Hello there Gina and the rest of you still out there listening...

My last two comments have been from Gina who has so kindly asked about the boys, requesting pictures and updates like old friends do, despite the fact we've never met. She is a sweet online friend who I believe has been checking in on this space of mine I would dare say from almost the beginning.

So for Gina and the rest of you who somehow haven't given up on me despite my silence I wanted to say hello there.

The boys are doing great. We are doing great.

We are gearing up for school where Garrett will be going into 3rd grade and the littles will be going back to their school. For the first time they have all spent the summer at home with a sitter and I'm ready for us to get back to our normal, it's what we know.

 

It seems as though summer strips away all routine which is wonderful but a bit tricky when heading into the office is still steeped in routine.

 

Travis is soon to be 16 months and his personality is beginning to surface. I daresay we may have another Garrett on our hands. His first year of life challenged me and I struggled with being my best self which had me this year focusing on finding my happy. I think I'm finding my way.

 

Owen at three is our glue. He bonds everything surrounding him. He is this curious creature of all or nothing, a character trait I find often in myself. He endears and frustrates all the same and it makes me love him even more.

 

Garrett is allowing me to turn the camera to him more these days and it makes my heart happy. I seem to walk this line with him of capturing and sharing him with the same passion I do the littles but all the while respecting the fact that he is coming into his own and much of his life is not for me to share. But there is no doubt he has my heart and we definitely celebrate him privately.

 

While I've been silent in this space I have been showing up more in my life lately.

 

Photography and storytelling have been long time passions of mine and I have just recently decided to truly live with my whole heart and begin a photography business. I am slowly and purposefully building a portfolio and client base and I feel so alive.  I'm exhausted but I am so happy.

 

I don't want to let go of this space, it was the beginning, so I'm working through how to be present here. Today is a start. Today I say hello there.

 

Monica

 

If you would like to follow my photography journey I have carved out a space for myself on Facebook and fingers crossed will have a website up and running within the next few weeks. For now you can find me at www.facebook.com/monicamcneillphotography