Archive for the ‘About Me’ Category

Overachievers anonymous…

February 12, 2009

It’s almost Valentine’s Day.

As a girlfriend, it means you’ll get sweet, romantic gifts from your boyfriend.

As a wife, it means you’ll get flowers or candy and hopefully a card from your husband.

As a mommy and daddy, it means that you’ll get to stay up until 1 a.m. making your kids Valentine’s day cards for 20 something classmates. (Multiply that by 2 and you’ll be making 40… but you can’t forget friends from other classes, past teachers and other staff members so bump that number up to 60…)

Oye.

As I sat here at midnight creating an R2D2 Valentine mailbox, creating Jedi cards, cutting out flowers, threading pixie sticks and hot gluing them all together, I had a conversation with myself…

“Self, why, WHY are you such an overachiever?  You could have went to Target, let the kids pick out a $3 box of cards, handed them stickers and a marker and let them go to town.  But NOOOOOOOO, you had to overachieve (again) and make a grandiose production of creating a fabulous presentation.”

I’m not sure why exactly I do this.  I’ve done this for every project since I was… tiny.  I get maddening brain storms in the middle of the night, a night or two before deadline, and I work furiously to make it happen.  But not just any kind of project… I’m the type that has to go above and beyond expectations.  I put my heart and soul into the project.  I’ve been made fun of, ridiculed and harassed (lovingly) by my family and friends who like to hate on my overachieving abilities.  All I have to say to that is : “Don’t hate!”  ;P  LOL!

I’d like to thank Jose Zepeda for putting up with my craziness and indulging my craft.  He helped me make the R2D2 Valentine box after much pleading, begging and fit throwing.

Nancy Latham: Those V-day cards are awesome!!! Very cute and creative.

Christy: What awesome Valentines - and mom and dad for making them extra special!

Cynthia: WOW! those are amazing!

Kimi: test

A deep mommy *sigh*

January 21, 2009

Being a mommy is the most satisfying job in the world.  Most of the time.  lol!  

I know that there are those definite moments of chaos…

You know, like when you are trying to cook dinner, help 3 kids with homework, wrestle a 2 year old and answer the phone all at the same time.  

Or when you are rushing out the door with your arms full of the typical daily outing necessities, toting along 4 kids, half dragging/half pushing them out the door when you realize that there is a horrible stench coming out of your 2 year old’s diaper area when you know you *just* changed him… and you are already running late… 

The times when you are driving along and your 5 year old (who sits in the middle) is antagonizing his older sister and baby brother at the same time… knowing that you can’t do a *thing* about it without risking a major car accident.

Or how about the times when your 2 year old is joyfully squealing in delight as he is flinging the *just popped* bag of popcorn all over your *just vacuumed* carpet… or car… or Target store…

Oye.  *laying down head in defeat*

BUT… then there are those moments when you realize that you wouldn’t trade being a mommy for anything in the world…

Like when your 5 year old sneaks up on you, taps you on the back and says, “Mommy, did I tell you that I love you today?” and it happens to be the one thing you needed to hear the most at that very moment…

Or when your daughter squeezes you and tells you that she loves you 5.  (Because when she was 5, 5 was the biggest number you could love someone…)

At night, during “nighty-night” time, when your 2 year old snuggles up as tight as he can, lovingly and happily exclaiming “ansa!” as he assumes his nightly position… (”ansa” being his word for “pansa” which means stomach in spanish… and just so happens to be his security blanket…)  

The times your oldest sits with you and talks about his life and you are amazed that this “little boy” is just a few months shy of being a teenager… and you realize that your influence made him what he is today.  Sensitive, caring, humble…  

I feel so privileged, so incredibly blessed, that God would trust ME to be the mommy of these 4 precious children.  

I took my oldest out on a shoot the other night and struggled with feelings of nostalgia (wondering how and when my “little boy” grew up) and pride as I watched him quietly… Happy to see him becoming the confident young man that he is.  Proud that he loves God and knows that his potential is endless with God. 

*sigh*

Here are a couple of the images from our mommy/son time…. 

Take some time to stop and tell your children how much they mean to you. It means the world to them… Just like it means a lot when someone goes out of their way to let you know you are special. :) Cherish these moments. They are fleeting… :)

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I wish you a wonderful day filled to the brim with blessings. :)
~Marsha

Cynthia: Good for you for recognizing those sweet invaluable moments! Great post! And handsome son!

Michelle Pearson: Thank you for posting this, off to sleep with K tonight, I miss her so much.. Love ya :)

AmyJo: MARSHA - your work is amazing! I have to do my sister's wedding in August...the first *real* thing I have ever had to do - by real, i mean pressure - everything up to this point has been casual. ANYHOW, I'm looking at YOU for inspiration and so thanksful you are FULL OF IT!! Thank you for being a blessing to me and for sharing so many things that you aren't even aware of - of yourself, your family and your Lord :) You are such a blessing - and wowzas!! Those kids have grown into beautiful young people (especially the oldest ones, where does time go??)

All Aboard!

January 10, 2009

“Chug, chug, chug.  Puff, puff, puff.  Ding-dong, ding-dong.  The little train rumbled over the tracks.  She was a happy little train for she had such a jolly load to carry.  Her cars were filled full of good things for boys and girls.” - The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

The sweet, soft, rhythmic breathing of a resting child.

The intense feeling of love and adoration that pulses through your body as you gaze peacefully on their innocence.

The overwhelming “awwwwwwwww” factor that cannot be contained by anyone happening upon the scene.

This was the situation last night.

As I was diligently working on a project, I realized that I hadn’t heard a peep out of my 2 year old for a while.  He’s been obsessed with trains lately and I knew he was sitting on the couch reading “The Little Engine That Could”.  I went to check on him and this is what I came upon… 

Who can resist such a sweet moment?  My sister happened to come over as I was documenting this image and she was overcome with the “awwww factor” as well… lol!

Here’s another recent photo that Jose captured the other night after our baby’s bath.  I love this one because his true character shines through!  :)

I’m sad they can’t stay this age forever… So sweet and innocent! I’m enjoying every last juicy baby moment and I feel so blessed that I am able to at least document the baby years with my camera…

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today… hope you are having a wonderful and blessed weekend! :)
~Marsha

Cynthia: beautiful moments-so sweet!

Cary: Great post! Our youngest just turned two this weekend and I can totally relate to everything you said!!! Wonderful shots Marsha! Take care!!!