My crazy, beautiful life

A New Blog

Well, after four years with typepad, I have decided to move my blog to a new place! I haven't been great at blogging as of late and it is something that I want to pick up again. But it was time for it to find a new home!  So...for all of you who still take the time to follow my sporadic posts, please feel free to check me out at my new home...

http://kdh.headoverheelsphotography.ca/

This is linked to Head Over Heels, but is still my personal blog. I have imported all my old posts onto this site already.  It will take me a bit of time, but I'm going to personalize it and make it my own!

Thanks to all those who still check in!!

yet another lengthy wait between posts...

I'm horrible. I mean to post...I really do! Somehow I just don't seem to get to it though! I have been posting daily on my HOH blog with my picture of the day and various sessions...and admittedly this blog seems to be taking the back seat.  I have had some complaints as of late about my lack of posting so I will be trying to keep it updated each week!

Christmas was quite simply amazing! Aside from missing my mom, it was the best holiday season ever. We were on the go every single day between visiting with friends and family. Days were packed with fun, family activities such as sledding and skating and sitting around playing games. I simply enjoyed each and every single day with my family...and was reminded that I have been showered with blessings. I am so grateful for all that I have!

Business for me is going well! I have developed a huge list of goals...things that I'd like to accomplish over this new year! I now have a mentor to help me with the studio side of things and look forward to playing and growing and developing more skills. I have been given an opportunity that could lead to amazing things...I am looking forward to seeing how this opportunity plays out! I've been working at coming up with new products to offer my clients. I have been asked to photograph a wedding abroad...either Jamaica or Mexico...they are still deciding on the venue. Things are good and this is going to be a great year!

Kids are doing awesome. Having fun! Learning! Growing! Reminding me daily that I AM the luckiest mom! Grace turns four next weekend...I simply cannot believe it!  I turn 30 in about a month! I believe that even less! Where does the time go?!?

Anyways...just thought I'd leave you with a few images from the past little bit!

 

 
 

 
 
 

Tis the season of Christmas Concerts

Over the past couple weeks, Andrew and I have been able to watch two of our three participate in their class Christmas concerts.  What a joy! Grace had her playschool concert a couple weeks ago and those playschool kids amazed me.  There was very little shyness and the belted out a total of FIFTEEN songs!  Grace was so excited to dress up all pretty for the concert...I tried to convince her to wear a pretty white dress but no sir! She was adamant she wear her pettiskirt. And because it was her day, she was free to wear what she chose! 

 The following week it was the kindergarten Christmas concert! The kindergartens are separate from the rest of the school, which I think was a great thing because the gym was PACKED!!! Taylor was nervous, but did awesome and I was one proud mama!!

And, we managed to get out of going to the mall to see Santa because Santa came to both Christmas concerts...and to our hockey dressing room last night!  I knew Taylor and Grace would love Santa...I was sure Mya would be a little more hesitant! Not the case!!

 

 

 

I'm so proud.  And so blessed!!  I videotaped both concerts too...the video camera is actually something that I have been using more and more. It will be fun to look back on all this stuff in the future...

I'm getting really excited for Christmas...I'm more excited this year than I have been for awhile. I think it's because aside from decorating the house (nope...it's not decorated yet because Andrew and I can't agree on a tree), I'm ready to go. I'm organized. My shopping has been done since November.  There has been no stress. And it's making me enjoy everything so much. Aside from a few small things which I will pick up when I'm on my own on the 23rd, I am done. And more than anything, I am looking forward to a full week of pure and simple family time! No photos. No work for Andrew.  Just a week of enjoying our little family of five! And THAT's what it's all about!

 

 
 
   

Isn't it funny...

Isn't it funny sometimes, the things that pop into your head? The things that you remember from years ago? Things that you never really thought about but that obviously left an impression?

 Last night as I was watching TV and putting Mya down to sleep, there was an advertisement for Cirque du Soleil coming to Rexall.  The first thing that popped into my mind was "wow...I bet Grace would LOVE that!".  Which got me to thinking about the first time I went to see an all important play...

I can't remember how old I was.  Maybe 10. But I went to watch Les Miserables in Edmonton with Clarence.  He was way older than me...a senior in 4-H that knew I was in French Immersion and thought I may simply enjoy going to watch a play.  My parents pulled me out of church camp for the night, and Clarence and I headed to Edmonton for dinner and the show.  It was amazing.  To this day I haven't seen a play like it.  The singing. The acting.  And apparently that evening left a bigger impression on me than I thought...

Which got me to thinking even more!  I hope that I raise my children to take the time to think of others...to do things for other people without feeling embarrased about what others may think. Because, you just never know how simple acts of kindness affect people...

Wowzers...

Okay...I am slightly embarrased! It has been a long time...and by the look of my stats, people are still checking this boring blog out!

It has been a CRAZY busy fall!  With over 30 sessions and two doula clients in the past month and a half, I have not had time to blog...at all! So how are ya'll doing?

Life has been busy...but life has been good.  I have been blessed with so many different things over the past couple months and I am grateful. HOH has kept me hopping! I have changed my business structure quite a bit and though I was a little hesitant at first, the changes I have made have been good.  

After a ton of soul searching, I found a dayhome for the girls. It has been a blessing. One of my biggest challenges has been finding childcare when I have a session.  Gail allows me to bring the girls in on an as needed basis.  Though I felt sooooooo guilty at first, I know deep down that it is a fantastic place for the girls to go. She treats the kids as if they are her own...and the kids adore her.  

The kids are doing well. Taylor is still enjoying school...and as with most little boys, he enjoys gym and recess the most.  He is doing well and we are working together on reading.  I am so proud of him. He is still playing hockey and enjoying that more than anything else.

Grace began dance...and oh my gosh does she love it! She's so cute, all dressed up in her dance outfit.  She prances around the house and my heart melts!!  She goes public skating every Thursday and enjoys that immensely and she just LOVES playschool.  

Mya is doing well.  She is speaking more and more everyday...and I'm looking forward to her speaking even more yet.  She has been getting a ton of teeth lately and it's been painful for her...and me a little too.  Her favorite thing right now is to put on other peoples boots and clop around the house.  It's pretty cute!!  

So...life is good.  We are all healthy and happy.  I'm starting to get excited for Christmas...time is flying by!!

What a week!

Wow it's been a busy week. Not yet adjusted to having one kid in school, Grace started playschool this year AND we had a FULL week of hockey. Nothing like JUMPING into the swing of things! Whew!!

Grace began her school career on Tuesday. NEVER have I seen someone so excited!! It was adorable...simply adorable. Taylor was excited to go, but didn't understand what playschool meant. Grace KNEW exactly what it was all about and was ready to go an hour before we had to leave. She seriously stood beside the door with her backpack and lunch waiting. For an hour! Once there, she gave me a hug and a kiss and walked away...not nervous or hesitant, but confident that it was going to be fun. And she loves her teacher. Loves her.

Did I take pictures of Grace in her adorable little purple frilly skirt and yellow shirt with pigtails in her hair? Of course I did! But I can't get them. You see...my camera...the one that I have had JUST over a year...broke. It somehow contracted dead battery syndrom and though I managed to get through my wedding on the weekend and the session I had on Sunday, it refused to work for me any longer. So it had to go into the Nikon Hospital for fixing.

First, might I say that London Drugs really impressed me with their customer service? I tore my house apart and do you think I could find the receipt for my camera. I kept it. I know I did. I bought it before even considering head over heels and so I put the receipt in a safe place. I have no idea where that safe place is. London drugs, knowing the date I purchased the camera, went through their PAPER files to find my proof of purchase so that I could get my camera fixed on warranty. THis may not sound like a big deal, but to me it was huge...good customer service is hard to find and this meant a lot to me!

And being that this is a busy time of year for pictures...I needed a new camera. Part of this was bitter sweet for me. I REALLY wanted to wait until Nikon's potential new release in October. My camera was going to be in the shop for 4-6 weeks. I couldn't wait. So...London Drugs gave me a great deal on a new d700. My other camera will become my back up.  I am in LOVE. I haven't played a ton yet...I've really only played with high ISO. I'm amazed. While I got considerable noise going above 400 ISO with my d200, I played around with 6400 ISO and was amazed. Very exciting for me!

So...I am going to replicate Grace's first day of school...same clothes...same hair and I know that she will display the same excitement over going!! And next week...I will post pictures of HER "first" day of school.

So much has changed...

It has been a rough couple weeks I tell you. Life has been great, but so many things have changed and I don't know that I'm ready for it all!

Of course, Taylor had his surgery! And he has been doing really well. But it was really hard on me to watch him go under, and see him come back up to his room groggy and sore. And it was hard to watch him the first couple weeks as it really did take a lot out of him. He's making up for lost eating now...and is doing well.  Back to his old, normal self and for that I'm grateful. And...there is no more snoring. And he doesn't stop breathing in the middle of the night anymore. That is a great relief!!

Last weekend, Andrew packed up all three kids and headed to Grande Prairie for the long weekend. I stayed home. I had a wedding and a couple photo sessions. I haven't had the house to myself for that long in five years!! Boy did I miss my family! I had never been away from Mya overnight. I nursed Mya one last time before they left, and as they pulled out of the driveway I stood there crying! It was very hard to watch them go...knowing that my life as I had known it for the past five years was never going to be the same. Sounds deep I know but it is the truth. No more nursing. No more pregnancy. No more babies. It was just plain hard!

I am thankful that I was busy all weekend. Besides taking pictures, I worked. I got caught up, focused quite a bit of my attention on my business and where I'd like it to go. I sewed the cutest little dress for Mya (it doesn't fit over her head). I cleaned. I kept busy!!

Having them come home was awesome. I am proud of Drew for taking on the task...I have to admit that I don't think I'd drive up there with the kids on my own. But he took it all in stride and did awesome.

So...as if all that isn't hard enough on a mom. Taylor started kindergarten. He was soooooo excited...and I was excited that he was excited!! He got all dressed up and we drove to school. And the teacher just whisked him away! No hug! No good luck! Nothing. That was it. He was immersed in school. Truthfully I was okay with it all on Wednesday. Now today...not so much! I'm actually having a pretty hard time with it. Maybe it's the fact that he is now to cool to give me a hug at school. Seriously. What is up with that? Really! I thought I had a good couple years before all that started...apparently not!

And...Grace starts playschool next week. She is so excited. Again,  I am excited for her enthusiasm. But why do they have to grow up so fast? 

That all said...all these events have caused me to think. And I got a lot or prioritizing done in my mind this past weekend. I am enjoying my days. All the moments I have with my kids. And we are having so much fun these days. After my break, I have become a happier mom. We are all laughing and playing more and I think the weekend at least was exactly what I needed.  

So many things

As summer dwindles we have been enjoying time outside...simply hanging out! A week was spent camping in Leduc while Taylor played hockey. It was a fun time...nice to be outside and busy all day with the family. It was bike riding, swimming, baseball, golf, hockey and visiting with friends. Good times, good times!

Can you believe September is almost here? In my mind, school starting marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall.  Fall is a bittersweet time of year for me though. The weather is still warm but not scorchingly hot.  The colors are stunning. And...because I AM a farm girl...I LOVE to see the equipment out in the fields as they harvest. Yes...it is a nice time! BUT! It means that the cold of winter is around the corner. And THIS year it means that two of my babies grow up just a little bit more.

Taylor is anxiously awaiting the start of kindergarten...to be delayed for him an extra week due to the fact that he had his tonsils and adenoids removed a couple days ago. Have I ever mentioned how proud I am of this kid? He is a trooper...quiet as can be even though I know his throat is SO sore. He is looking forward to feeling better and getting back outside to play and run I think. And he's pumped for school. Which makes me happy. And a little sad all at the same time!

A picture of the poor guy sleeping in the hospital right after they brought him up from recovery.  He was so STONED! Poor guy. Excuse the picture quality...it was taken with my phone...that I no longer have because Mya dropped it in the toilet! I'm feeling pretty disconnected though I should be up and running again by the end of the day.  Mya seriously made me flush 300 dollars down the toilet. Ah well. I'm sure I will laugh about it later right?

Grace begins playschool and can hardly contain her excitement.  Is she truly old enough to be going? I can't believe it! She COULD in reality begin kindergarten next year if I really wanted her too. Crazy! Crazy!!!

Oh...and on my photography front...we have a new webite. Well, two actually. An actual site and both Vanessa and I have our own respective blogs.  I have a crazy busy two months ahead of me with bookings as well as a course. I'm so excited about all that is to come. Check 'em out if you can!!

Head Over Heels Photography

Krista's New Photo Blog

And finally...just leaving you with a picture...I took Grace out the other night to play. I have purchased a few pettiskirts recently and have been waiting to take pictures of her. We are heading out the two of us for an evening of pictures...and ice cream but this past night, but I just felt like playing a little.  She was far from cooperative!  Grrrr....

A slip and slide kind of family dayrd

Yesterday, we went to the annual Harink family get together. I really look forward to these days. As you know, I am all about family. And since I have no brothers and sisters, getting together with all my aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids is the next best thing! When I was young, I spent a whole lotta time with many of my cousins. Good memories were made...riding horses, showing cattle, jumping on trampolines, and even painting fence.

It was a beautiful day...so Matt got out his fire truck (yes...he owns his own REAL fire truck) and sprayed the kids as they ran down the slip and slide. It was so fun to watch!

Below is Matt. He was on the go at the time and I was holding Mya so it's a little blurry. Anyways... I'm not sure who had more fun...the little kids or him? Matt is a great guy...a kid at heart really. And it was just as much fun to watch him spray everyone with the huge fire hose as it was to watch the kids run and fall down the slip and slide.

Taylor found it pretty fun too...though I don't believe he's quite the little fish as Grace and after a handful of runs he was content to get dressed and ride his bike.

Grace loved it! There were quite a few big kids running around and she would patiently wait her turn to run and slide.  So funny! She is definately a fish...even when everyone had given up on the slip and slide, she went back in to just splash in the water. 

Mya did end up going in the water to splash around, just as we were leaving and I had my camera packed up. She is just like Grace...loves water and would splash for hours in a mere puddle. I am sure next spring will be fun when we all go out wearing rubber boots to splash and splash in the puddles. 

Busy week ahead of us...I have a three photos session, will be heading to Lacombe to spend a night at my moms, will hopefully take the kids to the beach while I am there. I will be packing for our camping trip, getting Taylors equipment ready for hockey school, doing some baking, working on some new things for HOH. I'm not quite sure how i will fit it all in, but I will manage. I may be pulling a few late nights to do it, but it's all good! I am soooooo looking forward to having a full week with my family. No work (well, I do have a course on Sunday and a wedding on the following Saturday but that's it). No computers. Just a week of outdoors, good old family time! Yay!!

I am not liking the fact that I have neglected my blog for so long! Wow!  But summer days are not meant to be spent in front of the computer and so, rather I have been outside enjoying the heat and the kids! It's hard to believe that summer is half over...and that in a short month Taylor will be off to school!

We have been busy...doing what I am not sure! But our days pass quickly! We bought the kids a trampoline...a great investment  as the kids LOVED jumping on it! I could even still do my tricks from my days as a gymnast. Totally surprised the kids...and Andrew to see me doing backflips and front flips.  I'm speaking in past tense because we had it no more than two weeks and it got trashed. I came home from the city one afternoon (the afternoon of the big storm) to find the trampoline in pieces all over the field. As well as the kids playcentre. And the stairs to our house. And my clothesline.  It was disheartening to see the rubbish all over the field...and yet I still felt so blessed! It could have been so much worse. We could have been outside and been hit by debris as the storm came on so fast. Things could have damaged the house or come through a window. We were still lucky. My heart goes out to all the people who were injured during BVJ, and to the kids of the mother who was killed. Weather is such an unpredictable act of God! We've had pretty severe weather this summer...between drought and wind. Whew!

Last week was crazy busy. I attended to photography courses...they were amazing! I still haven't soaked in all the information! One of the afternoons was spent with the instructor watching him shoot. It's so neat to see how other people work! I have two more course before the end of summer. I can't wait!

In between the course days, I was blessed to witness the miracle of all miracles! My good friend Joanne invited me to be part of the birth of their second child. I was able to work with Barb, and help Joanne and when Faith was born I was brought to tears. It's such a beautiful thing, the birth of a child. The thought of not doing that again, and not falling in love with a new baby of my own again is almost too much to take!

Pictures have been keeping me very busy as of late! I had a couple weeks of downtime in July, but then was hit with a vengence. And I am so grateful. I have met so many wonderful people, and I enjoy it so much. And I am so grateful for all the help I have had with the kids. I am blessed to have such caring people who love my children and take such great care of them when I need the help. I am not great at asking for help...though I am getting better! So for all who have helped...I thank you soooooo much.

Kids are fine. Happy. Growing. Mya now walks more than crawls. She's almost running. She sure is growing and getting big. Taylor is excited for school. He's looking forward to hockey camp in a couple weeks. Grace is Grace.  Happy. Cute.  Wild.  Full of love and snuggles. I'm worried for Taylor to start school. They are the best of friends most days and Taylor will be missed by Grace.  This I know for sure.  But she is excited for playschool to begin. And I am so proud of the children they are!

Happy Thursday everyone!!