Natural. Candid. Real. Beautiful. { The Blog. }

{ Happy, happy and happy }

Buying fresh, locally grown produce from the Black Barn = happy.

Supporting local farmers and getting a ginormous bag of vegetables for $17 = happy.

Butternut squash soup, made from my ginormous bag of vegetables = happy.

Going to the dollar store and spending $1 on each of these beauty-full soaps = happy.

Both kids getting to pick out any toy that their little hearts desire = happy.

My heart when Mac says "you're the best Mommy ever!" after picking out said toy = happy.

My favorite pumpkin patchers picking out their very own pumpkin = happy.

No tantrum this year from the eldest *ahem* when we left the pumpkin patch = happy.

Roasting pumpkin seeds and watching their eyes light up = happy.

 

Happy is all around us - sometimes we just have to look for it.  Thankful, grateful me today for vegetables, pretty soap and my pumpkin patchers.  And God?  I just want to give you a shout out for providing the little things.  You're the coolest.

xoxo

{ Bim solla bim bam Bah solla do solla dim }

I know you just saw the title to this post and thought "whoooptie dooo, she's finally lost her mind."  Nope.  Mind intact.  Just want to share a little love and happiness.  Because that's what I'm all about. ;)

When my kids were babies (hmmm, maybe 1 & 2?), we used to sing - scratch that - Mommy used to sing this song...

High in a tree a dickie bird... (sat)
Below him sat a furry black... (cat)
He said for dinner I shall have... (you)
Then all at once that dickie bird... (flew)

Bim solla bim bam

Bah solla do solla dim

Auntie Sharon ♥♥♥ taught it to us, and it was a hit!  It was a catchy tune, albeit a little crazy.  Fast forward a couple of years, and my boy remembers.  I was shocked.  Here is video of Auntie Sharon and Mac singing the bim solla song tonight.  Warms my heart.  And my heart needs a warmin' on this cold rainy night. Brrrrrrr.

Bim Solla #1 from Christi Traster on Vimeo.

Bim solla #2 from Christi Traster on Vimeo.

{ My Dad cried }

How did I not know about Christian the lion, the internet sensation?  I'm probably so out of the loop - and y'all have seen this story 14 times already, but geeeeesh.  Talk about wham-o bam-o emotional-o.  I am an animal lover (sort of over the top about my animals - Bogart Charles the princess cat, Izzy the alpha cat and Daisy, our English bulldog - she's the QUEEN), but if this story doesn't get you good :::sniff sniff::: I'm not sure what will.

So... the kids and I went over to my Dad's tonight for a visit and a trip to the downtown pizza joint.  We got there, and my brother was playing a youtube video that I caught the end of.  I thought, what in the Sam Hill IS this?  An old, grainy video with the cheesiest of songs playing (um, think Whitney Houston from the early 90s - yep).  Then it had me.  Oh my heart.  Christian the lion had me at hello.  Oh yes.  Yes he did. 

Ummmm...my Dad cried.  Yep.

The MSNBC story is here - and here are a few images of him.  There even is a movie about the infamous Christian.  Who knew?

 

 

And here's the video - put your earplugs in, my lovelies.  Unless you are a Whitney lover. ;)

{ Cravables = pure delight }

Remember this beautiful Mommy-to-be? 

Well, my lovelies, she has started her own business.  And you know I'm all up and holllllaaaaa-ing when I am inspired by a woman/wife/mommy/business owner.  Christy has started a deeeliciously yummy business called Cravables, featuring custom cakes, cupcakes, pastries, cookies and more!  Doesn't that sound like heaven?  Lemme tell you, friends - her cupcakes are to die for.  No jokes.  I ain't jivin'. 

My little Lily bug turned 3 recently, and I ordered up some Cravables cupcakes.  All I told Christy (a.k.a. amazing cupcake maker extroidinare) was that Lily was all about being a princess - I said go on, girlfriend.  Work some of your cupcake magic.  And that she did.

Um...yeah.  Unbelievable.  Vanilla bean cupcake yumminess with vanilla bean icing dreaminess.  I'm telling you - I tasted one, and I said no way.  Noooooooo way.  No way is it even possible to be so in love with a cupcake. ;)

Get outta town adorable, right?

Lily was over the moon about all of the princess goodies on top of "her cupcakes," as she called them: sleeping beauty crowns, glass slippers, princess wands, and on and on.  So fun.  And so perfect for my girl's special birthday day.  Thank you, Cravables, for putting your heart into what you do.  Your passion shines.  Really.

You know I have to throw a few photos in of the birthday girl, right?

Sporting her new princess pajamas, princess umbrella and some very kissable toes.  She's holding up 3 fingers on each hand.  I'm 3 now, she says.  All the time.  Daily.

 

 

Mama + my girl....I'm smitten.  She's so amazing.  And she's just 3.  ♥

 

 

Little giggle bug - I {heart} you, my girl.

So sleeeeeepy.  And yes, we love a paci in our house ::Ahem:: No, not ashamed.  We will give them to the paci fairy soon.  Shooting for 2010. ;)

The party wore big brother man out, too...

Awake and ready to blow dry My Little Pony's hair...

Awwww my happy girl ♥ I love you more than life xoxo

You can find Cravables' facebook fan page here - go on over, peeps!  Check her out!

P.S. I'm shooting a wedding in just over 2 weeks, and Christy is doing the desserts - more fun Cravables photos to come!

{ The 3 Bs }

Be moved. Be inspired. Be thankful. Today.

xxoo

[ Charity: Water ]

{ Just a quickie }

I gasped/laughed/started to cry when I saw it. 

My little big boy is 4.  FOUR.  The photo was taken at his birthday party - clad in his spiderman gear, wearing his spiderman bottle cap necklace that I found here and eating his spiderman sucker.  Still, you ask?  Yes, STILL.  He's all about the spidey.  He runs about, spinning webs, all the live-long day.  I love you, my sweet Mac. xoxo

Ooooh, and for all of you Etsy addicts (I know NOTHING about that ::ahem::), here is the coolio necklace... (photo courtesy of the designer)

THIS one is on its way - it's going in the upstairs bathroom.  So fun, right?

And one more, just for grins :)  Yes, it's a spidey life we live.  And it's a darn good one.  I am blessed.  So blessed.

[ GO Cincinnati ]

The countdown is on!  It's almost time for GO Cincinnati 2009 at Crossroads.  Each year, an army of volunteers impact Cincinnati through various service projects in a one-day, citywide blitz of compassion. It's craaaaazy fun and craaaaazy great.  Working alongside other churches, we love on hundreds of community-based organizations throughout our city.

Last year, over 4,000 people from Crossroads and other partner churches went out into the city to serve the homeless, pray with the broken, paint schools, clean camps and help make a difference in our city. This spring we're tackling over 200 projects and we need your help.  That's right - this year, we need 5,000 people.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 - 1:00.  You can watch a short video here (scroll down) recapping last year's GO Cincinnati - and yes, that's Brad Johansen that you see - the radio voice for the Bengals.  He's wild.  He's crazy.  Every year he gets all hyped up and geared up and crazied up to make a difference in our city.  It's an amazing experience, to say the least.  I haven't met a single person who doesn't feel blessed to be loving on people who are less fortunate.  It grows you.  It sticks with you.

You can sign up here - I'll be there with my kiddos - along with 5,000 other people that want to GO be the CHURCH.  See you there!

You don't have to go to Crossroads.  You don't have to be handy.  You don't have to be a rock star painter.  You don't even have to love Jesus.  You just have to want to be a blessing to somebody else.  Easy peasy. :)

{ She's Daddy's sugar }

We've had a round of yuck-0 sicknesses over the past couple of months - the latest is croup for Lily.  Awwwww, little Lily bug is such a trooper.  Coughing her little head off + yucky fever, but still smiling and chatting away.  This morning we were in the kitchen, and this is how our little conversation went...

Lily (who is 2): "Oooooooh goodness gwwwwwwacious!"
Mommy: "What is it, honey?"
Lily (with MUCH feeling): "I have a BAD cough."

And yesterday, we got home from the pediatrician, and she told her Daddy that she wanted a snack.  I walked in, and she was sitting at the kitchen table eating strawberries - with a heaping pile of powdered sugar for dipping. 

Mommy: "Oooooh Daddy - wow weeeeeee - what a lucky girl you are, Lily...."
Daddy: "She's sick - sugar makes it better."
Lily: "Mama, it tastes goooooooood."

{ Patience is a virtue...and patient you are ♥ }

The reason for this blog post?  It's twofold...First, I want to send you all a little loooooove ♥♥♥

AND SECOND, thank you for being patient with me.  2 weeks ago, I unexpectedly lost my child care - the 8 hours that I have every day to....

photo shoot and

call you and 

photo edit and

email you and

photo shoot and

web site build and

photo edit and

package and check and ship photos and...

....you get the picture.  So......I'm keeping the faith that all will work out - while at the same time, feeling like my head is spinning.  If it takes me a little longer to get back with you, I'm just having a bit of a time juggling my 2 little monkeys and my sanity.  So thank you for giving me patience.  May it be doubly returned to you.  XOXO

The aforementioned little monkeys:



Check out the top of the next photo - Mac taking care of Lily like a good big brother - awwwwwwww....

{ I need Africa more than Africa needs me... }

As most of you may know, I spent 10 days in Mamelodi, South Africa over this past Thanksgiving. It was so what I needed...to experience these people full of joy in the midst of pain; to realize that it's so not about the things I have or thought that I needed; to have my cup filled up when sometimes lately I just feel lost. So...this video resonated with me. Thought you might like it, too. I needed Africa waaaay more than Africa needed me. XOXO

{ I'm baaaaack! }

*Sigh* Have I REALLY not posted to this blog since December 11th?  As in, the December 11th that was 6 weeks ago?  Ooooooh how has time gotten away from me? 

My dear blog readers, you must know that I love you.  That I love blogging.  That I'm thankful for you.  And that I love all of the sweet, heartfelt comments that I get from you - really, they bring a smile to my face and put a little spring in my step.  I vow in 2009 to be a better blogger - bad, bad blogger I was in 2008!  You can say it..... :) 

Sooooo, rather than neglect my blog when I get overwhelmed and have all of you asking things like: "WHEN are you going to post???  Are you on a sabbatical???  Are you still in business???"
I.
WILL.
FIND.
THE.
BALANCE.
THIS.
YEAR. :)

I owe it to myself. 
I owe it to my dream and my passion that is photography. 
I owe it to all of you. 

So here's to a new year - to change, to happiness, to finding balance, to embracing all that I am grateful for... and that means YOU! :)

And because a post would not be a post without photos....here are a few that make me smile of my 2 little monkeys.  XOXO

{ Africa, I miss you... }

I'm still foggy.  I'm still processing.  I'm still unsure of exactly what it is that I'm feeling.  I'm still aching for the people.  I'm still overwhelmed.  I'm still hesitant to even begin this blog post for fear that I'll begin to ramble and never be able to stop pouring my heart out trying to tell you, to plead with you to hear me, to try and understand.  I'm still paralyzed by what I saw and felt - and even more paralyzed to be back here in the US with all of the greed and disdain and chaos and disrespect and unhappiness and excessiveness - and just straight up negativity.  I'm still there - my heart, my mind, my spirit.  I'm still aching to be there now.

I've been back now for a week - and trying to return to some sort of normalcy.  But no matter what I'm doing - it's all still there.  In my head.  In my heart.  I'm so scared of forgetting.  But I wouldn't forget, would I?  How could I?  Seems as if that's impossible.  I want to keep it fresh.  And keep myself open.  What is there to learn?  What is to be gained?  Is there something that I can do for these people?  How can I just go back to my life and pretend that everything is "normal"? 

Some days I feel as if I just can't do this. 

But then....there's a little voice inside my head that says...it's OKAY.  Take your time.  Process.  Grow.  Change. 

So...I will take a deep breath and tell myself....one day at a time.....

Once again - thank you, thank you to those of you who have supported me through all of this.  I hope that you know how much it means to me - your kind words, your thoughts, your prayers - I appreciate each one of you. 

And now.....on to a few photos - more to come after the mad Christmas holiday photo rush! :)

First off - probably my favorite photo of all - just a group of kids on the side of the road that posed for me...

2 sweet girls at one of the schools that I visited...

Same school - 4 wild, crazy, fun boys hamming it up for the camera....

You know I love a jumping shot - and these boys were AAAAALLLLL over it....

The below photo - where's the teacher?  Can you find her?  She's buried under the students...

I was on the gardening team for a bit - planting spinach and cabbage gardens in the poverty-stricken towns.... here's just a glimpse of what it was like....

Below - A sweet little girl who lived in the above photographed community - I taught her how to say the word pretty.  Mmmmmm.  Missing her sweet little face as I sit here and type.  Her name was Anna.

Below is a six month old little boy that I met - my team planted a spinach and cabbage garden for his Mama.  I got to hold him and love on him for quite awhile.  How about those eyes?  Those cheeks....

Another of my favorites - the kitchen crew.  These gracious people started making our lunches at 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. every.  Single.  Day.  Not a grumble.  Not a complaint.  They were just happy to be serving us.  Craaaaaaaazy. 

We had the opportunity to go on an African safari - below is a shot that I took as we were riding along.  So beautiful and peaceful it was.

Zebra dude is like - you're soooo interrupting my lunch....

Mrs. Mama Rhino and her baaaaaaby....awwwww.....

Don't laugh - but I *adore* the below photo - and yes, it's shot from BEHIND the family of rhinos.  But I think it's soooooo great.....

More to come once the madness slows!  XOXO

{ The clock's a tickin'.... }

I can hardly believe that in less than 48 hours I will be hopping aboard a plane to travel to South Africa - Still pinching myself.... is this really happening? 

My faithful blog readers - wanna come along for the ride?  You can check out the Crossroads GO Mamelodi '08 blog here - the folks at my church will be updating the blog daily so that you can follow along with us.   A great friend of mine said this to me....girlfriend, be prepared for personal growth at light speed.  And she's right - it's slightly overwhelming to me right now; all that I will see and feel.  But I am going into this trip with absolutely no expectations.  Just an open mind and an open heart for whatever it is that's in store.  Much is in store for this girl - I just know it.  I welcome it, I receive it - I know that I am meant to take this trip.  I need this.  I am breathing it in as I type this... the possibilities...ooooh the possibilities are endless.

To my family and friends - and most of all my sweet husband - who is holding down my busier than busy fort at home, THANK YOU so much for making this possible.  To those of you who have supported me financially and emotionally - you have NO idea how thankful I am.  For your words of encouragement, for your prayers, for giving me a swift kick in the buns when I have needed it - thank you.  Words just can't begin to express.....

Soooo....the java is flowing here - if you are a client waiting on your photo gallery, I am working just as fast as this one-man show can go.  I will continue to work through the night tonight and all day tomorrow.  Then Wednesday is reserved for my sweet kiddos and pack pack packing!  I will be back to work on Wednesday, December 3rd.  Until then...XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

{ She's turning 2 ♥ }

My baby is turning 2 years old this week - she holds 2 little fat fingers up and says this: "My. 2. Yeeas. Old."  And then "Dora. Paaaty."  You see, this weekend is her special girl birthday party - and life is all about Dora in my girl's eyes. Oooooh, how I love her.  So, here's a birthday invitation that I designed for her - I always do some sort of photo invitation that can be framed after the fact.  Fun, right?  So, here is the front of the card....

And here is the back....

Snickerdoodles Photography (that would be yours truly) can design a smaaaashing birthday invitation for you - or any other type of announcement, for that matter.  And how about this idea?  I think I may have the front design made into a canvas - OR how about just printed as a 10x10 or 20x20 on mounting board and leaned on a shelf or dresser.  Yes, that's what I think I will do.  The possibilities are endless, really.  So, tuck that in your hat and remember that when your next occasion rolls around... :)

{ My own two little monkeys }

First of all - to my faithful blog subscribers ♥ (thank you - I so appreciate you!), run on over to the blog.  I posted 1-2-3-4-5 sneak peeks that were never emailed out. :(

So, it's been quite some time since I've posted some photos of my own kiddos - long overdue I would say.  Mac just turned 3 (HOW can that be?) and Lily will be 2 in just 3 weeks.  My babies are growing right up - just look how big they are....

Lily has newly discovered how much she loooooves corn on the cob - see?

Had to throw one in of our Daisy.... a face only a mother could love is what I'm told.  Awwwww, Daisy girl.

This one is definitely my favorite of the summer - captured it just at the right moment.  I want it on canvas.  Big.  Love it that much.  Mac's expression as he sprayed himself in the face.  Lily's little diapered hiney.  Priceless.

This next one captured my boy's personality perfectly - I {adore} it.  Just a quick snapshot, but it worked so well...

The serious side of my Mac...

And the oh-so-ticklish side of him.... XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

{ It's the little things }

So, I had the pleasure of meeting 1 year old twin boys today, Ethan and Parker - as well as their sweet Mama Erin and their Grandma, whom they call "Mimi."  We had a lovely time (although very hot and humid and sticky - right, Erin?).  Erin was welcoming and sweet and oh-so-calm-and-collected - on her toes, those boys keep her! 

Her home was beautiful - and what in the world is that delightful smell throughout the whoooole entire house?  Why, it's the candle burning downstairs from Anthropologie.... have you smelled it before?, Erin asked.  Let me tell you something - I finished their photo shoot and ran myself right down to the nearest Anthropologie.  A little treat to myself - something little that makes me very happy.  So, now I sit - me and my perfect smelling candle.  See?

Think of freshly picked orchids, jasmine and gardenia, entwined with white blossoms....Mmmmmmm.  Delightful.

Sneak peek of Ethan and Parker to come....and Suzanne, your darling kiddos are next up! Sneak peek coming your way!

{ Mamelodi bound }

So.....I’ve made a couple of big decisions lately – the first you already know about. I am taking the month of August off. To regroup and be refreshed completely. Much needed and much anticipated. And now for the drum roll, please.... I am going to Mamelodi, South Africa. Yes, yes I am. I can hardly believe it myself.

Over the past 3 years, our church has sent nearly 1,000 people to work with our partner church, Charity & Faith Mission Church in Mamelodi. Mamelodi is a township community of nearly 1 million people that is being ravaged by HIV/AIDS, crushing unemployment and poverty, and a population of orphans that is growing exponentially. Charity & Faith, however, is a light for this impoverished township, and we are doing whatever we can to help them succeed in bringing healing and relief to these hurting people.

This November, over 400 more people (one of them being me!!!!! ) from the United States will travel to Mamelodi to build homes, plant food, transfer much needed skills, love on kids, and, most importantly, continue to build relationships with our friends in South Africa. It is called Go Mamelodi and it is our attempt to change the world. Amazingly, breath-takingly fantastic – this loving husband of mine that is so supportive of me in every way; and this grace-giving, hugely powerful God of mine that is making it possible.  I am still pinching myself. 

What this trip means to me already is difficult to put into words – I feel extremely passionate about it and feel with every sense of my being that I am meant to go. At the same time, I have to admit that my heart aches at the thought of leaving my kids. But I feel very strongly that I am supposed to go and be a part of something bigger than myself. So, I’m Mamelodi bound.  I want to jump up and down – that’s how excited I am.  Can you see me smiling?

I am asking for your support and prayer – prayer for peace for me as I travel to an unfamiliar place, prayer for our safety and good health, for safe travel, for the Mamelodi people whose lives with be touched by God through us.  Through me – crazy that I have been given this opportunity.  Unbelievable and just plain crazy.  I can hardly wait.

I am kindly asking for financial support to those who are able.  In order to go on this trip, I will need to raise $3,000 plus the cost of my passport and vaccinations.  The first $1,000 is due in less than 2 weeks (July 15^th), with the remainder due in August and September.  Donations will be accepted online here.  Thank you greatly in advance – may you be blessed doubly for your giving. 

Always,

Christi

{ OBX, we miss you }

Helloooooo!  I am officially back in the swing of things.  Thank you to all of you who emailed asking how our vacation to the OBX was.  Oooooh, the OBX....We had an indescribably wonderful time - and made so many memories that I can't keep track of them all.  But most of all, we strengthened bonds of friendship and family.  Deeply.  Deeply strengthened those bonds, and it's making me feel all crazy emotional.  I learned new things about my family - new things about my friends - new things about myself - and I will carry with me the memories of the trip forever.  The only way to describe how I feel is a little numb that it went so fast and a little sad that it's over, but most of all grateful and so crazy in love with and blessed by the 8 of you that were with me.  I learned new things about each one of you that makes me appreciate you even more.  It was a vacation that I will never forget.  Never. Ever.  Now, for the shining stars of the OBX (at least, the shining star kiddos - I'll post a photo album of all the photos eventually)...

My little Lily bug walking in the sand - doesn't this photo make you feel like you were there?  This one is definitely going on my wall.  I'm thinking gallery canvas wrap.  I love it that much.

Mac cheeeeeeeeesing it up - while having his first experience eating the ever-so-healthy cheese balls.  Remember those crazy things?  I didn't even know they still made them.  You would think that the FDA would have banned them by now.  We called them fish eggs.  Mac and his buddy Noah (and Lily too, for that matter) ate and ate and ate them.  Lily walked around asking for more "sish." :)

The one in the sharks with the ribs poking out is my boy - mmmmm.  How I love him. 

Mid-week, we drove North about 10 miles from where we stayed in Duck to a town called Corova.  We drove until the road came to an abrupt end, and onto the sand, we went.  This beach is amazingly peaceful and limited to development because there is no paved road.  The only access is via a four-wheel drive trip on the beach.  Doesn't that sound fantastic?  We drove right on the beach until we found a great spot for the day. 

It is in Corova that the bulk of the Corolla Wild Horses reside. The horses have broken into several small herds, and it has been said that at present, there are nearly 100 horses freely roaming the beaches.  The below photo wasn't taken by me - just wanted to give an idea of what we saw.  Pretty fantastic, huh?

 

The kids were in heaven - we parked and stayed in Corova all day. 

My dear friend Mandie's boy Noah below - I think this is my favorite photo of the entire trip.  Perfect beach photo.  Sweet, shirtless boy with the window down, sound asleep, beach towel in view.  I didn't plan to take this photo of him - but I couldn't resist when I saw him.  Sweet.  Helps me remember the day perfectly when I see this photo.

Another one of my favorites of Noah below - and before you even ask - no, I didn't enhance his eyes at all.  Those are his true blues.  He's so stinking cute.  Add his little personality to the mix, and he's just a little dreamcake.  Full of spunk and innocence and fire and hilariousness and little teacher teachings and love love love for his Mama.  I miss him so much after enjoying him 24/7 for a week.  Lily's been roaming around the house saying "No-ah, No-ah, No-ah."

I am addicted, *addicted I say* to taking pictures of my baby girl from behind.  The little wispy curls, the yummy chunky legs, her little hiney - mmmmmmmm.  How I love her.

The view from our top balcony - a "ships watch" at the very top of the house.

The wonderful OBX beach house - 9 of us piled inside, and we still had TONS of room.  I can't even begin to tell you how great it was.  The owners thought of every perfect thing.  Dreamy and relaxing and fantastic.  Peaceful.  Quiet.  Heaven.

Of course, we had to have one family photo of the 4 of us.  Like pulling teeth.  My family - not a fan of the camera.  Wonder why?

Oh, how I {heart} the photo below.  Mac and Noah took off running for the beach.  Cooooooooome on!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can still hear their little voices.

Happy girl...

Mac's new Mr. Crabby Crabberson sunglasses.  The crab's pinchers flip up.  He's so proud of those glasses.  Wore them to Mamaw's house today.

Okay, last one - I can't remember the last photo that I have of me with either one of my kids.  That's what happens to us Mommies, right?  We're always the one behind the camera.  My sweet sister-in-law saw Lily and me snuggling after Lily woke up from a nap, and she grabbed my camera.  She caught Lily bug mid-yawn.  How I love my baby girl.  Sweet and cuddly and smelling like beach weather. 

Okay - off to answer many, many emails!  Galleries going up very soon!!!  XOXO

{ OBX or bust }

We're headed to the Outer Banks!!!!!
    We're headed to the Outer Banks!!!!!
            We're headed to the Outer Banks!!!!!

So, we're packing up and leaving town - leaving behind the hustle and bustle, leaving behind the to-do lists, leaving behind the demands and agendas - and we're headed to the OBX.  We've rented a lovely house in the town of Duck.  Think quaint little town with bookstores and coffee shops and bike trails and everything within walking distance.  Right up my alley, and so much what my little family of 4 needs right now.   So, I won't have my phone with me or my computer.  Snickerdoodles is on a hiatus!  I'll be back and ready to get working on Monday, May 12th.  Feel free to leave me an email or voicemail if necessary, and I'll get in touch with you upon my return. 

Speaking of warm weather and beaches and sea spray...I have to let you in on some excitement in my life today (it's the little things, right?).  Something arrived at my doorstep that made me very happy.  Two words - Privet Bloom.  I stumbled upon this dreamy new fragrance by Hampton Sun.  A description of my new favorite scent from their web site: A delicate scent that captures the purity and elegance of summer in the Hamptons, with a fresh and unique blend of sea spray, dune grass, blue plum and the captivating privet blossom.  Sounds refreshing, doesn't it?  It is nothing short of wonderful.  Very clean and grassy - I guess you could call it a green floral scent.  I don't care for a flowery perfume - this is just plain clean and wonderful and fresh.  I even took a picture so that you can get a visual of the wonderfulness:

Have a wonderful week - I'll be back rested and rejuvenated and ready to face the pile of work that I'm leaving behind....thank you for the grace that you've given me.  I know some of you have been waiting patiently for much longer than you would like to see your photo galleries.  But good things come to those who wait.  I have lots in store for my faithful and loyal photo friends in the upcoming months.  Wait and see.  XOXO
 

{ One that would make a Daddy proud }

So, the other day, both of my kids woke up from their nap at the exact same time.  Mac decided that he wanted to get into Lily's crib with her for some "monkey jumping."  Awwww, brother and sisterly love, right?  He tells me (with his little wrinkled up nose), "Mama, you can go downstairs..." Hmmm.  "Okay.  I'll go downstairs," I say .  I sneak a peak a few seconds later, and THIS is what I saw:

My boy wanted to sneak some pink lovin' - some pink paci lovin' and some pink silkie lovin'.  He knows that he's too big for a paci (my boy will soon be THREE!), but maybe, just maybe, if I can get Mommy to go downstairs, I can get some quick pink paci lovin' in.  My little man.  An image any Daddy would be proud of, no?

I caught a quick smile from my Lily bug - you have to be quick on your FEET to get any pictures of these two.  Crazy, photo-loving Mommy + 1.5 and 2.5 year old = a likely photo disaster.  Unless some sort of bribery such as suckers or candy or popsicles are thrown into the mix...   

Oh, how I love my silly, but oh-so-serious baby girl.  I cannot WAIT to spend an entire WEEK on the beach with them and honey - I can't think of anything better.  24 more hours, and we'll be on our waaaaaay!

Okay, back to work - time's a wastin'!

{ Right next door, and I never even knew... }

My dearest blog readers (I appreciate you more than you know!) - you MUST visit this blog site that I have been fortunate enough to find out about in the last week.  You know that I'm a detail person and that I'm known to be a little long-winded - but I'll try to not gush TOO much, for TOO long.  I can't make any promises, but I'll try....

I, like my dear neighbor, who I'll refer to as WM, like to keep my neighborly boundaries.  I guess one would say that I am a people person.  One would also say that I am a kid person.  Let's face it - if you know me at all, you know that I am all about being warm and fuzzy and when I love something or someone - you know it.  No question.  BUT...when it comes to living in suburbia (note this seemingly fantastic book that my friend Mandie bought for me - can't wait to take it to the beach with me next week), it's all about boundaries, baby.  Honey and I like to keep to ourselves, like our privacy, like our solitude, like to pretend sometimes that we live on a 10 acre farm out in the middle of nowhere.  Not the case - we live with neighbors all around, as close as a stone's throw.  So, we don't get too involved with our neighbors and in the business of what goes on in our neighborhood.   But over the past months, I've become particularly fond of my neighbor WM and her three wonderful children.  Not like some of your neighborhood kids that can drive you nuts with the constant ringing of the doorbell (always happens to be when the kids are napping - grrrrrrr) - very sweet, very mannerly, very well-behaved and are so welcome to play in our yard anytime.  But the boundaries - oh the boundaries - we must keep them.   Right?  Right.  So, moving right along to the point  (am I rambling AGAIN?)...last week, WM mentioned that she would like for me to do some photos of her 3 little monkeys.  Absolutely, I would love to, I said - and I asked for her email address.  She gave me her email address and also wrote down for me her blog addresses.  "You blog?  Great!  I had no idea.  I'll check them out."  Well....I was completely floored when I visited the first one - and have yet to really get to the nitty gritty of the second one (eagerly awaiting the time to do so).  So, let's talk a little bit about that first blog.  I. had. no. idea.  How smart (I am not talking about your plain-old-regular smart person - I am talking SMART like the smartest), how hilariously funny, how eloquent, how adoringly sweet she is when she speaks of being a Mommy to her three children, how talented she is as a writer.  Give me a glass of wine or a hot cup o' joe and I would be nothing but the happiest being lost for hours on end in her blog.  It is THAT good.  On the edge of your seat good.  Here are just a couple of excerpts that I stumbled upon:

Speaking of her oldest child (I believe she recently turned 7) after a recent surgery... "In that recovery room, where she stayed for almost six hours as she suffered through episode after episode of vomiting, an after-effect of the narcotics in her small body, I saw a glimpse of the woman my daughter will grow to be.

Strong.

Resolute.

Unflinching.

Prayerful.

Indomitable.

And I was blessed twice in knowing my hands, my heart, and my love have helped in shaping this fine girl."

Here's another that knocked my socks clean OFF:

"Who are you?

You probably answer to many names: Mommy, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Worker, Boss, Volunteer, Citizen - truly, the list is endless for us Modern Mommies.

But again, I have to ask, who are you?

You - the you without a TO DO list, without The Schedule, without the layers of responsibilities and accountabilities.

Strip it all away. Lay down for one moment those burdens that are hidden blessings and blessings that sometimes burden. Take a deep breath.

Now - remember.

Then give yourself permission to just be that happy soul.

And be it well."

Run on over to her blog - here and here and here are some of my favorite posts (have many more to get to once I catch up on the wonderful, but never-ending proofing/editing...).  Get yourself a glass of something fun to drink and get lost.  You'll be glad that you did.  Right next door, and I never even knew...I am thankful to have found a new friend. 

{ A girl's best friend }

So, they say that diamonds are a girl's best friend.  Not my girl.  My Lily says that M&Ms are a girl's best friend.  See for yourself.  Yep, this is what I saw happening out of the corner of my eye the other day.  Let me set the scene for you: Mommy at the computer photo editing.  Daddy on baby duty.  Mac upstairs taking a nap.  Lily woke early, which she LOVES because it's one-on-one Daddy time.  No big brother to play with steal her M&Ms.  Yep, she asked for M&Ms.  And raised her little eyebrows, opened those blue eyes big and smiled with a "pleeeese? pleeeeeeease????"  Daddy can't resist it.  Mommy can't either for that matter. :) I jumped up out of the chair and reached for the camera.  I didn't have time to get my camera settings perfect really, but I had to capture that baby of mine in her moment.  Hands digging down in the bag.  Yep, she was walking around, helping herself to the whole bag.  She {melts} my heart.

{ Celebrating Debbie }

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write - I'm at a loss at even what to say...

My dear friend Kim is losing her Mom today - it has been a roller coaster of emotions - up one day and down the next.  Debbie has been in the hospital in critical condition for a month and has spiraled downhill over the past few days.  The doctors feel that they have done all that they can do. They do not feel that she is with us neurologically any longer, and that her body is only kept alive by the multiple machines she is on.  Today they are turning off the life support that Debbie is on - it's hard to even write that sentence.  It's just so surreal to me.  I can't imagine how Kim is feeling right now. 

I think that heaven is overflowing with prayers right now for Debbie and her family - my family alone must be bombarding the doors of heaven with prayers (I do believe that my sweet little Mamaw must have a direct line to God, and I ask her to pray for just about everything that I can think of).  But if you are a praying person, or even if you're not - I am asking that pray for my friend.  And that Debbie feels Gods arms wrapped tightly around her as she passes from this life to the next - and that Kim and her family would feel God's comfort and peace surround them.  My heart.  Oh my goodness - my heart aches for them.

Debbie - we celebrate you today.  We celebrate your life and all that you are to the ones that love you.  XOXO

{ It's the RIGHT thing to do }

WHAT WOULD ELPHABA DO?

In case you don't know of my friend Elphaba, she's the very GREEN, very Wicked Witch of the West in the Broadway Musical, Wicked.  I am STILL reeling  from that night.  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  It was so phenomenal.

So, Elphaba and all of her green-ness...

...has inspired me - to live GREENER - and to do what I can for this awesome world that we live in.

DID YOU KNOW that if every household used ONE six pack (that’s right, only ONE) of Energy Smart compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), over the bulb’s lifetime, they would prevent the emissions equal to six million cars being on the road? Is that crazy or what?

An energy saving CFL bulb:

• Is 75% more energy efficient than a standard bulb (that saves YOU money on your bill!)
  
• Lasts five to seven years, which is about ten times longer than a standard incandescent bulb
• Saves an average of $25 - $55 in energy costs over the life of the bulb - that's ONE bulb

So, I just replaced all of our old incandescent bulbs with CFLs - yep, even the garage, even the outside lights.  I think I bought close to 50 light bulbs.  How could we have that many lights, you ask?  I have no idea.  They just added up quickly - surprising. 

The next step: I signed up for Duke Energy's FREE Home Energy House Call.  A trained energy specialist will be coming to conduct a thorough in-home analysis. The energy specialist will:

• Analyze our total home energy usage
• Check our home for air leaks     
• Examine our insulation levels
• Review our appliances and heating/cooling system

From the information collected, a report detailing steps we can take to increase efficiency and reduce our energy bill will be prepared for us.  As part of the agreement, Duke is providing us with a free Energy Efficiency Starter Kit, which includes some CFLs and some other things to help us conserve energy.

ONE LAST THING - You can sign up for the Duke Energy Power Manager Program.  It pays you a small amount annually and up to a $35 immediate credit on your bill for having your air conditioning cycled off-and-on a few days each summer.  Seems like a no brainer - saves me money and helps to preserve the environment.  It's a win-win situation.  A big thanks to my friend Mandie for telling me about these programs! XOXO

It's the little things that we can all do - just imagine if we all did our part - what an improvement we could make.  I have to ask myself, WHAT WOULD ELPHABA DO? :)

{ My Hands }

So, Tuesday is always a work day for me. My Mom (who is an absolute SAINT, and without her, I would not be able to do what I do) comes to pick up my kids in the morning, and off they go – as fast as their little legs will carry them – to Mamaw’s car. “Bye-bye Mama!” says Lily (17 months) as she toddles out the door. “Have a great day, Mama!” says Mac (2 1/2 years). There I stand in the doorway, blowing kisses and waving frantically, yelling out “I looooooove you!!!!!” a million times. Away they go – and I begin working like a bee. 

While I am living my dream and my passion through photographing your children, there are days like today when I miss my sweet peas until my heart aches. I am so thankful for the days that I am able to be home with them.  Tomorrow is Wednesday, and Wednesday is designated as Mac and Lily day - no email, no voicemail, no work for me - only those two crazy kids of mine.  We might stay in our jammies all day, we might go out, who knows what Wednesday will bring?  Isn't that fantastic?   Woo hooooo for Wednesday!

  May I tell you the intensity, the excruciating joy of participating in your life and watching you grow?

You are my favorite song.  

On my life's list of accomplishments... you are the finest.

Accompanying you to this place has been my sweetest journey.

You have been the vast question for which all my endeavors have been the answer.

As you travel to a place which shall be your home my hands meet in applause and clasp in prayer.

My hands will wave you on and remain open - an invitation to return freely to this place where you learned to fly.

{ “My Hands” by Mary Anne Radmacher }

Mac and Lily – can’t WAIT until you guys come home tonight, busting through the door - and I'm back to being Mommy, at your beck and call, just how you like it :) XOXOXOXOXO

{ Defying Gravity - Wicked }

So, this is totally photo un-related....but, I just have to share.  I am still REELING from my night last night - I went with the girls to see Wicked at the Aronoff, and I am absolutely speechless.  Run out, run fast, jump, fly, do whatever you have to do to get your tickets - it was nothing short of amazing.

Click here to take a peek at the wonderful-ness! (Not the same cast, but you can still catch the drift).

Do we look excited?  This was right before the show and right after we bought our Wicked t-shirts (I got the purple one you can see in the background that says I heart Oz)!

A couple more photos - *sniff* *sniff* - girls, can we go again?  Pleeeeeease?

Girls - THANK YOU for such a wonderful evening!  XOXO