Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
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Baby, Damon Diaries, Life & Finances · January 31, 2017

Bucketlist Mark-off: Our Boho-Styled Maternity Photos (31 weeks pregnant)

Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant.

Do you ever scroll through social media or Pinterest and see gorgeous wedding photos, maternity photos, or simply documented “love stories” and think, “Maybe someday!”? Having an amazing maternity session was something that I always thought would be an awesome experience, but I honestly never thought it would actually happen. I just figured that I’d have to take some selfies along the way and then cringe at them when I would look back years later. As beautiful as pregnancy is- and how crazy it is to think that your crazy toddler used to live inside your belly- those 9 months are almost never the most glamorous of anyone’s life. Well, this weekend, despite being 31 weeks pregnant with our little girl, I felt like a princess.

This past weekend, Josh and I dressed up (well, I dressed up. Josh wore his “date-night but I’m going to try to look like I’m not trying too hard” outfit. Which actually worked out great. He has more of a west-coast trendy wilderness-man style as it is, which matched the style of the shoot perfectly.) and met an almost complete stranger in the woods to take some magical, mysterious, earthy maternity photos.

I say almost complete stranger because about a month ago I had the awesome opportunity to meet a fellow online creative person through one of my favorite Facebook groups, The Rising Tide Society. Kelley is a photographer and graphic designer based out of Durham but loves to take the occasional random road trip, especially to get a shoot in! After a few exchanged Facebook messages, we decided to style a boho-themed maternity shoot. Kelley found a super cute, affordable Airbnb– this one to be exact, we set our date and time for the shoot, and that was about it until this past weekend!

When we showed up around 10 am, Kelley had already been there and arranged our little “studio” for the shoot. We talked and laughed while snapping photos in and out of the teepee and around the surrounding woods. Oh, did I mention that we were in a teepee? I said boho, right? Although this would never be what Josh would choose to do on a Saturday morning, we ended up treating the whole morning like a fun date. We had a ton of fun just talking, holding hands, and hugging while Kelley snapped away and gave some suggestions here and there. Her style is very natural and unposed, which I love because Josh and I are awkward enough as it is. After the shoot we got breakfast at IHop and headed home. Well, Josh got breakfast. Prego mama over here got chicken and potatoes. Anyway, it was a wonderful morning!!

If you’re in need of a highly talented lifestyle photographer, I can’t recommend Kelley enough!! (But I’ll let her work speak for her). Kelley was so laid back, easy to work with, and blended really well with our personalities. Please check out her website and portfolio and recommend her to anyone you know who needs an amazing photographer!!

By the way, if you’re curious about the dresses I’m wearing, you can find them here. They were so comfy and worked out perfectly for the shoot!

Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant.

Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant.

Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant.Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant.
Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant. Bohemian (boho) themed maternity lifestlye photo shoot, 31 weeks pregnant.

Check out Kelley’s bio below and visit her on social media!

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Kelley Deal
Kelley Deal
Photographer at Kelley Deal Photography
I'm Kelley Deal, a 31 year old freelance photographer and environmental graphic designer in North Carolina, by way of Texas, Ohio, and most recently Chicago, IL.

I was a bride, I am an aunt, and will forever be a traveler.Those experiences shape the way I treat my clients and approach my work.I focus on artistic, honest photography of life, love and places.My goal with every shoot is to tell a story - the real moments are my favorite.I love all things creative - I've grown up painting, sculpting, and designing, and believe that no matter the medium, it comes down to the same basics : color, composition, and light.

I've learned that photographs give life to the legacy we leave behind, and they deserve as much depth and heart as possible.
Kelley Deal
Latest posts by Kelley Deal (see all)
  • Bucketlist Mark-off: Our Boho-Styled Maternity Photos (31 weeks pregnant) - January 31, 2017

In: Baby, Damon Diaries, Life & Finances · Tagged: blonde, bohemian, boho, braids, earthly, family, hair, kelley deal, lifestyle, maternity, moody, photo, photographer, photography, photoshoot, pregnancy, pregnant, prego, rustic, session, teal, teepee, trees, velvet, woods

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Comments

  1. Courtney Bentley says

    February 2, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    These photos are EVERYTHING! I love that this was on your bucketlist 🙂 I can see in the photos how happy you are to be there and create these magical moments!

    Courtney Bentley || http://www.courtneyvioletbentley.com

    • Chelsea says

      February 2, 2017 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks Courtney! It really was soooo fun! And not awkward to be posing at all. Kelley was great!

  2. Ayanna says

    February 13, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    These pictures are so beautiful and what awesome memories you created! That is an awesome bucket list item. Working with a great photographer can make all the difference.

  3. Yasmine @ Mommy Cries Too says

    February 23, 2017 at 2:19 am

    Chelsea,
    These turned out beautifully! I love that you teo look comfy and natural. Makes me miss being pregnant! 😉
    Best of luck with your little one.

    • Chelsea says

      February 23, 2017 at 2:54 am

      Thanks Yasmine! It was so so fun! We can’t wait for little girl to arrive! Just about a month to go!

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Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤

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Now that we still have some sunlight hanging aroun Now that we still have some sunlight hanging around after the kids go to bed, my new thing is sipping a glass of wine on the back patio while making small talk with Josh and praying the kids stay in bed.
 
I've been obsessed with cleaning our house recently but I've been so good about it, I have nothing left to clean or tidy right now and I'm left to face the things I don't really want to think about like the fact that I miss my kids when they're at school or how I really want to fill this house up with some more of them 😅 

At any rate, one of my simple pleasures in life is decluttering and purging unused things and I feel like I've accomplished a lot!! What about you?
Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
Top knots over crop tops 😜 Top knots over crop tops 😜

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