I like his Valentine's Day Style.

Here is the special "Stephen" blog post. I don't need ya'll to fall in love with him, but this blog is more for me than anyone.
Stephen is a great gift giver. For Christmas, he found the perfect vintage, swivel chair for my computer desk and the perfect mug that looks like a camera lens. These items are romantic because they were items I wanted (and needed) and he took time to pick out the perfect one. But just after Christmas comes Valentine's Day, and just a few months later comes the month of May when we celebrate our birthdays, Mother's Day, and our anniversary. It's hard to keep a steady stream of thoughtful gifts coming. So we have this easy gift giving relationship. We've never agreed to skip gift giving. I know a lot of couples do that. Giving and getting is important to both of us. We make an effort. Sometimes a big idea strikes us, and sometimes it's a small notion. Sometimes, we recognize that the holiday snuck up on us and our hands are a bit empty. It's all okay. It's easy, and I like that.
We hadn't made any plans to go out this year. Yesterday, I hastily texted our friend Becka who agreed to come over and watch the babies so we could have a morning coffee date. Simple but sweet. This gave me a chance to take some photos of my hubby to show off his lumberjack, hipster style that he is rocking these days. It involves a lot of layers, a little bit of corduroy, and maybe a bit too much hair. We were greeted this morning by a white layer of snow (as opposed to a purple one). It was a lovely, but is already melting and dripping away.

Maybe blogging my weeks goals will keep me accountable.

My friend is blogging her weekly goals here. I'm enjoying following her progress. I thought maybe blogging some of my goals might help me actually achieve some of them. I have so many projects rattling around in my head. If I don't prioritize them and write them down, I'll end up getting overwhelmed and getting nothing accomplished. So here goes...

Buy printer paper and print bible worksheets out for D'arcy and Julian to take each week to church.

Make the valentine's card for Stephen that is currently residing in my brain.

Work on special Stephen blog post.

Make 5 greeting cards with some of my photos.

Work out each day with Wii dance and keep track of my Weight Watcher points.

Finally clean off my back porch and take all that junk to goodwill.

Read 1 Samuel 16-18.

Keep working on colors with Schroeder. (If I ask him what color an item is he just pulls a name of a color out of his head, but if I say which one is orange or blue he points to the right one.)

We'll leave it at that, and I'll be back in a week to let you know what actually got done.

Birth Photography

You might remember that I took January off to catch my breath and regroup. I spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted to evolve my little nano business. It's important for me to take pictures that are real, candid, and help us remember some of the sweet moments in life. A few of my sweetest moments came when I delivered my babies (one born in hospital and three at home). For my third birth, It finally occurred to me to have someone come document the experience. Then something strange happened. I gave birth in less than an hour. My photographer and friend, Joy, didn't make it. However, she did catch some wonderful, treasured moments within minutes of his arrival. Here is one of my very favorites.

When I'm thinking about having a fifth baby, I desire to have the birth photographed more than I desire a typical newborn session. I have hope that a photographer might be able to make it because, right now, a great one lives across the street (although I have no idea is she wants to see me give birth).

Missing beta's birth has got me thinking of how much I would love to capture these moments for others. So, I'm going to be offering my services to photograph births (both home births or ones in a hospital). I'll be charging $300 for each delivery. I'll arrive when you reach late, active labor, and I'll stay until the newborn check is done (approx 4 hrs). Here is a moment I captured during one of my friend's births several years ago. Baby had taken a few seconds to breath, and this was the moment when he finally decided to cry. So sweet.

Baby Annabelle is a cute little thing.

Why are people otterly fascinated with mustaches these days?

My family is well hatted.

Beta

Dear Beta,
Your mommy and I became friends when I moved to Texas, but after a time, I had to move back to Indiana to be close to my family.  Your mommy confided in me for years, expressing her desire to start a family.  Unfortunately, life presented so many obstacles.  She and your daddy have worked so hard over the last years to carve out a space for you in their lives.  They wanted to make sure you would be provided for in the best of ways.  With prayer and counsel and sacrifice and compromise, they are finally able to welcome you into their arms.
Your mommy emailed me a picture to announce you were on your way, and I was so excited.  You have brought me many tears of joy.  I wish I could be at your birth and photograph the expression of your mommy when you come into the world, but I don't know what day you'll choose to come.  So, instead, I came down for your baby shower.  I got to take loads of pictures of your little family.  I hope they will always confirm to you how much you are loved and wanted.
Love, Mel
P.S.  I told your mom and dad to pretend I wasn't in the room and talk about names.  They didn't fall for it.  All I got was they are thinking about naming you after me, but I think that was a joke.