Not Patient

I am not patient.  Not at all.  I know this.  I have come to accept this.  And such is life.

Last Wednesday I ordered this to go with my camera collection.  I ordered and added a rush delivery for it to be delivered on Friday.  It didn't happen.  Somehow the shipping was screwed up and it didn't ship until Friday.  And it is coming today.  FINALLY.  It has felt like forever.  I am so giddy and not patient.  I keep staring out the window for the UPS man to get bring me my lovely package.  Maybe.. just maybe it will be here before lunch.

So I am sitting here editing.  Being very inpatient and waiting for the brown truck to pull up my street and park at the end of the culdesac to come see me.

Pomeroy Fair 2010

In September of 1997 I went to the fair.  This is one of the only pictures I have from the fair.  Me in my AWESOME FFA jacket with my steer that I wanted to kill.  He was mean, I didn’t like him.  I was glad that someone was going to eat him.  I would have killed him myself if I would have been given the opportunity, but I wasn’t.  This was the last time I attended the Pomeroy Fair, for over a decade.  That makes it sounds like a really long time.  Today however I changed that.  I decided my kids need to learn a little bit more about where I am from and what I love.  So off to Pomeroy we went.  Things I love about Pomeroy, after all this time, it is still the same fair I went to 13 years ago.  And it makes my little heart happy.  It makes me a little nostalgic.  I love Pomeroy.  The slower pace of life.  The familiarity everywhere you go.  And the small town life.  I was so excited to share this with my kids today.

First off, how many fairs can you go to and let your kids run around without feeling like you have to watch them like a hawk?  This was the first one my kids had ever experienced, it was great for them, and me.  The kids took off to explore and came back with their faces painted.

My Little Miss, the pink cat.  She was thrilled.  Me, I am not really that into face paint.  But this was about them, so whatever.  And really, I don’t think it looks much like a cat.  She loved it and that is what matters.Little Man.  Where’d he go?  Where’d he go?  Okay, enough stupid humor.  I think it’s awesome he is camo man.  Love the serious look dude.  I bet no one is going to mess with you.Then the face paint was itchy.. so he took it off.  And somehow he got two dollars.  He had been telling us how he wanted to win a fish.  We told him no.  He took his two dollars and won two fish.  AWESOME.  We don’t have a fish tank.. or bowl.  Heck, my house is completely torn apart right now, we need two fish.  We now have a bowl and two fish.  He is thrilled.  Me.. we’ll see how long they live.
See the tiny fish.  He loves them.The fair was awesome.  It is little.  It is fun.  It is everything I hoped it would be for my kids and my little family.  I was able to see many people I love and haven’t seen in years.  I loved every minute.  And so did my family.  In fact they are already talking about next year.  I think we just started a tradition for our family.  We loved the simpleness of it.   It’s small, quaint, and simple.  The way a good fair should be.

Make You Over Blog

I love makeovers!  They are always so exciting, and I love to see the end results.  I am so excited to be working with the Make You Over Blog for their upcoming Teen Make Over.  You should go check it out.

They have done great things in the past and I am sure that this time will not be any different.  Chelsea does an amazing job coordinating and working with everyone.  I am so excited to see what happens.

Nominate, vote, and watch it all happen!

Way behind

So we bought a house.  And I was going to go back and blog so it was all in the right order.. but I don't have time for that.  I can't be living in the past pretending it is the now.  So you will get random stuff in whatever order I remember it.  And that is awesome right?  Because I am random.

Here goes.. We bought a house.  Oh wait I said that already.  And it needed some updating.  Or a LOT of updating.  It all depends on who you ask.  If you ask me.. a lot.  Randy.. a little.  I was right.  He was wrong.  Anyway.  We bought a house on 1/2 an acre because we wanted room.  I love the yard and the location.

Five days after moving into said house the fridge that was left in the house (AKA Demon Fridge) decided to shoot water out of it for a very long time while I was gone.  Awesome right?  I came home to two inches of water in my kitchen and dining room, and water leaking into the basement.  I kinda panicked.  In case you have forgotten I am SERIOUSLY allergic to mold.  (Remember Indiana)  I kind of freaked out.. a lot.  It was awesome.  I called our lovely insurance company and they came out and they dried it out and pulled apart some things, but the water damage to my kitchen was extensive.  I will be honest I cheered.  My floors are a beautiful (ha!) hunter green linoleum and my cabinets are oak and my counters are mint green, with fabulous almond appliances.  Jealous?  You should be.  Want to know why?  It was all ruined in the flood.  My insurance is giving me a brand new kitchen.  Someone up in heaven loves me and didn't want me to have such a hideous kitchen for long.  Okay so the appliances weren't ruined but they are gross so I am getting new ones.  But while we wait for this all to happen and everything to be done I am kind of living in chaos.  We are on week 3 since it happened, and we have at least 4-5 more weeks until it is all done.  Until then it is chaos with my house in shambles and under construction.

More good news.. the water went under my bathroom flooring which is hideous.  So it is all coming up.  And I will end up with three new bathrooms on top of the kitchen and dining room.  These are all projects we knew we needed to do, but weren't planning on doing them all in the first month.  But we are going to do everything my way.. hyper speed.

The kids love the house.  It is growing on me.  I will be honest it wasn't the house I was in love with.  I wanted to build.  Randy thought this was a better idea.. less work.  I am still giggling over that one.  But it will be fabulous once everything is done and the yard and the location make me very happy.  And no, I am not posting pictures.  Not until things are done.  Then you can see how bad it really was and how awesome it really is.  (Or will be) But I did take before pics.  And if you are local and don't believe me.. come on over and see for yourself.. like now.  I promise I am telling the truth.

Better School Pictures

For all my peeps who don't read my photog blog.. and aren't on facebook and aren't on the mailing list.. here you go.  I meant to post this sooner.  But I forgot.  And now there is only next Saturday open.. don't worry today was slammed as it was.
GO HERE and you will get all the info.

If you aren't interested that's okay.  I secretly love the crazy school pictures.  Just because I wonder what they did to make my child look like that.

It's ME!

I turned 30 this year.  I have often heard that 30 is the best age because you really know who you are or you start to.  And I am totally getting it.  And I am coming to get me and all that that embodies and I like it.  I like me.  Maybe that sounds conceited.  It’s not meant to. I think there is something to be said about being okay with yourself and who you are.  I realize that I am this crazy, happy, silly, bustin’ a move whenever I want to no matter who might be watching girl.  And my moves.. well they are so 1996.  But I am cool like that.

I have to give thanks to Misty for this picture of me.  We were talking about this picture and it is totally me.  Even the double chin I get when I laugh.  It’s glamorous.  :)  That girl you see, minus the big orange bag, is who I am all the time.  This is me downtown Seattle (I was there for WPPI road trip) shortly after I was bustin’ a move and then realizing that I was being watched by people inside a restaurant who were laughing at me.  It’s all good.  They are totally wondering where I got my crazy dance moves.  I am going to say it was from all of the Stake Dances I went to as a kid.  I totally passed the deacon two step and moved on to crazier moves.
So far I am totally digging 30.  I am okay with all the crazy things about me.  I talk fast and a lot.  I giggle when I probably should cry because I hate to cry.  I cry over stupid things like a Hallmark commercial and my husband laughs and looks at me and says really??  I pick up catchy phrases from fabulous friends.. (I know.. right?)  My husband can always tell who I have been around by how I talk.  I am quirky and goofy and not afraid to make a fool of myself.  I trip when I walk.. and fall when I shouldn’t.  And it’s okay.  Because it’s me.

And right now I am in the most fantastic stage of life.  My kids are super duper fun.  They make me laugh all of the time.  My husband.  *sigh*  He is my best friend and he makes me laugh harder than anyone.  My business is growing.  I am learning.  And I am so so so grateful for all of my blessings from my Heavenly Father.

BLAH!!

Okay, keeping up two blogs is totally hard for me.  I blog over at my photog blog a lot more than I blog here.  Sad huh?  And I keep trying to have two separate but it is hard.  So here is my dilemma.  What do you think I should do.  Have two?  Or one?  Do you read both of them or any of them?  Am I the only reader of my blog?

I love all the fabulous home decor blogs and how to make everything beautiful.  I think I am the only person who doesn't know how to do that or blog it.  But I am me.  With all my quirks.  And craziness.  Did you know I have been embracing the craziness about me.  For some reason it feels good to just be me and crazy.  I like it here.

So what do you think?  One or two?  Vote please.  Pretty, pretty please.

Better School Pictures

It's that time of year again and if you are in the Tri-Cities or surrounding area you don't want to miss my Better School Picture Special.  It is fabulous.  GO HERE and check it out.  :)  Happy Friday!

This Boy

He melts my heart.  Lately I have been realizing how grown up he really is.  He likes to tell me of his hopes and dreams.  And he is a dreamer like me.  He has grand plans and will tell you every last detail of them.  If you take the time to listen.  Sometimes in the rush of life I don't listen.  But I am trying to do better.  I don't want to miss one of his great ideas.  Because one day they are going to work out just as great as he planned and I want to be there to cheer him on.

And some days this boy reminds me of what a little boy he still is.  He's silly and funny.  He has the best giggle and still loves to snuggle with me every chance he gets.  Sometimes I can't believe I got so lucky.

For my Boy

Little man loves his dogs.  And he always wants me to get pictures of them.  These are for him.  

These are our guard dogs.  They look fierce right?

I am not sure I would even let my kids play in a yard with these beasts if this was the first picture I ever saw of them.

Good thing this is what I normally see.  The two dogs who would lick you to death. 

Skate Board!

Little Man was lucky.  He got a skate board.  He has been dreaming of one for a very long time.  And finally I decided to let him have one.  I figured his happiness was worth the risk of a broken bone or two.   And it might prove for a good photo op, so why not!

He was quick to jump on and go.  The last time I attempted a skate board I almost broke my ankle.  And that was back in High School!  He is good to wear his safety pads and helmet.  And he is wanting to get good enough to go to the local skate park.  I am not sure that is what I had envisioned, but whatever.  He is loving it and we have yet to go to the ER to have anything fixed.  That's pretty awesome if you ask me.

7

Doesn't she look more grown up?  I think she does and it freaks me out!  How did she get this big?  And this darn cute.  Because seriously, she has some major cuteness going on.  Lucky girl!

Little Miss was the lucky recipient of a new bike!  She was so very excited!

She also received new clothes and accessories.  She was more than happy to model.. as you can tell.

Happy Birthday Little Miss.  You are growing so fast!  How lucky I am to be your Mom.  I can't wait to see what this years holds for you.  

7 things about my 7 year old.

She is sweet and kind.

She loves to read.

She loves animals of all kinds, but especially cats.

She has a heart of gold.  I often wonder how I got so lucky.

She is mild and easy unless you cross her, then watch out.

She will melt you with her big blue eyes every time.  And she knows it.

She loves more fiercely than any other little girl I know.

Lucky me!  She's my girl.

Happy Birthday!!

Last day of 6

Some days they just grow up too fast.  And some days it feels like time can't speed up fast enough.  This girl is 6.  Just for another day.  That's something that makes me heart sad.  She is growing up so fast.  And it is hard for me to believe that my baby girl is going to be 7 in the morning.

Slow down baby girl.  You have all sorts of time to be a grown up.  But today I need you to stay my baby girl.

A Summer with Grandpa

My kids are loving that they get to spend the summer with their Grandparents, day in and day out.  Little Man in particular loves to do stuff with Grandpa, seeing as there are so many little girls everywhere he enjoys some man time.  Among their fun times together making Peach Ice Cream was a big hit.  We all loved it.  (You know that ice cream is my favorite food right?)  Grandpa's are the best.

LOVE

I have to admit, I am not much of a writer.  I write how I talk.  And when I talk I tend to ramble.  I try to think of interesting things to blog.. but then I move on because it can’t be that interesting.  And it would take forever to type it all out.  I guess that means I am a lazy blogger.  I’ll try to do better.  Really, I will.  I never know what people want to read about on my blog.  For me I always love the pictures on a blog.  So today I decided to include pictures of things I love.

Yesterday we went to the River to play with the kids and our big dogs.  I decided we should have a picnic too, or as much of a picnic you can have with two crazy Labradors running wild and crazy waiting for any morsel of food to drop, and the seagulls hovering over us too.  It was awesome.  Really, it was.

I decided to give up sugar, but only for like 11 days, because anything longer than that would be bad.  I would miss my little girl’s birthday cake.  So for 11 days I am cutting out sugar, meaning desserts.  I need to get off of it, it is my crack.  I think I need to go to Sugar Addicts Anonymous.  Randy brought home some delicious chocolate chip cookies for our picnic and I resisted.  Awesome will power right?  But they were good.  Really good.  See Little Miss, she was LOVING THEM.  Seriously this girl melts my heart.
And Little Man, this shot of him was between bites.  Notice the cookie crumbs.  Love this kid.  This is so him.I have two dogs in my home.  But this is my dog.  This is Sage.  I love her!  She is one of those happy, lazy dogs.  Everyone needs a dog like her.  I do love our other dog, but she isn’t lucky enough to be featured.  Maybe another day when I am feeling more generous.And lastly.  I love my Randy.  Chilling on a warm day in his brother’s backyard.  Love him.  Adore him.  He is always my biggest fan.  How great is that!! And that’s it.  There are several other things I love.  But I didn’t take pictures of all of those things yesterday.  Just these.  Love my life.

Thursday...

I got nothing.  But a picture.  Love the moment. Love the memories.  Love my life.

Memorial Day

I love Memorial Day.  And this year was especially fun.  We went to a Local Funeral Home, I know totally not my favorite place to hang out.  But they had a great celebration.  They had Yellow Balloons for everyone to write names on for our loved ones who had died.  My kids were excited to write on them and send them to heaven for their Grandpa.

They played the Star Spangled Banner.  I cried.  I cry every time I hear that song.  I love it.  I am so proud to live in the USA.  What a tremendous blessing.  And then we released our balloons with messages of love up to Heaven.  It was a peaceful and beautiful experience.  I loved watching them sail away into the sky.  

Check it!

I have been debating lots of things with my photography and I redid my price structure and what I am offering. I still want my digital files to be the mainstay of my business. I love giving my clients their files and letting them have them. But I added a few things. If you are looking for a fabulous deal check out my site and click on specials. I am doing a Fresh Faces campaign so if you are interested make sure you email or call me and we will get you booked!

Gratitude

I will admit that lately I am a big ball of stress. I go to bed stressed and wake up stressed. My dark brown hair will soon be white if I keep this up. So I need to chill. And take lots of big breaths, show my gratitude.

Today I am grateful for the beautiful rain. It clears up the ground, the greens are more vibrant. The earth just looks beautiful. The sound is peaceful to me, and reminds me of Indiana, which I miss.

Fear

There are few things in life that make your blood turn cold. The fear that overwhelms you, and challenges the life as you know it. Today I had that fear. My world stopped. My heart quit. I felt like I might just collapse and I didn't know how to fix it. A minute felt like a day. The fear was more than I could deal with.

This morning I shooed the kids out the door to school to catch the bus. I was in my sweats with my hair sticking up and in a nice fro. The thought crossed my mind to make sure they got on okay. But I looked at the driveway and knew that things would be okay. Mistake number one. I watched out the window for the bus and saw it go and knew that my kids were off to school. I guess I wasn't paying attention to the promptings of the Spirit. I wish I would have. Hindsight is always 20/20. I wish I listened to the promptings more often. It would have spared my the fear I had this morning.

I decided I should get ready for the day. But first I needed to see if I had any good emails. I didn't. But the sliding glass door opened, and there stood my son. Looking at me with his backpack on. He walked in and announced he missed the bus. Awesome. I asked him what he did, and he replied he hid behind the tree and missed the bus, he wanted to be a car rider. Really kid? You couldn't just tell me that, you had to miss the bus? He was sure he could play and have fun. And I told him there was no fun to be had, it was time to sit on a chair while I showered and got myself ready to get him to school. I thought about telling my parents he was here. But I didn't. I ignored that too. Mistake #2.

I showered quickly and got dressed, I didn't want to be a grungy Mom this morning. I was ready and then I peeked out to look at him, and didn't see him. I figured he had went upstairs to hang out with my parents and sister. But I wasn't sure, but I assumed. Mistake #3. I finished getting ready and then went upstairs realizing we had about two minutes to leave and asked my parents where he was. They looked puzzled and said they hadn't seen him at all. But they had heard a door shut. I think then might have been when my blood started to run cold. I ran through their 4,000 square foot home calling home, hoping he would pop his head out. But he didn't. I ran outside around their big yard. I screamed his name. I said a silent prayer that he would pop out his head. But I knew he wasn't here. I knew it.

I jumped in my van and drove around but panic was hitting. Fear was overwhelming and it was hard to breathe. My son was gone. I don't know that there is anything worse than that feeling of not knowing where your child is. I screamed his name. I cried in fear and I fell apart. I wish I could say I was calm under pressure, but my baby boy was missing and I had no idea where he might be. I called Randy, he dropped everything and came. After realizing it has been over thirty minutes I called the police. An officer showed up quickly and searched the house, I was right he was gone. They searched the yard. He was gone. They asked about school, I explained that school was over 4 miles away. He would have to walk on two VERY BUSY roads to get to school. I was sure he hadn't walked to school. The very thought terrified me for many reasons.

The police officer at the house was wonderful. He was kind and helpful and reassuring. He was sure we would find him. I was grateful for how calm he was. And the peace he brought. I knew we would find him, but I had no idea how long this was going to take.

The officer received a message from another officer. My son was at school. He was in class and safe. My heart skipped a beat. He was safe. He had went outside and caught the bus when it passed the house again. We went out to the school and hugged him and I cried some more. The police officers told him that they had eight patrols looking for him, and how he always needs to tell someone what he is doing. But he was safe. He wasn't harmed at all. I am grateful. My thoughts immediately turned to my lack of listening to the promptings this morning. I should have listened and not dismissed them. I should have been more aware. And next time I will be.