Last week, I didn't record anything. I photographed another wedding last Saturday that was beautiful, but I was so tired the next day. Liz was still here and she helped me up until the reception. It went well, but between two weddings worth of photos to edit and the TONS of family and senior photos that I also have to edit, I feel stressed and busy. I am so grateful for all of the business that I've had this year, but it is really difficult for me to balance family and work when I still have a little one at home during the day and our life running our kids around is so busy.
I got home from the wedding at about 9:30pm. When I got home, the kids were hiding behind the couch. They had made me a late birthday cake. They sang to me and we enjoyed yummy chocolate cake before bedtime. It was so sweet. I am so glad that Rob and the kids thought about me. It was such a perfect ending to a very long, draining day.
This week I've been trying to find time to do normal life things, while editing a crazy amount of photos. I also had 3 more photo sessions this week. Friday night, Brooklen got to go to a haunted house and haunted train ride with the Nymans. The girls and Kaiton and I made pizza for dinner and then we watched the movie, Enchanted in our bed.
On Saturday, Brooklen had hockey in the morning and I took Hurley, Maddy, and Zaya around both of our neighborhoods to collect cans. The girls are collecting cans to raise money for MGTC to donate to the Pardee Cancer Research Center. I love that the girls are motivated.
In the afternoon, I went to do some pictures and Brooklen went over to Ashton Reinke's house. Ashton's grandpa (who is Brooklen's hockey coach) took Ashton and 3 of the boys to the Saginaw Spirit game. It was especially cool because Ethan Menzies, one of Brooklen's best buddies was playing goalie in a halftime event. Ethan's sister came over to our house while they were at the game. We ate Little Caesars and then Rob, Hurley, Zaya, Kaiton, Kaitlyn, and Hannah Parks, and I went to a Haunted Forest Walk at my friend, Deb Forshee's house. It was fun and I think the kids really enjoyed it. Afterwards, we dropped Hannah off at her house and then Kaitlyn, Hurley, Zaya, and Kaiton watched the Movie, Elf, downstairs.
Today was a gorgeous fall day. After church, we played outside in the leaves, I took a few photos for the Menzies, and we did a craft outside. It was a perfect family afternoon!
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Week 39
Yesterday, I photographed a wedding for 8 hours. It was a really long day and the result is that I am so tired today. My good friend Liz Glenn is in town from California and was able to second shoot with me. She is also second shooting next weekend with me. I am so grateful to have her here. It really puts me at ease.
Anyway, the wedding went pretty good. I still feel so unqualified and I really struggle with thinking fast for weddings, but I felt a little more confident this time, especially at the reception. I am always nervous about using off-camera lights, but I made it through yesterday without any big problems.
While I was at the wedding, Rob and Brooklen went to Lansing for the BYU vs. Michigan State game. Rob had a banker client take them to the game. I think they had a great time. The banker bought Brooklen a BYU shirt and made him wear it once BYU was winning! BYU won the game (Brooklen wanted MSU to win), but they had a fun time and they also got a PF Changs lunch out of it.
Meanwhile, the three younger kids stayed at home with babysitters. First, Abby Carn babysat them. She is so fun and brings tons of games and crafts to do with them. Abby had to leave in the evening to go to a stake dance, so Emmy Avery, one of our neighbors, came for the last three hours. I felt guilty for leaving the kids with sitters for so long, but I think they did have a good time. We don't get babysitters very often, so I think the kids actually enjoy it when they do have a sitter.
I wish I had a lot of exciting things to write about the week. I know it was a great week, but I am so tired and I think I just will end my post here.
Anyway, the wedding went pretty good. I still feel so unqualified and I really struggle with thinking fast for weddings, but I felt a little more confident this time, especially at the reception. I am always nervous about using off-camera lights, but I made it through yesterday without any big problems.
While I was at the wedding, Rob and Brooklen went to Lansing for the BYU vs. Michigan State game. Rob had a banker client take them to the game. I think they had a great time. The banker bought Brooklen a BYU shirt and made him wear it once BYU was winning! BYU won the game (Brooklen wanted MSU to win), but they had a fun time and they also got a PF Changs lunch out of it.
Meanwhile, the three younger kids stayed at home with babysitters. First, Abby Carn babysat them. She is so fun and brings tons of games and crafts to do with them. Abby had to leave in the evening to go to a stake dance, so Emmy Avery, one of our neighbors, came for the last three hours. I felt guilty for leaving the kids with sitters for so long, but I think they did have a good time. We don't get babysitters very often, so I think the kids actually enjoy it when they do have a sitter.
I wish I had a lot of exciting things to write about the week. I know it was a great week, but I am so tired and I think I just will end my post here.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Week 38
On Monday, Kaiton and I spent the day cleaning and running errands. After school, I taught a piano lesson and then I got to take Brooklen to hockey practice while Rob took Zaya, Hurley, and Kaiton to Zaya's dance class. It was really fun for me to get to take Brooklen to hockey alone. I feel like I am always with the girls, which is great, but it is nice to have some alone time to support Brooklen too.
On Tuesday, we picked the kids up from school and then took Zaya to gymnastics. Hurley had a bit of a breakdown before her gymnastics class. I'm not sure if she is tired, sick (she has allergies), or if she is getting a bit burnt out. I ended up leaving mutual early to go watch and support her at gymnastics because I knew she was having a tough time. Luckily, she had a pretty good day. Thursday, she was also a bit hesitant and I was worried about her. I ended up watching her for a couple of hours. I think her coaches saw that she needed a "light" day. They had a crazy hair day and at the end they awarded her the weekly trophy (for the third time since the summer started). She came home so happy! I will be much more aware of preventing burn-out for her going forward. I also got some new allergy meds for her; I definitely think we need to get that under control!
On Friday, Kaiton and I met Natalie Hill at a new crepe restaurant for lunch. I wanted to take Natalie out to lunch for her birthday. It was so fun. We spent over an hour and a half just talking. I don't have many close friends here in Midland, so it is so nice to be reminded that I do have a few people that I really love and can be "real" with. On Friday night, it was raining, so we made pizza and then we watched a really cute movie, "Descendants."
On Saturday, we went to Brooklen's hockey game in the morning and then we went over to the Festifall downtown. The kids had a good time playing fall games and doing some crafts.
On Tuesday, we picked the kids up from school and then took Zaya to gymnastics. Hurley had a bit of a breakdown before her gymnastics class. I'm not sure if she is tired, sick (she has allergies), or if she is getting a bit burnt out. I ended up leaving mutual early to go watch and support her at gymnastics because I knew she was having a tough time. Luckily, she had a pretty good day. Thursday, she was also a bit hesitant and I was worried about her. I ended up watching her for a couple of hours. I think her coaches saw that she needed a "light" day. They had a crazy hair day and at the end they awarded her the weekly trophy (for the third time since the summer started). She came home so happy! I will be much more aware of preventing burn-out for her going forward. I also got some new allergy meds for her; I definitely think we need to get that under control!
On Friday, Kaiton and I met Natalie Hill at a new crepe restaurant for lunch. I wanted to take Natalie out to lunch for her birthday. It was so fun. We spent over an hour and a half just talking. I don't have many close friends here in Midland, so it is so nice to be reminded that I do have a few people that I really love and can be "real" with. On Friday night, it was raining, so we made pizza and then we watched a really cute movie, "Descendants."
On Saturday, we went to Brooklen's hockey game in the morning and then we went over to the Festifall downtown. The kids had a good time playing fall games and doing some crafts.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Week 37
As I'm going back through this week, I can't really think of very many things that I feel are super important to record. Of course, that makes me feel bad because I don't want a week to go by that I don't cherish memories of my family. . . instead, I think I just can't remember much. In fact, my terrible memory worries me often. Either I'm really losing my memory young or I'm not exercising my brain enough and I'm losing my ability to record things. It doesn't help that I NEVER had a good memory, even when I was young.
Yesterday, we spent the day in Ann Arbor. Hurley had her Kickstarter camp and since we didn't want her to participate on Sunday, we had to go down there and pick her up. We left after Brooklen's hockey practice at about 1:30pm, but we ran several errands throughout the day. It was a very long day. I think Hurley had a lot of fun. It seemed like she was tired when we picked her up and I think it might have been a bit intimidating for her, but it was also really good for her. We ended up getting home at about 11:30pm.
I had two photo sessions this week: a senior session and a family session. I definitely don't handle stress very well. Having two in one week kind of makes me crazy! What worries me more is that I have 2 weddings in a row in a couple of weeks. I'm super nervous about shooting them, and of course equally nervous about fitting in the editing of the photos. I think that after I shoot all of my booked weddings (I have one more next year), I'm going to stop doing them. It's a little too much stress for me to handle. I think the stress of it actually make me physically sick.
On Friday, I watched Scarlett Robel all day while her mom worked. I also watched Benjamin Jones for a while because his mom just had a new baby. It was a pretty long day and I didn't get much done, but it was nice to help someone out and I think it is always good for Kaiton to have other kids around to play with. On Friday night, we took Scarlett with us to the Ward Fall Party at the Crippen's farm. The kids enjoyed eating, playing on the hay, riding horses, and going on hayrides.
Lastly, I took Kaiton over to Bay City on Thursday to check out some areas for a photo session. I can't believe I don't go down there more often! We had so much fun checking out the area and browsing the antique stores. I took Kaiton to the candy shop down there and we also went to Heather's, a vegan restaurant, for the first time. It was soooo awesome. We had an "unchicken" burger (breaded tofu) and some amazing house potatoes. Kaiton kept telling me how good the food was. He ate so much; it was so cute!!!
Yesterday, we spent the day in Ann Arbor. Hurley had her Kickstarter camp and since we didn't want her to participate on Sunday, we had to go down there and pick her up. We left after Brooklen's hockey practice at about 1:30pm, but we ran several errands throughout the day. It was a very long day. I think Hurley had a lot of fun. It seemed like she was tired when we picked her up and I think it might have been a bit intimidating for her, but it was also really good for her. We ended up getting home at about 11:30pm.
I had two photo sessions this week: a senior session and a family session. I definitely don't handle stress very well. Having two in one week kind of makes me crazy! What worries me more is that I have 2 weddings in a row in a couple of weeks. I'm super nervous about shooting them, and of course equally nervous about fitting in the editing of the photos. I think that after I shoot all of my booked weddings (I have one more next year), I'm going to stop doing them. It's a little too much stress for me to handle. I think the stress of it actually make me physically sick.
On Friday, I watched Scarlett Robel all day while her mom worked. I also watched Benjamin Jones for a while because his mom just had a new baby. It was a pretty long day and I didn't get much done, but it was nice to help someone out and I think it is always good for Kaiton to have other kids around to play with. On Friday night, we took Scarlett with us to the Ward Fall Party at the Crippen's farm. The kids enjoyed eating, playing on the hay, riding horses, and going on hayrides.
Lastly, I took Kaiton over to Bay City on Thursday to check out some areas for a photo session. I can't believe I don't go down there more often! We had so much fun checking out the area and browsing the antique stores. I took Kaiton to the candy shop down there and we also went to Heather's, a vegan restaurant, for the first time. It was soooo awesome. We had an "unchicken" burger (breaded tofu) and some amazing house potatoes. Kaiton kept telling me how good the food was. He ate so much; it was so cute!!!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Week 36
This week was Woodcrest's scheduled parent nights for all of the grades. Rob went to Mr. Staley's and Mr. Rajewski's parent nights because I was busy with other commitments. I went to Mrs. Doughty's parent night because Rob was busy at a hockey parent meeting! I feel so super blessed that my kids have such awesome teachers. Every year I grow more grateful for the people who chose that profession. I watch my kids learn and thrive at school and I know that it is all made possible because of teachers.
Brooklen officially started hockey this week with his team. He is so excited because ALL of his good friends (who play hockey) are on his team this year. Again, I am so grateful for this. His coach made it possible by hand-picking those kids in the draft. This season should be so good for him. His first practice with his team was on Saturday. I had to do a photo session, but I caught the end of the practice and it looked like he was having a lot of fun.
Yesterday, Brooklen got to go to Ethan Menzies' birthday party. They went to Soaring Eagle Waterpark in Mt. Pleasant. They played at the waterpark, had dinner, and spent the night in a cool suite at the hotel where the boys had their own space. The next morning, they got to go to IHOP for breakfast and then played at the waterpark again until it was time to come home. Brooklen was SO excited. He still sleeps very heavy through the night and has accidents some time. After searching for a solution, I found some special underwear that has insert pads. I am so happy to report that they worked perfectly; they were inconspicuous and made him feel comfortable. He had a ton of fun at the birthday party. He has been looking forward to it for quite some time. I am so glad that he has made such good friends here. Ethan is really mellow like Brooklen and he is such a nice, polite kid.
While Brooklen was at the party last night, I went to a movie with Jill and her Mom. I never do anything like that, so it was a real treat! Rob took the kids to City Forest to explore and then he took them to Wendy's. I was so thankful that he was willing to take care of the kids so that I could go relax with friends. He is so sweet.
I had two photo sessions this week. On Monday, I took pictures of a newborn. I survived, but I really do have a hard time with newborns. I have so much to learn in that area! Alta watched Kaiton for me while I took pictures. Then, on Friday I watched her kids so that she could do a newborn session. I also watched Scarlett Robel all afternoon on Friday.
I wanted to record a cute story about Hurley. I sent this email to her coach, Tawnee:
Brooklen officially started hockey this week with his team. He is so excited because ALL of his good friends (who play hockey) are on his team this year. Again, I am so grateful for this. His coach made it possible by hand-picking those kids in the draft. This season should be so good for him. His first practice with his team was on Saturday. I had to do a photo session, but I caught the end of the practice and it looked like he was having a lot of fun.
Yesterday, Brooklen got to go to Ethan Menzies' birthday party. They went to Soaring Eagle Waterpark in Mt. Pleasant. They played at the waterpark, had dinner, and spent the night in a cool suite at the hotel where the boys had their own space. The next morning, they got to go to IHOP for breakfast and then played at the waterpark again until it was time to come home. Brooklen was SO excited. He still sleeps very heavy through the night and has accidents some time. After searching for a solution, I found some special underwear that has insert pads. I am so happy to report that they worked perfectly; they were inconspicuous and made him feel comfortable. He had a ton of fun at the birthday party. He has been looking forward to it for quite some time. I am so glad that he has made such good friends here. Ethan is really mellow like Brooklen and he is such a nice, polite kid.
While Brooklen was at the party last night, I went to a movie with Jill and her Mom. I never do anything like that, so it was a real treat! Rob took the kids to City Forest to explore and then he took them to Wendy's. I was so thankful that he was willing to take care of the kids so that I could go relax with friends. He is so sweet.
I had two photo sessions this week. On Monday, I took pictures of a newborn. I survived, but I really do have a hard time with newborns. I have so much to learn in that area! Alta watched Kaiton for me while I took pictures. Then, on Friday I watched her kids so that she could do a newborn session. I also watched Scarlett Robel all afternoon on Friday.
I wanted to record a cute story about Hurley. I sent this email to her coach, Tawnee:
I overheard Hurley talking to her older brother the other day and I caught her saying, "well, you grow eyes in the back of your head when you turn 13." Brooklen and I both were surprised by that comment and said, "what??" Hurley replied (very serious still) saying that you told her that when you are 13 you grow eyes in the back of your head!
I tried not to laugh and told her that you were kidding. She looked me right in the eye and shot back, "NO! Tawnee says that level 3 is no joke!!"
Haha! Sometimes she is so serious that I forget that she is only 7 years old!
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Week 35
This week the kids started school. It was pretty sad for me to send them back, but (even though they won't admit it), they were ready. Our kids do really well with structure and I think it is good for them to get into a routine.
On Monday, we celebrated Labor Day by going to the last Loons game of the season. The Nymans met us there and we all enjoyed watching the game from the lawn. I actually anticipated that it would be more chaotic and more work taking care of the younger kids than it actually was. It was nice to have lawn tickets because they could get up and walk around. The girls went back and forth between the playing on the play set and doing cartwheels and handstands on the lawn.
When we got home from the game, we grilled burgers and hot dogs and then for family home evening, Rob gave all of the kids sweet father's blessings.
On Tuesday morning, we got up bright and early and got ready for school. The kids took the bus to school and Rob and I met them there and took them to their classes. We didn't really go to Brooklen's class, but we visited both of the girls' classes. Zaya was so excited and didn't even care when I told her it was time for me to leave. I gave her a kiss and she never looked back. Zay's teacher sent home notes about good behavior this week. He said she is eager to learn and a great helper. He also said he was getting better about not calling her Hurley! Haha! She is so used to that!
All of the kids seemed to have great weeks. I forgot how quickly the day goes by when they are at school and how fast things seem to go once they get home. Brooklen started hockey this week and both girls had gymnastics. Tomorrow, I start giving piano lessons again (I always take the first week of school off) and Zaya starts dance. Brooklen also has physical therapy once a week and I have to be at mutual.
Tonight, we had the missionaries over for dinner and then I went to help at standards night for the youth at church. It was a good experience. Working with the youth has made me realize how quickly my kids are going to grow up. I have really started thinking seriously about how we are going to introduce tough topics to them. I am so nervous to raise kids in a world with so many trying issues and temptations. I'm trying to learn everything I can while I serve in this calling.
On Monday, we celebrated Labor Day by going to the last Loons game of the season. The Nymans met us there and we all enjoyed watching the game from the lawn. I actually anticipated that it would be more chaotic and more work taking care of the younger kids than it actually was. It was nice to have lawn tickets because they could get up and walk around. The girls went back and forth between the playing on the play set and doing cartwheels and handstands on the lawn.
When we got home from the game, we grilled burgers and hot dogs and then for family home evening, Rob gave all of the kids sweet father's blessings.
On Tuesday morning, we got up bright and early and got ready for school. The kids took the bus to school and Rob and I met them there and took them to their classes. We didn't really go to Brooklen's class, but we visited both of the girls' classes. Zaya was so excited and didn't even care when I told her it was time for me to leave. I gave her a kiss and she never looked back. Zay's teacher sent home notes about good behavior this week. He said she is eager to learn and a great helper. He also said he was getting better about not calling her Hurley! Haha! She is so used to that!
All of the kids seemed to have great weeks. I forgot how quickly the day goes by when they are at school and how fast things seem to go once they get home. Brooklen started hockey this week and both girls had gymnastics. Tomorrow, I start giving piano lessons again (I always take the first week of school off) and Zaya starts dance. Brooklen also has physical therapy once a week and I have to be at mutual.
Tonight, we had the missionaries over for dinner and then I went to help at standards night for the youth at church. It was a good experience. Working with the youth has made me realize how quickly my kids are going to grow up. I have really started thinking seriously about how we are going to introduce tough topics to them. I am so nervous to raise kids in a world with so many trying issues and temptations. I'm trying to learn everything I can while I serve in this calling.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Weeks 33 and 34
And just like that, Summer is over. The kids start school in two days and it seems hard to believe that it is that time again. I think the hardest part of sending my kids back to school every Fall is that the reality sets in that they are getting older and there is nothing that I can do about it. I have to admit, there has been enough fighting and "I'm bored" whining in the last few weeks to assure me that it is time for them to go back, but still it is a little bittersweet. What is especially bittersweet for me this year is sending Zaya to school. She is such a joy to have around. She is happy all of the time and she is independent. She is the only one of our kids that really knows how to and enjoys playing alone sometimes. I know that she is excited and ready to start school, but it is really hard to let her go.
We found out the kid's teachers on Monday. I spent pretty much the entire day texting friends to find out what friends my kids had in their classes. Zay and Hurley have Mr. Rajewski and Mr. Staley, who we have had before. I'm really excited about this, but I'm a bit nervous for Hurley because she doesn't have any of her friends in her class. Brooklen is in Mrs. Doughty's class. He is super excited because that is the teacher that he wanted. He doesn't have any of his best friends in his class, but he will be fine seeing them at lunch and recess.
We stopped by the school a couple of times this week to meet teachers, see old teachers, and drop off supplies.
We've also tried to pack a lot into these past two weeks. We went to Sanford Lake Beach one last time. Brooklen brought along Jake and we met Erica Jones and her girls there. Brooklen spent a day at the Nyman's cottage, while I took the girls and Kait to Plymouth Park Pool. Zaya even decided to learn how to swim that day!!! They also had playdates with Ashton Reinke, Lucy and Abigail Bond, and Kaitlyn and Ethan Menzies. Brooklen also got to spend an evening at Ethan's house.
Last week, Brooklen had his birthday party. Rob took him and Ethan Menzies, Jake Nyman, and Carter Greiman to a Loons game. Rob said the boys had a blast and I think it was the perfect party for Brooklen.
Hockey starts this week for Brooklen. Zaya starts dance next week . . . and the girls still have gymnastics. The next few months are sure to be busy but I am looking forward to all of the action!
We found out the kid's teachers on Monday. I spent pretty much the entire day texting friends to find out what friends my kids had in their classes. Zay and Hurley have Mr. Rajewski and Mr. Staley, who we have had before. I'm really excited about this, but I'm a bit nervous for Hurley because she doesn't have any of her friends in her class. Brooklen is in Mrs. Doughty's class. He is super excited because that is the teacher that he wanted. He doesn't have any of his best friends in his class, but he will be fine seeing them at lunch and recess.
We stopped by the school a couple of times this week to meet teachers, see old teachers, and drop off supplies.
We've also tried to pack a lot into these past two weeks. We went to Sanford Lake Beach one last time. Brooklen brought along Jake and we met Erica Jones and her girls there. Brooklen spent a day at the Nyman's cottage, while I took the girls and Kait to Plymouth Park Pool. Zaya even decided to learn how to swim that day!!! They also had playdates with Ashton Reinke, Lucy and Abigail Bond, and Kaitlyn and Ethan Menzies. Brooklen also got to spend an evening at Ethan's house.
Last week, Brooklen had his birthday party. Rob took him and Ethan Menzies, Jake Nyman, and Carter Greiman to a Loons game. Rob said the boys had a blast and I think it was the perfect party for Brooklen.
Hockey starts this week for Brooklen. Zaya starts dance next week . . . and the girls still have gymnastics. The next few months are sure to be busy but I am looking forward to all of the action!
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