...you're not cold. You're "brrrr" (well, "buhhhhhh" if you want to be accurate)
...you're not sad or crying. You're "wah."
...it's not a dog. It's a "woof."
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
When you're Hudson...
...it's not a cow. it's a "moo."
...you're not cold. You're "brrrr" (well, "buhhhhhh" if you want to be accurate)
...you're not sad or crying. You're "wah."
...it's not a dog. It's a "woof."
...I'm not mommy. I'm "mama."
...you're not cold. You're "brrrr" (well, "buhhhhhh" if you want to be accurate)
...you're not sad or crying. You're "wah."
...it's not a dog. It's a "woof."
Pac-Man face
Jasmine learned about Pac-Man last week, when Hudson wore his new shirt with a big Pac-Man on it.
I promptly forgot the discussion.
Until yesterday, when Jasmine told me that her face looked like "the character you told me about last Wednesday." She couldn't remember his name, or where he came from, just that he wasn't from Disney and that I'd told her about him. Finally she remembered his shirt, and I figured out what she meant!
It's also the only way she was willing to actually document her chickenpox. Which is amusing, since now she wants me to get this picture printed, framed, and hung up on her wall near her bed.
I tell ya, life with Jasmine is never dull.
Oh, right. The Pac-Man. What do you think?
(second photo edited to finish off his face) :)
Bekah is more willing to show off her spots!
I'm thankful, our doctor was willing to document their case without seeing them or requiring a blood test. I didn't really want to lug them in when they are still so contagious and I knew they wouldn't be able to do anything other than tell us to give them oatmeal baths!!!
I promptly forgot the discussion.
Until yesterday, when Jasmine told me that her face looked like "the character you told me about last Wednesday." She couldn't remember his name, or where he came from, just that he wasn't from Disney and that I'd told her about him. Finally she remembered his shirt, and I figured out what she meant!
It's also the only way she was willing to actually document her chickenpox. Which is amusing, since now she wants me to get this picture printed, framed, and hung up on her wall near her bed.
I tell ya, life with Jasmine is never dull.
Oh, right. The Pac-Man. What do you think?
Bekah is more willing to show off her spots!
Monday, February 20, 2012
*clever title here*
I'm not feeling very creative today. I've spent the past couple days counting chickenpox and smothering them in lotions to ease the itching and help the healing process. I'm thankful that they're all getting better now and that life will soon be back to normal. I'm also thankful for the beautiful lifelong immunity this is giving them!!
But I did have to throw my hat in the ring for I Heart Faces' current challenge, "hugs and kisses."
My sister-in-law and her husband love getting their picture taken, so it works out well that I enjoy taking their pictures, too!!
Go see all the other gorgeous pictures on I Heart Faces! www.iheartfaces.com
But I did have to throw my hat in the ring for I Heart Faces' current challenge, "hugs and kisses."
Go see all the other gorgeous pictures on I Heart Faces! www.iheartfaces.com
Thursday, February 16, 2012
101 in 1001, an update
I'm more than halfway done with the time allotted for my 101 list.
So...how'm I doing?
I've completed 45. I've changed a few. There are a bunch on the "not done" side that are actually partly done, but I counted them as incomplete when I went through the list.
And now a couple pictures that have nothing whatsoever to do with my post:
So...how'm I doing?
I've completed 45. I've changed a few. There are a bunch on the "not done" side that are actually partly done, but I counted them as incomplete when I went through the list.
And now a couple pictures that have nothing whatsoever to do with my post:
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Linking my life together
I finally created a portfolio that I'm pleased with.
http://charlaarts.com/pictures/
It has the option of a blog there, so I'm going to try to use that for photo shoots, though at this point it's identical to the portfolio section, making it redundant. And I detest redundancy!!
But if you like my pictures and want to see something other than my kids once in awhile, there's the place to look. I might put a little update here when I've added a new gallery for those who want to see, so you know to go check it out.
I've decided not to keep my store on charlaarts.com going. It was too much work for the lack of attention there. I'd rather just keep etsy going. People know that it's a safe, secure site, and I have the added bonus of getting people finding me accidentally, which is much less likely on my personal store.
I took some pictures of this fabulous ballerina about 10 days ago. They're in two of the albums I linked to in the top (currently the first and last galleries. Don't ask why they're not all together.). She was hoping I could take more pictures on Friday, but being a mom comes in priority, so I had to say no.
http://charlaarts.com/pictures/
It has the option of a blog there, so I'm going to try to use that for photo shoots, though at this point it's identical to the portfolio section, making it redundant. And I detest redundancy!!
But if you like my pictures and want to see something other than my kids once in awhile, there's the place to look. I might put a little update here when I've added a new gallery for those who want to see, so you know to go check it out.
I've decided not to keep my store on charlaarts.com going. It was too much work for the lack of attention there. I'd rather just keep etsy going. People know that it's a safe, secure site, and I have the added bonus of getting people finding me accidentally, which is much less likely on my personal store.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Feeding Bekah
You'd never know it by looking at her, but Bekah is every bit as stubborn as...well, me.
She doesn't like to eat. Well, if it's something she likes, she'll eat. But if it's something she's not fond of, she'll just excuse herself and "patiently" wait for the next meal. (in quotes because she will tell me that she wishes she could eat a snack, but she knows the rules).
So I thought I'd see if my creative friends and family could help suggest some new ingredients to try. It's not just that she won't try new meals...it's that most of my favorite ingredients have joined her "no way" list.
She likes
chicken nuggets, hot dogs (which are becoming obsolete in our house) and eggs.
She loves vanilla yogurt and macaroni, though she gets this awful, barky cough if she has more than a little dairy so I limit her intake there.
She loves cereal, and she's a big fan of pizza (with pepperoni, but since that gives Josh a reaction we usually get cheese pizzas).
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a big hit. She likes it when I make them with mozzarella and dip them in sauce. I do, too.
She likes peanut butter and jelly (or honey) but isn't really a fan of the peanut butter. Or the crusts (I don't budge on that one)
She's okay with cauliflower and likes lima beans (I think. but that might have been Jasmine.)
noodles are sometimes acceptable, depending on what's on them.
Fish. she loves salmon sandwiches (of course that's expensive, but we don't do tuna because of the mercury content).
She doesn't like:
potatoes in any form
rice
chicken (unless in chicken nuggets or drumsticks with a yummy skin still on it)
tomatoes
salad or any greens
burgers, or really any ground beef unless it's in tacos
guacamole
sweet potatoes (I don't think she'll actually try these, and I've never cooked with them, but she says she doesn't like them, likely because they have potato in their name)
eggplant, zucchini, brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach
corn (corn-on-the-cob is okay but she won't eat much of it that way, either)
peppers, mushrooms (I don't like them either so they're notusually ever in this house)
spaghetti (see note above)
lasagna
That's all we can come up with. I'll add things if I think of them later.
(side note: as far as we know, there are no allergies. She does get that barky cough with too much dairy, or any ice cream or milk at all, but that's it. who knows about MSG, since it's just not allowed in the house. But this all seems to be preferences and not true dietary issues)
She doesn't like to eat. Well, if it's something she likes, she'll eat. But if it's something she's not fond of, she'll just excuse herself and "patiently" wait for the next meal. (in quotes because she will tell me that she wishes she could eat a snack, but she knows the rules).
So I thought I'd see if my creative friends and family could help suggest some new ingredients to try. It's not just that she won't try new meals...it's that most of my favorite ingredients have joined her "no way" list.
She likes
chicken nuggets, hot dogs (which are becoming obsolete in our house) and eggs.
She loves vanilla yogurt and macaroni, though she gets this awful, barky cough if she has more than a little dairy so I limit her intake there.
She loves cereal, and she's a big fan of pizza (with pepperoni, but since that gives Josh a reaction we usually get cheese pizzas).
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a big hit. She likes it when I make them with mozzarella and dip them in sauce. I do, too.
She likes peanut butter and jelly (or honey) but isn't really a fan of the peanut butter. Or the crusts (I don't budge on that one)
She's okay with cauliflower and likes lima beans (I think. but that might have been Jasmine.)
noodles are sometimes acceptable, depending on what's on them.
Fish. she loves salmon sandwiches (of course that's expensive, but we don't do tuna because of the mercury content).
She doesn't like:
potatoes in any form
rice
chicken (unless in chicken nuggets or drumsticks with a yummy skin still on it)
tomatoes
salad or any greens
burgers, or really any ground beef unless it's in tacos
guacamole
sweet potatoes (I don't think she'll actually try these, and I've never cooked with them, but she says she doesn't like them, likely because they have potato in their name)
eggplant, zucchini, brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach
corn (corn-on-the-cob is okay but she won't eat much of it that way, either)
peppers, mushrooms (I don't like them either so they're not
spaghetti (see note above)
lasagna
That's all we can come up with. I'll add things if I think of them later.
(side note: as far as we know, there are no allergies. She does get that barky cough with too much dairy, or any ice cream or milk at all, but that's it. who knows about MSG, since it's just not allowed in the house. But this all seems to be preferences and not true dietary issues)
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Couponing: A Challenge
I'm in the process of figuring out ways to save money (and actually start putting money aside).
I have a lot of friends who are serious couponers. It's more than a game to them. It's a lifestyle, a challenge, and I'm blown away hearing their stories.
So if you consider yourself a couponer, this post is for you.
Here are our restrictions. After reading this list, how much do you think *you* could save on our grocery bill? I'd love to know how to add in some money-saving techniques without completely changing our lifestyle.
1. We have specific brands (and specific flavors of those brands) that we can eat, and that we absolutely can't let into our house, thanks to Josh's MSG sensitivity. Canned soups (other than Annie's) are completely off-limits. As are Dorito's, and anything made from a box (except for Wegmans Mac and Cheese).
2. We eat a lot of organic food. I've cut down a little bit on some of this to save some money, but we still try to eat as much organic as possible. Fruits and veggies, half and half, butter, eggs, tomato sauce and canned beans are always organic. I'm trying not to buy canned tomato products after hearing that there's BPA in the lining, and we don't buy anything with HFCS in it. Or artificial colors.
3. I only go to one store a week, preferably without any additional trips there unless I forgot the eggs.
4. Wegmans doubles coupons up to $1.00. You can't go under free. It messes up their registers.
5. The newspapers here are extremely expensive, so buying one on Sundays isn't practical when I can only use an average of one or two coupons a week. I'd lose money. Besides, I tell myself I'm helping save the environment by not bringing home more paper.
6. I have no problem printing coupons (but won't purchase those coupons since in general they expire before I use them).
7. We make our own laundry detergent. I can't imagine getting it to cost less than the probably $9 a year this costs us.
8. We don't use normal medicines or deodorants. Well, Advil is in our cupboards, but that's about it. It's all herbs and homeopathics, most of which we get on Vitacost at much lower prices than what we can find locally.
So...any suggestions? Or am I just too stubborn to save any money without changing things up first?
I have a lot of friends who are serious couponers. It's more than a game to them. It's a lifestyle, a challenge, and I'm blown away hearing their stories.
So if you consider yourself a couponer, this post is for you.
Here are our restrictions. After reading this list, how much do you think *you* could save on our grocery bill? I'd love to know how to add in some money-saving techniques without completely changing our lifestyle.
1. We have specific brands (and specific flavors of those brands) that we can eat, and that we absolutely can't let into our house, thanks to Josh's MSG sensitivity. Canned soups (other than Annie's) are completely off-limits. As are Dorito's, and anything made from a box (except for Wegmans Mac and Cheese).
2. We eat a lot of organic food. I've cut down a little bit on some of this to save some money, but we still try to eat as much organic as possible. Fruits and veggies, half and half, butter, eggs, tomato sauce and canned beans are always organic. I'm trying not to buy canned tomato products after hearing that there's BPA in the lining, and we don't buy anything with HFCS in it. Or artificial colors.
3. I only go to one store a week, preferably without any additional trips there unless I forgot the eggs.
4. Wegmans doubles coupons up to $1.00. You can't go under free. It messes up their registers.
5. The newspapers here are extremely expensive, so buying one on Sundays isn't practical when I can only use an average of one or two coupons a week. I'd lose money. Besides, I tell myself I'm helping save the environment by not bringing home more paper.
6. I have no problem printing coupons (but won't purchase those coupons since in general they expire before I use them).
7. We make our own laundry detergent. I can't imagine getting it to cost less than the probably $9 a year this costs us.
8. We don't use normal medicines or deodorants. Well, Advil is in our cupboards, but that's about it. It's all herbs and homeopathics, most of which we get on Vitacost at much lower prices than what we can find locally.
So...any suggestions? Or am I just too stubborn to save any money without changing things up first?
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Get a cup of coffee. this one will be long.
Random moments from the past two weeks:
Jasmine: "she's a geeseherd. It's like a shepherd, but geese." (on "it's a small world" ride)
The highlight of Hudson's day: Meeting Buzz and Woody, and showing them both that they're on his shirt.
(he's offended that this is a picture of Buzz. He insisted, all in mime, that we bring a picture of just him next year.)
Nothing quite as cute as having Hudson narrate Beauty and the Beast to me at the live show. He loved telling me what was going to happen next!
Jasmine has gone on a real roller coaster, and loved it. (The Rock n' Roller Coaster). My little girl is growing up!
me: "okay, Jasmine. Do you want your camera so you can take pictures on Safari, or not need to be responsible?"
Jasmine: "not responsible. That's a good choice, right?"
Hudson, upon seeing a tiger through a window: "can I touch him? he's soft."
Hudson seemed much more concerned that the flame throwers were "naked" than that they were throwing fire!
Standing in line to see Winnie the Pooh and friends, hearing Hudson call out, "Tigger, I wuv you!"
Me: "why am I carrying you?"
Hudson: "you pick me'd up!"
(at this point I think he wonders how smart Mama is!)
Hudson kept asking, "where's Charla, Daddy?" A little young for that, kid!
Went to China with Kimberly, then ate dinner in France. We'll sleep well tonight!
(we spent Saturday with my friends and their kids, and Monday at Epcot with another friend and her family.)
Hudson looked at me with concern as we stood in line to meet Tinkerbell and said, "What's Tinkerbell's name???"
I overheard Aladdin tell Princess Jasmine just how cute Hudson was as we were walking away. He melts hearts!!
How quickly Hudson goes from "I scared from the pirates" to "I want to go on again!"
Hudson ordered "leafs" with his dinner. And yes, that's what he called it to the waitress. He enjoyed his salad, too!
A wild first: I waited longer for the change table than Josh and Jasmine did for Rock n' Roller Coaster!
Hudson, walking away from Rafiki, said loudly enough for the monkey to hear, "I LOVE dat guy!" I looked back to see Rafiki sign the same thing back to him!
Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother to Bekah, when she saw Bekah's Mickey Mitt-ed hands: "have you seen someone about those? I think I'd be concerned."
(Josh calls this one "the view from the bathroom")
My rockstar, doing her best to make "floods" be the next big thing in pants! (how'd she get so TALL???)
They were so proud to get all 6 stamps at Animal Kingdom!
let there be music!
(Legoland. one of two days not at a Disney park)
Butterfinger Cupcakes (wisely changed from being called Butterfinger Muffins). Found only at Disney Hollywood Studios, and worth the sugar coma that follows unless you share it with your entire family.
riding the rides! (hard shots to get, even with a cool camera!)
Enjoying the shows (yes, that man IS on fire, and yes, that car IS driving on two wheels!)
Just a bit too short...
*happy sigh*
Jasmine: "she's a geeseherd. It's like a shepherd, but geese." (on "it's a small world" ride)
The highlight of Hudson's day: Meeting Buzz and Woody, and showing them both that they're on his shirt.
Nothing quite as cute as having Hudson narrate Beauty and the Beast to me at the live show. He loved telling me what was going to happen next!
Jasmine has gone on a real roller coaster, and loved it. (The Rock n' Roller Coaster). My little girl is growing up!
me: "okay, Jasmine. Do you want your camera so you can take pictures on Safari, or not need to be responsible?"
Jasmine: "not responsible. That's a good choice, right?"
Hudson, upon seeing a tiger through a window: "can I touch him? he's soft."
Hudson seemed much more concerned that the flame throwers were "naked" than that they were throwing fire!
Standing in line to see Winnie the Pooh and friends, hearing Hudson call out, "Tigger, I wuv you!"
Me: "why am I carrying you?"
Hudson: "you pick me'd up!"
(at this point I think he wonders how smart Mama is!)
Hudson kept asking, "where's Charla, Daddy?" A little young for that, kid!
Went to China with Kimberly, then ate dinner in France. We'll sleep well tonight!
Hudson looked at me with concern as we stood in line to meet Tinkerbell and said, "What's Tinkerbell's name???"
I overheard Aladdin tell Princess Jasmine just how cute Hudson was as we were walking away. He melts hearts!!
How quickly Hudson goes from "I scared from the pirates" to "I want to go on again!"
Hudson ordered "leafs" with his dinner. And yes, that's what he called it to the waitress. He enjoyed his salad, too!
A wild first: I waited longer for the change table than Josh and Jasmine did for Rock n' Roller Coaster!
Hudson, walking away from Rafiki, said loudly enough for the monkey to hear, "I LOVE dat guy!" I looked back to see Rafiki sign the same thing back to him!
Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother to Bekah, when she saw Bekah's Mickey Mitt-ed hands: "have you seen someone about those? I think I'd be concerned."
Butterfinger Cupcakes (wisely changed from being called Butterfinger Muffins). Found only at Disney Hollywood Studios, and worth the sugar coma that follows unless you share it with your entire family.
Disney Trip
We just got back from the most perfect vacation in the most perfect spot on Earth.
*happy sigh*
I'll just leave you with this collage of the characters we met. Well, this is most of them, anyhow!
Stories headed this way soon...
*happy sigh*
Stories headed this way soon...
Monday, January 23, 2012
All Hudson, All the time!
Apparently this blog is now all about my son.
It shouldn't be. The girls are beautiful, sweet and funny too, but lately he's been the star of some pictures that totally melt my heart.
Like this one.
Isn't he adorable?? That's a children's dictionary he's poring over there.
Puff, the stuffed animal my sister Amy made for Jasmine on her first Christmas, is a family favorite. I love seeing them include him in their lives!
It shouldn't be. The girls are beautiful, sweet and funny too, but lately he's been the star of some pictures that totally melt my heart.
Like this one.
Puff, the stuffed animal my sister Amy made for Jasmine on her first Christmas, is a family favorite. I love seeing them include him in their lives!
Ties
Hudson hates ties. He doesn't like anything touching his neck. "It's too tight, mama."
But yesterday I found his clip-on tie in the diaper bag, and he insisted on wearing it today.
with the shirt he asked for by name, his "mom's handy man" shirt.
The result?
But yesterday I found his clip-on tie in the diaper bag, and he insisted on wearing it today.
with the shirt he asked for by name, his "mom's handy man" shirt.
The result?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Do I have a right-brained son??
Hudson refers to things by their descriptions.
Is that a "boy thing" or is it a sign that he's right-brained? (or something else I haven't thought of)
Dogs aren't dogs. They're "woofs."
Blue isn't blue. It's "daddy's color."
There's another example of this, but Josh and I are both blanking at the moment on what, exactly, that is. It's cute, though!
so....is he right-brained???
My new photo theme is up! I'd love to have even more of my friends join me!
Is that a "boy thing" or is it a sign that he's right-brained? (or something else I haven't thought of)
Dogs aren't dogs. They're "woofs."
Blue isn't blue. It's "daddy's color."
There's another example of this, but Josh and I are both blanking at the moment on what, exactly, that is. It's cute, though!
so....is he right-brained???
My new photo theme is up! I'd love to have even more of my friends join me!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Cocoa
The kids went outside with Josh on Sunday.
They had a great time in the snow.
I had a great time staying inside and warm.
When they came back, they suggested hot cocoa. I obliged.
Unfortunately, moments after I got this sweet picture, she dropped the mug. The handle was broken. The cocoa was all over the table.
We're not sure which happened first, the handle breaking or the mug falling. Either way, this is the last picture of this mug.
Rest In Peace, Alice Mug.
They had a great time in the snow.
I had a great time staying inside and warm.
When they came back, they suggested hot cocoa. I obliged.
Unfortunately, moments after I got this sweet picture, she dropped the mug. The handle was broken. The cocoa was all over the table.
We're not sure which happened first, the handle breaking or the mug falling. Either way, this is the last picture of this mug.
Rest In Peace, Alice Mug.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday List
1. It's snowing.
2. And windy.
3. However, we haven't had any earthquakes lately! (name the reference)
4. Jasmine's learning magic tricks. Last night she was trying one that she just couldn't get to work. She hasn't figured out that it's important to read all the way through the description before attempting the trick. So she went back to read one more sentence and decided that was the key she'd been missing.
5. The sentence was "add glitter and stars to the hat to make it more magical."
6. The other trick she tried was making a coin disappear.
7. She lost the coin mid-trick.
8. It surprised even her!
9. Hudson this morning asked: "who will go with me upstairs? I don't want to go with myself!"
10. He's hilarious.
11. He's started calling me "mama" instead of "mommy." He even asked permission to do so.
12. He's also exceedingly cute.
13. Bekah's pretty cute, too.
14. Jasmine's really cute, too, but she hasn't been the focus of my pictures much this week. I'll remedy that when my new backdrops get here today.
15. My word for the year is "willingness." I'm struggling with it already, knowing how much it can demand of me, but I know it's a good stretch, and I need to be stretched.
16. I see Bekah as willing. She's willing to try things, even if she have any idea if she'll succeed.
17. So here's my picture for my goal of 2012:
She's dancing, though last year she was scared of the big class. She was reading before her 4th birthday because she wanted to learn. I want to be like her!
18. I like toddler toes. I know it won't be long before I want him wearing socks all the time, so I'll enjoy this kind of thing as long as I can:
Happy Friday!!!
2. And windy.
3. However, we haven't had any earthquakes lately! (name the reference)
4. Jasmine's learning magic tricks. Last night she was trying one that she just couldn't get to work. She hasn't figured out that it's important to read all the way through the description before attempting the trick. So she went back to read one more sentence and decided that was the key she'd been missing.
5. The sentence was "add glitter and stars to the hat to make it more magical."
6. The other trick she tried was making a coin disappear.
7. She lost the coin mid-trick.
8. It surprised even her!
9. Hudson this morning asked: "who will go with me upstairs? I don't want to go with myself!"
10. He's hilarious.
11. He's started calling me "mama" instead of "mommy." He even asked permission to do so.
12. He's also exceedingly cute.
14. Jasmine's really cute, too, but she hasn't been the focus of my pictures much this week. I'll remedy that when my new backdrops get here today.
15. My word for the year is "willingness." I'm struggling with it already, knowing how much it can demand of me, but I know it's a good stretch, and I need to be stretched.
16. I see Bekah as willing. She's willing to try things, even if she have any idea if she'll succeed.
17. So here's my picture for my goal of 2012:
18. I like toddler toes. I know it won't be long before I want him wearing socks all the time, so I'll enjoy this kind of thing as long as I can:
Happy Friday!!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I really should be teaching...
But this is important!!
Today, my first challenge went live.
http://tellyourstoryeveryday.com/2012/01/glimpses/
I am SO excited about this! I can't wait to see what people do for it!!
My friend Stacey is joining me in this. Her pictures are going to be on each post (I'm hoping), so people can get two pictures as inspiration.
But I'm going to post my pictures here, because that's what my blog is about (right???)
Bekah wakes up for breakfast. She doesn’t think mornings happen until food’s in her tummy. The girls usually do school in the back room, but this is a normal scene, doing their copywork on the dining room table. Doing yoga as gym class. Jasmine practicing her magic trick, learning not to tell people how it works. Bekah’s Sudoku boards, complete with some of the numbers coughing (that’s the little circles on the page) and the note at the bottom, “Boo is not rede [ready] yet”). Hudson taking a picture of me taking a picture, and then working on his wooden beads.
I have plans to turn this into a photo book at the end of the year. I'm hoping to start working on that this afternoon, after school's done for the day, so I don't get behind from the outset and just never get it done. THAT is what this challenge is really all about, after all!!
Today, my first challenge went live.
http://tellyourstoryeveryday.com/2012/01/glimpses/
I am SO excited about this! I can't wait to see what people do for it!!
My friend Stacey is joining me in this. Her pictures are going to be on each post (I'm hoping), so people can get two pictures as inspiration.
But I'm going to post my pictures here, because that's what my blog is about (right???)
I have plans to turn this into a photo book at the end of the year. I'm hoping to start working on that this afternoon, after school's done for the day, so I don't get behind from the outset and just never get it done. THAT is what this challenge is really all about, after all!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Taking the Next Step
I think it's obvious that I spent most of 2011 focusing (ha! get it?) on photography.
The result is, in order of when things happened,
~an etsy store,
~a Facebook Fan Page
~my own store
~gigs that came my way with no promotion of my own
~leading a weekly photo challenge (tomorrow will be the first theme!!)
So this year should be exciting. I have no clue what will be happening, but I'm already able to see that it will stretch me. Not all stretching is easy or painless, but it's necessary for growth.
I hope to see my style continue to form.
I would love to see more details before I take the picture, instead of having to photoshop them out after the fact. I'm tired of having to clone out branches that were in front of people's faces. It's time to NOTICE.
I want to continue to use my gift, my time and my passion for God's glory. Last year I was there to meet and say goodbye to Emma. Who knows what will come my way this year?!?
I selfishly want to see my prints sell more; to have more fans; to get a bigger following...and to be chosen by Pioneer Woman for one of her photo challenges. But those are things that will hopefully just come, not something I have to work for. Just working towards.
So one of the things I'm trying to figure out is blogging. Right now I consider my Facebook fan page to be my blog for my photography. I don't want people to tune out of my "family" blog by posting all the time about pictures, but I already struggle keeping up with two blogs, so there's no way I could handle a third. Not and expect any sort of consistency.
And I don't like the way my site's galleries look. At all. I don't think they're professional looking or inviting. So I need to figure that out, too. (poor Josh!!)
My word for the year is 'willingness.' I want to be willing to try things. To accept challenges that come my way. Not just photographically, but especially in this area. So it should be fun to see what comes my way and how different my life and my pictures look in December of 2012!
The result is, in order of when things happened,
~an etsy store,
~a Facebook Fan Page
~my own store
~gigs that came my way with no promotion of my own
~leading a weekly photo challenge (tomorrow will be the first theme!!)
So this year should be exciting. I have no clue what will be happening, but I'm already able to see that it will stretch me. Not all stretching is easy or painless, but it's necessary for growth.
I hope to see my style continue to form.
I would love to see more details before I take the picture, instead of having to photoshop them out after the fact. I'm tired of having to clone out branches that were in front of people's faces. It's time to NOTICE.
I want to continue to use my gift, my time and my passion for God's glory. Last year I was there to meet and say goodbye to Emma. Who knows what will come my way this year?!?
I selfishly want to see my prints sell more; to have more fans; to get a bigger following...and to be chosen by Pioneer Woman for one of her photo challenges. But those are things that will hopefully just come, not something I have to work for. Just working towards.
So one of the things I'm trying to figure out is blogging. Right now I consider my Facebook fan page to be my blog for my photography. I don't want people to tune out of my "family" blog by posting all the time about pictures, but I already struggle keeping up with two blogs, so there's no way I could handle a third. Not and expect any sort of consistency.
And I don't like the way my site's galleries look. At all. I don't think they're professional looking or inviting. So I need to figure that out, too. (poor Josh!!)
My word for the year is 'willingness.' I want to be willing to try things. To accept challenges that come my way. Not just photographically, but especially in this area. So it should be fun to see what comes my way and how different my life and my pictures look in December of 2012!
Thursday, January 05, 2012
My Kids
I should really do this once a month or so...
Bekah...
has started speaking in various accents. Her favorites are 'British' and 'Southern.' She keeps us very entertained.
Hudson...
is Mr. Talkbox. He has a vocabulary much larger than I remember the girls' being at 2 1/2. (could be the fact that "he's my baby so he can't be grown up enough to talk that much!") His newest word is "actually," and his favorite sentence is, "Mommy, I have to tell you something." He loves to tell me, "I love you so much." It melts my heart every. single. time.
Jasmine...
is growing up. She's just acting so much more mature (most of the time) lately. She's sweet company. She enjoys school (most of the time). She asks good questions about life, and loves learning. Especially about anything science-related.
I love my kids. I'm so thankful that I get to spend my days with them!!
Bekah...
has started speaking in various accents. Her favorites are 'British' and 'Southern.' She keeps us very entertained.
Hudson...
is Mr. Talkbox. He has a vocabulary much larger than I remember the girls' being at 2 1/2. (could be the fact that "he's my baby so he can't be grown up enough to talk that much!") His newest word is "actually," and his favorite sentence is, "Mommy, I have to tell you something." He loves to tell me, "I love you so much." It melts my heart every. single. time.
Jasmine...
is growing up. She's just acting so much more mature (most of the time) lately. She's sweet company. She enjoys school (most of the time). She asks good questions about life, and loves learning. Especially about anything science-related.
I love my kids. I'm so thankful that I get to spend my days with them!!
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
2012:a look ahead
I can finally spill the beans!!!
A week or two ago, my dear friend Nicole asked if I would be interested in leading a weekly photography challenge on a blog she was setting up. After .0328 seconds of thought I wrote back "YES!!!" and couldn't sleep that night.
And finally my day arrived!!
Tell Your Story Every Day
My first few weeks are already planned, and February in the works.
I have to stay ahead, so that when we're on vacation it's already set up and written (and photographed).
I'm a huge fan of Jon Acuff and his witty, pointful blog Stuff Christians Like. Right now he's working on helping people figure out their goals for 2012 and take the baby steps necessary to make it happen. I just read the past couple days' posts, and yesterday's was to write out our list of goals for the year and take a picture of it. I was happy to oblige :)
I was able to make my 2011 goal, which was to really work on my photography and see where it led me. And take all opportunities that came my way. So I can't wait to see what happens this year!
A week or two ago, my dear friend Nicole asked if I would be interested in leading a weekly photography challenge on a blog she was setting up. After .0328 seconds of thought I wrote back "YES!!!" and couldn't sleep that night.
And finally my day arrived!!
Tell Your Story Every Day
My first few weeks are already planned, and February in the works.
I have to stay ahead, so that when we're on vacation it's already set up and written (and photographed).
I'm a huge fan of Jon Acuff and his witty, pointful blog Stuff Christians Like. Right now he's working on helping people figure out their goals for 2012 and take the baby steps necessary to make it happen. I just read the past couple days' posts, and yesterday's was to write out our list of goals for the year and take a picture of it. I was happy to oblige :)
I was able to make my 2011 goal, which was to really work on my photography and see where it led me. And take all opportunities that came my way. So I can't wait to see what happens this year!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Day
We had a wonderful Christmas weekend (and it's not even done yet!)
Just a glimpse:
Hudson proved that boys are, indeed, different than girls. He likes to brush my hair...but today used his plastic saw to do so.
His favorite toy is definitely the "bammer" that came with aforementioned saw.
Jasmine finally has a Kewpie Doll so she knows what her nickname means.
Bekah's loving her tutu made by a friend of mine.
Josh is enjoying my Tetris game ;) Not as much as I am, though!!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Just a glimpse:
Hudson proved that boys are, indeed, different than girls. He likes to brush my hair...but today used his plastic saw to do so.
His favorite toy is definitely the "bammer" that came with aforementioned saw.
Jasmine finally has a Kewpie Doll so she knows what her nickname means.
Bekah's loving her tutu made by a friend of mine.
Josh is enjoying my Tetris game ;) Not as much as I am, though!!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Weirdest December EVER!
So far this December, we've had 3 inches of snow.
Total.
Usually by now, we have 25 inches. Last year we had 31.
It's cold today (28 was what the fire station said an hour ago), but for the most part it's been warm enough that all of our precipitation has been rain.
Apparently it's not just me feeling slightly "off."
Yeah. That's a crocus.
It's December 23rd. In Buffalo. Winter will come, with snow and frozen ground.
But my flowers are ready to celebrate SPRING!! And I would love to join them!!
Total.
Usually by now, we have 25 inches. Last year we had 31.
It's cold today (28 was what the fire station said an hour ago), but for the most part it's been warm enough that all of our precipitation has been rain.
Apparently it's not just me feeling slightly "off."
It's December 23rd. In Buffalo. Winter will come, with snow and frozen ground.
But my flowers are ready to celebrate SPRING!! And I would love to join them!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas
Josh is upstairs right now, wrapping my presents.
This is the one time of year when being oblivious pays off. I love that I can tune out things (um, though for once I can pretend I do it on purpose!) so Christmas morning is a surprise.
I guess I took mom's story about sneaking in early to see her presents, and being so disappointed the next day, stuck with me. I never wanted that disappointment.
Of course then things happen, like the receipt from Pacific Chai shows up in our mailbox, after Josh tries so hard to keep it all under wraps (having it shipped to the office so I wouldn't see it, ordering it online when I wasn't nearby).
But those just make for good "do you remember" stories years later!
Merry Christmas!!
From Josh, Charla, Jasmine, Bekah (Boo) and Hudson!
This is the one time of year when being oblivious pays off. I love that I can tune out things (um, though for once I can pretend I do it on purpose!) so Christmas morning is a surprise.
I guess I took mom's story about sneaking in early to see her presents, and being so disappointed the next day, stuck with me. I never wanted that disappointment.
Of course then things happen, like the receipt from Pacific Chai shows up in our mailbox, after Josh tries so hard to keep it all under wraps (having it shipped to the office so I wouldn't see it, ordering it online when I wasn't nearby).
But those just make for good "do you remember" stories years later!
Merry Christmas!!
From Josh, Charla, Jasmine, Bekah (Boo) and Hudson!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Hudson, Again
I made a hat. It was supposed to be a tiny hat, but since I didn't have a small enough crochet hook it ended up being the perfect size for my Little Man.
He looks pretty cute in it. He thinks so, too!
(sorry that my watermark covers his bottom picture. At least it's not over his eyes ;) )
He looks pretty cute in it. He thinks so, too!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Cuteness
Hudson's newest word: Instead.
The kid sounds like he's 8. If he said his Rs and THs, you'd never guess he was 2.
He has opinions about everything these days. Food he likes, food he doesn't like but will eat so he's not hungry until the next meal, movies he wants to see, and activities he thinks he should try.
I'm only allowed to take pictures on *his* timing. Thankfully these were in his timing!
The other night, after he was asleep, I did some more Christmas Tree pictures with the girls. I was thrilled with how a few came out!
Yesterday, the girls' ballet classes each did a little Christmas performance for us. Both pretended they were dolls, but that's where the common ground ended. Both were very sweet, and they did a lovely job!
The kid sounds like he's 8. If he said his Rs and THs, you'd never guess he was 2.
He has opinions about everything these days. Food he likes, food he doesn't like but will eat so he's not hungry until the next meal, movies he wants to see, and activities he thinks he should try.
The other night, after he was asleep, I did some more Christmas Tree pictures with the girls. I was thrilled with how a few came out!
Yesterday, the girls' ballet classes each did a little Christmas performance for us. Both pretended they were dolls, but that's where the common ground ended. Both were very sweet, and they did a lovely job!
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