{Project 26 - 'It's time to reflect'}

This project theme came at a really good but busy time.  Three days ago my baby girl turned 7.  There was a lot of reflecting on the day she was born as well as fond memories of her being super little.  We had an amazing day celebrating Brielle.  Now that she's 7 she wants her ears pierced.  So this weekend guess what we'll be doing?  Yes, she's growing up.   Below are some pics of little B when she was super little.  I love Brielle and Tyler's interaction and closeness... I hope they're always this close.  Happy 7th Birthday to my sweet little Brielle.  I love you!

And taken yesterday at our spontaneous day trip to Sedona.  I snuck this shot in of Ty and B catching fish with their hands.

The other girls in the circle will have their posts up soon (its summer time - very busy) so check back again for their links :)

{Project 26 - 'color my world'}

Wow, what a whirlwind few weeks.  My babies left to go on a 3 1/2 week adventure up the west coast with their Granparents in their RV.  Yes, that's not a typo - almost 4 weeks.  I miss them tons.  It's strange not having them here with me each day.  :(  A big part of my inspiration has left and that's hard on this momma.  But I'm keeping busy with the overwhelming number of house projects/to do's we have on our list.  So, when I was reviewing the theme for this week's project 26 my heart fell a little.  Why?  Because my kids 'color my world' and they aren't here with me.  My world is muted right now without them.  So I brainstormed and thought and finally found some 'color in my world'.  Some I couldn't photograph - like me and my husband.  No, not in that way.  I just didn't have the time to photograph us together.  That's the one thing that's been wonderful about Jeff and I being 'childless' right now - we're completely dating again.  We can have uninterrupted conversations at dinner.  There's time to be silly, light-hearted, work on projects together, have quiet talks where we can stare into each others eyes- then burst out laughing,  and reconnect like we should.  In that sense it's been amazing.  I'm trying to take advantage of the positives.  As I'm trying to organize I keep running across Brielle's art.  She'd be happy with just a pile of paper and drawing tools.  I melt every time I go through a stack of things and find her sweet work.  FaceTiming and having grandma text pictures of the kids to me each day has been a treat.   In that sense there still 'color IN my world'.

Please continue through the circle - one of my favorite photographers is up next.  Valeria Spring of The Red Balloon Photography - pure inspiration!

{Project 26- 'it's a good day for a picnic'}

This weeks project was so fun to work on.  My kids just left on an exciting road trip for 4 weeks (that's right, it's not a typo - 4 weeks).  Yeah, my heart hurts.  I had a hard time agreeing to the trip since it's so long away.  But finally I gave in...sad as that made me.  But I'm trying to think of the fun they'll have and the memories they're making.  I just can't wait to have them in my arms again.  Anyway, we squeezed this shoot in just before they left.  They had a ball doing this.  We were getting chased by bees (um, lots and lots of them) and the ants were loving us...we didn't reciprocate the love.  So we worked quickly on this shoot an the kids helped with ideas and set up  every step of the way.  There are so many more pictures to go through but I'm already late in getting this post up so I'll start with these dozen and maybe add more later.  Don't forget to go around the circle (we're all late in posting so some links might now work right away) and check out what some of the other talented ladies in our group posted today.  Jessica Drossin always posts beautiful eye candy.

{a taste of Fall & a hint of late summer - Boho Style}

Oh yes, I've teamed up again with 2 of my longtime favorite designers.  I've been working with these two for over 5 years now!  I can't believe it.  And they still amaze me with their creativity and talent.  Kait Emerson Designs newest collection are great for late summer and early fall - the Boho Collection!  I simply love this boho style and screamed with excitement when I got these in the mail!  I can't say enough about Melissa of Nuxiemade {designer of the beautiful crochet hat shown} and Feanna of Kait Emerson Designs.  I love you ladies!  Check out these fun styles below and be sure to check out their shops {links on their names} and Facebook pages - Kait Emerson Designs Facebook Page    Nuxiemade's Facebook Page

{Project 26 - 'just me'}

Eeps!  It's time for another project 26 and this one was a tough one.  It's supposed to be a picture of me.  I struggle with being in front of the camera.  I'm not comfortable at all and in fact if I see a camera pointed in my direction I usually duck and hide.  I'm that fearful of being on the other side of the lens.  I wish I could get over it since I know my kids and someday grandkids will want to know who I was and what I looked like.  But still...I struggle.  So last night I finally did it...I got my iPhone out and my DSLR and stood (or sat) for a moment in front of the camera. This is 'just me'. Oh and yes, those are my scary feet...they are in need of a pedicure but I'm too cheap to get one. ;-)  and my feet are all banged up from years of abuse wearing heals. lol  Note:  these pictures break so many rules so please don't hate.    Oh and continue on to the circle and see what the other girls have posted - Jessica Drossin is sure to amaze.  The circle may be light today but should be larger in the next few days since summer makes it hard for some to post right away.

{'The August Collaboration' - revealed}

I've had to keep this project quiet for months and today it's finally been revealed!  It started with an idea....that of Lexi Vornberg's from Lenses & Lemonade.  It turned into a work of art all surrounding a crown traveling around the country  and into the hands of  15 different photographers, each with a unique and artistic vision. I'm flattered and humbled to be a part of this talented group in presenting this unique, creative project.  Below are some images that I captured and one or two that I didn't include in the magazines' final production.   At the end of this post you'll see a link-image to the magazine, please look through the electronic book to see the vision of everyone included in this amazing project.  Thank you Lexi for asking me to be a part of this amazing compilation of visual art.

http://issuu.com/lexivornberg/docs/the_august_collaboration_upload/3

{So much going on...so little time}

So I feel like I've been neglecting my blog a bit.  I'm keeping up with my 'Project 26' - something I love!  And I'm trying to post when I can on 'Shop Talk' Friday.  Every time I move I have to go through the process of rediscovery.  I'm currently location scouting and it's not been very fruitful since everything that looks remotely cool says 'No Tresspassing' in signs that I can't ignore.  But I'm still searching....and searching...and, well searching.  And I have so many secret projects going on that I'm going to burst.  They're so much fun but it kills me not to be able to share.  In time....LOL  In the meantime - Brielle is enjoying trying on close for an upcoming shoot we have.

{Project 26 - 'I don't want to forget'}

Wow, this has been a crazy nutty busy two weeks!  I wish I had more time for this post since the theme means so much to me and I say this almost on a daily basis about my kids and how fast they're growing.  This would be the longest post ever if I could fit in everything I want to remember and hope to never forget.  But I'll make it short and sweet and save some if it for other posts :)

I don't want to forget home much my kids 'like' one another.  How much they depend on each other as playmates, as helpers, as company.  This is what I woke up to find the other morning.  The two curled up watching TV.  Brielle likes to grab Tyler's hand...sometimes (most of the time) he's okay with this.  Brielle sleeps in Ty's room on the weekends in the full sized lower bunk with Tyler.  I went in the other night and they were asleep holding hands.  I tried to get a picture of it but my camera wouldn't focus in the darkness :(  But went back to get Jeff so he could see.  It melted me.

I don't want to forget their carefree summer evenings.  Riding bikes in the street until dinner time.

And the silly things I see Brielle do when she's bored after being in her room for a little 'time out'.  She doesn't get them much but when she does she's either deep into a book, asleep or has changed her outfit, accessorized, or has dress-up clothes on.  And her time outs aren't very long so she's quick!  I've termed these quiet moments 'creative seclusion'.  Thankfully she doesn't get them very much, but when she does she usually comes out happy ;-)  Love my little bug!

There are so many things I don't want to ever forget.  I'm going to put a 'to be continued' on this post since I have so much more I want to share.  Old pictures, memories, stories, etc.

Continue through the circle and visit the talented Martha Schuster and see what she's posted.

{Project 26 - 'a day in my life'}

So this has been my life lately.  This post couldn't have come at a crazier time.  We've moved! Yes, so I'm surrounded by boxes and things that don't fit into spots in the house yet.  We didn't move far only from Mesa to Scottsdale. To add to the craziness this week, we have a broken washing machine, broken ice maker and broken garbage disposal - fun stuff!  The most painful thing right now is the washer...we have laundry piling up so high there's no place to hide it. And to make matters worse there are NO LAUNDROMATS in Scottsdale.  NONE.  Really?  Crazy, so I have to think of plan B.  Plan B, be stinky for a while. ;-)  I never knew how dependent  I was on my washing machine.  Anyway, I'll figure out something and just be stinky until we get a new one (not really, we're going to find a laundromat this weekend).  So as we're navigating through our maze of boxes we've also prepared for the last week of school.  Today was the last day (yesterday now when I actually post this)!  And with that comes projects, making teachers gifts, and just living in the moment with my kids soaking up every last moment of them being in the 1st and 3rd grade.  These are days, hours, minutes and seconds that I'll never get back so I'm living in the them without the worry of all the deadlines I have that I've tried to press pause on.  Those deadlines are still there but they weren't going to take away from the time I wanted to spend with my kids.  Some of these pictures were taken with my iPhone (just a warning).  This is not just 'one day' it's a few....more like the span of a week.  :)

The first picture below was taken the night the kids had their last camp out in the backyard at the June Street house. Serious excitement for these kids and 100's of mosquito bites in the morning.  ;-)  It was worth it I think. {iPhone pic}

The photo below was taken on our last night in the June Street house.  We all camped out in our room.  Such a fun memory for all of us. {iPhone pic crappy...sorry}

Brielle encouraged me to take an unpacking break so she could swim the day we moved in.  :) So funny, she plugs her nose just like me when jumping in the pool.  She used to be able to jump without the pain of doing that but I guess she's seen me do that too many times.  LOL

Preview Changes

Tyler not too sure about our move, feeling a little down we left our old neighborhood.  I never see him down, this was unusual and lasted about 3 days. :(  My heart broke.  But he likes it here now and has a friend in the neighborhood that he loves to play with.  Yay!

Another iPhone pic below.  The only way to keep August from getting in the movers way when we were moving in was to use the counter as a 'babysitter' so their he layed while we hurried around the house moving boxes and furniture in.

The last few days of school....poorly documented but I got a few quick shots here and there.  This has been my life...my kids, their school, their happy little carefree world.   Below - Ty and his buddies in class.

The Kickball Gang:  Tyler and his buddies at recess getting ready to play kickball.   

Tyler getting an award in class :)  MVP - or MVS (Most Valuable Student) award.  He was so proud.

Brielle and her friend Kara.  Playing at recess. So sweet seeing them play.

Hula-Hoop Conga Line Brielle started at recess.  Such happy 1st graders.

 Brielle lost her first upper front tooth the night before and was shaking with excitement eager to show her class her new smile and the wing prints the tooth fairy left for her the night before.

Articles written, invoices sent, photos edited, etc....all fueled with Starbucks Green Tea while the kids are in school. {iPhone pic}

So this week has been a very busy crazy week for this circle so I will be posting links to other's in the circle soon.  It hit us all at the same time.  Check back soon for links :)

UPDATE:  Check out the amazing Martha Schuster for a peek at a day in her life.  You'll be so glad you did.  Love her post!!

{Project 26 - 'Dream, Dream, Dream'}

This weeks Project 26 theme could go in sooooo many directions. The 'dream' theme fit perfect with what my kids have been talking a lot about this week.  Brielle in particular has had nightmares.  She talks about them the next morning.  So we started talking about how she can take control and turns those nightmares into dreams that make her happy and peaceful.  Then she blurted excitedly, 'I can catch my dreams'.   So we did this project's session with that in mind.  She giggled most of the time especially when we played with the stars and the hearts {they tickled her head and her face}.As I mentioned last week, we have a new addition to the group this week!  Sarah Lynn Cornish the talent behind 'My Four Hens Photography' has joined our group! Please click here to see her beautiful take on this weeks 'Dream' theme and continue through the circle of talented photographers.