First Wedding Shoot

Saturday my dear friend JSmitty allowed me to tag along on one of her shoots. I was very excited and a tad bit nervous.  All in all it was an amazing time! The bride and groom were  so friendly and made me feel completely at ease.  JSmitty was also very helpful and made me feel at home with the photography.  I'm officially hooked! I was already very much into it and wanting to pursue it but this just cemented it for me!

Without further ado I am happy to share my first wedding photos! (Under my new photography business Sweet and Sassy Photography)

JSmitty after a tiring day

Aren't they just the cutest couple?!? I can't say enough how much I enjoyed working with them and JSmitty.

~Rachel

Ian Somerhalder Foundation

So I told you I would have more in the ISF and I came up with their awesome website. Tons of ways to help out, to give, and even some products. If you'd like to learn more go to www.isfoundation.com

~Rachel

Guilty addiction and amazing people

Today I watched the star of one of my guilty addictions, The Vampire Diaries, give an amazing interview with HuffPost live. Ian Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore on the show and at one time played on Lost. (Sadly I don't remember who. Sorry Ian!) During his interview, he conversed with fans and answered several questions. The answer that most impacted me? His explanation of the environment. The trees as our lungs and the waterways as or cardiovascular. If you start chopping away and polluting them then none of us can breathe.

Now I'm generally not one to be impressed by actors and actresses. It is their job to fool people. I felt no such thing while watching Mr. Somerhalder speak. He was genuine when speaking with the fans. You could tell he truly enjoyed his time in speaking with them and the interviewer.

I started out watching the interview just to get my Damon fix but came out of it wanting to know more about Ian and his work. Not just his theatrical works; his charitable ones as well. I find myself wanting to know more about the ISF and what it helps. That is the kind of thing actors should be doing. Inspiring people.

So thank you Ian Somerhalder, for inspiring me to learn more. Also, for giving me a new take on what I saw as a glib industry. You have my respect.

Stay tuned for more on ISF.
~Rachel

Slouchy hats

Lately I've gone a bit slouchy hat crazy. It started with one I made for myself. I fracking love that thing! Then the bestie needed one of course. I mean, come on, how can we be the dynamic duo without similar hats?!? Mom decided she too must get in on the slouchy action. Finally I decided I was hooked after three as just had to try my hand at a child size. Personally I'm pretty proud of my little self. For no child pattern and only going off of the adult one, the hat looks pretty darn awesome. I even think I will start making some to be ready made to sell. Maybe even a giveaway. Stay tuned!!

Birthday fun

So I promised a post on the amazing day JSmitty treated me to on my birthday. Here it is! My typical birthday is a relaxing day with the hubby and the kids and a few phone calls. This year it was a two day celebration! Friday the 22nd had flowers from JSmitty promising more surprised to come. After that I came home to a lovely home cooked steak dinner and a gorgeous vase with a single red rose in it from my wonderful Superman. The spoiling didn't stop there either! In my room were curtains and a lamp to match my new bedspread the kiddos bought me. The next morning (my actual birthday!) it was up and at em and off to the Smitty household. Mr. Roboto ( who will from henceforth be known as The Professor) was kind enough to keep Smidge all day while we went on a girls day.

Our girls day started with lunch at Olive Garden with a beautiful cake and necklace as surprises!! We had a bit of confusion on timing of our massage which resulted in us having the giggles. The confusion was followed by an amazing massage at Natural Remedies Spa in Lancaster. Seriously check them out cause amazing doesn't even cover it. Then it was some girl bonding shopping time. A most wonderful day! Thanks to my bestie again!

I must say I was a spoiled brat this year! My family and friends are a true blessing.

~Rachel

My gorgeous cake 

Me and the bestie's goofy  photobooth pics

Our Spa fun

Birthday girl

Me and JSmitty

My cute box my necklace came in

My lamp Superman bought me

Flowers from the bestie

And flower from the hubby

Holy cow!

I can hardly believe it is March! I've been very neglectful of my blog lately. Sorry! Now that the holidays have past and we've made it through the birthday jumble, I think things can somewhat go back to normal.
Quick run down of my last couple months : December- car wreck that totaled my car but thankfully the kiddos were okay and I only had a minor injury. Christmas fun and family dinners. January: child free new year with the siblings and parents. Tons of fun! Lots of odd weather and cold days. February :birthdays, birthdays, birthdays! Including my 27th which I plan on posting about soon. The bestie and Superman really out did themselves. February also brought kindergarten registration for Photoboy. I can't believe how big he is getting!!!
I'm looking forward to March and all the plans it holds and I can't wait to share them!

Happy reading
~Rachel

Thanksgiving Injury

Thanksgiving was interesting to say the least.  My little family and I went to visit with my grandmother for our usual shindig.  Superboy decided that it's not a holiday without an injury.  While playing football with my 13 year old cousin, he fell and broke his arm.  It was a stressful day from then on out.

 

Superman took him into the local ER while I stayed with HRH and Photoboy at grandma's house.  My cousin decided to show himself and bring the family drama.  SB and Superman came back with a splint on because even though it needed an actual cast the worthless excuse for a hospital wouldn't call an orthopedic doctor in on a holiday. They just wanted met to make sure my 6 year old autistic child held very still until after the weekend. Um, no way!

 

We left and went to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. I cannot express enough my amazement with this hospital.  They had him back in less than half and hour and seen casted and discharged in less than an hour.  They were flabbergasted that the other hospital didn't cast his arm.  Needless to say I'm thankful the holiday is over. Ha Ha

 

 

I hope your Thanksgiving was less eventful than mine.  Bring on Christmas!

 

Superboy all smiles about his cast

 

 

~Rachel

End in Sight

There is finally an end in sight to the stormwork! Superman will be leaving NY on Monday and be home sometime Tuesday.  It has been a long couple of weeks but we've pushed forward.  Unlike some couples who've begun to fight with the stress of the distance, we have been doing well. Just a few tears from me after an overwhelming day with the kiddos.

 

 

This will be a short post because I'm getting everything ready for him to come home.  I'm so excited. Squee!

 

I love you my darling husband and I can't wait until you get home.

 

~ Rachel

At Wit's End

As we draw closer and closer to the one week mark of my husband's absence, I feel myself slipping a bit.  I'm completely at wit's end and have no idea as to how to fix it.  There are a couple of options but neither are appealing. Option one : mother-in-law comes to stay with me. Nope not happening! That's just as bad as having another child thrown in the mix. Option two: pull all my hair out and run screaming through the neighborhood. I'm pretty fond of my hair so I think I'll pass.

 

 

Truly I only have one option and that is to endure. All jokes aside this has been a very tough time for me and the kiddos.  Generally somewhere I get a break. Whether it's hubby coming home or the kids being in school. Superboy has been home sick pretty much all week while Photoboy has had a couple days off from preschool.  HRH is getting a new tooth and is quite unhappy that her daddy is nowhere to be found.  How do single mother's do it??? Or military spouses??? I can't imagine my husband being gone longer than the projected two weeks. My heart goes out to them.

 

Most times I get at least one kid free day a month. That hasn't happened in nearly two months. Between family being unable to help and sickness there's been no support or help. It's just me and the three kiddos. Going into this whole mess of storm work I was already spread thinly. Now I'm pretty sure I've been wearing my crazy hat for the past few days.

 

 

SB thinks its funny to repeat things over and over as if I didn't hear him the first hundred times and PB.....well PB is in that lovely four year old "I don't want..." stage. It doesn't help that he gets his stubbornness from his mama. 

 

 

Phew! I feel just a tad  better now. I'm sorry for the kind of rant like post. I promise I'll be more coherent soon. Ta ta for now

 

~Rachel

World Prematurity Day: Nov 17th

In honor of my sweet little nephew, Smidge who was born at 29 weeks, I am encouraging everyone to recognize World Prematurity Day.  There are many wonderful charities you could give to but I plan on giving to the Nationwide Children's Hospital. They have been so wonderful for Mr. Roboto and JSmitty.  I cannot thank all the doctors and nurses for caring for these people who have a huge place in my heart.

 

 

So here is to all the teeny ones out there! Please if you are able, donate to a charity for preemies.

 

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

 

~Rachel

A Bittersweet Day

Today was a bittersweet day for me.  It was the first time my husband had to miss a birthday party for one of our children.  Thanks to Hurricane Sandy he's been called out to help bring back power to those in New York. 

 

I'm immensely proud of him, but I just want to break down and cry today.  After all the family had gone for the night, and the kids were in bed I felt the loneliness creep up on me. Even though I'm completely exhausted from a day of nonstop running around I couldn't sleep if I wanted.  The house is too, too quiet. Funny how one thing changes and the entire vibe of a place is changed. 

 

Superman and I have been married for almost 7 years now. Today marks the first time we've ever been so far apart. Don't get me wrong we've had some time apart here and there over the years. Never have we been states away.  I feel my heart aching.

 

 

HRH did not feel her daddy's absence today, thankfully. She romped and played with her cousins and brothers. All in all her party was a success. A great big thanks to my wonderful family for being here.

 

 

And thank you to the Kroger bakery woman who made this outstanding smash cake. When I ordered it, I expected just something to match her cake. I expected something in the same color scheme icing wise. This wonderful lady found the Cinderella topper and thought it'd make a lovely smash cake. I almost cried at her sweetness. How often do you see someone go out of their way like that?  Not too often!

 

So with all my thanks given and my tears shed perhaps now I'll be able to sleep.  I doubt it will come to me easily with only half my heart.  Good night all. Hug your love tight!

 

~Rachel



The Wife of a Tree Worker

Sitting here with HRH eating breakfast and the boys playing, I try to prepare myself for a very long couple of weeks.  You see, my husband is a line clearance technician a.k.a. a tree trimmer for the power company.  With Hurricane Sandy's destruction, I knew it was only a matter of time until he was called out to help those in need. I still find myself selfishly wanting to ask him not to go.

 

 

Tomorrow is HRH's first birthday party and even though she'll never remember he wasn't there, I will. We are big on firsts in this family. Thankfully, by some weird fluke he overslept on her birthday and got to spend the entire day with us.  I'll be taping her party for him to watch later. Also, we'll be doing something extra special when he gets home.  I'm hoping with all the extra crews they get the situation resolved quickly.

 

 

Sleep is going to be a hard thing to come by in the following weeks. Without him by my side, I toss and turn constantly. The kids even sleep a little worse when he's away. Almost as if they sense my restlessness.

 

 

To all those effected by the hurricane, I hope you are all okay and get power back soon. Take care of my darling husband. I'm kind of attached to him.

 

~Rachel

More than Halloween

Today is more than just Halloween to me. Today is the day my darling little girl was born.  My princess is my rainbow baby. For those who haven't heard the term, a rainbow baby is a baby after a loss. Kind of like the rainbow after the storm.

 

 

HRH is now one! It is astounding to me that a year has passed already. Last year I had just delivered her in the car and was settled in at the nearest hospital basking with my family in the beauty of my daughter. Superman was wrapped from moment one. Here's our little story.

 

 

At three A.M. last year, I woke up with painful contractions. After being in false labor off and on for about two weeks, I knew it was time.  I timed them for about a half an hour then I woke my husband to tell him it was time to go. He thought timing contractions for another half hour would be smart. I guess after being sent home from the hospital a couple of times you get skeptical. Hehe.

 

At four the contractions had amped up, so it was wake the boys and call the parents. We were off to have a baby.  Our hospital was roughly an hour away. Being a stubborn woman, I wanted HRH to be born with the doctors I'd used for all my pregnancies despite our moving away.  The family still teases me for this. 

 

Halfway to the hospital, I tell Superman that we need to stop at the hospital that is closer and on the way. HRH was not waiting! Two minutes and a stop sign later, I yelled at him to pull over she was coming NOW! He said, "Don't push we can make it." Ummmm, I'm not pushing dear; she's just doing it on her own!  He whips into the fire station with the phone to his ear and in no time is at my door. From start to finish my labor was one hour and forty-seven minutes.

 

I watched as Superman was in awe of her and wrapped his brand new sixty dollar shirt around her messy little body. Then all of the firefighter/EMTs came out of the firehouse and got myself and HRH into the ambulance. My boys were a bit dumbfounded in the back seat. SB told me I needed to not scream in the car. Gotta love that kid. Haha.

 

 

In the ambulance, four (yes four EMTs were there. Waibel says its a big thing for them to get a birth) grown men huddled around my tiny little girl working to clean her up.  My mom, sister, mother-in-law and her brother all met us at the hospital shortly thereafter.  It was a hectic and blessed day.

 

 

Today, I'll probably just take tons of pictures and snuggle with my girl. Nothing quite as exciting as her birth but that's just fine by me. Her party will be this weekend and then we will settle back into normal life.

 

 

Happy birthday to my darling girl!

 

 

~Rachel

Hurricane Sandy

I just wanted to say to all those that are being hit by the hurricane, you are in my thoughts and prayers. It is my hope that Sandy does not do as much damage as they are saying it might. 

 

Stay safe!

 

~ Rachel

Yucky Sunday

I awoke yesterday  to goopy eyes, a sore throat and a horrible feeling of pressure on my chest. Needless to say, I spent most of the day in bed.  I was bummed because I had planned on taking the kiddos to the pumpkin patch.


The sickness also has ruined my plans for the week. I had planned to go help JSmitty finish up some moving things but with her little guy being in NICU I don't want to risk her getting this. All I can hope is that I get better by this weekend for HRH's birthday party. I doubt I'll be better by her birthday itself, Halloween.



Besides Sunday I had an enjoyable weekend. Hubby painted a mural on Smidge's wall after we helped JSmitty and Mr. Roboto move.  At one point, the bestie and I went a little kooky and became trash bag ninjas. He he.


Isn't my hubby awesome?


 

Trash bag ninjas



 

Our hubbies were not amused....well a little amused. Using contractor bags for our craziness probably wasn't the best plan. Oh wells we had worked hard all day and needed a good laugh.  I'm incredibly blessed with a friend who shares my odd sense of humor. :)

Well, I'm off to lie down in my supah warm bed and try to get some rest before PB has to go to school.

~Rachel


 

DIY diaper cake

I've been waiting to post this because it was supposed to be a surprise. Sadly, the diaper cake didn't make it to the shower. It did however make its way to the bestie's hospital room.

 

She had her little boy at 29 weeks!! Mama and bebe are doing well. Thank goodness! Now on to the cake.

 

 

 

I used size one diapers and a bag of rubber bands. Of course you could use any size you like. Just remember different brands roll to different sizes. I wish I'd thought of this BEFORE I started. Hehe. Oh well, all's well that ends well.

 

 

My supplies

 

 

Diapers all rolled up

 

1. Lay diapers face down and roll. Place a small rubber band. For this size cake I used 3 packages of size one diapers. Continue until finished.

 

2. Take a moment to appreciate the insane amount of diaper that you just rolled. I was amazed! Ha ha.

 

3.  As you can see in the second photo I have a toilet paper tube. I used this to make the rounds. Take a large rubber band and place it on the tube. Then take diapers and put them in a circle around the tube held tight by the rubber band. For a larger circle use a larger rubber band. Or for a smaller a smaller band.

 

4. Make three rounds. One small, one medium, and one large.

 

 

Photoboy admiring my handy work. He decided it needed a candle since it's a "cake".

 

5. After you've gotten the rounds completed, stack them one on top of the other.

 

6. Add ribbon around each round to hide the rubber band.

 

 

Completed cake

 

You can add embellishments like the paci clip I added to the top. Other things you could add are teddy bears, blankets, washcloths, etc. I've seen them done many different ways.

 

 

Tip: When carrying cake, be sure to place it on something. I made the mistake of carrying it as is, and the bottom layer fell apart in the parking garage of the hospital. Oops! Needless to say the cake didn't look quite so pretty.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy making your diaper cake. Please share any pics if you decide to make one. I enjoy seeing other's work  :)

 

 

~Rachel

 

 

 



Hectic

This month has been quite hectic so far. Between the bestie having her baby almost 11 weeks early and planning for my own little one's birthday I've had something constantly moving. Superman had his vacation last week so we took the kiddos to the county fair.  It was COLD! Phew! Next year I think we will go to an earlier fair. This mama can't take the cold. Hehe.

 

HRH is turning one on Halloween, so we have decided to make her party a costume party. She's gonna be a tutu princess. PB is going to be a clown and SB is going to be a power ranger. That is if I can find a power ranger costume!

 

All in all, October is one of our busiest months. I hope you stick around because there are some fun ideas brewing in my little red head. 

~Rachel

Special Offer

Starting now through December 1st you can receive a coupon for 10% off of your next order when you refer a friend and they make a purchase.  All they have to do is give your name at the time of order. Upon receipt of payment, I will enter your name into my referral list.  Easy peasy!

 

~Rachel

 

 



Children's Hospital

To say last night was eventful would be an understatement. Superboy and Photoboy are very rowdy boys and rough house often. Last night Superboy thought it'd be a grand idea to pull Photoboy's legs out from under him. Cue screaming, blood and an ER visit.

 

Photoboy is doing fine, but his once straight teeth are now crooked on top and he has one heck of a gash in his lip. The dentist on call at Nationwide Children's Hospital said the tooth may fall out but that there isn't much they can do. Poor brave little man took all of the poking and prodding like a champ. He didn't even accept pain medication! A much braver person than his mama because I'd have been begging for something. I can't stand pain in my mouth.

 

Superboy was quite distraught and apologized. Hopefully they both come away from this a little more careful. As for HRH she's just amazed at her brother. She laughs each time he speaks. Apparently she thinks he's putting it on for her amusement. Cause ya know it's all about her huh? Hehehe

 

So for now this mama is gonna have a sleepy cuddly day with her two babes and hopefully catch some much needed z's before SB gets home.

 

~Rachel

Giveaway success!

The giveaway was a great success! Thank you to all who participated and congrats to the lucky winner, Ambre Sautter!!

 

I'm deep in brainstorming for new ways to bring in some more business. Never would I have imagined my giveaway would have attracted so many entries.  230 entries total! Amazing!

 

 

What type of promotion would you like to see Ladybug Inspirations offer? Any ideas on what product you'd like to see made?

 

 

I can't wait to read all the fun ideas!

 

~ Rachel