Monday Confessions, Please Touch Museum Edition

Let me tell you how my day started...

Macy ran into our room and to my side of the bed at 5:45am and declared that "Dean is outside." Without my wits about me or my contacts in, I grabbed my glasses and ran for the front door. I unlocked it and flew out front yelling Dean. I didn't see him and Macy said "outback," so I ran there too and yelled. Meanwhile Matt ran up to their room and checked the windows. After Matt running back to tell me that the window screens were still in place...still no Dean. Matt then went back up to the kids room and Dean popped up from under the covers saying "Daddy?!" He was sleeping under his covers all along and I was having a near adrenaline attack. 

The reason I was so quick to believe that he was outside is that he both is a great escape artist and the last thing I said to Matt before we fell asleep was "do you think it's ok to keep the kids windows cracked tonight?" It was a gorgeous cool night and who wants to pay for air conditioning?! Our kids rooms are second story so it does scare me that they could go out but it's less likely that someone else could get in. How do the rest of you deal with tihs? We love to get fresh air while sleeping when it's nice out but after that I might rethink it!

Whew...well after no one going back to sleep after that, we started our day. We had already planned an adventure to the Please Touch Museum in Philaladeplhia for the day. We had a great time and the kids came home worn out! 

That's all the confessions I have today!

Here are some randoms from our outting...(All pics of Dean were blurry due to constant motion :)

 Macy and the mini piano...

Macy as Lady Liberty...

Funny faces out in front of the sign!

 

Beautiful Bethany Beach Wedding

Their story is sweet and they are even sweeter! She was a girl in a Midwestern town who had been warned about those "coast guard boys." Can you see where this is going? He was a Delaware guy posted in the coast guard in that same Midwestern town. They met at the local bar one night...her drove her home and the rest was history! Love it...you truly never know when you will meet that special someone! 

Fast forward to this May, their wedding day was set for an outdoor ceremony in Bethany Beach near Rob's hometown. Unfortunately the rain came and the wind wouldn't stop blowing! It didn't matter though because you can't keep the bride, Autumn, from smiling. These pictures will prove it, this girl was happy! Rob and Autumn are the types of couples that make my job easy because their wedding day is fun! There were lots of adaptations due to weather but the intimate environment of the Addy Sea B & B was perfect for their nuptuals. 

Gorgeous girl!

B & B's tend to have charm and fabulous peices of furniture! We used this pretty couch to grab some shots of the pretty bride. 

 

Autumn with her dad, so ready to see her groom!

More weddings coming soon...yay wedding season!

Monday Confessions

I really almost forgot it was Monday..but how could I after the day we've had already? It was full of errands, crying, peeing in pants (not mine :) and all the other usual things that we deal with. 

1. I counted my workout today as pushing a costco cart with my 3 kids, two watermelons, and a 50lb bag of dog food! You try it and see how easy it isn't :)

2. Workout number two was at our last stop, a return to Kohl's. Try that with 3 kids in a triple stroller and attempt to do it with a smile on your face....I confess I wasn't smiling by the end but we survived.

3. We also hit up the car wash along our route, I think $3 is a great investment to clean off our van and then use their vacuum to suck up the scary things that lurk under the seats. It's a total bargain in my book!

4. I am selling off some baby stuff to any of you that are interseted. Remember last week how I said it is hard for me to let go? I am proud of myself. Tomorrow I am meeting up with a lady to sell off the twins bedding/nursery sets. So far that will be the hardest! I remember picking out that bedding and designing the room around it. I remember all the expectations I had for mothering twins. I am pretty sure it's all been blown out of the water now 3 years later but I love remember the sweet time of expecting them. I was huge and it was hot....but those babies were/are precious (now they just require discipline and potty training). 

5. I know some of you out there envy the thought of being able to run a business from home. I have to confess, it's a lot of hard work. I was just looking through some emails and inquiries to make sure I haven't dropped the ball on anything....It made me realize in a fresh way that probably for every 5 to 10 people that ask me about my services, maybe only one or two turn into actual work. It can be hard sometimes to take regular "rejection" but I know there are so many reasons this happens. I am, however, thankful for those who do believe and invest in me to capture their family's memories!

6. I had a wedding yesterday afternoon, which turned out beautiful. I do have to say though when you go to a lot of weddings, you can pretty much start to call the DJ's playlist before it even starts. You can bet money that you aren't going to leave a wedding without hearing the eletric slide or Journey's "Don't stop believing." If I was a betting woman, I would've made a lot of money last night on the play list.... AC/DC "All Night long" into Bon Jovi "Living on a prayer" into Journey's "Don't stop Believing" then we brought it back into this decade with Maroon 5 "moves like Jagger" and the song that's on the M & M's commercial "I am sexy and I know it." I let Matt in on a little secret yesterday, it's really fun to take lots of pictures of people dancing during songs like that to see what types of faces you get on people...even if you erase it later, it's good times :)

7. Now that none of you will EVER hire me for YOUR wedding...maybe I could be your DJ?? Just kidding, but I do love weddings! I am behind in my blogging and forever breaking my blogging promises. Please don't break up with my blog, just hang in there friends, it will happen!

8.  So last week i said a of stuff that I wasn't good at but today I thought I could redeem with a few things I am good at. I make really good sweet tea and it's not just according to my hubby, many would agree. I am great at shopping for a bargain. I am a pretty good shot, meaning if you put a gun in my hand - I can hit a target. I am a decent cook. I can definitely negotiate when necessary. I took it as a compliment when a car salesman once called me "tough as nails" when were buying a new car. I can make a good joke now and then, or at least make you laugh. Ok that's enough pats on the back but I couldn't leave you feeling like I wasn't good at anything now could I?! 

9. My Workshop probably won't happen this summer. This is hard for me to write but I have been wrestling with this. I am definitely the type of person that dives in with both feet and commits when I do something, but I also refuse to pull something off that isn't done well. I just feel like I have such a desire to do a workshop but the timing isn't right. I will keep you all posted and maybe just stop talking about it until it's time to make it a reality. As a wife and mother of small children, I am consistently having to ask myself questions and make sacrifices at times. Sometimes my desires are things that would be great for me but might not necessarily be the best for my family, so when that is the case...I need to lay them down. For now, this is one of those things. Thanks for understanding friends! Please know that it's not that it won't ever happen, just won't happen right now. 

10. Shout OUT to icloud! If you don't use it, you're silly. My iphone smashed on my driveway Thursday night (even in a case). I have to say, it felt like magic when we were setting up the new phone and icloud magically made my new phone like my old with all my apps, contacts, etc. It's a literal safety net, use it!

11. If you don't have instagram, you're missing out! Here's a few smiles from my week last week from Instagram. 

I stole my own hydrangea's from our house that's still for sale..is it weird to be attached to your flowers?!

Kiddos on a long board with their buddy...

Macy being brave!

All right friends...pulled pork in the crockpot and praying that bedtime isn't an eternity away!

Monday Confessions...things I am bad at

You ever heard that if you go into a job interview and you are asked for "weaknesses" that you should turn it around and call them "growth areas." Today I think it will be a true confession, I am going to share my "growth areas".... the things that I am totally bad at. 

1. Driving...used to think I was awesome and now I am not so sure. Although my kids just yesterday told Daddy they wanted Mommy to drive after church, it was hilarious! I only have ever had one accident in my adult life, totally rear-ended someone at a red light due to very sudden stopping. I also have only ever gotten pulled over once while driving (been pulled over lots with other people driving) because I 'rocked the stop' at the stop sign in our old 'hood. The words "courtesy warning" never sounded so good to me before then and I definitely stop at stop signs now. 

2. Laundry...I do it constantly but I am not one of those people who can whip a stain out of anything or keep those whites so bright you need sunglasses. If spray on stain remover doesn't get it out, we are in trouble. I am ok with the washing and folding but man I am also bad about putting it away....this brings me to my next confesssion...

3. Ironing...have you ever accidentally put more wrinkles in something you were trying to iron because of lack of ironing skill? This is me! My husband wears the ironing crown in this house, he has skills so I defer to him.

4. Growing plants...although I am testing this now because I just potted some tomato plants in a large container garden this weekend. The only things I can keep alive inside are the green IKEA plants that have some magic genomes that keep those things living in spite of my best efforts to let them die. 

5. Organizing...I used to love to organize but that's when life was neater for me in general. Organizing meant throwing out some old papers or rearranging the shoes in my own closet. Now with 3 kids still under 3, organizing sounds like a dirty word. It's all I can do to keep people dressed and fed sometimes, organizing sounds like something I can do another time :)

6. Letting go...I sometimes fiercely hold on to things I should've long let go of. This can be both literal (I have a trunk full of treasures from when I was a kid - no joke) but it can also be emotional. I do tend to hold on to things and need to get better at letting go. I think that this can even happen when I fail to delegate things well to people who are totally capable. Sometimes I just need to let go and allow others to step in, afterall I am admitting that I am not so great at many things!

7. Being patient..I am terribly impatient. This is not good for parenthood and most other endeavors. I know that patience is a necessary life skill and at 30, I am definitely still working on it. It can be anything from me starting to mentally curse the 5 cars ahead of me in the starbucks drive through down to not wanting to telling my kids to hurry up when they are daudling. I know, I know, it's not very attractive to be so impatient and God even says it's a fruit of the spirit. I am definitely praying that this fruit grows in me!

8. Irresting chocolate or sweets...I am very bad at saying no to these temptations! I always tell myself life is short but then what do I tell my waistline? :)

Ok friends, now you know what I don't pass the test at. What are some of your "growth areas" today?! Next week I might have to pick my self esteem back up and share a few things that I might have mastered...

Here's a pic from sweet Max's birthday cake eating last week in the 90 degree heat!

Max & Mommy.. 

 

Have a great week!

Tuesday Confessions

WOW it's almost June?! Where has May gone?! I will tell you... two weddings, 8 days in Disney, a baby turning one and the list goes on! So here I sit, ready to confess a few things that have been on my mind.

1. I am so glamorous my fresh white t from this morning is now sporting both a drop of salad dressing and a drop of infant ibuprofen. It's not enough to change the shirt...my standards have become so low! 

2. Why ibuprofen you ask? Sweet Max had to get all his one year old shots today. He was a champ! I think his leg chub helped soften the blow. 

3. It's a miracle, I weighed myself after Disney beause I was assured after all the yumminess I consumed I would have gained...but I didn't! Woohoo...now to keep it off at home is another matter entirely. 

4. Do any of you other moms find yourself in the trap of staying up too late at night just because you finally have peace?! I keep finding myself up late to read or even work around the house or do photo work because it's finally peaceful. I have been starting to remind myself though that a tired mommy in the morning won't be a nice to her kiddos so I need to go to bed for them and just start over again in the morning!

5. Disney already feels like years ago...my best advice if you are ever considering it - wait til about 5 or 6. We were able to do it with three little ones because we had so much help but Matt & I could have NEVER taken our little ones ourselves. You just need so many hands. I recommend 5 or 6 because they are fully potty trained, can stand in line a bit, don't need to take a nap and are tall enough for most rides. We certainly had fun and made precious memories! I will definitely try to share some pictures via facebook but haven't had much time to sift through the over 400 pics I took! 

Here's one of the family in Hollywood Studios..

Here's another of Macy seeing the "princess castle" for the very first time..and apparently I was pretty excited too :)

Well I hear crying...what a crazy day we have had, the life of a mommy. Will post later about Max's first birthday! Hope you friends have a great week!

Max 11 months!

I was just telling a friend today, I remember all of my uncertain feelings when I found out I was pregnant with Max. It was the day after my precious grandfather had died and my emotions were already so high. So many times it's hard for us to see the big picture. As I was pregnant with him, my dad declined and as most of you know, passed away when I was 36 weeks pregnant with Max. Max will never get to know my dad here on earth and it often makes me sad. At the same time I am saddened, I am so grateful Maxwell reminds me all the time just how precious life is. He also happens to be one of the sweetest babies I know! Max also reminds me that often times, God does know better. He knew a precious little one to hold would help me through the sadness. He knew the life that Max would add to our family. 

So here we are...Saturday marks the one year anniversary of my dad passing and this past weekend Max was 11 months old. Here's just a handful of images that show Max in all his sweetness!

The light bothers me in this one but I love the moment more than I love the technicalness.....

He's a crawling machine!

Drool comes with the territory!

A favorite because it's so "him"

Precious boy!

Monday Confessions

It's that time friends, the sun is shining and another week is beginning! I have to say it has been a pleasant morning thus far, it is barely 9am. 

1. We are doing so much better with the potty training. Only had one kiddo with one accident yesterday! We are still doing pull-ups at nap and bed but I am super encouraged that the kids are fairly "trained" two weeks in. I feel weird not going through so many diapers but believe me, my wallet is smiling!

2. Along that same idea, someone should've warned me that I should take stock in bleach wipes while potty training - especially boys! They have been my friend :)

3. I used to call my husbands iphone his mistress because he was totally having an affair with the phone....now that I have had one for a few months too...I am totally addicted to my iphone too! It's just too convenient. I actually made the move though last week and deleted facebook from my phone, it has been freeing and I think I will leave it off at least for a while. It was just to easy to be on the phone when I had more important things to pay attention to!

4. I am currently reading a classic that I have never had the pleasure of reading. So far I am enjoying it, it's about the early 20th century in Brooklyn. 

5. I miss my amazon prime subscription and am debating of whether to renew. Free shipping from Amazon was like heaven on everything from books to electronics to diapers! Any of you out there prime members?

6. I watched American Gypsy wedding on TLC last night out of "I just need to sit here for a minute and watch something mindless" at 10pm. I knew not a thing about this particular culture, nor did I know that there is a large population of the Romanichal gypsies living in the U.S. The show of course is over the top but I am intrigued as to how they maintain such an interesting lifestyle of so many seeming contradictions. Anyone else catch this?!

7. My official wedding season kicks off this weekend in Bethany Beach at the Addy Sea with a sweet couple and I can't wait! 

9. We leave for Disney two weeks from today, can't wait but I know there's a lot of ground to cover between now and then!

10. Last day of free iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts and it happens to coincide with my last class of the spring semester! Looking forward to both later today :)

Have a great week friends! 

Johnson Family

Tracy contacted me not long ago via a recommendation from a friend (thank you friend!) and she told me that "I love photography, so family shots are important us.  I just think photos capture such a nice story about your life." I love it, a client committed to preserving her family's memories in photographs, a perfect start to our session! The day started out pouring but thankfully cleared up in time for our afternoon session. I know there are lots of images but I really couldn't help myself on this one! Enjoy!

Beautiful family...

Kids love a good throw in the air by Dad...

Love the sweetness of 11 months and she just learned to walk!

Love this expression! This is what 3 year-old does when you tell them to smile!
These next few melt my heart...

Pretty girls...remember moms, we need to get in pictures with our kids!

Sweet girl with Daddy, helping her as she takes unsteady steps...

Always need a nice shot of mom and dad, that's where it all begins!

Have a great Tuesday friends!

Monday Confessions

    It definitely feels like Monday, I started it by washing a (clean) diaper in with the load. The diaper "guts" got all over and that load needed a re-do. I think though that I am mostly just weary. Days with three small kids in the house seem like it would be sweet and they sometimes are, but other days feel like a battle field. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for three happy, healthy kids. I have some friends who are fighting much harder battles and it sometimes makes me feel guilty for struggling with being a good mom/wife. Anyone else know what I mean? If someone is fighting cancer, I certainly shouldn't complain about potty training, but what I am learning is that it does all matter! It truly is hard to try to potty train two kids under 3 while chasing a crawling 10 month old. God cares just as much for the struggling mother and he does for the cancer patient. It's certainly not all the same severity, I don't mean that, I just mean that our burdens are real and God sees. I am just like every other mom with small kids at home with piles of laundry, dishes to wash, meals to make, a business to run, a class to teach, a husband to love and the list goes on. Today I am just going to do one thing at a time....and smile because I can wear yoga pants while doing it all...until class later (do you think they would notice?!)

The rest of my confessions...

1. I am not a fan of potty training but I am a fan of trying to encourage my kids to grow! It's time for them to tackle the potty for lots of reasons. I need to be a patient encourager but today I have been more of an impatient eye-roller....forgive me kids!

2. I have mastered the art of "second day hair" - ladies, you know what I am talking about?! You do a fast hop in the shower with your hair up and hope it only gets slightly wet. Then when you get out, just use your round brush to reshape with the blow dryer. Saves tons of time from washing every single day!

3. We are 21 days out from our Disney trip, really can't wait! Any special things we should make sure to do?

4. I DVR'd the Real Housewives of NJ last night...debating if I should really watch it or not. I know it's terrible, but it's a lot like a train wreck, once you see if you can't turn your head away! And all their drama proves money can't buy class or happiness!

5. I am a Keurig addict. I am a current fan of the original Dunkin Donuts coffee and also the iced sweet tea. What are some other good ones I should try???

6. We got a swing set from a kind family over the weekend!!! Our kids are in heaven but of course it's been rainining since we got it up :) Macy loving her new swing!

Ok friends, I kept it humble today. If I look like a frazzled mess the next time you see me, you know why!

Weaver Family

Say it ain't so, an actual photography post?! I know friends, I know. I am WAY overdue!

Fortunately I have a beautiful family to share with you, the Weavers. They happen to be a part of our own extended family and they have a wonderful story. There are six kids in their family, two of which God brought to them through adoption. Being family, we have had the privilege of watching their story unfold. Mr. Weaver is a pastor at a local church and one day years back, a picture of a little boy in a orphanage in Ukraine landed on his desk. He was asked to pray about a family for this little boy...fast forward years ahead and Roman is indeed their oldest son! There is so much more to this story, it is in fact quite a God-sized tale that I can't fit it into a blog post! I do know though that this family is quick to share of God's grace to them. We got together over their kids spring break on a crazy WINDY day and made the most of it! Here goes...

 The whole gang...

They had their furry family members along too, Roscoe and Daisy!

The wind on the lane is very evident here but still love this shot.

We might reshoot this beautiful location on a non-windy day :)

Monday Confessions

Why are Mondays so crazy sometimes?! Today's crazy includes temperatures in the high 80's in APRIL! Nuts!

1. I have discovered the true version of the Sister Hood of the Traveling Pants...there is this magical jegging from Maurices! A friend led me to them and I am addicted! They are stylish and comfy, as well as affordable! I just ordered a second pair due to their awesomeness. If you want to check them out, go here. 

2. I am not a fan of noisy dogs, especially at nap time. Do any of you have experience with dealing with neighbors with noisy dogs?! I have my own dog but he barks so rarely. 

3. Changing your address on everything is a pain when you move...just saying.

4. I tried eyebrow threading! Have you seen this?! I was at the mall and needed my eyebrows done before our family photo shoot last week so I took the chance. I  about swore a lady was taking a razor to my face when she did it, but the overall look in the end was good!

5. We are starting to talk about what to pack for our trip to Disney next month. I want to hear it for the best shoes to wear to amusement parks. Anyone out there got good ideas? Need to be comfy and durable yet not too hot. What do you think?!

Ok friends, got to run to class in a few. Only 3 classes left to teach this semester and I am as excited as the students!

Monday Confessions

If your purse is any indication of how your life is going...mine is going crazy! I have snacks, used nasty tissues, a sewing kit, crumbs, coins, hand sanitizer, coupons and all other types of craziness going on in there. It has been a long week since I last posted...

1. You might have heard I was ill. Not like a sniffle and a headache ill but the "I am pretty sure I am dying of spanish influenza or sars or swine flu or something awful" type ill! I have not been sick like that for a long time and it got me down and out for 3 days. It changed all of our weekend plans. I have to give three cheers for my husband for holding it all together and for my kids attempting to be good :) I don't wish that on anyone...

2. That sickness kept me home from church on Easter, which was no fun for me. I always look forward to going to service but especially on Easter and the weeks leading up to it. I have fond memories of Easters as a kid so I wanted to be good about recreating that for my kids. I am glad though that my family and God understand why I couldn't be there to worship! I did at least feel better to eat Easter dinner and for that I am very thankful!

3. I have been working on creating a photo book for Max of his first year. I got the idea a couple weeks ago and although I am sure many have done it before me, it seemed like a nice way to tell our third child "hey, we do remember your first year!" I was glad to have 12 weeks worth of his weekly photos. Although it didn't last past his first three months, I am so glad we made it that far and can show him that as he grows up. It was definitely already sentimental putting that little book together, watching my kiddos grow up through pictures. It was also then that I was convicted to GET IN MORE PICTURES WITH MY KIDS! I know I am photographer myself but it is not an excuse to stay behind the camera, I am visually absent from the twins entire second birthday party! That's a crime!

4. I have a new music crush...Bon Iver. You can find him among the indie folk crowd, he hails from Wisconsin and rocks a beard. I am digging his sound!

5. I am currently addicted to the color combination of navy and yellow as can be seen by some of my Pinterest boards. 

6. Speaking of Pinterest, I know it is really an online inspiration board and like one big fat bookmark for all those things you wish you could remember online, but who knew it would be so good for a laugh? Some of my current favs, please don't judge my maturity level....

7. I love to throw stuff out. Is that a problem? I know it's not green code like reduce, reuse, and recycle. I don't mean that I love to junk up the earth, I just like to declutter my own environment. I love when things get tossed and I feel a few less peices of detritis hanging around!

8. I also like saving money on gas. In our area right now if you shop at Giant Foods, you earn points towards getting money off your gas. I got 50 cents off PER GALLON today at the local Shell because of my Giant Foods card! Makes a big difference!

Ok friends, that's all I have for tonight....see you again next Monday! Hope to get some photography posted this week, fingers crossed that stars align and illness fades...have a great week!

Open Your Doors Winners!

Hey friends, thanks for all the facebook and blog love! The winners of Open Your Doors are....

Karin Curtis (from Rockit Photography)

Ashelyn Myers

Justine Johnson

Enjoy the music friends!!!

Jenny & Tyler - Open Your Doors is out today! A give away!

It's always fun to watch the lives of friends unfold. I have known Tyler and Jenny for quite some time now through our days spent at University of Delaware. They have a new album out today and I am excited to say that I got to be a part of the creative process for the album art for Open Your Doors and the images on the banner of their website! I think Jenny tells their story best....

"I make music with my husband Tyler. It all started back at the University of Delaware. Yes, I'm being serious, Delaware. Anyway, during my first weekend at school, I decided to take a bus to church. I stepped on the bus and sat next to my friend Joel. Before I knew it, Tyler, who was sitting in front of us, turned around and introduced himself. We talked for a few minutes; he turned back around, and promptly forgot my name. I saw him in the dining hall a few weeks later and we spoke again. Tyler was the music coordinator for the campus ministry that I happened to get involved with. We started leading worship together and from there we began writing songs and eating omelets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We spent the first year singing together in the stairwells of the student center. The acoustics were incredible. Sometime that fall we started dating and well, as they say, the rest is history."

It was definitely fun to see these two come together. I had the privelege of photographing their wedding day and am still so humbled/thankful to have sweet friends that include me in their creative world! Wishing them all the best on album release day! I am actually going to give away three copies of Open Your Doors today! How to enter? Like Emily Troutman Photo on Facebook and then comment here on the blog. If you already "like" me on facebook, just leave a comment here on the blog with your email and three winners will be chosen at random!

Be sure to go to itunes to check out Open Your Doors and buy it now! It's already number 3 on the singer/songwriter charts! If you love it, review it and help them out! I personally already love it. Their single Sound of Silence, is also raising money to help support the end of human trafficking across the globe. 

If you are a DE local, you can see them in person!

 

Monday Confessions

Hi friends, how can it be Monday again?! I realize it's been a while since I posted some photo work. Things have been picking up after winter season and I just worked my tail off this past weekend so there will be some posts to come!

1. I do not recommend doing an Insanity workout and then photographing a wedding in the same 8 hours. It was not good for my feet! I did make a new friend though and thoroughly enjoyed assisting Mary Kate from Kate's Lens over the weekend! Got to be a part of a great wedding at the DCCA. 

2. If you see Reese's Peices candy eggs in the Easter candy aisle, run the other way...I am fighting the addiction right now!

3. I owe an apology to my husband. In an attempt to help him clear out a few old files in his email, I clicked something that has actually done the opposite. All of his old trash emails are being raised from the dead and re-filling his inbox...my bad honey..my bad!

4. I found a gem on TLC last night. Have any of you seen Leave it to Niecy yet?! It's the current life of Neicy Nash with her new husband, mother, and 4 teenagers living under one roof. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. The episode I saw was a trip to the mountains for some family bonding, technology free. To give you a taste, there were one-liners like, "If you see a black person in the snow, they are lost" or "If all else fails, hold on to your weave" ...if you aren't laughing already, something is wrong with you :) 

5. Tonight's lesson in my class is food photography. It's a fine art all unto itself. If you have ever tried it, you know it's harder than it looks! For a non-traditional twist on food art, you should check out the work of Carl Warner. It's amazing, will be sharing it tonight!

6. I want to hear from you, what's your favorite album you are listening to right now? Always want to hear good stuff!

Ok friends, I know it's a short one but lots of ground to cover before class tonight! Have a great week!

Monday Confessions

Welcome to beginning of the week people. How you doing?

1. We are starting week two of the Insanity workouts at our house this week. They are insane but no joke after only a week of doing it, I feel better already. I don't get as easily winded and it's definitely helping my strength. I still need a plastic surgery to undo the damage my kids did but at least I am doing something about it :) 

2. I dig chevron pattern. I know it can be overdone, but done in the right proportions it's great. It's one part Charlie Brown and one part awesomesauce! In case you have no idea, see below!

3. Other things I am loving right now? The Louis XIV Ghost arm chair. Clear, plastic things aren't usually my friends but these intrigue me. They are great design that doesn't take up heavy visual space. (And I could hose it off after my kids :) Industrial chairs are calling me too, maybe for those same indestructible reasons. I love these. 

4. I walked down the Easter candy aisle this past weekend to get some goodies for the kids Easter baskets and I had to fully resist the urge to throw Cadbury eggs in my cart! I know they are either a love or hate them type candy but I LOVE them...will power prevailed!

5. It's crazy windy here today and our umbrella took flight from our patio table, somehow smashing it's glass into a thousand peices. We were toying with the idea of replacing it but now I guess we don't have a choice and surely have a whole lot of glass to clean up! 

6. I would like to say those of you debating about a family photo session and it's value. Exactly two years ago we scheduled a session with a photographer I respect and love her work. Rae Barnes did a gorgeous family session for us! You might remember this priceless images of our family...

I can't even believe the twins were the age that Max is now. You never know how fast your kids will grow or how your family will change. I will treasure these forever and they validate the fact that you should invest in a photographer who can capture your family as you are. Rae did a wonderful job and I fully recommend her!

We have a family portrait session scheduled in the middle of April with another photographer team we love to capture our family two years later. It's important to create you family's visual history and I am trying to practice what I preach! Now what to wear....

7. I have a landscape crush. Have you ever seen the work of Brook Klausing and team? If not, take a few to check it out. They work in NYC creating amazing landscapes/roofscapes, you name it! Even if you are not a landscape or gardener type, sometimes it's just good to look for creative inspiration in other places - check it out.

8. Almost forgot - I saw the Hunger Games on Saturday night - Thanks to the hubs and Grandparents! I thought it was a great rendition of the story and I enjoyed seeing some of it come to life. What did you think, those of you who got the chance to see it?! 

Alright friends...need to scoot! Class tonight...only 6 weeks left of the semester! (not that I am counting, wink wink!)

Monday Confessions!

It is so spring here in Delaware, a strange occurence to us who are not used to such mild weather in March! Don't get me wrong, I am loving every minute! So lets hear it for today....

1. Is it wierd that I am afraid of learning how to fry food?! I have never deep fried a thing. This seems like a travesty considering my Grandma makes the best fried chicken ever! My sister in law recently made the most amazing tortilla chips that about melted in my mouth, so I am thinking that I might need to learn to fry. I know, I know, it's bad for you...I will look past that!

2. Today's iced coffee flavor was the caramel almond and it was delish! I didn't realize that Dunkin' Donuts put the free iced coffee cards out for the whole month of March and APRIL! Woohoo...it really helps Monday be better and anything free always tastes good :)

3. I don't care how much money you make, if you are raising a family you have to find ways to stretch a dollar.  I would like to say I officially saved $11.50 with coupons at Target this morning and earned back $15 in gift cards on my purchases! Also ladies, if it's time for a spring update at your house, Target is doing buy one, get one half off on most home decor items! I am thinking about some new throw pillows or frames. Are you doing any spring updates at your house?

4.  Always good to hear you've been published on a Monday. If you are a DE local, you know about Delaware Today. Delaware Today puts out a great seasonal magazine for brides, called fittingly enough, Delaware Bride. I made it in with one of my couples from the end of last year! 

5.  Have you heard the song by Billy Currington about "Like my dog" - it cracks me up and is accurate...check out these lines that I love!

"He never tells me that he's sick of this house
He never says why don't you get off that couch?
He dont cost me nothin when he wants to go out"

6. Did you know that Adele is only 23?! She has an amazing voice and I totally have a girl crush on her coolness but I totally thought she was older! 

7. My hubby has been doing some photo shooting lately and I think he's doing great! Here's a few from the park over the weekend that he shot...(and don't mind Dean looking like a raggamuffin with a mismatching outfit and boots). 

Here's one of Max that I took...

That's all for today my friends, have to gather some things together for class tonight and tackle some business items before kiddos are up again! Enjoy this beautiful weather week!

What do you want from a photographer you hire?

  I have been to two industry type events in the last week and connecting with lots of photographers. My head has been spinning with thoughts, not necessarily on how I actually photograph, but on how I run my business. There is SO MUCH to running a business that I think most creative types aren't necessarily ready to take on. I think in this day and age as well, everyone who owns a digital SLR camera thinks that they can "go in business." I am here to say that just because you own a nice camera, doesn't mean you should be in business. Thinking a photographer is great because of their camera is like telling Paula Deen, "dinner was yummy, you must have a great oven." You should be laughing because that's ridiculous! Even at a workshop this past week, the photographer teaching was laughing because one of the students had a newer version of her camera. These things happen, technology changes constantly and gear is important (another post for another time), but the gear does not make the photographer. 

  Yes you hire a photographer because they have skills or a style you prefer, but what else is it about that person that makes you want him/her to capture your memories? You should like their personality, which is exactly why I write my Monday Confessions. Some people might not care what my kids are up to or what I ate for lunch, but these types of posts help you get to know me as a person. Anyone who has some type of basic skill can post an online portfolio but WHO is it that you want to be a part of photographing your wedding or even your family? 

  I want to hear from you, what do you want in a photographer? Budget not withstanding, because that's most people's biggest issue - what things would make you want to hire the photographer? Style? Personality? Packaging? Skills? Certain products or locations? Let me hear from you!

All posts are better with pictures, this is cute boy at the park this morning enjoying a pretzel :)

Monday Confessions!

It's that time again...Oh Monday, but at least the sun is shining! 

1. SO you may have seen my tweet yesterday about having to make a trip to the mall to get my wedding rings from the jewler (where I left them for cleaning and totally forgot on Saturday night!) Just wanted to say that they were super sparkly and thankfully just fine! And if you like the new nail color I am testing out, it's Essie "Cocktail Bling"

2. In the last week I have been able to meet up with some amazing photographers, both Jasmine Star for her event in DC and Kristen Duke while she was here in town, and others along the way! These two ladies are from totally different places and do very different work but I was encouraged by each of them for different things about my work and business. It's too much to expand upon on a confessions post but in the words of Jasmine, "I can't wait for the future holds for you and I have no doubt we'll move this industry forward...together." Encouraging words to hear!

Here's a quick shot with my phone of Jasmine doing her thing in her adorable outfit - I wouldn't think to put denim over gold sequins but the outcome was fabulous!

 3. If you were worried that I wasted  a trip to the mall yesterday, have no fear. After I grabbed my rings, I stopped in at Gymboree's clearance sale and good old Baby Gap was having 30% off your purchase! I got a few spring/summer things for the kiddos..our countdown to Disney is on! We go in May!

4. Yesterday I attempted another Pinterest recipe, this one was for homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. YUM-O (say it like Rachel Ray!). The recipe was great and worked out nicely, although I had a hard time dipping the eggs in chocolate and making them come out pretty. I still got the two-thumbs-up from my whole family though!

5. We are starting to deal with the twins (almost 3) saying not nice things to each other like "shut up." My first reaction is to laugh because it sounds funny coming out in a sweet voice but then I am disheartened. I wonder where do they learn these things? Probably me. We are dealing with lots of talking in our house now and trying to keep our words kind...it's a challenge!! Any words of wisdom parents out there?!

6. BIG WORKSHOP DEVELOPMENTS - My first workshop planning is well under way and although not revealing lots of details yet, it looks like we are aiming for Mid-July. It will be for those who want to learn how to use their digital SLR cameras (interchangable lenses)or if you have a point and shoot with some manual capabilities you will be welcome as well. I am going to take the first 12 people who register when the time comes, so keep it in mind as you plan for the summer. I will have an exact date soon! The cost will be $100 each for this first time around!

7. I saw a wicked red sports car yesterday (don't know make and model) with a Delaware license plate "PHOTOG" - who is that DE friends? I am curious!

8. We got to go play at the park this morning and there truly is not a better way to spend a morning with toddlers. Sure we got dirty, had to brush off boo-boos and all sorts of things, but it is so refreshing after feeling like we just spent the entire winter in our living room :)

9. Free Iced Coffee MOnday at Dunkin' - need I say more? I went with the carmel today, it was tasty!

10. Just to throw this out there - do any of you feel like some of the outfits pinned on Pinterest are silly to pin? What do I mean? Like who can't think of putting together a white t-shirt, jeans, and sandals?! Sometimes it just makes me laugh...ok glad I got that off my chest! (if you are on pinterest and don't follow me yet - please do! Would love to return the "follow")

Enjoy your week friends!

Monday Confessions!

Hey friends, it's another whirlwind Monday trying to keep kiddos happy, hold together a household and prepare to teach my class tonight! 

1. I thought I did lots of laundry this weekend. I am talking like 3 loads on Friday and 3 more loads on Saturday to keep the laundry at bay for today. EVERYONE's hampers are again overflowing! Sometimes between just regular use, work clothes, "stretchy pants" and lounge clothes, potty accidents and all sorts of other issues...I could really use a laundry fairy! Same with the dishes....

2. I havea  girl crush on Adele, who doesn't?!

3. Last week got straight up hooked on Downton Abbey from PBS.  I even joined Hulu to watch season one and then season two is still up on the PBS site. If you love historical fiction this is for you! Season one is pre-WWI British countryside and then season two is in the full swing of WWI. Love it and I am hooked! Still working my way through season two but will be sad to have to wait for season three. 

4. I read a book yesterday that touched me in so many ways. Have any of you read Heaven is for Real? I snuck away during naptime for a much needed pedicure (hey it's going to be 70 degrees later this week and open toed shoes are calling me) and took this book along on my kindle. I was bawling in the nail salon while reading this story of a family's encounter with almost losing their almost four year-old son. I think a lot of the sentimentality of it has to do with me having a son of a similar personality and close in age. I couldn't imagine being in the grips of possibly having to say goodbye to my toddler son. I won't spoil anything but the little boy, Colton, has an encounter in heaven during his life saving surgery. I don't know what you might think about Jesus, or God, or Heaven for that matter but this true life story gripped me. Colton's father, Todd, wrote the book from his view. Todd did a wonderful job of relating Colton's descriptions of heaven to scripture. Todd is a pastor in the small town where they live in Nebraska. I was very touched by the confirmations of who Jesus was that Colton relayed in his four year-old description of Heaven. I was reminded through this story of a few points that will still with me -

• Do not take life for granted, mine or that of my family
• Do not take lightly your stance on who Jesus is or casually go about your faith
• Be encouraged that God is there, he does care and is on his throne in Heaven
• Although there are theological debates centuries long, this little boy's experience allowed him to see others in heaven in his family (something we all wonder about)
• Heaven is a place where Christ reigns, we should not forget this! 
• Prayers are heard and they do work!
• A church family is so important in life

If you need some encouragement this week, pick up this book! Definitely check out this short recent interview with his family if you don't think you will get to read the book!

5. Trying out a new recipe for dinner..it's a taco casserole, we will see how it goes! Will let you know if it was thumbs up or thumbs down. 

Have a great week!