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Life Lately

Because writing is therapeutic, I thought I would share a little about what is going on in my life lately...the good and the bad. 

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Every once in a while (as in once a day) I freak out briefly that Christmas is quickly approaching. It's like when you know you have a college research paper due, but you keep putting it off and the longer you wait the more anxiety you have. Then I realize my kids don't need much, and I'm making it in to a bigger deal than it really is. Do I need to completely fill up their stocking, wrap their presents perfectly, and give them everything they could ever want? Nope. For goodness sake, I could give Walt and Whitney a box and they would be happy. So, with that being said I'm planning a few intentional purchases for them. The problem is finding the time to shop alone. I'm a bit old school and like purchasing Christmas items in stores. Anyone else like that? Turner is going to get football pads, socks, and candy. Walt is going to get this set from Melissa and Doug, and Whitney is going to get a medium sized Beanie Boo (she's obsessed with those big sparkly eyes). Alex is getting a gun, which I will not be purchasing or wrapping. I haven't really thought about what I want or asking Alex to buy me anything, but I know on Christmas morning I will want something to open. So...I think I'm going to make a list. What's on your Christmas wish list? I really want a kid-less vacation to Costa Rica ; )

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My grief has lessened a bit the last couple of months (as in I'm not crying all the time), but I feel it coming on strong as Christmas approaches. Christmas music does NOT help. Almost a year ago at Thanksgiving I found out my dad had been to the doctor, and they were worried about his heart. At the dining table of our Thanksgiving meal I took this photo and wrote about the love I had for my family. I never thought that would be the last photo I would take of my dad. I plan on spending December 14 with my mother. On the nights I put Turner to bed, we pray about Pawpaw and tell God we miss him, but we know he's riding a horse in heaven and talking everyone's ear off. 

This past weekend we switched Turner and Walt's room because Turner got a new queen bed. We were needing a queen bed for guests so we put Turner in the largest room and gave him our old mattress (we received a new one)! I ordered his bed from Wayfair, and it only cost us $60 because I had credit from a collaboration I did with them. I wanted to put up our Christmas decorations, but my house was a complete mess due to moving dressers, clothes and toys. We spent lots of time at the park so we didn't have to endure constant crying at home, and stopped by the Arboretum for their Christmas celebration. Great opportunity for free pics with Santa. For some reason my kids were driving me EXTRA crazy the past week, so I took my neighbors up on an offer to watch the kids and Alex and I went on a last minute date. We headed straight to the mall to get 30 minute chair massages. I laugh because when I was younger I would think "Who the heck would get a massage in the middle of a mall?" I AM THAT PERSON, AND IT IS AMAZING! $30 for the best deep tissue massage I've ever had. For dinner Alex wanted steak so we went to Texas Roadhouse because we didn't want to spend a lot of money. I went for the rolls ; ). After dinner (9:30pm) we considered going to a movie or a bar but were so tired we called it a night and went home. Boring and we love it.

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The past couple of months I've gotten a lot more collaborations with brands through influencer agencies due to the holidays. It's been tough trying to get the necessary photos, because it's dark pretty much by the time I get home. The weekends are the only time I really have to shoot, so it's a bit chaotic trying to get everything done while entertaining children. At times I've bitten been off more than I can chew, but the extra money is very helpful for our family. I've had more anxiety and stress trying to get everything completed, and the weekends have not been relaxing at all. This past weekend I had a list of all the things I needed photographed, and we managed to get 4 shoots done on Saturday because I wanted to relax on Sunday. I think blogging will be MUCH easier when my kids are a bit older. Alex took the photos in this post while the kids played around me at the Arboretum after we saw Santa. No easy task, but we got the job done ; ). Naturally I'm constantly pitching companies and brands, but I need to stop for a while so I can enjoy my weekends. If I was a full-time blogger this wouldn't be such an issue, but from 8-4pm I'm working on marketing for someone else. 

I'm looking forward to having 2 days off of work, and "relaxing" with family. We'll be driving to Dallas to celebrate with my in-laws. Maybe I'll get some Black Friday shopping in. Diff Eyewear is having a major sale starting Thursday and you can save up to 50%.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy your afternoon nap after turkey. I haven't napped in 5 years.

2 comments:

allyross said...

My son has that Melissa and Doug set and it's THE BEST $25 I have ever spent! He loves it!

kelsey williams said...

Were these photos taken with your phone in portrait mode or a DSLR? They are great! :-)

Also, I have been eyeing that cleaning set for years. I should probably just get it!