I'm still here!

Although I am quite certain no one missed me, I am back. We'll see if I keep up with this! I have so many thoughts and feelings floating around in my head, it's hard to keep it all straight!

We still live with my mom. It's been 14.5 months now. We are ready to move out into our own place. It's about that time. It's been so wonderful that they have shared their home with us this long and we are thankful that they have been so generous with their space. We have a couple options: A. We can get an apartment or B. We can move in with Cody's parents and get an apartment after the 1st of the year. There are pros and cons to both, none of which I will get into here, and it's a really hard decision to make. I know what I want to do, but I don't know what's best.

We've looked at an apartment that we love. Well, I  love it anyway. I've already thought about how we could utilize the small space and ways to decorate. I can picture that being home. That's what I want. Our own home. Just Me, Cody, McKenna, and Chloe. I love my in-laws and I know that we would be welcome and would have lots of fun living there. But we've been living with someone for over a year now. I want my own kitchen. I want my own washer and dryer. I want to cook my own dinner for my own family. I need a place that I am in charge of. So that's the housing drama!

McKenna is growing like a weed! This child...is just amazing! She repeats everything we say. (Good thing we've cleaned up our language!) She wants to climb all over everything. I think we're getting her some sort of jungle gym for Christmas. Maybe one of those plasticky Little Tykes ones or something. She brings so much love and joy to our family, it's unreal. Being her mommy is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

My photography is going well. I have a couple things coming up. I'm really kind of settling into it and becoming more comfortable with it. It really is my passion. The only thing I don't like is the time missed with my family. It's not that much right now. I plan on keeping myself limited, too, until I can make a full time job out of it. I don't want to work 40 hours a week at my full time job and then miss out on special times with my family to go work another. Thankfully that hasn't been too much of an issue and I am mindful of it so it never should be. I love photography but I love my family more!

I think that's about all the catching up there is to be done!!!

Branching Out

I have a Facebook page and a Blog for my photography now. I also ordered some business cards. I'm hoping to try to put myself out there some more. I really want to get some more experience. I'm loving what I'm doing so far and can't wait to do more!

Photography Business

So I have officially started my photography business! I'm really excited about it. I started a new blog that I will be using as a website. I also made a Facebook page for it. There is no such thing as too much exposure, right?

More Pictures

This seems to be all I do/want to do these days...take and edit pictures. I got some new things which I am thrilled about! I got an external flash with a Gary Fong Lightspere, a backdrop setup, and some things for Photoshop. I did some playing around with McKenna this weekend. She's such a good model! I also did some things with Cody's brothers and sister but somehow deleted all 190 pictures which I am STILL mad about. There were some really great ones in there. Still not sure how I managed that! I have also recently made a photography blog to try and put myself out there. If you like, check it out! www.mwellsphoto.blogspot.com The picture of the lovely family was before I got my new toys!

McKenna 6 Months

So yesterday was McKenna's 6 month check-up and she did GREAT! She talked and laughed with the doctor. When it came time for shots, of course she cried...but not for as long or as much as she did last time. The whole rest of the day she was so pleasant and happy and FUNNY! She was cracking me up. After her appointment we spent the rest of the day with Justin and Jillian and it was so nice to hang out with them! We haven't done that in too long! While we were out there I got some shots of McKenna. I think they came out pretty good!

My Photography

Our Valentine's Day Party at Work

Pound Cake

Baby Gavin Stephens

My Sweet McKenna

My Puppy Chloe

A Belated Birth Announcement :)

Randy's Old Chevy Truck

Snowy Texas

The Ever-Lovely Jillian

Jillian

Random Train

Amber and Gavin

Amber Stephens

Baby Gavin Again

Dumplins

I have been dabbling in photography just a little so I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures.

5 Months

McKenna Just turned 5 months old last Monday. She has so much personality and I love it! She is definitely becoming somewhat of a diva. She let's us know when we aren't meeting her expectations!

She is starting to discover faces and that there are things located on them. I've been poked in the eye, had my cheeks pinched, and she had a death grip on my nose once that I never thought she'd break! She also loves Cody's facial hair. She just pats it. She and Chloe are seeming to become great friends. Chloe will just kiss her hands and face and McKenna will smile. She'll also reach out to touch Chloe's back and face. They've come a long way!

We started her on baby food at 4 months old and she is doing GREAT with it! She loves it. The only thing that she didn't seem to care for was peas. I'm not sure if it was the taste or the thicker texture but she did gag a little. She ate them, just not happily.

She smiles when I come into the room which just makes my heart melt! Not only does she know who I am but she LIKES me!