Andrea Dozier Wedding Photography based in Dayton, Ohio

Waking up with the “Shine”

This spring break Damian has been complaining that the “Shine” is waking him up, {usually we’re up before sunrise so this is new to him}. It’s become a funny little tradition to see his grumpy face tell me it’s too bright & cover his little eyes in defiance at the light.

This morning, after his usual complaints, he continued on about something else.
After listening for a moment, we could distinguish that he was confused by the morning sky.
He wondered why it wasn’t pink and blue like last night’s colorful sunset.
The evening before, in a mad frenzy of excitement, I snatched him up and opened the window.
Holding him up between curtains unveiled a spectacularly painted exhibition over our ancient trees.
Admittedly, as the spell of twilight wore off, I felt a little silly to be standing on my tippi toes
and holding my toddler in an accidental Lion King fashion.
I often wonder what they make of their eccentric mother.

I try to inspire them and keep a positive outlook.
Yet there are times when I know if I hear one more little person yell, “MOM!!!” I will run away & hide.
They know my weaknesses.

Realizing that he wakes up remembering our moments gives me hope that they will both take something good from me.

Truly, my brightest sunshine. ♥

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Somewhere Over the {Rumor} Rainbow

My iPhone 4 has become my favorite {portable} digital camera. I empty it about once every two weeks and have countless little treasures tucked away from our little moments. It has replaced the other cameras I used to have ready, and now I will only take a few frames with my larger cameras here & there. I’ve become accustomed to lightly traveling with my phone and I love it!

Even though I change my mind often, I have adored this Jenny Vorwaller painted case for over a year.
Apparently it might not be my case for much longer. After dropping it for the 30th+ time, my screen finally cracked.

I know being beautiful & sleek is a high risk when it comes to how we cover our phones.
Thinking it’s a good time to switch to a gorgeous {coming soon} Rifle Paper Co. case, rumored to protect our phones a little better.
Also trying to see how long I can hold out for a possible new iPhone 5S release? Maybe? Hopefully it will be soon?

Dreaming of {speculated} thirteen megapixels on a phone makes this photographer mama smile.
All the while, knowing full well, that anything over the five I do have will be cherished.

$Somewhere Over the Rainbow iPhone Case \\\ Andrea Dozier$

You can buy this Somewhere Over the Rainbow iPhone case designed by artist Jenny Vorwaller on Society 6 here.
It’s so very pretty. Might need to DIY something with it so I can still see it everyday.

$Andrea Dozier \\\ Nikon Wedding Photographer$

We visited my parents & siblings for Easter and I intentionally did not bring anything to shoot but my phone.
It’s fun to grab someone else’s camera and do let them do the sharing.
It allows me to join in the fun and be present, something I’m working on.
Everything was wonderful and it was a much needed break for me.

Now that we are home, we are trying to get our stride back from unpacking & unplanned doctor visits.
Kevin caught strep throat this week {his spring break} and it looks like he might have to have his tonsils removed.
Had a good laugh in the office today when he confused ”ENT” with “TNT” and
worried that the nice doctor was sending him to get blown up.
Too much Minecraft?
He’ll be back to t-ball tomorrow and I’ll be there with my glove just as excited as he is to get back on the field.
Especially a warmer field than we’ve had lately.

Happy Weekend! ♥

*** Looking forward to a regular work week + wedding blog post next week. ***

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@AndreaDozier

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Erin Davenport - April 5, 2013 - 8:49 pm

I’m surprised by how often my iPhone 4S is my camera of choice these days especially now that our little Bradley has arrived! It seems mostly true that the best camera is the one you have on you. I need to get better about emptying out my camera roll as you do – do you do any digital scrapbooking or photo printing with your iPhone photos? I’m toying with the idea of using the Project Life system. We’ll see!

The End of Winter’s Spell

It’s clear that I simply tolerate winter but I’ll never be entirely fond of it.
This week we had a gorgeous snowfall that gave us a little closure to the season.

I debated on whether or not to go outside,
because the view itself was a Narnian wonder.
And staying inside was warmer.
And so very very cozy.
In the end I drank an extra cup of coffee and bundled the boys.
I left the dishes for another time.

I have lived to capture the light in his eyes for almost seven years.
The moments when he flashes his heart are getting to be more rare,
but it makes seeing it all the more rewarding.

“Every moment the patches of green grew bigger & the patches of snow grew smaller.
Every moment more and more of the trees shook off their robes of snow….
Coming suddenly round a corner into a glade of silver birch trees Edmund
saw the ground covered in all directions with little yellow flowers.”

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

We are close friends. ♥

ps
This illustrates what happens when you ask two brothers to take a picture together in the snow:

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@AndreaDozier

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“Bad Days” Need Not Apply

My mind is telling me to give in to the rain & cry that today was a horrible day.
My heart is certain I should accept whatever wakes me up from the lull of living in a trance of distraction from what is truly valuable.

The winter blues have been stubborn.
Oh I know they always are and we really are a fortunate family.
Sometimes what makes a thing so hard is trying so fiercely to fight it.
To surrender would require little sweat.

Today was going to be a mid-week getaway thanks to a school staff service day and me switching my work & Damian’s daycare schedule. The three of us were going to the aquarium in Cincinnati. I didn’t want to drive in heavy traffic, so we left a little later in the morning to avoid it. We had snacks, drinks, cameras, pillow pets, umbrellas, changes of clothes… you would have thought we were going for a week.

We didn’t make it far because we heard the horrid sound of metal on metal {that anyone who’s been in a crash knows}, and felt the confusing impact of being hit from behind. The moment of terror that happens when you don’t know if the kids, {the ones closer to the collision}, are hurt is something I hope I will never relive.

They are just fine & there was only minimal damage to the back of my car.

We really are a fortunate family.

After settling everything and making sure that mommy’s nerves were calm enough to drive again,
we opted for a much closer museum to release some energy.

These boys realized tonight that mommy didn’t mind reading ten books if it’s what they wanted.
I was so deliriously happy to be in their cozy little room.
Reading Pajama Time! & Darth Maul’s Mission to two perfectly healthy boys has never been a greater honor.

We really are a fortunate family.

From today.

iPhone 4 | Afterglow App

We could have really used a carefree red letter day, like the one I had planned.
My stomach is still uneasy & reminding me that I’m not made of stone.
If I could ask for something, it would be your prayers of encouragement and of thanks with me. ♥

Find me on Instagram // Pinterest // Facebook // Twitter // Vine
@AndreaDozier

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