I am done...

I have officially completed all of the wedding editing that needed to happen. I have taken down all of the Christmas decorations inside of the house. I am so looking forward to just getting a grip on my house again! I look forward to spending some time with one of my sister's missionary companions this week. I am also really looking forward to starting the Book of Mormon again. What a great challenge given to us from the Relief Society! Looking forward to what 2010 will bring!

For Sale

#1: Nikon D300 Body $1100

#2: Nordic Track CX 998 Elliptical $350

If interested, please let me know! Thanks!

The Before and The After

So this photo took me over 2 hours to edit, but I saw the potential in it and I love the end result. Now let's just hope that the bride does as well!

To Shoot or Not to Shoot ... That is THE Question

As many of you know, I have 4 very young children who are very close in age. Just how close...9 months between the first two, 14 months between the next one, and 15 months between the last two. Yes you read that correctly there is not even a 2 year gap between all three of my older children. Oh and did I mention that the oldest is only 5? As you can imagine or may even know things around here can get pretty hectic and simply ridiculous at times.

Just over two years ago I took a huge leap of faith and opened my own photography business. I have loved it as it provides me with an opportunity to get out of the house and let my creativity flow. Not to mention the amazing moments that I have been involved in and the incredible people that I have the chance to meet. However, so much is going on at home from just the everyday upkeep to trying to get two kiddos ready to start kindergarten, to potty training, and so on and so on that I strongly feel that something has to give. I absolutely LOVE photography and am truly going to miss it. However, I have waited to be a mother for so long and this dream is here and is now. I do not want to regret anything in life especially when it comes to raising my children. I love them so dearly and the time is just flying by.

So I have prayed about this decision and feel that I need to let the photography go. It is so time consuming from the shoot which usually takes about 4 hours including all the preparing, driving, and the shoot itself. And then there is editing. Oh my how that can go on and on. I haven't even mentioned the "business" aspect of it all. Don't get me wrong it is all a beautiful thing but there truly is a time and a place for everything including talents and/or hobbies. Right now my time should be and needs to be devoted to my beautiful family.

Thank you all so much for your trust and support. This decision has not been an easy one but I know it is for the best right now for me and my family.

Kohl's * Kohl's * Kohl's

If you need pillow Kohl's has them on sale...usually $9.99 each and they are only $3.49!

A Sad (in a good way) / Memorable Day

Today is Gage's 2nd birthday! I cannot believe it. Where on earth has the time gone? I cannot say what a surprise this child was and how extremely grateful I am for this little miracle. I remember when we got the phone call...Lonnie and I knew that the birth mom was pregnant again (not like that was anything new) and we had already decided that if we were asked that there was no way we would be able to handle another one. Well, when we were getting ready one day CPS called and said that mom had a little boy and they needed to know that day whether we wanted him. Oh no. Lonnie gave me a look that I don't think I've ever seen before. I think he was a little bit disappointed in CPS for even calling. Anyhow we went on with our day/morning and Lonnie looks over and says if I can name him we will take him! What?!! So that was it. It was a done deal. Not really. We prayed really fast and felt very strongly that we needed to take this child. Seriously? How on earth was I going to do this. I already had three little ones, my sister was getting ready to leave on her mission and Lonnie would soon be starting the Police Academy. Heavenly Father knows everything. Gage has been the best baby ever and so content! He also sent my parents to help out soo much during those trying times.

I remember driving with my sister to go down to the hospital to pick him up when he was just 3 days old. (sorry, fighting back tears now). She stayed in the care with the other kiddos and I went in. I told them who I was and who I was there for. It was so weird. They said wash your hands mom and you can hold your baby. When I first saw him I thought no way! How precious and he is all mine. No visitations, no "bonding" with the birth mom. HE IS MINE! He was so hairy and tiny, but oh so perfect! When I got him to the car my sister thought that he looked like a little old man (small eyes, hairy, and wrinkly). Mason just looked at him and knew that that was his brother. It was a great confirmation that we had made the right choice.

Now, 2 extremely quick years later and I am still so in love with this little guy. How could you not be? From his gorgeous curly locks, to his deep old man voice, to his sweet personality and so much more. I am thankful to be the mother of this amazing little one and I cannot wait to see what the future has for this little guy! I love you so much Gage Anthony. Happy Birthday!!

How Babies Get Into a Mommy's Tummy

Heavenly Father puts them in our mouths and then they fall to our bellies.  (according to Michelle)  Another quick funny thing she always says when I put lotion on her is mom, don't I want to be brown.  I think we are in for some fun times down the road explaining things to our children!

wii did it

Lonnie's birthday was yesterday and was really fun.  We didn't do a lot but just got to hang out together.  For Christmas we also decided that we were going to buy a wii for the family.  We have been putting it off for a while now just because we weren't sure if we wanted to add another distraction to things that really matter most in life.  However, we thought that this would provide a great opportunity for more family time.  We will never have any violent games though or it is gone!  We have games like Guitar Hero, Deal or No Deal, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, and so on.  The kids and I got guitar hero for Lonnie's birthday and you guessed it we could not wait until Christmas to get out the wii.  So we had some fun last night and are enjoying it.  The kids like it too!  

The Lucky Number is 5

Teaching my children manners is a top priority to me.  There are so many people out there who do not use them and I swore my family would not fit into this category.  So after years of saying, "what to you say" and "because we need to be respectful" I think that at least one child is getting it now without having to be prompted!!  Miss Michelle has really matured a lot lately.  I am so proud of her and yet it makes me so sad to see just how fast she is growing up!  She honestly has been the perfect child for about a week now and I am loving all of the tender moments!  I think one of the cutest things she said was when I was tucking her in bed the other night.  I told her that she was such a good girl that day and how happy that made me and her daddy.  She said yeah, I want to be a good girl lots of days so I can go to kindergarten!  Hey whatever motivation works! I love you my sweet beautiful Michelle!

too good to be true?

Almost!  I was looking through adds yesterday and Albertsons is having a sale on flour.  Here's the deal it is Pillsburry Flour, the 5 pound bag for $1.  This is crazy good!  In fact when I went shopping yesterday the everyday low price at Wal Mart was $2.38.  So to say that this is a good deal is an understatement!  There also is an explanation on homework for shopping over here!

Okay...here are some more!

My Favorite So Far...

This photo describes exactly how our attempt at family photos went tonight!  Thanks Amy for putting up with us!

Do you have a garage door opener in your car...

and do you also have a GPS system?  If so be careful.  I guess that a new thing is happening where people will go to an event that you are at (say a football game) break into your car and check the GPS system for "home".  They then will drive to your home and they have the garage door opener right there and will invade your home and steal your goods.  And because they have an idea as to how long you will be at the football game they know how long they have, approximately, until you get home.  So change your "home" address on your GPS to a nearby gas station or grocery store. That way when you need your GPS to get you home you will know how to get home from that location.  Just be careful out there!

Fry's Specials

This is the last day for some amazing deals at Fry's.  I just went and bought 6 types of items and spent $45.01 and saved $71.56.  (Remember this is without any coupons.  I know you can save even more but frankly I don't have the time for that.)  I didn't need any off it.  But man when they are giving it away might as well stock up!

Also if you can try to set aside some money for food storage as a lot of the "basics" (i.e. flour, sugars, baking goods) go on sale during the holidays and it is a great time to stock up!

Halloween 2009

The children had so much fun this year!  It was so neat to see the older two actually understand what it is all about!  Michelle went as Princess Belle.  Mason went as a Brasilian Soccer Player. Saige went as Princess Cinderella.  Gage went as a lion.  They were all so cute!  We went to Grandma and Grandpa Durham's trunk or treat on Thursday night and Grandma and Grandpa Moffitt's on Friday night.  On actual Halloween night Lonnie had to work and the kids and I stayed home.  It was a good night until we got egged.  Oh joy!  Not!  Anyhow it was a fun holiday and I'm excited for the others that are coming soon!!

Update

There is some good news that came out of the appointment today and that is that the doctor doesn't think that there is anything wrong with Mason.  He did order an MRI and some blood work to be done.  So I guess that we will see the results of that when they come in.  I did get a referral to a developmental pediatrician, which I think will be helpful as well.  I started thinking today that because he has been given the diagnosis of ADHD and they have been wanting to medicate him that perhaps they are wanting to see how he reacts to the medications before saying that there is anything else going on as well.  Who knows...  We still have our appointment with Dr. K over at Arizona's Children in the middle of December.  We will probably start him on medication, which we are a lot more comfortable with.  Not exactly excited about it but I do feel that it is time to see if medication will make his quality of life a little bit better. 

Thank you all for your support.  We really do appreciate all of the love and help we get from each of you.  Mason is such an amazing young boy and we are eternally grateful to have him in our family.  I love this little man more than words can say and I would not change him or our circumstances for anything.  So, the answer is NO, for those of you out there who have asked "don't you want to trade him in for a better model".  No I love Mason the way Mason is.  But yes, I would like to trade you in for a better model!  Ha!  People are amazing with what they will say.  Oh well.  Their loss on missing out on such a joyous little angel!

On another note we went to Lonnie's parents trunk or treat this evening and I could not have asked for better behaved children!  I am so proud of each one of them.  They use their manners so well!  Sometimes I truly wonder what I did to deserve to be entrusted with such beautiful and amazing little beings.  I love this "job" of being a mom.  What greater blessing is there out thee?  What greater reward than seeing your children happy is there?  I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to be a mother! 

A Big Day

Today is a big day for us.  Mason finally gets to go see the neurologist.  We are praying that we can find some answers and possibly get a diagnosis.  Truthfully a lot is riding on this appointment so we are kind of nervous.  Wish us luck!

pure joy ...

I love photographing new babies!  They are so pure and precious! 

Whole Wheat Recipes

I have been trying to use my food storage items more and in particular my wheat.  So this morning I made whole wheat blender pancakes, whole wheat bread, and am now making whole wheat cookies.  Shh...don't tell the kids or Lonnie that they are make with wheat flour!  If you and your family are just starting to use whole wheat introduce it slowly.  We have been eating the whole wheat bread for quite a while now.  Anyhow, here are the recipes...

Whole Grain Blender Pancakes

1          cup milk

1 1/4   cups wheat kernels, whole and uncooked

2          eggs

2          teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2   teaspoons salt

2          tablespoons oil

2 1/2   tablespoons honey or sugar 

Put milk and wheat kernels in blender.  Blend on highest speed for 4-5 minutes or until batter is smooth.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Blend on low.  Cook pancakes as normal.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

1           cup butter, softened

3/4      cup white sugar

1           cup brown sugar

2          eggs

1           teaspoon vanilla

3           cups wheat flour

3/4      teaspoon salt

3/4      teaspoon baking soda

1           12-ounce bag chocolate chips

Cream together butter, sugars, and vanilla.  Add flour, salt and baking soda.  Beat well.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop onto cookie sheet by tablespoons.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.  

* If you use all wheat flour you can tell, next time I will probably do half and half.

Down on the farm!

Yesterday I spent some time with Saige, Gage, Kristen and my mom.  It was so much fun to just hang out for a little while.  We took them to a local farm and then did some shopping and got some grub!  Saige really enjoyed the farm, however, Gage didn't as much as we thought he would.  Oh well.  We tried!  Thanks mom and Kristen for a fun day!

{Camping}

Lonnie and I adventured out into the deep dark woods with Michelle and Mason for a couple of nights.  It was fun and the kids really enjoyed it.  It was so nice to get away from it all. Although I did miss my warm house.  During the day it was about 55 degrees.  Heaven only knows how cold it got at night.  Here are the two happy campers!

...and the "little couple" as Aunt Kristen calls them.

I love this next one of Mason he was looking at the smoke. 

 and then he saw the camera!

Here's what you get when you ask Michelle for a silly face...

These next two are priceless to Lonnie and I.

Michelle and Mason were big helpers by throwing wood into the fire!

We went for a little walk in the meadow that our campground backed up to.  

Michelle just had to have a picture by the "net" aka the tent.

Lonnie picked a great location to camp.  It actually bordered an area where the Rodeo/Chediski fire came up to.  It was sad to see all of the devastation.  It was still pretty nonetheless.  

While sleeping we got to hear this beautiful river flowing.  So relaxing.

Thank you to Jenni, Kristen, mom and dad for helping out with Saige and Gage!  We appreciate it!