What's Up Wednesday

What We're Eating This Week...

I have no idea because Adam has been cooking again -- whoop whoop!  This is a major upside to him being home!

What I'm Reminiscing About...

Life in general.  I've been working on photobooks, so I feel like I've been reliving the past few years -- bittersweet. 

What I'm Loving...

All of the extra family time!!

What We've Been Up To...

Organizing, cleaning, gaming, painting, purging, playing teacher, snuggling as a family.

What I'm Dreading...

How long this dreaded COVID-19 will continue.  Adam was laid off on Tuesday.

What I'm Working On...

Painting the kitchen cabinets -- it's so exciting to see this finally happening!  I've been dreaming about it for almost 2 years!

What I'm Excited About...

Teaching the kids how to type {properly}, we're working on cooking, and then we're going to move onto addressing a letter.

What I'm Watching/Reading...

I've been listening to audio books while painting, so I just finished In Pieces, When Life Gives You Lululemons, Castle of Water, The Perfect Couple, & Grace Not Perfection. 

We've been watching a kids movie about every other night.  I do not recommend My Life As a Zucchini or Wall-E {snooze!}  But we've enjoyed Iron Will and Big Hero 6 this past week.

What I'm Listening To...

Alexa, 'play Elevation Worship on Pandora'

What I'm Wearing...

The best leggings ever, this top, these shoes, & my apple watch.

What I'm Doing This Weekend...

Continuing to paint the kitchen cabinets and a bunch of games and movies with the kids & Adam.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month...

Cullyn's 7th birthday & Easter.  Maybe even coming out of quarantine? 

I'm baaack!

Goodness gracious it's been a long time since I've sat down to catch up!  Like months actually!!  Soo much has happened!  The kiddos have started back to school {1st and 2nd grades!} so it feels like a good time to sit catch up on a few of the bigger things...

I just moved into this office last week, so I'm still getting settled {those shelves need some work & I need a printer stand :} but I'm super excited about my new space. 

• I quit my job at the hospital in Des Moines {after nearly 10 years!} to take a position as the Finance Director for the little city we now live in.  It's so different from my former job, but I am learning SO much and it feels so good to use my brain in a different way!  The job change with 100% a God thing.  I had heard about the opening, but when I finally sat down to apply {on a Sunday} it had closed the Friday before.  I let it go assuming it wasn't meant to be.  Fast forward about 10 weeks, I woke up out of a dead sleep super early one Sunday morning and was hit with the urge to check on the job {I had never done and/or experienced this before}.  Low and behold, the position had been opened back up for applications.  I applied and although it's been a stretch position {I haven't done actual accounting since college 10 years ago} I got the job.  It's like God knew I needed to be closer to home {I get to drop the kids off for school each morning -- I hadn't ever been able to do that before!} great benefits, not too, flexibility, autonomy, etc.  It's just been such a blessing.  So I quit my job the beginning of February, took a trip of our lifetime to the British Virgin Islands with friends, and started my new job the very end of February.  Whew, the rest will be shorter--I promise! :)
   
• We traveled to Colorado as a family, South Carolina {the kids and I}, and road tripped to St. Louis, Tulsa, and Kansas City.  I think my sweet MIL has spent more weekends with our Lola girl than we have! sigh.  Speaking of Lola, she turned 2!  She's such a good pup and is officially out of her kennel {except post lake when she's all wet from swimming}.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Cullyn's photo from 2015 went viral.  He came home from his cousin's house and said, 'Mama, do you know I was fame today?' It was pretty adorable!
   
• I started running again.  I've had this goal to run a marathon for so long and I just can't get it out of my head!  It's been on my Bucket List for years and I just can't shake it.  Now that the kids are older {and the previously owners of our house left us a --crappy, but working-- treadmill} I decided this is the year.  If all goes as planned, I will be able to cross this off the bucket list by the end of October.  {please throw up some prayers if you feel inclined!}
  
• I stepped away from photography.  It was a hard chose, but was necessary.  It's just hard to step away from something you've been building for so long.  With Adam's new job he's home less, so I'm just not able to dedicate the time it needs right now.  I will shoot my last wedding in September and close that chapter...for now.  I'm hoping this decision will also allow me to start taking photos of my own children again!  :)
  
• Not only has school started, but alllll the other things have as well.  Taekwondo {Cullyn} and gymnastics {Jordyn} both started this week.  Piano, for both, will start next week and Clover Kids {4H} and church group will start next month.
   
• Summer was so good to us! {I documented a lot of our bucket list on Instagram} but I'm super excited for fall!  I would say I'm ready for things to slow down, but I know better! :)  This weekend alone we have a going away party, a 90th Birthday for Grandma-Great, Adam's band is playing at the local street dance, I have a long run, church, I'm hosting a bridal shower with my MIL, SIL, and niece for another one of my nieces, my parents both have birthdays, we're having a family day at my BIL & SIL's house, and an outdoor movie night.  That's all in 2.5 days, so I'm hoping Monday involves decorating the house for fall, soup on the stove, some football with the windows open {the weather here is so good right now!}, and a family movie night in the theater room to prepare us for the rest of the week!

PS...I got a tattoo last night!! :)

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!}

Afternoon chat...

Jordyn's first homework assignment.  She had to decorate a feather for the turkey & she chose to use watercolors. :)

If we were hanging out at my house catching up while the kids were playing, here's what I would be saying...

It's been unbelievably windy & rainy the past week or so.  Sticks & limbs are all over the yard.  The temperatures have dropped into the 'normal' range again and it's starting to feel a lot more like Winter than Fall.  It's certainly not helping me finish the last of my outdoor shoots for the year!  Rescheduling sessions is so hard!

Due to said weather, and sick kids, we've been staying in as much as possible.  Adam rented a few movies the other night.  My favorite was The Gift.  Very suspenseful!  I rarely find movies that keep my attention, but this one was great.  Speaking of movie rentals, he picked them up at Redbox & when I went to return them, I realized they took the Redbox location out of the hospital that I work at! Boo :( That was so convenient!  And speaking of movies…Adam has been making us homemade popcorn instead of microwavable and it is so much better!  We just heat coconut oil in a pot on the stove over medium/high heat and add popcorn seeds {& lid!} until it's done.  YUM!

Speaking of food, I won a copy of P90X from a personal trainer on Facebook and Adam has been working out & tracking his food consistently all week.  I'm so proud of him.  I have been totally unsupportive, but I'm hoping when things slow down a bit I'll be able to do the workouts with him.  Yay for healthy choices!

So my excuse for not working out right now is because of time.  I want to say I'm super busy, but in reality, I'm way less busy now than I was a month ago.  I shot my last wedding of 2015 last weekend which is bittersweet.  However, I'm sleeping a lot more than I was a month ago, too.  This time change is totally killing me this year.  I don't remember hardly being able to function after 8p last this before, so I'm blaming it on living in the country with no streetlights and huge windows darkening the entire house.  Adam offered me a glass of wine last night and I had to decline because I didn't even have the energy for that!  Clearly I'm beat! The other crappy part about the time change?  I'm unable to get decent iPhone pictures of my kids Monday through Friday because it's always dark!  Which is really affecting my Instagram game!

The thing I go to sleep and wake up thinking about is our 'new' house.  It's so fun dreaming about the kids running around outside & and what I want their bedrooms and play room to look like.  I'm stressing about the 'look' I want for the house and all the other fun stuff that goes into a new home.  It's good stress, for now at least! ;)

Speaking of stress, Adam won't be home until late tonight.  He's been working his butt off trying to wrap things up before year end.  Anyone with a husband in sales knows all about this! ;)  The anxiety is getting to me, and it isn't even my job!  Cross your fingers! ;)

What's going on in your life?

Happy Sunday

I'm super behind on posting everything {swimming lessons, pools/splash pads, my birthday, new daycare, etc.} I want to, so I decided it was the perfect time for a catch up post. My kids are playing on the deck in a fort I made, so we've got 10 minutes max.  Grab a coffee, or in my case a cold can of Mt. Dew and sit down...

My mom and I shopped with the kids all day yesterday before going to a baby shower and then listening to Adam's band play last night and so we're all dragging a bit this morning.  Actually Adam's still in bed sleeping and I'm up with the kids but very much still lounging.  My sister is coming over today since she's in town for the weekend.  The kids are already jumping off the walls with excitement. :)  I literally fell over Murdock this morning when I walked back into the {dark} bedroom and didn't see him on the floor.

I would say the weather has finally cooled down a bit, but it supposed to be back in the 90's this week, so I guess it was just a bit of temporary relief. :)  Either way, we were happy to get a little time at the parks.  Maybe we'll make one last pool/splash pad run this week.

Speaking of this week.  I have a couple of photo sessions {as I do every week} book club {my first} and a few days of the regular stuff {work/daycare/etc.} and then we're headed to the lake for another long weekend.  I'm super excited! An Iowa football game with my family, Adam's band is playing at a big outdoor concert, play an extra day of lounging with friends and family on the boat…yes please!  Oh and about my first book club…I'm currently on page 7 of 359!  I'm feeling the anxiety of college all over again.  Does anyone have the cliff notes version of The Invention of Wings?! ;)

I feel like I should just cancel our gym membership now.  Fall is insane with photography and I haven't really went since Spring {yes, you can judge me…I am!}  I'm up 10-15 pounds from this time last year {in my defense that was probably the smallest I had ever been, so it wasn't really my normal, but I'm still feeling the effects of the extra weight} :(

Mentioning photography, I've been approached about another exciting opportunity, so once the details have been worked out, I'll tell you all about it. :)

Other semi-big news that I haven't mentioned yet for fear of jinxing it {yes, I know there is no such thing as jinxing and whatever is meant to be will be, but I'm still scared/nervous/excited and pray that it goes through, so I don't talk about it} If all goes as planned, we'll be closing on our condo at the end of September.  This brings all kinds of emotions {as I mentioned last time} but again, we didn't have it listed and the opportunity came to us, so we're taking this as a sign and going with it.  We don't really know what's going on with anything else yet, but I'll keep you updated when we do.  Prayers appreciated.

Okay, the kids are getting rowdy and Adam woke up, so we'll cut this.  Here's to hoping I get caught up this week.  Happy Sunday everyone!

{ing}

I haven't done this since last August, but I saw it over on Amanda's blog and thought it would be the perfect catch up post for today!

{making} Adam sandwiches for lunch 
{cooking}  fish sticks for me--I keep it fancy!
{drinking}  a more water

{reading}  The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks {I'm hoping to rent the movie this weekend}
{wanting}  everyone to go enter my giveaway!
{looking} for a 3 year old preschool program for Jordyn

{praying}  the stomach flu doesn't hit anyone else in our house!
{planning}  Cullyn's 2nd Birthday! How is that possible?!
{giggling} listening to Jordyn's stories :)

{wishing}  the condo were totally repainted
{enjoying} our new gym!
{waiting}  for Spring!  Open windows, outdoor workouts, & park play dates!

{liking}  extra snuggles from Cully
{wondering}  if I'll get my huge work project done on time
{loving} this and this and this

{hoping} to get my photography website done soon! 
{needing}  an eyebrow wax 
{smelling}  this candle

{editing} a 9 mo. session taken at the Botanical Center
{wearing} yoga pants and a hoodie from Express {old, no longer on sale}
{noticing} how badly I want a new wardrobe

{knowing}  I need to get a full oil set soon
{thinking} of all the projects I would like to get done at the houses
{feeling}  tired & overwhelmed

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!

Currently...

Dreading...sleep training Cullyn.  My mom is taking Jordyn {& Murdock} on Wednesday night so we can work on sleep training Cullyn.  He used to be SUCH a good sleeper.  And then he got a few ear infections, and then C-Diff, and then tubes.  Now that we had a follow up with the ENT and his ears are good, we really need to sleep train him.  He's getting up anywhere from 1-12 times a night.  And usually gets a bottle at least once {4-8oz depending on the night}.  I know {from research and speaking with pediatricians & other physicians} that there is no need for a baby older than 6 months to be getting up through the night {it's purely out of habit}.  The snuggles can be awesome since he just wants to cuddle and be rocked, but it's killing us!

Going...to finish my Christmas shopping this week.  I only have a few gifts left.

Hoping...I get several of the blog posts finished are started and sitting in my drafts {including Jordyn's 2nd birthday posts!} 

Listening...to Christmas music 

Loving...reading about everyone's holiday traditions.  So many fun ideas out there!

Planning...the last of our Christmas activities.

Praying...for the family of a man the drown at Lake P on Saturday.  Adam and I are just sick about it.  It's such a small lake and everyone knows everyone, so it's devastating.  I keep playing the scenario out in my head, what if it were Adam, how is his family doing, when will they find him, why aren't they searching anymore until Spring, why did this have to happen right before the holidays.... We are just sick about it.
Reading...NOTHING!  Now that photography is slow again, I am really hoping to start reading again!

Smiling...because we had such a fun day yesterday {full post coming soon}

Thinking...how much fun the holidays are going to be with Jordyn.  I can't wait to see how much more interactive she will be during Christmas this year.

Watching...the movie 42 and some shows from the DVR since we've been gone so much lately.  I just told Adam that I really need to watch more Christmas movies.  I think I've only watched 1 since Thanksgiving--so sad!

Wishing...I had a fun {easy & cheap} treat/gift idea for Jordyn & Cullyn's daycare friends.  Anybody have any ideas?  The kids are 7mo, 8mo, 1, 1 1/2, 2, & 3.  Also wishing my husband would get better.  He's been sick for 6 weeks and today caught the flu. :( 

Working...on catching up at work before the 'year end' rush comes! :/  How can 2013 be {practically} over already?!

I will blog again...

someday!  Until then I'll just use this space to complain about everything…work, weight, friends, money, holidays….

While everyone else is busy seeing taking their kids to see Santa, hanging holiday decor, hosting holiday parties, buying thoughtful, elaborate gifts, and making magical memories...I'll be sitting behind my computer being grumpy and eating my kids Advent chocolates.  The truth is, I have zero motivation for anything right now.  Adam and his dad hung the lights outside at the lake, I threw a little bit of Christmas decor up this weekend, and I've done a decent amount of shopping {from my computer, of course} but other than that…NOTHING!  I just don't 'feel it' this year.  I'm not happy and excited.  I'm broke and exhausted.  I can't even muster the strength to give either of our parents Christmas ideas for me.  It's just that I am so unhappy with how I look that I don't even want to leave my house let alone go and try things on at the store.  Plus everything is so darn expensive that it's hard to justify anything.

If you want my real Christmas list, this would be it…

a weekend in a cozy hotel, out of town, where they would color my hair, massage my body, and bring my room service.  And I could sleep the 'bags under my eyes' away.

or

a weekend by myself at home, where I could sit and finish all of the photo books & blog posts that I've started over the past year.  Where I could actually clean my entire house, like ceiling fans and sheets.  And I could sleep until my heart desired.

I would like all of this without the guilt of being a selfish mom {impossible!} and without feeling like my kids were inconveniencing anyone.  

This & That

Did this:

Finally washed my car {next up?  Taking 10 minutes to vacuum it!}
Jordyn had her first gymnastics class
I had my first 'Ballet' Photoshoot
Stayed home {Oh it felt so good!  No packing, no driving--we hardly left the house!}
Baked all kinds of food
Went on a date with Adam 
Celebrated a friends new job
Watched the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Iowa State Cyclones
Cheered for the Vikings through the nail biting {and very discouraging!} game.
Edited and uploaded {many!} photos
Caught up on lots of A Photo{graphy} work

Instagrammed that:

Ate this: 
Dorito Chicken & Cheese Bake {adapted from Facebook}
------------------------------------
3c. cooked chicken {I used a rotisserie chicken}
1c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken
2c. shredded cheddar cheese
1c. shredded taco cheese
1/2tsp. pepper
1/2tsp. garlic powder
1/2tsp. onion powder
1 medium bag of Doritos chips {crushed}

Spread 1/2 the bag of crushed doritos in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.
Mix cooked chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken, 2c. shredded cheeses, pepper garlic powder, & onion powder together and spread over crushed doritos.  
Top with additional 1/2 bag of doritos and 1 c. shredded cheeses.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350* {until cheese is bubbly}

Edited that: 

Shot this:

Thankful that:
The weather is starting to feel like Fall.  Perhaps this will inspire me to get my decor out of the garage! :)

Baked this: 
Beer Bread {SO easy & super good!  I paired it with a Spinach & Artichoke Dip that Adam made}

Mix 3c. Self Rising Flour, 1/2c. Sugar, & a 12oz. beer {of choice}.  Spread into a greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes at 350*.  Then top with 2Tbsp. melted butter and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

...and Banana Bread & brownies!  :)

Scheduled that:
M::This & That of the Weekend
T::Your Husband Might Be In A Band If Your Daughter...
W::Go Iowa {Football photos!}
T::
F::Josh + Lacy's Engagement Photoshoot

I'm back! {sort of}

Wow...It's been a while since I blogged!

I think about blogging about 57 times a day.  Unfortunately when I finally have time to blog {Read: once both kids go to bed} I am exhausted and take myself directly to bed as well!  If I don't go to bed I'm cleaning, doing laundry, or editing photos.

I have 37 posts started and stilling my drafts {no really!} I swear I'm going to get at least a few of them finished up before I start to forget what I even wanted to say.  A few are vacation related, some are fun things we've done this summer, and most are parenting/baby/life related.

Our family photos are booked {for October 12th!} and the outfit planning {for J's 2nd Birthday, C's 6 Month, Our Little Family, & my Family}has begun.  I'm so excited about the colors, the coordinating, and most of all the finished product!! {Outfit Boards are also on my list to share with you!}

Am I the only one that feels like summer is over?!  Now that I'm back to working full time {4 days a week} it seems like summer is over!  :(  There are just a few more things that we have on the calendar to indulge in before I put my fall decor up {the Iowa State Fair, My Birthday, a Sleepover with our Nieces & Nephews}

Photoshoots are back in full force again.  Which I'm so so thankful for since we have birthdays {mine, my parents, Adams, and Jordyn's} coming up and Christmas shopping has begun.  I'm also thankful because I love them and I hope to get going enough that someday I can make it full time!

Okay...that's all I have time for now.  I'll be back with a bunch more in the next couple of weeks.  Until then, follow me on Instagram.