Cookie Monsters

I don't know what it is about hormones, but they can make a person do some crazy things. Or make a person ask her husband to go out at an unreasonable hour to buy crazy things. Yes, I am THAT pregnant girl.

With all three pregnancies my hubby has been enslaved to my ridiculous cravings. Thank goodness he's a nice guy or we may have had serious marital issues over this. Speaking of cravings, the last few days all I could think about was Lofthouse cookies. I had to have them. And I'm not telling how many I've had since I got them.

Since Billy was at work, me and the kids made the trip to the store. Of course I realized this meant I would have to share the goods, but I guess I can give up two of the cookies if I must. Sure enough, the kids spotted them before I even had them in the cart. We were walking into the bakery and they practically smelled them.

"Mom, can WE have a cookie?!" was all I heard until after baths and dinner. (Which by the way, was totally the wrong order. Baths need to come AFTER the cookie next time. WhataMESS.

But they thoroughly destroyed, I mean enjoyed them, so everyone was happy. Including the 3rd hooligan who kicked the sanity out of me after all that sugar. Forget orange juice if you need a good kick count. Have a Lofthouse cookie. Just not one of mine.

Check out more "green" shots at YouCapture.

The first shot is also for Texture Thursday and Show off Your Shot.

You know...THAT kid.

I haven't ever been much of a playground goer with the hooligans. Not that we don't like playgrounds, we just usually do the "go out in the yard and play" thing. But lately, with so many cool playground nearby, we've kind of been getting into it.

I am not a social butterfly by any means, and usually I tend to keep to myself unless I know people pretty well. Kids don't really give you that option. At the playground it always surprises me how fast my kids "make friends" and force you to talk to said friend's mom. (They did not get this trait from me, I take light-years to make friends, but I'm glad they're like this.)

And as glad as I am for their friendliness...it seems like there is always that ONE kid on the playground who is just downright obnoxious. You wish their mom would decide time's up. They whine, they're super bossy, they keep calling your kid Dillon and Martin when he repeatedly says his name is Merrick. (Okok I KNOW that's a hard name...but Martin? Come on.) You are thinking "wow my kids are pretty awesome compared to Gladys or whatever her name is", and then? You meet Gladys' mom.

And then it all makes sense. Oh, that's why Gladys is miss bossy britches, or that's why Gladys won't.stop.talking. I'm not saying everyone who likes to talk is annoying AT ALL...but you guys know the one. Today I met that mom. I just wanted to play with my kids but instead had to hear all about Gladys. For two hours. I feel like I gave birth to Gladys I know so much about her.

I'm sure she's a great kid, and I'm definitely sure (especially in my hormonal state) that I need more patience. But I was so glad when relief (in the form of someone else's mom who needed to hear all about Gladys) showed up. And by the time we left I totally recognized that glazed over look in her eye. ;)

The first shot is for Sweet Shot, last shot is for Communal Global.

Seasonal

It's the time when the leaves start changing, when evenings and mornings are cool and fresh, when football is on everyone's mind, and people other than myself drink pumpkin spice latte's from Starbucks. There is something really cozy about Autumn. The smells and colors are all so festive. Summer will always be my favorite season, but something about Fall is pretty enticing. It contains some pretty delicious holidays as well.

Seasons are kind of like people, different and interesting in their own way. (Winter would be someone that I don't get along with, if it was a person.) A few of my favorite things about this season are Halloween, football, and the changes in the leaves...which are always great at keeping me busy with the camera. My family can have a brief break. What are some of your favorite things about this season?

Check out more shots at Monday Musings, My Perspective, and Macro Monday.

Sibling Rivalry

Siblings..such an interesting thing. I had five of them growing up. Four sisters and a brother, of which I am the oldest. My two kiddos will soon be three, and I'm interested to see how the dynamics and interactions around here may change when their baby brother is more physically a part of our daily lives.

We are excited about there being three, but realize that things will now go from man to man defense to zone defense. I'm hoping that these two welcome their little brother into the family, and there's not a lot of jealousy or attempts at wrestling with their tiny new sibling. These two do love a good wrestle. They love a good fight in general. I'm hoping this is something that we work out as they get older. I can't imagine it's a good idea for 30 year old siblings to body slam each other.

While they may fight, at the same time they are the only ones who are allowed to pick on each other. Merrick will defend Tizzy, and vice versa, in the event that someone tries to take over their role as sole-agitator of each other. It's a job they take very seriously. No one better mess with my sister (or brother) except for me. This I don't mind so much. I will be glad, though, when we can get through a day where they find something to agree on besides...nothing.

The first shot is for The Paper Mama.

Framed

We have this HUGE wall in our house in the loving room. I love it, because it means a really high ceiling and skylights. But at first I wasn't sure what to do with all that empty space. I was a bit overwhelmed.

Finally I put up some tapestries, and after four+ months of living here we are finally getting around to putting up some pictures I had printed. Very LARGE pictures.

I'm obsessed with color, so I was excited to get some colorful shots I took actually up and on the wall somewhere. It was fun to use some of my work (that sounds so funny to me) as wall art. Made me feel silly and important all at the same time. I guess I don't always, or ever, take myself but so seriously. ;)

We sold some items on craigslist (you know, various organs and a child) to finally get them into some frames.. Frames (especially industrial-sized bad boys like the ones I wanted cost about that much.

I'm excited with the way it turned out, and excited that I had a part in what's in the frames instead of just buying it somewhere. My hubs was probably not too excited about hanging the huge frames, but he done good. ;)

Check out more Industrial shots at YouCapture.
The first shot is for Show off Your Shot, and the last shot is for Texture Thursday.

One of Those Families

Every once in awhile you meet one of those families. (No, not those crazy families who make you wonder how that much crazy ended up in one place.) Those families who are just so nice and so genuinely caring that they make you wonder how they do it.

This family is one of those families. (And they'll be the first to tell you they are who they are because they love God and each other.) I love my family, but I'm not sure we could pull of a session this long (about an hour and a half of shooting, including the two little guys who were fabulously behaved) without someone losing an eye, or a head for that matter. They made my job really easy.

I am so glad I got to work with them. I've known them since I was a kid, and am flattered that they asked me to capture their group. They made me feel more like part of the family than the photographer. I told them, totally truthfully, that I have had sessions with three people that were more stressful than this big group of 11. No chasing people or yelling "hey can you pleeease look at the camera", and "can so-in-so please remove their hands from around so-in-so's neck"? I hope me and my little family are a lot like this when we grow up.

The first shot is for Communal Global, second is for Leigh vs. Laundry, and third is for Sweet Shot.

Great Expectations

Over the weekend I did a session with one of my husbands former youth students. It was her senior portraits...but I find myself remembering when I used to babysit her. Can't believe how grown up she is...applying to colleges and going to Governor's School.

 

As I was uploading some of her previews to Flickr, (I always get excited after a session and can't contain myself, and have to put up a few previews.) and I found myself googling graduation-ish quotes. I came across this one: Don't live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable. / Wendy Wasserstein 

Graduating or not, I love this quote. I mean, we all carry around so many expectations, so many things people want from us, for us...even things people want for us that we don't want. It reminded me how easy it is to lose sight of that tugging we so often feel deep down in our hearts. That I know what I should be doing, I know what I love, I know what I'm here for kind of feeling.

So while it may sound like I'm giving myself a commencement speech or something, and I don't like to be cheesy, I really was glad to be reminded of this. Kind of freeing to remember that the only expectations that really matter are the ones between God and me. I don't have to impress anyone with my skills, chances are I may not be doing exactly what they think I should be doing anyway. I just need to impress one Person. And I hope that this girl, with her whole life ahead of her, realizes this even now. And I hope it gives her the freedom to find the expectations that really matter.

The second shot is for Paper Heart Camera

Everything You Do

You're picking up toys on the living room floor  for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
 

You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips and head out the door
And while I may not know you, I bet I know you wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters...

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace 

With every move that you make, and every little thing you do.

- Everything You Do by Stephen Curtis Chapman -

(First, sorry for the kind of lousy iPhone pics, but things have been crazy...so that's all I got.) Heard this song on the radio the other day, and I feel like it was speaking straight to me. I mean, some days as a SAHM you feel kind of...invisible maybe? Just like a dispenser of cereal and juice, and a diaper changing station. But it was a nice reminder that what I spend my days doing is not going unnoticed. And these little people who are asking for all those cheerios and juice (and needing all those diapers changed) are the most important gifts I've been given.

The last shot is for The Paper Mama

Apples and Trees

They always say "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". I'm not sure who they are, but I think they are right for the most part. Well, some kids don't turn out anything like their parents, but for the most part, I think we've all had that oh dear heavens I'm becoming my mother moment. It can be pretty scary, depending on who your mother is I suppose.

I think in terms of eating habits, my kids are probably fitting nicely into this little saying. I try so stinkin hard to eat healthy and take good care of myself and my kiddos, but guys, there is sugar and carbs out there to be eaten. It's a good thing I love running nearly as much as I love sweets. (This habit, I know I inherited from my own mother. The woman lives on M&M's, Lance Crackers, and Dr. Pepper...good thing she has good genes. The sweet tooth in our family is a beast.)

So I try, like I said, to eat right. And I do a lot of the times. But my kids? They see something green and ask me in somewhat of a panic where the Cheez-its are, or if they can have a cookie, or maybe some chocolate milk...please? I'm working on all of our eating habits. Not because weight is an issue in our family...obviously it's not. But because I want them to feel good and healthy and not struggle with my awful habits as they get older, and that sweet tooth comes back to bite us in the behind. The behind that just might get bigger once the ol' metabolism takes a nose dive. ;)

So, all this speaking of apples...I fed them apples with lunch yesterday. Tirzah, as you can see, wasn't very impressed. I think she used the words "is yucky, mommy". Merrick did ok...but left quite a few on the plate. Obviously I have my work cut out for me. I think I may need some ice cream...

Check out more shots at You Capture.

The first shot is for Live Every Moment, second is for Fabulous Friday, 

and the last shot is for Texture Thursday and Show off Your Shot.

The Everyday

Just wanted to take a second to document the everyday. Nothing hilarious, or out of the ordinary, or terribly exciting happened yesterday. (I did buy candy corn, which was pretty exciting, but I didn't figure that was a blog post anyone but me would want to read.)

Yesterday we just hung out, ran errands, ran at the gym (well, I ran, they played with a hamster named Charlie) got eaten by the mosquitoes (who I wish would die) out in the backyard while we played after dinner. Watched a little TV and snuggled before bed.

Like I said, nothing too exciting. But just wanted to share these shots of my kiddos being themselves and having a great time doing it. I'm so thankful for their, um, zestful? personalities. They are so lively and silly and make me laugh. Even though yesterday was just everyday stuff, that's still my favorite kind of day.

The first shot is for Sweet Shot

10

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since that day. I remember (just as you probably do) exactly where I was when I first heard what had happened. I was sitting in Speech class, a freshman in college who was still a bit homesick. This made me realize, even though I was wanting to be home, how blessed I was that everyone I loved back home was safe.

So much has happened in 10 years. I've since gotten engaged, graduated from college, gotten married, had two babies, and am anxiously awaiting our third. I have so much more in my life now to thankful for. And this anniversary reminds me to never take those things for granted. I hope we never go through something like that again, and continue to hold those affected in my thoughts and prayers. May we never forget to live and love in every moment we are given.

Remembering

Yesterday that postponed-because-of-the-neverending-rain engagement session finally happened. It was a fun session, minus the mosquitoes that ate us alive. I hope that this couple will forgive me one day for all the bites they acquired. ;)

I love doing engagement sessions. It's always fun to photograph a couple with so much to look forward to as they start out together. It always makes me remember how much fun that phase in Billy and I's relationship was. Wishing these guys all the best as they tie the knot next month! Thanks for letting me be a part of it!

Remember that love is easy. It's we who make it complicated. / Leo Buscaglia 

The first shot is for The Paper Mama

Flowers and People need Rain

Usually I don't mind a rainy day or two...they are kind of peaceful. Nice for just being around the house and piddling. I think I'm kind of rainy day-ed out right now though. These last couple of grey days have really had me feeling gloomy. A lot of the rain has been brought on by all the hurricanes happening right now.

I even had to cancel a photo session for it yesterday. It pretty much poured all...day...long. I think we probably need the rain, and I should be grateful for it. (Seems like everyone is always saying we need rain...I maybe should pay more attention to that) I think rain was also easier to tolerate before I had kids. Kids are kind of annoying to take out in the rain. They act like they are going to melt, which I assure you they are not.

But like I said, I'm trying to look at the bright side. The weather has been (I can't believe I'm saying this) a cooler temperature the last few days, and it's been kind of nice. The rain drops make for some pretty photography, too. I took a much needed nap today since my session was rescheduled, and spent some time just snuggling on the couch with my hooligans.

While cloudy grey days are not my fav, some of the things they make possible are pretty nice. I think this is a good analogy for a lot of things in life, if I think about it. Looking at the bright side, and seeing the good that comes out of trials I may be going through, is something that could use a little growth in my life.

Check out more Summer Sunset shots at YouCapture. (I took these at sunset, does that even count? With this rain I haven't seen a sunset all week.)

The first shot is also for Texture Thursday, and Show of Your Shot.

No-Labor Day

Feeling short on words today. Maybe it's the preggo brain, maybe it's the fact that I don't sleep between tossing and turning and having to pee all night, maybe it's all the carbs we consumed yesterday. Either way, it was a fun holiday with the family.

So I'll just leave you with a few shots from all our frolicking outside yesterday. It was awesome weather, despite a little rain late in the evening. Hope you were able to enjoy a peaceful day with friends and family, too!

Third shot is for Communal Global, and the last shot is for Sweet Shot.

Nothing Like a White Dress

There is just something so exciting about a white dress. I mean, for girls at least. Not sure it has quite the same effect on a guy…but there’s nothing quite like your wedding dress. Or the next best thing in my opinion, getting to do portraits for someone else in their white dress.

Towards the end of last week I was able to do a bridal portrait session for a girl who is getting married this fall. Bridal sessions are so much fun, and I love being able to do them. This was actually the first time I’d met this bride, and it didn’t take long to see her fun, bubbly personality come out. We had a great time laughing and goofing off, as well as getting a ton of shots. She’s going to make a beautiful bride.

Doing sessions like these always make me want to run upstairsand put on my own white dress. Oh, wait. That’s probably going to have to waituntil the beginning of next year when there isn’t another person inhabiting mybelly. Not sure both of us would fit in that dress at this point. ;)

The first shot is for Paper Heart Camera

My Heart

.Recently on Pinterest I saw a pin featuring this piece of wall art for a nursery that said "No one will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside." It seriously made me cry. I'm not sure if I can blame that on the pregnancy hormones or just the fact that it's so true. I am seriously wanting to make something like that for the littlest guy's nursery.

Yes, you heard right. We found out this week that we are having another little man in January. I had myself convinced that he was a she. Not sure if that's because Merrick kept saying that, or various friends were saying it, but I was even starting to look at girl names online.

When we went to have our ultrasound, the first view we got was literally the classic, "it's a boy" shot. One of those shots that will embarrass him when he has a fiance or a girlfriend years down the road. Good thing we wanted to find out the gender, because he wanted to be sure we knew that he was not a girl.

So looking forward to meeting this little man in a few months. Until then, he's just going to keep taking up more and more of my abdomen, as well as all of my heart. (Yeah, pregnancy hormones. Gotta go blow my nose.)

That last shot is for The Paper Mama