Wanted: High School Senior Photoshoot

I want to do one or more of  this type of session this year!

Any takers? High school or college seniors. Maybe I'll need to run another contest. We'll see. Hoping the power of "word of mouth" and social media help me out a little.

I must be a special kind of crazy for wanting to do big sessions like this in addition to my full time job as a teacher and mom, plus the other obligations I have a department chair and club sponsor.

I guess I am a glutton for punishment. What can I say? I really enjoy photography!

Who told you that?

I am sitting on the couch this evening and Little Miss and I have a very interesting conversation----not just one, but a few times tonight. Here are some snippets:

Little Miss: I am going to Disney World.

Me: Oh really? When are you going to Disney World? 

Little Miss: Tomorrow.

Me: Who are you going with? Papa?

Little Miss: Yes.

[ little later....]

Little Miss: I need a prince to save me.

Me: You are a princess, you don't need a prince. You can save yourself!! #girlpower

[ little later again....]

Little Miss: I want to get married. 

Me: You want to get married? To who? 

Good grief where does she get this stuff? It's fair to say her sweetness made me smile. In fact, it kind of made my day.

How did that get there?

I am a mom.

I am a mom to a toddler.

I am a mom to a toddler who has a big personality.

I sometimes catch myself in moments when I don't know if I should be mad or laugh out loud.

Here's my latest example:

After dinner, Little Miss and I were playing in her room and she wanted to take off her boots. As she was doing so I noticed she a large dark mark on her ankle area and her sock was discolored. So as a concerned mommy, I took a closer look.

Any guesses as to what I found?

A blueberry.

Yep.

A blueberry from dinner. She put it in her boot.

"Why did toy put a blueberry in your boot?" #thingsmomssay

Back to School 2014

Thursday and Friday of this week students returned to school. As for us teachers, we've been cleaning, planning, meeting, a little stressing since the 1st of the month.

I always look forward to the start of a new year with mixed emotions. I am excited to get back to the old grindstone, but part of me will miss being home with Little Miss and taking naps. Yea, I liked naps this summer (and junk food, but I don't feel the need to elaborate on that point).

So what's new in my school neck of the woods?

I was named the new Department Chair! It was very quick and kind of last minute because of some unexpected school changes. I am excited. The Hubs sent me some gorgeous flowers for my first official week! There's a story behind those flowers.

This is something I've been wanting to do for a while. I am glad for the opportunity even if it means extra work. I spent most of my preplanning helping out our new teacher or sitting in meetings.

I got a flat tire on the first day of school and was a little late getting to work. Not how I was hoping to start my day, but it all worked out in the end.

I put together my first teacher appreciation gift for my department. I got this idea and printable from Pinterest! I did my best to sneak into my colleagues' classrooms and leave them as a surprise!

I am teaching five preps this year. This seems to be my average. Honestly, I would love to lighten my load in regards to this a little bit. I have the highest prep number in the department. Maybe next year I can work on this when I help with the department master schedule?

I co-lead my first professional development with my co worker Hannah! We helped other teachers get  familiar with an online website our district provides for us to use to create class websites. I think it went well. We received pretty good feedback.

Well, that about sums up my first week back besides the fact that I have been quite tired by the end of the day. 9 o' clock has been my bedtime for the past few nights. I am hoping I can manage to stay up long enough tonight to watch Divergent.

Engagement Photo Shoot: Jarrod & Jacque

So wouldn't you know it...I had the opportunity and privilege of photographing another engagement session for my friend and coworker.

These two were all lovey-dovey (they were all for K-I-S-S-I-N-G under the tree) and fantastic to work with as a newbie photographer. They made my job SO easy. So easy in fact, we were able to get all the shots before we got rained out.

I put together a collage of picmonkey to show you some of my favorites!

I was able to edit this session much faster than my previous one probably because I am getting a little more comfortable with my new Photoshop software. However, these pictures are not heavily edited---little touches here and there. I recollect Jacque saying howling she wasn't a big fan of filters and tints. 

She gave me the best compliment on her Facebook: "I am TRULY enjoying all of Danielle's work (My Simple Significance)! Have gotten so many comments on the same things that I love myself: realistic (if any) filtering and tons of natural light etc. Beautimus!" 

A happy client is the best reference possible!

I am so happy for my friend. These two are hilarious and they have some cute stories like his proposal with breakfast food! I can't wait to see what's next for these two love birds. 

Congratulations, God Bless, and lots and lots of love!

Laughable Moment: Flower Delievery

What can you do when a planned surprise goes awry? Here's our story....

Earlier this afternoon, my husband calls me to let me know his ETA home for dinner and then he proceeds to ask me a very odd question, "Did you get anything at work today?"

Besides more paperwork and a piling up to-do list, "No, I didn't."

{Growing perplexed and curious}

The Hubs: "What do you mean? I sent you flowers!!" {You can hear the anger rising and the genuine dismay at a ruined surprise.}

I did my best to reassure him it was more than likely a small accident or oversight and that they are probably in the front office of the school. I was still delighted at the thoughtfulness of his gift. I LOVE GETTING FLOWERS and I LOVE SURPRISES!

But what can you do? Get mad? Sure. Laugh? Why not. Appreciate the love and sentiment of your spouse? Without a doubt---absolutely--hands down!!

I can't wait to go to the front office first thing in the morning and collect my flowers and show them off in my classroom. It warms my heart to know that he was thinking about me. (See my back to school post for more details as to why he sent me flowers later this week!)

It really is the thought that counts! I'll post a picture on Instagram tomorrow of my flowers.