home and uploaded the images that I really saw what I had. It literally took my breath away. Because I saw my sister.

The sister who locked me and our little sister out of the house so she and the other older sister could do chores and make peanut butter balls.

It was the face of the sister who played school with us and taught me how to make these little Valentine people from paper hearts with accordion arms and legs.

The one who burnt the pork chops because she liked them crispy.

I saw the same love in that photograph that I remembered from the day she came to check me out of school when my grandfather passed away. She had my future brother-in-law pull the car over and then let me sit in her lap all the way home.

Most of those memories, and thousands like them tucked into my heart and mind, are of my sisters. Rarely are they of just one of them…they’re of all three of them.  Even now they play such a role in my life and the lives of my children. Being at volleyball games, texting conversations during America’s Got Talent with their nephew, texts and messages of sweet encouragement and funny stuff. Phone calls and prayers. No matter what they are right there whenever I need them.

I don’t have any brothers so I don’t know what that’s like. Maybe it’s the same. But what I do know is that my sisters, having sisters…being a sister, makes me the mom I am in way that I can’t really explain but just is.

I can’t imagine doing life without them.

Photo Credit Cindy Kay Photography

 Because of you, 

I laugh a little harder, 

cry a little less, 

and smile a lot more.