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My "In The Moment" Moments

Life would be such a disappointment if it always stayed the same. It's very comforting to know that life is always evolving, changing, and taking me by surprise. Yes, there are those things that stay constant; God's love, my morning coffee, and that fact that I'll always be a klutz. But most everything else could change at any given moment. I want to remember what this season looks like and so I'm going to start an "In the Moment" series. It's actually just a way of being able to post random facts about my life, that don't really have a home... and have it sound chic.

So here are a few of my, "In the Moment", moments.

* I have been seeing numbers consecutively and it's starting to freak me out... 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44. Sometimes I will do it every hour, three hours in a row. What the heck? At the wedding I shot on Friday I pulled my phone out to check the time and it said 11:11. I think I have a problem. Does this happen to anyone else?

* I am addicted to diet coke. It's terrible for me. I know this. The chemicals, the addictive properties, the fact that it hinders me from drinking what my body really needs; water. But I can't stop the madness.

* Socks do not belong on sleeping feet. Did that sound confusing? What I meant was I won't wear socks to bed. To a nap maybe, but never at night.  Claustrophobia will eventually attack my feet and I will wake up in a fury trying to rip them off. 

*  One time Erik fell asleep with his fingers in my tangled hair. He decided to turn over and take me with him. I screamed loudly and then slugged him. We are adventurous even when we are unconscious.

*  Matt's quote of the week:

He was picking his nose and Erik gave him the "You shouldn't be doing that!", glare. He asked, "Did you get it buddy?"

Matt's reply, "I couldn't, it's a fast one." Hahaha

*  The night after I do a wedding, I dream wedding. All. Night. Long. Erik said the other night I woke him up because I was talking in my sleep. Something about how all the groomsman were not standing in the right order.

*  Jalapeño string cheese! When you go to reach for your afternoon snack and you think to yourself, "I'm so bored of this simple white stick of cheese. I wish I had a little spice in my life." Remember this very small, but very powerful piece of information. Spice it up. Get crazy. Have two! 3:00 will never be the same!

* I like a clean house, but one odd thing about me is I don't make my bed. Something I didn't inherit from my mom, the bed-making queen! I will make it if it's your first time to my house, but that's all you get. Remember it how it was because you will never see it like that again, unless you happen to be over when another newcomer is visiting.

*  What is it about us parents and wanting our kids to have the same childhood experiences we did. Lucky Charms has to be one of the worst cereals in a, "start your kids out on the right foot, with good brain food," kinda way. But, we have to let them indulge in the delight of the charms, we have to let them taste the rainbow (oops, Skittles reference!); they are magically delicious after all. While the kids were sugaring up one early morning, Erik and I were reminiscing of the days when we would eat all the marshmallows first and then the rest just tasted like sugared cardboard. Ella pipes up, " You mean they had Lucky Charms all the way back then?" 

Oh my goodness, nothing like making you feel real old, real quick. "Yes dear, all the way back then!"

*  With all the advanced technology we have, why is there still a delay when two news reporters are talking to each other? Just sayin'.

*  This girl needs a vacation. I mean, like, really needs a vacation. With that said, I will never vacation here. Are you kidding me, sleep underwater? I love that God made all the fish an incredible home, but there is a reason he didn't give me the ability to breath underwater. I will let them enjoy their home in peace and quiet and will find myself a nice cabana on the beach, thank you very much! 

I talked a lot about sleeping, I think it's time for a nice bath and good night's sleep!

The Worst Feeling In The World

I will never forget that feeling of helplessness. It was a moment when I literally could do nothing but cry out for help. In that moment I felt so small, so useless. I’d like to be able to say I relied on my faith, experience, or calm personality in that moment of distress but I admit that I failed miserably. I hope that I never see that panicked side of myself again.

Matt was completely gone and in that twenty minutes, the most horrific scenarios flashed into my mind. “Somebody took him!” was my first thought. He was playing in the woods, fell down the hill, and is lying somewhere unconscious. Or maybe A wild animal took him away. My thoughts were racing out of control!

Even the most bizarre stories don't seem so bizarre in a moment of panic.

I called 911 immediately and then questioned as many neighbors as I could find. I ran all through the house thinking, “Could he have fallen asleep somewhere? Is he hiding from me?” After I tore the house apart, I quickly put on my running shoes and started covering as much outside ground as possible. I started screaming, praying, crying my eyes out, and I even tried to get the dog to help. "MATT! MATTY! LUKE WHERE IS MATTY? MATTY WHERE ARE YOU? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! DEAR JESUS, HELP ME FIND HIM!"

After what seemed like an eternity, I got a call from one of our neighbors wondering what was going on. At first she thought I had called looking for Luke, but I had managed to tell her that Matt had gone missing through my uncontrollable tears. Almost immediately I heard her scream, "Oh my goodness I see him under our picnic table in the backyard!"

Then I completely lost it out relief and joy. My baby is okay!!

He had walked three houses away, somehow got into our neighbor’s backyard, and was hiding under her picnic table. This was unusual behavior for him; he has always liked to stick close to the house. He had never done anything like that before and it became the perfect storm of panic.

I actually had a hard time disciplining him because I was just so happy that he was okay.

Don't worry he got a good talking too and he also got a visit from the officer that came by our house. After all was said and done, he's now scared to death about being eaten by a wild animal if he was to venture out on his own again!

I have learned that I panic easily in extreme situations and that the thought of losing a child is the worst feeling in the world. I’m just glad that Matty is okay and never wants to scare his mommy like that again (at least for the rest of this week).

I mean it when I say that this child is going to give me a heart attack (Next week)!!

Easter In Our Jammies

I really love the days when we have an excuse to do absolutely nothing. Jammies are mandatory, yummy food a must, and the only to-do on the agenda is the nap that’s been planned since ten that morning. That's what Easter looked like for us this year... the day couldn't have been more perfect! 

Grandpa and Grandma Wilt were in town. We had a great time laying around, watching the kids sugar level go up and down all day! Of course we dyed eggs and hunted for them, which is always a fun Easter tradition. The Easter bunny came and spoiled the kids with an abundance of cavity inducing treats and we spoiled ourselves with a prime rib dinner... yum!

My Love for ClickinMoms, Being Published and 10% Off Your Subscription

Click on the banner below or at the bottom of this post to join ClickinMoms and use the code FRIEND at checkout and receive 10% off your subscription! 

I have been a member of ClickinMoms from the beginning of my journey as a photographer. I can't say enough about this group. The talent, the encouragement, and the support that everyone brings is invaluable. The online classes are amazing; you will walk away with so much! 


Whenever I have a question, one of the first places I go searching is on the ClickinMoms forum. I can't think of a time that I didn't find what I was looking for. 


I was published in the most recent book by ClickinMoms called, Laughter. I was so honored to be included in a book with so many talented ladies! Mr. Matthew made it in twice; that goofy kid!

The images that made it in the book! Yes, his bum was published, hahahaha!!

If you are a mom with a camera and you're looking for the knowhow on taking awesome pictures of your kids, this is the group for you. If you are a beginner in the world of photography and you want to make huge strides in your knowledge and skill level, ClickinMoms will take you there. If you are a professional photographer looking to make connections with an amazing group of talented woman, and you want to continue to be challenged and inspired... this is the group for you! Whatever level you're at, whatever your goals are, you will feel welcomed and encouraged by this group! 


Like I said above, you will get 10% your subscription by clicking on the banner below and using the code FRIEND at checkout. I can't wait to see you on the forum!

The Kind of Surprises That Keep Me Smiling

It’s the unpredictability in life that keeps me smiling. 

Let me clarify. 

I'm not a fan off all types of surprises. I don't necessarily like surprises when we are talking about presents; I'm not much of a gifts person. I also don't like the kind of surprise that involves my husband jumping out from behind a door; that just causes me to want to impulsively punch him in the face. But the kind of spontaneity that lends itself to last minute planning and unexpected circumstances allows life to be a little bit of a mysterious journey. 

When your schedule is inflexible there are so many missed opportunities and exciting experiences that will pass you by. Take what life gives you and enjoy it!

Last week was spring break for the kids and it couldn't of been more perfect. The weather was incredible! Dresses and flip-flops came out of hiding and skis and sleds were stored away. The warm sunshine was so refreshing!

This is what we woke up to Tuesday morning!

I love Colorado!

Feaking Out and Laughing Like Crazy

I have always said that one thing I wanted to strive for in parenting is to keep the lines of communication flowing between me and the kids. I want us to be able to talk about anything and everything. I want to be the one who explains the big life lessons, the hard questions, and the life changing decisions that come their way.

I was slapped in the face with one of these instances and I flat out panicked. OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS!!!!

All I have to say is that I am thankful for my husband. He is a rock star in this area and I give him all credit for handling it so perfectly! I have no idea how he just knows how to talk to his girls, I definitely took notes this time around!

Which brings us to the topic at hand, Abby's letter.

"Don't wear the cowboy belt any more or I will stop being your girlfriend, I will like you if you loose the cowboy stuff."

 "Please answer the questions I give you." (haha, a girl after my own heart).

The scratched out parts are the best, "I get sad when I here this crap, it's not a bad word."

"Meet me at the Swirly slide!"

"It's all about love!" (She totally stole that one from her sister).

I was so thankful when she decided to share this with us. She didn't have to and confirmed we must be doing something right... whew!!  For a few moments I was patting myself on the back for a job well done! Then I read the letter. The rest of the pats go to Erik.

After we read the letter alone we called Abby up to talk about it. I kept quiet most of the time. One, because I felt like I would burst out in laughter if I opened my mouth. And two, because I honestly didn't know what to say. Is this stage of life already happening? What the frick!? She's only eight for goodness sake. Was I into boys at her age? No.

She was so cute talking to us about the whole thing. A few times I had to look at the wall and hide my face behind a couch pillow so she wouldn't see me laughing. "Meet me at the swirly slide, "OH MY GOODNESS, BAHAHAHA!!! 

I hope next time I'll be the one playing it cool, but I do have to give this one to Erik!