I am just a girl in the world

....and my brain has just been a bit confused as to where exactly I am in the world. But the good news is, I am moving. And I even might dare to say that I am moving forward. I guess most people can keep track, and really, it shouldn't be that much harder for me. I think it's because my mind has been thousands of places these days. For those who I haven't talked to lately, it's official: I've decided that I am not going to live my dreams in my next life....it's going to be here and now. And so with that, I took the very official step of legally creating my photo business in Denmark. Pop. Champagne :) And I've booked my first few clients for September. Double pop :)

I am still not sure what this all means. And I am scared. And unsure. And what if I fail and fall very hard on my butt? What if...? What if...? What if...? But I am ready. I am ready to shape my life in the way that I REALLY want it deep down.

I know I am, even if the chicken in me wants to find thousands of reason why I should keep putting this off....so I'll just say, go away chicken, you are so not welcome at my house anymore!

Here's to new beginnings! And here's to my friends who graciously let me go all paparazzi on their kids :)

Little Emily and her sister Naomi were quite a treat to photograph....because, seriously, look at these little girls. They are pure cuteness. And full of energy that's just contagious. And just plain adorable. And also because, whenever I am clicking my shutter to put them in my little black box, somehow, the scary chicken goes far far away and all that's left is that feeling of wanting more and more of this.

And that, I like. A lot.

Xoxo.

Better than a chill pill

Things have been spinning pretty fast these past few weeks. Between Olivia's baptism, the load of happy Frenchmen that invaded our house for two weeks, and getting ready for the workshop in Seattle, it feels like summer is just slipping through my fingers.

But today Olivia and I managed to escape the house for a few hours for a little play date with the happy little kiddos and mothers of the mothersgroup I belong to.

There is just something about watching little ones that set my mind at peace and tell my brain "Ok. ok. Everything is ok. Relax now and enjoy". No chill pill would have a better effect on me!

And look at these babies, I would just eat them all if I could. Some future heartbreakers these little ones, let me tell you :) Elias kept looking at me with a "what the heck is this lady with the black box doing" look on his face - so had to share a picture of that :)

They are all changing so fast - now we are starting to see their little bottoms moving in all directions. Up in the air for those who are about to crawl. And down sitting all by themselves. Look at Sara's big smile that says "I am a big girl now and it's so cool :)"




Truly, a nice break in the crazy week. It just reset my mind on what is important right here, right now. As they would say in Denmark - tak for en dejlig dag :)

Celebration!

The past week have disappeared I don't know where. I guess having twelve people staying at your house will do that to you :) And it has been one celebration after another....after another.

Troels's birthday. His grand-pa's birthday. Olivia's baptism. Norway kicking the French soccer team's butt last night. And believe me, all that celebration.....that's a lot of empty bottles! :)

Olivia has been a happy little girl all week. Because, yep, when Marraine Soaz is around, Olivia is smiling ALL the time :)

And to top it off, it was her party. Her very own party.

Olivia had a blast at her baptism. I am no making it up. She smiled and laughed the whole time we were in the church, so much that the pastor had a hard time focusing on what she was saying. Way to go Olive. I guess she felt good in the church, maybe she found her calling ;)

As much as Olivia was laughing, it didn't help make the sun come out. Buckets and buckets of water poured down, so we stayed under the big tent in the garden, all cosy, eating and drinking all afternoon.

And that's when I realized, I couldn't have cared less about the rain. Because all I really needed was under that tent. My family, my friends, all laughing together.

And there is another person that was super happy at the baptism: my wonderful hubby :) Ever since we started planning the baptism, he only had one idea in mind: to roast a pig. Asterix and Obelix style. He doesn't joke around this kind of stuff.

And he did. He roasted a pig. Checking out Youtube the night before to figure out how to do it. And we doubted we would have anything to eat at the baptism. But he did it. And he rocked it out.

The meat was so good people went for fourth and fifth serving before they knew it. And now, knowing him, he likes to up challenges....so what are we going to roast for the next party, baby? A cow? An elephant maybe? :)

xoxo, Audrey

Lucky

People, I feel so lucky. Like, very, huber-duper lucky. Not that I usually don't feel lucky, but these days more so than ever and I will tell you why. It is because....

*...I have this beautiful happy wonderful little girl. I don't have enough words in my vocabulary to say how she's changed our life.

And we are getting all of our family together around her for her baptism this Sunday. And I can't wait for it all! I've been in party planning mode for the past few days....and most of you will know what that means.....I go C.R.A.Z.Y with my little hands :)

Friends and family are going to be staying with us for the next couple of weeks. Since I am always "complaining" that this house is too big for us....well I guess I get what I am asking for! We'll see how it handles 12 people :D

*...Of wonderful time spent with friends. We hadn't seen Pia and Clotilde in more than a month, and we missed them so!

Clotilde has changed so much, she used to be shy and quiet, and Saturday I found the smiliest of little girls laughing at all the faces I made for her. Next week baby swimming starts again....the girls are ready for more troubles together :)

*...They picked me! Out of 120 videos submitted....they picked me to be one of the oh-so-lucky six people who will get to spend a week in Seattle with the wonderful Jasmine Star to learn about wedding photography. I still can't believe it. It blows my mind. There were photographers out there with much better videos, and much better photo skills than me. This is beyond cool, and it's going to change me in my life in so many ways, oh I can just feel it. J*, you're are just rocking my world!

This life just rocks. And part of me is afraid that this is all too good to be true, that at some point I am going to have to "pay it back", that something really bad is going to happen. But you can't leave in fear of what might happen right? So, I'll just enjoy the ride, and just the most out of what comes my way.

On my way back to Seattle?

...well, not forever, but at least for this epic 5-day CL wedding photo workshop with Jasmine Star. Oh be still my heart :) Anyway, now my video submission is in.....not perfect, but I had oh-so-much-fun making it. So really, all I can do now is cross my fingers, pour myself a nice margarita, and hope they help me end the strike soon ;)

xoxo, Audrey

Audrey Smit's entry - Jasmine Star + Creative Live wedding workshop from Audrey Smit on Vimeo.