161 - Chains of Hope

A few months ago, Esperanza Health Center was awarded a $6.5 million grant to build a new health and wellness facility. Esperanza is a health clinic located in North Philly (about 10 minutes from our house) that provides health care to the Latino and under-served populations of Philadelphia. Many of the doctors, nurses, counselors, and other employees are members of our parent church (and our church plant, too), and we are all pretty darn excited because the new center is being built across from our (old) church! It's also only 4.5 blocks from our house, and is being built on the site of a long-abandoned warehouse -- great neighborhood beautification!

In Esperanza's words:

When this new facility is completed, it will provide primary health and support services, including new services such as nutrition and fitness classes, a fitness facility, and health education and outreach activities to nearly 7,000 additional patients.

They do such great work and serve a huge need in our neighborhood and community at large. I'm so excited for the facility to open. =) In the meantime, some photos through the chains...

 

P.S. 'Esperanza' is the Spanish word for 'hope'.

160 - Upwards

As I get back into things, I'll be posting photos from the past few months, largely in the order they were taken. 

However, this one is out of order because it seems to be what my life is right now: many paths, many options, many opportunities to pursue. There might be detours, but they still all move higher and higher as you press on, moving closer and closer to the goal.

A New Beginning

Well, folks, I'm back... once again. =)

A lot of things have happened in my absence... the biggest one being that I quit my job! Yes, you read that correctly: we're in a recession and I quit my job. It's kind of a terrifying thought in many ways, yet I know it was absolutely the right thing to do. 

While I don't have as much life experience as many others who have more, um, "wisdom" as we call it in our family (yes, years), or people who have kids, or those who have gone through layoffs, or other things like that, I do believe I've gone through enough life to realize that there are a few times in your life when you're faced with major decisions that will literally change the trajectory of your life and story. 

A few of my recent story-changing decisions include accepting a teaching position in inner-city Philadelphia with Teach For America in 2006, and saying yes to my ridiculously tall (and skinny) Asian man on August 10, 2008. Now, I'm adding to that mix quitting my job in 2010. 

So why is this such a big deal? I mean, it's "just" about money, isn't it? Not exactly. In a few words, it's simply that I'm saying yes to myself. I'm saying yes to following my dreams; I'm saying yes to letting myself be happy; I'm saying yes to allowing myself to nurture myself as an artist. I'm simply saying yes to things that up until now I've said no to for the sake of being responsible. 

I realize that's a pretty privileged thing to be able to say. Believe me, I absolutely recognize that it is! But after many long months of conversation with Josh, along with lots of prayer, fretting, tears, soul-searching, reflection, and advice from family and friends.... I came to the conclusion that if I wasn't in an "emergency" situation (i.e. one where using some of our savings was an acceptable thing to do), I didn't know when a situation would ever come along. It wasn't a time where Josh and I had physical needs to take care of (mortgage, bills, etc).... but it was a time of desperate emotional and spiritual need. I don't want to live my life with regrets, and trust me, having my spiritual life, my marriage, and my happiness suffer would be things I don't know if I could forgive myself for.

So... I quit. And this past month has been a time of figuring out what exactly that means... but also just a time of stepping back, stepping out, and giving myself room to breathe and recover. And slowly, I'm starting to step back in. 

I know I've been gone for a very long time, but don't be fooled -- I haven't stopped taking photos. I'm still committed to a photo a day; I've just been horrible at posting them. =) However, it's time to step back into this place, and I'm excited to do so.

I'll also have some exciting news to update you on over the next few weeks/months... such as a very important piece of mail I should be receiving this week or next from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. =)

One last thing: I'm really glad you're all along with me on the journey.

159 - Caption Contest

Newborns amaze me. If you're around me when I'm around a newborn, chances are I'll be doing the following three things:

1. Holding the baby (for hours, if you let me)
2. Staring at the child with my mouth half open, smiling, my eyes happily lit up
3. Saying something along the lines of, "I just can't believe it! He's such a real little person!"

I've done more than my fair share of babysitting in life (I started at age 10), yet I just don't think I'll ever get over the awe of a newborn. It really is incredible to me to witness those new little people. From their tiny little fingers and toes, to the first time you see them open their eyes, to the way they identify Mom so easily, to how they find a way communicate when they need something... it's simply breathtaking to watch the smallest people you know live their lives.

One thing I especially love are the variety of faces these little people can make. Jack made my day with some of his expressions, and I thought I'd share a few outtakes with you. (And tell me if you can't already imagine him as the "grumpy" old grampa everyone loves!)

However, I'm gonna shake things up a bit: YOU get to write the captions! Over the next week, leave your caption(s) for the photos in the comments section (at the end of this post), then I'll update this post with the ones I find most entertaining. I know, not the most amazing prize, but hey, nobody can argue about the cuteness of the subject. =)

UPDATE: The caption winners are listed below! 

"Did I look like I wanted to be woken up? No, I didn't."  (from Jacob)

"Mmm, let me give that one some thought..." (from Barb)

"Ommmm, Ommmm... I'm practicing yoga... Ommmm, Omm...zzz zzz zzz..." (from Jacob)

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm a Michigan State fan, not a U of Michigan fan! Please don't insult me again!" (from... myself... because it's so true in this family!)

158 - Roscoe

Even though Jack is Kristin and Dave's first son.... he already has a big brother. Meet Roscoe:

While Roscoe wasn't around for too many of the photos, we did catch him a little at the beginning. He's a pretty darn protective big brother, after all, and had to make sure everything was okay with Jack. Cute family, huh?

157 - Love's Hands

Little Jack does a fantastic job of being just plain adorable all by himself. However, I think when you witness the total love and adoration that Kristin and Dave have for him, and the incredible tenderness with which they care for him, what you see crosses the line from adorable into absolutely precious. There's just nothing like being in the hands of Mom & Dad...

156 - Little Jack

Oooooh! I'm so excited to share these photos with you! 

I know I'm super behind on posting things -- I tried to take photos to Seattle with me to edit, and let's just say, I had some issues. So, no work got done in the month of August. However! I'm back now, and I'm so delighted (truly) to share these images of sweet baby Jack. 

Jack is the son (and firstborn) of my dear friend, Kristin. In her previous (maiden) life, Kristin was known as Ms. Cain and taught down the hall from me during our Teach For America years. She taught 3rd, I taught 2nd, and we shared many laughs, tears, frustrations, and joys during those first years of teaching. I'm not sure I would have survived without her! 

Needless to say, she and her husband, Dave, got married a couple years ago, and have now welcomed little Jack into the family. We'd talked about doing newborn photos in mid July, but Jack was pretty anxious to get started on life, and made his entrance about 3 weeks early. While we didn't get newborn newborn photos, he was still pretty tiny 3 weeks in (as you can see), and so adorable, incredible, and beyond wonderful. Am I gushing yet? =)

Kristin: I love you, I think! Thanks for letting me hang out with you and your boys. Congrats again, you two!

155 - The Secret Garden

Ok, our garden may not itself be a secret, but we do actually have a secret in our garden...

Yup, we inherited a grape vine. A very old, very established grape vine. And we had so many grapes this year, that even giving them away to friends and neighbors, there were still far more than we could eat. This is the first time in my life I've really had fresh, homegrown grapes on a consistent basis, and they definitely taste different -- more sweet and more sour all at once (but a sweet kind of sour). They're much smaller than the ones in the grocery store, but, um, also much better.

154 - Tomatoes Galore

Remember a long time ago, how I was telling you Josh and I have a garden in our teeny, tiny, Philly rowhouse backyard? Well. I figured it was time to give you the update. 

But I have a disclaimer: these photos are from before we left for Seattle. Meaning, in July. You still get to take a peak because, let's be honest, they look delicious, right?! Even if it is just the tomatoes, and they're not all totally ripe yet. Don't worry, there will be more -- photos, produce, and ripeness. In the meantime, just enjoy. =)

153 - Change & Giggles

Changes, changes, everywhere! It's a tough thing, change. But I'm trying out a new look here.

While I LOVE the design of my old blog template (the design at the top just made me happy looking at it), it wasn't one I was able to adjust to be wide enough for the photo width I'd like. So, I'm not crazy about any designs I've found yet... but I'm just going to be playing around with it and see if I can find something I like. 

In the meantime, I decided to keep us grounded with a little more of Miss Molly and her awesome parents, Megan & Justin. We can't have too much change going on all at once, and plus, this little girl and her smiles are sure to brighten your day. Can you hear the giggles yet? 

152 - Buddha Belly

When I first arrived at Megan & Justin's to take photos, Josiah was still down for his nap. We spent some time hanging around with Megan, Justin, and Molly... but pretty soon we decided we needed some Josiah action, too. 

Megan went and woke him up, and then a change of clothes was in order. I thought this sequence was particularly cute -- especially Josiah's buddha belly shot. Are you always this happy when you wake up? ;)

151 - Molly Grace

Little miss Molly Grace turned one just a few days ago, so I thought I'd better feature one of this wonderfully adorable little girl!

150 - I'm Back! Really! I am!

Wow... did I really just disappear for about a month and a half? Well, yes, yes I did!

I spent the month of August with my family in Seattle, and have been getting back into the swing of things in Philly over the last week. I have no excuses for being gone, other than that while my absence from here was unplanned, the time away itself was my "sabbatical" of sorts and a much, much needed time of rest. And yes, you'll be getting some Seattle photos, for sure. =)

I'm not even going to try backdating things anymore... I'm just going to post as I go and try to get back in the swing of things.


To start off, I've got a quick one of Megan, Justin, Josiah, and Molly!

This is actually one of my favorite shots of their family. Because Molly and Josiah are so close in age (about 6 months), and still both in the baby category, there's always a lot going on when. Megan and Justin do an incredible job of taking care of both of them and paying attention to both in a way I just don't think I could do! They balance and share the care of the Josiah and Molly perfectly, and I think this photo very much illustrates the crazy, wonderful, fun, fantastic love and joy they bring to their family each day.

149 - Mx2 + Jx2

Remember how I was talking about all the great newborns and families I've gotten to visit? Well, now that you've gotten a bit of a super cute newborn fix (i.e. Roman), let's go slightly older, but while still staying in the super cute baby category.

Meet Megan and Justin... and Molly and Josiah! Or, Mx2 + Jx2. =)

Megan is a sister to my dear friend, Robin, and over the past few years, I've gotten to know Megan & Justin during visits to their family's awesome property in southern New Jersey for girls' weekends, mini-retreats, weddings, and just need-to-get-away-from-the-city goodness. Their whole family is beyond hospitable, and also super talented in all things crafty and artistic. (Their parents met while working at a living history museum... I mean, how cool is that?!)

Megan and Justin have an incredible story that you can read on Megan's blog, Psalms Illustrated. After a number of very hard years trying to get their family started, they began the process of becoming foster parents (although I believe they'd already planned on doing that at some point anyway). In the midst of that, Megan became (and stayed) pregnant, and pretty soon they were blessed with their foster son, Josiah, and (6 months later) their biological daughter, Molly.  

Although Josiah is now over 16 months old, and they've had him since he left the hospital (I think 3 days old?), they may not be able to adopt him. They are the only family he's ever known, and they love him immensely, yet because of the system, may not be able to keep him. Megan's been documenting the journey with an open rawness, honesty, and humility that astounds me. Seriously, just go read her story! I'm pretty sure you won't have a dry eye at the end. I hope someday my ability to love matches her and Justin's, because any child who spends any amount of time in their home will be immensely blessed.

This has been a pretty long introduction, but I wanted to give a little backstory as to how this shoot came about. I hope and pray Josiah will find his "forever home" with Megan, Justin, and Molly, and that these photos will be ones they can cherish for a long time to come. 

Megan and Justin, thanks for letting me come hang out with you and your little ones. I had a great time!

148 - Moments with Roman

Ok, I just can't get enough of this kid. Here's the last post with little Roman, starting off with some of his infamous sleepy time... and then a wide awake shot! I love the look on his face!

Next, some loving by beautiful mom, Shin. And in case you're wondering, Shin & Matt (aka Mom & Dad) really are the fun, wonderful, happy people they look like in all these photos. Seriously, this is a great family to grow up in. Not to mention big sister, Reina, is pretty much the coolest little 3-year-old girl ever.

I absolutely love little baby fingers and hands... it's unbelievable how tiny they are!

And finally, to end, the angelic Roman! Heh, admission from the photographer: this shot was overexposed, but I loved the look/composition of it. It was one right at the end of our time, and I adjusted my settings right after it... but this was the one I liked. So, I played around a little with the editing on it... what are your thoughts? (Besides that he's adorable.)