...the boys will swoon. I hope it takes forever for that day to arrive! This evening, while Tara was at Awanas, I took Madeline out into the evening glow to snap some shots. Her personality really shined through (or is it shone through)...

That was a piece of moss in her hand. She kept petting it.

I'll have to get Tara out there soon to do the same.

Thank you Lord for the blessings you have given me in my children.

I just love this picture of Madeline. I took it on Easter Sunday.

In this next one, I added texture and changed it to sepia. It's warm, soft and a little dreamy.  

She's such a beautiful subject. 

I've taught myself a new technique. It adds a layer of texture to a photo. I think it works well with these two.

By the way...I love them so much!

I have mentioned in the past on my blog how Tara, in January of 2006 and at the age of 4, donated her hair to locks of love. Now, at the age of 6 and just barely over 2 years later, she has done it again. When I was brushing out her hair this morning, I told her I was having second thoughts, but she was determined to have it done. It's been taking some time each day to get through the snarles.... Here is a shot just before we left for the Salon:

I love her so much!  Oh such long soft hair! Here's how it went: First it was measured and tied off.

....and then mommy's heart started to palpitate out of her chest as the scissors began to cut through the golden strands (10 inches to be donated).  Did I mention that she is going to be in one of our local newspapers?

While Tara sat in excited expectation of what it will look like when it's all done.

And here she is with Felicia. She has been doing my hair for years and I was glad that her salon participated in the charity.

Now even though her hair looks long still, there is a lot of "evening out" that must be done. Another few inches comes off in this process.

My goodness this child is beautiful. Just look at that precious face. It melts my heart.

A little curl...

And it's perfect!

How beautiful is this? I hope they make a beautiful wig from her hair so a child cancer patient can gain some self confidence as a result of the joy Tara felt in being able to do this.

The egg decorating!

It began with color mixing.

To which Madeline was very interested.

And even to this day, after the countless eggs that I have colored in my lifetime, I still get excited when they come out of the cup...

As did the girlies with all of their Oooos and Ahhhs. You would have thought we were watching the fireworks

And this next creation, a "University of Michigan" egg, was the implicit creation of Tara. I could care a less about professional or college football, but this child is an avid U of M fan. Go figure!

After the eggs were all colored up,...

...it was time for the "magic glitter"...

 

Which made for the most BEAUTIFUL eggs we have ever decorated.

For the life of me, I could not get that little stinker Madeline to give me a normal smile!

And after they were all glittered, they needed to be put into their special holders...

And now they sparkle like beautiful jewels...

But make no mistake. My children are very aware of the real reason we celebrate this amazing holiday....

And this is just the beginning. Because He rose and lives today.

To everyone who comes by to visit my little blog, I hope you all have a very blessed Easter.