The Sweet Life

Texts started rolling in to my phone late this morning (a few from people I don’t even know…whoever you guys are, THANK YOU!). We made the final cut!

This last round is undeniably the hardest, and the Matilda Jane peeps will announce their pick on Friday.

I think we should send a martini their way as well…that’s one job I *definitely* don’t envy!

Big, huge, sugar-coated thanks for all of your votes, sweet comments, emails and even texts. I am overwhelmed, absolutely humbled, and just pleased as can be that the image I am so incredibly proud of has made it this far.

What we need now is a Miss America type line-up. The uber-talented finalists can hold hands, tell each other “I LOVE YOU!”, and nervously await the final result (What? NO! I haven’t started in on the martinis yet…that’s TOMORROW’s plan).

Regardless of what happens, I have loved every minute of this! It was an honor to be picked, and every image from day 1 was outstanding. Bravo to all 43 of you (and a HUGE hug and pat on the back to the Matilda Jane girls. I have a feeling you’re gonna need it. THANK YOU for putting this together and making it happen. It was obviously a huge project, and I can feel an after-Christmas pout settling in.).

XO,

I’ve stared at that merry-go-round photo a little too much lately and spent the last 36 hours wanting to get off the twirly ride that I inadvertently jumped onto (tummy bugs…YOU ARE THE WORST).

Best part? Husband was out of town Sunday-Saturday, and it hit Friday night. Just me (THANK GOD). Which left me texting him in tears from the bathroom floor at about 2am Saturday morning, begging him to catch an earlier flight (he couldn’t). Then dreading the sound of little feet waking in the morning (they did). But it was the toddler I knew I wouldn’t be able to manage…laid out flat in bed (or wrapped around the toilet) wasn’t the best plan for keeping our own Coco out of trouble (and off of chairs, counters, couches, etc).

Cut my knights in shining armor…(sick) Minivanmom sent her (equally sick) Saint of a husband to swoop in and kidnap all three (having to stop and dress two of them), and spirited them away to a land of DS, Wii, movies and grilled cheese. I’m not sure my kids EVER wanted to come home!

Another dear friend left a care package of Gatorade and matzo ball soup (My friends ROCK).

Eventually the Husband arrived, the kids were reunited with “DADDY!!!”, and I waved weakly from the bed.

Sadly, two sessions had to be bumped because of this (the Pollyanna in me is grateful it wasn’t a month earlier, when it’s impossible to find alternate dates…the Debbie Downer in me was so looking forward to getting away from the computer and back into shooting), and hopefully we’ll have some new eye candy to share in a few days when we make those happen.

Until then…tonight is the deadline for the Matilda Jane pHoTo LoVe contest. Have you voted?

I am LOVING all the amazing comments I’ve been getting. Nothing (and I mean NOTHING) is more flattering than being told that you don’t know me, or you voted before seeing my post ASKING you to vote, and voted for me all on your own. I love that! I don’t do popular very well, never have (hello, high school twitchiness). But hopefully my entry is able to stand on it’s own….and I can truly say that it screams ME. Bright, colorful, happy, joyful.

The final decision is in the hands of the Matilda Jane peeps, but if you haven’t already…go choose your favorites!

Can’t wait to see who makes it to the next round!

Keeping all the balls in the air, especially at this time of year, is never easy. Mommy, Photographer, Business Owner, Wife, Friend, Volunteer (and don’t forget Chauffeur, Activities Director, Cook, Laundress, Maid, Personal Organizer).

Sometimes I can do it all. My kids all turned another year older within 13 days of one another. I organized three parties in October while shooting almost-daily sessions, hosting houseguests, and taking nice, deep, cleansing breaths.

Sometimes I can’t…and in cases such as tonight I do the only thing I can. I blame H1N1:

Our kids LOOOOVE their Elf on the Shelf. Christopher arrives on Dec 1, and I have a clear and distinct memory of packing him away on December 25th of last year and thinking to myself “DO NOT LOSE THE ELF.”.

I’ve lost the elf.

I’m hoping to have a quick half hour tomorrow to run to the toy store and find Christopher II.

I’m also hoping that my oldest’s extreme fear of ye old Swine Flu will help.

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do!