I had 666 posts staring at me on my dashboard

it was freaking me out so I thought I'd blog something. I shall bombard you with randomness now.

My son the scout.

When I run out of subjects to photograph I take pics of my feet while practicing. 

There are way to many pics of my feet on the computer

I shall go delete them now.

And that anklet was so on my ankle like two days ago and now its not.

Damn 

I hate it when that happens. 

oh and feel free to laugh at my crooked toes.

Kyle does all the time

Now on to a better reason to cuss. 

Cora poops once a week 

All of my kiddos have a history of literally being anal retentive.

Its such a pain. I mean its nice for seven days to not change a poopy diaper, but man when its time. WHOA.

When she is due to poop I am afraid to leave the house.

Outfits are ruined.

furniture is ruined

everyone involved needs a shower

I mean the above photographed example is not even the full picture

 that particular event filled up the foot of her footed pj's. 

Did you hear that???

FILLED IT UP.

gross

I am Cora hear me roar

I have almost got these teeth through

give me something to chew on

now

please

Idearc?

Bro. Hartman let Kyle know that Idearc is hiring last night and this morning he found out they have a product manager position open! So say a prayer for us!



And in general I have been meaning to let everyone know how we are faring in this blustery economy and unemployed time. Most of the time we are very frustrated. But the rest of the time we are grateful. We are glad we took some steps to get our financial house in order. We are a little upset that we didn't do even better at that, but we are in a decent spot. We are doing our best to stretch out what is in the bank. I have even taken my slightly embarrassed self down to the WIC office to get benefits. Hey, we qualify (and we paid the taxes into it). I am only putting this out there on the blog so others in our position will understand that its not wrong to do everything in your power to save.



Now about Christmas, When this lay-off was just on the horizon I took measures immediately for Christmas. All items for the big man in red were ordered in early fall and have been tucked away since. I knew come what may I didn't want to be stressing over that. I take Christmas very seriously :) As far as what will be exchanged other than that - It will be very modest. I am actually looking forward to that. We have prepared the kids to expect less and they seem to completely understand. Its time we become less materialistic at Christmas.

Few words, bunch of pictures

Kyle forced me to sit down and clean up our pictures on the computer. If you know me well that is a monumental task, made even more difficult with sweet Brett on my mind. I hardly wanted to delete a thing.

but while doing it I realized there has been a lot I haven't blogged, so here ya go in no particular order:

Love this crazy kid

Its technically a bad pic but I love it - and I love being in scouts, minus the UGLY shirt I have to wear

Cora in her very favorite spot - right in the middle of the action

I had a really long post in my mind about the penny pinching qualities of from scratch cooking and quiches (like my homemade pie crust?) but I am too tired so you just get pictures - and how will Penny Pinchers continue?? 4th ward or Prosper...hmmmmmmmm

aren't they adorable

I am so proud of Meg - she spear headed a campaign at school to get donations for Hurricane Ike victims. She did a marvelous job and they were able to donate thousands of dollars of supplies! I was so proud of her commanding the stage at a benefit dinner!

I love the sleepy lips

Kyle got up at 6:30 am to win an ebay auction on a light meter. So now he has to sit and do this a lot so I can practice.

Scout Crafts

Ella breaking the Birthday board at TKD

I don't condone rude bloggers

Ya know the ones I mean...

the "this is why I am better than you" "I hate my calling" types... So I am not sure what the Cordy blog thing that Navel was referring to is about, but everything else in her post had me shaking my head in agreement. Go check it out, because I am too tired to blog much else besides 

I HATE MEAN PEOPLE

(including people who leave insensitive comments on the Dallas Morning News article about the Burdick family situation)

anywho go read that awesome post here

It was cold on Friday.

Cold enough that Amber Burdick and I talked briefly on the phone while I was on my way to make gingerbread houses in Ella's class. We discussed whether or not to go ahead with the photo session she had scheduled for her three children. I wanted to go on ahead with it despite the potential cold - it was a prompting I didn't quite understand, but will forever appreciate. We went on with the session and Dad was even able to come and it became a family portrait session.

Amber and her three children were in a car accident Sunday night at one of the worst intersections many of us have to go through on a regular basis. Her son Brett did not survive and her oldest Andrew is still in Children's hospital.

The heartache is palpable in our community right now.  I wish I was a more eloquent blogger at times like this. Just like I wish I had been the worlds best photographer this past Friday in Erwin park. 

I rest on my faith in situations that make me want to melt in sadness. I pray that Amber and Chris and anyone touched by Brett's sweet smile can do the same right now.

Please pray for them, and if you can help more, there are ways to assist specified in this article as well as one picture from a cold photo shoot this past Friday.

  

Its been a while since we talked

Hey Grandma, Nana, and Aunt Beth
Mom says I change every single day and I haven't updated ya'll in a while.
so this is me right now:
I LOVE breast milk even though I have given rice cereal a little try. - Mom says its almost time for Daddy to get down the highchair.
She also says its time for me to go sleep in the crib and not in her room, but for some reason she cries when she talks about that.
I have decided to start waking up a little before 6am - Daddy gets me and brings me to mom - she barely opens her eyes, just feeds me.
I like to stay awake all morning and watch Maiya, but then I sleep almost the rest of the day. - my naps are very, very long. Mom still has to go make sure I am breathing, because she is neurotic.
Mom literally nibbles on me - if she hits the right spot on my neck it makes me giggle uncontrollably.
Daddy says I am not nice to him when mommy is gone, because I won't drink from the bottle. That thing stinks, I'll pass!
Aunt Meg is really neat - except that she makes me lay on my tummy a lot and tries to get me to roll - all the while saying "Your mom is babying you TOO much" - whatever that means.
My newborn hair is falling out, and I am getting cradle cap. Other than that they say I am ADORABLE.
Miss you guys,
love
CORA

Howdy penny pinchers

Been wanting one of these for like EVER!!! one for Zeke's size is over $200 - got this one on Craigslist for $75 - it needed modification but my man got it to work with some awesome help from Kristen's cool husband.

ignore how dirty it is - i'll get to that later

I am loving it

The photography thing is going well.
Thanks to all who have helped by letting me take your pictures or by spreading the word or both.
Things I have learned so far:

• "post processing" is harder than I thought
  
• Blondes are very hard to photograph
  
• more BEAUTIFUL women have issues about how they look than I ever would have imagined.
  
• I want more stuff!!!
  A part of me is proud of myself to know a lot more technical jargon than I ever did before, but part of me hates it because it just makes me want more gadgets.
  but I have to remember photography is not just about the gadgets.

• Photographers that are willing to talk and teach are awesome - so many hide their talent info for fear of sharing "their secrets" its nice to meet people who will share info: one such person is this guy Walt I meet at the Hansen Fong seminar. He was very nice and if you need a photographer light years more qualified than I - check him out HERE
  

Oh, FYI - the website already needs major updating. - I have lots of great pics of great people to add to the gallery, I am just going to wait until after the Christmas card season to change all that up!
But these pictures will not go on the gallery. I love them but since I do not yet have any studio lighting it would be false advertising to put these on there, but I did take them and I do think they are pretty good! It was at a studio lighting workshop I went to a while back.

My babies keep growing up!

Happy Birthday 

Ella!

awww baby Ella

Ella had specialty caramel apples for her party. 

Sis. Borjas makes them - they are to die for!

Want one? Check them out here

Seven things about Ella:

• She was our BIG surprise baby - we found out about her impending arrival when Benjamin was only nine months old.
• She has an impeccable memory. She remembers situations, outfits, background scenery, small details from just about every conversation she has had since birth.
• She LOVES black olives - just open her a can and she will have one on the tip of each finger in no time.
• She has always been mature for her age, which was nice when she was three, its scary when she is seven.
• She HATES waking up in the morning. Every morning she wants to skip school. Every afternoon, she is glad she went.
• She loves to read, she reads out loud, alone, every billboard, subtitle, articles over mom's shoulders - anything. Lately she reads to Maiya with a very "teachery" voice.
• She is tiny. Sometimes she is embarrassed about how short she is, but good things come in small packages!

Shake it!

Meg got Ella this for her birthday, it had us all a dancin and a singin!

Want see what bad dancers we are:

The funniest part in this one (besides Benjamin's robotic moves) is Cora tumbling over in the background!

I know laughing hard at those will burn some of those thanksgiving calories off!!!

Frisco Christmas Nativity Exhibit

While you are getting out your Christmas decorations remember to label and set aside your Nativities for the Nativity Exhibit. And start inviting all your friends, family, and neighbors!!

Have a great Turkey Day!

OT doesn't just stand for Overtime

Occupational Therapy was mentioned.

It was in the article about NieNie and Christian that was linked on Cjane's post yesterday.

"Christian said occupational therapy and rehabilitation at home takes up the majority of his day. Stephanie is still in a hospital, but Christian is glad he is going through many of the steps before she does. "

It might be a small thing to you - but as an Occupational Therapist (even a stay at home mom one) Its a big deal.

I mean do you realize Occupational Therapy never gets mentioned - I mean NEVER

Its always Physical therapy this, PT that - (no I'm not bitter...much)

IN OT school we wrote letters to ER when they didn't mention OT in an episode and then wrote letters to thank them when they mentioned it twice in a later episode.

Sometimes explaining Occupational Therapy is like talking about the church. It amazes me how many people have never heard of it. Have no idea what it is - or have it all wrong. Several of Kyle's co-workers in Virginia thought I was an Occupational Hypnotherapist - like in Office space.

so if you are wondering what it is check it out here

My definition is less technical heavy. OT helps you do your job - whatever that may be - mostly it starts with Activities of Daily Living (shower, dress, cook, work, if you are a kid -play, etc.)

I did one rotation in a burn unit - It was very, very hard work - for me and those going through it. NieNie and Christian are going to need all the strength they can muster and our prayers!!

I have also been trying to help Aunt Beth with my OT skills from a distance. As you know she has been going through Chemotherapy. She finished her last treatment a couple of weeks ago and we were thrilled because that means she may be able to come here for Christmas. But last week Peripheral Nueropathy (numbness in her hands and feet) - an effect of the chemo reared its ugly head. She had a fall then starting friday can't use her right hand. Its hard to be away from family. Especially when you want to help. We are praying for a speedy recovery!!

I made them eat shredded wheat

Benjamin made it till 7:04

followed by Maiya at 7:08

Ella is the sleep lover like me but only made it until 7:30 

maybe tomorrow...

so...the kids have off from school this week

I told them if they would sleep until 9:30 tomorrow they could have chocolate ice cream for breakfast.

do you think it will work?

I love my church!!

couple of thoughts on my mind-

Ladies, wasn't the Bishops "straight from the horses mouth's" talk today awesome?
I thought it was.

Anywho...
don't know if many of you even know this happened, but last Saturday the Stake had an emergency preparedness drill. Our area was to be "hit" by an unexpected tornado (or something of the like). Bro. Holgate came to our house to tell us the details in advance. Our part was that we had been hit and we had no phone and we needed a chainsaw badly. Our directions were to not discuss this with others and on the day of the drill if anyone called and asked if we had an emergency to say "we have no working phone" and hang up. Then if they came we told them we were in need of a chainsaw. The undercover nature of it had the kids so excited. When Bro. Fisher did come that day - they were thrilled to be a part of it. I am just impressed with how focused on preparation our faith is - I know that if there is ever an actual emergency here we will be taken care of!

That is also a safety net that comforts me now during Kyle's job loss. We are not there yet, but I know if help is ever needed all I have to do is pick up the phone and say "We have been hit, we need x" and someone is here!!

Oh and the other thing I love about my church is how smoothly it runs with a lay clergy functioning on a 100% volunteer basis. Its amazing how much can be accomplished when people have a good attitude about their callings. Almost every person has felt the demands of being in a huge ward. Kyle and I have been leading Cub scout den meetings with 12+ boys each time. But tomorrow the ward will be split! This is the second split we have been a part of since we moved here. Have you heard yet how awesome it is here? Everyone wants to move here!!

I will miss seeing everyone -

but I am looking forward to the changes, because like I said before my church is AWESOME.

Learning...

I'm busy, and not blogging enough, I know, I know
going tomorrow night to a seminar with this guy Hanson Fong Hear he's awesome.
going thursday night to a photclub about photoshop
going on the 29th to a photclub group shoot in Las Colinas

Got a freezer tonight (early Christmas Gift from my mom) for all you Penny Pinchers out there we went to the Sears Scratch and Dent place and got a nice freezer for more than $200 off the regular price (17 cubic feet), can't wait to stock up on deals again.

and yes its 1 am, so now I am going to bed.

Ta-da!

Its here! My website is ready for visitors. Check it out!!!!

Imagesfromoz.com

PS. Love you Kyle!!!

(my underpaid Website developer)

Kindness, mutual respect

Its amazing to see Sarah at work

Her house is transforming!

You coming?

Now for not a normal post...

have you ever been so scared you almost threw up?

couldn't stop shaking?

didn't know if you should run or pace?

Well Maiya went missing

she was upstairs playing will her pal Noah till we realized she wasn't there. A few calls "Maiya" went unanswered. Loud calls went unanswered. Kyle and Meg searched the house. I searched the backyard, then the cars, then the garage. Shortness of breath kicked in
then I decided to head to the neighbors and grab the phone at the same time. Outside in the neighbor's front yard I heard Meg scream: HERE SHE IS
I almost collapsed.

I am going to go say a HUGE prayer of thanks

want to see where she was? she is very good at Hide and Seek:
(but it helps if you don't fall asleep where you hide)

Just a normal post

Thought the blog was a little too photography heavy. Thought I would just let people check in for a bit Kyle is working hard at keeping a schedule during this job search, He is quite amazing. He exercises most mornings, works on Internet searches, phone calls, and resume tweaking. We eat lunch then he finds pet projects that someone gives him to do - that someone being me ;)
mostly its been the website, but its also included hanging hooks - what do all you mom's do with the backpacks anyway?

Benjamin mortified us with some particularly bad behavior this weekend. So he has been truly grounded this week. Its been hard on him but he has been very sweet and humble about it too. I went to the bookstore to read up on discipline and the eight year old. The first title I picked up was "Handling your pre-teen" and I immediately thought this isn't for me, but as I was putting it back I saw the italicized portion under the title "for children 8-12" HOLY $&%&^%&^ do I have a pre-teen? can that be possible?
Benjamim frequently laments that he doesn't have any friends. It makes me sad, but the constructive criticism he needs to hear to correct that problem seems mean when I say it out loud. Being a mom IS the hardest job.

Ella is in that bossy "this is what we are going to play and this will be your role" stage. It causes frequent head-butting with her little friends and there is no right answer when you try to negotiate with them. Did I say mothering was hard yet?

Maiya is hysterically cute, but bad. I realized the other day that she NEVER helps pick up - I did not exaggerate. I can't get her to pick up one thing. But she is so dang cute about it. And if she happens to get scolded she cries like you literally crushed her heart. Amazing how she controls us with her emotions. I am going to start working on that.

Cora is adorable as ever. Sleeps like a charm. Laughs and coos all the time. Makes me want a dozen more kids. Crazy huh?

Side note to plug how wonderful TKD is (where the kids take TaeKwondo) - we emailed the dreaded email yesterday that we were going to have to get out of our contract because of Kyle's job loss. They called us at 8:30 to say they would like us to keep bringing the kids even if we can't pay right now. They want the kids to maintain as much normalcy at this time as possible. I didn't want to blog about them offering free services to us necessarily. But I did want to thank them publicly so you could know how awesome they are and if you are thinking about enrolling your kids in Martial Arts you will want it to be there!!!

Can't wait

So I am dying to share with you my new website Kyle has been working on for me. But alas, its not quite ready. But I did want you to see my recent shoot with one COOL family.

check them out here

And I am getting business ducks in a row - I got tax numbers today and a "Doing Business As" license!

Images from Oz is official and coming to a website near you soon!

oh and I got a pic of Benjamin

Perot Systems

Does anyone have connections at Perot Systems?

Kyle has applied for a position there and an inside word could be helpful.

Today I rented

this: and this:

I thought I would fall in love with the zoom lens - really I could take it or leave it (for $1200 i'll leave it). But that speedlite - oh I am in love!

Want to see some pics?

Images from Oz

Misguided anger

Prop 8 prostestors target the Church

Standing up for values does not mean we hate.

It just about makes my heart explode

When my baby smiles and giggles!

Don't fall asleep at our house

because people will mess with ya!

we don't always snore this bad - we don't think so anyway!

tired of looking at puke?

Then check out the Sexy apron at Sarah's blog!

Ever try to remember what you ate the last 24 hours?

I am because Cora just did this:

Welcome aboard Meg

My sister has a blog.

how cool.

what will be will be

but I wish for this:

Have you read Matt Burr's post about Prop 8? Get a tall glass of water and sit down for a good read that very much sums up my opinion as well. Check it out here.

finally...

I got to be in front of the camera.

Dear Meg,

sorry the kids were such a pain.

sorry I was such a pain.

they look great.

love,

Janie

Dear Canon,

I love you.

your BFF,

Janie

Dear Photoshop,

You do amazing things.

And you make me very angry sometimes.

Its a love hate relationship.

Sincerely,

Janie

Under The Bridge: Literal Video Version

Photo Shoot

Check out the Shelton's

at Images from OZ

Just a tease...

Our trip

Since you are home Kyle...

Its done - I was fed up with our bathroom downstairs - NieNie inspired me - and Kyle has a little extra time on his hands so we got to work. I LOVE IT! It was a lot more fun than this project from the past:

Home improvement of the past!