Here's Lookin' At You Kid

priorites 2012

2012-01-09T13:54:00.003-06:00

Can you FEEL it? It's here my friend. That crispy new 2 at the end for your 201. I am a huge fan already.

Last year my overall goal of "back to the basics" was a big success! Basics in 2011 included:
less computer time (obviously)
homemade applesauce
no movies on school days
lots of books at bedtime- including Mrs. Frisby and Rats of NIMH, Witches, and Sarah Plain and Tall
a wheat grinder for my birthday
more time outside (thanks to the new playset in the backyard)
summer book camps
capping on photo shoots (that meant telling people "no", eeep!)
praise and loving words- a workout for your mouth when you're bitting your tongue
subscribing to a CSA box
making up lots of games to learn new things
recruting little bodies- as long as I am specific on expectations they are so good at helping

This year, 2012, I have a new theme. I'm pretty stoked.

Schedule My Priorities

That simply means that if something is important to me, I schedule it. And then I do it. Mad science, I know.

My goals for the new year reflect this, and believe me so does my calendar. But it's beautiful in it's simplicity too. I hope to document our year in photos of all our priorites. Big and small.

So tell me, what are your priorities and when do you schedule them?

the best of her

2011-11-02T22:36:00.001-05:00

Queenie.

Nothing can bring her down.
She works SO HARD.
Every day she puts her pencil to the paper, sticks out her tongue and WORKS.
She chomps away on some snack I've given her, making a huge mess.
She laughs at NieNie running by because "No, baby no. You're my baby... you naughty baby."
And then she works and works and works.
I am blessed to have her. To learn from her that I should never give up. That work makes us stronger.
And that truly enjoying your snack involves lots of crumbs, every where.

hugs

2011-10-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

This, internet friends, is Melinda the great.
She is great, because as soon as I met her she hugged me.

I love hugs. Being hugged and giving hugs. Leg hugs, side hugs, goodbye forever hugs, half hearted hugs (better than no hug), squeeze your eyes out hugs, doughy little arms around the neck hugs.

I love them. Don't you?

If I ran for president, I would give my speech about babies bottoms (how their cuteness will save the world and such) and then I would move on to hugs and how they are uplifting, informative, and recreational. They're like saying "I think you're SWELL, so here's something to keep you cozy on the way home."

Must Haves When Doing A Photoshoot
#14. stretchy pants

beach

2011-09-22T13:46:00.002-05:00

lucky

2011-09-21T14:15:00.005-05:00

I love these images so much. Each time I see them they make me want to go plant a big wet one on every body in my family.

Merrick is the sister of Janssen (you know, a favorite of mine). I throughly loved this session, even with the sweat dripping down my neck. Now that's LOVE.

a forever day

2011-08-17T21:37:00.003-05:00

Queenie was baptized this month. She wore her white dress, a necklace we gave her and a very knowing smile.

Cousins, aunt and uncles, grandma and grandpa, and many of our closest friends came to show their love.

During the day thoughts of the first white dress she wore kept coming to me. At 6 weeks old she was given a father's blessing in a handmade and very delicate dress my mother gave to me. B held her in his arms and blessed her to be a friend to many and reach out to those who felt alone.

She does exactly just that. Queenie is joy - any one who meets her is fortunate to take a piece of it away with them.

not working

2011-06-29T14:54:00.004-05:00

I would be remiss if I didn't post about this baby.

She had me at "....". Babies can do that to a person. She looked at me and I knew, as I did with my own little ones, that her spirit was old and wise inside that tiny new body.

home again

2011-06-26T14:18:00.006-05:00

We're home. We missed you little red house.
We feel at ease in the comfort of your walls. Quite at our leisure.

where i have been

2011-05-20T10:06:00.004-05:00

Here and there.

Mostly here:

And here:

And here:

But I'll be there sooner or later. I can promise you that.

about these chickens

2011-04-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm guest posting today at Freckles in April. Come visit me.

growing

2011-04-10T21:42:00.002-05:00

Little Chichi, I am so super duper in love with you.

Your knock knock jokes,

your sloshy stumach,

your dimples that pull me in for a big smooch,

the way you swing your arms,

your lovely even temperment (we get all types here),

and the way that you always ask for me to sit by you.

Happy happy birthday to you sweet tot.

I'll figure out how to stop munching on you before kindergarten. Maybe.

what can i say?

2011-03-17T23:45:00.002-05:00

They distract me.

{she is an official bike rider now}

Something I have been loving lately- these beautiful rose buds made by my very talented little sister.

Naturally, we're related.

is it written all over my face?

2011-02-09T22:38:00.004-06:00

Thank you Meleah for being the most amazing second (or first, whatever). And for letting me dance on your rug.

the difference a day makes

2011-02-03T21:18:00.006-06:00

Has anybody seen a baby?

Because I've misplaced mine.

Things you really MUST know about NieNie:
She is, of course, very interesting.

She's a leg grabber. Usually when I'm on the phone, have my hands covered in raw chicken, writing a love note to Mr B. And then my pants fall down.

She thinks life is hilarious. No relation to the previous sentence. Because that was not funny.

She has Goofy teeth. Please don't tell me that the gap will eventually close. I will hear not one word of it.

She throws her pacifiers out of her bed. And very quickly becomes seriously offended. "WHO HAD THE AUDACITY!!??"

She has one blond curl. And if she doesn't have a blond curl please shake me "Whats the matter with you? I almost didn't recognize your baby!"

She does great Popeye impersonations:

She loves blueberries. A word of caution new parents, just one word. Ration.

She also loves Mr. B. As much as she loves me. Which is HUGE in our family of estrogen, I mean women.

She makes our world go round.

She's one. Darn it all.

pops

2011-01-30T21:10:00.006-06:00

{Pops and I in 1999, with his Thanksgiving feast that I dished out for him.}

Important things to know about my Dad:

He loves me.

Also peanuts and the color yellow.

My baby was born on his birthday.

He cried when I told him.

He leaves messages on my phone all the time.

Sometimes 3, or 9.

And they all begin with "This is your Dad.... Bob."

He has thousands of movies.

He tells very cheesy jokes. {I yam what I yam.}

He lives and breathes for good Blue Grass music.

He thinks I'm funny.

Old Spice smells like him.

My children are the highlight of his day.

He is so endearing.

He has MS.

He struggles.

He's happy.

He's one of my best friends.

{Pops and I.}

Love you Daddy. Happy Birthday.

accountability

2011-01-15T16:40:00.003-06:00

{This picture has nothing to do with this post. In fact, it very well may be down hill from here.}

For all the roles in my life I have made it my own very serious occupation to always see room for improvement. What self respecting female wouldn't?

So we sat down last night to a very romantic in-house date, and over homemade pretzels that tasted like baking soda (have you made those before? why in heavens name do they have to taste like that?) we wrote goals for 2011.

I look forward to crossing them off. Or getting chubbier, sticking my kids in front of the TV and eating romen for the rest of the year. Mostly crossing them off though.

Here are some of them:

Mother
• help Queenie and Chichi memorize the Articles of Faith
• have a teaching moment daily (cooking, arts, or math)
• have a read aloud daily with each child
• become room mom for next school year
Wife
• read a book with B of his choosing
• visit the temple at least quarterly
• plan 3 major group dates/activities/events
Teacher
• read all scriptures corresponding with lesson
• use interactive and interesting teaching tools for each lesson
Visiting Teacher
• visit within the first 2 weeks of the month
Professional
• do mini photo shoot twice a month
• bring camera on every family outing
Personal
• compelete all 4 steps of laundry every Monday (sort, wash, fold, put away)
• plan out weekly meals on Wednesdays using coupons and sales
• read 4 classics
• run a 5k or two
• daily gospel study
• organize a monthly group social event
• finish furnishing front room within a budget
• save treats for Friday Saturday and Sundays

on the spin cycle

2011-01-13T21:08:00.006-06:00

Life is like laundry. Wait for it-

Things pile up.

But I'm quick to wash the clothes that attract me. For instance, my new yellow cardigan.

Hmm? What about the many stained baby bibs in the hamper, you say? Don't they deserve some immediate attention?

I say it'll be just fine waiting right there and when I get a minute, I SAID WHEN I GET A MINUTE I'll wash them OKAY.

Basically, what I'm saying is- don't keep letting your fun little cardies in life get washed before you focus on what's really important- bibs.

Bibs are important.

Never mind.

My goal for 2011- the basics.

goals

2010-12-31T13:12:00.004-06:00

During a revealing family home evening on setting goals-

Me: What's your goal going to be Chichi?

Her: To get a wagon load of treasure.

What's yours Mommy?

Me: To always be patient and fun loving.

Her: . . . That's a weird goal.

Happy New Year.

And may you achieve your goals.
I personally am looking forward to sharing a wagon load of treasure.

the most wonderful time

2010-12-17T21:16:00.007-06:00

Photos are edited, letters are mailed, treats are baked and children are home.

Welcome Christmas. I love you.

*upcoming post of a few favorites from the holiday rush. ttfn (ta ta for now)

thankful daily

2010-11-21T15:27:00.005-06:00

Chichi: Mom. That is so nice of you. To wash the dishes for Daddy.

Indeed.

I am thankful for B, daily.

thankful too

2010-11-18T21:34:00.006-06:00

Two quilted shams to rest a weary head. $1.00

One twirly skirt to dance and make believe in. $1.00

Four rolls of paper to wrap the simple joys in life. $1.00

Many many pages of adventure and time well spent. $1.00

One perfectly pretty thing, with little function and no meaning. Other than to make me quite happy. $2.00

I am thankful for garage sales.

thankful

2010-11-17T10:33:00.002-06:00

Holding a small child's hand.

Wearing my scarf.
Eating chocolate covered raisens.

Listening to the 7 year old babble about where we should go next.

And a little monkey of mine own. . .

That I feed.

I am thankful for field trips.

we have

2010-11-05T13:37:00.008-05:00

Yesterday marked the end of a very long month for our family.

Have you ever had months or days or years that are just. . . well, long? Horribly long. Where at the end of each day you crawl into your room and put your face in your pillow?

That's when I try to give myself a pep talk, which by the way is the saddest, lamest pep talk ever. Also, don't ever ask me for a pep talk.

What else can you do though? It's already done. It's hard. Life. Is. Hard.

But- also good.

Oh, so good. The sweet for us is oh so honey sweet. We have the best of friends. We have the best of family.

And most of all We Have:

secert identities

2010-10-29T13:11:00.004-05:00

When world domination is at the top of your to do list, anonymity is key.

Welp, since nobody's lookin', I'll just air out a bit here. . .

ACK!

THE END

a year

2010-10-21T10:30:00.008-05:00

I had a birthday.

The older I get the more nervous they make me.

I always ask myself-

Will the day be a total flop?

From Meleah. The most beautiful tart I have ever licked.

From Janssen, who knows me so well. Chocolate cake, earrings, scarf. I'm sure I stuttered when thanking her. That's what I do when my heart is full.

From B- his love. And along with it a popcorn popper, a cook book, and some athletic socks. He too gets me to the core.

Jeannie with her plate full of cinnimon rolls standing in my doorway, smiling. And Stacy dropping off a bag full of goodies as only she can do. Lots and lots of birthday wishes, calls, and smiling loved ones.

Will I hate being a year older?

Gifts from Queen N and Chichi. I have treasured these 8 years loving them.

Will I feel proud of the things I have accomplished in the past year, when I was then young and full of life???

Will I be satisfied?

Yes. A resounding yes.

for this, i believe

2010-10-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

I am Mormon.

Being Mormon means praying. It means praying at stop lights, at the grocery store, during soccer games and kneeling on the floor of a messing toy room surrounded by your family. It means praying so long, you forget where you began and where you ended. It is prayers offered in Tagalog, sign language, and Russian. And knowing that Heavenly Father hears you all the same.

Being Mormon means 19 year old boys, far away at the ends of the earth. They are sitting in white washed rooms, in cinder block houses, some with flooring, some without, sharing their testimonies and eating fried cockroaches. They are flung to far corners of the planet, to places few have ever heard of, where they speak the native language and write home about having tape worm and hand washing their own clothes in a small creek.

Being Mormon means your wedding isn’t at a drive-through chapel with Elvis. It’s a spiritual ceremony with quiet laughter and streaming tears in a holy temple with spires piercing the heavens. It means wedding receptions where the finest thing may be waxy chocolates and sparkling punch and a basket ball hoop covered in balloons and streamers. But it's heaven and means eternity.

Being Mormon means not knowing exactly how many children Heavenly Father would like you to have, but being terrifyingly open to it all the same.

It means loving those children. Bearing them one by one, and then settling into your family structure, at last, like a comfortable chair. It means growing with your family, mellowing with the years until your children become your greatest offering to God. With a prayer, you place them on the altar, step back, and realize they are your life's work.

Being Mormon means funerals where the meal afterwards (the ham and funeral potatoes, lime jello and mint brownies) are as much anticipated as the stories told and songs sung, remembering your grandpa, your baby niece, your dear friend, now gone. But you know you will see them again, and along with hugs from everyone in your ward family, somehow, that helps.

Being Mormon means singing. Singing in a choir, in a congregation, at the top of your lungs or whispered hums in a baby’s ear. Songs that teach you the heart of what you believe. And you carry them with you as truth, flung over your shoulders ready to rescue you from dark and sad places.

Being Mormon means taking steps from darkness into light. It means taking your heavy heart to Christ and sharing it with him. Letting it go. It is the Atonement and forgiveness. It means service, even when you'd rather not make another casserole or be a nursery worker when you have 2 children already in there. You do it because you love Him and in truth, it is your privilege.

Being Mormon means falling asleep reading the scriptures more times than you'll ever admit. But knowing they are there, all the same, to wrap you in comfort and sanity.

It means Joseph Smith, the sacred grove, the visiting angels, and The Book of Mormon. It means finding out for yourself one dark night while kneeling. Knowing it was real. Knowing that it's true.

For every Mormon there is on this beautiful earth, there is a different growing up in the gospel experience. The flavor that gives to an individual’s testimony is unique every time. But it is all real and true. It is all of us.

I am Mormon. It is who I am.

she had monkey arms

2010-09-21T06:30:00.006-05:00

When I was 14 years old I was growing out my bangs.

I had secret desires to still play with my barbies.
My sister followed me around EVERYWHERE.
I loved cheese hot dogs, going to the rodeos with friends and staring at myself in the mirror.

I also became an aunt.

To her:

So naturally you can understand why I adore her.

When she was born, I cracked.

It's her fault. All of this nonsense about babies and munching on cheeks and aching ovaries. It's all because of those skinny little monkey arms that would hang over my shoulder.

When I was 14 I fell in love with a baby named Shelby.

She was one of the most beautiful daughters of God I had ever seen. And I have never been the same since.

that's what the woman said

2010-09-08T20:37:00.003-05:00

This has been my go to treat for the past 6 months or so. I can honestly say that I will never ever get tired of cookies. Oatmeal cookies are my favorite. The good almost out weighs the bad.

(But if you put a raisin in there instead of a chocolate chip, I might cry. Then I'll choke it down because you're my friend and I love you and thank you for the cookies. But, that's below the belt man.)

And did I mention they are WHOLE WHEAT. Try them. Love them. Tell them to visit me soon.

Less than three, little cookies. Less than three.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups white wheat flour

1 tbs wheat germ
2 3/4 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Cream together the butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Add Baking soda, powder, and salt and mix. Add flour, oatmeal and chocolate chips. Mix until combined. Bake at 350 degrees for about 9 minutes.

you are what you eat

2010-09-03T11:19:00.004-05:00

Thank you to all of you out there who left a comment and have been thinking about our NieNie this past week.

She is doing amazingly well. We are so very blessed. She is quite the talented bone grower and is working hard to fuse the back of her head together.

The silver lining is the kick that I get out of hearing Chichi say "Did you fall dooooown and brokt your croooown?"

I'm still having a hard time getting her to eat solids. She was never big on them and since the accident she has little to no interest. This morning she had about 1 tsp of cereal and then gave up.

Do you have a trick to get your baby to eat food? Or a food that your baby just loves?

Do I love messy baby faces? Yes, yes I do.

this life

2010-08-22T21:50:00.008-05:00

This blog has evolved for me over time. Conforming to whatever I have needed it to be. A journal, a field book, a soap box, a photo album.

Today, it is a journal for me again. I need this space. So please forgive me for the long winded post and the lactating hormonal mother filled words. I promise to get back to pretty things soon...

Yesterday my precious baby fell. As soon as her head made contact with the tile I heard the most sickening sound. It was like snapping a piece of wood. Panic filled the next few minutes as I held her and she heaped screaming cries and B frantically called the doctor. We waited. For three minutes that stretched on like hours and then decided to take her to the ER.

Once there I ran in, swallowing the huge knot in my throat I spoke through the glass in stutters "M-my baby f-fell and and hit her head." I must have sounded like an idiot, but it was all I could manage to get out.

We were quickly shuffled in. She fell asleep in my lap. The doctor cooed at her and sent her back for a CT scan. Strapped down she screamed and I held her head still. It was torture for us both.

After 3 doctors and one radiologist they determined that her skull was fractured and she needed to be admitted to the children's hospital in the city.

I kissed my other little ones goodbye and with two borrowed diapers and B's cellphone clung to my chest (no diaper bag) I followed the stretcher out to the ambulance.

Once we arrived they stripped her down and did a full skeletal x-ray. 20 x-rays. The room was so cold. She screamed and I stood outside the door smelling her onsie and hurting inside. B called right then and I sobbed into the phone. His calm words assured me that she was okay and we'd have her home soon. They handed her back to me and her tiny fists filled themselves with my hair and her wet check pressed against mine.

Back in the room they cathiderized her (more screaming), they gave her an IV (so much more screaming) and we were finally transferred into the neurology unit of the hospital. I'll never forget the ride through the hallways on that wheelchair. Her wrapped tightly in a blanket staring up into my eyes. There was peace for a few moments.

They disrobed her once more, weighed her, checked for vitals and finally left us alone to settle in for the night. B stayed with us. I will be forever thankful for that. He is my rock. (Thank you thank you to our dear Fergusons for watching our other girls.)

A nurse came in every hour and a half, all night long. I was so happy to see light start to come in through the window and a sweet smile on my baby's face in the morning.

They continued vitals, we saw doctors and nurses. In and out. In and out. She cried, she slept. Finally in the early afternoon they said she could go home to heal.

Home.

We came home. Into a sunny living room, as if nothing had ever happened.

Her sisters squealed and brought her a lap full of toys. She meekly smiled and clung to my hair. I'm not sure if I care for that to ever change...

I sat in her room tonight, rocking her as the sun slowly went down. She fell asleep there, in my arms. Her tiny mouth fell open and her gentle, milky breath poured out over my ears. Heavenly. Her bruised baby hand rested on my cheek.

And for all of us, life just got a little sweeter.

things that make you go..

2010-08-17T16:35:00.009-05:00

Grilled Pesto Pizzas

(original recipe here)

For the Dough:
2 packages Quick Rising Yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. hot water

Mix together then add:
3 cups flour (we use white wheat flour)

Topping:
Pesto Sauce
Feta cheese
Tomato slices
dried basil
salt and pepper to taste

Knead dough for 1 minute then divide into 8 balls. Roll out into individual pizzas and layer on a plate divided by wax paper. Let dough raise for about 20 minutes. Grill on medium heat. After the first side is done flip and top with pesto and feta. When fully cooked, remove from heat and add tomato slices and season with basil, salt, and pepper.

Yum.

Something else equally delicious: (though signigicantly less caloric)

You're welcome.

growing

2010-08-03T16:24:00.004-05:00

6 months ago today, this was happening:

And we all decided we kind of liked her.

The nurses loved her and kept commenting on how beautiful and tiny she was.

(B says it's because they were comparing her to the viking baby who shared the nursery with her. "He was HUGE. He cried like a grown man! ...... wait, don't write that." )

She came home a whopping 6 pounds.

We all loved to stare at her and guess who she was going to look like and what kind of baby she'd turn out to be....

She is NieNie.

And today, she doubled her birth weight.

that's the nicest thing

2010-07-29T09:04:00.004-05:00

Me: Miss Naughty, you're my BFF.

The Queen Herself: Uh... you're my YMCA.

Pop Culture: Something my kids are clueless about.

Oh, the faces she makes when putting on her goggles. It never gets old.

this morning

2010-07-26T13:23:00.002-05:00

A little bit of this:

Running in sprinklers with the pjs on.

(Rinse and repeat, every other day. Gad-zooks! I have lots of wet pajamas.)

A little bit of this:

Making my heart flutter.

family

2010-07-16T09:07:00.004-05:00

When my family gets together we all revert back to childhood and act like huge dorks. That, among many other reasons, is why I love them.

Here we are in all our natural glory, from oldest to youngest.

A brother was missing this year so we had B stand in for him and I swapped his head. There might have been a little hind end goosing as well.

And through the magic of photo shop you get a bobble head for your sixth brother and a complete family.

No jokes about the t-shirts. Our mom made us do it.

him

2010-07-09T13:42:00.003-05:00

(yes, their birthday's are one day apart. ... i need a paper bag to breath into.)

He makes me laugh, that kid.

And he has taught me how to love, unconditinally.

Here's a little something from my heart to yours B. I couldn't have said it better myself.

her

2010-07-09T13:29:00.003-05:00

Queen NaNa just got a bit queenier.

Happy birthday your eminence. And by the way, who said you could ask to wear a bra?

About gave me a heart attack.

2010-07-07T22:43:00.004-05:00

Is there anything more delicous than a soft baby check? I submit no.

The marriage has already been arranged. NieNie will be very happy I'm sure.

The End.

But not really. I'll be back.

home

2010-06-28T23:25:00.002-05:00

I'm home with a card full of pictures. This is my dear friend Wendi and her beautiful baby boy. I am always amazed at the moments that my camera finds to freeze. Definetley a new favorite.

So much more to come.

8 years

2010-06-08T23:03:00.003-05:00

And we still feel like spring chickens.

To B:
Thank you for wearing a vest even though you didn't want to.
Thanks for letting me name all three of our kids.
And thanks for giving me a little slap every time you walk by. It makes me feel sassy.

to whom it may concern

2010-05-25T21:05:00.002-05:00

I love this baby.

This one right here.

Yes. Yes I do.

seriously. no really, you must.

2010-05-22T11:30:00.002-05:00

I know, techically it's not "soup weather" anymore.

Ba!

This post begins my quest for delicious real food. No gunk. I'll keep the photos and recipes coming.

Wild Rice Soup

5 tbs butter
1 finely chopped onion
1 c. frozen or canned corn
½ lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 large carrot sticks, sliced
¾ c. all-purpose flour
6 ½ c. chicken broth (can use 7 bouillon cubes plus 6 ½ c. water)
2 c. cooked wild rice
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (this is optional)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp curry powder (or a bit more, because I love curry and you should too)
½ tsp mustard powder
½ tsp dried parsley
½ tsp black pepper
1 c. slivered almonds
2 c. half-and-half (I used 1 cup fat free half&half and 1 cup skim milk, still good)

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion, corn, and carrots and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté 3-4 minutes more. Then add flour and stir well. Transfer mixture to a large pot. Over medium heat, gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly until all has been added. Bring just to a boil and then reduce heat to low and let simmer.

Next add the rice, chicken (if using), salt, curry powder, mustard powder, parsley, ground black pepper and almonds. Allow to heat through then pour in the half-and-half. Let simmer for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Do not boil or the roux will break. Delicious served in a bread bowl as well.

Yield: 8 servings

You're welcome.

play

2010-05-16T22:20:00.006-05:00

Dear Reader,

This morning I woke up to find my 4 year old shirtless, eating cereal at the table, swinging her legs.

Where's your shirt? I asked.
We needed it. She replied.

Okay.

I went up stairs and got ready. She finished her granola and followed me around, opening drawers, putting on lipstick, filling up the sink up with water and sticking her feet in.

We grabbed all of the laundry and started a load.

Time for all naughtly little girls to put on their shirts. I said. Let's go find it.

It's for the prince. She said.

love and flowers

2010-05-03T22:30:00.002-05:00

I love where I live. How could you not when this grows in abundance everywhere.

I love these kind of sessions. Taking pictures of little ones is my absolute favorite. I could chase them around forever.

Until I get a cramp in my prostate. Then I'm out for the day.

This one makes me laugh everytime I see it. She's so golly darn cute even when she's hopping mad.

And whos heart doesn't weep for baby necks? They're pretty much the best thing in the world.

Happy birthday Miss. J.

have i mentioned this before?

2010-04-16T20:36:00.010-05:00

Her? Baby. Cute.

Delicious.

Distracting.

I have?

Did I mention the great connection we have? How I can understand her completely?

It's a mother's intuition.

Pensive.

Flabbergasted.

Workin' it.

Sceed.

Bustin' a cap.

Usually though, I get this:

Which melts us all into little puddles of submissive slaves. And she's on to it. Oh yes, she knows exactly what she's doing.

tomorrow

2010-04-12T16:22:00.005-05:00

I love to see them together. I love it when she calls her "little child".

I giggle because, really, who can be more little than Chichi?

Then I realize that soon she'll be 4. Tomorrow.

Tomorrow she will be all grown up. Tomorrow she will be too big for me to coddle and smooch and nibble on.

Eh, who am I kidding?

nom nom

2010-04-03T20:07:00.006-05:00

I once heard that americans crave three bastic tastes: salt, fat, and sugar.

Pretzels. (salt)

M&Ms. (sugar)

By the way, I'm a markin. (pull out your drawl for that one)

Hugs. (fat)

Of thee I sing.

Even better:

nom nom

this is bad

2010-03-20T21:49:00.002-05:00

I can't get any work done around here.

I submit. Woe is me.

and then there were 5

2010-03-03T20:02:00.006-06:00

These pictures were taken during our last outing as a family of 4.

She always has such a contemplative look on her face. It's what makes her, her.

B's always the one who instructs and I hang back to take pictures. Or pick my teeth.

Contemplating her next address to the nations: And I, Queen NaNa, do declare every day stretchy pants day.

Mama? I hope you are finking of me. <----- Wished upon me on a daily basis.

nienie's story

2010-02-23T16:20:00.002-06:00

She came in not a miraculous or unexpected way.

But so anticipated, and so fulfilling that I couldn't stop saying over and over again "I'm so happy. I'm so happy."

From there I watched her slowly grow. My arms literally ached to hold her.

At 37 weeks my doctor determined that because of difficult labor history she would have me induced 10 days early in order to keep the baby smaller and easier to deliver.

So very early, on a gloomy February morning I rolled out of my warm bed and said a prayer that my body would be strong and brave and that it wouldn't fail me.

It was the most painful delivery I have had yet. But when she was placed in my shaking arms it was all forgotten.

She was so beautiful. My heart grew.

She was the baby we had prayed for for 2 years. She was the reason we had to wait.

(In the arms of her older sister.) Home. Home at last.

love her

2010-02-13T20:57:00.006-06:00

From head

To toe

Happy love day to you, baby NieNie.

she

2010-02-09T21:21:00.002-06:00

6 lbs 10 oz of the most yummiest thing you could imagine.

We. Are. Smitten.

37 weeks

2010-01-26T20:16:00.006-06:00

No timer was set.
No Chichi behind the glass laughing at my feet.
Just an amazing friend with a beautiful talent for photography.

Thank you Heather for doing what photos do best and freezing some time for me. I will be forever grateful that I swallowed my pride and had them done. They are just lovely.

To 38 weeks, and beyond! (maybe)

helpers

2010-01-14T22:49:00.006-06:00

The previous posted picture was taken with a timer. But the rounder I get the harder it is to move fast enough to catch the shutter! So I enlisted a guest photographer this time.

I am so impressed with her work. Wow,what an eye.

The only downer is...

Totally and very weirdly unprofessional.

So I snatched the camera away and huffed "Let's see how you like it!"

She liked it.

The End.

P.S. Thank you millions to all of my sweet friends who commented on the last post. I will love you forever. Almost as much as I love black shirts that hide every thing.

tick tock

2010-01-07T14:38:00.003-06:00

There is nothing that makes you feel more sophisticated than buying a van and breast pads in the same trip. Move over, I'm coming through.

christmas

2009-12-22T20:42:00.004-06:00

Today I fell asleep in the middle of the hallway while my sweet husband finished bathing the girls and then tucked them in bed.

I will clearly never fully understand Mary's sacrifice to bring Christ to all of us. But this Christmas I cherish the reality that I too am tired, and round, and loving a precious little one who makes me so.

And I love, love the fact that my children can make that connection too.

slow and steady

2009-12-10T09:38:00.002-06:00

It has been on my list FOREVER to put these photos up. I love these families, and the neglect doesn't correlate with the percentage of love that I feel. Swear.

It does, however, correlate with the percentage of round-ness in the mid section.

If you know what I mean.

What a special experience to work with this family and their sweet little V.

today

2009-11-30T22:36:00.003-06:00

With tears and a hidden face in my shirt:

"Moms are much more better than friends."

Be still my over hormoned heart.

I love. This. Girl.

thankful for the:

2009-11-19T11:12:00.006-06:00

Pairs of missing shoes.

Delicious simple meals.

Obscure view of my feet.

nesting

2009-11-16T16:52:00.004-06:00

To Do List Before Infant Comes To Town:

1. Redo living room.
2. Redo guest room.
3. Redo nursery.
4. Redo girls room.
5. Mend B's socks.

Mph, this list is way too long.

~~5. Mend B's socks~~

This picture is going in the guest room. In the most lovely of beat up frames I can find.

So is this baby.

And don't worry too much about B's socks, which are seriously overrated.

detox

2009-11-02T10:28:00.002-06:00

On my shift.

Awesome.

things to be thankful for

2009-10-30T14:33:00.002-05:00

1. babies

2. pink

3. and an occupied uterus, so I can relive 1 and 2 all over again.

blankets, giggles and sunsets

2009-10-27T22:22:00.004-05:00

We love this family so much. Really, so so so so much. Lucky me for getting to take their pictures again.

something about a goat?

2009-10-20T10:29:00.003-05:00

You remember the time when you said something to your kids to make them start laughing? And then they started saying it over and over and over again until you're like "Okay! Never mind! It's not funny!"

Yah. That was awesome.

The End.

that's what it's all about

2009-10-10T21:31:00.003-05:00

You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, and then you think about your lighting cause that's what it's all about. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!

When you take a picture, dear friends, before you even start to worry about your exposure, check your lighting.

Where is your light?
Do you have enough light?
Do you have too much?
How can you use your light to give you the effects that you want?

Pay attention to your light. Go outside and look at your beautiful baby's face. If she has shadows all over her face, don't take the picture there! Just don't do it. Baaaaaaaaad lighting.

Pop her under a tree with her back facing the trunk. Have her look up at you. Now that's gooooooood lighting. Nice and even and what is called "open shade". We love open shade. It makes eyes sparkle, like diamonds.

I love diamonds.

SOOC image (straight out of the camera) Chichi, in open shade. DIAMONDS!

SOOC image Queen NaNa, not so much. In fact, facing the opposite direction. She's naughty.

After a little bit of photoshop love:

Think think think about your light. Look at your subject's face, make sure the lighting is even, and then pat your self on the back because you thought about your lighting. Awwwwwe, you missed the shot.

And give some love to open shade. Word.

themes

2009-09-26T11:26:00.011-05:00

Sometimes life gives us exactly what we need:

1.

2.

Pause..............

3.

And sometimes it comes with a theme song. Which B has been singing for 4 days straight.

I love it when he belts out "I'm an or-din-ary WOOOOOMAN with feeeeelings"

what i think i know

2009-09-18T20:56:00.009-05:00

Dear people who have taken pitty on me and subcribe to this blog,

(Hi Mom!)

In the next few weeks I will be teaching a photography class (someone should have their head examined) and it's going to be all about the basics.

Your mission:

HuuLP Meh! Give me some pointers. What things would you like to know? What do you struggle with? And what sort of tutorials would you like to see on here?

Thanks! And for answering my question you'll get a personal comment from yours truly giving you a very enthusiastic thumbs up.

Also, the meaning of life.

party over here

2009-09-09T21:39:00.004-05:00

A young miss who was supposed to be pondering the wickedness of her refusal to help her older sister clean up the toy room. Instead she found a great opportunity to catch up on some zs.

Would some one put me in a time out, please?

Also, thank you thank you to all the well wishers out there! I'm feelin' the love, people. This baby will be well squished, I can promise you that.

A few answers to some FAQs:

1. Yes, that is me in the photo.

2. No, I do not bite my nails. I like them short, short 'n sassy.

3. B took the photo. He nearly threw out his back crouching down low enough to get the right angle. Personal sacrifice, that's what a marriage is all about.

4. I'm feeling great. As strong as an ox. (If you see B tell him my back aches, my feet are blue, I might be having twins, and I'm in great need of homemade pancakes and caramel popcorn.)

5. With a side order of bubble bath.

6. I am due early February.

7. No! I can't hardly stand it! I am so happy. I just grin and hold my breath while I feel little thump thumps all day long. Lucky lucky me.

patience

2009-08-30T21:22:00.002-05:00

Patience to get you.

Patience to let you grow.

lovely friendship

2009-08-26T13:10:00.006-05:00

I miss Kristi.

I miss her so much that I haven't thought about poopy diapers in 3 weeks! That's how much Kristi I lack in my life. I loved Ivy's little poopy diapers.

One consolation is that she's online. A lot. I am so thankful for that.

The other day our chat conversation went something like this:

Kristi: Hey! I miss you so so much. How are you doing without me?

Ralphie: Bread! I love bread!

Kristi: I want to come back. Pleeeeheheheeease take me back!

Ralphie: I love rolls and pitas and naan and scones and

Kristi: Um. Hello?

Ralphie: and cinnamon rolls! Oh man I LURVE cinnamon rolls.

Then I proceeded to drowned her in links of picture upon picture of cinnamon rolls and cried on to my keyboard because I really wanted her to come over and make some with me. Which she would have, easily forgetting the fact that it was 10:00pm.

The next day I found these at my door:

With an accompanying note:

I am so grateful for good friends. I love it that Kristi was thoughtful enough to mention to Jeannie that I have been craving bread. And I am so humbled that Jeannie would take the time to make these most fantastic cinnamon rolls ever ever ever and sneak them over to my house.

What wonders good friendship does to a person. I feel comfortable, cozy, and very full of happiness and cinnamon rolls.

favorite things

2009-08-19T16:37:00.003-05:00

A couple of days ago I was desperate for something to give Miss Naughty to do.

~~draw smiley faces on Chichi's stomach, arms and face~~
~~teach introductory class on booty shaking~~ (still thinks this is hilarious, still waiting for the phase to be over, or not)
~~stress out the neighbor's dog by barking back for 30 minutes~~
~~eat bowls of sugar~~

It seems like when left to her own devices, my daughter is far too creative for the good of the human race.

So I grabbed the point and shoot and told her to take pictures of all her favorite things. Lots and lots of pictures, for hours if she wanted.

Um. Wow.

In no particular order, a few of Queen NaNa's favorite things:

Albus. "I could have been a contender."

Squeal inducing happiness.

Young impressionable girls love Barbie. Just look at Chichi's expression. "I'm enamoured."

Backpack.

A cookie with a strong will to live.

Duh.

The apple falls far from the tree.

Or not!

I asked and she said, "I don't know. I just love that picture Mom. I look great."

Successful booty dance instruction.

Ack!

And last, my personal favorite:

i hate to wake you up... part two

2009-08-13T21:50:00.002-05:00

But they did anyway.

Man, I am getting significantly less sleep. I need friends who promise to stay put.

Bart and Janssen. You really can't have one with out the other. In fact my kids call them Bartonjanssen. Bart frequents their abuse by being called Janssen, and hilarity ensues.

We will miss these guys so much. We've made a lot of history in the short time they have been here, and I'm so glad that I was able to take their pictures if only to have them immortalized in my vast files of photos forever.

They're totally coming back to see us though. Totally.

i hate to wake you up to say goodbye

2009-07-30T16:40:00.004-05:00

But she did it anyway.

Kristi dragged me out of bed this morning. The day before she moves far far away from me.

We drove out to a park and took pictures of her children. One last gift I could give her before she takes them away from me.

I don't want to talk about it.

Dear Kristi,

I love you. Please come back soon.

Love,
Me

P.S. I'll be keeping Ivy.

what i usually do

2009-07-27T15:26:00.004-05:00

I am constantly using the same formula to create my blog posts. It requires very little time and even less intelligence. I'm on top of a million dollar idea here people.

Step One: take a picture of some poor sod
Step Two: slap picture of said sod on your "new post" page
Step Three: write an obnoxious comment that has very little to do with anything

Why stray from something that works so effectively?
This is what I tell B every time he says he's tired of doing the dishes.

I love that kid. He makes me laugh.

I once caught a fish THIS BIG.

I love boats, and good looking people who sit in them.

And I love her. Man, I love her.

i don't get dental

2009-07-11T20:29:00.005-05:00

But I do have some amazing benefits.

This is G's baby. I had so much fun playing with her. And my daughters fought over who got to hold her on the couch. Then I scooped her up into my arms and cackled my way to the opposite side of the room.

what goes around

2009-07-06T20:48:00.005-05:00

Queen NaNa:
This was the funniest face I could come up with in 1.5 seconds (which was the exact amount of time she gave me).

Chichi:
The camera was just to heavy for her wee beady arms.

I mean, we're talking nose hairs here people.