Portrait Tuesday

I really loved this shot the second I took it - very much how I think of Paige right now!  My sweet, happy girl.  I'm really enjoying her at this age, other than the disobedience and then running away laughing about it.  ;o)  Artistically, I actually like that only one eye is in focus and that she is not centered in the frame.  I even really liked it with a vintage touch:

Foto February

OK, foto is not a word -- but it just looked better that way!  I am excited to tell you about my new little project for this 28 day month!  I have decided to post a picture-a-day, but on here -- not my OLD frame-a-day site.  I have been wanting something to refresh my creativity, so I am not only doing a picture each day, but every day will be a different challenge:

Motion Monday (which usually necessitates the use of a tripod, which I despise setting up)
Portrait Tuesday (fun and friendly for me!)
Wide-Angle Wednesday (to force me to take off my 50mm lens and learn all that my wide-angle can do)
Truthful Thursday (in the spirit of BOLD blogging, showing things about myself you may not know)
Flash Friday (UGH!  The flash is not my friend... yet.)
Sunshine Saturday (Outdoor pictures only)
Simple Sunday (trying to limit the entire photo to one thing, hopefully something one wouldn't find photo worthy)

So welcome to four weeks of me attempting to learn and grow!  Motion Monday to start us off...

Lauren saw this and exclaimed, "I'm a ghost!!!"  *snerk*

The Truth

That word has been on my mind and heart a lot lately.  TRUTH.  I just wanted to get these concepts out there so I can remember them, and perhaps get a little insight from you all.

I know that there is truth and there is fiction.  We try to pretend that there is a gray area... an in-between.  But there isn't.  Something is either true, or false.  Real or fake.  And if it is only partially true, then it is really false because it isn't completely true.  Black and white.  One or the other.

For women's bible study this year we are reading "Lies Women Believe".  And while I don't think I believe many lies, my actions say otherwise.  I live like I believe these lies.  There must be some way to erase the lies and write only truth onto my heart - but it doesn't come easy.  God is working on me, that much is clear -- but as always it is a process and not an instant fix.  Darn.  ;)

A few examples of the lies and truth that have been rolling around in my head this week:

Does my husband need me to be his helper by nagging or taking control, or am I to fulfill the role of help-mate quietly and from the background?


Is the purpose of being a parent to control the behavior of children so they become kids that are easy to be around, or to nurture and discipline them so they grow into adults who make a difference and are nice to be around?


Was marriage designed to make us happy, or to hone us and sharpen us through a convenant?


Is food intended to bring guilt and shame, or enjoyment and fulfillment?


Does my husband need MORE love from me, or does he thirst for RESPECT instead?


Would our purpose be to change our situation to make ourselves happiest, or to change ourselves to bring happiness to others?

Ahhh... I feel better.  Obviously these are lies (when you write them out it becomes very apparent), and the truth is what follows the word OR, but in day to day life - how many times do our actions speak of the lie that has deceived us?  "You wronged ME.  You have made ME unhappy and must be punished until I am happy again.  It is all about ME."   I would never say these words aloud, but when my children won't obey - that is what my actions say.  When I don't feel my needs have been met, I don't look for a way to meet others needs - instead I feel self-pity.

It makes my stomach turn to even think about it.  I just don't want to be the woman who puts herself as most important in her life.  Self-less not self-ish.  Truthful.

Now I repeat these truths to myself whenever I can, and try to remind myself of the person I long to be - so that I can make baby steps toward that goal.

Any lies you have been believing?  Put them out there - and call them what they are.  Let's remind each other of the truth!

Updating

The weeks and months just seem to zoom by and I suddenly remember, "I have a blog!"  LOL!  Am I the only one who feels like a day can drag on endlessly and yet be gone in a blink at the same time?!?  Hmm... Maybe that is my hormones talking...

We had an at home day today to try and catch up a bit.  I really don't like days at home.  I get cabin fever instantaneously.  Like, if I know I am going to be home all day, I have this itch to go out somewhere from 7am on!  Because I know I'm not.  I wish that didn't happen, but it does.

ANYway, back to my update.  I broke out the ladybug tent, took the girls outside, had them "help" me fold laundry, and broke out the Color Wonder markers - all in an effort to keep them occupied for more than three seconds.  The markers seemed to work the best...

Does anyone else LOVE this invention?!?  I am sure there is something toxic about them that we just don't know about yet, but they are amazing.  I have a hard time even placing crayons in the hands of my two year old (this only happens if I know a fresh Magic Eraser waits under the counter.  Another amazing invention that I am sure must be bad for us in some way!), let alone markers.  And since Paige would rather take all the caps on and off then do much actual coloring, these work out great for Mommy and her!

Lauren is doing much better about wanting to color in the lines, and wanting to color an entire picture, not just the tiniest things on the page!

She now declares that she has three favorite Princesses: Aurora, Ariel and Snow White.  Aurora because she wears pink (shocker), Ariel because she lives with fish, and Snow White because... she's new.

And that is marketing tactics working their magic people!

We also embarked on another adventure this week --

I am trying the "undies only while we are home" as potty training for Paige.  We had two accidents in the first four hours.  *sigh*  But, we are on our way.  I just hope to have the majority of it accomplished before baby #3 gets here.  I am sure six months is not long enough, but we will give it the old college try!

Speaking of #3, I am having crazy craving moments with this pregnancy.  I never really had more than the occasional craving before.  This is like, "I MUST EAT CHEESE, NOW!!!"  Still, pickles are my #1 craving as before, but I have also had garlic, salami, soup, salad dressing, and sugar.  Individually, not together.  No weird combinations for me!  I could go for some soup right now though!!!

While we were waiting for the mac-n-cheese to cook at lunch today I grabbed a few shots of my beauties.  I am trying to teach myself how to edit RAW images instead of just JPEGs, so this was my first effort.  It was not nearly as difficult as I imagined, and RAW lends to so much more editing possibilities!  I plan to work on it a lot more and shoot all in RAW by March!  I find it funny though, that by editing these individually - I liked Lauren so much cooler and Paige so much warmer.  Just goes to show my inconsistencies!

With that, I am off to have a pickle!

Ten on Tuesday - the things you missed while I was MIA

1. Wow! What a month December turned out to be! I was literally buried underneath a to-do list that just never got done. Today, I managed to get the critical things off of that list, so now I can trickle in some fin things like blogging while I try to tackle the rest of that ever-growing list! So todays TonT is all the things I don't want to leave out from this last month!

2. We kept our tradition of building a gingerbread house this year, and it turned out to be quite the elaborate undertaking!!!

3. Then there was a trip to Payson to visit with family, which is always fun!

4. We baked cookies for Santa... and ourselves. ;o) Here are the girls not-so-patiently watching the mixer do its thing:

and then enjoying the fruits of their labor!

That has to be my favorite picture of the month!

5. On Christmas Eve, Lauren played the angel in the nativity scene -- I will try to upload a little video of that another day! Then we went to Jen & Shawn's to enjoy a family dinner.

6. Of course, Christmas morning at home was a blast. We love watching the kids be all excited, while the smell of sticky buns and coffee lingers in the air. :o)

7. Then we drove to Las Vegas to see my family for a couple of days - one of which included a trip to see the light display at Ethel M's chocolate factory. So fun, and a free sample to boot! YUM!

8. We came home and received our new iMac the next day. I would just like to say, if you are hesitating to make the switch to a mac product because you think you have to relearn everything... I would say just go TRY one! I am amazed how quickly I have become comfortable with the typical daily functions - I still have a lot to learn, but it is much easier than I was anticipating. And this thing is just awesome! Love it! Love!!!

9. We also managed to sell Lauren's old bedroom furniture, which meant running to the store for paint and calling in a very reliable friend for help so that we could paint and get the new furniture in place in ONE DAY. Yay! Here is the result:

Yes, it is very pink. But Lauren loves it, and I actually like it! It doesn't feel overwhelming when you are in the room, it just feels warm and girly. It's fun, and we like fun! I also love having real color on the walls and not just a hint... it feels like much more of a statement. Maybe the girls' statement is, "I am a princess, hear me roar!" ;o)

10. We also bought a new desk and took over a little corner of the playroom as my "office". It is too messy in here for a picture today, but I will get one up soon. It has been really nice to have a space where I can be near the kids and get some work done too. They love it and so do I!

Hope you all had a wonderful christmas and New Year! I hope to be writing much more very soon!

Ten on... eh, whatever day it is!

1.  I apologize for my absence around here.  Things have been crazy busy what with editing for clients and card design, our own Christmas preparations, and end of the year business stuff.  I didn't really realize how much I was adding to December with starting my own business!!!

2.  Because of #1, my house has really fallen by the wayside.  Today will be the day to attack mountains of laundry and hunt down all those elusive dust bunnies!!!  I want a maid for Christmas.  Does Santa bring those?

3.  We are doing Elf on the Shelf this year - and it cracks.me.up!  Lauren loves hunting for Sprinkley every morning, and she talks to her throughout the day.  When I had my first OB appointment and showed Lauren the little ultrasound print out, she immediately asked if she could insisted she show it to Sprinkley!  The funniest thing about it to me... she opted to just ask the Elf to tell Santa what she wanted this year, instead of going to see him herself!  Since I knew Santa would be a freak-out moment for Paige this year, I was more than happy to give that up!

4.  Fifteen days until Christmas, people!  15!!!  Ack.

5.  As mentioned in #3, I had my first OB appointment and ultrasound last week.  I would like to mention there is ONLY ONE BABY, praise God!  And it looks perfect in size and development!  Music to my ears!!!

6.  I want a birth photographer for this baby, but there just aren't any to be found!  Why hasn't anyone tapped into this amazing opportunity in Phoenix?!?

7.  I love that Colleen always Tweets about the news - if it weren't for her, I would be totally unaware of everything going on.  I am so happy to live in my bubble, though.  I don't miss cable TV at all (okay, other than FOOD NETWORK)!

8.  Anyone know any cute holiday craft ideas?  I want to do something with the girls, but I don't know what.  It needs to be appropriate for a two year old...

9.  I am getting my hair done tomorrow!!!  I love getting my hair done... I feel pretty for a few days.  Fresh and fun.  I don't plan on cutting much off, but I do plan on going dark - like back to my roots DARK.  Prenatal vitamins are great and all -- but they make my hair grow like crazy, and I can't take the constant roots looking greasy and nasty.  So next time you see me, I will be a brunette.  Any wagers on how long it will last this time?  Hee hee!

10.  We are trying to sell Lauren's bed and dresser on craiglist - and again, I really dislike dealing with buyers/sellers on craigslist!!!  People are flaky, rude, scammers.... and on and on.  Anyone need a twin captains bed and dresser with cute flowers painted on them?  Go here - there would be a discount involved!

Have a great weekend everyone!  (That is my way of saying I probably won't be on here again until Monday. Maybe I will be wrong... but I'm not promising!)  =)

Two Years

Paige is now a full-fledged two year old!  Not that she didn't have the attitude down before midnight Monday morning.  ;o)  I am still shocked to think her time of birth was 12:00AM on the dot.  But that is my sweet Paige, she doesn't do anything part of the way - she does it ALL!

Before her party on Sunday we had a little front porch photo session.

Ack!  How can she be this big already?!?  Not possible.

Here's a picture of what she does while she says something is "Cute."

Pretty CUTE, if you ask us!

Hey Paige, how old are you?

It was a nice party with good friends and both sets of Grandparents here to celebrate!

I bought what I thought was a pretty cute cupcake cake, straight out of the bakery's book.

Little did I know that this blue frosting was not the best idea.  We all had blue lips, tongues, fingers... you name it!  My new outdoor furniture even has a nice blue streak from my oldest daughter.  This stuff was brutal!  I am sure the food coloring in it made my children craaaaaazy for two days, and their BM's have been bright green.  Like grass.  Only florescent grass that grows near nuclear power plants - green.  Ew.

Paige didn't really know what to do with the candle - because we didn't practice.

But, at least she didn't scream "No. No. No. No." during the happy birthday song like she did when we practiced that!

And you can always find us Beeler-girls at the party.  We are the ones chanting, "Bring on the icing!"

Then it was present time!  She received lots of awesome goodies!!!

And even her first tricycle!  Thanks "Ama", "Poppa", and "GG"!

Happy Birthday, Paige!

We love you, sweet girl!!!