welcome

This is an extra special #WIKAWednesday because it’s also an announcement. I would like to welcome my new nephew, Mr. Everett Jay Beam into the world!! He was born yesterday morning at 11:00 and he is just the sweetest little elf I ever saw. I can’t wait to squeeze him when I’m home at Thanksgiving! (Congrats Matt and Becca!)

I rarely get to show everyone an entire set of photographs because, well, it’s a lot of photographs. But the entire set so often tells a story that single images can’t. It shows personalities and moments that add up to the character of a family or event. So many people say that pictures can speak a thousand words and if that’s true, what can 150 pictures speak?

Today marks one week since Bernadette the bernedoodle joined our family. She’s taught me so much already, as well as affirmed some things I already knew about myself. Like the fact that I’m impatient. Or that I can be a wee bit obsessive and controlling. And that I hate cleaning. 

So, what I’ve learned in 7 days about puppies:

Alexxa is one of the ladies that inspired the name of this blog. We met when we worked at the same nonprofit and she sat in the green chair a million times. I knew even when I left my job that she would be a lifelong friend. She will always be someone I go to for advice and perspective, whether she likes it or not.

So I’ve been lying through my teeth to my husband for the past few months. I lost count after lie #103 and that was at least two months ago.

They were good lies though! Worthy ones. Because I bought him a puppy.

Some of you know that I attended a photography retreat this summer. I had to to a shoot to prepare and shared it in July. The retreat was with renowned photographers Kirsten Lewis and Jenna Shouldice. They both do extremely moment-oriented photography, offering “Day In The Life” sessions to their clients. It means what it says: they follow families for a day (sometimes more) to document their lives. There is no posing or directing or “lighting scenarios.” And the photos they produce are stunning. It isn’t your typical go-sit-under-that-tree-and-smile-at-me kind of work.