Sunday Morning

Find joy in your children. Don't overschedule them or yourself. You may not be able to take them on exotic vacations. It doesn't matter. When the day dawns bright and sunny, take an excursion to the canyon or the park. When it's cloudy and wet, read a book together or make something good to eat. Give them time to explore and learn about the feel of grass and the wiggliness of worms.

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Thank you, Tyler, for driving up the canyon with me Sunday morning. Even though it wasn't a big fun event, I still treasure the time spent with you, and the songs we sang together. You're a great boy, and I am so glad that you are my son. I love you!

Just a Few More...

Goodness Gorgeous!!

I was lucky enough to photograph the gorgeous Jacqi today... and it was so much fun! I was a little disappointed in my new lens... or my lack of experience with my new lens, but how could anyone take a bad picture of this girl??

Jessica's Recital

Last night my sweet student, Jessica had her Book 1 and 2 recital. She did such a great job, and played beautifully! She told me afterwards that her hands and legs were shaking like crazy! I could tell that she was nervous, but she held her composure well. I really love these little rewards that happen with teaching violin. There are always hard days (not many with Jess, though!), but it all pays off in the end. :)

Her little niece came to watch. Jess was so cute with her, and she was such a good natured darling baby.

The Answer is BEEF

Brandon and I were eating dinner with Cooper tonight (Aubrey was at swim team, Tyler at hunter's ed), which is always an adventure. Cooper cracks us up all the time.

Brandon asked Cooper what was for dinner, and Coop said "Beef". (It was pork). So, Brandon keeps asking if it might be pork, but Cooper just kept answering "Beef". Then we really started having fun.

What did you have for lunch?

Beef

What did you have for breakfast?

Beef

What did the girl sitting next to you in class smell like?

(at this point, Cooper's laughing so hard he's about to cry...)

BEEF

We kept going until I asked him what the girl he kissed today tasted like... then he just got mad.

That reminds me... I had two good laughs today... WHAT was Simon thinking when he drew a mustache on Paula??? I couldn't stop laughing.

My New Lens!!!

My new lens came today (Nikkor 50mm 1.8, for those of you who know/care). I could not wipe the smile off my face all day! Just a few pictures I've taken so far...

Another Ego Boost For Me

The boys get out from school early on Fridays, so last Friday I decided to go walk to meet them on their way home. I saw them a little ways off, and Tyler waved to me, but Cooper just kind of ignored me. Finally he started running towards me and gave me a big old hug.

When Tyler caught up, he told me that he told Cooper it was me, but Coop didn't believe him. He said it couldn't be, because that girl was TOO FAT.

Soooo... should I be sad that he thought I looked fat at that moment, or happy that he thinks I'm skinnier than I am?

Since my boys are so thoughtful and sweet, they tried to make me feel better. Cooper said, "Mom, be glad you're a little fat, because when you're really skinny, like me, you get hurt a lot."

I guess I'll be thankful for that bit o' padding. ;) On the bright side, I found out that I am Jillian Michaels's (biggest loser trainer) exact height and weight. That doesn't mean that it's all distributed the same, but still... I'll take it! ;)

The Usual Saturday

You know, every day I get my camera out, I love it more and more. I think about taking photographs all the time. I dream about taking photographs. I spend way too much time looking at other people's photographs, and reading about taking photographs. I am officially obsessed, I guess. I guess the silo belongs to Cooper now.

Speak of the devil. I think I might write "MOM" on his forehead.

At least he's super cool... that makes up for a lot of trouble.

He's also very proud of his wavy finger. He says that he bought it at Walmart. I believe him... it looks like a Walmart purchase.

He's so cool, it's scary. Super scary.

I wanted to take pictures of Tyler today, and he didn't. What else is new? He liked having his mitt in every picture.

He doesn't know quite what to do with himself. I need to get better at coaching him through it... if I can't make my own kids pose, how will I make anyone else? I've got to practice...

This was his favorite.

He's so handsome! Just like his dad... because I'm not handsome.

See? Like I said, handsome.

Who would've thought I could get such fun pictures of our old run down movie theaters? I think the clouds decided to help me out here.

This movie is playing in Utah only... have you seen it? ;) (Click on the picture to see it bigger, if you can't read the sign.)

Well there's another Saturday.... cleaning up the yard and taking pictures. I'm beginning to see a trend here...

Let it Go

"Be one who nurtures and builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them." (Marvin J. Ashton)

I've been thinking about this quote lately... thinking about how I can apply it to my life. Thinking about how it frees me to be happy, if I follow this counsel. Some people do everything they can to bring someone else down, to do things they know will hurt someone else, to try over and over again to make the other person feel bad. I can let those people bring me down... I can try to retaliate and think of ways to make them feel bad too... or I can let it go. It's hard, but I'm trying.

A long time ago, way back in jr. high, I made a fool of myself. My brother was in jr. high too, and we had the normal sibling spats going on all the time. One day he tripped in the hall at school, fell down, and spilled his books everywhere. I was right there. What did I do? I laughed. I just laughed. I didn't help him pick up his books, I didn't ask if he was okay... I just thought, Ha! My annoying little brother just biffed it! This is hilarious. Over 20 years later, I still regret that day, and I still feel the embarrassment when I realized other people weren't laughing with me, but looking at me with a look of unbelief. I was the fool, not my brother who tripped.

These times might not be so obvious now, but how many times do we secretly laugh when someone else hurts... glad that they got what they "deserved"? Do we ignore their accomplishments, secretly angry that they are doing well in something? How often do we think of ways that we could "show" someone what an idiot they are? How often do we hold a grudge over one incident in our heart, and let that affect how we act towards someone for a very long time? I've been guilty. Are you? Let it go.

You WISH You Were a Nerd

We had our Daddy/Daughter Nerd Night for young women's... I had to share some of the pictures... Who wouldn't want to be a nerd, if you could look this amazing? I bet you've never seen such hot young women leaders... admit it.

How could you not love Sha? If you could see the lipstick on her teeth, and the badly drawn eyebrows, the toilet paper hanging out of her pants... I just know she's going to be starting new trends.

Jacqi, Sara and their dad... you should've seen all of the girls. They were hilarious.

And my favorite nerds of all-time. I am one lucky woman. Yes I am. That's a fanny pack Aubrey's wearing... Brandon had one too. (Wherever it is...)

Oh dear... now I've got the giggles. Rose's glasses... Rachael's pants and suspenders... Sha's socks and flip flops... I feel a little bad now that I just wore my regular outfit and didn't dress nerdy.

America's Next Top Aubrey

I've been playing with the idea of advertising to take pictures of graduating seniors, so I thought I'd go practice with "my" model today, and see if I could find any great spots. Well.... my model was cold, and didn't want to have her picture taken, and we couldn't find any good spots. I didn't end up taking very many at all, but I got a few that I liked.... Aubrey, of course, didn't like any.

Yes, a tree is growing out of her head. That makes this one useless... but, I do love her face.

Look at what is on my baby girl's eyelashes. Yes, it's mascara. She asked, we thought, we decided that wearing mascara doesn't lead to jumping off the deep end, and decided that she could. Sigh.

Don't Lasso the Photographer

Oh no.... you're not really thinking of lassoing me are you?

That looks kind of serious... stop swinging that rope above your head!

Eeek! You got me! I'm gonna drop the camera!