Andrea Dozier Dayton Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

February 27, 2013

“Bad Days” Need Not Apply

My mind is telling me to give in to the rain & cry that today was a horrible day.
My heart is certain I should accept whatever wakes me up from the lull of living in a trance of distraction from what is truly valuable.

The winter blues have been stubborn.
Oh I know they always are and we really are a fortunate family.
Sometimes what makes a thing so hard is trying so fiercely to fight it.
To surrender would require little sweat.

Today was going to be a mid-week getaway thanks to a school staff service day and me switching my work & Damian’s daycare schedule.Â The three of us were going to the aquarium in Cincinnati. I didn’t want to drive in heavy traffic, so we left a little later in the morning to avoid it.Â We had snacks, drinks, cameras, pillow pets, umbrellas, changes of clothes… you would have thought we were going for a week.

We didn’t make it far because we heard the horrid sound of metal on metal {that anyone who’s been in a crash knows}, and felt the confusing impact of being hit from behind. The moment of terror that happens when you don’t know if the kids, {the ones closer to the collision}, are hurt is something I hope I will never relive.

They are just fine & there was only minimal damage to the back of my car.

We really are a fortunate family.

After settling everything and making sure that mommy’s nerves were calm enough to drive again,
we opted for a much closer museum to release some energy.

These boys realized tonight that mommy didn’t mind reading ten books if it’s what they wanted.
I was so deliriously happy to be in their cozy little room.
Reading Pajama Time! & Darth Maul’s Mission to two perfectly healthy boys has never been a greater honor.

We really are a fortunate family.

From today.

iPhone 4 | Afterglow App

We could have really used a carefree red letter day, like the one I had planned.
My stomach is still uneasy & reminding me that I’m not made of stone.
If I could ask for something, it would be your prayers of encouragementÂ andÂ of thanks with me.Â â™¥

Find me onÂ InstagramÂ //Â PinterestÂ //Â FacebookÂ //Â TwitterÂ //Â Vine
@AndreaDozier

4 comments

Kelly - February 27, 2013 - 8:54 pm

I’m always praying and thinking about you three! So glad that all of you are safe!
Andrea - February 28, 2013 - 7:22 am

Thank you so much Kelly, I”m glad too! We are so thankful to have you! It was so good to see you, can’t wait for the next time {hopefully at a park if this weather would warm up}!
alli - February 28, 2013 - 9:12 pm

Most definitely thinking of your family!
Andrea - March 1, 2013 - 1:47 pm

Thank you Alli! You are the best! I’m itching to make something with the vanilla you sent, so excited to use it! I’ll post/send pics! 🙂

February 26, 2013

My Almost Seven Kevin

We’ve been adjusting to Damian sleeping in a bed now that he’s realized that his climbing capabilities can get him out of a crib.
The child who once went to sleep without a fight for two years is now the insomniac of every mother’s nightmare.
Last night he was downright cruel and hardly slept.
Tonight went much better, {clearly because I am writing after all!}.

As I was waiting for him to fall asleep, I found myself browsing pictures from today on my phone. I began to remember what an encouragement his older brother is to me. Kevin watches the meltdowns and tantrums. We make eye contact and silently communicate that his behavior can be completely absurd. Knowing that someone else can see what a little monster I’m dealing with makes me feel like I can retain some of my own sanity. He also knows just how to distract Damian from being naughty. I can’t even calculate how many times I breathe a prayer of thanks for his help just buckling Damian in the car!

Five minutes of pictures by a rain soaked window.
And in the quiet I’m flooded with love for my little rock.
I just want to go pick up this little man-boy and hold him in his sleep.
I want him to know how I treasure him.
He emits a light that I don’t ever want to see dim.
I hope he knows how grateful I am to be given the chance to be close to him.

Images Captured with iPhone 4 | Edited with Afterglow App

And today, I wish I’d had more than my phone ready to take these. â™¥

I’ll also admit, very openly and honestly, that even though he is very helpful, he is only six. He also has all the flaws of a six year old.
Because sometimes it’s just too tempting to flip your little brother’s “baby Elmo” into the fake cereal that he is feeding it
and completely disrupt a peaceful breakfast.

Â Find me onÂ InstagramÂ //Â PinterestÂ //Â FacebookÂ //Â TwitterÂ //Â Vine
@AndreaDozier

2 comments

Chloe - February 27, 2013 - 4:20 pm

This sounds a lot like what happens in my home!

Too think so much time has passed while he was still in your belly is hard to believe!

I know he will have a wonderful birthday with a momma like you! 🙂
Andrea - February 28, 2013 - 7:18 am

I’m glad you can relate! Yes, Texas seems like another life! He is getting so tall that I’m starting to wonder how he could be the same chubby boy I met there. This year we are definitely celebrating in a smaller way, probably let him pick something he really wants to do. He wants to have a party in another month or two when his best friend is back. I can’t believe yours is going to be 8! I’ll never forget how excited he made me to meet Kevin and have a little boy of my own!

February 18, 2013

My Valentines

Valentines crept up on us quickly this year. Ours was a busy with a very fun shoot for me, haircuts for the boys, homework, card writing, and Chipotle for dinner. They both had parties and got to come home armed with sweets & cards. Nothing handmade here, I copped out with Mickey Mouse {for Damian} and Lego Star Wars Valentines {for Kevin}.
I bought myself some {droopy} white tulips and have been daydreaming about spring ever since.

Last year Kevin & I made a sailboat Valentine box. This year the class decorated bags but he insisted on making a Spaceship box.
He is truly a child after my own heart.

I’m starting to collect too many coffee mugs.
Damian’s hands are almost the size of mine.

We had a family birthday so I jumped at the chance to make Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing.Â Around Christmas time I stumbled across Vanilla Bean Curd, so I added that to my frosting instead of vanilla.Â It helped give them the flavor I wanted & maintain a thickness that makes it easier to pipe and decorate.Â Definitely plan on using it in more frostings in the future.

Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

2 Packages of Cream Cheese {softened}
2 Sticks of good quality butter {softened} <<< I use Land of Lakes unsalted.
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Bean Curd
Food Coloring {optional}

Cream butter & cream cheese until it becomes a soft paste without lumps. Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time on low mixing speed. Add vanilla curd & food coloring. Cream Cheese icing can be tricky and sometimes needs more or less powdered sugar, and possibly a few minutes in the freezer to thicken up {especially in the summer when kitchens are hot}.Â Also great as a fruit dip.

My piping skills are pretty rusty so it took a few tries to even get the one semi-acceptable rose topping you see. After I wiped off the cupcake to re-try, I kind of fell in love with the faux painted brushstrokes.
Might be inspiration for a new batch of cupcakes.

Hope your weekend was sweet! â™¥

Â Find me onÂ InstagramÂ //Â PinterestÂ //Â FacebookÂ //Â TwitterÂ //Â Vine
@AndreaDozier

4 comments

Erin Davenport - February 19, 2013 - 3:13 pm

What a lovely day! Beautiful icing work, looks delicious. Your kiddos are adorable 🙂
Justine Worthington - February 20, 2013 - 3:36 pm

Oh man those tulips never took off? So sad! Even droopy tulips are pretty, I think. =) And I think we need a baking day or three sometime soon. I’ve dabbled in hobby-level cake baking and decorating and see that you are going to be my perfect partner in crime! See you soon. xoxo
Andrea - February 26, 2013 - 10:08 pm

Thanks Erin! I’m so excited for you & to watch your gorgeous little one grow!
Andrea - February 26, 2013 - 10:14 pm

Justine, they did better than they would have if you weren’t there to help! Yes, bring on the baking! I don’t do it enough anymore & I miss it. Plus it’s way better when you have people to share it with! 🙂

February 14, 2013

Dear Little Andrea

Little Andrea,

It’s ok to wear cardigans and use words like “enamored.”
Someday you’ll miss roller skating in your cement basement & shaking the backyard apple blossoms with your brother.
The teddy bear comforter that matched the one on Full House will feel like a foreign object from another life.

You’ll grow out of that tired old voice that never liked your round face or flat feet.
After a while you realize you just don’t have time to dislike yourself so much.
When you understand how to hold yourself in high esteem, it will come back to you.

Learning to cherish & nurture yourself is the secret to growing an abundance of healthy love you can freely give away.
For goodness sakes, get some sleep. Eat nicely.
Give yourself a good portion of the grace you give to others.
Respect yourself enough to know when to humbly make changes.

Cling to the truth that life is a lovely thing.
When the world offers a bitter cup, do not drink from it.
Hearts are meant to be strong, but they don’t need to be hard.
Accepting the risk of a vulnerable soul will cultivate poise.

Forgive often.

Never let anyone else make up your mind for you.
They may hover around the fringe of your life,
but the living of it is yours.
Not theirs.
Ask for wisdom but trust yourself.

Chasing gorgeous light & breathtaking sunsets will never cease to thrill us.
Thunderstorms will always make us uneasy.
Those bangs will always give us trouble.
You’ll discover that pink isn’t such a bad color after all.

I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing who you are, what has happened since then, and who we are now.
I’d like to think that at this point we’ve made peace.
Secret handshake & high fives, it’s for real.

-29 year old Andrea

ps: I want your swimsuit.Â â™¥

Inspiration for this post:

We are celebrating Valentine’s Day by writing love letters to our little selves. This idea stems from one of my favorite quotes by Kris Carr, â€œPicture yourself when you were five. in fact, dig out a photo of little you at that time and tape it to your mirror. How would you treat her, love her, feed her? How would you nurture her if you were the mother of little you? I bet you would protect her fiercely while giving her space to spread her itty-bitty wings. sheâ€™d get naps, healthy food, imagination time, and adventures into the wild. If playground bullies hurt her feelings, youâ€™d hug her tears away and give her perspective. When tantrums or meltdowns turned her into a poltergeist, youâ€™d demand a loving time-out in the naughty chair. From this day forward I want you to extend that same compassion to your adult self.â€ This Valentine’s Day, take time to write little you a love letter. What are three things you would tell yourself? Show yourself some fierce love this month.Â â™¥

Maiedae Blog by Savannah

Find me onÂ VineÂ //Â InstagramÂ //Â PinterestÂ //Â FacebookÂ //Â Twitter
@AndreaDozier

6 comments