Summer Photography, Better Late than Never!

I was busy with family life this summer, as well as a few photography opportunities that I enjoyed. It still feels hot and sticky like summer today but the calendar tells me that we are quickly heading towards fall. Although I usually adore fall, this last few weeks has been extremely personally challenging. Whenever I find myself struggling in one way or another, I often find my spirits lifted in a creative pursuit like a photography project. The sunflower field was a bright spot this summer admist the struggles I have faced. Enjoy this sweet session of a college senior that graduated last year, but like everything else, celebrating was delayed due to the Covid pandemic. Here’s to the “better late than never” philosophy!

Fall Family Photo Sessions are upon us!

Even though the days still feel long and hot, I can hear the crickets signaling that it’s almost time for the season to change. Are you considering a family photo session with me this fall? I am scheduling now for selected dates. Email me for info if you want to inquire about a full family session or limited mini-session offerings, emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com

Are you unsure about coordinating outfits? I love this current post from Midwest Money Saving Mamas with current outfits available on Amazon. It takes all the guess work out of what will and won’t work together for your photo session! As a photographer, I KNOW how stressful it is to try to get a family ready for photos! Head to their post and all the links are set!

Images are property of Midwest Money Saving Mamas

Spring Senior Photos, Delaware

I know, I have been missing from my blog and please accept my sincerest apologies. There’s really no excuse other than I can’t possibly fit more things into my days right now and blogging has fallen off the list. The good news is that I am still photographing sessions! I just have been lacking in posting things. So here’s to a gorgeous high school senior that I have know since she was a fourth grader! She has babysat our kids and been generally an amazing young woman to know and love. I can’t wait to see where college takes her but we will MISS HER dearly when she goes! Congrats to Quinn, and the class of 2021!

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Classic cap and gown shots, for mom of course!

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Monday Confessions, Reading in 2021

We have officially made it to 2021! Happy New Year! I had a few minutes last week to reflect on what I read in 2020. I confess there was a time when the pandemic first hit that I found it very hard to focus and to read. I know many experienced this struggle as well. When I looked over what I read in 2020, I made it through the entire Bible cover to cover and I was surprised to find that I actually read 33 entire books in 2020 (a few others I started but didn’t finish.) It’s funny though because I had forgotten about a couple that I read in early 2020 before coronavirus. It feels like everything in my memory right now is split between pre-pandemic living and pandemic living! I am sure many of you feel the same way.

I get asked all the time how do I “find time” to read and I really just tell people that it’s like anything else, we have to make time. I think the best way to get back into the habit of reading is in the evening before bed, instead of scrolling on your phone, put a book or two on your nightstand! I promise even 10-15 minutes of reading each night will get you through a book.

So what are my favorites of my 2020 reads?

In fiction reading, I really liked the Dutch House by Ann Patchett and American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. They were really different stories but both excellent characters and writing. The Dutch House was a classic style novel based through decades of a family’s story but set all around a specific house. American Dirt was a very timely novel about what forces a family to attempt to immigrate to the United States. It’s an unsuspectingly powerful read, written with so many details that bring you right into the story. The characters and narrative in this one will stay with you, but I definitely had trouble reading this one at night (I had bad dreams about Mexican cartels!). It’s not a light read in any way and in fact, highlights many of the plights and dangers for those trying to flee their homeland. I definitely recommend it though!

Two other novels I really liked in 2020 were The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes and Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The Giver of Stars is historical fiction set in the Appalachian mountains with the pack horse librarians. Daisy Jones and the six is the tale of a 70s rock band in California, which is literally about “sex, drugs and rock n roll” in no certain order.

As for non fiction, of course reading through the entire bible was a major challenge but I would say also a highlight. This is something that I have attempted before but not made it all the way through in chronological order. This type of reading plan does take significant commitment but it really was worth it, especially in the year of 2020. I have been asked quite a few times about this plan and go here to find out how to start! There’s an app for the plan and then the related podcasts in your podcast app. I also really found encouragement in Gentle and Lowly, by Dane Ortlund, talking about the heart of Christ. It’s honestly one of those books I could probably read yearly because I need the reminders so much of Christ’s love and character.

SO here’s to a fresh start in 2021 for so many things! I got on the scale this morning and the verdict is way worse than I thought! Today is a good day to start fresh, get moving and plan out some reading for 2021. Have a great week my friends!

Monday Confessions, End of 2020, We made it

It’s funny, I found myself thinking about new year’s eve last year and thinking about how we had no clue what was coming for us in 2020. There was all this hopeful “dawn of a new decade” talk and no such anticipation of the challenges that would come. In the same way, we don’t know what 2021 holds but most of us are hopeful that it has to be better than the last 12 months! We have ALL been affected by the pandemic either directly with sickness or through the economic struggles or even the shut downs of vital things, like schools. Parents of school aged children have felt this year acutely in so many ways, especially if you’re a working parent trying to school your children as well.

I probably won’t write anything here that hasn’t already been said but I think maybe the biggest silver lining of 2020 has been slowing down and spending so much time as a family. This has also been a part of the struggle of 2020, but what this year has shown us is that life truly does go on. Even with nothing on the calendar, our days have still been so full! We have grown as a family and our kids have grown and changed an entire years’ worth, even if it looks really different than previous years. I would’ve never imagined on New Year’s Eve that I would start a new job this year, have a kindergartner learning virtually or that I would lose my beloved grandmother. It’s been a mix of blessings and hardships for sure. So much of daily life changed but it has allowed us all to take stock in what matters and what will persevere when other things fade away. It’s been hard to accept that things are really, really different but I just keep trying to embrace all the feelings, while taking it one day at a time. What’s your silver lining of 2020? What has been getting you through?

My biggest daily job is raising my kids, so here’s some updated images I took of them one fall afternoon full of threats and negotiations. I have one child that has no individual images and barely any nice smiles in any photos because he’s 9 and I am apparently asking too much. My oldest two are looking more like teenagers every day, although thankfully we are still about 18 months off from that milestone. My sweet “baby” Benji is a baby no more. This year has changed us all so much. We didn’t do any full family photos because really, who needs to see me aging?! (Kidding, sort of, but it was too hard to schedule in and figure out).

I keep coming back to this Emily Dickinson quote, that even though there may be many harbors for us in 2020 (thankfully!), it does not change the sea or the storm. Hopeful for more peace in 2021!

“I hope that you have power,

and as much of peace as in our deep

existence may be possible.

To multiply the harbors does not reduce the sea. “

~Emily Dickinson

Monday Confessions, Advent 2020

If there ever was a year we needed some good news, it’s this year, right?! The season of advent started just yesterday. If you aren’t familiar, Advent is the traditional season of counting down to Christmas, awaiting the birth of Jesus. It’s a time to both reflect on things and look forward with the hope to come. There are so many amazing options out there in the world for reading and listening to advent plans, so I am going to give you just a few right here in case you’re interested!

Reading: She Reads Truth for the ladies or He Reads Truth for the men. Each reading plan includes bible readings for the day and then a short devotional thought to go along with. They each also usually include an image to save to your phone or share to social media. The images serve as great reminders throughout the day!

Listening: We Wonder Podcast is for the whole family! There’s a daily podcast about 10-15 minutes. Each day will have a central scripture, thoughts and prayers.

Music: Shadow and Light playlist, compiled by Tsh Oxenrider to accompany her new advent themed book, Shadow and Light. I have not yet gotten this book but it sounds great! I think the music is more contemplative than fun/jolly Christmas music, but it’s hope filled all the same! Another new album by great artists is Hope Has a Name by Passion.

May you be blessed in this season by the coming of the light, even though it truly feels like we are in darkness!

“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.” ~Isaiah 9:1

Monday Confessions, Where have I been?

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~Albert Camus

Well we’ve made it to November in an extremely hard year. Where have I been you ask? Well for starters, I took on a new full time teaching job. Many of you that have hung around here long enough know that I previously taught part-time at the local community college here in DE and I adored that position. I absolutely loved engaging adults in the art and craft of photography. I had been doing that almost 9 years when an opportunity presented itself as an art position at a local elementary school, which I accepted when it was offered to me. I am sure the craziness of getting hired during a pandemic via zoom interviews and calls will never leave me. I am also sure that the difficulty of starting a new position in such a difficult year in education might explain quite a few of my new gray hairs. My new position, along with an extremely challenging parenting season (my kids have been learning from home since early September and just recently went back into the classroom 2 days a week), have left me quite quiet here on my blog! It’s not that I haven’t been photographing things, it’s quite the opposite. October was a very busy photography month for me and November looks to be busy as well.

I am truly taking it one day at a time right now, and sometimes it’s just hour by hour, my friends. The best description I can give anyone when they ask me how I am doing is “like an internet browser with too many tabs open and the connection is slow.” My brain just does not have enough categories to compute everything going on in our daily lives, as well as our country and world at large. I know MANY of us feel this way with the 8 or more months of living in a pandemic alone. The stress and struggle is real. If you add in a significant loss, like losing my grandmother in August and the residual grief and tasks related to that, overwhelm is a constant feeling. Also considering I am in a new position in education at an extremely challenging time, there are days that I just feel like I can’t manage. It’s also a time when parenting and trying to help four children learn at home could alone make me feel like I am drowning. I am not sharing all this to call for any pity, but I am sharing this as an act of solidarity. If you find yourself in overwhelm, know that you aren’t alone.

I am not going to offer any platitudes for you today, as many are floating on the internet. I just wanted to let you know where I am and what I have been doing. I hope to share some recent sessions in the weeks to come!

Monday Confessions, A few Recent Reads

It’s the first Monday in August of 2020, are you feeling glass half-full or half-empty at this point? I confess I am definitely at the half-empty phase of 2020. One thing though that has helped me some with surviving in this crazy coronavirus world is to keep reading! Quoting the great advocate of literacy Elenanor Roosevelt, “The greatest luxury I know is sitting up in bed reading.” Don’t miss out on the joy and escape of diving into a good book!

1. The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal was a great summer read. It’s a story of a family over time, specifically women and how their worlds intertwined with the world of brewing beer over a couple of generations. I think a lot about this story set in the mid-west reminded me of the work ethic expected in that part of our country, as well as the commitment to family. There are some fun surprises along the way! Definitely recommend.

2. Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes was another very enjoyable read. This story set in Appalachia in the days of the pack horse librarians is full of relationships, trials and adventures. The setting of the rural Kentucky hills is all new territory for the main character who arrives as the new bride of a well known son of business owner in their small town. There were some answers I kept wanting that I never got in some instances but you definitely find yourself rooting for the main female characters and the ending was not a disappointment! Definitely recommend this one!

3. The Sea Wife by Amity Gaige was a good adventure story intertwined with some poignant writing about life, love, grief and loss. The basic premise is a family of four embarking on a year of sailing, while letting go of their suburban Connecticut existence. You know early on in the book that the sailing adventure did not end well. This book is written from the current voice of the wife and the journals from the husband. It does jump back and forth both in time and voice, so if that bothers you that this one might not be for you. I think there were lots of moments of really beautiful writing in this story but I have to say, the overall arc of the story wasn’t the best, in my opinion. I can’t say more without giving too much away but this is a good summer read. I can’t say this is a must read, but it’s a decent read.

July 4th, 2020

My current summer mantel…

What a year we are in the middle of….forgive me for my lack of posting here. It’s been such a trying time and has drastically altered my photography plans. I think though on this 4th of July, we can take assurance in the hope of freedom that our forefathers had. Yes, life is complicated in the USA now, just as it was then - but that doesn't mean we throw it all away and stomp on it. This is still the greatest nation on earth. Thankfully with Disney releasing the brilliant Hamilton musical onto the streaming app, we can all be reminded of the true promise in the founding of our nation. (There’s an excellent article here that goes deeper into the topic and is written by a naturalized US citizen originally from China.) Hamilton was born disadvantaged in every way as the bastard child of a single woman, yet his life story is nothing short of astounding. This is still the land of opportunity!

I cannot get enough of John Adam’s words to his wife Abigail in a letter in July 1776 that writes about July 4th,

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should [regret] it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

Happy 4th my friends!!

June Wedding, Happy Anniversary Kelsey & Jeremy

Sometimes life has a way of taking it’s own course and this year has proven that very clearly. When 2020 dawned, no one could’ve predicted what we are currently living through. I have so many thoughts and find myself swirling in them. Instead of making you swirl with me, I decided to finally share this wedding in a blog post that I am very proud of. It’s the one year anniversary for this couple today and I wanted to celebrate by looking at their beautiful wedding again! Wishing you the happiest first anniversary Kelsey & Jeremy!

This rustic-chic early June wedding was set in the Connecticut hills of Easton on the idyllic Maple Row Tree Farm. The ceremony took place in the very historic Jesse Lee Methodist church, which has been a congregation in Connecticut since the 1700’s and the grooms family attended there over his youth. The bride’s uncle, Forrust Miller, officiated the ceremony with personal touches and humor. It was a simple and sweet ceremony, reminding the couple that marriage is a marathon and not sprint. A surprise to the bride and groom was an impeccable antique Bentley, complete with a uniformed driver that escorted them from ceremony exit to the reception at Maple Row Farm. 

Jeremy Edwards, groom, grew up in Connecticut at Maple Row Farm, which has been in his family for generations. The beautiful country setting of the farm went well with the rustic style details from ceramic pots for the flowers, antique shutters holding the table arrangements to the simply decorated cake. The reception under the tent was complete with a sit down dinner, catered by Catering by Christine. The gorgeous florals in the center of each table included the wedding’s signature dusty rose color blooms and were crafted by Carrie Wilcox floral design. After dinner, guests hit the dance floor with a variety of catchy music from B-Entertained DJs. Friends of the bride and groom gave toasts, recalling their unlikely meeting on a cruise somewhere over the Caribbean. The bride, Kelsey Owesnby, grew up in Middletown, Delaware. It just goes to show you never know when you’re forever love will show up in life. It was a dream wedding day, complete with perfect early-June weather and floating puffy, white clouds in the sky as guests departed with their home harvested honey in jars.

Thanks to Matt Troutman, my second shooter for this great shot right before the bride & her father walked into the church

Monday Confessions, Out of Steam

We are starting week 7 of quarantine if my count is correct and things here in Delaware are getting worse, not better. We got the news this week that school is out for the year and there’s been a steady climb in coronavirus cases, instead of a decrease. This is all extremely discouraging, because it means we are going to be in this isolation for a while. I feel like I am all out of steam. That motivation and optimism I had at the beginning of this is waning. I found a little empathy from a line in an old poem earlier this week so I thought I might share.

“April is the cruellest month, breeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain. “

~T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland

I always thought that was a sad way to look at April, but now it makes sense. T.S. Eliot wrote this famous poem during struggles with depression and insomnia, among other things. He wasn’t looking at spring as hopeful, which most of us tend to do. We tend to see spring as the rebirth, the new life springing forth from the cold dormancy of winter. Eliot is writing here that hopeful spring is in contrast to what he’s feeling in his despair.

I can relate a bit to those feelings this year. As a mom and a photographer, May is usually a busy but great month for me. This year, I don’t have any work to look forward to or any of my kiddos events and celebrations. I am also trying to finish strong a semester of teaching and doing “crisis school” with my four children. This is not only hard on my spirits, but extremely hard financially as well with no photo work.

It’s hard to take it all in, knowing that others are suffering so much worse. The heaviness of the COVID 19 pandemic is taking a toll on everyone. I just want you to know it’s entirely OK if you are feeling heavy hearted. We are all handling this differently , so there’s no one right way. Make sure that if you feel acute emotional pain or depression, call a friend! The stress of this season could really impact anyone already struggling. We know we will get through this season together!

Monday Confessions, Spring in Quarantine

Good Morning internet friends, how are you holding up? By my calculations, we are starting week 5 in “quarantine” status or shelter-in-home, or whatever your state is currently calling it. The weather here is so awful right now that I am thankful to not have to actually leave. The wind and rain is whipping against the house and it’s supposed to last all day.

I took a few minutes this weekend to appreciate some spring scenery along the Brandywine River, after I made a few Easter deliveries to family up north. It’s hard to both feel the current state of everything in the world and yet see spring blooming outside my window. I wanted to just take a few minutes alone to appreciate the beauty still unfolding outside. I missed the peak of the trees around the fountain but it was still lovely, nonetheless. The history of this park is interesting, as it was “established in 1886, it is the largest urban park in DE, and much like Central Park, owes its origin to the late 19th century “Natural Landscape Movement” of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. The Park fulfilled the need for public recreational space within a larger urban environment.” It’s definitely worth a visit and I took all of these images while on a 2 mile jog.

I should also say that really my confessions today are actually just survival tips! I know everyone is throwing in their opinions on what to do to make the most of this strange season but thought I would share mine too. I mostly though am finding sanity and solace in exercise, the outdoors, and my faith. Of course my family are a huge part of my daily rhythms, but these other 3 things are my literal sanity these days, because even in a pandemic scenario, all those three things are still possible! I hope you have a good week ahead!

All Images shot on iPhone 11.

Monday Confessions, COVID 19 Quarantine Style

Happy Monday friends, how you holding up? Yesterday I said to my husband, May 15 feels really far away right now (that’s the current projection for us to be out of quarantine). We all know that life can change in a moment, but when it does, we don’t always know how to process it. Now for those of us that are just being required to stay home, it’s not necessarily a hardship. It does bring disappointment and maybe some challenges, but it’s mostly understandable. For those that are out working in the essential jobs, like medical staff, it’s a constant emergency situation. It’s hitting us all differently.

So as I adjust to teaching my classes in cyber format and the 24/7 family-in-the-house scenario, there are a few things helping me and that maybe will help you too!

1. Cook, because you can! You actually DO have time right now. In the last few days I have done sun tea, fresh bread and a dutch baby pancake (among many other meals). What is it that you want to cook that maybe you haven’t tried? This is the time to try it, if you have the ingredients! I would not recommend special trips to the store for ingredients. I actually love cooking but hate dishes, so I usually try to cook or bake with the least amount of dishes possible! **Update this image was included in a New Journal Article on Delaware families baking at home, check out the article here.

Google the recipe for Ayesha Curry’s One Hour Bread Recipe (it’s usually prettier but I was talking on FaceTime while making this one :)

Just google “Dutch Baby Pancake” recipe for this one! Serve with syrup and a side of berries, YUM!

2. Listen to podcasts and good music while doing tasks! I am currently hooked on any music by Maggie Rogers. My husband has actually met her, as she is an alumnus of the board school where he works. She did a surprise concert for the students last year! As for podcasts, you all know I am always listening to different ones. (For the Love with Jen Hatmaker has an entire quarantine series, The Lazy Genius has some survival tips and my daily bible reading goes along with the Bible Recap to keep me grounded and take the long view of life.)

3. Rest. Simple….Rest…..but I have struggled with this. My enneagram 3 personality sees open time and fills it with projects. While I do think that this is a great time to tackle a project, it’s also important to take it slow and rest a bit! I will be forcing myself to rest a bit too this week. Part of rest can actually be play, so play with your kids or pets to lift your spirits also!

Social Distancing in the great outdoors…because we need to move our bodies!

4. Walk….go find an outdoor trail or your neighborhood and just walk. Make sure you can comply by social distancing, but it’s still super important to move your body. Nature has so many healing properties of its own. I think the sun itself has super powers! The combination of moving your body and fresh air is good for you soul.

5. Read….this can even include an audio book! Audio books TOTALLY count! Check out my hashtags #emilytroutmanreads on instagram if you need particular ideas but here is the book I am reading right now while in quarantine.

And remember…..you can do none of this and still be fine. Every day is not going to be awesome. It’s going to be full of NORMAL stuff that fills days like meals, dishes, laundry, sibling fights and homework. There’s so many different expectations that are on all of us right now, especially as parents we are trying to hold it all together for our families. Don’t feel the pressure to do any of the above if you can’t….just look at the time at home and ask yourself, “when I look back at this time, what will I want to remember?” Hope you have a great week wherever you are!

Shelter In Place Status

To all my fellow friends in the USA currently in the shelter-in-place status, I want to bring just a little snap shot of spring. Things are hard right now for so many. Even those of us not experiencing immediate crisis are connected to the crisis, like family members in the front lines of health care or losing jobs or work. It’s affecting all of us. I am thankful for the reminder this morning from poet T.S. Eliot that, “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” I am needing lots of fresh starts right now!!! Am I right?!

Monday Confessions, How to make time for reading

Good Monday morning internet friends! Monday after spring daylight saving is not my favorite Monday for sure. I am usually dragging! Are you already on your second cup of coffee too?

So there’s a question that I get quite often which is, “how do you have time to read?” Arguably, we have time for everything we want to do or have to make time for, if it’s a priority. I know a lot of people just feel like they can’t get in reading books with everything else they have going on in a day. Trust me, I get it!

I can’t remember exactly what year it was but it was when the twins were still very young and definitely one of the most physically exhausting seasons of my life, but I realized that I wanted something to change. I had gone from a very social, connected, and thinking person working in ministry with college students, to being at home with two infants. I had read a ton during my years in the ministry but it was often books or articles related to the work I was doing or personal growth areas. I found myself in a new season of life without the required reading and yet I was feeling a void in my mental stimulation. I was truly exhausted caring for infant twins while my husband worked two jobs, but I knew I needed something, so I started reading again. I would just get a book on my night stand and slowly work my way through it, which is how reading for pleasure worked it’s way back into my life, heart and routine! This season of life also renewed my love of the library! Reading does not have to cost you a thing!

I have pondered what are some tips to build reading into your life and here’s what I have come up with:

1. Choose something you want to learn about. Reading is one of the best ways we can learn about new subjects, places, or people. It can be anything from parenting to nutrition, but find something you want to learn about and it will keep you motivated to read! I do admit that I tend to read through non-fiction slower, but it’s a valuable effort even when it’s slow. Reading non-fiction has given me fresh ideas and things to ponder with everything from personality types like the enneagram, to parenting strategies on how to love on our kids. I am currently reading a non-fiction on spiritual disciplines that I am finding a really challenging and encouraging read.

2. Join a book club in person or follow an online book club like Reese Witherspoon’s, Hello Sunshine. Reading can be so much more fun in community. If there’s a local book club that you can join in person, it’s the best. It challenges you to read things you might not usually pick and also gives you the added relationships with new friends. If that’s not an option for you right now, definitely follow an online club where you can read along and jump in conversation at your convenience. It will still connect and inspire you along with other readers!

3. Put down your phone and pick up a book. In the era of the smart phone, this is essential. There’s a constant stream of studies coming out about the effects of our constant attachments to our devices, with everything from how it keeps us distracted, to how it affects our sleep. This is especially a good idea at bedtime, when your body needs to be away from the blue light of the screen and wind down. Dock your phone in your kitchen so that once you’re in your room for the night, the book on the nightstand is your only option. I promise, this will help you slow down and appreciate the day, while preparing for sleep.

   I also keep a my current book with me when I go out, in case I have down time like sitting in the kids car line or waiting for an appointment. It’s honestly so much more refreshing to read a chapter than the constant internet scroll.

4. Set a specific time & Get rid of distractions. If you don’t trust yourself to just “read when you can,” then set a specific time or amount of time during the day that will just become your reading time. Like I suggested earlier, the end of the day is great or first thing in the morning. I tend to read the bible for a bit the first thing in the morning and then read other things later in the day. If you have a time that you would really rather be reading than watching another episode of Love is Blind, then set that reminder in your phone and go for it. When you get into a new rhythm of when it’s just the time of day you read, you’ll really begin to look forward to it! ( And I am not knocking Love is Blind, I have seen all of Season 1 :)

   Turn everything off and put your phone across the room. I promise, your mind and soul will feel good to sit in a comfy spot reading at least one chapter of something with nothing else competing for your attention. Obviously, with small kids in the house this can feel nearly impossible but that’s when nap time can be a good time!

5. Choose an audio book, because it’s still reading! Audio books are so great because you can listen and still be on the move. You can do an audio book while driving or exercising or even if you just want to sit and listen. I know some people are sticklers about this but I have learned from my husband, he actually gets MORE out of listening to a book then reading it with his eyes. If you are an auditory learner, this is an awesome option for you. It’s also super convenient to get the latest audio books because it’s an immediate download. If you travel or struggle with library due dates, this is a great option for you to always have the book with you and no need to physically keep track of it!

Multi-generational Family Photos, Winter 2020

Have you ever thought “it would be so great to get ALL of the family in photos,” but then the work of coordinating it just put you off from trying to schedule it? I have to say, in the last few years I have been able to do a handful of multi-generational family sessions and I have come to value them so much. I know it’s a logistical struggle to even think of a session like this for many families. Honestly, this family I am sharing with you today, it was the first time in 2 years they had all been together due to distance! I am so glad they called me to schedule this session over the holiday break and I am SURE they will value these photos for years to come!

Also, this is obvious but it is such a BEAUTIFUL family!!! I truly had to stop myself from pinching cheeks of a few of these kiddos!!!

This is one adorable gang of cousins!!

How about those cow girl boots?!

The whole family with spouses, kids and grandparents!

The original gang

These twin sisters just made me smile :)

Grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa

I mean seriously, is there anything cuter than a kindergartner with a freshly lost tooth?!

Monday Confessions, 5 things I am liking

It’s the middle of winter, which for many of us can leave us feeling blue or at least wishing for warmer days full of sunshine. Thankfully we had some sun here yesterday on the East Coast after a long rainy week last week! For today’s confessions, I thought I would just let you in on a few things I am currently liking!

1. Are you a Jane Austen fan? If so, you’ll definitely want to check out Sanditon on PBS on Sunday nights. It was her last unfinished novel that has been turned into a great mini-series. I am actually not sure if there will be more seasons but so far I am really enjoying this one. It has all the things that Jane Austen was known for like not only love, but duty and friendships and of course money!

2. I am also currently loving OPI nail polish in the color, Funny Bunny. It’s a perfect neutral winter white! I have been wearing it often! You can find it right on amazon if you aren’t near a store that sells OPI.

3. At the new year, there’s so much talk of resolutions and changes. This is the time of the year 6 weeks in, that so many of those are already forgotten or put to the wayside. What I have really enjoyed this year is the Rhythms of Renewal Book and Podcast. The subtitle of the book is “trading stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose..” Author Rebekah Lyons stress that we don’t need a ton of new resolutions, but in fact we really need life to fall into certain Rhythms to be able to find ourselves feeling better. There are 4 main categories of Rhythms that healthy habits can fit into: Rest, Restore, Connect and Create. Both her book and her podcast explore themes and topics on how to get to better overall health and leave behind the stress and anxiety! We all could use a little bit of that right?! My one caution is don’t feel like you have to change everything at once, just choose one area to work on and they even have an assessment to see which rhythm is your strength!

4. Cheer on Netflix is another show I really just enjoyed! Have you heard of it? A small Texas community college rules the roost when it comes to collegiate cheer leading and this show chronicles a season of their lives as they head to the national title stage. You fall right into wanting to know more about the students and their stories that brought them to Navarro College. Monica is the gritty, no- nonsense coach that also leaves you wanting to maybe be her friend or at least envy how she keeps it all together under stress! It’s just a 6 episode season, so if you like a good human interest story, this is a good one! If you don’t want to just adopt Jerry by the last episode, I don’t know if we can be friends :)

5. This is not on anyone’s health wagon after everything else I have said, but Dunkin Donuts has Girl Scout cookie flavored coffees again this year! I truly can’t tell you how delicious the Coconut Caramel flavor is, think Samoa Girl Scout cookie flavor stirred into a delicious hot cup of coffee! I love it and I actually like seasonal flavors, it helps you to have things to look forward to. You can get it in both regular coffee or latte, I recommend you trying one for sure!

I hope these few things I am loving bring some ideas to your President’s day because maybe you need a coffee suggestion or a good show to get into! Happy Monday my friends!

Monday Confessions, Recent Reads

Good morning, how was your weekend? The rainy Saturday morning was actually nice for me, I was able to finish up a couple things I was reading in between feeding children and refereeing screen time and sibling disagreements. My Instagram break in January kept me from sharing some books I’ve read on my feed but that’s a fantastic reason to share a post here on the blog today! In the winter, I love being cozy under a blanket with a hot drink and a good book. I also think that this collection of books has such a HUGE range of variety, there’s something for everyone. I don’t discriminate from memoirs, biographies, fiction and religious writing…I love it all! You’ll have to let me know if you decide to read one of these and how you like or don’t like it!

1. The Bible, I am reading along with the Bible Recap plan, which has been great. The sections are broken into a daily reading of 2-3 chapters and then accompanied by a short podcast that helps fill in details on what you read. I really enjoy Tara Leigh Cobble and the awesome news is that you can start at any time and get in on the plan! My goal is to make it through the entire bible by the end of 2020. I have had this goal before and I confess, have never made it in a consecutive 12 months. I realized that this is the most important reading I could possibly do, so why delay?!

   Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t read the whole Bible yet this year. We have only made it through Genesis and Job. Let me tell you though, if you think the bible is a boring book, you obviously have never read it through! These two books of the bible read more like soap operas and dystopias than boring religious texts!

(Not my own image)

2. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett which is a fiction read, based just out side of Philadelphia and spans decades of time after WWII. The Dutch House is a central character in the book, it’s “a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.” I really enjoyed this book because it explores so much of how childhood and a sense of home forever shape us, even late into adulthood. It explores relationships and how they too, give us a sense of home. The main characters throughout are siblings, Maeve and Danny, who share their story over the decades. Definitely recommend if you are in for a good fiction story to get lost in.

3. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan: I enjoy her writing style and again, that local Philadelphia perspective allows me to understand her stories from her youth, even though they preceded my existence. In this non-fiction memoir, it’s a poignant mix of her stories from youth and finding out that she and her beloved Dad simultaneously are fighting cancer on opposite coasts. It’s both heavy and light-hearted, the way much of life unfolds as we face struggles. If you are in the mood for a memoir, I liked this one. I think it’s also helpful perspective if you have a friend facing fighting breast cancer, she shares lots of insight.

4. Troublemaker by Leah Remini: This might seem like a total left field option from my usual but I have to admit that I was fascinated by her life story and mainly how she got into Scientology. She reveals so much about the “religion” that just seems flat out crazy. Crazy is the word that just kept coming to mind as I was reading! Scientology has strategically been kept under wraps for so long, which makes this a rare look into the life of the cult members. I enjoyed this biography even more than I thought I might, although I admittedly skimmed certain parts that sounded like another language ( some of the Scientology talk that sounded more like science fiction than real life). Scientology was created by L. Ron Hubbard and if you read about him for only about 5 minutes, you can tell that there’s nothing about this man that you want to base your own life or fate on. I found the descriptions of Scientology both ludicrous and fascinating all at the same time! It did drive home the point for me though that people are seeking truth in life and they can find very skewed versions of truth that they’re willing to sacrifice their lives for.

I also am curious that if she reads her own audio book, it might be an awesome option just to listen to. i could truly her her voice and personality in the writing!

6. Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon: I adore Reese Witherspoon from so many of her movies as well as her recent Netflix Series Shine On, featuring women in different roles in culture. She just seems like the real deal and this book was both biography and cook book! I have not yet tried any of her recipes, but I plan on. I read it in an afternoon because it’s a beautiful blend of images and text. She shares on everything from throwing a party with southern hospitality to the correct way to use hot rollers to set your hair! Fantastic, right? This book just reinforced my adoration for her!

7. Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond: This is actually her first cookbook from years ago, which also blends her stories in with her food. I love her as a person and haven’t made one of her recipes yet that I didn't like. I actually picked this book up on Christmas clearance because it was super inexpensive and I have a few other books of hers I enjoy. It was actually fun to look back over her earlier photography and stories from the race the preceded her Food Network cooking show, which I am also a fan of. I like reading cook books because they inspire me to cook more, to try new things and to remember that meal literally nourish our bodies and souls!

8. Steal Away Home by Matt Carter & Aaron Ivey: If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know I like the Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast. Her husband wrote a book a couple years back and it has long been on my “to read” list, so I was excited when I got it for Christmas! It’s a historical fiction, weaving together the life stories of Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson. Charles Spurgeon grew up to be a prolific English preacher and writer, who still impacts the faith of so many today. Thomas Johnson is a lesser known person, but a fascinating story as he was born a slave on a Virginia plantation. His unlikely story of becoming a Christian and eventually a freed slave after the civil war, led him to the pastor’s college under Spurgeon’s teaching. It’s really well written and as historically accurate as possible, which I found enjoyable. I liked getting to read about the daily life of such a well known historical figure, as well as the eye witness accounts from Thomas Johnson in civil war era Virginia. This book was a little ride through the 1800’s in both the United States and England. I definitely recommend this one!

Monday Confessions, Blue Monday

It’s Blue Monday, have you ever heard the term? Usually the third Monday of January, Blue Monday tends to me the most depressing Monday of the year. The science behind it is a little weak but it’s there, none the less, because the holidays are over, the winter is bleak, resolutions might be fading and a lot of us are facing holiday related debts. So what are we to do with all this? I’m not exactly sure?! 

I know that I’m trying to be in healthy rhythms to fight those winter blues. Things like exercise and connecting with others help to fight those winter blues. If you couldn’t tell by my end of the year post, I needed a change in pace. The pace I had through the fall and holiday season was really hard to keep up. I’m trying to look at January as a natural slowing of things. Did you know that our bodies naturally do need more sleep in winter and are affected by the shorter hours of daylight?! I often feel like I want to go to bed at 7pm. Ha. But seriously, it’s ok if you are feeling a bit like hibernating. Our world goes through seasons on purpose and it’s natural that our bodies will too!

Part of my pace change was taking Instagram off my phone at the new year. I have been a few weeks without it and it’s certainly helping to clear some head space. Now, I confess, I still have spent some time on facebook due to business and other groups I run, but the overall way less time on social media has helped me the last few weeks. I have read more books and also learned that the input I allow into my mind and heart, certainly have an overall effect on the output of my brain and heart. I will be coming back on Instagram in the weeks to come with some fresh book reviews and ideas, but I’m currently still enjoying the break.

So here’s to more time outside in fresh air and sunshine this week! Here’s to more time reading books instead of scrolling Instagram feeds! Here’s to more time being kind to our bodies than punishing them! Have a beautiful week my friends!

A family hike through our state forest a couple weekends ago was the perfect soul pick-me-up!

Fresh Headshots for 2020

Do you run a local business or rely on an internet portfolio to reach out to clients? It’s the perfect time of year to refresh those professional headshots to use online or in portfolios. I have options for on location and studio! Contact me today for availability and pricing, emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com