Noemi Photography » Personal

My baby started kindergarten this week.

Noemi — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:46:07 +0000

I’ve been so busy i haven’t really slowed down to think about Adriah starting school. My little girl…She was so ready. She barely looked up to say goodbye. I’m so proud of her. There is something really beautiful about watching her at this stage. I think she knows that this is the beginning of something great. She is going where Leyton and Clara can’t and that makes it more special. She’s alone in this and she’s happy making new friends along the way.

But, there’s a part of me that’s torn…I want her for myself. I still want to have a say, pour into her and help her know the truth about who she is and what life is really about. I want to be a part of this growing/changing process. I know in the years to come I will have less and less influence and this is the right order of things…but knowing that mean I want to make the most out of every moment.

Last night when we were praying before she went to bed she said, “God I need to tell you something…tomorrow is – what’s that girls name who sits across from me? Ohh, Brianna! – tomorrow is Brianna’s birthday and I really want to have fun at school!”

Adorable.

I want to be there and see how she shines. She’s changing in front of me but, yet I still see the 1,2,3,4 year old when I look into those brown eyes. You know?

I think the whole change has been the hardest on Leyton. He cries every time we drop Adriah off and asks to be done when we’re in line to pick her up (an hour every time!) He’s been really whiny and i think it’s his 2 year old way of saying, “I miss my sister.” Break my heart. I’m cuddling (and wrestling) a little more these days to make up for it!

Here’s some pictures from her first day! (It could be an advertisement for the school but her and Avery are so stinkin’ cute!)

Happy Birthday Vicki!

Noemi — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:26:56 +0000

When I married Matt 10 years ago there were a few things I knew for sure.

1. I was never going to live in Canada again

2. I was going to go to Bethany Church

3. I was going to be friends with Dave and Vicki Willcock

My friendship with Vicki wasn’t instantaneous. It was a journey. Not cause we didn’t like each other because we did (well, I guess I should only answer for me…I did!) But, we were (and are) opposites in so many ways and trust had to be built. That doesn’t happen in an instant even though I wanted it to. Some things are worth the wait and this friendship is one of them. We had to walk many miles alongside each other and in the sharing of life we became incredible friends. Part of our journey is sharing the births of all 6 of our kids…Somehow it worked out for both of us! We both have a girl, boy, girl family of five now!

Vicki was my best kept secret for a few years…now I feel like everyone is in on it and they are delighted to know her too!

She’s the first person I would call in an emergency and I know she would always be there for me.

She’s one of the rare people that truly delights in serving.

She’s changed over the last couple of years…stronger, bolder in truth, and more confident walk forward even into the unknown.

I’m so proud to you Vicki. Proud to be your friend. Thankful you are in my life.

Here’s some pictures of Vicki loving life with her kids…love you Vick!

Being introspective…

Noemi — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:32:15 +0000

Life moves so fast. Sometimes I feel myself slowing down on the inside and listening to my thoughts. Today i didn’t like what I heard. I don’t know why I’m comparing and being critical – I know I could reason it out and say it’s normal but, I don’t want to be normal. I want to be kind and loving AND that means grace for those around me. I want that from others and I want to be that person who gives freely. I will give more.

I know I can ask forgiveness and start over so, I do. This afternoon is a new day. I want to focus on what is good and noble and wise and kind…and pray that it comes out of me too! I will let go of what is past.

Life is going fast and I don’t want to spend my time judging, being critical, angry, and selfish. But, i don’t think I knew that being a servant would be so hard. I can complain that I’m not naturally a servant but, I know I can learn so that’s not really an excuse. I have so many amazing women around me who serve and delight in it. I will rub shoulders with them and hope some of it rubs onto me. I will be teachable.

I want so much from this life. A big part of that is because of the people around me. I want to be a blessing and train my kids to that giving is truly better then receiving. The only way I know to do that is to model it…I will serve more.

Do you ever feel like you already give so much? Or that there’s nothing left to give? And definitely nothing left to keep for yourself? Today I was thinking that…but, I realized investing in those around me is all I have in this life. I will love.

whew. I feel better. Funny that i actually miss blogging my thoughts. They get so piled up in my head when I’m editing day and night. It was a good thing to just sit and write.

www.noemiphotography.com

Preparing for school…

Noemi — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:52:01 +0000

I printed out the Kindergarten list of “must haves” and I was shocked to find out it’s a full page! I know that’s something I’ll probably get used to but, I’m not there yet. So, I went with my list to TARGET and stood there with all the other Mom’s picking out everything needed. Good thing supplies are dirt cheap right now. I am a deal lover – why not save money if you can! (Have I ever told you about Pocket Your Dollars? It’s awesome. Every couple of days she sends out an email with deals all over the Twin Cities. I’m saving money all the time. Sign up – it’s free!)

I’m learning that school is expensive. Clothing, supplies, accessories…gulp. I know this is just the beginning I’ve heard what it’s like once they start in sports and activities. I guess we’ll just have to adjust the budget as we go Adriah is going to a Charter School so I’m investing (and I mean investing!) in her school uniform. She is going to look so cute! I will take pictures!

Since, I feel a little behind the ball…any wise words for the new school mom. Anything you’ve learned that I should know??? And I mean any-thing. From the first day to the last day. Us Moms need to stick together.

www.noemiphotography.com

Summer Bliss

Noemi — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:43:46 +0000

So today we made the 2 1/2 hour plane ride home from South Carolina. You’d think after yearly (and sometimes more) trips back and forth I’d be used to it but, flying with 3 kids (5 and under) has a certain unpredictability that keeps me on the edge. My comforts are that I have great kids, an extremely organized and patience husband AND no matter what…it’s only 2 1/2 hours of my life! Having said that the kids did great – not sure why I stress at all.

Spending 2 weeks in SC is medicine to my soul. Seriously. Every morning we start we lovely coffee (creamer and milk mostly), we plan our day…

1. pool

2. park

3. walks in the forest

4. visit our fav. restaurant (chick-fil-a) or try something totally new.

5. games (Settlers of Catan, Bocce Ball, Boggle, Scrabble)

6. uninterrupted time with my family

7. movies (old and new)

8. celebrating birthdays (anything in the next couple of months qualifies as close enough)

9. Dinners in – all the classics like Chicken and Noodles and Crepes

10. reading a novel from start to finish with every spare second I have.

All these things make a great vacation. Spending time with extended family who loves doing all these things with you…makes it a perfect vacation.

It’s good to be home. But, I have to say. I can’t wait to start planning the next vacation.

P.S. I took plenty of pictures and I can’t wait to share them with you!

www.noemiphotography.com

Happy “700 BLOG POSTS” Day!

Noemi — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:48:18 +0000

Can you believe it? Here’s a little something to make you smile! This was me as a child…LOL

www.noemiphotography.com

10 years is just the beginning…

Noemi — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:39:00 +0000

Ten years ago today (July 1st, 2000 – Canada Day) I married the man of my dreams. He was (and is) more then I ever hoped to find in a husband. I am blessed.

Now 10 years later I continue to fall more in love with him. Here’s a few of the images we had taken last summer. It totally captures us…

I love him more now then ever. Here’s to another 10years and many more after that!

Aren’t we cute?

www.noemiphotography.com

My baby is 5 months!

Noemi — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:16:39 +0000

I love you Clara Isabel Hedrick. You are my sweet little girl with dainty features and dimples. I can’t wait to see you with long black hair and those stunning blue eyes. Who would’ve thought I’d have 3 brown haired kids…not me.

Happy 5 months lovely lady. Being your mom is my joy.

www.noemiphotography.com

Partnering with Parks Canada and the HAIDA ship!

Noemi — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:43:22 +0000

Last year when I went home (Canada) to visit my family we spend a day touring one of Canada’s most famous War Ships…The HMCS Haida. It was incredible and of course, I took pictures and of course, I blogged about it so that you could follow my travels. Well, a representative from Parks Canada contacted me a couple of weeks ago saying they had found my blog and loved the pictures I took on the HAIDA! They asked if they could have my permission to use them for a 24 foot banner they are designing to promote the ship! I was totally stoked and of course, said “YES!”

Here’s my nephews and Adriah climbing on who knows what…and having a blast! I love being a photographer! Cool things happen to me all the time…comes with the territory I guess.

I’m totally smiling cause I love Canada and now everyone who boards this ship will know it!

www.noemiphotography.com

Vacation Fav. Moments

Noemi — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:02:37 +0000

Precious Clara on her first road trip to Canada…she did amazing considering it was two 10 hour days in a van!

Yes! She really is that tall

Yes! He really is that happy!

Moments when my family and I would get away and go to a park and let the kids run!

As a family we went to this pottery place for kids and adults…Adriah LOVED it! She painted for an hour straight! Here’s the cupcake treasure box she designed!

I created a serving plate to freeze this moment. I hope you can see the stick people that represent all the cousins and their different stages.

Lovin’ up on my nephews…muah!

Getting to spend time with my new niece Libby Angel.

Cousins in the pool on a hot day!

Adriah being the free spirit she is…

Leyton…getting up the nerve to jump like his sister!

I love my family.

www.noemiphotography.com

Something to brighten your day!

Noemi — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:35:29 +0000

Backyard summer fun at it’s greatest!

I love this next one. I feel like it should be a summer card…with the inside cover saying, “wish you were here!”

Love this next one…she was going soooo fast she almost slipped out of the frame.

Nothing like a little sun to cheer you up on this dreary day!

www.noemiphotography.com

The cutest little store in Prior Lake, MN

Noemi — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:46:35 +0000

I’ve been promising this post for a while and the truth is I took pictures of this gorgeous little shop (“Camille on Rouge”) and I can’t find them. Every time I go to post it I want to try looking again cause they would compliment the words so nicely. but. alas, I have decided you need to know about this store…pictures or not!

I found this jewel on it’s opening night and I plan to go regularly. I bought the perfect piece for my entrance and went back for a weathered folding chair for my porch! After talking with the owner I asked her if she wouldn’t mind sharing her story with me so I could post it on my blog. HERE IT IS! The making of “Camille on Rouge”…from Camille herself!

“A few things about me…I moved from Mankato in 2000. We lived in Savage for 7 years. During that time I started a decorating business out of my home and a became a Master Gardener from the University of MN. I volunteered for Scott County. I have a passion for decorating my home and garden. When I get bored I start house shopping. We moved to PL in 2007. This is my 6th house. I chose the house for me and the golf course for my husband. We live in the Wilds on the 17th fairway.

For the past couple of years I have been a dealer with a bunch of women at an occasional sale in Shakopee. I have always wanted my own shop of some kind. Dreamed of having an Italian restaurant. My husband always said no. When I graduated from high school I wanted to go to college to be an artist. My dad laughed me and told me I would not make any money. So I did not go to school, got a job at 3M in accounting and worked Corporate America for 25 years.

The junk I was accumulating around the house and garage was getting to my husband. He wanted his third stall in the garage back…Mark called me one day in January of this year and told me he found me a store to lease. He knew it had to be in PL in order for me to be happy… Close to home, 3 miles to be exact.

My friend Sue said I had to use my name in the business because I would be famous someday… Funny girl! Red is my favorite color, I love French decor and I was lying in bed one nite unable to sleep and was thinking about the movie “Molin Rouge”. That is how “Camille on Rouge” became…

My website is almost ready to publish and I just started Facebook… Hope to see you soon!” Camille

When you go visit tell her you read about the store on my blog. She’s going to love my readers!

www.noemiphotography.com

i feel like blogging…

Noemi — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:13:07 +0000

I’ve been blogging for a couple of years now and sometimes I blog because I need to process…this will be one of those times.

Last night my two year old boy (Leyton) woke up 3am with a fever of 101 degrees. After throwing up I brought him into the bathroom to clean him up and he had a seizure in front of me. I’ve heard of this happening to other mom’s but, let me tell you hearing about it and seeing your kid go through it are very different things. The seizure was fever induced…I didn’t know what was happening or what I should do. So, I just kept my hands on him and kept saying his name praying that he would come back to me. I’ve never had that feeling before. It was only about 30-45 seconds but it felt like eternity before his eyes focused and he looked into mine. I felt so helpless. I called the nurse hotline and they recommended we take him to Children’s Hospital. So, at 4am we dropped off Adriah at a friend’s house and took Leyton and Clara to the emergency room. I love Children’s Hospital but it holds many painful memories for both Matt and I…all those memories come back every time we’re there and this time we were there for our own child.

He’s fine now. We came home around 7am with the recommendation of getting a CATscan and an MRI next week…just to be sure. He continues to run a fever and doesn’t want to eat but, i can tell he’s on the mend.

I take comfort in the truth that my children are not my own. They belong to the Lord. I’ve dedicated each one to Him and He’s entrusted me to be their mom – for a time. It is my deepest delight and heaviest burden. My responsibility is to keep praying for my son. That I can do.

www.noemiphotography.com

“FANCY NANCY” B-day Party for Adriah and friends!

Noemi — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:44:46 +0000

having an excuse for 14 girls to dress up in their fanciest clothes is what a 5 year old b-day party is all about…Adriah loves to dress up!

It was adorable to ask the girls to curtsy and see what they did!

The was the pose she gave me when I asked for her Fanciest Smile!

Some of these girls will be friends through out their lives…these pictures will be priceless when they are teenagers together.

Pinata anyone?

Who says fancy girls can’t swing a bat?

When all the kids had their turns Cate stepped up and swung…one hit and she sent that tiara flying! EVEN IN HEELS!

Our “fancy” girl!

SILLY FACES!

Hope you this brings a smile to your face…I love these pictures.

www.noemiphotography.com

Vacation…one of my favorite things.

Noemi — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:29:55 +0000

There are so many things I love about vacationing…

-spending time with family

-waking up and deciding “What do we want to do today?”

-eating out! Anyone say “Tim Horton’s?”

-having time to take pictures

-sitting and talking and “catching up”

-meeting new additions to the family…I have a new niece (Libby Angel)

-cousins playing with cousins

-hearing Canadian-isms and smiling

-complaining about tax

-Presidents Choice Fudge Crackle ice cream (seriously one of the greatest things I’ve ever tasted)

-having family cook for me

-reading…can you believe it? I can’t.

-mmm Tim Horton’s

-ketchup chips.

I love Canada.