All's Well that Ends Well

Remember how my last post was about all the things that were going wrong last week? The debit card incident? dog covered in syrup? Any of those ringing a bell? I was afraid to blog about it too soon and ask what else can happen for fear of jinxing it and apparently I did...


Saturday morning I had a very early morning photo shoot that was about a 45 minute drive away from my house. I left at 8 and Hudson was still asleep which is somewhat abnormal. Occasionally he will sleep until 7:30 or 8, but not often. We're usually up and running between 6:30 and 7. In conversation before I left Lantis mentioned that he heard Hudson cough a couple of times in the night. I sleep like a log and I hear NOTHING in my sleep. Thankfully I married a light sleeper because when my lights go out good luck getting me up for anything including my child. I thought that would change when I had a child, but apparently I missed that motherly gene. Heaven forbid you have to wake me up in the middle of the night because I will act completely stupid and not remember a thing the next morning. I think I have some kind of sleeping disorder. Here's how bad it is: once (before we were married) my dad had to be taken to the hospital during the night. An ambulance pulled up to our house, medics brought a gurney into our house and rolled it down the hall past my bedroom, worked on my dad, rolled him out, took him away in the amulance and I never heard a thing. My sister woke me up the next day and had to tell me the entire story. Crazy I know...anywhoo...I went to my first photo shoot, took care of business, got back in the car and started driving to sessiong #2. I had a missed call and text from Lantis. He never calls when I'm working so I'm alarmed. The text says: "vomit everywhere, vomit contest, keep working, we're ok." I called him and he told me that Hudson slept until 9, when he went up to his room to get him up it was covered in vomit. Those weren't just coughs that Daddy was hearing in the night. The poor little guy was vomitting all over the place and mommy and daddy didn't even know it. Lantis said he wasn't holding anything--food or drink--down. He had been throwing up for the last hour and everytime he threw up Lantis threw up too because he has a really light stomach. I have never felt more horrible than I did at that moment. My baby has a stomach bug and is throwing up for the first time in his two little years and his mommy isn't there to hold him, wipe his mouth, clean him up, or tell him its ok. You know when you're sick you just want your mommy. On top of that Lantis is handling all this by himself and throwing up at the same time.


I still had one more photo shoot to before I could head home. I debated canceling but I knew she was having her hair done for the occasion and canceling wasn't an option. Next best thing: I called in the troops to take my place. This is when I'm glad that family is close by. I call my sweet neighbor and she had some Gatorade and she took it over to the house. I call my mom to go over and lend a helping hand--the loving mommy touch and her amazing ability to clean. My dad went to Walgreens for pedialite. Within 5 minutes all troops were assembled and on the go. However, little did we know, my efficient husband had already completely stripped the room of all bedding and stuffed animals and everything that had been contaminated. He had already starting washing things. He had already bathed Hudson TWICE! I wasn't shocked because that's exactly why I married him--he can do it all--but I'm always a little amazed even after 9 nine years together. Some men would freak out and retreat. Lantis tackled it all and did it throwing up.

I got home around lunch time and Hudson had been vomit free for about an hour or more. My mom and dad were gone. Almost all the dirty clothes and bedding were washed. The house was amazingly clean--all thanks to Lantis. All I had to do was lysol his crib and give my baby LOTS of love. He never threw up again, but he was a lot more quiet than normal and had a weak look in his eyes. We lounged around the rest of the day, read lots of books, watched a couple of movies, and exchanged lots of love. He took a really good three hour nap that afternoon and has been almost normal Hudson ever since--just a little more lovey than usual. He still hasn't been sick again, just an upset tummy. He still hasn't eaten anything substantial, but is drinking a lot so I guess its ok.

Today was a great day. We went outside to play and enjoy the sunshine and cure some cabin fever. Hudson seems to feel good. Lantis went and purchased Hudson's swing set that is his birthday present and started assembling it. He made great progress. Again, he can do it all. From building a swing set, repairing a car, knowing which stock to invest in, to taking over mommy duties when she's away. He's great to have around. :) This is going to be a great swing set. Lantis is a perfectionist and this is for his baby so he's taking great pains in making sure every board is level and every angle plum. He made great progress today and got the entire fort constructed. Needless to say I think the week/weekend ended well. So...all's well that ends well.


Hudson "helped" daddy with some of the building today with his toy tools which was too cute. He hammered, drilled and sawed on the lumber right with dad. I caught this little moment of them working together on my phone. They are so sweet.

This is a snapshot from our deck of our backyard as it exists today. Soon there will be a massive structure mixed in among the trees where Hudson can be a little boy.

I will have a swing set update when there's more to report so stay tuned.

I am looking forward to a great week and more beautiful weather next weekend!

Check out the Lens Envy blog for photos of this weekend's sessions.

Lens Envy March Special

In case you don't follow the Lens Envy blog, check out the March special! :)

One of those days...or weeks

I have definitely had one of those days...or maybe weeks. We had a fabulous weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I had a couple of photo shoots with some very handsome boys that you can see on Lens Envy's blog.

It all got off to a great start on Sunday afternoon when my sweet child scratched himself with we're not sure what and he had a big scratch across his right eye lid. We were playing in the yard and he was playing with sticks, toy tools, and everything he could get his hands on so we aren't sure what actually caused the scratch, but it looked ugly and his eye was a little puffy. Any injury eye related freaks me out so I was a little concerned about it, but kids are resilient.

Monday morning my sweet hubby decided to get up and cook pancakes for us before we hit the road for the week. The dog was, like usual, laying under the kitchen table while we ate. Lantis somehow dropped the bottle of syrup and in its tumble to the floor it spews syrup everywhere but mostly on Buddy, the golden retriever. The dog has syrup all over his back which he was loving because he could lick it off. We are not loving it however, because well...you can imagine a long haired golden retriever covered in syrup. Needless to say he went outside and will not be allowed back in until someone has time to take him to the groomer. He needed to go anyway. Good timing I guess. Better than if he'd just been groomed because its not cheap!

I can't even remember what happened on Tuesday because yesterday out shined it. I needed to go to the bank yesterday during lunch but beforehand I needed to check my balance online. I hop online and discover a charge that I know nothing about. I don't recognize the source, it was from out of state, and the amount isn't ringing any bells so I immediately think, "OH NO MY ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED INTO!". Which would make sense because I do massive amounts of spending online and I've been so scared lately that its going to happen to me. I call Lantis in hysteria. He suggests I call the bank, duh. I call the bank and can't get a human being on the phone. I'm freaking out so I simply hit the button that shuts down my whole account. :) I finally get a human on the phone because I feel the need to speak to a human when I've become a victim of identity theft. Although I love the cute automated chick, she just wasn't providing the emotional support I needed at that point. The nice girl in customer service who finally took my call informs me that the "mysterious charge" on my account was actually from AT&T. :-/ Yes, this makes sense. I set up online bill pay a month ago but forgot what date it was being drafted out and I swear the damn thing didn't say AT&T anywhere on my online banking records. I promise it doesn't!! So now I have a debit card that no longer works until my new one arrives in 5-7 days. I actually tested that theory at the gas station yesterday when I stopped on the way home having forgotten about the entire incident. (how do you forget that your account doesn't work!?!?) The gas station employee says "ma'am your card has been denied". I get the looks from him and everyone around me in line. I was so embarrassed. Of course nothing you say at that moment makes it OK that you've just been denied. Everyone thinks you don't know how to manage your money, end of story. Not the case exactly, I'm just a little scatter brained, stressed and forgetful right now.

Summary: I turned off my debit card because I forgot about my phone bill and thought I was a victim of some horrible monster who was going to syphon all the money from my account. Then I forgot about the whole incident just hours later and I tried to use the card.

Today Lantis calls me on my way to work and I was at the bank (getting money since I can't use my card) and he says he just had a close call on the road. He was nearly rear ended...by his grandmother on her way to the dollar store.

I'm not sure how this week is going to end and I'm afraid to ask. If any other news worthy events take place, and I hope they do not, I'll be sure to share...because this is my life. Enjoy.

Happy Valentines Day, Snow day...Happy EVERYTHING!

We had a fabulous weekend!! Friday I was able to leave work early to come home and enjoy our snow filled yard with Lantis and Hudson. Here are a few of my photos from our afternoon.

Hudson and Mommy

Daddy and Hudson

His curious face

my little ragamuffin

Our beautiful golden retriever, Buddy. He loved the snow more than any of us.

Would you like to hold my snowball?

Helping dad build a Mikey Mouse snowman

Its snowing!

Carrying snow over to daddy

Dig in!

Saturday I was supposed to have a couple of photo shoots that had to be rescheduled due to the weather. We had a laid back Saturday. Saturday afternoon I started cooking. My mom and dad came over for a wonderful dinner. I cooked tilapia, chicken, corn, shrimp, spinach and artichoke dip, broccoli casserole, and chocolate cake. I did have help from Lantis on the meats--must give credit where its due. It all turned out beautifully. I love to cook when I have time to do it. Even though mom and dad live nearby and I see mom almost everday, we rarely have any quality time with them. We always seem to see them in passing, but we spent some much needed QT with Sue and Casey.

Sunday we had a leftover lunch after church. We exchanged Valentines. Lantis gave me roses and Hudson gave me my favorite--tulips. Here are a couple of quick photos from my phone.



I had a photo shoot with sweet little Wyatt. Check out the Lens Envy blog soon to see those.

Oh! I almost forgot: Happy Valentine's Day everyone! :)

Bedroom update

We finished painting the bedroom a couple of weeks ago and I finally remembered to snap a photo. Now I've got to find something new to put over the bed. Baby steps.

Blessed

I'm feeling extra blessed today. There have been so many days in the recent past when I've been down on myself for various reasons. When I've been stressed to the max and not known how everything is going to get done. It feels good to hold my head up and know that I'm absolutely blessed and I have nothing to be down about. I have a healthy family with more than we could ever need. I have a little boy that is absolutely perfect. I have a "real" job and a "play" job. The real one pays the bills. The play one--well I just get to play and love what I do! I have a beautiful home. I have a car that gets me from point A to point B (which I'm even more thankful for after returning the rented Impala after a week). The list goes on and on.

I have lots of photo shoots lined up for the spring and I couldn't be more excited. I could have never fathomed two years ago that the little idea and dream that was Lens Envy would be successful. I thought it was so far off, but my little passion slowly turned into a business that I adore. I would have never guessed that I can build and design a website. I would have never guessed that I would have enough business to schedule multiple back-to-back sessions in one day. I would have never guessed that I would run out of free Saturdays in a month because they were all full of photo shoots. I would have never guessed that I would actually break into the wedding scene even though I REALLY wanted to and secretly knew that was my ultimate goal. I would have never guessed that I would entertain the idea of converting our guest bedroom into a studio. I would have never guessed that I would consider advertising in major publications.

I have been completely overwhelmed with blessings. It hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. More than once today I've stopped whatever I was doing and cried. Like a baby. Head between my legs. I'm so excited about the future, I'm bursting with joy, and I'm slightly overwhelmed but in a good way.

I have to thank so many of my wonderful friends and family members who have relentlessly advertised for Lens Envy and sent inquiries and business my way and kept me in check when needed. :) If not for those special people in my life I can't imagine where I'd be. I'm forever indebted to you. I also have to thank my precious and supporting husband for helping so much with Hudson and around the house. Without him NOTHING would get accomplished because mommy is behind the computer.

Now its time for me to figure out what I'm supposed to do with these blessings. I was reminded last night that my blessings are from God and they are His given to me to use. Now what does He want me to do with them? That's more overwhelming than the work itself!

Of course, I hope that the business continues to grow. Above all, I really want to be able to tell my story one day and inspire someone to do what they absolutely LOVE!

Me and the Impala

When you picture me behind the wheel, do you picture me driving a large black Chevrolet Impala. No? Me either.

We had to take my car to the shop for the week to have some body work done. My sweet little sister-in-law's boyfriend accidentally backed into my car a couple of weeks ago while we were at my in-law's house one night. (Technically its Lantis' car that I'm currently driving because we sold my car, but that's another story for another day.) I'm sure he was a basket of nerves that entire night. Can you imagine backing into your girlfriend's older brother's car? Yikes. That would be like walking the plank having to walk back inside to notify the girlfriend and her family of what just happened. Poor guy, I don't at all envy him at that moment. Lantis took the news well. It really didn't do much damage, just a small dent. No biggie--at least its was a simple incident in the driveway rather than a huge wreck with Hudson in the car! There's always a bright side.

So while this body work is taking place I'm driving a nice rental car--an Impala. Yep, exactly what I would have pictured me driving also. Its a really nice vehicle, but it feels very large under my control. I feel like I'm driving a ship. I need someone to drive ahead of me with one of the "Wide Load" signs. Ha! I'll probably get used to the size of this thing about the time I have to turn it back in. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy putting miles on Enterprise's car.

It was a circus!

We had a fabulous weekend. We had a lot of family time and we got lots accomplished around the house. We finished painting the bedroom which I'll try to post pics of soon, we cleaned up the back yard and got everything ready for spring-time. It felt very productive! Lantis originally planned to go hunting, but thanks to mother nature he ended up staying home and I'm thankful for it because our house, yard and family needed some TLC.

Saturday my friend Alesha (aka LuLu) and I took Hudson to the circus. She was my date since Lantis had previous hunting man-plans. Hudson loves Aunt LuLu! He was so excited that she was with us. We had a blast, but we were pretty tired after keeping up with a two year old all afternoon and being in an arena full of screaming sugar-filled kids. Here are a few photos of our circus adventure. I wish I would have taken more photos, but it was hard with my huge lens and a wiggle worm in my lap. I'm a horrible mother (or maybe I was preoccupied) and I didn't take any photos of Hudson, Alesha, or myself! What was I thinking?! Oh well...