Holly Jo & Michael's Wedding: Christ the King & Keeneland

One word sums up this couple's wedding: TEAMWORK. 

Both business professionals took their wedding planning on full steam ahead with the same meticulous, thorough planning they do with their work projects.  I'd like to think of it as a divide and conquer mentality.  I do believe Michael was more involved in wedding planning than any other groom I've met!  As for the meticulous planning, you should have seen the spread sheet complete with timeline, details and side notes Holly Jo compiled for the days leading up to and the day of their wedding!  This couple may be every wedding photographer's dream!  I hardly had to make any adjustments to their photography time line.  But not only have they put such careful thought into making sure this day got off without a hitch (well, except these two getting hitched!) they were waaaay flexible! 

The church had a same day function prior to their scheduled nuptials - which went beyond schedule.  Not a single formal photo was taken prior to the wedding, which means ALL were put on hold until after the ceremony.  I must say, Holly Jo and Michael kept their cool!  We had to revisit the drawing board in regards to the photography schedule, we had a Plan A and Plan B if you will...moving certain poses here or there, doing without some poses all together and holding off on some poses until the reception site because there just wouldn't be enough time. 

All in all you have to take a step back and realize what is the most important event of the day.  The I DO.  Did it happen?  You betcha!  Yes, your wedding ceremony is oh-so-very-important, but as a veteran (of 4 years...haha!) I really cannot remember every single wedding detail I had planned months prior to our big day.  We have four years under our belt, two children under our wings....and our dream home we are searching for.  The big day becomes a sweet memory, but just imagine how many more memories Holly Jo and Michael will make in the years to come!

So here's to Holly Jo and Michael!  May you keep your dear friends and family close to you for support and you will be able to survive anything that comes your way! 

I'd like to give a shout out to my 2nd and 3rd photographers - Jaye Baesler and Dwayne Lloyd!  Dwayne has been in photography waaaay longer than I have, but he just started the business end of it and wanted some experience with weddings, so he tagged along.  I am thrilled to have another photographer to call upon!  Dwayne has been taking care of some of my customers while I'm on extended maternity leave, sabbatical....whatever you want to call it!  Hop on over to his site and check him out!  He's on facebook as well.

Dwayne snapped this one!

Kudos to Dwayne!

Wish I could take credit for this one, too!

With 2nd and 3rd photographers you have the luxury of a photographer to document all the details at the reception before guests start arriving. 

HUGE props to Dwayne for spying the sofas and carefully positioning them infront of the tunnel at Keeneland.  I think I'll keep Dwayne around!  ;)

Friends or family of the bride or groom?  Ask them for the password to see all the images from their big day.  Here's the quick link for you! 

Godparents...round 3

Proud to present our goddaughter!  Once again...photoshop has not been unearthed from the bowels of this home so you are viewing unedited images.

5 months old...TIME FLIES!

I just received my friendly email from babycenter.com informing me Lauren is now 5 months and 3 weeks old.  Good thing I JUST took her 5 month old pictures yesterday.  Um...yeah....well...I tried to take them about two weeks ago but she just wasn't cooperating.  I also tried to take Isaac's 2 year pictures the same day and he just wasn't cooperating.  Looking back...they had not been cooperating for the past week.  During errands last Friday Isaac throws his head back in a screaming fit and I see the back of his little throat is RED!  Agghhh!  So I leave screaming kids in car and dial the pediatrician from outside the car.  Yeah, I wonder what the bystanders thought as both kids are sitting in the back seat strapped into carseats with tears streaming down their faces as I non-chalantly chat away on my cell phone OUTSIDE of the car.  Fortunately the pediatrician had an opening and I was only 5 minutes away.  Verdict: virus.  Both kids.  Whew...having a diagnosis was a relief!  I thought I was going crazy the whole week.  No, it was legit - the kids were sick but didn't have any obvious side effects.  They were just cranky and not acting like themselves all week.  Funny how much more patience you have once you realize something is wrong with them.  Guilt trip. 

Anyhoo - the kids aren't the only ones with a virus - my computer was attacked and thus bedridden for about two weeks.  Things still weren't running right so we just put in a new hard drive and things are working like a well oiled machine.  However....I have not had time to make my way through the towers of boxes in my parents' basement to find the one labeled, 'software' which includes my photoshop and other plug-ins. 

For those of you just tuning in...or if I didn't divulge our where-abouts in my last post - we are now houseless (not homeless, just houseless).  We sold our previous homes in 3 weeks, couldn't find another home before closing on our previous home....thus didn't leave enough time to find a rental so we are squatting at my last permanent residence: with mom and dad.  We are here until our rental is ready...or unless we find a home.  So all of our 'need to live' stuff is in PODS ready to be delivered if we need a rental and all of our stuff we can live without is in boxes lining the walls of my parents' basement.  Let's just say Baesler Climate Control Storage has a really good rate...and so does their monthly lease.  ;) 

Ok...so as you can see...sick kids (and now the 4 of us are passing around a cold)...house hunting...living in limbo as regards to finding rental or a home has left our lives pretty stressful.  The baby weight I was losing has found its place back on my midsection.  A friend of ours jokingly pointed out that 'stressed' spelled backwards is 'desserts.'  Thanks Jay!  I think I'll slice another piece of birthday cake!  ;)  And speaking of birthday cake...for my birthday present I bought myself a double jogging stroller...so let the pound shedding begin (yet again). 

Sorry if this post seems random, jumping around and an English teacher's worst nightmare (oh yes, I see you with your red pen making my post bleed with comments about run-on sentences, better transitions and more details for clarification)....but that's how my brain has been for almost 2 months.  So back to photoshop...since I haven't dug it out from the depths of the home...all my images for the time being are UNEDITED.  Do you know how often photographers post their UNEDITED work?  I almost hate to post them, but hey - that's how life is right now. 

I had Daddy's help with getting him to smile! 

I love this picture with Nate in the background!

Too bad I couldn't get her to smile like this when I had the real background up.  Oh well...it will be a story to tell when she gets old.  "When you were an infant mommy was too busy to take your pictures because we were always searching for a home or trying to keep your brother out of nana's potted indoor plants."

Totally unplanned, impromptu 5 month old session.  I had been crocheting a cute peach colored ruffled diaper cover and flower headband.  I wasn't done yet but decided I need not waste yet another day without getting her 5 month pictures done. 

Attempt #2 at 2 year old pics...sick and I didn't know it.  I should've known something was up when he wanted to take beloved 'Blue' outside. 

This was the best pic of the day....and Blue is still in tow.

Not even smiling.  "Mommy, my throat feels as if its on fire.  why do you insist om torturing me with a fancy diaper cover and headband?!'

Out for the count as big  bro and his 5 year old girlfriend (aka: cougar) write words of wisdom with colored chalk on the driveway.

4 months and some change

Ahh..and now that I look at these I think to myself, "I should have pulled the blanket up over the headboard!"  Live and learn!  I actually snapped these really quickly to send off to church for Lauren's Baby Dedication ceremony.  Lauren actually turned 4 months a week ago. Our lives have been crazy these past three weeks - those of you close to us know our recent drama and set backs.  And those of you who have ever moved homes with young children know our daily routine is turned upside down with trying to give both children enough attention AND pack up a house...

The title of this post is "Four months and some change."  'Change' has double meaning...clever me!  As a side note, English and Literature courses where never my strong point, so writing has always been a challenge for me (I tend to leave out 'fluff' that draws readers into stories, I tend to shoot it straight - black/white, that's why I prefer to work with numbers).  Anyhoo - 'Change' first meant Lauren really didn't just turn four months old....but a few extra days.  Slacker mom.  I know.  And I'm the photographer.  The weekend Lauren turned 4 months we were actually visiting family in Georgia and Little Miss made a liar out of us!  In attempts to 'pack light' for our trip, we just brought the mattress/board from her pack-n-play.  She wasn't rolling over yet so why did we need to bring the whole set up.  She stays in one place.  No borders or boundaries needed.  Until one morning.  She woke up crying (no surprises here) and Grandma Cindy made her way into Lauren's room before I did...to find her on her belly and laying halfway on the mat!  Poor baby!  So now we must bring the whole pack-n-play. 

And onto the second meaning of 'change.'  Change for us is coming in BIG ways!  Let's just say we prayed for the home to sell (answered in three weeks) and for patience during the house hunting process (answered).  Oh yeah - did someone ever let you in on a little secret...NEVER PRAY FOR PATIENCE!  You will be tested beyond belief and given every opportunity to practice and demonstrate patience!  I'll cut out the drama from this past week...so we haven't found a home yet.   And so here we are, 2 weeks out from closing.  My loving and generous parents have offered to let us stay with them.  Sweet!  Not so much for Nate...his commute to work is longer by 25 minutes.  Not so sweet.  Can it get sweeter, you betcha!  We have been offered to stay in my grandmother's vacant home located in what seems like BFE.  Fine with me!  Isaac will have 10 acres to explore (with Momma and Dadda in tow).  And it helps knock off several minutes for Nate's commute.  The only catch is we have to wait until it is move-in ready.  It will be so different to have some land...compared to suburbia on a .016 acre lot and neighbors in your business.  There is one thing that does...or doesn't...come with the territory.  Cable and internet.  That's right, we will officially be disconnected from the world. 

Disconnected.  Looks like I'll be adding that data package to my phone!  I gotta keep up with email some how!  Fortunately the business has been somewhat put on hold until our life 'normalizes.' Is that even a word?!  Nate's looking forward to not having the creature comforts of cable and internet.  Ehhh he gets email and internet while he's at work. But what about me?  Like I said, data package.  Verizon Wireless Hot Spot? I think so!  Looks like my days of talk shows and social media are over.  Ha!  Like I ever really had time for that with a 2 year old and infant!  Can some mamas relate?!  I'll just have to update the blog, upload customer images, order prints, etc whenever I can break away to my parents' house.  Good excuse for them to cook dinner, right?! ;) 

I'm imagining my days in the farm house lounging below the maple tree with a blanket spread out for Lauren and me while Isaac meanders and examines every square inch of the yard...poking sticks at the chiggers on the rock wall, stomping on the mole hills, pointing to the numerous birds flying overhead, and digging in the dirt and gravel driveway.  He will have a bath every night.  How can he not?  Maybe we'll just keep the hose hooked up to the spigot and keep a bottle of baby wash on the front porch for a lunch-time hose down.  I see dinner time cooking in the kitchen with the ceiling fan whirling overhead (my Granny was a smart woman for installing a ceiling fan in a kitchen.  Any woman who has cooked for a crowd knows how hot the kitchen gets!), as the kids play in the kitchen floor and Nate finishes up mowing the yard on the ride-on Deere.  As night time falls we'll see the stars WAAAY sooner than our suburbia kin and let Isaac run wild catching fireflies. 

Like I said at the beginning of the paragraph, 'imagine.'  I'm sure life will be just as crazy as it is now....well, before we started packing.  But I do hope we can take a step back in time and s-l-o-w down a bit.  Sit back and enjoy this once in a life time opportunity. 

That's it for now...I've written way more than anticipated and nothing on my to-do list has been crossed off for today..other than given 'pack boxes.' 

3-2-1

3 months old
2 years old
1 tired mama

I have hit that 'wall' of sleep deprivation.  The first 3 months after Lauren was born I could 'manage' on about 5-6 hours of sleep and maybe a nap during the day...if her nap time coincided with Isaac's nap.  Or maybe I was counting down to that 12-13 week mark since Isaac was that old when he started to sleep through the night.  And girls are supposed to sleep through the night sooner, right?  Sooo jealous of SIL, our niece has been sleeping through the night since 8 weeks.  Ugh.  Green eyed monster.  This past week I'm ecstatic to report she's sleeping longer, waking up to eat about 5:30 or 6.  Oh it so much better than 2:30 and 6:30!  She may squeal between 2-3, but silence ensues once that paci is popped back in her mouth. 

It isn't just the wakeful nights that's brought permanent residence to the dark circles under my eyes (thanks Mary Kay for a quick fix!) but the fact I'm keeping up with the house work.  Ugh.  The following image has been circulating on facebook for the past few days.  So I guess that means I've been a good mom, but I can tell when I get carried away house work when Isaac starts acting ornery. 



Can I get an 'AMEN!'

  Now, I must bring to attention there is a difference between mess and filth.  Mess is when stuff is just out of place.  As most of you experience mess if you have children.  Of any age.  Or a husband.  Well, I guess the husband walks the fine line between mess and filth.  Hahah...couldn't help myself.  And filth is well...I'm pretty sure you know what filth is...we've all had it at one time or another.  But gosh, in today's economy with a home on the market you gotta do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g in your absolute power to showcase your home.  I'm talking windex the faucets, hide every shred of evidence that children live in the home, bake brownies for that warm, homely smell, serve brownies and chilled lemonade to 'bribe' the buyer, and do ridiculous upgrades just to get people interested.  Oh yes, we've dropped almost $3,000 PLUS sweat equity (thanks Nate and Nat for our new living room flooring) to improve the appearance of the home.  And we won't even make that up when we sell the home.  Our home is currently priced $4,000 below the purchase price in 2007.  I'm resisting the whole granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances upgrade.  People can bite me, I'm old fashioned and I know it.  Our 5 year old appliances work just FINE and won't be replaced any time soon.  Potential buyers always comment that the homes are too close together.  Well, if you'd note the lot size on the listing details you wouldn't waste your time and my time would you?  That's something we can't change.  Potential buys mention the lack of privacy.  Fence installed...check!  15 foot maple tree purchase and to be strategically placed to block neighbor's deck...CHECK!  PS if you've never shopped for trees, the older the tree, the more expensive it is.  Get ready to shell out some dough...my husband experienced some sticker shock this weekend.

 Oh geeze, I'm going all Debbie Downer, doom-n-gloom.  Not everything is 'Leave it to Beaver' and chipper in our household.  If you thought so you were sadly mistaken.  We have our moments....the good ones out-weigh the bad ones, though.  We are trying to keep a more positive outlook.  Everything will happen in His timing and I believe we are being taught and given the opportunity to show patience.  We recently read a devotional about the 'drudgeries' of you life.  Complaining that the kids won't go to bed at a decent hour.  Be thankful you have children.  House won't sell?  Be thankful you have a roof over your head.  Be thankful you can afford a home!  Car problems...for crying out loud we have the luxury of owning TWO cars!  Even though we are bursting at the seams in this home (I believe half of our possessions are stashed at my parents home) I am thankful I only have 1200 sq ft to keep in pristine condition...I really don't mind having a small home at this point in my life.  Content.  That's where I am.  But let's be honest, we can't help but drool when we see a home go up for sale in the coveted Crosswoods area...an acre lot sure would be nice for Isaac to run around in.  :)

Ok, enough rambling...here are the recent pictures of the kiddos!  Now I'm off to the kitchen to slice up some cantelope for Isaac's birthday celebration with friends and family!  More pictures on that later!

And if I may be biased, Isaac is following his dad's footsteps in the 'looks' department.  Watch out ladies!  I just hope he doesn't leave as many hearts broken in his wake as his father did.  And as for Lauren, Nate is already terrified at the thought of boys chasing her.  We may have to get her chastity belt re-fitted since her thighs are growing at unbelievable rate.  I just tell her she is a woman and it is just fine to be voluptuous!

Babies: 6 months

As most of you probably know I've been on maternity leave...well, not an official leave, but not scheduling sessions other than the families who had purchased a Baby's First Year Package.  So for their 3 month sessions I awkwardly positioned my behemoth of a belly on the ground or floor to snap images of them holding up their heads and for their 6 month sessions I had some 'cushion' where that belly used to be...along with some bags under my eyes to show for the mid-night feedings.  But now I'm getting back into the swing of things.  I waited until I had all three 6 month sessions complete before making the post...trying to be time efficient with our almost-two-year-old and two month old...some of you mamas and caretakers can relate, I'm sure.  ;) 

Miss B was first up for her photo session.  Chilly weather kept us in doors, but we still snagged a few adorable pics in her tutu in time for Valentine's Day!

Miss K 'rolled' in just for all the spring-time temps.  Never in March had I photographed a child almost naked!  We were lucky with the weather.  I also had a chance to borrow a wash tub and show off one of my new flowered creations.  Take a peek...

{the 'roll' was intended...but the shots I have don't show 'em off...always so sweet on lil babes!}

And finally Master T got the sweet end of the deal with even warmer temps...daffodils were in bloom!  You can see 'em in the background of his basket pose.

Wanted: Caption

Will giveaway crocheted goodies for caption!

Think of your best caption for this photo to enter to win $15 worth of crocheted goods (pre-made or custom order).

I snapped this quick pic of Isaac while attempting to photograph his lil sis in one of my fav outfits.  How many parents can relate to wanting to document your kiddos fav outfits?!  Sorry for the blurriness - 2 year olds are always on the move and it was a fleeting moment! 

Anyhoo - here are the rules...
1.  You have until MONDAY, MARCH 26TH 12 (noon) est to enter your caption.  Winner will be announced sometime Monday on the blog.  Winner then has until Friday, March 30th to claim his/her prize.
2.  One entry per person for this giveaway.
3.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org
4.  I have the right to delete or not publish a post comment based on content I may find offense, vulgar, or unfitting.  Keep it clean!
5.  I will ship to anywhere in the contiguous US - any place else and the winner pays for shipping.
6.  Giveaway sponsored by Amanda Mitchell Photography, LLC.
7.  If winner's choice of product(s) exceeds $15, the winner pays the difference plus 6% KY sales tax if applicable.
8.  It is almost 5am and I've been awake since 2am, so if I forgot something I can change the rules....ok this is more of a 'my brain isn't thinking very clearly, but this is the only time I have to make that post - fingers crossed I didn't forget anything and nobody will sue me' rule.