RENEWED

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU all for being SO supportive and patient as I took some time off from the business to focus on my family. It was an incredible year that flew by at the speed of life (which is even FASTER than the speed of LIGHT in case you're wondering). I was able to sleep in every morning and snuggle with my baby girl, take walks in the park, catch up with long lost friends, make new friends, read books (best of all GOD'S Book), craft, bake, uncook, garden, and take pictures just for fun any old time. It was a GREAT year and even though it feels like one of the shortest years of my life, it was one of the BEST.

The only hard part was turning down the many requests and not being involved in the picture taking part of so many lives I care deeply about. Picture taking isn't just shutter clicking to me...it's an emotional investment, the communication of a compliment from my heart to yours, my way of saying how much I admire you. It is HARD to have the desire to give that away freely, but to have it tied to a business and counter balanced by the responsibility of a family. And that aspect of life won't get any easier because even though I've decided to come back to work, I've tasted the balanced life and I'm not letting it go!! This year's limited schedule was booked up before the year even began. BUT, at least this year I can say I would be happy to give you one of my limited appointments for NEXT year! That's far better than just "no, no, no" all year!

Since my time is limited, I know I have to be intentional with it. I can't just throw minutes around like wedding rice! This blog needs to have a purpose besides just another place to post the same pictures you're already seeing on facebook. There needs an extra spin on the information...some behind the scenes, some how-to's, some before and afters, some stories, and some give aways. Not every single favorite picture will be posted here...it's not the best format for that kind of sharing. But feel free to email me with special requests if you'd like to see a specific image explained or featured.

I can't sign off without sharing a picture with you! How about one of my favorite shots from Jon and Katye's wedding in Hawaii? There are so many, they're not all going to fit in one or two (or ten!) blog posts anyways ;) More coming soon...

Class Schedules and Updates

To maintain balance between our growing family and our growing business, the scheduling of classes and workshops has been suspended for the time being.  We're happy to put your name on the waiting list if you'd like to email your info to bridget@rawsii.com. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Babymoon

The past two weeks have FLOWN by. And now that they have, I feel I must offer all my friends who are soon to be mothers a bit of unsolicited advice: Let's make the babymoon official! When you get married, you take a honeymoon, right? You plan to do only relaxing, fun activities for at least a week, sometimes two and no one begrudges you that time...they wouldn't DARE...so it's completely guilt-free. It's a traditional gesture of good-will offered by society to a new couple. And yet when we have a baby, each and every one of us feels differently about society's expectations of us and how soon we should be getting back to real life. It's undefined, or rather self-defined. When Corban was born, so many people told me "enjoy that baby...they grow up so fast!" But for some reason I still felt guilty sitting around holding him, which jaded what little sitting around I did manage to do. And I believed people when they said I could hold my baby too much. When Jadon was born, I stubbornly held him all I wanted and enjoyed our baby time so much more but my mind was half distracted with returning to work too quickly. This time around I decided there would be no guilt and there would be certainly be no work. Only "play" for 2 solid weeks. The first week was the BEST...just James and the boys pampering us girls. Lots of family snuggles. Seventh heaven! Naps. Movies. Favorite foods. Meals from friends. Photo ops. At the end of week 1 James had to go back to work so week 2 of babymoon was courtesy of my fantastic in-laws. They occupied the boys with fun activities, made meals and did housework while I relaxed. Jeuel and I went out for lunch with some friends. We listened to Christmas music. We napped some more. The first two weeks have been such a healthy time of easing in to life with three kids. As I begin week 3, I don't feel overwhelmed, I feel refreshed. I feel happy and blessed.

Bottom line: Take the two weeks and encourage every new mom you know to do the same! It's ONLY two weeks! In twenty years when you're sitting in the front pew watching that child get married, those two weeks so long ago will seem like one tiny, precious, fleeting moment and you'll be so glad you took it!!