ps....

two posts in one night - my, my!

Since I have been so down and dreary lately...I figured I need to talk about a few things that I am excited about!

1.  its superbowl week! I heart football - and since my man Manning isn't in the game this year - I have to pull for Eli.  GO GIANTS!!
2.  Miss Hannah is coming over for her newborn pictures on Sunday and I cannot wait to snuggle with her.  I love newborn sessions!
3. Avery's appointment is in 3 weeks - and although I am seriously nervous - that means a whole day with just me, Craig, and Avery which doesn't happen.  Ever.  I am soo excited to spend the whole day with my crazy middle child.  She is seriously nuts and makes me laugh 24/7
4.  Houston trip = shopping for new props!
5. Also in 3 weeks I have another mini vacation and we are going to start on the new studio! 1st step - painting, which I love.
6. Income tax time is almost here and I get to order my new photo baby and pay off the last credit card.  The Trahan Family will officially have no debt for the first time in our married life. WHAT!
7. I weighed this morning and I only have 8 more pounds to loose for my goal.  WOHOO
8.  my mortgage went down almost $100.  Can we save savings?? Trahan Family is on a roll...no debt and savings. WHAT!
9.  my husband is awesome.  true story.
10. we are nearing Ella's favorite 3 weeks in the year....Valentines Day (I have no idea why, but she loves the idea of pink hearts everywhere!), my birthday and her birthday.  She is counting down and soo sweet and excited.  Her 5th birthday both terrifies and excites me!  She is becoming a little lady  :)

my focus this week...

January 27th

This week I feel drained.  Half the week I was still on vaca but the other half took me down.  I had my hopes on things changing for my family and it didn't happen.  I'm pretty sure that is all it took to drain me.  I walked around work all Wednesday trying not to cry my eyes out. When the kids see me put on my khakis they start to cry.  Avery tried to block the door.  How I leave every morning without mascara running down my cheek I have no idea. Will my life ever be different?

Avery has her TC appointment in less than a month and I am really starting to feel it.  I have no nails left from the anxiety.  I think I am so nervous because I don't know what to expect.  When talking the the operator on the phone she asked what was going to take place at this appointment.  I have no idea.  I feel so out of the loop.  When we thought her sickness was due to absorption problems I knew my stuff.  I could tell you all about iron, absorption, blood deficiencies....but now I am lost.  I could google - but then I would just freak myself out.  We won't know anything until after this appointment which is to find out why.  Why does she loose so much blood and blood cells?  She has been pale lately and lots of nastiness....which normally means her levels are low.  I think a call to the doctor is coming this week. 

 .............................................................................................

I do have a few things to look forward to.  Sessions have been booking like crazy - which keeps me busy but is awesome.  I was worried this year was going to be like last and I would die from January - May.  As of right now, I have 1 spot open for February and 2 for March.  Such a blessing! I look forward to the day when this is my only job and I can confidently call myself a full time photographer.  

The kids are well and happy.  Owen turned 6 months old two days ago and he still lights up my day.  When I come home from work he smiles so big I feel like I could die from his cuteness.  He is starting to talk and it is soo adorable.  He learned a new trick - talking while he is eating so food goes up his nose.  The girls are their normal self.  Ella is really enjoying taking her pictures every week and I think I have a future assistant.  Avery has become a little talker! She and I went to the store alone the other day and talked the whole time.  She is nuts! 

Vacation!

I feel so bad....I have been so neglectful to my little personal blog.  I spend sooo much time on communicating with clients, editing, blogging, and working on the STP blog that I never have time for my own.  I don't feel like I have found my thing too, you know?  We shall see....maybe I need to get fat again so I can show yall how I loose weight?  Naa.  I don't think that will be happening any time soon. :)

This weekend we had a mini vacation out to my grandfathers house.  I love it there - so do my kids.  It is so nice to let the kids run around and play and not worry about them just being themselves outside. Here are a few highlights...

...

My week.  Well, started out kinda crazy.  Every body enjoys having triple the amount of work to do with the same pay, right??  Yeah.

Then - last night we discovered some winner hacked into my email account and sent out a virus to all my contacts and clients.  Super.  Craig and I participated in a 2 hour party of changing email addresses and passwords.  About half way through, I remembered that all my marketing for STP has my email address.  Super again.  So now I have to reorder all new business cards, post cards, everything.

Here's to hoping the week gets better....and so you don't think I have been Debby Downer all week - let me show you how super cute my son is!! :)  I can't believe how big he has gotten - how does this happen so fast??

Yes....I have the cutest little boy ever. 

And yes...the girls were here too....trust me, they don't miss that flash going off...

hows that for random....1 candle, 1 lighter, and 2 sticks of mens deodorant....hmmm. 

EEE!!

I booked a wedding!! More info to come - but I am super excited!

1/52

This year I have committed to doing the 52 week challenge from Paint the Moon.  One photo, every week, from a set theme.

Week 1:  Natural

this was the first day I got to see Owen.  I couldn't touch him.  For some reason, taking photos of his every detail helped me.

I had decided that I wouldn't go back into the files and choose a photo for the week but take something new - not staged but something that just happened.  But, when I saw the theme was natural I thought of this one first.  I love how the little prune lines are still on his toes.

tomorrow is finally Thursday....

I'm not one of those TGIF people - and I don't wake up every day wishing the week was over - but I am thankful that after a week of working, including nights this weekend, that tomorrow is Thursday and I am off with my family!

I have been pretty absent lately.  It has been busy.  I have ideas and things I want to blog about but I can't seem to find a moment.  Case in point - its 11:00, and I am lying in bed typing instead of sleeping.

This was a rough week.  My sister left again.  Dear friends moved away yesterday.  Another sad passing of a sister in Christ.  I need this weekend with the kids to recharge.  I have been waking up every morning and praying over a song or verse that is uplifting.  Today's was, this is the day that the Lord made.  I sang it in my head the whole time I was getting ready for work.  I left the house thinking, this is the day God made.  I have no greater joy than to be glad about that.

that lasted till about 9am.

anyone else need to refuel every few hours??  Maybe that is why we are to pray without ceasing - He knows we need it! (at least I do)

Coming soon....

pictures of my totally awesome Christmas presents to my kids from my totally awesome sister and brother in law
new photography props! wohoo
new, fun things about the kids

night.  I committed to 5 minutes tonight.  now it is time for sleep.

2011 / 2012

2011 

our year wrap up

january

celebrated the new year at 8 weeks pregnant with our third baby.  

feburary 

happy 26th birthday to me! rearranged the house yet again to make room for the baby.  many doctors visits with  Avery this month

march

spontaneous switch of OB doctor - found our we are having a baby boy! happy 4th birthday to Ella! made our annual trip to the zoo.  got a new dog (regretting new dog). enjoyed a visit from my sister 

april

22 weeks pregnant. complications with my blood sugar and pregnancy begin.  

may

first family putt putt trip.  Ella completes pre-k.  Craig finished his last school year working for the school. pregnancy complications continue. 

june 

happy 2nd birthday Avery! pregnancy complications get worse - I now have dislocated discs and go on bed rest. Craig plays photographer for family maternity pictures

july

happy birthday Owen! Owen goes into the nicu immediately after birth for 10 days - it was the longest 10 days in my life

august 

Owen joins his sisters at home.  we are overwhelmed with happiness.  we started out first year of homeschool. Avery got a new doctor 

september

the whole family is home all together again for another month - such a wonderful time

october

I begin work again after 4 months off.  Craig stays home with the children

november 

happy birthday to Craig! Thanksgiving family fun

december

busiest month of my life - I vow to set more boundaries in 2012