I watched a very cool movie today.  The story of stuff.  So cool in fact that it made me really rethink my behaviors.  How many times do we really get rid of stuff because we think its no longer useful, when in fact its the media that is telling us it is obsolete.  The first step in making change in your life is awareness and acknowledgement.  Next is action to change.  I am working on that one.

Check it out on www.storyofstuff.com  Its rather enlightening.

*baby-maker, picture-taker

These are tough times.  We hear it and feel it everywhere.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and be honest, its tough for us too.  I know, it seems like a fancy profession like ours would be exempt from recession, but professional photography is one of the first things to go when money is tight.

We waited in line this morning at Denny's with our 3 kids in tow and it was a lovely breakfast, something we haven't done in a long time.  We were thankful... and full.  Sitting down to dinner tonight we saw on the news that Fox Fine Jewelry in Ventura was giving away necklaces to those who couldn't afford a gift this valentines day.  It got me thinking.  In times like these we all need a reminder of who we are doing everything for.  And that is something I can do.

We would like to celebrate Valentines Day this year, with all of you.  Stop by between noon and 3 on Saturday the 14th for a FREE mini session with your sweetheart (or of your sweethearts). Better yet, we will be giving everyone a FREE 4x6 too!  No strings attached.  If your sweetheart is in the military, please come in for a photo of yourself and we will mail it to them for you.  Everyone needs a reminder of what is truly important.

On our wall it says "He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.".  I am reminded of how right that is.  We are sucessful beyond our wildest dreams.  And we are thankful.

Our Fabulous half price boudoir event has been extended!  Now through the 25th of January you can get a boudoir session by Tasha for just $50.  And the free magazine ready 5x7 offer is extended through the 14th.

Hope you will come in for the ultimate valentines day gift for your sweetie.  10% off for military too!

*baby-maker, picture-taker

No.  I had a baby. Gosh those little suckers will throw a kink in any fine tuned machine.  And if your machine isn't so fine tuned?  God have mercy.

Yes, I am still working on getting my birth slideshow together for little Kolby. But when you look at your life and realize each day is really about survival, sometimes you just learn to let stuff go.  Afterall what is more important, getting enough sleep to function or getting things checked off your to do list?  My son still sees cars on the road with broken tail lights and says "look mom, they hit their house too!".

I will however shout the joys and admiration for the newest addition to our family.

Kolby Bryton

He is a wonderful addition to our family.  Its funny, for all the time I spent worrying about what life would be like and how I would deal with 3 kids, it was soooo not warranted.  Little Ko-Ko is a pure delight.  He is the happiest child I have EVER seen.  All he wants to do is laugh or get tickled and is the most tolerant baby of all.  I am very thankful he was sent to us.  He truly is a gift from god and I now know the true value in trusting the universe to know what your path is.

Remember to blog.  Ok, lets be real, I remember to do it, but its normally in the middle of the night.  Revise.  MAKE TIME to blog.

Be on time.  Ahhh, the ever faithful Resolution.  To my credit, I did improve greatly on this bad habit a number of years ago.  Unfortunately with 3 kids in the mix it adds a few kinks... "you have to pee now? Didn't I ask you to do that already?  Ugh. Spit up.  Who pooped?". 

Make time for myself.  Not just regular child free shower time but also time to exercise and pull myself together in the morning.

Get on Schedule!  Kids love schedules.  I don't but I love kids who are happy.  i underestimate the importance of this to them.

Have patience.  A lot of it.

Stop raising my voice at my kids.  Its a nasty unnecessary habit.  Unfortunately its one of those things that gets programed into your genetics and is really hard to stop. 

*baby-maker, picture-taker

Ok, if you know me, you know that I am a lactivist, no not the kind who would accost you on the street for bottle feeding, but the kind who is obsessed with knowledge on breastfeeding and all the things that go along with it. Especially bras!!!

Imagine my excitement when I found out Victorias Secret sells nursing bras online. HELLO!! I think it could only get better if they came in my size! Actually they offer a really good size range up to DD and about 6 choices, one being underwire. The only drawback is that about 80% of women wear the wrong size, so ordering online isn't the best thing unless you have been professionally fitted recently. (Maybe I will make a bra tips post later.)

By the way, Mothers Guild in Ventura has the largest selection of nursing bras in the county! If you haven't stopped in for a fitting, now is the time. Really, you owe it to yourself to own at least one proper fitting bra. With all the work those little puppies go through, they deserve it too.

Just a reminder that nursing bras don't have to be ugly, you can actually feel somewhat like your former, pulled together self... looking like your former self is harder... it might require changing your spit-up covered shirt. LOL.

*baby-maker, picture-taker