[Siah: FIrst Day of Preschool. Sort of.]

Since it's almost October, I thought I'd better finish up this post that I've been meaning to put up for the last few weeks ... 

Josiah's first day of Preschool.

Now, Siah already completed a half year of preschool at our church's Preschool.  Because he's a January 1 baby, they let him join the older kids and he loved every moment of it.  But originally due to some complications with him legally not turning four until 2011, he wasn't able to move up with his class.  

So, he was going to have to start fresh with new kids and everything.

We decided that maybe this was the perfect time to transfer him to Mattias' school, as they have a thriving preschool there as well ... and when given the choice, Siah was THRILLED to be going to his big brother's school.  

Like any kind of change, I was anxious about it.  I loved the school that he had been in, and had relationship with so many families this past year.  I had so wanted him to move up with that class, but now I see how it's all working out quite well.  

Siah LOVES his school and his new friends.  And he still sees his old friends at church and Sunday school.  It seems to me that our kids are far more flexible than I am *grin* ... 

Currently, Siah is the most prepared for Preschool than the other kids.  And so he should be, as he's done this for a while.  But it's great seeing the leadership skills developing in him.  He's so different than Mattias.  Tias tends to follow, while Siah loves to initiate and lead ... 

Now that we're in week 3 (hmm ... or is it just week 2??  It's all a blur ...), things have settled nicely.  It IS a pain that the school is a 20minute drive, and some days it's six trips (drop both off, drive home, pick Siah up, drive home, pick Tias up, drive home) - that's almost 1.5hrs of driving BEFORE we even get into afterschool activities ... but we're working on some carpooling/playdate options with other families.   And next year will be even crazier with 3 days of preschool ... 

So - the big question is ... should we start considering moving.

*gasp*

[redhanded photography: Janssens Family]

... ok.  I assure you that there is a LOT more going on around here, other than RedHanded Photography stuff.  But these last few weeks were INSANE with shoots and editing and and and ...

But - let me tell you about last night.  I'm apart of a group called HH12, which stands for Happy Housewives 12 (there are supposed to be 12 of us *grin*).  Each year the group changes a little, but the core has stayed pretty much the same for the last few years.  

It's only once a month, and the idea is that you set this time aside on your calendar - and you don't let anything touch it *grin*.  Each month there is a hostess and we all gather together and eat, chat, or do an activity.  And last night ROCKED.

Our friend KP was the hostess and she did an INCREDIBLE job of preparing for a super kickoff for HH12.  She planned a murder mystery, to be taken place at a "chocolate indulged spa" ... there was a chocolate fondue, spa music, candles, and other yummy treats ... and our group all got totally into it.  I had SUCH a great time ... playing a part, laughing at the ridiculous storyline ... so much fun.

On another note - another post for RedHanded Photography is up.  Come stop by and see ... the Janssen Family.

Have a great one!

[redhanded photography: Howard Birthday Celebration]

... ok.  So.  Didn't weigh myself at the opportune time this morning, so I'm do it tomorrow morning.  It was chaos this morning b/c Mattias' school had "chapel" and his class was in charge.  Tias wanted us all there ... so - chaos.

ANYway - I'm desperately trying to catch up on SO much stuff.  I have 2 wedding albums to finish, 5 slideshows, editing from two of last week's shoots, and accounting/receipts to finish up as well.   And that doesn't include the disk burning and meeting with clients ... wow.  It's crazy.

This photography thing has turned into a 20+hr/wk job ... but November will be pretty quiet.  Wait.  It's not even October, is it.  Hmmm.  October is insane too ... totally my fault for taking it all on.  But it's a great job - I love almost every moment of it ... plus, almost all of the hours are put in when the kids are in bed and I'm in my jammies on the couch *grin*.  Not a pretty sight, I assure you *wink*.

So ... I did a post last night while having heart palpitations watching "The Perfect Storm".  WHY WHY WHY I had it on, I'll never know ... I can't breathe for the entire 2 hrs.  So.  I shut it off before everyone drowned ... 

Wanna see the post *grin*?  Oh, you gotta come see.  It's the "Howard Birthday Party" ... I bet a lot of you will recognize some faces there ...

Click HERE to view ... 

Have a great one!

[redhanded photography: Tony & Ashlee]

Life is ticking along ... and tonight I am SO excited to go out on the town and see Harry Connick Jr. with my hubby and friends ... an intelligent dinner with food cooked by someone other than me ... stiletto boots and eye make up ... 

I love a night where I get to be a grown up.

I'm also catching up on all of last week's shoots.  There will be a bucketload of RedHanded Photography blogposts next week, so come check 'em out.

Today's post?  Tony and Ashlee ... click HERE to view.  One of their guests pulled out an old "Rick Astley" tune ... "... never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down ... "  Oh my.  SUCH a fun reception!

Have a great one!! ... hmmm.  It's early - but do you think I could start getting ready for our night out, now??

[big dreams: Being Reminded]

I haven't forgotten ...

It's been a few months since I put it out there - and asked you if you'd be interested in joining along side me in sharing your story.  So many women contacted me, women who had a child pass through sickness, miscarriage, or accident ...  even women who were unable to carry a child biologically, offered their stories of invetro, adoption and fostering ... all with endings that were heart breaking, but strong stories of survival with the Cross as their anchor.

And I haven't forgotten.

It just seemed that although it was the right time for me to walk forward in this, it wasn't super convenient for everyone else during the summer months. And there were some of you that were totally "in", and then felt overwhelmed and decided that you just couldn't do it ... so - I waited.

So.  This past Sunday morning I had another reminder ... after I led worship at our church, a man approached me with tears in his eyes and a piece of paper in his hand.  He said, "I remember - you, you lost a baby, right?"  ... and I nodded, knowing exactly where this was heading.  "My daughter just lost another baby, " he said.  "And I think this one has been just too much."

He shared her story with me, asked if I would mind contacting her - and at that split moment I was so angry that I hadn't followed through this summer with the book.  How I wish I could have it to give her, to show her she's not alone, that her child matters, that she can and will survive.

Another gentle reminder for me.

SO.  It's fall, we're all getting settled into schedules ... nighttime is getting earlier and so are cozy nights at home.  Are you willing to take some time to prepare and share your story?  Have you had a journey that you know would comfort another?  Would you like your experience to have a purpose - to encourage and breathe life into another?

Then, please ... please - email me at tawnsblog@hotmail.com .  And let's get this thing going.

** Please read this PREVIOUS POST on the details of the book I'm hoping to be putting together.  **