Lately...

Outside my window..it's snowing lightly.  it rained earlier & it's been cold this week.

Today I feel..sick 

I am thankful..for our new home! & all of the help we've received from family to get us settled!!
I am listening..to the Traveler soundtrack by Chris Stapleton on repeat these days!  i bought the album for Adam, but I'm the one most obsessed ;)

I am smelling..this Glade plug in that my MIL recommended.  so good!

Tomorrow I am going..back to work.  Finally.  I have worked a part of one day since December 22nd, so I'm super behind!

I am wearing..leggings, long sleeved tee, & a vest

I wish..I was able to start working out this week like I had planned {damn sickness}
I am planning..decor for the new house! :)

This weekend..we're planning to go to the lake
I miss..Murdock.  Always.

I am reading..Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky {great so far!}

I am working on..Getting the new house organized.  preparing for the new year.  taxes.

Yesterday I..was in bed nearly all day.  sinus infection & the flu :(
I want to..lose some weight, again

I am hoping..to get everyone healthy & then work on our winter bucket list :)

I am hearing..all the new noises of the house! {heater, fireplace, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer}
I need to..take the time to work on the kids' photo albums from the past several years. sigh.
I am excited..to set my new year's resolutions!  i know...i'm a dork!
I bet you didn't know..I still haven't uploaded Christmas photos from my camera!! {eek!}

Random...

Because I feel like I haven't just blabbed for a while...

Outside my window..it's flurrying.  I'm sure it won't last, but still...it's NOVEMBER!

Today I feel..overwhelmed.  excited.

I am thankful..for so many things...from heat {because it's freaking cold out!} to new business opportunities.  

Tomorrow I am going..work. gym. dinner. baths & bed for the kids. edit. bed.

I am wearing..work clothes.  Wishing I was wearing sweats, but after work I'll be wearing gym clothes, so it will be a bit yet!

I wish..my photography website would build itself!
I am planning..friendsgiving. 

This weekend..I have a {baby} photoshoot, then friendsgiving, followed by a {business} photoshoot, & a final {newborn} photoshoot.  Plus lots of editing.  And hopefully cleaning.  And laundry...always laundry!

I am reading..Fly Away by Kristen Hannah

I am working on..building a photography website

Yesterday I..worked, worked out, did the usual nightly routine with the kiddos, edited & went to bed.
I want to..make a blog book, finish several photobooks for the kids, finish my photography website, & update my blog.

I am hoping..do all of that by the end of the year.  Lofty goal, I know, but maybe?!

I am hearing..Take Me To Church by Hozier
I need to..start Christmas shopping & working on our tax info for the accountant, you know since I don't do anything ALL YEAR at then have to do 12 months in 2 days usually!
I bet you didn't know..my sister started a business!

life update

I'm fighting the urge to go get the kids from daycare early, but the idea of spending $60 for Cullyn to spend 2 1/2 hours and Jordyn 1 hour makes me leave them there and use this time for something productive.  Like editing the 5000 photos that need finished {and this super important blog post obviously}

It's cold it Iowa right now.  Like the high is 47 today.  Ugh!  Two weeks ago I was rescheduling photo sessions due to extreme heat and humidity.  Today I rescheduled because because it's too cold {& rainy} for a one year old or three year old.  Photographer problems.  Also?  It's supposed to be like 30* tomorrow morning.  So much for tailgating for the Iowa/Iowa State game. :(

I'm wrapping up deals for Jordyn's 3rd birthday.  I'm still in denial.  Three.  Really?!  Also, I've had 'post Cullyn's 1st birthday photos' on my to do list since April.  Maybe before he's 1 1/2?!

Jordyn turns three on our five year wedding anniversary.  My mom offered to take our kids for the weekend so we could go somewhere to celebrate.  I'm totally torn.  I want to spend a long weekend in Galena, IL, but every time I think about the money we would spend, I feel like it would be smarter to put it towards some debt.  Or pay for Jordyn's birthday and Christmas expenses.  But I wonder if I'll look back and wish we took the time to celebrate our anniversary.  After all, who cares if we pay the car off two months early.  Gah…being an adult sucks sometimes.  Especially times like when I got a letter in the mail from the IRS yesterday saying we owe $700 for an error on our 2012 taxes.  Really?  Or the fact I still need to renew the tags on both of our cars.  Can I just be 17 again?!

Photography is insane right now.  I finished one wedding this week.  I'm hoping to finish another wedding this weekend.  And I shoot my last wedding of 2014 next weekend.  I had my first inquiry for 2015 this week, so I'm getting excited about that.  Also, I'm trying to get a website together.  And I'm hoping to do my first wedding show next year.  And, I got a credit card machine.  I'm feeling so official now!  Maybe someday I'll be able to go full time!!!

Okay, I have photos to edit and only a couple of hours left before I pick the kids up from daycare, so I better get focused.  Have an awesome weekend everyone.  And GO HAWKS!

Today was a no good, very bad day.  Work is fricking INSANE!  New students this time of year, so that just adds to the madness.  To say I'm very overwhelmed is an understatement.  Something is going to have to give, soon.  :(

My kids are gone this weekend.  Adam took dropped them with my parents while I did a photoshoot last night because I had to work today and we don't have a Friday sitter.  I'm SO incredibly thankful for my mom watching them {and keeping them all weekend since we have adult activities going on} but I'm always extra emotional and out of sorts when they're gone.  :/

My to do list is a mile long…the bank, the dmv {UGH!}, the bike shop, the shoe store, clean the house, edit {x5!}, the post office, email clients, stop by a clients house to finish her photo assignment, etc. but the only thing I'm focused on is getting a nap {which will hopefully help my mood! but unfortunately makes me miss Mudock--he's the best snuggler!} and going out with my husband tonight.  BRING IT!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

PS…Let's hope our weekend picks up a little, on our first kids free night, we bought Chinese takeout and sat on the couch watching recorded TV {we rented movie, but never even watched it} until we both fell asleep on the couch {me} and chair {Adam}.  This is the {married} life! :)

I promise, my next post will be more upbeat! :)

Mishmash

I'm so ready for a 'normal' week.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good holiday week, but Adam and I both commented that it's time for life to settle down again.  

We've watched several movies lately.  None of them great, unfortunately.  We rented

One For The Money, Tower Heist, The Expendables, The Expendables 2, and Safe House.  I ordered Sons of Anarchy: Season 4 today, so I can’t wait to get that in. 

We Adam and my sister Ashley are planning to paint the guest room turned toy room next weekend, so I’m excited to get that project started!  Photos to come! :)

We went to the lakehouse this weekend and watched our niece [A] play basketball.  She’s a freshman, but made her first basket on the Varsity team this weekend, so that’s exciting.  We also watched the Vikings lose so that was less than fun.  At least we had good friends and good food for the game! :)

Sunday was a much needed family day.  This emotional pregnant mama wanted nothing more than a day with her family.  So we packed up and headed home early.  We sorted through our newborn clothes for the little man and made our first couple of purchases for him! ;)  No worries, we made a few for Jordyn too! 

Speaking of Jordyn, we have her toddler bed {say what?  where did the time go?!} together and in her room.  Oh my word, that is going to be a task!   Girlfriend thinks it’s an indoor trampoline.  For a girl with no fear, I see an ER trip or six in our near future.  We haven’t started the transition yet, but I don’t think it will go down without a fight.  I’m ordering the bedding this week and we’ll go from there.

My youngest sister Alicia started her student teaching yesterday, so we had dinner with her and my other sister Ashley and her new boyfriend last night.  It was fun to catch up.  We've been so busy we haven’t been meeting for our weekend dinner date. 

Only 7 more pay periods before this baby comes, which isn't really what I’m concerned about….it’s the fact that it means there are only seven more times I earn PTO, which means that most of my maternity leave will be unpaid.  Which really sucks because we have to pay for Jordyn’s daycare spot at the new sitter during my maternity leave, when she won’t be there [and I won’t be making any money]. 

I’m itching to get out and take some photos.  Iowa winter is no fun for a photographer.  Maybe I’ll take Jordyn’s Valentine’s photos next weekend…

ten on tuesday..

..I'm more excited for the holidays this year than I ever remember being before.  Bring on the lights, decor, and christmas music!  Perhaps it's because it's the first time I've been preggo over Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Let the family dinners begin! :)

..Our appliances get delivered to the lakehouse today, so ready for that!

..I know I said I would quit posting about Jordyn each month, but the closer she gets to 13 months, the more I feel I need to document a little.  I mean who doesn't want to remember that she loves to clap right now.  And that she opens her mouth completely to give kisses.  And bananas are her favorite thing ever!

..Next year, when I'm not preggo, I'm totally organizing a holiday bake day with all the awesome ladies in my life!

..Speaking of preggo...can you believe I'm {almost} 1/2 way done with this pregnancy?! 

..I'm craving a family vacation to Michigan this summer, but I started looking online and holy whoa!  Probably won't be able to swing that! :(

..Speaking of bills...we're going to have 'double daycare' for FOUR years...yowzers! 

..And more about money...I'm so, so, so wanting a minivan right now! 

..This 30 days of thanfulness has been awesome.  I've started it a couple of years, but never made it past a week or so.  I think I'll make a blogpost at the end with everything I chose to be thankful for this month. 

..My phone is almost 100% done.  It powers off for no reason and will say fully charged and quit.  Sometimes taking the battery out work, sometimes you just have to wait it out.  Very unreliable right now.  So?  I'm begging my husband to get iPhones.  The only problem with that is that we have to switch service providers and the carrier we use now is basically the only one that works at our lakehouse at all.

Train of Thought...

More randomness...it seems to be all I can pile together lately.  Work is crazy this week...in every way!  Speaking of crazy...Last night I went shopping with my sister for all of my 'Pinterest Party' supplies.  2 1/2 hours, 5 stores, miss cut wood, stollen paint chip samples, a forgotten wallet, & a million giggles later...we're set!  I'm so excited! :)  Another thing that made me excited yesterday...winning Alison's awesome Owl Shirt Giveaway for Miss J!  Super duper excited...I never win anything!  :) Winning has me thinking of free which has me wondering...How in the world do those 'free fonts' that you can download offline work?  I mean I get them downloaded [& saved] but how in the world do you actually use them?  Anyone?  So that annoys me...want to know what else does?  The fear of walking around with my dress tucked into my underwear.  Don't laugh...I have a legit reason for the fear.  The last time I wore a dress to work [about 6 months preggo with J, if I remember right] I walked right out of the restroom in the Physician lounge and a doctor saw my dress [skirt actually] tucked into my BRIGHT RED SILKY UNDERWEAR!  Ugh!  He was very night about it, but still it's super embarassing!!  Another depressing thought, our car just hit 60,000 miles...no more warranty.  SCARY!  :/  But...the good thing about looking at my dashboard this morning...it was 41* on my way to work [befor 5am].  That's amazing for Iowa...in February! :) 

Aren't you glad you got to follow my brain for 5 minutes?! :) 
Happy Wednesday!

Mishmash!

I'm feeling very random today, so here goes...

We've eaten grilled food for dinner every night this week. And? I'm LOVING it! The past three days have been almost 60* and it’s been great! Such a nice surprise for an Iowa winter.

As much as I loved the sunshine and warmth this week, I’m secretly ecstatic for the possibility of a huge storm this weekend! 8-10 inches are predicted, so we’ll see! :) There would be nothing better than to get to the lake house and getting snowed in for the weekend!! A girl can dream! :)


Adam and I are getting into the Sons of Anarchy series [late, I know!]. We’re finishing season 1 tonight and if all goes as dreamed planned this weekend, maybe we’ll get to watch all of season 2 at the lakehouse with snow falling & the fireplace crackling!


We just booked a vacation with our friend for May…so exciting! We’re going to South Padre Island for a week! :):):) The car ride should be interesting with me little ones! :) So excited to cross Texas off my list of states to travel, can you believe I’ve never been there?!


Work has been so good and so bad at the same time. I’m reminded every day home much a LOVE the student portion of my job. I love that I am busy & I love tackling some of these big projects [with important due dates]. I don’t however love the attitude of my new secretary! :( Things are getting stressful and it’s just so stupid! I wish like crazy I had someone, anyone to relate to at my job. Hopefully they will hire someone under 55 soon…that would be such a breath of fresh air!


I just found out 3 friends [or friends of friends] are expecting. So exciting! :) And another 3 are due this Spring! :) Can’t wait! Plus, I just got invited to my first virtual shower, so cool right? My friend is out of the country with her husband on military duty, so her family is throwing an eShower where we Skype her. Unfortunately, we’re busy that day! Boo. But it sounds super cool!


I’ve had a couple more people ask me to take photos [maternity, birthday, & infant]. Feeling so blessed!! :) Other photo related news…I have about 1653462084086 photos that need editing. Sigh. Maybe I’ll work on them if we’re snowed in this weekend? A girl can dream I guess.  Oh, and have I mentioned that the only thing my husband has been asking me to do since July is to post photos of our lake house?!  ::horrible wife::  :(


Still with me?  Kuddos to you if you are!  One last thought…Pinterest is being stupid and won’t let me repin.  Just 'like'.  ANNOYING!! :(


Okay…Happy Thursday!

Mishmash! [To Do] Brain Dump!

..I need to blog about lots of stuff..including our 'big news'

..Adam's band played this weekend..so I'm hoping to post a couple of photos

..I'm getting ginormous!

..I have lots of photos to edit

..We went to a great concert this week, hoping to post a photo soon!

..I have about 23098 errands to run tomorrow

..I snuck out of work after lunch today..it was great!

..BIG weekend ahead [hopefully!]  

..my baby sister left for Florida today..I hope she has great weather

..I'm really hoping to post about my [future] brother in laws big new soon

..I have gagillions of emails to respond to and comments to post..so bare with me if you're waiting...sorry! :(

..Did I mention I'm getting HUGE!?

..We had dinner [awesome homemade pizza] with my sister tonight and good friend Jen who is going through a lot right now, so keep her in your prayers!

..I have several things to list on Craigslist soon!

..Did you know we leave for vacation in 3 1/2 weeks...holy cow not ready!  I mean I am, but I'm not really, ya know?!

..I've been playing phone tag with my friend sarah for almost a week :( and I've needed to write my other friend Mel for like a month! :(

..I have a follow up with the ENT tomorrow, so pray for good news!!

..Okay..super tired, so that's a wrap!

Night!

Mishmash!

Wow!  Brain overload, so here come the bullets!

After working almost 14 hours today, I can honestly say I don't know how people do it!  I am EX.HAUST.ED!

So blessed to read that everything looks good with Kate's pregnancy

I feel like we've been go, go, go...I want another weekend!

I attended a top talent program at work tonight and learned just how much of a commitment it will be for the next two years.  I hope to post about it soon.

I'm almost finished with my book...two chapters left.  Do I have it in me tonight?

My sister passed her Life & Health exam for work this morning.  SO EXCITED for her!  She's so smart, but I know this test was tough.  She's taking no break before starting her Series 6 [I think!] exam in just 3 weeks!  Go Ash!

Our friends J&K had their baby!  They also decided to be surprised by the gender.  They welcomed a healthy little BOY yesterday!  We can't wait to meet you little Thomas!  :)

I have tons of posts in my mind, hopefully I'll get some written out tomorrow.  Or at least post our ultrasound photos!  :)  

How was your Monday?!

Alright...I'm calling it a night.  Peace out!

Mishmash!

It's been a while since I've done a Mishmash! post so here's a brain dump...

April Fools Day is Friday...are you guys as excited as I am?  I have a few ideas rolling around my head! :)

I really need to get my camera out.  I have been terrible about taking photos lately!

Yes, for those of you who asked, I did lock myself out of my house two times in two day.  I know! :/

I'm watching more TV than ever before...I blame this on our DVR!  Addicting!

I have more followers than ever, but less comments...interesting!

I'm loving Twitter more now than ever, maybe it's because Nicky and Ashley joined?