Wordless Wednesday

Ellie is a good girl, so say the McNeill boys. 

The Patch

Yesterday I found myself with 30 free minutes, a beautiful afternoon, my iPad and pictures that have been begging to be posted for almost two weeks now. The perfect storm to blog so I started this post. But then, my 30 minutes was up and the whirlwind that was Halloween took over. I find myself, post Halloween, trying to wrap it up so I can come back and share, well, what else but Halloween pictures! I do hope you had a fantastic Halloween!

I wonder "Will I ever get a grip on this new normal?" I'm starting to think no because not having things together is the new normal, at least for this season of life. If you have it figured out please share. Seriously.

Last year we didn't make it to the pumpkin patch for the first time in our tenure as parents. I.was.devasted. I felt like a complete failure. How can you not go to the pumpkin patch?

This year I was a woman on a mission. Come what may we were going to go to the patch AND there was going to be this beautiful picture of my three boys with just the right set up. Costumes were packed to get the perfect pictures for my annual display of costumes and we were going to have the best time.

Let's just say the message was lost in translation. 

This is the only shot of the three boys that I got. Hilarious, no? I would like to say that I took it all in stride but I didn't. I got flustered and down on myself.

I may have begged for Garrett to take a picture when all he wanted to do was go play on the bounce houses. He is becoming such a good sport.

And there was much coaxing to get Owen to be still enough for this when all he wanted to do was run around and watch the tractor.

And I likely looked like a fool on my belly desperately trying to get Travis to look at me when the grass, dirt and hay was so much more interesting.

It wasn't until I got home and was looking through the pictures that I could laugh and recognize what in the world was I trying to do. I don't take portraits of my boys. That is photography that is best left to others.

When I mentioned this to Mitch he agreed and admitted that he wasn't quite sure what I was trying to do, that just isn't my style. But as good husband's do he supported me and tried to help me get what I wanted.

I think that sometimes we are so focused on what others are doing that we forget to celebrate what we do. My strength lies in natural, candid, journalistic photography. I need to do a little more celebrating of that instead of berating myself everytime I fail, miserably, at getting my boys to come together with pleasant looks on their faces for the perfect picture.

Oh and that perfect picture of my three boys? Turns out I got it. Look again. Garrett is doing his best to please me, Travis is very curious about what Owen is doing, Owen is trying to roll a pumpkin and create his own adventure and Mitch is trying to redirect Owen. There will never be another moment in life like this and I captured it. You only get one shot at this life and I will take this photograph that freezes my life as it is in this moment over any other one.

Thanks,
Monica

On the Sidelines

With Garrett playing two soccer games and two baseball games this weekend I had plenty of opportunity to play with my camera. This just might be one of my favorite shots as it is straight out of the camera.

This was an 8:00 AM game with the sun rising behind us. I've always appreciated that we have strong family support for our soccer team with most of us being together since the boys were in Pre-K. I have wanted to capture this but I'm shy when it comes to capturing adults knowing that not everyone is a fan of having their picture taken.

I love that this captures our presence on the sidelines, cheering on our boys.

Wordless Wednesday: Slide

Wordless Wednesday: My Heart Skips a Beat

Project Real Life Giveaway Winner and a few pictures

Hello, I am so sorry to be late on posting the winner. The truth is several comments really touched me and I struggled between selecting a winner and picking a random number. In the end I decided I couldn't pick just one person so I went with a random number.

The winner is Leslie who said "I cultivate a good life by enjoying every minute of every day. In a flash it could all be gone, so we need to make sure to treasure every moment we have."

I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for sharing a little piece of yourself in the comments you were all responsible for making me smile.

One of the ways I cultivate a good life is by picking up my camera. Looking through the lens not only makes me come alive but it also provides my greatest source of gratitude because I see my blessings.

These pictures were taken after lunch with my parents at one of my favorite restaurants, Lockhart Smokehouse, in one of my favorite parts of Dallas, the Bishop Arts District.

Have a wonderful day and for those that didn't win, don't forget registration for Project Real Life is open until October 10th!

Monica

The First Day

Because everyone is doing it, I had to post Garrett's picture from the first day of second grade.

And with that I'm off to bed. It's been a long day that started with a 4AM feeding and since I hear the baby will likely prove to be a long night.

Monica

Looking Back & Forward | a series of pictures & words

I tried to write this on Monday night but it was more important to find my happy in some Blue Bell Cherry Vanilla ice cream and conversation with my husband.

{Owen sneaks into Garrett's room every chance he gets.}

I tried to write this Tuesday but all I wanted to do when I got home is hold Travis and after all the babies were in bed and all the chores were done I was exhausted and asleep before 10 PM.

{Garrett was so excited to camp out in the living room.}

I tried to write Wednesday morning coffee in hand with 30 minutes to spare before work but that was only enough time to start.

{All three boys with a few dogs thrown in.}

 

So today I write with some perspective instead of the raw emotion of the first day.

pause, long pause

{We were all hanging out in Travis' room and the older boys were playing nicely.}

One thing has remained all week, I don't know which way is up.

{By all counts this is a terrible picture, except it captures my boys and I see a glimpse of the future.}

The truth is staying at home with the boys is the hardest work I've ever done.
The truth is staying at home with the boys is the most rewarding work I've ever done.

 

{Owen & my father in duet.}

The truth is going back to work is hard on my husband.
The truth is going back to work means lunch dates with him again.

 

{Owen is all about positive feedback. He was clapping for himself here after his lovely song.}

The truth is I want the best life for my family and right now that means me contributing financially to our future.
The truth is our best life is always evolving.

 

{Travis loves the blue octopus. He talks to him regularly.}

The truth is it was really nice to see a lot of friendly faces from the office.
The truth is being a mother that works outside the home is the most confusing, contradictory, difficult place for me to be.

 

{Gathering Garrett's laundry I found this. When my husband told him we could buy him shorts with pockets Garrett told him "Why? I can make them."}

The truth is I will likely miss the first time Travis rolls over and a lot of other firsts.
The truth is my boys seem to thrive in their time away from home.

 

{He looks so big. Is there a flash of a teenager?}

The truth is I am fortunate to have a good job that has respected my priorities.
The truth is I am good at my job and when I find myself deep into a task I enjoy it.

 

{The love bomb.}

The truth is by having space away from my boys during the day my time with them at home is precious and I cherish it.
The truth is when I was at home with the boys my patience was tested and I didn't always cherish it as I should.

 

{Our first breakfast out as a family of five.}

The truth is my husband grounds me.
The truth is I'm not the only one adjusting.

 

{OH my, the chub.}

The truth is nothing makes my heart sing more than seeing my kids happy.
The truth is seeing their smiles at the end of the day is the best part of my day.

 

{Garrett loved Lego camp. So cool.}

The truth is I don't have all the answers to the master plan.
The truth is I spend a lot of time trying to figure it out.

 

{Soaking in the snuggles.}

The truth is envy is a theif of joy and it is no longer welcome in my life.
The truth is I am responsible for the energy I bring into my life.

 

{Travis is finally showing signs of movement. It won't be long before he rolls over.}

The truth is tears come easy.
The truth is laughter is the best medicine.

 

{I've loved seeing the light in my home throughout the day.}

The truth is I have a diverse group of mothers surrounding me.
The truth is the summer has shown me that we all have more in common that appears on the surface.

 

{Hilarious. There are all sorts of "community" toys at the pool. He cracks me up.}

The truth is I strive to live an authentic life.
The truth is I miss my babies.

{Mr. Mischief}

The truth is whether I'm home all day or not I love my boys like crazy.

The truth is whether I'm home all day or not they love me like crazy too.

And this my friends wraps up my reflections on maternity leave. If you would like to read the complete series you can find all posts here.

Monica

Looking Back & Forward | a series of pictures & words

The last week is a blur. I'm not sure exactly what was accomplished or where the time went. I do know that it was a good blur. I really enjoyed my children. I found myself sitting more without my mind racing to the next item on the list.

{Owen is our little mother. Here he was either telling me that "Travis is very crying" or he was telling me "You take care of Travis."}

Looking back through my pictures it is apparent I didn't pick up the camera much at all.

{Saturday S'Mores on a Sunday after the littles went to bed. We don't get a lot of time with just Garrett. }

And that is OK. It's OK to walk away from the documenting to be still in the moment.

{Travis hanging out outside watching Owen scooter. Awesome.}

Tomorrow our new normal begins and my heart is anxious.

{Saturday S'Mores with the littles. Owen was very focused on the task.}

Tonight I have no words maybe tomorrow.

{Mitch & Travis bonding.It's hard for Mitch to get one on one time with Travis with Garrett and Owen being more vocal about their demands on his time.}

Monica

This post is a series of posts that highlights my reflections on maternity leave and my thoughts leading up to going back to work. You can read all of the posts in the series here.

Looking Back & Forward | a series of pictures and words

They bring out the best in me.

{We celebrated 10 years of marriage this summer.}

Yesterday I was in charge of pickup from Lego Nanobot Camp at high noon and the littles & I had an appointment to visit their new school at 10. When we left the school at 11 I thought it would be smarter to just run an errand while we waited for camp to finish instead of driving back home.

{A trip to the zoo with all three boys. They kept trying to get as close as they could to the animals.}

So after we loaded crazy amounts of dollars of diapers into our cart I let Owen run around the aisles of toys at Babies R Us. I love this age where he is perfectly content to look and play at the store and 9 times out of 10 has no desire to bring the toys home.

{Loved seeing Garrett take the lead with Owen at the zoo. This is definitely his place.}

I remember spending a good hour once a week or so with Garrett in the aisles of Target doing the same thing. Back then I just thought that Garrett was extremely content with the things he had and was so proud of my great parenting. Now I realize its just the age where there seems to be a disconnect that the toys at the store can actually go home.

{The 4th of July at the club. This is so very Owen.}

When I asked Owen if he wanted Mickey Mouse (a DVD) for the car he was passionate about his "No!". However seeing that not only 20 minutes before he was asking for Mickey Mouse in the car and I was trying to explain that we only had Elmo I snuck it in the cart further justifying the purchase with the $25 gift card I had in my wallet.

{Me in all my mama glory with Travis. As tired as I was here I feel like I was beaming.}

Later I would very much appreciate my decision to nurse Travis in the Mother's Room at Babies R Us instead of squeezing in another errand.

{My first meal out with all three by myself.}

On our way home from camp the boys were h.u.n.g.r.y. and requested a Whataburger. Unfortunately instead of heading to the one closest to our house I picked the one in the most efficient spot relative to our drive. Yeah, me and the rest of the lunch crowd.

{Sweet baby Travis right around the time he really started smiling.}

The drive through line was at least 10 deep and knowing Travis I knew that before we even ordered he would be hysterical. So I picked the lesser of two evils and accomodated the boys request to eat inside.

{These chunky legs get me everytime.}

So that is how I walked into a Whataburger full of men during peak lunch time with two hungry second graders, a near to nap time two  year old, and a 15 week old who had already spent two hours in his car seat (but luckily had a full belly).

{Owen fighting nap. This happened alot this summer with us off schedule running around with Garrett & Owen getting overtired.}

Looking back ordering was the calmest part of our adventure but I remember thinking at the time "What have I gotten myself into to? Well, too late to turn back now."

{Travis and I at VBS. I was so proud that I pulled off volunteering with him.}

While I finished ordering the older boys had free reign at the soda machine and Owen was watching and taking notes.

{Owen adores cars right now. Love these little feet.}

By the time it was his turn to get a drink he had learned enough by watching the older boys to understand that he could make drinks come by pushing the lever and was determined , as two year olds tend to be, to do it himself. I was putting the lid on his cup with my right hand as he gingerly sat on the edge of the counter reinforced only with my hip since my left arm was carrying Travis (he began his protest of the car seat shortly after we placed our order) when I heard a voice behind me.

{Soaking in snuggles.Sigh.}

The voice said "I've been watching you and was wondering how you were going to do this. Impressive." I laughed and said thank you to the faceless voice.

{The love between these two is off the charts. I didn't see this coming and was prepared for jealousy.}

By the time we got back to our table food had magically appeared. With Owen occupied, so I thought, Travis & I went to get my drink. When we came back the older boys faces told me I needed to look carefully at Owen. My food loving boy had decided to check out Mama's lunch and the top half of my burger was on the booth seat and the bottom half was on the floor.

{Travis & I dancing to Something Like Olivia by John Mayer. With all three boys we've had several of these quiet moments together while I was home on maternity leave.}

Right then I had a choice. Let our chaos experienced in front of our audience take a toll on me or let the amusement of the older boys faces lift me up.

{My little fish. This was the summer of the turtle. Next summer we'll tackle swimming lessons when I don't have an infant in tow.}

I laughed and laughed. I welcomed Garrett's friend to our circus and we all laughed.

{Marking chores off your list is always better with little helpers.}

For some reason, it escapes me at this point, the kind man that initially took our order came to our table. When he realized what happened to my lunch he got me another cheesburger, no onions with ketchup instead of mustard.

{Travis' three month picture. His eyes kill me.}

They bring out the best in me.

Monica

This post is a series of posts that highlights my reflections on maternity leave and my thoughts leading up to going back to work. You can read all of the posts in the series here.