Looking Back

Sometimes I like looking back to see where we were a year ago.  I was working way too much (three weddings in a row at 34-37 weeks!)  Look at little Nya in there!!!  

The belly looks cute to me but I do not miss being pregnant and uncomfortable.  I have many friends that are due in May so will get any baby fix I might need through them.  

We had family photos done last Spring Break.  Can't wait to get them again when Nya is a bit older.  By the way, Gary lost this purple shirt, I liked it.

And, looking back at Koen at 10 months of age, he already had a great love for his Bubi, `Blue'.  He still loves Bubi more than anything in the world, even more than his cars.  I've had to sew his head back on about 10 times and each of the ears have also been ripped off and sewn back on.

And looking back even further.  This was the day after Gary proposed  to me up at Green Lake seven years ago.  We are a great team and I'm so thankful to have him as my partner.  Not who I would've chosen but someone God chose for me.  It's not perfect but it's great.  I think of all the ways my life could have gone differently and I'm so thankful to be where I am.  You just never know who God has for you and where you find him/her or the journey it will take to being together....:)

And here is something  that is going around on facebook.  I really, really hope that I don't make life sound perfect.  It's not.  I think something I learned from my parents is to focus on the positive and be thankful for what you DO have.  Something that I learned from being in Africa is that our first world problems are mostly pretty silly.  However, the reality of our life is that our kids drive us crazy (when all together).  My husband drives me crazy (although less these days!).  I'm too controlling/bossy/irritable.  I would like to lose a good 10 lbs but am not willing to give up homemade cookies or whipped cream or bacon.  My fridge really needs to be cleaned.  Kai and Koen fight like crazy.  I wish I had my mom here.  I wish my health was perfect.  I could go on and on.  But that's not what I focus on because it's not the big part of my day/life/thoughts.

And finally, something that is not even the least bit related to this....If one more person says `So you're not working?' even after I tell them that yes, I am a photographer that works about 10-20 hours a week, I'm going to lose it. Ha.  Just kidding, but seriously.  Because I'm not teaching right now, I'm not working?!  If you mean to ask if I'm teaching right now, then maybe phrase it that way.   Do you know how much work it takes to run a business with 3 kids and a house to take care of?   The only reason I vent this is because I get asked this about once a week and sometimes I feel that work at home mom's aren't really recognized as people who are working.  Or maybe it's that photography isn't recognized as a profession. I don't know. The end.

PS on the work front, I'm really enjoying the balance right now.  I'm doing so much less which goes against my normal instinct but it is so good.  Must stick with it.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love, Louise