Gretta

Gretta’s 5th Birthday Party

0 · Dec 4, 2017 ·

This time of year is busy. Not in the same way the wedding season wears me down, but in a entirely different family gathering every weekend and endless hours spent on my own holiday decor type of way. And then for some reason we had a baby in November and her birthday falls on Thanksgiving weekend every year. I’m fairly certain she’s going to grow up thinking that turkey is her birthday dinner.

I’m making my best mom effort to try and give her birthday its own special attention. We did go Christmas tree shopping on her birthday, which to me personally would be the best present ever. We also had a very special unicorn lunch celebration which honored her and her 5 little years here on earth exclusively.

We started the day opening a special new unicorn outfit in our jammies. There was lots of family, balloons and a very special unicorn cake, made by her daddy (because if I would have made it, that would have been one huge Pinterest fail!) Here are just a few pictures from the small celebration.

Happy 5th Birthday Gretta!

Our Autumn Family Photo Session

0 · Feb 22, 2017 ·

I got up early this morning to do a little writing and try to catch up on life before the rest of the house sprung to life. I quietly crept out of bed, shimmied past the dog and sneaked into the bathroom. I kept the lights off and made my way to the coffee maker managing to adjust my vision and not stub my toe. So far, so good. But the second that cupboard door opened, sure enough I hear the patter of little feet on the cold tile floor. Apparently coffee awakens the four year old soul as well.

Measured in the dark, the coffee this morning is was not exactly my best ever. It’s funny how different life is in just four short years. Back then, I would have never imagined life today as I hear little voices in the background talking to Smelly Nelly (our cat) and reading tales of Fancy Nancy and fairy princesses. I would have never realized what a luxury waking up early and having a few quite moments to yourself really is. Although, I don’t think I would change it for the world.

Toward the end of October, I reminded myself that we need to preserve these moments just as we are, so we headed out into the crisp autumn air with my dear friend Kellie (of Hetler Photography). It was just before Gretta’s fourth birthday. Willa June had just pasted 18 months and I can still remember our spring time session with Gretta at that age. Gretta was so much more cooperative. But all the same, it was a moment, a memory, and I never want to forget these days.

So on this day, I’ll remember Gretta’s spunk and flowing pig tails. I’ll think back to how determined she was to be the best big sister and comfort Willa June’s unease. I’ll remember Willa’s stubborn disapproval of the entire day. And those big blue eyes. I don’t know where they came from but I love them.

Photography: Hetler Photography

There’s a different memory and lesson to be learned from each day. Some good, some bad. I’m slowly learning to savor them all – from early morning coffee to a meltdown in an autumn wheat field. This is our one and only life.

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The Science of Moving

0 · Mar 5, 2016 ·

Newborn Photography | The Day's Design | Hetler Photography

If you don’t love it, leave it. That’s the name of the game this week. On Monday, we will be handed the keys to our new house. Done deal. We’ll begin the process of moving on…

It’s a very surreal feeling. I’ve been going through the process of packing and decluttering but it’s almost as though I’m just watching myself and not really in the moment. And I hate packing. Between the ages of 18 and 25, the years between moving out of my parents’ house and when I got married, I moved at least 11 times.

In moving that many times, you’d think that I might become pretty good at it. I might even have it down to a science. However, that’s not the case. Every time I moved there were always boxes that remained unpacked – which was definitely nice for the next move – but obviously they were unnecessary items. There are still boxes in my basement that I’ve never unpacked and we’ve lived here for 6 years.

So this time around I’m trying to do things a little differently. My motto, if you don’t love it, leave it. I no longer have a desire to be surrounded with things that I don’t love. I don’t want to hold onto things that “maybe I’ll wear someday” or “I might find a use for down the road”. I have a deep desire to simplify and create a space that’s homey and useful. That’s not to say that I won’t live in a highly decorated, aesthetically pleasing place, but I’m just changing my approach.

I have a tendency to hold onto things. Sometimes for sentimental reasons and other times for no real reason at all. Why do we as humans have such an attachment to our “stuff”? Worldly treasures, they mean nothing in the long run.

As I’m going through and deciding what to keep and what gets tossed in the box labeled “good stuff that I don’t want to keep”, it’s like a trip down memory lane. And I only want to keep the good memories. I want things that make me smile. Those are the only things that I want to be attached to.

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Speaking of things that make me smile, the picture above is for nostalgia’s sake from Willa June’s newborn session with Hetler Photography. She turns one next week, March 12th. And Gretta, still loves being a big sister and her books.

Mommy of 2

0 · May 12, 2015 ·

A day late and a dollar short. That’s the story of my life right now. This is my mother’s day blog post… which in fact is even being posted 2 days late. The most frequently asked question of my personal life is all about being a mommy of 2. How is it? Is it easier/harder? Does Gretta love being a big sister? Is Willa June a good baby? Are you getting much sleep? Cue the super mom comments…

So here we go.. I’m a mommy of 2 beautiful little girls. My business is having it’s busiest year yet. I work from home and have yet to secure a summer sitter. And most days I just classify as a big huge fail. Truth be told, life is CRAZY! At any given moment you might find me holding a baby, typing an email and teaching Gretta how to unpack my new floral containers and pick up wayward stems (she might as well learn to earn her keep!). Every single day is a new adventure.

In lieu of all of this, I think it’s appropriate to reflect back a moment. Those first few days were a little simpler, the hubs stayed home from work, Willa June decided to take naps and Gretta was still a bit unsure about this new phase of life. The time will fly by quickly, it’s hard to believe that Willa June is already 2 months old. Pretty soon there will be two chatty little girls running around the house and we’ll be in the next season of life.

I would love to extend a huge thank you to Kellie of Hetler Photography for so beautifully documenting yet another special moment in our lives.

Wild & Free

0 · Jun 23, 2014 ·

Over the weekend I read the quote “All good things are wild and free” – Henry David Thoreau.

I can’t get it out of my head.

I don’t know the original context or what point he was trying to make when he said those words, but I do have this feeling of home when I read it. I feel like it’s somehow belongs with me and holds a liberating truth.

When I think about how I want my life to be, the words contained, ordinary and tame do not come to mind. Not in the least bit. But rather I have this imagery of myself running barefoot through an open field of wild flowers a warm breeze running through my hair. Wild and free.

I think of the majestic lioness on the prowl through the safari of African, graceful and strong. She’s stalking her prey, caring for her young and soaking up the hot summer sun. Wild and free.

I think of a lush, hand picked bouquet. Each flower allowed to shine with it’s own grace, evoking a feeling reminiscent of the garden where it once belonged. Draping greenery, curled stems and delicate petals all speak with their own voice bringing the bouquet to life, not forced to conform into a tight arrangement but able to dance in the fresh air. Wild and free.

Doesn’t that just seem like the way life should be?

Above is my Baby Bean — barefoot and free 🙂 By Hetler Photography.

The Birthday Challenge

0 · Nov 26, 2013 ·

Guess what?! Miss Gretta is officially 1 year old today! I can’t even believe it!! Margaretta James Ferguson, 6 lbs 13 oz, she was born at 11:32 pm on this chilly November day!

Which leads me into my next question, have you read about the contentment challenge? It is really inspiring me and has helped to focus on needs and necessities verse wants. Let’s face it, as Americans we are blessed with so much. Due to current circumstances Josh and I pretty much practice a bare bones living. Now that does not mean we don’t splurge or do something special now and again. But as of late, our spending habits are not very frivolous.

In addition, I have really been focusing on “Do what you can with what you have” – another piece of advice passed along to me that keeps ringing through my head. I know it’s the time of year where we are all supposed to be thankful, which I am, but this goes beyond that. It’s an ache in my heart. And at one time it was focus of my business. When I began, my hope was to prove that you don’t need an unlimited wedding budget to have a beautiful day. And you definitely don’t need to drive yourself into debt doing so. There’s something to be said about creating a simply pretty event. There’s an art to it.

With all this in mind, I am busy busy with my next project. It’s a very special party for my little birthday girl. My challenge has been creating an amazing party (which I am well aware that she will not remember – but I have to do it anyway!) without spending any money. Alright, I will admit, I’m going to spend a little, people need plates and napkins and I can’t resist putting together some beautiful blooms, but beyond that, everything has been created from things laying around the house. Recycle, reuse and spray-paint!! It is sort of my own version of the contentment challenge, The Birthday Challenge. This is a very peaceful mindset and I cannot wait to share the results of the party, as well as this challenge as suddenly I feel like I am able to look at my humble house with new eyes.

In case I don’t have another chance to blog again this week, have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!

The above photo was Gretta at 5 months, from Hetler Photography. I think it’s time for some new ones, don’t you???

Gretta

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