Life...

Once again, where did the week go? Dan and I had a wonderful evening last week for our anniversary dinner! It was just so nice to be out all dressed up and feel like a grown-up again.

Friday we had a 'neighborhood block party'! It was so much fun, but A LOT of work. Now that the twins are both walking, they are in two different directions. Dan and I were busy chasing after them and talked and socialized when we could. After being there for a little while, we made our way back home where we met our good friends from North Carolina that were visiting us for the weekend.

It was so good to see Jason, Salley and the boys! Her boys are 3 and 5 and got along with Harrison very well. They played the entire weekend. It was just great to catch up with them too! Salley and I have been friends for years and whenever we get together, it's like we never left. I love that about our friendship.

Saturday morning I was hating that I had to run 13 miles, but once I got into it...it went by fast-all 2 hours and 53 seconds of it. A little slower than last week, but hey, not too bad considering I ran it solo this time! I even treated myself to not one, but two Dunkin Donuts when I got back.

I had to work the Fall Bazaar at Harrison's school, but not before we squeezed in lunch over at Red's on Shem Creek. Later that evening I did a photo shoot of Jason and Salley and the boys over at the beach and can't wait for them to see the finished product. I thought they turned out well.

Before I knew it, it was Sunday and I had two shoots at the beach-one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. Where else can you be barefoot, at the beach and make a little money too? I have to say...I am loving it!

All in all, last weekend was busy, but fun! I've spent the last couple of days editing photos and hanging with the boys! Not too shabby....

New kicks and a new biz...

Last month I was in severe calf pain from running. I pretty much cut my running in half last month because it was too difficult to run. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I kept stretching, icing, resting...I even took up biking. I like biking, but it doesn't burn near the calories that running does. My last ditch effort was to get new shoes....well, guess what? It was the shoes. My calf is now completely better. My shoes were near the end of their life at 300 miles, so I didn't even think that they could actually cause pain. My calf is so much better and I have "OFFICIALLY" started training for the marathon. I am so excited, nervous, scared wrapped up in one!! Here are the shoes I got: the ASICS 2310's

On other notes...I've been super busy this week getting ready to get the photography business running with my partner. We are meeting next week and will hopefully get started on the website, pricing and various other things. I will keep you posted when the website launches. If any of you are planning on being in the Charleston area anytime, please look us up if you are interested in doing a shoot!!

"Shoot" for the stars....

Last week I had two photo shoots with two different families. The first one was on the beach at Wild Dunes....they were so much fun to be around and I felt that I got some cute ones. Wild Dunes was a gorgeous area to do a photo shoot. The other family was taken in my neighborhood, which is a beautiful spot to take photos. My friend/neighbor/future business partner B and I are starting to talk names, websites, etc about the business so I'm getting super excited. Both families gave me permission to share the images on my blog, so here are a few that I captured.

A job that is "fun"...

Lately I've been thinking about starting a photography business with a good friend of mine...I get so excited thinking about it. I've been taking pictures of families and children about every weekend for the last 5 or so weeks. Right now I am not charging anything, as I see it important to build a portfolio. Taking pictures of other people's families has been SO MUCH FUN! I can't explain in words how it makes me feel to know what I have done for another family by capturing their children in a special way. And although I haven't been "paid" with cash, every family that I have taken has given me some special gift, which is really sweet.

My "job" before motherhood was teaching in special education. Although very rewarding, it was also very, very stressful. I taught children with severe autism for a couple of years and then moved on to teach children with learning disabilities and serve as Screening Chair for my school. High stress let me tell you! As I contemplate one day re-joining the workforce, I don't see myself going back to all of that stress, especially now that I am a parent. It just wouldn't allow me the flexibility I want to be with my children. Yes, I know we have the "summers off", but as every teacher knows, you truly never have any time off-as there are always lesson plans, themes, trainings, etc to attend to.

I really hope that my friend and I can get this photography business off the ground...if I can have a job that is as much fun as I have had taking pictures for these families....I would start tomorrow. Here are a few of some of the pictures I've taken. I'm only including the backs of the children for privacy.

Boys Photo Shoot

I did a photo shoot with the boys in the park today...check it out. Turn up your volume to hear the music....I cry everytime I watch it!

Here's the link...(also, watch it as a slide show too)

My 3 Sons Photo Shoot