]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>The history of this beautiful home is interwoven through this family and it made for the perfect venue. Jenny's great-grandparents, Howard and Anna Durbin Sands Showalter, bought the home back in 1923 and transformed it from a Folk Victorian Farmhouse into a stunning Tudor Revival home. You'll see a beautiful portrait of Jenny's great-grandmother on the staircase that we recreated on Jenny's wedding day as well.
From the flowers, to the music, to the food, and every detail in between, this was an incredible wedding.
Congratulations Matt and Jenny!
Wedding Planner: Anna Christine Events
Catering: Arthur's Catering
Florist: Flower No 5
Cake/Dessert Bar: Sugar Buzz
Music: Beautiful Music
Rentals: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>Here are some of my favorite images from his first birthday session!
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
Charleigh was so incredibly amazing for her newborn session. I had to share some of my favorite images of this bundle of sweetness.
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
Embrie was a perfect princess for her 3rd birthday session at Magic Kingdom. Her parents planned such a special day with 3 beautiful outfits (her mom even made one of them!!). It was so fun to hang out with Embrie as she embraced every character and soaked up all of the love and attention. It couldn't have went any more perfect. From Rapunzel, to Belle, to Tink, and even meeting Mary Poppins on the way to Aladdin's carpet ride (one of her favorite rides!), it was all perfection! Dream big little one.
]]>
]]>
Meet sweet baby Lincoln. He was such a perfect baby for his session and gave so many adorable expressions.
]]>
]]>
]]>
This precious baby smiled so many times during her session. She was perfect to work with and her big brother was the best helper. Everyone is smitten and rightfully so! Here are some of my favorite images from her studio session:
]]>
Summer lovin, having a blast.
Lily, you're one in a melon! Happy almost first birthday!
]]>
]]>
]]>
Precious Madison arrived weeks early and still weighed over EIGHT pounds! Her big brother, Brody, is smitten, as well as her parents.
Here are some of my favorites!
]]>
Come to find out, this same bench at the lighthouse is where these two started dating! And even more amazing, the dad told me that he made the lighthouse into a puzzle and used that to ask her to marry him. Y'ALL! If this isn't the sweetest thing in the entire world, I don't know what is!! And I had no clue when setting this spot!! So ridiculously adorable.
We literally did this entire session in like 17 minutes (give or take 2 minutes). The storms were building, so we rushed a tad (okay, a lot....), and I talked a million miles per hour (but that's normal.... hahahhaaha) and it turned out amazing! Here are some of my favorites!
]]>
]]>
]]>
Sunrise sessions are such a favorite for me. I love the quickly changing sky, so different in every image. The beauty of the ocean, the sky, the sand -majestic. Families getting up and traveling to the beach at this hour is absolutely worth it. I love every image from this session. Here are just a few:
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
Layla is having a Frozen themed birthday, and her dress was so beautiful on her at the Magic Kingdom! Her mom and I are already planning her pictures for her next birthday. Can we top this? You'll have to stay tuned next June to see!
"Hands down, this is the best day of my life." - Olaf
A dream is a wish your heart makes - Cinderella
]]>
]]>
]]>Being among the wildflowers, so beautiful you can see. Playing as a child, there's no place she'd rather be. The wind and earth so freeing, the landscape full of color. In a field of wildflowers, where childhood befalls her.
]]>
]]>
Now, I normally don't give the first few warm-up images to my clients, because sometimes the kids are a bit more spooked, but this one made me smile way too much. Not only am I giving it to mom, I felt the need to blog about it.
This is normal. Kids are a bit confused sometimes as to why this photographer they don't even know wants them to hang out in a field, be happy, all whilst she's making clicking noises with a black box.
This is where the fun begins. And the magic, miracles, and craziness also start.
*Disclaimer* This doesn't always work on every child, but 95% of the time it does.
Implementing my magic, miracles, and crazy self (plus mom being an awesome help), and here's the next frame:
Now we are getting somewhere!!!
And then the next:
Folks, these kids are only 2 and 1. Amazing children!
And now they are totally warmed up, like 2 minutes later, and we have a quick, easy, gorgeous 1 year milestone session for Brennon, with some timeless portraits with his big sister, Bristol.
My advice - Trust your photographer. Go into a session without high expectations because we all know that kids can turn at any time. But the key, again, trust your photographer. Your photographer will give you prep to help guide you through a session. Your photographer knows the crazy cards. Your photographer wants the pictures to be just as amazing as you want them. And your kids truly want to have a good time. After all, portraits are to capture moments in time. Why not let them evoke playful memories as well? Relax, have fun, and enjoy capturing life.
]]>
Wardrobe can make or break a photo.
In my prep information that I give to my clients, I have quite a bit of advice on what to wear and what not to wear. Here's a sampling of it!
The most important thing is - These are your pictures. You are hiring a photographer to photograph this special time for you. As a photographer, my main goal is for my clients to love their images. If my clients do the exact opposite of what I recommend and they love their images, it's fantastic with me. This is just my advice. There aren't rules on what's right and wrong style wise, this is just my preference in creating timeless portraits.
Now that we know the main goal, let's move on to getting to that goal with those that aren't sure what to wear.
A few don'ts:
Don't wear anything fluorescent. Yes, they are beautiful, fun, and scream spring/summer, but fluorescent colors cause a color cast on your skin (even the softer fluorescent colors).
Don't wear worn out tennis shoes. Shoes are part of the outfit and should compliment what you're wearing, not distract.
Don't use bows bigger than your baby's head.
Don't wear clothes with distracting prints or words/writing on them.
Don't wear distracting nail polish. Go timeless.
Great things to do:
Do wear coordinating soft colors.
Do take into account where your session will be. Your wardrobe should also fit your location. Woodsy, studio, beach, field, urban, etc. You would want to wear more bold and edgy for urban. Pastel, pale, or neutral for the beach. Soft or neutral for field.
Do consider your entire family as one. Everyone should compliment each member. Prints are okay, and mixing prints is great, but only have one or two in prints, or use a print as an accent for an extra one or two family members.
Do wear something that makes you feel amazing. If mom isn't happy, nobody is happy. Make sure you feel great in what you're wearing and then build the wardrobe around that.
Do trust your photographer. Your photographer wants the session to look just as good as you want it to.
Do use textures. Yes, yes, yes!
Do wear flowy. Well, I couldn't think how to make that make sense. But the point is, flowy dresses are amazing for moms.
Do put suspenders or overalls on your son. You can never go wrong with suspenders!
Do keep in mind that not everything can be Photoshopped. If someone in your family has an insecurity, it's not the day to wear something that accentuates it and expect the photographer to Photoshop it. With me, I am not a fan of my arms, so I always wear something with sleeves, or put on a denim jacket, or wear a cardigan. You can let your photographer aware of any insecurities (or your favorite side) so that she/he can make sure that you will feel your best.
I made a few Pinterest boards to help with ideas that I love. I just found some beautiful pins and made a board of favorites. These are not my images.
]]>
Fresh flowers + a bit of a woodland setup + adorable kiddos = a ton of cuteness captured!
It was a blast photographing these two again. Such sweet and respectful siblings. I love how much fun they had in our 15 minute session together.
Here's some of my favorite images:
Here are some of my favorite spots:
1. Mount Dora/Eustis
2. Mount Dora
3. Tangerine
4. Sanford
5. Leesburg
6. Leesburg
7. Leesburg - Woodsy
8. Leesburg
9. Tavares
10. Clermont
11. Winter Park
12. Winter Garden
13. Umatilla (additional small fee for use of this private property)
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>It has been a blessing photographing her throughout her 1st year milestones, too. Most recently, this whimsical cake smash. She had so much fun playing with her unicorn and tasting cake for the very first time. By the way, her mom made this adorable cake! Sage loved it so much she even hugged the cake. Complete preciousness.
Happy birthday, Ariyah!
Growing up I was in a lot of photos. I guess my parents thought I was cute? I was even in some print ads, movie previews, and more. It was fun at the time. But then I grew up. I realized who I was. Or, actually, who I thought I was. Was it really me, or what I believed was me?
Who am I?
Who are you?
My mom hated having her picture taken. Even to this day, I have no recent pictures with her. The last picture I can recall with my mom was back when I was a toddler. My mom is turning only 58 this year.
And, well, here's our last picture together.
So, what would an insane, crazy person do? Well, well ..... this .....
BOOM! I now have a picture with my mom. And, because of this, she will probably disown me.
In my life group class at church on Sunday, we talked about what gets passed down from generation to generation. Well, I believe picture taking is one. I was never told to not have my picture taken. I was never told I wasn't good enough. I was never told I am ugly. I was never told I am fat. So why don't I like to have my picture taken? I don't know. Why do I think that I am not good enough? That I am ugly? That I am fat? Could it be because that's what I saw growing up? Accolades, yet hatred of photos? And is it my fault, or can I blame it on genes?
Well, both. I could blame it.... IF I wanted to. But I have 4 kids. Do I want to pass this crap to them? Heck no. I teach my kids to love each other, as well as themselves. I teach them to be kind and love everyone, no matter their differences. I teach them to love themselves no matter what, because God has already made them perfect, the way He wanted.
But - monkey see monkey do. Right? If I talk bad about myself, and if I don't want pictures taken, what will my kids learn from that? We worry about our children, but are we passing on our issues to our children?
Stop.
Stop it.
I need to embrace me.
You need to embrace you.
If we want this next generation to grow strong and confident, we need to love ourselves, so in turn, they can see to love themselves.
I implore you to stop.
Stop talking down to yourself. Stop hurting yourself. Stop thinking badly about yourself.
and .... START!
Start loving yourself. Start embracing yourself. Start being a light and an influence to your children. Start realizing that you have been made who you are for a reason. You were made perfect in His sight.
And as I type this, I am also talking to myself. I try so hard to not let my kids see these insecurities. I want to be strong. I want to be a role model. And, sadly, at the age of 34, I still want to feel pretty.
As I try to help myself, I want to challenge you to work on this with me. Get in the frame. Have pictures taken (NOT just selfies). Your kids see you as their parent. Their parent full of love. They don't see our imperfections.
And know this, when the Lord calls us home, none of this matters. Let's start learning to love so we have more time to live.
I am flying to Illinois the week. None of the above even matters the slightest. My grandpa's kidneys have shut down. He met with hospice today. I will be flying up there to say goodbye this week. He left me a message a few days ago telling me he loved me, and that he truly appreciated all of the letters and pictures that I have sent him. Friends, this. This is it. Nothing else matters. Get it right. Get it right with yourself. Get it right with your family. And get it right with Jesus.
-Brenda
]]>
Their maternity session was just a few days ago and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Mount Dora has such beautiful scenery and is a perfect setting for photos. We wrapped up the session with a beautiful sunset (which always makes me want to do a silhouette portrait)! Now we patiently wait for baby's arrival. I am looking forward to meeting that little schnookums <3
If your kids are perfectly awesome, don't read on.
If you aren't exhausted, don't read on.
If you have figured out marriage, parenting, and happiness all around, don't read on.
If you've figured out how to balance personal, family, and business life, don't read on.
If you aren't a hot mess, don't read on.
If you don't compare yourself to others, don't read on.
If you fake your perfectness, please, get a grip.
But .... BUT ... If you are the opposite of what I just described, please read on.
We live in a world of technology. We live in a world of instant communication, and instant gratification. We live in a world where so many feel alone, yet are surrounded by so many people (most being online). We try to put on a show to appear to be put together. I see it all the time. I know these folks are just winging it, but showing pictures that appear to have it all together. Even worse, they tell us (and trying to tell themselves) that they have it all together. STOP IT. Who are you helping? If you are drowning in life, faking it to others that are overwhelmed gives us a false pretense and then we question why we have this overwhelming anxiety. What should you do instead? Well, if you don't want to be honest, just don't say anything. Or, just be honest. And that's why I have felt the need to write this. Most don't like to talk about the not so green grass. Friends, when you think the grass is greener, know that manure is a fertilizer and their yard is beautiful because it's filled with a load of crap. Let that sink in. I don't mind brown grass. I don't mind chinch bugs. It shows life. It shows realness. And I want to be a voice for those that need a hand.
To the woman that yearns to be a mother, but her womb is empty, I ache for you.
To the single mom that works two jobs, I ache for you.
To the woman that has been left alone to raise her child without a father, I ache for you.
To the woman that works full time with her children in daycare, I ache for you.
To the woman that works from home while raising children, I ache for you.
To the woman with kids in school that has to miss events because of work, I ache for you.
To the woman that stays at home to always be there for every child but feels so empty, I ache for you.
You see, I am you. I have been there. I have been every. single. one. of these listed. And truthfully, when I see moms posting on the internet about how awesome and balanced they are, well, I am a bit jealous, a bit confused, and a bit annoyed.
My story -
I was pregnant with my daughter at 19, married at 20, filed for divorce at 21, divorced at 22 - Then remarried and had my first son. My husband didn't want more children at the time. But 5 years later he agreed. We had 2 more sons back to back (on purpose - yeah, that's crazy). I worked full time through the first 2 children. I wanted another child the entire 5 years between numbers 2 and 3. I started working part time after child 3. I stayed at home when number 3 was 6 months old. I started my own business as a hobby on the side not too long after. And now, with number 4, I work more than I ever have (even though I am self employed). Never once did I hide the truth. Never once did I sugarcoat my life. Every step has been hard. I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my family. But I have lost myself. I see other women say that they have this figured out. They have found the balance. Well, great. But what about those that haven't? What about those of us that are vulnerable? What about those of us that tell the truth? Balance - What is it? Well, I do feel that I have balanced as much as possible, for now. I remind myself that this is for a season. It's all temporary. We have to do what is best for us, and for our family. Truly, I can't wait for this summer. I haven't looked forward to summer break in quite some time. I am going to make amazing memories with my kids. I am going to make a summer bucket list and check stuff off one by one. And then, August will arrive. I will jump with joy. I won't feel guilt. I will drop off all f.o.u.r. of my children to the same school (pray that the littlest gets potty trained or all of these plans go down the crapper - literally). For the first week, I plan to just walk around the house smiling. I plan to go to the bathroom by myself. I plan to call my friends that I haven't talked to on the phone in 10 years (hopefully they still have the same phone numbers ..... and still like me...). I plan to watch anything that isn't on Disney or PBS. I won't feel guilty. And after that, the next week, I will hit the ground running. I will start working during the day. I will start doing studio sessions during weekdays. I will stop working evenings. Right now, I start working around 7 p.m. until 12-1 a.m. I want to stop that. I want to work weekdays while my kids are in school. I have a dream that when I pick them up and come home, we will play outside, cook dinner together, and enjoy our evenings. This is all a plan, so it will more than likely go awry. But I am here to say that it's okay. It's okay to have a plan. It's okay for your plan to fall through. It's okay for life to happen. It's okay to be real. It's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to try to find yourself. And I want to be the one to tell you to stop comparing yourself. Stop trying to be someone else. Stop lying to yourself. Start being you.
Today I challenge you. I challenge you to love yourself. I challenge you to free yourself. I challenge you to find yourself. I challenge you to be a better you. I challenge you to become honest. I challenge you to become vulnerable. If you do this, you will not only free yourself, but you will free those around you that think you are perfect.
- Be vulnerable. Embrace yourself. Embrace your crazy. Embrace you.
]]>
February 25, 2017 was a gorgeous day in Inverness at Lakeside Ranch. This venue was stunning, and the details, decor, and bridal party were just as beautiful. I couldn't decide which images to post as a sneak peek, so I decided to make this blog post with some of my favorites.
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>Eddie's mom has the best ideas for sessions, and I was thrilled when she wanted to do a lumberjack theme. On top of that, she brought a smash cake that looked like a stack of pancakes!!!! Pretty sure he was more interested in eating the lantern though!
I loved spending time with Judah and his beautiful mother, Holly.
Here are some of my favorite images from his session:
]]>
]]>
I loved photographing Kara and her beautiful family. She is a very talented hair stylist, too! You can find her salon here.
If you would like to book a sunrise beach session in Volusia County, please contact me here.
]]>
I had a blast photographing the Tuckers again, especially their little girl. She is so spunky and fun, and not afraid of the water. This makes for some very joyful images.
For these sessions, parents can bring in an outfit (or two), jammies, and a cake for baby (or babies!) to smash. I normally only post 10 images or so in a blog post, but I had way too many favorites and went a little click happy adding in pictures to share. Happy birthday, sweet babies!
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
I love when clients want to incorporate things that are important to them in their session. Callen's dad is a firefighter, and mom had some great ideas for our photography session.
Here are some of my favorites:
Romper is a custom from Blu Monet and cake is from KatieCakes Boutique Bakery.
So how do I come to terms with it? I am not sure. There are a few things that help me learn, grow, and deal with things. Prayer. Photography. Writing. I am not the best with my words, but I know that I can't be the only mom going through this, so I thought I would reach out and share my heart. I am praying for peace to be content with my family being complete. And capturing these moments through photography are so incredibly priceless.
I hate being photographed. I always have 10 pounds to lose. My hair always needs to be brushed. My makeup is always smudged. I always seem to have snot from a toddler on my clothes somewhere. No time seems like the right time for me to be in pictures.
But my kids are growing. They are growing way too fast. I am starting to think that I won't lose 10 pounds, and apparently I can't brush my hair more than once a day. And within minutes of putting on clothes, one of the littles rubs their face on my shirt. So it's time to get over it. I need to get over myself, or else I am going to miss out on capturing life. I am challenging myself to embrace myself. After all, this is how my kids see me.
I don't think I have any pictures with my mom. Maybe when I was a baby, but I am not even sure about that. She hates pictures. And she would probably not be too thrilled if she knew I was sharing this with the world. But I don't have any photos with my mom, and by George, I am not doing that to my kids. I want my kids to see my love for them captured in photographs.
I challenge you, the one that has 10 pounds to lose, messy hair, and toddler boogers all over.... Get in the pictures. Our kids are growing older, and so are we. They will never be this small again.
Here's me and my littlest, Daxen. My wonderful 12 year old daughter captured these beautiful moments. And, no, I didn't brush my hair.
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
I saw you today. You were struggling with your toddler while your baby wanted to play. I saw your tiredness, your frustration, your emotionally drained heart. I saw that you did all you could to get the kids ready to go, and actually make it somewhere (kind of) on time. I saw that you spent a couple of hours trying to entertain your younger two kids just so your oldest son could have some fun with kids his age. What others didn't know is that you went to bed at 1 a.m. after working. You got up at 5:30 a.m. to nurse your precious baby. And again at 7:30. And again at 9:30. And every 2 hours for the rest of the day. You're tired. You're drained. You're just trying to stay afloat and make sure your kids have as much fun and learning as possible in one day. I am you.
I saw you at lunch time. You were hungry. You've only had a banana, a granola bar, and a pack of gummies (all while on the go). You nursed your baby and gave him some toys to play with (to which he only wanted the toys that were under the couch, covered in dust). You made your toddler fish sticks (which he thinks fish is chicken...) in the oven for 20 minutes and then he decided he didn't want them any longer. All the while, you taught your 8 year old a life lesson on family, kindness, and honesty. You reheated your food multiple times because lunch for the kids took over an hour to prepare and you ended up eating cold food in 3 bites because you are needed. You rush to load the dishwasher so when your husband comes home for lunch, it looks like you have done something. I am you.
I saw you at school time. It's finally quiet time. You get to spend time with your oldest son. You have the privilege to homeschool him. But then the dog ate the cat poop and threw it up. You had to spend school time cleaning cat poop dog barf. I am you.
I saw you at nap time. You spent an hour to get the 2 little ones to bed. They finally went to sleep and you enjoyed a cup of coffee. Only realizing, crap, it's time to pick up the oldest child from her school. You have to wake both littles to go and get the oldest. Now you have tired, whiny children. I am you.
I saw you at the grocery store. You had to run to the store to get a few needed items. You have a stash of lollipops to keep the toddler quiet long enough to make a mad dash through the store with 4 kids. About 67 too many people commented about how tough it must be with 4 kids. I am you.
I saw you at dinner time. You attempted to make great a tasting meal only to have it flop. I am you.
I saw you after your 3 older kids went to bed. Your husband played with the baby so you could finally work. You put your heart into your business and work at night, so it doesn't take too much time away from your kids. I am you.
I get it. I know. I understand. Motherhood. Hard. Challenging. Beautifully messy. Imperfectly perfect.
I saw you smile when your baby giggled in the Ergo while you were running after the toddler.
I saw you smile when your toddler ran after the lizard on the playground and his eyes lit up with joy.
I saw you smile when your toddler peed on the potty while out in public.
I saw you smile when you looked down at your nursing baby while in public.
I saw you smile when you ate those gummies. Dag, those things were tasty.
I saw you smile when you started the dishwasher.
I saw you smile when your oldest son got a toy from under the couch that your youngest son wanted (without being told to do so).
I saw you smile when your oldest son was excited that school was put off to clean cat poop dog barf. A joy of homeschooling is laughing at these times and you can just do school at another time.
I saw you smile as you downed your cup of coffee in 7.7 seconds. A record. It was still amazing.
I saw you smile when you picked up your daughter from school and heard how her day was.
I saw you smile at the grocery store when your kids used their manners towards strangers.
I saw you smile at dinner when jokes were made about your cooking abilities (or lack thereof).
I saw you smile while editing pictures of a mom and her baby. And even the occasional watery eyes seeing the interaction and love between parents and their children.
I saw you smile when you nursed your baby in the middle of the night in complete silence.
Mom, motherhood is tough. It's challenging. It's draining. It's exhausting. It's work. But it's also rewarding. It's fulfilling. It's amazing. It's indescribable. It's beautiful.
]]>
This is my first "real" photography blog and I have no clue what I am doing, so roll with it.... A few weeks ago I posted a flyer for spring minis. I was so excited when the mom of these sweet girls booked a session. I wanted to shoot at a *perfect* spot because I knew these girls would be amazing to photograph. Well, I searched high and low for gorgeous flowers and it was just too early for fields of blooms. So I kept searching. I wanted to use a different spot than normal because I like to switch things up and have variety with my sessions. I always end up finding my favorite spots when I load up my kids in the stroller and go for a walk. I did just that (and I consider that exercise ... it is, right??) I found this great ball field and asked the owners for permission to use it (I didn't feel like getting arrested for trespassing, you know?!, so I asked). They were kind enough to not mow and let us use the location. The sun ended up not coming out for our session, but we still had a great time and the dandelions were magical. I am lucky enough to see these cuties every week at our homeschool co-op, but look forward to photographing them again.
First, my husband wakes me up, usually around 7:40. I, like any normal mom that has been up at random hours throughout the night nursing a 5 month old whenever he feels like it, start mumbling and reliving my teenage years, and I request (ever so grumpily), "Just 5 more minutes??!!" But then the baby wakes, and I hear my 2 year old on the monitor jumping in his crib, and the dog running through the house, and my 8 year old unable to get into the pantry because the childproof locks are on, and I realize, wait, I can't sleep in... I am a mom. I am responsible for these little humans. So I drag myself out of bed.
Thankfully, my husband takes my daughter, Emma, to school on his way to work. Phew. I don't have to leave the house. Doesn't she look so cute?
I throw some toys in Cohen's crib. He happily plays while I microwave some water and make instant coffee. Who has time to brew coffee??
I change Daxen's diaper, nurse him, put him in a baby device (exersaucer, sitting thingamajig, pack-n-play) and then make breakfast for Grayden. Cohen is still happily playing in his crib, so I load up the dishwasher and then toss the diapers in the washer. Cohen decides that he needs to be released from his cage. I change him, make him some Ovaltine or OJ, and then get Grayden set up for school. Yes, Grayden is playing his DS in this picture.
Kids are playing, craziness is happening, you know, life.
I wash another load of dishes.
Nurse baby.
Then it's lunch time. I eat standing up, usually while holding Daxen, or picking up, or doing random things around the house.
Nurse baby.
Then nap time.
Then more school time.
Nurse baby (See a pattern here?? He eats a lot).
Now that the afternoon is here, it gets really exciting. I load up the boys and get Emma from school. Now is the time I feel like conquering the world and run errands. With 4 kids. Yes, I am crazy. It usually backfires and I swear that I will never go out in public again. Well, at least until the 2 little ones are potty trained. I head back home and start cooking dinner. Dinner usually takes 2-2 1/2 hours because there are diaper changes, baby naps, tantrums, nursing, a whole lot of unknown happens during these magical hours. I get dinner started and it's at a crucial point where I need to stir the pot and get the cornbread out of the oven, but this is my view. I am nursing Daxen. Dinner waits.
I get back in the kitchen and I work on fixing the soup that I terribly messed up and then Daxen decides he wants to nap. Dinner waits.
My husband comes home from work. We sit down at our table with mismatched napkins and cups.
It turns out, the soup is quite tasty!
The kids clear the table and then take turns getting ready for bed. Well, not Daxen. He likes to stay up until 11-12. I then realize that I didn't put the diapers in the dryer and my clothes are still in the dryer from yesterday. I better fluff them up. Again. For the 3rd time.
I then hop on the computer and edit, respond to emails and messages, and work on work stuff. I try to be done by 11 so I can catch Friends. Thankfully, my husband takes care of Daxen during this time. Around 11, Daxen goes to bed and the house is quiet. We usually watch a little TV. Errr, I mean, I watch Friends and Warren wonders why I think it's funny.
At the end of the day, I realize how thankful I am for this craziness. You see, my life isn't perfect. My house isn't clean. I can't keep up with dishes or laundry. But there are women that yearn for this life. Women that can't have children. Women that have lost a child. Women that have to work outside of the home to help pay bills, but want to be home. In the midst of my day that is filled with whining, tantrums, and moodiness (both me and the kids), there is laughter, fun, love, and gratefulness. I am truly appreciative for the life I have.
(By the way, Emma and Grayden's pictures are reenactments... I surely am not pulling out my camera that early in the morning!!)
]]>