The Wilson Chronicles

I Heart Faces: Best Face 2011

2012-01-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Of course, my favorite pictures are the one's I've just done- whatever I've just done. But I'm in love with this shot of my sweetest little man (He and his sister are my best works of art yet!), and am happy that I can now bribe him to pose for me... or at least sit still long enough to snap a couple of shots.

Go check out the other entries for "best face of 2011" over at I Heart Faces!

Chest Complete

2011-12-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is a bragging post about my husband.

Look how awesome my husband is, yall! I swear, everything he decides to do, he does really well. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with his extreme perfectionist personality- lol. He just bought wood working tools since moving here and the only other project he's done is a sewing/craft desk for me. So for a second project, I am in love with this toy chest!

And to think of it's humble beginings...

I'm not going to go into too much detail since I really don't know what I'm talking about but I will tell the making of the toy chest from my eyes.

So first, after carefully studying each peice of wood he chose like color/pattern pieces and glued them together. Then he had to take the larger planks and sand them down to make them smooth so you almost can't even tell it's more than one piece of wood!

Do that x 6 for all the sides, top and bottom. Then he used a dovetail jig to cut dove tails into the sides. He says that it's the strongest joint you can make... this toy box is going to last! Look how pretty the dove tails are! I just love the details. Once all the dove tails were cut, he glued all the sides together. Then came all the finishing touches.. putting in a sliding dove tail key(?), varnishing, painting, and putting the super hard core hinges on and Voila!!! He bought hinges that make it open and close like a laptop, so no pinched fingers here!

Ahhh. Now let's put it to use!!

Next up, a bed for my little girl... ahh hem, soon to be big girl (at least a little girl in a big girl bed).

I'm liking this hobby of his!

A little Catch-Up

2011-12-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

John has been dying for me to get a blog up about our travels. As you may have noticed, I've been such a slacker about the blog since I found out about Evangeline.. I guess I just associate blogging now with pouring my heart out and it's kind of exhausting. So forgive me if I keep things pretty light for a while, I need the break.

Back in August, one of John's buddies from college was getting married. The wedding was to be held in Whitefish, MT and as we google mapped the town we realized a couple of things. 1.) It was pretty much in the middle of nowhere and 2.) It was in the middle of nowhere with lots of mountains, valleys, rivers, gorges--- which makes it the perfect spot for a pretty amazing National Park! Glacier National Park to be precise! We had heard raves about the place and though we were able to frequent the National Parks in Utah when we lived there, Glacier was always high on our list! So we RSVP'd a solid YES for just the two of us! The kids needed some Nani time anyhow and we will always enjoy the "us" time! We went out for about a week and around all the wedding festivities, we'd take day trips over to the park for hiking, rafting and picture taking. The first night we got there, we rushed to the park for a 1.5 mile (one way) hike called the Hidden Lake overlook. We ran into a photographer on the way in and my interest was peaked. I love portrait and lifestyle photography but this was really a first when it came to getting serious with landscape photography (layman's speak for I have NO IDEA what I'm doing). While we walked, I fired questions at the photographer in hopes to pick up some tips. He fed me some info but said that he'd been coming to the same spot all week in hopes of getting "THE" shot but it just hadn't panned out for him yet. John and I stopped along the trail and I started shooting the locals while the other guy continued on his trek.

While I was at that spot, the sun got lower and lower in the sky so we hunkered down for a bit in hopes of getting some good shots at sunset. I felt like I was exhausting the panorama that I was working on so we packed up and started heading back... About 10 minutes into our hike back, I turned around to see the sky doing some amazing things that hadn't been present just 10 minutes ago. With John's encouragement, we turned and rushed back to the site we had sat before. This was a lesson on patience for me because I almost missed the most amazing sunset I think I've ever seen because I just wasn't being patient. Once I set up the tripod and took my series of the same panorama shots as before, I knew that turning around was a brilliant idea. WOW! The difference of colors was out of this world! God blessed us with a perfect picture in which I was trying to capture!

This was the difference the 15 minutes made. The left was the last shot I took before leaving and the right was the first shot I took after we came back!! It only got more dramatic after this shot!

So the final panorama image result is this:

Taaaa daaaaa! We blew this up to a 12x60 inch photo that will be framed and on our wall once we get a custom frame for it!

And that was only the first day in Glacier!

The rest of out trip I will sum up in pictures (because I'm tired of typing).

Kids at Play

2011-12-16T22:02:00.004-07:00

Ahhh.... Childhood. How I love reliving it's magic through my own kids (and a lens of course)!

Hope you have time to stop and enjoy this Christmas season!

Thankful for my kids...
and especially for His son whom we call Savior!

Peace in the Wake...

2011-11-01T14:44:00.002-07:00

Today is my birthday. It's been a month now since the birth of my little angel, Evangeline. In another month is when Evangeline was actually due. I would have liked to update sooner but life doesn't have the courtesy to slow down- which I guess is a good and bad thing. Bad because I would like a little more time to myself to reflect and pray and just be in the presence of God after such a traumatic and life changing event. Good because being back in the throws of life has kept me busy and not allowed me to be down. All in all, I am at peace.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

I finished "Heaven is For Real" and little Colton Burpo's account of heaven has helped my heart in the healing process by such a simple assurance that heaven is in fact for real! It really is a beautiful thing to know that Evangeline is in a more beautiful place than we can even fathom now with God (sidenote: I love the name in the Bible used for God as Abba- translated "daddy"), and Jesus, and gosh my Pop-pop and Grand-dad and who knows who else!! I pray at night for God to kiss my baby girl, and I know that he does. I totally recommend that book. It's a quick and easy read. Short chapters- which I like because I don't have much reading time and short chapters makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere. The book has revitalized my prayer life and my view of God even!

We have been so taken care of and so blessed through everything! The night we came home from the hospital, empty handed and heavy hearted we walked into a clean house, a fridge stocked and a hot meal waiting for us on the counter. That isn't light work... I should preface that with the fact that John was on TDY and I tend to let house chores slide a little while he's gone, so that and feeling terribly uncomfortable the morning my water broke adds up to a pretty messy house. We didn't have to worry about meals for a while with so many people bringing us food, enough for our family plus all the family and friends we had visiting! We have felt wrapped in the arms of grace and we continue to be so blessed by the prayers of intercession. We are touched by everyone who has donated to SOFT and by our squadron's 31 bags event which donated $700 to Trisomy18 Foundation. This is so dear to our hearts and it means so much to us that people would make it dear to theirs too. John and I have been brought together through this experience and are more passionately in love today than ever! Everything that has gotten us to this point are things that I worried about. And the love and compassion that we've been shown is just a beautiful testament to God and His perfect plan. I believe that He's been preparing me for a long time to carry Evangeline. Even back to my college days, I recall a friend of mine describing me as "boggled." He said that to him it meant that I could have all my money stolen and gotten beaten up and still keep a smile on my face. God built me so that this would not break me. I was never a "kid" person but once Riley arrived God gave me an intense love for the precious life that He had given me. He knew that I wouldn't abort Evangeline, that I'd love her and give her every chance. Even with my scare during my pregnancy with Scarlett, when my 20 week ultrasound revealed some Choroid Plexus cysts and the doctor first informed me of Trisomy 18- that was God's provision to open my eyes to something I had never heard of before and learn about it well ahead of the time that I would need the information. God has given me friends with resources that are invaluable- some having mutual friends who have had Trisomy babies and provide mutual support and encouragement, another with a job that deals with handling my other two kids and how to talk to them about Evangeline, etc. God really is good. Had it not been for Evangeline and the heart-ache and vulnerabilty I had to (and continue to) face, I would not have felt all the overwhelming love and support poured out for us and the deeper relationship I've gained with my Lord and Savior!

I added a couple of songs to my playlist. There were a couple of songs that I couldn't add so I'll leave you with the lyrics to this song:

Strong Enough- Matthew West

You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough For the both of us

Well, maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up
Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

Cause I'm broken Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God and you are strong When I am weak
I can do all things Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be Strong enough

Dear Evangeline

2011-10-06T08:24:00.001-07:00

Dear Evangeline,

This past year has been thebiggest roller coaster ride of my life, marred with the highest of highs andlowest of lows. Your daddy and Iwere so thrilled when we found out that you were growing in my belly, but our love for you began even before thatday. As the weeks passed and wegot glimpses of your sweet, tiny body on ultrasound and heard your stronglittle heart beating, we grew more and more enamored with you. Then one day back in July, a 1 in 6000chance turned into our walk. Wewere the ONE! Your daddy andI never even considered for a second to turn our backs on you and we knew thatwe were given the great and precious responsibility to love you wholly forevery moment of your life- no matter how long or short it may be. This diagnosis made me rethink so manythings and your little life growing inside me inspired me to pour out all mylove and hold nothing back for Riley, Scarlett, John and all the relationships in my life. Last Saturday, the day you were born, Iwas shocked and scared and I wished that you could have stayed inside thesafety of my womb for a few more months. But when I took you in my arms, I was overwhelmed with complete love andadoration and I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. You were so tiny and helpless. With underdeveloped lunges, your sweet little face was alittle purple but you kept on fighting, working for every breath you took. I cherished every second I got to spendwith you.

Before you were born, many ofmy thoughts would hover around allthe hopes and prayers I had for you. I had hoped that you would be a well tempered baby and toddler. I prayed that you would behealthy. I hoped that in schoolyou would be driven and smart. Imourned as I realized that these would not have a chance to play out. But at the time of your passing, when Iknew that you were no longer with me and now in the arms of our Lord I rejoicedthat my biggest prayer had been answered. As a parent I hoped and prayed that one day you would find a savingsalvation through knowing Jesus Christ. And I know that you are there with Him now.

In the past couple of weeks,I have had a number of people suggest the book, Heaven is for Real (by ToddBurpo). We got it just the otherday and last night I decided to open it up and read the prologue. It was of a family who was driving by ahospital where an emergency surgery a year before almost claimed the life oftheir 3, almost 4 year old son. As they drove past, they were trying to light heartedlyjoke about the trip with the son and through this dialog, the boy begins toreveal his memories of his hospital stay to his parents. He recalled angels singing at therequest of Jesus, to calm the scared child and when prompted about Jesus, hematter of factly recounted that he sat on the lap of Jesus while these angelssang. He recalled what he saw hisparents doing while he was under anesthesia during the surgery which hadshocked his parents since they were not in the operating room and their sonknew where both of them were, even though they were in separate rooms alone. I bawled, of course reading thisdetailed account of this little boy but what comfort that brought me. I knew it! I was right! Every night when I pray that God kiss you and hug you and show you thelove that I physically can not do anymore, how awesome is it to know that youare in the arms of Jesus and His love is far greater than anything I have everknown.

You have made such a giantimpact on my life, Evangeline Faith and I just praise God for allowing me to beyour mommy. I look forward toseeing you, whole and perfect, without sickness, or disease or disorder, oneday when God takes me home.

Love,

Your Mommy

Back in the saddle again

2011-09-25T20:44:00.001-07:00

Just a quick post to show you what we've been up to since we have been home...

We've been going to the park and checking out (chasing and catching) the local wildlife

We've been taking lots of baths...

And we've just generally been cheesing it up in front of the camera!

Life doesn't slow down around these parts!

Long Overdue

2011-09-14T06:32:00.002-07:00

... with blogging that is- not the pregnancy! The last several weeks has been a flurry of activity for us. Let's see... at the time of my last blog post, I had just gotten back from Texas where I spent a week with my family, I then left for our trip to Whitefish, MT- just John and I without the kiddies for a friend's wedding. Whitefish is a quaint little town on the outskirts of Glacier National Park and we were able to make the trip a fun and recreational adventure. Once back from Montana, I had two days at home then got on a plane by myself with two kids- more adventure that I care to partake in again! Traveling via plane with two very dependent little ones is quite the task, and being pregnant on top of it left me feeling completely outta fuel. Not to mention that on the way there, our plane was diverted to Tuscon, AZ because of bad dust storms in Phoenix and oh, by the way as we were circling Tuscon our plane got struck by lightning. I'll stop there but it sure made for quite the obstacle being stuck on a landed airplane at the Tuscon airport with two toddlers under 3 well past their bed time without dinner and no sight of actually getting up to Phoenix that night... Oh shoot- I said that I'd stop way back there. Anyhow, thanks to the generosity and selflessness of great friends we managed and the trip to Phoenix was still a success! I will say that unless it's an absolute emergency, you will not find me traveling alone with two kids through the airport again... Not till they're like 5 and above. I know my limits. And to top off our travels, a few days after coming home again we loaded up the car and made the 12 hour drive (it really doesn't take quite that long, but with stops for a newly potty trained little guy with a small bladder, those frequent 15 minute potty breaks really add up!) up to Sumter, SC where we stayed with some good friends and attended another wedding! I've been back from that for about a week and I am finally getting things back in order.

I've still got catching up to do with some photography stuff so a picture post will be at a later date.

As far as an update with Evangaline (or we like to call her Eva for short), I had an ultrasound about a week ago and things are about the same as far as her heart/head go. Not getting better but so happy it's not getting worse. The ultrasound tech was telling me that it was easy for her to read since I had more amniotic fluid than normal. Initially I thought, "great! I must be staying hydrated!" until the doc came in and cleared some things up. He also told me that I had a raised level of fluid which is not a good thing since it can cause premature labor. With my history of keeping the kids locked inside my uterus past the due date, doc said that it's probably less of a concern for me... although I did have a scare in which I woke up at night from cramps and it seemed rhythmic enough that I timed the contractions. After a couple hours they subsided and I went back to bed. The doctor said the cause of the high fluid was backed up by the fact that her stomach was not "full" which meant that Eva is having difficulty with her swallowing practice. It is a problem that many Trisomy 18 babies are faced with, which brings John and I to some difficult questions and something that we have to really evaluate and pray on because starvation as cause of death does not sit well in my heart. On the bright side, her weight seems to be keeping pretty steady with a normal pregnancy, which is truly a blessing since being underweight is a risk. So we are doing alright. I have never in my life been so covered in prayer and God is really carrying me (us) through this time with peace that is unreal. Most days I am able to carry on my "normal" life and just pour love into my two little ones on the outside as well as lil Eva on the inside! I feel like I am so full of love that it is overflowing into the the lives of my family members and that love is certainly from all the thoughts and prayers that friends and family have sent on our behalf!!! I can't begin to tell you what a blessing that is to us as a family and especially to me!

I have been put into contact with another Air Force "mommy" who has been through the birth and passing of a very special little T18 angel and that contact has been a God send! Talking with her brought much encouragement, but also some things that I didn't consider which has brought a little anxiety. I guess after talking to her, my concern is how I am going to take care of Evangaline fully and also have something in the tank for my two already needy little leaches, Riley and Scarlett. This question may just go unanswered until we are in the moment and when it comes down to it, I just have to rest in knowing that God will provide. I am trying not to worry about it because of Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I know that when that time comes, God will give me the strength, perseverance, and grace I need to get through it, and maybe a little help here and there from dear family/friends!

Here are some scriptures that I have been meditating on lately:

Psalm 3:3 "But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head."

Isaiah 61:3 "... and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."

Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

And as far as music, I haven't given up trying to get a player on my site to play some songs that are ministering to me so if you would like to hear the songs that mean so much to me during this time, press the play button on the player on the right. I have found a couple other songs that are really good! One in particular, I will carry you by Selah speaks to me exactly where I am. Turns out they dealt with a very similar situation and wrote a song about it.

As noted before, future posts will be more of my usual style- lots of pictures and less of me talking... That's how I typically like it. ;) And I have a lot of pictures to catch up on!

Hope you all are having a blessed day!

Follow up

2011-08-05T03:50:00.006-07:00

Today we had our follow up appointment with the maternal fetal medicine specialist. Well, I guess it was really yesterday now. They did another ultrasound with special attention to Evangaline's heart. The doctor said that her heart condition most likely won't be her true limiting factor which maybe means to me that we can eek out a little more time with our precious little gift from God. She looked perfect to me and although they said she still had the same conditions, I swear they looked smaller. We were left last time knowing that she had a hole in her heart with a possibility of a worse defect that couldn't be ruled out at that time. I usually really dig the medical aspect of things and would try to remember exactly what things are called (either VSD or ASD), but in this case I find myself looking back at the blur of an appointment and not really caring to remember exactly what it is.. the take home message for me was that she had a hole in her heart. I remember having the impression last time that it may not be that bad. Apparently it's not all that uncommon and many times the child can live just fine with this condition or it may heal itself in time. After all the bad news from our 20 week ultrasound and even getting the amnio taken that day, I still left with hope that our baby may not have Trisomy 18 and that she could still lead a long and normal life. In my heart I wanted to believe that the hole could close and the choroid plexus cysts (little fluid pockets in the head) would disappear. After all, not many people know this but at Scarlett's 20 week ultrasound, they also found the choroid plexus cysts in her head which was the first time I had ever heard of Trisomy 18 as they gave me a very faint (but very real to an expectant mommy) warning that CPC's were sometimes linked to this chromosomal defect. But my Scarlett is a very healthy and happy little girl, dare I call her a toddler now?! After getting the lab results days after the amnio was taken, my hopes were dashed and thus my grieving truly began. At first when I found out, I was devastated- naturally. I remember my thoughts waving from pure sadness to anger to feeling ashamed for some reason. I wished I could hide my pregnancy so no body would know and no body would cheerfully and unknowingly ask me when I was due, what I was having or how I felt. We never considered terminating the pregnancy but I truly realized the magnitude of our decision and the weight I was bearing to carry this baby to term. I still wouldn't take it back for my own convenience or feelings.. I do believe that God has given, and God will take away and who am I to mess with His plan? It is so much greater than my own. Fortunately, these feelings only lasted a few days. 3 days after the lab results, we were off to the comfort of my parents ranch which had been planned for months. What a blessing to have family surrounding me and supporting me so quickly after that kind of blow. After my initial feelings subsided, I felt incredibly humbled like I never have before. Nobody ever expects that something like this is going to happen to them, but not only did I not expect it but I pretty much just thought it wasn't possible. After all, I have a degree in a fitness field, with a special interest in nutrition. I have a gym membership that I actually use! I have by-the-book pregnancies. (can you hear the pride in those last statements?) So this has definitely brought me back to reality and very much humbled my pride monster-- and I certainly realize that there are some medical conditions that can happen to anyone... including me. I've been doing a bible study that I had from a couple years ago that I started and fizzled out on because of the depth of the study. It's called "One in a Million" by Pricilla Shirer. When our women's group at church was doing this study, I was pregnant with Scarlett and John was in que to leave for the desert. In one of the first chapters, she talked about Job and how he was an upright man, blameless in front of God and how God allowed satan to "test" Job by taking away all that he had and it asked us if we'd still praise God if everything were stripped from us, like Job. I was so distraught about this concept that I really throttled back on my assignments and weekly readings and basically just showed up to the Tuesday morning studies to fellowship. Picking this study up where I left it has been such a blessing and I am working through it this time with a whole new perspective. I also just heard in the last couple of days a sermon from a woman who has already been through this exact thing, getting a diagnosis that her unborn baby has Trisomy 18. She talked about grieving and how healing comes when your heart catches up with your head knowledge. I find that to be so true. I know that God has a plan and that His plan is perfect and to benefit and yada yada... But I have flashes where my heart is in line with my head and that brings me true peace. I'm not always there and I am sure my struggles will become much worse when/if Evangaline is born alive and I have to deal with her death. But there is a silver lining which I have only seen glimpses of and wow is it beautiful. I feel like I am in a good place right now. I am praising God and celebrating each kick that I feel and each day that I know that she's still alive in there. I have been able to be genuinely joyful for other people's expectant news, which surely doesn't come from me but from God. The support and love I've felt from all of you has really blessed me- Thank you for that. John and I have started praying together every night... something I think we've always wanted to establish but because of daily life busyness, that and laziness it's never happened. I am so thankful for my husband, John. He has been a true rock to me the way he's been supportive and empathetic. I know he is mourning too but he feels that it's important for him to be strong for me, and he is. He quickly and selflessly booked me and the kids a trip to Phoenix so that I can even more be surrounded by family and loved ones with our Lifegroup there. They are our family. Evangaline will get to go on quite a few trips before her birth and we will enjoy her presence nonetheless. I desire to be as transparent as possible in this journey so if you have any questions, please just ask and I will do my best to answer.

Music has always spoken to me but during this time I find it is really ministering to me as well.
I've tried to include the playlist on this page that is facilitating in healing. I think it is a little music strip attached to the very bottom of the page and you can press play if you would like to hear it.
{I took the player off since I don't know if that's contributing to the problems some have had with opening the blog so I'll just list my short little playlist and I encourage you to look up the songs- they're beautiful!}

-Blessings, Laura Story
-Jesus Bring the Rain, Mercy Me
-Beauty from Pain, Superchick
-I Still Believe, Jeremy Camp
-Praise You in the Storm, Casting Crowns

Meet Evangeline...

2011-07-25T20:19:00.003-07:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to our daughter, Evangeline Faith Wilson. She is our beautiful baby girl and her due date is December 1, 2011.

We are introducing you to her now because unfortunately she has been diagnosed with a severe chromosomal defect called “Trisomy 18”. You can google the details yourself to find out more about it if you like. Trisomy 18 has a very high infant mortality rate and is “incompatible with life”, which is doctor-speak for saying her likelihood of survival after birth is very low. We had a preliminary screening test done which showed we had a high likelihood of Trisomy 18 in our little girl. These results prompted a special ultrasound at a neonatal clinic in Pensacola. The sonogram showed large cysts on Evangeline’s brain and a large hole in the pumping chambers of her heart, both of which are indicators for Trisomy 18. We had an amniocentesis performed that same day and we got the results a few days later confirming the presence of Trisomy 18. This is a tough time for our family as we deal with the news and it’s consequences. Cheyenne and I want to carry the pregnancy to full term and we will do all that we can to protect the beautiful life that God has given us. We have many questions that have no definite answers. There is no way to know when Cheyenne will go into labor or Evangeline’s health at birth. It is a day-to-day journey right now and we are thankful for every tiny kick and everyday that Evangeline is still with us. We are thankful that Cheyenne is in no danger from the pregnancy and that we have the opportunity to share our little girl with you, even if only for a short time. We rest in the comfort of knowing that there are no mistakes; God has given us little Evangeline for a reason. We do not know God’s plan, but we do know that he loves us and his plans are not to harm, but to benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11). We rest assured in the comfort of God’s embrace knowing that Evangeline’s life is part of His design and something we view as a tragedy, God can use as a blessing. A lot of folks have asked what they can do. Honestly, your prayers and friendship are all that we ask. We ask for you to pray specifically for: Evangeline’s health, Cheyenne’s emotional strength, a safe delivery, wisdom and grace for Cheyenne and I, Evangeline’s life to lead people to Christ, understanding how God can use this in our lives to bring glory to Him, and trust and faith in God and His design. If you feel led to do more than pray, there are several non-profit organizations for children with chromosomal defects that you can become involved in or donate to. We will post on Cheyenne’s blog, www.cjwilson34.blogspot.com and send out more emails as information develops. Thank you all for your friendship, support, and prayers.

& John

Jelly Bean

2011-06-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

Warning: Long videos ahead of a proud mommy's little girl just being a little girl.

We have a walker on our hands. She has been dabbling in walking for a while but we could only get her to take a couple steps and then she'd lunge herself forward right into our arms. The day she turned 13 months, she decided it was time for her to let go of her inhibitions and officially join the land of the bipeds.

Scarlett loves being up on furniture. When she get's the opportunity she giggles and throws herself into cushions. I caught her on the tail end of her gleeful enjoyment so it's toned down quite a bit... That's why it's so long because I was hoping to catch the excitement as from the start of it. I can't help but call her my Jelly Bean as she flip flops all over on the couch.

Daddy's Importance!

2011-06-19T13:26:00.001-07:00

For so many reasons, I think a dad is vital to a child being raised in our world today. Well, really for ever and any time but especially today. I am a stay at home mommy and I love my job. I am so blessed to be given the opportunity and the heart to stay home with my kids and mold them with every chance I can have in a day. That opportunity is given to me by none other than my loving and supportive husband! Aside from Christ himself, my husband is our rock in our family! But by the end of the day, I'm exhausted. I'm pretty much ready to get them fed and put my lil' rascals to bed. And then there's Daddy!

He comes home after his long day of work and what does he do? He plays non stop with the kiddies until it's time for bed. That hour or two of unsolicited love and attention would be void in their life without wonderful Daddy! We love you Daddy!

And daddy's everywhere who are your family's rock and playful mate- a BIG THANKS! You guys are awesome and we couldn't do it without you!

It's official

2011-06-08T08:45:00.001-07:00

I've been lazy about my blog since facebook is so easy and quick. But here is my official announcement!
We're expecting baby #3 in late November/ early December! What a whirlwind my life will be the next several years!!
Scarlett and Riley were 21 months apart and this one will be about 18 months from Scarlett. That's three kids 3 and under!! YIKES- putting it in writing is kinda scary! But it was planned. We love our children and have wanted another... so here we go!

11 and 12

2011-05-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

Running a little behind, mostly from lack of motivation. I'm just getting my camera out for the first time since I was at the Ranch with my folks. But what a great reason to get the camera out! Today is my little one's First Birthday!! It really has flown by- more so than with Riley. Scarlett is my sweet little accessory. She just hangs on for the ride and is usually so pleasant and care free (except when she's teething- oofta!).

Here are her never posted 11 month pictures.

And now for the Birthday pictures! 12 months old!!! Can you believe it?!

Side of Ranch, Please

2011-04-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

My parents moved to their little 80 acre ranch 4 years ago and it's been so fun to visit and get to play cowgirl! They've added chickens to their repertoire of farm animals!! Now instead of just going out and petting the horses and cows, I can go out and feed the chickens. I've mentally named them against my dad's warning not to since the one breed of chickens will soon end up on the dinner table- but I can't help it. There's one little chicken, Herald who is a total underdog. Does anyone else just love the little underdogs like I do? I have a special place in my heart for 'em. Anyway, Herold is a runt chicken who was born with splayed legs. Mom and dad fixed him by tying his legs together so he had to learn to keep them underneath him and it worked. Now Herold can walk but he's still much smaller than the other chickens and oh, by the way he is just about bald. It doesn't help as I'm trying not to think of these chickens being my dinner, but this chicken already looks like he is oven ready without any feathers. Riley loves going out in the chicken house and we get plenty of entertainment just watching them cluck and scratch.

Some of the scenery here is just gorgeous. Small town, farm country, refreshing. Here's my 5 minute photo shoot with the kids on Easter Sunday. I'd like to get out and take a little more time, but with how fast they move and how quickly moods change, I don't see that happening this year.

I'll have to post Scarlett in a separate post since the computer's acting up.

I Heart Faces: peoples choice

2011-04-03T14:20:00.005-07:00

Uggh. I wasn't sure which picture to pick. This is torture for me!! I've already changed my mind 3 times. I had one that I LOVE but I think what I love about it so much is the ambiance and the scenery so since the I HEART FACES challenge is for "best face in March" I changed it to a picture with Riley posing in his playset outside. Then Scarlett's little goofy smile got the best of me... but then while I was editing some more tonight, I found this one just elicited so much emotion in me so we're going with this. It's been a rough week full of tears because of those darn new teeth making their grand appearance. This shot is pretty much what it's been like. She wants to be ok, but that tear can't help but sneak out and plant itself right on my baby girl's cheek. I've just got to walk away before I change my mind again!

Sorry for being so indecisive. I can't help it. It's what happens when you label the challenge "best face of March."

Go check out the other amazing entries this week!! They're not being judged so throw in your own entry- just for kicks!! And it is people's choice so go on over and vote for me! It'd make my day! ;)

Edu.macation

2011-03-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

One day Riley surprised me with this little gem so I had to get it on video! Kids are so stinkin cute!!

Before/After

2011-03-18T07:18:00.004-07:00

I've made a decision. Actions are fun to play with but I've decided that I am not going to spend money (upwards of $150 per bundle of actions) each time a new set of actions comes out. Sure- I like the result and it's time saving but when it comes down to it, I don't know how they are getting to the end result and therefore I'm becoming more and more dependent on another person's editing skills and falling deeper and deeper into the trap where I'll have to continue forkin over money every time I get bored of the current action sets I have and wish for a new one. I've decided instead of the hundreds of dollars I'd spend on actions, I'm going to buy a couple of good Photoshop how-to books and learn all the tricks and how to get the effects I want myself. I also want to learn to efficiently make my own actions. I've made a couple and so far have learned that the simpler ones work better. The more complex I get, the more jumbled it is when I try it out.

Anyway, I figured with this revelation I'd post a before and after. This is sins actions (well- i used my own "my tweaks" action) and since my editing style is always evolving, this is my current look- and I do feel like I can claim it myself instead of giving credit to the gal who makes and sells actions.

Who knows... maybe someday I'll be able to sell my actions for hundreds of dollars. A girl can dream- right?

10 months!

2011-03-11T21:18:00.001-07:00

What a fun age!! My little Scarlett is such a joy with her giggles and smiles. Although it is the stage where diaper changing is near impossible... Who has time for that anyway- there's things to put in mouths and places to explore!

She's become quite independent and crawls all over the place. She still comes back to mommy for loves when she's ready though! <3

She still thinks her brother is pretty much the coolest person to walk the planet.

Gosh- I love those sweet smiles!

A place to call home

2011-03-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Wilson's have been busy. It's funny how we've always chosen a good, move-in ready home and we're usually drawn to well kept homes. Well, desperate times call for desperate measures and since I did not want to take up permanent residence in the TLF's (Temporary Living Facilities- on base about the size of a 1BR small apartment), we had to find something pronto. I fell in love with the neighborhood, since it's just three houses away from bay access and has another great park so close.

(This is our beach park just down from the house... Riley's finding hermit crabs- which btw he's now horrified of... we're working on it.)

The house.... has potential. First off, let me disclose to you that this time we decided to rent. The crashing housing market left a pretty sour taste in our mouths from Phoenix and since we are only staying for such short stints, we thought it best to rent. The previous renters did not care much about how this home was kept so we've been putting our time and effort into making it nicer. It's rewarding, until we remember that it's not ours anyway but none-the-less, we feel better about where we live.

We raked the leaves and collected 32 bags worth of leaves. That's a lot of covered ground that wasn't getting sun and therefore wasn't growing grass. Hopefully that will fix the grass problem- or lack there of.

We painted almost all the walls, repaired lots of little fixes here and there and I think it's finally starting to feel like home.

I have been pretty down on this place. It's been a difficult move for us as John and I left a life that we loved so dearly behind... So I decided that I am going to stop pouting and start embracing the beauty that this place has to offer. I bought an annual state park pass and have been out exploring in both the parks and the nearby towns. There's an adorable little town called Seaside that is nestled on the Gulf shore and has a very quaint feel. I'm sure that will be a place I frequent. Last weekend, John and I got the bikes out and hitched up the ol' bike trailer. The kids got a ride in the trailer while John and I took a leisurely ride on a scenic bike trail with an ocean view. We stopped along the way to enjoy a smoothie and some delectable freshly baked goodies from the local shops and continued on to Seaside. We stopped there for some beach time, then meandered back home. It was perfect.

As you may have noticed, I've also been playing with the stamps that I can put on pictures. It's just something fun that I have figured out how to do through tutorials. A lot of people pay for that, but I just think I'm too wishy washy to like a logo for a long time which I would feel necessary if I paid for it.

So to conclude, things are just fine here. We're moved in. The weather is getting so nice. God is good. As much as I try, I really can't complain.

9 months

2011-02-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

How can I only have 3 months left of this little one's first year??? She's my sweet baby!

Just as anticipated, she waited till the thick of our move to start crawling and once she started that, she also discovered standing. The problem is that she's not very stable and needs near constant assistance and supervision, but she doesn't see that. She just knows that she likes it. So now when I try to put her down on the floor, she pikes her body so I can't just sit her down.. which leaves me with 2 choices: Either 1) I stand there and hold her hands as she proudly (and wobbly) stands there and I get nothing done or 2)I could prop her on the nearest structure and let her balance and explore on the [ottoman]--fill in the blank. Sometimes I can hoist her forward into a crawl position, but she WILL NOT be made to sit.

And when she cries- she is a spitting image of her brother!!!

Fix It Friday: Back in the Saddle again.

2011-02-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't done one of these in so long but I couldn't resist. I've been itchin to do something with my camera lately, but since we've moved to Florida we've had many dark and dreary days. So here's my outlet to get a little photo editing in! Doesn't hurt that it's an adorable little gal with eyes that speak volumes.
Here's the SOOC shot (by Rachel from Savor Photography)

Here's my edit-- gotta zoom in on that face b/c that's what I love about the picture, her sweet innocent glance.

Here's what I did. I didn't feel like typing it out so I just screen printed my PS workspace.

TGIF!

Head over to I<3 faces for more fun edits on the same picture!

Scene Change

2011-02-10T15:13:00.004-07:00

We left Phoenix and our lives as we knew it just after new years. Our cross-country travels took us through 7 states with a long visit to Texas, where my parents ranch is and a shorter visit to Baton Rouge, LA for John's uncle. My mom just got a new SLR camera for Christmas so I had fun with her just messing around and showing her a few things about what I've picked up the last couple years in photography.

While John and my dad took a tour of the Lockheed Martin plant where they're building the F-35 (in Fort Worth), Mom and I palled around Graham and did our girl day- shopping and crafting. We had a wonderful visit but when the time came to go, we were ready. Texas was tough on us since both our car and our dog got chewed up. I'm not at all hating on my folks dog. Sam is seriously one of the sweetest dogs... he's a border collie- ever met one of those that isn't sweet?! He actually played with Riley which my little man just ate up! Cana's good with Riley but by that I mean that he tolerates him but Sam actually interacted and enjoyed Riley's company. The tiff stemmed from the fact that neither Cana or Sam have been snipped and Sam was VERY protective of his place.
I forgot to take a picture of our car but it looked like someone took a screwdriver to every panel... What did this, you may wonder. A pack (herd, gaggle?) of horses!! Apparently when they can see their reflection in something, it sparks their curiosity and the want to EAT it. Who knew? Be warned- don't park your shiny, clean car anywhere by horses less you want to drop $3500+ (a time when insurance is definitely handy) in repairs.

While in Louisiana, John took a day of testosterone and went hunting with his uncle and friend. I stayed back with the women folk and we did just fine.

We got a tour of the LSU stadium from the equipment manager of their sports department... Reminded me how much I loved (and hated) working in that setting. Did you know that John is an LSU fan?! He is. I'm fine with it, till they play The Ohio State University in, say... a National Championship game... Then it's annoying.

So now we take up residence in Florida. We live just a few houses away from a little beach park where we can enjoy the water without much fuss to get there. Of course we'll still drive across the bridge to Destin to get the gorgeous white sandy beaches known around the world.

I took the kids to a beach in Destin and this is just a "taste" of what I have to look forward to as the temps rise!

Reminisce

2011-01-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

We're now in our new home of Florida.. as for a physical address- that's a little more complicated. Maybe I'll fill in sometime but right now I'm irked by the whole thing so I'm not going to talk about it and hopefully we will no longer be "homeless" in the next week or month or sometime soon. We're currently staying in the Eglin "TLF's" (Temporary Living Facilities) and although it's small- maybe 200 sq ft, it's fun to get a taste of the beachy atmosphere around here. The TLF's are on the bay and I have peaks of the bay view right outside our door. There's a big open area across the street for the dog and plenty of squirrels to chase. We're not used to squirrels since I don't think I've ever seen one in AZ and when Riley first saw them in the trees, he called them monkeys. So now we go outside to chase the "monkeys." Anyhow, Scarlett got her first taste of sand and while shooting the pictures, I just was brought back to Riley's first sand smoothie too. Here are my two lil monsters, tearing it up in the sand.

Just Playin'

2010-12-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

Just couldn't help but putting a couple shots from my NEW camera on the blog..

Aren't my kids the cutest things???!!!

7 months

2010-12-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some quick 7 month pictures of Scarlett. She's growing fast and she's working on crawling. I'm sure it will happen as soon as we get to our new place and start unpacking. Murphy's law.

Things are feeling like a whirlwind around here. We're a week out of being moved out of our house and in with friends for Christmas and New Years. Then on the 4th of January, we'll start the long drive (detours included) to our next home at Eglin AFB. Blogging will be sparse, but updates will come once we get settled. I hope you all have a really wonderful and blessed Christmas this year!

Family

2010-12-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

6 months

2010-11-17T20:44:00.003-07:00

Holy Cow have I been BUSY! Haha. I always think when I get through one busy season that life will slow down, but I've realized that really it just varies on different degrees of business. So let me just throw up my sweet Scarlett's 6 month pics (and maybe a little peek at what I've been so busy with).

No teeth yet, but I'm certain they'll cut through soon since her nose is a faucet and absolutely nothing is off limits for the gnawing mouth (as noted below).

If you're my FB friend, than this is probably old news...

I've been playing a little more photographer! Here's a cute family of 5 from our (old and shut down) squadron here at Luke.

I just loved the belly laughs I was getting from the little boy!! He's such an easy audience!

Some good friends just got married and asked little ol' me to be their wedding photographer!! Wow- what an opportunity and how much trust they have in me!! Definitely a learning experience for me and now I have a very real appreciation for wedding photography (and my bride and MOB were SUPER laid back... can't imagine working with a bridezilla!)

And a good friend just had her very sweet and adorable little man. Boy that little guy can put down the milk!!! What a cutie! Look at that lil distended belly.... I just love him.

My mom made this hat for just this occasion- isn't it absolutely perfect?! Thanks Ma.

I just made a "Photography by Cheyenne" facebook page after an urge from a church friend. This way people who were at the wedding or friends of my friend with the new baby can check out the pictures too.

Phew... Now into my sewing sweat shop to finish up the last of my Fly-bagz orders.

Just for Fun

2010-10-28T21:16:00.003-07:00

Trying out my purchases I bought with the upcoming wedding in mind and just wanted to post some resulting fun pictures.

So there I was... laying in the grass, camera in hand and big 48" reflector sandwiched between my knees trying to manipulate it to reflect the lighting on my very active little ones. I might opt to have a little more subtle lighting if I have an assistant to man the reflector, but it's definitely a kinda heavenly light look.

Guess who's teething?!

Alright. I just got caught. I gotta get off the computer.

A New Technique

2010-10-25T11:15:00.002-07:00

Maybe you have seen a picture on the internet or in ads that just catches your eye because the details look surreal and just too good for a camera to capture. Chances are that picture is an HDR image. The Wiki link explains it better than I can but I'll just give you the short and dirty of what I did for my own shot at a High Dynamic Range Image- this new technique in photo editing (for me anyhow).

I took three pictures of the same image within half a second. I didn't use a tripod but I should have. Luckily I stayed still enough for a good turn out. I set up my camera to ulter the three shots exposure by almost 2 stops above and below a "good" exposure.

Here are my 3 shots. You can see the first one is pretty light and shows more details in the gravel and building, the middle was what my camera told me was a balanced exposure and the third is underexposed and dark, but shows nice color and definition in the sky and clouds.

Then I take these three images into Photoshop. There's a feature in there where you can merge the three pictures into one, and do minor adjustments for color and contrast. Here is my collaboration of the 3.

And then, for a little icing on the cake, there is something called tone mapping. I don't really know what it is or how to describe it but I do know that it kind of effects more of the lighting. Photoshop alone does not do tone mapping and I ended up downloading a special plug in- I think it was photomatrix. And this allowed me to get the image that I think it pretty cool!!

You know, I think photography is really cool how it captures moments and memories but many times the picture just doesn't do justice to the real thing. I think it's because camera's will never be as advanced as our eye sight and so we have to choose what we expose the picture for... should I expose for the gorgeous sky and loose the forground to over exposure or make sure the foreground is just so but then the sky is blown out. Well with this technique, I think you can get closer to what our eyes actually see! It feels much more life-like to me. There are capabilities that you can go over the top and just get a very surreal and un realistic picture but I tried to rein myself in to keep it close to what I actually saw.

Just for kicks, here's a total "grunged" out edit.

Anyhow, I'm pretty excited about the fact that it actually worked for me. I have seen HDR imaging for a while and just been so overwhelmed and discouraged when I even thought about trying it. Just another building block in learning more about photography and broadening my skills as a photography enthusiast!

Lens Lovin'

2010-10-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Oh my, how I DOOOO LOVE photography!! I'm shooting a friend's wedding in a couple of weeks so I've been on a buying spree with camera stuff the last couple of months. I started out buying a really good zoom lens (70-200mm f/4) in order to get the great close in and intimate shots of their vows without being all up in their chili. Then I bought abunch of little things: extra memory cards, a flash diffuser, reflectors. But I just splurged with the remainder of my Flybagz money and bought yet another lens. I got a pretty decent wide angle lens (Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8) which came in the mail today. I am in love! It is just what I wanted. I can be pretty close to something and get the entire scene, instead of having to back up to kingdom come. It was fun playing with it today before nap time with my two favorite and trusty subjects. The nature of a wide angle lens gives a little distortion as it captures the scene, which I actually like the look of. It makes my 2 year old toddler look larger than life! And I can be within reaching distance and still get their whole bodies!

Example: I was about a foot away from Riley here.

I was probably 6 inches away from Scarlett's face.

Can't wait to try it out at the wedding!!

How bout this, Ma?

2010-10-21T15:03:00.002-07:00

Silhouettes and Sun Flares

2010-10-18T22:36:00.003-07:00

What a beautiful time of year- FINALLY. It's starting to cool off here in the desert and I am taking advantage of the earlier sunsets and just messing around with back lighting. It's kinda a scary thing and I have far from mastered it but a few turned out ok. The look I'm going for is just as my post title suggests... Silhouettes (and trying to get that warm glow around my subject- Riley, and his adorable bed head)

And Sun Flares. I kinda like the look of the hazy pictures with the lens flare. I can almost smell the summer air. So here's what I have to show for those.

And this next shot is technically far from perfect, but I love it. It shows how active and playful my little man is and I caught him in the midst of a tickle tackle! It warms my heart, even with the blurring.

5 months

2010-10-13T07:50:00.002-07:00

My sweet lil thang is 5 months old! She has started sitting up (sort of). She can do it for a good 10 seconds at a time but then makes a jerky movement which topples her onto her back. We have an interem appointment at the Peds clinic to make sure she's growing well. She was 80th percentile for the first few months and last month at her checkup, she dropped to 20th percentile. I'm eager to see that my efforts to get her ample food have worked. She has also developed a "little friend" and we'll be seeing a dentist to look at her little oral cyst. All in all, nothing to be hugely concerned over but I'm keeping my eye on this one. I can't believe that 5 months have passed already but I'm already starting to anticipate the mobile stage. I know that some people say not to rush it, and I'm not. I'm content in each stage, but I absolutely love when they begin on the journey of mobility! I'm sure that this time will be a little less enjoyable though since I am pretty sure that she will be learning to crawl right around the time of our move! Sigh. Oh well- as of now I stand by my original stance that I love the coming stage. Not to say I won't change my mind when I'm neck deep in boxes and unpacking seems impossible while trying to chase around a very busy toddler and a newly mobile baby!

Buried in Bags

2010-10-06T07:56:00.002-07:00

I am at a cross road. It has gotten to the point where I am not enjoying my little business that I created and have been doing the last five years. Much has happened over those 5 years, among which I have started a family and decided to be a stay at home mom. I thought that making purses was the perfect balance of staying home and still making a little spending money. And it was- for a while. However, with the addition of baby girl into the family and an increase of demands that having two kids brings, I am feeling that the sewing business is taking away from my intent to give my "all" to my kids. Something has to suffer and unfortunately my costumer service for Fly-bagz has taken the brunt of this. I am closing the doors. I don't know if or when I might pick it back up again. I have had a great time making bags and loved seeing the different personalities and styles that went into each one! I had the privilege of some very heartfelt projects as bag requests came from a widowed wife who's husband didn't come home from work one day, and a husband trying to order a sweet present for his expecting wife, only to loose her during childbirth. Truth is that Fly-bagz has made a lasting impression on me and brought me places I didn't expect and I am thankful for the time I was able to devote to it and the people I was able to meet through it. So for now, I will be finishing the orders I have and getting those bags in the mail. I will not be taking any further orders. --Sorry. :(

However, if you're reading this and were hoping for a Christmas Fly-bag... You may contact my very talented friend, Stephanie who has been taking some of my work load since pregnancy. She is willing to keep on sewing up until Christmas. Her email is Stephanie@fly-bagz.com and she is only doing the Transporter Bagz (the standard size original bag).

Thank you to all those who have made this experience so much fun!

God Bless!

Love Your Shot

2010-10-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

I know I just posted this picture but I found a fun link up and because I love this shot so much, it screams to when when posting for a "love your shot" link up.

This is a picture I took at the end of September of an adorable pregnant friend of mine. We were all finished with our "shoot" and I was packing up to go home when I thought that maybe we could try it. She was up for it so into her jammies and up on the counter she got. There really wasn't too much as far as setting up the shot goes. I had the windows (north facing) open to try to utilize the natural lighting and I had my flash on with a diffuser. I used my trusty 50mm f1.8 lens. As for postprocessing, I cleaned it up a little and defogged the picture. I brightened it with a curves layer and maybe a little dodge/burn action. That's about it.

Pretty Preggo

2010-10-01T09:41:00.001-07:00

My friend, Shauna asked me to take some maternity pictures for her. Glad to do it- especially cuz she's the cutest pregnant gal around! It was my first shot at this style but I am happy with the turn out. Here are a few of the first ones I edited.

This one is my favorite. It's a little less traditional but I had what I wanted in my mind and it turned out pretty darn close. I got the idea from just browsing through flickr and Shauna, as my model was super easy and cooperative. I just love how it turned out. I think she looks so stinkin cute, belly pokin' through and all!

*On a side note, I made a couple of new stamps that are kinda fun. Here's the tutorial I used for that.

Fix it Friday: Couldn't resist

2010-10-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

As if I haven't been busy enough with editing lately, I couldn't resist this adorable little girl that Keli Hoskins captured.

Here's the original shot.

I just found a bunch of free actions at My Four Hens so to keep things quick this morning, I did a few quick edits (curves to brighten and a little hue correction) then let the actions do the work for me. I can't remember which is which by I'll try my best.

I think this is Melancholy

This one was Little Bee action.

This is back to school blues

This one is Cream Cheese

So which look do you like?

Sweet Baby {M}

2010-09-23T15:43:00.003-07:00

Just a few of my fav's from a shoot I did of a friend's baby. Boy did this sweet little girl have some hair. I might have hair envy... seriously. She even has frosted tips- lucky thing. People pay big money for that.

Anyway, I'm feeling more and more comfortable shooting newborns and I think they can sense that. Enough of my ramblings, and on to the beautiful baby!

Ima BIG kid now

2010-09-20T08:59:00.001-07:00

Just got Riley's Big Boy Bed! It's the second night that he's slept in it and even though my paranoia causes me to sprint to his room with any peep that he makes, it's been a success. Every time I check on him, he's in his bed. . I haven't heard any big thumps yet so he must not have fallen out yet. Yay for big boy beds. Now little sister can finally get out of the pack n play and have a crib of her own!

4 months

2010-09-13T14:08:00.003-07:00

This little girl of mine, boy does she make me smile. Those chubby cheeks are so edible. Scarlett is now 4 months old!

She absolutely thrives off attention. The moment you make eye contact with her, she beams!
She's been rolling for almost a month now and I think she actually prefers tummy time to laying on her back.
She is a squealy baby. I think mostly they are squeals of glee but none-the-less they still hurt my ears.
She's very alert and is always checking out everything. I love her little look of concentration.
She's a great sleeper. She takes 4 naps a day (1-2 hours) and still sleeps 10 hours at night!
Since dealing with Riley and dabbling in potty training, I'm pretty sure that Scarlett will be much easier to potty train since she hates having a dirty diaper on. Riley could care less if he's sitting in his own fecal matter.
Riley is such a great big brother to her. He will get down on the floor and just stare at her sometimes and of course she stares right back.

This mommy-hood adventure is really the best ever!

Vroom Vroom

2010-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to do this, but I just couldn't resist when I thought of this picture. I am part of a LifeGroup. It's a small group derived from our church that meets once a week for a short Bible study but the focus is supposed to be fellowship. Our lifegroup really has the fellowship down. In fact, we are so good that we don't just meet once a week, but usually two and sometimes much more! We decided to do a fun little scavenger hunt, boys vs girls before our super cool missionary friend, Emily left for Africa. The girls totally rocked the competition, of course! This photo just brings a smile to my heart because of the amazing friends I have!

There are many more VROOM themed photos at I heart faces. Check em out by clicking the link below.

Loving CS3

2010-09-01T07:30:00.001-07:00

I first got Corel Paint Shop Pro and that was good. Just like Photoshop but just a fraction of the price. The only real issue I had with that wasn't with the product at all but more with the lack of information and help. I couldn't find that many good tutorials for using PSP. Then when we got the Mac, I had to go Photoshop because Corel doesn't work with Mac's. So I bought Elements 8 and basically had to relearn what I already knew to do on PSP. I liked Elements. I liked that I could find tons of tutorials and actions for Elements. Then Travis offered me his version of CS3 and how could I resist. I LOVE it. There is so much I can do, and best of all I can do a little research via tutorials/books and get step-by-step instructions to do just about anything I can imagine!

These are older pictures (6-9 months ago) but I have been going through all my pictures and trying to get rid of the ones I won't do anything with. I take tons and I'm trying to weed em out now. It's so much easier when they're pictures of someone else's kid, but when it's mine I just can hardly bare to part with any of them... So I found a pocket of old pics that I've never done anything with and perhaps didn't feel inspired by them at the time but learning more of the tricks and tips in PhotoShop and now having CS3 available, I've reopened some and I LOVE them. Good thing I didn't get rid of them back when I should have. Here are my before/afters.

For those just learning and maybe feeling helpless in Photoshop (ahh-hemm Malia), have you discovered "actions?" There are tons of downloadable actions (some free and some for $$) that you can load into photoshop and it does effects for you. You may want to do some minor tweaking but you don't have to mess around with all the steps! Here are some free action downloads that I've found and like:

Photojournalism

2010-08-29T21:18:00.002-07:00

This week's photo challenge is so perfect. Well, at least my entry is so fitting. Let me explain. I have this friend, Carissa who has been living at our house for the last 7 months. Carissa is the sister to an air force friend and has been dating one of John's best friends, Karl (Notch). They got engaged since she's been living here with us. It's been such a blessing to have her here for so many reasons. She has been an amazing friend and someone that I can always talk to. In fact, when she first moved in I was almost exhausted at having her here because every conversation we'd have was really deep and it took it out of me after a few days of our gab-fests. She is a lot like me, kinda hippy and laid back but has a very organized and busy side of her that I've also benefited from. She has been such a help since I was pregnant and now mommy of two and would always be busy picking up here and cleaning up there. My kitchen has never been so clean and it'll definitely be an adjustment in my near future. Anyway- she's a great friend.

I took engagement shots of them a couple months ago. It was such a laid back and fun time and I think they both enjoyed the whole shoot too. I caught this series of shots toward the end of our shoot and it just shows how cute and playful they are and the heart of service that Karl has. This is such the perfect time to showcase these pictures since they are getting married in LESS THAN A WEEK!! Congrats you two- I've been pulling for you all along! Can't wait to see you finally tie the knot (and get that girl outta my house!).. Love you!

Check out the other photojournalism entries over at iheartfaces.com

Editing Fun Day (ie: Fix it Friday)

2010-08-27T14:12:00.003-07:00

While feeding baby girl, I had just enough time to fit a quick edit into a busy day. I just got some actions loaded into my CS3 program so I was messing with those as well as a few techniques I picked up in the magazine I bought last week.

Maybe you know the drill by now.. Here is the SOOC shot.

Here's my fix.

I cropped and rotated just a tad cuz I felt like the girl was falling over.
Then I ran the Sunshine Action from Pioneer Woman
Ran PW's Boost action too. That created the feel that I wanted but now to tackle the boring sky.
I need to preface with I had no idea what I was doing and probably had no business with this effect since I didn't and still don't really understand it. But I went to Filter>Render>Cloud Difference which put a bunch of dark splotchy patches all over the picture.
I created a layers mask to leave the splotches only in the sky and then
I did a gradient layer to give the splotches the color I wanted and
Set blending mode to color.
Then I played with a kinda funky border by using new brushes I downloaded
And finished it off with a quick boost using Unsharp Mask (Amount- 20%, Pixels- 80) and brought down the opacity a touch.

Check out the other edits for this picture at Iheartfaces!
Have a great weekend!

It's My Bag, Baby

2010-08-25T16:04:00.001-07:00

Back in Utah, I made some girls flight suit purses made from a desert flight suit. I LOVED THEM!! So much that a friend of mine offered to let me have one of her husband's desert flight suits so I could make myself the much desired bag. Well, John put an axe through that idea and said that I am not allowed to make myself a desert bag unless it's out of HIS desert flight suit. Up till then I was always happy that he hadn't gone to the desert yet but once the stipulations were set I wanted him to hop the pond and get on over there!!! So he finally did, as you might remember a couple months back for the end of my pregnancy and even missed the birth of our daughter. It was all worth it though, because I got my desert flight suit and subsequently my *New* Messenger bag! I special ordered the fabric from spoonflower.com and it was expensive. I have never and will never again spend that much money per yard on fabric! But for the occasion it was worth it to me!

I squeezed this in so that I could proceed with confidence with Messenger bag orders since this was only the second one I've made- the first being for my dear SIL, Pamcakes. Besides, I make a lot of bags for other people and every now and then I just need to take a quick break and ground myself by doing something that I want to do. Maybe that's selfish but I've found that it really helps me keep going.

Check out my new bag and if you've never checked out my website, head on over to Fly-bagz.com and marvel at my brother's amazing web design skills!

Beach Fun Photo Challenge

2010-08-22T22:27:00.004-07:00

This is a little bit of a throwback but since the beach isn't my back yard, I had to dig a little for an entry photo for this week's photo challenge at Iheartfaces.com! Uhhhg. When you dig through old pictures, do you cringe? Don't get me wrong, it's a good memory and I love seeing my son so much younger and just so kissably cute, but I am just so unimpressed with them since back then I really didn't know what I was doing (I still don't have a clue but at least I know more than then). On a happier note- I just love babies playing in sand. I remember when I was a little girl and how fascinated I was with the stuff. It's like dirt- but way better!!! You can dig in it for hours and all you have to do is brush it off and it's gone. Ahhh- childhood. It's a beautiful thing!

Check out the other amazing beach photos at I heart faces!

3 months

2010-08-21T15:47:00.016-07:00

My oh my, how time just flies. I can not believe that this precious little thing is already 3 months old!! I think her blocked tear duct has finally cleared up!! They say that 20% of infants have a blocked tear duct, but 100% of mine have and I'm just thrilled that the windows to her soul are now sparkly clean! I love the infant stage of the helpless little lumps but right around this time is when it get's fun in my opinion! I love how she smiles just at making eye contact and how she has already adopted two fingers as her favorites- it's her ring and middle fingers that are found in sucking position most of the time. I love how I never know which direction she'll be facing when I get her from her crib since she's such an active lil girl. She has just started rolling. Even though I've seen her do it more than once, I still think once she rolls, she's confused about her change in scenery... and how to get back. But my absolute favorite thing is watching her look at her brother so adoringly. Riley doesn't have a clue what a sweet little tag along he'll have!

And how about the new blog stuff I'm doing!? Okay, so the only one who probably notices is me and my mom because I call her and make her check it out. But I spent the day working on my new blog banner up at the top. I'm pretty proud of it because I tried my hand at it like a year ago and came up short so the fact that it actually worked this time either means I'm getting more Photoshop literate or the blogger website just made it idiot proof. And also I just update my blog's editor and now pictures are much easier to upload and look how BIG you can have them!!! Very nice! It might be obnoxiously big, but like my brother with a 72" (exaggeration?) TV, it won't stop me!! Mom- you'll have to switch over too... or I'll just do it for you.

Another Fix it Friday

2010-08-20T21:57:00.017-07:00

John and I got in a discussion this week over Photoshop. He hates it. He thinks it's cheating and that I (and all photographers) should be able to set up the perfect shot, utilize the camera settings and be able to take the image from the camera into a frame. "Ansel Adams did it," he argued. No doubt Ansel Adams was amazingly talented but I am sure even he did some manipulating (not Photoshop, but the equivalent of the time) of his finished pictures to get the contrast just perfect... I don't know. It all started because I bought a $30 Photoshop Magazine from Costco. So his whole argument was that it's fake and not the way his eye saw it when looking through the lens. Valid point I guess. I, on the other hand like to get the most out of my pictures and because I am still learning about the camera, the pictures aren't always perfect. Photoshop can serve as what used to be a dark room, correcting exposure, contrast, etc and why not sharpen it up here and give a little tweak there. I don't see anything wrong with that. But the best part is when I asked him why he thinks I look beautiful wearing makeup. After all, my eye lids aren't really that smokey color that I paint up there, and with his other argument it's unnatural... His response- cricket... cricket. Chalk it up as a win for yours truly (disclaimer: I don't really count wins/losses in our marriage)!!

With my little victory, I feel justified in putting my time to a little "Fix it Friday" action over at Iheartfaces.com!
Here's the SOOC (straight out of camera) shot- pretty cute as is...

But what happens if we crop a little, clean it up (ie: take out the wispy hair in her face) add some sharpening and a little gausian blur for the skin.
I like that. Now let's warm it up a little with a warming photo filter. And let's be honest. That twig that looks like it's sticking out of her ear- it's gotta go!!

Ahh. Better. And this one is just playing with a sunlight effect. I love the lens flare I added. I think it's a neat effect. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun and smell that fresh summer's eve air. **BTW- This is so against my husband's taste

And just for fun, here are a couple with added textures.
This one has a linen texture. You might need to zoom in to see it.

And this one I used cracked paint.
Kinda fun!
So how do you feel about Photoshop? Just curious since my debate this week.

By the way- check out the other amazing edits over at I ♥ faces!

The BIG 2

2010-08-18T08:22:00.009-07:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet and lovable (most of the time) little boy!!!

I was actually sick last weekend when we did the b-day party and I did NOTHING. I almost didn't even go. But a big thanks to my hubby for taking the brunt of the work and Tiff for making the delicious desert and Karl (I guess Malia too) for letting us use his house.

The other kiddos with the look of desire in their eyes, waiting patiently as Riley's eats his birthday cake.
This is what it resorted to. I guess the spoon and the hands just weren't getting the job done fast enough.
He has been dragging this thing with him EVERYWHERE!! Thanks Unky Bunch!

Happiest Place on Earth

2010-08-16T13:22:00.004-07:00

I think it would be even happier if I had older kids... But they were free tickets so whatever.

Any guesses where we went?

My Picks

2010-08-14T17:22:00.005-07:00

I've been mentally composing this post for a while now but since I never seem to just get it out, (knuckles cracking) here we go.

What defines you.. as a mother, a wife, a daughter and just a woman in general (Sorry to any guys reading this, but this one is geared for my female friends)? I realize this question is deeper than you and I really care to delve into, especially on the world wide web. In short, I know who I am and more importantly I know who I want to be. Since I became a Christian, I've rediscovered books. Not just any books but (I guess they're categorized) "self-help" books to be more specific. When I was getting married, I submerged myself in successful marriage how to books. When I was pregnant with Ri, I dove back in but this time with parenting in mind. These books have given me a sense of confidence when I didn't deserve to have any, a sense of peace in the midst of kaos and just an over all sense of well-being. In my quest, I have been racking up a list of favorites that I would recommend to others. These books have shaped me into the mother/wife/woman I am today but even more they set a bar for self improvement and give me a tangible path to who I want to become. I realize that much of this content is subjective and there really is no "right vs. wrong" but the message in these books are right for me and my family. That does not mean it's right for everyone though. Without further adieu, here are my picks!

Marriage:
This is the book given to John and I from the officiant who married us for some pre-marriage counseling. During our engagement, John and I were litterally oceans apart. He was in Korea and so when I visited, we met a couple times with Chaplain Youstra for counseling but that was it. No extensive meetings so he gave the book to supliment the little counseling that we were able to do. This book helped me understand men and specifically, my man more. I learned the "golden rule" growing up.. Do onto others as you would have done to you. However, that is not the case when it comes to the opposite sex in a marriage relationship. What I want, to snuggle, to talk, to have his affection- he does not hold as dear as I do. His needs are different than mine! This was a great and eye opening book. It used a metaphor of a "love bank" and how everything you do is either depositing into your spouses love bank or withdrawing. John and I still kid about making a deposit in the "love bank!" This was our favorite marriage book we read and I did say we. John read it with me- which should speak volumes about the book.

This is similar to the above but it talked about everyone having a specific "love language" in which they give and receive love. For example, some people feel loved by gifts and others by time spent. This helped me evaluate what my love language is and what John's love language is so that we can understand each other better and we communicate effectively.

This book was derived from the movie "Fireproof." If you haven't seen it, you should. OK, the acting is a little cheesy but it's a refreshing movie that highlights virtuous marriage and urges not to give up in a sea of movies that make divorce look like the cool thing to do. This is kind of a daily devotional which just has small little excerpts everyday and gives you something to ponder throughout your day and even little challenges to do for your spouse. During the dating days, it's those small things that let you know that the other person cares and many times in a marriage the business of life sometimes cloud out those small things. It's fun to do the daily challenges and you're spouse will love all the attention they get from this and by the time the book is over, some of the sweet things you've done for the past month is committed to habit. Besides after you go through it, you can give it to your man and then you can be on the receiving end of all the love and sweet things done by your hubby!

Parenting:

I am a baby wise mom! I've learned since having a child and being introduced in the mommy world that Baby Wise is somewhat controversial. The premise behind the book is to get your child on a flexible schedule. Kids need order and structure and this provides both you and your child with that order. After my own experience and talking with other "Baby Wise" mom's, it never goes by the book but some principles can be applied and may help in your family dynamic. All I know is that I have two kids now and both of them have been sleeping through the night (from 10pm to 7am) by 9 weeks of age and because I am not one that does well without sleep, that is the best tangible plug I can give for the book!

Anther controversial book.. I'm on a roll. I am an advocate of James Dobson and the Focus on the Family Institute. Check out more on Focus on the Family here. I am not opposed to spanking. There. I said it. Don't judge me. That being said, I am not about to start wailing on my kids every time they annoy me or make me mad. In fact, that's the thing... Dobson's discipline style is to discipline out of love, NOT anger! He talks about different forms of correction, spanking being among the options, that need to be performed swiftly and lovingly. There are things that kids will do that you know better than they do and it's for their own good that they listen to you... but sometimes they don't. And unfortunately kids don't respond to reason and good intentions. I am just hitting the very tip of the iceberg in the whole willful defiance stage. This has always been my biggest fear of being a parent, is dealing with "bratty kids" and because it is what I have looked forward to the least, I've really been reading up on it to know how I am going to handle it. So take from it what you will. The Focus on the Family website also has tons of book recommendations on all different topics that you can check out.

This book is a very recent read for me. I have found that I actually LOVE Kevin Leman's parenting style. It makes the most sense to me. He is a loving and nurturing parent but not so sheltering that his children are left to make poor decisions once they are on their own. It is a balance of decisions and consequences which is a very real world concept. I know Kevin Leman has another popular book, "Have a new Kid by Friday" which I haven't read but I would recommend just based on this book. I'm sure it's more of the same thing... consistency, loving discipline, mean what you say and say what you mean! One practical suggestion I can recall is when you're kid refuses to clean his room, simply tell him that's ok and it's his choice. Then "hire" someone (even a younger sibling) to clean his room and take the money from his allowance. It's a real world way to handle the situation and I'd bet that he'll keep his room clean after that. I will be referring to this book over and over in the coming years!

This is a really fun book if you're looking for something fun to do with your toddler. There are TONS of craft ideas complete with a supply list and instructions for every day, no matter the weather. There are also great ideas like keeping a little To Go toy bag that you can grab on your way out the door to dinner at your kid-less friend's house or a special bag of goodies for when you're trying to cook dinner and the kids are demanding your attention. Many of these crafts are great for development and I've learned that they don't always go as I anticipate but I just roll with it and I think Riley still gets something out of it. The author of the book, Trish Koffner also has a busy book for preschoolers and one for physical activities too.

I was given this book as a gift when I moved from Ohio to Utah and was getting married. At the time, I looked at it and chuckled thinking "great... another book to collect dust on my selves." Don't get me wrong- it was a great gift for me because I am not an organized person by nature. But I've lived my life thus far just fine and maybe at times I'm in denial of the disarray I cause myself (good thing I married the best organizer on the planet). So the book collected dust on my book shelf for years! But after I had Riley, I'm not sure what provoked me but I pulled it out and started to look through it. This book is a gem! There are tons of quick read chapters (for the busy mom who can't find the time to sit down and read much) with great organizing tips. It covers anything from cleaning your house to finances to holidays and more. I liked that there are tons of tips on parenting too. Like how to get your kids to help out around the home, teaching them about money, summer projects to keep them busy and the dreaded preparing for travel with kids. The tips are quick but powerful. There are lists and how to's that make what feels like a big undertaking seem very manageable!

So there you have it. These are the books that have kept me sane over the years and that I will refer to as I approach loosing sanity in the coming years! I hope that some of you find this useful and if not, at least you have an idea of why I do the things I do.

Fix it Friday: I Heart Faces

2010-08-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

So like the fun photo challenge every Monday, the folks over at iheartfaces.com also do a picture editing challenge on friday's. They give you a SOOC shot and you may edit it as you wish.

Here is the SOOC (straight out of camera) picture

Here's my CS3 only edit
And then I messed around in Lightroom

Gosh- I don't even know all that I did. Obviously I cropped the photo to get rid of random kid's shoulder on the right.

In Photoshop CS3:

I sharpened the eyes, hair and mouth
Softened his skin via inverting high pass which took away a little of the undereye color
ran Pioneer Woman's Boost action
Did some dodge/burn effect with the eyes to give them depth

Then I went to Lightroom (I've only got 1 day left on my free trial- booooo):

I ran the aged photo preset and tweaked that
boosted saturation in the lips a little
gave it a vignette (I ♥ the vignette feature in Lightroom- it's rad!)

And there you have it. I went a little more dramatic than I do for everyday, but why not. It was for editing practice and did I mention that my free trail for PS Lightroom is just about up??? I had to mess around in there one last time.

I Heart Faces- Purple

2010-07-25T22:44:00.006-07:00

Another fun photo challenge from the folks over at I Heart Faces! Luckily, my little man is a good sport and didn't mind sucking down a blueberry-raspberry smoothie for the occasion!

Don't forget to check out the other amazing "purple" pictures over at Iheartfaces.com

Sweet Newborn!

2010-07-22T16:42:00.005-07:00

This is not Scarlett, for those confused... I just shot a friend's beautiful 12 day old baby girl this morning and she made it SOOOO easy on me! Ohhhh- those sleepin babies. I am in love with how the pictures turned out!!!

Enjoy.

I Heart Faces- Over his Head

2010-07-18T18:06:00.010-07:00

So if you're into photography, either taking pictures or looking at them here's a fun site for you. As you may guess, I ♥ pictures and I heart Faces does a weekly photo challenge/contest so this is my first entry. They have a theme each week and the purpose is to get out there and take more pictures in order to grow as a photographer/photo enthusiast or whatever you are.

So here's my entry for the theme "over my head."

Pure Glee!!!

2010-07-15T10:06:00.003-07:00

It's HOT here. We're talkin' above 110s on a semi-regular basis. So outdoor activites are few and far between and the only thing we can really do outside is get wet. So for that reason, and because I just purchased a NEW LENS for my camera (Cannon L-Series Lens, 70-200mm f4) I had to snap away as Ri guy played. Me Likee. Hope you do too.

Whew... I need to rest.

2 months

2010-07-14T11:18:00.006-07:00

Craftastic!

2010-07-12T17:58:00.004-07:00

Lately it's been difficult to get anything done. We've been to San Diego for a week, had many visitors and just reciently "gutted" the house to prepare to sell (thanks to TLC). Luckily my darling husband took on the kids all weekend while I locked myself in my sewing room and whipped up two diaper bags. When I spend so much time in there completing orders, I just need to take a break and do something I want to do- it rejuvinates me and helps me to not get too burned out.

So this is what I wanted to do.

It's actually for a friend who just had a precious baby girl the other day. (Hopefully I'll be taking some newborn shots for her and be able to post a few faves on here) I had promised her a handmade special and she knit me up an adorable hat for my lil Scarlett. I've made a couple of these appliqued onsies with ruffle butt's and have been experimenting with different ruffles. I used some thick ribbon on this one and I'm happy with the result- plus easy for me (no hemming fabric or serger needed). I still have yet to keep one that I've made. Maybe next one.. I am just among some very fertile people! :) I guess I'm just at that age.

Destin to go

2010-06-24T12:06:00.001-07:00

Assignments just came out for our VML (layman's terms- our time to move) and we are pleased with our next move.

As some of you may know, I've been really pushing for an over-sea's assignment like Italy (especially now with my brother and family there) or Germany. No such assignment was given to us. We are staying state side for another 3 years, at least. So why am I still pretty stoked with the news??

Well... two reasons really.

1.

and 2.Pretty cool, huh?

OK. To clarify:
1. We'll be living in a vacation destination that I am familiar with from my childhood spring break ventures. In the area of the beautiful, white sandy beaches of Destin, Florida is an Air Force base (Eglin AFB). That gorgeous area I will be calling home in about 4 or 5 months! Truth be told I'm not crazy about the humidity and have become quite accustomed to (and enamored of) the dryness of the west but the excitement of living so close to such a beautiful beach definitely wins out.

2. My husband will be switching jets from flying an F16 to flying a brand spankin new F35 (Joint Strike Fighter) which is pretty hot stuff! It's a pretty prestigious selection since he will be among the first cadre of pilots flying the plane, the pioneers. We will be joining up with some of our friends who have been selected to head up the first JSF squadron and I'm excited to get back in touch with some old friends. I sense he is feeling excited and anxious of the news and hopefully the JSF is good to us. We both feel that it is a total "God thing" since he's certain it's not his merit nor anything he's done that has landed him the spot. So without further ado- Thank you God for the coming adventures!

You know it's HOT...

2010-06-23T17:39:00.003-07:00

...when playing by the water table just isn't good enough.

Nunez Family Photography

2010-06-22T17:41:00.006-07:00

I was asked to do a photo shoot on fathers day of a fun family with fun ideas. It was a quick shoot but I got a couple keepers. I've been working on my photoshop techniques learned from my brother and playing with textures as well as working to grab the best face from different pictures and adding them to make one super photo. Here are some of the pictures that I am proud of.

Round 2

2010-06-08T21:11:00.002-07:00

Scarlett is 4 weeks old today and of course I had to capture the occasion. Here are some pictures. I am finding that 1. I am lacking creativity with photographing an infant since I keep pretty much repeating what I've done before and 2. Infants really can't do too much. Oh well- I'm over it. Enjoy the pics.

Lions and Tigers and Bears...

2010-06-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

Playing catch up here... Pre-Scarlett, my brother, SIL and the kiddos came to Luke AFB for a spin up in the jet. They were here for nearly a month and we got plenty of hang out time. The boys- Brenden and Riley (born a day apart) were best of friends and worst of enemies all at once.

One of our adventures was the Phoenix Zoo. Most of the animals were in hibernation mode or hiding, but the petting zoo area made it worth it to me.

I'm not in a writing mood so here are the pictures. They can sometimes tell a better story than I can anyway.

Reunited!!

2010-05-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ahhh.. It's over. All that stress for nothing!

Ya see, back in January when I returned from my Ohio trip and John from the mission trip to Ghana, Riley did not take too kindly to being away from daddy for those 1o days. Not too kindly at all!! It took almost two weeks for Riley to stop running away crying from daddy. He was extremely needy on me and it was rough for everyone. That was only 10 days... this time it was 2 months- and I was worried!! I imagined a repeat of that little boy attached to my hip, only this time I'd have a brand new, totally dependent baby when daddy arrived home. It might have kept me up on some nights, worrying about how that reunion would go.

Well- no more worries! It went AWESOME!!! Of course I was thrilled to see my loving husband's face as our eyes met and he strutted toward us through the airport. And turns out I wasn't the only one bursting with excitement!!! Riley didn't skip a beat! We got him out of the stroller and he ran, not walked, but ran over to daddy to get a great big hug!!!

The anticipation...

Two happy boys!Daddy meeting his daughter for the first time!

Looks like the daddy story time and skyping helped out a lot! Daddy was always in Riley's conversations and on his mind! Phhhhew!

Once home, the play began and they picked up right where they left off!

After the exhausting play (not to mention the jet lag that John had), it was time for a much needed nap. John swooped Ri up in his blanket and laid down with him on the couch. Let me tell you that our son does NOT sit still. The only time that he has really spent time cuddling with me (or anyone) for more than minute increments was when he broke his collar bone. It doesn't happen. However, my little busy body must have made an exception for daddy. He laid on daddy for 20 minutes, eyes open and just enjoying the moment then finally even nodded off.

Pure Bliss!Needless to say, we are so happy that daddy's home! We are now a complete family again and boy does it feel good!!!

Round 1- Ding ding!

2010-05-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Almost a week old... and in my restful state I've been playing with pictures. Needless to say, this baby is going to be well documented via photography! Here are my favorites!!

There is actually a HUGE sibling resemblance... Check out these pictures of Riley I had taken when he was a month old. Sometimes Scarlett makes faces that make me feel like it's actually little infant Riley that I'm looking at!

Anyway- all is well. John is home! And life is perfect!!!

Did we make it to the Hospital?

2010-05-14T14:53:00.005-07:00

After weeks of feeling like it could really happen any day, sheeeeeeeee's HERE!!

So after my facebook post, I got alot of questions whether we made it to the hospital this time. After all, 24 minutes from the time my water broke to delivery doesn't quite work with the 40 minute hospital drive we had to take. What a bad combo for me... short labors, long hospital drive. But there was no alternative since my awesome doctor only delivers at Thunderbird Hospital and I was not about to find a new doc- he's like family to me.

Let's go back to Monday, May 10th. (cue dreamy harp music and fog)

While Labor Coach, Judi (my mom) and I were out to Kohls spending her mothers day gift card, I couldn't help but notice a change in my normal status. Instead of the normal tightening braxton hicks contractions, I was feeling a little more crampy that day- nothing big or painful but just crampy. Trying to be totally in tune with my body as not to miss any signs of labor, I carefully monitored the cramps all day which were not subsiding. Dinner came and went and the cramps were still there, not really painful but just different from what I had been experiencing. After discussing with my mom, John (I kept him in the loop via email and he was calling periodically to check in on me) and my Bradley Instructor, I decided to try to catch some "ZZZZ's" figuring that if that was the real deal, I could use the rest and if it's strong enough to capture my attention during sleep that I should take it more seriously. I laid in bed restless for 2 hours and at midnight got up to go further discuss with my mom.

With so many moving parts (Riley's care, making to the hospital, my doc being there to deliver me, etc), I had a lot to consider... I decided that instead of just waiting for something more to happen at home, risking a repeat of last time that we'd go to the hospital then and if need be, I could always just try to jump start my labor by walking/squatting. And with Riley's somewhat fragile state (he's been very clingy to mommy since daddy's been away and even dropping him off in the church nursery is an ordeal), I figured it was a perfect time to go since he was sound asleep in bed, none the wiser. I called my friend, Tiffany and asked her to come over and sleep at my place as my mom and I left for the hospital and Tiff being the great and generous friend she is, was at my door in minutes. On the way to the hospital, Mom and I said a little prayer for God to work out all the unknowns and details and to calm my anxiety of actually going to the hospital this time!! OK- cue time line:

1:36 am- Arrived at Banner Thunderbird Hospital
1:51 am- Checked in with OB Triage to determine whether I should be admitted or sent home. I was having contractions 5 mins apart lasting 40-60 seconds.
2:11 am- Got a 10 minute explanation how doctors aren't really coming in on nights and weekends and those cases are covered by the on-call docs. My hopes of having my doctor deliver me were dashed... I was scared... I'm one of those "birth plan" ladies (which I am sure is a nuisance to doctors) and my doctor and I had worked hard to come to an agreement with those plans.
2:21 am- Triage nurse left to get on-call doc.
2:27 am- MY Doctor walked through the door!!! YAY!!! Praise God!!!
2:38 am-3:10am- Moved up to L&D room and got hooked up to moniters and getting a dose of antibiotics b/c of testing positive for GBS
3:12 am- My doc came in and checked me (6cm) and broke my water
3:36 am- Good Morning and Happy Birthday Scarlett!!! (I'll spare you the details of the most violent 24 minutes of my life)

In the end, it's all worth the pain!!! For those of you who are jealous of my fast and easy labors... I'll give you fast but I assure you that they are NOT easy!!!!

More pictures to come- of course!!

Patiently Awaiting

2010-05-09T07:07:00.008-07:00

No news here (or at least the news I do have may not be appropriate to share quite so publicly).. We're just here. My body is further than many woman are after hours of labor so I fully anticipate that this time will be just as fast and furious as last time.. Don't worry. I intend on leaving for the hospital the moment I am sure I'm in labor. I'd be lying if I said it hasn't crossed my mind to set up a tent on hospital grounds. This time, going overdue has not been as stressful as it was when Riley was past due. I've mentally prepared for it this time.. makes a BIG difference. So sometime in the next week or so, I should have a new little gal but until then life has been happening.I've actually got quite a bit to post about. Boy have I been busy this past month. My brother and family were here for almost a month since Easter and everyday was full of trips to target, splash pads, zoo, and just toddler play(/fight) time. I don't have my camera card up here so that post will have to be reserved for another time and so I'll reserve the commentary too.

Here's just something that keeps me busy and keeps my heart happy.. Pictures- of course.

And here I am... 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant.

I Surrender

2010-04-16T23:01:00.004-07:00

I think almost any woman who has ever been pregnant can relate to the feelings I have been battling. There comes a time in pregnancy when I just feel that I am ready to have this baby. Approaching the due date is clouded by a whole mess of emotions: expectancy, excitement, anxiety, maybe a little fear... And based on my previous experience, sitting around while your due date passes you by multiplies those emotions to the "n"th degree!!! I've been secretly (or maybe not so secretly, but at least quietly) hoping that this baby does not hold out for weeks after she's due. I have come up with theories in my own mind of why I think it's plausible that baby girl makes a timely entrance - even dare I think it, early. I have 3 due dates in my head. There is the first one I got when calculating from the LMP (April 23), then the calculated one at my first ultra sound which read April 28th. But the one my doctor's office settled on and the one I've been really trying to keep in my head so not to be discouraged was from my second ultrasound. May 3rd. You can probably tell I've been thinking a lot about this- despite my best effort to not get wrapped up in a due date...

Tonight, before turning in to bed I just had to go peek in on Riley fast asleep. Don't get me wrong, I am all for letting sleeping babies lie, but tonight I just had to pick him up and hold him. As we sat in his dark room, swaying on the glider with his perfect little body cupped on my lap and sweet little head resting soundly on my chest I came to a turning point in my attitude. Every moment that I have with him before baby girl is born is to be cherished! This is the end of the era where my full attention is wrapped around Riley. Why am I wanting to rush into the role of mommy to two? It's time to stop and just smell the roses... and enjoy my little baby boy. If baby girl comes 10 days late, like my Riley did.. So be it. When she comes she will be a welcomed and cherished part of the family too but for now I choose not to overlook what I have as I await what is to come!

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him." Psalm 62:5

Gone Daddy Gone!

2010-04-03T23:01:00.006-07:00

It's been a couple weeks now. Daddy's been gone and I have had to replace the daily interactions Riley used to get with a DVD that we made (thanks to the MAC- big plug! Love it!!) of John reading books to Riley. It's actually pretty great!! Riley brings me the remote control saying, "Daddy!? Daddy?!" So I turn on the TV and play him a couple of books from a good selection of maybe a dozen books. Riley climbs up on the couch and gleams from ear to ear as he watches Daddy during story time.

Here are a few pics of our last get together- a little going away party before my honey left.

Our romantic slow dance to complete the night! I am so in love with my husband!!

That was then....

This is now.

And now begins the crazy month prior to my due date with visits galore!! My brother and family are here at Luke for a course he's taking before they move to Italy. Yay for me!!! So I anticipate being busy hanging out with my sis-in-law and the kiddos for the next couple weeks! Then my mom is coming out in 2 weeks for my niece's baptism and to get prepped for baby Wilson coming. It'll be a whirlwind but because of this beautiful storm, time is flying by and daddy will be home before we know it!!!

Follow up

2010-03-22T15:34:00.005-07:00

Just a quick update.. Riley's shoulder is healing amazingly fast and well. He really acts like nothing ever happened and has no visible restrictions in his activity. The follow up x ray revealed that everything is happening just as the ER doc said it would... There is a calcium "scab" forming around the two ends of the broken bone and eventually that "scab" will become stronger and absorb the bones into each other until they are once again straight and there will be no evidence of this fracture!!!
Can I get an "Amen?!"

Lessons Learned

2010-03-04T23:28:00.004-07:00

I've learned that you can only (very) temporarily take the wind out of the sails of a toddler! Even with the broken clavicle, Riley was down for 4 days but now he's very much back up and running!! Here's my proof!

Busy toddler is back to his full time job of getting into EVERYTHING! In this case, my baker's cupboard.

In case you were wondering, this is powdered sugar!! He found out rather quickly.
Look at those busy lil hands spreading the stickiness all over my floor.
Another lesson I've picked up... a busy toddler makes for a very busy mommy.

Fractured!

2010-03-01T06:03:00.003-07:00

Well Riley's football days are over.. at least for a little bit.

My little boy is BROKEN! And subsequently so is this mommy's heart!!

I swear that "Murphy's Law" applies to us military spouses because when the guys are gone, anything that can go wrong, does. I've been in the dead of winter in Utah without heat while the hubby's away, but this one takes the cake!

Last Thursday I took him and some of my friend's kids over to the park to play. A good time was being had by all and wouldn't you know it, I decided to stay the extra 15 minutes. Riley took advantage of the extra time and jumped right in... or off. He fell off about a 3 foot drop from a playground set and landed pretty square on his trunk. He cried, which I would expect. Any mother of a toddler I am sure has had many spills and bonks of their own. Of course I rushed over and swept him up but when I picked him up to comfort him, he didn't calm down (which normally happens within 30 seconds)! Even in the time it took to walk home (15 minutes), he was still whimpering and dinner was out of the question since he just wouldn't calm down. Luckily sleep didn't seem to be a problem. I took him in to the base pediatrics on Friday and got him X-rayed but a combination of maybe an unclear xray and other tests that seemed pretty conclusive against a broken bone sent me home without knowing what was wrong. All I knew is that it hurt him tremendously when I picked him up under his arms, and he didn't want to play or be far from me. Anyway, we dealt with this since Thursday but Sunday at church as I was telling the ladies in the nursery of his injury, we noticed that there was some swelling (that wasn't apparent before) around his collar bone. Later as I was shopping at the commissary, I saw a "step deformity" under the swelling and when I felt his collar bone- sure enough! There was a palpable bump! I suddenly overflowed with emotion, just knowing that my little guy had a broken bone and knowing that his pain and fussing was justified but there was nothing I could do. I felt helpless. After his much needed nap, I took him to Children's Hospital ER and got the official diagnosis along with the cool pictures. Ahhh. At least now I know what to expect and I have a time line in mind for his healing. Sometimes it just feels good to have an answer, even if it's not the answer you want.

So what now? Ya know, there are certain times when it just hits me how great God is and all I can do is marvel at His creation. The miracle of a child growing from two microscopic cells to a human being within 9 months is one of them. The instructions I got for Riley's healing was another of these moments. The instructions: NOTHING. That's it. Do nothing. Those tiny little bones that look miles apart to me (maybe it's my dramatic motherly eye) will find their way back together and within 6 months will look 100% normal! Wow! Our bodies were uniquely and awesomely made!!!

A Dropped Bomb

2010-02-27T07:12:00.002-07:00

So I've been talking about changes and one is quite obvious. We're going to have a new body to feed and care for soon. There are a couple others that aren't as obvious.

1. My beloved John is taking a solo vacation to the big sandy beaches of the desert. If you're not sure what I mean, I'm talking about Iraq. He's deploying with the New Jersey Guard to head over there for 2 months.

The Good:

Normal deployments for the f16 community over there are twice as long so 2 months seems like a very quick trip.
We will be able to communicate while he's over there which is great!
He will be flying over there, which is what he loves and feels like he finally get's to put to use all the "practice" he's done.
I have always felt that I am happy my husband is a pilot since I feel that it's much safer in the air than on the ground. Couple that with knowing that John is in God's hands, I can rest in God's peace even though there is inherent danger in the assignment.
This is an opportunity to grow, both in faith and strength. I always hear of how military wives are a strong breed!! I feel pretty spoiled thus far since John has not had to deploy when so many other families (my brother being one of them) are dealing or have dealt with much higher quantity or quality of deployment.
He'll be with some good guys and he'll be doing some great stuff to support and defend our nation!

The Bad:

Timing so has it that he won't be present for the birth of our daughter... Guess his up close and personal approach last time seemed to scare him off. So, rest assured, there is NO CHANCE that John will deliver this one.

2. We have a new roommate! Several months ago our friend, Carissa moved here from Missouri to finish an internship for her masters degree. She was staying with her brother and sister-in-law while her brother (a friend of ours in the f16 community) was himself deployed to the desert. When she first moved out here, I made it known that if she needed anywhere else to stay, she was welcome at our home. Well, her brother got back this month and she has moved in with us. Timing couldn't be more perfect, with the whole above news. She not only is a good friend but is so helpful at being that extra set of hands that I long for when John is gone! She's adventurous and fun (amazing rock climber), kinda hippy like me, but somehow organized and neat too. I still don't get how that combo works.. I'm hippy, but I always thought that my disorganization when hand in glove with my laid back outlook ... Maybe there's hope for me after all. Here are some not so recent pics of her from last year, but you get the idea.

I'd prefer not to put dates of John's deployment on my blog, but if you're the praying type maybe you could say a little prayer for us when we cross your mind.

Today

2010-02-18T14:00:00.001-07:00

Today is kinda a big deal for both Riley and I. My lil monster is 18months today!! These last 6 months have certainly flown by in comparison to last year at this time (although that time seemed pretty quick too).

Here is my one man team (although not for too much longer since lil sis will be joining him soon).

"I've got a great idea!!! Nice, open field.. nice day- I'm going to play football!!"

"Blue-42.. Hut Hut Hike!"

"Go long!!"

"Running the slant route-- ooh ooh.. I'm open!! I'm open!!"

"...perfecting my best Heisman-- CBS Sports: check me out!!!"

Today I am 30 weeks pregnant.. Only 10 to go (pending the lil girl cooperates)! This time around has gone so much faster- perhaps something to do with the business of chasing an active toddler around! None-the-less, time is flying and I can't wait to see her! There are tons of changes to come but I'll reserve that for another blog in the near future.

Without further adieu, here I am at 30 weeks along.

Snow Day!!!

2010-02-15T11:53:00.002-07:00

It was our squadron's Flagstaff weekend and John and I decided to head up for a day to get our annual dose of fun in the snow! We stayed in a log cabin with our friends, the Unks. While we were there, we did a little snow shoeing and sledding. It's so strange, really. Yesterday we played in the snow and today we're back down in 70 degree weather.

Unky Kids
Enjoying the snow!
Good Friends!

And for the sledding, Riley got to partake in his first real sledding adventure!
Up they go...

Then down they come.. Daddy's having a blast but Riley thinks otherwise.

Maybe he'll like it better if Mommy takes him... .... or not. Sigh. Maybe next year.

Whirlwind Trip

2010-02-03T18:01:00.001-07:00

Originally John and I were planning on doing the mission trip to Africa together. But... Life happens like it always does, I got pregnant and was unable to get a vital shot that I needed for the trip so that left me without a plan. John insisted that I make a trip to Ohio while he's gone to keep me busy and enjoying friends and family.

It sure did keep me busy! I learned a number of things.

Pay for the extra seat for your toddler... Sure you can save $200+ bucks but is it really worth your sanity for 4 hours while you are a human jungle gym??
Don't watch your bag go around the carousel and think, "I'll get it when everyone has cleared out." ... Everyone did clear out, and someone must have thought my bag was packed with goodies for them since I never saw it again. (Good thing it was all Riley's stuff which is much easier to replace than mine).
Each day away gets more and more stressful as toddler boy unravels at the seams.. So next time when planning an 11 day trip with you and a toddler, apply this KISS principle... Keep It Short, Stupid!
Instead of paying the extra $50 each way to have my pack n' play, stop at Once Apon a Child and pick up a $25 pack n play then return it when the trip is done- Brilliant!!
Fly Southwest! Because of them I was able to visit as many people as possible and not feel bad when moving my flight home up a few days since it was FREE!!!
Do stop and see great grandparents whenever a chance presents itself.. It's so awesome seeing them interact with your baby!!
Don't forget to drag out the camera for such an action packed trip. You'll regret it if you do forget.

Drive to IL to get Great Grandma Tigger, Uncle Tim and Aunt Rhonda (+ Stacey) some great grand baby time (with my brother + sis in law)

Drive to PA to get other Great Grandma and Uncle some Riley time.

Hung out with Katey and family for a few days!

And surprise visited our old high school basketball coach, McCombs!
Got to hang out with college friends, Krista and Kelly and HS friend Marybeth (different stops). Sorry that I didn't take pictures, but luckily Kel took some of our visit that I could steel!
Got to meet Kelly's adorable little guy, Kai (seriously the smiley-est baby I've ever seen!)

Go BIG or Go Home

2010-01-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

Between purses, I've been able to squeeze in a couple projects here and there. In a book that I just got for Christmas (discussed in a future post), it has ample games and activities sure to keep a toddler learning, busy and happy. One of said games is a bean bag toss... So bean bags are the EASIEST thing to make in the world!!! Take a rectangular cut of fabric, sew up both sides, turn it right side out and stuff it, then sew it up! So I had to make it a little more challenging and got to use my new fetish- the wonder under. So I spelled out Riley's name with each letter on a bean bag. Well, my first attempt (Riley's name) was kinda lame and I learned a valuable lesson when it comes to applique letters. Size does matter! So my second attempt went much better and even better, I get to hand deliver them this week!!! Sorry I forgot to take pictures of Riley's- but seriously, they are very unimpressive and you hardly even notice the letters.

Africa

2010-01-13T05:10:00.004-07:00

Please keep my husband, John and the team he's going to Africa with in your prayers!!! Here are a couple of specifics...

1. Positive attitude and a servant’s heart as they minister to the people in the village of Kanuwloe

2. Health and safety as they travel, do construction and work with the children

3. That they will take every opportunity to share Christ’s love with every one they meet

4. That God will be glorified in all they do and say

Although I am terribly bummed not to be able to go with them on this trip, I am keeping very busy and time is sure to fly while we're apart!

Family Portraits: The Johnston's

2010-01-08T14:13:00.004-07:00

A good friend of mine asked me to take some pictures of her and her beautiful family. I do LOVE playing Photographer!!!!

A wrench was thrown into my photo editing since we got the iMac for Christmas. With no more PC in the house, I discovered that Corel products are not made for Macs-- boo!! So I uploaded a 30 day free trail of the cheaper version of Adobe Photoshop to see if it would suit my needs. It totally does! I'm thrilled that I don't have to start saving for the $600 out of reach Photoshop CS4 and that the $80 Photoshop Elements 8 is just what I was hoping for!!!

Here are a few of my fav's!

Inspiration turned to reality!!!

2010-01-04T09:00:00.002-07:00

With the new year HERE(!!!), I don't think I'm alone as I reflect on the past year and ponder how to make the next one even better. For my resolution (I don't formally do the whole yearly resolution, but more I have ongoing desires/goals) I have been particularly inspired by this blog I stumbled across. I've always wanted to be the kind of mom that takes the kids out to learn from experiences and have fun doing things together. Until now I have felt like Riley was too young to benefit from the activities that I had in mind, and although he still might be on the early end of understanding I am ready to get going!!!! We started our adventures with pudding painting, which come to think of it, I remember seeing this on Jon and Kate +8 too. Anywho- here was the result...

1 box vanilla pudding: $2
Food coloring: $3
1 Clean Tub: Elbow Grease
One happy toddler: Priceless!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2009-12-23T12:20:00.008-07:00

1. Wonder-Under!

I am just beginning to experiment with this fun crafting tool but I am finding that it's very versitile and I love trying my hand at new things. Wonder under enables... Appliques. Yay!! Which has helped me with a couple stocking stuffers for some little tots that I will be surrounded by this Christmas- yes.. My tot is one of them!

2. Bath time!!

Staying home with Riley has been such a joy and I just love the little parts of our days and weeks that are filled with laughter and smiles!! Bath time is one of these times!!

... which leads me to my next favorite...

3. My Camera!

I got it for Christmas last year from my wonderful husband, but that gift just keeps on giving!!! For those who wonder, I have a Canon Rebel EOS XSi and I am still unlocking all the possibilities of what this camera is capable of. The limiting factor is without a doubt ME! And on top of the camera, I love the editing software I use- Corel PSP! Too bad it bogs down our crappy PC... but not for much longer!!!

4. Bumps, Jumps and Kicks

I love the point in pregnancy when you can actually feel the tiny life inside moving around! I've been feeling the quickening for the past few weeks, but it's finally getting strong enough that John can have a shot at feeling our daughter too!!! One of these days he'll get lucky!

5. Christmas!!!

What a beautiful event to celebrate God coming down as man to save us from our sins. I LOVE the lyrics to this song "I celebrate the day" from one of my favorite bands, Relient K.

And with this Christmas wish is missed The point I could convey.
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life,
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency, We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear That You have come to meet me here
To look back and think that This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that This baby would one day save me
And I, I celebrate the day That You were born to die So I could one day pray for You to save my life

I hope all of you are enjoying this miraculous season and are able to spend it with family and loved ones!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!!!!

Family Photography- The Battema's

2009-12-08T11:39:00.004-07:00

I've always thought that the best job is something you enjoy doing and oh by the way, you get a little cash thrown your way too!! Well I feel extremely blessed to be dabbling in my hobbies and making a little on the side! Since September, my Flybagz site has been going nuts (which is a pretty cool problem to have) and has me sweatin' this holiday season trying to finish bags!!! Aside from the bags, I was asked to take family portraits for a friend of mine and fellow air force wife.... and we actually picked a time and did it! It was a lot of fun for me (and quite a bit of learning too) and I am pleased with the shots (of course I had an obscene amount to choose from). Here are a few of my favorites of their beautiful family!

IT'S A......

2009-12-02T08:33:00.006-07:00

That's right!! We're having a little girl!!!

I am thrilled (someone to do crafts with me!!!) but John is absolutely terrified!

And since I love when my preggo friends post updated pics of themselves and their growing bellies.. here I am at 19 weeks.

P.S. I hate the "chubby" stage!

Pine

2009-11-16T15:19:00.009-07:00

Alright. This is horribly late but I find myself putting it off because I just don't have the time to tell my tale of a trip to Pine. So, I'm not going to tell much tale and just do what I do best... throw up some pictures.

These two are some of my favorite pics.. Friend, Carolyn was tossing Ri around and I love the way the sun hits and just the candid moment it captured!

Cliff Notes Version:
Our Life Group (church friends) headed up to Pine and stayed at a woman from our church's cabin. She is an older lady and a widow since last year so we took on a little work project to clean up her yard. After a hard day's work, we (by we, I mean Tiffany and Emily) planned a Halloween "murder mystery" which we all dressed the part (theme: literary characters) and acted out during a delicious dinner.

Here's our work party at work.

Mid-work break into song... Thriller came on. What can you expect?!
First attempt at Thriller- pathetic.

In sync!

The guys kept busy by cutting down dead trees on the property. They stocked the fire wood pile and even made a beautiful fire ring!

Snow White and Pippy Long Stocking
The Hood's- haha
Robin Hood and Red Riding Hood.. oh and the butler, of course.

The Madd Hatter and Alice in Wonderland

Big shoes to fill.

Water Baby

2009-11-07T00:41:00.008-07:00

I have a post to do about our amazing Halloween/Birthday trip to Pine, AZ... But that one requires thought and, well... writing.
Here is a picture post. Thought I'd pass some smiles along because these pictures bring such a smile to my heart!

"Hmmm.. What is this?"

"Whatever it is... IT'S FUN!!!"

"A LOT OF FUN!.. WHOOO HOOO!!"

"Let's take a closer look..."
"gulp. gulp. gulp"
"Hehehe."

How can a person really be so smitten??? It's beyond words.

What 'cha think??

2009-11-03T20:57:00.002-07:00

Soooo... my last pregnancy, I KNEW right from the beginning that we were having a BOY! Maybe it was my husband's constant comments or just my own hope to have a boy first... I have one older brother and he was my protector and guardian and once we were both in High School, we got along pretty famously. Whatever the case, I just knew that my Riley was destine to be my little boy!

But now this one.. I'm kinda baffled. John (and my whole church group friends) is (are) convinced that this time is definitely a girl. John's reasoning is because this time I felt queasy earlier (last time had the blahs from weeks 10-13 and this time it started around week 6) and because I was an emotional basket case- breaking into tears at absolutely NOTHING and ANYTHING.
...But... I'm not so sure because the blahs still only lasted 3 weeks for me and were gone by week 9 and although I may still get teary at commercials (who doesn't when pregnant, or even sometimes just being a "woman"), all in all I feel normal. Just like last time.

So what do YOU think??

In the Right column, I'm putting up my poll for you to vote whether you think I'll have a BOY or GIRL this time. I should be finding out in just under a month, so get your vote in!!!

No Crud for Me

2009-10-28T06:39:00.004-07:00

Last Friday came and went one of the bi-annual Women's Crud Tournaments at the O-club. Oh how I love Crud. But sadly, I was merely a spectator at this event since it can be a kind of rough game and I'm carrying precious cargo. Our squadron had to plan and throw the event since last tourney we brought home the big "V"!

"Congratulations! You won the Tournament. Now you have to go through the huge butt pain to throw the next one!".... Huh?

Anyhow, the amazing Squadron Commander's Wife (kinda known as our head wife in our little wives group), Colleen planned quite the event. Not just a crud tournament, as it's been in the past, but a multi-event "Old School" party. We had 4-5-6, beer pong, a cigar and scotch room, we bussed in single chicks for our single pilots (which since 9-11 is virtually unheard of getting a bus full of civilians on base), quite the food spread, live music with the Juvat Boys Choir and even ended the night with a good ol' piano burning!

Good times! I was just excited to get into my Flight Suit Jumper that I made before I won't be able to!

Sweet and Sour

2009-10-19T14:24:00.006-07:00

John's big 3-0 was Friday! Happy Birthday Honey!! Now he's officially old- although he doesn't feel too bad about it since he is in better shape now then when he turned the 2 decade point. Instead of buying gifts, we celebrate by cooking.

He picks the elaborate menu and I prepare it all. We have friends over to celebrate (since we both enjoy entertaining) and then I am responsible for all of the clean-up. Don't worry.. When it's my birthday, I get the same top notch treatment.
The Menu:

Course 1:
Honey Pecan Roasted Brie
Platter or Salami, Brie, Crackers and Grapes
Fruit arrangement
Course 2:
French Onion Soup from scratch,
topped with homemade french bread and Gruyer cheese

Course 3:
Bacon Wrapped Chicken stuffed with Boursin Cheese
w/ Creme Frische sauce
Carrots Promenade
Pesto Zucchini and Roasted Peppers
Course 4:

Orange Almond Mousse

And a whole lot of dishes to clean!

Not to bring the party down, but sadly our weekend of celebration had a pretty stained overtone to it. There has been just tragedy after tragedy within the F16 community lately. I don't know if I'm more aware of it since my hubby is a part of that community or if it really has been especially rough these past couple of months. If you're the praying type, please remember these families:

The Sullivan's
Sara passed away of breast cancer only weeks ago after giving birth to Chloe, their first baby.

The Giglio's
F 16 collision in the Atlantic Ocean caused a fatal crash where Nicholas Giglio is leaving behind his wife, his 15mo old daughter and one on the way.

The Friedman's
After delivering their second child, Katie passed away due to bleeding complications leaving Jon behind with 2 young boys.

The Houghton's
Fatal crash in Utah leaves a young widow behind.

It's very humbling to see this breaking news and realize that there is so much more going on that what is inside my tiny little insignificant bubble. I really believe that God is in control and has a plan and my prayer is that He is somehow glorified in each of these tragedies! It definately makes you happy for each moment we get to spend with our loved ones!!!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight --Proverbs 3:5-6

Mission News

2009-10-11T08:25:00.001-07:00

John and I are very excited to announce that he will be going on a mission trip to Ghana from January 13-24, 2010!! I was planning to go but the little bug inside me is holding me back.. Love you lil' bug. Although I'd love to go, I am thrilled that John will be representing our family and serving the Lord!

We are looking forward to God working through us to accomplish His will in Ghana!

If you are willing and able, we prayerfully ask that you consider supporting us financially on this trip. A large portion of the proceeds goes to building a church. More importantly, we are seeking people to be praying for him and the group as they prepare for this trip and as they minister to the people of Ghana. If you would like to support in prayer or financially, please print and mail this form (This opens a PDF document that you can print).