” From God’s abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (the official family photo shoot)

Unless the Lord builds a house,
    the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
    guarding it with sentries will do no good.
²It is useless for you to work so hard
    from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
    for God gives rest to his loved ones.
³Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.
⁴Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
⁵How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
    He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
– Psalm 127

This is the “photo post” I am most excited to be sharing. There are always a lot of pictures when the grandchildren come in from out of town, especially after such a long absence; but these are the kinds of gems that end up framed, on the wall, and in the family picture albums.

First, I took a series of photographs of Naomi’s family, including the grandchildren alone. Then I jumped into the frame myself.

I didn’t use my tripod and timer this time. So (for photo credit) if you see me in the picture then it was Naomi who took the shot.

I have to give the grandchildren props for being so patient, and being so willing to hear me say, “Smile!”, and “Look this way!” a hundred thousand times (of course, I’m talking about David and Beks, baby Geoffrey didn’t cooperate at all!). At nine and seven they are not only wonderful older siblings to their little brother but all around really great kids. I could not be more proud.

With my dad’s complicated situation next door, we didn’t have the opportunity to go to Joyner Park for the relaxed photo-shoot I had envisioned. But even if the back drop isn’t what I had hoped for, the people in the photographs are exactly what I had in mind.

Fact is, every family is beautiful. I just happen to be partial to this one.

I hope and pray that you enjoy these, and then take a little time to think about your own family, and what you might to do to express your gratitude and love.