Happy Monday!!! I know Mondays aren’t always the happiest since it’s the first day of the work week, but there’s still a reason to be grateful for going into another week. 🙂 Today started on a high note photographing a sunrise session with a SUPER sweet couple!! Although, waking up at 4:45 a.m. wasn’t the easiest, but it was WORTH it for their DC portraits without people in the backdrop! Oh, and BRRR, it was cold. I felt like a wimp because I wore snow boots… But it could have technically snowed if there was precipitation!! That totally happened this past spring when I photographed Chris and Stephanie’s DC engagement on a sunny morning! Speaking of them, they are getting MARRIED this weekend!! 🙂 I’m stoked! Until then, I have a senior and family session, a LOT of editing, and another wedding to photograph! Just have to get through the next two weeks, and then I’ll be back on top!!! Also, for those who love Christmas as much as I do … decorating happens in about a month!!!!! AH!

It’s time to catch up from over the past weekend with the good, REALLY good, the bad, and the not-so-great moments! 🙂

COFFEE TALK

MOCHA MOMENTS
THE SWEETER MEMORIES FROM THIS PAST WEEK

1
OLD RAG HIKE

With fall in the air, I had to take advantage of my one day off for the next couple weeks to go on a hike! Old Rag is the typical close by destination for breathtaking views and a great work out. My breath was definitely taken away because it was FREEZING and soooo windy!!! Haha! But my brother and I managed as we powered up and down the mountain in less than four hours. Talk about a work out… My legs are sore and my feet are blistered, but it was a great way to spend my day off. After returning home, I was tempted to pick up my laptop to jump ahead of my work load, but I’m glad Alex convinced me to take a personal day to recover before jumping into these next two weeks of work. I didn’t realize how much I needed to just sit still and relax last night until I did it. <3 We all need to be reminded to breathe. Reminds me of Jonny Diaz’s song, “Breathe.” 

2
THE RANDOM

My favorite things from this past week… Arriving at a session early enough to take in the view, Bullet proof coffee (hello, Keto-ers), Moo Thru apple pie + cookies and cream ice cream (hello, non-Keto-ers!), and signs of fall!!!!

3
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I was reminded of this verse last week when I was chatting with a friend. SO GOOD. I hope you reflect on this as the week passes by. 🙂

4
MAKING TIME WITH FRIENDS

Even in the midst of wedding season craziness, I’m so glad I was able to hang out with friends, as well as Alex’s sweet family, while I was visiting Richmond for work this past weekend!!

ESPRESSO MOMENTS
THE BITTER MEMORIES FROM THIS PAST WEEK

1
POOR OLLIE

This past month has been challenging. COUNTLESS hours spent at the computer. Unfortunately, Ollie wants to play, but I have to get work done… I’m grateful to work from home, but I feel bad when I have to close my office door. I look forward to when things slow down in the next couple weeks so I can take him out to the dog park again!!! 🙂 But, gosh, he’s one handsome boy!! Haha! Maybe I’m biased. 😉

2
TECHNOLOGY-LESS

I don’t even have a photo from this stressful experience… I was staying with a friend in Richmond when I was locked out of her house without my cell phone for an entire day. I won’t go into too many details (it’s a long story), but after that experience of navigating through Virginia (two hours away) without my cell phone telling me where to go brought me back to the “print the MapQuest directions” days. HAHA! Fortunately, I made it to and from my destination, and retrieved my phone later that night. WHEW. And, thanks to free wifi at Starbucks in their parking lot, I was able to send a “You can do it!” encouraging message to Alex before his PT test! I’ll never let a cute kitty distract me from grabbing my cell phone again!! 😉

Happy Monday!!! I hope everyone is staying warm this week. 🙂 Fall is finally HERE!!!

Xoxo!