A Mixed Up Momma

Terrific Kid

2009-10-30T12:30:00.002-05:00

Here's my Stephen...he won Terrific Kid at his school for the month of October. They base the winner each month on a different positive characteristic. He won for being "enthusiastic". Yes, yes he is.

2009-10-30T11:57:00.003-05:00

So it's pumpkin carving time, and trick-or-treating is tomorrow. The boys will be a transformer and a storm trooper. Good times.

The pregnancy is going well. My next visit with my mid-wife is on Wednesday...I'll be 11 weeks and we're hoping to hear the heartbeat then. I've been feeling rather sick over the past month or so, which is not at all how I felt with the boys! A young chick told me the other day that it's probably because I'm "older" this time. Gee, thanks.

Finally!

2009-09-28T08:43:00.002-05:00

It's official...I'm due in late May! So, after years of pleading with God and my husband to let me have just one more baby I can finally say that I'm pregnant! I'm 6 weeks along tomorrow, and my first appointment with my midwife is today.

Christian's First T-ball Trophy

2009-08-01T12:59:00.002-05:00

My big guy getting his first trophy...he was super proud! :)

Christian's T-ball Team

2009-07-25T12:23:00.002-05:00

...after a game today that gungy attended with us. :) Go Redsox!

Catching Up

2009-07-19T13:48:00.004-05:00

I haven't written anything here in ages...life is good. This summer has been fantastic. My boys are growing like weeds. We were looking into adopting a daughter from China, but it seems that's just not going to be the direction God's going to take us after all. It's a long story, but as of now I believe we're going to just try and conceive instead. I've wanted another baby for over 2 years, and it looks like I might finally get one. That's great news, but I'd be a big fat liar if I said I didn't care what the sex was. I want a daughter. God knows best though, and it's all in his hands. So, with that said, I should be updating far more often since this new journey in our lives has begun. Stephen starts first grade in less than a month, and Christian has just one more year until K5. Above are a few recent photos of the boys.

Stephen's K5 Graduation

2009-05-27T13:02:00.004-05:00

Stephen "graduated" from K5 today. We were so proud! :-)

Our First Trip Alone in 6 Years! Downtown Charleston SC

2009-03-26T13:03:00.005-05:00

This place has the BEST She-Crab soup I've EVER had!!

Mike on the Battery

Burial place of Edgar Allen Poe's Annabelle Lee

Cooper River Bridge

Downtown Charleston from the Harbor

Harbor Cruise boat we took

Upper terrace of our inn

The Inn where we stayed

We had a great time, but it was over too soon! We took the trip to celebrate our 9th anniversary! Happy Day! :-)

Boudoir Baby!

2009-02-28T15:32:00.005-05:00

So after being prompted by a friend (thanks, Heather), I've decided to try my hand at Boudoir Photography. My first shoot was a week ago, and I'm very happy with the results. Here are a few that I know the gals won't mind if I share. The idea is classy and elegant, fun and flirty with a touch a sex appeal. I think it's going to be a lot of fun! The pictures are a great idea for new brides or for ladies to give their husbands as a surprise gift on his birthday, valentine's day or their anniversary!

Bridal Shoot

2009-02-06T22:52:00.008-05:00

Thank you, Ashley!

Maternity shoot - my favorites!

2009-01-31T22:51:00.005-05:00

Shannon and Jason, thank you so much! It was such a pleasure working with you!!

Interesting site

2009-01-30T16:30:00.001-05:00

I was researching color and light when I came across this site...pretty interesting, if you're in to this sort of thing!

http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/

Lois, Randy and Baby Rhett - 18 month photos

2009-01-28T13:21:00.002-05:00

Thanks again, ya'll! I love you beautiful people!

Baking, Swinging and Eating Sweets!

2009-01-20T10:41:00.003-05:00

Christian takes a shower...

2009-01-06T19:15:00.003-05:00

What is it about a three year old in the shower that I find hilarious? Could it be that he could hardly reach the soap? Or maybe the fact that he spent most of the time sitting on the floor? Don't know...it's just the image that's so darn cute. I had to grab the camera.

2009 already!?

2009-01-01T16:58:00.005-05:00

I'm absolutely not going to make a list of resolutions I can't keep. I do that every single year knowing full well I'm not going to follow through. This year I'm going to make a few that I'll actually want to keep. Easy stuff... forget about the exercise and weight loss! What I really want to do is this:

Take more pictures. I want to be seen more often with my camera in hand. I want to take pictures just for the sake of it, and I want to get my name out there a bit more and pick up with the business side of things.

Read more...Bible, novels, photography books, etc. Anything I can get my hands on.

Finally, I'm going to make more "me time". I'm going to spend more time in the tub and going out with friends. I'm going to bake more and put flowers on my kitchen table more often. I'm going to be nicer to myself. That's important.

So there you have it...not a single word about getting in shape or going to bed earlier or eating right. That's just not what I'm going to bother with this time. Maybe next year.

2008 was great. I'm not going to list every event, but it was a blessed year. I'm looking forward to '09 and believe that God's blessings are upon it.

Happy New Year!

The photos are of today and last night - Stephen and Christian, my sweet niece Princess Ryleigh and a friends daughter, Chloe.

Christmas Pictures

2008-12-26T22:21:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-25T18:59:00.002-05:00

It's been a wonderful day...Stephen woke me this morning with a kiss and a soft "Merry Christmas Momma". It put a smile one my face even before my eyes were open. Gifts were exchanged, the living room floor disappeared, and my mom, dad, brother and Ry came over for a breakfast which I must say was marvelous.

Off to Mike's parents and more gifts exchanged. Then it was off to my Gungy's house, and the time spent with family was priceless. We got home and I took a nap. That in itself made for a wonderful day!

To top it all off we found a 40 dollar gift card we thought we lost and I didn't receive a single gift that I didn't absolutely love, but after all the glitz and hoopla, we have to remember that the real and most perfect gift was given in a manger so long ago. That's what this day was all about. The tinsel and lights were nice, but Jesus Christ is the reason for the season and the reason why I smile today.

Happy birthday Jesus!

More Holiday Happenings

2008-12-16T18:53:00.005-05:00

This year I said to myself, "self, you're not allowed to busy yourself this season like you did last year. Just enjoy it." So far I've listened to myself. Here are some recent family shots...most are Christmas related, some are just, well, extra.

Indescribable God!

2008-12-07T13:27:00.004-05:00

Watch this...Watch this...Watch this...Seriously, put the kids down for a nap, make the time, and watch this from start to finish (I have them in order). It's AWESOME! Share it with everyone you know!

Family Snaps

2008-12-01T17:38:00.008-05:00

Stephen hung ornaments for almost 2 whole hours. He had so much fun! Christian hung about 10 in the same spot and was done!

Go Power Ranger in your cool underwear!

Pumpkin Pie!

The sweet and adorable Princess Ryleigh Ward, my wonderful niece. :) This kid gets more and more beautiful every day I tell you!

My brother...well, at least his daughter is cute...

Gungy and Granny...

yes, yes, I know...did I have anything to do with this kid? That's his daddy's guts! What did Mike do, spit that one out?! I've heard it all.

Christian can only stick his tongue out in pictures these days. He thinks he's so funny.

I'm ahead of the game this year! I'm almost already done with my shopping and the tree is up! Way to go! :-)

I'm so looking forward to Christmas. The older the kids get the more fun I seem to have!

So here's what I'm thankful for...Obviously Jesus and my family, but I'm going to make my list a little different this year. Here's the stuff that makes me happy...

*Candles that smell like Christmas.
*My big beautiful Tree.
*My new Christmas CD and my Lionel Richie love songs CD that I found in the attic while I was looking for the Christmas lights.
*Bath and Body Works sweet cinnamon pumpkin body scrub.
*Chocolate
*Pumpkin bread (hint hint)
*my camera
*new clothes
*Burt's Bee's tinted lip shine - it has peppermint oil in it. Yum!
*reading
*My niece Ryleigh makes me so happy!
*movies. I love movies.
*Buying and hiding presents for the boys.
*Bath time...for me - not them...

Hmmmmm...that gives me an idea! I'm off to hit the tub! :)

Shop Shop Shop!

2008-11-29T08:51:00.005-05:00

Thursday was nice. I love Thanksgiving!

Friday...well, let's see...I was up at 7:30 - nothing out of the ordinary. We were out of the door at 8:30, my mom and me...

8:35 - we stopped for some mocha iced coffee...I loved it, mom said it wasn't sweet enough...off to pick up Granny.

9:10 - We've got Granny...I'm in the back seat, and it's off to the mall!

9:40 - Parking place?? We can't park here! Isn't this illegal? So what!

"OK Granny...do you have your cell just in case we get separated??" "Yes! I've got my cell!"

10:00 JC Penney - Have you seen Granny? No. Did we lose her already!? Yes.

10:10 - We call Granny. Oops. forgot to mention to her that she ought to turn her phone on! What to do? Shop.

10:30ish (I'm starting to lose track of time) The mall is packed. Granny could be anywhere. We hit a toy store. I make a purchase for my mom, friend, and neice. Mom buys something for my uncle. Who says toys are just for kids?

11:00 - about 1:30 - We stumble about aimlessly looking for a lost Granny making absent minded purchases as we go. Why won't she turn on her cell??!

About 1:45 - Finally!! Her phone magically begins to ring! We finally locate Granny! We're a bit peeved...

Around 2:00 - Granny buys us each a sweater...no longer peeved with Granny.

So we shop a bit more and take Granny home...Are we done? No way! We're just getting started!

It's off to Ross and Target...about 10 purchases later we're headed home!

Mike calls while we're on the way...He's had the kids all day! I'll be there soon honey...

6:30 - I'm home. Tired and my feet are killing me! Not to mention I lost both of my contacts during the day and my head is spinning...

What an adventure!

Not done...

Off to a birthday party!

Home.

Kids to bed.

Back in the car at 10:30 PM. I must find those toys the boys want!

10:35 - Wal-mart. Toy section...drat! I can only find one. Oh well. There's always tomorrow.

Home. Shower.

11:30 - Bed!

It's going to be a great holiday season! :)

Sugar and Spice

2008-11-26T22:34:00.005-05:00

The beautiful Miss Jayden and Miss Zada! Aren't they adorable?!

Thanks Charelene and Jessica!

These gorgeous tutu's are so elegant and well made!! And the best part is that they're affordable! Just in time for Christmas!!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=427931329&MyToken=fd5f186f-edb9-494a-835e-c35299e61617

(I know, I know...just cut and paste, OK?) ;)

Thanks for letting me share these, Lori...I really love them...

2008-11-22T21:17:00.003-05:00

I love these people...

I took these in Lori's living room using her back drops and by an open window which she thought would be a great spot. She was totally right!

I wish I could show you some of Lori's own work. She's really a great photographer herself! We've been doing some work together lately, and that's been a lot of fun!

I haven't done one of these in a while...

2008-11-15T20:36:00.003-05:00

Just for Crystal... (even though her last comment to me was that I look great for being 30) ;)

What would you be if you could be ...

A Vegetable: A skinny carrot
An Animal: Cat
A Fruit: Something skinny
A Color: Green
A Household Object: Don't know, but nothing that has anything to do with cleaning...maybe the kitchen table.
Article of Clothing: A Sweater
A Drink: Water
A Cartoon Character: Sandy
A Car: Don't know?
A City: Charleston
A Country: USA
A Mythical Creature: I'm diggin' that too Crystal...Pegasus
A Chocolate Bar: 3 Musketeers (did I spell that right?)
A Book: Bible
A Sport: Sleeping...oh no, wait...
A Word: Yes

Do this Heather.