Drum roll please.....

I finally finished editing all the wedding pictures. Photography is an interesting art. I am a creative person, I love to make things and create things that pop into my mind in the middle of the night while I am trying to sleep. With everything else, you can change the end results. You can rip out a seam, paint over, cut out, or start over. That is so not the case with photography. It is what it is. I look at these and love them, then come back an hour later and get a pit in my stomach because I should have been standing 3 feet more to the left. These are just a few of the many, many, MANY that I took. I am sure that my favorites will be different from the bride and grooms favorites.

I still have a lot to learn, but I know I will eventually get there. I can't thank this cute couple enough for letting me use them as my lab rats.

I need this song on my ipod.

This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central (Train) Station on the 23rd of March 2009.
. . . with no warning to the passengers passing through the station,
at 08:00 am a recording of Julie Andrews singing 'Do, Re, Mi' begins to play on the public address system.â€
As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances.
They created this amazing stunt with just two rehearsals!

Journal Entry

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. Many of my friends say they know when I am busy, because the posts are few and far between. They are right.

I learned a valuable lesson these past two weeks. DON'T OVER SCHEDULE!!! There is a reason why I quit teaching school to stay home with my babies, it is so I can be at home with them - not running off thinking I have to do every nilly-willy thing that comes up.

These past two weeks have been packed with meetings, playdates, teaching numerous classes, and finally...my first paid photography gig - a wedding. I did not want to do it, I was scared to death, but I am proud of myself that I did. There is no way I could have accomplished it without my best friend. She came along (it was in UT) because she wanted a day without responsibility. Little did she know she would be responsible for my brain. She had to whisper things in my ear like, "don't forget to get the groom in this shot." Oh yeah, he is kind of important! I'll post the pictures soon, I don't want to anyone to see them until the bride and groom see them - but I am happy with how they turned out.

Because of how busy I had been the past two weeks, I decided I had had enough and I needed to be with just my little family, no distractions. Steve had an unexpected day off, so I decided we were going to take advantage of it. We had been toying with the idea of going to California to spend some time at the beach, but we didn't know if we could pull it off. Saturday morning I taught one more class (the last of them for a couple of weeks). As I was cleaning up I decided we were were going to go. At 1:30 and started searching the Internet for last minute deals. I quickly packed everyones' suitcase and waited for Steve to get home from work. We were able to make it out of town by 4:30 - not too bad!

We had a great trip. We spent every minute playing with each other either at the hotel pool or at the beach. Our swim suits never had a chance to completely dry! We also stopped at a few of our favorite Southern California restaurants and did some damage there as well. It was a great get away - one we desperately needed.

Clara was playing and having a great time. She then reached up for me to hold her and within seconds this is what happened.

She was zonked!

Oh, that Girl!

Thomas and I have a little saying that we often repeat. Whenever someone has done something naughty we say "oh, that _____!" Now, the blank isn't there because we fill it in with profanity, we fill it in with girl, boy, daddy, mommy, grandma - take your pick. Thomas picked it up on an old episode of Davey and Goliath. If you don't know about that cartoon, you are so missing out on the corniest cartoon ever made - and we love it. Grandma Barb gave us a whole bunch on DVD for Easter and we have been watching them ever since - but only when Dad isn't home because he doesn't appreciate it like we do.

Just thought you would like to know the meaning behind my title.

Anyway....

This little girl has been giving me a run for my money. She is such a doll. She is such a lover, but she is sooo sassy.

When I pictured my little girl (before I had her), I always thought she would be running around in cute little dresses, her hair always done, and just looking so...um...what's the word.... girlish.

Not quite. 9 times out of 10 she is in her diaper because she strips down. Recently she has figured out how to take the diaper off to and run around naked. We went and bought her a potty seat just to see if she was interested, but instead of sitting on it she wears it as her hat (I need to get a picture of that). She does not like to wear anything but dresses, but when she is home she prefers to be in the buff.

This picture says it all. Let me explain. She loves this little cart. She has all her rocks she has collected in the bottom, her baby in the top and is standing in a puddle of water. The puddle is there because she had pooped on the patio earlier on in the evening and I had to wash everything down. When Thomas came in to tell me what she had done I wasn't even shocked -because it's the third time she has done it. I really hope she grows out of this before she gets to high school. I would hate to see her miss her own prom because she keeps pooping all over campus.

But you know what? Even though she is not what I imagined, I think she is a whole lot better. She keeps us laughing and is always keeping me on my toes.

Partners in Crime

Are they not the cutest things ever! They play so well together. It is such a joy to be able to send them upstairs and let them play and entertain each other.

However, we relearned a lesson tonight. If it is too quiet, bad things are happening.

Like this...

Tonight we were all home. My meeting was canceled and Steve was home from work early. We had an early dinner and then sent the kids upstairs to play until the backyard was shady enough to send them out. Steve and I laid down on the couch and were enjoying the peace and quiet.

Then Thomas came downstairs and asked me to help him put his shirt on. I noticed something greasy in his hair.

Me: What's in your hair?
Thomas: Oh, Clara was just putting Vaseline in my hair.
Me: NO! Where is she?
Thomas: It's okay mom, it's just Vaseline.

I ran upstairs to find Clara in the middle of the hallway with her hair completely covered in the goo.

I frantically started searching the Internet on how to remove the stuff and kept reading to put cornstarch in it and then wash it out with a clarifying shampoo. I ran to my cupboard and couldn't find any. How could I be out of cornstarch??? I sent Steve to Albertsons and gave him a list of things to get.

Clara knew she had done something naughty and didn't care one bit. I was chasing her around trying to get her to stop rubbing her head on the furniture.

Once Steve got home we doused them in cornstarch and then threw them in the bath. We did the cornstarch, then washed with Aussie Shampoo, because it was recommended. Then I washed their hair with Dawn Dish soap. It felt like it was working.

We got them out of the tub and dried them off. Thomas' hair felt okay, but Clara's felt like I had just rubbed the Vaseline in deeper. I jumped on google again and found another site with some tips. The first one they said to do was use peanut butter. Yes, just what we needed. Lets see if Clara has a nut allergy too by covering her in peanut butter! The next trick was to use an egg.

We covered her hair again in cornstarch and then washed her hair with and egg. I about lost it when Thomas came running into the bathroom.

Thomas: Mom, what is that in the bowl?

Me: it's just a scrambled egg

I poured the egg over her head and Steve started working it into the mess.

Thomas: ARE YOU GOING TO BAKE HER???!!!

He said it with so much worry in his voice.

We explained to her that we were only using it to try and get the Vaseline out and that we would never bake his sister.

After the egg, we tried the next trick - Coke. This is the coke that I ran to the corner store to get wearing a black shirt an denim skirt that were completely covered in white powder. You know the sad thing is nobody even gave me a second glance.

I think the coke finally worked. When I got her out, her hair was feeling pretty normal and I was able to get it combed out. I think I am going to wash it with egg and coke one more time tomorrow just to make sure I get it all out.

I promise I won't bake her.

Clara was here.

Tag

Tag- I'm IT! I've been tagged by my friend Michelle. She is a super cute girl I met in college with the most adorable little boy.

What is your current obsession? I wouldn't say I have an obsession. I am really into sewing and photography right now.

What are you wearing today? I just got done working out, so I am in grey sweat shorts and a white tank top. I look hot!!!

What's for dinner?I have a Relief Society meeting tonight, so we are having leftover chicken and noodles or leftover spaghetti.

What would you eat for your last meal? I have a nervous stomach, so I bet I would skip the meal. If you didn't tell me it was my last meal and I was oblivious to the fact that I would never eat again and you told me to pick my favorite meal it would be a sushi from Sushi Loca.

What's the last thing you bought? Allergy medicine for Steve.

What are you listening to right now? The start up music to the Tony Horton 10 minute trainer DVD. I already did one session and am getting ready to do a second.

What is your favorite ice-cream flavor? Right now...rainbow sherbet. Don't ask me why.

What do you think of the person who tagged you? She has the most incredible smile. She is also one of the friendliest people I have ever met. She was kind to EVERYONE in college.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? I would have a beach house on the Oregon Coast. The side that faced the ocean would be completely made of glass. The house would also come with a magic button that you could press and all your laundry and cleaning would be done for you.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? That's not a fair question because you would have to leave after an hour!!! If I could make that hour into 10 days, it would be Bali.

Which language do you want to learn? French. We went to Paris in 2005 and it was amazing. I would love to go back and be able to speak the language.

What's your favorite quote (for now)? Hmmmm????

What is your favorite color? Red

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? My jeans. I hate that I can't wear jeans in the summer.

What is your dream job? My dream job was to be a mom. Since I have been blessed with that job, my next would be a Professional Photographer that everyone knew about and paid millions and millions of dollars for one print.

If you could go anywhere on a long vacation, where would you go? Switzerland

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on? I would spend it to make my blog into a book on http://www.blurb.com/. I keep meaning to do it, but don't want to spend the money.

Who is one historical figure you would love to meet? Joseph Smith

What are you going to do after this? My second session on 10 minute trainer.

What are your favorite movies? BBC Pride and Prejudice, Dan in Real Life

What's your favorite fruit? Blackberries right of the bush.

What inspires you? Good, down to earth people

Would you rather go out or stay at home? Depends. I enjoy going out, but I also love being at home with my family.

Polka Dots or checks? Polka Dots

What are 3 jobs you've had in your life? Teacher, Bank Teller, Cinnabon employee - and yes, I do know how to make them. I quit after 3 months because I smelled like Cinnamon and cream cheese all the time.

What are your plans for today? I get to go to a marketing group to critique toys.

I tag: Skippy, Pattie and Karen (private) (and anyone else who wants to do it)
The rules :1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add more one question of your own.2. Tag eight other people (I cheated - I only picked 3 because I need to get off the computer and don't have time to link).

New Tricks

"I am so glad Thomas moved this chair over by the counter for me. Mom is upstairs putting away laundry and I am free to do whatever!!!"

"She will never know."

"oh, you caught me!"

"What? Did I do something???"

"Look, all the donuts are still in the box...oh... pay no attention to those bite marks."

Choose your battles.

One thing I have learned since I became a mom is to choose my battles. Thomas has been testing his independence lately. This morning he was insistent on wearing a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans. I told him that it was too hot outside, but he looked outside and saw that it was cloudy and said he "HAD to wear these clothes." As we were getting ready to leave, he came into the kitchen with some extra eyes and his preschool snake around his neck like a boa. I didn't say anything and just let him get in the car. Luckily the eyes were off by the time we got to the store, but the snake made it in with us.

First Engagement Photo Shoot

Last week I was asked to take some engagement pictures for a couple that are getting married. They just got engaged this past week and are having the wedding in 3 weeks, not a lot of time to get things together. I was happy to help them out, and had a fun time doing it. The pictures turned out fairly well, I still am learning. Here were a few that I liked. Most of these have not been edited yet, so bear with me.

Also, just thought you would like to know. Bear with me means have patience with me. Bare with me means get naked with me. I just learned that tonight when I googled the correct way to spell "bear with me." I love google.

Don't yuck my yum.

"Mom, for my snack I want green olives sprinkled with cheese. 7 of them."

There is no going back now.

This morning I was eating a graham cracker with chocolate frosting on it. I'll admit it wasn't the healthiest snack, but it was good. Clara was eating just a plain ol' graham cracker and came over to see what I had. I gave her a bite and she quickly figured that I had been holding out on her.

After her nap she brought me the package of crackers. I handed her one and began to walk away. She chased me down and started grunting and jumping up and down. She then pulled me over to the silverware drawer and pointed. I knew what she wanted, I just wanted to make her work a little bit for it. I then opened the refrigerator, pulled out the can of frosting and showed it to her. She was so excited! I put a small amount on the cracker and sent her on her way.

About 5 minutes later I grabbed some laundry and was heading up stairs. She was standing at the top covered in a chocolate foo-man-cho.

As you know, I collect pictures of her covered in messes, so I had to take advantage of the opportunity and shoot away.

Some things never change.

I took this picture of Thomas almost 2 years ago. It is one of my favorites, but now I have a new favorite...

Thomas found a huge green worm today. I sacrificed some old spinach so the friendly annelid could have a nice, large home. Thomas was in awe of the little fellow.

Then it died about 3 hours later.

2/4

It's been a rough couple days around here. The last time I posted I was able to fill you in on the start of everything - the dreaded stomach flu that Clara had. I had my fingers crossed that it was something that she ate, but deep down, I knew. Thursday she was recovering and by Friday I had pretty much put everything behind us. I figured it had been 48 hours and nobody else had gotten sick. For sure we were out of the woods.

Friday I spent the whole day cleaning. My friend from college was coming to visit on Saturday. I hadn't seen her in 10 years and I was really excited. She was going to stay with me over night and we were going to have a great time reminiscing about the old 'tute days. Steve even had tickets to Barry Manalow (I am such a manaloonie - but don't tell anyone) that someone was going to give him if we wanted to go.

Then in the middle of the night, it hit. I woke up trying to convince myself that the only reason I didn't feel well was because I had eaten the double scoop B&R sundae. I got up and spent the rest of the night grateful that I had cleaned all my toilets the day before. It was rough. I was so weak the next morning I had to have Steve call and tell her she couldn't come. I was so sad.

So here it is Sunday night (I guess really Monday morning) and I am just waiting. There are still 2 people in this house who haven't gotten it. I figure if we can get through Tomorrow, we might be safe. Wish us luck.