We spent so much time together as a family – starting from the moment we began our first day of homeschool (quick side note: I can tell already I’m going to like this new schooling!) to the last moment of the girls’ bath tonight where we tucked them in their warm beds with their fleecy pajamas … but hold on. Let me just say something first.

Sometimes I get accused of having a perfect life. Or at least, writing about my life on the blog like it’s perfect. Pffft.

Can I just clarify that right now? It’s NOT perfect … it’s ridiculously stressful at times … my husband works very long, late hours and is on call many nights of the week, we often pass each other in the day as I head off to a shoot and he comes home to watch the girls and then I scoot back and he goes back to work till late into the night, sometimes I have so much laundry waiting to be put away in my hallway that it’s probably a fire hazard to the safety of my family, my meals are not always planned, my dog barks every time someone rings the door bell (and that really is annoying) and there is a never ending supply of hand prints on all glass surfaces of my house. I rarely get time to go out alone (which doesn’t bother me so much now) or have down time, one of the most special people in my life is not talking to me right now and I can’t remember the last time I got a pedicure (that is shameful, I know).  Things are not perfect by any means.

But on the flip side … I have a lot to be grateful and smile about. Family, for one. And I really do believe we need to find happiness in our circumstances, no matter what. With my husband being a funeral director, we are reminded DAILY of how precious life is … how it’s honestly, truly ridiculous to hold a grudge when you have no idea what life will bring you tomorrow … how special family ties are … and how lovely friends are when they know you inside and out … and how WONDERFUL a day off can be with loved ones … like today.

Today, Abby was home (which doesn’t always happen on a holiday).  And today, we started our homeschooling. I was eager to start, to see if I could handle it, to see if the routine would work, to see if I was crazy …

But it worked. And it was great! (And I quickly realized how much my husband loves science, so guess what he’s going to be teaching from now on?) And I can’t wait for more days like that … at one point, he was sitting in the living room – all three girls on his lap – reading the science text to Lacey (Grade 1) with a warm cozy fire in the fireplace going and everything was just bliss. I know every day will NOT be like this … but today was … and I am grateful.
After school, we headed visited an elderly friend in his new apartment, helped Abby dig out a grave (again, strange, I know – I never thought I’d be saying “Watch you don’t fall into the grave, girls!” to my kids!) and then  to the Orangeville fall fair where the girls, amid huge excitement and cheers, won what they had been asking for: a goldfish.

It was a very windy day. Yes, I do brush my girls’ hair. And no, I haven’t adopted a boy .. this is their BFF, Dawson. He won Lacey the blue dolphin. He was so proud and she was so happy.

But the fish really stole the show.

Abby was really into it. Turns out, they won a fish no matter if they got the ping pong ball in the jar or not. (Now that’s my kinda carnival game.)

Lucia was fascinated with her itty bitty goldfish.  I remember, as a little girl, winning a goldfish at a carnival one summer. I hope my girls remember today, as well.

Fabulous day … although I’m going to have to really watch those fish. Just caught Lyla with her little hand in the bowl, trying to ‘pet’ one … wish the fish luck, please.

Also, I’ve been meaning to post these pictures – we shot them last week during the heat wave we had. Hard to believe, soon, we will be adding a fourth child to the family … 33 weeks along …

At the end of such a beautiful day and I look down and see the baby kicking away (yes, I can see it! It’s a mover and a shaker!) … and I do feel blessed. And I am so grateful for the good things life brings – I’m not saying there are no bad times or that I’m not tired after running after the girls all day – but just saying … it’s time to focus on that good in our lives. It’s so very important.

Be blessed. xo

- their shoes will last longer

-no school lunches to pack –

- we can school in our pjs, if we wish so …. (don’t worry, I will encourage dressing for my children, but hey, right after having baby, I might just want to stay in my pjs for a few hours in the morning and I think that should be allowed!)

- no rushy mornings to get the kids all dressed up for winter and off to school with a toddler, preschooler and newborn in tow …(it really is a ridiculous process here in the north – you wouldn’t believe all the winter gear the kids have to wear in order to play outside! It’s exhausting!)

- cozy warm lessons together by the living fireplace in the dead of winter (can you tell my mind is turning to the winter months now?)…

Ahhh, yes, we are all looking forward to this new journey together … pencils are sharpened and now just have to get hubby to fix the printer. I haven’t used it in years, but suddenly am needing to print quite a few fun things for school projects this week. Better dust off those cobwebs from the ink cartridges.

Wish me luck!

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Jennifer has been anxiously awaiting her Trash the Dress sneak peek … we had so much fun with this session. Keri from Sassy Sweet Pea came along to assist with hair and such and it was great fun having an extra hand for ideas, etc. Shelley Heath was the makeup artist for this shoot and did a fabulous job!

She was really workin’ it by now …

One of my faves.

and to change things up, we used a pool (thank you, Tracy!) for the water part of the session …

and Jennifer was even brave enough to try some photos underwater (which is a lot harder than it looks!) … our time together altogether was so much fun. I absolutely LOVE doing the TTD sessions!!

And did I mention that Jennifer brought me a bag of little mini chocolate bars to eat during the shoot? Seriously. How sweet is that? She really knows how to get on  a pregnant woman’s good side, eh?

All day, my awesome mom and amazing Grandma slaved away in my kitchen teaching me the fine art of … preserving.
Oh yeah, canning at it’s best, I tell ya.  My mom and my grandma both are Master Canners with years and year of experience to pass on to my generation, a gift I gladly accepted today, despite the sweaty brows, aching feet & backs and tomato splattered kitchen floor.

Together, we canned tomatoes, dill pickles and salsa. I wanted to do more but my eyes are bigger than my energy levels right now. Still ….. Heaven. I tell ya – we bottled pure Heaven in a jar.

My hubby already cleared out a big shelf in our century-old basement for my canning project when I warned him his mother-in-law and grand-mother-in-law were coming over, armed with huge boiling pots, can lifters and wide-mouthed-jars for our canning adventures. At first, he just sighed. He remembers the ‘old days’ … when I was just learning to cook and left chicken broth in the crock pot “stewing” for five days. Yes, friends, that smell doesn’t leave your memory too soon. But I think, I just think, we may have shocked the socks off my doubting hubby’s feet when he came home to a scrumptious, amazing meal made with delicious, fresh homemade sauce …

{interjecting here to say I am the luckiest daughter/grand daughter on earth to have these two beautiful women in my life!!}

We used a pressure canner to speed up the process. We had one heck of a time trying to find one but finally had someone offer to lend us one for the day – apparently, they are “what farm people use” (from what the local kitchen people said when I asked where I could buy one) and are rarely carried in kitchen stores. I can’t wait to own one. Guess I’m a qualified  “farm person.” Fine by me.

Gee, it looks like mom and gramma did all the work. I just sat down and took pictures.

When I was a little girl, I thought my mom made Dale Pickles, not dill pickles … thought they were named after my dad, Dale. Dale, Dill – scrumptious either way.

A labour of love – and sweat and some laughter mixed in between.

I’m not sure what I should can next … does anyone have any tips or suggestions? I’m on a roll here!

Also, another big thing happening in the Gauthier home … I’ve been wondering how to write this out on the blog and just can’t seem to find the words to explain it all or the reasons behind our decision … when I have it all figured out and clearly written, I will definitely blog it … it’s a decision that is very near and close to my heart.

We have decided to  homeschool the girls.

For now. To try it out. To see where it takes us. There are a lot of reasons behind this – almost too many to write out here. We loved, loved loved the school Lacey attended for kindergarten but strongly felt this is where our family was being led for this year. Yes, I know some people may think I’m crazy (and they are probably right) and others might think I’ve lost it especially with a baby on the way (also correct) … and there will be lots of questions to go along with this decision but for now … we know this is the right decision for our family. I know of several families with a similar setup – running a photography business, homeschooling their children and still surviving so I know it can be done. There’s also an amazing homeschool network here in Dufferin County that I can tap into.

Today, the first of the curriculum arrived in the mail. I am beyond excited… and so is Lacey! She’ll be studying Grade 1 and we’ll also incorporate junior kindergarten for Lyla this year, as well.

I’ll be adding a section to the blog to help you follow along in our homeschooling adventures … stay tuned … I’m sure there will be a TON of ‘interesting’ stories to share.

Let the adventures begin!

Miranda is due in a few days so I really wanted to get her sneak peek up before baby is born … this baby is longed for, loved and oh so desired … Miranda, you are stunningly gorgeous in your maternal beauty- may God bless you as you enter this new chapter of your life! xo

Introducing the Gigi Photography iphone app!

Yah, okay, so I know that’s not a REAL excuse to go out and buy an iphone, but hey, it’s kinda fun, right?

Get your Gigi photography app here!

Each day, there will be a new “Photo of the Day”, along with easy access to get a hold of the studio. If you see your photo on the photo of the day, make sure to write it on the facebook wall and you will receive a gift from the studio!!

Have fun downloading!

And hard to believe I will be holding my very own fresh newborn in a few weeks! *so excited*

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below … and by the way, that wasn’t the red couch! It’s a different couch altogether … so we still have the red as an option! Now we just have blue to add into the mix!

I only have one sister. And I love her dearly. She’s awesome – she sews her own purses, raises chickens, creates amazing body products and is a good mom to her two children. Sadly, she lives half a country away from me and every day that she is gone, I miss her more. Sisterhood is a special thing … treasure it ….

The summer is quickly and quietly coming to a fast end … but the fields of flowers and the golden rays of the summer sun still linger in the countryside … this is one of my favorite times of year to work outside …

I was inspired today. Created a new prop for myself and had my (amazing) husband drop it off at the field of choice … I do think my clients honestly thought I was nuts … and I had a feeling they weren’t too sure with how the session went with a few tears from the children and my crazy, giant blue couch in the middle of a field… so I wanted to put their minds at ease and post a few of the pictures (even though I know this is out of order in my blog posting).

{It was great meeting your family, Stacey!}

I also want to do a giveaway … it’s been SO long since we’ve done one – as the summer months were just so busy. But now, as we gradually ease into a regular routine again, let’s throw the spotlight on a pretty awesome business I came across while online the other day.
Introducing Goat Milk Stuff. The good kinda soap. The kinda soap that is safe and healthy to use on your wee one’s skin …the kinda soap you will want in your household and on your skin.

Four years ago, the Jonas family, located in Indiana,  decided it was time to create a healthy, chemical-free alternative of soap for their children …the end results were so impressive, they’ve decided to share it with all of us (Yay for us!). This awesome family of 10 raises their own goats, milks them and creates their own soaps. I love their story … it’s so inspiring!

With my new baby arriving in October, I was looking for something gentle to be used on his or her skin … if you’re looking for the same thing, this is the soap:  this one in particular.

Goat Milk Stuff is offering one lucky blog reader three bar soaps (your choice for what kind) – and because I find those contests where you have to do so much just to enter … let’s make this super, duper, amazingly simple. All you have to do is leave a comment here on this blog post. That’s it. And your name will be entered to win three bar soaps from Goat Milk Stuff. We’ll draw a winning name at the end of the week.

Happy weekend!

And there’s something to be said about a long-lasting marriage in today’s society, don’t you think? Wendy & Barry celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary with a gift of photography from their four children, children in law and grandchildren …

Where it all began …

And four beautiful children and 36 years later …

(Don’t worry, guys, I have a more formal photo than this but I loved this shot with all the smiles … and Talia’s serious look … she thinks you’re all nuts …)

Most of you will recognize my gorgeous, darling friend, Tamara and her awesome family. Tamara and I share lots of stories of our “interesting” lives as moms to many little ones – she’s a precious friend and I just love sharing our journey together!  What a gorgeous gang, eh? Do they not look too young to have kids?! You guys really made my job easy. And HELLO. I LOVE all the pink!

Happy six months, Elleora – you are such a precious gift from God!!

Gavriel has a pretty big job, protecting all his little sisters …

and adorable little Roan …

{awww…}

It was awesome photographing your family, Wendy & Barry! Happy (belated) anniversary. xo

Sweet little Devan’s session happened to be booked right on his third birthday so we celebrated with cowboy hats, lassos and brightly coloured balloons. He enchanted me with his darling little voice as he would say, “Howwdddy, pa’tner!” and tip his cowboy hat a tiny bit forward.

What a charmer.

Okay, now I want a little boy just like this … too cute…

How cute is this little man? By they way, his mom did a fantastic job with all his outfits … way to go, Sara!!! I love it! And make sure you check out her website - Mums n’ Chums … it’s a fantastic resource for mothers and parents.

Thank you again, Sara, for an awesome session with your little man … it was absolutely divine…