Happy Halloween!

I'll be honest. In my 29 years of life, I've never given two hoots about Halloween.

I never once went trick-or-treating as a kid and I was a freshman in college when I carved my first pumpkin. It just wasn't something my family ever got into. No big deal.

BUT

This year, because I had a cute little guy with a cute little turtle costume, I gave about seventy-five hoots. Today, for the first time ever, I cared that it was Halloween and counted down the hours to tonight's celebration.

My mother-in-law prepared some delicious treats and the evening was complete with carmel apples, sugar cookies, warm chili, cornbread...
...and a very tiny washing machine.
A washing machine built for this guy - my biggest nephew who is border-line big kid, but still crazy intense about his trick-or-treating.
We took the obligatory quick-all-the-cousins-put-on-your-costume-and-stand-still photo. And, like the weird aunt who gets stuck at the kids' table at Thanksgiving, I was forced to get involved in the kid photo because my toddling turtle would not stand still.
Then it was time to hit the streets. Mr. Briggs got the hang of the asking for candy gig right away and he was shocked down to his little turtle toes every time a piece of it ended up in the bottom of his bucket.
I hope you all had very happy Halloweens - full of treats and just enough tricks to make it fun.

Leaf Hunting

Seniors. Brothers. Friends. {Colorado Springs Senior Photographer}

What's better than one senior at a photo shoot? Well, two seniors of course.

These two seniors just happen to be brothers - and after spending the morning with them, I'm pretty sure that they are close friends too.

The Neely Family {Colorado Springs Family Photographer}

Well, Surprise Surprise

Before we brought Briggs home, people were constantly reminding me of how much my life was going to change. I was well aware of the fact that parenting would come with certain challenges and rewards. I knew there would be less sleep, less free time, less flexibility, yada, yada, yada.

However, I'd like to pick a bone with all of you experienced parents over a few minor details that you neglected to warn me about.

First of all, it would have been nice to know that I would have to touch hot dogs every single day. Cutting them up and serving them to our boy makes me shiver every time. Dis.gus.ting.

And why did nobody warn me that I, personally, would smell like diapers?

Then there's the talking-in-third-person-all-day habit. "Mommy loves you." "Mommy's eating right now." "Mommy's going to change your diaper." "Mommy can't pick you up right now." "Briggs, that doesn't make Mommy very happy." "Please give that to Mommy." "Mommy sounds like a crazy person."

Please, how do I make it stop?

Furthermore, you all never told me that my at-home-toddler-talk would spill over into other areas of my life. One of my volleyballers fell down during a game the other day - and right out loud for everybody to hear I said, "ohhhh, KA-BOOM." And now - because none of you experienced moms gave me a heads up on watching what I say - I'm the lamest coach ever.

And finally, could somebody puh-lease tell me what I'm supposed to do with this boy while I shower?!

Oh, these girls.

Before we knew when Briggs would be coming home, I committed to coaching my ninth volleyball season at Evangelical Christian Academy.

Ninth.

Who coaches NINE years of JUNIOR HIGH volleyball?

Seriously.

Anyway, if you would have asked me when I wanted to bring Briggs home (ha.), I would have said, "Anytime except during the eight weeks of volleyball season." But, as we all know, I didn't have a choice and Briggs joined our family right smack-dab in the middle of the busiest eight weeks of my year.

Coaching these 23 high-energy ladies after chasing my one high-energy boy all day wears.me.out. And focusing on practice plans and junior-high-girl emotions and complexities has been a serious struggle while I navigate the mommy-waters for the first time.

But just this week I realized how extremely, extremely thankful I am that these girls are a part of Briggs's story, a cog in the process of how his life began as a member of our family. Junior High Volleyballers have been a part of my life for a long time - how fitting that they be included in the joys and stresses of one of my most challenging transitions.

They ADORE Briggs - it's the love him and chase him and squeeze him until they make him crazy kind of adore. And they always ask me how he is doing.

And while these girls do seriously test my patience - causing me to say things like "We don't really need to make that noise," and "please stop playing leap frog" during practice - I will always remember them as the ones who were extremely patient with me.

They've been so forgiving when I show up to practice with an already-shortened temper or when I just can't seem to get their rotation (or names, for that matter) straight. They don't seem to mind when Mad Monday just really isn't that fun or when the practice plan is totally and completely all wrong.
And what a comfort it was for me on Sunday when we dropped Briggs of at the church nursery for the first time and one of my sweet volleyballers was volunteering in his class. She was so excited to see him and I had an incredible peace-of-mind knowing that she would give him a little special attention.

If you ask me, the timing of things was a little less than desirable, but I have certainly witnessed the fulfilling of God's promises as he weaves all things together for his glory and for the good of his children.

I get a little overwhelmed thinking about each girl and pondering what God has in store for her life - but then inevitably one of them hits me in the face with a stray serve and I get my head out of the clouds and go over the steps of overhand serving for the thousandth time.

From Belly to Birth to Just Brand New

What an honor to be present as our good friends, John and Emily, welcomed Phinehas Jude Ignatius Osburn into this world. We are so thankful that he is a part of their family and that they are a part of our lives. (click on an image to view full size)

Pricing and Contact Info

After taking a little break to learn about my new family, I'm back at it - photographing some beautiful babies, faces and families! From now on, I'll be displaying my work right here on this blog. No more maintaining a separate blog for my photography. Who has time for that!?

Photography sessions available include families, seniors, children, babies, and maternity. Prices start at $135 and all sessions include your choice of at least 20 copyright free digital images.

I also do a select number of weddings and events each year and would love to provide you with a personalized quote.

If you want to have photos done before it's time for the Christmas cards to go out, October is a great month! Please contact me at Beckylee123 (at) comcast (dot) net or (719) 440-8562 for more information on pricing and packages.