Gretta James

A Fall Family Photo Session

0 · Feb 24, 2016 ·

Just as the trees were dropping their last few leaves and before the blistery cold came billowing in, I realized there was a moment to be captured.

They say that things change with your second child and I couldn’t agree more. Time slips away faster and the days of being a baby are soon forgotten. The months have fled and I’ve hardly even looked at these pictures. I have piles of things that will “someday” hit the blog, both personal and work projects.

Meanwhile, Gretta has grown to a big sister of 3 years. In one breathe, it all seems so natural as if this is how life has already been. But I’m fearful that it will all too fast just be gone. Willa June turns one next month.

Don’t forget to schedule in a few play days. Have a friend follow you around with a camera as you walk by the river, inspire an impromptu game of peek-a-boo and just remember life as it is. 3 Year Old Toddler Pictures | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Ada Park Family Session | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Riverside Family Photo Session | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Black and White Family Photography | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Autumn Family Photo Session | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Vintage Kids Coats | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Fall Family Photos | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Ada Michigan Photography | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography 8 Month Baby Photos | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Family Photos in Ada Park | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography Thank you to Katie and Lisa of Katie Grace Photography for being that friend and helping us preserve these precious moments.

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Less Work More Life

0 · Dec 10, 2015 ·

Photography: Katie Grace Photography

If you follow me on Instagram then you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been completing the #risingtidechallenge this week. (If you haven’t heard about the Rising Tide Society, you can read more about it here.) Today is day 4 of the challenge and it’s all about living life, backing away from work and focusing on why we’re doing things – what matters most.

I’ve been contemplating how I’m going to answer this challenge. Obviously it’s my family that I’m working so hard for. It’s so I can help support, put food on the table and assist in keeping a roof over our heads. I work from home so we don’t have to put our kids in daycare, so we can have fun family movie nights and put up a glittering Christmas tree that will be loved all day long. I work for my clients, being a part of their stories and bringing their celebrations to life. But secretly, I work for myself too. Because truth be told, I wouldn’t be happy if I wasn’t working towards something. I’m not the type of person to be content without a dream and a little dirt under my nails. And I work so I can keep on dreaming.

This morning, however, I had a breakdown. I was up against a naughty toddler, deadlines and the wish the take a shower. I keep getting thrown into the category of a “stay at home mom”, as if I had no obligations other than my children, and it boils my blood. I work from home, I take care of two little girls while I’m crafting backdrops, answering emails, blogging, finding caterers, processing flower orders, etc. I challenge any of you with 9:00-5:00 jobs to take your kids with you for a day or two, you might not be able to keep your jobs for long. That’s how I feel. So as such, I often find myself stretched a little thin. It doesn’t always feel like a blessing to be able to stay at home with my girls all day. At times it feels more like a trap. Some days I just feel cursed. That’s how I felt this morning.

Going back to focusing why I’m doing what I’m doing – and sometimes I just can’t channel the gratitude and response that I know I should be writing. I should have just posted a big old picture of my family on Instagram, said they’re what matter most and moved on with my day. But at the moment it just didn’t feel sincere. I’m the type that would rather stay silent then just say what everyone wants to hear.

And then Willa June smiled at me. It was more than just a smile, there was a twinkle in her little 9 month old eye. We connected in a way that was just beyond route diaper changes and feedings. It was then I realized that I couldn’t let someone else watch her and take that away from me. These are mommy moments and they’re mine.

This is for all the entrepreneurs and family-preneurs out there – it seems like others have it all together. It seems like so many others have figured out how to do and have it all. But I’m challenging you to realize that it’s a rollercoaster ride. Some days are beautiful and productive and some days I’m in yoga pants, shower-less and wishing that I had never had kids. Even though it seems like it, I know I cannot possibly be the only one who feels like the minority. I can’t gush about my kids and husband 24/7 because while I love them all dearly, sometimes they drive me absolutely to the edge.

I work so I can have a life – whatever that life may be. I work so my dreams can become bigger dreams and someday reality. I work so my family can be a part of that life and those dreams, constantly seeking the balance between the two. And maybe someday I can also be part of my baby girls’ dreams, whatever they will be.

She’s Here!

0 · Mar 13, 2015 ·

7 lbs 3 oz and 19 1/2 inches long, Willa June was born at 9:27 am yesterday. Gretta thought you should know that she’s officially a big sister and I’m now Mama to 2 beautiful girls.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Styling & Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Calligraphy: Kaitlin Parisho Designs | Chair: Cameos & Cardigans

A Winter Maternity Session

0 · Mar 6, 2015 ·

I didn’t have maternity photos taken when I was pregnant with Gretta, and I’m not sure if I completely regret that but do know that there’s a missing piece of documentation in my life. I will never have that visual memory. I’ve never thought of myself as very photogenic so I just didn’t entertain the thought too much. I applaud those women who carry pregnancy with such beauty and grace, because that’s simply not me. However with this pregnancy, I decided to go for it. So back in January, Ashley Slater and I snuck outside for a little wintery photo session to commemorate this time in my life. I really set forth to see the beauty in this moment and try to find that every season has a reason to celebrate. It’s what I preach, it’s time to act on that.

As a bonus, I surprised my husband with these for a little Valentine’s gift. These were totally worth facing the frigid temperatures and now I have some beautiful new artwork to freshen up the baby’s nursery. And if you know me at all, you know that any photo session wouldn’t be complete without some beautiful blooms and a little styling.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Florals & Styling: The Day’s Design | Calligraphy: Kaitlin Parisho Designs | Chair: Cameos & Cardigans

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???

After “I Do”

0 · Jul 28, 2013 ·

I generally try not to blog or do any work on a Sunday. Sunday’s are that amazing day every week where we can sit back and relax, take a nap after church and possibly not plan anything at all and just let the day happen.

However, sometimes my brain doesn’t really get that memo. I find myself daydreaming about wedding plans, designs and colors. I’m guilty of looking at other’s sneak peeks from the weekend’s wedding and events. I’m thinking about my upcoming brides, with upcoming plans, both in the distant future and in the upcoming week. And even if I can manage to steer my mind away, I my mind just wonders to thoughts about home décor and I find myself staring at the hideously awful green color of my living room/office.

So in all the wedding magazines, websites and planning tools I stumbled across, in combination of advice and words of wisdom from family and friends, I don’t feel that anyone really prepared me for this. This being the I’ve-been-married-3-years-live-in-a-“starter”-home-have-a-baby-a-career-and-want-life-to-be-perfect stage of life. Sure people gave me useless pieces of advice like “You must fall in love over and over again, with the same person” or warnings that the first year of marriage would be the toughest (which I do not agree with!) But how could you really prepare for this? How can you warn people what being married is like?

I just read that… warn people. Is that really what I meant? Certainly not! But sometimes, yes. Each year, month, week, day and hour brings a new challenge of married life. So I debate… should I share these challenges with you? Should someone give you a little glimpse of the life that comes after “I do”? It’s a battle and balance between personal and professional, a line that I’m constantly trying to keep in check. But I can’t help but wonder, what exactly are the marriages I’m helping to create going to be like?

I promised myself I would never help my couples do all the planning for their wedding, walk down the aisle and then just leave, never to be seen or heard from again. So in starting to share a little bit more of my day to day life, I hope to help inspire and encourage those of you who might find yourself in a “rough patch” of marriage or just feeling blah and depressed for the day. We all feel that way, even those of us who seemingly have a perfect life, from the outside looking in anyway. Let’s move into Married Land together and learn from each other as we start this life “After I Do.”

Oh, and you know that rhyme, “First comes love, then comes marriage…” well this is Gretta a couple months ago, she arrived in the “baby carriage” last November. Kellie of Hetler Photography worked her magic and took some amazing pictures of the two of us back in May (Gretta was about 5 months).

Gretta James

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