Stock Show Saturday

Every time Paul and I go on a date night we sit cozily with a wine in hand and chat about our life.

We are away from any distractions and begin to mention all of the things we want to do and type of people (parents, husband, wife) we want to be.

One important goal is to spend some quality time with our children.

We want to focus on making them happy, travel around, take them to places that will create fond memories!

Since the new year we’ve been trying to make Saturdays (or Sundays if I HAPPEN to work) a day where we do something out of the house!

Get unplugged and enjoy one another and go places that are out of our bubble.

It’s not as easy as it sounded. The past three Saturdays we have been out on little adventures, but with the kiddos there can be challenges.

A two year old may throw a fit, about which way the wind is blowing. You may have to drag her into a shop kicking and screaming… bribing her with fudge. :)

The baby may need to nurse or be changed – at inappropriate times and places.

The 8 year old may pout about anything and argue until we’re all blue in the face. Even when you threaten spankings left and right.

Well this Saturday was the MOST pleasant.

Why… you ask?

Um, a few words:

Stock Show. Rodeo. Midway. Park. Enchiladas. Fun.

Need I say more? They were never bored.

There was never a dull moment.

Paul and I even were on the KISS CAM at the rodeo…

When the announcer asked if we were married… I pointed to the baby I was WEARING (after smoochin’ my fella) and the announcer said,

“OH I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE, now I am blushing.”

I loved that people in the audience who knew us… or peeps from FB noticed it was us. :)

The kids were able to ride rides, eat popcorn and caramel apples at 10:30 am, watched bull riding, and knew the day was for them.

This is very encouraging to us as parents… seeing their happiness and without ANY meltdowns.

Moments like this is teaching us how to cater to the CHILD in them and have some fun.

I have been bringing my camera on these excursions… which has been fun in helping me learn how to capture candids and fun moments.

(not my best photographer attribute)

I hope you enjoy these COLORFUL, fun and precious images of my sweeties!

I wondered if Parx would be afraid of all of these rides… NOPE, she was so excited and ready for the next one!

 Pierson was so loving and wanted to go on all of the rides with his LITTLE sister. Passing up some of the BIG rides, to go with her.

About two seconds after this Parx started screaming… so they stopped the cars to let her off.

All she wanted was the BIG bears hanging from the games.

 Pierson wanted to go on the haunted house ride… but NOT alone. :)

 How magical.

Merry Christmas 2011

Another year is wrapping up and I am shocked that it is already here.

Last Christmas we announced to our family that we were expecting baby number three!

As I reflect back on 2011 I begin to grin and feel very warm inside.

God has brought so many blessings to us this year.

Through time and questioning we were blessed with a healthy home birth and beautiful daughter: EDEN aka EDIE or Easy E.

Already four months now – she is happy, sleeps well and has such a calm demeanor.

Parx turned two and has accepted her baby sister very well.

She has entered the typical ‘two year old’ syndrom. Lots of fits, screaming, and is super attached to mama. :)

Pierson is EIGHT! now & continues to blossom in school and is an amazing big brother.

He helps around the house, loves on all of us and is top of his class!

Paul and I have been blessed in our jobs.

He has a position that he loves, is fun and flexible… and we are able to have a wonderful life because of it!

I am smitten with ‘Arden Prucha Photography’ and plan on making some big changes next year.

This year I definitely went through some more growing pains – in business and in family.

Having three children is a full [OVER]time job.  Balancing has been a lot harder than I anticipated.

Anyone who has worked with, visited or chatted with me – surely sees I do NOT have it all together.

However, I am lucky for the sanity, happiness and good things in life I do have. :)

Our families and friends are so full of support and love – helping us whenever we need it.

We truly are blessed.

God is OH so good.

Today I am extra grateful for finding my way to the Lord.

It’s from HIM that I have been gifted:

A beautiful and gracious family, understanding and generous friends, a plethora of ‘things’ I need and want, never going without, a passion that I continue to learn from and such complimentary and heart warming fans…

I thank each person in my life.  For those of you who continue to encourage me, without every having MET please know that your words are fulfilling, uplifting and push me to be a better person and photographer.

So today I hope each one of you has a beautiful end to 2011.

May you have a blessed and very merry CHRISTMAS.

When it rains…

Once again caught trying to complete a bunch of work.

Neglecting my children has been an everyday problem.

While it’s getting ugly here in Texas, it brings me a little more family time – less shooting, postponing sessions and more snuggle time.

My two bigger babes were playing trains, so I whipped out my camera and snapped a few candids.

It’s the little things that release my stress and make me smile.