365/365 Whooo Whoooo Whoooo

365/365 Whooo Whoooo Whoooo

OK so I finally finished, 8 days late but who cares. It was a personal goal, in which I think there is always room for improvement but man I am excited about my follow thru on this one. I'm a person with a huge fear of long term commitment and until I get "used" to the commitment, I often let it slide away very quietly. This time I stayed focused on trying to get better at photography, I love it so much, and trying to stay motivated and not get burnt out. I'm still working on my techniques, I think I have so much to learn, but I am closer to taking my ideal photos and seeing my visions come to fruition than I was a year ago. 

I might set another goal soon but I think the 365 days distracted me from why I started this blog, which was to document our daily life. I think focusing on the photos made the other things I like to do, like hearing myself talk when I'm writing a post, fall by the wayside. So I'm not taking any time off but I'm going to try to get back to a place where I can tell the story about the events of the day and what lessons I get from those events. So then there is the question of what the last photo should be, it needed to be spectacular and amazing and such an example of what I have learned over the last year and I think it really does. It screams "yes she is done and doesn't have to annoy us 99 times a day trying to get a picture to post!!!!". I'm felling the same sentiment except I'm happy I won't have to carry my camera around all the time. Funny thing is I left it at home today when we headed out for our games and stuff only to call Rob and find out that I "forgot"my camera and so he brought it for me !!! Oblivion is bliss sometimes, sweet guy. 

363&364 Team Up Thursday

363&364 Team Up Thursday

I am participating in a new challenge, every Thursday I have teamed up with Sandra to combine our interpretations of a theme. This week the theme was "New". I posted a photo of my new Perfume and she posted a photo of Isabella's "New" toy. I think this is going to be fun. They are just such different interpretations. You can find the results of other teams on Flikr as well as at Mental Inventory, check them out. 

Little Man's Birthday cake that he helped make !!!

Really I'm trying to think of anything better than a huge dollop of sprinkles and being 4, not much comes to mind. Although the word dollop brings back memories of The Rhino. We had obviously let him watch to much tv and one day at dinner he comes to me and says "can you put a dollop of daisy on my potato." WHAT !!! 

362/365 Happy Birthday Little Man !!!

362/365 Happy Birthday Little Man !!!

Today Little Man turns 4. It's breaking my heart. It all started 4 years ago today, he was born in the afternoon around 4 after a very short and comfortable labor. The thing I remember most was how much I loved him from the moment he came out. I ended up staying in the hospital for a few days, not sure why, while Rob stayed at home with the other kids. It was a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

He has added so much joy to our lives. He is funny, that's what happens when you are number 3, your always going for the laugh. he is smart, he gets that from me. He is handsome, he gets that from his father. He is sweet, he gets that from his grandmother. Everyone on both sides has made a contribution to this boy.

I can only hope and pray that he keeps his sense of humor and his loving and kind nature. I really am sad that he will be our last baby, I can't believe he is 4! Wow time flies.

361/365 Yummy

361/365 Yummy

This is my favorite French Toast EVER !!!

It just so happens it is at my brothers cafe.

I would eat it every day if I could but I'm thinking that's not good for me.....

360/365 Almost There

360/365 Almost There

I've almost done it, I'm running a week behind in my 365 but only 5 DAYS LEFT !!!

It's like a sale advertisement, ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT !!!

I found this new project through a new friend, Sandra, called The Daily Shoot !

The idea is to push your photography each day.

Todays theme was "find an interesting texture and make a picture" so here it is :

413 Daily Shoot

359/365 Happy New Year !

359/365 Happy New Year !

This is who I partied with last night, it was exciting let me tell you.

My 8 year old nephew, isn't he cute.

Man these kids like to have a good time. He thought he would disguise himself as an adult !!!

This is his interpretation. 

358/365 Today's Favorite

358/365 Today's Favorite

I love this photo.

It is SOOC and I think the light is just so fabulous. The Rhino wants so desperately to still fit in this costume, it's just not happening. 

Look at his sweet belly pooching out. My goodness I love this child.

Now about the nose and glasses. Who knew that a trip by grandpa to the Dollar store would yield the favorite Christmas Presents ever. If I had only known......

357/365 The Real Deal

357/365 The Real Deal

I thought this photo was so serious, really she was just waiting for me to get things ready. 

Loads of patience this one for sure.

Then the reality of what she is really likes appears.

I love her so much. 

The other reality is that she has 2 brothers and that's where this comes from.

Heavens knows I turned out ok and I have 2 brothers. 

Good Luck Little Mama. 

356/365 High High Heels

356/365 High High Heels

Well really they are about an inch high but for her they were like jumping over the moon. I mean it has been like floating on a cloud after she got these, I wonder what kind of high it will be when she gets her first real pair of high heels. One drawback she noted immediately was that they don't click when she walks, but she says she can live with that. 

They are magical and sparkly and I never want to forget how much she loves them and how much I loved my first pair of heels !!!

On a more serious note, in this season of such abundance and over indulgence we had the opportunity to spend the morning this morning with some who aren't in the same fortunate spot that we are. I was thrilled when our church sent out an email about an opportunity that would include the kids. Instead of having services this sunday they decided that we would worship with a place called The Open Door Mission and the kids would be included. It's a place on the east side of town that helps men recover when they find themselves down and out for any number of reasons. We ended up eating a meal with Jeff, Wade and a smooth dresser in a gold suit who's name I didn't get. These men have all been in the program for over a year and are currently looking for work, some have relapsed and others can't find work because they have criminal records or no transportation. At one point Wade says to us he has a story to tell us, it was interesting to say the least. One of the many things that struck me was that these men who at first I thought we so tough, they have been through so much and survived, really looked like delicate old men. Some how they have survived things that any regular person wouldn't have and here they are in a Christ based program believing there is a reason they should be here. I pray that belief, that God loves them and has a plan for them, will help them to get their lives back. It was a blessed day for me and my family !!! 

355/365 Biggest Countdown Ever !!!

355/365 Biggest Countdown Ever !!!

I can't believe I'm 10 away from a whole year of photos. I plan on taking a break, I'm not sure how long but am very excited. Recently, since I haven't been blogging constantly, I feel the old blog life coming back. Very exciting.

Little Mama got to open her first Christmas present tonight, it was these story cubes. 

I think this could be such a great thing in our house and I'm so looking forward to using them on a regular basis. The story from this roll is below :

Once upon a time there were 2 beetles in a tree. They found an apple. The apple was on fire so they called 911. 911 didn't answer. The questions was what to do. They looked at the time, it was 12 noon. It was story time. When they finished the book they wanted to go out to lunch but they didn't know which way to go so they pulled out heir iphones and looked up the directions. 

353 & 354 Merry Christmas

353 & 354 Merry Christmas

The time has flown by this year. I can't believe Santa is coming tonight.

Better get to bed after a few photos, the best of tonight's isn't mine, thanks Oma.

This is Regan aka "Dammit Dog" . That's what my Mother In Law told me.

She is a lovely Catahoula I think.

Very sweet girl.

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw this picture taken by my MIL was poor Santa does he have a clue what he has gotten himself into. My next thought was is this something that you put in the naughty column ?  My final thought was thank heavens I wasn't there when this happened !

Merry Christmas !!!

352/365 Sad Day

352/365 Sad Day

Not to be a downer but it has been kind of a sad day.

349&350/365 The Nutcracker

349&350/365 The Nutcracker

I took Little Mama to see The Nutcracker. It was really sweet for us to get to do this together.

I hadn't taken her for a couple of years because I always consider it my most expensive nap EVER !

I slept through the 1st half this year but was actually really interested in the 2nd half. 

I do wonder if it is the same every year. I mean do they change the scene backdrops? I think these were the same sets as last time I took the kids.

We did get a chance to meet the mouse and one of the little nutcrackers.

I think she really didn't want to have her picture taken with these guys, but I made her anyway.

The Nutcracker was so friendly, it was very interesting.

350

The most beautiful Poinsettia ever !!!

A photo with my macro lens.

Merry Christmas !!!

348/365 Christmas Pagent

348/365 Christmas Pagent

Our church had the Christmas pagent today.

We were the lucky parents of King Harod:

To me he kind of looks like the Prince in the old version of Robin Hood.

I think it's almost uncanny !!!

We also had a sheep.

Next year he will be a cow.

This year he did really well and behaved beautifully.

Sorry but by far the cutest sheep ever.

 And then there is the star bearer.

Where would we be without this part of the equation?

She eats this up, I'm getting her into drama asap!

We had such a great time at this pagent. The music is great and the kids are amazing.

There are people who work so hard to make this happen and I am so grateful for them.

Merry Christmas !!

344-347/365 Catching Up Again

344-347/365 Catching Up Again

344

We are the most privileged people ever. Our Christmas tree happens to grow chocolate.

It's true, as a kid my tree sprouted chocolate and now my trees do.

Every year the monkeys look for a tree with a special tag, this year I took a photo of the tag so we could remember which trees actually sprout chocolates.

Here's the proof.

We had a visit this week from kind of we will call her Aunt Maude. 

I think Little Mama really enjoyed playing Jax with her.

It was great to see her after 12 years and I'm so glad she decided to come !!!

The trees are almost finished shedding their leaves, I can't wait.

This tree is across the street, I get to look at it several times a day, aren't I lucky !!!

The monkeys decided to climb the tree when I made them come across the street with me to take some photos. Not a hard tree to climb, I hope the neighbor didn't mind.

This little monkey wasn't to sure about the climb.

Merry Christmas !!!

343/365 Grandpa Laughing

343/365 Grandpa Laughing 

Well really I call him dad and this is exactly what he looks like when he laughs really hard. 

I rarely get he oportunity to take his photo when he is hysterical, or maybe when I'm being hysterical.

So much fun.

All it takes is my 38 year old big butt showing him the "stinkbug" move and he starts laughing. If he was a woman who'd had babies I'm sure he would have wet himself !!!

342/365 I'm Late I'm Late

342/365 I'm Late I'm Late

For a very important date, which is keeping up with the 365. I'm almost finished and I'm slacking in such a big way. I WILL FINISH THIS PROJECT.

Do these look like Alice's shoes? They could be but they were the Mad Hatters instead .

I have taken my photos daily I just haven't had time to edit and post, but I'm on it today. 

As soon as I get some Christmas shopping done !!!

340-341/365 Santa

340-341/365 Santa

So every year since The Rhino was born I buy picture ornaments and put the kids pictures in them.

There are quite a few and I like to see how they have grown so I put them on the wall instead of on the tree. Plus there are so many ornaments that our tree would get lost in them.

I let the kids play hookie from school today and we went to see Santa. 

They do so well waiting in line patiently and then telling Santa what they want.

Little Man wants a very small Christmas tree with a flat star and an alphabet block on it. 

No really he came up with that and I thought it was so great, I'm not sure he gets the whole Santa brings you presents yet and frankly that's fine by me !!!

339/365 From The Archives

339/365 From The Archives

So things are so busy I feel like my head is spinning and about to spin all the way off. 

Yikes anyway I decided to pull one from the archives. This is from February this year.

Yes no shoes at the park in February.

Oh those were fun times, they seemed so care free, no homework not a care in the world. 

338/365 Sunrise Yes I said Sunrise !!!

338/365 Sunrise Yes I said Sunrise !!!

So I have been going to a 5:30 AM Pilates class, they should call it a "roll around on my big butt while trying to do what the skinny strong people can do and not pass out class" but instead they like Pilates. I guess I'll have to live with that, I really like it. I always feel stronger and like my CORE has been strengthened, of course I also always feel like my guts have been ripped out and my legs are truly like Jello. I will survive......and I will keep going .

These are some shots I took on my way home just as the sun was coming up. Usually steam or fog is coming up off the tracks but today it was the most spectacular sunrise. One day I'm going to take my camera on a photo excursion after class. 

These are before and after, I edited them.