I Want it all // Friday Frames

Sappy personal post this week! So, my cousin just had a baby! Yay! She said "I finally get what everyone was talking about", I had to laugh because it's so true and I felt the same when I became a mom. It's so different when you have your own child. I was never sure that I wanted to be a mom when I was younger. After I met my husband I knew for SURE I wanted to have babies. Total game changer. My life started when I became a wife and mom, it's been the most meaningful years of my life, it has made me a better person.  I think the challenge is what made me stronger. I'm proud of my boys, proud of my husband and I and how we're doing as parents, we have a lot to learn but we're having fun with it. I have been reminiscing so much I wanted to share some of my favorite "mommy" moments with you. (Get in the picture mom- you will treaure them! My boys are already older than these photos) My life is definitely not cute outfits and brushed hair, in fact we are a mess! I love lifestyle photography because they are the "real" us, at or in our home (2 different sessions/years) taken my my talented friend T Lynn Photography.

i love these sessions and I offer them to laid back cool families who don't want pose pics! Available for in-home sessions now through April!  

This reminds me of an article I read by the lovely Jennifer Aniston that has always inspired me........

"I've never in my life said I don't want children. I did and I do and I will! The women who inspire me are the ones who have careers and children; why would I want to limit myself? I've always wanted to have children, and I would never give that experience up for a career. I want to have it all."

Laura & Anthony's Sweet Family Farm Wedding

So, one time, I was at a doctors visit and we were chatting (we're like bffs) and she said so your a wife, mom, and you work and run a business? Yes. Then she said- when do you have time for yourself? I laughed and said, photography is for myself. It's my creative outlet, my night out, my "me time", It brings me joy and happiness and very low stress believe it or not because of the amazing people I get to work with. Here's a great example of that....Rewind to August 2013- The moment I stepped foot onto Laura's family property I immediately felt welcome, warm and like I belonged. I think I have a strong connection with my couples but I also had a strong connection with Laura's parents.  Both were so sweet and really made me feel a large part of the day. Obviously their family farm is ideal location for this wedding. But the moments that really got me were at the ceremony everyone sang...and I mean SANG. Like these people could really sing and that showed later at the reception too. Anthony's gift to Laura was a song he wrote and performed at dinner. Her sister then gave a tremendous speech and ended in their childhood song. Everyone in the tent locked arms and rocked back and forth and sang it. It was a "wow" moment in my career for certain. Who am I to witness this? So much love, positivity and peace. It brought tears to my eyes, clarity to my mind and hope in my heart. 

"Love grows, one by one
Two by two and four by four
Love grows 'round like a circle
And comes back knocking at your front door."

New York Meets Wisconsin //The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond// Friday Frames

What do you get when you mix New York wings with Wisconsin roots? Probably One of the most stylish weddings I have ever shot. I mean, A naked cake and a dress with sleeves ? don't get me started with all the greenery! (Hello- Bride Valerie works for Martha Stewart and she brought home some major NYC trends) But none of that mattered really without that smile on Valerie's face.  Happy Brides are the most beautiful. Hands down. If your worried about your dress getting dirty or the food being cold or the flowers the wrong shade. Don't.  Because it doesn't matter. That smile on your face will matter when your photos come back. You hired someone to come take your picture, all day long. Every moment good and bad is being documented. You made sure of that so be happy. Your getting married! If that's not the most important thing of that day, what is?  So, Don't worry be happy.