Yearly Archives: 2013

I woke up at 5 am, got in the shower and then grabbed a monster coffee (yes I know, so horrible for you) and headed out the door to drive towards Richmond!

On the entire way up I kept repeating to myself…. this will be good, this will be great because I was just so nervous to sit down with her and hear what she had to say.  Nervous in a good way though but still, I kept repeating all the excuses I tell myself why I haven’t really gone after this as a full time (hard core) business yet.  And I just knew Katelyn James would call me on it!

I was the first coaching session of the day so we sat in her fabulous office and just chatting about life and photography and how to balance the two.  We talked about how to successfully run a business and letting the business work for you.  Most importantly though, we talked about finding a new perspective on pursuing this… a perspective without guilt and without the hesitation that comes along with fear!

The time just flew by with her one on one but it was truly amazing and incredibly helpful.  We met up with Terri and sat down to lunch with Katelyn’s husband  Michael (who is also fantastic!) And then Terri, Katelyn and I went out shooting!

I learned that location isn’t all about the pretty scenery!  You don’t have to have an amazing spot in order to get beautiful, amazing pictures.  Sometimes you can just shoot in a parking garage and they look phenomenal!  (Which was kind of impressive considering it was like THE hottest day of the year!)

I drove home feeling inspired, overwhelmed and excited.  As I drove back, I reflected on something that Katelyn said that not only overwhelmed me but also motivated me!  She told me that some photographers spend the money on these coaching sessions because they truly do want  her advice and want to hear what she has to say, but then they go home and nothing changes.

I did not want to be one of those photographers!  So A and I have been working so hard over here to really get my business in shape and do it in a way that honors the advice Katelyn gave me AND also works for our family right now!

I’ve rolled on the new blog (obviously since you’re reading it!) and I’m working on a more professional website as we speak!

I’m taking 1 session a week and sticking to it this time!  I’m also totally set up and scheduled for consistent blog posts!

I am learning that I can do this and spend the time with Linc and A that I want to!  I can still share all the special moments of my clients AND have plenty of time for the special moments I share with my family!

It IS balance… but it’s an achievable balance!

The wonderful Katelyn James! If you haven’t met her on her blog… go there NOW!

Meet Terri! Katelyn’s other photographer to coach that day! She is a wedding photographer that travels pretty much ALL over VA!

Filed in:Personal | Photography
comment

I’ve been thinking all week, what was I doing at this exact moment last year?  Do you ever do that? Try to think back to what you were doing and how you were feeling?  If you have had a baby, I’m 99.9 % positive you have done that at least once since that baby was born!

I’ve been doing that a lot this week.  I keep trying to remember what I was doing and how I was feeling and what life was like before while we were eagerly anticipating little Linc.  When we had all the time in the world (to sleep, to eat, to go out just the two of us!)

But this time last year (this time meaning the Friday after the Fourth last year…. so really  7-6 but what’evs) I will never forget the series of events that took place!

This day last year… I had just resolved to breath.  We had a tough dr’s appointment the day prior and after a lot of wonderful conversations with friends I spent the day working (yes working on photography!) and drinking tea (red raspberry leaf tea for those pregnant momma’s out there!)

Husby and I decided to just kick back and relax and not to worry because well… the worry will come the second our son is born so let’s just relax today.  We decided to go on out to eat with friends of ours who were also pregnant… and due any minute!

Husby and I love thai food and thankfully our friends love it as well.  They had just moved back to the states from Japan so they were in need  of some really great food and Emily had been craving Thai food.  So we all decided to meet up at Tida Thai around 6 ish for a wonderful (relaxing) dinner and then possibly a date night out to the comedy club if all went well!  (Muah haha)

My girlfriend Emily’s due date was rapidly approaching so she had been chatting with her midwife tons and had a wealth of information!  So naturally us girls were chatting away about water breaking and labor and contractions while enjoying our papaya salad!  The boys were in and out of our conversation.  In all fairness, it is kind of gross when you really start getting into the nitty gritty details of childbirth~!

The boys had jumped in right about when were chatting about water breaking and I casually mentioned that I wonder what it would feel like… would you confuse it with pee?!  (I mean as a pregnant woman you pee a LOT especially in the last trimester and you just aren’t quite sure when or where it’s going to happen or even why… but pee just happens!)  Emily was laughing and said you definitely would know.

And then… as if right on cue… I peed (but not!)  I turned to husby and said um I think my water just broke!  He asked me “Do you think or do you know?!”

Honestly at that point… I wasn’t sure and we were waiting for our dessert so I said nah maybe not and we just kept chatting!  Emily’s husband laughed at me because he was sure I peed!

But about 5 minutes later… it happened again except this time I swear a water balloon fell out and burst in my pants!  I turned to husby and said ” We gotta go now… things just got REAL!”

Everyone was laughing… I was gushing and slightly panicking… how the heck am I going to get out of this restaurant.  We were seated directly in the MIDDLE of the entire restaurant (and it was crowded!)

I told husby he had to get up and walk directly behind me… like glued to my backside so no one would see but he was moving too slow!  He wanted to do the proper thing and wait for the check while I sat there basically wetting myself, the chair ,and the floor.

So I did what any normal person would do… I slowly got up and BOLTED like flash gordon for the door!

Emily came running out behind me and could hardly breath for laughing.  I asked her if you could tell and she said OH  YEA… your water totally broke!

Apparently it not only looked like I had peed my pants but I had left a puddle in the chair AND on the floor~  (possibly even a trail of water too, who knows!)

So as I sit here on my couch this morning, thinking back to this time last year ,I am thankful that it was my son who had to change his pants this morning because of pee and not me!

Just a little slice of the heaven that comes along with childbirth!

(And thanks little man for giving me a story I will always remember fondly… and for also letting me know very early on that you now hold the fate of the public’s perception of me in your tiny little hands!)

Filed in:PersonalTagged in: | | | |
comment

Did you ever have one of those toys?!  A lovie or a blanket or a book or something?  I can’t remember if I did but I tell you, I never thought we would over here.

In our house we do a LOT of smashing… and banging and rough housing!  I could buy a handful of new and exciting toys along with a .99 cent ball.  Toys will stay wrapped and zip tied while the ball gets tossed and thrown and kicked all over the house.  FOR DAYS!

We are all boy… moving as fast as possible from one thing to another as busy as can be. We live each moment as they come with no attachments, except for Wink!

Wink is our BFF and every day he teaches us about true unconditional love!  Think velveteen rabbit!  (I know you read it!  I cried, and still do when I think about it.  It just pulls at my heart).

I bought Wink on a whim.  I saw him and liked how unique he was.  I like that he was soft and kind.  I liked his little hair and long limbs!

Unfortunately, it wasn’t love at first sight… it wasn’t even really like.  Wink just kind of hung around for the first few weeks.  He admired Link from a far, hoping to be a part of our Hulk Smash and Bam Bam adventures.  But he was always just an outsider.  We tried to force a bond, bringing Wink in the car but he was always just another one of “those” toys.

Until one day it just all changed!

Sleep training opened Link’s little boy eyes and heart to this sweet and cuddly little owl.  He was there for Link.  He understood!  He could take the beatings and the tears and the tantrums.  He would always still come back for hugs no matter what!  He was a true wing owl.

Wink is now a part of almost all of our adventures.

He is the source of ground and pound.  He is the victim of Hulk Smash on an hourly basis.  He plays endless peek a boo and is the scout when mommy isn’t visible!  He soars over the couch, the stairwell, the kitchen counter looking for danger or adventure.

Wink is there when the tantrums arise, providing a sprinkle of hair to suck on in comfort.  He’s there for a face smashing as Link tells him about all the injustice of not being able to play by the mantle or pull apart the direct TV box.

Wink is the bed time hero often being sacrificed over the crib rails… kamikaze-d into the darkness in hopes that a rescue team will burst through the door.  And somehow, magically, Wink always finds his way back into the crib for a snuggle and the two of them wait it out until morning light!

Wink just gets it.  He understands!

And we are super grateful for him over here!

Our little man turns 1 this Sunday (WHAT?!) and husby and I laugh at how much comfort Wink has provided the three of us!

Wink is a part of almost all of our adventures…. including cake smash!  Here’s a preview of our little man’s 1 year shoot and smash (the thing he does best).  And right beside our little boy, his faithful BFF Wink!

 

Filed in:Uncategorized
comment
  • July 3, 2013 - 1:03 pm

    Ashley - Sweetest post ever. I love Link and Wink! We have a similar friend… Cyrus the Crocodile. We were sure he would be a life long favorite … so we bought 3! Haha, Alekzander tolerates him and he has been on quite a few boy adventures and recently made it into our second set of family pictures, but it is not quite the obsession we envisioned. Cyrus 2.0 was given as a birthday present to another friend and Cyrus 3.0 sits patiently in Anderson’s room … ready for a new BFF!ReplyCancel

« Previous Next »