Yesterday I headed out the door into a downpour with slippery high heels on and Jackson’s rainbow umbrella.  I was already late but somehow I got stuck behind every slow person that was on the road, AND my gas light was on.  I was about 10 minutes away from the church when I should have been parking.  It was pouring.

Funny thing about all that was I didn’t notice like I usually do – (read::: get stressed out!)  I was wandering down ‘memory lane’ thinking back (too many!) years to our college days.  I was thinking back to the late night dance parties – the countless nights of beer pong – the zorn dining commons where very few items were ’safe’ to eat .. but most of all I was thinking back to one of the sweetest girls I ever met at Keene State College —- Kristen.   We hit it off as soon as we met and when we realized we lived only a half hour apart when we were home from school, our friendship just got stronger over breaks, weekends and holidays.

Between having to park our cars in the lot off campus and walking back together – to sitting on the grass at ‘temptation bushnell’ we were always laughing. dancing. loving. living.  Those are the things that college memories are made of. Those are the times I will never forget. Those are the times I was reliving in my head as I was delayed getting to the ceremony. So all those things that made me 2 mintues late (not bad, eh!?) were okay with me – I was enjoying those memories…

So anyways, I parked the ‘loser crusier’ and raced into the church  – I was just in time to see Kristen step onto the alter to meet her soon-to-be husband Brenden. Whew. Made it. I was so honored to be there.  I snuck in the back row and sat at the end of the pew so I could see their faces.  I was so happy to stand by them as they started their life together with Gods blessing.  To be one of their friends to life them up and say how proud I was to watch them get married. An honor. As I feel it is at every wedding I go to — even as a photographer!

After a beautiful ceremony the Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy were welcomed by all their loved ones!

It was onto the reception and since the only people I knew were the Bride and Groom and three of the bridesmaids – I was hanging out with myself for a few moments.  But one of the bridesmaids – Tiffany – another beautiful friend from college — Her soon to-be- Mother-in-Law started chatting with me during the cocktail hour and graciously took me under her wing with her husband and her daughter Heather.  We chatted about friendship, photography, family, children.  The important things in life.  It struck me as we talked how amazing it is that we are all so very different, yet the things that are important in our heart are always the same.  Love is such a blessing.  Before we knew it the reception was starting — we had a blast!  I would expect nothing less at the wedding of my girl!

It was so fun to enjoy the wedding reception – meet new awesome people – and get to snap some shots for fun!  I think its so fun to capture moments for friends that you know will mean something – especially when they think nobody is watching!  So here were a few from the reception..  (- KMM – more to come later…)

first dance..

CAKE!

that my girl! all married and stuff!!

Tiff and Jeff - (Jeff, your family is awesome!!) Tiff you look amazing!! xoox

My other amazing girl Lex and her soon to be husband too! ooouuuhhh leeexxx - hot!!!! xoxoox

oh my amy girl - we met the 1st day of freshman year - amy lived across the hall from me- from that day on she was my girl! love you am!! xoxo

<3  – Kristen and Brenden –   I am so happy for you.  I know you had some rain on your wedding day but as believed if it rain on your wedding day its supposed to be good luck because a wet knot is harder to untie!  So here is to your blessed marriage.  And here is to our blessed friendship.

P.S.  TABLE 13 – TABLE 13!!!!

Love you both!! xooxox

Somehow right before my very eyes my little baby boy has become a little man.  Today was the first day of school as he entered his second year of preschool.  How did that happen?

Over the last few weeks Jackson has been asking these questions and making little remarks that make him seem so old.  The other day I asked him if he wanted a snack and he replied ‘Actually Mom, I can easily get it myself.’  First of all, where did he learn ‘actually,’ and second of all how does he know how to use ‘easily’ correctly!?  I’ll have you know, he walked into the pantry and did in fact get his snack himself.

Last month I came across a movie we made on my computer of Jackson when he was just under 2 years old. (I’ll have to post some of it if i ever figure out how to post video!)  I remember thinking ‘Oh my goodness, he is almost two – he’s so big!’   After I watched it (and maaaybe cried a little!) I realized just how small he really was – and just how big he has become..

Jackson,

As you start your second year of preschool, may your heart be open and may you be kind to your new classmates.  Even though you don’t have the same friends this year, I know you’ll make new ones and we’ll still play with your old ones. May you help your friends, teachers and always do good listening.  Remember to use your manners but still make time to be silly.  Always help clean up the messes you make while having fun.  Share your toys and special things with your class, and most of all – just be yourself… thats the best part.

I can’t wait to see how much you grow this year.  I love you. I’m so proud of you. Thanks for keeping my heart smiling so big.

Love, Mom

remember his little face – so excited for school from last year?! Talk about looking little! He looks so young in those two shots!

Here’s to another year (and some time for mommy to get a few things done – yahoo!!)

xoox

from the storyland post…

me and my little man.. not so often we get one of these — and i even got a smile – sort of!

love you little man!

More to come later.. off to shoot a wedding with my girl Rachel! Just wanted to post a few while I’m a blog posting roll

xoxo

First ride of the day… Jack and Rick on the Huff Puff and Whistle Train — Storyland of course

This is how Molly spent her vacation — Snackin’!

The Panda Splash (Bamboo Chute) Ride – Jack’s love/hate relationship! He’s talked about it for an entire year and cried the second time he went on it?! Go figure

Day out with Thomas! – (Thanks Heather!)

Riding ON Thomas the Train  – Molly loved it as much as Jackson!

Pretty girl …

Jackson got to help the crossing guards hold the flags so the little shunting cars could pass – he was very into the job.  Mr. Serious.

Riding IN the shunting car – Molly was more interested in driving it.

More to come later… Happy Saturday

It’s nights like tonight that I want to bottle it up and keep it forever.. the little moments, the little memories, the ones that matter most.

We got home much later then usual – Molly’s bedtime is 6:15pm — if she goes to bed any later she is for sure awake between 4am-5am the next day (GOOD TIMES!) Her usual wake up time is about 6am.. Anyways – We came in, I was on Molly duty, Rick was on Jack duty.  Divide and conquer!  I gave her a quick wipe down as we didn’t have time for a tubby – She giggles every time I wipe under her chin – a little belly giggle – it makes me laugh every time!  I got her in her PJ’s and got her bottle of milk from the fridge. As it was warming in the hot water she gave Jackson hugs and kisses good night -He tells her every.single.night – ‘Dream about purple butterflies, Mol!’.. Where he came up with that is anyone guess – but he HAS to tell her!  He was off to the shower – Molly was off to her room with her milk, her lovey and mommy.  She finished her milk and I sat in the chair with her – She was SO exhausted she couldn’t even pick her little head up – She snuggled her lovey into my chest and put her head on my shoulder.  I sang ‘You are my sunshine’ as she snuggled into my neck with her lovey in one hand and grabbed my hair around the other side of my head with her other hand.. About two rounds in and she was fast asleep.  Those are the moments I want to bottle up.  The snuggles into my neck, her sweet baby’s breath, her fingers wrapped around my hair.  I know how fast those moments are going to go by. Just as I was about to put her down in her crib she opened her eyes, picked her head up and gave me a belly giggle -what was so funny!?!?!  She snuggled into my neck again and went back to sleep! It was so funny as I put her down I had to keep from laughing out loud!  I love that little ladybug.

Just as I came out into the living room Jackson came out of the bathroom – all showered, in his PJ’s and ready for bed.  He looked up and said ‘Mom, can we watch a show?’ If he wasn’t so sweet and so cute it would be much easier to just say ‘No, its bedtime!’ but with the little look he gave me as he climbed up into my lap – my answer quickly turned to ‘Sure buddy, but then its bedtime.’  It helps that he took an extra long nap today too … The show was about 5 minutes in as he snuggled into me and said ‘I love you Mom.’  With a kiss on the top of the head – ‘I love you too buddy,’ I said back.  There is nothing like the smell of a freshly bathed kiddo! A few more minutes passed and he looked up and said ‘Hey Mom, thanks for letting me see all the ants outside tonight.’… I laughed and told him I was happy he saw them!  Who thanks their Mom for looking at ants?! hahaha… After his show we went into his room – I read him one of his new books and we snuggled as he asked his infamous nightly question ‘Hey Mom, what you gonna dream about?’ to which it I said ‘You and Molly.’  He said, ‘Awwwwwwww, I love you Mom, I’m going to dream about you too!… annnnnd Storyland!’  Silly boy.

I’m so blessed to have two amazing children.   They are such a gift and bring my heart so much joy.  Despite the house being a mess, the to-do list always growing, and the laundry never finished – I know my children are happy and loved.  I know I give them memories, teach them lessons, share the world with them.  If only they knew how much they give me back. What doesn’t get finished today, will still be there tomorrow, but these precious days with my children are only for a short while. I vowed when I became a Mommy that I would never take a single day for granted – Not a single day has passed that I’m not grateful.

So for tonight – for the little moments – for the memories of today – I will ‘bottle them up’ here on this blog so I can always come back to remember. The little moments that melt my heart will always be the moments that matter most.

I love you Jackson David and Molly Lillian.   You are two beautiful souls and I’m honored to get to share seeing the world in your eyes.

Much love forever,
Mom.