-My dad. I always knew he was intelligent, wise, and full of discernment. But I have been able to experience his…..wisdom….full force lately. And I am incredibly grateful I have him as my dad. My dad is cooler than your dad.

-Also, my mom. They both deserve two separate bullet points. My mom.. is amazing. And I have gone off about how awesome she is before. I’m just incredibly blessed with some great parents.

-Friends. This list could go on for awhile. For some reason, I communicate with the friends I really need to at exactly the right time I should. I have friends who know a lot about a lot, and are great encouragers. I have friends who don’t know a lot, and make me relax and get out of my head. I have friends who I can feel close with when there’s distance. I have friends who aren’t scared to tell me what I need to hear. I have friends who just listen. I have friends who get me out of the house. I have friends that remind me I’m not alone. I have friends who support me. I have friends who believe in me. I am incredibly grateful for the friends in my life.

-This WARM weather!!!! Ah. I am loving it.

-Work. Geez, so thankful for this. I don’t have a “normal” job, but I work every opportunity I get, and am thankful for those who provide that for me.

-Seasons. In almost every aspect of the term. Thankful for the spring and the growth and the sun. Also thankful for the different seasons of my life. It feels like I’ve been through 12 seasons in the past 4 months emotionally. But each one has taught me something. And I’m thankful for even the super crappy not fun ones.

-Zyrtec. This really helped Colin’s allergies when I switched from Claritin. I’m not a nurse, but I think over the years, he has built somewhat of a resistance to Claritin, and the new medication really helped cleared him up. Again, not a NURSE, but I know my kid. He can now play outside. Makes both of us way more happy!

-Flip flop weather. Again, with the weather, but I hate socks.

-Lists. I’m thankful for lists.

-This kinda plays into the previous “friends” point. But.. with all those friends, I’m thankful I can be real and myself with them, and I still have them as friends. I’m beyond thankful I don’t have to start over, get new friends, try to be someone I’m not. They know my strengths AND my weaknesses. I’m thankful I can be ME. My friends can see my low points, and don’t walk away. I don’t have to pretend. I can admit my many mistakes, ask advice, and try to work on my faults, while not having to push people away. This might seem trivial, but..imagine you lived a life where you had to perform and fake your whole life. And the moment people knew who you really “were”, you walked and pushed them away. Because you couldn’t deal with any confrontation or accountability. I’m just so thankful I’m doing everything I can do NOT be that person. That would be such a lonely life.

-The delete file option on Itunes. I am not allowing myself to listen to Adele. EVER again. Or The Civil Wars.

-The daily texts from my mom and dad telling me how much they love me, support me, and have my back.

-A small garden area at my apartment. Digging in the dirt is therapeutic.

-Megan Martin. For a few reasons. Her and Jason are just….cool people. And I’m thankful we’re friends. They are so relaxed and laid back and extremely easy to get along with! I miss seeing them every week at church. They are just…..good people. Good goats, as my brother would say. ALSO, her cat just had kittens, and I get two of them!!! One for each kid! We are BEYOND excited. I have never had to put a pet to sleep before, and having to go through that with Ella was one of the most difficult experiences I’ve ever had. I would wake up in the middle of the night with visions of my poor Ella laying there on the table, right before she went. Seriously, it was one of the saddest expereinces ever. For myself, and for my kids. I’ve NEVER seen Chloe cry the way she did over Ella. Talk about heartbreak!! It has gotten easier, with visiting the pet store, and the animal shelter. And than BAM, I remembered Megan’s cat just had kittens. So we went to go see them, and pick the ones we want. The kids are doing better, I am doing better, and I am SO thankful that Megan’s cat got knocked up! Haha : )

-I’m thankful I know how to be alone. I don’t need someone else to fill the void that is in my life. I don’t need someone to go grocery shopping with. I don’t need someone to fill the void of not knowing who I am. Yes, I have people in my life. And sure, I’ve had people in my life when I shouldn’t have to try to fill that void. But I don’t need that someONE to make me feel better about myself. I am learning that on my own. And that makes me such a stronger person.

-I woke up with a song in my head this morning. And I don’t normally listen to her, except with Chloe, because she LOVES pop music.. But.. I woke up with Christina Aguilera’s song “Fighter” in my head this morning. And it was…exactly the song I needed to be playing through my head today. Ha. I know, I know….Christina Aguilera? (disclaimer, she is an AMAZING singer, dang) But I went and read the lyrics, and when I got rid of all my “preferences” towards her (like….freakin’ cover those suckers UP!) , and just read the words.. It was completely random and perfect for today. And I might not be able to OWN all of the words, but I’m on that road. And knowing that I’m headed that way makes things easier. A couple of lyrics stands out…and they are – (Try to read without thinking of Xtina, haha)

“Cause if it wasn’t for all that you tried to do, I wouldn’t know
Just how capable I am to pull through”

“I heard you’re going round playing the victim now
But don’t even begin feeling I’m the one to blame
‘Cause you dug your own grave
After all of the fights and the lies ’cause you’re wanting to haunt me
But that won’t work anymore, no more,
It’s over”

“You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself
Through living in denial”

“You thought I would forget
But I remember”

-There’s a lot I remember that I wish I could forget. So many scars, so many memories, so much hurt. I’m thankful I’m trying to learn how to move past that. I’m thankful that what I’ve done, the mistakes I’ve made, and who I was, doesn’t define me. I’m thankful I can see a life without chains. I’m thankful I can HAVE a life without the burden that has always brought out the absolute worst of me. I’m thankful I have a future, a life, and a purpose.

I had a blast photographing this event! Even though I was so nervous beforehand. It had been a long time since I’ve taken a picture, yet alone taken the CrazyBooth out. I was out of practice with setting it up, and it took me longer than I was expecting, but I finally got everything up and going, and it was a great night. Everyone was a great sport and seemed to enjoy it.

I would share all 175 pictures with you if I could, but I thought that post might get a bit lengthy. So I decided to just share the “funny” ones with you. Ha, even editing these was fun!

Enjoy!

The calendar consists of historical and/or pretty places around Franklin, Fulton, and Cumberland Co.’s. There were very specific places I had to travel too, and I actually discovered a lot of new places I’ve never been before. It was all around a great experience! 

Thank you Melissa for thinking of me, working with me, and making one of my dreams come true!

Below is the order of the calendar. Some months have two pictures. If you want one, shoot me an email! I’d be happy to share! Enjoy!

Locations are as follows: Franklin Co Historical Society, Tayamentasachta, Dykeman Pond, Renfrew Museum and Park, Burnt Cabins Grist Mill, Chambers Fort Park, Local Landscape of Fulton Co, Mont Alto Emmanuel Chapel, Fulton House, Children’s Lake, Norlo Park, Two Mile House.

Becka was so much fun, easy to get along with, so sweet, so kind. And that smile! That smile made my camera HAPPY! Thanks Becka for allowing me to capture your inside and out beauty!

Enjoy!

-My life is dramatic. Some say it’s because I’m a dramatic person. Some say it’s because I like conflict. Some say it’s because I think too much. It’s all of those things. I’m dramatic because I don’t put up with normal things that people easily write off and don’t care about. I’m dramatic because I care too much about stupid stuff. Sometimes it’s good, most of the time it just gets in people’s way.

-My life at this moment a week ago was literally the complete opposite of what it is today. And I, ever in a million years, would have or could have guessed things and people could change that drastically so quickly.

-I guess that’s just me being dramatic again.

-I went to go buy all new Christmas ornaments this evening. A few years ago I bought black ornaments, and mixed them in with silver and white ornaments. They don’t make black Christmas balls anymore. I was bummed.

-My cat jumps into the refrigerator whenever I open the door. It’s so odd.

-She’s also more dog like of any cat I’ve ever known or seen, and I love her for that.

-Ella strangely knows when I need space from her or when I need her close, and does accordingly. That isn’t a cat thing. She’s perfect for me. I didn’t think cats could read emotions as well as she does. Ella is a wonderful pet. She will be getting a load of catnip and those gross smelling treats she loves so much in her stocking this year.

-I love Christmas time for two reasons. Christmas Blend at Starbucks and Harry Connick Jr Christmas music. Everything else about this month sucks.

-Speaking of Christmas, I just bought my daughter 50 glittery snowflakes that I will be hanging on her ceiling for Christmas decorations. We went to the South Mountain Inn for Thanksgiving this year, and they decorated a dining room with a whole bunch of snowflakes that Chloe loved. I think it’s going to look awesome!!!!!

-Yeah……Thanksgiving. I didn’t cook for the first time in 14 years. I’ve always had a major role in the Thanksgiving dinner, even as a teenager. And I didn’t do a thing this year. It was heavenly. I helped a friend out prepping her bird, and she made the one I always make. So at least I know the bacon wrapped maple turkey still lived in infamy, or died in infamy I guess… and even if it wasn’t for me, I know it was enjoyed.

-There are some things you don’t ever want to be proven “right” on. Usually when you say (or think) “I told you so!” you feel some sort of enjoyment from it. It sucks when that thing you always believed deep down in your heart, and everyone fought against you on, turns out to be 100% true. You always knew it… But the moment when you have a specific “proven right” date……really sucks.

-I know a lot of people’s secrets. When I think about it….people should be nicer to me. To my face AND behind my back.

-I am able to say my last “random thought” because I have absolutely nothing in the world to lose.

-I am also able to say that because I know it won’t change anything.

-Wow, I feel like this random thoughts is depressing, bitter, and negative.

-I also feel like no one really reads this anymore anyways… so it doesn’t really matter. I feel like I’m just talking to the internet, and anyone who might read this, besides my mom, is probably just judging me anyways.

-Trying to think of something positive and light hearted to say………..

-It’s hard for me to think of something positive and light hearted to say.

-I’m not in a good place right now. I’m def in a “I don’t give a shit” phase. (sorry for the language mom) I feel like I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life trying to make something work while simultaneously trying to to destroy it. And now that everything is said and done… I just feel like I wasted so much time. I lost so many opportunities. I messed up so many things up. I hurt so many people. I gave up on so many dreams. I didn’t do what I really wanted to do with my life. And it’s so hard to try to get back into the “you have your whole life ahead of you” phase. I feel like that moment has passed. I feel so inadequate.

-I’m not as resilient as someone thinks I am.

Pretend this statement is a picture

Thanks Frey Family for a great shoot and fun times!!!

Enjoy!

These kids are a riot and crack me up. I always have a good time trying my absolute hardest to get them to be my friend and smile for me. They don’t make my job easy, but it’s VERY rewarding if/when it happens! The effort is worth it, and I always have a good time with them!

Thanks Kirsten, Charlie, Nolan, and Caroline!! Until next time :)

Enjoy!

She was so sweet and gorgeous!!! I love all her freckles and think they are just so beautiful! I also finally met the mom of the group, Missy, who just cracked me up the whole time. Missy is a riot and it was so entertaining and hilarious to spend an hour with her. This was a really fun shoot with a lot of laughs and some gorgeous photos. 

Enjoy!

]]> http://ashleighschwindt.com/blog/2011/11/blair/feed/ 1 http://ashleighschwindt.com/blog/2011/10/nicholass-first-day/ http://ashleighschwindt.com/blog/2011/10/nicholass-first-day/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:40:50 +0000 Ashleigh http://ashleighschwindt.com/blog/?p=3862 It snowed today. I hate snow. I hate hate hate snow. I don’t enjoy being cold, or shoveling, or driving in the snow, or even playing in the snow. And it snowed today. IN OCTOBER!!!! I remember, as a kid, when it snowed on Halloween. Even getting a huge bag of candy didn’t make snow okay. I just throw my fists up in the air with a big “Grrrr!!” to the snow. We’re not friends. 

So, like I was saying, it snowed. And I realized I have sessions I haven’t blogged from when it was nice and warm and sunny and pleasant outside. So tonight I am sharing one of those with you to enjoy. And for me to remember the warm times. :)

You guys are all familiar with the Schlotterbeck’s and their presence on my blog. They asked me to take pictures of Nicholas’s first day of school. Like I said in my Sneak Peek, I was more than thrilled. I love photographing this family. They are all so gorgeous and super photogenic, which makes my job really easy! I know it’s two months later, and Nicholas is an old pro at his school career now, but it would be a shame to not share these with you, even if they are super late. C’mon guys, you know how I am with blogging!! And besides, it’s still that reminder of a time without coats, gloves, scarves, and boots! It’s gonna be a long winter…….

Enjoy!

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