Traca Miller Photography – Stephenville, TX Photographer

Dear Aubrey,

I just realized that the next time I photograph you for this project, it will also be for your ninth birthday! Why is it that kids think, “I can’t believe I’m finally nine!”, and parents think, “I can’t believe you’re nine!”? You always want time to speed up and I always want to slow it down. You always want to swing higher and faster, and I always want you to swing lower and slower. It wasn’t too long ago that you wanted the same things that I wanted. If I liked something, then you liked it too. If I wanted to go somewhere, then so did you. It’s the way little kids learn and grow – they imitate those people around them that they love. It’s what Brooks still does to you and what Crosby will do to both of you!

But then comes the phase of independence; trying things out for yourself and forming your own ideas and opinions. I see it in you already. You don’t have to like the same things that I like or do things the way I do them. I want you to think and grow in your own way and to try new things and do things better than I would do them. But we do have to be respectful of each other. And so it goes in the real world outside the protection of our little family. Not everyone will agree with you. Not everyone will see it your way. Not everyone will like your ideas and opinions or even you sometimes. That’s OK. I know it’s not a great feeling when someone disagrees with you or doesn’t like the same things as you. Always try to please God first. What does he want you to do? Delight yourself in the Lord, and in pleasing him, you will find that you will please yourself. Consider God above anyone or anything else. He will help you know what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. These are the important things to consider and to practice.

I love the person that you are becoming! I know that you tend to use your brain, think about the consequences, and make good decisions. I also know that you don’t like to make mistakes, but you can always learn from them and do things better the next time. Daddy and I still do this! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or to say you are sorry, but don’t be afraid to try again.
I love you and want you to be you and not me!

Love,
Momma

Hi Baby Girl!

I know it will be several years before you read these letters from me, but I just want to tell you how much I love you and how much you have blessed our lives! You will always be my favorite birthday present and I’m so glad that we will forever share that day. No one but the two of us will ever know just how special that truly is. God is so good when he plans the details of our lives. Just remember our birthday if you ever start to doubt that.
You have only been part of our family for 7 short months, but already none of us can imagine that we were ever a complete family before you came along. It hasn’t been easy, but just one little smile from you and a flash of the only dimple in our family, makes it all worth it. No little baby will ever know the love that Daddy, Aubrey, Brooks, and I have for you. We are so excited to watch you grow and learn to walk and talk and even ride a bike like the big kids! But at the same time I want to slow everything down so that you will stay little and always sleep beside me and always want me to hold you. God has big plans for you, baby CJ, and I pray that you will grow in his love each and every day.

I love you,
Not Da da

Hey Dude:

Happy birthday to my favorite boy! Did you know you’re my favorite boy?  It’s true. I can’t believe you are already six and almost a 1st grader! It has been so awesome having you home this year to go to school with Aubrey and to help me out with Crosby, and I can’t wait until we get to pick out your books for next year! I remember just last year you would get so mad because Aubrey could read and you couldn’t. But you have worked so hard to become such a great reader and now it’s your turn to read books to Crosby. You are the best big brother and the best little brother all rolled into one! God must have something super special planned for your life to put you right smack in the middle of our family.
God has blessed us with such a brave, adventurous, funny, and smart little boy. You remind me so much of Daddy and I hope you grow up to be just like him. He is a wonderful father and a godly man, and he can teach you so much about loving God and your family and others if you will listen to him and follow his example.
I’m so glad that God picked me to be your mommy and I will always love you!
Love,
Mommy

For the past few years I’ve tried to challenge myself creatively and participate in some weekly or daily photo project.  Some I’ve completed, and some were a bust.  Adding baby CJ to the mix has made we want to spend more time photographing the day-to-day details of all the kids and yet spend less time editing and blogging about the projects.  So this year I’ve not joined a group or committed myself to deadlines where other photographers depend on me. This year I’ve decided to spend time with my babies; photographing them, not worrying about the uncombed hair, dirty faces or blurry shots.  I know I will miss my fellow creative souls and that I will sigh in awe at the images they produce and beautiful words that they write.  I will wish that I were superwoman and could accomplish it all: clean house, tidy children, perfect photo shoots, happy clients, and quick-witted blog posts.  But there will be time for that after I’ve finished homeschooling the last one and all the littles have left the nest. Between traveling to a different city each week just to enjoy college football and visiting friends, I will have plenty of time for clients and blog updates.  In the meantime, I will borrow an idea from a fabulous group of photographers in the form of Letters To My Children.  Each month I will photograph and write a letter to one of my kiddos.  Three kids, twelve months; each one will get 4 letters from mom.  (Thanks to Marla for the inspiration! Your whole circle is amazing!)

 

Dear Aubrey,

I simply want you to know that I love you. Always.  You have no idea how one little firecracker could come into the world and surprise and delight us! I know its hard being the oldest. Daddy and I didn’t know how to be parents until you came along. You’ve taught us a lot and smoothed the way for Brooks and Crosby.  I love how easily you forgive and yet never let us forget anything!  I love that you love to learn and will read anything you can get your hands on.  It may seem that I get tired of answering your endless questions, but I’m really ever-so grateful that you are a thinker and that you always want to know more.  Never quit learning. Never quit seeking answers. Always read all you can.  Until we tell you to turn off the flashlight and go to bed.

But remember, as much as Daddy and I love you, God loves you even more.  I sometimes can’t even imagine a love that great, but it’s true.  He will never stop loving you and wanting what is best for you.  Follow him.  Hide his words in your heart and look to him for answers.

I love you,
Momma