the divine danielle

fun. fabulous. smart. gorgeous. kind. sweet. adorable. wonderful. and she is only a high school senior. my word. I am pretty sure I was never even *close* to being as awesome as the debonair danielle when I was a witty teenager on the verge of graduating and taking on the big bad world. I am pretty sure I am not that cool even *now.* but danielle? she does it without even trying. and with one of the most fantastic, infectious smiles ever. and did I mention she laughs at my attempts at making jokes? mmhhhmm. because she is kind. and she has some seriously super sweet red hair with perfect pale skin going on.




(and? she laughs. at *my* jokes.) and it is a really good laugh. and did I mention her fantastic sense of fashion? um, yeah. pretty amazing really. like "top model" fabulously amazing. and some gorgeous pierce your soul eyes. which leads into my most favorite image *ever* ( you have missed it, I know...)

rawr, danielle. (I hope your mom doesn't mind me saying that....) but rawr.




gorgeous. I know. and those accessories?





hello! I *know.* she is fabulous, I told you.





and towering high with her super fab heels and awesomeness abound, she really could *be* a top model if she wanted to. and after our shoot? I sure did feel like I just walked around town with one.


*love*




she was ready to get down to some serious business.




wardrobe changes. hair fluffing. laying on the damp ground and random park ramps? all in a day's work for a supermodel, senior style...










own it, own. it. (I think she may have thought I lost my mind. I mean, I was *really* getting into it....)










LOVE. sass. style. spycee.









hello evening lighting that decided to grace us with one fabulous image.




top. model.




who was ready to work it on all kinds of crazy angles to get that *one* super awesome shot.




did I mention those eyes?




and that fantastic sense of humor and fun...




yes.




one of my favorites *ever* (again. yes. I know.) really. who would have thought a playground could be so awesome?










and finally, as the clouds slowly covered the sky and the moon graced us with its presence (and the really cool owl necklace, most coolest necklace *ever*) got its turn to shine...















the fabulously danielle and her owl necklace and custom feather headband (because do you know how important it is to be *you?* especially when you are a kick butt cool you....)




well, she is ready for the world. and the world? is *so* ready for all the incredible greatness she is going to bring to it.
but mom?

might not be *quite* as ready....(though I am pretty sure, lisa, that with a daughter as fabulous as danielle? you will never have a *thing* to worry about.

what courage looks like.

and let me tell you, it doesn't get any cuter than this.



this is the story of brielle and brooke. the most courageous, wonderfully happy, gentle-spirited, kind, loving just plain *amazing* little people I have ever met. though their story by no means defines them, it is one that must be heard because it is so important and it has changed their lives forever. but you know what? it hasn't changed *them.* they are way too incredible to let it.

both of these beautiful sisters have a rare and devastating disease known as SMA, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type II. you can read more about their journey and their courage here:

http://brielleandbrooke.smakids.org

beacause that is all the time I am going to give that wicked disease right now. this day was about THEM. about how they are an inspiration to anyone who has ever had to fight for their life or struggled with pain. because, if you didn't *know* they had SMA, well, then you wouldn't *know* it. they are just that amazing. their smiles melted my heart and I swelled with love from the moment their big, wild, curly hair (jealous...) and kind eyes graced me with their presence. and from the moment we first met until stickers and the best hugs EVER were exchanged, their smiles never took a backseat.

brielle and brooke? you overWHELM me with your courage and strength.


and believe me, you are about to fall in love, too....

beautiful, bubbly, big laughter, big hearted big sister brielle.



sweet, soft-spoken, silly, spontaneous, super fun, smaller sister, brooke.



every image makes my heart swell. three sizes too big. but the good too big.




**love**









we had a pretty good time I think....and with these two, living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment of it, how could I not do the same??






















**love**
just a little supermodel break, you know....





sisters. they are in this thing called life together.




with some serious love and support from their ahMAZing mama. (super gorgeous and kind mama, I might add...)




super serious loving....



I think the feeling is pretty mutual...










courage defined.





strength you never thought was possible from such itty little ones.





but this is what it looks like.
and I think, it is going to be near impossible for anything to get these two down.



actually, I *know* it. and I am so honored to know such amazing, beautiful girls. whom we can never stop fighting for. because I know? they never will either.

the art of being

sometimes, life just happens and all you do is watch it pass you by. it is easy to forget that it is happening to *you.* if only you would just let it.
sometimes, I am reminded of just letting things be. *posed* shots are lovely. they are framable keepsakes of a family together. but what is really representative of the togetherness is just *being* a *family.* letting go. laughing really loud. getting wet and sandy and letting your hair whip in the wind. remembering the little things that matter. not forgetting who you are. you don't want to sit down and *pose* for a family image? then so BE it. and you know? I didn't really want you to *either*

the beautiful, easy going bilkey family reminded me of just this.

just being a family.



and the seriously strong-willed, lively personalities of the adorable bilkey sisters helped keep things in perspective, too.

olivia


ella





just finding their place in the family...




and reminding me of what it means to truly BE sisters.

sharing a discovery.



holding hands to keep each other from tumbling on the wet beach sand (and maybe even having a bit of fun doing so...)




exploring together.




just. being. plain. old. sisters.





and friends for life.







being a mom...




being a dad....


sharing the moments in between.




























and most of all? being an amazing role model for the most important little people in your life.
the most important job you will *ever* have on this earth.




and enjoying every moment of it. and I do mean *every* (even the ones where all you can do is laugh. out loud. just to keep your sanity.)



the art of being.



really that is what life is all about.