Here's Hoping

Spring Sprung! For a day.
So we decided to spend the day outdoors.
Gaige was on Spring Break so we thought we would take advantage of the slightly warm
slightly windy day and go to the park. And yes my boys were with me. They go running and screaming every time they
see me with camera in hand. I always have my camera, so they get a lot of exercise.
Sadie was at school ( for those of you who maybe a little confused, she attends a private school, that's a
whole other blog entry.) All in all it was nice day. It was good to be outside. So here's hoping for more
warm days. As I have seriously thought about moving back to Phoenix. The last month was most unpleasant.
And unpleasant isn't really the word I want to use to describe the weather, or how I felt about it. But for the sake of keeping a
G rating I will use the word "unpleasant".


Love Love Love Love the piggies!
(tales,that is)
I wish I could bottle just a bit of her!
For I find her to be the most.....what?
There are no words!

She Makes Me Smile!

Because a new tube of lip gloss makes my day too!
Because her name is Andi Jane.
Because she sat still long enough for me to snap a couple pictures!

When I get her out of bed she says "you had a good sleep mommy?"
Because her confidence is astounding.
Because her belly and her cheeks still look like a baby's.
Because I know I will never win argument.
What hope do I possibly have, look at those eyes
Because she loves my shoes as much as I do.

Because she is way more than I bargained for!

Don't try to adjust your Screen

Gaige and Clay with there Easter Egg masterpieces!

I love how these photos turned out when all the processing was done.

Don't try to adjust your screen, yes that is snow you see in the background We decided instead of fighting it we would embrace the snow and the sub-zero temps and have the Easter Egg Hunt outside. The kids couldn't have cared less! I need to remember that more often. I get so caught up in all the details, needing it to be perfect. Perfect weather, perfect cloths... Notice my shirtless boys in the pictures above, when all they really want is to have fun, to celebrate what ever the occasion may be. THIS was a good day!

More Fruit

Rome Was Not Built in a Day

Neither were my digital scrapbook skills.
Let's just say being a stay at home mom for (yes, count them) 12
years, has diminished my brain's ability to processes new information.
Apparently you need more than Dora the Explorer and Hannah Montana
in your daily routine to keep your brain from turning to mush!
I am reading Oprah's book club selection. Which I highly recommend, but be warned it is very
very deep! At the same time taking this online Digital Scrapbook class.
I am learning so much from both the book and the class.
However my brain hurts, not a headache, more like a sore muscle.
I have found that I do like the digital world of scrapbooking.
And was pleased to find out I was not to dumb after all!
Anyway here are some of the fruits of my labors!
I hope my sister-in-law Kim enjoys them for she is the only one who visits my blog.
So Kim here you go, this may explain why I been slacking a bit on my blog.

To Everything There is a Season

A couple of weeks ago the weather was so gray and overcast and foggy.
My mood matched that of the weather outside.
So I thought instead of wishing this day away
I would grab my camera and spend some time
in the fresh winter air.
As I was trudging through the thigh high snow
and watching my breath come in white puffs,
I found myself wondering.

Is the earth anxious?
Does it feel the anticipation of spring?
Or does it have the Eternal Patience of It's Creator?
Do the trees know, that as they feel the water change from ice to
a slow flowing river that there is a change coming?

Or have they learned after hundreds of years
watching and listening, in there stillness,

that this, the season of sleep is meant for something
truly miraculous! Do they reflect on time already spent, and
Wonder of the possibilities that are to come?
Or do they they have true gratitude in this moment that simply
IS!

Here are some of the images I captured of this season called winter!
I hope I was able to capture the stillness and calm that came to me as I saw
these images through my lens!

It's Raining Babies!

Saturday was Courtney's (Derek sister) baby shower.

I, of course in a hurry to get out the door
forgot my camera!

With me you have to chose, on time, or camera.
Anyway it was a very nice day.
I was able to stop and think throughout the week as I was
preparing for the shower.
What an exciting time this is for her and Tyler.
The anticipation of your FIRST baby.
The excitement of meeting your child for the first time,
having no idea what you are in for.
Not just the amount of work a baby requires,
but the amount of joy and love you instantly feel for a total stranger!
It's almost overwhelming. (in a good way)
So to Courtney and Tyler,
Enjoy this time you have left with just the two of you.
Your world is about to become dramatically different in ways you never expected!
You will soon look at this new life that you have brought into this world,
look at each other and say
"What did we ever do before he came into our lives!"

These are the flowers and decorations I did for the shower.

They almost make me want another baby. Almost