STELLA AND I TOOK A TRIP

to see the butterflies in bloom last week. It was really cute because there were kids there on a field trip and one of the little girls was holding a butterfly and she bent down to let Stella touch it. If you see orange on Stella's hand, it is marker, she was coloring earlier in the day. A little on paper, more on her hands.

WE WATCHED A GREAT MOVIE

last night, maybe you've already seen it, The Blind Side, which is based on a true story. If not, you should really make the time to see it. After watching it, I thought, Can I do something like that? It makes you want to be better. It just takes one person to believe in another, maybe someone you'd least expect and forget about what others might think or say. Doing so could significantly alter the path of another life, or more. What will you say or do?

I REALLY LOVE THIS PHOTO OF STELLA

I rediscovered it the other day as I have been trying to go through pictures I've taken the last few months and make some prints. Notice the tear on her cheek. Also came across this article about including yourself in photos,especially if you are a mom and I know I am guilty of this. When Grace was thirteen days old, I took her for a newborn photo session, just her and I but when I ordered the prints I didn't order any of the pictures of the two of us and now I wish I would have. You will have to read this if you tend to leave yourself out either intentionally or if you are always the one taking the pictures, you just might change your point of view.

OPPORTUNITY

Opportunity - something I have been thinking about lately. I don't know about you, but for me I have to jump on an opportunity right away, otherwise, it is likely I won't take the chance. If I spend too much time thinking about it, I might come up with excuses not to or just plain old insecurities that might hold me back. So go ahead, listen to that little voice and take a chance...before it's too late.










Amy Wenzel is sponsoring a giveaway on i heart faces for a seat in her upcoming photography workshop this May. Since my dive into photography, I have scoped out this artist and as I was looking again today at her workshop info, I discovered this contest, deadline: today. So it's now or never, how convenient for me. To enter, you need to write 600 words or less on how you inspire others and what this might mean for your photography journey. Here it goes:

I want to start by saying that I feel out of my comfort zone, I mean who am I to say that I inspire others? I love to be inspired but wouldn't call myself an inspirer. Especially this winter, there have been days on end when I haven't left the house. But I am listening to my little voice and I will write the blog I originally intended to do today, coincidence? As I am realizing, there are so many ways to inspire, not all are great acts proclaimed from the highest mountains. Some can be very small and discreet, yet impacting.

My favorite time of year is Christmas, I love the way people act towards each other, everyone seems to be a little more thoughtful. I know Christmas is probably far from your minds now but I have been thinking about ways to make it better for next year, more meaningful since I feel I missed out a little this past year. My favorite Christmas memory was when we adopted a family through the United Way. We picked a single mom with children close to the ages of ours. We took our kids shopping so they could pick out items for the family. As we went, we talked about what the kids would like. After shopping, everyone helped wrap the presents. There was also a trip to the grocery store for items for the adopted family's Christmas dinner and my kids reminded me to get cookies and sprinkles for the family to make. I had the opportunity of delivering the presents and food to the family myself which I chose to do and will not forget how gracious this woman was as she briefly explained her story to me and how she was planning to get back on track. It was a most humbling experience.

I could not help but to think of these people on Christmas morning because there was so much satisfaction to know a family would have a better Christmas because of something we did. I may not be as inspiring as some people are but I know that on that day, I put a bug in my kids, to think about others, to grab an opportunity when one arises and how we are obligated to pay it forward. We were not able to take on that project this past Christmas due to the difficulties with my pregnancy but I have been on a mission to plan for next year and what we will do. Yes there are other times and ways to help all throughout the year but there is such a need during the holidays....so if you are wondering what to get those hard-to-get family members for Christmas, consider adopting a family together and fore go the usual gift exchange. I can guarantee you won't regret it. Maybe it will become your family's tradition.

Oh and how will this affect my photography journey? Photography as a hobby has allowed me to work on my own schedule, my own time, but if you are a mom, you know that nothing is your own, especially your schedule and your time. By attending this workshop, I will be able to immerse myself in lessons on what I have a passion for photographing: children. Amy Wenzel provides techniques for unique angles, fashion for photos and photoshop tricks, all in two days....can it get any better?

HERE THEY ARE

Stella wonders why she has a bathing suit with beads if she can't take them off and play with them!





I love the color of the water in the Bahamas, wish we had that here.



Does that sand taste good?





All of the kids stick their tongues out when deep in thought, they get it from their dad, lol.



Poor guy, not only did he have strep throat, but he ran into a railing, got a fat lip and a loose tooth!

I DON'T LIKE TO GO THIS LONG WITHOUT POSTING BUT

we came back a week ago from a vacation and I have been trying to catch up since then. We went to Florida and then took a 4 night Disney cruise which was a great experience for the kids. Jason and I have been on a cruise before with Carnival, but let me tell you that Disney really knows how to cater to kids.
I will share with you that I am an avid hand washer. I wash my hands all the time because I am around kids a lot and I am terrified of getting sick after all the morning sickness I had with this pregnancy. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I discovered that everywhere we went on the ship there were sanitary wipes available to wash your hands. Before you entered a restaurant, there was someone standing in the entrance handing each person a wipe before you sat down to eat. So needless to say, I didn't need my bottle of sanitizer that I had brought along for this purpose.
My favorite part of the cruise was the food...maybe because I am pregnant...maybe because all six of us ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together everyday when we are lucky to eat dinner together two times a week at home. The kids always had their own menus to choose from and when the waiters brought their food out, they cut it up for them. I will have to tell you that Grace ordered off the adults' menu more often than the kids, she loves seafood. In fact she ate so much we had to cut her off because we were worried that she would get sick. I was really impressed at how many different foods Savanah tried and liked. I'm sure you've heard the saying about good food bringing people together and there is truth to that. It was something we all enjoyed.
Stella, being 17 months old, had a great time. You would think at that age she would be too young to enjoy all aspects of a vacation but she really did, she liked having all of us together. Each night we went to see a "Broadway" style show and the best part was that we could take Stella and didn't feel out of place and no one cared if there was a baby that started crying.
Of course, it would not be right if everyone was healthy the entire time. Preston and Jason had strep throat on the ship and had to see the doctor. They gave Preston the positive test strip as a souvenir. The poor guy, he couldn't even eat his Mickey Mouse waffles for breakfast, but the meds did kick in fast and they both recovered.
I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked too. When it came down to it, it was challenging to chase four kids around and have my camera out at all times. So I ended up leaving it behind more often. I have the most pictures of Stella because I took the three younger kids to the beach in the Bahamas while Savanah and Jason went snorkeling and Stella was just so captivated by the sand and water, I loved watching her. So the pictures are coming soon.