My First Photo Shoot!

A couple of weeks ago my new niece was christened and my brother asked if I would mind taking a few pictures for them. Of course I said I didn't mind! I love taking pictures and I love that one of my siblings (I have 4!!!) has finally made me an aunt! So, after dropping off my 3 kiddos at the church nursery I sat back and took a few pictures before the service and then right after (and helped rock baby girl to sleep after she was christened). I was in my element! Something about rocking someone else's baby to sleep and knowing you can hand them right back over when you are finished..... So much less stress than when it is your own!!

Anyway, I edited the pictures and emailed them over. My sis-in-law and brother were both very pleased and said I should try to have a side business (as if I need another -LOL!!) doing photography. I told them I didn't think I was good enough but thanks for the compliment. They begged to differ and asked if they could hire me to take baby girl's newborn pics. I agreed on one condition.... they had to be brutally honest with me and if the pics didn't turn out how they hoped, they don't have to pay me. End of story.....

So, today was the day for baby girl's photo session. Didn't really know what I was doing and neither did baby girl. She really just wanted to eat and sleep!!! We got through it....242 pictures later. Baby girl got to go back to eating and sleeping and I went on with the rest of my day taking care of my 3 munchkins. I just finished editing several poses (did I mention I took over 200 photos???) and sent them on to my brother and sis-in-law. Waiting to hear their feedback. Will wait to finish editing the rest after I hear a positive, yes keep going!! So, I thought I would pass along my favorite shot of mommy and baby and see what my blog followers think! My sis-in-law wasn't even intending to be in any of the photos, I was just shooting away as she was trying to caress and calm baby girl during one of her "unhappy" moments. It just happens that those are actually my favorites! I have always been a big fan of photojournalistic type of photos.....

What do you think? Are these any good? Should I try to actually pursue this?? It certainly was a lot of fun and I'm having fun editing the photos too..... Honest feedback only!!!!

My Crazy Life!!

 Have I told you how crazy my life is lately???  We all have hectic lives, but some days I wonder if mine is a little more abnormal than most!!  Some of you know that I moved back to my hometown last year in hopes of getting lots of help from family since my husband's new position at work put him on the road 26 days out of the month.  I only needed the help because I was having medical issues and needed surgery.  So, I didn't want to be living alone with three kids and no family (and no husband) nearby to help during my hospitalization and recovery time.  So, we made the decision as a family to pack up our belongings and "settle down" once and for all in my hometown so we could be near family.  And.....when I say near family, I mean across the street from my parents!!!!  Please note, I haven't lived in my hometown for nearly 17 years.  When I left for college, I only came back a few times a year to visit during the Holidays.  Needless to say......this has been a HUGE adjustment!!

Well, my family was great for the first few weeks.  If I needed someone to help watch the baby (my youngest was 7 months old when we moved here), they came right over.  If I needed someone to drive one of my kids somewhere, they were here in a flash.  The eagerness and happiness to help seemed to dwindle after about week 3.  First, I must tell you that I am NOT one to ask for help.  I would rather do it myself because I am a bit OCD.  So, it was hard for me to ask for the help in the first place.  My parents practically begged me to move back home so they could help me. **Side note - I was put on bed rest and couldn't lift anything over 10 lbs for 6 weeks after my surgery.  Well, about 4 weeks after my surgery I stopped asking for any help and just got whatever needed to be done -DONE!

Fast forward about 9 months.......I'm completely healed and feel better than I have in years!!! However, I'm miserable without my husband!!!  My kids are suffering without their dad everyday, I'm suffering without my husband everyday.  We were a much better unit when we were all together.

saying good-bye......

So.....here we go.....the Traveling Gypsies will be on the move yet again!!!  This time we will all be going together!  My husband has an opportunity to take a job with another company which will move us out of the country for 13 months (but we will all be together!!!) and then the company will move us (all together) to one of their Regional offices for my husband to head up.  They offered him a position to run the Western Region office, which means he would be based in one place and travel only 2 nights a week!!!!  So after 5 years of moving (we have lived in 4 states in 5 years!), it looks like we might actually end up having somewhere to call home!!

Not sure how I will react each June/July (when we usually get the orders for our next post) approaches and there isn't the anticipation of where will we be moving next!  Am I being too hopeful?  Not sure. My husband isn't being as optimistic as I am.  His wheels are turning in the back of his mind.....he can't quite grasp the feeling that we could possibly be stationed in one location -for good!  We'll see...one thing is for sure (if he accepts the new position) we will at least all be together for the next 13 months!  I don't think I could stand another year without him!

Thanksgiving Smocked Clothing Collection

I know, it is June and it is HOT!!!!  So how could I possibly be writing about Thanksgiving??  Well, in the world of fashion, we always have to be about 3-4 months ahead.  SO, here is my post to get all you mommies out there excited about getting your Smocked Clothing for your kiddos this Fall Season.  Tonight, I'm showing you the smocked design for Thanksgiving.  In the next few weeks, I will send out our Basic Fall (I'm thinking about Owls and Falling Leaves maybe).  Aren't these little turkeys precious?  The smocking is of two turkeys in pilgrim outfits standing next to pumpkins.  This is the only smocking we will have for Thanksgiving, but we will be offering several styles of clothing as well as several fabric choices.

Boys:

Shortalls - $38

Longalls - $40

Girls:

A-Line Dress w/Cap Sleeve - $38

2pc Pant Set (Bishop Top with Pants, Ruffled Hem) - $42

Bishop Dress - $40

Fabric Choices:

Solid Orange

Solid Ivory/Cream

Solid Chocolate Brown

Brown/Cream Gingham

Shipping is always FREE!!! 

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