My Lessons

I have decided that learning on my own is not working. I am talking about learning how to shoot manual on my camera. I bought a book called, "Understanding Exposure". I am also apart of a message board for photographers. You can do all of the assignments in the book then post them online to see if you did it right. An experienced photographer looks them over & lets you know if you did it right! And she does this for free!!!!

I have done 3 assignments so far. Not that any of this may mean to you (unless you know photography really well...and if you do...why haven't you been teaching me...lol), but I will post my assignments :)

First assignment was to see how your ISO affects your exposure. I didn't see much of a difference....but I guess in this exercise you really shouldn't see one if you have the correct exposures.



This second assignment was a lil more fun. I had to pull out the tripod. Basically, you are suppose to learn how as the aperture (that is the f#) increases the background becomes more in focus.



And this third assignment, we are suppose to learn how the shutter speed affects how you photograph motion. The higher the shutter speed, it freezes the subject. I don't know if I did this one right (haven't got "graded" yet), but I am pretty sure I got it right.

Candy Recipes

Here are some "Oh-so-easy" & "Oh-so-Yummy" candy recipes!!

My first candy of the day was "Peppermint Bark". This was soooooo easy!! I took a bunch of left over candy canes that we had & crushed them up (actually my assistant Jaden took care of this!). Then I melted some white chocolate in the microwave (I think it was 16 oz...threw away the package!). I then poured the broken up candy canes into the white chocolate & mixed them up real good. I poured the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. I let it cool for about 10 minutes then broke the bark up! Mmmmmm good!!!

The other candy that I made was Buckeyes!!! This is one of our FAVORITE treats!!

1 stick of butter
16 oz of Peanut Butter
1 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
1 bag of chocolate chips

Mix the first three ingredients together, then roll them into 1 inch balls. Place them onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze them for 30 minutes. Melt chocolate (I microwave them & add a smidge of crisco to keep the chocolate from hardening too fast in bowl) Grab a toothpick & pick up a ball & dip it into melted chocolate. Leave a lil peanut butter ball showing, so that they look like Buckeyes!!

Once the chocolate hardens....ENJOY!!!!!

Snowflakes!!!!!

There have been none that have actually fallen from the sky here, but I made a few to decorate the dining room! To make them, here is a tutorial! The only changes that I made is that I did not cut them with an exacto knife. I used scissors. Once I cut the free templates into squares, I would fold them into triangles & cut on the provided line. It goes MUCH faster this way (I did the big one with an exacto knife)! I also added some diamond rhinestones to the big one for "bling"! :)

Bummed

I made my first real project with my sewing machine. I made a gift for my mom. It turned a lot different than I though it would....

I am debating on if I should give it to her or not. I am debating on if I should even post a pic of it here!!

Maybe I should tell her that Jaden made it...I am sure that she would think it was cute & love it! LOL!! It looks like something a kid would have made....

Ba-hum-bug!!!

Dancing

"In the hustle & bustle of the holidays" (as people say) I am tending to forget the meaningful, small things. It is so easy to rush around, checking off your to-do list & forget to create memories.

After dinner, I had the light turned off...all that was on was the white lights of the tree & the garland around the stair banister. I had some Christmas music playing in the background. All of a sudden, Myrah Cary's "All I want for Christmas" (my favorite Christmas song, next to "First Noel") came on. I blasted the stereo & the boys and I were dancing around the living room. Then James Taylor's "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" came on. The three of us slow danced (holding hands, going around in a circle). I started choking up. Tears fell from my eyes. This is what Christmas is about. As I cried & danced, I thanked God for giving me my boys. I started thinking about how much I love my boys & how God sent us His Son as a gift to us. Not only did he give us the gift of His Son, he continues to bless us with gifts.

My sweet boys....how I love them. I will never forget slow dancing with them next to the Christmas tree.

Please don't let the little moments pass you by in the "hustle & bustle" this year!

To Do List

Anyone want to come over and finish my "To Do" list for me? I just need to clean the house, re-organize my kitchen cupboards, deep clean my fridge, wrap all my Christmas gifts, make & deliver a hash brown casserole for Joe's Christmas party, bake some Christmas cookies, do some laundry (the NEVER ending story!!) and cook dinner!!! Of course this to do list can be spread over the next few days...don't feel like you have to do it all in one day...just as long as it is done before Christmas! :)

Check

Babysit niece...Check

Plan a dinner menu for 2 weeks...Check

Mail off the rest of Christmas Cards...Check

Return movie...Check

Pay water bill...Check

Buy more mugs for secretarial staff at Joe's school...Check

Stop by Target to get price adjustment on the sewing machine I just bought (Went on sale for $20 cheaper!!!) and buy the rest of Christmas presents....Check

Go to a different Target to buy matching PJ's for Jaden (ran out of his size) & Jaxon...Check

Pay mortgage at the bank...Check

Buy groceries for 2 weeks & Christmas cookie ingredients...Check

Wrap presents for Jaden's therapists...Check

Make dinner...Check

Vacuum carpets...Check

Carpet clean carpets...Check

Take a long, long, long, looooonnnnnnggggg bubble bath.....uncheck

24 Weeks

I have not shared any recent pregnancy pics lately. I am 24 weeks!! This pregnancy is flying by for me! At my last appointment, when I was checking out at the front desk, the receptionist who makes appointments for me told me something that took me for a loop! First, at my next appointment, I will be in my THIRD trimester! Also, from that appointment (28 weeks), I will be coming in every 2 weeks!!! CRAZY!!! My baby will be here in 14-16 more weeks! This pregnancy is going by so quick, but I am sure come February, it will start to feel like it is dragging!

Here is my pic....don't mind the look of exhaustion & my jammies :)



The baby is kicking me (or as I like to think, he is waving to you from the womb!) right now. I love feeling him kick. Last night he was going crazy. He was moving my belly all around. It is so fun to watch...but also a lil weird! I mean, if you let it freak you out, thinking about another human is growing inside of you...it is a lil weird! But it must be the mommy in us that puts that aside & thinks about how cute he/she is!!!

BTW, our baby does have a name....or at least part of a name. We have a first name (which I call him by when I talk), but he does not have a middle name. Joe is picking out his middle name. Joe has done this for the past two kids. I have always had some input, but this time I am giving him complete control. What he picks, it will be! For the record, I hope he picks "David". That is Joe's middle name & it goes so well with the first name we have picked out. As soon we get that middle name, we will officially announce his name!!!!

Testing 1,2,3

I just downloaded a new app on my iTouch so that I can blog! Of course I do not think I will be doing much blogging this way, but I like that I have options :) What I was looking for was an app that I could easily follow all my favorite blogs. BTW did you notice that on the side of my blog you can now see (and follow yourself!) what blogs that I like!

Oh! And what do you think of my new festive background? I even decorate my blog for Christmas!!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First Project

After putting the kiddos to bed, I decided to practice sewing! I only have left over red felt to practice on from a project that I worked on for Joe. Here is my first project:



Hmmm.....what is it????



What those words say....(and I have NO idea why they are blurry):

"A Gift Card Holder"!!!!

"Yeah, I made a lot of mistakes but without mistakes, I would never learn! But hey, I just unpacked my machine today!"

Standards

Apparently, even Jaden has standards!

I was putting the boys in the bath together. I had Jaxon in first. As soon as I got him in the water, he started peeing in the bath water. I said, "Oh no'!!! Jaden heard me & asked me what was wrong. I was scared to tell him, in fear that he would not get in the bath. Now, don't get me wrong, I know putting kids in pee infested water is not the most cleanly thing to do, but I was not about to waste a whole tub of water either! I mean really....that pee was so diluted by the water, I am sure that it was fine! We are all family here!

I tell Jaden what happened. He took a second to think about it. He finally spoke.

"Was it clear pee or yellow pee? Because I won't even get in if it was yellow!!!!"

I busted out laughing.

"It was clear pee, Jaden"

"Oh, OK"!

And he jumped in the bath!!!

My First Sewing Machine

I just purchased my first sewing machine!!! I have been wanting one for the past few years, but on the list of priorities, this was closer to the bottom. Over the years, it finally made it to the top!! With the thanks of some Christmas money from my Grandparents & a giftcard of thanks from one of my photoshoots...and a lil money of my own.....here is my new addition:









The pic above is of my first stitch!!!!

Sigh

I just put Jaxon to bed at 5:45 pm CST. Why so early?

1. I am tired of his crying! If I hear one more cry, I am going to start crying myself.

2. Within 24 hours, I have had three...yes three, optical migranes. My head feels like it might explode!

3. Jaxon only took on cat nap today....again...Mr.Crankster

4. We spent hours at a pediatric genetic specialist who specializes in underweight children. After a million-zillion questions & two blood drawls (which Jaxon SCREAMED) the doctor tells us that he thinks Jaxon is just a healthy skinny kid! Duh!!!! I could have told him that...wait...I did!!

5. This week has been non-stop....actually this whole month has been non-stop for us. I am ready to crash!!!

6. Joe is sick, so I have been nursing him back to health.

7. I am pregnant & this kid is sucking the life out of me!

So if you do not mind, I am going to head to bed at 6 pm!!!

iTouch

My parents bought me, my sister & brother all iTouches for Christmas. They gave them to us all early. It is more of a family gift, because 1.They are a pretty expensive purchase, 2. All of us (spouses & kids) are playing with them!!

We are all "fighting" over them :) We all have our own apps that we like to play. My favorites are facebook, the Bible (I have the whole Message Bible on it....I LOVE it!!!), and this stupid block/puzzle thing that I am addicted to! Joe has some sports apps & some boxing games on it. Jaden has a lot of kids games. Even Jaxon like it! I downloaded some free Wiggles videos!

If you have the opportunity & blessing to get an iTouch, get it!!! It is a GREAT gift!!

Unforgiveness

I read a devotional today that I wanted to share with you:

Bitterness, Resentment and Unforgiveness

by Joyce Meyer

Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Matthew 18:23-35 tells us that if we do not forgive people, we get turned over to the torturers. If you have a problem in this area or have ever had one, I’m sure you bear witness with what I’m saying. It’s torture to have hateful thoughts toward another person rolling around inside your head.

Helping Yourself and Others

Who are you helping most when you forgive the person who hurt you? Actually, you’re helping yourself more than the other person. I always looked at forgiving people who hurt me as being really hard. I thought it seemed so unfair for them to receive forgiveness when I had gotten hurt. I got pain, and they got freedom without having to pay for the pain they caused. Now I realize that I’m helping myself when I choose to forgive.

I’m also helping the other person by releasing them so God can do what only He can do. If I’m in the way—trying to get revenge or take care of the situation myself instead of trusting and obeying God—He has no obligation to deal with that person. However, God will deal with those who hurt us if we’ll put them in His hands through forgiveness. The act of forgiving is our seed of obedience to His Word. Once we’ve sown our seed, He is faithful to bring a harvest of blessing to us one way or another.

Another way that forgiveness helps me is that it releases God to do His work in me. I’m happier and feel better physically when I’m not filled with the poison of unforgiveness. Serious diseases can develop as a result of the stress and pressure that bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness put on a person. Mark 11:22-26 clearly teaches us that unforgiveness hinders our faith from working. The Father can’t forgive our sins if we don’t forgive other people. We reap what we sow. Sow mercy, and you’ll reap mercy; sow judgment, and you’ll reap judgment. So do yourself a favor—and forgive.

There are still more benefits of forgiveness. Your fellowship with God flows freely when you’re willing to forgive, but it gets blocked by unforgiveness. Forgiveness also keeps Satan from getting an advantage over us (see 2 Corinthians 2:10,11). Ephesians 4:26,27 tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger or give the devil any such foothold or opportunity. Remember that the devil must have a foothold before he can get a stronghold. Do not help Satan torture you. Be quick to forgive.

I also think it’s hard to hate one person but love another. It’s hard to treat anybody right when our heart isn’t right. Even people you want to love may be suffering from your bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness.

How to Forgive

Would you like to become more successful at forgiving others? There are practical steps that must be taken. One time I asked the Lord why so many people want to forgive but aren’t successful doing it. And He said, "Because they aren’t obeying what I tell them to do in My Word." As I searched the Word, I found the following instructions:

1. Decide – You will never forgive if you wait until you feel like it. Choose to obey God and steadfastly resist the devil in his attempts to poison you with bitter thoughts. Make a quality decision to forgive, and God will heal your wounded emotions in due time (see Matthew 6:12,14).

2. Depend – You cannot forgive without the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s too hard to do on your own. If you are truly willing, God will enable you, but you must humble yourself and cry out to Him for help. In John 20:22,23 Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” His next instruction was about forgiving people. Ask God to breathe the Holy Spirit on you so you can forgive those who’ve hurt you.

3. Obey – The Word tells us several things we’re to do concerning forgiving our enemies:

a. Pray for your enemies and those who abuse and misuse you. Pray for their happiness and welfare (see Luke 6:27,28). As you pray, God can give them revelation that will bring them out of deception. They may not even be aware they hurt you, or maybe they’re aware but are so self-centered that they don’t care. Either way, they need revelation.

b. …Bless and do not curse them (Romans 12:14). In the Greek to bless means "to speak well of" and to curse means "to speak evil of." You can’t walk in forgiveness and be a gossip. You must stop repeating the offense. You can’t get over it if you continue to talk about it. Proverbs 17:9 says that he who covers an offense seeks love.

Who Should Forgive?

Forgive the person who badly hurt you long ago and also the stranger who stepped on your toe in the grocery store. Take those two extremes and forgive them in addition to everyone in between. Forgive quickly. The quicker you do it, the easier it is. Forgive freely. Matthew 10:8 says, …Freely you have received, freely give (NKJV). Forgive means “to excuse a fault, absolve from payment, pardon, send away, cancel, and bestow favor unconditionally.”

When you forgive, you must cancel the debt. Do not spend your life paying and collecting debts. Hebrews 10:30 says that vengeance belongs to the Lord; He’ll repay and settle the cases of His people. Let God pay you for past injustices. Do not try to collect from the people who hurt you, because the people who hurt you can’t pay you.

Also, forgive yourself for past sins and hurts you have caused others. You can’t pay people back, so ask God to.

Forgive God if you are angry with Him because your life didn’t turn out the way you thought it should. God is always just. There may be things you don’t understand, but God loves you, and people make a serious mistake when they don’t receive help from the only One who can truly help them.

You may even need to forgive a situation or an object—the post office, bank, a certain store that may have cheated you, a car that always gave you trouble, etc. Get rid of all poison that comes from bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. And remember Proverbs 4:23: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance...for out of it flow the springs of life.

Unforgiveness is spiritual filthiness, so get washed in the water of God’s Word to forgive and stay clean.