H O M E | July in Review

Goodbye, Arizona!

After being in the desert for three months, we packed up and hit the road. Homeward bound!

It took us four days to get from AZ to MN.

Traveling at 22 weeks pregnant with a 1.5 year old that doesn't like his carseat and a small chihuahua that shakes and whimpers when he gets nervous... I really wouldn't recommend it to anyone! Those four days tested every ounce of our patience... but can you imagine the relief we shared as we drove across the Minnesota state line??

Excitement, relief and a huge exhale.

After arriving in the twin cities we moved into a temporary townhouse. Did I mention we had a huge change of plans at the start of the month?  My hubby had a job opportunity that he just couldn't pass up and it landed us in the suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

So now we're here, half unpacked and we're house hunting in a crazy way. I think we've seen close to 10 homes so far! The market in this area (I guess all over!) is just bonkers. We're close to finding "the one" though and I hope to have a super positive update next month!

Between the madness we've spent a lot of time with our family that lives here, it's truly been the biggest blessing. Oh, and the park. Clockin' hours in at the park!

My last bump picture of the month catches me at 24 weeks pregnant. Unreal how fast this pregnancy has gone... but I guess I'm not too surprised! We're all set up at the birth center in Woodbury for our first appointment and excited to be working with a midwife again!

We got the gender in an envelope this month and within a couple days opened it. I can't WAIT to share... we just have one more set of grandparents to tell first so definitely next month!

Thank you guys for reading. These photos are a part of a 365 project I'm participating in and we're already past day 200! What a year... so many celebrations and challenges, for all of us! The July round up is Kris and I. I love her perspective -- you can check it out HERE.

I feel a shift coming, yet again when it comes to this online space... but I'm not sure what it is quite yet. I think when things slow down enough, it will all fall into place. Photo journal, motherhood... excited to get writing again.

Wishing you all many blessings, always,

Elyse'

Priceless Moments // Photos by Jessica Holleque

Everyone always tells you how fast time goes once you have a baby.

I remember towards the end of my pregnancy the days felt so incredibly long. It was like I was going to be pregnant forever and all I wanted to do was meet him.

Then he arrived and the first three months of his life felt even longer. The endless cycle of nurse, change, eat, sleep, repeat.

And then BOOM, just like that, he turned 6-months old.

My pregnancy had come and gone. Those first few months, a memory.

Deep down I know every moment is fleeting.

I know that my 6-month old will soon be one year, then he'll be two and before I know it he'll be starting school.

We have a lot of living to do from now until then and I know it's going to go fast. 

That's why I am so determined to document our life.

I can't hold on forever but with these photos come memories that will last a lifetime.

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Jessica is an incredible photographer. I've been a fan of her work for a long time. There's so much truth and aliveness to her photos. Once I had Thomas George, I knew we had to get on the other side of her camera.

It's wild because I've actually known Jessica since we were really young. Our mothers were close friends while we were growing up and her family is sprinkled in many of my earliest memories. How cool for us to be reconnecting in this way!

My sister Leah and niece Coco joined us for a warm summer evening in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our babes did so good during the entire session and our images turned out better than I could have imagined. Honestly, I can't wait to do this again.. next time with the hubby too!

As things change and our children grow, I will truly treasure each moment -- precious and priceless.

All photographs taken by Jessica Holleque.
You can find more of her work below: 
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July 2017 // Trip to Minnesota

I grew up in a small town north of Duluth. I love my family but couldn't wait to get out of there.
The month after I graduated high school, I left, determined to live anywhere else.

It's funny what 10 years will do. 

Minnesota, the Iron Range particularly, is my absolute favorite place in the whole world. No matter where I go or what I do it'll always be home.

July in Minnesota is perfect*. Everywhere is buzzing with that summertime energy. It's cool at night, warm during the day and the days are gloriously long. 

We arrived the very end of June and Tom and I hit the ground running. We were visiting family and friends every single day! Tom was only there for 10 days and we had a lot of people to see and  a lot of things to do!

*Yes, I write this acting like mosquitos do not exist.

I had so much fun playing with my camera while we were home. I tried my best to take it out as often as I could and I'm so grateful for the moments that I captured along withe the incredible moments that I'll only have in my memory.

Time with all the grandparents...the best. My mom and dad, Tom's mom and stepdad, Tom's dad and stepmom, grandma and grandpa Briski. The time spent with my sisters; Leah, Coco, Angeline, Danielle.. my little squishy Coco Mae head and my nephews Brandon and Owen. My aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that I actually got to spend time with! AMAZING! So amazing.. 

The baby showers, weddings, baseball games, parades, lake days, shopping days, breakfast dates, hair cuts, lunch dates, co-op runs, Tommy's tri, CHIPOTLE and an awesome trip to Lakeville.

These are the best moments. The moments I live for. They are busy and crazy but there is help and love and lots and lots of laughter. These are the moments that are most important. Time with family.

I got to spend the entire month of July in the midwest. How incredible is that?

The day my parents dropped me off at the Duluth airport to head home - I cried. I cried because I had the best month. I cried because how darn lucky was I to be able to do that? I cried because I missed my husband and Finn so darn much and I finally allowed myself to feel it. 

Things aren't perfect, gosh no, but I am one incredibly blessed mama.

I live a life that can never, ever be taken for granted.