Spencer

So not only did I neglect my blog for over a month, I missed showing off my Spencer turning 1.  I can’t even remember how long it’s been since I’ve posted a picture of that child on this blog.   He’s the funniest thing ever, with a grand canyon of a mischievous streak.  He’s been walking since October- so he’s pro in that area now.  I keep step stool in my kitchen (wasn’t blessed in the height department) that he pushes around to get things he wants on kitchen counters. I also have a wireless mouse to this computer that can be gone in a flash- I get up to answer a phone and it’s like he’s a cat waiting at the door to pounce the second I turn my head.   He’ll take off running giggling all the way down the hall, stopping only to make sure the chase is still on.    

My “not so baby” baby- all boy, curls and rubber boots

another new one

This little thing only appears to be asleep in most of these images, I stole a shot here and there with eyes closed and during the short little catnaps she would take.  Later,  I heard that after I left, she fell into a deep REM comatose sleep.  She’ll probably be alseep until morning! What a nice gift from me to mom! 

a truly gorgeous baby-

Starting over

Let’s wipe the slate clean and start fresh, something akin to declaring blog bankruptcy.  So what better way to start over than showing some sweet little babes…. brand new (the best way….  fresh, new squishy and asleep!)

the happiest day

I thought about calling this post ” the happiest bride, ever.  Seriously.”

A wedding day is a great, beautiful thing- the joining of two people, the beginning of a new family…  We all know that.  Still, the flowers can be perfect, the music, the dresses, the food, cake… all that can be in impeccable taste and lovely as ever.  But I think, more than anything, it’s the bride that sets the mood of the day, the tone, the atmosphere with something as simple as her mood.  If she is thrilled and glowing, everyone will be.  I know that I feed off of that and find it so easy to be inspired.  In that sense, Brittney was inspiring.  Her wedding was simply joyful and she was radiant! If there were nerves involved, I never knew it!  This wedding was in Indiana.  I was so shocked that she wanted me to come up there to shoot her wedding!  Wow… really an honor to just be asked!  But being the pushover that I am, I accepted payment.  It really was terrible of me, because Stu, the baby and I flew up there together and had a great weekend.  Even though I had to work, it was really relaxing and we both had a great time. 

Another little sidenote about Brittney:  I know without hesitation that there are few truly gentle and special spirits living in this world and we are all better people for having met them…. I am blessed to know several people like that and now I know one more. 

Here’s Brittney and Ross’s wedding day…….

of my fav shots of the day…

I liked the those two pictures so much better than the posed one..

The light was beautiful streaming into the church when she walked in..

I’m not sure why, but I love the yummy light reflected in the glass-

so happy…

a quiet moment with her dad..

My fave shot of bride and groom….

Breaking the silence

A little poll….

 

 

I have let this thing get a bit behind and I could do one of those long drawn out lists where I tell you everything that has happened from Claire having a tonsillectomy .. ect.  The truth is that I had one of those months where the rug was pulled out from under me-  like a deck of cards being thrown up in the air and left to scatter at your feet.  I think I have all those cards picked up- now I just have to sort them out.  In the face of challenges, some things have to be given up.  I’ve never made it a secret that this blog gets the axe first.  I’ve come to realize that particular line of thinking isn’t that beneficial.  Primarily, this blog serves as a lifeline to my clients- a way to communicate.  I am running a business, afterall- and I should do what I can to market myself.. (an area I have never really given much thought or concern, fearing it wouldn’t make much difference!) That just makes sense! Secondly, or maybe this isn’t so secondary, this blog- these little diatrabs I write, are a bit cathargic.  If I’m being honest, I’ve had quite a year. I won’t bore the world with my melodrama.  I think it selfish to dwell on myself when I can give that same thought to a friend who is having a hard time too.  Still, we all deserve to take care of ourselves and I should relish my time here!

So, there are things to get done with this post- I need to introduce the Christmas cards for this year! 

Here’s the new set:  Beyond Red and Green      The colors can be changed a bit to match clothing, but I love the greens, browns and blues! 

Here are a few examples to show them with images from recent sessions!

an example of how color can be changed!

 

I’m keeping some of the same cards from last year too-  here they are again!

Wildflowers

One of these mornings, I will wake up on time. I will stretch and shake off a lovely night’s sleep with a sigh. I will get out of bed with perfect hair, slip into my size four jeans and walk down the hall to awaken my children who have slept in their own beds blissfully through out the night. My husband will have coffee, breakfast and the newspaper waiting. Jack will emerge from his room dressed, with shoes even, and ready for school! We will all go our seperate ways with cheerful goodbyes and kisses… One of the days, I will have it together. Most days are a little different than that, the least of which are those size fours! A girl can dream, can’t she?

I know that perfection is something that can not be attained. There are days where my routines are far from routine, with more bumps and bruises than I can handle. I hope when all the chaos of these days have passed, I won’t remember how overwhelmed I feel. All the daily stress will fall away and I can remember their childhood as our own brand of perfect. Like this field of wildflowers, it was full of weeds, briars, and ant beds- but on the whole, completely beautiful.

Halloween- it’s that time of year again!