Thank you for loving Tyler.

So, yesterday was CRAZY BUSY!
Up at 6 am,
drop Tyler off with Mom at 6:30 am,
Run with the "Mothers" at 7 am,
Finish my five mile run at ....(well, that doesn't matter),
photo shoot with an old friend at a local park at 10 am,
Tyler's friend's birthday party at 11:30 am (which we missed)
Finish preparing cupcakes for a fundraiser at 12:30 pm,
shower, laundry, clean house, etc.
before we head to a birthday party
for my client's daughter
who was celebrating her first birthday
at 4:00 pm.
Get together with girlfriends to make preparations for
one of their weddings coming up in October at 6:00 pm.
(Bloody Mary at 7:00pm...shhhhhh)
Left her house at 9:00 pm
Bath for T at 9:30 pm
In bed, both of us, at 10 pm.

Ok, so I am exhausted just thinking about yesterday.
However, let me back up.
Because in the midst of my craziness,
There was a moment that made me pause.
And pause long. And think hard. And count my blessings.
See the part where I said
I went to a birthday party for my client's daughter's first birthday???
Well,
Tyler
and
I
were
the
only
ones
who
showed
up.
Yes. You read that right. No one showed up to celebrate the first year of this beautiful little girl except Tyler and I.
As busy as my day was, and as tired as I was, and as much as I lacked the energy to go to that party...
I went. And when I realized that I was the only one coming, I was forced to stop.
And take a moment.
And thank God.
I thanked God for putting people in my son's life who love him.
Every day, without a doubt, my son is loved. By a TON of amazing people.
And, on his first birthday, my mother's house was
Full...
Jam Packed....
Filled...
With people who loved him...People who still do.
Thank you, Dear God, my family, and my friends, for wrapping your arms around my child, even when you are tired, even in the midst of all your responsibilities,
and even when you have your own family to love.
Thank you for loving Tyler.

God Thinks of Everything

Absolutely beautiful.
She has that thing. You know. The "glow".
And as I stared at her through my lens,
I couldn't help but think...

What a blessing. What a miracle.

What a great mother Shanone will make.

And, I thought back to my own experience as a mommy-to-be,
and I remembered...
in the midst of my excitement and fear,
after all, most of us fear the unknown,
I read something.
I read that in the womb, fetuses are covered with a waxy coating called 'vernix'.
In a sentence: Wax changed my (pregnant) life.
(yes, strange, but true)
In that moment I knew that everything would be fine.
I knew that If God could think to make sure that unborn babies do not turn into prunes
from being in the amniotic fluid of their mothers,
I knew He could calm my fears and plan for a safe arrival of my baby boy.
And, in that moment, I was reminded:
God is in control,
and
God thinks of everything....

Four Girls and Fun!

4 Nights in the Midwest
+
4 (very silly) Girls
-
4 Children
+
(At least) 4 Miles of Nothingness...
Except Alpaca
=

A TON OF FUN!

Thanks, ladies for all the wonderful memories!...and you, too, Jett.

"Aunt Michelle"

"Aunt Michelle! Aunt Michelle! Aunt Michelle!..."
This is what I hear Spencer chanting
in the background
as I talk to her mother on the phone.
Her mother sternly assures her that her chanting,
in no way,
helps the car to get to 'Aunt Michelle's' house faster.
I smile.
I mean, after all,
she's chanting my name.
Who wouldn't love THAT???
I LOVE to play my position as "Aunt Michelle."
I love to love my best friends' kids.
I love that they love me.
And I love every time I see how much they love her (more).
She earned it, after all....
(You would understand if you saw pictures of her pregnant with the twins).
And while I stand on the inside of the house,
Watching them watch her,
I think...
For once,
2nd best is not so bad.
(Love you, Kate, Spencer, Carter, and Davis. <3 Aunt Michelle)

The Blog Virgin

So, today I begin down this path called...dun dun dun (that was my scary sound effect if you couldn't tell)....BLOGGING. When pondering the decision to delve into this arena, I found myself wondering WHO, in their right mind, would want to know what I was up to! But, three seconds later, I realized that this decision is much less about sharing my thoughts with others than it is about gaining valuable feedback (loving, constructive feedback) about my photography from those I am so blessed to have in my world. So, here I am. Wide open. Vulnerable. Eager. Let the games begin! Love!