Five kids, a few horses, a couple cats, one dog, some chickens, a moose...really what more could you ask for when capturing memories? A homecooked meal maybe? Oh wait, that was part of the deal too. Spending a weekend afternoon with this family is being reminded of the simple pleasures in life. Family, the love between kids and animals, sibling fun, homecooking...it's all there. So, when the mom asked me to capture what her kids were like in the fall of 2010, I jumped at the chance. She homeschools and wanted some "school" pictures. I aimed to give her so much more - a glimpse into their personalities - a frozen day in time - one they can always look back on and be reminded of Thomas's love for his dog, Matthew's love for his horse, Anne's love for cats, Mark's love for football, and Hailey's love for not the pony like expected, but rather the big horse Tess. And, a day they can look back on and remember the bond that can only come from having five children and raising them right.
I am a firm believer in teaching children how to take responsibility and work hard. I'm here to tell you that all five of these kids not only have the utmost character, but are also workers. They all have chores and know that if they don't do them, then their animals will go hungry. One of the best lessons in responsibility is having to care for another living thing. They fully depend on you for their survival; these kids get that. After we had supper the evening of these pictures, it was dark and rather chilly out, but the chores needed to be done so out went the kids, flashlights in little hands, to take care of their animals. Because these kids really "get" that if they don't do their chores, then those animals that they love will be hungry. Lesson learned.
A different Sunday evening after this picture taking day, my whole family went to this family's farm to have supper {that's the evening meal if you aren't from here}. When all had gathered around the table and there was a total of eight children under the age of ten you knew it would not be a boring meal. Hailey is quite the character. She just is. My brother looked over at me about halfway through the meal and said, "Hey Amy, do you feel like you are looking in the mirror with that one?" And, I must say that yes. Yes indeed it feels as though that child is me. At least her mom has some comfort in knowing that her spunky, fiercely independent, fearless, blonde haired, blue eyed girl can turn out alright. At least I think I turned out alright. For the most part.
A different Sunday evening after this picture taking day, my whole family went to this family's farm to have supper {that's the evening meal if you aren't from here}. When all had gathered around the table and there was a total of eight children under the age of ten you knew it would not be a boring meal. Hailey is quite the character. She just is. My brother looked over at me about halfway through the meal and said, "Hey Amy, do you feel like you are looking in the mirror with that one?" And, I must say that yes. Yes indeed it feels as though that child is me. At least her mom has some comfort in knowing that her spunky, fiercely independent, fearless, blonde haired, blue eyed girl can turn out alright. At least I think I turned out alright. For the most part.
Each one of these kids are so different from one another and I admire their parents for being able to foster that uniqueness because it will take them far in life. And, being ridiculously cute will also help.
Yes, being around this family is being reminded of the simple joys in life. That is for sure.
And, on the way home from this perfect afternoon and evening, I saw a moose. Because I don't think things through real well, I pulled into the abandoned farm yard where said moose was standing to take a picture. I did not have a zoom lens along for this ride, so I drove up close enough to it so I would actually be able to tell it was a moose. It was pitch black out, so I threw open the flash and snapped a picture. Then, the moose flicked its ears back and gave a funny noisy shout out and then I realized I was probably a bit too close so I jumped back in the car. It felt necessary.
Not a boring day. Not at all.
1 comment:
Right after I read about your moose encounter, a tv special was on talking about how dangerous moose are. Good move - getting back in the vehichle. Your parents didn't raise a dummy!
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