Nothing to Say

So I'll just let you look at some cute photos. I'm feeling super depressed... my knee is acting up again. I'm trying not to think about it, because I'm determined to positive-think my way out of it, and there are worse tragedies in the world, I guess.

I Heart Faces... Dramatic B&W

This week's challenge was a moody, dramatic b&w. Whenever I look at this photo of my sweet friend's son, I get really emotional, and I can't imagine it edited any other way. Keaton has become a lot more serious since he lost his dad last summer, and I can see that weight in this photo. I'm constantly amazed by his ability to bring joy to others, to be an amazing big brother to his baby sister, and his faith. I hope this has helped you to feel a bit of the mood of this photo... it's so hard to explain all the reasons that Keaton is one of my heroes.
Click the camera to see more dramatic b&w photos...

Why So Rude?

Well, here I go getting sort-of political on here, but don't get scared off. I've noticed this phenomenon before, but this example just really brought it home to me...

Have you noticed that people on the liberal (for lack of a better title... and I know, not all liberal leaners are this way) side of the debate really resort to name calling and ridicule for their debate? Maybe you'd think both sides are that way, and to an extent, they are. BUT... how about this...

A forum I frequent (runners) has a debate and vote going on about the national health care plan. The vote has gone this way:

26.9% like the health care plan

11.5% are neutral

61.5% don't like the plan

I think this could be a pretty fair sampling of the United States... people are from all over the US, from all different walks of life, and both genders are probably represented pretty equally.

So, here's the weird part... pages of comments, and guess who the overwhelming majority of commenters are? Those who like the health care plan. And I have no doubt why... the few brave souls who have dared to voice their opinion against the heath care bill have been insulted, ridiculed, and called names. They've been called racist, even though they said nothing about the president's color of skin. (Apparently if you disagree with his policies it has to do with his race.) They've been accused of being heartless, because they don't want their hard earned money taken away to pay for everyone's health care. They've been accused of "not thinking for themselves and just listening to whatever Glenn Beck tells them to do". They've been called "deluded"... it goes on. I've also seen this other places on the internet today too... And honestly, those who are against the health care plan haven't been attacking anyone personally, they've just been expressing their concern. Oh, and this forum is actually really mild... they're known for their acceptance and kindness towards all.

So, what's the deal? Can we not discuss things in a respectful way? Can we not realize that someone who has different views might have also researched before they made their opinion? Can we not realize that those with different views might also be kind and intelligent? And yes, if someone says something really stupid, you have every right to think they're stupid, but do you have to resort to 3rd grade name calling?

52 Photowalks: Week 11 (Olivia's Baptism)

Last weekend Aubrey, Cooper and I drove out to Olivia's baptism. What a great day! I'm so proud of Livi! Olivia does NOT like to smile for photos. You have to be pretty sneaky with this girl... I'm actually pretty happy with what I captured, so I thought it would be good for my photowalk. (There are quite a few more, Jas... I'll get you a disc and you can edit them all how you'd like to. :)
There's a lot to contemplate before you get baptized.
Sisters. :) I love these girls! Aubrey did Ashley's hair and I did Livi's.
My two favorite photos of the day... I really proud of my brother, Jason. He's a good man, and a good dad. You can see how much his kids love him.

Donovan wasn't sporting any other looks besides ornery disgust, so it's a good thing he looks so darn cute no matter what! I wish I could keep that boy, but I'm afraid his mom and dad are waaaay too attached to him for me to be able to sneak off. Darn it.
Olivia with her uncle Adam.
Jason and his sweet, beautiful wife, Dallas. I love that girl. :)
And since it's rare for me to turn up in photos, I had to put this one on here. Thanks, Adam, for being the photographer.

Congratulations Olivia!! I love you! Thanks for all the hugs and snuggles and for being such a great niece. :)

Thank You AGAIN, Tari!!

I have been wanting a headboard forever, and after 15 years of marriage I finally have one! My sweet friend Tari gave me this headboard, footboard and nightstand. (Yes, the same Tari that made my birthday super special... I love this girl!) It wasn't the prettiest thing in the world... particle wood '80s look (forgot to take befores, darn it), but I knew with a little bit of paint it would look more like "me". And you can't beat free....So the last couple of days I've been painting, staining, and making Brandon fix the footboard because the WIND blew it over... crazy... and it's done! I'm SO happy with the way it turned out!! It's not my dream bed, but I can't afford that right now, and this looks soooo much better than a floating bed. I'm finally a grown up! :) (Oh, and my room is CLEAN! Hallelujah!)

Welcome to the Fam, Baby Jake!

Congratulations to my little brother Geoffrey, Felicia, and Allston on their new addition! I can't wait to meet him!Edited to add: Just got the funniest message from a sweet friend... no, Felicia wasn't unknowingly pregnant... they adopted Jake. Still giggling, C... love you!

Musings on a 10 Mile Run

Happy St. Patrick's Day. :) I didn't wear green on my run this morning... I figured if anyone could catch me they were welcome to pinch me. Ha!

My cold didn't slow me down as much as I expected it to. It was fine except the salty sweat hurt my raw nose. I also hope nobody saw my many snot rocketings.

I finally got to see Brandon this morning... I haven't seen him since Friday. I've been going to bed at a decent hour since I've had this dang cold, so I'm asleep when he gets home and he's gone before I'm awake. I really think I should be going to bed earlier all the time, but it's hard to go to bed without him. Plus, I feel guilty. If he's not getting any sleep, why should I?

I am SO GLAD that Spring is coming! Whew... that was a long winter. Hello, sunshine!!!

I got to go to Olivia's baptism on Saturday. It was fun to stay at Jason & Dallas's on Friday night. We probably shouldn't have stayed up until 1:30 a.m., but it was fun anyway... and I only fell asleep a couple of times driving home. Just kidding! Stop freaking out... I never fall asleep when I drive. The only thing I wish we would've had time for is a run... next time, Dallas.

So, I think I ruffled a couple of feathers on facebook by saying that girls are tougher than boys. To clarify: Boys can almost always lift more weight, punch harder, etc., but girls are tough too. I think in something like yoga a girl could do as much or more than a boy. It's a different kind of strength. I also used to have big weight lifter guys come to my abs class and tell me they couldn't roll over in bed for 3 days afterwards... plus I could hold the plank longer than those same muscle guys. It's all just different kinds of tough. Sorry if I offended anyone. ;)

I really like green smoothies with spinach. Does anyone have any great healthy smoothie recipes they want to share? Don't worry, I still eat ice cream. And cake. And cookies. And chocolate mini eggs.

I'm going to go shower... if you were here, you'd thank me.

I Heart Faces...Bundled Up

More For My Girls... Prom Style

For My Girls (Week 10)

What young girl doesn't love trying on wedding gowns? We had such a fun time, and they all looked beautiful! I'll have more photos up later, but hopefully this will hold you for a bit, girls! :)

Am I Crazy? Don't Answer That...

I signed up for a marathon. That's 26.2 miles of running. I registered a little while ago but I've been scared to say it out loud, because I get a little queasy every time I think of it...

It's actually going to be pretty darn awesome. I'm running the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan in September with one of my BFFs, Annette. She's the one who got me started running, and we both ran our first race together (5K), we ran our first 1/2 marathon together, and we're going to run our first Ragnar Relay together. It's only fitting that we would run our first marathon together too. I only wish we could train together... I hate that she lives six hours away. (And that's six hours of driving, not running. ;)

So, anyway... wish me luck, or something.

I Heart Faces... Jump For Joy

What better reason to jump for joy than being a senior in high school? Life is good!

Check out some more photographers' great jumping shots!

We Could All Use a Break

I came home from Cooper's piano lessons to find this note on the table from Tyler. (Tyler, I'm sorry... I know this would embarrass you, but I love it too much not to share.)

Update: I just played it cool... decided I'd see how long he lasted. He had his tent set up back there. About an hour after I got home I was on the phone, and he came in and wandered around the house for awhile while I talked. He also gave me a couple of hugs. Then I told him I was glad he was back. He brought his tent in after he ate dinner with us. Pretty easy, I'd say. ;)

I love you but I need a break. You'll probably figure out I'm in the backyard. I'm sorry I've been rude lately. I deserve to do chores. I just need time away from siblings, parents (etc.) I'm staying out there till Saturday March 6, 2010 10:00 a.m. So please don't bother me please.

-Tyler

I love you

p.s. I'm serious about it all.

Checking in With My Fellow Photogs

First of all, I thought I'd share Rebecca's recent photowalk... doesn't it look deliciously divine?? Great job!

Also, I tried to comment on everyone's photos at first, but it was taking so much time, and then I realized that most of you aren't commenting on mine (which is totally fine, by the way) so you wouldn't be offended if I didn't comment on all of yours. :) So, if you noticed a decrease in comments, just don't be offended, okay? I'm busy. ;)

52 Photowalks: Week 9

I made Brandon take me for a drive this week for the photo"walk"... and he didn't mind at all. He's always ready to go for a drive. He even took me out to lunch at a little cafe out in the middle of nowhere. What a great day!When we were driving past frozen Pelican Lake I saw my opportunity. The colors were calling to me, so we stopped, and I shot.

This ice was frozen solid. It looked scary, but I ventured out after Brandon jumped up and down numerous times. (Apparently he's not been so lucky every time he's tried that in the past...)

Couldn't decide which edit I liked better...




We drove past some curious wild horses.

I got this one on the sly... he wouldn't let me take more after that. I tried to get him to go somewhere with better light... I mean, look at his eyes with the sky!!... but he was having none of it. Party pooper. He's all great at encouraging my photography until the camera is pointed at him. ;)

52 Photowalks: Week 8

Okay, this photo has nothing to do with photography, but since it's the only one I took during week 8, I'm going to use it. If nothing else, it's good for a laugh. This is what I looked like after my 6 mile run in the fog. I knew my eyelashes were iced over, because I could see it, but when I got back to my car and realized that my eyebrows were also icicles, and my face was covered in ice, and my hair was white, I had to take a picture with my phone. No wonder that guy parked on the side of the road was laughing at me...