i finally updated...

my iphone.  both my husband and brother have been on me about doing this, and i just didn't see the need to do it.  AND more importantly, the thought of losing any info in the process was enough to just keep pushing it down to the bottom of my never-ending to-do list.  so, yesterday was the day.  and lo and behold i didn't lose any data...at least not that i know of :/  i was able to replace most of the apps from my computer, but some were missing.  for the jic (just in case), i wrote down apps that i thought might not make it :)  and it just so happens i've been thinking of sharing an "app of the week" that i think you lovelies would enjoy.  so, here is the first...

click the above logo for detailed info

i've actually just downloaded this app last week, and i've already used it a couple of times.  w/ this app you can send super cute cards, notes and announcements via text and email.  you can even add pics to them!  AAAAAND, you can have red stamp mail an actual paper card to the recipient.  the app is free, but you of course pay for any snail mail.  you could even send a cute calendar to a friend!  so neat!  here is one i sent to the awesome angela wilson...

angela photographed next month's fab mama-jama today!  yea!  it was a rainy, rainy day and poor thing had to travel w/ her three kiddos.  including her newest addition, anderson, who had enough of miss sandra holding him :/  angela, gracefully took baby a and kept on snapping!

thank you angela!!!

fyi, there is no editing to pics w/in red stamp.  i fist edited the pic in another iphone app that i love!  so, here is number two...

click the above logo for detailed info

i use this app A TON!  most of the photos i use on this blog are from my iphone.  it's just so easy and convenient!  in fact, i am going to try and upload pics i took of this month's fab mama-jama w/ my canon rebel to my iphone, use this app for editing and then uploading to this blog.  i'm very curious to see how they turn out!

hope y'all found these apps useful...let me know what your fave apps are!

aaaahhhhh!!!!!

i HATE that i haven't done a post in a week, but it's been a crazy week that started busy from saturday on...late nights, early mornings and full days.  so sorry!  i finally had a moment last night to do this post, but alas, i fell asleep :/  but enough about that b/c i am SO EXCITED to announce this month's fab mama jama of the month!!!!

her name is christina and she has become one of my close friends over this past year.  she's funny, sweet and honest.  she's a dutiful mom to a cute little miss named madison (madi) and a supportive wifey to her hubby, dylan.  dyaln's job keeps him traveling a lot and w/ madi's schedule of dance and gymnastics, i'm amazed how this lady does it all!  on top of that, she's crafty (beastie boys, anyone?)!  this girl can whip out a painting, pillowcase dress and even sew a nap mat in no time.  christina called herself lazy the other day for enjoying the occasional nap...i laughed at this!  ummm, no girl, you are NOT lazy!

i admire my friend for taking a big leap of faith last year.  she completely changed careers to take a job she enjoys.  she is now a dedicated teacher and obviously truly cares for her students.  and after her first year of teaching, her school district has switched her from first grade to fifth grade...this girl has taken it all in stride and still makes her little girl feel loved and special, just ask madi ;)

i love my mommy.  we like to go swimming and get sno cones.  she makes me happy when she gives me a sticker.  and we pretend to be doctors with baby dolls and play kitchen.  i really like the chicken she makes and breakfast!  i want to be a teacher just like my mommy!

madison playing school w/ my little isabella

soooo, i asked my very talented friend, angela wilson, to photograph my fab mama jamas...who wouldn't LOVE to have a professional photographer shoot pics of you w/o your little one grabbing at your face or having to make sure the whole fam is saying, "cheeeeese" ;)

meet christina...

*growing up, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?*

You know, I don't seem to recall my childhood as well as I wish I did (it's strange...but that's a whole 'nother topic of conversation), but as far back as I can remember, I talked about being a lawyer or a doctor.  I'm a first born, which usually translates to overacheiver, people-pleaser, type-A personality - I thought being a doctor or a lawyer would make my mom and (mostly) dad really proud of me.  As I got a little older, I recall telling people I wanted to do "big things"...whatever that meant at the time, I'm not sure.  I went into college dead set on being an FBI agent or a Forensic Psychologist, and majored in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice.  Obviously, things turned out a little bit differently than planned... :)

 *what is your best memory of your mom?*

My mom is a pretty incredible, hard working, completely selfless, loving, caring woman.  Remember how I said I don't remember a ton about my childhood?  Well, even though I don't remember what seems like segments of time, I do have some very vivid memories of little moments from my childhood.  Most of these memories involve my mom.  I remember coming home from school and rushing in the door to see my mom and smelling fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. I remember a lot of baking, actually.  I remember how hard she worked as a single mom so that my sister and I could "keep up with the jones's" at school, I suppose. ;)  I remember how much all of my friends loved her.  She just had a personality that won everyone over.  And I remember that I wasn't afraid to tell her anything.  

*what do you do to relax?*

....I don't relax.  Ok, I rarely do!  I have discovered that there are really only a couple of things that REALLY get me to relax.  The first is sleep.  Sad, but true.  It doesn't take much to get me to the point of being relaxed enough to sleep either.  You give me a pillow, I'm gonna sleep.  Other than that, it is when I am creating (anything and everything) that I feel completely relaxed.  If it is painting, decorating, crafting, sewing, etc., it is in those moments that I realize my mind is completely at rest.

*what is your favorite thing to do w/ your little girl?*

Sitting and being.  She's at the age that she wants to be constantly entertained, going and doing something, and when she's not, she's whining about wanting to do something.  Soooo, I cherish the times that her and I curl up on the couch together to watch a movie or when we just lay in her bed and talk before bedtime.  When we both slow down and enjoy hugs, cuddles, eskimo and butterfly kisses...those are my favorite moments.  I also love the silly dances we (don't tell my husband I said this, but this includes him too) come up with, the goofy outfits and other crazy antics you might find us doing on any given evening at home.  I love the times she really makes me laugh.

*you switched from working in the corporate world to being a teacher, what made you make the big leap?*

Faith.  100% leap of faith that I was following God's direction and his plan for myself and for my family. Going back to your first question - what did I want to be when I "grew up"...I wasn't doing any of those things that I thought I would be doing, but I was "successful", climbing the corporate ladder fast, making more money than I imagined I'd be making at 25 and 26 years old, and in the best position I could be in for reaching one of the top positions in my field fairly quickly.  I could say I accomplished the goal of making my parents proud, but I was getting further and further away from what made me, me.  I did not like what I did, it became a chore, it created a lot of stress in my life, it took up a tremendous amount of my time and energy, and I couldn't even say I believed in what I was doing half of the time.  I had been praying and doing a LOT of soul searching for quite some time before I made the decision to take the leap.  Each time I would consider doing something different, I would get scared and fall back into my comfort zone...a safe place financially too.  Starting over seemed out of the question.  What if I made the change and hated it?  Or couldn't find a job even?  What if the money isn't as good?  After much praying, lots of discussions with my husband, family, friends, and the birth of my daughter opening my eyes up even more to what makes me tick...I went for it.  Looking back, I know it was God's plan for me.  There is a long chain of events that happened over a span of about 2-3 years that were all intrical in getting me to the point of taking that leap of faith - without any single one of those events, I don't believe I would be doing something that I find so much joy in today.

*during the first year of teaching, what was the biggest thing you learned?*

That teaching is HARD work and that there is a LOT of work that goes on "behind the scenes" that I don't think parents (I know I didn't) realize.  I like to say now that what people consider our work hours (7-3) is really just the time we are sort of "presenting" our "work".  School starts much earlier than 7 and ends MUCH later than 3 for a teacher.  It carries over into my kitchen at dinner time, it continues when I'm sitting on the couch watching tv in the evening (not that I do that much during the school year!), and shows up pretty often on the weekends too.  It doesn't really ever stop - thinking about better ways to teach a topic, thinking about how to reach that child who comes from a broken home, planning your next move, rethinking the lesson you taught the day before, etc.  It's a lot of work, but what I have come to realize is that when you truly love what you do, are passionate about why you do what you do, and know that the harder you work, the more impact you may have, it doesn't really feel like work at all.  Sounds really cliche, but it is what it is!

*you are miss crafty, what's your latest craft?*

Headbands!!!  Some friends and I saw these super cute headbands in a little boutique and loved them.  So fashionable...yet so pricey.  As cute as I thought they were, I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on it, especially when I realized I could possibly make them myself!  So, I got some ribbon and went to work. Loved making it and am so excited about how they turned out!

i've actually hired crafty christina to make some goodies for me...

cuuuuute monogrammed pillow for sophia and matching one for isabella :)

these beautiful his and her pillows the master bedroom...LOVE!

you can order some goodies from her, too...blog coming soon!  in the meantime you can contact her at fireflyfancy@gmail.com for headbands, bows, wall art and pillows!  AND she is graciously contributing a headband tutorial that will be posted SOON!

christina, i've been blessed to get to know you and call you a friend.  i have so much fun during our "girl times" and when we're running around w/ our little misses.  you're honesty and sincerity are characteristics that make you a beautiful person, and are some of the reasons why i love you!  you're sweet 'n sassy AND very smart madi is a true reflection of a loving and nurturing mom.  aaand, you are an inspiration to other people who are thinking of making a switch in their career...keep rockin' on!

oxox,

sandra

it makes me so happy...

to see people "liking" my friend's business and making sweet comments about her AND her work :)  i think it is so wonderful for people to take a chance on their own business...especially mamas!!

i realize i forgot to mention how affordable angela wilson is, too, for us young families!  i created a folder of my favorites and kept putting off ordering my pictures b/c i didn't want to have to make decisions on which to purchase!  i finally made my purchase and felt completely happy w/ every penny spent on the beautiful photographs.  angela uses pictage which produces beautiful prints, and they are always running specials :) like buy one print, get one free and even free shipping!  so, seriously, this mama-jama is the way to go!!

on another note, yesterday was such a HAPPY day :)

don't get me wrong, most days are happy but w/ a one year old and almost four year old, there are plenty moments of whining and tears...BUT not yesterday!!??  and i wanted to share it w/ y'all yesterday, but i decided to watch a movie w/ my man (adjustment bureau, highly recommend it!) and that just made my day even better :)  i have no idea how it happened, and i kept thinking throughout the day if there was something different, but nope, it was just another day...

maybe it was the shoes...

maybe it was rapunzel (i totally had to google that name for spelling!) joining the pirate ship...

or maybe it was my girls lovin' on my old dolls!...

or maybe it was the sweet milk mustache...

i dunno, it was just an awesome day that God sprinkled w/ sugar, and i told Him "thank you."

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. --Proverbs 15:30

our very first...

fab mama-jama of the month!!!

her name is angela, and a few of us call her "super mom".  i've been blessed to get to know this lady through our small bible study group at church.  she always seems at ease, joyful and her children reflect this as well.  she laughs when we tell her this and promises there are moments of melt-downs (both babies and herself), but it's just one more reason to love her.  she's sincere, honest and i just couldn't wait to BRAG about her ;)  not only is she a fab mama-jama, seeing her and her hubby together, i imagine she gets an A+ in the wife department, but what do i know...so, her sweet hubby chris has a few words to say...

Angela is the most selfless person I have ever come across when it comes to her family and friends. Every day Angela always goes out of her way to make sure the kids get the most out of there day educationally and have fun while doing it. Angela also takes this same attitude when it comes to her professional life as well. When working on her Photography, Angela is able to capture people in there true to life beauty and does not stop working until everyone is happy. Angela has been the biggest blessing in my life. 

angela wilson: wife, mom, friend and photographer

i emailed her a few questions acting as our interview...she has a newborn and two toddlers at home so uninterrupted time doesn't come easy these days!  meet angela...

*what did you do want to be when you "grew up"?*

Oh goodness! Well, I can honestly say that I was quite a day dreamer. I would imagine myself as a singer or dancer with an amazingly attractive husband of course and a family full of kids! Most people would not even know this though since I was always such a quiet little girl. Once I finally realized what a career actually was I became a little more practical and wanted to own a daycare. I have always adored little children and for some reason, they like me too! I am now a wife, mom, nurse and a photographer!

*growing up, what is your best memory of your mom?*

The best thing about my mom is her honesty with me. She has always told me things exactly how they were and I have always been able to tell her anything. Being able to communicate is so important, therefore I feel blessed that my mother and I have always been able to communicate with each other.

*what do you do to relax?*

Relaxing right now would be amazing! Nothing is better than a good book and my elliptical...I could do it for hours and get off feeling totally refreshed! I love to read anything and everything from the Bible to silly girl novels! I would LOVE to say that I walked on the beach everyday because nothing is more relaxing than the beautiful ocean and sun, but well, that just doesn't happen! I absolutely love to sweat, love to work out and love the ocean and beautiful sun! I think I feel relaxed just thinking about it all!

*what is your favorite activity w/ each child?*

- Austin is my 4 year old and I love our alone time together. He is the sweetest boy around and we just have the best time when it is just the two of us. It doesn't matter what we do because he is always fun to have around. He loves to just cuddle, play outside or even shop with me! 

- Reagan is my 2 year old daughter and I really enjoy our girlie moments. She loves having "pink toes" and enjoys getting ready with me when I am trying to make myself pretty! She has her own make up bag, hair dryer, brush and curling iron that she uses right by my side when I get ready. She also has a blast going to Hobby Lobby with me or "Hobby Wobby" as she likes to say.

- Anderson is 7 weeks today and I just enjoy his little baby self! I got the first smile from him last night which just melted my heart. I also cherish my nap time with the little cutie. We do not plan on having other children so I am really trying to savor the baby in him!

*how did you get into photography?*

I have always taken tons of pictures as a child and could look at old photos for days. Photography became my cherished hobby around Jan of 2010 when I purchased my first Nikon and took photography classes in order to capture every moment of our childrens' lives! My passion for capturing every little moment has grown now into a side career for me. As a mother of 3 precious children I want to try and record every little detail of their lives, and there is no better way to do it than with a camera! My children already love reading their photo books and talking about past birthday parties, friends and families. My goal as a photographer is to capture that special moment for my client. I love close shots of beautiful eyes, hands and tiny toes! Children are only little for so long so I want to make sure I get the little details on camera for my clients since it I know how difficult it can be for parents to take care of their children and take a picture at the same time! 

*what made you decide to start your own business?*

I have always known I would own my own business and when photography came into my life, I knew I could make it into something more than a passion! I am such a "daddy's girl" and since my father owned and ran his own business, I have always had the confidence that I could and would do the same!

i've had angela take photos of both my girls twice now, and i'd love to share the last photo-shoot we had for sophia's first birthday AND some sweet sister shots!  here are just a few :)

angela brought balloons and i brought sophia's banner from the party :)

angela is SO good w/ kids!!

she also brought this cute gift prop

i adore this shot

no words...

one of those shots where she just keeps snappin' away and captures great shots!

sophia is almost DONE, but angela keeps her goin' :)

I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET THIS!!

i loved isabella's outfit so much i just had to get some shots of her alone...angela sweetly obliged

hey, her birthday is just around the corner ;)

as if this post couldn't get any better...it does!  there's a GIVE AWAY from angela wilson photography!!!

**One Free Baby/Child Session at location of their choice. Like me on facebook and comment on at least one photo**

in 2 weeks there will be a drawing!

angela, i love your smile...your children are a pair of sweet hearts...you serve yummy, healthy lunches to my kids AND me all the while w/ a newborn bundled up on a sling w/ you...you are a FANTASTIC photographer and captured some wonderful memories that i never could.  THANK YOU!!!

oxox,

sandra