James and Elizabeth Heikoop

Bye for the Summer

This was on the last day with Emily.

Our Emily.

The gal that has made our life work a lot easier the last 1.75 years. She and her husband are off to Manitoba for a summer internship - and we will miss her. She's the one that keeps us "in baking", having a cleaner house, and getting all that laundry done. And she's the one that stays with the kids so I can shop or get to those appointments. But for now, she's going to be gone... and even though it's definitely a challenge - I know it will all work out. :) The kids will learn to do more work (which is always a good thing!) and I'm saying no to too much photography outside the home... and maybe... depending on how God leads - we may get her back a bit in the fall.

Whatever the case - I'm excited for her and Chaun.

And - seeing how God has provided in many other ways for us - is pretty neat. A girl from our church is coming once a week in the summer to babysit - so that I can either clean, shop or make those appointments... so thankful!

We love you Emily!

Jason & Lyd

Lydia came for a couple days - she was helping Ben and Dee out for a bit, then since James wasn't quite home yet, stayed a night with me and helped me get the kids to church on time. :)

I was practicing rim lighting for my phtoography course... and super discouraged cause I only had a couple more hours to submit my assignment, but when you're mothering 6 kids alone, and don't always have the time and the needed light at the same time... you kinda feel defeated.

Anwyays - I'm sharing this cause I just felt God's kindness in a specail way.

I had tried to get rim lighting (that's when the light is behind a person - or object - and outlines them) for a bit, but wasn't right... and came upstairs, feeling like I just wouldn't submit it... when I saw Lydia and Jason playing together... and I saw it! They had RIM light. :) So I grabbed my camera and shot shot shot!

Lydia was great - gorgeous gal - and she gave me that emotional connection with Jason that I needed for my assignment.

Isn't God kind.

This last one is so beautiful to me....tender I'd call it.

Erik & His Basketball

My Erik.

If I were given the options to choose what kind of a boy I could have, I'd honestly pick everything that makes up this guy.

Fun, caring, thoughtful, kind, handsome, strong, energetic, and athletic.

I was doing so more practicing with my camera - and he sweetly came with me. :) He wanted me to so badly get what I needed. :)

Splashpad Joys

Honestly - these pictures make me so happy - I have to print a few out... He was just laughing away -

Squish toes, chubby cheeks, wide smile - kid, you've got it all!

Leanne is pretty fluent with the playground systems... she loves slides.

Another little monkey I found playing around.

Went to a new-to-us splash pad in St. George and the kids really like it. It's a lot closer than the one we often go to in the summer, so hope we can get some good summer time in here.

And it's fenced it, and clean. Thankful for these things we get to enjoy in the city!

Static Laura

This girl brings a lot of joy to our family.

She has this funny, random humor that makes us laugh.

She was playing under the slide when I saw this static stuff going on - so I told her not to move, and grabbed my camera. :)

Window Light

Almost nine

I interrupted what she was doing so I could practice some window light. She was sweet about it. Cause I know she would've rather kept doing what she was doing.

Growing up so fast Katy-girl.

And I'm so proud of you.

Park Fun

James went to a conference in Iowa for 4 days with a few guys from our church.

He did a huge grocery trip for me, so I didn't have to try to do that with the kiddos.

While he was gone, we basically did the basics: school, eat, clean, go to parks, and church. :) (and more cleaning....) For the first two days, I was like, "yeah...I got this". Had the house clean by staying up til 11:30- laundry folded and the kids clothes sorted for the next week. I was doing my photography course (which is partly why we went to this park here - cause I need harsh sunlight shots.. and was feeling energetic in looking after the kids.

It's interesting being a single parent. I was sharing this with James when he got home.

It was easier to parent alone. (just for a short time MIND YOU!)

I didn't' have to communicate about what my goals were for the day - or feel frustrated when it didn't happen because it was only me making them happen.

I could clean or do what I wanted til all hours, cause it was just about me in the late evening.

I made the decisions of the day, and didn't need to check in with him.

We had ultra simple meals, cause when you're not cooking for your man, I just don't have the same motivation. :)

But, I sure wouldn't want to do this very long. It's exhausting!

I admire single parents a lot. Don't know how they can keep going for so long. They have an incredible work - and for those that have some of those parents around them - really help them, or bless them in some way!

I'm sure thankful that I get to cook for a eight of us - that I have a husband who helps me be accountable to - for the way he serves and loves our family. That while I don't get a lot of time alone - God is shaping me and teaching me a lot.

And we were ALL so glad when he came home. By day 3 I was ready for him to return~