Sick.

I was reading old posts from my blog and reminiscing.  It's been too long.  I used to blog, and I really miss reading all about my life and the updates.  I like to read about my life.  Vain, I know.

My kids.  They have been so.flippin.sick. this year.  I am over it.  Little Miss got chicken pox, like almost 4 weeks ago.  We vaccinate to avoid these things.  But she got them.  I so don't believe in this vaccine.  And then Little Man got them.  Awesome right?  He did this once before at two.  Why now??  Then Little Miss gets them again.  Seriously? Did I do something wrong?  Because I feel like I did.

Today Little Man goes to the Doctor and is diagnosed with major allergies (thank you crappy genes) and asthma.

I am over it all.  But I know this isn't the end of the world.  But still, I am annoyed, I don't want to do health issues with my kids.  I have always prayed I had enough that it would pass them by.  I guess it didn't work.

But on the positive note.  Little Miss and I have had loads of fun.  She is so sweet to snuggle with.  And I have welcomed the slow down in my life.

Little Man.  He is taking this in stride.  Asthma, allergies, they aren't unchartered territory.  I am blessed that he has an amazing doctor who is also my doc.  He listens and is on top of it.  I consider him to be one of the best.

My Resolutions

2011.  Really??  How fast did 2010 go?

I have resolutions this year.  First personal ones.

Read my scriptures and pray with more meaning.  I do them daily.  But I want to gain more from it, and be more spiritually in tune.

Attend the temple often.  It is so close, and I really want to take full advantage of it.

I am going to exercise regularly.  Instead of the random consistency for a few weeks and quit for a year.

On my business side.

I want to shoot twelve weddings this year.  I love them, and I am really excited about this.

I also want to improve my craft.  I want to be a better photographer.  I want to learn and also be able to give back.  That is so important to me.  (And no, I am not doing any sort of workshop, I just like to help those who need help.)

Happy NEW YEAR!

Happy Birthday BOY!

It's hard for me to believe that 9 years ago this little boy was born.  I still remember the anticipation of his arrival.  The fear and anxiety.  And the joy and peace.  9 years ago, I became a Mother, to the most wonderful little boy a Mom could hope for.  He has blessed me with challenges.  With laughter.  With awesome stories.  With patience.  With bravery.  With humility.  With love.  With hope.  With dreams.  With more than I could have ever hoped for.  

I am not sure where the last 9 years went.  Today I wondered how fast the next 9 years would go.  Maybe if I am lucky time will slow down.  Maybe I will remember to take the time to cherish each day a little more.  *I hope!*

 Being Mom to this little boy is the biggest blessing ever.  He is loyal.  He is fiercely independent.  He loves to laugh.  He is great at snuggles.  He loves green, tae kwon do, all things silly, cats, his sister, his dogs, his Dad, and me, he loves life and sees the excitement everywhere he goes.

He loves school.  He loves learning new things.  I love watching his brain work.  It always amazes me how much he really understands.

 He is kind.  He tries to be kind to everyone.  He is sensitive to other people's feelings.  He love Jesus, and Heavenly Father.  And he bears the best testimonies.

 He appreciate my cooking.  Poor kid.  And always tells me it's delicious.

 He's a miracle in my life.  He makes me a better person.  I am in awe of the way this little man is growing up.  

He's not perfect.  But he's sweet.  He loves me.  He's the best boy I could ever wish for.  How blessed I am to be your Mommy!  Happy 9th birthday boy!  Love you.

Sometimes it still hurts.

My baby is 7 1/2.  Do you know what that means?  It has been since June of 2003 that I was pregnant.  Sometimes that makes me hurt.  Everywhere.  It's been a long time since I learned we were done adding children to our family, and I know we made the right choice.  But it doesn't take it all away.

One thing I hate about moving.  People always ask about why we have two children and why we don't have more.  My Little Man took fertility drugs to get here.  That felt so hard at the time.  Then Little Miss came on her own.  Our little miracle girl.  She was an answer to a prayer offered one year before.  I never imagined when I was a little girl that my time to have children would be so short.  That my life would be vastly different from the one I had imagined.  When people ask I have to figure out the right response.  Appropriate or not.  We try all the time.  We're done, I'm fixed.  No, we don't like children.  We keep praying for a miracle.  Hmmm.. we hadn't even thought about that.  And my list goes on and on.  I really don't mind people asking.  But sometimes I cry when they ask.  Then they feel awkward.. I feel stupid.  Sometimes I act quite callous about it.  Sometimes it comes out of me like I am a machine.  Sometimes it comes out with sadness, but the tears stay away.  And sometimes I can't answer.

Sometimes it just hurts.  But most of the time I am able to look at what I do have, the opportunities we have because of the size of our family, and the blessings we have.  Would I have made the choice?  Nope.  But it works.  It's all I know.  My husband and my two wonderful children.  The pain comes when I least expect it.  The tears come when I think I am over it.  And then I remember how blessed I am to be HERE to be there Mom.  How grateful I am to be HERE and able to raise them.

Easing My Heart

This speaks to my heart. Life doesn't always go as you plan. And sometimes it feel harder than you can imagine. And lately it's been hard. This poke to my soul. My heart heard this. And a message I have always known hit me and comforted me in a time when I have needed it. I have felt broken. I still do. But I know that through Christ it will change. What a wonderful reminder.

Oh Yeah..

My camera.. it arrived.  And I love it so much that I am lacking in my ability to post.  I pretty much want to make out with it, I love it that much.  But I am restraining myself.  But this picture is from my first shoot with my new camera.  For other photo geeks this was taken at ISO 800 f 2.0 and 1/100 with my 50mm 1.4
There is no grain.  I am in love.  I shot some at ISO 1000 no grain.  It is amazing.  And I plan on hanging out with my lovely camera a whole lot more.  If you need me look for my camera, I am sure I will be with it.

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.