Mommy Ever After » lindsay docherty photography

Home, again.

Rebecca Fox Starr — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:53:34 +0000

I am absolutely brimming with stories to tell;

I have good stories,

funny stories,

warm stories,

and a love story.

But I haven’t been able to write, because I have been too busy doing this thing called living.

So, I decided that while I took the time to craft and publish these stories, today, I would republish the story that I wrote on this date, March 30, of last year (not knowing what it would be). I thought that it would be a nice exercise to display just how far we as a family have come. I expected something emotional or a silly tidbit, but it just so happens that on March 30, 2014, in a serendipitous coincidence, I wrote a special post–the beginning of my “Hopeful Story”.

So, while you wait to read about my today, I hope you enjoy reading about my day last year, in

Home.

Originally Published on the old MEA site on March 30, 2014.

When we started thinking about having a second child, we were warned that two kids does not equal double the work, but instead, 100 times the work. We have not found that to be true. In fact, we don’t even think it is double the work. We feel like the jump from no kids to one kid was much greater than from one to two. I believe that this is in part due to the fact that we waited 3.5 years between kids, and my daughter can do things like let in the dog and go into the fridge for a snack and take herself to the bathroom. It is a juggling act at times, but it works. Despite my struggles, I haven’t felt overwhelmed by having two kids; unless you count feeling overwhelmed with love. And I mean it.
But having two kids does mean tag-teaming. My husband usually does my daughter’s bedtime. It’s a special time they share. He tells her stories; sometimes they are about Star Wars, sometimes about princesses; last night it was My Little Pony. He sings to her a certain repertoire of songs and they snuggle. It is very sweet.
But tonight, as a special treat (really, for all of us) I said I would come in after stories and songs for a snuggle session with my girl.
I crawled into her bed and rested my head on the pillow next to her. And I got that peaceful feeling again, one that has been so hard to find recently. But I got it.
And I asked her if I could sing her a song, because all I could hear in my head was the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros song “Home”s chorus.
Home,
Let me come home,
Home is wherever I’m with you.
“With you I feel home,” I told her.
“With you I feel whole,” she replied.
She is so amazing.
Home is wherever I’m with you.
Even though life has been hard, I am grateful for the little things, like 10 minutes of snuggling with my firstborn, who is growing up so quickly I can hardly catch my breath.
And I’m starting to find my way,
slowly,
arduously,
but I really am starting to head in the direction
towards home.

*Featured Image by Lindsay Docherty Photography

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Charming.

Rebecca Fox Starr — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:15:38 +0000

I had a few conversations recently in which I shared that one of my very favorite words is “charm”, in both it’s noun and verb form.

I was just looking up the video that I made chronicling my past year in music, and do you know how YouTube shows you a list of videos down the right sidebar of the screen suggesting music that you may like, based on what you are watching currently? Well, I cannot imagine why, but if you are watching my Fox & the Hounds review, the top video that YouTube recommends for you is an obscure video of Brett Dennen singing “Out of My Head” in what appears to be a little guitar shop.

And the reason why I am sharing this, besides the fact that he is my favorite musical artist and he gives me warm and fuzzy feelings inside, is because I find Brett Dennen to be absolutely charming. He is loveable. And I think you can see that here.

And I cherish every charming moment I can;

like this morning when my daughter traded videos with a new yet old friend of mine, involving doggie dance parties, mermaid costumes and “The Book With No Pictures” recitations;

or when we were giving Lola attention and my girl ran upstairs, changed and came down in a pink dress (the color of Lola’s bow) and dog ears;

or, how my son put his head up to mine (his version of a kiss) and said, “Mama”;

or how my daughter said, “Daddy, can you set up my wifi connection?” and we said “Do you know what that means?” and she said, “No. What does it mean?”;

Just a few happy moments that I can gather up into one little, metaphorical charm to place in my pocket and keep with me today.

Give your love, give your love, give your love now.

Any you get it back and you get it back

Featured Image captured by Lindsay Docherty Photography in 2014

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Lindsay Docherty Photography

mommyeverafter — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 11:36:05 +0000

I’ve written and raved before about the magic and beauty and romance
that is Lindsay Docherty Photography. Here is the final installment of my journey with Lindsay.
Let me be clear in saying this: This is not a sponsored post. These photos are not c/o her business. I am writing about the phenomenal Lindsay Docherty because she is that and more.
Lindsay is beautiful. Her sprite-like presence lends perfectly to her work, as she can flit around, snapping photos, fitting into small corners as to not interrupt natural life, and capture all that is true.
Lindsay is talented. She dances. She flexes her creative muscles. She is incredible with children.
Lindsay is smart. She is clever. She is a gift and a joy.
My husband and I both went to High School with Lindsay (she was in his class) and though I did not know her well then (we were both a little involved in the theatre group), our interactions are as familiar and easy as if we have been lifelong friends. She is supportive, she is energetic and she is kind. So so kind.
Last night, when the kids had gone down and we were preparing to eat dinner, my husband and I were shuttling back and forth from the trunk of his car to our garage with armloads of firewood; someone had offered their surplus, so we were happy to take it off their hands. Out of nowhere, Lindsday appeared, with a big package in her hands; the final piece of art that we had ordered from her: a canvas print of our favorite photograph.
And because we had so much firewood, we asked Lindsay if she wanted some. She was excited to take a load off of our hands, and I told her to back into the driveway so that we could put it into her trunk. And somehow between her turning off her car and her coming out to lift, she locked her keys in her car. Because despite all of the incredible, almost unbelievable things that Lindsay is, she is also human. Which lends so well to her being the photographer that she is. She is warm and approachable. Her smile is incredible. And so, while we waited for her house mate to come with an extra set of keys, we shared glasses of wine and caught up a bit. I was sad when she had to leave. She has become a real friend. I feel so lucky.
This is what Lindsay brought last night:
We hung this piece in our entrance hallway, so that it is featured most prominently.
It is so perfect.
Lindsay captured many photos–moments– of our family, we wished we could have ordered them all, but here is a little glimpse of what she was able to create:

She captured life. She captured happiness at a time when we needed it most. To Lindsay we will be eternally grateful.
Lindsay is fun. She is funny. She is radiant.
You would be lucky to get some Lindsay into your life.
We sure are.

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Magic with Lindsay Docherty (Another Sneak Peak)

mommyeverafter — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:22:11 +0000

Originally published on 511 Ever After
Another little taste of my magical experience with Lindsay Docherty.
Her ability to get down on my daughter’s level, both literally and figuratively, amazed me. She put my daughter at great ease, and she was instantly comfortable with Lindsay in our home and a camera in her space.
We decided to hang three very special, enchanting photos of my daughter in her room, for they are more than just pictures, they are pieces of art.

Lindsay captured more than just my daughter’s face and beauty; she captured her spirit. She is wild and she is brimming with life, and the photos reflect that.

I can’t wait to show you the rest!

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Beauty and Romance (A sneak peak at Lindsay Docherty Photography)

mommyeverafter — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 20:35:12 +0000

So, I am going to be, in the very near future, writing an extensive post on the ray of sparkling sunshine that is Lindsay Docherty of Lindsay Docherty Photography. I will share with you, then, how she jumped on the bed with us, and joined us in an impromptu dance party and even cleaned up my son’s spit-up. I love this girl. I even had a dream last night that I was marrying her. Word of honor. But the real post is for a later time when all of our work is complete.
So far, we have only been able to hang two of her photos. They are magic.
First, beauty.
Lindsay was able to capture, visually, the fact that my daughter and I have identical profiles. It is now displayed on our gallery wall.
Here. See for yourself.
Pardon the reflection of the third floor bannister and hallway light fixture. I am not a photography genius like, say, Lindsay Docherty.
I’m starting to think maybe I have a secret (not at all secret) crush on her. Hmmmm.
The next photo that we were able to hang adds a bit of intimacy to our bedroom. In our room previously, we had a few family photos and three from our wedding. But those were 6 years old. Lindsay captured us doing what we do, cuddling on the couch, making each other laugh.
One one side of our bed it shows where we were, and on the other, where we are.
And how close we’ve become.
So much more to come with Lindsay. So much more.

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Thank you.

mommyeverafter — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 13:04:46 +0000

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the love. Thank you.
This week, I had the distinct honor and privilege of being featured on the local 6ABC News in a story about Postpartum Depression.
This came about after posting “The Hardest Post I’ve Ever Written”, about my struggles since giving birth to my second child. It has been a hard time. It has been dark. But the incredible, overwhelming, humbling support I have received has brought me so much light.
You can watch the interview Here.
Featured in the piece are exquisite photos taken by an exquisite human being. Lindsay Docherty came to our house to take family photos. She is a beacon of light and life. Though she may be small in stature, she is mighty, and my children took to her immediately, as they could sense the gentle kindness she possesses. She is beautiful both inside and out and captured some incredible images that our family will cherish always. She blogged our story, and I read it with a full heart and tears streaming down my face. Lindsay danced with us, jumped on the bed with us, got into bed with us as we read a story, and in general, made us feel lucky and loved. She is incredible. So thank you, Lindsay.
I posted yesterday on Facebook to thank my “friends” in general.
I can’t begin to describe my gratitude. I was so scared to come out with my story; to expose my weaknesses, to show and highlight my cracks for all the world to see. But I wanted to help others. And in turn, I have been helped.
So again, I say thank you. To everyone. Thank you for helping me through my journey.
One day at a time, one message of love at a time, one baby giggle or toddler wet kiss at a time…I’m getting there. Thank you.

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