A new season of life

Bug started Kindergarten today. My very last baby is now in school. To get a better idea of how I feel, today is the first day in 9 and a half years that I have not had a baby at home. Oh my heart! Talk about hurt. I enter this new season of my life a bit begrudgingly.

I had to get the customary pictures of her this morning too. All decked out in a new outfit, new lunch box and new book bag, all picked out by her! She's bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning folks, up before 7 to get ready for her school day. Let's see how long that lasts!

Check out that lunch box! She was SO excited that it was so huge hahaha. She kept telling me that she was going to have the biggest lunch box in school. She's hilarious. You can see why I miss her.

That little devilish grin. She's either going to be the best or the most devilish student this teacher's ever had.

The Mister was sad to see his baby go too.

In the end, there was a lot of crying, whining and whimpering. On my part. And a lot of running, jumping up and down with excitement and waving goodbye without looking back on hers. I'm just glad I waited until she was inside of the school to start my meltdown, because she really fed off of my excitement for her in her brand new season of life.

Back into the swing of things

2nd day of school, and already I'm enjoying getting back into a routine. I still miss my girls, so much - but the routine is something I really enjoy. This year I've added 2 more kiddos to the mix. I'm watching a friend's girls before school, which actually is quite helpful for me - so far my girls are so excited they're here they get up on time haha.

This morning we walked to school. It's seriously gorgeous outside. Low 70's, and it's August! I love this time of year when I can walk to school, get some exercise and it's not too hot yet. There's nothing exciting about it - it's an ordinary walk in an ordinary neighborhood on an ordinary day. But if you look, you can find really beautiful things. One of my favorite things as a photographer is the gift of being able to see things that others don't typically see. It's not a gift that I had before photography, it's a gift that photography (and God) gave me. What I see is what drives me in my work, and really it helps me slow down my daily routine and stop and actually SEE the beauty that God has given us in things we've grown accustomed to.

I'm also finding a real freedom in using my iPhone as my every day camera. So many posts will have images from my iPhone. If you want to see my real work, you can always check out my photography blog.

Every time I step out of my house in the morning, I am always struck by how amazing wet grass looks in morning light. It's seriously stunning. If you've never noticed, take a few minutes one day to check it out. Just look at how they glow like jewels and it's like every single blade is bathed in light.

I don't know about you, but sunlight makes me really, really happy.

It was about this point in the trip that I was really consumed with the beauty surrounding me (thank you Lord!). And it was also about this point in the trip that Bean realized she forgot her homework and threw an all out fit/temper tantrum rivaling any 2 year old. Stomping of feet, crying and unreasonable thinking all included. The Mister and I have been trying desperately to teach our girls responsibility, and this was one of those moments I had to make a tough call. No, I wasn't going to go back to the house to get it. No, she wasn't allowed to run the half mile home "real quick" by herself. No, we weren't all going to go home so she could get it and drive back up to school so we won't be late. And I was sorry that she might get in trouble and that her teacher might be REALLY mad at her and that she wouldn't get to use her crayons today (haha what??). See? Unreasonable thinking.

So after calling her bluff on her staying "right here forever", we moved on and kept going.

Gracious I am in love with how the sun just lights up their hair. I was so tempted to run back home, grab my real camera and take them to a beautiful field to capture it before I missed the chance. Hmm. I suppose Bean isn't the only one thinking unreasonably!

I dropped them off, kissed lips and in Angel's case, cheeks, goodbye. I comforted Bean once more and assured her that no, her teacher wouldn't be SO MAD at her and that it would all be ok. Then I took off with my Bug and one of my little charges (who does not have school today) back home.

That's my Bug on the left with that amazing shadow hair. That's my charge in the middle, looking up at me and holding my hand, being oh so sweet and making me wish my kids would do those things haha. And that's me on the right with a rather deformed looking shadow. Not sure what happened there. But at least theirs are cute!

I'm anxious to do this again tomorrow :) Well, aside from it being Bug's first day. I've got the jitters. *sniff*

My babies!

My babies started school today. *sob* I always miss them when they go. So I was just a tad bit on the cranky side today. I still had my Bug with me, she doesn't start until Wednesday. I am cherishing the tiny bit of time we have left together.

So bright and early this morning, they were ready to go! Isn't it always like that on the first day of school? Too bad the excitement will be gone by this weekend.

First day of school is always a really big deal around here. The Mister takes off work, the girls get to pick out a very special first day of school outfit (we don't buy school clothes, I feel it's a waste as they have enough already) and get to pick out their lunch boxes. Their bookbags need to last 2 years, according to me, so this was an "off" year and therefore not exciting in the bookbag department.

Here's Angel, looking very excited to start her first day of 4th grade!

She picked out a puppy shirt and a kitten lunch box. You can tell where her heart lies. :)

And here is Bean, looking very...um.....3rd grade-ish?

She's actually rather upset. The outfit she picked out she decided ugly when she tried it on, and since we bought them yesterday - she had to wear something she already owned to her first day. But I exchanged it for a way awesomer outfit for tomorrow :) Oh, and she didn't even want this lunch box, but I forced her to pick something because I refused to go to another store, so this is what she ended up with. No smiles all around.

And the customary "look at me, I'm starting school so I will pose in front of the school name" shot.

I was so excited to pick them up at 3:30. They were all chatty and Angel exclaimed that she believes she is her teacher's favorite student. I suppose that's a great way to start off your new year!

This is a real drive-by posting, I'm heading out for yet another session, my 3rd in the past week. I'm a busy girl lately! I hope all your babies had a great first day too :)

The beast is coming

We had an earthquake earlier this week. On Tuesday. Right here in Maryland! That never happens. This is only the 2nd earthquake I can remember, the first one being a few years back, which I just so happened to miss because I was at my parents' house in southern VA. Imagine my dismay when I learned that we had an earthquake and I missed it. Again. A 5.6 quake and I missed it because I was grocery shopping. I have total tremor envy.

So here it is, Saturday. 4 days after the big event. And we're preparing for a hurricane. Potentially the biggest one to hit in decades, I hear. She's a monster, this hurricane Irene. We're under tropical storm warning here in our little part of Northern MD. This far inland our biggest threat is most likely no power. But you wouldn't know that by looking at the grocery stores.

The Mister took this picture yesterday of the Costco he works at. As I mentioned, we may see a tropical storm, but not an actual hurricane. But I'm guessing people are ignoring that part? He said they ran out of bread and water before 2, and when the water was dwindling, the fighting began. Which honestly, really saddens me. People are so out for themselves they forget to be kind to each other.

A friend of mine took this picture of her grocery store in Norfolk VA.

Last time I checked, the last thing you wanted to get when you had a threat of a hurricane is food that can spoil. She said the freezer section was wiped clean as well. What in the heck are people going to do with all that cold food if their power goes out??

This AM, The Mister said it's as insane as ever at work.

Yes, that's a line around the building waiting for opening time.

I just shake my head in wonder.

Here at our home sweet home, we are totally preparing for Irene. I'm planning on cooking dinner like normal, the kids are playing their beloved Little Big Planet as I type this on my trusty Mac. I've got Facebook open and my phone on the charger. Perhaps I'll make some pretzels this afternoon, and we've got a cleaning party planned. So you see - we're totally prepared!

To those of you on the coast, stay safe. I pray that all of you come through this with minimal damage and with all of your loved ones safe and sound. While damage to our beloved cities and towns can be heartbreaking, it can all be rebuilt. Nothing is as important as those you hold close by your side. Kiss those faces and tell them you love them, not because of the threat of danger but because it's what you should be doing, every day! And if you do evacuate, PLEASE take your pets with you!! Don't leave them behind to fend for themselves.

::head:: ::hand::, repeat

Today I had a session. If people knew how much goes into preparing for a session, I doubt anyone would ever want to be a professional photographer. I spent the night before weeding through all of my props for my little 4 day old client, and putting them aside in a very specific spot so I wouldn't forget a thing. I made sure all of my contracts were printed, and put it by the door. So I wouldn't forget it. I gathered my camera paraphernalia, plugged in my battery to charge it and put all of it together. So I wouldn't forget it. You get the drift.

This morning I pack up the car with tons of baby junk and kids, took the kids to the sitter's, and headed down to my client's house. Because I'm rather paranoid about forgetting my camera (it's actually one of my biggest fears), I fondled it pretty much the whole way. You know, in case my mind was playing tricks on me the last time I touched the lens cap and was able to see the super cute pattern on my camera strap.

I got there a few minutes early, greeted my clients with a congratulations on their new addition, lugged 4 trips of baby junk up 2 flights of steps. I chatted with Mom while she fed her new little guy, I set up everything just so. Which takes a while, might I add. We finally get him asleep, and I begin to position him on the setup. Finally. An hour and a half after I got there, I was ready to start.

I grabbed my camera and turned it on. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Umm.....what? I flipped the switch again - nothing. My stomach sank and I realized that I had forgotten to bring the camera battery with me. OHEMGEEEEEEEE. Red faced from both getting a million pounds of stuff upstairs into a hot room and embarrassment, I ran to Best Buy to purchase an emergency battery. Which I was told would only have half of it's juice. Just awesome.

I get back, had the little guy fed again, and finally started shooting. Over 3 hours later. Spectacular. On the bright side - I am the proud new owner of a backup battery.

On a more positive note - the little guy was just delicious. 4 day old perfection and sleepy and squishy and....well, and just an amazing sight to behold at new life starting. Always an amazing piece of God's work to witness. People ask me often if having a session with a newborn makes me want another baby. I can answer honestly - no, it doesn't. I've never really been one to enjoy my kids as newborns. It's not that I didn't love them, it's just that I prefer them a bit bigger with personality and interaction. And to be honest with you, I never really wanted a son. I said I did, but really it was for the Mister (hubby) and not for me. But let me tell you this - as I sat in this little guy's room waiting for him to fall asleep, I looked around and just completely, totally, fell head over heels in love. With the room. I mean, SERIOUSLY? It was blues and reds and greens and yellows, with surfboards and madras plaid. Tiki masks and wooden wind chimes. Awesome shark boards on the wall reflecting a surf shop. It was THE cutest boys room I'd ever seen. And it totally made me want a little boy. Because I wanted to have a room like that in my house! I really wish I had thought to take a picture of it.

And on that picture note, I do have some to share. None from my big girl camera, however. Because honestly, that would just be wrong to share here and not let mom see first! But I did take some with my trusty iPhone. :)

This one's the close up of the above shot. Look at that face!

And I couldn't resist this one. I told you he was delicious!

The real shots will sit in my camera for the next few days until I can get over my frustration at myself for forgetting this goofy battery. Lesson learned. I now have one more thing to check off of the paranoid "it could happen - session style" list.

My first post and it's a doozy!

Welcome! I figured I'd start up a little journal of my simple yet crazy daily life (again). Back to blogging. I sort of missed it. So I'm just going to jump right in...

Today is back to school open house for the girls. Angel (9 years old) starts 4th grade this year, Bean (8 years old) starts 3rd, and Bug (5 years old) is starting Kindergarten. My first year of no babies at home, it's going to be interesting. I'm pretty sad about it - but I keep pushing those feelings to the side and pretending they're not there right now, I'll just deal with them next week when they actually start.

So - open house. For the past few years, the PTA has done a back to school picnic afterwards where they provide pizza and the families provide snacks, desserts and drinks. It's such a fun thing for the kids to reconnect with old friends, for us to meet their parents (finally!) and just get back into the feel of school. According to the first letter in our last name, we're assigned with desserts. Which works beautifully for me. Any of you that know me know that I LOVE(D) to bake. I say LOVE(D) because it was kind of like a former persona for me. Since we changed our eating habits drastically about a year or so ago, I rarely bake.

A few months back, I stumbled across Pinterest - and have been pinning insane amounts of sugar laden baked goods ever since. Pinterest + baked goods assignment = happy me. I have a reason to bake, and to not keep it in the house where I will ultimately eat every last bit of it and gain 1,000 pounds. After agonizing for hours (ok fine, more like 15 minutes, but that's still a long time!) about which goodie to make, I enlisted Angel's help. She picked Cookie Dough Cupcakes. Oh dear.

If you knew how much butter went into these things, you'd pass out. And I am not exaggerating this time.

To make cookie dough cupcakes, you need cookie dough.

Cookie dough bites go in the freezer. Had I been prepared, I would have known to make these babies LAST night and let them freeze overnight, but who does that? *cough* ....

So in MY house, they were in the freezer for about 3 hours. Made the rest of the cupcake batter for the oven, and in they went.

They didn't look like anything spectacular until I frosted them.


And we decided that they had to be taste tested. You know, in case anyone drops dead from food poisoning and all. It's research.


Umm, yeah. We're in love. These cupcakes could be my boyfriend. They would have been even better had the dough been frozen overnight, it would have stayed "raw" in the cupcake. Ahem. Yes. Moving on.


I saved us each one and promptly put the rest into the containers to take to the school picnic. It was for our own good.


And off to the madness that is back to school night. Seriously. If you're claustrophobic or anti-people in any way, you're going to want to stay home during this event. We met teachers, old friends and new ones, visited classrooms and got acquainted with new desks. We dropped off a plethora of school supplies, yet came home with an equal amount of weight in paperwork for yours truly to fill out. Again. For the millionth time. And we ate. And much to the girls' dismay, my cupcakes were LONG gone by the time we got there. DARN. ;)

I had wanted to get a picture of each girl by their classrooms, but seeing as we had only an hour to do all three girls in a sea of people who don't seem to realize that they're not the only ones in the hallway, we didn't have time. Poor Bean got the shaft and got about 2 minutes in her classroom. So here is Bug, getting excited about Kindergarten. :) And like any professional photographer, I only brought my iPhone. Srsly. No CHANCE I was bringing my beastly princess along.


Poor babe, she's so shy! She saw her Pre-K teacher and was so shy she wouldn't look at her and was red in the face. Despite that, I think we're all set for school on Monday. All that is, except me. :( I'm dreading it! I miss them so much when they go back.

Now, I'm off to go find some things I can make a green juice with or perhaps drink about a gallon of water to try and flush all of this butter and sugar from my system.