I'm Jodi.
I'm a military wife,
mom to three,
and photographer
Jodi Hattery Photography
March 15+
March 1-15
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February 1-15
January 2010
December 15th +
December 1 - 15th
November 15 +
November 1 - 15th
October 16 +
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October 1-15th
September 15th +
September 1-15th
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August 1st-15th
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July 1st-15th
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Celebrating with Holly
April 2nd, 2010
This week I got to photograph my first senior from Ottawa!
Holly was such a doll, and couldn't have been easier to photograph. Her love of life shown through in the pictures. I even got a hug at the end of the session :) I love 'my' seniors!
4-H Fun
March 30th, 2010
The other night I hosted a large 4-H group at the studio for an outting of the photography club. It took a bit for them to loosen up awhile, but I let each kid take a turn in front, and behind, the camera, for some hi key shots. Nataley came with me, and naturally dressed up for her turn in front of the camera.
I know she was going for the glamorous look here, but I can't help think she's totally missed it. Less is more honey, less is more.
Hot Stuff
March 29th, 2010
I must really think of myself as hot stuff if I post a close up picture of my knee, huh?
Or maybe not so much. ;) But about 8 weeks ago I hurt myself doing who knows what, but I woke up one night in escruciating pain, followed by weeks of taking it easy and hurting with every step. Now, honestly it seems a bit better. I still can't exercise, so something is still 'off,' but whether or not it's bad enough for surgery, I guess I'll find out April 8th, at my appt. I will admit I tried to search for pictures of 'bad' knee's MRIs and 'good' knee MRIs, and they certainly look the same to me!
Peony Pretties
March 27th, 2010
It's been one of those super busy, crazy insane, weeks here... and it won't be letting up for awhile yet. It was spring break, so cute my productivity down to negative ten, and lots of events, practices, parties, pictures, and so forth. The big even for Nataley this week was the Peony Pageant. Van Wert was, and perhaps still is, the peony capital of the world. More peonies (it's a flower) are (were?) grown here than any other place in the world. They're gorgeous when in full bloom, but don't last long unfortunately. So every year there's this big Peony festival that doubles the size of the town for a week.
And what would an event of this nature be without a queen to oversee the festivities? Hence, the Peony Pageant.
Nataley was asked by one of her babysitters to be her flower girl - each contestant has one. She brings her a peony on stage during the evening gown competition and stands and looks pretty. She had two practices on stage this week, and practiced a lot more at home at standing with her hands to her side, and smiling.
The nerves were evident as I was once again reminded how much my daughter this girl is! She was grouchy, short tempered, and downright mean yesterday - much like I can get when I'm very nervous about something. I tried to be soothing and understanding, but as you can see all over her face here before she goes on stage, there was only so much calmness a mother can offer.
After Nat successfully handed Victoria her peony, the pressure was off and she was beaming with pride. Yes, this meant she walked across stage and simply handed a flower to an older girl, but at five years old, and in front of a large crowd, this was a daunting task for sure.
As Victoria made her walk around stage in her gown, Nataley though a little twirling was in need to show the crowd her gown too. She didn't go fishing for compliments, she flat out begged for them, asking perfect strangers, ''Don't I look beautiful?'' In her defense, I have never actually told her that's now how things are done.
Nataley got to see so many of her 'friends' at the pageant, including another babysitter Becca. As much fun as she had, she was also very relieved it was over. When Victoria won 1st runner up and Miss Congeniality, Nataley nearly cried she was so happy for her. I'm glad she realized the night wasn't completely about her.
Easter Crispie Treats
March 26th, 2010
Have you seen the adorable commercial for rice crispies where they make rice crispie treat eggs? Well we attempted to do this at our house this week. It was a lot of work, and time, and mess, and money... but boy did the kids ever love doing it!
If anyone wants to attempt it at home, here are our tips after trying some. Let your mix cool a bit before you try to make your egg shape. When you do, don't use your hands. You'll quickly realize how sticky they are before set in place. Use wax paper top pick up and mold your egg shape.
We used three kinds of chocolate (white, milk, strawberry/pink). The white didn't show up well against the rice crispie treat. I probably wouldn't use that again. Or dye it green or blue or a fun Easter egg color. We also had three kinds of sprinkles. It took a LOT of sprinkles. I wish I had purchased more types.... but really how much do you want to put into one little project to entertain the kids on Spring break?
Overall, I think they were rather gross. The kids, of course, think they are manna from heaven. I will also state though that I always make bad rice crispie treats. I don't do deserts. I can try, but they are horrible. So yours may taste fabulous, who knows!?
And if you don't want to do this for Easter, we noticed that our 'eggs' that were a bit more pointy on one end looked a LOT like ice cream cones. I could see this as an adorable birthday treat.
Just One More...
March 24th, 2010
While finishing up the photos from yesterday for CJ's momma, I just fell in love with this shot and had to share this one too.
Girl's Morning Out
March 23rd, 2010
I got to visit with some girls today at the studio :) Little Miss CJ came for first birthday shots. CJ was the first to visit me at the new studio last summer - just days after I got my keys. It was great to see all her smiles and giggles.
I also got to see Miss P. and boy has she changed! She's talking so much now and is just a sweetheart.
Mason & Michelle
March 22th, 2010
Michelle & Mason were such a nice change of pace. No tears, no bottles, no walking off with temper tantrums. Sometimes I think I ought to forget about kids and focus on adults... but I know very well if I do that then a few weeks will go by and I'll be aching to do some cute kids again. :)
We did a super quick session to get some shots for Save the Date cards for their upcoming wedding I'll be shooting this fall. Speaking of weddings.... I'll be at the VW Bridal Show at Willow Bend this Sunday! If you'll be getting married next year, come and register for your chance to win up to $250 off your wedding package, and a slew of other great prizes :) It's at Willow Bend Country Club and there's lot of other vendors there for you to get ideas for cakes, decorations, DJs, and so forth.
Tooth #4
March 20th, 2010
Last night at bedtime snack Chris complained his tooth was really starting to bug him. I figured that meant he'd loose his second top tooth in the matter of 48 hours or less.
It was much less! While taking engagement pics today I got a multimedia text with a pic of my eldest with a brand new smile. :)
HAPPY SPRING!
March 19th, 2010
It will be an interesting spring here. A year ago I was working at getting my home based business out of the house as demands kept rising, and I still had one kid home half time too. This year they're all in school, and I'm suppose to work full time. Thing is, I got hurt, and medical leave at my work STINKS! (tee hee) I can hear the Afflack Duck calling me. Looks like I will have surgery mid April and not be able to work until early May (Yes, I will be rescheling some of you if it does indeed become the case) Fortunately I think I'll have enough graduation invites to work on to keep me from being destitute (please order! lol) and lots of sewing for the Spring Whimsy sessions anyway I'd have to do soon (and luckily that's the 'good' knee I sew with)
All that to say, I'm going nuts outside with the kids for now. I've been trying to play as much as possible, which of course leaves me grabbing more pain meds later ;) But I love the laughs and giggles and watching them play on the playground.
Chris is getting too old to stop and let mommy take a picture. He's at the age now that he gets to go off exploring with friends, riding bikes, and excavating 'things' I'm happy he has so many friends around, but I have to admit, part of being the 'cool' mom with the 'cool' house to hand out at, with always snacks and fun things to do, is meant to keep him near. I miss him when he's gone.
Josh not only doesn't mind me around, he still LOVES being with me :) He's much more into video and computer games than anything active, but luckily we have a (very low) time limit for the kids daily and he has no choice but to go outside and play.
Nataley is completely different on the play ground this year, and I know it has everything to do with being at this school now and using it several times a day. She's so comfortable with everything, including climbing up things that were never meant to be climbed up. I can't help but wonder how often a whistle is blown at this girl at recess... Here she shows WHY I insist on the knit pants/shorts under the skirt.
Such A Nataley Thing...
March 18th, 2010
I've been blogging long before they called it blogs. I blogged back when they called em web zines, and before that, web pages, lol. In a few months I will celebrate 15 years of blogging actually. Yes, Back when you could have, maybe, one very small picture and several lame graphics and text. Anything more would clog up the bandwidth. So those who have been following me awhile know that Nataley is very much a girlie girl, and very much a bug/creature girl. She loves worms (getting some for her birthday even one year), ants, raccoons, mice, snakes, opossum, etc.
Tonight then when the cat found a mouse outside and was playing with it, I had to let Nataley know. We found the two of them behind some bushes near the house. I was *going* to say that if he ran out, we could pick him up with some glove so she can get a good look... but before I could say a word, she leaned down, and grabbed the mouse with her bare hands. I went inside to get her a container, and wouldn't ya know it, she follows me in to show everyone. In My House.
I'm laughing my butt off at my frilly, princess, girlie, with no concerns whatsoever with the mouse when I hear an ear piercing scream. Twirling around immediately the mouse was hanging by its teeth off her hand as she shakes it frantically.
Let me say right now, it did not break the skin, and yes, we will be still watching her closely. After immediately washing the area (and daddy getting the mouse to a box), she nearly immediately began asking to see him again, and now I'm hearing over and over and over again, ''He's Soooo Cute.''
Nataley is begging to keep him as a new pet, so I guess he's been fully forgiven. I've tried to explain just now how this mouse is use to being in the wild, and not in an old fish bowl, like he is currently. She's agreed that we can release him tomorrow... under the condition of going to the pet store to buy a white mouse.
Update Be warned, this may be traumatizing for young readers.
The mouse was released, off our property, that evening. The next evening it arrived at our steps again. Now the cat's been having a field day (tee hee, get it?) with all the field mice that have been out playing in the nice weather... and so long as she kills them outside, it's all good with me. However she left this one alive, though limping. The same weird looking one - not like those others she's been bringing. So naturally we bring it back in and back into the goldfish bowl to join our family a few more hours.
This time the boys fell in love as well. All three kids were taking turns feeding and watering this dinky mouse with a body the size of a quarter. When I intervened, the mouse was deep in water cause he was 'thirsty.' Not under water, but traumatized for sure. I emptied him out and washed out the fish bowl, and put him back in after toweling him dry as much as I could. He wasn't struggling, or moving too terribly much at this point.
Checking on him back in the bowl he still looked soaking wet, though I thought I had him pretty dry, and was on his side barely breathing. I got a rag and dried him some more, wrapping him in the cloth and back into the bowl. Maybe he'd sleep this off?
Next thing Nataley announces Cutie has passed away, and I have to hold a funeral for a mouse that was apart of the family less than 2 hours. There were massive amts of tears, and I couldn't help but think of the Cosby Show episode when Rudy lost a fish.
RIP Cutie Hattery, March ? 2010 - March 20, 2010
But my question is this. Did I kill the mouse by washing the bowl out with water and soap? Supposably Dawn is used on wild animals for oil spills. I can't imagine it's too strong for a mouse.
Did he die from getting so wet? Surely mice get wet!
Did he die from simply the frightful exprience of three kids keep showering him with effection for an hour?
Or was he already dying when he came back to us, with internal injuries from the cat???
I feel guilt. I'd like to know I didn't kill him with the soap. And I can't imagine the kids giving him water 1/8th an inch high doing it.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!
March 17th, 2010
We discovered there was a serious lack of green shirts a few days ago, and since the forecast said it'd be too hot for the green and white sweaters, Super Mommy went into action. ;) While in the 'big city' for a doctor's appt (boo hoo, knee messed up, going for MRI next) I stopped by Hobby Lobby for some t-shirts and a green fabric marker.
Joshua's wrote, ''Happy St Prick's Day Friends!'' and I didn't tell him he was missing a couple letters :)
He also made a few clovers on the front and back. He's very thrilled with his masterpiece.
Nataley and Chris took it a step further with adding some green to their hair thismorning. Chris shirt solicitated kisses for him being Irish, and Nataley is a ''Celtic Cutie'' with her signature ''i heart u'' all over the place.
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