hello August

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Hello August.

Hello to things slowly getting back to normal.

Hello huge piles of laundry and grocery lists a mile long.

Hello to finally making that summer to-do list with the kids. Only one more month of slow summery days left and I want to soak them up for all their worth.

Hello to grilling every single night we can.

Hello to swimming pools and park splash pads.

Hello to curriculum planning for our upcoming year of preschool and kindergarten.

Hello to taking the time to process everything from the past two weeks. Life has felt a little bit surreal and I really need to slow down and allow myself to reflect more.

Hello to getting the privilege of shooting my childhood best friend's wedding at the end of the month. I seriously can't wait.

Hello to lots of trip to our favorite farm and u-pick berries and tomatoes.

Hello to a possible camping trip as a family. Hoping, hoping it actually happens.

Hello homemade popsicles. Do you have any good recipes to share?

Hello to finally getting around to organizing our hall closet. It needs it. Big time.

Hello to visits from dear friends.

Hello to busting out the camera as much as possible this month. I have hardly touched it the past two weeks and that feels so weird.

Hello to actually finishing my book club book in time to host it in a few weeks.

Hello to trying to see the sunrise at least once this month.

Hello August. I am so glad you are here.

today

Today I still can't believe that I photographed my very first wedding this last Saturday! It was such an incredible day and such a huge honor! Thank you Bob + Andi for trusting me with your special day! And thank you so much to my dear friend Chelle who was my second shooter. She was amazing and we had so much fun together! And now I have about a bazillion photos to edit...

Today I still can't believe how absolutely exhausted and sore I was when I woke up on Sunday morning. I seriously did not expect that. Who knew that being a wedding photographer was such a good workout?

Today I am taking a deep breath. The past week and a half have been absolutely CRAZY! This is what the past 10 days have looked like- family comes into town to celebrate E + E's birthdays, Elliot's 4th birthday party, a big extended family birthday party, Erik's birthday, Elliot's birthday, and then the wedding. And we still have our 11th anniversary to celebrate this Friday! Whew. It has all been so much fun, but I am so so tired! And I feel so behind on everything- emails, phone calls, blog posts, editing...Looking forward to catching up on as much as I can this week!

Today I am loving our little garden. We finally got around to planting most of our seeds + plants yesterday; the start of our garden has been like a month long process! But we are not too focused on success with it this year- it is definitely one big experiment and we are having so much fun with it so far. So far our 16 little squares include sweet peas, a sunflower, peppers, daisies, two different kinds of lettuce, zinnias, basil, and zucchini. I am still planning on planting some strawberries, tomatoes, butter lettuce, and one more kind of flower.

Today I am loving the sunshine! It is finally (finally!) feeling like summer today!

Today my kids pulled the living room curtains completely down while they were playing "ballet recital". I wasn't too happy about that.

Today I feel like one more cup of coffee.

Today I am hoping to catch up on our enormous pile of dirty laundry downstairs.

Today I was sad about sending back the wonderful lens I rented for the wedding. It was pretty sweet. I was not at all sad about sending back the flash I rented though. I don't know if it was me and my lack of knowledge or the flash itself, but we did not have the best of relationships. As someone who has steered clear of flash photography of any kind the past few years, it was hard for me to embrace it for an indoor wedding. Any flash photography tips, dear photographer friends? If I am going to keep on shooting weddings, I definitely need more practice in that area. Oh, and if you are looking for any kind of camera equipment to rent, I had a really great experience with BorrowLenses! Super fast shipping, a big selection, and excellent customer service!

Today I still can't stop thinking about this post from a couple of weeks ago. So so convicting.

Today I am trying not to finish all the hot tamales leftover from Elliot's birthday party.

Today I am trying to think of a sweet baby shower gift for a sweet friend's shower tomorrow night. They are in the midst of both an overseas adoption AND an overseas move right now, so I want to think of something that will really, really bless her. And if you think of it, please pray for them. I can't even imagine going through as much transition as they are facing the next couple of months!

Today I wish the day had 10 more hours than it did.

Today I can't seem to keep Elliot from turning on the water outside. And I don't trust him with a spray hose in his hands.

Today Audrey is busy washing her dolls' clothes outside in a bucket. She was inspired by this book.

Today I am loving loving loving all of the beautiful photography here and the beautiful videos here. So inspiring! This one is my very favorite.

Today this post ended up being a lot longer and wordy than I meant it to be.

Today I have a million + one more things to say, but I need to turn off the computer and get to work!

What are you up to today?

P.S. Check back here later tonight for my latest Dinner at Eight post, just a couple of days late...

today

Today I am loving putting my Pandora on "Quickmix". So, so good.
Today my little family is blissfully happy to be able to play outside all day long. Mama is too. That is until the rain sends us inside...
Today I am still pretty excited about that little change (see photo above) I made recently. A dear friend said it best when she said, "And this from the girl who won't even dye her hair!?"
Today I am putting the final touches on part two of this week's Dinner at Eight. (I know I promised to post it today, but I'm sorry to say, you'll just have to wait until Monday!)
Today was my little ones' preschool picnic. Audrey had so much fun running around like crazy with her friends; Elliot was cold and clingy.
Today I am prepping for a busy day with tomorrow with two family photoshoots out of town. I am super behind in posting shoots on my photography blog, so if you want to take a peek at what I've been up to lately, please check out my facebook page!
Today I am dreaming about planting our squarefoot garden this weekend. If only the rain will hold out...
Today my heart is aching a lot for situations that I just have to keep on putting in God's hands.
Today I am so grateful for all this beautiful book has been teaching me about trust.
Today I am seriously savoring leftovers of this yummy dessert that a dear friend made for me yesterday (you have to try that frosting- it.is.amazing!). She filled up my heart and my stomach!
Today this was just the reminder I needed.
Today I am looking forward to a long weekend.
Today I am so excited for church this Sunday. Our sermon series on Jonah has been just what I have needed to hear lately.
Today I want to make one of these. Actually I wish I could make one for each and every one of you!
Today I loved seeing this sweet friend's kids' bedroom on Ohdeedoh! So exciting!
Today I am getting super nervous and super excited about shooting my first wedding in THREE weeks!
Today I am dreaded (with a capital D) a dear friend's upcoming move.
Today I am loving going to the teeny tiny library versus the bigger one we usually go to. The little space is so much easier to handle with both kids- I never have to worry about them running off and getting lost, which equals a lot less stress for mama! Now if only it were closer...
Today I am really, really wishing for a running buddy.
Today I can't wait to share with you all the God has been working on in my heart lately. Hopefully I can get around to sharing a little more next week...
Today I am wishing for that lovely peony plant that I saw at Costco last night. Oh, it was so lovely.
Today I am hoping that all of you have a wonderful wonderful weekend!

What are you up to today?

today

Today I am so glad we had leftover Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas from last night. I had them for lunch and they were awesome.
Today I love listening to my little ones play + laugh together.
Today I finally found the perfect Easter dress for Audrey.
Today I am still reflecting back on church this last Sunday. It was so good. I really, really love our church.
Today I am really hoping to catch up on emails....
Today I am still feeling pretty blissed out about my brand new camera.
Today I am trying to slow down and really think about Jesus + what Easter is really all about.
Today I owe at least five people phone calls.
Today I am feeling so very blessed.
Today I am going to try to workout. It has been waaaaaaaay too long.
Today I am feeling so happy about this sweet girl finally being here!
Today I just want to sit and read the new book I started yesterday. Really lovely so far.
Today I am loving Audrey's hair in two braids. They make me smile every time I see them.
Today I am thinking about making these for my man tonight.
Today I wish I was better at blog commenting. Kind of goes hand in hand with my emailing struggle...
Today I am feeling so overwhelmed by how good God is.
Today I am feeling completely pursued by Him.
Today I miss friends who live too far away.
Today I am really trying hard not to eat too much sugar.
Today I love seeing how God answers prayers.
Today my almost four year old is testing me BIG TIME.
Today I am shooting for an early bedtime for the kids. Yes, that would be a very, very good idea.
Today I am looking forward to watching Parenthood tonight. Can you tell I am a little bit obsessed with that show?
Today I love hearing Elliot talk about Jesus. My favorite is when he tells the story of Jesus calming the sea and says, "Peace, be still,"  but it comes out more like, "Peas be thill." I just love him.
Today I can't stop thinking about what love really is. Studying the book of 1 John is teaching + convicting me so much.
Today I hear birds singing outside.
Today I still can't get over the snow we had yesterday. It was so weird!
Today I am really glad we haven't planted our garden yet. It would have froze yesterday.
Today I have a million and one photos to edit. I think editing is the most overwhelming part of being a photographer.
Today is slipping by and what do I have to show for it?
Today I am taking lots of deep breaths.
Today I am feeling content.

today

Today I woke up super tired.
Today I decided that coffee was a good choice, even though it usually makes me more sleepy.
Today my little Mister is more than just a little bit whiny + needy. Patience mama, patience.
Today I am super excited about this perfect quiche recipe we tried last night.
Today I am wondering when I will get the call to pick up Annabelle + Jack because their sweet mama is in labor. 
Today I am catching up on my reading of this beautiful book for Bible study tomorrow. We are discussing Chapter 6.
Today I have to run to the store just because we are almost out of toilet paper. Annoying.
Today we are having tacos for dinner.
Today I am praying for friends who need healing, friends who are hurting, friends who need new homes + new jobs, friends who need miracles.
Today I am trying to be more consistent with my kids.
Today I am asking God for lots of grace.
Today my sweet Audrey surprised me by making my bed all by herself. I was so proud of her!
Today I need to catch up on emails. If you know me, you know this is a HUGE struggle of mine.
Today I am thinking about homeschool curriculum. I secretly kind of love it. And yes, I am a little bit nerdy like that.
Today I am dreaming about a new camera.
Today I am going to attempt to fold the gigantic pile of laundry on my bed.
Today my kids are fascinated by some guys from the city working on a street drain by our house.
Today Audrey is obsessed with watercolor painting.
Today I am meditating on 1 John 2:5b,6- "This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
Today I am getting excited about our April home project: painting our kitchen cupboards white. I have been dreaming about it ever since we moved in 10 1/2 months ago!
Today I am loving this sweet friend's lovely etsy shop.
Today I am feeling sad that I will miss the B'ham girls' 3rd Annual Girls' Weekend. Bummer. Super bummer.
Today I am listening to the Mumford + Sons station on Pandora. Lovely.
Today I am planning + dreaming about our summer garden. This book, these posts by this dear friend, + these posts by this dear friend are my inspiration.
Today I am scheming about my next Dinner at Eight date. Post coming next Thursday!
Today I am loving the inductive Bible study I am doing on 1 John. It is so so good. I will try to write more about it soon.
Today we (Erik + I) are watching Survivor. And then maybe catching up on Parenthood from last night. Parenthood is my very favorite show.
Today I am going to try to find Jesus and beauty in everything.
Today I might make my favorite chocolate-chip cookies.
Today I am super thankful for washable paint. And diet Coke.
Today is going to be a good day.

random friday

 

{via + via}

Random thoughts on my mind today...

• I think I need to do a cooking-inspired photo shoot. These pictures (see above) make me so so happy.

• Going on a date tonight with the Mister. Yes, I am aware that it is already 7:30pm. But that's okay because the little ones are already at Mooma's (aka. Grandma) house for the night. We will be meeting them out there later, but there is no rush thanks to my oh, so sweet + generous mother-in-law! Still not sure what we are doing. Maybe Thai food + a movie?

•  Audrey + Elliot's first week of preschool went so well! Lots of pictures + details to come! But for now, they seriously loved it and mama did okay- there were a few tears, I won't deny it. And Audrey already missed a day because of the snow (yesterday)!

• I am officially addicted to Pinterest (their server is busy, so I will link my personal pinterest later). As if I need another thing online to be addicted to... It really is a lovely little spot though and it actually does help me organize all the random inspiration I find, which is super helpful! 

•  Busy planning a sweet baby shower for one of my besties with some other dear friends. I can't wait! It is perfectly her in every single way. 

• Been playing around more with the settings on my camera. So fun! 

• Another one of my besties, Nancy, won this amazing giveaway on Jess's blog this week! I am so so happy for her! On a side note, Nancy should totally have her own blog. She is one of the most creative + inspiring mamas I know! She plans the most beautiful parties for her kids and has a gorgeously decorated home. Not to mention, she encourages me in my faith every single time I talk to her. So, what do you say, Nancy? Please please pretty please??

• Been missing my sister + brother something terrible this week. They live too far away.

Well,  there are a million and one more random things on my mind, but Erik is calling me, it is time to leave for our date! 

Happy weekend, sweet friends! 

xo