Bath Time

Every once in a while we take baths. I read, play on my phone and try to ignore the splashes that hit my face every so often.

I know that there are some moms out there who love giving baths to their kids. I realized that I'm not one of them. I'd rather kill two birds with one stone and have him in the shower with me. The sad part is that he is growing out of that so quickly.

Toddler (his new nickname) can now put two words together like:
"Bye mommy."
"Hi Max."
"Max eat!"

I guess we do a lot of call Max (his uncle) which he loves to do.

I just find myself so stunned that my baby is now a toddler and a big boy. I'm happy he's growing and is healthy, but I'm missing that little cuddle bug. I didn't sign up for a boy, but like hubby says its part of the package. It's a package I'd never change or return!

The Beautiful Northwest

Today was no different then any other morning for us. Yesterday it rained. Today it was sunny. I guess that is different.

Soon the rains will roll in without end in site. My goal this year is to not complain. I might once in a while, but for the most part I shall refrain from what everyone already knows.

I've come up with a plan that will keep Augustin and I entertained thought those rainy month. My big creative plan is to actually go out every morning and enjoy the nature. We are going to take the time and truly drink in the Northwest with all of it green beauty. Rain, shine or snow we shall brave this monster called winter with joy and peace in our hearts. I know that there are people out there who wish that they were here as much as I wish to be in Cali, so I'll pretend to be them and make the best of things.

The best part of this whole plan is that I get to go shopping! We'll need rain boots, sweaters, hot chocolate, coats and all that good stuff. If anyone would like to join our adventures we'd LOVE to have you.

Eggs, Tea & Flowers

What do eggs, tea and flowers have in common? They were all part of my day!

Now that our hens are producing eggs its fun to go to their coop to see how many we get that day. So far we haven't gotten more then two eggs. When I first discovered that the chickens have laid eggs I found 13. I don't know how long it took for them to produce that many, but we've seen nothing close to it.

There is such a big difference, I believe, between the store bought eggs to the backyard eggs. First, the eggs yoke isn't yellow, it's actually orange. Second, they are much smaller in size as you can see in the images bellow. Third, the backyard eggs don't make me nauseous and I can actually eat them, yay.

As the weather turns sour I'll be drinking more tea, wearing rain boots and wishing the sun would stay out longer. Despite it all I find myself more creative now in the dreary months.

Priorities: Family Time

I've come to realize these past weeks that in the mist of running around being a wife, mommy, daughter, friend and business woman, to name a few, I've lost something. I've slowly been figuring out what that 'something' is. Along with figuring it out I've worked on getting it back.

I think I'm heading in the right direction and reorganizing my life and priorities to make room for the things that truly matter to me and let go of those things that don't. This week has been successful on many levels.

One of my priorities is to make room for my family. That means being a good mom to Augustin during the day by giving my attention on him and not on the computer. It means being completely unplugged when it comes to family times, like today, which happened to be an incredible day!

Our mission for today was to take a picture of Augustin and hubby together at their spot just like we did last year and like we will do for years to come.


Taken in 2010

Capturing the Beautiful

I've been thinking and reflecting about my work, photography. Ever since I was a little girl beautiful photographs have captured my heart. It took me places where I was not ready to go, it opened up my imagination like a good book, and they captured beauty like no one could describe.

I don't want my photography to turn into something that I just get money in return with. You know, snap some pictures, edit and watch the money roll in. Plus, it never happens that way anyway. I want my photography to capture something more, to be more. I expect myself to be more so why not my photography.

One day I'll figure out all the questions that keep brewing in my head, but for right now, for this moment, I will find a moment where I focus on what is beautiful to me.

Growing Up

When I was a little girl I always found myself without friends. Since I had 3 brothers it was hard to find someone who would play Barbies with me as they would rather pop my dolls heads off instead. So I was left all to myself.

All that alone time gave me a big imagination, which today is helping me fuel all those dreams that I have. I remember spending hours in the woods behind our apartment complex. I'd put on my play clothes, bring out my dolls and walk around the woods singing, and building playhouses. My house never looked like the tree forts the boys would build, but it had a garden.

Yesterday I took my son into those same woods that I grew up in.

They were beautiful in the fall sunshine. Peaceful, but as I changed so did my outlook on the woods. They were no longer friendly and playful, but dark, erie and intimidating. I've grown from a care free child to an adult with doubts and fears that clutter my head.



I watched my son as he ran through the trail without a care in the world. So full of light, laughter, happiness and joy. In my heart my prayer is that he stays that way, but as a mother I cannot protect my child forever just like my mother couldn't protect me. That's why I am so thankful for a God who is so much bigger and better then we can even imagine!

Sneak Peak: Kimberly and Chris

I had the privilege of connecting with one of my favorite bosses from a previous job I had. Turned out his gorgeous wife was pregnant and I had the opportunity of taking her maternity pictures. One thing that I can say his that I adore this couple. They were a dream couple to work with and very beautiful people on the inside out!

I'm excited to see their baby boy, he's gonna be such a cutie!

Also a HUGE thank you to Faces By Ja for coming out and being an amazing makeup artist last minute!

Here's the Sneak Peak:

Being a good mommy

There are most days where I'm at the computer working, in the kitchen cooking or cleaning the house leaving my son to play with himself, his uncle or his grandma and occasionally me. Those are the days where I feel like I'm not much of a mother.

Then rarely are those days when I truly get to drop everything and just spend all day with the best son in the world.

Today was one of those blessed days.

Do I have lost of work to do? You better believe it and while he is tucked into bed guess what I'll be doing?

It was also the perfect fall day. Slowly the leaves are turning color and hitting the ground. On our walk around the neighborhood we discovered all type of clue nature has left for us as a reminder that fall will be here in less then two weeks.







My mommy day has come to an end and I feel complete. I've been the best mom that I can be today for my son. How I know I've done good is when I'm able to put Babers to sleep 20 minutes early and he doesn't even peep in disapproval.

I'm blessed!!!

This is how I feel

I don't know how it happened, but it did. In one day we went from summer to fall.

I absolutely love fall it's the best seasons out there filling the air with romance, leaves and everything nice. Unfortunately I'm not quite ready for fall. I think it has to do with the fact that summer was here for about a whole whopping 3 weeks. If you're in the Seattle area you know what I mean.

So on came the fireplace to smooth out my chills. At this moment I couldn't be happier that we will be spending out winter in Slovakia because everything feels so festive.

Sneak Peak: Baby Joel

So I've decided to change things up on my Sneak Peaks. I'm just testing a new layout for this post and we'll see how it goes.

Let me know what you think, it would be very helpful!

I've been waiting for today's session for some time now. I was so excited, happy and just ready when I got the call from my beautiful client and friend that they were ready to some newborn pictures.

I've been working really hard on improving from every session that I have and I'm very interested in improving my newborn session especially. With the improvements that I've made I also had some draw backs. The draw backs included a very sweet and cuddly boy named Joel who happened to pee on me 3 times and did something else on his mother. I had to laugh and thank you for my theory that baby pee is pure!

The greatest part? I'd SO do it again!

Here's the Sneak Peak peeps:

Cranky Pants

Sometimes are those day when everything is just a little rough. Today was one of those days.

Augustin was just not going to be happy. Despite doing all the things that we loves to do.
- Playing in the sink
- Watering plants
- Watching Caillou
- Playing blocks
- Even finger painting



He had a great nap, but woke up with a sad little face. Not only was it hard on him today, but it was hard on me too since today if a working day for me. I think I almost even cried, lol. Luckily I did manage through the his tears and toddler moments with prayer and focusing on teaching him that I loved him, but he needed to learn to be happy.



I'm glad that when hubby comes home it will be an ice cream and a movie kind of night. The best part is that I managed to get stuff done and I'm totally excited and waiting for my newborn shoot tomorrow!

Tomorrow is a NEW day and tomorrow is a GREAT day!

Projects

When I'm not actively shooting I'm always coming up with projects that circle my head non-stop. Slowing down in business is the worst for me, but it also give me the time to sit down and get the things done that I otherwise wouldn't have time for.

One reason why slowing down for me isn't the best because I tend to get realize that I'm not where my mind and dreams want me to be. I'm still in the process, in the middle of idea's and hard work. When I get this way, which has been more time then I'd like it this past month, I create.

My current project have something to do with writing (I know, me write?!), designing a yearly photo album for my son and video. I'm attracted to the creative things. I create outside of photography in many ways. I love to design, write, craft, cook and so much more.



But today I'm taking a much needed day off to read my new book.



Watch a girlie movie with a bowl of ice cream.

Read my Word and ask God some questions that are weighing upon my heart.

Last find something beautiful that I can photograph in my house!

My Office

I've noticed that I've been working everywhere, but at my desk. It could be the fact that I'm to busy to clean it with catch up work or it might be that it's not lonely there.

One things for sure is that today I decided to take my office to warmer pastures. I've noticed an increase in my work by 100% when I'm basking in the sunshine. Summer will soon be coming to an end with a long winter ahead, I need to make I get all the sun I can get!



I'm currently working my bed and have been for the past week once it gets dark outside. I think I'm not ready for summer to come to a close, or maybe I am? A nice fireplace, blanket, soft music and a cup of tea sound absolutely perfect. Oh, with the delicious wheat pound cake that my mom made!

 

The Beach

A quick post before bed!

What can I say expect that this has been the best Labor Day weekend by far! Everything from the fair to the beach with lots of yummy food in between, which I happened to not take any pictures of! Go figure!

I'm excited to be able to post some of the pictures and talk about what's been going on lately. For now you get just three, some of my favorite three too.

I hope that everyone had an incredible weekend because now fall begins and summer is technically over, for me at least.

Night!

The Limits

I titled this post 'The Limits' because it seems like lately I'v just been pushing all my limits., not just in photography, but as a mom, as a house keeper and as a wife. What I'm finding out is how much work I need to do just to what is expected of me. Maybe no one expect anything from me and I just have high expectations of myself. I need to figure that part out I guess.





I spend the morning cleaning. I cleaned the yard, cleaned the living room, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the floors, and made lunch all before I got a chance to actually have breakfast. Was that expected of me? No, I guess not. I know that the people who live here expect this house to be clean and I can't just expect them to do it, I have to do it. So I did! The problem was that I did it with the wrong heart. I did it out of frustration and anger. It got done? Yes, it did, but I was a bad wife in the process.

Sigh... So Sorry about my ramblings. My house is clean and beautiful. I can now work on my never ending to-do list that so many people have.

I'll smell the flowers, smile and enjoy its beauty before my eyes.



I'll just play with my son and not focus on work while I'm with him because he deserve a mother who is present and not in two places at once.



I'll be better, happier and I'll work harder. I'm going to push my Limits and create a new norm for myself. A norm that consist of days at the park, clean house, breakfast, lunch and dinner is served and ready and all business work is caught up. Is that possible? I have a God to where all things are possible with Him!