I saw a little magic today.  I saw the magic though my daughter’s eyes.  I wish I could promise that she always have a little magic, but for this year….it is there in a great big way.

Today has been on her calendar for days.  OMG…I have so much to learn from my little elf…she is so organized and seems to preplan everything.  Shoes, dress, tights, hairbow, even bobbie-pins were laid out last night for the special trip to see Santa today.  She even practiced her Santa conversation in the car on the way:

“Hello, Santa.. I know you know my name is Alyssa, but I just wanted to remind you and I have been a really good girl this year.  You can even ask my mom.  I know my elf “Ordament” has been visiting you when I go to sleep and is telling you all about my day and what I especially want for Christmas this year.  I would really like to have a DJ Hero and an Indian doll, but not one that looks like a barbie, instead I want one that looks like a real baby”.  But, Santa, I know what ever you get me, I will love it.”

Sure enough she talked on and on with the Jolly ole St. Nick.  I am not sure he got in to many words.  But must have said a few things because she even commented on how his breath smelled like “Hot Cocoa“.  Ahhh…the things kids notice.

Santa, thank you for giving my little elf some magic that works on all of us.  We will see you in 5 days Santa…and if you want you can wear your Santa shorts and flip flops, cause it is warm here in San Antonio.

Alyssa said she was Nervous to see Santa as we approached his green chair…

It is Sunday night and I don’t know where the week has gone.  I remember last Friday I was so excited to be able to spend 9 whole days with my family (minus a fabulous wedding on Saturday I will blog about later).  Nine days of cookie making, turkey basting, garage cleaning, napping, reading 2 great books, bath soaking, hot cocoa drinking, Christmas light hanging…. and the other “to do things” that happen when I find a few extra minutes.   As the night closes, I feel jealous of myself and the week I just had.

I wonder why these lazy days seem to go by so fast and yet the days of work have minutes that seem like hours.

And because every post is better with a picture…here is a capture from a walk we had in Gruene, Texas.

As Thanksgiving comes to a close with the wishbone out of the turkey, the 5am black Friday shopping over,  the last whip cream dollop added to a yummy piece of pumpkin pie,  I can only hope that for many more years to come, I am able to enjoy the holiday season.  A time to reflect on life, the love of spirit, the love of family,  the joy of  friends, and time to reflect on the days and years yet to come.

turkey, ham, fixin's momma's red chile, tamales

The other morning I woke up to what I thought would be just a regular day of work, packing lunch, walking dogs, and making dinner.  Instead it was a day  that escapes me.  On this morning I felt the need to wear a bracelet, something I rarely do while working because I sometimes find the jingling a little annoying.  On this day, as I surveyed my jewelry, I felt compelled to wear my charm bracelet that seemed to be staring at me, “Fear Not for I am With You”.  My charm had a secret message for me.  It was a private love note from God.    I am a religious person who totally trusts in God and realizes that my life is blessed because of his graciousness.

As I was driving to work early in the morning, stuck in good ole San Antonio traffic, I looked down at the cuff on my sweater and this same little charm lay flat, stuck in the cuff of my sleeve, and the only charm visible, “Fear Not I am With You”.  I thought this was peculiar and felt such peace as my day progressed.  Little did I know that morning I did have God with me, needed his love,  and I was not in fear, I found comfort.  This certain day and the last couple of days turned out to be icky days with a few wanna “do-overs”.  But I know tomorrow is going to be the best day yet, and if not, I will try again the next day.

My hope is that when you have an icky day, that you look for your own love notes…. I promise….they are there!

There is something about a newborn that makes me think about what life is all about.  Shutter clicking my way through this photo session allowed me to reflect on just how fast life passes us by.  Before little Lily’s parents know it,  she will be starting kindergarten…. high school….college…. you get the idea.  Life is such a short journey and I hope I always embrace what it lends me.  The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe that it can happen.  I hope I always do something a little scary, dream a little big, and laugh a little more than I did the day before.    Looking at these pictures of Lily reminds me how precious life is and to embrace my life with my soul.

I have looked at this picture a dozen times.  It is a SOOC (straight out of the camera) picture that happened to be taken at the right time (the biologist in me is fascinated).  My 7 year old snapped the shutter for this capture of  the perfect time.  She is working on a project for school and the topic is “Beauty is….”.  My immediate thought of beauty is red high heels, a chic dress, a new hairdo, freshly painted toes, you know those miniscule  things that in the larger scheme of life really don’t trump much.  Lissy wanted to find something in nature that was beautiful (she is a nature girl like her momma) but insisted that it not be flowers or anything obvious (because Gracie, her best friend, would do that).  So we went for a walk along our property and came across this rotting orange that had fallen from our orange tree.  I immediately scolded her and told her to throw it down and she said, “but mommy, I saw something in it.”  It is something’s BEAUTIFUL home.  She found beauty in something that was present, ugly, decomposed, and had creatures in it.  As she walked inside with the rotting orange her daddy went on to share with her (and my shallow high heel thinking self) about how beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what a wonderful treasure of beauty she had found.

I swear, just when I  loose sight of important things, this kiddo whips me back in shape.

Here is a picture she will share with her friends and teacher in San Antonio.  ”A Beautiful Home”.  In case you are wondering, those creepy crawlie things are termites (I know that from graduate school…. I told you guys I was a pocket protector nerd).  And yes, the orange and its inhabitants went far…far…away from our beautiful home when she was done….haha……

Right before bed tonight I am going to have a conversation with God.  I am going to ask him if I can have a do-over or maybe a refund for today.  Last post I mentioned how crazy my life seems to be.  A beautiful life, but crazy at times.  Today is a sample of why some days need to be “do-overs”.  I take my kiddo to the “early-bus”, yep this starts off making me seem like a looser mommy, but I have to get the 100lb puppy to the vet to get “fixed” before I get to work at an 8:30 am session.    So then I head out in hubby’s man truck (way to big and uncontrollable for me) down the busy-est road in San Antonio (281), in the pouring rain playing road rage with all the other hussle and bustle men on the road.  Can they see I have curls in my hair, lipstick on, and some cute red high heels, really I’m not into the testosterone fix this early in the morning and really I am not a man in this man-truck”.  Finally I get to the vet, drop of the doggie, and head out to a days work.  Mid afternoon I get a call from Lissy’s school, “Mrs. Mommy….please come pick up your kidlet because she has 101 degree fever and needs to leave campus, now!”.  Oh, lovely….

Call the doctor on the way, schedule an appointment for late afternoon, and remember the dog is still at the vet and can’t get picked up till 3:15.  Decide to make a mommy-dog decision and get the puppy beast because I am headed home a good way up that wonderful 281.  Poor baby Weimeraner Bella, she is on some drugs and is acting like a normal dog (Mr. Vet doctor, can I have more of those?).  Although she is acting and walking like she had a little too much tequilla, to bad puppy, we have to go pick up your human sister..she has a boo-boo too.  So now it is mid afternoon….sick and sutured dog in backseat, raining still, and pick up Alyssa who seems perfectly normal…not sick.  Yep, this mommy feels a little frustrated.  She swears at 9am her throat was hurting

Here is #2 reason for looser mommy :  not 30 minutes after feeling frustrated, Lissy starts looking, sounding, and feeling really sick.  We get to the doctor and she is a fever of 102, crying because she does not feel well , and get this…. poor baby is positive for the flu virus, yes that one.   My cute little angel then turns and says, “Mommy, do you believe me, now”.  Yes stamp a big “L” on my forehead.    As I peek into her snuggly bed this night, I am thankful for such an angel, her honest, her “real” visits to the school nurse, and really need to beg for a do-over for today.

And since every post must have a pic…here is my angel at her slumber party this past weekend (virus free, well maybe)….

And BTW…..I just started coughing….and my throat a little sore ???!! ugggghhhhh

Lissy and Sweet My Sweet Niece Destiny

BFFs

I sometimes try to sit and just breathe.  I know this might sound very random and very weird, but life right now has been turning circles in my mind, heart, and reality.  Sometimes I will write posts that read , “how busy I am” (this is really an attempt to apologize for not keeping up with the blogging world).  Those closest to me know and warn me that those simple four words are an understatement.  It makes me feel guilty.    I feel so lucky to be so “into” so many things, and for this I feel guilty.   I feel guilty when I let an hour go and nothing is accomplished, whether that be writing a thank you note, playing dress-up with Lissy, reading passages for bible study, learning some physics, snapping my shutter, kissing my hubby, painting my toes, and oh…the list goes on forever.  .  That internal desire to “do”, keeps my life in circles. Today I will say a prayer that my circles become one instead of so many… so that I can enjoy all the things I enjoy.  I will breathe.

Saturday is my work day/fun day/creative day.  When you are a wedding photographer, especially in the month of August, a Saturday is a busy day on your calendar.  Usually I am giddy with excitement on a Friday date night with my hubby.   Without fail I tell him for the zillionth time that I wish I could marry him again, he grins and tells me, “me too, honey”.  He knows the deal, he knows the game, and he loves to play.  But really…I really do want to marry him again, but I know at that moment, on a Friday night, I am saying that because I am already thinking about the happenings of tomorrow, a Saturday.  A Saturday of  (in no particular order) wedding vows, ring exchanges, high heels, lipstick, and kisses.   I love brides, I loved being a bride.  There is just somethng about that feeling of getting all fancied up, a little lip gloss, a few curlers, some painted toes, a splash of perfume, and a dash of camera….ummmm the making of a mighty fine recipe for beauty and fun.  

Today is Saturday and I am off to do a super fab photoshoot with a good ole Texas Country Girl.  I can call her this because she will be the first to admit that she loves cowboy boots, hats, old barns, dirt,  and of course her cowboy whom she will marry in a few short weeks.  Laurie is stepping out of her comfort zone of rustic scenery and going for the elegant and posh “Sonterra Country Club“.  We will truck  our way through their grand hallways, lush gardens, and glistening windows as we capture some images of her sweet bridal self.  I’ve been talking with Laurie every single day for the last few days as we share our ideas and I can’t really decide who is more excited, she or I.  The twilight hour of beautiful Texas sunlight is upon us and I am gonna go capture me some fun with sweet Laurie, south Texas sun, and my Nikon.  

And because no post is fab without a picture…here is a wedding I am working on.  Happy Saturday!