Outer Banks 2013

Hello? Is there anybody out there?

(Name that song for extra points.)

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written but life... man... it's getting in the way! The last few weeks have been hella busy. Not only at work but in life as well. Photography. Baby. Family. Friends. It keeps a gal busy! Needless to say, with everything going on, a vacation was in order!

10 adults, 4 kids, 2 babies and 1 amazing beach house made for a fantastic trip. :)

In all honestly, I wish I had taken MORE photos but dammit... I was too busy downing Corona's to care! It was a beautiful week with my wonderful family. I can't wait to do it all again soon!!

Weekend in Raleigh!

A few months (maybe weeks?) ago, I was chatting with my friend Jill talking about how fun it would be to meet up with her. We hemmed and hawwed about it until one day, she mentioned something about me taking pictures for her and right then and there, we decided -- WHY NOT?! She's only a four hour drive from here and with both of us having kids around the same age, how fun would a meetup be?!

Fast forward to this weekend and we made it happen!

Friday, Noah and I loaded up in the car with lots of snacks and toys (and a stowaway - we dropped my friend Kristin off at her in laws who conveniently live about ten minutes from where I was going! SMALL WORLD for real.) and we hit the road! Four hours later, we were there and can I just tell you how much FUN we had?

Jill's home is beautiful. Her family is beautiful. Her daughter is... well... beautiful. And they're all the sweetest people you'd ever meet.

After a low key day on Saturday hanging out and gossiping, I snapped a few pictures of their family that evening and again Sunday morning before we left. At first, we were a bit worried about the weather being over cast and foggy but I think it worked in our favor! :)

Just a teaser photo - You'll have to check my photog blog for more in a few days ;)

Thank you Jill and Dan, Megan and Thumper for a wonderful weekend! I can't wait to see you all again soon. :D

Click Chicks: Mom!

I know been a few weeks since I've linked up with the Click Chicks - I have just been so busy I can't even think straight! When I realized that this weeks topic was MOM... I immediately grabbed my camera, headed outside and had my husband snap a few pictures of me with my son.

I'm glad I did because there probably hasn't been a decent picture of just us two since... well, ever. Exhibit A. It's difficult for me as a photographer to accept the fact that my son refuses to sit still or take his hand out of his mouth for a picture anymore. I guess after taking monthly pictures his whole first year, he caught on to my madness. ;)

Taken any great pictures lately?? Link up with us!

Another Mother's Day Post.

Contrary to what my photo above might suggest (in the last frame, I'm literally saying "just forget it, it's not gonna happen.") - I had a wonderful Mother's Day.

I got up early to flowers and a card from my thoughtful boys along with a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast. After I downed some coffee and grabbed a quick shower, I was on the road to do a photo shoot for a beautiful family of four. 

On the thirty minute drive, my mind started to wonder. Last year at this time, I was elated. I had a beautiful, wonderful 3 month old baby boy that made my heart explode with love. This year, of course I feel the same about my now 15 month old but ... it's different.

Not only do I have joy in my heart for all the mothers, grand mothers and great grand mothers out there, but I can now understand the struggles they've gone through - that they go through -on a daily basis. It's cliche but true when I say I appreciate my mom 100 times more now that I'm a mom. She had four babies, I only have one and I can't IMAGINE the tough stuff she put up with. She's a miracle worker, I tell ya!

However, along with celebrating all the mothers and caretakers in my life, I'm also thinking about my friends who want nothing more than to be a mother and for those mother's who've lost their babies. It hits way too close to home for me and my heart breaks for them on a daily basis. This day is hard for them and I feel guilty about my happiness. I want that happiness for them too... so much so it hurts. 

So as you celebrate your mom and the women in your life, say a quick prayer for those who are so impatiently waiting to hold a sweet baby in their arms. 

Sorry this post took a sort of sad turn but I have to say what's on my mind. As Ashley put it, "Today, whatever your story might be, I hope that you find unexpected joys and laughter in surprising places….."

Happy Mother's Day. 

Relay For Life 2013

Life has been crazy busy lately! I feel like I even have to schedule days to relax and do nothing but even though it's been hectic, it's all been for fun things. Not only has my photography business been steady but there have been several work events and outings with friends contributing to my jam packed schedule.

One such outing took place this weekend that I look forward to it every year: Relay For Life. I joined my work team this year and I'm proud to say we raised over $2000 for the American Cancer Society! After a long school year of fundraisers, it was finally time to cut loose and have some fun at the fairgrounds. :)

Our booth! 

The parade of survivors...

It was a fun night, as always, but it's also an emotional night. At the opening ceremony, they do a "parade of survivors" where they all take a lap around the track. I saw too many familiar faces in the crowd and it's enough to pull at your heart strings!!

My mom said something that really stuck with me. She said that when we used to go to relay, we knew someone who knew someone with cancer. Nowadays? We now personally know several close friends and family members with cancer and she's absolutely right. 

Why do I relay? For my grandpa, my uncle, my friends, their parents and siblings and most recently diagnosed, my father in law. 

Above: Noah taking a few steps on the track in honor of his grandaddy. His luminaria below.

Bagpipes to the tune of Amazing Grace. AKA: Tearfest.  

After the luminarias were lit and the tears were dried, it was time to have a little fun! I put my camera away, the bands started up and we all stuffed our faces with local cuisine. By the end of the night, we were all frozen and happy and already coming up with a plan for next years fundraisers!

Do you attend your local Relay For Life?

It's never thanks enough...

Noah loves his daycare and so do I. They're loving, caring and some of the best women I could think of to care for my baby boy while I'm away. With that being said, is there any real way I can thank them for what they do? They are essentially raising my son. Yes, that's harsh for some moms to hear, but it's true.  He spends over 8 hours a day with those women and with those other kids ... and you know what? I'm glad he does! It works for our family and I know they truly miss him when we're away.

So, when I found out that this week was staff appreciation week at the daycare Noah attends, I knew I had to make something special for those ladies. :)

I'm sure some of you might recognize this from Pinterest - and when I saw it, I couldn't resist! For a grand total of $10, I made three of these cute little pots. It really only cost $.97 for each pot, $.98 for each flower and $4 for a small bag of soil (which I probably could have done without!). I simply used some craft paints I already owned to decorate the pots and then potted the flowers when they were dry. Boom! DONE! 

Needless to say, they loved it. It's a small gesture and a tiny way to say thank to the ones who take care of the most important little dude in my life!!

Have you done anything for your teachers/day care workers/SECRETARIES lately?! ;)

Weekend Recap: THE GLO RUN!

Happy Monday my friends. I hope you had a fantastic weekend. I know I did! 

Friday evening was spent at home with my boys, relaxing with pizza and watching movies. Saturday morning, Noah let us sleep in until 8:00 (yay!) and around lunch time, I hit the road for Maryland to spend the night with Maria and run the Glo Run 5k.

Getting ready ... ready to runnnn.

We arrived at the event site early to grab a bite to eat and even got a chance to do a bit of shopping before the race. I went into Charming Charlies for the first time...and um, it's basically Claire's for adults and it's AMAZING. My life is forever changed. Thank you Maria. ;)

Once the time came, we got painted up with glow paint and gathered at the start line. 

Reppin Beantown - Boston on our hearts! 

The wind was whipping and there was a chill in the air but once we started running, we heated up quick! With the support and motivation of my sweet friend, Maria, I know I ran jogged at least the entire first half and after maybe a minute of quick walking, told myself that it's mind over matter - and continued to jog to the finish line. 

Maria used her Map my Run app (correct me if I'm wrong M!) to keep our time and when we crossed the finish line, we ended up the race at 42 (I think?) minutes with around a 12 minute mile pace. I've been averaging 11.1 min/mile at the gym so I'm happy with that! 

I almost gave up near the end and slowed a bit but I knew the quicker I was, the faster I could get to the post-race party!! 

There were black lights, glow sticks, post race snacks, a DJ and a ton of people  just dancing the night away. We had so much fun!! 

Thank you Maria for running with me and I can't wait until next time!!! :D