the year to F O C U S

Thing One and Thing Two

2012-02-18T14:09:00.000-06:00

i am so blessed and so thankful that i have been able to photograph these children...priceless and speechless is what this family does to me and my heart....these pictures melt my heart...i'll let them talk for me

Playing with Lights

2012-02-17T23:44:00.000-06:00

not her natural face...she was so tired when i took this picture so this face is so real

i love the shadows and her eyes in this one...beautiful

this was much earlier in the day...you can really see that she is happy here and loves being my model

perfection in my eyes

Bullie and friends

2012-02-17T15:06:00.000-06:00

bullie and i have been taking long walks for the last couple of weeks and he loves them so much...he gets excited every time i put on my coat...unfortunately i can't take him with me ALL the time...he is such a good boy

i would love to be inside that little head...he is such a clown and silly boy but here just a little thinking going on i think...contemplating his next act maybe

i love his sweet face and his delicious eyelashes and you should see and hear his kisses...he totally makes the sound that goes with a kiss

caught in the act...of reading...my favorite thing to do...eduard loves this elmo book that leila and samara bought with their own money for christmas just for him...sweet hearts that they have

walking to school to pick up the girls...she loves to push the stroller even when no one is in it...she had to wear her sunglasses and she likes to stay warm when we walk (she learned the hard way in the past-freezing) so she knows to put on gloves and a hat

A Day in the Life Pictures

2012-02-10T09:36:00.000-06:00

morning
bath for mimi and eduard
check the weather which leila usually does...i did it before her today

eduard didn't want to get out of the bath...lots of crying that got daddy out of bed...eduard is a very loud alarm clock

8:30 out the door to school for the older two

a new game on the phone temple run everyone gets to play if they have had a good morning and ready on time

its a MOPS morning...couples panel...better ways to communicate with your spouse to disciplining your children together...and just have lots of sex (sorry TMI i know) but its true

went to leila's class to take pictures of all the children for a valentine's day project

our after school snack of yummy nachos

piano practice that happens every day in our home...sounds so pleasing to the ear

a writing project for school...about oceans and our trip to turks and caicos

the four hour gymnastics practice...that she LOVES...what a hard worker she is...

a stop at the grocery store to pick up some good for the mind and body things

leftovers consisted of lasagna, chili, and tacos...everyone had their favorite meal tonight

nana spent the day with eddie and the kids...went out to lunch...played and...

read bedtime stories to the little ones...

mimi and eduard are usually the first ones to sleep

i totally lit the sleeping picture of eduard with my phone...i didn't want to wake him up with a bright light...totally worked
samara getting her chance to play one game of temple run and off to bed for her...
tonight she did organize the book shelf in her room...it looks really nice now

leila home and fed and showered and she braids her hair after her shower...two braids and long bangs that she loves...in bed and asleep by 9:45

mommy and daddy sat on the couch and watched american idol and i had my cannoli and hot tea while eddie and i laughed and talked about our day in between all the contestants singing their hearts out...and MOPS inspired me to spend some quality time with my husband....so i did and I focused on us and our moment together that evening
i did take so many pictures that day and this is just a glimpse at our day...so full and so grateful for each part of the day to focus on.

A Day in the Life

2012-02-08T06:58:00.000-06:00

i am going to do a day in the life which is completely inspired by ali edwards...who is also doing this same project today. i have started taking pictures from the minute i woke up...a picture of the clock to tell what time it was...

should be fun

GOALS 2012

2012-01-31T15:04:00.000-06:00

so i know i have not been blogging so much lately...but i do have several things that i have added to my everyday life...these would be some goals...in no order of importance

1. juice 3 times a week and more if i get crazy about it
2. read aloud to my older two children 3 times a week...i already read aloud to my younger two more than once a day...just find it harder to fit it in with the older ones lately
3. add one or two different exercises in my workout per week...that i haven't done before
4. follow the fly ladies cleaning routine...not EVERY little thing but FOCUS on the zone she is in...i really want to get a handle on "things" that need to G.O.
5. journal every day in my 10 year journal i have had it since 2007
6. i did complete my Project Life Album last year and i want to do another one this year...haven't bought it yet and we are about to be in month two of 2012 so that means i need to buy it NOW
7. read a devotional to my children 5 times a week
8. read one chapter of the bible per day

Twin Babes

2012-01-28T13:40:00.000-06:00

these boys put the biggest smile on my face right when i needed it!!! twins that are so yummy and sweet...did i say sweet...they are so sweet

they both have these gorgeous blue eyes and they are beautiful

this little guy is just so strong and has great neck control...just amazing how these babies made my day

blessed beyond words...beyond time...blessed

in awe of the light...shining on him through the window

what a joy these two were...i feel very blessed to have been able to photograph these two boys...thank you for a great time and can't wait to see what the next session will capture

Attitude

2012-01-07T09:32:00.000-06:00

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which more than anything else,

will affect it's successful outcome.

-William James

Win Stage

2012-01-05T11:26:00.000-06:00

so at the end of each day ask yourself these questions...

did i accomplish one or more of my goals today? if so how did i do that? if not what smaller successes did i create or experience over the past 24 hours?

if i didn't accomplish something i'd hope to today, was my goal too ambitious? Was there an obstacle i underestimated?

What choices or decisions, no matter how small, did i make today that served my larger goal?

If i didn't take forward action toward my goal today, did i stop myself from slipping backward? did i manage to avoid making a negative, actively destructive or disempowering choice?

if i had some big or small wins today, what went right? What worked to help me achieve them?

What obstacles did i find blocking my way or impeding my progress?

What did i learn about myself in the process?

now go win your goals
and in the next couple of days i will show you my goals and how i used these questions to help me!!!

Act Stage

2012-01-04T08:44:00.000-06:00

here are the next set of questions...

What is my goal?

How will this change improve my life?

How will I know when I've accomplished this goal?

What will my life look and feel like when i've accomplished this goal?

In an hour what will i be more happy/pleased/proud that i did?

What choice would lead to the least amount of regret?

What would the person I aspire to be choose right now?

As kate larsen writes...

if those strategies don't work as well as you'd like, keep experimenting with different ways to be successful.
you have to be willing to approach the action stage as an experiment, always asking yourself, "What is working here? and What isn't working here? Then you have to be willing to adjust accordingly, creatively, and patiently.

there is an online version of the article at ExperienceLife.com

keep chugging along to find out what you need to do to change your life for the better in slow small steps if needed!!

The Choose Stage

2012-01-03T08:56:00.000-06:00

so here are the choose questions that go with the article by kate larsen from Experience Life magazine

What choices or behaviors in my daily life do i currently engage in that support my goal or get me closer to my goal? Even if it's a single, tiny thing, take note of it.

What behaviors in my daily life do i currently engage in that detract from my goal? Again, take not of even the tiniest of things.

Which situations or experiences trigger me to engage in self-sabotaging behavior, or to make a disempowering choice?

How well do the choices i currently make in my daily life serve me?

What information do i still need to learn about the change i want to make? What information do i already have?

anyone out there make any resolutions or want to make changes in the new year and all year long??
good luck

Think

2012-01-02T11:45:00.000-06:00

I get this fabulous magazine from Lifetime Fitness it is called Experience Life and in this month's mag was an article called Lessons from a Life Coach...the author's name is kate larsen

you could do this at any time but now is a good time to do something new and different...right??

Resolutions Workshop 2012 Think, Choose, Act and Win

Here are some great questions to start off with from the article... this is the think stage

What is my goal? If i know what i don't want (or what I want to stop doing or lose or let go of), what is the opposite of that?

What do I want to change about what I'm doing or experiencing?

How will my life be better when i change this?

What makes this the time to change?

What do I think and feel about the prospect of making this change now? What are my hopes and fears?

How will i know when i've accomplished this goal?

What will my life look and feel like when i've accomplished this goal?

What do I want to be able to say is true about how i'm being and living at the end of 2012?

I am in the process of going through each question and seeing what i come up with...there are three more sections...choose, act and win...i will post each section of questions for the next three days....hopefully this will inspire you and not make you feel guilty of resolution weirdness.

Happy 2012!!

2012-01-01T13:20:00.000-06:00

i can believe that it is 2012...another year completed and a new year to focus on...
god
family
me
me
me
each one of my children
creativity
photography
life's little moments
living for now
enjoying life
just being
renewing

my one little word for this year is FOCUS
last year was respond and it definitely dwindled around october...lost myself in myself and still haven't gained myself back...doing a lot of soul searching and trying to find myself again...life is just...

i hope that each of you find the u in you and be yourself throughout the year...be all that you can and then some...you'll be amazed at one can accomplish with the right goals set...

Samara pictures

2011-12-30T11:20:00.001-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive photobook layouts so you can make your book just the way you want.

Big Family...Huge Hearts

2011-12-07T14:25:00.000-06:00

this family is so fun and full of energy even at 7:30 in the morning!!! these sweet kids were so fun to be around and mom and dad have a tone of respect and love for their children...i love to see families like this!!! very inspiring i must say!!

i could post so many pictures of this family...so easy and followed directions and were just themselves...love kids being who they really are...

it is very obvious that this family is full of adventure and good times...they have a bond between them that is so connected and sweet to witness...thank you for being such a great family to photograph...you guys ROCK!!!

December Daily

2011-12-07T13:44:00.000-06:00

This is my december daily...the 25 days of december...ali edwards does this and i'm sure other well known scrappers do it as well...i follow ali's blog and project...this is the second time that i am doing this project and it really is so fun and exciting...definitely gets me in the holiday spirit...these are pages one through seven so far...very basic and lots of journaling because i want my children to have lots of memories of their childhood

felt alphabet stickers are so soft and cozy just like winter and red of course...

some stickers and each page has the number of the day on it sometimes more than once...

you could just journal everyday for the month of christmas and that would be great too...i love to add some pictures and the word grace was talked about today so i added that to today's page

Model Girl

2011-12-04T14:12:00.000-06:00

peek a boo

stunning smile and pretty brown eyes

she is clearly meant to be in front of a camera...what a joy she was to photograph...

love you all!!!

2011-11-27T12:04:00.000-06:00

Play Day

2011-11-25T16:28:00.000-06:00

we spent hours today outside...so relaxing as long as no one was crying

i have been on the search for painted stairs...haven't found them yet but these were pretty cool

isn't that color just wonderful...love it

love this picture!!! we even found some great shells and a crab leg!!

H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G

2011-11-24T06:50:00.000-06:00

just plain thankful for everything

Turkey Time

2011-11-23T08:48:00.000-06:00

you would think i never cooked before in my life...i did one of those skimming techniques on a turkey website and this is what i only saw...

it takes 30 minutes per pound....well that's what i saw and only saw....

so my assistant chef (my dad) got back to me...with the REAL times on cooking a turkey...and now that i thought about it and did some more looking on the sites he sent me...so i had to go back to the original site where i saw the above wording...if i read it instead of skimmed it i would have saw this

it takes 30 minutes per pound to THAW a turkey

i think i will have to be a more thorough skim reader or maybe just give that up totally because that would be disastrous or well we would have eaten at 12pm or so at least according to the other sites i have read

2011-11-22T14:08:00.001-06:00

love the fact that this is unedited and it looks so cool at least to me it does...love the sky...amazing color

we went out to our favorite sushi restaurant in the city and had our favorite waitress...love it when things work out for the yummiest and funnest!!!

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i love my dad so much and he brought the yummiest pineapple the other day and we cut it open today and it is already gone...one meal and it vanished...very sweet and juicy

and he brought a ....get a drum roll going....

20 POUND TURKEY

people do the math...30 minutes for each pound and we are having dinner at 4....supposedly anyway...we shall see if that really happens...did you do the math i did and i have to get up REALLY early to get that turkey in the oven...i am usually awake just not out of bed at that time...i will be out of bed that early on thanksgiving...coffee anyone...please!!!

Guess Who?

2011-11-21T14:59:00.000-06:00

can you guess who was mad while i was taking his/her picture??? love this lens 85mm f/1.8 you can rent it at calumet if you want...so fun!!

Which Path

2011-11-20T09:20:00.000-06:00

sometimes i wonder if i am on the right path of life...when you get to a fork in the road of life how does one decide which path to take...i hope that i can choose the path that will make my character grow and develop in a way that me and my family will become who God wants us to be...

Big Truck Little Boy

2011-11-19T12:04:00.000-06:00

the tire is bigger than him...he's still my baby then right???

a Walk in the Woods

2011-11-18T18:06:00.000-06:00

always looking for new places to take pictures...this is grand!!!

An Apple a Day

2011-11-18T09:02:00.000-06:00

keeps the doctor away...we love apple around here especially honeycrisp!!!

EAT UP

2011-11-16T17:05:00.000-06:00

sweet face

thankful #7

2011-11-16T07:25:00.002-06:00

i am thankful for the yummy pineapple i just cut into....wow is it so juicy and sweet

thankful for the teachers that are dedicated to their jobs and teach my children every day...they really are pretty great!! we do have the most amazing schools and staff!! very thankful for the schools here!!

It's Raining Lights

2011-11-14T19:07:00.000-06:00

another day of experimenting...so fun and the tear ran down my face as i dropped off all this fun lighting equipment...i had a great weekend i must say!!! that hello kitty umbrella was a great prop!!

this sweet boy was so good while his mama helped out

Three Sweet Girls

2011-11-13T13:12:00.000-06:00

The pictures tell the whole story...i will let them speak

S.W.E.E.T.

High Key Lighting 2

2011-11-12T21:54:00.000-06:00

these two are serious models...i may have to pay them soon!!

oh my gosh these three were the funniest ever...they made me laugh so much...really adorable

needless to say she is really sweet here...

this one is perfect because she only wanted to be in front of the camera

i rented all of this equipment and when i have to return it on monday ---i will cry!!! this is way too much fun...i took so many photos i wish i could post them all...they all turned out just incredible...day two tomorrow!!

High Key Lighting

2011-11-11T23:21:00.000-06:00

it's true that i am getting ready for something so fun and i get to practice on my kids...here's to our first day of practice shoots...i am giddy over the fact that i have learned a new technique...these are all natural unedited pictures....oh my is all i can say...my bank account may not exist anymore...or i need to find a new hobby

JUMP PEOPLE JUMP...

my favorites

lizwiththree

thankful #6

2011-11-08T06:29:00.000-06:00

be thankful...
think thankful...
do thankful...
see thankful...
feel thankful...
sound thankful...

my second child is quite the miracle baby...i pushed for three hours at home (yes a home birth completely planned) to get that baby out and when she did come out the doctor said, "i thought that baby was dead"...lots of that red stuff (blood) came out of me...i needed a transfusion..two actually and i am so thankful that i was surrounded by some really great doctors and nurses to help me gain my strength back...i was separated from my newborn for many hours and thankfully she was able to join me in the hospital so that i could nurse her...
i am so thankful to all those people that stayed with me at the hospital throughout each night...

i am thankful that my second baby samara has blessed our family and has been a role model in the sharing department and the kindness department too...

she has the heart of gold and loves her family...

i am so thankful that she is here in our lives

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and on a side note i am so thankful that when i went out to shoot pictures this little guy didn't get mad at me!!!

thankful #5

2011-11-07T06:40:00.000-06:00

thankful for this little big girl..she has dedication...she had devotion...she has drive...she is soo good on floor exercise in gymnastics...she placed 2nd...she received a silver medal and she is sooo proud. she did very well at this meet...she tries so hard and works so hard at practice...we are thankful for her and her strong body to be able to do what she does each day...thankful yes indeed.

Thankful # 4

2011-11-04T07:03:00.000-05:00

i am thankful for the water that i can buy and/or get from my faucet to drink WHENEVER i want

There are so many people that die because they do not have fresh water to drink...they contract diseases and die because of the water they drink...sad

click here for more information about how you can help people that don't have clean water to drink...

i am also thankful for the food i am able to buy and feed my family with...we have food on our table...we don't have to go to a food pantry to feed our hunger...we go into our pantry that is filled with the food we want...

click here for more information about how you can help people that don't have food to eat...

lastly i am thankful that girls at a young age have a place to go to if they are in danger at home or are in trouble...did you know that this is located where it is??? interesting huh??

i am so thankful...the food the water the shelter...do we take things for granted sometimes...be grateful for what you have...

thankful # 3

2011-11-03T06:26:00.000-05:00

thankful that i was able to go downtown on the big girl train and take pictures randomly with no one pulling on me for two hours

thankful for the gorgeous city that i live near

this man was taking pictures of his wife before i shot this photo...once he saw me taking pictures he quickly got out of the shot...i love his expression as he was touching the bridge...and wow the fall colors are amazing

love the silhouette of the person all the way by the light

so thankful that i was able to watch the conductor help this woman off the train to hand her off to the gentleman she is walking with...the two kissed and walked hand in hand...such a touching moment to see between these two...thankful because love is grand and thankful that my husband promises that he will love me until forever...

Thankful # 2

2011-11-02T07:08:00.000-05:00

thankful for the eyes that i have...thankful for the lens of the camera to show the details of leaves that have fallen

these colors are just gorgeous

thankful for my family and friends that always encourage me on my photography journey

Thankful #1

2011-11-01T07:05:00.001-05:00

it is officially November and Halloween is over...

we had two angels, strawberry shortcake and a soccer player in our house yesterday!!

We had a great time trick or treating...it did get a little cold by nights end...

we are donating all of our hard candy to the dentist in town...he weighs it and gives money to us and then i think the troops get it...

i will change that if it's not correct...

anyway Happy November and thanksgiving is this month so

i am so thankful to be able to stay home to raise my children...i feel very lucky to be with them every day!!!

as some of you know i gave up sugar for three weeks with one day that i couldn't control myself...it was a birthday party with ice cream cake...i had to!!!

and today is the day i get to eat dessert...i wonder what i will have???

EDIT

2011-10-27T22:07:00.002-05:00

editing at its best...love to play with the pics!!!

Pictures and Plates

2011-10-26T16:32:00.000-05:00

i have been snapping pictures a lot lately...experimenting and learning new things...editing and having fun doing it...

i have practiced with f stops and ISO's and shutter speeds...so fun

i do love the camera and the pictures i take...

anyway we are off to a b.day party...i will have to show you all what i made today at my moms group...we have the most fabulous craft girl ever!!!!

one plate and glass markers then you bake for 30 minutes to set the marker....so sweeet!! great gift idea for the holidays!!! or better yet have your kids make one for the grandparents.

Bridge

2011-10-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

These two found a huge snail shell on this table...so cool

They make me smile...and my camera does too

mimi and eduard learned a new word today...MOSS

Love these

The boots really make this outfit so much cuter

I will be back at this bridge way more often now that i know it's there!!!

eduard and mimi look like they are surrounded by stars...sweeeeet

look at these colors people....they make me so happy!!!

Fall Photos

2011-10-21T23:21:00.000-05:00

one of my favorite shots this afternoon is the one above and second up is the one below

such a great model...love that smile!!

Books

2011-10-21T07:19:00.000-05:00

i have been reading The Alchemist which i really like and the other day i picked up a movie called Inkheart and leila told me that her teacher is reading the book...

so i took the movie back without watching it and got the book out of the library and it is a trilogy...i might have to read all three...

i could not put it down last night

it is soooo good (as Capucine would say it) she was our french girl that stayed with us for three weeks this past summer...we miss her so much

anyway the book is thick and geared toward 4th-9th grades...i love reading young adult novels in fact i took a young adult novel class in college...i loved it!!

Pesto Pasta

2011-10-19T06:39:00.000-05:00

i love pesto sauce...and now my kids love pesto sauce

it is sooo easy to make

a bunch of basil (2 handfuls)
2 cloves of garlic
2 Tablespoons pine nuts
1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of olive oil
salt to taste and pepper if you like

put it in the food processor
mix till creamy and delicious looking
put it in a pan and mix it up with your favorite cooked pasta
we use fettuccine because we love the flat noodle

you can add veggies in it if you like

broccoli is always good

and if you like chicken...pesto chicken is so fabulous on your tongue!!

The Sweetest Fig

2011-10-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

A fabulous book..for ages 5 and above... The Sweetest Fig by Chris VanAllsburg

he also wrote The Polar Express that is so popular

i love the pictures and the moral of the story is just great

you have to read it and DREAM and

dreaming is so good

realize your dreams and go for them

Wagner Farm

2011-10-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

a little family time at the farm always does the body good...right???

she is the best sister ever to her little brother

we even milked a cow

and collected the eggs for breakfast!!! they were delicious

and the two gorgeous horses in the barn were of the belgian breed...huge huge huge...and the names get ready

bob and sue

my aunt and uncle are the same names

aunt sue and uncle bob

they are just as beautiful...they never miss a birthday around here...always something in the mail for my kids on their birthday...so sweet!!

they were dirty even with the traditional mud pit...but look how cute their little ears are and their curly tails were wagging the whole time

we helped make brooms with these popcorn things (i forgot the name)...fascinating i say...i wonder if i could make it on the farm now a days??? although i am highly allergic to horses so i probably wouldn't do so well in that department...anyway it was fun...and the best corn chowder was served...YUMMY

Resist

2011-10-13T07:49:00.000-05:00

did i tell you that i am on a sugar fast...

i know that i did

did i tell you that i had to resist a cookie at the trader joes's sample counter...

that was terrible...but my boy got to have one...he loved it

and when i go to costco that means i can't have the samples that are sweets of any kind...

what kind of life long (three weeks) of torture is this

reality is that it's good to take a break from the one thing that you can't help but eat...everyday

i love cookies and chocolate and anything with a ton of sugar in it..

so i know that this is the right thing to do...hooray for another day of no

SUGAR

Leaves and Leaves...Leaves

2011-10-12T13:24:00.000-05:00

i love shots that just sorta happen by chance...love this one!!!

our fabulous neighbors made a leaf pile

and you know what that means when you have 9 kids around...

lots of jumping and throwing of leaves...so fun!!!

he did not want to be in the pile of leaves but he did want to throw them around...and when i changed his diaper later that night...i found leaves in his diaper...itchy i'm thinking

sweet girl...pink streak=breast cancer donation made...and that is the only reason we got it...

Sugar Fast

2011-10-10T14:45:00.000-05:00

this does not mean eat sugar fast or find sugar fast...

this only means fast from sugar until November 1. that means i am not going to eat candy on halloween...is that going to be so hard???

i think so but i know that i can do it!!!

so in reality it is only three weeks...it will be really hard when i am baking which i do about three times a week...cookies for the restaurant and then all those banana muffins that i have to make because i have a ton of very ripe bananas and some children that LOVE banana muffins...i do to

anyway...i am trying to hold myself accountable for this and this is the only reason i have posted this!!!

wish me luck because there are chocolate covered almond in the cabinet right now...

YIKES

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-10T14:37:00.000-05:00

such a fabulous weekend...and the hay and pumpkins were in prime condition!! we had a fundraiser at leila's gymnastics...they had a pumpkin patch with games and crafts and jump houses and horses...

the horse peed while eddie was going around with emina...and of course it splattered all over his shoes and pants...needless to say the shoes found the nearest garbage can...he was so grossed out...and yes he went barefoot for the rest of the day...you can say it if you want!!!

Royal Oaks Apple Orchard

2011-10-08T22:36:00.000-05:00

it took us 2 hours plus to get there but it was worth it in the end...we had a great time hanging out with friends and celebrating birthdays with friends...and the apples...

delicious and crisp

he loves apples but with the skin off...he had a lot to choose from!!!

i love the sun...what a glorious day it was

a perfect pumpkin picked for my pumpkin

she is so beautiful and so model like...can i say that??? she is my daughter

seriously these two are just connected at the hip and they find each other soooo funny...they really do crack up all day long!!!

SHOP THIS

2011-10-07T14:23:00.000-05:00

i went shopping today and bought four items three shirts and one pair of jeans that are fabulous!!

GAP has a big sale going on everything in the store is on sale...a lot of items are 50% off

so a $70 pair of jeans are $35 that is a deal in my book

unfortunately for me i like the plain ol' t-shirts and those-not on sale...but i had to get them anyway...i never shop for myself so this was the time...my dear husband told me to go shop---so i did...and i didn't go overboard AT ALL...even though i wanted to...

i even got the new SMASH scrapbook journal...i love it and can't wait to use it...hooray for journaling and keeping the memories alive...

Monkey Girl

2011-10-07T14:17:00.000-05:00

on this day she could do the monkey bars all by herself...it was sorta ironic that the same day she fell off the slide and broke her wrist in two spots. she proceeded to tell me that she won't be doing the monkey bars for a while. sooo sweet!!

lizwiththree

boy and beauty

2011-09-20T07:45:00.000-05:00

This boy is just full of personality...really cute and that smile is just endless...

simple beauty

Cookies and Skirts

2011-09-14T15:26:00.000-05:00

WE made the MOST delicious chocolate chocolate chip cookies.

I love a clean kitchen...really love it...makes me smile

he is watching an ambulance and fire truck and this is his reaction...does that make him a boy or what??

my girlie girl in her new skirt and she loves skirts and dresses...the only one in the family

2011-09-01T07:03:00.001-05:00

I am in denial that we are in September!!!

SHOES

2011-08-25T06:53:00.000-05:00

new shoes rock...the two older girls got new pumas...they are so cute

i was so lucky to have just one child today so we went to get dog food and had a leisurely time there checking out all of the animals...he loved to scare the fish by banging on the glass...we had to leave then because he would not stop!! it was so nice to just hang out with him with no other drama..and that ball was carried around all day too...he doesn't want summer to end either!!!

lizwiththree

First Day of Preschool

2011-08-23T10:32:00.000-05:00

It is her first day of preschool and wow i thought the day would never come...well now i just have one more baby at home to send off to school. and that baby threw up all over himself after we did drop off...that is actually how i felt without my girls...but he is sleeping that sicky away right now

the sweet teacher and mimi on her first day...love it and i can't wait to hear what she has to say about it!!

Squat On

2011-08-17T16:18:00.000-05:00

so this is my daughter's summer...gymnastics with a little bit of fun on the side. that's how i see it most of the time...she sees it as having a great time at gymnastics this summer that is her "fun" she would rather not go to the pool...i did pull her out a couple of times so that we could hang out as a family. maybe now you are asking well how long and how often is gymnastics?? well in the summer it's 30 hours a week with no breaks unless you take a vacation (which we did) or take your daughter out for a day or two to hang out (which we did). yes i miss her, yes i ask her if she wants to do something else...the answer is always no, but she will think about it...still no.
today she made her "squat on" which she has been working on all summer(it's a move on the uneven bars)...she did it while I was watching and I had tears in my eyes...she did it and she is SO PROUD. her face lit up and was glowing all the way home...i love those moments especially when i get to witness them. nice work leila!!

Edit Me

2011-08-17T12:47:00.000-05:00

this is the edited version of the picture from below...she is so cute!!

Six Days

2011-08-17T06:36:00.000-05:00

we met our friends at the pool today and they had so much fun playing and splashing each other...they played house and swam to their hearts content...i love watching them play and having fun!! That sweet girl on the left wore her princess tiara to school today...she is a true princess!!
Six more days until we have a second grader...a fourth grader and a preschooler...wow this is life!!

POOL

2011-08-16T08:21:00.000-05:00

summer is almost over and i will CRY

DQ

2011-08-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

to finish off the summer we took a trip to the local Dairy Queen...plus we had coupons for FREE cones from the library reading club that we finished...BONUS!!!

Love the Fact

2011-08-11T07:23:00.000-05:00

love the fact that she enjoys coloring and creating

love the fact that she is so sweet to her little brother and loves new things like a turn the knob drinking fountain made of concrete

love the fact that she just loves to have fun at all times

Sandwich

2011-08-04T12:13:00.000-05:00

my all time favorite sandwich...feta cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, hummus and mustard

oh my it is delicious going down the hatch...

Arboretum

2011-08-03T17:23:00.001-05:00

Nature is just breathtaking

daddy with his son!!!

another successful day out with the family

H2O

2011-08-02T21:47:00.001-05:00

These

kids

had no fun today!!!

they had a blast with the water...water is so fun well except when it rains and it floods in your house...i guess it depends on how you look at it!!

2011-08-01T13:36:00.000-05:00

just chillin with some mango sorbet this afternoon

on our way into the gym to get some much needed workout time and reading...half way through Little Bee

breakfast of plain yogurt bananas raisins and granola

eduard feeding his little friend some cherrios this morning...so cute

Teeth

2011-07-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

she wiped out two weeks ago and this was the appointment to take off the brace on her two front teeth...so far they look good...we are praying that they repair completely on their own

she was swinging between two chairs and landed on her mouth...her two front teeth were overlapping and we ended up in two ER's that night...they fixed her up pretty good. she has been a champ through it all. she has to eat everything on the sides of her mouth...no direct biting on her front teeth...she is such a cutie!!!

Botanical Garden

2011-07-24T08:20:00.001-05:00

the botanical gardens NEVER disappoint me...even when it's the hottest day of the summer well so far anyway...i was dripping in the shade, but i had to take our student out on her last full day with us...

sammy cried when we got home from the airport...we are really going to miss her around here...we absolutely love her and can't wait to see her again.

it is really weird that she is not with us!!

and the greatest thing about the botanical garden was that i was able to use the library pass to get in FREE...i love the library!!

Ball Boy

2011-07-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday party to my sweet boy!!!

He really couldn't be any happier with the basketball and hoop!!!

and he loves his Nana sooo much

Hello Downtown

2011-07-14T07:02:00.000-05:00

i love going into the city...i think it is so beautiful...so fun and so many different people...love it

these are orange floors...love that too. this reminded me of our old house...we originally had stained the floors yes orange and then decided that it was a bit to much and only our staircase was orange...i loved it!!

this mother of four is in the middle of summer and i have to say that i am so over my kids bickering and fighting...make them stop please. siblings are suppose to love each other right...oh yeah that's when they are all grown up and have made their parents crazy. oh oh oh what a mother to do??

this has been such a great summer so far...our turks and caicos trip and three days after arriving home we picked up a French Exchange Student who is just so awesome and wonderful. WE have been hanging out with her and showing her a bit of the city. We are going to be so sad when she leaves next week...she is like a family member now...don't make me cry!!

Happy Birthday Eduard

2011-07-11T19:40:00.000-05:00

Happy 2nd Birthday to my big boy!!!

Leeward Beach

2011-06-30T14:26:00.000-05:00

this was the last day that we were on the island...isn't that just so pretty?? we saw little crabs and fish in this very tiny reef/rock...lots of shells and so much sand...white sand at that...and this was 1 minute from our condo on "the island"

Freckles

2011-06-28T23:21:00.000-05:00

i gained about a million freckles on this trip...we did go through five bottles of sunscreen and i wore my hat every day...hands down the neutrogena sunscreen products for babies is the BEST and the face sunscreen by neutrogena for babies is also the best...my kids really don't look like they just spent 13 days on an island...i know some of you have no idea where we were...i'll keep you guessing though. so we also used aveeno sunscreen for babies too...that one i really like too. it was soooo hot...i miss it already

Various Shots of Pleasantville

2011-06-27T20:57:00.008-05:00

holding on to the sun so that we could extend our day a little longer...it didn't work though it still insisted on going down...this is he man of my dreams that i married 10 years ago and he still has tricks up his sleeve to make me happy...love that about him...this moment in a snap shot

eduard did not like getting thrown up in the air...i did it anyway hoping that he would eventually take to it....he didn't...this moment in a snapshot

this big girl...she used that mask and snorkel the entire time and loved the underwater ocean view...this moment in a snap shot

Sammy loved the water and learned how to swim even better...she is now able to swim the length of the pool....this moment in a snap shot

brave girl...her sisters convinced her to get her hair braided...they wanted nothing to do with it...she also became the swim warrior while we were here...this moment in a snap shot

I'm Back

2011-06-27T15:32:00.002-05:00

i have been taking some amazing pictures...this being one of them...are those birds just gorgeous or what??? that is a storm in the background and that water is...well there are no words for those waters that i soaked in...my skin is so soft...so much more to come in the rest of the week...i will share our adventures and our celebration of 10 years of marriage and family...pure bliss i say

Time Well Spent

2011-06-15T20:45:00.002-05:00

there comes a time where one has to step away from the computer and life-to then catch up on family time and resting and relaxation and a little celebrating...

i am doing just that...

First Day of Summer Vacation

2011-06-14T08:22:00.005-05:00

so i have discovered the wonders of making a movie and it was relatively easy...this was our first day together for summer vacation.

another reflection

2011-06-12T19:38:00.001-05:00

i think my theme should just be reflections...i love different reflections and how they come out on camera...sweet

2011-06-11T22:30:00.000-05:00

another experiment people

2011-06-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

just experimenting with some pictures and editing and collages...

Reflection

2011-06-09T16:39:00.003-05:00

the techie person that i am (not)...the below is before and the above is after editing...pretty nice i'd say

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PICTURE we were at the doctors office and these were on the ceiling probably some type of camera in there...the doctor said "i have never seen anyone take a picture like that before" well she obviously doesn't know who i am...always taking pictures of everything...i just wish the lighting was different...we shall see what i can do in editing with this one

Matthew 26

2011-06-08T13:44:00.002-05:00

i came across this verse as i was doing my bible study today...

Matthew 26:39

"...Yet not as I will, but as you will"

you really should read the whole part before that but of course i am not going to type it all...

Jesus was reaffirming his desire to do God's will by saying that...isn't it so hard to be able to say that sometimes???i know it is really hard for me when i want to do something and in my heart i feel a tug that i shouldn't...but i do try to do His will...

how about you do you find it hard to do His will all the time??

NINE years old

2011-06-07T14:05:00.002-05:00

she is NINE today and she is sweet and fun and is the best big sister when she is watching eduard!!

she loves gymnastics and staying up late and drawing...and listening to music

she is NINE did i tell you she is NINE???

i can't believe it...i adore the ground she walks on she is my first daughter and i love her sooo!!!

Buddha

2011-06-06T13:33:00.003-05:00

so my dear brother gave me a card for my birthday last month and i just love these words...

"Teach this triple truth to all...a generous heart, kind speech and a life of service and compassion are things which renew humanity" -buddha

if we could be all of that all of the time...i really try and the hardest is with my kids...of course i am at their beckon called 24/7 but sometimes not so much kind speech when i am frustrated and angry at them for saying no for the hundredth time...but we are all a work in progress!!!

happy monday to all!!

Farmers Market

2011-06-04T13:28:00.003-05:00

i have the best helpers in the world to help with little eduard...he has three amazing sisters!!

he couldn't get any more handsome and this boy goes crazy for flowers too!!!

his little lips are saying "deeee, deeeee" this is what he says to almost everything that he point to...love that little guy. he is all sophisticated looking because daddy bought some clothes for him and now he has fancy dress up clothes to get nice and dirty....yeah!!!

the farmers market did not disappoint this morning at 7am...we woke up way to early but the pickings were perfect for us!!!

Peony in B & W

2011-06-04T13:17:00.003-05:00

the people across the street from us have a million peonies on their front and side lawn...so every time i walk by i snap pictures of these flowers...they are so beautiful...another flower that brings back memories of my grandmother...she loved flowers so much...i remember her strolling through the garden centers seriously strolling and looking at each flower and just taking in the colors and the smell...miss you grandma!!!

Memories

2011-06-03T06:42:00.004-05:00

well i have been on a scanning pictures kick and this one really brought back some memories...i so remember loving that shirt and i remember that day and grandma...she's so amazing...and dad check you out looking very dapper!!! i loved spending time with my grandma and family!!

i remember that clock and how cool i thought it was and i also remember those nasty cigarettes my grandma smoked...yuck...please don't ever smoke!!!

there is a tree branch looking thing in the background on the dresser and my mother made that for her birthday...my mother wrapped 75 sugar cubes and hung them on that branch thing...not sure of the connection other than grandma was turning 75 years old...but a branch with sugar cubes hanging on it??? have no idea!!!

and my so cool brother there with that fancy shirt...love him so much!!

Food

2011-06-02T07:06:00.003-05:00

i have been researching all natural foods and whole foods (not the store)...and i have come across some disturbing information to say the least...and what is weird is that when i am not even looking for the info it just pops up...

i was reading the magazine (experience Life) that i get from my gym and here are some statistics...

Four of the most widely consumed crops in the US are commonly grown from genetically modified seeds:

21% of rapeseed

49% of cotton

77% of soybeans

85% of us grown corn

so i heard but i can't remember the source i found it in but some companies actually put the pesticide inside the seed of the corn before it starts to grow...

tell me WHAT ARE WE PUTTING IN OUR BODIES???

and we wonder why people are getting cancer...what's the link people??

i will choose to RESPOND in a way to make healthy informed choices with my food

Wacky Wednesday

2011-06-01T09:51:00.003-05:00

today is wacky wednesday at school...every wednesday is wacky because we have to pick up almost an hour earlier than normal...and we only have one more wednesday to be wacky till next year...wow...one wacky well not wacky is my third child spilled chocolate milk all over her dress and she is running naked until her dress is WASHED...she demanded...luckily i love to do laundry...i know i'm crazy

so we have to make our summer list of things we want to do...can't wait to hear what the family wants to do this summer...i'll make a bet that they will want to do a lemonade stand and i think i will try to sell my cookies at their lemonade stand too...i feel a store opening on our corner soon...we are on the bike route which is perfect for a cookie lemonade break!!! i love summer and all the kids at home fighting and loving and playing endlessly...i really do love it even when i have a headache from all the bickering...love those kids to be home hanging out....summer here we come

what will your summer be like...

Rose in Bloom

2011-05-31T13:32:00.000-05:00

black and white beauty

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T21:02:00.004-05:00

don't these flowers look fake??? they are so real and so beautiful...i love this plant because it reminds me of my grandmother and aunt that both had/have one...and my wonderful dad has one too.

summer time means the freckles are coming out...i want to count each one!!!

my little tree climber...i think she is part monkey

the troops are fighting right now for our freedom...thank you

Reflect

2011-05-30T13:39:00.001-05:00

on our way...

1992

2011-05-29T22:12:00.003-05:00

first off this is eddie and i...in 1992...look how long my hair is and i still have that bracelet and rings...i still love to wear hats...and i've given up on the fact that half shirts don't look good on me anymore...and i still have this wonderful man in my life...we have known each other since we were 14 years old and we had no idea that we would marry and have four beautiful children together...life is amazing!!!

Sunday

2011-05-29T21:43:00.005-05:00

my son will be a great daddy someday!!!

This photo is sooo cool...my daughter is on the monkey bars however this is her reflection in the water that is beneath her...one cool one!!

I love the fact that my oldest takes great care of her little brother...and paints his nails pink too. look real close!!

Reflections are so cool!!!

Drying off

Walking along

Chicago

2011-05-28T15:16:00.002-05:00

Gramps and the little eduard!!!

Leila jumping at Buckingham Fountain...field trip that i needed pain relief for the headache i acquired on the school bus...then found out the next day that it was a staph infection on my face and not so much a headache...never a dull moment on this turf!!

as you can tell it was a perfect sunny day with no rain and the temperature was 90...okay it was just the opposite of all that it felt like winter....but we still had fun isn't that what it's all about???

RAIN RAIN

2011-05-25T13:03:00.002-05:00

these ponchos came in real handy this morning as the rain was POURING down on the earth!!!

daddy being the gentleman for his family drove the car as close as he could to get the girls in without getting soaked!!!

today is leila's project presentation....i really want to e-mail the teacher to see how it went...i will hold off until i pick her up from school...i can't wait to hear how it went!!!

KIWI

2011-05-24T23:44:00.001-05:00

Eat one of these because they are yummy and full of vitamins!!!

it looks like a star...keep reading ahead about stars!!!