What a year it has been..

Posted on December 31, 2009

This year I have been graced with faces full of laughter, faces full of wonder, faces full of contemplation, faces full of love.. And I could go on and on. This has been my busiest year by far, and I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of San Diego families that have allowed me into their lives for the tiniest bit. Nearly 50 sessions under my belt for 2009 and I am floored. Thank you clients!! You guys rock my socks!!

I am honored that you would consider me a worthy documentor of your family moments. I pray that I can continue to do so. I love to watch your babies grow. I love watching your marriages flourish. I love watching exciting life events happen before my very eyes. I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you.

Blessings to you as we celebrate a New Year. See you soon!!

Love Happy Clients..

Where are you Christmas??

Posted on December 25, 2009

That has to be one of my all time favorite Christmas songs.. the haunting melody, the beautiful ballad. You can almost hear the Grinch’s heart softening as the song plays on. Maybe that is the reason I like that movie… it depicts a character who is so mean and so cruel and so hard.. finally softened by love.

We have had many opportunities for our hearts to get hardened over the years.. near fatal illnesses, job losses, income troubles, marriage difficulties, stress, and the mundane cruddy stuff that we all have to get through. Life is hard. Amen? More than we can take hard. I don’t think I can get out of bed hard. Maybe even I want to be done with it all hard. I have been there.. oh yes, yes I have.

But there is good news amongst the hard stuff of life..

“For unto us a child born.. “

Good good news. News that is meant to bring hope and peace and wonder and joy. But most of all Love… for you know, that is how these hard human hearts get softened.

Jesus and Jesus alone is the only reason I am standing here today.

He and He alone is the reason my heart hasn’t been hardened by life’s trials.

He and He alone is the only reason I want to celebrate Christmas..

And we do.. We drink hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies and snuggle and read our Advent and look at sparkly lights. We decorate our tree. We buy the gifts we can afford. We celebrate. We have fun.. all the while remembering why we get to.

The Tolson Family wants you to know that we appreciate each and every one of you that has come into our lives. We hope and pray that you get to experience the Love that softens the hardest of hearts.

Have a Christmas celebration full of wonder.

Sadness and a different perspective..

Posted on December 18, 2009

It is 5:30am…I just found out that Sydney Ives went to be with Jesus in November. To say that my heart is breaking is an understatement, but in no way comes close to what the Ives family is going through.

This has been a hard week. We have dealt with some difficult things as a family, among other stuff. Reading Tasha’s site for Sydney really put things in proper perspective for me.

Sydney changed many people’s lives, including mine when I got to meet her last May. Please continue to lift up this family in the midst of their grief. You can visit their site here.

My beautiful friend is having a baby..

Posted on December 1, 2009

And she asked me to take her maternity pics… *Happy Sigh*

Ren. I can’t wait to meet this little guy. He will be so loved! Thanks for hiring me and trusting me with such a special occasion. Just one for now..

Love baby bumps..