Senior Pictures - The Heat is On

Our second try at Senior Pictures was successful!  Our first appointment was cancelled due to the fact that it was 115 degrees outside.  Sunday's high was 100 degrees.  Apparently, 100 is OK, but 115 is not!  It was hot, but she managed to look beautiful in all of them.  I was in Argentina on business last week and returned home on Saturday.  She decided she didn't want to wear two of the three outfits we had picked out and wanted to go shopping.  So, off to the mall for a zombie (Argentina is an overnight 11 1/2 hour flight) shopping spree.  We found a shirt (we both liked) and a dress (she liked).  We still agreed on the remaining dress.  She had an employee meeting at work prior to our photo shoot, so we headed out with the clothes, some makeup and a freshly cut sunflower from the backyard for the pictures.  While she was in her meeting, I bought some yellow gerber daisies.  I was afraid the sunflower would wilt (which it did, but the sunflower still made it into a few of the pictures).  After the meeting, we headed out to Gilcrease Museum.  Jesse was ready and waiting for us.  The three of us hiked down to the location and the session began.  We finished our session at a typical urban warehouse.  Obviously, I am biased, but she looked beautiful.  I was even happy with the pictures in the dress I didn't particularly like the day before.  At one point, I pictured an 11 x 14, framed and hanging somewhere in my house.  I even began to imagine having to replace it someday with a bridal portrait.  I know there will be many years and memories between the two pictures, but couldn't help thinking about the day when she will belong to someone else and we will have to share her.  Until then, she is ours.  We are lucky and blessed to have such an amazing and beautiful (inside and out) daughter. 

Enjoy some of the pictures I took during her photo shoot.

The past and the future

We have survived the first few days of school and are already into the 2nd week.  She finally bought her school supplies last night which totaled $0.17.  Two folders.  That's it.  I remember the days when we shopped for hours and tried to find the cutest folders and spiral notebooks.  I remember going to Limited Too for the perfect Back-to-School outfit.  I remember checking to make sure the lunchbox was still acceptable.  Those days are over.  Pull out the old backpack, throw on shorts and a shirt, make sure there is gas in the car and off she goes.  How things have changed.  Bring back my little girl with the new backpack and new bow in her hair waiting outside Darnaby Elementary and taking pictures with Carlie by the school sign!

Lots of talk around the house the past few days about college and dorms.  As all her recently graduated friends head off for their new college lives, sorority rush and the dorms, she has been thinking and talking about next year.  Can we leave it for next year?  Do we have to start planning now?  There are still 365 days  before she has to move.  Can't she wait until then?

And speaking of Carlie...next year, do I get to take a picture of Lindsey and Carlie standing in their dorm room or standing by the Oklahoma State University sign?  I sure hope so.

The beginning of the end

Today is monumental and bittersweet.  My one and only daughter, Lindsey, started her first day of her senior year of high school.  Is this the beginning or the end?  Should I be happy or sad?  Do I sit back and watch or do I try to insert myself in all that I can?  Do I cry or laugh?  Obviously, I am not sure how to handle this upcoming year of my life! 

I volunteered at Bixby High School this morning and handed out schedules to the students.  Lindsey also volunteered as Student Council President and helped with the students.  We drove to school in separate cars, but parked beside each other.  As we walked in together, I looked at her and said "Are you embarrassed that I am walking you into the school on your first day of your senior year?".  She looked me in the eye and said "No, but 2 years ago I would have been mad!".  I secretly melted inside and knowing that she loves me.  Next year this time, we will be moving her into her dorm room.  Thankfully, just for today, she was still my little girl and let me walk her into the school.