“That’s what makes it so right. Your eyes– your soul is there, but the rest of you is still so undefined. That’s the beauty of childhood. The eyes show everything you’ve seen so far, but the rest of you is still so open to possibility, to whatever you might become.”

~bree despain

I just love this sweet little number from the talented Heather of laken & lila. So lovely in its vintage cuteness.  Addie felt so comfortable in it and had a blast running around pushing this old toy. I loved the little smile on her face as she pushed it–I would have thought it was too young a toy for an almost-three-year-old, but it brought such joy! Oh, and don’t you simply ahhh-dore that cute little pink wooden camera? Yep, I kind of have a problem with little camera props. The kids are in love with it, though, and have been posing and photographing their stuffed animals in all the best-lit places in the house.

12 votes

12 votes

17 votes

15 votes

The Ana Vintage Vibe Dress | laken & lila

Knit Hat | Three Yellow Starfish

Pink Wooden Camera | Twig Creative

xoxo,

laura

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
~roald dahl

Some recent commercial images from the talented Corinne of The Fresh Stitch. I simply ahhh-dore her designs and fabrics!

47 votes

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Brother + Sister Set {Tie Tee + Bird Dress} | The Fresh Stitch

Striped Ruffle Pants | The Fresh Stitch

Violet Chevron Dress | The Fresh Stitch

Feather Hairpiece | Finley and Oliver

Gray Flower Knit Hat | Three Yellow Starfish

 {Read on for all the ways that you can help Broxton + sign up for The Run for Broxton}

Meet Broxton.

A darling just-turned two year old, completely and utterly adored by his family. Soft, whispy dark blonde hair, long eyelashes and an innate sweetness about him.  You can’t help but want to hold him.

The amazing bond between Broxton and his big brother is so incredible to witness, full of sweet tenderness and protection.

Broxton is a special gem in this world.  His sweet soul is full of life, but his small little body is hurting.

Broxton has Batten Disease and has recently been put on Hospice care.

Batten Disease is a rare genetic disorder in which affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills.  Eventually, children with Batten Disease become blind, bedridden, and unable to communicate, and it is presently always fatal.  The Infantile form of Batten Disease begins between the ages of 6 months and 2 years and progresses rapidly.  Affected children fail to thrive, have abnormally small heads, and typically have short, sharp muscle contractions.  Initial signs of this disorder include delayed psycho-motor development with progressive deterioration, other motor disorders, or seizures,  The infantile form has the most rapid progression and children live into their mid-childhood years. 

{source | the Batten Disease Support and Research Foundation web site}

You can read about Broxton and the Taylor family’s journey on their Caringbridge site HERE.

Imagine for a moment (because unless you have gone through this, we will never really fully understand beyond imagining) as a parent, having a little one year old full of life–walking, talking and smiling. Then, one day things begin to change and suddenly that child loses the ability to walk, to talk, to smile, to eat…this is the world that the Taylor family lives in. Just this past June, Broxton was diagnosed with Batten Disease, and in the just over six months since, their whole universe has changed.

Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to help your child? Knowing the raw love that comes with being a parent, doesn’t your heart hurt? Don’t you want to do everything you can–big or small–to help this family? To help little Broxton? To help other little ones suffering from this horrible disease?

The Run for Broxton is an event that will take place in Gilbert at Freestone park in just a few short weeks on Sunday, February 12, 2012. We would LOVE you to help this family with medical bills, with the cost of care and also help other little ones that have Batten Disease.

Simply CLICK HERE to sign up for the run. It would be such a show of community support if you did. The price is so reasonable–$15 for a 1 mile walk/run or $25 for a 5K.

Can’t make the race but want to donate? Simply CLICK HERE to take you to the direct donation site.

Ways You can Help Broxton:

~ Sign up for the Run for Broxton

~Donate directly to Broxton

~Share this blog post via Facebook or Email

~Leave words of encouragement to the Taylor family on this blog post

~Pray and/or send positive thoughts to the Taylor family

I urge you to help in any way you can, even if it is just to share this blog post to spread the word or to learn more, or to leave sweet words of encouragement. Thank you, thank you!!

Special Child

You weren’t like other children,

And God was well aware,

You’d need a caring family,

With love enough to share.

And so He sent you to us,

And much to our surprise,

You haven’t been a challenge,

But a blessing in disguise.

Your winning smiles and laughter,

The pleasures you impact,

Far outweigh your special needs,

And melt the coldest heart.

We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,

To help you learn and grow,

The job that you have brought us,

Is more than you can know.

A precious gift from Heaven,

A treasure from above,

A child who’s taught us many things,

But most of all – “Real Love”.

~sharon harris

xoxo,

laura

“A hundred hearts would be too few
To carry all my love for you.”
~author unknown

More Valentine sweetness! The {urban sweetie} minis were simply full of cuteness!!

21 votes

felt hearts | Grace, Finley and Oliver

xoxo,

laura

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”
~carl sagan

Love was all around this weekend during the {urban sweetie} Valentine Mini Sessions. Seriously SO FABULOUS!!

59 votes

Dress | Ivy and A

Hair Accessory | Miss M

Felt Puffy Hearts | Grace, Finley and Oliver

xoxo,

laura

“Fun is good.”

~dr. seuss

…and this family had no shortage of it. I loved when mom and I chatted before the session and how she described her sweet family–they love to have fun and would embrace fun, natural and silly images.  These three kiddos were all so polite and funny, they were simply naturals in front of the camera! The love for one another within this family was quite obvious and shone through during their session. They came armed with yummy cupcakes from The Coffee Shop at Agritopia, welcomed smashing them into one another’s faces, no one skipped a beat when I asked them to jump over a mound of oranges, and it was as though it was the most normal thing in the world when I asked them to throw oranges at me. My kind of peeps, I tell ya! The session ended with a fun dance party in the groves, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

This fam’ purchased a HUGE 30×40 custom canvas collage and Fanciful Frames to show off images of their session that I cannot wait to share with you! SO gorgeous and such a fun memory of their family.  Thanks so much, H family!

25 votes

28 votes

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32 votes

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32 votes

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31 votes

19 votes

xoxo,

laura

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” 

~Elmer Davis

24 votes

I am FINALLY getting around to blogging some of the birthday parties that my kiddos have had–yay! Jackson wanted an “ARMY” party for his 5th birthday, so this modern mama tried her best to give that camo a little umpf! As an army brat myself, this party was a blast to plan, and we had the resident Colonel {my dad!} to ask questions of to ensure authenticity!

28 votes

The kiddos were each given buckets filled with dog tags, camo scarves and canteens so that we could begin boot camp in style! Jack was one happy soldier!

24 votes

I made this camo corn and coordinating signage using a recipe found on the fabulous Pinterest, of course! Popcorn, jelly beans and m&ms…mmm!

25 votes

I found these amazing chocolate covered marshmallow and graham cracker cookies and knew I had to use them!  We found the authentic ammunition crates at an Army Surplus store, and they were the perfect perch for Jack’s little army vehicles!

23 votes

The talented and creative Melissa of Decadent Delights made my “modern camo” vision come to life with this stunning cake–complete with dog tags and Army Jack on top! The inside is just as fabulous as the outside! Jack chose chocolate chip cake with chocolate mousse frosting. Divine!!

21 votes

Each child was given a kraft gable box labeled “CHOW for Jack’s Army”, filled with PB+J Sandwiches, chips, apples and other yummy sustenance for the troops!

22 votes

Adults dined on yummies from the Taco Bar. Don’t you love this vintage poster we found at the Army Surplus shop? It is now hanging in Jack’s room and he loves it!

30 votes

Candy-dipped pretzels served as Army Swords and these fabulous Army men gummies found at Sweeties were perfect for mini cupcake toppers!

27 votes

24 votes

Cake | Decadent Delights

31 votes

23 votes

26 votes

xoxo,

laura

 
“Children are the living messages
we send to a time we will not see.“
-John W. Whitehead

What a sweet little newborn! Wouldn’t you just love this centerpiece on your table?

38 votes

xoxo,

laura

30 votes

Want your kiddo to have the most fabulous Valentines in town? Email me for more info + to secure your spot for our Urban Sweeties Minis coming January 21st. Spots are filling up fast!

laura@laurawinslowphotography.com

xoxo,

laura

 
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

Oh, let it shine, c’mon
Now everybody just sing along
Let the sun shine in
Open up your heart and let it shine on in

“Let the Sunshine In/Age of Aquarius”, fifth dimension

I just lovie love this family + it was fun to see them again and how much bigger their sweet little man has gotten since our last session!! They seriously rock–I mean, mom didn’t even skip a beat when the little man happily soaked his fabulous little red Toms in the muddy creek!  Big mwah, lovelies!

25 votes

23 votes

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24 votes

xoxo,

laura