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Theme: Dreams for my children

2008.05.14

My oldest son, Adam, will begin life with his dream girl, Katie, and is currently living his dream as a musician.
Photo credit to Jamie Pearson.

My younger son, Andrew. At the age of seventeen, he dreams of cars, football, and video games. However, he has dreamed of being a firefighter since he was very young. Whatever path he chooses, he has my undying support.

Amber, the baby girl, has wide open landscapes of dreams. She is undecided about what she wants to do when she is older, but she is one who embraces life and lives in the moment.
Her dreams are mine.

The younger years...

I Hope You Dance
written by Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers
Artist Lee Ann womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.

I am feeling a bit sentimental these days with the upcoming nuptials of my oldest, so this theme is in honor of the hopes and dreams of my children.

A Blessed Mother,
Julie

31 Comments

Julie - thanks for sharing photos of your family. My oldest turned 35 today - feeling a little sentimental also.
At the wedding - I hope you dance.

Queen911 · 2008-05-14: 22:03

Julie this is an absolutely beautiful post... the pictures and your words and that song, very touching indeed! Your daughter looks just like you - both of you are very beautiful!

KerBear · 2008-05-14: 22:37

This is so so so lovely!
I loved your words & your photos.
You truly are blessed. What beautiful children with beautiful souls.
You've told us so much about them with these photos. Your love for them is so apparent.
(I'm amazed at how similar our families are! I have two older boys and the baby girl too!)

LotoFoto · 2008-05-14: 22:50

Beautiful and special post. You have a lovely family, and I am so glad you shared a little bit about your gorgeous and unique children with us.

climbergirl · 2008-05-14: 23:50

Intimate post, Julie, and one that makes me feel somewhat privileged at you sharing such a deep and intricate part of you and your children...

Peche · 2008-05-15: 00:25

Wonderful portraits!!! Congrats!!!

kopackukac · 2008-05-15: 00:41

I *adore* this song (brings tears everytime) & love these pics! They are all so good...I'm so glad you included a 'younger years' shot as well...awww, you've got every right to be feeling all sentimental :-)

Anjie · 2008-05-15: 01:17

wonderful tender post :):):)

ronin53 · 2008-05-15: 02:27

good luck - fot the 3 !!

camilleauteuil · 2008-05-15: 06:33

Great post, very cool to read the commentary about each of your children individually, and that song is perfect for this post, I like it quite a bit myself.

majikmonkee · 2008-05-15: 07:06

lovely set :)

vterezia · 2008-05-15: 08:32

Lovely post and great song.

Lynda · 2008-05-15: 08:56

you made me teary eyed...i don't want alex to grow up....too quickly that is!

Jerseyshoregal · 2008-05-15: 09:16

nice post, they grow up to fast

sherryb · 2008-05-15: 09:39

jeez, Julie...you made me get all emotional here at school! :) I'm suppose to be "hard," not "crying teacher".....

a sweet family you have...

PaperWings · 2008-05-15: 10:05

And may all their dreams come true, Julie. And may the Good Lord always watch over them. Thanks for sharing, and best regards.

meiling · 2008-05-15: 11:01

when your daughter gets married, remember this song:

BUTTERFLY KISSES
Bob Carlisle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgZftrobqlg

There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.

ofwordsandphotos · 2008-05-15: 11:27

beautiful portraits! nice post on theme!

tomie · 2008-05-15: 15:16

wonderful post of your children - great portraits!

jenjung · 2008-05-15: 16:15

Lovely post, odd how you blink and they go from looking like the last picture to the rest huh! I hope you let them see the wonderful sentiments you wrote about them.

picturemom · 2008-05-15: 16:43