the ring
the wedding
the belly
the birth
the baby
the family
the kids
please vote: 5 stars!
Posted on November 22, 2009
Webster’s YouTube video of The Miracle at Moss field was entered into a contest with State Farm and to WIN they needs lots of VIEWS and lots of VOTES… so please watch the video HERE and give it a 5 star rating!
(I would embed it here but then it wouldn’t count as a “view” so please follow the link… the video is ONE minute!)
THANKS!
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a day at home with swine flu.
Posted on November 21, 2009
At the end of today my care giving abilities are at an all time low.
And it’s not that today was bad. Or that I don’t love my family. And it’s not b/c Chris is faking it, he still feels really awful. It’s just hard to be in charge of everyone, care for everyone, all day and all night long for days and days.
I think I’m just tired. And the week has taken a toll on me. And the worry over Chris is passing and leaving me feeling deflated.
BUT. For the first time in a long time I had the camera out during the day today. For all those random moments I used to capture. Before we were shooting 5+ times a week. And it was so nice. To capture those random moments.
Because as much as I love our clients and as proud as I am of our work, this is my life. And what I want to remember. Exhausted or not!
Those were all taken before 8am. My kids are BUSY in the early morning! Then Bailey and Parker wanted to take some… luckily I had just showered for the first time in THREE days!
Then we headed out to get the kid’s the H1N1 vaccine… I’m hoping that actually being exposed to it will help build up some antibodies too! Bailey is proud of her stickers…
Lunch and naps then a trip to the MacBrydes house to hang out before dinner… where the kids put on a concert…
My kids were into it a little more than Kate at this point! HA!
And random… Angie had this one sad rose growing… I thought it was kind of beautiful…
So that’s it. Chris stayed in bed all day and the kids and I ran around. It was a good day, busy, but my patience at bedtime was pretty low. I hate it when I know I’m just tired and I take it out on my kids. But I know it happens to the best of us and tomorrow is a new day! I can always be more patient tomorrow.
Or at least try!
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Chicago at Christmas
Posted on November 21, 2009
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from bell to buzzer.
Posted on November 20, 2009
Today was one of those days.
In the end it was good. I mean, looking back at the end of today, it was good. And the end was good too.
It was just a day that I didn’t sit down until almost 10pm. A day I went from the dryer buzzer to a poopy diaper to “color with me Mommy” to client emails to the phone ringing to caring for Chris to well, you get the idea.
Truly, I’ve had so much help with the kids I can’t complain. Because if they were here 24-7 right now it would push me over the edge. My concern for Chris, the house, our work, etc. My plate feels pretty full right now. But I can’t complain because we have SO MUCH help and are so blessed.
Did I tell you that yesterday while we were at the hospital my mom sent down her cleaning lady to strip and remake our bed and clean the bathroom? To help de-germ our house. And she also went out and bought new pillows and new sheets b/c I wasn’t there to do laundry and the idea of sleeping on “sick” pillows freaked me out. And my MIL went out and bought a new shower curtain rod, curtain and liner b/c when Chris had projectile puke on Tues I couldn’t figure out how to clean the little rolly-ball-thingys the curtain hangs on (yes his puke went that high) so I freaked, yanked the whole thing down and threw it away. Have I mentioned I HATE throw up? OMG. Hate it.
And like I said, the kids have been so well cared for. And they are happy. And had some good time at home today but are sleeping again at my in-laws b/c last night I was up with Chris a lot… he was having some intense hallucinations. And the thought of being up with him and then getting up at 5am with the kids seemed like too much. Because you know, right now I am hanging on by a thread.
It’s just the worry I guess. Which should be gone because although Chris is still in serious and intense pain (head and neck) he is starting to feel better. Or at least he could handle light today. And got out of bed to shower. It’s just all the other worry too. Like how are we going to pay for all of this, how long will he feel so bad, praying the kids don’t get it, praying I don’t get it, hating how behind in work I am, the pile of laundry (even after the NINE loads I did today), etc.
My plate feels full.
But the best part?
It’s full with good stuff too. It’s like I’ve just mentioned the veggies and left off the best part… dessert!
The kids ARE healthy and I feel fine too. My Christmas shopping is almost done and it hasn’t bankrupted us. Our clients are so understanding that sometimes life does get in the way. We have the most amazing family and friends who support us through the good and bad times. Chris will feel better and H1N1 is a whole heck of a lot better than Meningitis. The laundry will get done eventually and at least now we all have clean underwear.
So my plate is full and as I sit here, needing to go to bed I just feel thankful.
And I feel the need to say thanks to you for letting me just talk and for not making me feel bad for not posting any new photos in a few days. And for the constant comments and emails full of support.
It’s killing me but I’m going to go to bed without watching the Project Runway finale! Something to get me through all the filing I will do in the morning before I pick up the kids! HA! Don’t tell me who won!
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while I sit in the hospital…
Posted on November 18, 2009
1. Thanks. Seriously. Your emails and comments have kept me from freaking out today. The kindness, prayers, offers of help, etc. People make fun of me for blogging sometimes and all I want to say to them is SUCK IT. Blogging is awesome and this is the perfect example. The people I’ve “met” enrich my life, and my family’s life, in ways I never could have expected when I started this blogging journey two and a half years ago. Thanks.
2. An update: They have now ruled out meningitis and are leaning more towards H1N1 but his lack of upper respiratory symptoms is puzzling. They have now done another flu swab and more blood work. He is still in pretty intense pain… headache and neck pain. No more fever and no more vomiting. The light is still bothering him so we’ve been sitting in the dark all day, me here at the computer catching up on THOUSANDS of blog posts and pretending to have the attention to work while he sleeps. Overall it’s great news the meningitis came back negative but frustrating they still don’t know much. Wishing we could go home. Missing the kids. Hating myself for basically missing Parker’s birthday. But glad we are in a place for C to get better. Praying better comes quick.
3. Thought today was a great time to do some link love!
4. Let’s start HERE which seems to be a new company with lots of cute ideas for the kind of party I will throw for Parker when I get home and have time. Even if that’s in December!
5. I love THIS post on Davina Fear’s blog! Perfect for me to read today.
6. When I can find time I am totally making this: HERE. Holy crap it is CUTE!
7. I love THESE vintage Christmas postcards! LOVE.
8. My Kick Ass necklace came from HERE and I’ve bought a few Christmas gifts from there already. I love my necklace and love gifting people things I adore!
9. I really want THESE for Grayson this year for Christmas! Might just be next weeks purchase (I’ve been buying 1-2 Christmas gifts a week since August to break up the cost and I’m ALMOST done!)
10. Another possible must have this Christmas under the tree is from THIS store… i LOVE handmade toys!
11. Growing up my mom always bought us one ornament a year so that when we grew up we’d have the start to our Christmas tree. I’ve started that tradition with my kids and one of them might get THIS for this year as I adore it… or maybe I just get it!
12. I wanted one of THESE last year and think I will get it this year for Parker…who is my little artist!
13. This is turning into a Christmas shopping post! HA! Totally unintentional!
14. I love to see my kid’s names on everything but THESE are pretty darn cute!
15. Last but not least… we have amazing clients who appreciate the work we do and understand that our prices are not unreasonable for our art… but we do at times get people that question our pricing. Which we understand b/c we don’t claim to be the cheapest photographers on the block. We hope to be the best. And when I read THIS article I realized that we are doing the right thing but also have a long way to go to actually make money. I think most people assume we pocket all the money we make. But we don’t. A huge chunk goes to Uncle Sam plus we spend a lot just to run the business. Anyway, if you are at all interested in learning more about WHY we charge what we charge or if you are thinking about going into photography yourself… read THIS first!!! It’s scary and insightful but so so true! My favorite part is when she talks about what you pay for other things… like the flat screen tv or the computer you’re reading this on. In the end of your life your photos will mean a whole heck of a lot more than your tv or computer. What is the one thing you’ll run into a burning house for (assuming your family is outside)? Your photos. Period. Love this article!
16. Hospitals run SOOOOOO SLOW! WTH? We’ve been waiting for over an hour for our update I asked to have immediately so I could know if I can go to dinner with the kids or not. All I want to do is go home and cuddle with my kiddos. All I can do is sit here and wait for slow-ass doctors to tell us what’s wrong. I’m frustrated. For sure. So before I take a turn for the negative I will leave you to waste time looking at all these fun links! HA!
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Three.
Posted on November 18, 2009
Happy birthday sweet girl.
We love you madly.
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today.
Posted on November 17, 2009
Today Grayson said “Hi Mama.”
Clear as day. On the phone with me while at my parent’s house.
They heard it, I heard it, the girls heard it and we all cheered.
Because he’s never even really said Mama before. He doesn’t really talk at all. But I know that’s my fault b/c I let him keep his paci in his mouth 24-7. Because you know, it’s just plain old quieter that way.
But hearing his sweet (and kind of deep) voice say “Hi Mama” literally melted me into a puddle.
And it was exactly what I needed tonight, as I was calling to say goodnight to the kids. Because MAN what a day we’ve had.
A day that is ending with me asking for prayers for Chris. Lots and lots of prayers as he is in the hospital with viral meningitis.
Or what they think is viral meningitis as we won’t get the spinal tap results until tomorrow night.
No matter what it is, he is one sick guy and I would love to ask for prayers on his behalf. Or on my behalf because frankly, I could use them too.
I’m exhausted but wanted to get this prayer request sent out to all our amazing blog readers before going to bed. I will update you as we learn more.
Oh, and tomorrow is Parker’s birthday. My little girl is turning 3 and we barely get to celebrate. Luckily she’ll be happy with a pancake breakfast at Grandma’s and my hastily wrapped packages in the morning before I head back to the hospital! And we can celebrate next week when C is better.
Thanks in advance for the prayers… I wouldn’t write this if I didn’t appreciate what these prayers can do!
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