Sweet Newborn C

   Babies always tend be on their own timeline. The story of little mister C is one of him having his own agenda when he decided to come three weeks early! We thankfully had gotten in his mama's maternity session the weekend before he came. We had debated because it was brutally cold weather and now we are so thankful we stuck to the plan or else we would have missed the chance to do belly shots entirely! I am going to post these blogs a little bit backwards because I am sharing the newborn this week and will share the maternity next week. This is a sweet little reminder  that life doesn't always work on our plan or time table but we can embrace it all the same! Welcome to the world sweet little man! 

He was NOT a fan of his crib you can see...

He had to tell daddy all about it...

This next little series was all for daddy in his little "buck" outfit, which was not only adorable but it went perfectly with his nursery theme!

Hope your Friday afternoon brightened up because of the sweetness in this post! Enjoy your weekend friends!

The B Family

  If you've been around at all on this blog you've heard me talk about me balancing priorities. This past fall I was busy photographing and serving clients but my blogging fell by the wayside. I thankfully was able to learn a new system in my blogging that should hopefully remedy this in the future a little more! 

Here is a family session that's way over due for sharing! I loved these images and the kids were such good sports about being photographed that is made it all the more fun for me. It's kind of funny too in Delaware if you talk long enough, you learn of more and more people that you have in common! We enjoyed a beautiful fall day this past November for this session in Smyrna, DE while we chatted about friends we knew and had fun with the kiddos. I absolutely loved the styling of their clothing as well, it worked perfectly for their gang and made for beautiful color in the foliage.

Monday Confessions, Presidents Day & Favorite things

            Here we are in mid-February on the day we reflect on our presidents who sacrificed to lead, or if you're a kid you just enjoy the day off! Today has gotten me thinking though about the great presidents of eras past and how those that faced the most adversity seem to be better remembered. It also has me extremely concerned with our current presidential campaign and candidates. I don't know if I am really rooting for any one of them just yet, but it keeps me involved in the democratic process. There are tons of quotes attributed to good old honest Abe Lincoln but I love this one personally,

Today's post though isn't political or even deep, just going to share some of my favorite things in this season of my life! SO here are some of my favorite things these days....

1. Heated seats: Yes, it's been about 10 degrees here in Delaware and heated seats are a mama's friend. If the baby falls asleep in the back seat on a preschool run, I occasionally linger in my driveway with my heated seat and my cup of coffee. You should try it!

2. OPI glitter polish: It's a fun way to wear metallic and bring a little sparkle to otherwise dreary winter days. In a way they're also neutral and kind of go with everything! A favorite color is "Ce-less-stial is More."

3. Swell Bottle: I love my new Swell bottle with my monogram! It keeps ice for at least 24 hours and is a great way to keep my water with me either on the go or when I am trying to make sure I get enough in. (This was a bday present from my sweet sister & brother-in-law! Thanks guys! It actually comes with a funny story because this is the SECOND one they've given me. The other one is lost somewhere in a Greek Orthodox church, I kid you not). If you're local to me, you can get one at Heart & Home in People's Plaza!

4. Dunkin & Starbucks Apps: Don't judge but for a girl who loves her coffee, these are great ways to put a little money on a digital gift card to either budget the spending and make it very convenient to just pay on your phone. 

5. Coldplay album, A Head Full of Dreams:  It's awesome as always. I love listening to them in various moods and while driving. Cool cover art as well...

6. Hell on Wheels, an AMC show: It's definitely gritty historical fiction. It does not sugar coat a lot, meaning there's much that can be hard to watch at times, but it's so beautifully shot. I am hooked! The story line is that of the race to build the Union Pacific railroad in post-Civil War America. Some characters are entirely fictional, while others are based on real people in history. Another true confession though is that the main character, Cullen Bohannon, played by Anson Mount, might be one of my favorites entirely by himself (Blush). 

7. Baby Einstein Jumper and that chubby baby that goes in it! We love this jumper because it keeps Ben happy and supports him while he still learns to hold up at that cuteness! Excuse the phone snap shot but it perfectly captured his gummy grin and his ankle rolls! 

8. Modern Love Podcast: This is a new favorite that I was tipped off to by a friend. I didn't know what to expect but the stories range from beautiful tales of adoption to the shenanigans of a first date that ended in an ER visit. It's based on a column in the New York times so everything is obviously really well done. I just enjoy it because sometimes I want to listen to something that engages my brain as I drive all my circles in #momlife. 

9. Loveswept lotion from Philsophy brand, it smells so heavenly! I used a gift card to treat myself to it at Ulta. I dare you to smell it and not love it! I've even had people ask me what fragrance I am wearing and it's just the lotion! 

10. My hubby, he's my most favorite. On friday we realized it was our "half-iversary," we have been married 9 and a half years! We are fast approaching the big ten! In life you really need a partner in crime who can make you laugh when you want to cry. I definitely have that in Matt! So thankful for his sense of humor and his approach to life that focuses on what matters...sometimes I have to look the other way on his affinity for shooting things out of the sky or letting animal skulls "cure" in places around the homestead... Love you honey! Ha! 

Project Ten February

     Today just so happens to be my birthday so it's a good day to post a few photos! We've had a few snow storms and one big blizzard in the past few weeks. My kids love it and if I am honest, so do I! I had many a birthday with snow falling. My mom likes to point out it was snowing when I was born and my first birthday party was canceled due to blizzard. I thought the snow a fitting theme for winter and this month! (I was testing out a new lens on some of these shots, so they're not normally the gear I would use but ProjectTEN was the perfect way to force myself to practice with the new lens!)

Disclaimer: Maxwell participated in the snow play only a few minutes which was not long enough for me to get him in any photos. Sorry Max! Next time...

Love her expression which is SO her...she wants to have fun and throw snow but not get it in her face! 

Working hard on Mr. Frosty

This is my 11th photo because Daddy took it so that I could be in one!

If you want to check out what the rest of the Project Ten gang is up to, here are their links!

Katie Hall (Newark, Delaware)- http://katiehallcreative.com/| https://www.facebook.com/katiehallcreative

Paula Richwine (Newark, Delaware) - http://richestwinephotography.com/| https://www.facebook.com/richestwinephoto

Cait Jensen (West Chester, PA) - http://www.photographyjensen.com/| https://www.facebook.com/photographyjensen

Lisa O'Brien - (Wrentham, Massachusetts) - https://www.facebook.com/lisaobrienphoto

Rebecca Bender (Winfield, IA) - http://rebeccabenderphotography.zenfolio.com/| https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Bender-Photography/139668796110338?pnref=lhc

Parker Slaton (Newark, Delaware) - http://slatons.blogspot.com  | https://www.facebook.com/ParkerSlatonPhotography

Claire Bunn (Philadelphia, PA) - www.clairebunnphotography.com| https://www.facebook.com/ClaireBunnPhoto?fref=nf&pnref=story

Rae Barnes (Philadelphia, PA) - http://raebarnes.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/raebarnesphotography

Lisa Turner(Chattanooga, TN) - https://www.facebook.com/LLturnerphotography

Erin Gregerson (Kauai, Hawaii) - http://www.eringregerson.com

https://www.facebook.com/ErinGregersonPhotography/

Kelly Lapp (Lancaster, PA) http://kellylappphotography.com |https://www.facebook.com/kellylappphotography  

Stacy Hart (Dover, DE) http://www.stacyhart.com| https://www.facebook.com/stacyhartphotography/

Heather Butler (Dover, DE) http://www.heatherbutlerphotography.com https://www.facebook.com/heatherbutlerphotography

Kate Neal (Bloomfield, NJ) http://www.katenealphoto.comhttps://www.facebook.com/KateNealPhoto

Monday Confessions

      Well it's February and my birthday week. I have been doing a lot of thinking, mostly prompted by me listening to a lot of the messages from IF: Gathering over the weekend. (If you are a lady and love Jesus and haven't heard of IF, you're missing out!) There were so many beautiful messages and stories shared that it's hard to really just point out one.

      The other side to my feelings this morning is that I woke up to hear the news that my great Uncle had passed away from continued illness and complications. Our family is on the smaller side and we have all stuck close over the years. We all include aunts, uncles and cousins when we can at functions so we grew up knowing everyone with the memories to match. The reality of aging, loss and heartache always snap us right back into a real perspective don't they? 

    In trying to assimilate my thoughts for this post, here's what's standing out. We need to be living for what matters. In Jennie Allen's talk from IF, she drove home the point that WE ARE ENOUGH. She said that once you have nothing left to prove or protect, that's where the freedom is. That has been stirring in my heart a lot since Saturday. I get weighed down SO MUCH but things that I really don't have any business worrying about. I don't need to prove a thing, I am ENOUGH. She urged us towards confession and authenticity. 

     The other message that has stayed with me was one from David Platt. Although it was hilarious with him sharing some early love letters to his wife, which often included the word "dude," he was genuinely urging us to see things as simple. We are to love others and share the gospel. It doesn't always have to be complicated.

     So on this gray February Monday, as I cover up the gray hair, buy better skin cream and curse gravity's effect on my body, I will remember that I am ENOUGH. I can let go of trying to prove things and just be.  My goal for 2016 was to work through my passions and purposes to try to weed out anything I am was spending energy on that didn't fit. These talks both help me in thinking through that. I can sit back and filter through what matters, allowing me to focus on those things. One thing is for sure, life is fleeting and time is short.

A verse from both personal bible study and from the conference talks has made itself fresh to me this week, 

"Look at the nations and watch—
    and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
    that you would not believe,
    even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

Have a great week my friends!

Monday Confessions, MLK Day

                January is in full swing and it's time to reflect on MLK day 2016. If you're familiar at all with "Kid President,"  you know he's awesome! I want to share this short video with you with his thoughts on MLK. 

I love this on so many levels... DO what YOU can do, keep moving!

Happy Monday my friends! 

The R Family

   I have to say, as strange as this warm weather has been through fall and winter, it has been great for photo sessions. I never thought I would break a sweat at a session on Thanksgiving weekend but it made for a great family photo shoot. We met this great family through the St. Andrew's community and it's easy to see why we get along! As we set out for their session, we wanted to accomplish using their home and the landscape to get some true to life family photos. Let me know how you think we did!

We started little Miss G, who was just shy of her first birthday in this session!

We moved it outside and how handsome are these two?!

 What's not to love about a boy and his dog? Sweet Chloe is 14 years old! 

Monday Confessions

      Oh the joy of Monday....feet hitting the floor and coffee being poured. Ok lets be honest, it's not always joy. It can feel daunting but at the same time, it's a fresh start. Every Monday is an opportunity to start over! So here with are with a new week ahead and I should get some confessions off my chest...

1.   I  confess that I finished all 6 seasons of the show Parenthood and I ADORED it! I know they're just fictional characters but the show touched on SO many different aspects of family life. I have to admit, it also made me feel better about having four kids. It can be daunting many days with four young children, but this show reminded me that the long haul is a beautiful thing! What other shows like this did I miss along the way? What should I check out next?

2.  I remember as a girl scout, we used to eat this snack called "puppy chow." I know, normally we should be offended by eating something referring to dog food but it's so yummy you won't care! It's been revived on the Chex site, as "muddy buddies" (more appealing name :). Check out the recipe here if you want a fun and easy snack to make with kiddos. (It does have peanut butter so might not be a good allergy friendly option).

emilytroutmanphoto.com

3. Although after this snack talk, it's making me hungry! I have to say though, slow and steady wins the race. I got on some jeans yesterday that hadn't fit in a while! One day at a time friends...(and I did the happy dance!) I did live through the 21 Day Fix Total Body cardio workout this morning!  (Some people have been asking if I am still coaching and indeed I am. Contact me if you're interested in making a change to your health and fitness.) 

4. Can I just say that neighbors are a blessing? If you don't know your neighbors, get out and meet them. We have been blessed with a few good ones (although there are a few we would be happy to live without!) I know where that whole "it takes a village" saying comes from, because our neighbors often have our back. 

5. Did you catch that Vikings and Seahawks game yesterday?! All I could think of was Ace Ventura and "laces out!" I hope that kicker doesn't go crazy over that miss. 

6. I confess I drive around and see ugly houses for sale and think "What would Jojo do to make that better?" If you don't know about my (& many other people's) design crush, check out Fixer Upper on HGTV.

Well friends, I think that's it for me today, I must get moving on other tasks and loving on these crazy kids! Big hugs to you and have a great week! 

Project TEN - January

      Every year I think I will get better at documenting life. I am talking more of the every day than the "dress up and show the internet" type photos.  Lets face it, in the wise words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." I feel like this A LOT. With four young children coming into our lives in a fairly short amount of time, we have many moments that are just a blur. This is one huge reason I am excited to join the lovely ladies of Project TEN, where we will all commit to a monthly "life" photography post of ten images on the tenth. I love this idea to push me to do more personal work. I have already enjoyed it in my first month, just because I had to have my camera around for more things than just "work." 

My favorite time of day...to check in on the kids when they're asleep. I can rest assured that minion Kevin is keeping an eye out! 

He loves watching his mobile...

The days after Christmas were filled with toys, electronics and Christmas spirit!

Someone is holding his head up and getting ready to be on the move!

A sweet big brother moment...

A little slice of my life after school one day...thank goodness Santa still puts things in my stocking!

This was his greeting to me as he hopped in the car after school!

Love this girl...my rearview reminds me of who I am watching out for...

If you want to check out what the rest of the Project Ten gang is up to, here are their links!

Katie Hall (Newark, Delaware)- http://katiehallcreative.com/| https://www.facebook.com/katiehallcreative

Paula Richwine (Newark, Delaware) - http://richestwinephotography.com/| https://www.facebook.com/richestwinephoto

Cait Jensen (West Chester, PA) - http://www.photographyjensen.com/| https://www.facebook.com/photographyjensen

Lisa O'Brien - (Wrentham, Massachusetts) - https://www.facebook.com/lisaobrienphoto

Rebecca Bender (Winfield, IA) - http://rebeccabenderphotography.zenfolio.com/| https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Bender-Photography/139668796110338?pnref=lhc

Parker Slaton (Newark, Delaware) - http://slatons.blogspot.com  | https://www.facebook.com/ParkerSlatonPhotography

Claire Bunn (Philadelphia, PA) - www.clairebunnphotography.com| https://www.facebook.com/ClaireBunnPhoto?fref=nf&pnref=story

Rae Barnes (Philadelphia, PA) - http://raebarnes.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/raebarnesphotography

Lisa Turner(Chattanooga, TN) - https://www.facebook.com/LLturnerphotography

Erin Gregerson (Kauai, Hawaii) - http://www.eringregerson.com

https://www.facebook.com/ErinGregersonPhotography/

Kelly Lapp (Lancaster, PA) http://kellylappphotography.com |https://www.facebook.com/kellylappphotography  

Stacy Hart (Dover, DE) http://www.stacyhart.com| https://www.facebook.com/stacyhartphotography/

Heather Butler (Dover, DE) http://www.heatherbutlerphotography.com https://www.facebook.com/heatherbutlerphotography

Kate Neal (Bloomfield, NJ) http://www.katenealphoto.comhttps://www.facebook.com/KateNealPhoto

Monday Confessions

   So remember last year how I had this "resolution" to be more active in documenting every day life? I really don't think I made consistent strides in that area though this year, as much as I wanted to. I have some exciting news though that this year I am joining in the Project Ten gang! This is a wonderful and very talented group of photographers that commit to one post each month, with ten photos on the tenth, of personal work. 

The gang from last year was:

Rebecca Bender (Winfield, IA) – 

Claire Bunn (Philadelphia, PA) – 

Katie Hall (Newark, Delaware)- 

Cait Jensen (West Chester, PA) – 

Kelly Lapp (Lancaster, PA) 

Lisa O’Brien – (Wrentham, Massachusetts) – 

Paula Richwine (Newark, Delaware) – 

Parker Slaton (Newark, Delaware) – 

Lisa Turner(Chattanooga, TN) – 

Rae Barnes (Philadelphia, PA) -

I am part of the newbie group adding for this year along with Stacy Hart, Heather Butler, Pleasant Vonnoh, and Erin Greggerson.

I am really excited to be pushed in this direction because I both want to document more real life, as well as using my camera outside of working endeavors! Check back on the tenth to see what I come up with...

As for this Monday of being back to reality with work, school, and other commitments, I am thankful for grace upon grace this morning! 

Monday Confessions, Post-Christmas Perspective

     It's the week between Christmas and the new year. I am on my couch surveying the post-Christmas chaos. I have one kid setting up a lego set, another kid playing with dolls and yet another child that I had to just have a discussion with on thankfulness. So often parenting hits me right where I need to be hit. Giving the "you shouldn't be complaining about what you didn't get and go play with and enjoy what you did get" speech is probably a good thing for all of us. It's easy to look around at what's hard or what's hectic. Instead this season though, I have been challenging myself to choose joy. Choose joy in the chaos or struggles, and trust me we have had them. I literally had a break down and cry moment two weeks ago when it was one thing too many with a sick baby, a car that needed repair and an endless to do list.

    There are things over the past couple weeks that have challenged my perspective. Last Monday I went to the viewing for a friend's mother who was laid to rest far too young from a degenerative disease. One friend just delivered a 34 week baby boy after a very challenging journey to get pregnant and we are all praying for him to come home quickly. Another friend is walking through yet another miscarriage after having been given hope for a healthy pregnancy. It seems unfair. I have a snuggly, chubby baby boy chatting to his animals in his crib right now. It's a gut check. Something about this time of year makes the loss more acute and the joy more sweet. 

   Over the last year I have come to really enjoy and be challenged by the writing of Shauna Niequist. I have deeply been challenged by her thoughts on hospitality and life around the table (more on that another time). I have been enjoying her daily devotional thoughts in her book Savor. On Christmas day I was stopped in my tracks because she perfectly penned what I had been feeling. She writes, "My prayer is that we'll find ourselves drawn closer and closer to the heart of the story, the beautiful, beating heart of it all, that the chaos around us and within us will recede, and the most important things will be clear and lovely at every turn. I pray that we will understand the transforming power that lies in saying no, because it's an act of faith, a tangible demonstration of the belief that you are so much more than what you do. I pray that we'll live with intention, hope, and love in this wild season and in every season, and that the God who loves us will bring new life to our worn-out hearts this year and every year, that we'll live, truly and deeply, in the present, instead of waiting, waiting, waiting for the perfect."

  So as I take stock in 2015 and look forward to 2016, I will be continuing to try to be "present, not perfect" and daily sift through what matters to focus on. I have a huge list of things I wish I had been able to get to more of, like blogging more of my photography work or reading more books but sometimes those things just don't fall to the forefront of what matters that day. I know there are seasons of life and in this one with many little people in my house, one day at a time is my best way to operate. Much love to you all in the new year!

(In case you missed our one family photo from Christmas that was on the iPhone because I reapplied half way to Grandma's house that my "real" camera was still on the kitchen table and we weren't turning back. Two kids are still in PJs, Ben looks thrilled, and who knows what Maxwell was doing...Just gotta' roll with it sometimes...)

Saying Goodbye

    I have some very hard news to share and have intentionally left it off of social media while we processed it as a family. I don't really have it in me to write much about it yet as I am already crying just attempting to pen this post. On Friday we said goodbye to our bulldog of almost 9 years. He had seen us through all our babies coming home, our house move, and was basically our sidekick through most of our almost ten year marriage. When a dog ages, things can get hard. This was a heartbreaking decision but was a long time coming with various issues involved.

   Some would say well "he was just an animal" but animals become a huge part of your life and family for the time that they are with you. My kids only know life with Doz in the house. It has been really their first life lesson in loss. As with any grief though, I am sure it will come in moments or waves. We will be reminded of him in the strangest ways I am sure. We have already felt his loss deeply. We feel it, even at moments like pulling in the driveway and knowing he won't be here to greet us. As heavy as our hearts are, we know he's at peace. I prefer the 'all dogs go to heaven' philosophy (not really here to defend that one, just easier for me at this moment). 

Dozer buddy, we already miss you like crazy but we know you've made it over the rainbow bridge and are a peace. May there be tug of war ropes and plenty of sunshine for you to lay in wherever you are....

Monday Confessions, season of Advent

     As we have begun the season of Advent, I thought I might point you to some resources that I enjoy and that will hopefully enhance our ability to focus on what is important in this Christmas season. Advent is described as the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In this season of Christmas, we are awaiting the arrival of Christ. It's SO easy to get lost in all the other events, traditions and busyness. I am determined this year to try to keep my head and my heart in the right place. I have already had moments where it just seemed like a bit too much on my plate, but then I remember that I really don't want to miss it.

I read a post yesterday that wrote, "And as Advent begins, Luke comes to us, as a kind of a holy ghost of Christmas past, bidding us to lay aside for the moment our Christmas lists, leave the half-trimmed tree, pause the holiday movie, dry our hands from washing the cookie pans, and follow him." That excerpt really spoke to me because while all those things are good thing, we don't want to miss the main thing!  (To read the whole post, go to Prepare Him Room) 

1.  Desiring God is also offering a free ebook, Good News of Great Joy,  with advent devotional if you're interested in reading something daily up until christmas, 

2. I also usually find a lot of encouragement from the Finding Joy blog by Rachel Martin. She wrote a post about "letting them see you smile" and it really resonated with me. 

3. Another option I enjoy is She Reads Truth, which will also be starting a daily advent reading with scripture. Here's the first one from yesterday from the series Born is the King.

 4. And if you do find yourself entire overwhelmed and ready to quit....just read Momastery by Gelnnon Melton. I laughed hysterically reading this  post on Facebook, "

PLEASE TELL ME that your children fight so incessantly and relentlessly and obnoxiously that every once in a while it’s Sunday morning and you hear yourself yelling: I AM DONE. I DON’T CARE. NO ONE CARES. YOU ARE MAKING ME INSANE- ER. I APPARENTLY DID NOT RAISE YOU RIGHT BUT IT’S TOO LATE NOW SO HERE IS WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT NO ONE IN THIS HOUSE IS GOING TO SAY ANY WORDS FOR TWO HOURS. NO ONE IS EVEN GOING TO COUGH OR CLEAR THEIR THROAT OR DROP ANYTHING. ALSO: DON’T LOOK AT EACH OTHER. PRETEND YOU LIVE HERE ALONE. I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT’S WHAT I DO ALL DAY AND IT IS GREAT FUN.
And so your children stop mid-fight and they freeze and they stare at you with wide terrified eyes and you look back at them and then you look deep inside and: OH JOY OF JOYS: you find no guilt. Just not one teeny drop of guilt. You feel happy. You feel victorious. Vindicated. And you nod your insane head up and down and you look at your gifts from God and you say:

YEAH. That’s what I THOUGHT. What’s up NOW, Meltons? What’s up NOW?

And you walk away and you brew some tea and you pretend to live alone and it is so, so lovely.

Happy Sunday and We Belong To Each Other and Love Wins and All That Jazz. Everything in moderation: especially family togetherness. 

We Will Survive,
G"

     In case you're wondering, I won't necessarily be doing all of these but I am trying to choose to challenge myself to less social media and more intentional reading this month. One thing I love is that you can look at all of these online, so if you're waiting in the doctors office or sitting in the car pool line, redeem a few moments of meaning for yourself and read one on your phone. 

   So in other news, it's Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. We are probably all feeling a little more "fluffy" than we did before the weekend. I confess that I need to get back on track. I am getting back after it with workouts and cleaning up my eating. It's always hard this time of year but when you have goals to hit, it's important to make smart choices. Wish me luck that I can make it through a workout, all 4 kids are still home today :) 

Have a great Monday friends!

Saturday Sneak Peek

I've been editing away over here and loving this session of a pretty mama with her girls. I adore the touches of red to kick off the holiday season! Full blog post coming soon and have a beautiful weekend!

The H Family

  Hello friends, I am desperately behind in blogging everything I have been photographing this fall! I am challenging myself to get on it over the next few weeks. So feasible right with the dawn of the holiday season? Oh well, I love to challenge myself :)

I hope you enjoy this adorable family we captured on a beautiful fall morning! We met earlier this year when I photographed Megan's brothers wedding. It was so fun to see them again and enjoy a family session together. Isn't their little man so handsome?! Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Monday Confessions on gratitude

      I hope that this isn't just white noise in a sea of gratitude posts but I think it's very important to all take a minute to reflect this week. I have to be honest, I have gotten a lot of comments lately like "you seem to handle the kids and business well." Please my friends, do not be fooled! I am already feeling the weight of today with work, phone calls to insurance and various other unglamorous mom tasks. If I have learned anything in my 33 years thus far, it's that with most blessings come huge responsibilities. My four children are my biggest blessings, but also my biggest and most exhausting responsibilities. The fact that I am an American woman who can own and operate my own business based of the college degree I earned at a university are all HUGE blessings. These things I take for granted are unimaginable in other countries in the world. The fact that I OWN property and AM NOT someone else's property are all still novel ideas across the globe! With that being said, my home, car, business and everything else can bless the socks off of me and wear me out at the same time!

   There is no super mom cape over here...sometimes I just have to lower the standards if I am honest. Some days it's about the business, some days it's about the house or the kids or my husband but RARELY can I do a great job at all of them. I am challenging myself though in this holiday season to slow down and soak it in. All the things that have to get done or that keep me awake at night (this is a whole different problem!) will in fact get done somehow and I need to not be frazzled in the meantime. I need to be present with my family and take a few minutes to meditate on my faith this season. 

 To be honest, my church has been on a generosity journey over the last 8 weeks that has really influenced my thinking. We've listened to sermons on gratitude, been challenged to think about how we use our own resources and as a church, have given away $55K over the last week in our town. One huge thing last week was that every adult over age 18 in attendance was handed an envelope with $20 in it and challenged to meet a need. Can I just say that it took having that $20 in my pocket last week to really SEE people? I found myself praying for even simple trips to the grocery store to see where God might be working. It's amazing what having an intention to meet a need will allow you to experience. So many stories poured in of people truly in need who got the $20 while others just were a blessing to someone who needed it that day! (My $20 story was short and sweet with a Starbucks barista!) We even collected and delivered 80 turkeys yesterday to a local food bank that was praying for someone to provide turkeys!

  I hope you too can find some peace and slow down this season to really see people. See the people around you that you love, as well as those in your community who might not feel like they matter. As you find challenges in your days, just look for the good! I am going to be challenged in the same way this week and have in fact already been forced to look for the good in this Monday morning :) (I mean don't you love spending 18 minutes on a phone call with your insurance provider when you've been billed in error? See the good: I have insurance and access to health care. That's how this is going down this week!) 

Monday Confessions, Patriotic thoughts

         Hello friends, I write to you this morning with many things on my mind. This time last Monday I was in New York City after almost missing my early morning train! I had the good fortune to be able to visit with a dear old friend while she was on the East coast. We also made my maiden voyage to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. I cannot say how moving that it was, even as an adult to see these things in person. After the events of Friday night, it means even more to me that I so recently got to celebrate the importance of having France as an ally in this world and having the French as fellow supporters of liberty. 

1. I confess that I did not know the Statue of Liberty is only as thick as two copper pennies. She looks like such a solid form but she is indeed hollow. I also confess that I did not know that Gustave Eiffel played such a big role in the creation of the statue. 

2. Going through Ellis Island was also a moving experience. It was touching to think of people carrying all they had on their backs or in trunks to begin a new life in an uncertain world. I had the chance to chat with my 87 year old grandma on Friday and she was telling me how her grandparents came through Ellis Island as children from Germany. Each generation we are removed from that type of history and so it's important to have these conversations. 

3. I confess that yesterday afternoon the hubby, brothers in law, and I went to the shooting range.  When you have four kids, you take what you can get in the form of a 'date." I haven't been trap shooting in a while and it sounded like fun. Putting some ammo down range is actually a great time and the weather was perfect for the outdoor range. It's always good to have a little friendly competition among family too ;)

4. Also, at the aforementioned gun range, I got to chatting with a Vietnam Veteran. I thanked him and asked him a bit about his time of service (which can be a touchy thing but I think it's important to recognize such a pivotal time in a man's life). I was pleasantly surprised that he actually remembered those years fondly. Of course war is never fun, but he reminisced about being a paratrooper in the special forces and jumping from planes. He said, "I don't want this to come out wrong but I was truly glad to serve that time." He spent 18 months in Vietnam. Especially with Veteran's day last week, if you haven't taken a moment to thank a veteran, don't miss out! You might be blessed to hear their story. 

5. I am praying for Paris along with the world. Something you might not know is that my parents are quite fond of Paris and spend time there at least a couple times a year. It scares me to think that they could've easily been in a place where they were in danger. The reality is though, the world in which we live is unstable and bad things happen all over the place. I am thankful though for a very stable faith and unchanging God. 

   I didn't necessarily start out to write a patriot post, but I believe in these times in which we are living, we need more people to believe in the greatness of America. We are essentially a country made entirely from immigrants, hard work and a vision of what could be with a democratic, free market society. I will leave you with this thought from Mark Twain, "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." 

A mama and her boys!

    What can I say? There is always something special about photographing a mother and her sons! This session was autumn perfection with the leaves turning and a slight chill in the air. I love some of the connections we got between mother and son, as well as between brothers. I confess I did ask them at one point if they ever wrestled and who won....they immediately had to demonstrate :) Not to mention, these are some precious boys! Don't you just want to reach out and squeeze their cheeks?!

Monday Confessions

So I guess I was in a whirl of crazy last Monday and never go to post! Forgive me! Now it's already Halloween week and the year 2016 is knocking on our door...How can this be?! I know I sound like an old lady but these days I also feel like one! 

SO since it's Halloween week, I will make some confessions with that in mind...

1. I confess that Reese's Cups are my favorite candy! I confess that I definitely steal them from my kiddos bags! 

2. I confess that I am NOT a big scary movie fan. I actually don't think I slept for days when I got talked into watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre  in college one time! I just can't handle it....

3. If you're looking for a cute "halloween" book for kids, we love Room on the Broom. It's a cute story about a witch making room on her broom for new friends and in the end, they come to her rescue! Someone else told me about it last year and not only do we enjoy it, I believe Netflix has the short movie of it for viewing as well! 

4. I confess that I don't have anything to dress up as this year. Last year I went out with my kids at a "cow girl" - this year I will just look like "tired mom with a baby answering the door." 

5. I have been listening to Jenny & Tyler's new album, Of This I am Sure, and I love it! Their sound is great and I find myself singing the songs. There's a maturity to this album as they grow in life and music. If you like singer/songrwriter music, definitely grab this new album!

6. I confess it was strange to go to a wedding as an actual guest this past weekend. The hubs and I just got to enjoy celebrating with friends! I confess, that I didn't even take a camera! My iPhone 6 was all I had to capture anything and it suited me just fine. I think sometimes we just need to sit back and live the moments! Congrats to Ryan & Lauren! (It was also a fun wedding with some friends from the past as well as the present :)  As for my dress....Anthropolgie sale rack for the win!

Here's to Monday with no free coffee because the Eagles lost...sad day my friends! Have a great week! 

Life after baby, a vulnerable post

    First I need to thank my friend Stephanie of Luminosity for taking this after church on Sunday! It was a beautiful day and nice to capture the day that Benjamin was dedicated to the Lord. This family photo has gotten a lot of sweet comments in life and online from friends and family. It also kind of lets me take a deep breath and look at why I am so exhausted every day :) We never really see ourselves in these moments because we as moms are usually rushing through them. (I am even wearing a baby now while I attempt to type this and counting down the minutes until I have to put him back in the car seat to go get the preschooler.)

    You see, I look at this photo and all I can see is my heaviness. Although I did the best to disguise my body, I see it in my face. The struggle is real mamas. I am in danger of missing the blessings because I only see myself as heavy right now. I even get messages from other mamas trying to schedule their photo sessions saying, "I want to lose more baby weight to take these photos." I GET IT. If you follow my story at all, my fitness after kids was hard won. I have always been athletic but carrying twins and then another in less than 2 years took a toll on my physically and here I am again after number 4. I am here to tell you all that it's OK. It's OK if you are the mom that can't put her jeans back on after 4 weeks. I will be praying to have my real jeans back on by Benjamin's first birthday! This is why I even endeavored into health coaching in the first place. I am here WITH YOU. I struggle with the same things but I KNOW that persistence and hard work do get results. Despite what some may tell you, magical wraps or potions won't really get the job done for the long term. If they did, we would all do them. 

   I have to tell you that I follow a girl on instagram that had a baby via c-section the same week as Benjamin and I WANT TO PUNCH HER IN THE FACE (too much?!) :) But really, she was running 4 miles after like 6 weeks and just yesterday posted that her baby girl slept 8 hours?! Well, my sweet 12 week old didn't get that sleep memo! And you know what, if I can run two miles it's a good day. I am bone weary tired. It's the kind of tired that hurts. Everything just hurts. Don't get me wrong, I know that mothering and caring for four precious children is a GIFT. It's a gift that comes with a lot of responsibility though.

  Here's the hard truth, all we get is now my friends! My smaller jeans don't even go over my thighs but my kids are healthy. I tried to put on a shirt yesterday that the arms wouldn't even go through, but I fall into bed with a (tired) smile at the end of each day. I even dreamt last night that I was in a world of girls shopping for extra smalls and I couldn't find any extra larges! I wanted to cry in my dream. I know though, it's all about perspective. I am doing my best to take my journey back to a healthier weight for myself as a daily adventure. I am taking it one day at time with healthy choices. If you want help on your own journey to fitness, feel free to connect with me! I love accountability and I will be in your corner to tell you that you can do it too! (emily@emilytroutmanphoto.com) 

For real ladies...at my heaviest, I weighed MORE than my 6' 3' husband....I get it. I have been there. I know it just takes one foot in front of the other in the right direction! Off to get that preschooler now...and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!