PhotoMama

Senior photos and combining blogs...

A while back, I started a separate blog for my business, but I think I'm going to combine them.  I can barely keep up with one blog...much less two!  So anyway, I took Jenn's senior photos yesterday.  Jenn and her Mom came from out of town and we had a lot of fun!  So, Jenn, here's your sneak peak!!

The Goodwill....

First, my news is NOT that I'm pregnant.  I don't think my husband would be very happy.  Our news is that we're 95% sure that we'll be moving back to Missouri with in the next year.  For me, the sooner the better!  The cost of heating oil is through the roof and I'm not looking forward to another long, cold Maine winter!  

So, YIPPEE!  I'm excited to be so near to our families for really the first time since we've been married.  We're not sure exactly where we'll be yet, but anything is closer than Maine.

So, I usually don't have much luck at the Goodwill.  I guess I'm just not much of a bargain shopper, but the other day I found a stool that was ick and I think I fixed it up pretty nice.   I painted it and recovered that cushion.  I wish I would of taken before pictures, but here it is after....

 

The top.

And I made the girls new skirts...

And the reason I bought the stool in the first place!

Photos, of course :)

 

Molly took a digger earlier this week.  I think the dog was pulling her along and she fell.  She graceful, that one.

One more of Grace.  

More from Manda's visit.

I took Manda to the airport early, and I mean early Monday morning.  Everyone was sad when they woke up and she was gone. I took some pictures while we were on Grace's field trip...did I mention it rained?  Ick.  Rain and the beach don't go together.  Here are a few pictures from the day.  I'm playing with some new actions...What do you think?

Not sure about this one....I think Moo has the same nose as her cousin, Elizabeth....Which would actually mean that she does have some of my genes!  

And then I thought this was funny.  She wanted to go for a walk and she didn't care if we didn't pick Luke and Grace up from school.  She woulda left 'em!

We're getting ready for the long drive to Missouri in a couple of weeks!  I hope to see some of you guys!  We're looking forward to it!  And we have some exciting news!  I'll share soon!!

Manda and the Monkeys....

anda is enjoying her visit...I think!  I think she and I have been able to do more together this visit than any other time she's been here.  We went on a field trip with Grace, we went shopping, had sushi, she went with me to take pictures yesterday, we went to a friends house last night for a BBQ and today one of my very good friends, Kim and her crew, are coming over for dinner.  I met Kim in OK, Manda went to school there and baby sat her older two girls, so Manda likes seeing them when she can.  

Manda also wanted some pictures of her with the kids for her house.  So, here are some.  Luke really isn't into having his picture taken.  Don't you like his hair and dirty face?  Nice...such a boy, that one.

With Grace.

Grace by herself.

And Panda by herself.

I told the kids I would get them a surprise yesterday....

And they, OF COURSE, wanted to tell me what they wanted for a surprise.  But I already knew what I was bringing them....So, I told Molly we were going to the airport to look at airplanes (she's still little enough that she believed me)...

Molly wasn't sure what to think when she saw this coming at her....

She was being really shy...

And then we had to wait for Aunt Manda to go potty.  She must have my Mamas tiny little bladder :)

Manda was supposed to arrive at 1, which would of given us enough time to get home to pick the older two up from school, but as luck (bad luck, that is...I think that's all we've got) would have it, she was delayed and didn't get in until about 2:45.  So Jared picked the kids up from school and when we pulled in told them to go out to see what their surprise was.  I didn't have my camera out and I really wish I had because their faces were the best!  They had NO idea she was coming.  

Manda and I are going on a field trip with Grace today (and right now it's totally ick outside and I SO do not want to go to the stinkin beach!!) so I'll be double posting today!  See you tonight!

J

The living room.

Me again :)  I know, I've been MIA again.  Jared got home from deployment, baseball and softball are in full swing, and Molly is done with school and her goal in life is to drive me totally and completely N U T S O!!!  Am I the worst Mom in the world for saying that?  I love her, but she sure does .demand attention every waking, breathing minute.  Not to mention, a sinus infection that I went to the doctor about a week ago, but was told I just had a cold, so there for went BACK to the doctor today and hope to feel better and be in a better mood tomorrow.  

I finished my curtains for my living room about a month ago and I really like them.  You like?

And I loved these pillows from Pottery Barn.

But I couldn't afford to buy new covers for all my pillows.  I checked them out in the store and the stripes are ribbon!  So, here's my take.  I actually like the ribbon colors that Pottery Barn used, but the colors I used matched everything in my living room better. (excuse the blurry photos)

The floral pillows are from IKEA.....

 and here are the other two made by me...

First...

and this...

So, that's it for today!  Maybe I'll actually keep up....but who knows!

Have a great rest of the day!

The kitchen sink.

As a photographer, the way I tend to think about EVERYTHING is "How will that look in a picture?" Or "Oh, wouldn't that look Fab in a photo." So, of course, when we put in the new kitchen sink, that was all I cared about. And I knew it would look fantastic in photos. So, the sink has been in for nearly a year, but the trim around the window and the walls wasn't finished. The trim is up and the walls are painted and thankfully, Molly's a tiny almost three year old, and the sink is a perfect size for her! YIPPEE!! So yesterday, she had her first bath in the sink. I wish I would of had this when all of them were tiny. It's much easier on the knees and back!!

So, my girl!

Stop it, MOM.

Target.

From Jared.....
Sweetheart I love you, please be careful at TARGET.
There was more, however I won't scare you. Basically, I've spent too much money at Target since Jared has been gone. It seems that when I'm lonely, I spend money. No excuse, babe. I am sorry. I love you. A note....I only drove BY target today to take those pictures.
I don't want to hear one word from my friends from home (MO) that it was beautiful and 70 degrees today (did you hear that Erica?).
This is what it looked like here yesterday......Well, you can't see it that well, but there is SNOW falling.

This is the only sign of spring.....

YUM!

Happy Spring!

A Conversation

Between Jared and I yesterday...online, of course. Me: So you want to have one more. Him: Um. NO. I'm convinced that 'someone' was listening today. Molly was SO rotten today, I was sure that God was telling me that there was no way in the WORLD that I wanted another baby. Man. Anyway, Grace had her music program tonight and while I was trying to get dinner ready and get Grace ready, Molly was trying to drive me nuts!!! AHHH!!

So, I made dinner....A recipe I got off a friends blog. It was SO yum. Thanks, Brandie!

What I did while I was cooking that yummy dinner....

And what drove me to drink! Crocs anyone?

And finally, Grace before the concert.

I'm so ready for spring and summer. The afternoon light in my kitchen today made me think that it isn't that far away. I hope it's not.

I'm off to bed! My mind is tired after chasing a almost three year old!
Sweet Dreams!

Gracie's new skirt :)

I made miss Grace a new skirt! She was SOO excited! Here are a couple of pictures! It's Erin's twirly skirt. And she loves it! We bought more fabric today to make one for Miss Molly and Gracie's friend, Bailey. Here is Grace modeling her new skirt! Can't see it so well in this one...but isn't her snaggle tooth cute? Not really? Well, I love it!!

Gracie's friend Bailey and My friend, Amanda
took Grace for a manicure for her (belated) birthday present. Here the girls are showing off their nails.

and the girls together :)

So, since the kitchen is done, I'm looking for stuff for the walls. A wonderful local (Portland) artist, Jennifer Judd-McGee did this piece by my side door. I love her stuff! I have two prints and one orginal piece from her! Check out her etsy shop.

More tomorrow! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!