Phone Dump - January

I love to write. I love to take pictures. 

These days it seems like my writing is in short phrases and my picture taking (at least of my own kids) is on my phone. 

So, I thought I'd post my instagram pics. Seems like they do tell a bit of a story from our everyday lives. Sometimes funny. Often entertaining. Overall, memories I want to remember! 

If you'd like to follow me I'm jackeeausterman on instagram.

Some serious talk about the new year going on this morning! <3 span="">

Little man is feeling better, but sticking pretty close to mommy today. Can't say that I mind.

Sweet. Sleepy. Baby.

cutie-pie.

Ha... Equally as cute!

   

Zay trying his hand at instagr.am...

Someone tried breaking into the drum set earlier... Even pulled out the play-doh knife to help his cause. Mom is not nearly as excited about this xmas present. #thanksgrandma&grandpa

Elle-Bell has no issues with using a lot of Zay's boy(ish) hand-me-downs. But this walker...ALL GIRL! #pinkpinkpink

Sweet sleepy puppy

Zay: "Hold on Ellie.. We are going for a ride!" Ellie: "Um, Mom...Mom...MOM!!!"

Good naps always end up like this.

It sure melts my heart seeing Zay read to Ellie and then bring puzzles out to "play" with her. So thankful for moments like these after a long week of sickness and sleepless nights... Matthew 11:28-30

Gma & Elle-Belle!

We are sticker obsessed.

Papa & Zay-Zay

Wine for her... ESPN for him...#fridaynightfun #weareold

tonight's masterpiece

Heart to heart with papa.

She was perfectly nestled in... Then big brother needed help... I #lovemyjob

Every. Last. Bite.

Sweet little boy is still down for the count... Spent the better part of the last few days on the couch, while surviving on advil and water.#nomorefeversplease

Having so much fun editing the family pictures I took this last weekend! A family of EIGHT was a great challenge and then I did two other families with adorable kiddos too! I might just have to keep tracking down other willing subjects to take pictures of!!! This is fun! :)

Well this is a promising picture... Most action we've seen in 5 days! Now, I'd just feel better if his sister wasn't starting a cough and runny nose. :(

Rocking the Christmas sleeper and 4th of July bib in January. #timetodolaundry

Mmmmm... Salad for lunch means oreos for dessert, right?

#combover

#firstponytail

... He's been running all over the house with lighting speed. #whogavehimsugar#morecoffeeplease

And he sings... "go to sleep Ellie"... at the top of his lungs. #itworked

I spy mickey mouse on someone's tummy!

A certain boy and girl are super happy daddy's home!#yippyskippymommyshandsarefree

Starting Saturday off with a BANG!

New Page...New Adventure

Have you seen the NEW page on our blog?




I'm excited for what is coming in the next few months. Photography sessions are getting booked!

I keep thinking..."Let your FAITH be bigger than your FEAR"

I know that I haven't been at this photography thing long. I know there are far better photographers out there. But guess what. I'm going for it! I'm starting just where I am and seeing where I can go!

This will be a constant assessment. A balancing act of how far I can push myself with taking pictures and still be very available for my family. But I'm gonna check out how well I can rock both roles.

I started writing this post on the floor of my little boy's room, while my little Elle napped next door. It's working right now. I can do both.

I love building memories and I love capturing them on camera. AND I love writing about them here.

And since I've found this little niche within my heart...I want to share it. I want to allow other moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, sisters, brothers, you-name-it, to hang the walls of their home with beautiful pictures of the faces they love the most.

Hopefully my photos will capture lively personalities, fun individuality and beautiful character.

I'm looking forward to the challenge!

Spots are filling up fast for my first photo session special! Info included below and only booking at this rate until Friday! So contact me soon if you are thinking about family pictures! :)

**A special note: I have a few Cedar Falls/Waterloo families that I will be taking pictures of. Please contact me if you are interested in those dates.

With all that said...thanks ya'll. Thanks for supporting me. Helping me learn. And encouraging me on. 

It's not exactly easy to spread your wings. But until you do, you have no idea how far you can fly. 

This week...done!

What-a-week. 

Sickness has found our house...again. Yuck. Poor little man has been burdened with a nasty cough, unending fevers, and aches that brought him to tears. He has asked to be carried more times than I can count. He says "Pick up, Zay-Zay" with tears rolling down his cheeks. It's like I've trained him that he will feel better if I carry him. Admittedly when he's fallen in the past, I RUN to him and pick him up immediately to try to comfort him. I suppose, he's conditioned to think that if Mommy picks him up his pain is sure to end soon. Poor thing. 

Thankfully, the little guy is on the mend. With a exception of the brutal cough I think he's feeling exceptionally better. Phew...

A permanent fixture on our couch this week.

 How many blankets can you go through while sick...obviously a lot.

The good news, they make a great climbing tower once mom has them cleaned and folded. 

Zay has a thing or two to learn about faking sickness. He tries to give me this face and tell me he needs to watch Mickey Mouse because he is sick. Not so much, Buddy.

Oh how sweet it is to see him whispering sweet-nothings to his little sister again. 

Photography fun!

Here are the results of the families I took pictures of this last weekend! I had such a great time and hope to keep learning more about photography! Send me an email if I can practice on you/your family! :)