08/31/07

I am really getting bad about posting again, huh? Sorry. It has been a crazy week trying to get ready for my surgery. In the middle of it all I have had to run errands and such in the afternoon and then grade papers at night. Back to the same old craziness. :)

Well, today is my surgery to remove that gallbladder of mine. I leave in just a bit. I know I'll be fine but I must admit I am a bit anxious. I realize this is minimal surgery but for someone who has only dealt with having her wisdom teeth out as surgery this is a big thing! ha!! I have had so many people telling me so many different stories that I have no clue as to what to it will be like... I just know the Lord is going to take care of me and I am in the palm of His hands... why should I even worry???

Steve had his 40th birthday this past Monday. I can't believe how quickly time has flown. When we met he was 23! I am just thankful I get to grow old with him... my missing parts and all. ha! I am thankful for every day God gives us together. I truly couldn't find a better man. I didn't do a huge "old" theme to celebrate his birthday... I know I'll be there in a few years!! I did take him out last night for supper with the kiddos. He chose Carrabbas and it was wonderful. I knew I needed to eat a lot since I wouldn't get to have anything today for the surgery so that was a great meal! I was glad I could take him out and do something for him since it seems he is always doing stuff for me.

You know as I said in my last post that I had to rent a 20D Canon for the shoot I did on Saturday? Well, I got it and began to learn it only to find out it also had issues with the focus points! It would do a bit different from mine where I could "focus" but it wouldn't let me take the shot because it said it wasn't focused! Then, it would lose focus when I would focus on a spot and recompose my shot. When I did the shoot for the one year old it kept on not letting me take the shot and I had to go manual! Do you know how hard it is to manually focus on a MOVING one year old??? NOT an easy task. Because of that I lost some really sweet shots of her. I was quite irritated. The good thing, though, when I talked to my pro photog. friend who helped set up the camera for me, he said he noticed those things, too, but thought maybe it was the lens he had on it. I let them know at the store where I rented it... Most people don't take time to look at all of that when they rent a camera so I figured he would need to know in case someone is like me and wanting the best possible shots.

Overall the pictures for the shoot were sweet. I got a lot more of her together with her Mom than I did of her by herself simply because of the focusing issue. I gave her the proofs on Wednesday night.

BUT, when I get home on Tuesday I had a call that MY camera had been fixed!!! I was OVERJOYED at this news and immediately went to pick it up. The camera works great now and I am so glad I got it in to get it fixed. I am also tickled pink that it was only out for a week or so! That really is unheard of apparently. What is irritating, though, is that I had just spent $90 to rent a camera that didn't give me what I needed just a day or so before... Such is life and we must move on... lol I am just so glad to have it back. I haven't had a lot of time this week to play with it because of school and preparing for surgery but I am hoping once I feel better on Sunday or Monday I can go out and start shooting some. We'll see what happens...

Well, I need to go ahead and get ready. Enjoy the pics from today.... the sunset was with my camera from the day we took Wesley to play golf. The two pics of the kids are from me trying to learn that 20D last weekend.

08/23/07

Whew...It is amazing how quickly the rest from your summer break becomes null and void! I am so tired that I feel like my body is closing in on itself. lol Geesh...

The first full week of school has been long but that is understandable seeing as we are going ALL week instead of three days like last week. It hasn't been a bad week and the kids are continuing to learn what is expected.

Wesley and Mikayla are doing GREAT in first grade. They are right where they need to be and it is wonderful seeing them continue to blossom.

Last Friday night Mikayla was supposed to have a sleepover at one of her friends houses and watch "Highschool Musical 2"... I'm going to be the first to say that we haven't even watched the first one yet and I don't really get into all of those Disney programs. I know I am in the minority here but I hear it so much from my students and it just doesn't make me want to get all giddy. (I also realize I am a 36 year old....lol) Anyway, we dropped her off at the sleepover only to get called to come back around 2 hours later because she was missing us and wanting to go home. It all boiled down to this: The girl had been up since 5:30 (when they get up to get ready for school..), was tired and couldn't handle 6 girls screaming and running up and down a house. lol I didn't blame her because I don't think I could have done it either. She was glad to be back home with us.

Before we went to pick her up, though, Steve and I went with Wesley to play golf. Wesley actually drove the cart and I got to sit next to him while Steve walked the course. We only got to go to 7 holes but it was still fun. I had an enjoyable time being driven around the course although some moments were quite interesting. I also took my camera and got a few shots and that is where these come from today. The gnats were quite annoying but it wasn't AS hot as it had been earlier in the day. When we finished up it was time to go home and then that is when we found out we needed to get Mikayla Girl.

Speaking of hot, it has been HORRIBLE here all week. On Tuesday it reached 105 degrees! We are in need of some serious rain and break from this heat. The kids can't even go out to play at school because of it. We did have some rain this morning that was a surprise and we also had a bit of a storm the other night. At this point we are thankful for anything.

Last Saturday I had to take my camera to get fixed. I am SO lost without it. My focus points were not working as they should and I decided to get it done before my warranty ran out! I won't get it back for 3-4 weeks and I am having a hard time with that!! This coming Saturday I am doing a shoot for a one year old (our Youth Pastor's little girl... her one year pics) and am having to rent a camera. I am so thankful I can rent the camera but bummed I can't use my own. lol I am whining and may continue to whine some until I get it back!!! The good thing about renting one, though, is I'll try out a 20D (camera term for an upper level camera from the one I have) and I am excited about that. I am looking forward to playing around with it this weekend.

Well, I must go read to the kids and pass out on the couch after they go to bed. Steve is playing golf late tonight so I won't see him till after 9:00. He is also working all night tomorrow night so I have two nights without him. :(

Off to read.. have a great day. :)

08/15/07

Have I shown this one before? I just can't remember... I took this one in the middle of the summer at Mom's house. I love how the background is blurred that you can't tell what is behind it. These are the kinds of pictures that make me all giddy. lol There is not much around here to photograph anymore with temps in the upper 90's low 100's. It was horrible today and it supposed to be bad again tomorrow. I am so ready for the Lord to send us some rain. He knows best, though.

We started back to school today. Wow, has it been a busy one. The day went well over all. Wesley and Mikayla were pretty tickled to be in first grade. I think in some ways it was a relief to them to finally be moving on... I am overwhelmed at the moment with all that they need to be working on with homework. It will be interesting coming home from teaching all day and doing the homework that they are expected to do. Don't get me wrong... I am all about learning but I just know my tank is empty at the end of the day and I am not looking forward to it all at the moment. I told Steve he was going to have to help me more with it this year. I feel kind of like a kid in college again when they get their syllabus that first day in class and see what is expected the entire year. I remember that "choking" feeling in my throat all too well. lol It will be fine, I know, and I just keep telling me the Lord will get us through it.

I am teaching the class of kids that was Wesley and Mikayla's first Kindergarten year. That is actually kind of weird for me. I see most of these kids and realize my kids are OLDER than they are but they are a grade behind. These are the moments I hate in a way, but I will never regret that we held them back. It truly made them better students. They will do so much better this year because of it... It will be funny to see these kids learn about me as the teacher and not just the kids Mommy. :)

This is a cute story about something Mikayla said to me the other night. We had a guy come to school and talk about evangelism and how we can share the Lord with other people. He made a very valid point that really hit home with me that when we share Christ we need to understand there is a "line" of people that God uses to bring someone to Him. Let's say it is a line of 27 people. We need to understand that when we are witnessing to someone we may be number 5 in that line of 27 and we may never see the end result until Heaven. That was so important for me to hear because I have witnessed to many people before and never gotten responses back but it may be that I am just number 12 or 24 but not the "27"...

Anyway, thinking on that, when I read the kids their Bible story the other night I was talking with them about how we need to tell others about Jesus. Mikayla said that she doesn't think she can do that because she is shy and doesn't want to hurt people's feelings. (That is so like her.) I told her that we have to talk with Jesus and He will show us or help us know what we need to say to others that will be a witness. She said "But I don't understand God." When she said that, the first thing that popped in my head was "OH MY... how, theologically, can I help her with this!!? Again, I am thinking like an adult and not a child in this.. I asked her what she was meaning and she said "God talks in thunder and I don't know how to speak thunder!!" Oh, the thoughts and simpleness of a child!!! I didn't quite know how to respond to such a simple explanation. Here I was wanting to spout off all of this knowledge to help her and all she meant was she thought God spoke through the thunder and she didn't speak that "language!" Ha! Doesn't that just make you smile, though?

I am so overwhelmed at the moment with so many "things" going on that I am missing my photography already. I know in the next little bit I will not have time to really focus on it and that bothers me. I know once things calm down it will be better but it is bad when you are loving teaching and wanting to photograph all at the same time. lol

Oh...did I ever say that I am definitely getting my gallbladder out? I double-checked with the surgeon's office yesterday and it is scheduled for Friday, August 31. I am ready to be rid of the nagging pain and irritation it causes me but not truly ready to have the surgery! This will be the first time I have ever had anything like this so it is a bit unnerving. I know I will be fine because the Lord is with me... it is just that unknown road that I have never been down before! I am doing it on that Friday so I can just be off one day and then have the weekend and Labor Day before I go back to school on Tuesday. From what I have been told by others who have had the surgery I should be fine by then.

Well, I need to get to bed. It has been a long time since 5:00 and I know it will come again rather quickly. I thank the Lord for a good first day of school and I pray tomorrow will be wonderful as well.

08/12/07

I took this at Charlotte last weekend. It is hard to believe a week ago we were there. In fact, at the time I am writing this we were getting on the train to come back home! I just thought it was pretty so I took the picture. lol

I didn't realize it had been a week since I had posted! I was so busy early last week getting things finalized before I had to go back to school... and then school started for me. I am amazed at how quickly summer flew by. I kept telling myself last Wednesday on the way to work "My summer is OVER??!!" I had gotten back into the swing of things, though, and it will all be fine. The kids come back on Wednesday for the first day of school. We'll see how the first week turns out. :)

Wesley and Mikayla know who they have as a teacher and are excited. They don't have a lot of their best buddies in their class, though, but it will enable them to make new friends. They had sleepovers last week with a couple of their best buds and really enjoyed themselves. I am glad they can have that fun.

I have been showing everyone my portfolio I have made of some of my pictures. I have even had some people tell me they want me to take their family pictures. That is pretty exciting. I did do the photographs of the family that bought my photography session at the auction. I gave them their proofs on Friday. I met my photog. friend again yesterday and showed him my portfolio and all... he continues to give me great tips and things to work on. I told him he needs to give me "homework assignments" so I don't lose what he has taught me through this last month! He said he would go out with me again to shoot and I am tickled about that. I truly am thankful that the Lord let me meet him because he has helped me so much. All of life is learning, though.

It has been SO HOT around here. Yesterday and today were better but this past week was HORRIBLE. The humidity was awful even late in the evening. Today has been hot but not humid and that has been a nice break. Steve keeps saying he isn't ready for winter but he surely is ready for fall!!

We are still having issues with flies. Steve killed 12 this morning! They are annoying and quite ridiculous this year... not sure what the problem is.

Well, off to find something for my children to have for supper. Enjoy your day and thank the Lord for all He has given you!

08/06/07

The trip to Charlotte was great! We got back late last night but it was a really nice weekend.

We left early Saturday morning to get on the train. It was a neat experience and the train ride overall was nice. It was supposed to take us 3 hours to get to Charlotte but because of several delays it took us over 4! That would not have been too bad if our train car had not been so COLD!! The one we rode in on the way back was much better. I was about to freeze and had to keep cuddling with Wesley to warm me up. lol

When we got to Charlotte we took a taxi into the city to our hotel. We stayed within walking distance of everything and it was so nice. I had a great time trying to photograph city things. I wanted to do more but there wasn't enough time or ability to do that. I managed a few and these are some I have posted today.

We saw The Lion King on Saturday afternoon and it was as awesome the second time as it was the first time. The kids and Mom and Daddy really loved it, too. It made me tear up again... something about that play does that. I noticed Mom wiped a few tears away as well. Makes me wonder if it is a "woman" thing. lol

After we saw the play we officially checked into our hotel and then went to eat at a local restaurant. This restaurant was FABULOUS. It is called Ratcliffe on the Green. I had shrimp and grits again but I tasted some of Steve's pork chop and it was beyond words it was so good! My shrimp and grits were awesome as well. We even got to meet the head chef/owner. It was just one of those places where you get awesome service and feel appreciated for being in their place.

Once we walked around a local park next to the restaurant and it was beautiful. Charlotte really is a clean city. I was surprised actually but it was a nice experience walking around that evening. The skyscrapers are quite amazing... nothing like that in Raleigh. Of course, I am NOT putting down Raleigh because I love our city the way it is. It was just a different way about it. Reminded me more of a very mini New York City the way the skyscrapers were.

Sunday we walked around a while again and then went to The Discovery Place. It was like our Museum of Life and Science and was a great place to interact with the machines and learning about the body. We had a lot of fun. Here is a picture of me using the pulley system. That was comical. We then had to go back to the train station to catch the train back home. I'm really glad we were able to go. :)

I had to do a few things at school today. I told myself I wasn't going until I HAD to go but I just keep thinking of things I need to do. ... such is life, huh? I feel better about having some of those things out of the way, though.

Well, off to read to the kids. Yes, Steve is working late again tonight. :(

08/03/07

Another Friday is here... my last "free" Friday before school begins. Ho hum... We cleaned today and the kids worked hard for me. I also went to school this afternoon to do a few things and they helped me there. I really appreciated them doing that. Of course, they didn't have a choice but they didn't give me "tudes" either. :)

I couldn't resist the picture for today since I am talking about my kiddos a lot. lol This picture just HAS to make you laugh. I took it at the park the other day and let them goof around a minute. Wesley's facial expressions kill me sometimes. Mikayla is too "shy" sometimes to give me goofy on camera. lol She just likes to be all sweet.

Wesley has always been fascinated with creatures since he was old enough to know about them. I have really enjoyed watching him watch the critters! Yesterday he called me out in the garage to see a dragonfly that really was beautiful... it was a neon green and black on its abdomen. He hunched over it and was talking to me about how pretty the details of this dragonfly were. I am continually amazed by what that child notices. Bless his heart, though, sometimes he doesn't even see what is right in front of him because of it. That is also a bit of being a "boy." He found a frog the other day... one I had never seen before. We found out today it was a digging frog by the way it looked. He kept it overnight... not a good idea for a frog. The next morning he was quite stiff from being dead. lol Wesley couldn't understand how he "froze" in the night. LOL Poor frog. You can't say the frog wasn't loved, though!!

He lost his third tooth a few minutes ago. I just cannot pull teeth... Steve is working late again so I am having to cheer on my son to pull his own tooth. lol He did it, though and was cracking me up crossing his eyes and trying to open his mouth bigger so he could see his missing tooth area!

Mikayla, on the other hand, is not as detail oriented but, boy, can that girl get something done. LOL She was helping me with the books at school today and that girl was on the money! She was even telling Wesley he wasn't giving all he could have... he was distracted by the pictures on some of the books... go figure. lol I just watched her and was totally amazed that at her age she could "run" the show of what I needed her to do. My children are amazing to watch and they can crack me up and drive me crazy all at the same time. I guess that is normal. lol

My gallbladder results came back that my gallbladder is working "normally"... just 5 % above failing. Doesn't sound like it is working all that normally to me! I am going to a surgeon to get a second opinion. My doctor seems to think I am having anxiety... uh, no. Stress will be starting back soon, yes, but anxiety... no. I have experienced that before and I know what it is like. You don't have anxiety attacks when you eat mayonnaise or eat cheese. lol My doctor wants me to start yet another medication for the stomach... I just don't want to be a walking medicine shelf for that area of my body. I already take enough stuff. lol We'll see what the surgeon says next week. Of course, he may tell me I am losing it, too. he heee

We are leaving bright and early in the morning to ride the train to Charlotte (about 3 hours away) to see The Lion King. We are all quite excited. I am very excited for the kids to be able to see this play. It is awesome and if you have never seen it I highly recommend it!! We will come back late Sunday night. This is the last part of our birthday vacation my brother planned this year. :) It will be fun to ride the train with the kids. I will definitely take my camera!

Steve is working late again and I guess I need to get in there and see what the kids will want for supper. We ate a big lunch with him today (thank goodness so the kids could see him a little bit today) so I am not terribly hungry... I will probably just fix the kids something and eat an apple. lol

Have a super weekend! I'll post about the play and all when I return!