Photography

I am unsure that I'll ever know the full potential of my camera. But I love it. The poor thing probably curses the day it was placed in the hands of a cotton-headed ninnymuggins like me.

This is my beautiful daughter, in the light of today's sunset. She's so pretty.



Bubba playing wiffle ball in the street with Daddy and his big brother. One of the first photos I took with this camera, and I really like it. Mostly, because it's in focus.


I absolutely love this photo, and I wish it had been in focus! Truth be told, I took about 10 of the same type of shot and they were all too dark and blurry. I'm getting there, but I still love her pose in this one. I think the skull pj's really make the difference.


Ikey's homemade cookies she decorated all by herself.


One of my favorite shots of our nearby mountains. If you take note of the palm tree to the right you can see blotches. That's because it was taken out of my filthy windshield.


Upset, clearly.


I think I've taken about 3700 pictures of our mountains this winter. This was just a few days after Christmas, right after I got the camera. Just around the corner from my house. As of today, the snow is almost completely melted. But I never ever get sick of seeing these mountains out my windows.


I can see millions of things I would change in these photos, but I can only learn gradually. I would have never dreamed how very many settings and adjustments there are with these cameras. It makes me feel smart trying to learn though. ;)

My grandma.

I'm looking at old photos on my hard drive. This is the last picture ever taken of my grandma (12/26/06), three days before she died. Looking at the photo now I feel horrible, because that must be exactly how she felt. But at the time, not knowing she only had a couple days left, it was just humorous.

Is that wrong?

I can't help but smile because despite the horribly jaundiced skin and the passed out grandma, I just see this goofy cat that wouldn't leave the woman alone. Every morning when she woke up, my grandma wanted me to wheel her out to the comfy chair by the fireplace. No TV, no music. Just quiet. I think she just didn't want to be alone.

And so, my stupid cat Oliver crawled up on her lap. It's not like she argued! LOL I doubt she even noticed.

This was also the last day she was really coherent. Before the pain took over, before she took her last breath. I think she was so much more worn out than she let on. She just never wanted to be a bother to us, even though I would have done anything for her.

Telling the future.

I seriously just cannot get back into the swing of things. Granted today is only Monday and we are only about 6 hours back into our regularly scheduled program, but goodness gracious. Mike has whined no less than 33.5 times about having to start back up with school (after a 2 week break that seemed to last forever, thank the good Lord above) and it doesn't help that their cousin just flew in today after being gone for a month with his dad (this nephew and his mama are living with us right now; she works for Big Hunk). I just don't have the heart to rip my boy away from his fun and make him do spelling words! ;) I keep saying "10 more minutes" and I think he's caught on that Mommy has no intention of backing it up. After 2 weeks of relaxing, sleeping in (and going to bed late), seemingly nonstop TV and video games and virtually NO schedule at all, we are thrown back into weekly Bible studies, Awana and Friday school all at once. Calgon, take me away.

So the Hunk got me a camera for Christmas. Oh my gracious, I am in love. It's a Nikon D60 and despite my complete and utter lack of knowledge for this fabulous piece of machinery, I can't put it down. (Which, funny side note... BH asked me the other night if I had read the manual because he knew I was having trouble. I responded with "Yes, I read the whole thing, but half of it is in another language" with all honesty. Or at least intended honesty (does that count?). Because when I just picked it up 10 minutes ago- you know, instead of doing schoolwork- I realized that NONE of the book is in another language, and I just skipped half the book for nothing.

I am learning a lot though by checking out photography blogs, my favorite being Pioneer Woman. I swear she's my favorite person on the planet. Her site is where I get most my recipes, learn SO much about photography (a lot of it being before I even got my camera) and learn that I really do want a ranch in Oklahoma. Which is kinda funny, because that's about as far as you can get from the beach that I love so much.

Anyway, I'm learning. I am just 110% completely in love with photography. I always have been in fact, I just never had the camera to do anything right. Something cute: I distinctly remember when I was about 7 years old, someone asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. It could have been my mom asking, or a friend, I really don't remember. I just remember answering "a photographer". It didn't matter at the time that I didn't have a camera (and wasn't allowed to touch my mom's), and I don't even know how I knew what a photographer was at the time. Did I mention I'm a prophetess? ;)

A new one.

Happy New Year's! It is now 3:21pm (hehe cool!) and I am still in my Guitar Hero pajamas. Glasses are still on as the contacts continue to rest in their solution, and no, I still have not brushed my teeth. Sorry for sharing that.

But it's been such a cool day. In fact, all of us are still in our pj's (though mine are the only ones with guitars and crazy looking skeletons with cross tattoos and wings) and we have done NOTHING productive since we woke up. I take that back. Because we played Rock Band as a family and nothing is more productive than belting out Courtney Love while your son plays guitar and your husband beats the crap out of the drums. Family bonding right there, folks. The daughter? She wasn't part of our bonding. She was playing Webkinz on the computer, but she had fun. I also watched a movie (The Flying Scotsman) with my hubby, though we could understand only about 70% of the words thanks to funky accents.

I'm not usually one to make New Year's resolutions. Mostly because all my resolutions seem to be made every single day in various areas in which I'm lacking at that time: parenting, organization, etc. Of course there's the obligatory diet and workout regimen that starts sometime around January 1st. That will never change. But I also read on Greg Sponberg's blog today a rather novel approach (via Dr. Bill Thrasher). Devoting time in the month of January to prayer and really seeking God as to His direction for the upcoming year. Giving Him our firstfruits of the year, because the year is His anyway. Seeking His will in our plans and "to-do" list when everyday we are given belongs to Him in every way.

So in addition to stepping up my healthy eating (and by "stepping up" I mean throwing out the evil sugar cookies I made last night and completely changing every eating habit I have right now) and creating a workout schedule for myself, I will devote this time to God. Seeking Him before I go on with my "resolutions". Because that's all our resolutions are about anyway: self. I want my year to be about Him.

I'm going through a lot of changes recently. I've been spending a lot less time online, and more in the kitchen (my favorite place). Spending less time reading about friends and more time being with friends. And closing doors that have been hanging open far past their time. Making decisions that are best for my family and worrying less about how other people view me. Living more in the moments I'm given, rather than planning the ones I'm not promised.

Tears

I just read the following words written by Mary Beth Chapman, mother of little Maria that passed away in May.

As I anticipate Christmas 2008, I have many thoughts flying through my heart and head. The last several days, my mind has not been able to stop thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Pregnant and scared, knowing that the baby she was carrying eventually would pay the ultimate price of His life. How would I have lived differently if I knew that my time with Maria was going to be this short? Regretfully, I would have lived much differently. I would have purposely hugged and kissed more. I would have tried to memorize and lock away in my heart certain smells and smiles. I would have colored more and worked less. I would have laughed more and fussed less. Bedtime wouldn’t have become a chore to check off the list of things to get done. Instead it would have been more of an opportunity to listen about the day and offer whatever words were needed. The swimming pool wouldn’t have been too cold to swim in. The flowers in the garden would have all been picked, and definitely more ice cream would have been consumed!

Why is it, even when we know our days with our loved ones will be so short (and some so much shorter than we could ever anticipate), do we make vows to enjoy our time with them more, then let it go? Why do I constantly have to be reminded of how much I'll miss these days? Why can't I just remember that my kids will one day, much too soon, be grown? Why do I shoo them away while I'm trying to clean the kitchen, instead of taking the time to play with them and hear their laughter? Why do I care how much dog hair is on my carpet instead of just having fun with my kids and letting them stay up late to cuddle?

I am feeling very convicted right now. Though my time on the computer has been cut drastically lately, it's only been to spend more time on my house. Constant cleaning and organizing is still leaving my kids without an active mommy. And I feel horrible about it right now.

Despite all the best intentions, I don't feel like I'm living very purposefully right now.

Please pray for this pastor!!

This morning at Bible study, one of the leaders brought this story to our attention. I was in tears as she told us, and as we prayed for them.

What the article doesn't tell you is that Dennis was beat with a hammer. A hammer. Can you imagine? This happened on Saturday night. That night, his family was told he had a slim to none chance of surviving. As of yesterday- NO brain damage!!! God is a god of miracles!!!

Up until yesterday, Dennis was under an alias because authorities were unsure if this had been gang-related or not. So for 1-2 minutes every hour, when Dennis was awakened from his medically-induced coma, the nurses would try to get him to respond by saying "Mr. Wells". Of course this wasn't his name, and he wouldn't respond. But his wife, being his advocate, told the nurses that wasn't his name. Now that they are saying "Dennis" when he is taken out of the coma, he is responding.

Praise God!!! I pray God is glorified through this ugly, horrible situation. Please please pray for Dennis!!

Aw!

Mama & Tommie, Laguna Beach
Originally uploaded by faith gal220

I logged into my long-forgotten Flickr account so I can attach the photos (that I will one day upload) to my new website.

This was the only photo I'd added there. Sooooo cute! Ikey was 22 months here- could she BE more adorable??

And I'll just tackle the elephant in the room. Yes, I threw away that shirt.

The fam.

I feel like we have been SO busy. I homeschool and I am a stay-at-home mom, but I promise, we're hardly ever here. I have my weekly Bible Study (the kids come with me), the kids have AWANA every week, and then there's Friday school (on, um, Fridays). Add to that church services and Big Hunk's baseball games that are starting again and you can understand why we love the new gas prices so much. :)

Our school (since we homeschool, it's actually a private school thru our church) has Friday school, like I mentioned above. Both the kids are enrolled: Mike is taking a health/safety class and a science class, and Ike is taking health/safety and a ABC's storytime kind of class. It's a lot of fun for them to get taught by someone other than Mom, and I get to cuddle with the cute babies in the nursery while they are in class. :) We didn't do Friday school last year because there was only one class offered for Mikey, but I'm totally enjoying it this year. Next week is actually our last day until January because of the holidays.

Okay. So maybe we don't have so much going on. Because now I have nothing to say.

Quick notes, maybe?

• It is nature's cruel trick that in order to fight pimples from hell, I can't use my wrinkle cream. Pimples and wrinkles should never plague the same person at once.
• Our car is paid off. Yay!
• Christmas is less than 2 months away and now we're planning our New Year's party.
  
• My dog stinks.
  
• My dog has been stealing poop out of the catbox and eating it on my living room carpet. Sometimes leaving her leftovers for us.
  
• I love iCarly.
  
• I bought a new cupcake decorating book and am now obsessed with trying them all out. Who would NOT love a cupcake that looks like corn on the cob??
• Or an owl?
  
• My new favorite show is Rob & Big. I don't get how we missed it this long.
• Or a chicken leg?
  
• I am, once again, hooked on Seinfeld again. I watch it every night before bed.
• I broke my cute little coffeepot. It was a 4 cup size and was perfect.
  
• I LOVE pumpkin spice coffee and I'm sure to go through my 2-lb bag in a week.
• Pumpkin spice creamer with pumpkin spice coffee? Not so much.
• I don't know how Arnold Schwarzenagger was ever elected.
• I'm getting my hair cut on Monday!

Okay. This bullet list may very well have become obnoxious now, so I'm out.

On our way out.

We are leaving in about an hour and a half to go to Arizona. Big Hunk has a baseball tournament out there, and depending on how well his team does we could be there til Sunday. I'm looking forward to it (I love AZ, it's so beautiful) and hope the kids entertain themselves while I watch my man play. ;)

I have to say, this is RARE occasion, me sitting at the computer before we leave on a trip. Normally at this time I running around like a maniac packing last minute items (which with me, everything is packed last minute!) and complaining what a mess my house is.

I took a different approach this time. Yes I still packed last minute, but I DELEGATED. Sooo much easier! No more complaining that I have no help, this time I requested it. LOL Of course, as we speak Big Hunk's clothes are still not packed and he's not home, but he'll get it done. ;) I've spoiled the boy too long. All I have to do are finish cleaning the catbox and pack up the ice chest, and we're good to go. It will be a good 5-6 hour drive. I have all of our school supplies packed for the week, along with my own Bible study goodies and lots of movies. I really don't know how many of Tom's games we'll be able to go to, so we're just playing it by ear.

Okay- do any of your kids have Webkinz? Holy gracious that has had to be the most destructive purchase we've ever made. My mom bought each of the kids one over a year ago, but we never used their code online. I came across one of the codes a few weeks ago, and it all snowballed from there. Forget the kids- it's BH & I that are addicted!! They have the BEST games on there!! And you can only get to them if you have a Webkinz, so we use the kids' codes. Every time we play a game on there we earn the kids money to buy things for their animal- anything from big screen TV's to blenders to a magic carpet. LOL I am seriously having to make a conscious effort to NOT sit down at the computer because I will never get up!

Well, I need to cut this short so I can get Ikey lunch. Big Hunk & Mikey are out running last minute errands before our trip (dropping the dog off at doggie day care, getting a part for the car, etc) and I have the house all cleaned so I don't come home to a messy house. Sweet!

Antisocial.

I have been feeling really antisocial lately. It finds it's way into my everyday life where I don't make good small talk at church or on the phone, but it's definitely running over into my internet self too. ;) Whatever that means.

But today, I just feel like we have lots going on and I want to share!

Big Hunk had his baseball game yesterday, it was play-offs. Basically, if his team won, they would keep going for up to 3 more weeks. But if they lost, they would be eliminated immediately. Usually the kids and I don't go to the games all that often- usually a factor of the distance and heat making it too much of a pain in the butt. But I wasn't going to miss this one! And it was a good game. I am so glad I got to go, and I'm so thankful my kids are at the age they can play for 3 1/2 hours with friends and leave me alone! Half kidding there. ;) There is hardly anything I love more than just sitting and watching Big Hunk play baseball (and yes, those pants have something to do with it), and I wish I could go every week.

BH's team was in 5th place going into the playoffs, and they were playing the #4 team. The Angels vs. The Diablos, which always makes me laugh. Good vs. Evil. Well unfortunately, evil won this time. And it sucked. It was tied going into the 9th inning (the time limit is 3 hours, but they had to play extra time because of the tie), but the Angels scored one run giving them the advantage. But, because the Diablos had last ups, if they scored one run it would tie it up again or they had to score two to win.

I shed tears when they scored two, on a double. :*( I was so bummed for Hunk. He was pitching too, so he beats himself up.

So, the other team won by 1, and the season is over. BH is playing in a tournament in Arizona at the end of the month though, and the kids & I get to go with him. I'm so excited! Arizona is SO beautiful (the drive is loooong, but so gorgeous with all the red clay!) and clean, I can't wait to get away for a few days. And since my kids aren't sleeping in their own beds right now, it's not like the trip will screw up their schedule. *roll eyes*

Big Hunk's company is advertising with the (real) Angels for the rest of the season, so we get tickets to the rest of the home games. It's not many, but it's pretty much a dream come true for BH. He has ALWAYS wanted season tickets to the Angels. And it's even better that Mikey is officially an Angels nut too! His favorite player is Vladimir Guerrero, and the girl in charge of our advertising gave Mikey a ball signed by Guerrero when we were there a couple weeks ago. :) He was so ecstatic. We are *hoping* he will get to meet him, but we have to brush up on our Spanish if that happens because he doesn't speak English. lol

So anyway, the Yankees are our big rivals and Big Hunk has never seen the Yankees play before. Tonight (and the next 2) the Yankees are playing the Angels, and we get to go. :) Tonight the 4 of us are going, then tomorrow night BH is taking his friend and Mikey (I have our monthly women's study and Ike is going to a sitter). Wednesday is a day game so I will probably take Ikey to Disneyland while the boys watch the game. I love that my girl loves that place as much as I do. :-) Mikey couldn't usually care less if we go, but Ikey is always thrilled when we get to. Just like her mama.

My Tuesday morning Bible study starts back up in 2 weeks, and I CANNOT wait. I am seriously counting down the days. It ended in May and I have so missed that adult interaction! Even Mikey keeps asking when it starts again, poor kid. I keep him locked up in this house and he's "soooo bored". Kid, you don't even know what bored is! Those kids have a playroom full of toys, a backyard with an awesome playground and basketball hoop (okay, I can see how that hoop wouldn't be that appealing to Ikey), a pool (that I rarely take them swimming in myself), and every board game imaginable.

Yet all they ask to do is play on the computer (Webkinz are the best investment, I swear! lol) or Xbox. Or TV. Anything to numb the brain. Which I guess doesn't say much because here I am on the computer....

Well, I should get my kitchen clean before we leave in a couple hours. I don't have to can't cook for the next 3 nights because of the games and church on Wed, so I have no excuse to keep it clean!