Monthly Archives: November 2009

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I am thankful for my blog

Yes, this silly old thing I started years ago before I had any CLUE how much work it would be, or how busy I would be with a growing business and three active girls, and before I had time to consider the GUILT that would follow me when I go more than a few days without a post..as if any mom needs one more thing to feel unnecessarily guilty about.. all things considered.. still.. I LOVE my blog.

I love that it gives me a way to connect with my clients, my friends, friends of my clients, clients of my friends, and even completely random strangers around the world. I can share things I am excited about, pictures I want to show off, stories I want to tell, causes I am passionate about, and completely random ramblings that have no purpose whatsoever. (current post is perfect example!)  And I especially love that YOU all love it. I am always taken aback when people mention reading the blog, whether they are a casual “check it every now and then when I am bored” observer, a seasonal “I know my friends had pictures recently and I’m hoping you post a peek” kind of popper in, or (my fav) a die-hard “subscribe to the feed, check it every day, know it by heart, play every game, email when you go a few too many days without a post to make sure you are alive” kind of reader. Seriously. It makes me absolutely tickled to think that anything I post might brighten someone else’s day, even jsut a tiny bit. Because I completely know how little things can really change my mood, or make me think, or give me ideas.. so I love to be a part of that eternal pay it forward kind of sunshine!

Anyway.. back to the blog. People often ask how I decide what to write about. Sometimes I have more ideas in my head than I can spit out, and the posts just come. Sometimes it takes me days to be inspired enough to even type a sentance. But usually it is the pictures that drive the posts, that compel me to tell the story or just share the image..

For example.. last Thursday I spent another amazing day with a family I absolutely ADORE… a family that has seen their share of blog posts.. and I was wondering what part of their day in the life would make a good blog. The addition of the new baby to their loving household, a baby that is proving my theory about third babies being the sweetest, most agreeable creature on the planet…

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or do I showcase the painfully sweet relationship between the star of the day and his big sister, who are, as the Chinese proverb says, as close as hands and feet?

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Or perhaps all the little moments with his parents, who, despite being busy themselves and having a houseful of fun swirling around them, never seem to be off their game a bit, and make each of these three kiddos feel as if they are the greatest thing since sliced bread?

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All of those were fabulous, and truly representative of their amazing family. But the light bulb went off for me around lunchtime, when I was squeezing my behind up the playground  at the local McDonald’s, where our little rock star   had climbed up a little too far and decided he was stuck. Big sis couldn’t coax him down and mom was in a skirt, so the task was left to me. As I was elbowing my way up the stuffy hot, blindingly bright red plastic tubes, all I could think was

“Yup. This is going to make a great story for the blog.”

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If you’ve ever wondered how to make it on the blog, this would be it. Although I might have to consider adding a “child fast food apparatus rescue” fee on to my rates if this keeps up. :)

I am thankful for holes in the sand…

specifically ones that I can stick my head in to avoid the chaos falling all around me.  Ack! No time for witty words or eloquent reflection… just some FABULOUS peeks into the adorable faces that have been keeping me so busy!  These are just SOME of the little people who participated in our Dallas Arboretum mini sessions.. we packed a lot of fun into 15 minutes!

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I am thankful for my sense of humor

Hello out there world.. contrary to the rumor mill, I am still alive.  The holiday madness has taken over, and even I am not sure how I am still functioning, but rest assured, the blog has been quiet because Erin & I have been hard at work, editing some ADORABLE mini session pictures, creating FABULOUS holiday cards, and packaging STUNNING prints & cards to be delivered to their eager owners soon.

The only thing keeping me going right now is my sense of humor, I think.. that little part of me that reminds me to take deep breaths and enjoy the silly faces, bouncing off the walls kiddos, and stressed out parents for exactly what they are: signs of another great holiday season humming right along!  This isn’t the kind of job that’s meant to be taken too seriously, and for that I am incredibly thankful. Those of you who know me know I wouldn’t last long in a 9-5 office wearing a power suit and brokering deals with the boys.  Nope, I like my world chaotic, and I like my kids spunky. And I am so thankful they never cease to disappoint!

Case in point, a face my faithful blog readers will recognize (since everyone asks where he has been!).. I wish my camera had audio so you could hear the raspberries he was blowing at me! He should be thankful he still has that little cherub face to keep him out of trouble! :)

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I am thankful for hope

Bright & early this morning, thousands of brave warriors began their march to fight breast cancer, in the annual 3day Walk.  Over the course of the weekend, they will travel 60 miles, each one having raised well over $2000 for the cause as part of their training, and now they reap the benefits of their work… the walk itself.

How, exactly, is a 60 mile walk a benefit? The experience is indescribable. Life changing.  Amazing.  Emotional and exhausting and exhilirating.  I was honored to have completed the walk last year with some of my very best friends, and many of them are walking again this year.  I’ve also got a handful of clients who have chosen to join the fight, and I couldn’t be more proud of each of them!

While I won’t be walking this weekend, I will be cheering them all on.  Both in my heart, and literally, on the side of the road.  I cannot tell you how important the cheering stations were to me last year, just when you feel like you might not make one more step, you see a group of people hollering and waving, clapping and celebrating.. it really gives you that boost that you need SO MANY TIMES over the journey. It’s the least I can do!

If you’d like to participate, there are designated cheering stations open to the public all weekend, you can find a complete listing here.  Bring a sign, wear a shirt, or just bring yourself.. and tell them THANK YOU.. for walking, for fundrasing, for bringing HOPE to so many who are fighting this battle against breast cancer from a hospital bed. Together we really can make a difference, and EVERY cheer helps! :)

I am thankful for patience

From my clients, who have been experiencing the slowdown that comes each year at this time.. proofs show a little later.. prints come at the late end of the estimate.. and especially emails and phone calls are not returned as quickly as I would like. I am doing my best, I promise!

I am also thankful for the patience I so desperately need to remember to enjoy the days with my darling girls, who often get the same response delays this time of year.. especially when we have a week like this, with the perfect weather for afternoons at the park.  I can’t always make it there but for the times when I remember how much it means to them, and how much I will appreciate it after the fact too!, I am thankful.  This can be such a stressful time of year for everyone, but with a little patience and peace we can keep the focus on the really important things.

Hope you find a moment to exercise some patience in your life today, whetehr with your friends, work, or your little ones.  We could all use a little more peace in our hearts!

Finally, here’s a photo of some kiddos whose mom has more patience than I could ever dream of… and I love & admire her for it!!

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I am thankful for November

Ah, November.  Always feel to me like a big inhale after the chaos of October’s fall sports, school carnivals, and costume chaos and BEFORE December’s all around holiday insanity.  Squished in between, we get November.  One month with nothing to do but recover from the previous and prepare for the upcoming… the only holiday gives us three whole days off of school and work for one meal.  Nothing to decorate, no presents to buy, just one dinner with the people we love.. and for that we get a three day break!  I love November.

November also brings with it the return of our blog tradition in taking a month to remember why we run around like crazy people all December, all the wonderful people we love and are so thankful for.  And so, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we bring you a post a day in November with a moment of gratitude.. big or small.. and we invite you to do the same!  We’ve reopened the comments boxes on the bottom of each post (and crossed our fingers that no spammers will attack us again!) and we’d love for you to post your own thoughts.. what are you thankful for this month, or all year long?  And in true blog fashion, we’ll be doing random drawings of all the people who post a comment on the blog to win sessions, print credit, and Kidcore Toys gift certificates!

So ignore the fact that daylight savings has your little ones waking up before the roosters, and the decorations at the mall that are looming over your head, making you feel hopelessly unprepared.. and instead look at the names on your shopping list and remember why you care enough to drive yourself insane!

We’ll post our image of the month tomorrow.. for now a sneak peek from yesterday’s session… these kiddos knocked it out of the park! I know mom was a little stressed, but she can take that breath I mentioned earlier.. her only concern should be how she will EVER be able to choose a favorite!

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