Biking with D

Now that C is in school ALL THE TIME (insert my own little *pout* right here), D and I are looking for ways to fill our days. Yesterday we went on a bike ride - well I pushed the baby in the stroller - to our neighborhood center and back.

He did amazingly well considering that he isn't even 3 years old yet!

Here is our journey...

We went through a construction zone.

And we went on the walking path along side the street and the woods.

He only crashed once.

But he didn't cry at all!

He got right back on...notice the dirty bottom and shirt :-)

When we got home, Daddy pulled up!!

Kisses for Daddy :-)

And then a bit of modeling for Mommy, haha!

My Recent Favorites!

I have been taking tons of pictures everyday to practice and improve my photography skills. My kids are sick of looking at me. My husband is probably sick of seeing me at the computer editing, tweaking, and staring at my pictures.

But, I have gotten some that I really like...and I wanted to share...

Lastly, thank you Jill for telling me how to make my pictures big on here. I can't believe it was so easy!

The Next Chapter

This month turned the page into a new chapter in my life.

I am no longer of mom of "just" little kids. I now have a school-aged child. I couldn't be more proud of my big girl. She is adjusting beautifully to her new full-time, all-day-long, 5 days-a-week school life.

I even bit the bullet and let her ride the bus with her girlfriends.

Everyone asks me if I cried when I sent her off on the first day. The answer actually surprised me because I didn't cry at all. In fact, I was very ready for it. She was ready too...

What I wasn't ready for was my life at home with just my boys - my little. needy. boys.

Don't get me wrong.

My little boys are two of the most precious gifts I've ever been given. But without their big sister around, our whole household dynamic has changed.

Its a bit calmer in the house without D and C bickering. But its also kind of boring since D doesn't have his BFF to play with him.

We've been going to the playground as much as possible to get out of the house. D is making some new friends. I love seeing him build friendships with other little boys. He now has three new friends - all little boys. All their names start with, "L." Its so cute!

MOPS has started back up again. Praise the Lord!!

PWOC has started back up too. I am going to be doing a bible study called "Raising Responsive Children" because well, basically, I need to learn how to "raise responsive children!"

I am very thankful to have a busy schedule each week. It keeps us up and running. It keeps life interesting.

In the meantime, I am building new relationships with more gals (dare I call them "ladies?"). I am loving all my friends - new and old. I feel like God is teaching me and shaping me through them. Teaching me about motherhood, and patience, and preparing my heart for what may or may not be in my future (More children? Homeschool?). He is showing me Himself through these sweet girls in my life. I am blessed beyond belief to have "sisters" so near me even though my true sisters are hundreds of miles away.

I need to wrap this up. Thing One and Thing Two are up early from their naps. Toddler boy is counting rocks next to me on the desk, and baby boy is swinging in the travel swing at my feet. I am finding peace in the words in Laura Story's song, "Blessings" while I juggle the boys' needs.

Have a wonderful day, my bloggity blog world friends!

Lots of Progress

So, after a few days of playing in photoshop and having a wonderful photographer friend teach me how to use my camera and lens in "manual" mode...

I think I have made some photography progress! Now all I need are some more models to play with and their parents' permission to share their photos online :-)

(And because I am no blogging expert, you will need to click on these photos to see them larger)

The first little cutie isn't mine. But I still adore her and her mama...

My Future Job

Its been on my mind for a while now...

"How can I make some extra money for our family?"

I have seriously considered selling Mary Kay and becoming a Beachbody Coach. I have thought about going back to work at the new hospital in town. I have even looked up jobs. But the childcare gets me every time. Not only do I not want to have to use it, but we simply cannot afford it.

Then it came to me as I thought seriously about all of this...

Do what you love. Love what you do. Make money while doing it.

*Thats it* - PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

I love pictures more than most. I take a million. I post a million. You can blame my mom for this craziness. She loved pictures and has always taken gobs of them. My sisters and I can turn on a smile faster than she can get the lens cap cover off her camera.

Up until now, my children have been my only little subjects. I must admit though, they are fun to photograph. C has found a love of the camera. D still looks the other way. And little N - well, he just loves me and will smile for me any time I call his name (I am so blessed!).

I don't know how to photograph other people's children yet.

I don't know much about editing.

I don't have the best photography equipment (can you even call my camera and two lenses "equipment" anyway?).

I have no idea how to get started.

All I know is that I love taking pictures. I like my pictures. Other people generally like my pictures. I love to learn. I learn fast. My hubby is a graphic designer. He knows photoshop inside and out. He also knows how to make websites.

I think, with his help, I can do this.

My goal is to take this new venture slowly. I am not going to jump right in blindfolded with my feet tied.

It will be more like...tip toeing very slowly in the cold creek...

If you have any advice on how I can get myself started on this, PLEASE let me know. As with everything I do, I will be researching, reading, and testing in the meantime.

Just today, my lovely husband sat down and gave me a brief photoshop lesson. Check out my first attempt at editing some of my photographs! I am pretty pleased for day no.1's work!

(Feel free to click on any of the images to make them larger)

I will definitely keep you updated on my progress as I develop my skills and figure out what I'm doing :-) Thanks for always being supportive. I have a very good feeling about this.

In fact, its more than a "feeling." Its a Peace.

And on that note, I'm off to read more...

Wrapping the Baby

Just wanted to share my new way to carry my little man around...

"Another baby carrier?"

Yes, another baby carrier.

I believe its good for me. Its good for my baby. It keeps him happy. It keeps me happy.

Its a WRAP!!

If you're trying to keep count - I'll do it for you...this is No.3.

I love how he is hanging on with his little hand :-)

I don't even feel guilty about having three carriers.

Its the 7 car seats that make me blush.