Clutter is an enemy of mine, something that takes over my mind and can consume me. This weekend I must tackle my office… yup enter the scary movie music that plays when you know something is going to ‘happen’. I love to be organized, I love to get things decluttered, I love a good purge and passing things on to someone who will be able to continue using things when we are done (us + our kids love hand me downs and antiques 😉 ). We were so very lucky to have received an antique desk from my husbands grandfather after he passed. It is gorgeous! Quite honestly a desk I’ve always wanted, its huge – long and deep! So to get this beautiful peice into my office… sigh its going to take work BUT the end result… oh I cannot wait. I probably should take a before picture in the morning when I start… to keep myself motivated of where I will get 😉

Pamela McLellan-Zmija's avatarJJ McLellan Plumbing & Heating

I am personally in an organization and declutter mood here at our house. Thankful we do not have plans this weekend so we can get things organized and cleaned up and complete the purge I started a couple weeks ago! I did a search online for “organizing your home” and found a fabulous website I had to share… especially for all those moms, who like me are still adjusting to the kiddos being back in school and getting into routine again, all while working and taking care of things at home. Perhaps I should mention hubby does help out quite a bit, but I’m sure those moms out there can relate we have a million home, work, kid etc things running through our heads 😉

The website is http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/fall-cleaning-chore-checklist . and they have some awesome Fall tips to help get started… my real reason for searching, really where do I…

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Children and Marriage

Things out of the mouth’s of babes.

I love hearing the logic our kids come up with. Especially when they talk about marriage and family. One day the miss began talking through the family and about mommy’s mom and dad and how much SHE would miss her mommy and daddy if she didn’t live with us. What it came down to is how she lonely she thinks granpa and grama would be without all of us and that we should maybe live with them 😉

The other night the miss was dancing and did a curtsee, she then went on to tell me that when she gets married  she is going to do that. Of course I couldn’t let it go there, so I asked her if she is going to find her her hard working prince, she said yes, maybe Carson and I will get married when we get big. So I go on to explain to them (again) that brothers and sisters can’t get married to each other. Oh right she says, well when we get bigger both of us will meet someone and get married and then I will have a baby in my tummy.

Goodness shes not even 5 and talking of having a baby in her tummy.

The boy asks me how old they have to be to get married. I tell him 25. He then said something to me that warmed my heart, in more ways than one. I cannot remember his exact words but it was along the question of “how did you know”. I was so happy to tell him, when you meet someone who you love spending time with and you want to spend forever with, you’ll know that you have met the right person to marry.

Life isn’t perfect, marriage is not perfect. It certainly does make me feel like I am doing my “job” of being their mother right. There is no book of rules on parenting, there is no book of rules on marriage. Each is trial and error but both involve a lot of love.

With our 8 year wedding anniversary coming up next week hearing loving words come from our children’s mouths in relation to family, love and marriage. These two little people have truly made both of us the people we are today, they have truly shaped our family, our love, and rounded out our own personalities. Someday’s aren’t easy but we have each other and that is the absolute world of difference.

The past 8 years have almost been a slight blur… however the photographer part of me cherish’s all those moments and memories we have captured in photos and the best part – our kids LOVE looking at photos from all those years, watching not only themselves grow, but watching our family grow, watching us work hard to achieve dreams, comforting in times of sorrow, proud of all we’ve accomplished and all we’ve been through to be where we are today, together as a family.

Marriage, just like parenting, takes work. What makes me proud is how our children talk about when they grow up, how they want to work at the shop with mommy, daddy and granpa, how they talk of one day having their own kids just like mommy and daddy, making us a grama and granpa (can’t believe they talk like this actually haha I am no where near ready for that lol). What truly makes me proud though is how the kids talk about growing up and getting married to someone they love. Everyday may not be roses, but as a mom and wife I feel so very proud that we are setting a great example of being their parents and also husband and wife.

I am a very firm believer that kids should hold onto whatever innocence they can and just be kids. I am also a firm believer in living a real and simple life. They know about death – but not all details related, they have already asked about how some kids have different parents – which we’ve explained some have one mom or two moms or one dad or two dads or they ask questions, we give answers which satisfy their curiousity, they also see the real mommy and daddy, life isn’t perfect, mommy and daddy have had disagreements and we work through them, we also love & respect each other very much, but first of all we must love ourselves. As much as mommy and daddy love our kids, we also love our time too that we get to have alone. The see us tag team the other in, or each take a kid to get stuff done, or handle things together and even be honest about needing a break. Of course the chosen words are child safe for them to understand and if I have ever complained about my hubby dearest, I am more open in sharing why mommy does love daddy. Im not perfect, would never claim to be, but I am perfectly me! And everyday, we all learn something new 😉

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, 
always with the same person.
Mignon  McLaughlin

Don’t marry the person you think you can live with;
marry  only the individual you think you can’t live without.
James C. Dobson
(this is what I tell our kids… 🙂 )

Little kid logic… its a wonderful thing!

Someday’s I look at these two little people and think wow, just how much is going on in your little heads.

I love their logic, I love their reaction and how they figure things out. Its so innocent, so refreshing, so pure.

This morning the little’s missed the bus, taking their time getting ready, unable to locate socks (in the basket that was full of them) and the time quickly ticking by. Little man even tried to ask the bus to wait, nope mommy gave them a quick lesson in how that would be unfair to all the kids who were ready for the bus this morning.

So their logic for this mornings change of plans… Miss says “well I will just have to go to work with you mommy…” and little man says “OH Mommy if you are driving us to school we have to go the way with all the bumps we HAVE to test out your Jeep” LOL .

Last night the kids were quite proud to take Mommy and Grama to see each of their class rooms, unfortunately Daddy had to work late – yup tis the heating season lol. Little man was so very proud to take us the same way that the bus drives them to school. He directed us with each and every turn and made sure to mention again how we had to go down a bumpy road that their bus goes down. He is so quick, both hubs and I have both began noticing Jeep’s a lot more now that we have one, haha so has the little man!

And of course I cannot deny them the simple pleasures of life with their mama… my boy is true to the bone – “mommy we really need to test out your jeep, when can we go off roading?” of course said with a straight face 😉

Even on days my head feels totally clouded and my list is long, sometimes not even knowing where to start, even when these darling little children who know how to push each and every one of my buttons, sometimes a few at a time, they are kids. They are innocent, pure, curious, loving, a sponge of knowledge, and a my sunshine on a cloudy day.

Love her sparkly bright and loving personality.

Love his enjoyment and smarts of work.

They make my day, even when they have pushed my buttons to the max they will give each other a side glance and burst into giggles… Just the relief mama needs!

Pirate Birthday Party for our Little Man!

Hard to believe our little man just turned 6! Feels like yesterday that I was pacing in our livingroom debating whether to call Jaz in from the shop to head to the hospital. I remember it all so clearly, the crazy ride to Guelph, then being told they were packed and we would have to come back, and then how thankful I was when hubby pulled up to the doors and at the exact time I stood up my water broke! Little man took his time, funny because it was like when we were trying to get pregnant, 16mths is painfully long especially when you have to go through infertility treatments, a word I was scared to hear. Little man ran into trouble, and with only 20 min to try and bring our baby into the world we were then rushed for an emergency c-section and our little man was born bright and early ON his due date!

I am so unbelievably thankful for him, as much as life can be slightly crazy at times with little cars and trucks to step on – those hurt! Or snakes, frogs and worms being a part of our back yard life, dirty faces, filthy fingers and toes. As much as this little man can cause me some grief he is one of the very best things that has ever happened to me. He completely changed me, he has made me into the mother I am today, not just a mother but he has helped shape the woman I am today. He was the reason my passion for photography truly ignited and I love that I capture all of their and our moments in life.

Little man you came into my life with me holding my breath, already in love with you and ready to protect you, from the day I found out we were expecting you, Ive been on my toes and you certainly have kept me going. Through the years, much like your dad, you’ve been my little rock, as much as you love time with your daddy you are so very eager to spend time with me.

All those sleepless nights, the way you know how to push my buttons, your true “class clown” loving caring personality, watching you grow as my little man – each and every moment I am so very proud to call you my son! I am very proud to be your mom!

Newborn Photography… Boy / Girl TWINS!

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing twin boy/girl babies a few weeks ago. They were so much fun and once we finally got their curious little eyes shut, were comfy to pose as I did. They were 2 months old when I did photograph them and for 2 month old babes they snuggled up nicely!

“Sunrise” Won 2nd Place – Saugeen Shores Pumpkin Fest!

I am so very excited to share that my photo received 2nd place
in the Saugeen Shores Pumpkin Fest Photo Contest in the
Sunset/Sunrise Adult Category!!!

My Photo will be printed and displayed at Pumpkin Fest 2012 on both Saturday and Sunday!!!

http://www.pumpkinfest.org/

http://www.pumpkinfest.org/documents/2012_PhotoContestRules.pdf

Summer (fun) lovin into fabulous (responsible) fall!

Ive always love being busy, love having a to-do list, however with my hours being re-arranged with back to school and new work responsibilities (that Im loving) Im slowly but surely fitting into this adjusted role of a fulltime working mom while still enjoying my photography as well (my sanity saver lol).

Summer is such a crazy time – busy time with friends and family, nope not much got done as far as organizing in my new office or at home… which does make things interesting when fall season begins and the phones are rining (love that !!!) or when I come home with the littles and they want to be outside… how could I resist. Granted I am lucky to have a laptop I can bring outside to work on 🙂

Decluttering has begun (again) at our house… I do love this time of year, however it always seems as though things get worse before they can get better – much the same as life in general 😉 The kids grow like two little weeds and Ive accumulated another pile of things they’ve grown out of. Loving the fact that we are clearing out clothing that not only the kids have grown out of but also that hubby and I are no longer wearing, feels SO good.

Fall is my favourite time of year, moreso because we also got married in the fall and our first child was born in the fall as well 🙂 However now that it is fall its time again to tackle that honey-do list… the list that accumulated over the summer but was the first thing pushed aside to sit in the sun or enjoy the water and waves with family and friends at the cottage.

Why do I love fall, well the above is the obvious, the gorgeous fall colours – amazing opportunities for photography, warm sunny days and cool (window open for a breeze) evenings, cozy sweaters, back to the school routine (yes Im one of those moms lol I lose my routine in the summer when the sun doesn’t set til late), fall cleaning – yup another one of those I enjoy my spring and fall purges and deep cleans, more sleep- lol late summer nights they get me, new season of Ellen (love my PVR).

Another reason I really do love fall, I do more indoor photography with the kids, just in general because we are indoors more than we are in the summer. I love crankin up the ISO and getting some great shallow depth of field grainy shots of our everyday life. In the summer we have so much light that I really do not push the ISO limits.

One of the top things on my list… organizing my office. Now that Ive juggled my hours around I need to get my home office organized and much more functional – which also must have space for our couch which folds out to a bed whenever we have guests over. Anyone have any suggestions for a multi-task room or design ideas you want to share? Id love to hear them.

The next is organization for the kids school stuff…the things they are using everyday… back pack, lunch pail, and then there is notes from school, permission forms, school calendar, how and where to organize this in our kitchen so it is central and NOT on the fridge.

Yes when I say I cannot stand clutter – having things ALL over my fridge is also the same clutter feeling. I need design. I love showcasing my kids school work. Just not on the fridge.

Ahhh Thanksgiving is coming up, more time with family. Another favourite time of the year, any holiday or weekend we come together with family is always a good time. Hehe the great corn cook-off labour day weekend – awesome way to kick off the fall season.

Of course what else happens in fall… THE KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL!…

NO MORE DAYCARE/BABYSITTING $ FOR THIS MAMA!!! MAMA GETS A JEEP 🙂

Yeah and I already blogged about the beauty (I love it – I worked hard for it, hahaha WORK hard for it, Im sure not done working) and Im soooo very much enjoying it.

So… kids back to school… they are so cute! The kids aren’t the only ones back to school, hubby also went back to school the same day as the kids for his last block in his Electrician training. I am so very proud of him, not only that he is back at school to get another license but that he is doing this for not only our family, but also for my family business. Makes me very happy that I have met someone and have a family with someone who has the same values and dreams as I do.

A quote I came across today I enjoyed…

YOUr life is what YOU make it and the choices YOU make 🙂

Very true, choices good and bad… something we have to live with, the choices we make, the path we choose, the way we choose to react to situations or real life. One thing we are instilling in our children (and is helpful with hubby back in school) is that they can be whatever they want to be, of course we love hearing that they, especially the boy, wants to work at the shop like Granpa and Daddy but we remind them it takes hard work, both at school and at home. No they aren’t perfect, but neither are we. They certainly have made us into the people we are today with our plans fortoday and the future, working hard to enjoy it all ❤

And… some gorgeous fall sunflare on the beach at sunset.

For those of you who are photography lovers like me… or even those of you who may have a slight interest in taking photos and would like to come out to join fellow enthusiasts – with the fall brings on the start of the MOUNT FOREST CAMERA CLUB!!! I am very excited. We have some awesome things planned for this year. If you are interested in coming out to the September meeting, please connect so that I can be sure you get a copy of our manual! www.mountforestcameraclub.com .

One thing I would like to ensure we do this year of the camera club is share about our members individual talents. We have a range of people in our club from point and shoots to entry level dslr to mid/pro level and professional. As well as a variety of interests between all members.

Part of the Jeep Club…

After much deliberation between a new or used Durango, we attended the Hanover Chrysler Mopar North Car Show of 2012 and it was there I fell in love with this Jeep. Well ok not exactly this Jeep, it was a blue one that caught my eye, with gorgeous rims! We had always had our eyes out on the look out for a Durango, having a boat we wanted to be able to tow it with this vehicle as well so hubby would not have to move his tools around etc.

Quite honestly I never thought the Jeep would be a good vehicle for towing and thought the extra row seating would be better… That weekend I began my research, luckily our family friend from the dealership joined us that weekend at the cottage and filled us in on all the wonderful details about the wrangler… one being the fact that it could tow our boat! I was sold. Even better was when my sister and her friends were hanging out with us that same evening and one of them had a wrangler that I got to take for a tour… And the rest as they say is history 😉

I am SO very happy with my Jeep. It fits our family perfect, has a gorgeous rugged style, yet very sleek and stylish and hehehe fields and ditches are looking strangely appealing 😉 haha.

And yes, it is very much a Jeep “club”, for the Wranglers that is. Proudly driving by smiling and waving.

Sunflower field

When coming home from our holidays we came past this gorgeous field, but I did not stop. The following weekend we went up to the family cottage and on our way home I just HAD to stop. A gorgeous over cast day and thousands of big beautiful sunflowers standing tall!

To My Children

I truly do not think I could ever entirely put into words how these two (amazing) little people, not only make me feel but who have truly made me who I am today. As the end of summer nears I find it unbelievable just how fast the summer goes. Of course then I think of the hundreds… ok thousands of photos I have of our time together, of our memories, the fun we had, people whose company we enjoyed and most of all something our family will treasure forever.

A photograph is not just an image, it is priceless and without speaking the emotion is felt, the story and memories told.

Although our summer was filled with many happy and fun times, our family unfortunately experienced 3 losses, in less than a month. But like family should we were blessed with time together and were reminded we must take the happy with the sad, the good and the bad.

Life is not perfect, but it most certainly is what WE make it, and no one else.

Your Life As Art Photography by Pam

Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija

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