Jessica Lawson | Photography

I've been away for a while. I'd like to say it was somewhere warm w/ salty ocean breezes and warm sand btween my toes...but I didn't get that far this summer. This summer has been one giant hurricane w/ the eye of the storm centered around buying a house. We haven't even taken any mini vacations because every time we had a few days to escape, something urgent would come up w/ the house and we'd need to hurry up and wait to provide whatever info or signature that was required. Currently the status on the house is this: we are waiting for the lenders to order an appraisal of the house. they are waiting on my employers to provide a few documents they need. other than that it should be all good to go! That's the scoop on the house anyway. otherwise we are back at my parent's house. We had been staying w/ Mitch's family for quite a while, but have since moved back in w/ my parent's.

I've also decided to take my photographic journey to a different level. I've created a VERY small business and a website to go with. Business cards are soon to follow. Mitch sort of inspired me to do it. well, he said. "No more lenses and camera stuff" I had to think up some way to save extra $$ to pay for the lenses I want :D
Check out the site if you want. www.wix.com/jessicalawson/portraits

As for my children, katelynn is such a HAPPY baby! She LOVES to give hugs and kisses. we'll be in the kitchen preparing whatever and suddenly you feel these two teensy arms just wrap around your knee and squeeze for dear life. OOOOOOHHHHHH I love that!!!! we love to watch Seasame street in the mornings. She loves Elmo. and starts to dance when Elmo's world comes on. She's learning all kinds of new words and just today Madison was trying to expand her vocabulary w/ the word Fart...which came out like "Faaowt" HAHA!! She's so smart...i'm amazed at what she can understand even though she may not be able to say it. She's using her sign language well too. well, we only taught her a few signs, but believe me, they've made all the difference :D I can't wait to put posts here w/ the title being "Katelynn's Quotes" I'm looking forward to the things that will come outta this one!!

madison is an official 8th grader now. school started up last week. She's been such a trooper through this summer. Today she was a little disappointed when we showed her the inside of the new house...her room was not as big as she'd hoped for. She's trying so hard to get us to put a closet in the bonus room :D I'm surprised she hasn't drawn the floor plans yet. This girl is such a planner. She's a list maker. it cracks me up. Every day I find some new list she's created. her husband is going to have a mile long "honey doo" list I just know it. The other day I found one that said, 1)Exercise on treadmill for 10 minutes. 2) take shower. 3) put on makeup 4) blow dry hair 5) straighten hair...etc... Maybe she IS a nurse in the making... Actually she's really been enjoying the time she has at school when she is a teacher assistant. She helps in the classroom for the dev. delayed children and she is REALLY good at it too. She has a way w/ these kids and her teachers are noticing. I'm really proud of her!!

In other news, i've had to put a hold on my 365 photo a day project. WAY too much to keep up w/. Maybe if life slows down at some point. like when my kids are grown and out of the house...maybe! I haven't posted photos here for some time and i'm afraid it would prob. take me a big chunk of the night to try and catch up now so i'll leave you w/ some of my favorites

D166/365 “I have had my dream -- like others -- and it has come to nothing, so that I remain now carelessly with feet planted on the ground and look up at the sky.” William Carlos Williams (American poet 1883-1963)

D166/365 “I have had my dream -- like others -- and it has come to nothing, so that I remain now carelessly with feet planted on the ground and look up at the sky.” William Carlos Williams (American poet 1883-1963)

Her Smile is so Bright, you Gotta Wear Shades

D168/365 poop deck
Katelynn doing a little skinny dipping in her baby pool decided to leave mommy a gift...

D171/365 Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds. ~JoJo Jensen, Dirt Farmer Wisdom, 2002
Funny girl my daughter is. She doesn't like to sleep during normal hours...instead, she falls asleep while eating breakfast...or lunch...or dinner. Here my mom and I actually watched her head slowly lower into her bowl of food, raise up, then slowly fall back into her bowl. Hehe!! Poor thing! We all need more sleep around here >o<

D172/365 ~ “The bud may have a bitter taste, / But sweet will be the flower.” William Cowper
I think this day we were driving around looking at homes w/ my brother (who is also buying a home). Katie wasn't too amused as you can see. Was so tickled I caught this scrunched up expression though! HAHA!!

D ???/ 365 Crash and Burn

“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls off a string.” ~ Annonymous
I love those kind of days. life's little pleasures. like baby's kisses and teenager's smiles, the smell of rain after a hot day, and quiet mornings with golden-pink sunrises.

One question: What is YOUR "little pleasure"?

Water + Hose + Sun = FUN!!
She loves to drink from the hose...and let the dogs get sips to

How beautiful is youth! How bright it gleams with its illusions, aspirations, dreams! ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
my beautiful 8th grader! Watching her grow into this lovely young woman has been the BEST experience. She makes me so proud! I love you Maddie!!