Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Fluidity Bar
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Date Night with our Teenager!
Steve and I took Blake on a date night last night. We had a great time. We ate at one of those places where they cook in front of you. He's only been there once-so it was a treat for him.
Thanks Blake for a great date!
As for me I am still unpacking. I think it is taking me as long to unpack and catch up with the laundry than we actually stayed. It seems that I keep getting side track or have to run an errand, but I did get my door fixed in the van so now we can open both doors again! And some how Andrew managed to talk steve and I into getting text messaging!
Hopefully my pictures will follow. My Mac crashed again yesterday. I have a new laptop coming for work but for now I am sweating it. Ugh....
Oh and Cynthia found a way to make the header on some paint software. I used photoshop deluxe. I am not sure what software she has to paint but I don't have it. She says it is really easy-details under her blog!
Thanks Blake for a great date!
As for me I am still unpacking. I think it is taking me as long to unpack and catch up with the laundry than we actually stayed. It seems that I keep getting side track or have to run an errand, but I did get my door fixed in the van so now we can open both doors again! And some how Andrew managed to talk steve and I into getting text messaging!
Hopefully my pictures will follow. My Mac crashed again yesterday. I have a new laptop coming for work but for now I am sweating it. Ugh....
Oh and Cynthia found a way to make the header on some paint software. I used photoshop deluxe. I am not sure what software she has to paint but I don't have it. She says it is really easy-details under her blog!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Printing the Blog
Just wanted to let you know in case you didn't-I found a great website that publishes your blogs. It actually uploads your blog right to their website. You can go in and add stuff or take away as well as pictures. I had one printed last night for 2007. I only had Oct.-Dec. of 2007 but I wanted to go ahead and print it for our journal of 2007...seems like if I try to back track I don't do well. So for a hard bound copy I paid $40.00. I am not sure of the quality but I will know next week.
http://www.blurb.com
http://www.blurb.com
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
We're Home!
Caroline got almost everything for Christmas EXCEPT she said she forgot to ask Santa for her two front teeth!

We just got home from a fun filled week of adventure. We started the week with a trip to the cabins with my family. My folks arrange and do all the work for a weekend trip around the holidays every year for our family. Even though it is just my brother and I...it is so hard to get together. I guess maybe because we have 10 kids between us!


We got in on Friday. The Hale's were coming from the beach and we were planning to leave the cabin and head straight to GA so we all had completely full vehicles. The kids didn't want to wait so we opened gifts after dinner.
Sat. we had a family game of basketball and some other game I can't remember. Next lunch and hang out time. All the kids were linking together their hand held game things! They thought it was so cool! I actually thought it was neat too! Then we did some family pictures without the parents. So Nana and Papa with the 10 kids.

We had a great time visiting with our family. The kids loved it. I think Papa felt ok. I am sure we totally exhaust him but he always keeps really good fun spirits.
Thanks Nana and Papa for a fun week-end


Lucy trying to show her sweet face!

We left the cabins on Sunday and drove down to Atlanta for Zach's mission farewell and to bring in the New Year with the Solomon's
Sunday night was the mission farewell. Cheryl and Donnie opened their home to friends and family to say good bye to zach who will be leaving next week for Africa.
Aunt Chrys decorated the table and food. She has an amazing knack to put things together.






We have a family tradition to bring the New Years in with the Solomon's. I can't remeber how many years it has been...but a lot! The guys always go out and grab lots of fireworks. We bundle up and bring in the new Year with a bang. Each year it seems that something goes wrong. I'll try to reflect and share this.
1. Fireworks came out the wrong end. This sent all the women and children running, hiding, screaming.

2. Fireworks hit the neighbors home...window, car, hmmmm
3. Fireworks burn one of the dads
I am so sure there is more but I just can't remember. You would think that we would stop the fireworks but we all love it. The kids love it more than the adults.
This year we were a little sad nothing happened. Chrys bought us matching glow in the dark sweat shirts. We were so cute.
We finished out fireworks-Cheryl, Chrys and I cleaned up the trash. Simple right? We just picked it up and put it in a trash bag. The guys carried the trash bag down around 20 minutes later. We went indoors and just sat around for awhile. Ryan (a nephew) had to go out to his vehicle and yelled FIRE! I guess the trash caught on fire. We had a full trash fire.....major fire. Seconds away from catching the cars, house, oh my gosh it could've been so bad.
We watered it out and steve got a battle scar on his thumb. I am so glad Ryan went out when he did.
Still no talk of cancelling fire works!

We ended the night with hours of Karoke. Cheryl, Chrys and I sang until oh 4 AM. My voice is still hurting.
New Years Day we said goodbye especially to Zach. He is such a good boy. I know 2 years is a long time for a 19 year old. I know it will go fast and he will make a huge difference in the lives of so many. We are very proud of him.

We just got home from a fun filled week of adventure. We started the week with a trip to the cabins with my family. My folks arrange and do all the work for a weekend trip around the holidays every year for our family. Even though it is just my brother and I...it is so hard to get together. I guess maybe because we have 10 kids between us!
We got in on Friday. The Hale's were coming from the beach and we were planning to leave the cabin and head straight to GA so we all had completely full vehicles. The kids didn't want to wait so we opened gifts after dinner.
Sat. we had a family game of basketball and some other game I can't remember. Next lunch and hang out time. All the kids were linking together their hand held game things! They thought it was so cool! I actually thought it was neat too! Then we did some family pictures without the parents. So Nana and Papa with the 10 kids.
We had a great time visiting with our family. The kids loved it. I think Papa felt ok. I am sure we totally exhaust him but he always keeps really good fun spirits.
Thanks Nana and Papa for a fun week-end


Lucy trying to show her sweet face!
We left the cabins on Sunday and drove down to Atlanta for Zach's mission farewell and to bring in the New Year with the Solomon's
Sunday night was the mission farewell. Cheryl and Donnie opened their home to friends and family to say good bye to zach who will be leaving next week for Africa.
Aunt Chrys decorated the table and food. She has an amazing knack to put things together.
We have a family tradition to bring the New Years in with the Solomon's. I can't remeber how many years it has been...but a lot! The guys always go out and grab lots of fireworks. We bundle up and bring in the new Year with a bang. Each year it seems that something goes wrong. I'll try to reflect and share this.
1. Fireworks came out the wrong end. This sent all the women and children running, hiding, screaming.
2. Fireworks hit the neighbors home...window, car, hmmmm
3. Fireworks burn one of the dads
I am so sure there is more but I just can't remember. You would think that we would stop the fireworks but we all love it. The kids love it more than the adults.
This year we were a little sad nothing happened. Chrys bought us matching glow in the dark sweat shirts. We were so cute.
We finished out fireworks-Cheryl, Chrys and I cleaned up the trash. Simple right? We just picked it up and put it in a trash bag. The guys carried the trash bag down around 20 minutes later. We went indoors and just sat around for awhile. Ryan (a nephew) had to go out to his vehicle and yelled FIRE! I guess the trash caught on fire. We had a full trash fire.....major fire. Seconds away from catching the cars, house, oh my gosh it could've been so bad.
We watered it out and steve got a battle scar on his thumb. I am so glad Ryan went out when he did.
Still no talk of cancelling fire works!
We ended the night with hours of Karoke. Cheryl, Chrys and I sang until oh 4 AM. My voice is still hurting.
New Years Day we said goodbye especially to Zach. He is such a good boy. I know 2 years is a long time for a 19 year old. I know it will go fast and he will make a huge difference in the lives of so many. We are very proud of him.

Sunday, December 30, 2007
Happy Birthday Molly and Aunt Cynthia
Happy B-day the two Hale girls!!!
We had so much fun with you all this weekend. Hope your days was filled with birthday happiness!
We had so much fun with you all this weekend. Hope your days was filled with birthday happiness!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all my family and friends out there blogging with me! We have had a wonderful year. Tonight Steve and I are playing Santa wrapping up and hiding out. I am so so excited for the kids to wake up and open their gifts. I feel like a kid myself. I can't wait.
Just wanted to wish all my sweet family and friends a Merry Christmas tonight. I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude tonight for the family and friends I have been blessed with. Some times I wonder why I am so blessed. Our lives are really full.
I love you all... So if you can hear me shouting out from over here....Merry Christmas to the Solomon's, Hales, Mathenys, Merediths/Fowlers, Sisks, Penningtons,Browns, Sharps, Reynolds, Hagemans, Galloways, Cramers, whittenburgs, and all the others that are my blogging friends. Have a great day! We love you
Just wanted to wish all my sweet family and friends a Merry Christmas tonight. I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude tonight for the family and friends I have been blessed with. Some times I wonder why I am so blessed. Our lives are really full.
I love you all... So if you can hear me shouting out from over here....Merry Christmas to the Solomon's, Hales, Mathenys, Merediths/Fowlers, Sisks, Penningtons,Browns, Sharps, Reynolds, Hagemans, Galloways, Cramers, whittenburgs, and all the others that are my blogging friends. Have a great day! We love you
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Happy Birthday Aunt Chrys
Happy Birthday to you! We sure Love you! Happy Birthday Dear Aunt Chrys. Happy Birthday to you.
If you sing this in the birthday tune it will be just as I typed it!
Love you!
Have a wonderful, fun, exciting best day of the year because it's all about you today!
If you sing this in the birthday tune it will be just as I typed it!
Love you!
Have a wonderful, fun, exciting best day of the year because it's all about you today!
Monday, December 10, 2007
I'm not dead just floating!!!
I am really here. I am actually coming to the close of this magical memories season. I finished my last Sat. for the year this last Sat with a Christmas party shoot. It was amazing. The busy season is now completing all the last minute orders and holiday cards.
My children are so so busy and excited for Christmas to come. My husband just got home from a business trip. Life is kind of crazy just as everyone else seems to be. I for the first time ever have nothing to say. Can you believe it? Me speechless- Crazy uh.
My children are so so busy and excited for Christmas to come. My husband just got home from a business trip. Life is kind of crazy just as everyone else seems to be. I for the first time ever have nothing to say. Can you believe it? Me speechless- Crazy uh.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Christmas Dress Time!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Blake
Happy Birthday Blake!
I am so glad the Lord gave me you first! We sure are blessed to have you in our home. I wish I had your brains and talents! It is fun for me to watch you get excited about learning. Things just come so easy for you. I won't embarrass you with all the stuff I really want to say! But only because I love you!
Happy Birthday Boy!
Mom
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Happy Birthday Blake
We have a teen-ager in the house!
Blake celebrated his 13th birthday yesterday. I feel like that makes me seem old except I was only 20 when he was born!
He brought in his birthday over the week-end since his actual birthday was on a school and wrestling night. He had a couple of pals over to go to Nashville and play laser tag. They came home with hungry written all over their faces. Instead of eating out he wanted breakfast for dinner. My favorite thing too!




I have been without a dishwasher for 5 months. Yep. 5 months. Although we spent the first 4 years-2 kids- of our marriage without one-It is def. not a thing we HAVE to have. Lots of people I know still don't have one. My SIL B. handles it well. But I have to say just knowing that you can have one and choosing to wait was really hard to do!
I just knew they would go on sale the day after Thanksgiving. They did. We saved $100 bucks waiting!!! I was so excited. Steve and I hit Best Buy Friday morning around 7:30 AM it was the funnest day ever.
I have washed so many dishes just to hear the sound of it going!










Here I am a week late on my Thanksgiving Photos. I said I wasn't going to put this blog on my guilt list. But I wanted to share our fun Thanksgiving time with all. So better late than never RIGHT???
We had a great time at the Hale's missed the Solomon's. The first time in 6 or 7 years we haven't been with the Solomon's. It was strange to just go home when it was over and not have a week-end long of crazy!
Aunt C cooked and cooked. I took total advantage and didn't lift a finger. I felt bad later. But I am ever so grateful for a SIL that let me actually have the day off. It was totally amazing. I felt like a bum! But it wasn't enough guilt to do anything about it.
The kids enjoyed each other.. I don't think any one really got mad. C. didn't have a melt down. We had a nice peaceful visit. It is great to be in this new stage of life where the kids play and the adults actually talk. So what did we talk about???? Magical Memories Photography of course! I have been feeling some ya know growing pains again since fall hit. Actually since I moved into this house. I have been trying to make decisions like do I go for it really...or do I cut way back? It is so scary to take risk when it comes to business when it effects my family. So my prayers are to make the right decisions for my family. I don't want them to ever suffer because I am choosing to work. I just hope that even though I am feeling the stress right now they are not. I am excited as answers are beginning to come. My brother is a great business mind. So I picked his brain, stressed my dad completely out, and made my mom's wheels go turning for new ideas to help the business! Steve and Cynthia were just about done with us all!
Blake celebrated his 13th birthday yesterday. I feel like that makes me seem old except I was only 20 when he was born!
He brought in his birthday over the week-end since his actual birthday was on a school and wrestling night. He had a couple of pals over to go to Nashville and play laser tag. They came home with hungry written all over their faces. Instead of eating out he wanted breakfast for dinner. My favorite thing too!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Forget Diamonds-A dishwasher means forever in my book!
I have been without a dishwasher for 5 months. Yep. 5 months. Although we spent the first 4 years-2 kids- of our marriage without one-It is def. not a thing we HAVE to have. Lots of people I know still don't have one. My SIL B. handles it well. But I have to say just knowing that you can have one and choosing to wait was really hard to do!
I just knew they would go on sale the day after Thanksgiving. They did. We saved $100 bucks waiting!!! I was so excited. Steve and I hit Best Buy Friday morning around 7:30 AM it was the funnest day ever.
I have washed so many dishes just to hear the sound of it going!
Thanksgiving Bliss!
Here I am a week late on my Thanksgiving Photos. I said I wasn't going to put this blog on my guilt list. But I wanted to share our fun Thanksgiving time with all. So better late than never RIGHT???
We had a great time at the Hale's missed the Solomon's. The first time in 6 or 7 years we haven't been with the Solomon's. It was strange to just go home when it was over and not have a week-end long of crazy!
Aunt C cooked and cooked. I took total advantage and didn't lift a finger. I felt bad later. But I am ever so grateful for a SIL that let me actually have the day off. It was totally amazing. I felt like a bum! But it wasn't enough guilt to do anything about it.
The kids enjoyed each other.. I don't think any one really got mad. C. didn't have a melt down. We had a nice peaceful visit. It is great to be in this new stage of life where the kids play and the adults actually talk. So what did we talk about???? Magical Memories Photography of course! I have been feeling some ya know growing pains again since fall hit. Actually since I moved into this house. I have been trying to make decisions like do I go for it really...or do I cut way back? It is so scary to take risk when it comes to business when it effects my family. So my prayers are to make the right decisions for my family. I don't want them to ever suffer because I am choosing to work. I just hope that even though I am feeling the stress right now they are not. I am excited as answers are beginning to come. My brother is a great business mind. So I picked his brain, stressed my dad completely out, and made my mom's wheels go turning for new ideas to help the business! Steve and Cynthia were just about done with us all!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The best Gift Ever!
This morning I was feeling completely overwhelmed with life. I had a preschool shoot. Hours of work still lying ahead of me! LB couldn't find her shoes. My house was a mess; nothing was really going very smooth. I had talked with Heather on the phone while on my way to the preschool shoot telling her all about my troubles! When I got home from the big shoot the sneak was here cleaning away. She had a gold canyon candle burning with Ms. Claus' kitchen. My house felt so warm and clean. The floors were clean, bathrooms done, dust gone. I could go on and on. What a gift! The gift of service was more than a gift. My worries changed to gratefulness. It's amazing how that works.
Thank you Heather for giving me peace while I work tonight to know my house is clean and laundry done. What did I do to have such a good friend? Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You will never know the burden you lifted today!
Thank you Heather for giving me peace while I work tonight to know my house is clean and laundry done. What did I do to have such a good friend? Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You will never know the burden you lifted today!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
picture of cookies for Chrys!
This is Rhonda's recipe that I posted a couple of days ago. Chrys requested a picture. Rhonda puts choc. chips in them-but I didn't have any so we used MM's...It is such a basic recipe but it is so good. Heather and I have discovered you can add dehydrated eggs. We love cookie dough so if you get scared of food poison you can use these eggs and eat all the cookie dough you want. This #10 can cost around 15 bucks. I ordered it from Honeyville food products. This can has 170 eggs in it. It can be stored for 5 years in case you need this for food storage...(Katie I'll explain food storage when your not so sick!)
So just in case your a visual eater, there you have it!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Barnes and Noble
The girls had school night at Barnes and Noble last night. They have been so excited and looking forward to this event. The boys left for Nana and Papa's last night. Nana has let us know she hasn't seen these kids in a very very long time. So Papa met us at school to pick them up for some good spoiled rotten time.

Leah Beth wrote a little book called "Bad Dog Lady" We were so proud of her because her book got chosen to be read! She was so excited.

Leah Beth went on a date night with grandma! So that left Caroline and I for a pj party. We made ornaments, watched and barbie movie and ate taco bell/pizza hut!

Leah Beth wrote a little book called "Bad Dog Lady" We were so proud of her because her book got chosen to be read! She was so excited.
Leah Beth went on a date night with grandma! So that left Caroline and I for a pj party. We made ornaments, watched and barbie movie and ate taco bell/pizza hut!
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Half that makes me Whole
Even though we are always running with kids, sports, church and work, Steve and I always get time to catch up and talk on the week-ends. I am going to miss him so bad this week-end. He has a boy scout leader training. He has been so helpful lately. Which makes me miss him more! He even made eggs for breakfast this morning. He told the kids he makes the best eggs from this side of the mississippi! Yeah they know even though mommy is not that great of a cook at least I can make the best eggs in this house!
So honey I am gonna catch you if you are really reading my blog and not admitting it. I can't believe how much I am already missing you! Can't wait until Sunday to see you again! Can you believe it's been 15 years? Pure Bliss! Ha
You are a wonderful husband and father. I don't know how you do all the million things you do. It is amazing to me and you still have energy left for me! Thanks for going this week end even though I am sure you didn't really want to-Blake and Andrew are so lucky to have such a good dad that wants to be their scout leader!
I love you!
I'm not going to finish!
My eyes are starting to blur...it's only 1:15 wish someone was up so I could call and talk while I work. It makes the time go faster!
Rhonda's Cookie Recipe
This is a simple recipe but I love it.
Rhonda made these for me the day we found out LB was a girl!
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
pkg choc. chips
I always add oatmeal instead of choc. chips because steve doesn't like them with choc. chips!
Heat oven 375 Mix shortening, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla
Stir in remaining ingred.
Bake 8-10 min. Yummy!
Rhonda's Cookie Recipe
This is a simple recipe but I love it.
Rhonda made these for me the day we found out LB was a girl!
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
pkg choc. chips
I always add oatmeal instead of choc. chips because steve doesn't like them with choc. chips!
Heat oven 375 Mix shortening, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla
Stir in remaining ingred.
Bake 8-10 min. Yummy!
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