An Explanation and A Cowboy

Last week was a doozy for me. And that doozy tagged along after a two.week.stint of having sick boys (theLittle, theBigs, and theBiggest). What energy the illnesses didn't exhaust, last week wore the rest of me out. BUT I love my blog. Whether I feel up to writing or not... I hate to let it sit still. So before heading out of town with the boys on a solo (momma and bebies) trip, I wanted to blog a few backlogged thoughts...

Well, thanks to Blogger, I wasted an hour and 15 minutes of my time and brain. When I went to publish, Blogger ate away all of my post and left only the introductory paragraph. I felt defeated... and didn't think I could trump up the energy to correct it. SO... I pouted and fumed and then left for the weekend.

BUT

Now I feel refreshed and ready to give it another go.

Without further adiue:

James went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo... Two days of cowboy goodness.

He was born in Houston, and we've taken him every year- but this year was special. My dad called the morning before he was to leave for the houston.grandparent's house. "Can you have him ready in 30 minutes?" he asked me. "I'm coming to get my boy to go get some cowboy boots." I was in my red.rove unloading the dishwasher and waiting on my second pot of coffee to steep in the french press. SO without much warning, I dressed James for his big day out with PawPaw. I had settled with the idea that his 'city.cowboy.ish' gear would do again this year- but PawPaw had different plans. Off they went to The Western Store.

From what I hear, he had a BIG time. A shopping trip that first was meant to be for boots, after being fitted for the perfect pair, began to necessitate itself upward from the ankles: He needs real cowboy jeans for these boots. He needs a shiny belt buckle for these Wranglers. He needs a real cowboy shirt with pearl buttons for that fancy belt. Well, the boy needs a real Stetson cowboy hat for that shirt! See? It's really that easy... the slippery slope to parenthood. Or GRANDparenthood. I'm just glad I'm not the only one who goes a little overboard when it comes to the kids... Let's just blame the kids! I mean, James is so much fun. He has a huge imagination- and LOVES dress.up and pretend play. And everything is magical to him- so it's hard to hold back when he's so excited and suckers you in...

Plus, PawPaw and Nana are particularly proud of their little George Strait.











Oh, my sweet first.born. He's my little.marvel. I'm so happy he's ours.

So that is the first step in getting up back on track here. Stay tuned for a post a day this week until we are caught up. I've got Jax 10 month pics and stories... An update on my friend Meghan and her current situation STILL IN UGANDA... Tate's Birthday trip to Space... yada yada.

I'll be back soon. Promise.

Peace, love, and tiny.wranglers.
xo
lmkw

Pushing through...

TheDuck

Everyone's favorite Duckling turned 10 months a few days ago...

He's learning so fast these days... which is neat to watch especially the second time around.

He's getting closer to walking and it's not a stretch to say that he's into everything. And I love it- because the trick is, it's not my first rodeo. It might be his... but not this ole girl's. Forgive the swagger- especially you mom's of 3+... but take this picture here for instance.

See that little caution lable on the bottom of the blinds? I'm sure it says something like, 'caution: keep bebies away cause they could choke on the cord or something.' When James was 10 months, those cords were tucked away months ago... but Jax got to explore for like... a good five minutes before I found him. No harm, no foul. What could sunshine hurt?



Ah, let's not give him too much credit. Kid's up to no good. There is something in his mouth. Found and foraged off the carpet. Most likely trash. Yes, candy wrapper from theHotness' pants pocket. Disgusting. But delish? *Again, Jax is trying to hide it from me... with that face and those eyes. But come on. I'm no newbie, kid. Get ready for the finger swab.
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"No really, Momma... if I were guilty, I'd look it. Or something."



and Voila. Oh the shame...




***I'd like to call this next series of photos 'What happens when you tell Jackson No'



Ahhhh, he spies my tassle on my new curtain panels... could be fun....

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A nice calm but firm 'No, Jackson.'

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Maybe she doesn't mean it? Grab numero two...
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'Jackson, No!' Oh, the horror.

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Okay, she means it... but does she have stamina? Can she resist the crazy.eye?

No- really lady, I'm cute and can outlast you...
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No, trust me kid, I've done this before... I can do it again. Bring it, bud. :)


So that's how far we've come in 10 months. I like it even more the second time around.

Peace, love, and theJacker.
xo
lmkw

Vintage Darlings: Client Portrait Sneak Peaks

I submitted client portraits today.

It's a crazy feeling of relief, accomplishment, anticipation, and joy.

This is the second time out to photograph these children... and I love watching them grow.

Here are a few of my favorite images:



This little boy has such an incredible look.. such a vintage little soul. Then his little sister??? Oh, goodness. She was pure heaven in her handmade christening gown... It's no secret that I'm a sucker for little boys- but this bebeGirl has stolen my heart. I seriously can't get enough of her and her moon.eyes.... *Oh*







I love family portraiture so much... working with my clients and their children packs so much passion in my day.to.day life. It's a thrill to be able to contribute something to document their history as they live out their lives... I'm so grateful to have a handful of people that believe in me. It's pure joy for me. A real over.the.moon feeling.

Peace, love, and bonnets.
xo
lmkw

Jonquils and Narsisses

or Daffodils and PaperWhites...



The next ones were taken with my fisheye lens... *love* the distortion.



At this time every year, my mother's yard becomes laced with these little lovelies... Very William.Blake.ish... Hundreds, if not thousands stud the grounds around the house I grew up in.

They top my list of favorite flowers... and their smell is second to none.

The narcisses didn't make the cut. They are on my windowsill and I need to get a few pictures of them... but take my word for it. They are beautiful. :)

***I took all of these with my LensBaby... just playing around... trying to find my sweet.spot.

Off to finish the laundry. I think we will be spending our weekend day.tripping... and trying our best to usher in SpringTime.

Peace, love, and yellow.
xo
lmkw

*yawn*

Oh, sweet blog!

Where have I been? My goodness... The past week.and.a.half has been a blur! And I'm not complaining, since Blur is my new thing. But I have been busy.

Houston was super.fun and restful.
TheHotness courted me for 4 straight days.
I'd put him up to any guy out there...
theDuckling got this random fever virus.
He's fine.
He slept in my arms which made me feel guilty
bc I like it so much.
I bought some delish new bedding and things for the room.renny.
I ate chipotle twice in four days.
Carnitas.soft.tacos.
mmmMMmm
I didn't buy new shoes like I needed,
but I did buy a new pair of jeans that I didn't need.
We accumulated a lot of dirty laundry.
I had to request 4 'dirty laundry' bags from the concierge.
I walked into a West Elm for the first time ever.
There was singing, and a nice lady named Nicole.
I walked out with a bag on my arm that I could barely carry.
theHotness was on the other arm.
I secretly made a mental tally.stroke on how generous he is.
I decided that counting the tally.marks weren't important... bc they pointed to: Very.
My mind wandered off about the issues of Cloning while we walked to the car
then he interupted my thought process.
What would you like for dinner?
A Sangria.
You mean Italian?
Yes, please.

Then...

We drove home and James Neal talked/sang/asked questions the entire 5 hours.
The entire.five.hours. (repetition creates emphasis) :)
By the time we reached the Mississippi River Bridge we reverted to old strategies.
Vintage ones our parents use to say that we swore we never would.
IF YOU DON'T HUSH YOUR MOUTH RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO PULL THIS CAR OVER!
To our surprise, it worked.
And he doesn't seem scarred by it yet.;)
We had exactly 17 minutes chatter.free to ride in peace.
I started the laundry.
I had a bebe... well, I was given a bebe. A Lens Baby.
Oh my.
It was love at first shutter.drop.
I rolled around in all the Blur.

Tivoed episodes of Lost were on as I downloaded my first set of images.
I thought:
He notices everything, doesn't he?
He should get a chocolate pie.
Noted.
theDuckling went to the doctor.
My mother.super.slooth.instincts were right: ear.infection.
I secretly made another mental tally.stroke... two down, one more to go... for Tubes.
Yes, I said it.
My mom had a birthday.
We threw her a party.
Or more appropriately: a Party.
It wasn't practical at all, and it certainly didn't help the laundry issue, or the sick bebe thing: I let James do most of the work.
I watched, facilitated, and kept myself from jumping in when he dipped 60 strawberries in chocolate, made custom place mats, frosted cupcakes, and clumsily handle the beautifully fragile raspberries.
My mom enjoyed it.
And raved over this and that.
But then again, she's my momma.
She's suppose to.
You know?




I discovered the easiest, most delicious homemade chocolate icing recipe.
Thanks, Ree Drummond.
The laundry is still undone, but on it's way...
I still can't believe I have my very own Lens Baby...
and a rad.fish.eye.optic.

And it doesn't wake me up at night,
nor does it require for me to wear a nursing bra.
Oh, and I'm an adult Lady now.
I've started using nice face wash.
Like.
For the face.
and not bar soap.
The sales guy had the prettiest skin and tiniest.are.you.kidding.me pores.
Not to mention incredibly tweased brows.
Picture.perfect arch.
Sold.
Ring it up.
It's about time I take care of this face.
Not like I'm getting any younger...

:)

I have client edits to do here this week... and a big weekend ahead.

So, that's its!

Peace, love, and modal fabric.
xo
lmkw

The lovelies

We made it to Texas! Now, time to relax... :)

The boys have started off their Valentine week off with a bang! This morning, I was greeted with the sweetest little necklace from one of my favorite sterling artisons. Months ago I showed theHotness a picture of a precious little faux.Boise tree stump pendant with a little heart carved with custom initials... Truly adorable. Somehow he remembered and had the artist make me one with our initials. I was honestly shocked when he woke me up with it! Such a lover, that one. :)






The boys followed suit abundantly... A new bottle of perfume and my new absolute obsession- my very own LensBaby... *be still my heart*. Oh! It's a Lucious new lens that pretty much rocks my world. I can't wait to master the art of blur...

James feels just as indulged! He has his very own box of chocolate to eat as he wishes... And that's a HUGE treat for him.

I love these quick little cell phone pics.












So we had a nice trip over- and now we are snuggled in to our little home.away.from.home.

Happy Valentines, dears. Love is everywhere...






Peace, LOVE, and paper.whites,
Xo
Lmkw

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