I'm Jessica, the owner of Under the Sun Photography. I'm so glad to have you here! Welcome to my blog! 

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You’ve read right, being a Mom is downright tough. Now, Motherhood isn’t an easy task, if you have ran into me at the grocery store or out an about running errands you have likely seen the following.

1.) My hair is in a ballcap. Always. I have more ballcaps than my husband and I practically live in them. Which is hilarious that when I don’t wear one my hair is then always curled. I am one extreme or the other. Ha!

2.) My makeup is likely not done. Lately, Parker has been going through very tough nights for the past several weeks. He will start in his bed, wakes up at 1 am or midnight, and some how makes it into our bed. He is an EXTREME cuddler when he is awake…but he then turns into a ninja fighting kicker for the rest of the night. Makeup is last on my mind in our morning routines here for the last month. Lol!

3.) My poor mom car. She needs a day at the Spa or wherever Mom cars go to relax. I have enough clothes to get Parker through a week and some how or another I only have enough wipes for one emergency situation. Or I have all the wipes but no spare pull-ups/undies. Or I may have all this but I forgot to pack snacks for the forgotten 5:15 hunger catastrophe. See what I mean? And now with the rain poor home girl has got water trapped in the door – Did y’all even know that was a thing? See what I mean? She needs a latte and some sliced cucumbers on her windshield quick!

But despite me or the mom car having it tough and appearing less than perfect, guess what? That’s life. And I cannot chase or compare myself to other Moms, because let’s be honest, none of us have it together 100% of the time.

And that’s OKAY!!

You know what makes us know that we are doing an amazing job as Mothers? Seeing smiling faces like this every day. Our babies know we do our best. Our babies are completely happy with the little things that we do that actually turn out to be the big things.

Prime example of the little things from just this past month!

A couple weekends ago, I made a huge stink about going to the Zoo. Because we hadn’t made a special trip out there as just the three of us. J.T. laughed and said that’s a lot of walking -and I told him we are doing this because I thought Parker  was going to love this more than anything in the world. He will be giggling for days, you just wait….

Lie.

We got through half way, it was so much walking, humidity began, and all three of us were sweating. Parker was more in love with the little 51 cent souvenir coin and coin machine than looking at a Lion or a Tiger. We would exclaim, “Look Parker a Tiger!” Parker’s reaction? “Mama look my coin!” Takes it out of his pocket.  Then I would say, “Oh my goodness buddy look, look a Giraffe!” Parker’s reaction, “Mama look at my coin!” This then followed with, “Mama I’m hungry can we go now?”

So we cut through the rest of the Zoo. We were all done. Then finally sat down for lunch up the road and this was seriously the highlight of his day. He is definitely our kiddo, give us food and we are happy campers!

Then J.T. asked to go to Bass Pro to pickup something hunting related. So on we go! We get there and guys we barely make it through the doors and Parker was like, “Mama! Mama! Mama, look at all the fish!” (Insert face smack emoji)

Didn’t we just come from the zoo?

But you know what? It goes to show, it’s not about trying to create these large special moments for our kiddos it’s about just having fun and enjoying the little ones. That kid had more fun running in and out of the model tents then the Zoo. Crazy thought I know! As a Mom you want to make sure we do all of the special things and just make their childhood magical that sometimes we just lose side track of what’s really important just being extraordinarily ordinary.

This past week with the rain Parker has been giggling to get home everyday and when we pull into the driveway he shouts, “Mama PUDDLES!!”

And all I could do was laugh and say go for it little buddy! I’m pretty sure the puddles were on the same status of Disney World. I never saw such big grins.

So Moms if you think you are not doing something special or just guilty over whatever it is our dumb thoughts are trying to tell us on parenting. Look at their faces and if we see this like Paxstyn’s face HONEY YOU’RE DOING ONE HELL OF  A JOB! Because in reality, finding joy in our everyday is magical no matter what our age is and where we find it. To know happiness and seek it in every action that you do is magical. I heard something similar to this from Rachel Hollis this past week and it was exactly what I needed to hear.

“Stop allowing your fear of getting it wrong to color every beautiful thing you’re doing right.” – Rachel Hollis

“You must choose to be happy, grateful, and fulfilled. If you make that choice every single day, regardless of where you are at or what’s happening, you will be happy.” – Rachel Hollis

Moms like you are AMAZING! Just always know that! P.S. This moment right here below wasn’t made by Pinterest, it was made by a natual candid moment between Peggy & Paxstyn. Seriously, Peggy is an amazing mother and not only is she a mother to Paxstyn but she is basically a mother to every member of the Jourdanton FFA Chapter. She’s known to so many as Ms. George or Mama George, but she truly has a heart of gold and continues to give so much of herself to help others achieve. How beautiful is that?

Peggy I met several years ago during the county show and it’s funny how the power of Motherhood has brought us together. Also our kiddos are so sweet when they play together, it makes my heart melt. Below I remember this moment I was asking Paxstyn, “Give Mama loves!” and she sure did! She is so funny and precious I just love this kid!

She has turned the big 3 and I swear she is going on 16. She is so full of life and she just has a sparkle for life that can’t be dulled!

Cracking up as I was taking these, “Paxstyn show me your arrows!”

“Okay Ms. Jess, here I got these, take my picture plwease!”

“Ms. Jess I got a rock.”

“Run with Mama P!”

“I’m ready!!”

Then we busted out the bubbles. You would’ve thought each one was a dollar bill! So sweet!

And these moments, these are just gold.

Oh how I adore this nugget!

My wish is for every Mama to see how wonderful they are and although each of our lives look different and our schedules can be chaos, that’s okay!! Magic isn’t just at Disney World or the zoo, it’s actually a lot closer to home than you think. It’s in our everyday.

 

Mucho Love,

Jess

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  1. Kristen says:

    Beautifully written & words we all need to remember. I love these photos!

  2. Sonia says:

    Beautiful photos of such a precious little girl and her Mama. And yes, girl, you got this. Just take a deep breath and enjoy every moment they give you.

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"We have the most beautiful moments of our lives    "

captured

- Jessica & Austin 

"Beyond Incredible! We really hate getting our picture taken but Jessica made it feel so natural and not scary at all! We knew for our wedding it had to be done and done right because you only get 1 chance! How did she make us look so good and not awkward? She's truly great at what she does and I will never pick anyone else after the experience we had."

- Brandi  & Joe

"I will never pick anyone else after the experience we had"

Jess is the best, from the moment we met her we knew we made the right decision. We had to make major changes to our wedding due to covid, Jess addressed all our concerns, and answered all our questions along the way making all the necessary changes effortlessly. Jess captured our engagement, bridal and wedding day photos each every photo is absolutely amazing. We have the most beautiful moments of our lives captured so beautifully because of Jess.

Jessica & Austin

"We have the most beautiful moments of our lives captured"

"Jessica was right there with us getting ready and capturing some very sweet and intimate photos that I know we will forever treasure. She knows exactly what to say and when to say it to get that best smile out of a very nervous bride! We had a perfect ceremony and I've seen a sneak peek of my wedding photos and am just speechless! Jessica was with us for our entire FIVE hour reception and was the perfect combination of photographer and dance partner! Jessica very quickly became a guest favorite and a family member for life! I would have her as my photographer and friend 100 times over! I will never be able to thank Jessica enough for making my day even more special."

Katie & Derik

 "I would have her as my photographer and friend 100 times over!"

"Jessica is so much more than a photographer! She is a planner, friend, someone who listens, and such a beneficial asset to any wedding! I cannot recommend her to enough people. She exceeds any bride's high expectations - all with a smile on her face. It is impossible to feel uncomfortable around her, she is goofy and will constantly keep you laughing. She does anything for her Bride and Groom and will not stop until you are satisfied."


- Kayla & Derek

"Jessica is so much more than a photographer! "

I love Jessica and her work!! She took mine and my husband’s engagement pictures, wedding pictures and bridals and did an outstanding job. My husband is not very happy when it comes to taking pictures (especially with PDA ) but by the time the first session was done she turned him into a pro. The night after our wedding he was telling me he was ready to see how all the pictures turned out! She definitely knows how to help you feel comfortable in your own skin while in front of the camera. Highly highly highly recommend her for your wedding! I cannot say enough good things about her work!

- Melissa & George

My husband isn't happy when it comes to taking pictures, by the time the first session was done she turned him into a pro.

"Would recommend to any and everybody! She did an amazing amazing job with our wedding and engagement photos. I couldn’t feel more grateful and thankful that we found Jess! She is amazing and funny and finds all the great moments that we take for granted. Thank you so so much for taking care of us and our crazy family!"


- Kaitlyn & Chris 

I couldn’t feel more grateful and thankful that we found Jess! 

"Jessicas passion for photography radiated from her soul the moment I met her. When looking for a photographer, We decided that we would call a few to get a feel for the type of people they were and if they (the photographer) would fit into what we were looking for in our wedding vendors. We saw your work, we LOVED your work, but we didn’t know you. From our first conversation up until now you made us feel like you were meant to be apart of our big day! On my wedding day you made me feel like the prettiest bride to ever walk this planet! Your photos blew my husband away! You captured the uniqueness and beauty of us, our surroundings and our guest! This review, nor my “thank you”, will ever be enough to show you how grateful we are for your talent!"

- Eliza & Bradley 

 You made us feel like you were meant to be apart of our big day!


I can't say enough great things about UTS. Jessica is the BEST photographer, not just because she makes you look great, but she makes you feel great! She fills the shoot with funny jokes, music, and laughs to make sure you feel comfortable because not everyone is a super model. Each and every time I get our photos back I am blown away by great they look! She went way above and beyond anything I ever expected from a vendor. She helped us out on the wedding day in so many different ways and worked side by side with our other vendors to make our day successful and perfect. The sneak peak was incredible! She also brought a partner with her who was equally as fun as Jessica. I loved how they both worked and made the pictures fun. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. My husband & I will be using UTS exclusively for all of our photography needs. 

- Bailey & Doug

She went way above and beyond anything I ever expected from a vendor!


"Jessica is so passionate about photography, not only does she take amazing pictures BUT she also makes you feel so beautiful and comfortable while you’re with her! She’s very professional but FUN!! I used her for my engagement photos and my wedding, beyond happy with her!


-Kailey & Garrett

she makes you feel so beautiful and comfortable while you’re with her!