let's face it.

At this point I'm walking strictly for my mental health. 

We are:

2 days away from turning off the internet and moving out of my beautiful studio.

3 days from setting up the best, coolest 4th of July bash in the history of our second annual 4th of July party...history

4 days away from having the best, coolest 4th of July bash in the history of our second annual 4th of July party...history.

5 days away from a super cool wedding.

6 days away from completing our dejunking process.

7 days away from the movers coming to start packing up the house.

8 days away from the movers coming to pack up my studio.

9 days away from the movers loading up the truck.

And...9 days away from piling the kids in the van and riding off into the Hooper sunset and turning our minivan east toward the Smokie Mountains of South Carolina.

Yes, it's true.  I'm walking for my mental health.  And really, it's keeping me surprisingly sane.  We've been working around the clock to get as much done for clients as possible before we leave, along with all of the other lists of things that we need to accomplish before the movers arrive.  And the truth is...we're all doing pretty well so far. 

My walks in the morning have really been my lifesaver, though.  It's my chance to talk to God, reconnect with the sweet breeze, the blue sky, and the smells I love in Hooper (I can't get enough of those old fashioned rose bushes that grow wild in the ditches or the russian olive weed trees with their sweet fragrance).  I get to take some deep breaths and then ask for the grace that I need for the day. 

So...when you're feeling a little stressed, a little overwhelmed, a little (or a lot) like the day has too much ahead of you...take a walk, breath deeply, look at the blue sky, feel the breeze, and smell the air.  It will make a difference.  Really.  It will.

Give me your update in the comments...how is your move it monday plan going?

peaceful. LIFE.

loving it.

So as everyone already knows...we LOVE our builder.  He sent us more pictures.  Every week we all anticipate the new pictures of our house that he's going to send us.  We can't get enough.  Emmett constantly checks my email to see if Matt has sent us anything new.  Mike prints out the pictures and shows them to everyone who is willing to sit through the picture tour of our house. Ummm...we just might be excited...maybe....

Last we heard our house is fully framed, it's been wired for electricity and it has the HVAC and plumbing done.  Our tubs are in the bathrooms and the deck is on the back of the house.  I love the first picture here because the back of our house where all of our wonderful forest is has windows lining the wall.  It's got beautiful north light everywhere.  (Perfect for taking pictures of the kids while they hang out in the kitchen with me, do homework at the table, or play games in the family room.)  I love that wonderful natural light streaming in.

I am very excited about our sitting room upstairs!  The view of our forest from there is one of our favorite pictures that Matt sent us.  One of  the many things we love about Matt is that he listened when we didn't know he was listening.  We talked to each other while we were looking at plans while Matt was there and we kept saying things like:  We love privacy.  We don't want our neighbors to be able to see in to our house from their windows.  We love the trees, we don't want to lose a single tree.  We love our forested yard.  Matt placed our house on our lot so that we have complete privacy from anywhere in our house.  When we sit on our deck we'll only hear the chirping of birds and wind through the trees.  Matt has been so aware, a great listener, and extremely patient.  We're so blessed to have found him!

sneak. peek.

Liberty and Nick had such a unique wedding day.  I'll just say:  dancers, a quiet lunch, umbrellas, and no shoes.  Stay tuned and check back here on the blog for more pictures!  I'm so grateful that I got to be part of Liberty and Nick's wedding day.   

If you want to see more fun pictures of Liberty and Nick here on the blog click here and here. 

Wedding Guests and Family and Friends click here to see images from Liberty and Nick's wedding.  Make sure to sign the guest book to receive an email when all of the pictures are ready.  Also, to get updates when pictures are posted to this blog, including when Liberty and Nick's wedding pictures are posted, subscribe to this blog.  Just scroll down a little and put your email address in the subscribe box to the left. 

***To see all of Liberty and Nick's pictures from their get to know you shoot, click here.  For their pre-wedding shoot, click here.***

beautiful. LIFE.

fun. times.

I met Melissa and Juan back on a very cold night when there was a horrible snow storm.  They trekked through the blizzard from Salt Lake and gratefully made it to my studio and home safely.    During that time chatting we came up with so many great ideas for their get to know you. 

When I found out that they both had been part of rallies I knew that we had to do something with their protest signs.  We ran out on to the street corner and they worked it with their signs.  We met at their house...which, I think, I was the first official visitor.  They had stayed up late the night before finishing the painting.  It's the perfect place for a newly married couple!

A little later we headed out to a great salsa club in Salt Lake.  (I totally have spaced the name, Melissa and Juan, you'll have to remind me in the comments....).  The lighting there was difficult even with the little bit of lighting I brought.  But we kept trying new things and ended up with some really cool images. 

I'm so looking forward to Melissa and Juan's wedding.  I had such a fun time with them at their shoot, I''m sure their wedding is going to be super cool with some great, unique things thrown in the mix.

love. LIFE.

sign up today.

Today is the last day for early registration for Business 101 with Davina.  Early registration is $475 (after today it's $500).   Click here to read more about Business 101 with Davina playshop.  Call the studio at 801. 628.2893 or email info@davinafear.com to register.

It's also the last day for early registration for the playshop for moms.  real.  LIFE.  [how to take more real moment pictures of your kids].  Early registration is $190 (after today it's $200).  Click here to read more about real. LIFE [how to take more real moment pictures of your kids].  Call the studio at 801.628.2893 or email info@davinafear.com to register.

Hope to see you there!

learn. LIFE.