Last day as a 3 year old!

This little smoochy poo is enjoying her last day as a three year old. I'm so amazed at how she grows each and every day. She is so matter-of-fact and has no problem telling you when you are wrong. She thinks everything that grows in the garden is hers to eat except for those jalapenos that she discovered (after I told her several times they were hot) were too hot to eat straight out of the garden.

She drinks most of my coffee every morning and gets super, old lady grumpy if I've drank it all before she gets up. She thought the fireworks on the 4th were amazing and also all for her. She knows all her colors, most of the alphabet song (that LMNOP gets her every time), and can already count to 10. Sometimes the 7, 8, and 9 come before the 3, 4, and 5, but she gets them all in there!  Loves hide and seek and will proudly announce to you where she is hiding after you say, "Here I come!"

This time next year she will be preparing to go to school and I won't know what to do with myself.

_______________________________________________________________

My blog hiatus wasn't quite as long as I expected. I just wanted to take some time, evaluate. Think about how I'd like for this to go. I changed up the layout, condensed some labels, just did some general cleaning.

There are just some times where I don't have anything to say. There are times when I have too much to say. I know "they" say you shouldn't have gaps in posting to keep your readership up. To be honest, I'm not really interested in how many page views I get every day. I just like to share what is happening in my tiny little corner of the universe.

So if you are still here, I thank you. If you are new here, I hope you'll stay. I am completely random and jacked up on coffee.

InstaWeek

Here I go again

attempting a challenging

feat of memory.

The photo-a-day challenge.  One day I hope to complete a full month.  Possibly it will be this month.  Some of these are from the challenge, some are not.

1// A is for...  Autumn.  (Prompts from the Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day challenge for October.)  I completely copped out on this one.  Didn't really try to find anything else with an A.

2//  Ro loves to read.  This day she chose to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the dog.

3// Sunset.  Beautiful.  Kentucky love.

4//  B is for... beer.  Not my beer.  I don't drink beer.  But what I took away from this is that in the background, my kitchen looks very retro.

5//  C is for... cloudy and cold.  The weather yesterday turned gloomy and icky.  

This doesn't cover the whole week because I didn't post for a few days.  Hoping I can maintain with these awesome super simple prompts for the month!!

Weekly Roundup {Photo-a-Day}

July 1st | Red & White |  Zinnias from my back yard.

July 2nd | Something Beginning with K | Two of my kids.  Originally going to just be Kaia, but Rowan insisted on being in the photo too.

July 3rd | Match | Matched broken crayons.

July 4th | Stars. | Three marshmallow stars! Happy Independence Day!

July 5th | On the table. | Party hats I made for my youngest daughter's upcoming birthday.

July 6th | View | Part of our backyard.

Follow along with Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day prompts by clicking here.

Photo the Day Away

It's been a while since I've done the Fat Mum Slim Photo a Day.  My friend Cam and I have challenged ourselves to do the month of July prompts with our honest to goodness real cameras.  No iPad photos.  No Galaxy photos.  We both have nice DSLR cameras that we don't use as often as we should.

I've been prepping myself.  I've downloaded the prompts to my Google Calendar, written them in my physical planner (SIDE NOTE:  I'm still waiting for my Plum Paper planner to ship), and starting trying to think of ideas for each one.  I'm dying to buy the new Little Moments app, but alas yet again Android users are left in the dark.  I know that apps are expensive to create, but I can't help to feel left out when an app I've been so looking forward to using turns out to be only available for Apple products.  It's depressing.

Any hoo...  I'm thinking that I may take advantage of some of the prompts and use them as post subjects as well.  If I can find the words.  Sometimes I have brain farts and can't think of thing to post about.  So you know that if you don't hear from me for a couple of days it's because my brain has gas.

Don't forget that all of these photos will be posted on Instagram!

Also since it's now July, I've changed the blog to red, white, and blue!  I walk on the wild side.

Pickled Salad

Korean BBQ salmon with pickled salad
and red pepper gastrique.

This past weekend went by too fast.  As most weekends do.  Saturday we took our son and his girlfriend out to eat at a local restaurant, Novo Dolce. Today is their one year anniversary!  I had eaten there once before with a friend, but they recently moved to a newer building and I had been excited to check out the new digs.

I was not disappointed. I had their margherita pizza, which is what I had last time.  I know I walk on the wild side.  I can't help myself.  It was delicious.  The Husband had the special of Korean BBQ salmon.  I snuck a bite.  Or two.  It was cooked perfectly and tasted oh so yummy!  The red pepper sauce was HOT, but was balanced out well with the pickled salad.

For dessert we had their made-in-house gelato.  My son and his girlfriend had the chocolate chip and I tried the Fruit Loop.  The chocolate chip was very, very good.  The Fruit Loop?  Not so much. It kind of reminded me of those last few bits of cereal in the bowl.  A little soggy and there are crumbs floating in the milk.  Meh... next time I know to get the chocolate chip.  I definitely look forward to going again.

Next up... Maleficent.  Much better than I was expecting.  I don't really know what I was expecting though. Angelina Jolie isn't one of my favorite actresses, but I enjoyed this role.  It's definitely a movie worth watching.

On Sunday, my dad and husband replaced the battery in my husband's truck.  Then discovered that it was the alternator so they replaced that too.

Somehow this morphed into cleaning up the garage.  I can't remember the last time we actually parked a vehicle in that garage.  It's more like a storage building now.  We really need to spend a whole weekend just disposing of the junk that has accumulated there.  While they rearranged and threw a few things out, I sat in a folding camp chair and supervised.

Rowan procured the services of her sister to dig up and then bury various rocks found in the driveway. This girl loves to dig in the dirt.  She's become fond of worms too.  Usually they are already dead, but she just thinks they are sleeping.

Bling for the Precious

I am clearly not a professional photographer.  But several years ago, I just got tired of having unfocused, blown out photos.  I researched heavily, bought a camera that I wasn't satisfied with, returned it, and ended up buying the Nikon D40.  My Precious.  It wasn't the newest entry level DSLR available, but it was one that was highly recommended for beginners.

I still don't know what I am doing, honestly, and it's been 4 years since I bought the camera.  I read and read how to make the settings work for me and immediately forget it when I get the camera in my hands.  I have the 18-55mm kit lens and a 50-200mm zoom lens.  Both have been excellent lenses, but neither let in as much light as I would like.

I very much like taking photos with all natural, available light.  It's that fear of blown out photos and making people look like vampires.  I mean, we're already pretty pasty around here.  No need to enhance that awesomeness.  Sometimes you need extra light and that pop-up, built-in flash is harsh.  Evil, some would say.  Obviously, we are not millionaires and several months ago I found a solution to buying the external flash that I really wanted.  It's a Photojojo Pop-up Flash Bounce.  It's basically just a mirror that bounces that pop-up flash onto the ceiling or wall.  At just $37, it was a life saver.

But.... I still needed a lens that would open bigger to let in more light.

When my friend had her sweet bundle of joy in January, I snapped a few photos with her camera (a Nikon D90) and non-zoom 50mm lens.  I loved it immediately.  I really second guessed buying the less professional camera and wished I'd got one more similar to hers, but that's a different story.  So she and I were discussing lenses (because we do this A LOT) and after more research and reading, I elected to purchase a 35mm lens.

I went back and forth trying to decide if I wanted to order through Amazon or directly from Nikon.  I really wanted that lens, but I wasn't willing to pay the $21-50 shipping charge for one-day shipping so I bit the bullet and went with the free shipping that Nikon offered.  I ordered on Wednesday afternoon.  On Thursday afternoon the UPS man knocked on my door!  Best free shipping I've ever used.  Apparently Nikon has a warehouse in Louisville, which is only a few hours from me!  Yay!  New lens!

10/52

Running a little behind again.  I'm gonna blame it on that darn Daylight Saving Time crap and the lack of warm weather.

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014*

Rowan's hair seems to be growing like crazy lately.  She complains her haayer is in her face.  I have to clip it back.

She doesn't want her picture taken.  She doesn't want me to ask her about her day.  She doesn't want the sky to be blue.  She's going through that phase of adolescence.

9/52

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014*

Nap time doesn't come easily much anymore, but occasionally she lays down all on her own.

8/52 {still catching up}

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014*

Sorry for the wonky photos.  New phone, new photo dimensions.  It actually has a rear facing camera that is 13 megapixels!  That's more than my DSLR has!  I'm still learning the ins and outs of the settings though and low-light is still an issue, but for a phone the images are pretty decent.

I needed new contact photos.  She was happy to sit for her portrait. Dang red eye.

She's started to put herself to "bed" at night by getting all cozy at the end of the chaise.  I'm not complaining.

7/52 {catching up}

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014*

Riding the little train at the local mall.  My girls.

6/52

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014*

Rowan and Kaia briefly enjoying some fun in the snow.  I could only find Ro's fingerless gloves and Kaia had to use socks.  If was only after I began taking photos that I realized... I forgot to put a coat on her.  D'oh!

5/52 - Less than Perfect

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014*

A friend shared a post on Facebook the other day that was so very true to what most of us see or put forth in social media.  We are not, in fact, all shiny, happy people.  You can read the post here.  I thought in the spirit of keeping it real I'd show a few shots of my children that didn't exactly make the cut of last week's photos. So I'm kind of cheating again on when exactly I took these photos, but it's been cold again this week and not exactly photogenic weather.

Even though it looks like my middle child, Kaia, is lovingly holding her sister, she was totally just blinking.  And obviously Ro wasn't in the mood to take a nice photo with her siblings.

So she escaped her sister's grasp and ran away.  Right out of one of her shoes.  She was quickly apprehended though.

And then we have the slow trigger finger.  I admittedly still have no idea what I'm doing with this SLR.  After holding and taking a few snaps with my friend Cam's camera when her sweet bundle was born, I realize that I wish I'd splurged and bought the better camera when I originally purchased mine.

No matter what camera I use though, it won't magically get rid of that pile of clean, yet not folded and still piled on the end of the couch, pile of clothes.  It won't wash that sink full of dirty dishes.  Or pick up the clutter that is our life.  So when (not if) I post a photo here, or more than likely on Instagram, don't judge me by the state of what's in those pictures.  We all know that everyone's house and life is a little scattered sometimes.  A little messy.  We can't all be shiny, happy people living in a shiny, happy house all the time.

4/52

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014*

After last week's debacle, I was feeling sorry for myself.  Or actually, I was feeling like I was pretty sorry that I didn't try harder to find time to photograph the kids.  The Universe must have put in a call for me because Monday afternoon, the weather was warm and beautiful.  Warm if you consider it's been crazy cold here lately and beginning on Tuesday the temps were scheduled to plummet once again.

Rowan is always running.  Inevitably this means that Rowan is always falling as well.  Fun fact: That super awesome sweater was thrifted at a local business called the Aberdeen Trading Post for $2.49.  Why the price was so specific is beyond me.  Taxes and fees, I suppose.  It's a thrift shop that consigns items in booths like at a flea market.  We walked around in there for about an hour and I'm still not sure I saw all there was to see.

Kaia just got this super cute new short 'do.  It fits her personality so well!  Neil, on the other hand, is in need of a good haircut.  His hair grows so fast!

3/52

*a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014*

I'm cheating.  I have no excuses.  No reasons.  Other than I just let the week run away with me and neglected to take any photos.  I had hoped to have a photo of my son with my husband and I at his 8th grade recognition night for basketball, but I haven't gotten a copy of the photos yet.  I didn't think ahead and designate someone to take photos with my own camera.  Duh.

So here is a picture of Rowan with her dinosaurs.  From probably sometime in November.  It's a total fail on my part.  Wrong year.  Wrong month.  Oy vey.

I'll try harder next week.  I swear.

2/52

Second week into this project.  I know there aren't exactly any rules to this.  Just photos of your children once a week for a year.  As I tried to catch them in a candid moment, I realized they aren't as photogenic as they used to be.  I'm still going to include them on occasion.  If I'm able to find a moment when I can capture them.  This will most likely take place when the weather turns warm again and days are spent outside enjoying nature.  Right now, most time at home is spent snuggled up with a blanket in their room.

Now with all that being said.... 

Obviously he didn't want his picture taken.

She does wake up occasionally.  She really loves those crazy neon colors that I was really hoping wouldn't make a come back, but did anyway.  Glad it's her room.

Ketchup face!  More ketchup is eaten than french fries are eaten.  It's considered a vegetable, right? 

I clearly need to find more time for photos.  Better locations and probably more willing subjects.  Bring on the warmer weather please!

Another week of the 52 Project.

Throwing It Back

April 6th, 2010 | Lost River

This morning while I was pouring hot water into a bowl of maple & brown sugar oatmeal for my oldest child, sirens rang out in our rural piece of the world.  Immediately, we all glanced at the windows and watched as two sheriff's department cars and an ambulance went sailing by our house.

We live in an area where we rarely (think two or three times A YEAR) see emergency personnel.  Less than a minute later, as I'm standing outside in my granny-esque pajamas, my daughter's fuzzy boots, and a throw cover, I heard the fire trucks.  I listened until I heard the siren stop and realized that they hadn't gone far.  It turned out that they had gone only a half mile from my home.  A house fire.  A young man perished.

Before I even knew for certain, I felt it.  I stopped, said a prayer.  I'd already put my older kids on the bus. I thought of them.  I think of them every day obviously, but then something happens.  Something that puts all of life in perspective.

I look at old photos of the kids and I wonder where the time has gone.  I am never as thankful or grateful as I should be.  Every one should take an extra moment daily to hug and show love to those around them.

1/52

Here's the dealio...  I am seriously the world's worst at keeping up with challenges or goals.  (See my numerous attempts at trying the FatMumSlim Photo A Day project.  Or not... because I never finish.)  This has not stopped me from trying and trying again.  In the spirit of my intentions for the new year, I'm giving it another go.

My friend, Cam, has encouraged me to participate in the 52 Project from Practising Simplicity.  A whole week to try to find time for three photos.  One photo of each of my children.  Once a week, for a year.  Like the little engine that could... I think I can, I think I can.  I will have to admit that photos of my two oldest may become a bit redundant after a while.  At 14 and 12, they really are stuck to their electronics and haven't the time for me much anymore.  I can already foresee that capturing photos of them will prove to be difficult.

Note the phone in one hand, laptop in the other.  He's a multi-tasker.

This one...  parties all night, sleeps all day.  Skype, what a wonderful invention.  Talking on the phone (a phone with a cord!!!) is soooo 20 years ago.

*sigh*  What can I say about this one?  I think I'm probably lucky to have caught her with clothes on.  We are still in the midst of potty training.  For us, it's easier to just be naked on the bottom.  NOTE: I mean she is naked on the bottom... not the rest of us!

Ok, so these are my photos for last week, taken this week, because I'm already a week behind.  Starting off with a bang!

Perfect Weather

This weekend was the most beautiful weather we've had all Summer.  Maybe it was because it was in the 70's.  Maybe it was because it felt Fall was arriving.  Maybe I feel this way because Fall is my favorite time of year.  Regardless, if I could have 365 more days of this weekends weather, it wouldn't come soon enough.

On Saturday I took the kids to the high school for the BCHS Home Show.  Marching band is FOR SERIOUS around here y'all.  Our high school band advances to state competition every single year.  The band director is amazing.  Not only does he teach high school band, but also middle school and 5th grade beginning band at two different elementary schools.

Butler County High School Marching Band - 2013 - The Art of Strategy

Both of my older kids are in the middle school band. Kaia plays the flute, Neil is my drummer. Last year, and again this year, the middle school played the National Anthem at the home band competition. Some in the crowd were confused because our middle school band looks like a high school band. They have a 210 member band this year!! That's more than the high school at only 130.  It may be that I'm a bit partial, but I thought they sounded excellent!  Best National Anthem ever.

Don't they sound awesome?!

Sunday was our 13th wedding anniversary.

September 15th, 2000

We didn't have a big wedding. We barely had a wedding at all to be honest. We just got up one day and decided we were going to go get married. We began dating in high school so we've been together for about 18 years. We spent our anniversary cleaning our house. Yep, that's how we roll.

This week the weather isn't going to be as cooperative as this weekend, but I have high hopes for next weekend.  Plus... only six more days until the Autumnal Equinox!

Here Forever

Earlier in the week, I met with my friend, Cam, to do a little hanging out.  We never fail to hit up Barnes & Noble.  I arrived a little before she did and managed to find a book about the history of the county where I live.

I discovered that the first elected judge of our county is buried in the cemetery across the road from my home.  I hadn't had the opportunity to look for him, but realized that yesterday's Photo a Day prompt from Fat Mum Slim was perfect for a trip to the cemetery.


I shared a version of this on Instagram, but every photo gets cropped to square. Not always the version of the photo you want people to see.  Yes, I laid down in the cemetery.  No, it's not the first time.  Cemeteries are interesting places.  Full of history.  I liked the contrast of old against the backdrop of the new.

I looked over all the headstones, but I was unable to find Judge Austin.  I'm currently looking into the history of the cemetery for that.  However there are several markers that are just stones like Mr. or Mrs. S.A. Carson above.  Most have nothing etched on them.


I plan on returning to purchase the book. I'm interested in knowing more about the history of the area. And finding Mr. Austin.

Public Proclamation

Today's prompt: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends.

I thought this was going to be super hard, but when I really got to thinking about it, it was a simple choice. I have been reading and following this blogger for years. She's inspirational and just all around awesome.

Alicia, from Project Alicia!

She is a wife, mother of 2, and an awesome photographer!  When I first started reading her blog, she and her family were living in cold, flat Iowa.  No offense to Iowa residents.  I'm sure there are probably warm, hilly sections there too! Now they live in beautiful South Carolina.  

She has the best sense of style.  Even with her tiny little self, she always has the best style.  Ok, I'll admit it.  I'm jealous.  I want to drive to South Carolina and have her shop for me.

I'm not even sure how I began following her blog, but I think it was photography.  I'm still fairly new to digital photography and cameras.  She is a photography master.  Her photos are absolutely beautiful no matter what the subject is.

But the best part about Alicia is that she is also just like you and me.  She has ups and downs.  Good days and bad days.  And she shares them.  It's not always sunshine and puffy clouds.  That's what I love.  I love that all her posts are thought provoking.  Whether they be about something funny, fashionable, kids related, photography related, a yummy recipe, I always enjoy reading!

She's a crafter, photographer, foodie, tutorial sharing, Mom, blogger who I love!  

Find out more about Alicia by clicking here!