LUNCH TIME FUN

Our Halloween fun started a day early with an invitation to what is becoming an annual costume luncheon at a good friend's house. As always, her house was decorated so fun, and she had all the spooky treats you could ask for. We got to spend some time with our good friends and the kids had a great time playing together. Thanx D family for inviting us - we had TONS of fun!
Caiden decided he wanted to be Gilligan (from Gilligan's Island) this year. He had everything but the hat...which was soon resolved when J swooped over on her bike and presented Caiden with her hat to borrow! Thanx J, your the BEST!

A NEW FAMILY TRADITION?

Probably not....

I used to LOVE these cereals when I was a kid. We would get them as a special treat at my grandmother's house (we never got sugar cereals at home). My brother esp loved the pink box, and I loved the choc (of course)
When I saw them in the store a few weeks ago, I just had to get them for old time's sake. These cereals used to be available all the time when I was growing up, but now they are only available for a couple of weeks in October.

So, I kept them hidden until this morning - a fun Halloween breakfast - the kids are going to be bouncing off the walls from sugar overload anyway, right? Might as well get them off to a good start....or so I thought. The boys were chomping at the bit all week when they discovered them hidden in the pantry, and Ky couldnt wait to get a box open.

They really didnt go over too well though. The kids each had some, and tried the different kinds (which really only tasted like Cocoa Puffs and Captin Crunch) and the boys picked out all the marshmallow shapes (we dont do marshmallows at our house) and that was that. I tried some too, and they really didnt taste anywhere near as good as I remember them....
Oh, well, it was worth a try I guess. Some traditions stay and last forever, some crash and burn - today was one of those. Halloween is not my favorite time of the year anyway, so no big deal that we didnt start something new. Will have to see if the dogs like sugar cereal.....

GIVING LIFE

OK - fair warning - for any of you who get squeemish about needles and blood - just skip to the third to last paragraph - which is what the whole story is about anyway....

OK, so most of you out there know I don't do needles. You would think that after an entire lifetime of getting poked because of illness, surgery, or babies I would be used to it by now....just one hitch in that thought - my veins dont cooperate, usually making for a difficult or miserable experience.

I can probably count on less than 2 hands the number of times I have had blood drawn and a nurse or technician get me on a first try. Usually I end up a very bruised pin cushion, even using the peds butterfly (the smallest there is). This last surgery, I just told the nurse to get the lidicaine (numbing agent) and dig all she wanted, knowing we had to get bigger needles in - she did, but I can still see the hole where she drew blood and put the IV in....the bruise she left lasted a good couple of weeks.

So, with my loverly history with needles why do I heed the personal phone call I get every couple of months to give blood? Because I have a universal blood type and because of days like today.

I was busily helping multiple kiddos with school work when I happened to glance at the clock - "oh, crap" (yes, we are working on NOT using this word in the house - not there yet) - "is today Thursday? I am supposed to give blood!" Thinking I was a lunatic for even going since I had had about 24oz of water and 1 pile of cheesy noodles all day, I quickly called Preston to get his thoughts and then flew out the door yelling to the kids that I would be back in an hour as I literally ran to the car (I was now left with 15 minutes to get to the building with a 20min plus drive), sure that they would just be sending me back home. As I started driving my cell phone was chirping "oh, crap (I know, I know) my cell is dying?" Lovely. I kept driving, thinking I knew where I was going, except that I apparently didnt and with the last ounce of cell battery hurried and called preston to help me get where I needed to be. He gave the one cross street I missed just before it died completely.

To my own frustration (and the fact that EVERY inch of the West Salem hills look identical) I missed the turn off again and ended up back where I started. After driving the "scenic route" for about 20 min, I finally ended up at the church building.

OK, here is where I get to insert my continued digression into complete irreverent behavior for the day. Literally out loud I pretty much laid things on the line with Heavenly Father "If they need my blood that bad, if someone else needs it, you are going to have to take care of it. I am NOT prepared for this at all, I cannot do this on my own. You are going to have to do it all." And so the one sided conversation went all the way from the car to the church doors.
Just an FYI - I have very rarely been able to go to give blood and make it all the way through the process - iron too low, dont bleed, whatever - I have been sent away more than I have been able to give.

So - with all of my weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, and a stomach bloated with 2 water bottles of fluid and 4 mini snickers bars I downed on the way there - I left everything to Heavenly Father, and prepared for them to send me home.

I sat, I waited, I read the required gobbledy-gook, I sat and waited some more. I had sat for about 1/2 hr by the time they got to me. I had a nice little chat with the assistant, whose name also happened to be Kailee, and told her I had waited a long time for them to just send me home. She gave me a nifty hand warmer and nicked my finger and ran the iron test. To my utter astonishment, it was 2.5 points HIGHER than what the max was they usually need. Whoa! OK, now what?

Next, more waiting, now in a panic as I looked at the clock knowing even if I left then I would not make it back in time to get ceana to her concert. A very kind technician let me borrow his phone to call preston, to call ceana (why not just call ceana? because kiddos have learned to not pick up the phone for #'s they dont recog on the caller ID), to get a ride to the concert. That taken care of I sat there in the chair, still waiting, and shaking like crazy that I was actually going through with things.

They finally got me settled, sort of. The guy next to me was having issues that took my technician and 2 others to take care of him - poor guy. It was finally my turn. "Squeeze the ball, hold another hand warmer, squeeze this other ball, try the other arm..." The technician hunted for awhile and even asked for a second opinion before flipping me around to get to my right arm. The cute little assistant had come over by then too - "they still havent gotten you started?" Nope - guy next to me was still having issues - OUCH. The assistant was very kind, and actually her standing there next to me distracted me by chatting while the tech stuck in the monster needle. (for me it is like comparing the tiny needle I usually get - picture a straight pin - to the monster one they use which is what they call a 12 gauge - picture a short knitting needle - big OUCH)

Anyway - he actually got it in, on a first try - which is all they get when you give blood. I tried to relax (my toes were curled inside my shoes and I was trying not to pass out) while we continued to chat. Oops - too good to be true "your line is getting cold, need to see what is going on" (this is where I got sent home last time) The tech literally turned the needle inside my arm - never have had that done before - and then I was a gusher. He walked away and then literally came back minutes later to tell me I was almost done! I was blown away.
As I sat there and chatted with the tech, I shared my wonder at being there and to have things go better than smoothly. I told him it was because I was supposed to be there, someone else needed it more than I did. We had a very interesting conversation about the spiritual side of this life giving gift. Not many people outside the church would be open to that kind of conversation, but he really was. Not too long after that I was really done, plus some. Usually, if all goes well, they barely get what they need and I have to work to give it to them. Tonight I gushed, and gave them what they needed plus 6 extra test vials. I NEVER have enough for those....

Soooooo, after making this very short story way too long... I was given the special blessings and gift to give, so someone else could be blessed and live. Really that is a HUGE thing to think about. Because of my heartfelt, though irreverent, plea, someone somewhere is going to be able to have what they need when they need it most. Because Heavenly Father is mindful of my needs, and also of someone I will probably never know or meet, a gift will be shared that could bless more lives than can be counted. The tender mercies were poured out upon me today.

I got an extra gift as I drove home (I did manage to get the right turn off, barely) The skies were an amazing, softened shade of lilac. It is impossible to describe unless you saw it. Again, my irreverence kicked in - loud and verbal "HOW do you do it? Where is the sun, how thick are the clouds, etc?" These are some of the things I hope I get to learn how to do someday....
The photographer in me tried to make some sense in what I was seeing. Where was the sun, how could the WHOLE sky be that color, how is the light being diffused to give off that color? It really was amazing and breathtaking, considering that clouds that color in another part of the country would mean tornadoes or hurricanes....it really was the most incredible thing to look at and the feeling was really indescribable.

I did make it home, again on the fly and hollering at kiddos to get in the car, just in time to drop off my little people to a DEAR friend - THANK YOU M! - pick up extra big kiddos and still make it to the concert with 15 minutes to spare. Got some fab shots of ceana and her best friend before and in between the concert (both the girls sit in the center, almost back row, impossible for picts or video) - watch for those to be posted to the photo blog soon - enjoyed another night of wonderful music, and enjoyed a group of teenagers as they enjoyed their after concert treats at McD's (a good story for another time). Everyone -except me - is sound asleep in their beds. Overall, it has been a productive day, and one truly FULL to overflowing with tender mercies that I am very grateful for.

2 DOWN, 2 TO GO!

Well, I taught class #2 to the scouts last night, even with little people in tow....

Everyone was very attentive and for the most part I feel like things went well. Lighting has still been one of my constant challenges. It was good for me to be able to be honest with the YM and show them examples how light can be an enemy and help with photography.

I still feel like I whooshed over everything way too fast. 1 hour is just not enough time to go over everything I would like to, and I didnt get a chance to show all of the examples I was hoping to.

I was pleased that several of the YM did do some "homework" I had given them. They had brought their cameras and showed off the different things they had done during the week. It was fun to look at their picts and be able to share our enthusiasm and excitement over this new adventure. We have a couple of the YM who are really looking at photography as a serious hobby, if not a career maybe someday. I was able to talk with them about their project with this class and really encouraged them to choose something that they LOVE and photograph it. I think I got some wheels turning and some thoughts started, at least I hope so.

It really went much better than expected, esp since I had 3 little people with me. A special thank you goes out to Bro M who didnt mind following Kels about in the hallways while I taught class, and to other Bro M for opening the gym for the little boys to burn off energy with large motor play in there. My boys want to again say a great big THANK YOU to "Papa Jeffries" (nicknamed the Candy Man for good reason) for always finding a treat for my little people and treating them just like he does his own grandchildren. He always makes us feel so loved too. Thank you!

Well, only 2 more classes to go. One on the photography triangle and one on film vs digital cameras. I will prob also wrap up with adding any extras about books and blogs for the boys to follow to help them continue their hobby. I am really glad that I have a month to prepare for both of these as they are the things that I am really still trying to master myself. I hope they will be as successful as the last 2 have been. I know that even if the boys dont get much from them, I will for sure. I have already learned a ton more than I already knew because I have taught them. Here's to lots more learning, and fun.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

I have had so much fun in the last few days playing with photography! I got to do picts with my kiddos at Setniker Farm (LOVE IT!) last weekend, and then did a family shoot for a friend here in town a few days ago. It has been fun to sit and edit images and play with colors and tweaks.
I have now done 3 family shoots at Gentle Woods Park here in Monmouth. It is just a favorite park of lots of families that we know. I have been looking at my current work vs. the work I did there this same time last year and it blows me away at how much my work - and my skills - have improved.

Last year I was running on automatic, doing all the newbie thngs, and just trying to get a business up and running by building my personal portfolio. This year I am shooting in RAW, using high tech editings tools, I have a business blog, have changed the whole genre of my photography style, and now have enough experience behind me to raise my session fees to reflect my time and talent. I have even been teaching a basic photography class!
For the most part, last year I didnt even know that any of the things above existed, and I would have never been able to teach anyone what I was doing because I was so busy learning myself!

I am looking forward to what this coming year will bring. In photography you just will never know it all because no matter how much you learn, there is always MORE out there to do, see, or know! Skills change, technology changes, seasons and people constantly change - always providing new opportunities to learn, grow and enjoy working with people.

I hope that no matter how my personal skills develop that I will always remember that this talent that I have been given is a precious gift. I hope that I will always remember that it is my privilege to use this gift to capture joyful moments that have been divinely given - whether it is a breathtaking sunrise, or the playful antics of a little person. Nothing that I do is created by me, I have always had the divine inspiration and guidance to color, to capture, to to give.

I know that having this talent has changed me in many ways. I have never been a people person, and yet when I get behind the camera I can play with kiddos, set poses, work with many different kinds of people, and not be afraid. That is a HUGE change. I have slowly been teaching myself (and getting LOTS of help from others) to learn the technology side of photography. I mostly know the lingo, know the basics, and even know some nifty tricks that I couldnt even fathom this time last year. I have been given a photographer's eye. Looking at everything, noticing the tiniest details, being held in awe at the vast shades of colors in a sunset or a cloud or a leaf, or the delicate jewel of a dewdrop. I have also been given the inspiration to change my photography style to reflect the inner and outer beauty of my clients and the creativity that flows through me. I am happy, my clients are happy, we find joy together in creating something beautiful and making memories that will last. These are just a few of the many things that reflect how I have changed and grown, and learned this year.

Who knows what fun, and what challenges, will come with photography this next year. I look forward to writing again this time next year and seeing how many new things I will have learned, how many new people, and good friends I have been able to share my time and talents with, how much technology will have changed again. So many new things to look forward to - 2010 is going to be a great year!

Security cam in our home ...

FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 FUN SHOTS

Just some fun "extras" I took during our fun family night.

FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 (I)

Caiden had big plans for his pumpkin this year, but big plans dont always turn out. He found that his paint had too much water in it, and all of his "spider webs" ended up running down the sides giving his pumpkin a more streaked look. He was a bit disappointed, but it was a good learning experience for him. He will know what to do better when he gives it another try this weekend.

Ceana also had big plans for her pumpkin. Both the girls' pumpkins ended up weighing 16 lbs, so they had lots of space to fill up with creative ideas. Ceana's 2 favorite university logos were emblazoned on each side of her pumpkin. She got especially creative with her OSU side - adding "Beaver Believer" with alphabet stamps and silver paint. She really went into alot of detail and it was fun to watch her work on a fun, creative project with so much energy and delight

FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 (II)

Colton spent most of his time mixing all the water colors in the tray and then applying it to his and Kels' pumpkins. I think for him this year it was the process, not the final product that really was where the energy went. He did his best, and enjoyed the whole night very much.

Both the girls spent time browsing the internet for the perfect Halloween stencils to use for their pumpkins this year. They really are growing up! Kaeli chose to find smaller, individual pictures to add to her pumpkin. She cut out, traced, and then painted every picture. Turned out pretty awesome!

FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 (III)

Here are some of the finished pumpkins - now proudly on display on the front porch. The kids really did a great job on them this year. It is fun to see how much more detail they can add as they get older.

1 DOWN, 3 TO GO

Well, last night was my first photography class for the older scouts. I was so nervous, and spent most of 2 days pouring over my work, doing research, and making hand-outs. I am feeling so unqualified to teach someone else something I am still learning myself.

I was able to teach a good group of young men, and unexpected leaders who decided to "drop in" on my class. The YM were great though. They asked really great questions and seemed very interested in the discussion and presentation. I felt like I rushed through things - only having an hour to cover lots of material. I got "rave" reviews though and everyone seemed pleased with what we accomplished.

It seemed to me that at least 1 of the YM is VERY interested in photography and already has some good experience behind him. I am hoping I can do more to help.

I got the fun class out of the way first. The other 3 classes are going to be on the technical side of photography - technology has always been my weak subject. I think I have enough info, knowledge and experience now that the class about using light should be ok. The other technical stuff is going to be harder, though, and I am glad I am going to have a month to prepare.

I am learning alot in this experience though. The more research I do, the more I am learning too. I think I may come away learning much more than I started with. It seems photography really is a never ending genre of learning. The more I learn, the more I find out there is still MORE to learn. What a fun adventure to know I have found something I love, and that will never get boring - because I will NEVER know it all, there will always be something new and different to experience.

Anything you fellow photographers want to chip in, feel free, I know there is way more out there than I can teach in an hour, but the best tidbits I can share will be great. Wish me luck!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH

This weekend we got the chance to go on a family outing to one of our favorite places - Setniker Pumpkin Patch! We have missed going the last couple of years since they moved, it was worth the wait!
We got a little more adventure than we bargained for though. As we were driving I made a comment that the sky to the East of us looked great, but the sky to the West looked like it was going to explode within minutes - little did I know how right I would be.
As we got out of the van in the parking lot of the barn, it started to rain, and then within seconds it was torrential - the whole sky just opened up and let down HUGE raindrops. We just grabbed things and ran - including the 4 umbrellas we had brought "just in case" - we never even got the chance to get them open!
Shortly after we arrived we tried to shake off the rain, and dry everyone as best as we could (never knew a person could get SO wet in such a little bit of time)We were in for MORE adventure - LOUD, rumbling thunder and lightning! We were thankful for the covering of the barn and large shed overhang. We just dont usually get weather like that in the valley, but it is becoming more common. We just hung out and played in the barn, and of course took tons of picts (also see more on my photo blog)while we were waiting for the rain to slack off (which it didnt do for a very long time)
We all had a really great time, and it was so nice to just have time as a family - that time just doesnt come as often as we would like. We are looking forward to going back to Setniker Farm again in December - they are going to have the barn open for more play and fun AND have real Christmas trees available this year. We havent had a real tree since the first Christmas after we got married. It should make for another wonderful family day to look forward to!

Preston decided to steal the camera and take picts of me which I profusely objected to. Lucky for him, one kind of turned out. All is fair in love and photography though, so I had to post the great one I got of him coming down and out the bottom of the huge slide inside the barn

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH I

Since most of these are horizontal I am going to go ahead and leave them small - otherwise they will get cut off on the one side....still trying to get that figured out...
BOYS! Need I say more?

This is so fun of the girls. I had to keep sneaking in and tickling Kels to get her to laugh and then jump back to try to catch the pict before she stopped...the work I go through to get cute picts sometimes!

I had a couple of previous photo clients also come to the pumpkin patch while we were there, and one of them was nice enough to take our pict so we could all be in one together

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH II

The kids had a great time on the hay ride. Ky & Kels esp liked the monster tractor they had pull the trailer through all the rain and mud
We discovered this awesome puddle at the bottom of the huge hay bales tower. The bales were so tall the kids could get a good flying leap off of it right into the puddle. The kids got some great splashes going on (see my photo blog of Kels/Colton) The kids were all thoroughly soaked and filthy by the time we left, but they loved every minute of just being able to PLAY!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH III

This is our little mud rat. She loved that puddle and threw a major hissy fit when it was time to go. She played and splashed and got totally soaked, and loved every minute of it!
The rain finally decided to let up for a bit by the time we went out to the field. I was able to get some great picts of the kids, without having to worry about the camera staying safe.

The safest place for Kels out in the field was in the wheelbarrow. She thought it was great fun and we knew where she was!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH IV

It took 2 wheelbarrows AND a wagon to transport kiddos and prized pumpkins back to the barn to be weighed. Our largest pumpkin this year was 16lbs. Our family rule is that you have to be able to carry it to take it home. Our pumpkins ranged from very large to itty bitty (ky & Kels) FHE this week will find us fulfilling another family tradition - painting and drawing on pumpkins vs carving them. It gives a great outlet for the kids' creativity and is ALOT less mess...

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH V

Ahh, so many pumpkins, so little time....