Saturday, February 19, 2011

Happy Birthday Bella!

Today Bella turned 4, but where has the time gone? I remember the past 4 years so vividly. She has grown so much, but it feels like we were just recently blessed with our baby girl. I didn't think I would be emotional over it. Every year I get more excited for all I know she will accomplish in the year, and all I could never imagine she would. But just the other day as I was rushing to the daycare for a parent participation day, our song started playing on my ipod and I burst into tears at the thought of her growing up. I used to sing "Speak Easy" to her when she had trouble sleeping at night, and it would soothe us both. When I got to the daycare, after a few minutes of making Valentines together, she told me to leave and that she wanted to stay...I thought I at least had a few more years before that set in. Of course, at night she needed cuddles, and I was happy she did. I needed them too.

To celebrate her birthday today, I took her to a field of sunflowers



She ran around through the field exploring with her brother



I had hoped to get more photos, but there were ditches and quite a few bees buzzing around. I was more concerned with making sure they didn't fall or get stung





After our Sunflower adventure, we went to Coco's for lunch and Bella entertained a table of Japanese girls (as she often does). She makes everyone laugh everywhere we go! Then after a looooong nap we went to Baskin Robbins and the three of us shared a banana split with Strawberry, Jamoca Almond Fudge, and Cookies & Cream ice cream.

Her birthday party is next weekend, and I am pretty excited for it. The theme is milk & cookies


I rented a bounce house, and I am praying hard for clear skies so the kids can enjoy it. Bella is sooo looking forward to that part!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

It's been too long, but with good reason

My job is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me and my family. I didn't think I would enjoy it so much, but I do. And even better, my kids both totally enjoy "school" so we all win! Being around the kids at the daycare gives me an even greater appreciation for my own. Not that the kids at the daycare are particularly bad children- some have their days. I just end up leaving each day thoroughly impressed at all that children are capable of, and I can't wait to pick up my kids, teach them, and just hold them. I miss them after a full day's work!

Speaking of full day, I love having a normal full time schedule! I feel like a real grown up. It all works out perfectly because Brian and I will leave the house at the same time (when he isn't deployed of course), come home at the same time, and have weekends off together.

Something I have not been enjoying so much- my photography. I feel like I let the whole business side of it ruin my passion for it. So next month I will be offering free sessions all month long to try to get some of that back. I don't want it to feel like a chore. I don't want to deal with payments and contracts or any of that boring stuff. I'll go back to charging in March, but I feel like I really need a break from the business so I can just appreciate the art.

Ooooh...I scheduled my maternity photos. I've been wanting maternity pictures since the first pregnancy. I'm expecting this to be my last, and I really don't want to regret not having it done. I have a few friends with older kids and they have told me how much they wish they had them done. I can see myself looking back in a few years thinking "man, why didn't I do that?" I am totally picky when it comes to photographers. I found Red Stone Photography and fell in love with her portfolio. She is more pricey than some of the other photographers on island, but I feel it would be worth it. She will also be doing the newborn and family photos after baby Gabe is born.

Things around here have been both hectic and enjoyable since Brian left. I miss him so much. I'm just trying to keep busy though so I don't think about it too much. The job takes up most of my days Monday-Friday. Saturdays I clean my house top to bottom, and Sundays we go to church. I also started doing this Bible study online with Good Morning Girls, and it has really been motivating me. I feel such a calm in the midst of this storm, and I know I owe that peace to God's grace. I wouldn't be able to manage right now without it.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Recent holiday photo shoot

Because a few of you asked to see the entire session :)