My last session in Lexington. And fittingly, it was for my husband’s boss, my friend, and the cool older girls that my girls revered any time the VMI ROTC unit got together.
We had to reschedule the session due to rain and almost didn’t have enough time to squeeze it in before I hit my “I simply can’t take a session past this date” mark. But we did make it work. And I made them laugh and smile and even hug one another.
And I am so glad this was my grand finale for Lexington.
April 27 to May 3. Week 18 of 52.
This week was spent in preparation for the coming week, when I would be away form home covering an event at The Homestead. It was crazy and full and I thought I would not make it at certain points. But in between the appointments and sessions and school drop-offs, there was some cool day to day stuff that happened.
Here is the recap:
Catalogue Shopping: My girls were pouring over the Oriental Trading Company catalogue, circling everything they wanted. And carefully marking an initial next to specific items so I knew who I would be buying for. Because I was really going to buy this stuff…
Beauty From Above: Even amongst the deadlines and pressures, I couldn’t help but stop and notice the flowers that are still blooming throughout town. I love how they come and go in waves, allowing me to savor one type before the next opens up in all its majesty.
The Real Stuff: My girls hugging. This is the real stuff. All the chaos will pass, the days will carry me on to smoother waters and I might even forget how bad it was. But I won’t forget that my girls love each other. For that is real.
Road to Richmond: I had the pleasure of driving to Richmond, two hours away, to pick up my new computer. Because I waited too long to order it. And this was the only way to have it on time for my Homestead adventure. So off we went, over the mountain and through the fog.
Fatigue: After another VMI reunion, some prom pictures for my stepson and a family session all on Saturday, I did not touch my camera on Sunday. Honestly, I never even THOUGHT of my camera on Sunday!
Precision: The Regimental Staff at VMI, leading the Corps of Cadets in another parade. The Classes of 1963, 1973, 1983 and 1993 were all on hand to celebrate their Alma Mater.
Long Hair: I have never been clear on what this blue thing is intended to be. She thinks it is long, beautiful hair. Very blue hair. With a very green bow. But it looks magnificent, doesn’t it?
One never knows what will happen when three children are unleashed in a big field.
In the evening.
Before dinner time.
Yes, there were a few pouty faces. As a mom, I fully understand there are bound to be some of those. But there was also a lot of genuine laughter, a healthy dose of hugging, tons of smiles, sweet hand holding…and I think the little one kinda liked me by the end. (I gave him a kiss. And some Sweet Tarts. I have a feeling I know which one he holds in higher regard.)
I can only imagine how every day in the life of this family is an energetic whirlwind from start to finish. But where there is laughter, there is love. And where this is love, there is life. For this is the very essence of what our lives are: the people we love and who love us in return.
April 20 to 26. Week 17 of 52.
I looked back at my synopsis from Week 16 and I was reminded of how emotionally stressful that week was. This week wore on my physically. I don’t want to whine and have a woe-is-me post, but I think I prefer the physical angst to the emotional. With the physical, you know if you keep working, it will subside. With the emotional? It is so hard to say when things were even out. So this week, I just kept working. And along the way, I saw a man and woman become husband and wife, I celebrated with some fine older gentlemen, I captured the beauty of a high school senior and I spent time with my family. Looking back, it was not a bad week at all.
Here is the recap:
Animate among Inanimate: She walled herself in behind the doll house and box of dress up clothes. And she looked just like ET in that classic scene where he is stuck in the middle of all the stuffed animals. At least until she screamed…
Hoity Toity: This house can’t contain their sophistication. You would think they have a girly girl mama. You would be wrong.
Halo of Hair: Nothing like thin curly fluff and some intense backlight to see the angelic side of your child. She was clutching a precious dandelion and a newly selected rock, while singing a Nick Jr. theme song. Life is grand at 8 am when you are 3 years old.
Deep Breath: I have so many different aspects of my life, each demanding my concentration and attention in different ways. Sometimes I am masterful at managing all the tangents and loose ends. Other times? I need to take a moment, remember to take a deep breath and believe that, just as it always does, the work will get done. Bit by bit, breath by breath.
Nothing: Things have been a steady blur of work and family since last week. That blank Monday on the calendar? More valuable than gold.
Fixed Bayonets: I had the honor of photographing the first Spring Reunion for the Virginia Military Institute on Tuesday. These were the gents from the Greatest Generation. Many of them served in World War II. Many of them have seen more of life than I can even fathom. But they were still thrilled to be back at their Alma Mater, with their Brother Rats, celebrating the history they have shared for well over 60 years.
Reward: And how did I celebrate another jam packed week? After a nice little 5K on the treadmill at the Y, I took my daughter to Pure Eats so I could indulge with an absolutely delicious bacon, egg and cheese on a sun dried tomato bagel. She wolfed down a Yolo Rolo and a Dreamsicle doughnut. We splurged. It was wonderful.
It is so interesting to first meet someone on the cusp of high school graduation.
I don’t know the struggles, the triumphs, the failures or the silly, goofy every day things that make up all of whom I see before me on the day of our session. I just see someone who can barely cast the quickest backward glance at all those school days as she looks wide eyed into her future. A future that holds two years of college at a local school before transferring to a bigger state university to finish her degree in nursing.
She has a vision.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s stop and see today. And today? She is a vision.
I was met at the front door by the dad who quickly conveyed that he was wearing a daughter approved outfit. “She’s fourteen,” he said, while shrugging his shoulders.
The ladies came down and we stepped out into a beautiful, though slightly cool, Spring evening. With a lovely yard, a convenient walking path and the neighbors’ lane, we had our choice of great spots through which to wander. We traipsed around, stopping here and there for a portrait, capturing the natural beauty of this truly enjoyable family.
I know it was an exceptionally pleasant way to finish my weekend. And as I was leaving and I heard the girls laughing in the backyard while they kicked a soccer ball with their dad, I think it was a nice end for them, too.
April 13 to 19. Week 16 of 52.
This was a week of discord for me. Smooth family life was non existent. Five people living within the same four walls, experiencing the ebb and flow of family life in completely separate ways. I struggled. I stumbled. I did smile. Occasionally. I climbed to the peaks and I fell to the valleys. I have to say I am rather relieved this one is at an end.
And a new one comes along to try it all again.
Here is the recap:
Short Hair: I love my hair stylist. She makes me feel like I am the most incredible person when I visit her for my rather frequent hair cuts. This trip I asked to go really short. She didn’t hesitate. But I loved when she was nearly at the end of cutting and she said, “Is this too short?” What would we do if I said yes?!
Her Own Drummer: My wee one is a free spirit, a wisp of everything light and airy there is in this world. And she will dance when there is no music. And she will wear every color of the rainbow if she is permitted.
Spring Rain: The flowers are finally bursting forth! And they were nurtured by a gentle spring rain that didn’t have a hint of snow to it.
80-80-6 Money: She wanted “80-80-6 money.” I handed her a fistful of coins and she seemed delighted. Which is good because I have not idea what 80-80-6 money is.
Bedazzled: She rediscovered a charm bracelet made for her by her grandmother. After I clasped it around her wrist, she proceeded to tell me stories about each bead and why the boys in her class liked the little silver “S” better than the beads. (Boys don’t like pink, in case you are wondering.)
Battle Royale: After knocking her tooth the evening before and whimpering through her ENTIRE shower and skipping teeth brushing because the pain was too great and whimpering into bed and wanting to skip breakfast in the morning, I talked her into letting me pull that offensive tooth. After 15 minutes of cajoling, scolding and bribery, the tooth was out. And the pain was over. For all of us.
Negative: Isn’t it interesting how the negative in life can feel so much stronger than the positive? To be honest, my week was four and a half good days with two and a half bad ones. But the bad ones were so overpowering, it really feels like it was my WHOLE week. I see this picture I took in the depths of my anger and frustration and impotence and it seems to define the whole week. But I am glad I have the other 6 pictures to remind me of what is real. What is accurate. What I really have each and every day.
“This is my new shirt. I have to keep it clean.”
And with that, I met the three year old, who was pretty pleased with his fancy button down shirt. (So much so, he declared at the end of the session he would wear it all day.) His brother, who will be one year old in a few days, didn’t say much. But I think he was feeling pretty dapper in his ensemble, if his smiles were any indication.
8:00 am is early to ask a family with young children to meet for a photo session, but I am so glad they agreed. The morning was so new, the air fresh, the sun just lifting itself into the sky, the cares of the day yet to weigh upon anyone’s shoulders. Smiles were plentiful. Laughter came naturally.
Beautiful memories were easy to preserve on this beautiful day.
Oooh, a cadet in uniform! Ooooh, people looking at the canons! Oooooh, a HUGE field of grass!
He was interested in everything. I mean, every single thing! The wide eyed wonder of this one year old, dropped into new surroundings on a bright shiny magnificent spring day, was incomparable. He made me see things differently.
I saw the bird flitting about overhead. I smiled at the older couple as they paused to watch his enthusiasm. I looked at the uniformed cadets a bit longer. I saw it all. Just as he did.
(I have to say I liked the big grassy field much better than he did. But rumor has it I was a bit hesitant about grass when I was his age, too.)
April 6 to 12. Week 15 of 52.
I am feeling the crunch of April. There just seems to be so much going on, in each of the many compartments of my life: mom, wife, business owner and employee. I have felt harried and distracted this entire week. I tell myself each day that what needs to get done will and the rest can wait for the morrow. And it did. It all got done. But man, I’d love to take a breather!
Here is the recap:
Art Lessons: My daughter discovered a new bonus feature on her Veggie Tales DVD: how to draw the characters. And she was hooked for two days. I had to promise to let her draw first thing in the morning, otherwise she never would have gone to bed.
Blooms: I love the colorful bounty of spring. I love watching the minute daily changes that bring us from bud to blossom. And I love that school drop off forces me to leave the house when the sun is just coming over the hill and illuminating my neighbor’s cherry blossoms.
Event Photography: I am a contract photographer for VMI, which allows me to skip the gym from time to time. When I am assigned to four hours of coverage, scattered amongst four different buildings on campus, I feel confident that I will get my workout in that day.
Fairy: My daughter was enchanted for days after an Enchanted Garden Birthday Party. Her fairy, whose name changed several times through the week, was an ever present new friend.
Email: The three year old set to work on an email to our neighbor, inviting her to come to our house for a play date. She had to make several emails, because it “didn’t go so well.”
Hop: Since about a week BEFORE Easter, we have had a nearly daily viewing of the movie Hop. I am not kidding. I can recite it. My three year old can recite it. But she loves it. Relentlessly. We got this day’s viewing out of the way before 8 am.
40 and…: My husband turned the big 4-0 this week. Handsome as ever. Kept young by his girls. Aware of the years when he looks at his 18 year old son. An awesome man, any way I look at him!
