Tis' the Season!

I really do love my family, honestly I do....but next year I think the hubs and I will pack up the girls and head on vacation for the holidays.  I wish I was kidding, but I'm dead serious.  Maybe it's the SAD(seasonal effective disorder) mixed with mama hormones talking, but I'm just very sick of everything.  Sick of stupid drama, sick of having my feelings hurt repeatedly, and I'm extremely sick of the attitudes...I'm very much over it.

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 I would rather be in a cabin snowed in with Christmas records, crafts, books, and just MY small sweet family










My husband has been going above and beyond the past few days to try and cheer me up, especially today, He really is the best.

Once the girls settle down today I'm going to spend some time in the word, and then see one of my favorite people to get me on lots of vitamins.  After that I'm going to write down all the special sessions I'm wanting to do next year.  I hope the holidays have been MUCH kinder to everyone else!

Right now, my husband is upstairs watching the girls long enough for me to grab a water.  I'm pretty sure after I finish this post and head upstairs, they'll be asleep.  He is the baby whisperer. I will not be able to sleep tonight because my mind is going absolutely insane over the most recent episode of Grey's Anatomy.  What was Jackson thinking??  What is April going to say!?

Another reason I won't be able to sleep tonight, the reason I haven't gotten ANY sleep this week, is rebranding....sigh...I am never satisfied with my work.  I'm in such a weird position right now where I want to change sooo many things, including adding artificial light to my bag of tricks.  I've spent the entire week studying my tail off, researching what I need, and seeing how other photographers work.  My husband is probably ready to pull the plug on our internet.

I think every photographer feels this way.  I know for sure of two other photogs who do(my best gals) and they are like knock-your-socks-off AMAZING.  So it's probably just something that comes with the job...I think I will write my 10th list of things I want to accomplish next year and see if that helps me sleep.  Maybe I'll eat a ginormous bowl of cereal too...it usually helps.

The one thing you should NEVER say/ask a woman.

Happy Sunday Y'all!  Right now I would typically be running around my house getting clothes ready for the girls and my husband so that we can arrive at church 30 minutes late...but unfortunately bad weather has been in the forecast and I'm not itching to take my kiddos out and have them get sicky.  So, since I had some time, and when I have time my mind tends to obsess over thing, I thought I would touch on something that has been bothering me a great deal here lately.

Quick back story:  I have been struggling with my weight since I had surgery on my feet back in '08.  I spent a total of 9 months in a wheelchair and who knows how long in a boot and then just working to build my muscles up.  I still cannot stand on my tippy toes without wincing.  ANYWAYS... I've had some weight issues.  I became pregnant with my first daughter right after marrying my sweetheart.  I was already overweight and becoming pregnant didn't help with that.

I was finally really starting to lose all the baby weight when I became pregnant with my second darling.  Since having her I have lost all the baby weight I gained, but I'm still working to lose what was gained with Roxie.  Nursing and just working and being a mom helps me lose slow and steady.  I have FINALLY started feeling good about myself and my body.

However, the ONE thing that just tears me down and makes me feel, well, fat, is when people approach me asking me if I'm pregnant.....SERIOUSLY!?  Now, there has ONLY been one circumstance where it didn't tick me off, and that was when I had my hand on my stomach(it was thanksgiving and we all know how that goes) and a friend looked at me quizzically and whispered(whispered being the key word) "Are you pregnant?" THAT'S OKAY!!  That does NOT make me mad.  Why?  1.) She knows me!!  2.)She whispered.  3.)I mean I  did have my hand on my stomach...

It still has a slight sting, even if it's a friend, but it honestly doesn't bother me as bad.

But as a general rule: NEVER ASK A WOMAN IF SHE'S PREGNANT!!!!!!!!  DON'T "ASSUME" IT EITHER.

Here are a few good reasons why:

1.) She could be struggling with her weight and it will ruin her self confidence.

2.) She could be trying to have kids and can't

3.) What if she's just had a miscarriage?

So people, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, STOP!!!  If someone is pregnant, they'll let ya know when it's time for you to know.  Keep quiet and find something else to talk about, PLEASE!!

There's something about this time of year.

Even though it was in the 60's today I have still been basking in the joy that radiates this time of year.  I am so happy to finally be slowing down.  I am reminding myself that I am human and I can't be superwoman.  Even if I did everything perfectly, there will still be people disappointed.  That's life and I'm finally ok with.  What I'm not ok with is letting others discourage me to the point where I'm a miserable person to be around.  So, I'm off of Facebook for awhile, that place is just toxic.  I'm attempting to stay of Instagram as well, but I'm not sure how long that will last.  I challenge the rest of you to do the same! Stay off toxicbook and make more memories!!!  We're putting our tree up(finally) tonight!

My little ones had fun at Gigi's while Chris and I picked out our tree!!  

My life is a Luvs commercial

If you've seen any of the new Luvs commercials, the one about how life is with a second kid, you know what I'm talking about.  You stop sterilizing the pacis, you nurse without shame in public, you put your kids in whatever is clean, heck I don't even slap a headband on my kids anymore.  It's pointless really.  I actually even let my kid suck her thumb. You realize that the only thing that's important is that you give them love, food, clothing, and shelter.

Another thing that happens with that second kid: you become selfless, in a sense.  My first priority is NOT to make sure I have the latest mascara and hair care products, it's to make sure my kids have EVERYTHING they need.  Having kids is expensive, and if that means I don't get to stock up on my beauty supplies then that's fine by me.  I mean I'm not going say that moms who take time for themselves are selfish, because that's not true.  I'm just saying it's definitely not as important when you have more than one.  I would love nothing more than to purchase the perfume Honey by Marc Jacobs, but I will be buying snowsuits instead.  My husband says I smell just as good without it ;) 

Well, I have a high chair to take outside and hose off (hoorah) 

I'm baaaaaack

Wow, just wow....I feel terrible for not PERSONALLY blogging for soooo long.  Sure, I'm still going strong(eh kinda) with the photo blog but I really have been slacking with the personal stuff.  Why?  Good question!

Here's why: 

 1: I had another kid!!!!  Yeeeeeah when Roxie hit 9 months I found out I was pregnant with yet another little bun.  I was super stressed out until we found out we were having another girl and I didn't have to buy an entire wardrobe for a little mister.  Anyways, that's a big reason why I have been off the grid sort of.  I have heard so many people say that if they had their second kid first they probably wouldn't try for another...That's definitely not something that I feel(I want gaggles of pitter-pattering feet) but this kid has definitely got that "second child syndrome" thing going on.  Hoo boy!

2: My business has really taken off!  God has just blessed my photography business in so many awesome ways!  This coming year I will ONLY be doing portraits during the week in order to make time for all of my weddings that are taking up my weekends.

3. My husband's business has really taken off!!  I have known my man for 10 years now and he has always wanted to be an auctioneer!!!  I LITERALLY swell up with pride at every auction of his that I attend!

So that pretty much sums up what's been going on with us.  I've finally gotten into a groove with two kids.  I basically hang out with them all day, and then I work all night.  So I get about 4 hours of sleep each night...Hello B.B. Cream and Coffee!!!  It works for me!  So here is my promise:  I pinky swear to check in once a week and let ya'll in on all the crazy happenings of my sweet family and our hectic but lovely life!

Roxie (2 years)

Novee (8 months)

Halfway there!!!

6 months!!!  My baby girl is 6 months old!  It's so hard for me to believe!!  Roxie is now a whopping 18 lbs!  She's also long, 27"!!  She is sitting up without any help and rolls to wherever she wants to be.  I haven't done an "official" 6 month photoshoot for her because well, I've been busy taking other people's photos!  I promise there is a shoot coming up!  Until then, here are some that I've just been taking whenever the urge to photograph her hits me (which is basically every minute).