As a little girl, I remember how anxious I was for Spring Break to arrive. Not only did it signal a pause from the everyday monotony of going to school, it meant sunshine on my face, bare feet, and the chance to run around with nothing much to do.

What could be better?

The best part about growing up on an old farm with acres of land to explore, was that adventure lay just outside my doorstep…that is, as long as my Grandpa (Pappy) would set us free. Sometimes he would get worried when we would disappear down the creeks, up over the hill, or through the woods. We never understood why. What could happen? It’s just wide, open, magical space? And then, always too quickly, after two beautiful weeks of break, back to school we went for 2 more months.

Each Spring I still feel it….almost as if the freshness in the air sweeps in and intoxicates my senses, forcing me to pause from daily tasks. I start dreaming of time out in the yard tending to my flowers, taking the kids exploring, and lazy family picnics in the park. Every year it’s the same….Spring brings its magic and rebirth once again, and we’re all reminded of simplicity, beauty, and a sense of adventure that awaits-perhaps just outside our doorstep.

And so today we have a to-do list that’s a pile high over here: laundry, housework, papers for the kids to write, Latin to study, clothes to switch out in rooms, emails to write, albums to design….and on, and on. But, we’re packing up our school books this morning and driving 15 minutes up the road to my house where I grew up. I’ll visit the magnolia tree that I climbed with my brother, and share with the kids that sometimes the smallest and most simple things in life can sometimes be the most special. Hang on to those. Today, we’ll spread out our blanket, and do our schoolwork with the sun on our faces.

Because truly, what could be better?

I have a confession to make….

I have been majorly, wonderfully, and inexcusably enjoying life.

We took a much needed blog break the last couple of months. Thank you for your patience as we made this conscious choice to revive, reload, and rejuvenate our sense of creativity. We’ve stayed busy and have been shooting (although not blogging), but personally I have allowed myself to take time when I would have otherwise rushed through life. My motto had become: “Live by the second.” Instead, over break, I’ve enjoyed everyday living, processes, and just soaked up simplicity. Because really, I’m a simple-living girl at heart. And it has been oh-so good.

This winter break did wonders for my soul and personal growth, I tell ya.

A few months back I had a major epiphany. Being a rule follower (it’s my secret type A side), once I’ve established something to be a certain way, it’s a struggle for me to see it any other. Quite unfortunately, I now see that since the inception of our business, I dug a hole for myself with….THE BLOG.  I have been stuck in there ever sense.  Perhaps you can relate?  I own and run my own business, take care of our home, we cook 3 meals a day, and home-school our four kids. Oh….and I had dedicated myself to blogging a preview of every session we shot, typically within 1-2 weeks (no pressure there), and on average spent 15 hours weekly on blog preparation. Huh-what?! I realized I was coveting people who actually enjoyed evenings and weekends.  I was working every night, and weekends that weren’t spent shooting were completely dedicated to the computer. This allowed no time to-JUST BE. To breathe. At all.

One day, a 100-lb. brick of wisdom knocked me upside the head.  Seriously, what in the world was I thinking?!? Why did I choose to box myself into this? It sucks to be placed in a box, but to wake up to the reality that YOU put yourself there is a whole other level.

We love photography. We love our family. Finding the balance that works between the two is a necessity to us, or else one always gets shortchanged in someway. Let me just say, it hasn’t been the business.

This has been a long needed change, and I feel guilty for letting it go on for so long, but I’m so happy to finally wake-up to this. I plan to blog this year, and often, but the material posted may be different-along with fewer rules placed upon myself. It will serve as a source for what inspires us, and our creative endeavors. Brett and I are excited about this change, and have so many ideas in the works to share.

To those of you out there that support us, follow us, listen, and are sources of inspiration- THANK YOU.

This is just another step down our path…..

jess & Brett

 photo by Sarah Rhoads