Trains, trains, trains.... and the one named Edward.

If it takes me another week to finish writing this journal entry, then so be it! I have started this entry in my mind for several days now and tried to open a new journal entry page but every time I try a little boy grabs my attention and says, 'Auntie, do you want to.....? Can we please...? Will you look at this? Oh and by the way auntie, I reallllly love you.'

I can hardly believe that I am with Jaxon.

We talk about trains a lot. Thomas, Henry, Molly, Harold (who is not a train but is Henry's friend), Stanley, Skarlowey, Peter Sam and the list goes on! The latest one he wants is Edward. Right now the obsession is with Edward. And after Edward? He wants Emily. I ask Jaxon, 'Then who do you want after Emily?' He responds frankly, 'Well, actually Auntie, I want them all.' I can understand his need for all of them. You see, Jaxon has memorized the animated Thomas series and I have watched him carefully organize the trains along the track. Then, like a director, he then starts a scene from the show. Word-for-word he recites the scene using phrases such as 'golly fellow' and 'thank you sir, you are so kind' and if one of the characters is not there to say his/her line, it's just not the same.

This is serious business. We must get Edward! Then Emily then Cranky the Crane then....


You would talk about trains all day long if this face looked at you like this!!


Sweet boy.
Jaxon took this one of me.(His composition is quite remarkable, if you ask me!)

Since I am very much a workaholic, it's been a hard task for me to just take time out for myself. I am 'on vacation' but still trying to stay on top of emails and phone calls as much as I can. Then when I look back on the images in this blog my heart cries out with the proof of why sometimes we all simply need to take signs seriously.

I may have missed a lovely moment such as this.

Oregon is gorgeous! The leaves are a kaleidoscope of colors and my late night walk last night provided me with a light fog, a warm pumpkin latte and the feeling of a peaceful love in my heart that words just cannot express.

Jaxon. Pure joy.

My brother and sister-in-law have made the decision to move to Oregon. With them they will take one of our family's greatest blessings: Jaxon. Both sides of our families can talk about Jaxon for hours- and do!!! He lights up ALL of our lives by just being himself. He is creative and sees life in such a pure way.... it's magical. I feel so blessed that during his last couple of days (before starting his journey west) he spent a night at my house. Today after running at the park, chasing a make believe squirrel and laughing so much we got tears in our eyes Jaxon had a very long nap. He woke from his nap and came running down my hallway with great urgency in his voice:

'Auntie, come HERE!'

I jumped up and quickly followed in the direction of his voice, 'what is it Jaxon??'

'Hurry, I have to show you something.'

He led me to the door and pointed upwards. 'Look, look at that sunset.'

'WOW....' I smiled and carried him outside. As we watched he sky he slowly shook his head, 'I just can't believe it.....'

'What can't you believe?'

'This sunset.... it's beautiful.'

I agreed, 'Yes, it is. Thank you for sharing.'

My time spent with Jaxon was like the sunset that he shared with me. Just beautiful. Today, I am not sad about what I'm losing.... I am happy and thankful for everything that we shared. Keep looking up sweet Jaxon...... Oregon sunsets are waiting for you to arrive.

A tattoo from each grandma. Too cute!

We set the self timer for these. Jaxon pressed the shutter and ran as fast as he could to make it just in time to get in the shots. It was so much fun we couldn't stop laughing!

Then Jaxon expressed his desire to hold (and use) Auntie's very expensive camera. I am still in shock that he captured the following images. These are straight out of the camera without any cropping at all.
If I only had time to tell you what he was saying to make me laugh....

Seriously people, isn't he gorgeous?!?! (And totally going to be my future camera assistant.)

Daniel and Brittany, I wish you safe travels and hopes for a journey that fulfills all of your families dreams. Love, Sarah

Jaxon's surprise lollipop.

My nephew Jaxon LOVES receiving 'surprises'. Almost every time I see him he says with his cheeky little grin, 'Auntie, do youuuu have a surprise for me?' (Which is followed by flirty eyelashes that I would totally do anything for!) And of course even if I don't have something for him I respond with, 'Why, yes I think I do.' Then I frantically search for something, anything to give him. He is content if I just simply say, 'Your surprise is....... a really big HUG!!!' So, I took him a 'real' surprise and I just love his face when he saw what I brought him. Isn't he such a doll?

What a delightful little surprised face.

He just can't wait to hold it!

'Is this for me Auntie??'
I love this one!

Jaxon shared with me, 'I am not an adult yet.... I am a toddler.' He is a heart breaker!!

I adore how he is admiring it before tasting it!

With a face like this it's hard not to give him five hundred lollipops at a time!

I can (and do) talk about Jaxon for hours if you let me! He is so very loved.... and to me, he is perfect. <3>

Happy Easter!

I wish I could say that the tips of my fingers are dyed pink today from coloring eggs yesterday, but they are not. Instead, I decided to work yesterday and I will continue to work today as well. No pity parties here! I have said this many many times to my family, my friends and my customers: I love what I do!! It brings me great joy to document people and their own special love. No family, couple, friend or person is ever the same, everyone bringing something different and unique. I constantly think to myself.... do I really get paid for doing what I love?? I am so thankful for all the people I come in contact with who are truly just themselves.

And because every post must have a photo, here is my nephew Jaxon with his latest quote (if you have seen the movie 'Ratatouille' you will understand why he said what he did:

Jaxon proclaimed, "I'm gonna be a chef when I'm an adult.... I'm just not gonna be a rat though."