Immediately upon returning from five weeks in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with my kids, I stuffed a dozen jumbo garbage bags with our possessions and hauled them off to Goodwill.  And it felt damn good.

Random, you think? NOPE.

Here’s why: The #1 thing I took away from our time in a cabin in the woods was this:

As often as I meet a mama who’s absolutely overwhelmed, frustrated, and at her wit’s end with her child and the particular phase he’s in, I meet another who’s just so smitten with how sweet and perfect things are right no (ok maybe not QUITE as often, but it does happen, I swear).

The more you put something off, the more you dread it. The more you dread it, the more you put it off. It’s a vicious cycle, and it’s scientifically proven to be a real thing. 

• Cleaning out your sock drawer (me)

• Tossing out the mismatched, long-disfavored toys (my friend)

• Replacing that lightbulb (me)

• Going to the dentist (everyone)

• Donating those too-tight jeans (me)

• Having family photos made (you)

And who wouldn’t put off family photos?

It’s been a long time coming, but we FINALLY booked our own photographer to shoot a Day in the Life session with my family – and it all went down yesterday. Before I forget, I want to share with you some thoughts and impressions that are still with me, mere hours after the day ended. 

As a professional in the field, you KNOW I was overthinking it.

When the opportunity to toss my two preschoolers, my pit bull dog, and my own self into a car and drive 14 hours to a cabin in the mountains in Central Colorado for 5 weeks this summer arose, I grabbed on.

What’s the worst thing that could happen? (Don’t answer that)

But then a brilliant idea struck. If I’m basically taking the summer off, I’ve gotta fill my fall calendar NOW.

And so I present to you, the SUMMERTIME UNPLUGGED FALL SESSION SALE.

What would you give for just one more picture of little-kid-you and your still-young mom, playing together in your childhood home?

What about another photo of just little you, fake-smiling for the camera?

 No comparison, right? The former gives us a rush of memory, detail, and connection, whereas the second – cute and all – not so much.