Monday, June 29, 2009

Take a walk with me


I deided to take my camera with me on my morning walk. It was so much fun! I need to get out and enjoy my surroundings more! Being out in the fresh air and enjoying Gods creation really fills me up. So , I thought I would share the joy I found on this journey! " Isn't the Daisy the friendliest flower?"
This is what the sky looked like on my way up the hill and it was sprinkling as well.
This is Bella. Isn't she cute? She is my neighbors dog. She decided that she wanted to join me on my walk. I quite enjoyed her company!!
These are from my friend Mary's beautiful flower gardens. I was so inspired as I walked by their home. They have done a beautiful job w/ the landscaping.
As I was walking, I heard what I think is the most beautiful ,peaceful sound...... a trickling stream,running creek etc. So I decided to do some exploring and I found this beautiful spot back into the woods. This is now my favorite spot. I think I will go there to pray in the mornings before I go back and start my day. " A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel" ~ unknown I always have a better day when I start it out in prayer!!
This was what the sky looked like on my way back down the hill! Guy David wasn't fond of this shot due to the wires but I think it is kinda cool!!
More music to my ears!! Of course I had to stop and listen!!
I love the reflection in the water in this one!! This journey of photography is good for my soul! this next pic is my neighbors garden. I LOVE it!!! he is using all sorts of things to plant in and support his plants........ tires,bed frames and some that I have no clue of what they are. So funky! Definetely adds something interesting for me to look at as I walk. lol I have made so many new friends on my morning walks. Not one has offered me a cup of coffee though!
I have tried to get a good shot of the horses in the barn so many times. They are always there when I go by. I love the contrast of the darkness of the barn and the horses in the lighted window. Can't wait to learn more!!!
I saved the best for last. This was actually w/ my Power Shot not the SLR. I have been trying to get this blurred background w/ my camera and until this shot , I had no luck. I have NO IDEA how I did this. LOLOLOLOL Hopefully you enjoyed our walk together. :) I loved sharing it!!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Summer Lovin'


I am lovin' Summer!! Having a break from school and being able to wake up and not have to feel the urgency of the day, to just be able to relax and just let the day happen is just so refreshing.I do feel though that I should try to take that approach to each and every day. Of course we have things we need to do but it certainly does not have to be summer to enjoy nature and savor the moment and live simply. The things I love most about Summer are the simple things. Yesterday ,Keith saved a toad from Sawyer and he was so proud.

This next shot is my favorite! It has the blurred background that I have been trying to get w/ my Canon powershot for months. I tried everything but put the camera on Manual. I am such a wimp! Well , with this other camera it came easier for me. And very soon, hopefully, I will be able to tell you the term (w/out searching my notes) for the blurred background and be confidently using my manual setting. :)To be BRAVE!!!
It was sad but we had to let Toady go. We were not sure of what to feed him etc. So today we will do a little research and go on a Toady search. If we find him, he will hang out w/ us for a couple of days. He is pretty cute!! I wonder if I kiss him if he will turn into a Prince. I would rather a maid since I already have a prince. LOL

Thursday, June 25, 2009

This is what happens when Mom is having fun on the computer

" What?"




So, this is what happens when Mommy is taking some time to hang out in blogging land. I have to confess I didn't even realize he turned on the TV let alone was eating chips on the couch in the living room.( a big no-no) The sad part is that the computer is right across form the couch. Uh oh ! I guess I better watch it. This is what happened when I started laughing! what a little man laying there w/ the remote and a bag of chips w/ his belly hanging out!! I then of course took all of the fun out of life and put the chips away. I did allow him to finish watching his show. At least he was not watching football.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Just For Me



This is the binder for the Photography Class I started on Monday. I was like a little kid checking the mail every day waiting for it to come! I remember the day it came... I also acted like a little kid. The kids wanted to open it and I would not let them. Maybe I need some lessons on sharing.Do you ever just long for something just for yourself? And I am not just talking about the chocolate we hide from our children and sneak occasionally or maybe frequently. hehee! How fun to open the box and find such an adorable presentation. Oh ,it is fun to be a girl! I have never enjoyed getting the mail so much in all my life. This was not the end of my excitement. I knew that soon would also come another and even greater blessing in the mail. A very sweet friend had offered to let me borrow her Canon EOS 20d digital SLR camera. This lady I admire as a Mama and a photographer so I cannot put into words what this means to me or how inspired I feel! This camera will be my baby for the next 9-10 weeks!
I wonder if anyone is sick of me taking their picture yet. LOL It is my new favorite neclace. This will be a new opportunity to not care what people think because I plan to enjoy this precious gift to the fullest. Yea Baby!! I had so much fun shooting all the little ones with this camera the other night at our church leagues baseball game. What was the score? Who won? LOL Don't tell my husband!!!
Jonah was being so silly as he tried on his cousin Savannahs shades!
Here is litte Savannh Grace. I just want to squeeze her every time I see her. I so wish those shadows were not on her face. I cannot wait until I can confidently get off of the auto setting.
This is Tara. She is Jonahs special friend. They are so adorable together! She is so stinkin cute!! Today I was looking at my teachers blog. She has a little girl named Annie who is adorable. Jonah asked " Who is that ?" as I looked at a picture of Annie in a polka dotted bikini and rain boots. I said, "That is your wife." He said, " No she is not. Tara is my wife!!" I laughed so hard.Sorry!! I forgot for a moment that we already arranged their marriage.Tara will make a fine wife!! LOL
I LOVE this shot of Elias! He and Jonah were playing and Jonah did something to make him laugh!
I was so excited when I saw this moment of opportunity. What a precious sight. But due to a busy little girl, I was only able to shoot this once. Do you think my friend will mind if I ask her if we can reinvent this shot?? haha
These two ladies enjoyed each others company. the little lady was having fun listening to the music on Chelsea's cell phone and dancin' away! Again the lighting isn't the greatest at all but I had fun!!!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Feeling Free

School is officially out for the summer! These past couple of weeks have been so busy with trying to wrap up school and finish our portfolios. this past week was VBS and swimming lessons. I don't know if I have ever been so tired. Today, when we had our evaluation and I handed those portfolios over , I felt such a weight lift off of my shoulders. Finally , my journey into the summer can begin. I am actually excited about having some focused time to clean my house and work on some projects. I still have not gotten the summer clothes out and the winter clothes put away. So thankful for this cool weather.( though, many are not! )
Tomorrow is a very exciting day for me. It is the first day of the online photography class I am taking. Other than getting married and having my babies, I don't know if I have ever been so excited about something. I have always loved photography and now love to scrapbook. I have always wanted to learn more and longed to take better pictures but I have never pursued this. What stirred my heart was an organization called " Now I Lay me Down to Sleep." http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/ This is a beautiful organization that gives families whose little ones have gone to live with Jesus or whose little ones are not going to be here long the gift of capturing the blessings of these little lives with beautiful photos . I am so thankful that I got to have Alayna here with me for 2 weeks. I treasure the pictures I have of her. My hearts desire is to one day work for nilmdts and give others that gift. So tomorrow I begin that journey and I am hoping I will be able to sleep tonight. I feel like a little girl waiting for Santa to come. My friend ,Val told me about this class and we actually get to take it together. :) Our teacher is a beautiful,humble, down to earth lady and I cannot wait to learn from her!!
Though the last couple of weeks have been a little crazy, they have also been filled w/ traesures along the way. Getting the mail has been exciting as I waited for my binder for the class to come. It is adorable! And if being able to take this class at this point in my life was not blessing enough, I get to borrow an SLR camera that has been in the hands of a wonderful mom and photographer to capture the memories of her children. I feel so blessed and inspired.
I hope to share some pics w/ you tomorrow but right now I am too tired to figure out how to load them. Yes , I still do not have that all figured out. I am hoping this will change very quickly!!