my word for the year!!

So my friend Becky inspired me to pick a word for the year and here goes!

So I picked gratitude because it seems to fit me this year. I have been very introspective lately and have definitely realized what is most important. My kids definitely make me grateful everyday. Lately in our house we have had to have a continue flow of apples because Jaden says it makes his heart feel better. Carson is always making me laugh by his endless energy!

I am grateful for my sweet daughter. She keeps the boys in line and never ceases to amaze me with her willingness to spend the day just with the boys.

So that is my word. I hope I can always remember the important things so the stupid things don't seem so big.

Ahh!! The sun!

I have to say that it was gorgeous weather in Texas. You could go outside and feel the sunshine on your face. It has done wonders for my spirit. I also got to see so many people and I love that. I got to stay with Melissa for the first couple of nights and I followed that baby around for two days snapping shots.

I have to say that she is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. And yes I find her very advanced for her age. It was so fun to use my camera again and have the sun pouring through the windows and even going outside.

She had fabulous curls that I did not think looked at all Jewish Orthodox. I just had a wonderful time. The rest of the weekend was spent with my sister and we did things that you would think that after living in Texas for so long that we would have done before.

This whole weekend made me think about a lot of things. About how I wanted to be as a mother and how I wanted to tell stories through photography and things I wanted to change about myself.

Sorry for all the pictures but I just had so much fun. I did miss my kids and realize every time I am away from them how much I miss them.

Hello out there!

I cannot wait in a week I get to fly to Texas to see my sister and as luck would have it my friend Melissa moved to Texas along with my friend Paula. Makes it convenient for me. My friend Becky Jean will also be coming along. I love having things to look forward to. I can guarantee it will be full of laughter.

Another thing I look forward to is free things. Especially when it comes to photography. At www.thepioneerwoman.com
she gave away a set of her actions. I just found out that she gave away the second set of actions that she made. Completely free. Oh how I love actions. They sometimes really make processing pictures easier. Since I have not been taking a lot of pictures lately I tested them out on some of my favorite shots.

There is a sharpening action and a warming and just all kinds of fun. The next shot is an example of her seventies action. Do love that one!

I love messing around with this stuff especially since it has been so cold and snowy here. There is always something more to learn. I am going to be taking an online course about lighting. Very excited.

By the way Amy you should see how long my hair is getting. I am showing you right now as I type!

Excited?

I think I am excited to start something new. It is called project 365 on flickr. I am supposed to take a picture a day and post it to flickr. I think that it will push me to be more creative and take pictures of more things. I am starting off with this one. Carson is always so funny to me and this is a classic look.

I am also excited because I am going to start to get ready to hike the narrows this summer. I decided I needed a warm destination to get me looking forward to something. So here goes. Did I tell anyone that Jaden's new word is moron. He calls everyone it. And to my suprise he uses it appropriately. I know that he has not heard that from me because I like to call people stupid. Then when he calls someone that I of course say that is not nice. So then he always backs it up with something french like "excusem wa." Another favorite of mine.

So long winter blues!

Well the blues are gone hopefully for good. I was able this year to change the way I think. Don't get me wrong I wrestled through plenty of ice cream. I am just trying to stay busy! My kids help a lot because they keep me busy. I have also been taking a lot of walks. So I have been trying to take the camera on the walks but chasing kids and a dog who likes to roll in poop (a whole long story) I try to capture what I am seeing. I have decided as long as I am outside that helps a lot. So we bundle up and go. Today it was just Jaden and I walking along paths through trees and it was the best time I have had in a long time. He is so fun to talk to and just talks about anything and everything.

I love that there are trails. It is through a lake and a forest and I just love it. Taking pictures is helping me appreciate so many little things that I never even considered beautiful!

There is never enough time in the day though. Because if I stroll through the grove laundry does not get done. But I would never change it. I am looking forward to so many things this coming year and one of them is just to spend time with the kids--I mean look at this face. I don't think that this is just a face only a mother could love--he is just lovable!!