Personal
I look at her and and realize she's growing.... a heck of a lot quicker than I want. I need to stop and smell the roses, cause I know they smell good. So much to do so little time. Everyone should stop and hug their loved ones, wether it be little or big because tonight there is a family who don't have their little girl to hold tight, to kiss goodnight, to say I love you. Sleep well little Aisling, god bless your precious soul.
Who am I? A mother, a photographer, a cleaner, a wife? I get asked more than once a week "how do you balance it all? What's your secret" There's no secret, actually everyday I ask myself "how do I balance it all?.....do I???" On Thursday my beautiful children, husband and I took a 2.5 hour drive to visit our favorite ski field. Waking up at the crack of dawn with ski pants on, bellies full of porridge we headed away on one of the years most stunning days.... stunning not only because of the weather but because we got to spend the day as a family. Hitting the slopes, loving the snow, I decided that it would be a perfect opportunity to take a few shots. Grabbing my 3 year old, enticing her with "lets go make a snowman" pure bribery and corruption... with light stand, camera bag in hand, we tramp to what I consider the best spot. Whilst setting up 'my gear' Ava is trying desperately to roll some snow.... not that easy with mittens on... she yells "come on Mummy" I respond... "hang on, hang on just getting the flash right"...... forward 10 mins, my beautiful daughter has taken to sitting in the snow head down waiting for her Mum. I on the other hand am getting more and more frustrated that the DAMN flash wont work. Angry that I couldn't get the 'shot' I gather Ava and my stuff and we head back to the slopes. 2 hours later driving home my heart drops my eyes well with tears (as they are doing now) and I realize that we never made the SNOWMAN. My wonderful bright eyed daughter that was promised time alone with her Mummy creating some pretend being was denied the opportunity because I was too BUSY.
Stop what your doing, put down your broom, move away from your computer, hang up the phone, tell your babies you love them, play a game, bounce on a tramp, and always always make a snowman.
Ava I am sorry.
And Quinn, you don't know about snowmen right now however I am sorry I made you sit in the snow, even if it was for only 10 seconds.
Ok another drum roll please.... big announcement to be made on Thursday the 6th of August.... "ohhh ahhhh" you say "what could it be old wise one?" Well your just gonna have to wait... I think its very cool, rather exciting actually, got you guessing. Other big news which I will tell, I brought some Nutella today!!! Me being the organic mother would hussle my babies away from the spread aisle at the supermarket due to the doe eyes Ella would give me whilst passing the Nutella stand. Well today I got a jar.... for my children you say.... NOPE for me (its under my pillow) my new obsession, Nutella and Crumpets... helllo.....Don't panic I will share with the girls...maybe?????. Impromptu photoshoot today, breaking all rules (child on the road no no no no)
"She's 6, she's 6.... can you believe you have a 6 year old??" Those were the words my husband uttered to me yesterday. 6 years ago our precious girl was welcomed into this world . No one could prepare us for this bundle that we were about to receive, no one could prepare us for the sleepless nights we were about to experience, and no one could prepare us for the love we were about to feel. The Day she was born I cried and yesterday as I lay my head to sleep I cried, for no other reason but for the love of my little girl who is now not needing me to help her dress, not wanting me to kiss her in front of her friends. She's growing up and I'm sad, but I'm also so so proud to watch her grow and become a beautiful thoughtful person. I love you Pussycat and I wish you many, many happy birthdays.
So today I got to spend my awake hours with some of the people that I cherish and love the most. We talked, we giggled, not the "oh har har" kind of giggle but the side splitting, tears rolling giggle!!! We reminisced over our youth, the boyfriends, the nights we want to forget, the days we want to remember. We talked and talked then talked some more. We were interrupted with some home made pizza, thank you Judders oh and might I add some pretty tasty grape juice.... need I say more. Judders, KP, Holster. I love you guys and I vow that one day you will all be the proud owners of some pretty hot necklaces!!! Thank you for today I look forward to hanging out in Firenze at our 40ths whilst waiting for our train to Florence.
KP your children are beautiful and all I can say is look out the Waiararapa, Miss G is going to break some hearts.
And we can't forget the cutest thing since Quinn was born.... Miss Izzzz
Ok well the humble me wants to tuck it all away under my pillow however the smart part of me says I need to blog about it... what is it??? Well I guess a few of you will already know that a wee while ago I entered into a competition... a photography competition none the less. Being very pregnant with Quinn when I found out the results, I kind of bragged about it to close family members.... Tonni, and then placed it delicately under my pillow to think about another day. Low and behold the Breakfast Show on television one decided to a piece on the book. A beautiful book called Aroha meaning Love in Maori. So one early morn myself and Ella over a bowl of porridge watched with the nation 'the book' with my two beautiful girls showcased on the cover
tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/breakfast-tueday-may-5-2702951/video?vid=2703571
So over the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to have a few interviews with local papers, and plenty of congrats from friends and acquaintances. Thank you!!!! Here is the cover, which may I add was taken in a fleeting moment, not prepared or timed, these make for the best shots. True pure untouched Aroha { love }.
As a lot of you will know, I spent a good part of 8 years hanging out in the Cayman Islands. Obviously, due to the location of these islands (near the equator) it was toasty warm 99.9% of the time. So arriving into NZ has been a slight adjustment.... Poly props and wool became part of our wardrobes, the bikini gathered dust at the bottom of my drawer (not that I'm complaining about that) and the dreaded FLU seems to knock on our door more often than not. So this week I have been hunkering down, tissue in hand, feeling rather sorry for myself. Ava (middle child) is also suffering from the effects of the virus, however her demeanor is 100% different to mine and through the green snot (sorry for the graphics) and runny eyes, she still continues to be happy.... OH to be 2 and 3/4 again. So whilst wallowing in self pity, my little minx decided to make the most of POST IT notes and decorate herself. Upon me discovering her (discreetly behind the couch) my usual "AVA....WHAT are you doing" was replaced with....hey this could be fun. SO I spent a good part of an hour decorating my child with hot pink POST IT's!!!
A rather random post, but for those of you with runny noses and nothing better to do.... Post it's make for a good day xxxx
p.s for those of you who understand ISO this was shot at 1600....dahuuuuuhhhh another oversite due to my head feeling like a log
I haven't updated my blog what seems like an age. I guess life just gets carried away and things get put on the back burner....shame on me (hand smack). I am busy. I'm a mum, wife, cleaner, kisser of bumps, chef (although a very bad one), sock folderupper oh the list just goes on. But today was my day to shine and celebrate the art of motherhood....today was mothers day. Although not a big believer in the presentation of gifts, I have to admit I do get a small amount of pleasure when passed a bag full of goodies, whilst my children's eyes gleam and my husband stands tall looking very proud of himself for having 'shopped' with his children. As they impatiently stood behind me anxiously awaiting my reaction for what they considered to be the ultimate gift, I opened my bag to find a 10 pack.....no not a 6 pack....... a 10 pack of ....drum roll.... WINE GLASSES!!! Yessireee but wait there is more.... I also (believe it or not) tucked away....heck I nearly missed it....got a.... 3 pack of TEA TOWELS!!! Now some of you may be thinking what an ungrateful, mother, but that I am not!!! Ok so they think I need a glass or two of wine whilst washing the dishes...heck there probably right, but the people who mean the most to me in the whole world got me something bigger than STUFF, they got me smiles and love, and when I looked into their eyes, proud of their shopping accomplishment my heart leaped. Thank you Team Andersen for having me in your lives... next year can you get me a bottle of wine to go with my glasses xxxxxx
So here is a smile.....a special beautiful smile. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you wine drinking, dish washing Mums
