Taxes

This word...taxes...brings such a response from my mind and body.

Panic. Anxiety. Frustration. Fear. Worry. Confusion.

Jace never helps me with the taxes. He would have NO idea what to do. So its all on my shoulders and that is so stressful! I am constantly feared with worry that I've left something out, figured the numbers wrong, and that somehow the government is going to fine me some substantial amount and take my home.

Seems a little silly right? Thats what anxiety does to me. I take one thing that isnt such a big deal, but over time, my worry makes it into something BIG.

My tax appointment is Tuesday. I have done NOTHING to prepare for that appointment yet. We've been sick at our house for weeks, Nash hasnt been sleeping, I've had events to do and lots of photoshoots and editing to worry about. Not to mention my brother being in the hospital and my lack of motivation.

I'm especially concerned because this is the first year that I'm needing to file for my business. Last year taxes (2015) I didnt make nearly enough to worry. 2016 was a different story. New things, the unknown=ANXIETY!!!

I'm sure it'll be fine. I always double and triple check for my taxes, but I'm basically going to be a hermit for the next day or two while I prepare these things. Wish me luck!!!

Life Lately and Random Thoughts

My brother Randy is in the ICU again with pneumonia and RSV.

I swear this has been one of the worst seasons for illness'. Nash just got over a 2 week horrible cough only to get what seems to be a cold. Jace had a cold that went into a sinus infection, i got a cold, joe and dad and jeff's whole family has been sick too. I have had 8 past newborn clients with babies who have RSV.

We just need it to go away!! Hopefully Randy will be out of the hospital and home soon. Poor bud. He has been so sick, for so long recently.

Its been rainy and cold, which hormonal hot Andrea loves, but her poor sick family has not loved so much. Nash hasnt gotten to be outside very much in the last 3 weeks. Every time I let him outside he started running or jumping and it started his horrible cough that he couldnt stop. So I basically have a bit of cabin fever going on.

We had friends over for the first time last week for dinner and games. They have 5 kids! and I gotta admit, it was a bit stressful at first. :) But fun. Shoot. I even won all 3 games and that has never happened in my entire life.

Jace has some health issues. His triglycerides are like quadruple the normal level, he has high cholesterol, and who knows what else. We are changing diets and thought processes over at our house. I hope he can get on board, because his life literally depends on it.

My blood pressure has been up and down (literally, like dwight schrute i can feel my blood pressure rising and falling ((he just commands it)) ).

My primary doctor put me back on medication before the holidays and I finally got to see my cardiologist today. The EKG looks great, we are going to do another ECHO but he doesnt think anything is wrong with my heart. Just like some women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy and then type 2 diabetes, women who have preeclampsia sometimes develop high blood pressure for life. It isnt fair, but mine is easily controlled with a small dose of medication, so my doctor is considering it a win. 

Also, his computer looked like this: "patient is obese"

and then I wanted to run out of the office crying and felt this overwhelming cloud of shame fly over me. I finally found an endocrinologist that i think will be able to help me get my hormones and insulin levels stablized. My last doctor wasnt helpful and wouldnt even see me (i saw his PA). The hardest part about this weight gain is THAT IT IS NOT MY DIET! I actually eat pretty healthy. I am pretty active as well. I eat small portions. But thanks to the flip flop of my insulin levels, no matter what I do without proper medication and a specialized diet I will not lose weight. But doctors dont know that. They just see the number, the BMI, and tell you to lose weight and sometimes make you feel really crummy. (My cardiologist didnt make me feel awful by any means, hes a sweet guy--but he still looked at the number and said LOSE WEIGHT.)

It was 3 years ago this week that I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. So weird.

I have a Relief Society night coming up next week that I'm in charge of decorating for. I'm a little stressed.

I have multiple newborn shoots this week. also stressful.

I accidently skipped my annual womens exam last year so i have that this week too.

Our tax appointment is the 14th and I've done NOTHING to prepare yet. Its always me too, Jace has no idea what would be needed or what to do. I take care of it. Stress!!

And my baby turns 3 in just 17 days. And I want to cry lots and lots of tears.

The end.

Slade Family

Shooting the Slade Family was a happy coincidence! 

I happened to have done their sister's newborn photos, i was taking family pictures of her close friend, AND she lived around the block from my brother! What a small world!

We went to the Riparian Preserve and it was a beautiful night. Her little boy was super grumpy, until towards the end, we let him hold his baby sister. :) The entire experience was super fun!!

Clarke Family

Mom contacted me through Facebook for a fall mini shoot!!

She suggested Freestone Park for our location, since she takes her kids there to play and it had a bridge that she wanted to include in the photos. 

I had never been, and of course the day was very busy there! We battled kids taking pictures for a dance, a WEDDING, and the general busy-ness of a Saturday! But it was so fun!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this sweet and energetic family, and I felt like I had known mom Chanell for a long time! Enjoy!!

Baby Ava-3 months

Ava came with her family to see me when she was 3 months old!!

Sweet pea, was so good for her session!! She is now the record holder in my studio for most diaper changes! Little miss just got comfy and relaxed I guess!

It was so fun to work with her and her sister. What a blessing a new baby is!

Baby Oliver

What a little stud muffin!! 

This sleepy boy came in and was so good for his shoot!! His big brother LOVES him and was so sweet to hold him for me. :) 

According to his momma, he gets easily red like she does. You can see it in the pictures! 

Jennifer and Brian Maternity

Jennifer reached out to me to do a belly to baby package. That is where we do both maternity pictures and newborn pictures!! I love being able to photograph the "story" of a baby's life!!

In this case, I was very excited because Jennifer was carrying TWINS!! 

She wasnt too concerned about doing pictures early, and we waited longer than I wanted, but not as long as she was thinking. Good thing too, because less than a week later she was in the hospital having those sweet girls of hers!!