Let's Go Swimming

 
Bill has been great about taking the boys on overnighters to hotels to go swimming. He's taken them about once per month and given me a little break here and there and also let the boys just have a chance for some fun. Well, this past Wednesday evening, I had the chance to go with them to Dallas for the night. The kids just have a ball and they get so worn out. Both of them LOVE LOVE LOVE the water.

Two Excited for Christmas

 


I know this post is a little belated, but we've been busy. Ian and Aaron had a wonderful Christmas. We scaled back this year and then Grandma sent a huge box with stuff from her and Papaw and Uncle David so we had quite a lot of things under the tree anyway. The boys were so wound up that we never got a great photo of them Christmas eve in spite of our efforts. They did both sleep through the night without coming out and were very pleasantly surprised that Santa rememberd the Buzz Car (Aaron) and the V reader books and pillow pets (Ian.) Both kids got stocking stuffers and a few other odds and ends. All in all, it was a great low key Christmas!

Love Lightroom!

 
 


I just love everything the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom allows you to do so quickly without the technical stuff that is necessary for Photoshop. This took me about 5 minutes to do all the effects on the photo. The photo below is the original. I really think that if I were just starting out and I had to just choose one editing program that I would invest in this one. It's simple to use and gives dramatic effects.

"Yoshi Falls"

 
 
 
 


We went on a little nature hike today at Chalk Ridge Falls Park over by Stillhouse Hollow Dam and Ian and his friend Tommy had a great time on their quest to find "Yoshi Falls." Obviously, my 5 year old plays too much Mario Kart on Wii. But they insisted that they found it when we got to the little water fall and insist that it is indeed Yoshi Falls and the road that leads you there is Rainbow Road. We spent about 2 hours hiking with our friends and had a lovely time. We hiked up and enjoyed a picnic and just explored the park. We will definitely be going back.

Just in Case You Were Wondering

 


and here in Texas you can't use a sleigh! :)

You can enter the Christmas photo contest on Tutus and Sneakers HERE

Ian's School Christmas Program

 


Ian's school had their Christmas program for the K-3 through K-5 classes this past Wednesday. The kids were told to wear their Sunday finest instead of their regular uniform shirts and they all looked so cute. The kids were filed in and presented a pageant style program that was based on a Birthday Party for Jesus. They sang songs and there were little bits of skit performed by the K-5 kids. It lasted about 20 minutes and the kids did a great job. Ian sang his little heart out and would look over to Bill and me to get approving glances. :) 5 is such a great age!

Obsessed with Photoshop Elements

 
 


This online course has me trying so many new things. I just had to play this evening. Here's a before and after. Both okay in their own rights. Of course having a cute little subject doesn't hurt!

We Finally Have a Tree!

 

It's my first time having a live tree! Pine needles galore, but it smells lovely and is much nicer looking than the fake tree. I do understand why people want them. I do feel sad that a tree was chopped down and will become some sort of trash in a few weeks.

Simple Beauty: Simplicity Photo Challenge

 

I took this photo of my dear friend who is 37 weeks pregnant. She's simply beautiful!
 

Thinking Warm Thoughts

 


I've been working my way through an online photoshop course. The link to the instructors blog connected to the button to the right. If you are interested in learning a little bit about photoshop or photoshop elements and feel like you know next to nothing, I can't recommend this course enough. Though I will probably never be super savvy at it, just knowing how to do the basic fixes correctly has been super. I feel less frustrated than I ever have trying to learn this.

So in honor of the cold weather and to give way to daydreams and times less hectic, I leave you with one of my homework images from today. I took the photo in Hawaii in September and then just used PSE 8 to enhance it.

Happy Holidays!

 


I'll admit to not being in the Christmas spirit. My tree isn't up. I feel like good old Ebinezer. For some reason, I just feel blah. I do have most all of my shopping done. I have a few more gifts to purchase, but the majority of stuff is done. But I just can't seem to find that fa la la la la. The kids are excited and I'm glad that they don't seem to notice.

These photos were taken today. Silly boys!

BLORA: Nature in Lights Part 2

 
 


Here are a few photos from last night's trek through BLORA. Again, a great time was had by all.

BLORA and Santa

 
 
 
 


Tonight after I got off work, we headed out to BLORA for Nature in Lights. Aaron promptly fell asleep on the way there since had zero nap, but Ian, Bill and I really enjoyed the displays. We stopped in at the Santa Village for cocoa, cookies and popcorn and decided to stop and see Santa. Boy where the boys excited! Both of them were hysterical to see Santa and tell him what they wanted. Aaron wasn't the least bit hesitant which I thought was good considering his age. He was quite forward and told Santa that he wanted a "Buzz car." He had decided that by himself while we were standing in line since I wanted him to be prepared to say something when Santa asked. So cute!! Ian also knew what he wanted. Orbeez. But Mommy is quite certain that Santa thinks those are dangerous and messy and so he thought a bit more and decided on a Pillow Pet and some books for his V-reader.

I have pictures of some of the lights that I will post tomorrow. I'm just too tired to think right now and I have to be up bright and early to head back to work.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Thankful for So Many Things

It's been quite a year. Ups and downs and all arounds, but there are so many things to be thankful for this year and every year.

1. The promise of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. If that doesn't make you smile, then please call me so I can explain this to you. It's a gift and I can't even fathom how lucky we are to be saved by the blood of our Savior.

2. Family. This year we are all together. Bill is here Stateside and we are able to celebrate together. Rejoice! He's even going to do most of the cooking! We pray for the safety of our friends and family members who are not able to be home this holiday season. We pray that you find comfort and joy in the reason for the season and pray that your loved ones stay safe.

3. Friends. It's nearly impossible to thank every one individually, but if you are a reader and follower, then know that I cherish each of you. Even if we don't see each other much anymore or have had our differences, I still count you as a special person and I thank you for the impact you have had on my life.

4. Jobs. Just having a job and knowing my husband has one in this day and age is something to be thankful for. This also makes me thankful for a warm place to sleep, clothes on my back and enough money to put food on our table. We are blessed beyond measure.

5. Health. We are ever thankful that we are healthy and have no major illnesses or health issues in our home. We pray for those that do and especially for those that aren't able to be home with their families this year.

6. Hope. We are thankful for the hope and promise of tomorrow and the coming year. We know this year will be another big one with the pending move to Upstate NY this coming spring. There will be stress and preparations to deal with, but ultimately we are thankful that we are able to manage these and will find our home together anew even though our geography will change.

This list seems so small and almost inadequate. There are just so many things to be thankful for this year and every day. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. May you all enjoy the warmth and love of family and friends and be thankful for God's many blessings.

Salado, TX

 

This afternoon I was scheduled to do a photoshoot for a friend so I went a little early to scout out where would be a great spot to take pictures of her kids and in the process took a few photos of some of the little things that I saw on my hike. It's such a cute little town in Central Texas. If you are ever in the area, it is definitely worth a stop. There are lots of cute little shops and tea rooms. It's just a nice place to take a stroll.

Can't Believe My Baby is 5

 
 
 
 


Ian turned 5 on November 6th so this post is a little belated, but I wanted to take his photos myself instead of dealing with a studio and had to wait until the weather was right and I had the time. So tonight after school we set off to the park to take his photos. He was fairly cooperative, but his little brother was a pistol. I was trying to capture a good one of the two of them, too. I got an okay shot, but nothing to write home about.

Anyway, back to Ian. I can't believe he's 5. 5 just sounds so old compared to 4. I know, I know. That sounds ridiculous, but 5 definitely doesn't give you thoughts of a baby at all. He's so independent now. He can read all the level one readers and can figure out so many things on his own now. He's got a wonderful rote memory and has excelled in school. He does really well behavior wise at school, too. I'm so proud of him. It's hard to believe that he came into this world a whole month early weighing only 5 pounds 4 ounces and never went to NICU. He's always been advanced. LOL. :) All kidding aside, this kid amazes me every day and I thank God for the opportunity to be his mother.

Happy Belated Birthday, Ian! I love you!

Star Wars Cookies

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