Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts

Friday, January 9, 2015

OMG... It's been FOREVER (and a day)

Why hello there... Let me introduce myself.  I'm Stephanie.  Mother, wife, teacher, photographer, and aspiring (slow) runner.  Put all of these together, and this is the reason I haven't written in FOREVER (and a day).

Nora and Mommy @ Great Grandma Mary's Birthday Lunch
Where have I been?  Well, since you ask, here's the gist of it all.

Being Nora Lane's mommy has taken the majority of my time.  Nora is getting dangerously close to being 2 1/2 years old (already)!  She's an amazing little girl, but boy oh boy, she keeps me busy, busy, busy!  Who would have thought that my child would be one who literally never (EVER) stops moving?!?  We've learned that her body actually craves and needs movement, so our little bean is constantly on the go.  It's all good though.  We've started to figure out what works for her, like her favorite, the trampoline!  One things for sure, no matter how crazy (or busy) the day, my heart constantly tells me that I'm the luckiest mommy in the whole world because I have the most AMAZING little girl.

RBES 5th Grade Teachers in Their "Nice List" Tees

One of My Amazing Students Hard At Work In Science Class

Another important part of my day to day life is teaching.  I'm in my 8th year of teaching fifth grade at RBES.  I consider myself to be a professional educator, so therefore I take my career and commitment to my students extremely seriously.  I read, I research, I constantly am striving to be better for my students.  My personality does not allow me to settle or get to "comfy".  Add in high (and always increasing) curriculum standards, evaluation demands, law and regulation changes, and all the regular teacher "stuff"... that means another huge chunk of my time and energy is gone with the wind.

Mommy and Daddy Enjoying Our "Date Day" in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

Mommy, Daddy, and Nora Enjoying Family Time at the Park During Summer Break

Let's not forget about my darling husband, Dave.  Being a two teacher household gets a little crazy at times.  I know some people believe that we've got it made in the shade because of our "work hours".  Well, I'll tell you that we both are working everyday.  Sometimes I think we need days "off" work to actually get work done for when we are actually at work.  HaHa, does that make sense?  My husband is also a dedicated basketball coach, so when he's home with his girls, we love to spend our family time together doing a whole lot of nothing!  Some of my favorite family moments are those where we are playing and cuddling on the floor with our missy lou!  Thank goodness that Nora and I have our rock.  Even though I know he may not always feel it, he's the glue that holds our crazy together.

Mommy, Daddy, and Nora @ the Red Bud Parade

Nora's Face Says It All... "I LOVE Chick-Fil-A!"

One of the parts of my life that used to be take a lot of my time that I've recently put on the back burner is photography.  I knew at the end of the summer that it was time to give up shooting for others... at least for awhile.  My head was constantly spinning and the overwhelming feeling took over.  The craziness of life took over, and I just wasn't happy when I was shooting.  For my own happiness (and sanity), I decided it was time for a break.  Life is feeling much more settled now, so hopefully sometime I'll feel like it's the right decision to come back to shooting.

Nora Can Rock The Mohawk

Well that's all for now.  I can't believe how good it feels to blog again.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll be back soon to share.  For now it's time for N's bath, which always proves to be an excellent form of entertainment!

Peace, love, and blogging,

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Monday, February 17, 2014

17 Months on the 17th

This is our little princess, Nora's, favorite video right now...


I had to share because it describes our Nora perfectly.

Sweet & Just a Little Bit Sassy

Well today our little princess is 17 months old!  She is becoming such a special little girl.  I can't believe the journey our family has been on in the past 17 months.  Every moment has lead to today, and I wouldn't change anything one bit.  The love I have for this little girl continues to grow minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.


I can't imagine this world without her sweet little grin...


Elmo and Sesame Street now have a place in our hearts...



It's amazing how we look at the small things so differently now...


Where will these little feet take her in the future?


She has filled our home with so much love (and chaos at times) 



17 months ago, I had only been a mommy for a few hours.  Now, 17 months later, I can't remember what my life was like without my Nora.  I don't want to remember...

I know that I'm not a perfect mom, teacher, or wife.  I do know though that our amazing Nora Lane has made me better at all of my "jobs".  It's amazing how one little active red-headed girl can change all parts of my life.  I don't know how she does it, but she has changed all of our lives and won all of our hearts.  She is amazing in every way, and I am honored to have been chosen as her mama.

Love you, Nora Lane.  Happy 17 Months!!  Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back!


Peace, Love, and Princess Snuggles

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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Our "Fancy" Valentine's Day Photo Session

I'd like to think that over the years I've become somewhat of a talented photographer.  I don't deliver pictures to clients unless I LOVE them.  With that being said, it's SOOO different when it's your own kiddo that you're photographing!


I had the wonderful idea that I would take a "real" photo session with Nora for Valentine's Day this year.  

I had big plans....
3 Outfits
Props
Locations Scouted Out Around the House

Well, Ms. Nora had other plans.  Isn't that how it always goes though.  Even though it wasn't what I envisioned, I love our results. 


100% Real
100% Nora
100% Not "Fancy"

I had a hard time getting her favorite, "cuppie" away from her!


I don't think so, Mommy


I'm busy and can't be bothered


Come catch me...


Is this good?  I'm looking at the camera!


How about this face?  Good stuff?


So... We took a snack break!


There's my big girl's smile!  Isn't it just precious?!


The food did the trick... Bring on the smiles, Ms. Nora




And my FAVORITES of the day...




And this is what I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE lifestyle photography.  These photos are my Nora.  Silly, adorable, and so very precious

By the way, I haven't give up on the other outfits and props.  That's just for another day!

So long for now from the Lerch household.  It's time for snow evening snuggles!

Peace, Love, and Pleasant Surprises

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Sunday, February 2, 2014

Looking Forward

2014 has already begun, and so have my new ambitions. 
I'm always looking forward and pushing on to see what is around the next bend...


I am a person who never settles.  One who is never "done".  I have a few new ideas in the works for 2014, but I'm not ready to share just yet.  All I can say is that I'm excited.  Excited for new challenges and endeavors, and a chance to prove to myself that I CAN!


Peace, Love, and Excitement

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