Thank you!

A birthday Girl

We just got back from an amazing little vacation to the beach. Right about the time I was wondering what to do for sweet Rosey's birthday she started talking about the beach. As Worth would say, "problem solved". So we booked a getaway with just our family to relax and enjoy each other, and that we did. While I was packing for the trip the girls were in Holling's room and Hollings fell while climbing up on the changing table. She did not really react beside cry for a few minutes and then it was over. She did favor her arm just a bit so just to be safe we went to the doctor. In the pictures below you can see the results.
It is hard to believe that BellaRose is 4. I am not sure why but this one is hitting more then the other birthdays. 4 years is college, or high school. She brings me great joy (and frustration). 3 was not an easy ride, but even in the midst of tantrums or potty accidents she will say the sweetest thing. I feel like 4 is already better. We can talk to each other. It is not baby talk or even babying her, but she is still my precious 1st born child. I love this child so much.

I hope you enjoy the pictures from our trip. I am particularly enchanted by them. I posted some other ones on my photo blog as well, so be sure to check that out HERE. Of course as usual, click the image to make it larger and it will be clearer as well.

Take a moment

Marriage is difficult. Add children to the mix, a heavy workload and it becomes even more of a challenge then before. I will be the first to admit that we have had our trials, but I have to take a minute to brag on my husband. I had a wedding to photograph in Atlanta on Friday (the 13th da.da.daaa). I went to Greenville on Thursday to help celebrate my sister, Kelly's, birthday. Angela was going to watch the girls while I was in Atlanta and I would come back there on Saturday. I was running late to Greenville and did not have time to acclimate Hollings to Angela's house and she was pretty needy when I left her with my mom. Long story short, my mom got her to bed and we had a great time celebrating. We got home about 11:30 and went to bed. BellaRose was on the floor of the room I was in and did great at first. By the time I finally fell asleep Hollings woke up. Normally I would let her cry not daring to go into her room, well this was not a normal situation being at someone's house and I did not want her to cry and wake everyone. I made the fatal mistake of getting her. That was the end of my night and sleeping. By 3:30 when both girls are up and I am bawling in the dark of my sister's guest room I decided to pack it in and head home to Worth. I had no idea what else to do. The girls weren't sleeping, I had not slept a wink, and I had a wedding to shoot in a few short hours in Atlanta. This is the point when I brag on Worth. You see he had a guys boating trip planned to West Virginia. I knew that making the decision to come home would ruin the trip he had planned for 6 months, but like I said I had no idea what to do. I pulled into my house, praying Worth would not shoot me thinking I was an intruder. When I saw him I cried like the time when BellaRose was 6 weeks old and someone made a comment about me being pregnant and I bawled my eyes out on the closet floor. It was not pretty crying, it was shoulder shaking, heaving, snotty crying. Did I mention it was 5 something in the morning without an ounce of sleep, oh I did, my apologies. Worth quickly put me in bed closed the door put BellaRose to bed and let me sleep a couple of hours. Of course my photographer brain kicked in way to early and I thought about the batteries that needed charging and the lenses that needed cleaning. Worth never got upset that he could no longer go on his trip. He knew the commitment I had made and what my day held and never made me feel guilty. I am not sure I would have handled it as gracefully as he did. Actually I know I would not have. I begin the post talking about how difficult marriage is because Worth and I had a pretty difficult week leading up to this moment. I was pretty down about a load of things but this situation was eye opening. It kicked my bottom out of the haze I was in and I remembered what an awesome man Worth is and what an outstanding dad. He took care of me, he lifted me up, he put me back together, and sent me on my way back down to Atlanta with some advise of picking up some redbull. I know we will continue to have trying times but I hope this is always a reminder to me of what my husband stands for. That this family is his priority. I know you all know Worth and how much he loves to kayak and you all know the sacrifice he made for me!

Ps: That is not Worth in the picture, but indeed a young Robert Redford. Tricked you, no?

Little Birds

This is our dove, well actually this is the male dove and 2 little babies. The momma dove comes for the night shift (no comment). These doves chose our hanging flower bucket on our front porch for their home. This bucket is literally a foot from our front door at eye level. We have really loved having them as house guest. They don't scare away when we come out, and they sure have gotten a healthy dose of what life with kids looks like. Although their kids are much calmer then ours. Isn't this precious!

Now on to our little birds!
We met my mom at Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock for Easter. We love going there, it is so calm and peaceful.
These pictures don't appear as crisp and clear because I made them smaller so they would not take forever to load. So much for patience today. Just image them as they really should be and are!
PS: if you click on the image and make it larger they look like they should. They just don't like being scrunched into small pictures, they are meant to shine big!

Love this picture of Rosey with her eyes closed, not sure why. Just seems like what you should be doing while you are swinging on a beautiful Easter Spring Day!

Hollings before she fell on a brick walk way.

Do you all remember Rosey in the same dress as Hollings at Easter time a few years ago?

Daddy and his sweet girls.

Hollings after she fell. She is one tough little girl.

OG and Rosey!

Spring Market

This is where we have been and what my mind has been completely consumed by. Annie and I are in the midst of the Junior League Spring Market, as vendors. We have had long days and been under fluorescent lighting for quite some time. Hard to tell how it is going, but we have met some amazing people so that has been fun.

And this is who I have been with. What a blessing Annie is to me!

Thank you so much to everyone who has come out and supported us and a special thank you to Margaret for helping us with set up and design!! You all rock!