Faves of 2012 - The Girls

"Nothing is ever really lost to us

as long as we remember it."

 - L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

Thank you Lord for the ability to remember. Precious is this gift.
Looking forward to all that is ahead in 2013~
Happy New Year friends!

[Random faves of the girls - 2012]

It's here!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas with loved ones!

 To view previous Christmas posts on the blog: Christmas 2010 & Christmas 2011

Morning Conversations

Phrases that are heard during the Pak morning routine.

"Hurry up, we're gonna be late!"
"Yes, you have to wear a sweater today. It's winter time."
"Daddy I want brak-tast! Mini-wheats, no milk inside."
"Hurry, have you changed yet? YES, you have to wear it. It's winter time."
"Where's Noelle??!"
"Don't run with your socks on!"
"Mommy, can you wash my eyes out!!"
"Noelle, stop playing with Horsey, you can play after breakfast!"
"You can't wear those socks, they were in the hamper. Wear new socks."
"I want the light blue cup. It's my turn to have the light blue cup!!"
"SHHH!! Quiet, STOP YELLING! ok, let's pray for the food."
"I tell you every day. It's WINTER. You need to wear it."
"Is Noelle in the bathroom?"
"Mommy, is it P.E. today? I have to wear sneakers, does this match my outfit?"
"Daddy, I want brak-tast!!"
"Go brush your teeth. You don't want stinky breath."
"What time is it mommy, are we going to be late?"
"Daddy, I need a hug and boppo (kiss)!!"
"Naomi Pak! Put. your. sweater. on."
"Don't forget my snack Mommy. Can I have something new, no more Cheez-its!"
"Kitty wants to say goodbye too, hug Kitty. DADDY, HUG KITTY!!"
"I don't know where my socks are. Can I just wear these? They look clean."
"Noelle, there you are, sit down and eat."
"But nobody else wears one...ok, I'll wear it."
"Hurry up, we're gonna be late!!"

____

I swear, I should videotape us in the morning, because it is a loud madhouse. And we only have one school-aged child, good grief.
Usually, I drive Naomi to school in the morning, but b/c of a foot injury, Tim had taken over the driving duties for a week. So I decided to document a piece of our morning. Glad I did. 

Note: I actually took these before the Sandy Hook shootings happened, and as I looked through my photos and remembered taking them, it was sobering, heartbreaking -  a reminder that even the crazy morning routine is a blessing...a full house is a blessing.  

Wishing everyone a lovely winter break~

Beauty of the Ordinary

Loving black and white lately.

Going back to documenting my girls in their everyday environment.

After we moved to Seattle, I'd often look back at pictures I had taken of the girls in California.

The ones that I loved the most, were the ones that painted a picture of their everyday life - where they are in their PJs, running around the house, playing dress up and being little girls oblivious to my camera. I want them to look back and see what life was like when they were 5 and 3 - how mis-matched their outfits were, how ridiculously tan they got in the summer, what their favorite toys were, and what kind of carefree expressions they made.

Of course, I believe there is a time and place for posed portraits and portrait sessions and speaking for our family, I'm hoping we can take them every year.

But there is also the beauty of the ordinary. Often overlooked. Rarely appreciated.

As 2013 quickly approaches, one of my goals is to document the ordinary every month.

I don't think the ordinary means boring. 
I think it can be meaningful.
I think it can be beautiful.
It just depends on how you look at it.

Family Love

Happy December everyone! 
Apologies for my blog silence these days! I've been posting shots from my everyday life on Instagram (sakop) and am on my phone more than my computer these days (isn't everyone)?
Life has been full with good things - our new church plant, holiday fun and more family sessions! 
Although I haven't been posting my recent sessions on this blog, you can view all my recent family sessions here on the GH Kim Photography blog. It's been so fun being part of the awesome GH Kim team and I feel blessed to be surrounded by such hard-working, talented people!

Here is a look back at a summery session shot back in SoCal - love this family~

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful start to December~!

Hold Fast

"Hold fast to the break of daylight..."

"... where the shadow proves the sunshine."

Switchfoot

What Makes Me Cheer

“Sister. 

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities.

She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.

She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.

She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.

Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.”

 - Barbera Alpert

Feeling like a little black and white this week and catching up with some random images of my girls.

These days they fight like it's in their job description. Tim and I sigh with exasperation at their bickering, knock back another cup of coffee, and wonder if we're the only family with constant fighting! 

Of course, there are peaceful moments - when the girls will share with each other, say kind words and protect each other without us asking them to.

In those moments, I silently cheer - and catch a glimpse of God's heart for us - His deep desire for His children to love not only Him, but to love one another. 

How He must grieve at those times when we refuse to share, refuse to love and refuse to care for each other - when we let petty things divide us and jealousy, insecurity, pride, and selfishness break our relationships.

"...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

one Lord,one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Ephesians 4:1-5

Challenging, but worth pursuing...worth getting up, dusting off your knees, and trying again after completely failing at it. (I know I have).

After all, as a parent, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing one child, truly remorseful, apologize to the other, and trying clumsily to play together again.

Hope this stirs up something within you as it did with me~

Looking forward to sharing more on the blog soon~