Photography

As many of you know, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but I never felt confident enough to go out and really do it.  I've been thinking of taking some online courses for a few months, but then came across an add in our county paper that advertised photography and photoshop classes at the high school for a much more affordable rate.

I decided to take both photoshop and photography and boy howdy am I sure glad I did!  I feel like because I am taking the two together I'm getting products that I'm proud of.  I'm learning to take great photographs (all in manual mode, I might add) and then know how to enhance their goodness in photoshop.  I Love It.  Love It.  Love It.

Here are a few pictures from this week's classes.  Our assignment was to find everyday objects and make them art.

 Handbag

My Hubby's Eye

Water Fountain Reflection-I LOVE the reflection of the wall tiles in the spout.

Hope you enjoy.  More to come!

two birthdays...of sorts

This kid is 4 months old!  Can you believe it!?  He is still the most beautiful, happy and giggly child you've ever met.  He spends his days smiling and laughing CONSTANTLY. (Well, as long as he is in the same room as other humans.)  If I have to be in the other room, I just ask Eden to play next to him and he's happy as can be as long as she'll sit next to him.

Our doctor appointment isn't until later this month, so I'll post official stats then, but he's roughly 17.5 lbs (as good a reading as I can get with having to hold him on the scale.)

He wears mostly 9 month clothes, but sometimes 12 month stuff.  His legs are chubby as can be!  I really need to get a picture of all of his rolls that I just DIE over.  Nathan accidentally put him in Eden's diapers the other night and they fit well enough to keep everything in all night long- that shows you how chubby this handsome guy is.  We are just in love with him and feel so blessed each time we hear his delighted laughter fill our home.

In other news, this lover of mine turned 26!  I am so blessed to have him in my life and am constantly amazed by all he does to show me how much he loves me.  I am one lucky girl.  This man literally gives, gives, gives all day long and gives any extra time he has to make sure that I'm taken care of and get some time to myself.  I can't believe the sacrifices that he makes for me.

We spent his birthday watching general conference and his brother came down from Idaho so that they could all go to Priesthood session together.  Nate loves being with his family so it was the perfect day for him.

The next day, we celebrated with my family and tonight we even get to use one of his presents by going out to dinner and to the Jazz game together.  Might I mention how much I love gifts that are for Nathan but that I enjoy as well?  Okay...I LOVE them!   It's like a few of his T-shirts that are officially mine now because I've worn them so many times they just end up in my drawer.  This man sure puts up with a lot.

All in all, life continuous to be so good to us.  We spend our days laughing hysterically at things that Eden says and staring in amazement at our two miracles.  We've dreamed about this for so long and sometimes we just look at each other and can't believe that we are truly living our dream.  Life isn't perfect, it never will be, but we have so many things to be thankful for. We are especially thankful for the power of prayer and the guidance that comes from the Holy Ghost as we try to figure out this parenting thing.  How grateful we are to know about the Plan of Salvation and our role as parents on this earth.

One of my new favorite songs to sing to the kids is "I Lived in Heaven" from the Primary Children's Song Book.  I don't know how I ever missed how significant that song is.  It completely outlines why we are here and how we can get back to our Father in Heaven.  I am amazed each time I sing it that I have the privilege of knowing those truths and for the direction they have given and will continue to give me in my life.  I hope that my children will sense as I sing that how much their Father in Heaven loves them and how much he wants them to return to him.

Dear Stacy and Clinton,

Picture from TVGuide.com

 I've watched "What Not to Wear" for years.  I've watched you tell a million mothers that it's totally practical to look nice and wear expensive clothing during day to day life.  I appreciate a lot of things that you've said.  I try to make sure I look nice when I go out in public, but when I'm at home...that's my zone and no one can tell me that wearing $100 jeans and a silk top is practical.

I'm wearing my third pair of pants for the day.  Yes, the third.  Luckily, my son didn't sleep last night so we got a late start and I was still in my sweats when my daughter sat on my lap and pooped on me.  I'll tell you one thing, if I had been wearing nice clothes, that combined with no sleep might have sent me over the edge.  But, because I was in my sweats... no biggie.  I simply changed into another pair of sweats, and good thing because 2 hours later, my daughter's peanut butter hands somehow found a way to rub my pants and smear the loveliness all over.

So thank you for encouraging us mothers to care for ourselves and take time to feel and look good.  I will always appreciate that advice.  But I will also never feel bad for wearing my sweats around the house so that I can remember that my baby is more important than worrying about the spit up on my shoulder.  There may come a time when dressing a little nicer at home can work, but when sticky hands from dum-dum suckers and poop leaking diapers and throw up going everywhere but the toilet is my every day story, I'll continue to dress comfortably enough to sit Indian style on the floor reading stories and casual enough to not care when a glass of spilled milk goes directly on my lap.

learning patience

If there is one thing I've learned being a parent, it's that kids have their own ideas about when they should learn things, and it's really in your best interest to follow their lead on that one.  If you try to force them into a new stage too quickly...good luck!  If you try to stop them from achieving a new milestone...good luck!

We're beginning to run into a "slow down!" milestone around here.  This girl has decided that trying to go potty is a great thing to try right now.

While some of you might think I'm crazy for wanting to wait, (seeing as I have two in diapers and goodness knows that's not a cheap endeavor) I can assure you that right now is not what I was planning in my mind.  (Shame on me for once again thinking I can control things like this!!!)

We live in a small rental with carpet everywhere.  Yes, everywhere.  Bathroom and kitchen included.  I ask you, where do you have your child run when they have to go potty in a house with no where that is, shall we say, "spill proof"?  I might just resort to putting her potty in the tub and making her jump in every time she has to go...hahaha. 

I had really hoped to wait until next May when we'll either be moving to a new house, or a different rental that has more child friendly features in the kitchen and bathroom.  But, when a toddler tells you they want to go potty, the worst thing you could do would be to try to dissuade them.  So, this is what our house looks like today...

So far, she hasn't gotten to the potty soon enough to make it in, but she's learning to start running there when she has to go.   Most of the time it's when #2 is half way done and she looks at me, startled, and yells..."poop!" Then she makes a beeline for the toilet.  So, she's still in a diaper, but after running to the toilet at least 5 times in 2 hours and having to deal with taking the pants on and off, we opted to make the process a little easier.

Here's to learning a little more patience and beginning to let go of my "plan, plan, plan" personality.  (I think I have learned that lesson every single day since becoming a parent almost two years ago, but it's still hard for me to swallow.)

And now, a few pictures for your enjoyment.

Every night when we get into our PJs, as she's taking off her shirt, she leaves it like this on her head and proudly declares.."hat!"  Every. Single. Night.  I can't let this stage pass without remembering it.

Ahh!  I can never get over those eyes of hers-absolutely no touch ups on this one.  That's all her.  Don't mind the rash around her mouth-little food allergy folks.  Here she is rolling her eyes because I asked her to pose for another picture.  I've been wanting to get an eye roll on camera FOR EVER!  I have no idea where she got this from because I've never seen Nate do it, and he says I don't.

Acting like a baby.   Every once in awhile, she climbs onto my lap and wants me to hold her like I hold Brigham-and of course, she has to suck on her pretend bottle. 

She has a current obsession with money.  So every once in awhile, I get some change out of my wallet and let her play with it.  Occupied her for 20 minutes.  I can get a lot of house work done in 20 minutes!

I let her pick out this treat bucket at the store the other day and she has carried it around with her EVERYWHERE since she's had it.  Every few seconds she says "trick-or-treat".  You can bet she'll be ready when the time comes.

The child is still trying to get teeth. 

She didn't want to take any more pictures, I persuaded her by telling her I wanted to get pictures of her "puppy" and treat bucket.  This is her best pose when she wants to be done.

Some people stick out their tongue when they concentrate.  Not Eden.  No, she looks really concerned and purses her lips.