And That's A Wrap!

:sigh: That's what I say at the end of every session I photograph. I usually say it with a big smile on my face. This time, it's a little bittersweet. I loved doing this project. But I'm throwing in the towel. It's turned into something that leaves me feeling uneasy and a little conflicted.



It was always on mind. A little nagging voice..."Erica, you need to take care of that 365. Erica, you need to update your blog. Erica...." ENOUGH SELF-NAGGING ALREADY! AGH! Don't get me wrong. I took the photographs. Believe me. Whether my cell phone or Imagene- I was toting an extra eye with me *at all times*. I have 127 ...that's ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN images on my cell phone alone FROM THIS MONTH. That doesn't include the amount of photos that made it into my MARCH folder on my hard drive from Imagene. I won't even mention February's photos. But I digress.




In all honesty, it was getting a little embarrassing. For real.  Who can't upload a photo to a blog?  And I won't even mention how my other blog has suffered because of it.  If was going to update one blog why couldn't I find the time (scratch that) MAKE the time to update both?  Therefore both blogs got neglected.  It's true.  And it's hard to admit. But there it is.  I like blogging but I was beginning to dread it.

Instead of documenting how I spent my time- my time was actually standing still out here on the world wide web.  My clock was stuck!

And while I was at a complete stand-still with my blogging.  Life was zooming by!  And I was sitting worrying about how far behind I was sharing out here with you my 365 project.  I wanted my blog to be flying along like this car.  Instead it was going about as fast and as far as a car with a flat tire. 

I felt like a firefighter instead of a farmer.  I felt like I was watching this huge thing-that-was-supposed-to-be-fun-but-instead-is-a-flop-because-I-have-got-too-far-behind- grow out of control.

I had all this pressure that everybody was just standing around waiting.  Wondering if it was ever going to be completed.  ....and then worse yet.  Maybe everybody had left?


**crickets**

And then there was this teeny tiny light that started to grow.  Which really was just a reflection of how I felt inside. It was amazing how this thought turned into a light that showed me the way I needed to go. And this time I listened.  And I made a decision.

That's right.  I'm going to STOP. At least stop this blog.  I'm NOT going to stop documenting my year. My family. My interests. I can't imagine not taking a photo (or several) every day, every month.  But I am going to put an end to my 365 BLOG.

Come on, now.  Don't look at me like that...this *is* a good thing!  I want to have ONE rocking blog.  Not two.  Just one. :)  That's why I would like to invite you over to my other blog.  Please come follow me there.  This was my personal blog.  This blog is the blog that I use to promote my business but it is going to be overhauled.  I've decided it is going to be used for BOTH.  Get to know me over there and see both my professional and personal work.  It might be crazy.  It will be fun.  And I *will* do it well.

Thank you.  All of you. For following along on this fun ride, your support of this project and all of your kind words.  I hope to see you over here.  Come on, come follow me! :)

All my love,

Erica xx

She's So Beautiful

She Makes Me Giggle

Grandma Loves Me

I went to my sister's today to photograph my new nephew for his newborn photos (he's 5 days old today and still absolutely perfect, he takes after his super cute big brother).  My mother is still in town helping my sister this first week home from the hospital.  After the session my mother scooped up the lil bean into her arms. I thankfully still had the camera out and was able to get this image which just happens to be one of my personal favorites.

Sugar Lips

This little guy cracks me up.

Driving, Driving and More Driving

It seems as if I am always in the car.  It's getting a bit old.  I might be even more annoyed because it has been so beautiful outside these past couple days and it's only February 16th.  I might just have a bit of spring fever.  God help me when the cold winter weather decides to flex its strong muscle again. 

Waiting in the Car

We picked up Becca from school today together because Lela stayed home from school sick.  I took the camera along with me to pass the time.  Lela was not amused.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

My husband loves me. <3  Happy Saint Valentine's Day to all of you!

I'm an Aunt Again! :D

My new nephew was born tonight - and he's perfect!  I was so blessed to be a part of the experience and to be able to witness another miracle. <3 Here is a photo of him just seconds after entering this world.

A Beautiful Sunset

I Love Her Eyelashes

Ohhhh Barrraaacuddda!

I love swim photos - it's the swimmers' faces that make the images so cool to me.  Here is a photo of Becca in the water at practice. 

A CrAzY Saturday!

Everything came to a head today - it was a super duper busy yet fun day.  My morning started off with picking up last minute items for my good friend's baby shower and meeting around 8:20ish to set up for said shower (I may have been a few minutes late). The setting up and decorating went very smoothly which was great; although, I truly did not expect anything less as the woman that was cohosting the event with me is very thorough so I knew we would be able to be efficient.  Being efficient was important to me, this morning especially.

The rest of the day went like this:  run home and take child to swim - oh wait practice time has been changed! she has a ride- finish last touches on super cool 3d poster of Becca for freshman hallway, pick up bagels for shower, pack everything up- drive to highschool and start decorating, finish decorating entire hallway with supercool swim mom, leave to pick up Becca from UNO (20 minutes late- AGH!) drive home and change into clothes that are more appropriate for babyshower, drive to shower, enjoy baby shower, celebrate a new soon to be here baby!, make new friends, tear down and clean up, drive home feed kids, try to pick up the house a bit, shower again and get ready for another friend's bday party.  Leave house for party. Commence visiting and celebrating bday party. Drive home. Pass out from sheer exhaustion.

Here's a photo from the babyshower of my very good friend, Michelle, who is also friends w/ R- the new mommy to be- Michelle helped set up with last minute touches before shower started while I was running around crazy. 

Round Two! :D

Today is another snow day.  I think it is a tad bit much- it doesn't seem like the roads are too terrible but what the heck?  Might as well make the best of it!  Lela was up at the crack of dawn - go figure, right?  She made herself comfy downstairs and was all snuggled in warm blankets enjoying some morning cartoons.  I wonder if today we will all end up going stir crazy?

Snow Day! :D

The girls get a snow day today and believe me, they are excited!  We haven't had too many this year so far and compared to last year it has been a pretty mild winter (in regards to snowfall accumulation, anyway).  Becca decided to enjoy a game of Mahjong Tiles on the computer.  I decided to photograph her.

Winter Weather Storm

It has been freezing drizzling all day and sometime late afternoon it started spitting snow.  The schools have already cancelled for tomorrow.  Steve has shoveled the driveway once and mostly because the snow we have gotten is drifting because of the blowing winds.  It seems like our driveway is a snow catcher because we have more snow accumulated on our drive than the other drives in the circle (go figure, right?!).  We are expecting 6-8 inches but my family in IL is expecting 18-24 inches (which sounds like last year's winter here).  Tomorrow should be interesting.  I know Becca will be a good sport and help shovel tomorrow if need be- she is such a good helper! I do believe hot cocoa will be on tomorrow's agenda.

A Rose by Any Other Name

Becca came home Friday night with a rose.  She had a pasta dinner with her swim team and the Prep swimmers brought roses for the girls before their big meet on Saturday.  I photographed it today.  It has opened up and is really gorgeous.  It smells lovely.

Fun Dip

I love Fun Dip and so do my girls.  Becca's tongue happened to match her sweatshirt after having some..I think all this blue is going to her head.  Also, I have to admit I love the fact that Becca's highschool colors just happen to be my old highschool colors. ....she's sporting some old school sportswear tonight. :)  *sidenote* Becca took first in her heat today at her meet!  Goooo Barracuda!

Crazy Hair Day?

Here's a snapshot of Lela being goofy.  

Mid-morning Headshot Session

This morning I had a session with a new client.  I was really excited (like always!).  I decided to use one of the images for my blog entry today because that is how I spent my morning.  This client wants color headshots (good choice for her and how she will be using her image) but you know how I love black and white photos so I thought I would make the image into a black and white portrait for out here on my 365 blog. It was such a fun session and I look forward to working with her again. :)