August in Pictures

Ugh, I'm not on a very good roll with keeping my faithful readers updated on my sweet daughter's life. Here's what we were up to in August, and I'll say right now that I'll try very, very hard to post September's pictures earlier than Halloween. Ha. Key word: try.

Silly time with daddy.

Imagine Tom sleeping like this. I do not lie. I just want to squeeze that tush!!

And with the click of a shutter, she's AWAKE! Time to play with our many stuffed animals.

Her "I'm ready for a nap" signs are pretty obvious.

Snack time with friends in the church nursery. Seeing all of them sitting up to a table eating their graham crackers and drinking water from a sippy absolutely cracks me up.

Woodbury Days and meeting our new friends...

Giving the baby camel a bottle, which she loved.

Seeing her ride a pony made my life. She had no clue what was going on, but seemed to enjoy herself!

She's intimidating, right?

She and Hudson (remember him from camping?!) thought it was pretty sweet to be in the drivers seat.

If only you could see that he has his ARM AROUND HER shoulder in this pic. He did it on his own too. OMG. They're little buds. And there may or may not be a lot of hugging in the church nursery too.

Her favorite place to sit and collect things.

If you ask her for "lotion" she'll go get that bottle and put some on your hands and legs. It's the sweetest thing ever.

My last day at Hallmark Business Connections and the lunch crew! (Miss you guys!)

We made a trip down to Iowa for Celeste's baby shower and met Becca and Weston at the Iowa State Fair. I hadn't been there in probably 6+ years so I felt right at home and loved it. 

Every time we'd go to the fair growing up, we had to get some cherry lemonade from the one little small lemonade stand that sells it. It was on my list of things I "had to do" while there this time, and it tasted as amazing as ever. However, I will admit I didn't like having to share it with a little one who thought she should have it all to herself!

Stealing from Weston WHILE she has her own.

Weston loved the bug exhibit. Aunt Sarah did not.

Pure joy at being so close to so many "amals."

Big boar.

Iowa State Fair...I've missed you.

Amanda and Chris were so kind to host us while we were in town. She made an amazing breakfast on Saturday morning too, bless her heart. Monkey bread and white sauce on toast. Mmmm! (Take me back.)

We also got to see some friends while we were in town. It seems I never have enough time to see everyone, but we were there for a long weekend and we fit in as many friends as we could over the course of Saturday and Sunday and it was fabulous!

First stop: Malynda and the girls.

Love you, friend! And congrats on baby #3!!

Second stop: Miss Chloe and the Smith family

Third stop: Emmett and the Nelson trio

Fourth stop: Brodey, Laney Mae, Tara and Adam

Who decided they wanted to have a dance party with Gwendolyn.

Saturday I co-hosted a baby shower for my best friend from college, Celeste. She jokingly told me she wanted a baby fruit carriage at her shower so her wish was my command!

More college friends and their babes.

The beautiful mama-to-be opening gifts.

And get this...Celeste's baby shower was on Saturday and Jocelyn decided to make an early appearance the following Thursday. We almost had the shower the next weekend, but I'm so thankful we kept the date!

Hosts:

It was quite the memorable month combined with our cabin vacation up north, quitting my job and staying home, and anticipating John and Trisha's September 1st wedding! In addition, I shot a wedding mid-August and had a very busy month with newborn and family shoots. Speaking of shoots, September and October are looking to be my busiest months yet! It's all so exciting and we're very thankful. If you don't already, feel free to follow my photography business on Facebook where you can see my most recent work. I've had some super cute and snuggly client recently! 

Hope this finds you doing well and enjoying the beautiful, crisp, fall air. This is my favorite time of year! 

Off to eat lunch and edit!

SAHM

SAHM = stay at home mom.

That's what I am now. Well, actually I'm more like a SAHMWSWFH.

Need help?

Stay at home mom who still works from home.

It has all the glam of being a SAHM with all the stress of a SWFH. If you know what I mean. Thankfully the job I do from home is one I love.

My last day at Hallmark was August 16th, which was perfect timing with Tom's sister's wedding on September 1 (pictures to come soon. Very soon.) I have had so many kind friends ask me if I'm just looooving being a SAHM mom, and I'm not really sure how to answer.

Do I love morning smiles and snuggles? Yes.

Do I love going to the grocery store when it's not packed and busy? Yes.

Do I love being caught up on laundry? Yes.

Do I love finally having time to make meals for friends? Yes.

Do I love wearing comfy clothes every day? Yes.

Do I love feeling like I'm almost caught up on my to do list? Yes.

Do I love story hour at the library? Yes.

Do I love morning walks around the lake? Yes.

Do I love planning meals after taking the last 18 months off? Yes.

Do I love having more time at night to go on bike rides? Yes.
Do I love the quiet time in the afternoon during nap? Yes.

Do I love meeting new friends and other SAHMs? Yes.

Do I love not rushing out the door to make the bus? Yes.

Do I love playing pretend and reading books? Yes. 

Do I love hearing her say new words for the first time? Yes.

Do I love having a routine? Yes.

Do I love being caught up on email? Yes.

Do I love having more time during the day to edit pictures? Yes.

Do I love having the option of an afternoon nap? Yes.
Do I love now longer dreading Monday mornings? Yes.
Do I love being more available to love on Gwendolyn and play and watch her grow? Yes.
Do I love being less stressed? Yes.

But...

Do I love getting poop on my hands from particularly messy diapers? No.

Do I love hearing her fuss and whine due to tiredness or boredom? No.

Do I love it when she won't eat and then wants to eat an hour later? No.

Do I love cleaning up the kitchen five times a day? No.

Do I love wiping her snotty nose constantly? No.

Do I love always having company while I go to the bathroom? No.
Do I love being stuck inside on busy days when I really need to get work done? No.

Do I love saying "no, no" multiple times during the day? No. No.

Do I look forward to Tom getting home and "taking over"? Yes.

So, yes, I do love being home, but it's certainly not like we're getting ice cream and playing Chutes and Ladders everyday. (I love that game.) I am thankful that we were able to make my staying home work, because I know it's not an option for everyone. I have already learned a lot about the importance of having grace. Grace for myself. Grace for Tom. And grace for Gwendolyn. I know deep in my heart that I'll be a better wife and mom this way, and those are my top priorities. We're still just getting into a good routine and figuring out what the best use of our day and time is.

Already things are improving every week as we're getting into the swing of things, and I'm learning how to balance being at home while owning my own business. I also try very, very hard to wake up before she does so I can get ready and start my day. If I let her be my alarm clock, then I always feel like I'm behind and I don't like starting my day like that. I have also noticed that she starts getting fussy around 10 am, so we try to leave for errands or a walk around 9:30. We've enjoyed story time and music class in the mornings as well so it's definitely good for both of us to have something to look forward to every day. Gwendolyn's a joy to be around and is always making me smile.

She goes to Miss Kathy's once or twice a week as well depending on how many shoots or editing I have to do, which is a huge blessing. What would we do without Miss Kathy?! I do not know. I love seeing Gwendolyn's face light up when she sees her and all of her friends. It's really a great balance so far, and it's so nice to be able to work without interruptions. Really, when it all boils down, I have the best job I could ever ask for...being able to be home and still do something I'm passionate about. This is definitely a busy season with fall sessions, but we're blessed and we're thankful.

This morning, Gwendolyn and I had some snuggle time before taking her to Kathy's around 8:00 am. Then I sipped hot cider while checking my email, and was able to get dinner in the crock pot before I left for a morning shoot with an adorable 5 month old. I ran two errands on my way home, and now I'm getting some work done (this counts).

Sounds pretty perfect, huh?

I do believe it is.

I'm thankful for this new job, and for the opportunity to help my family in this way. She's worth it.

Food for Thought Friday

I recently started reading "Gospel-powered Parenting" by William P. Farley and this part really struck my heart last night. I often pray for my sweet Gwendolyn's salvation, but I've never read anything so blatantly honest like this. Sometimes it takes the honest to get us to really understand and take things seriously. It read...

"There are many definitions of parenting. For example, Wikipedia notes that "parenting is the process of raising and educating a child from birth until adulthood." For Christians, however, this definition is inadequate. It ignores the ultimate goal of parenting - eternity.

Christians parent with one eye on eternity. Their children will live forever. This is a staggering thought. We cannot imagine "forever." Nevertheless, the destiny of our children either will be love that surpasses knowledge, joy inexpressible and full of glory, coupled with peace that passes understanding, or it will be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. There is no middle ground. Therefore, the Christian does not parent for this life only. The believing parent labors to prepare each child for the day of judgment. The stakes are inexpressibly high."

Woah.

We have a lot of responsibility. Thank goodness God has provided us with His word and we have the tools we need to do our jobs. I read that and was both inspired and encouraged to wake up this morning and start this day afresh. I am so thankful for the Gospel. If you don't know where to start, pick up your bible. Start in John. Soak it up and let it transform your life.

Lord, 

I pray you help us prepare Gwendolyn for the day of judgment and diligently pursue her heart. Help us be a God-centered family that keeps you as our focus and brings you glory and honor in all we do. I know this job is not easy, but the rewards are worthwhile. Thank you for your loving mercies that are new every morning. Let your will be done. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

You're more than worth it, Gwendolyn....