Yes, this family is gorgeous and made me cry at the shoot. They are beautiful on the inside AND out. Quick and super funny story (that I only wish would transfer in type as funny as it is in person) :: when they came in to order their images, the brought their youngest daughter with them. She's from China and they have only had her in their family for a little while. 

She wanted a snack and mom says, "say please"...so she responded, "piiiip?" Sweetest look on her face and most precious voice, sounded nothing like please but was the best word I've ever heard a child say. 

I love that I was able to encounter this family and hear their little punkin in her first stages of learning how to communicate with English words. What a sweet little blessing. :)  

When I see 3 teenage kids who are talented, polite and have their act together, I get a little obsessed with wanting to learn more about their parents. I want to be a mom who prepares my kids for the path, not the path for my kids. I don't want to rob them of the opportunity to face/overcome challenges....having said that, my natural tendendencies are quite the opposite. 

So when I see someone who has done it...it kills me not to ask them 124 questions about HOW to be that person! Ugh. So nice to meet people who rock. This family certainly fits the bill.

The older I get, the more I realize things only last for a little while. Profound, I know. 

Towns, homes, jobs, people, relationships, the original version of any product under the sun.

I'm just saying, wonderful things only last for a season in life.

This family is only here for a little while. Johnson City is just one stop on their long journey of moving from place to place with their job. ((It seems like I meet more and more people that are so incredibly genuine and wonderful that are just "passing through". Not sure what that's all about, but going to just enjoy the time I get to have with them.)) I love the fact that she selected their home to be photographed at. There are so many places in East TN that would have worked, too...but knowing they'll be moving on soon makes it extra special to remember daily life in the back yard and on the dock. 

Ohhhhh, if I could only tell you some of the things I overheard at this shoot. Woo! These people are f u n n y! And not afraid to say anything. :) They had me rolling. We went up to the dam and got some super fun images, then we went back to their farm and got in the pin with the cows. Yes. They came at us thinking we would feed them, maybe? Don't know but I won't lie. It freaked me out....big time (see last shot). I ended up going on the outside of the gate and left the family in with all the critters. They're brave. I was proud of em. It didn't even bother me that they laughed at me because I'm such a big chicken. 

What a precious family. They are one of those families that you look at and think...how can one family always be that happy? But! I've worked with them for years now and know lots of people who know them and they all say the same thing. They are just always happy. How infectious to be around someone like that! It's beautiful. 

Their last session was when they were expecting their sweet little boy a little over a year ago. You can see it here... love them!