Halloween Monster Mini Sessions | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

Announcing my Monster Mini Sessions for your costumed cutie!

30 Day Bucket List

I'm in the process of reorganizing. There is frustration at the end of my day. The house still looks like five boisterous toddlers ransacked it. I still have no clue what to make for dinner. I can't seem to find the time to get my business past hovering off the ground, and that personal "me" time gets shifted until it resembles the 5 minutes it takes me to brush my teeth at night and drag myself into bed, and those glorious 2 minutes where I just want to stretch out on the matress and melt into the sheets, in total silence.

I recently followed a twitter link @fleurdeleigh posted about a 30 day bucket list she was putting together for a lifestyle challenge she had undertaken. Intrigued I read a bit more and wrangled the hubby into doing it with me and motivating me along the way. :) So, I have a feeling I'll be adding to this list, but I thought I'd share it to hold myself accountable for completing it, and also to motivate you into making positive changes to your own lifestyle! :)

My 30 Day Bucket List
Put the legal/financial ducks in a row for CS Photography
Declutter house and sell/donate/throw out anything unused or unwanted
Buy new lens :) (So excited for this one!)
Finish my loft shelving and art project
Learn to crochet
Exercise at least 4 days/week
Plan for and make dinners 5 nights/week
Try a new recipe once/week
Potty train Logan
Find an avenue to volunteer
Organize office into professional space
Clean off hard drives to both computers
Complete and blog a weekly photo assignment
Write morning pages
Plan once/week dessert date with hubby
Spend Sunday's "unplugged" with the boys
Personally accomplish 3 things on our "honey do" house renovation list.

So, that's my list for now. Seems a bit overwhelming to me but everyday I'm going to accomplish something that helps me to start crossing things off. And I'm so excited that the hubby is there to keep me motivated. He is working on his own list and we gave ourselves a start date of Aug. 17th so we both had time to finish and talk about our lists.

So, here we go!

Whose Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

A child's playground... Where gnomes hide. Where straw houses are blown over. Where a tea party can be had sitting in chairs carved from logs. Where you can ring the bell from the Old Woman's shoe and swing on a tire at Old McDonald's farm.

The Storybook Forest at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens

Meet B! | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

I always saw myself with boys. We waited on a nursery, secretly hoping for bunk beds, late night giggles and wrestling matches to come. He has only been with us for 3 short weeks, but has brought so much joy and fulfillment to our family. Logan is eager to hold him, and at the first sign of squirming, is eager to shove him back to me. A few days back Logan asked to hold his little brother and I found myself in stiches laughing because he had pulled his shirt up to try and "feed" him. I love calling them "My Boys", Dad included. I feel a bit outnumbered now, but uniquely loved at the same time. I cherish the early morning snuggles from all three of them, and soak in that last hour in the morning when Daddy takes both boys for me. We feel so very blessed. Here is our mini man, Brayden James...








and my love...

A Father's Day Portrait Party | Virginia Beach Family Photographer

So, I've been hiding these pictures since about April or May. I did a very special portrait party for the deployed daddy's for Father's Day. Here are just a couple from our 2-day, 9 family mini sessions! And to all the deployed daddy's out there, wishing you all a wonderful Father's Day! And to my hubby who is probably the only one out on the ship reading this blog, I'm trusting that you aren't sharing this link in case they haven't seen their pictures yet ;) Love ya babe!

Sneak Peak: Squishy baby cheeks | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

I am so in love with this little guy! He slept like a dream as long as he wasn't confined to tight spaces like wraps or knitted bowls. I guess he's more of the rugged hanging loose kind of babe. :) A big thanks to his mom for letting me capture the first few weeks of his life!

She's ONE! | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

This little spit fire was on her own program today and it was quite the challenge keeping up with her with my big ol' pregnant belly in the way :) She is also my last shoot until this baby decides to make his/her entrance. So, here's a quick sneak peak for Jenn and Nate. I hope you guys didn't get too wet during the freak downpour today!