Finally!

So excited about the new blog. I finally got tired of figuring out how to set up my own crap so I had someone do it for me.

http://www.theblogfairy.com/

She was great and very patient with me. I wish I would have done it sooner!

I have changed that header so many times it has given me a headache.

I am also very excited about the upcoming spring break. I am going to spend a lot of good time with the kids, take a week off from work and put down the camera and join in. Sometimes I forget that! Carson has his picture taken a lot by me because he likes it. But even Carson is getting tired of me asking him to sit over here or stand over there. These are the faces I got from him this time.
I did have the best experience at a wedding that I got to take some pictures at. Boy it was the best learning experience I could have ever had! It was fun and exciting to do something different. I also have the pleasure to be doing another one in May.

Here are just a few shots from that day!

She was absolutely beautiful! The whole thing taught me so much about myself and how I like to take photographs!

I feel so blessed that I have found something that I enjoy so much. Now if I can just figure out the balance in my life. I think things will start coming together. I am always battling with keeping who I am alive and sacrificing for my family. I have such big dreams and I just need to be patient.

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.