Yep! It's true! I finally did it!
Come check out my new blog at:
www.RachelleLeePhotography.com/blog
:)
--r
Come check out my new blog at:
www.RachelleLeePhotography.com/blog
:)
--r
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Little Mister B. [Rachelle Lee. Babies]
"If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle."
-- Vincent van Gogh
Happy Thursday.
:)
--r
-- Vincent van Gogh
Happy Thursday.
:)
--r
Friday, September 30, 2011
Purge. Renew. Refresh. Please.
Over the summer everything grew in intensity.
I'd been contemplating change for a few months, just tossing it around to see how it felt. Not really committing, just trying it on a little bit to see what happened inside of me. But not really making change. And nothing changed inside of me. I was full of stress, and dread, and pressure and I was tired. Not just regular tired, but weary tired.
But let me back up.
If you've been following my life, you know that my husband was working a case (he's a lawyer) that was taking up inhumane amounts of time. Not sleeping at night and working all weekend were pretty much weekly occurrences during those 5 months. Vacations were ruined (we're still not saying the "H" word), kids were melting down, and I was doing my level best to handle everything around here, so he wouldn't have to worry about things at home (this includes trying to fix bikes, toilets, climbing into the attic, and making weighty decisions on important matters). All while trying to be a good mom, active church member and run my business.
In the end, I cracked.
I realized that something had to change (no more just tossing the idea around) when I sat and cried at the thought of coming back from a hiatus at my parents' house. Back to this house with all of the stress and pressure that we'd been living under. I dreaded it. And my heart hurt. And I didn't want to return to life the way I had been living it.
I've spent the last month processing and purging my life in so many ways. Kind-of a digital hiatus if you will (which is pretty astounding when you realize that my whole business is digital). I've had to make some tough business decisions - and have cut out most of my fall sessions. I haven't picked up my camera in 4 weeks. I don't answer my phone. I only answer my emails every couple of days. I don't live on FB. *gasp*
And in return, I feel like I've gained freedom.
My life has slowed down and allowed me to focus on my kids and their well-being. I spend time with them after school, instead of hoping they don't destroy the house while I sit, holed up in my office, editing.
I have also really started to focus on food and what we, as a family, are eating (and not eating). This means I am spending more time in the kitchen, preparing wholesome breakfasts, homemade granola bars and as always, lunch and dinner from scratch. I also started canning this year. Jam. Pears. And this weekend will be applesauce. It is satisfying to see those jars all lined up and to know exactly what is and isn't in them.
I am spending more consistent time exercising. And really enjoy the satisfaction of doing it.
I am committing myself more fully to my faith, both through worship and study. It was through my faith that I felt the most comfort during these long months, and it has re-kindled a strength in me that I thought was lost.
At the moment, we have 2 desks and a frame in our garage waiting for us to refinish them. WE (hubby and I) are working on them together. There is great satisfaction in that.
And I still have my half-life project to finish. And I want to have more photography projects that are just for me. But right now, I need to choose the projects that speak to my soul and let me come away feeling renewed and refreshed.
I guess that is my greatest desire, to feel whole and refreshed again. And it is coming, slowly. So if you don't hear from me for awhile. Don't worry. I am doing better. And I am living fuller. And I am loving the things that I am doing.
:)
--r
ps. the best thing about getting up early to take sunrise pictures, is getting up early to take sunrise pictures.
I'd been contemplating change for a few months, just tossing it around to see how it felt. Not really committing, just trying it on a little bit to see what happened inside of me. But not really making change. And nothing changed inside of me. I was full of stress, and dread, and pressure and I was tired. Not just regular tired, but weary tired.
But let me back up.
If you've been following my life, you know that my husband was working a case (he's a lawyer) that was taking up inhumane amounts of time. Not sleeping at night and working all weekend were pretty much weekly occurrences during those 5 months. Vacations were ruined (we're still not saying the "H" word), kids were melting down, and I was doing my level best to handle everything around here, so he wouldn't have to worry about things at home (this includes trying to fix bikes, toilets, climbing into the attic, and making weighty decisions on important matters). All while trying to be a good mom, active church member and run my business.
In the end, I cracked.
I realized that something had to change (no more just tossing the idea around) when I sat and cried at the thought of coming back from a hiatus at my parents' house. Back to this house with all of the stress and pressure that we'd been living under. I dreaded it. And my heart hurt. And I didn't want to return to life the way I had been living it.
I've spent the last month processing and purging my life in so many ways. Kind-of a digital hiatus if you will (which is pretty astounding when you realize that my whole business is digital). I've had to make some tough business decisions - and have cut out most of my fall sessions. I haven't picked up my camera in 4 weeks. I don't answer my phone. I only answer my emails every couple of days. I don't live on FB. *gasp*
And in return, I feel like I've gained freedom.
My life has slowed down and allowed me to focus on my kids and their well-being. I spend time with them after school, instead of hoping they don't destroy the house while I sit, holed up in my office, editing.
I have also really started to focus on food and what we, as a family, are eating (and not eating). This means I am spending more time in the kitchen, preparing wholesome breakfasts, homemade granola bars and as always, lunch and dinner from scratch. I also started canning this year. Jam. Pears. And this weekend will be applesauce. It is satisfying to see those jars all lined up and to know exactly what is and isn't in them.
I am spending more consistent time exercising. And really enjoy the satisfaction of doing it.
I am committing myself more fully to my faith, both through worship and study. It was through my faith that I felt the most comfort during these long months, and it has re-kindled a strength in me that I thought was lost.
At the moment, we have 2 desks and a frame in our garage waiting for us to refinish them. WE (hubby and I) are working on them together. There is great satisfaction in that.
And I still have my half-life project to finish. And I want to have more photography projects that are just for me. But right now, I need to choose the projects that speak to my soul and let me come away feeling renewed and refreshed.
I guess that is my greatest desire, to feel whole and refreshed again. And it is coming, slowly. So if you don't hear from me for awhile. Don't worry. I am doing better. And I am living fuller. And I am loving the things that I am doing.
:)
--r
ps. the best thing about getting up early to take sunrise pictures, is getting up early to take sunrise pictures.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Family. They will make you smile. [Rachelle Lee. Families.]
So I was totally called to task the other day. We were at a BBQ with some friends and these guys - totally called me out - for not blogging their session!!!! And then, to top it all off, they decided I needed more than 1 song on my website. Can you believe it? Something about 5 pictures into your gallery, the song starts over and then you hear it about 5 bazillion times before you've made it through all of your photos . . .
And they made me laugh so hard, I almost peed my pants.
And now I've added one more song to my website. I'm still looking for more - but website worthy songs are hard to come by!
And I'm blogging their session.
So let me just say . . .
I LOVE THIS FAMILY. I love the way he looks at her. And I love the way the son looks to the father. I love the way they make me laugh (ok - that one's totally selfish). But I reaaaaalllly love the way they are together.
Like all three are best friends and have been since the beginning.
And then I discovered that ALL THREE OF THEM CAN DO THE ROBOT. And I fell in love with them even harder.
Happy 4th!
:)
--r
And they made me laugh so hard, I almost peed my pants.
And now I've added one more song to my website. I'm still looking for more - but website worthy songs are hard to come by!
And I'm blogging their session.
So let me just say . . .
I LOVE THIS FAMILY. I love the way he looks at her. And I love the way the son looks to the father. I love the way they make me laugh (ok - that one's totally selfish). But I reaaaaalllly love the way they are together.
Like all three are best friends and have been since the beginning.
And then I discovered that ALL THREE OF THEM CAN DO THE ROBOT. And I fell in love with them even harder.
Happy 4th!
:)
--r
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
4 Quarters = 1 Whole
May 2011
We are officially in what I lovingly call "Crap Month." This term was lovingly coined during thedays years of law school. It's that period of time in between the high of starting something new, but before the half way point. It feels like it will never end. But, only two more weeks, and then we will be half way through this case. I say "we" as if I am on the case too - while I'm NOT, some days it sure feels as though our whole family has taken on the stress and extra workload of this case, and in a way, I guess we kind-of have.
So May - what is new?
After I wrote April's post, I realized that I forgot something reaaaaalllly important. Jordan was chosen as Peacebuilder of the month!!!! OK - I know this doesn't sound like much to most of you. But when she came and told me she'd been chosen, I almost cried. She's a 2nd grader at this school and has been pining to be peacebuilder since kindergarten. And not once, nope. NOT A SINGLE TIME until almost the very end of 2nd grade. And she's cried. And she's tried to be a good friend. She's worked at being the teacher's helper. Oh how she's tried. And then we'd watch as other kids got the award, year after year. I know she's not a perfect child, but certainly she deserved to be recognized too. And as I sat in the awards ceremony, I watched her look around for me, worried that I hadn't made it (she wanted to have her picture taken on the stage as she spoke in the microphone declaring that she was a kid of character) and I almost cried again because I knew (I reaaallllly knew) how much this meant to her.
Oh internet, she is a good girl. She just pushes me really hard, and that is hard. But she is a good girl. And she will be amazing.
As for Keith - he has had a busy month. He got braces!!! 2 years of metal. We are really excited to have his teeth straightened out. They never have been the same since he had that extra tooth that skewed his permanent teeth. Thank Goodness for modern dentistry! He has also received his Webelo and Arrow of Light. No little achievement there. And lastly, his baseball season has come to a close. No more sitting at freezing, cold games for me! He had a great season, learning to pitch, playing third base and having fun with his team.
And as I sit here listening to the birds, chirping away in my house, I realize that I HAVE to tell you about the birds. This needs to be recorded. We have a cat. A cat that we rescued from the wild when he was just a baby and we love him dearly, but he is still a cat from the wild. And lately, he's been bringing us presents. A dead bird brought up to me in my bedroom, a dead bat on the stairs. You just never know. But a few nights ago as we were getting ready for bed, he came in with a baby bird, still alive. And the next morning, one more. So we've been feeding and nursing and warming and loving these baby birds and hoping against hope that they will live and thrive. Crazy cat. Leave the birds in their nest! And to top it all off, we found a mouse a in our garage. Why go for the birds, when there is a perfectly good mouse that needs taking care of??? *sigh*
I am looking forward to summer (c'mon weather, cooperate!). It will be a different summer for us, with Daniel being so busy, but nonetheless, I am looking forward to long summer days without schedules and deadlines and stress.
Until next time.
:)
--r
We are officially in what I lovingly call "Crap Month." This term was lovingly coined during the
So May - what is new?
After I wrote April's post, I realized that I forgot something reaaaaalllly important. Jordan was chosen as Peacebuilder of the month!!!! OK - I know this doesn't sound like much to most of you. But when she came and told me she'd been chosen, I almost cried. She's a 2nd grader at this school and has been pining to be peacebuilder since kindergarten. And not once, nope. NOT A SINGLE TIME until almost the very end of 2nd grade. And she's cried. And she's tried to be a good friend. She's worked at being the teacher's helper. Oh how she's tried. And then we'd watch as other kids got the award, year after year. I know she's not a perfect child, but certainly she deserved to be recognized too. And as I sat in the awards ceremony, I watched her look around for me, worried that I hadn't made it (she wanted to have her picture taken on the stage as she spoke in the microphone declaring that she was a kid of character) and I almost cried again because I knew (I reaaallllly knew) how much this meant to her.
Oh internet, she is a good girl. She just pushes me really hard, and that is hard. But she is a good girl. And she will be amazing.
As for Keith - he has had a busy month. He got braces!!! 2 years of metal. We are really excited to have his teeth straightened out. They never have been the same since he had that extra tooth that skewed his permanent teeth. Thank Goodness for modern dentistry! He has also received his Webelo and Arrow of Light. No little achievement there. And lastly, his baseball season has come to a close. No more sitting at freezing, cold games for me! He had a great season, learning to pitch, playing third base and having fun with his team.
And as I sit here listening to the birds, chirping away in my house, I realize that I HAVE to tell you about the birds. This needs to be recorded. We have a cat. A cat that we rescued from the wild when he was just a baby and we love him dearly, but he is still a cat from the wild. And lately, he's been bringing us presents. A dead bird brought up to me in my bedroom, a dead bat on the stairs. You just never know. But a few nights ago as we were getting ready for bed, he came in with a baby bird, still alive. And the next morning, one more. So we've been feeding and nursing and warming and loving these baby birds and hoping against hope that they will live and thrive. Crazy cat. Leave the birds in their nest! And to top it all off, we found a mouse a in our garage. Why go for the birds, when there is a perfectly good mouse that needs taking care of??? *sigh*
I am looking forward to summer (c'mon weather, cooperate!). It will be a different summer for us, with Daniel being so busy, but nonetheless, I am looking forward to long summer days without schedules and deadlines and stress.
Until next time.
:)
--r
Monday, June 6, 2011
Newness. [Rachelle Lee. Baby Photographer]
Meet little Miss J.
There. Now isn't your day just a little bit better?
:)
--r
There. Now isn't your day just a little bit better?
:)
--r
Friday, May 20, 2011
The JellyBean Album
This album just came in the mail and I am in love. I love the size. I love the silky feel of the custom cover. And I love the paper. I don't have it up in my priceguide yet, so if this is something you're interested in, message me and I'll send you the details.
:)
--r
:)
--r
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