2 for 2!

Two posts in two days! I'm on another roll! It feels good to get back to normal after a holiday. I feel like I haven't had enough "normal" since we moved here in August so I'm loving the simplicity of today and just the "typical Tuesday feel." I love this family, I photographed them last year as well. To check out this years' session, go here. xo

aw, shucks

That's what I think of when I look at this photo, "aw, shucks." Isn't she a beauty?! You can see more pics of her and her cute family over here today.

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, we sure did! Had some neighbors over and their family/friends, and Kelly was in town! Great food, great company, and so fun to host in my own house for the first time ever! Much to be thankful for this year. I'm short on words today, have lots of work to get done and am pretty tired from going, going, going the past several days. Much more to come this week so keep checking in! Grace and Peace. xo

on a roll!

I've caught up a bit on my blogging and am on a roll with back to back posts! Check out a cute family over here and here is a sneak peek at a shoot to come! xo

just some of my ramblings

This weekend was busy and fun and went by super fast (which is a miracle considering Adam is out of town!). A birthday party, a love feast at church (essentially a pre-Thanksgiving meal), a baby shower, dinner with friends, and lots of editing made for a fun and productive time. The only bummer was yesterday when I was looking for something in my secretary and my big ol' metal "W" came crashing down (it sits on top of my secretary) and cracked my head open. OUCH! Man alive it hurt! I touched it and saw blood on my hand so called my neighbor to come to my rescue and see if I needed to go get stitches. She said it probably could use stitches but also, it probably didn't have to have stitches. I took that as a "no need" and decided to press on. Who wants to wait, and pay for, and experience stitches in their head? No thanks. So, now I can feel a dry, crusty blood clump on my head...nice. Anyhoo, enough about me, head on over here to see a mini session that I did last month here in Waco. Happy Monday and Thanksgiving week, all! xo

I'm Ridin' Solo

To quote Jason Derulo "I'm ridin' solo, solo, solo, solllooooo" Adam is officially out of town which means I'm on 24/7 ninner duty. It's been a super busy week, editing California, shooting in Waco, Thanksgiving right around the corner, trying to keep my house semi-clean, laundry piled high from my trip still sitting on the floor, etc. Sorry I've been a lame blogger, its not for a lack of cute folks to show! I'm really hoping to get some blog posts squared away in my quiet evenings over the next few days so hopefully I'll be back to a more regular schedule next week. For now, I'll leave you with a sneak peek of a cute California family. Have a great weekend, everyone! xo

back home, busy, trying not to get sick, and happy

I'm back from California! It was a whirlwind as always, running through airports, broken planes, re-scheduled flights, missing luggage, running from one shoot to the next, trying to hug some friends, eat good food, see my nephews and niece, chat w/ my bro in law and sis in law, get no sleep, etc.. All in all, it was a successful trip in the end. :) I am buried in editing but am glad to be home with my babes and sleeping in my bed. I feel like sickness is looming so am trying to pretend its not possible b/c there is zero time for illness right now. I just posted a Waco family session here so check it out!! Glad to be back in blogging land, missed you all! xo

another little lull

I'm heading out to California to photograph some cute folks so the ol' blog will be quiet for a while. Here is a sneak peek of one of my favorite families, more to come! Have a lovely weekend, everyone! xo

B's Princess (and Prince) Party

B decided forever ago that she wanted a princess party this year, so that's what we did! Most of B's friends she's made down here are boys, so I quickly realized it had to be a princess and prince party. I think both princesses and princes had a good time, so I count it a success! Now I rest up for next year!









I started painting my dining room the day before Brennan's party, as you can see, I didn't quite finish in time...












the princesses hard at work making wands...




the princes kept busy painting swords...






and they colored princesses...


this pinata didn't last long, kind of a bummer...oh well, the kids still got the candy and that's what matters right?












I love how some of the princes dressed up as princesses...hehe...

Until next year! xo

I'm 33 today

It's no secret that I love my birthday. Every year I make sure to let people know its coming, I often have some plans for a fun day/night, I know what cake I want, etc.. I can honestly say that this year, this has not been the case. I literally have almost forgotten my birthday was even coming. Its hard when Adam's birthday, Brennan's birthday, Halloween, and my birthday, are all packed so close together. I want every event to be celebrated and each person to feel celebrated, but this year, I've been so focused on so many other things that my birthday has come without me even noticing. I'm not at all upset about this, normally I think I would be, just not this year.

It's just weird, its weird how today I'm 33 but it really doesn't feel like my birthday. How is it even November 9th already any way?! These past few months have.flown.by. and it has left me longing for a breather. Its a lot to move to another state, buy a house, try and make said house a home, start a business over (essentially from scratch), etc. I literally haven't had 2 seconds to just breath. This time of year is always busy, it just is, but things are going to settle down. Our house is more in order, business stuff is largely taken care of, fall photo season is coming to a close, and I feel like I can finally start to just be. This season of "calm" is going to be soo welcomed by me and I can't wait to actually have a few moments to sit and do nothing.

It was really fun having mom here, and talk about time flying by! When she left yesterday it really did feel like she just got here. B was of course really sad to see her go and kept saying "I miss Grandma" on and off all day long. Sigh. That's the hard thing about having company, they leave!! (thanks for coming mom, and come back!)

It's also been an interesting time b/c normally in the fall the new job postings for professors come out and Adam and I are anxious to see whats out there, where the possibilities are, etc... This year, (and I mean this with all of my heart), I literally couldn't care less. When Adam applies to a job I almost want to say "don't do it!!" I know the smart thing to do is to keep applying, having a job is important, benefits are important, security...well, that's debatable. :) I just feel so at peace here. I love Texas, but more than that I love the feeling of being home. I don't want to look for another home, or do another move, or go to that "perfect job." I've learned a lot through this journey of getting the Phd, doing the post-doc, looking for a job, being one of two for a job, not getting the job, the despair, the anger, the disappointment, etc... but the thing I am continuing to learn and keep coming back to is to trust. I know the Lord wants good things for me, and the things that I think are good, He knows better, He knows that's not always the case. I take a lot of comfort in that. I learn the trust lesson over and over, its one I will continue to learn until the day I die. It's funny, something that I would've killed for 2 years ago I don't even want any more. Isn't it funny how our circumstances change our perspective? Don't get me wrong, I'd love more security, I'd love a steady paycheck, I'd love to have great benefits and be able to go to the doctor without the stress of how much its going to cost, etc. I'm not trying to make it sound like I'm at total peace and I've got this whole uncertainty thing figured out because I don't, not even a little. But what I do have is faith in a God who knows the hairs on my head, and I trust that He will complete the work He's started in me. Ahh, the journey of life and faith, its a wild one, y'all. I'm 33 today, I don't have it all figured out, I don't know what next year holds, where we'll live, what our circumstances will be, but what I do know is that I will continue on my journey of faith and trust because He is faithful and trustworthy. I do love my birthday. xo

b/c blog posts w/out pictures are lame, here is a photo of Brennan's birthday party cake (since I clearly don't have a photo of my own cake yet...and truth be told I'm a little caked out and asked my friend Kellye to make me brownies instead) and you can head on over here to check out my latest newborn session.

it's gonna be quiet 'round these here parts

But only for a few days! Mom is in town (yeah!) and I'm trying to get B's party ready to go. Will be back to blogging early next week. Miss you already! xo

here is a sneak peek from a fun newborn session that I'm working on...


P.S. Just a fyi -My California photo sessions are all filled up, thanks so much for your interest!

the day ended with cake

We went to McDonald's for dinner last night per the birthday girl's request, then came home and had our dear friends, the Peters' join us for cake. Perfect ending to a perfect birthday for my girl. I still can't believe I have a four year old! Thank you for the sweet birthday wishes for B, so thoughtful. I've been neglecting my business blog for a bit so if you head over here today, you'll see a cute family I had the pleasure of photographing last week. Happy Wednesday, I'm off to clean my house before heading to the airport to pick up momsie! xo

my precious girl turns FOUR today

Is it me or does the leap from 3 to 4 seem really really big? Like, no longer a toddler but rather a little person roaming around kind of big. I was thinking about what I wanted to do for B's birthday post this year and I thought it would be fun to tell Brennan some things about her that I think are funny/cute/unique/what makes her her. So, here goes....

B, you are TALL, people ask me almost daily if you're tall for your age, I always say "yes, and I get asked that a lot." :)

You are a princess in every form of the word. Pretty much every day all day you spend in a princess dress that grandma bought for you. You watch princess movies, you color princess coloring books, and you love your princess sleeping bag from Aunt Hillory. You decided oh...7 or so months ago that you wanted a princess party so, this year -that's what you're gonna have! I can't imagine any other theme being more fitting for this year of your life, my sweet princess.

You have been wearing a dress almost every day this whole year, if I force you to wear pants it gets ugly. You have always had strong opinions about your wardrobe and lately (or not so lately), I've been loosing the battle.

You don't like sprinkles, which to me, is just plain weird.

You loooooooooooooove your daddy. I'm pretty sure he's your favorite person in the world (but I think I come in second? or maybe 4th after both grandmas) :)

Your favorite dinner is chicken divan and you ask me to make it almost every night.

Every night when we put you to bed, after we leave you turn your body the opposite direction and put your head where your feet are supposed to go. I'm not sure why you do this, but you do. (so after you're asleep daddy comes in and turns you around and covers you back up).

You love the song "Amazing Grace" and you want daddy to sing it to you every night.

Whenever "I Gotta Feeling" (by the Black Eyed Peas) comes on in the car, you rock out and you say "mommy, its my song!"

You really don't care for shoes, you like them in theory and always want me to buy them for you but you don't like them on your feet...this gets complicated and frustrating a lot of the time.

You get up at 7:20am every day, you used to sleep in but lately this is the new trend, its amazing to me how your inner clock goes off every morning within 3 minutes.

You have a hard time with the "R" sound and replace it with a "L" sound, its pretty cute to hear you say "glandma and glanddad."

You love Sprite.

You prefer apple dippers to french fries and if given the choice between any food item and a hamburger, you'll take the hamburger (with the exception of chicken divan of course).

You are so good at remembering certain details about certain people. For example, if we're in a store and you see something orange you'll say "Aunt Hillory loooooooves orange." (or light blue/turquoise "that's grandma Kemi's favorite color!") The other day I said how doggie Grandma was coming to visit and you said "but mom, she hates to fly!"

With that, your memory is long. Sometimes you will see something that will spark a memory about living in Ireland and you'll say "we did that in Ireland" and I pause to try and remember and then it hits me that you're right, that amazes me about you.

You love to have me read Bible stories to you. Almost daily you will get your "Bible book" and toss it on my lap as if to say "read please." You love the story of Jesus on the cross and always say "that's my favorite."

You have spent each year of your life in a different place. Your first birthday was celebrated in Pasadena, CA, your second in Limerick, Ireland, your third in Oregon City, OR, and your fourth in Waco, TX (I hope your next MANY birthdays stay in the same spot).

You have the most beautiful brown eyes (I also get told this a lot). :)

For as long as I can remember, any time someone leaves the house (mainly just me or daddy but also the grandparents if they are around) you will insist that they get a hug, kiss, and a poke. I'm not sure where/when/why this started but its "your thing" and we all think its cute, esp the poke!

You love cupcakes (I know where you get that from).

You have a sensitive pallette and often express that things are "too spicy."

You dip everything in ketchup (I also know where you get this from).

I could go on an on about all the little things that make you you. I'm so glad you're you, and I'm so glad you're mine. Happy 4th birthday Brennan Grace, your daddy and I love you more than you could ever imagine. xo

photos taken yesterday so she was almost four ~








******************************B IS 4**************************************
The benefit to being in Texas and being 2 hours ahead from the fam is that there are pictures posted bright and early! Here is B this morning before pre-school opening her loot!







B wanted a pillow pet SO badly, her reaction was my favorite....