So I know that all of us moms are in this together. We’re going in a hundred different directions – we have soccer practice to attend, dinner to make, homework to do, bills to pay, laundry to fold, etc. etc. And some of us, regardless of it all, can still keep a neat and tidy house.

This might come as a shock to you, but I am not one of them.

I am constantly stepping on Polly Pocket heads, blocks and other hard, plastic…things…that could literally send you to an orthopedist, or at least leave you begging for forgiveness with the insane amount of bad words that you loudly mumble. Believe me, I am always on my kids about picking up, but it’s just HARD to always keep it tidy. My messy house drives me crazy, but it’s my own fault, because I don’t make it a priority. My family and work come before the house – always. I have come to terms with this, but it doesn’t annoy me any less.  I keep telling myself (and Christopher) that someday we’ll be out of “the messy season.”

In the past month, while being utterly annoyed with the incessant “picking up,” I decided to start documenting these little things that drive me crazy and make me laugh all at the same time. For those of you who aren’t the best housekeepers, this is for you. You’re not alone. For my anal, super housekeepers, this is for you to lighten up, and enjoy the time with your kids and the messes they make.

Oh, whatever. It’s really just for you to feel even better about your stupid, clean house.

1.  Just another ‘ole Barbie leg.

2.  Gnawed-on Q-Tips.  Anyone?

3.  Silly putty, on the oven knob.  We’re ready for the next oven fire.

4.  Because that cat’s collar was needing a little TLC.

5.  Toothpaste with the added hair.  It’s extra protein.

6.  THAT’S the wooden block that was under my foot!

7.  Not too crazy right?!  Unless you consider that it’s a half-pound of SOLID milk chocolate that my 12-pound dog ate.  She’s ok now, thanks to a best friend (with a messy house) who took my 4 kids and her 2 all to the vet while I was doing a shoot that I couldn’t reschedule.  (not really related to a messy house, but definitely a case for my chaos.)

8.  If you’ve never had Thin Mints with Savory Chicken and Tuna Fancy Feast, you are missing out!  It even makes your hair shiny.

9.  A bottle of syrup to prop up a baby with a bottle.  It served its purpose even better than a topping that day.

10.  A Barbie with half a leg, a fork, 2 spoons and salt and pepper that C put in a bag.  Should I be worried?  At least she plans to share.

Thank you SO much to every one of you for the sweetest, most encouraging comments…and for entering the contest!  I love designing your cards – and I take such pride in making them perfect for you – but I love the people aspect of this business just as much.  Some of you I know personally, and those of you who I’ve never met face-to-face, I feel like I know you.  Year after year, I get to design new cards with photos of your growing children and families.  I am so thankful to be a part of that.

Without further ado, I want to announce the contest winners!  Since we ended up with almost 50 comments, I had to go ahead and give away THREE sets of cards.

Congrats to #28 (Regan), #19 (Christina) and #6 (Katherine)!  You have a year to cash it in.  Can’t wait to work with you on the next design. Please check my blog and my FB page periodically, as I plan to hold other contests and offer customer discounts.

Thanks again!  Y’all are the best!

So while I’m trying to fold 5 loads of clothes,

this girl is busy in the other room…

She moves on to painting her toenails with lipgloss she finds in her mama’s purse…

Next, she plays in the sink.  This girl loves the water.  I have to turn the light off to keep her out.

Now she’s all wet, so she needs a new outfit…

But she’s not in that outfit long, because now it’s time for dress-up!

A close-up of her high heels…and never mind the dried queso on the tutu.

Now it’s Tom and Jerry time, which she LOVES.

She wears me out sometimes, but I sure do love her.

I finally had a chance to upload the latest cards/invites – some more recent than others.  I do not have every new design on here, but mostly all of them.

Notice all the new die-cut shapes that are offered now!   I love these.  They are so unique.  They are $10 more per set, but I think they are SO worth it!

AND, I’m in a giving mood tonight, so I’m offering a free set of cards!  To be entered into the contest you must do 2 things…

1. Become a fan on Facebook, by clicking here.
2. Leave a comment at the end of this post (maybe telling me your favorite design or something you’d like me to do/offer) with a valid email address.

Contest starts now and will end at 11:59 on February 14, 2012.  I’ll randomly select a winner from the comments for ONE SET OF CUSTOM-DESIGNED CARDS, INVITES OR ANNOUNCEMENTS.  You will have until Valentine’s Day of next year (2013) to order your free set of cards!  Please limit to one comment per person.

Thanks for browsing.  And, remember that these designs are copyrighted.  Although flattering, I’ll be a little more than annoyed if you copy me. 

Can’t believe that we’re wrapping up 2011!  Always a little depressing, but refreshing, to start a new year. Bring on 2012!

There will be a few changes to my photography pricing…

- I’ve decided to make a few “collections” (aka “packages”) to sell.  I mainly decided to do this for the fun seniors that I’ll start shooting soon.  I think they like a guideline – of sorts – as to what to purchase.  If you’re one of my customers who usually buys the 20-image CD or 30-image CD, that hasn’t changed, except that I’ll be adding tax to it (I used to just include it in the price, but makes it easier for invoicing to tack it on later), so that’s a minimal price increase.  But you do get a print with CD purchase now.

- I am increasing my price on my sitting fees for families and children – from $60 to $75.  Brides, newborns and seniors remain the same, $100.

- I’m continuing to offer the option to purchase prints only – with a minimum amount of $175.

- I’m still offering the 40% off my print pricing (and 20% off pricing for canvases and other specialty items) if you purchase a CD/collection.

- All the collections include the CD AND either a free print or a credit for prints/products.  I’m really excited about these collections, and I hope you are too.

- AND if you purchase a collection and need custom cards/invites/announcements with the images from the shoot, you’ll get $10 off my design fee.

My design fees (for cards and photo collages) will be the same.  And as long as my printer doesn’t raise the prices on cards/invites, mine won’t increase either.

If you have any questions about any of the changes or pricing, please feel free to contact me.

THANK YOU again for another wonderful year.  Even with the new baby boy and my three little girls, I was able to finish it all this season.  I owe big thank yous to my sweet and patient clients, my husband and my family and friends who helped me with my kiddos.  I appreciate you!

Here’s a cute pic of my babes from the holidays:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’m having a blast this season shooting family pictures!  There are so many to post, so I’ll take the lazy route…visit my album on Facebook. 

And let me design your family’s Christmas cards this year, with photos I’ve taken or ones you’ve taken (or another photographer – I give them credit!).  Deadline for ordering cards is Monday, December 5th.

I had the opportunity to shoot a precious newborn and her family at their beautiful home in Dallas.  She had so many great textures in her house, the decorating was superb and the lighting was just right.  The older siblings were oh so cute.  I got a glimpse of an energetic toddler boy who loved dinosaurs.  In fact, we got him to smile for the pics by putting T-Rexes on my head.   Whatever it takes, right?!

Thank you, J Family, for letting me come into your home and capture your family.

The weather is SO much nicer now, and a great time for pictures!  Email me to book your fall shoot.  Times for Saturdays and Sundays are already filling up, but I have lots of availability during the weekday evenings.

Shoots will be here at my place (rustic setting) or either at Davis Park or Lee Park (in Highland Park) for an additional $25 on select Saturdays and Sundays.

Here are some pics taken at Davis Park…

And here are a few shot at Lee Park/Arlington Hall:

Here are some photos from Baby H’s newborn shoot…Click for a larger view.

We are enjoying him so much!  He’s such a good baby.

Harrison Henry Andrews

August 5, 2011 at 2:06 pm

7 lbs. 6 ozs., 20.5 inches

He decided to come early!  My water broke early Friday morning around 2:30.  Luckily my doctor was on call, so I talked to him and he had me come on in.  Labor was a little slow at first, but I got pitocin and had an epidural at noon.  Then he arrived yesterday at 2:06 pm.

We are all so in love with him, especially his big sisters.  They can’t stop holding him!

For more pics, click here.  (Grandma, this is for you!)