I often feel like the stereotypical mechanic – you know how they always have time to work on everyone else’s car but their own? I rarely have time to take and edit photos photos just for myself or for my family. These photos were taken back in October, and I barely fit them in after a family session for a client one afternoon. I’ve just NOW had a bit of time to edit them, and prepare a slideshow for their mom.
Most of you know I do NOT have four daughters. These are my nieces. They are the closest thing I have to children. They moved in down the road from us two years ago, and it has been the biggest blessing to my heart and life. I love them each so much, and I can’t imagine them living back in Hebron. I get to see them all the time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Courtney, where do I begin with you?? I’ll never forget the very first time I met you. You were a wild and crazy 7 year old – pretending to be a belly dancer in your swim suit (sporting your water wings, too!) to impress your Uncle Don. You had the cutest little girl crush on him. I’ve never told your Uncle this, but I think watching how much you adored him, especially knowing how guarded you were toward most adults, made me fall even faster in love with him. I knew if you trusted your heart to him, I could, too. I remember doing a project with you for my college class – spending the day getting to know you. You were only in 2nd grade, and we had so much fun. Remember when I took you to school with me when I taught at Merrillville? Coaching you in 8th grade volleyball…..house shopping (remember wanting to save all of your birthday money to buy the $354,000 house???)…..you becoming my little assistant on shoots and throughout the busy times in my life….the memories are continuing to be made, and I’m so happy to truly know you now – to call you my niece, and to love you so much.
Oh, Alaina. My little headstrong, sweet and sassy, brilliant and happy girl. There are so many days I wish I was your 5th grade teacher this year. I wonder how much better I would know you? I know it is good you are not in my class this year, though, because it would most likely be impossible to treat you like “just one of my students”. You were the one who openly threw your arms around me the day you met me. You couldn’t get enough attention. You were either hugging me, stroking my arms, trying to sit on me, begging me to play barbies, or just holding my hand smiling right at me. You were so incredibly cute, and my heart melted instantly. Not much has changed since. I still have trouble saying no – and that’s probably a good thing. We’ve had so many fun times together. Modeling shoots, the fair, sleepovers, makeovers, games, and much more. You are so SMART, so excitable, and so sweet. I’m so excited to be able to watch you grow up. You still have my heart, and I’ll love you forever!
Ky. Ky, Ky, Ky. You continue to amaze me everyday. Be it your HILARIOUS poems, your use of big words like “nocturnal”, your never ending spunk, hilarity, and sweetness. I have had the pleasure of knowing you since you were only 6 months old, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I love being your aunt, and I love all of our little adventures. You make me smile – always. I’m so glad I get to be a teacher in the school you are growing up in. You may not always like it at times, since I do check up on you. But, I hope in the end you’ll know I did it out of love and not out of a desire for you to have to pay your precious “Spagna Bucks”. 
Because, the truth is, I hear so much good and so very little bad. You are stunning in so many ways, and it seems everyone recognizes that in you.
Kylee’s most recent poem
My Mommy is Beautiful
My mommy is beautiful, sweet and goody.
My mommy is wonderful.
She always wears a hoody.
She’s sweet and she’s sour.
But mostly sweet.
My cat is always in heat.
My mommy is made of love and hearts!
Apparently, she slipped into Tabby’s room, swiped an index card, and then had this little gem whipped up in a matter of minutes. Oh, and just a little fyi – she personally told me that the “heat” part was added because it flares up her mom’s allergies, and it’s hard for her to breathe. Isn’t she a doll?!?!?
by sammyv22
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