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!!