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Snapshots of Summer and Current Happenings

6.21.2017

^^Happy feet relaxing in the shade!  Seriously, Conrad's feet tell how he's feeling, and that's usually something like excited.^^
^^One of the boys' favorite sunny day activities is to turn the slide into a water slide.  The water makes them go whipping down the tube FAST!  And then on this particular day, Dad shot them with the hose.  Haha.^^
^^Evening bike laps around the driveway... in their pajamas.  Bed?  What's that?  The sun is still out!^^
^^"Look Mom!  One hand!"
^^"Look Mom!  No feet!"  Levi's a tricky one.^^

Currently: Summer is Here!

6.08.2015

^^Levi likes to eat slices of watermelon as big as his head.  He's such a sticky hot mess!^^

Soaking in // Summer!!!  Summer is officially here and I am really enjoying not having to get Jed to school each day.  It's so liberating!  There just seems to be so much more time.  The weather is warm and beautiful.  We spend all of our extra time outside.  And the boys are happy!  (Until someone won't share and then Levi's way of solving conflict is with screaming and hitting.  Oh, my!)  I'm looking forward to all the fun summer has in store for us!

Listening to // The following conversation on repeat.

Levi:  Mama?  I really sad.
Me:  Why are you sad?
Levi:  I really really really miss someone.
Me:  Oh?  Who do you miss?
Levi:  Alli and Kyle (the neighbor kids across the street)
Me:  It's okay.  We'll see them again tomorrow.

Seriously, every day.  Sometimes Levi says he misses somebody else, but it's usually Alli and Kyle.  Best buds!

Reading //  The numbers on my new Garmin Vivofit2.  I bought a Garmin so Bron and I could be "friends" on the same online platform.  Ha!  But really, it's so much more than that.  Way back when Bron and I were first married I used the old Nike Plus on my runs.  I loved seeing my time and pace; it made exercise a game.  And here it is again!  I'm wearing a fitness game on my wrist.  I love seeing how many steps I've taken and how it automatically increases my step goals.  I also love how I can start a workout on my watch without having to touch the app on my phone.  It tracks my sleep at night and beeps at me when I've been sitting for too long during the day.  And surprisingly, the data I love seeing most is the time!  Haha.  Why didn't I wear a watch before?!?  Duh!

Also, side note, while we're talking about fitness: I am so proud of Jed!  He's been riding his bike 3 whole miles.  That means I can plop Levi in the jogging stroller and go for a three mile run!  This is brand new territory in mommy-and-me exercise and I am loving it.  Gotta hand it to Jed and his tough little legs.  Go, Jed!


Feeling good about // The sticker charts I made for the kids.  One day we went to Target and Jed begged and begged for a new Lego set.  I told him he could earn one by doing chores for me.  The sticker chart works like a charm!  Whenever I ask the kids to come help me unload the dishwasher or such matter, I simply add, "You'll get a sticker!" and they both eagerly come running.  (I think I'm turning into my Grandma?!?)  I was surprised at actually how helpful Jed was at cleaning the bathroom the other day.  Wow, he is growing up.  So here's to a clean(er) home this summer!  And new Legos!

Thinking about //  My photography business model and all the things I need to do to be successful and legitimate.  It all started when I posted a couple photos in a private Facebook group dedicated to Southern Idaho photographers.  The response was that I am not charging enough for the work I do... but it did feel really gratifying to be validated by my peers!  The online conversation eventually led to a group meet-up last Wednesday at a local restaurant.  I sat in a room full of professionals who seemed to be deep wells of knowledge and experience.  It was a little intimidating!  And at the same time, it felt like a comradery.  I came away from the meeting with my head swimming: insurances, taxes, the "right" way to charge and deliver pictures, product, training, liability, etc.  I learned so much!  And I'm ready to get on the ball and make a few changes.  However, I do I wish I could see five years into the future.  I wonder if Rock Creek Photography will continue to pick up speed or if it'll fizzle out?

^^Throwing rocks into the creek.  After that got old, the kids started making boats from celery.  I knew celery was good for something: arts and crafts!  Hahaha.^^  

The Weekend //  On Saturday morning Bron took me up to Harrington for a bike ride.  We're training for a big mountain biking race in August.  It was a grueling and technical 3.5 miles straight up.  But that also means it was an absolute 3.5 mile downhill blast all the way back.  Woohoo!  Totally worth it!

Saturday evening we invited three family friends over for a barbeque.  Bron finally got to use the pheasant he brought home from hunting in Nebraska last Fall.  He made pepper poppers: peppers with cream cheese, a bite of pheasant wrapped in bacon, and baked in the oven.  Yum!  Oh, and Amy brought chocolate dipped strawberries.  My tastebuds were overloaded with goodness.  I happily indulged in BOTH delectables.  Of course!  After dinner, we all sat out in the front courtyard as a summer storm blew in to cool us off and the kids played.  A delicious and relaxing evening.

Sunday everyone was feeling a bit under-the-weather with some nasty colds, but we didn't let that stop us from heading up into the South Hills after church to enjoy a little exploration in nature. That's my favorite kind of rejuvenation for the week.  Thanks for the invite, Horsleys!        

Lately, and Currently...

7.28.2014

 ^^Throwing rocks into the lake one evening last week^^

Wondering // How I'm ever going to survive the next few years as a mother.  Jed and Levi love antagonizing one another.  All day long they tease and hit and bite.  My ears have become numb to the screaming.  I get really tired of acting as the referee, you know.  Unfortunately, I have a feeling that all this antagonizing isn't a passing phase; this is all part of a healthy brotherly relationship.  Luckily, though they do fight hard, they seem to love harder.  It's those fleeting tender moments of brotherly love that I celebrate and hope they continue to show throughout their lives. 

Weekend Highlight // Our ward's Relief Society offered to babysit children at the church Friday night from 6:00-10:00pm so we parents could attend the temple.  Bron and I had a relaxing quiet visit to the temple and snagged some frozen yogurt with our friends afterwards.  It was fun!  And I shouldn't have been so apprehensive about keeping my boys out and up that late with somebody else because they had a blast!  The kids were visited by a real police officer, ate snacks, and made a cute craft.  But best of all, they jumped their hearts out in a giant bounce house that nearly touched the gym's ceiling.  Wow!  Then as an added bonus, everyone slept in Saturday morning.  Win-win all around.   

Listening to // Shatter Me Featuring Lzzy Hale - Lindsey Stirling.  I first heard the song a couple of weeks ago and now I'm kind of obsessed.  It makes me want to bust out my violin to play along!  (Also, if you've never seen any of Lindsey Stirling's videos, check her out.  She'll awe you with her violin/dance talent.)

 
Hungry for // strawberry freezer jam.  We happened to find a killer deal on strawberries Saturday, so I loaded up for an impromptu flash freeze/freezer jam making session in my kitchen over the weekend.  Mmm, mmm, good!  We are now officially ready for winter because we have strawberry jam to sustain us.  Haha  But seriously!

Looking Forward to // new furniture in the den.  I've been waiting nearly three years for this!  I will finally have some specified spaces for the CDs and books and files that are making my home feel cluttered.  Woohoo!  It's almost time to de-junk and organize.  Bring it.

Soaking in // the way Levi holds my hand.  His tiny hand holds just two of my fingers as he walks and jumps along to wherever we're headed.  It's so precious.  I wish he'd never grow up!


Thinking About // My photography.  I feel like I have finally plateaued, which is kind of an amazing feeling in a sense.  After years of working, shooting, and editing, asking questions, and reading articles I have finally "mastered" what I set out to do: create photographs of my children that I will cherish forever and that are worth printing up large to display on my living room wall.  I finally feel confident enough to call myself a photographer. 

Now what?  This photography journey doesn't really have an end.  I will never actually "arrive" anywhere because it's a personal art form and there is always room for growth and improvement.  So just what should I put my efforts into next?  I have a few ideas:  I want to learn to edit in a way that takes my images to the next level.  I want to learn how to shoot and edit landscape photos that really are worth framing.  I also have a few more newborn poses in mind that I want to try at my next session.  I might even make myself a little personal project to photograph whatever lines and patterns I see around me.

What do you think?  I'm totally open to some kind constructive criticism.

^^Brotherly love^^
 
*****
Linking up HERE today.

Currently: Mother's Day and Other Happenings

5.13.2014

^^Totally framing this^^

Thankful for: A wonderful Mother's Day weekend!  It all started with a spontaneous girls' night out on Friday when Dani suggested we go see the new movie, Mom's Night Out.  So we caught the 9:10PM showing and laughed till we cried.  The satire of motherhood was spot on.  How could every one of us not relate to an overwhelming messy house, the feeling of utter exhaustion, or better yet, "having a moment"?  We've all been there!  So though the movie became quite predictable, it still had us all in tears by the end with its Christian message: Yes we're imperfect human beings, but that doesn't mean we are not enough.  I think it really made a difference in how I perceived Mother's Day this year!  A big thanks to our husbands for that last minute break.  It was well worth it.

The rest of the weekend was low-key and spent mostly around home.  I knew it was going to be a great day when Bron allowed me to peacefully sleep past 9:00AM on Sunday morning.  It doesn't get any better than that!  I love my job.  Even though these two little boys deplete my sanity at times, they grow my heart and soul everyday.  Motherhood is my life's greatest blessing.

 ^^At least I tried, right?^^

Excited about: Gel nails.  I've been having a lot of fun this spring painting my nails; it's just a little something extra for me that makes me feel more feminine.  Unfortunately, we all know maintaining pretty nails takes a little time and effort... until I came upon this cute girl's blog post.  I was suddenly inspired!  After doing a little more "research", I was determined to do my own gel nails at home too.  So last Saturday I dragged the boys around town shopping with me.  We found my nail supplies at Sally's, an old office lamp at the thrift store, and a UV light bulb at the pet store.  Voila!  An at home manicure that will last two weeks.  I am thrilled!  Now all I need are more colors.  Hehe.   

Reading: Insurgent, the sequel to Divergent.  I don't read much anymore these days (who has time for that?), but I got to read Divergent on the weekend I flew solo to California last month.  The series is too good not to finish!

I Confess: I started potty training Levi... and six days later I gave up!  He just isn't ready?!?  I want to be done with diapers sooo bad!  Really, I tried following a supposed "potty training guru's" regimen for three days.  When that wasn't working, I switched tactics.  I then sat the boy on the potty every 30 minutes.  Not. One. Success. All. Week. Long.  Okay, one half success.  Levi tells us after he's made a mess, but makes absolutely no effort to run to the potty or stop the flow.  After he pooped in the shower this morning, I officially threw in the towel.  We'll come back to this in the fall after he turns two.  I am so exhausted.  But at least he was super cute in tiny underwear, right?   


Recent happenings as recorded in pictures:


Jed wanted me to make him a rocket one morning.  Out of paper, he insisted, with buttons.  The left picture is our finished product: a paper bag with blue buttons glued onto the front and red tail fins on the back.  (Mother of the year, right?  Thank you!  Haha.)  It's been so much fun to watch him play.  I punch in his trajectory and count down from five to blast-off.  Then he runs around the room at breakneck speed until he crashes.  It's super cute.

Jed also has a new obsession with pirates.  He needed a pirate hat one morning so I tied a bandana around his head.  No kidding, he naps with it on!  He uses the trampoline as his ship and called me Captain Mommy today at lunch.  After endless questions about what pirates do, I started to teach him some new words.  He now eats in the galley, pees in the head, and tells Levi, swab the deck ya scalawag!  (Translation: Clean up the toys!)  I love this kid's imagination.
      
 ^^The first flower Jed picked for me this year.  He asked me to put it in a "water pot".  Haha  And Jed "fixing" my wobbly chair for me.  So sweet.^^

The above pictures are what happened in the five minutes it took me to reload the dishwasher.  Despite the cool drizzly weather, Jed and Levi escaped out of the house to play with their trucks in the mud.  Levi was pants-less.  But no matter, he had a hat!  I couldn't help laughing out loud and grabbing the camera.

Thinking about: Adding a 3rd baby to this wonderful craziness we call our life.  I bounce back and forth from being absolutely sure and looking forward to feeling that miracle of a baby kick inside me again, to dreading pregnancy, the sleepless months, and the inevitable strain a new baby puts on our marriage.  Plus, I barely have a handle on two kids--if I have a handle at all.  What makes me think I can handle three?  But I WANT three children.  And I want them to be fairly close in age.  Not to mention, I swoon over every newborn I see these days.  Bron insists that by the way I'm taking this so seriously, I'm ready.  I guess we'll see!  Good thing I trust the Lord has a little say in this too.

And that pretty much sums us up!
I hope all you other mothers had a wonderful weekend as well.

Push the button, hop on over, and join the fun!

A Mama Collective

Currently...

3.11.2014

^^A quiet moment.  Reading books together amid piles of laundry.^^

Dreaming of: Spring!  I can't help admiring the little stems of green popping up in my yard .  They're making me so excited.  We're all looking forward to feeling the warm sun on our faces and spending every waking moment outside, from bike rides to picnics in the backyard to long lazy mornings at the lake.  And according to the weather man, I only have about 24 more hours on the countdown to wait.  Woohoo!

 ^^The craziness never stops.  Eating s'mores as an afternoon snack over a real flame.  Levi made me laugh with the awe-struck way he said, "Fire!"^^
^^More afternoon yumminess.  Orange Julius through giant straws.^^

Loving:

:: How Levi tells me, "c'mon, c'mon" as he grasps two of my fingers to lead me to whatever he wants at that moment.  How can I possibly resist that kind of cuteness?

:: How Levi thinks that smothering any mess with a hand towel will automatically clean it up.  I wish that were true!  But I don't stop him because he's trying to be responsible and help.

:: How Jed insists on cuddling every night.  I hold him under my arm and we read a story together before bed.  I don't ever want him to grow up!  Those last minutes of the day are so sweet.

:: How Jed still wishes me, "Merry Christmas!" before I shut his door at night.  It's March and the Christmas spirit is not dead in this house.

 ^^Jed's favorite thing to do is eat popcorn and watch a movie.  So that's often what we do when Dad is away for the night.  (Are you noticing a food theme here?  haha)^^

Re-Reading: Love and Logic for Early Childhood, a parenting self-help book.  I figure Levi is about to hit age two and throw me for a loop; I'd better be prepared with a few tricks up my sleeve!  My personal goal is to be able to dish out logical consequences for misbehavior without losing my cool 90% of the time.  We both, mama and child, feel better about our day when I'm able to do this.

Thinking About:  Why I don't teach a dozen violin students or why I haven't pursued a photography business with all the gusto I know I'm capable of. 

I kicked off the weekend early Saturday morning as a judge for a friend's violin studio.  I remember performing in festivals much like it but on a bigger scale as a kid--performing a couple of pieces, sight reading, written theory tests--it was intense.  The festival on Saturday felt much more relaxed, but I could tell the girls were still very nervous!  I was kind.  They all deserved Superior or Excellent marks.  They obviously have a wonderful teacher. 

Instances like that make me wonder why I haven't pursued teaching my own violin studio.  I really enjoy music!  And I loved teaching the violin.  So why don't I teach a dozen students?  What I think it really comes down to is that I am simply not motivated.  As nice as some extra income would be, we are financially stable.  And if I'm honest with myself, I often feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities I already do have!  Adding in the logistics of babysitters for the boys (or working around their loudness) seems like a headache.  Plus, it would mean I'd have less time to spend with my children... and then that mommy guilt starts seeping in.  See what I mean?  I know I have all this potential for working and pursuing some talents I truly enjoy, I'm just not willing to change or make those sacrifices.  I'm comfortable with where I'm at and I love my life the way it is.  Does that make me lazy?  Or does that just mean I'm sticking to making motherhood my #1 priority?  I'm not sure.

^^Levi's favorite thing in the world right now are bubble baths.^^

Our Weekend: After participating in the violin festival, our family of four piled into the truck to spend the weekend on the Nelson dairy.  We celebrated our niece, Madelyn's blessing day.  She's a beautiful baby girl!  A real life doll.  It was fun to get all the cousins together and eat and chat all Sunday afternoon.  I'm lucky to belong to such a great family!

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