Progression of a Sunset

Going, going, going...gone.

Today

Me: Are you my baby?

Christian: Momma, I NOT a baby. I a big boy!

Me: Indeed. ::sigh::

I went outside to lay on the deck in my bathing suit for a while to work on a little base tan, you know. That lasted about 8 minutes. H.O.T. I'm a wimp. Who needs a tan, anyway. The sun is bad for your skin. Honestly, I'd love a little color. I'm as white as a ghost - whiter even.

The house is clean. Good job, Margo.

I'm thinking of trying to kick my sugar habit again. If bathing suit season doesn't kick start my will power I just don't know what will.

I need a good book to read.

I love this new season...

Bridal Shoot

THANK YOU, GINA! YOU'RE A STUNNING BRIDE!!

This was a great session. I just can't say how much fun I had! It comes out during the shoot though. I realized tonight as I was taking these pictures that I was continually jabbering on to myself. I'm officially a nut case. I was saying stuff about how pretty she was, how nice the lighting was, how I needed to change my camera settings... yada yada yada. It would be one thing If I had obviously been talking to my bride, but half the time I was mumbling to myself and not even finishing my sentences. She must think I'm psycho. I was just having so much fun and completely in a zone. Every now and then I would literally gasp and put my hands over my heart and say something like, "oh, so pretty" or "oh, just lovely". So I'm a bit expressive. That's OK...right?

Summer Fun To-Do List

It's summer time, and we're so ready for some summer time fun!

1) Go to the BEACH! (duh)

2) Visit the lake. (Anybody got a boat?)

3) Water park!

4) Children's museum, Aquarium, Parks...

5) Library story time.

6) Kids Crafts at the Craft store.

7) Go to the movies.

8) Rent movies and veg out in front of the TV.

9) Take a short beach vacation.

10) Buy a little pool and water toys and play every day in the back yard.

11) ride bikes, blow bubbles, draw with chalk on the sidewalk and pretty much not have to be anywhere at any specific time at all!!

Random shots

A few things

This is great stuff. This photographer gets speared in the leg with a javelin. OK, ouch. Then what does he proceed to do...does he A) scream in pain and cry? B) fall to the ground and yell for help? or C) take a picture of it? The correct answer is C! Of course, this doesn't surprise me at all. You've got to love the passion people!



Here's my cat, Miriam. She's officially one year old now. Happy birthday you silly feline.

Here's a recipe for those of you with a sweet tooth. It's out of this world.

Cinnamon Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk on hand you can use regular milk - just add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk, stir and let sit for 5 minutes. I used lemon juice.)
1 stick of softened butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl and mix well. Stir in vegetable oil. Add buttermilk and stir just until blended.

2. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth.

3. preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease a nine inch round baking pan lightly.

4. spread butter over the dough (use your hands because it's more fun that way). Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well. Sprinkle evenly over the butter. Roll up dough, jelly roll fashion, starting from one long side. Pinch seam to seal.

5. Cut the roll into 1 1/2 inch slices. Arrange the slices, cut side up, in prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before adding icing.

Icing:

2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk

mix the sugar with the vanilla and milk. Then add more milk just a splash at a time stirring until it is just thin enough to drizzle.

This is seriously the most delicious recipe ever.

The boys and I stayed home all day today. I can't remember the last time we were actually able to do that. It's going to be a good summer.

Free time...

Well, it seems I've recently discovered a lot of free time on my hands. I'm finished with my Associates and my photography certification, the kids are out of school for the summer and now that we're not going to have another baby I don't have to think about planning for that. So what am I left with? A lot of free time. That's a good thing. I'm not lazy, not one bit, but this is going to be pretty nice. I haven't had time like this on my hands for years. I'm not making any commitments at least until the fall.

The kids had an end-of-the-year school program last night... I. forgot. My camera. What?! I could kick myself. They were so darn cute. Stephen's class did a patriotic theme, and Christian's dressed up like sailors and did row, row, row your boat. Then we went out for food and ice cream. It was good time.

Now we're off to Gungy's for pancakes. Nice. :-)

Because I love this stuff

Lois, Randy and baby Rhett - I just love working with you people!!

New wedding shots...

CONGRATULATIONS DEBBIE AND MICHAEL!

Happy Mother's Day

MyHotComments


I just thought you gals might like a sexy dancing on your special day. ;-)

Getting ahead of God

Now that I've had a couple of days to cry, I feel like my head is level enough to see things more clearly. My desire for a baby NOW was getting ahead of God's desire for my family.

This is the thing. I was talking so much about having a baby that I was making Mike feel pressured. He finally gave in and said yes, even though he wasn't ready. I was so elated that I couldn't see that he was just trying to make me happy. That fact is clear. He doesn't want to have a baby right now. The time isn't right. I was getting ahead of God. I can't get pregnant knowing full and well that my husband is against the idea. The realization feels like a ton of bricks.

I was praying about it this morning. Then I picked up my Bible to read. I opened it up at random, and this is the first verse I saw...

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:24

Wow. To get ahead of God is foolish indeed. Maybe one day we'll have another baby. I still want one, but now is the time to continue to build on what we already have. And I will enjoy this time.

My favorite's from last Saturday's wedding shoot...

CONGRATULATIONS CANDICE AND JASON!

So sad

I can't go into this completely, but Mike says that he never really wanted a baby, and we can't really afford another one. I have to go back on the pill. He's not in this with me. I am so crushed and hurt. And he can't even understand why I'm so upset. How can he be so heartless? I can't stop crying. All in a matter of minutes I went from happily thinking of names for our new little one, to having to face the realization that we won't be adding to our family after all. He never wanted another baby. He says he was just trying to make me happy...Well, I'm certainly not happy now. I'm so completely crushed.

Baby making

Take note: This post, really, is only for us girls.

I really can't help but write about this stuff. I started my period today. I should have known because I've been so terribly crabby over the past few days. I've been yelling at the kids and I totally blasted a telemarketer. Also, there's something about this time of the month and noise - just before my period starts sound of any sort seems heightened and it drives me up the wall. That explains why everyone has been screaming at me over the past couple of days. The birth control pill I was on not only kept me from getting pregnant, it also balanced out my emotions. I'm off of that pill now, and I can feel it! I am a monster. Really. Lord, help us all. Anyway...

Here's where I stand...

Month 2
Cycle Day #1

The saga continues.

I'm done now.

Wedding Shoot Today

It. was. a. hit.

I'm far too tired to do any downloading, much less any editing at this point, but I believe these shots are going to be some of my all time favorites. I'm so excited to get to work...after a good nights sleep.

I'm feeling more confident, and I'm starting to put to practice what I'm learning. I still have soooo much to know, but I'm getting there.

Painting

This one (above) is kind of dramatic for a shot of a couple of kids painting, but I really love it!









And here's a little something totally off the subject, and I apologize for talking about this too much... I think I'm going to get a positive test result within a month. It's just a hunch. I could be completely off base. We'll see. (And don't worry, Mom, I won't freak out if I'm wrong.)

Zoo Trip Pictures

Here are some pictures of our zoo trip. It was good, but I was glad to get home. the boys were crazy all weekend!