Doing chores in the snow is one of those things that you dread…until you do it. The house is warm and layering up to head out seems like a much bigger task than it really is. But, there are creatures relying on you to not be lazy, so the coffee cup gets set aside for a bucket of feed. The crunch of snow underfoot is so satisfying. A noise that would, otherwise, barely be noticed…but snow has a way of quieting everything else and drawing your senses to only itself. The sun dances on the white blanket…it casts a teasing sparkle…a reminder that this pure, white, magic may be fleeting…but…
Kids will be kids
The dirt smudged across her cheek sparkles, and her girly fingernails hide the grit of a day well played. Today she has snuggled under a blanket and read aloud to her brother from a book called, “Warrior”. She danced to pop music in her bedroom and then built legos with her brother when he told her he was bored without her. She left her breakfast behind because she realized she hadn’t fed the animals yet. Out the window I watched her move from one animal to the next, dog, chicken, chicken, chicken, horse, chicken, cat, more chickens, making sure each animal received a bit of attention as she said, “Good…
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“There Are No Rules, Aunt Bobbi”
This is my big sister Bobbi. Bobbi is almost 52, but is forever a kid. She was 16 when I was born, but we still played baby dolls together my whole childhood. As the rest of us girls grew up, she stayed the same. It never felt very fair, the hand Bobbi was dealt…but such is life. Bobbi loves for me to do her hair and makeup, she loves to watch movies together, and listen to music. She loves my UNDIVIDED attention! I used to give that to her when we were together, but once I became a mother…it became so much harder! Things are different…our time together is different…
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Running Into The Sunshine
This winter has seemed like one that will never end! After several years of mild winters here in Missouri, this one has reminded us what a “real” winter can look like! But today the sunshine made an appearance! Even though the wind was cutting and I still thought it was freezing, the sun was all the kids needed! We came home from art class and instead of getting right to our school, I let them go soak up the sunshine! I loved watching them run and play like it was a summer day! Their cheeks were rosy, but it was like they couldn’t even feel the cold because they were…
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Molasses Day and Traditions
It was a beautiful fall weekend in Missouri and we got to enjoy a precious family tradition with the Shinn side of our family. For many, many generations the Shinn family has grown sugar cane and made molasses together in the fall. Family, neighbors, and friends come and join in on the work and fun! Now they use a tractor, but at one time the sugar cane mill was even powered by horses! After a few years of a subpar sugar cane crop, they took a break from planting for several years. But this year my Father-in-law decided we needed to get it going again. So he, my brother-in-law, and my…
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5 Tips For Travelling With Kids
We just got back from a beautiful family vacation. This year we road tripped out east to spend some time in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with a stop in Pennsylvania to visit family, as well! It was a 22 hour road trip each way and was the longest road trip we had all ever done together! We ended up taking a detour on our way home, adding several hours on to the trip home, but it all went very well! Travelling with my family is my favorite thing, hands down. I often hear parents talk about their kids being too young to travel and I hate that they are missing…
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Better and More Safe
We just got back from a little weekend, getaway to Vegas for our anniversary and the kids stayed home with family. They are always well loved and cared for when we are gone and we never have to worry about a thing! However, all four of us are homebodies…so I know that even when they are having fun, they often get a bit homesick. Last night after we got home, we spent a great evening together playing games, having pillow fights and just getting lots of hugs! Being with your people is just a good thing. When the kids were going to bed, Cecilia had already fallen asleep and…
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Grit, Grace, and Writing Our Love Story
These photos of my husband’s maternal grandparents on their 60th wedding anniversary a few years ago, are some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken. Papa Joe and Grammy are just one of the great examples of marriage Ryan and I have in our lives! I’m sure they would say marriage hasn’t always been easy…but I love the sparkle in their eyes and that they still laugh together! When I look at these photos, I think about all the secrets and stories that these two share with only each other. The bond that so many years together can create, is really a beautiful thing! I am feeling pretty nostalgic this…
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A Long Time Coming: Bell Birth- Part Two
WARNING: This post will contain graphic photographs. If you are uncomfortable with raw, birth photography…this post isn’t for you! Okay, for those of you so patiently waiting for part two… Thursday: That night around 9pm things started to get more intense and really from that point on Jessica was laboring heavily. Friday: Around midnight they called the midwife, Maria, and her apprentice, Meg, to come. They arrived and set up everything they needed. Important note here: Jessica had woken up at 4am Thursday morning and had not slept a wink since then! So, our original excitement that she would get to deliver the baby after a good nights…
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The Waiting Is The Hardest Part: Bell Birth – Part One
I promised I would share my sister’s birth story from my perspective as a little sister, a mama, and a photographer…and some of you have been patiently waiting! I don’t really think it can be done in just one blog post, so I am going to split this up into a two day post…mainly because that’s how long the labor process took! A little background: Jessica’s first birth was an extremely long and difficult labor, then her second birth happened so quickly the midwife barely made it in time to catch her! I had in my head that this new baby would be quick like her second birth and I…
