Seven Years Later

  Wow….. so here we are, my first post in seven years. I’ve contemplated coming back to this space from time to time but it was more so recently that I really felt called back here. A few weeks ago my great Uncle passed away, he was such a wonderful man. Some time ago I wrote a blog post about him, where I basically interviewed him and shared his thoughts surrounding photography which was his art form. I came back to this blog during his last few days to find that post about my Uncle Marvin to share with my family. Seeing his post and looking through all my old memories made me feel terribly nostalgic. I really missed this space and missed having a creative outlet in my life. I think I’m going to try to give this a go again and see where it leads me.

   So much has happened and changed in the last seven years, within my own family, within myself and within the world. Some major updates, Mike and I added two more children to our family. Our once little family of three isn’t so little anymore. We have three beautiful girls, and believe me I still can’t believe I have three daughters either, like what are the odds! (haha) Chloe who’s 11 now, she was my whole reason behind starting this blog, then there is Autumn who is 4, and Everly who is 19 months. They are all so different yet very much sisters. Watching their sisterly bond grow has just been so sweet and rewarding.

   Another major life update, when I started this blog we lived in Washington, then we moved back to Illinois where most of my family lives and now for the past year we have been living in North Carolina to be near some of Mikes family. It’s really beautiful here, the weather and constant sunshine have been so good for my soul. I miss my family though, especially my Mom. We talk everyday but it’s not the same, I do feel like I’m missing out by not being there. In January she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That’s truly been one of the hardest things my family and I have been dealing with. I feel lost at times knowing I’m several states away and that I’m not there with her for everyday life. Amazingly though we’ve been able to see her several times since we moved, and by plane we’re only two hours away, I’m holding on tight to that little bit of positivity.

   There is so much more I could say but I’m going to save it for future posts. For now I’m going to leave you with a few of my favorite pictures. 

Remembering Our Days | A Photo Journal

Wednesday April 9th, 2014 | A day I never want to forget.

It was a beautiful spring day, full of endless possibility, the sun warm against our skin, a steady yet soft breeze combed through our wild hair. We had no where important to be, no work or appointments or errands to run, just an open schedule, such a rarity for us these days. With nothing to do Chloe and I headed to the beach. We spent the afternoon playing in the sand, searching for rocks both big and small to throw out into the vast cool water. I cherish moments like these with my daughter, though they might seem small to some, they mean the world to me.

Remembering Our Days: A Photo Journal

Tuesday July 23rd, 2013// A day I never want to forget.

Precious moments of connection, just the two of us, twirling and dancing on our bed, eating juicy saturn peaches, quietly watching the world go by just outside our bedroom window. After a whirlwind of emotion and stress these past few weeks, a moment like this with my daughter is utter bliss. Feeling so grateful for day's like this one!

Remembering Our Days: A Photo Journal

Saturday June 1st, 2013 // A day I never want to forget.

I never want to forget this weekend, two glorious days spent together as a family, simply enjoying one another's company. These past few weeks have been challenging to say the least, slowly adjusting to our new roles and schedule as a family. I now work in the day as a full time nanny to a precious baby girl, and Mike works in the evening, not coming home until midnight or sometimes even as late as two in the morning. We barely get a chance to see each other anymore. At times the lack of face to face connection has been really difficult for us, but we both know in our hearts that right now, in this moment, this is the very best decision we could be making for our family. Knowing that and seeing how far we have come in just a few weeks has been all the reassurance we need to keep pressing on and moving forward!

Film: Tristan Ryder

-- Tristan Ryder, Summer of 2009 --
For almost three years I was Tristan's nanny, everyday I watched him grow more and more into his own little being, such an honor that truly was. His family welcomed me into their life with such open arms, they became my family, and during a time in my life when I felt like I had no family of my own to lean on. It has been over a year since I have seen Tristan and his beautiful family, I'm not sure when I will be able to see them again, but my memory of them will forever be etched deep within my heart.
There is something so magical about using film, I never realized that until now! Over the next few weeks I plan to share more photo's I've taken on film throughout the years of my photography journey.

Remembering Our Days: A Photo Journal

Sunday May 5th, 2013 // A day I never want to forget.

Though a few weeks have already passed since our visit with Mike's oldest sister Cory and her husband Jeff, the memory of this day will forever be embedded in my heart. I truly feel so blessed to have married into such a wonderful, loving family who care so much about us. I cherish these pictures of us together as a family, moments like these just don't come often enough. 

Remembering Our Days: A Photo Journal

Sunday April 7th, 2013 // A day I never want to forget.

This past weekend has been absolutely wonderful, filled with sunshine, warm weather, and time spent with family and friends. On Friday evening I threw Mike a party to celebrate his 27th birthday ( which is actually this Friday, the 12th ). Mike's Father, Chuck, came in all the way from Seattle just to be there for the party and to spend the weekend with us. Everything turned out perfectly, better then I could ever have hoped for! 

On Sunday we spent the day at the park with Mike's Dad. The weather was gorgours, and Chloe had a blast playing with her Grandpa and learning how to skip stones. I am truly so grateful for this time spent with family!