Precious

I love this little bottom. I love the toy story pj's and underwear. I love the speckled little legs and the birth mark on his foot. I love how excited he is to live life. I love that he is healthy, and able to climb just about anywhere he wants. I love that he sits on the bathroom counter everyday and talks to me. I love that he wants to be near me. I love that God chose me to be his mother. I love that there is soo much I will cherish about this picture for the rest of my life.

B Man sings Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells

Away in the Manger

First time to sing in the big church! Not one of the little boys ever opened their mouths to sing a word!! It was cute though!

Santa Clause is Coming!

Balen is learning who Santa is. He spots him everywhere we go. Grandma Terrie bought us an Elf on the Shelf this year. Balen has really enjoyed looking for him, more than I thought he would. This is horrible, but we recently stopped moving him. He is STUCK until B decides he is ready to poo in the potty. He is doing great with his "potty" training. We hardly ever have pee pee accidents anymore, but we have yet to poop, or anything even close to it, in the potty. Mr. Potato head has lived in a box on our mantle for close to a month and a half now, waiting for that special day. We have bribed him with EVERYTHING imaginable. Nothing. Now, Christopher the Elf is REALLY sad that Balen poops in his "unnawear." He told mommy and daddy that he couldn't move anymore until Balen goes in the potty. Well...its been almost a week, and still nothing. I told Jared we should keep all of his Christmas toys in boxes on the selves until he goes!! Once he gets them, he really won't care about getting "Tato Hed." I'll keep you updated.

Other Christmas firsts: He loves Polar Express. He has a ticket from a basketball game that he carries around while reinacting scenes from the moving. "HEY, YOU LOST YOUR TICKET!!! COME BACK!! HERE'S YOUR TICKET" Yelling this over and over! We have also pretend punched his ticket to the train at least 20 times.

Learned Jingle Bells. It's a must see!! I'll post the link in another post!

"Sang" in church for the first time. Also another post!

He has done great staying out of the tree, presents, and decorations! I've been really impressed.

He really enjoyed filling a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. He bought for a 2-3 year old boy and did good talking about how it was for a little boy who didn't have any toys. I figured he would want all the stuff for himself. I was proud of him.

Can't wait to see him on Christmas. It is going to be so special!

AAAAGGGHHHH!

The photography train has taken off this month!!!! I was SOOO busy. Honestly, a little busier than I would like to be, but its just a busy season. It has finally slowed down, getting closer to Christmas. Everyone was wanting family pictures and Christmas cards to send out. I was ABSOLUTLEY blessed and encouraged by all of the people who wanted me to take their pics. With the all the business, I was able to make a new purchase...a new camera!! I have really enjoyed it so far, still have got to use it tons, but love what I've seen. It is amazing to watch God work, and to accomplish things I never ever ever imagined I would be doing.

This said, November is a big picturey blur!! There was not a lot of time left to snap pics of my own, which makes me a little sad. I did manage to click a few of crazy man, while I was taking some Christmas pics for a family member.

Trick or Treat

We took B to a few houses and a church to trick or treat this year. We met up with a few friends to get a pic of them together. Boys, boys, boys! These little guys have fun together. I will have to say, Baby Reid won the best costume! He is the little parrot in the front. I didn't get a good pic of his costume here. His big beak sticks way out in front of his head and he has a huge, colorful, feathery tail attached to his bottom! So cute!

Plumber

We had to get a new dishwasher. Luckily, we have a great plumber who likes to let Balen jump in and help!!

Sweet 16

Words really aren't necessary for this picture, but it was my 16th birthday. Jared would have been a senior in high school, and we had already been dating for almost 6 months. Can't believe how little we look!!

Woody

I have been horrible about posting lately! I have a couple of things I want to get on here, sometime. I have been having so much fun taking pictures. Balen has fallen in love with Toy Story. It's a good thing we have all three on our DVR, otherwise I would be completely tired of it. It's so cute how he wants to "Watch Woooody on tu-ve." He is talking SOO much, and always sounds like the biggest hick. He says things like "up der stairs" instead of upstairs. He always keeps us laughing, then gets serious and yells "not funny mommy."

Potty training has also been pushed to the back burner over the past month or so. I finally decided Monday morning to jump in again. Today is Thursday, and we haven't worn a single diaper, just a pull up to sleep. We have yet to poo in the potty though. Arrg...that makes me unhappy. I can not figure out how to get him to go. I have offered him everything imaginable and he shows no interest in getting the #2 in the "tool." Someday!

Anyway- here is this year's Halloween costume. He completely transforms when he puts it on. He runs wild yelling "Yee-haw, ride em' cowboy!" It's precious! Worth every bit of the whopping $12 I spent.

Washing Dishes

With this kid, I normally walk into the kitchen to see him up on the counter eating candy, playing in the silverware drawer, cutting paper into millions of tiny pieces...you get the idea. Not this time, he decided to pull a step stool up to the sink to wash dishes!! He worked hard for a good 10-15 minutes so I had plenty of time to grab the camera.

GC Photography

Just checking in!! I am alive!!! The past few weeks have EXPLODED into something crazy!!!!! I have always been very hesitant about pursuing my photography. I stick my toe in, then pull it back out. Then stick two toes in......over and over. I have been telling my friends and family...it's not that I don't THINK I can do it, I just don't DESIRE to commit to doing it. I have spent a few years praying and praying, and REALLY trying to listen and peek cautiously around each corner. More than anything, ever before in my life, this has been something I don't want to rush into. I want to KNOW it is a God thing, something he is providing and not ME! Well, the past few weeks have brought extreme change! I have taken a few people's pictures, feel a peace and excitement about it, and booked about 12 people in the last few days! Yes, 12. That's a big change from 0!!! I am trying to iron out the wrinkles in keeping my information organized. It's coming together. It is also SUPER important to me to make sure photography doesn't take away from my SUPER IMPORTANT #1 job of being Mommy!! It's amazing what I am stuffing into those afternoon nap times!! I am still taking it one day at a time. I want to listen each day and be used the way God wants to use me. I'm not advertising, getting a website, or anything like that yet. Just want to keep sharpening my skills, while at the same time making sure Balen's needs are met during OUR special time we have together. Pictures are such a special way to document the most important, special, exciting times in our families. It is a really cool feeling to know I am helping freeze those memories, forever!

Osmara Senior 2012

I have watched this beautiful girl grow up. She used to always come in Harvey's when she was little, then I became one of her Middle School teachers, and now I am fortunate enough to have taken her senior pictures! We had a blast! Here are some of my favorites.

First Day Picture

First Day of "SCHOOL"

Balen's first day of organized play, at a church, with 3 ladies, 10 other kids, a packed lunch, a backpack with his name on it, and no mommy went well!!!

It is called Kids Day Out. He goes from 9-3, on Friday's, to give stay at home mommies, like me, a little break. It was awesome!

I will admit, it felt a little odd to be writing his name on everything, packing a lunch, and putting it all in a backpack, but it all turned out great.

I drove him by his school yesterday. He is so used to picking Laine up from school and he wants to do everything like Karlie, Talon, Laine, Max, and Mia!! Anyway, I showed him his "school" and told him he would get to go tomorrow. Today, when he woke up, he was asking to go before he even asked for milk. On the way there he talked about playing with his "fwins." It was so cute when we turned in the parking lot he screamed "my school!!!!" As I was getting him out of the car, in his sweetest voice he said, "bye bye Mommy's tar (car)." I sat him down on the driveway and he took off for the door, without me. The second we hit his room, he was off with the other kids and never even told me bye. :( I called Jared and told him he doesn't even need us anymore!! He laughed.

He did great, and made it to three o'clock without a nap!!! The first thing he asked me at the door was "Where's Daddy?" I guess I wasn't who he was wanting to see. When I asked if he had fun, all he said was that he ate ice cream. Then, in the next 5 minutes of the car ride (that he was awake) he proceeded to ask for pop, suckers, gum, cookies, chicken, and crackers!! Finally, the urge was too overwhelming, the soothing bumps of the car were too much, and sleep won over my big 2 year old!!

He is now snoring in his bed, like little baby Balen should. I'm sure he will be starving when he wakes up. Next week I will have to take him a snack when I pick him up!!

Nicki

http://www.centersquarejournal.com/news/seams-right-lincoln-square-designer-makes-you-look-good

I love having talented friends!! Nicki is a special friend, who has had a rough year due to health problems. This has forced her to make a lot of "career" sacrifices, but it is awesome that she can still do what she loves! God has truly blessed her with a loving, supportive husband, and many many gifts and talents. Check out this fun article!! Too bad she is so far away from home. :( Miss you guys!

Indoor Underwear Exercise!?

When you stay at home everyday, with a VERY active two year old, you have to find ways to burn energy! Lately he has really enjoyed the "indoor trampoline" also known as my bed! Here he is showing Ernie how to jump, and eat crackers at the same time. Jared and I were both sweeping crumbs out of our spots while we were trying to go to sleep last night.

I would also like to point out the underwear!!! We have been hitting the potty training hard for almost a week now. We only work on it when we are home. I have read millions of "plans" but don't really have one at this point. I'm just going with it. Underwear when we are home, unless he absolutely refuses (which happens), and diapers/ pull ups when we are on the go! He has been doing great. We have about one or two accidents a day, which I can live with. I am also certain he is going to gain about 10 pounds of "bribery" by the time we are through with this!! Last night, Jared and I had youth group, so Balen stayed with Grandma and Pa Pa. He had an accident in her big chair, then ran into the kitchen and yelled, "MARK, I pee peed in Mawma's chair!!" They said it was hilarious! He might have said "Balen pee peed," either way it's funny!! He'll get the hang of it. I'm just kind of letting him go at his own pace.

We are still trying to catch his bedtime prayers on video. You are in for a treat when that happens!! :)

Laura and Baby Ezra

Laura is one of my very best lifelong friends. It has been such a blessing to have them back around. Jude and Balen are quite the buddies, that is when they are not fighting like brothers!! This little family has a heart of gold. They give and give ALL of their time, love, and amazing talents. They have more creativity and talent in their pinky toes than many people will ever have!! I love them so much, appreciate the way they challenge and encourage our family to grow closer to God, and provide joy and laughter along the way. I am so glad they asked me to take some pictures, and can't wait to meet little Ezra in a few weeks!!

Playtime with Balen!

Paige's Wedding

Paige's wedding pics are up HERE!!!!!!

It was SOO much fun!! The weather couldn't have cooperated any better. A few minutes before the wedding, a storm decided to roll in. It really cooled things off and provided cloud cover. I am so happy for Paige and Austin and glad everything went so smoothly!

Since the happy couple is off in Hawaii and Mark and Terrie have been in OKC for chemo, B Man and I have been in charge of the farm!! We've been checking cows about four times a day to make sure new babies are all in the shade. A few babies have been born this week, and I'm proud to say none have died! I just don't want to lose one while I am the one "in charge." It would just make me look bad! Everything has gone well. Balen always wants to know where Paigy is, and we always go over the same thing. She went bye-bye on an airplane, to Hawaii, with Austin. We repeat this over and over until he understands. Then he always adds, "I unna goooo. Pease go airpane Paigy. Paigy help Balen airpane, pease!!!" Then about two hours later we go through the same exact story all over again!!! Kind of ready for her to be home!

Go enjoy a few of the pictures that have been posted!! Kayla did an awesome job!

Oh, and I may be a little partial, but I REALLY like the one of the cute little boy, sitting on the floor in his handsome little suit!!!

2nd Birthday Party!

"OH-BOY!!" is what Balen had to say as he opened each present! Jared and I had a blast watching him finally understand what a birthday cake, present, and a party are! He cried all day Saturday, pleading with us to let him see his cake just one more time. "I unna see cake. Turtday cake. Sit down see cake. Pleeease turtday cake!?" Once we finally gave in, he said "touch it?" He couldn't have loved it any more. Due to technical difficulties, I had to delete all of my before-the-party, artistic, cake portraits! Then I forgot to take more. Oh well, luckily I had A picture that will work. Once the action started, I never took a single pic. These are a few Brandi and Jared took, but we were mostly having too much fun to be worrying about pictures! We opened presents, ate cake, then went swimming. We had a little cookout for those who stuck around, and ALMOST got a few raindrops. Bummer. To say Balen received a few tractors would be an understatement!! He now has a tub FULL of tractors and farm animals. He has sat here today looking at them saying "Oh boy, oh boy, awesome, awesome!" I think the highlight of my day was after everyone left, he was checking out all of his toys while singing "Happy Birthday to you!" Over and over again! He is such a blessing and we have so much fun with him!!! Thank you God for this special little ball of joy we call Balen!!