Oh hello, Blog

Alright I felt in the bloggy mood today, and I figured it was time for an update. It's almost been a year (yikes). We have been living in Chesapeake, VA for about 8 months. Had a crazy weird transition as we waited for our house to be finished last summer, and moved in a couple of weeks prior to school starting. It was a pretty good situation considering it could have been much worse! We did have to wait a few extra days to get into our house due to some errors on the part of our lender, ahem...but it all worked out! We love our new home. We love our quiet neighborhood and kind neighbors. We love our school. As with all moves and transitions, it's not been an easy one for all of us: I think Ellie took it the hardest followed by me. Kids internalize things so much differently than we do, in fact, just when I think everything is on track, a conversation will happen with one of the kids and I realize just how much my children miss their friends and life in MD. Gradon even asks us when we get to go back to the 'blue house'. He remembers things too!

We have been attending a dance studio thirty minutes away that has been a bit of a disappointment. I had high hopes in the beginning, but so far it's not lived up to my expectations. We'll be trying a different one this summer for a program for Ellie and see how she likes it. We have also not had much luck finding a swim program for Sophia, which is annoying, she really loves it. I think we are also going to get her back into gymnastics. She has been taking tap this year and has been loving it! It really suits her energy. I'm really pleased she's been enjoying it. Ellie misses competitions...a lot. I've got to find something else for her, and another outlet for her to meet some friends. It's hard to come into a new school in third grade, the 'mean girl' attitude seems to already have found it's way into some of the girls at school and I can't believe how unkind nine year olds can be to each other. I think she's doing ok, but it's been a rough year.

Our ward is fine. There are a lot of great people in it, but so far we've yet to build any real friendships. LOTS of military, in all fields. Lots of doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, etc.  Lots of kids, lots of young people. I feel like we are all in our own little pool trying to keep a float. It's a different ward, one unlike I've ever been in, but we're still new, and again, it takes about a year to transition, so I'm going to keep my chin up. Our ward hasn't been as welcoming as I would have hoped. I also have two callings, weird, but that's just how this ward works. Not a lot of people accept callings, so many of us have more than one.

Chris has been doing well this year, I can't believe how well he's navigated intern year. He's done really well taking care of us and finding time to spend with us. We've even had the chance to have some fun date nights...it's been good. Next year will be a different story entirely I think, but I'm hoping it won't be as bad as some people say.

In September we'll be welcoming on last little person to our family. Our little 'caboose'. I'm 18 weeks along this week, and I've held this pregnancy close to me this time and not shared the way I normally would due to a few factors, we miscarried when we first moved here last fall and it really affected me, and I'm a little overwhelmed by the idea of this fourth baby. Next year for Chris is going to be nuts, and I hope I can manage four all by myself. I don't have that community of good friends like I did in MD to help me out like I would have if we were there, which is hard. I know all will be well, I've felt for a while there was one last little person to join our family, I just was nervous to go forward with it. But I'm not getting any younger, so here we go! I'm getting more excited about the baby, we find out on the 15th the gender, and all three kids have strong opinions. Gradon wants a brother, Sophia wants a sister and Ellie changes her mind. She's overwhelmed too by it, she sighs and says 'I'm going to be a big sister to three, it's going to be so much work' toooo funny. She sees the time involved with all these little people.

As for other projects, I'm getting ready to start Gradon's baby book. Yes I know, I'm totally behind! But I think I need to get it done before the last baby comes! I've been going through pictures enjoying his growth over the last few years. He's such a sweet, charming, smart little man. My photography work is very slow. The market here is flooded and I just don't have the energy to fight to stand out. At least not right now. I offer a good product and I'm reasonably priced, but I have three kids and a busy husband and that's just my priority. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm meant to pursue this, sometimes I feel like no matter what I do I can't seem to make any headway, but I know I love it and hopefully at some point I'll be able to put more time and energy into the business.

So that's us right now. Growing our family and staying a float! Looking forward to what the next few months will bring.

Valentine Mini Sessions!

Offering some lovely mini sessions in February at the beautiful Love Life Images Studio in Savage Mill. 

Space is limited so book soon. Saturday, February 2nd!

It's November

HOW? How is it November? It's cold out there, and I am as usual way behind. My husband keeps checking his email for updates from my blaaahhhg. Sorry dear, they aren't there, I am swamped. I don't even know HOW to catch up. So let's start here and move forward with a few back story pictures maybe to fill in where we have been, where I have been...so here goes. Moving forward.

It's November and of course a month of thanks. I have such a full heart right now it's hard to put into words how grateful I am for my little life, for my sweet family, wonderful husband, incredible friends and my faith. We had a hurricane out here recently, Sandy? She did a lot of damage to dear people up in New Jersey and New York. The photos and reports were truly epic, and yet here we just got lots of rain and a couple of days home from school. I feel so blessed that we were protected during that crazy storm. The eye of the storm passed over Baltimore, just miles from us. Crazy I tell you, crazy. We have a safe dry, happy home filled with love. I am thankful.

Ellie is doing so well again this year. She loves her 2nd grade class, and is dancing three nights a week and an occasional acro class on Saturday mornings. She just can't get enough dance. This weekend I am taking her to the the ballet with some of our bestest friends. We will be watching Romeo and Juliet by the San Francisco Ballet. I can't wait. I am seriously giddy. She is turning eight in a week. I can't believe it! I asked her what she wanted this year, if she wanted a party or to go to the ballet and she picked the ballet. She is growing up. I am amazed at her sweetness and depth. I love her to pieces. I'm planning a fun photo shoot for her, eight is great and must be captured accordingly!

Sophia. She is my tenacious unconquerable kindergartner. She really loves school and is learning so much. My second child has never really enjoyed lesson time with me, and I was a bit worried about her starting school without a lot of reading skills, but she has grown so much in the past few months, and is doing so well. I'm quite pleased. She is dancing and competing on the little Petite Team this year and just got her first costume, it's so pretty! And it's blue. Sophia is thrilled about that. My girl is coming into herself well. I do adore her little self.

Gradon. Oh my what a boy he is. I love being his mom. He is such a mamma's boy. He loves loves loves trains and cars. He loves to throw clean laundry and dirty laundry all over my bedroom floor and use laundry baskets as cars. It's wonderful. He loves to play outside and read books. He insists on giving hugs and kisses to anyone who comes and goes to and from our home, he's very sweet and affectionate. Lately he has been joining me in the early morning trek to the bus stop to drop off the girls for school. He is fascinated with the number of cars that pass by on our street, and thinks the bus is pretty awesome.

As for Chris, our fearless doctor-to-be, he's trudging through the last months of school. We find out in less than a month where we will be headed for residency. It's hard to believe we are at that point, I feel like it was just yesterday I was talking to my sister in law (who's husband just graduated and moved to San Diego) about how long medical school felt to me....and now it's almost over. I am not sure where we will be, but chances are it won't be here, which has brought me a lot of sadness. Who would have thought I'd love it this much? That I'd call Maryland home. It's hard to think about leaving, so honestly I push it far away from my everyday thoughts. We have a good life here, but I have to believe that we will go where we need to be...

Me? I'm busy being a wife, mother, teacher, primary president, and photographer. It's a busy life. I feel like I need to slow down, and am working on getting rid of stuff that causes me stress. =) I feel very blessed to be where I am, to be learning and trying to be better, and aware of the blessings around me. The holidays are here, I hope to enjoy them fully with my family and friends. Here are a few pictures of the kids taken on a lovely afternoon in October:

Baby Girl Session

Several weeks ago I photographed this precious little newborn. This baby was a dream. Such a dream. I had a great time. She was so tiny and new and sleepy. She snuggled right up in any blanket we put her in and did her job well. Thanks Tara and Dan for letting me photograph this little sweet girl.

Sweet Session

I had a great time at my most recent session last week. My  little friend just turned 4, and her mom wanted images to celebrate this milestone. This little girl was so easy to photograph, she was calm, and fun and willing try anything I asked! At the end her mom pulled out a cute purple parasol and we got some really fun images. Totally fun session that went by way too fast.

Hi

I feel like I need to start over. It's barely the middle of January and I feel a bit defeated. Last Sunday night I came down with the most intense and virulent stomach flu I have ever had. 

It was terrible. Chris, E and G all had a few symptoms but I for some reason it hit me the hardest. We thought Sophia would not come down with it, but sure enough she did, yesterday, almost as bad as I had it. We are taking it slow today.

Tuesday night something really sad and hurtful happened to me. It has taken me almost two days to get over it, and I am still not OVER it but I am better. I keep trying to believe inside my head that whoever it was that did this thing to me may be a good person- but mostly I am just angry.

I honestly feel like I have been blind sided. Is this the tone for my new year? I hope not. I have more plans for this year including another race in 10 weeks. I haven't been able to train consistently this month. That freaks me out. My body is not going to like running 5 miles this Saturday. I just have to do the best I can with what I've got, right? Move ahead? Move forward. I feel like catching a plane and flying somewhere beautiful and warm. Like this place:

             *Capri, Italy with Chris, June 2009. If you ever get the chance to go to Italy, or to Capri, you need to go. It will change your life*

I have to say that my friends have been amazingly supportive while this has been going on. They have been calling and checking in, they have dropped off juice, gatorade, crackers, chocolate and even flowers.I know that I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends. I know I will get through this rough patch. I just can't take another illness.

I did realize last night that this past winter/sickness/craziness I haven't been taking enough photos and videos of the kids especially Gradon. Here is G being his cute self. He is such a funny boy. We love him.

California Trip, Chapter 3

This is the post where I get really sentimental.

(Just to warn you before you delve deeper)

I really enjoy going back to California. I love to see my family, pop in on old friends, visit places that hold memories. This time was no different of course. This time I also tried my best to capture some more simple moments with my camera so I would remember them more accutely. I have found that unless I document everything in my life I just don't remember it like I should. This realization has gotten me to the next thought- that in my own way I have become a historian for my family. I am not much of a writer or journal keeper, but I love photos. Thank goodness for my camera. I actually remembered to take some photos ofmy mom's wonderful garden. She is a master gardner you know, has amazing roses, daylilies and magical corners in her yard.

A few of my favorite sentimental moments from our trip last month were driving up and down and up and down California seeing stretches of road that I have driven a hundred times; (literally) and they still look the same. (We did lots of driving this last trip) Same worn out roadsigns, same run down shop fronts, same green orchards and farmland. It's interesting how these places really don't change for us as we grow up.

I loved watching my girls spend time with my folks. My girls had an amazing time playing at their grandma and grandpa's house. They spent hours playing upstairs in my sister's old room with dolls, books and toys. Oh the messes they made. They made cookies with my mom, played and dug in her garden, and oh yes they swam swam swam swam. They played with their cousins. They discovered my treasures that I played with as a child. It was a joyful time of memory making.

Photos of my mother and her sisters, her with her whole family, and on right- her parents

Assorted family photos of me and my family growing up