Thursday, December 8, 2016

Currently

A quick update...

{making} progress on my to-do list
{cooking}  all things warm and cozy!
{drinking}  a glass of white wine

{reading}  blogs & Wild and Free
{wanting}  to savor every day this holiday season
{looking} for new Christmas tree decor

{praying}  Jordyn's surgeries {tubes, tonsils, and adenoids} go well
{planning}  our 12 Dates of Christmas
{giggling} at the kids' reaction to Elfie

{wishing}  I had more time to get caught up on blogging!
{enjoying} this evening with Adam
{waiting}  for the snow to come!

{liking}  how excited Jordyn is for Christmas
{wondering}  how Adam's Christmas party will go tomorrow night
{loving} our schedule for 2017

{hoping} to paint my nails
{needing}  a spray tan
{smelling}  my new candle 

{editing} my last session for the year
{wearing} these pants and this top--almost every night!
{noticing} how cold it's getting here

{knowing}  I'm super blessed to have a husband who works as hard as Adam for our family
{thinking} how hard this past month has been
{feeling}  so settled in our new house, I can't believe it's almost been a year since we bought this place!

And because a post isn't a post without a photo...here's a picture of the family I used to nanny for.  The twins were 3 at that time...

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Cullyn's New Room | All The Wild Things


Welcome to Cullyn's room.  We aren't 100% done decorating it yet, but I can't wait to show you what we have so far!  I want my sister to make me a few signs yet, but I just can't make up my mind!! And I'm still dreaming of ripping out all of the ugly carpet and replacing it with hardwood! And new doors and trim is on the list, too, eventually.

I appologize for the photo overload.  This room is one of my favorites of the house! :)

The adorable sign you see is ℅ of DistressedLuv and it's bigger than it appears! ;) So perfect for my little man's 'All The Wild Things' inspired room. 

You can see it better here…





My other favorite piece of decor are the arrows FrancisBentley sent us!  They're so perfect in person {detailed shots below}with arrowheads on the from real feathers on the ends we knew we had to hang them high enough to stay out of Cullyn's hands!! ;)  Any since Cullyn likes to climb, we put them on a wall that he could reach from his dresser or his bed.  Emma is offering15% off a purchase of $22.50 or more until 4/30/16 with code murdocksmama in case you want a set for yourself!





The wall behind Cullyn's bed?  MY FAVORITE!!! I had this vision {which my husband wasn't crazy about since it's kind of a permanent thing} and my sister agreed to make it happen {she's got mad skills like that!}. About a day after I mentioned it to her she measured the wall and sent me an excel spreadsheet of the different boards we needed to by complete with a diagram {oh yes, that's totally her style!} And the following weekend {while I was gone for a photoshoot!} she along with the help of her husband, my husband, and my parents made it happen!  I'm still obsessed!  













Details::
Paint | Big Chill by Sherwin Williams 
Wood Wall | my sister {417DesignsIA}
Bed | hand-me-down given to us by Adam's cousin
Sheets | twin size from Kohls
Blanket | old.  from Target I believe
Rug | Kohls
TeePee | old.  from PlayHaven on Etsy
Gold Pillow |  World Market
Deer Head | Target I can't find it online but it was $29.99 in the store
Mirror | old from our wedding.  Target
TeePee sign | Hobby Lobby They have tons more cute ones! And they're 40% off with the HL app!
Greatest Adventure block | Hobby Lobby They're 40% off with the HL app!
Dresser | old. from IKEA
King of All Wild Things sign | DistressedLuv on Etsy

More of our house::
The rest of the house here.  Jordyn's room here

Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Lake House {3 Years Later...}

On June 30th, 2011 we bought our lakehouse.  It was built in the 1960's and hadn't been updated since.  I have so many plans for this house, but it's always fun looking back to see how far we've come.  

In 2011, we made some bigger {more urgent} changes.  Tore out all flooring, painting everything, added hardwood & carpet, painted kitchen cupboards, redid the fireplace, tore out tons of overgrown trees/bushes etc. 

In 2012, we redid the entire bathroom & got new kitchen appliances.

In 2013, we installed new windows & doors, insulated the attic, replaced the soffit & fascia, and started siding the house.

In 2014, we finally purchased a table! :)

Repainted the guest room & decorated in an Iowa Hawkeye's theme.



Finished siding the house... 


Added a parking area to the bottom of the drive & a retaining wall at the top of the drive...


Added a few smaller details like hooks to hang the hammock between the trees in the front yard, add a bottle opener to the tree, install a tire-swing for the kids, etc. 

Installed four outdoor lights...

And hung a new kitchen light {not pictured}

A few other snapshots of the interior...






In 2015, I hope to finish the trim around the interior windows of the house & mount the TV! :)

Friday, September 12, 2014

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!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

What's Going On


We have been so busy, I've done a terrible job updating this space!  I currently have 31 drafts waiting to be finished and published!  Since I don't have time for that {obviously!} I'll give a brief rundown

[Murdock]
Actually healthy!  We've been weaning some of his meds away, so he's down to two pills, once a day!  Unfortunately he still thinks he's hungry all.the.time, but knock on wood, he's doing really good.

[Cullyn | 1 Year]
Just turned ONE! {this blog post is one of my top priorities!}  I have yet to take his one year photos {sad mama!} because we were rained out, but I'm praying things will fall into place and I can get them taken this weekend!  He had his 12 month well check yesterday and is in the 11 percentile for weight....such a little man!  But, he's got 12 teeth, he maybe that's why he's been a biting machine the last couple of months! :(  I'm totally surprised, but he still isn't walking!  He's taking steps {has been for months} but has no desire to walk.  Jordyn did at 13 months, so I would imagine he'll start anytime now. {they have been so similar with stats/milestones}  Also, he's getting used to the grass.  He will pretty unsure the first few times! :)

[Jordyn | 2 1/2 Years]
This little girl turned 2 1/2 yesterday--how is that possible?!  I'll do a separate update since her last one was 6 months ago.  But long story short, she is too smart for her own good!  She's definitely started with the two year old attitude!  Luckily, her heart is as big {or bigger} than her mouth!  Nothing melts me faster than when she runs up to one of us and gives us a hug or kiss for no reason. :)  She's also mainly potty trained.  She's started having a few accidents here or there {mainly not wanting to come inside to go!} but she's 95% trained, which is nice.  She's also begging for a boat ride now that we've been at the lake more, so I'm excited to see her reaction once she's out on the water.  Last year she was just 18-24 months during lake season, so I'm anxious to see if she really remembers what it's like.  I'm also curious how swimming lessons are going to go.  She hasn't had them since she was 6 months, so I'm a little nervous!  They both start class on May 1st.  Speaking of May 1st, I've started planning MayDay baskets for the kids to take to friends' :)

[Me]
Work is pretty crazy {busy} right now, isn't it always?!  I have a new boss, and new office, but other than that it's the same.  Photography is actually slower right now {only because we're so booked with personal stuff that I can't open any time for sessions--boo!}.  Because of personal stuff like I mentioned, we've had an increased need for night sitters.  It's amazing how everyone wants to babysit when you have a newborn and a year later you can't beg someone to watch your kid {for money!} Our one and only night sitter is now in a serious relationship and almost 100% sitting.  So we tried another girl.  She was okay.  Great with the kids {which is most important} but just okay in other areas.  Okay, that was a rant.  On to other things...I've been doing a bit of photography for my 'real' job and it's been fun.  They've now hired me for three annual projects which is exciting! :)  I've had several people ask for an update on my half marathon progress, working out, classes, weight, etc. so I'll do a separate post on that {someday!}.  Life has been insanely crazy, I'm happy to have Easter and Cullyn's party over {not happy that he's already ONE!}, anxious to finalize the details for my sister's bachelorette party {next weekend!}, happy to have had a little me time lately {got my hair and nails done before Cully's party and went to a fundraiser with some girls another night}, excited for our Spring {picnics, park fun, activities for the kids, etc.}

[Adam]
His work is crazy {stressful}, too.  He's ridiculously excited {as always!} for lake season.  That is definitely his happy place.  So I foresee lots of campfires, boating, fishing, golfing, & quality time with friends and family!  His need to be social is one of my most favorite {and frustrating!} things about him! :)  He has lost almost 30 pounds since January!  He is so good about tracking every single thing that goes into his mouth.  I would love to get him to do a post about dieting/weight loss/lifestyle changes.  I think it would be interesting to see it from a man's perspective since I feel like women are always saying 'I'm watching my weight, counting calories, etc.' so it's normal {& I always feel like we have a support system} but it has to be different when you're with a bunch of guys {think work lunch or social golf outing--not BFFs} and have to pass up a beer because they're 200 calories a pop, or ask for a low-cal menu, etc.  Okay, another rant!  Anyways he's looking fabulous and most importantly feeling awesome!  He's even been suggesting family walks in the evenings which totally makes my heart explode! :)  Other than all of that, his band has some fun gigs lined up {balloon festival--my favorite, street dances & bar gigs, and even a gig at the marina near our lake house!}

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Life Lately

Cullyn is suddenly a little boy.  He prefers a sippy cup of milk {his sister's} over a bottle of milk.  He insists on holding his own bottle.  He is 100% on table food. I can't believe he isn't walking yet, but he's almost standing unassisted.  He is into everything, all of the time!  Last night he climbed out of the bathtub, sat on the bathroom rug and peed.  As much as it drives me crazy, I love it.  He's all boy!  For that, I'm thankful.  I can't believe I'll be taking his 11 month photos this weekend.  And I made his first birthday invites yesterday...how is that possible?!

The weather yesterday has me craving spring so badly.  It was sunny and 65.  I left work early, ran home to change clothes, and grabbed a load of stuff to drop of at the consignment shop.  Then I grabbed the kids early from daycare.  I had planned to take them to the park, but it was pretty muddy and it we only had a half hour before my class started at the gym, so we grabbed froyo and ate it outside instead.  Side note:this was our first froyo experience {and we didn't get that much} but it was so cheap!  Is this normal?  I mean our bill was less than $1.50.  Again, we just shared a small one and I had a 10% off coupon, but we did get a few toppings and yogurt isn't cheap.  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I was shocked how cheap it was.  Anyways, after working out, Adam took Cullyn inside and started supper so Jordy and I went outside to splash in the puddles.  It was so much fun.  She was giggling like crazy saying 'do dat gin mama' :)

Speaking of Jordyn, she's speaking in full {adorable!} sentences all of the time.  {*I need to get that sweet voice recorded, I am so bad at video!} Anyways, I can't get enough of my adorable Jordy right now.  She's essentially a mini me.  She insists on doing everything herself {getting dressed-everything, getting in and out of her the car, opening/closing doors, etc.} and hates to have her hands dirty.  We hear 'need a keenex, peese' {Kleenex, please--she really means napkin} a lot.  Speaking of saying one thing and meaning another, she totally has hot and cold and up and down mixed up.  For instance, she always says 'mama, window up, peese' when she really wants it down.  Or if something is hot {water, food, etc.} 'dat cowd' when she really means hot. I'm assuming this is normal {I'll confirm with our pediatrician at Cullyn's 1 year appointment}, but for now it's just adorable.

The other day one of my students asked me where my dress was from {she wanted to go one} and I had to tell her it's a maternity tunic.  I was totally embarrassed!  {side note: makes me feel better about 'splurging' for the Jessica Simpson piece last year--haha!} Nope, I'm not pregnant, I just haven't got myself new clothes since I had Jordyn.  Sad, I know!  So, I've been on the lookout for cute clothes since then.  I scored 3 tops {+ a pair of leggings for J}from SexyModest for $100.  And I got two new tunics {I've been into leggings lately} for $35.  I'm trying to find universal pieces that I can layer {read: not chevron} at a decent price.  I also splurged on a pair of Sperry {hello, Florida wedding this year!} and Hunter boots {an absolute must for a photographer in Iowa this year!}  Oh and I also got two new sports bras, two workout tanks, and a pair of capri leggings from Old Navy to workout in for less than $75.

Speaking of working out, Adam has lost over 20 pounds & I'm down 15.  I'm hoping to write more about that one day next week.  Our routine, what's working for us, etc.  Including a reader request for tips on the treadmill and keeping you focused at the gym.

Okay that's all I have time for today…I have one more big topic on my mind, but it'll have to wait.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Currently...

Outside my window..it is raining.  It's supposed to turn to sleet and then snow, with 45 mph winds, before noon
Today I feel..overwhelmed.  happy.  productive.
I am thankful..for healthy babies.  I can't believe Jordyn is almost 2 1/2 and Cullyn turned 10 months yesterday.  How is this possible?!
Tomorrow I am going..to have my MIL come to watch the kids because I have a photoshoot in the morning.  Then I want to spend the afternoon just playing with the kids
I am wearing..dress pants that I haven't fit into since Adam and I first met
I wish..weight loss were quicker & more noticeable...haha! :)
I am planning..Cullyn's 1st Birthday.  Okay, I haven't started yet, but I really need to!
This weekend..I have two photoshoots, a wedding reception, & hopefully church
I am reading..Promise Me by Barbie Bohrman
I am working on..packing my office up because I'm moving to a new location
Yesterday I..worked, worked out, & did the usual nightly routine
I want to..make a blog book {for 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013 posts}  Anybody have any suggestions of a company to use?
I am hoping..transfer a bunch of photos from my computer to my external hardrive and then transfer all of the photos and video from my iPhone to my computer and also my hardrive.  It's going to be an all weekend process, but I'm determined to clear out my phone because it's a constant source of stress for me.  I would love to be able to put some new kid apps on it for Jordyn or take a photo/video without having to delete a bunch of other stuff. 
I am hearing..Right There by Ariana Grande
I need to..start getting our outfits together for family photos {YAY!!} and Cullyn's 1st Birthday photos.  Any color scheme suggestions?!
I bet you didn't know..We still haven't made an appointment to get our taxes done.  I sure hope we don't have to pay in because we won't have much time to save!


Happy {almost} Friday!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

2012 Lakehouse Updates

We didn't do nearly as many updates to the lake house in 2012 as we did in 2011.  We really tried to enjoy ourselves, knowing that next summer {now this summer} we would have a newborn and a toddler which would mean significantly less time spent on the water.

We redid the bathroom in the winter...

And then purchased new appliances...

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Murdock {5 & an Update}

Happy 5th Birthday Murdock!

I still can't believe our 'first' baby is 5 today.  We've had him for nearly 4 1/2 years!  It seems like just yesterday when I woke up and Adam finally said 'Let's look for a puppy.'  I'd been saying it for a few months and he finally agreed. We went to a pound that afternoon and I picked him up a few days later. I'll never forget counting down the days until we could go get him...it seemed like forever!

We've had our ups and downs--both serious {spending months in Ames finding out he has an autoimmune disorder} and not {cleaning up diarrhea from the back of Adam's car a couple of weeks after buying him because he got nervous in the parking lot when we were out to dinner because I didn't want to leave him home alone--what was I thinking?!} but you have, hands down, been the best dog a family could ask for!  You've never chewed up anything {without help!}, you're always excited to see us, and you're the best big brother ever--you a kind, loving, and let the kids climb all over you without moving an inch!

We love you So, So much!

------------------------------------------

So many of you have asked about Murdock and I know I've been promising an update for months!  Sorry!  To be honest, his status has changed about 5 times since then!  So here is the latest...

Overall, Murdock is doing GREAT!  We've been reducing his medicine which is huge since it's so hard on his body.  We haven't seen a new spot in months which is amazing.  He had a bath the other day and his skin is looking awesome!  Unfortunately, he's starting to have accidents {a side effect of his medicine} so we really have to watch you.  

Today he is doing great.  He's been up and down a few times in the past couple of months.  We know that the medicine he takes is very hard on his organs {especially long term, and especially with large breed dogs}.  The vet told us last summer he has a year or two at best, so we're just thankful for each day we get with him.  With any luck, the kids will remember his amazing of a puppy he is.  

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