I am Thankful For....

I LOVE Thanksgiving. There is something amazing about taking the time to stop and think of all of the things in your life that you have that are good. There is also something about taking the things that don't seem good and trying to make them seem good. This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving poems...

I am Thankful for...
The mess to clean up after a party because it means
I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay
because it means I am employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and
gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government
because it means we have freedom of speech.
A parking spot at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill
because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me at church who sings off key
because it means I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing
because it means my loved ones are nearby.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
because it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours
because it means that I'm alive.

May Gratitude fill you heart the love fill your home...
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Laura's Babies

Photography has always been a love for me, but I have so much to learn. Luckily I have kind, patient friends that are willing to give me a chance. This week I had two of those. (Thanks friends!) Laura's babies were so cute! I have to admit it was hard to put them down because I just wanted to snuggle them. Even now my arms are missing them a little. They were so adorable and even cooperated through all of my lighting experiments. Here are some of our results.

The Seeleys

Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon hanging out with some of the coolest people in the world. Seriously. Aren't they a picture perfect family? I love my Sillies!

Hand Faces

During church we are always looking for ways to keep the girls busy. One day Jon started tracing their hands and then drawing funny faces in them. Hence, the "Hand Faces" were born. I have to say that they have drawn some very creative things. Since then, Madi and Tyli have been drawing them all of the time. Tyli loves to draw her very own hand faces. I find them in all sorts of random places. Here are a few of their masterpieces.

Some of Jon's...
Some of Madi's...
Some of Tyli's...
Some collages...

Not hand related, but cute all the same...

To Blog or Not to Blog

Sometimes I feel like my life is on fast forward, literally!! Especially lately I feel it. I look at my children and wonder how they got so big. I see old students and barely recognize them because they have become amazing young men and women. Or even old preschool students who are well into their elementary school years. I just don't understand how they have all grown so much. After all, I haven't aged a bit! ;)
I feel like I have so many things on my plate that I can only perform half of what I'd like because I can never complete something totally until I have to move onto the next thing. I just don't know how to squeeze all of the things in my day that need to be done. How do I spend quality time with my children, husband, family, friends, clean and organize my house, perform my church calling, act on all of the thoughts of kindness that come to mind, prepare for and teach preschool, exercise, plan, shop, and prepare healthy meals, make time for spiritual preparation, blog, email, facebook and most importantly play. :) No really, what is the secret? How do people do it?
I find lately that I get so totally overwhelmed by my "to do" list, that I am very unproductive. It's like so much is hanging over me that I don't even know where to begin.
So that brings me to my post title..."To Blog or not to blog". Obviously I am not very good at it. I have seriously considered doing away with blogging. One more thing not to be hanging over my head or feel guilty about. Especially where I am not very good at it in the first place. But I've concluded that I must blog. One, I really do like doing it. Writing can be very therapeutic. Second, it makes me sad to think of not recording those special moments or the funny things that my kids say and do. Yep! I will continue to blog when possible and hopefully when I blink my eyes and another ten years have passed I'll look back at what I've recorded and enjoy all of the things that occurred.

Fishing With My Dad

My dad is a hobby collector. He's always into something new. Growing up I remember things like photography, golfing, jewelry making, rock collecting, music collections and the list could go on. But the one constant is fishing.

My dad is true fisherman. The "I'd rather be fly fishing" statement that surrounds his license plate says it all. I have so many fond memories fishing with my dad. Many of our family vacations were planned around dad's fishing trips. I remember camping in the middle of nowhere in bug infested places all for the sake of catching a few fish. Luckily, I like camping and I don't really mind bugs so I always had a good time. My poor sister Jeri on the other hand was tortured several times as she is not the outdoor enthusiast that I am.

We all remember fondly the trip to "lost lake" because we really got lost trying to find it. We followed a dirt road forever in search of this little lake because my dad heard that the fish were biting. We had to run several cows off of the road at different intervals just so we could continue on our way. Even they didn't want us to find it.

Most of my memories involve me entertaining myself while my dad was busy trying coax the fish to his line. I recall throwing a stick out into the water for a dog to fetch over and over. I loved animals and this dog and I were instantly best friends. I remember my mom's homemade zucchini bread covered in frosting and snuggling up to her in her crocheted sweater that she always wore. My sisters and I kept ourselves entertained by throwing rocks into the lake. The ripples in the water predicted the weather for the upcoming week. We would explore in and around the lake for special treasure we could take home. Special rocks, pieces of weather worn wood, or other miscellaneous prizes would find their way into our pockets.

During ice fishing season we found the best hills to sled down. We shoveled the snow off of the ice to make our personal ice skating rink. We mastered the use of the ice agar to drill a hole through 2 feet of ice. I think we may have caught a fish here or there but more than anything we just liked being with dad.

Even as I recall these experiences the memories flow together as if to make one long fishing trip. Even the smell of fish reminds me of the long drive home after a day spent at the lake. The smell of fish permeated the car the entire ride back. A strangely successful feeling, as if all the hectic incidents were worth it. I look back now and realize that these trips were our family glue.

These experiences are a part of who I am and I would love my girls to share some of these moments as well. I would love for them to have this special bond with grandpa.

Grandpa has bought them their first fishing poles. (Pink of course.) Now we've had our first trip to the fish farm where they've each learned the thrill of reeling in their own fish. I am happy to report that they had no qualms about handling the flailing animals. Ok, well I don't think they actually touched the fish, but they didn't scream as they brought them out of the water which I take as a good sign!
All in all we had a fabulous day with grandpa and the cousins. Hopefully we'll have many a more fishing trips in our future.

One of the many fishing trips taken with my dad as a young girl. I know you appreciate the color scheme used in my outfit.

Madi's first catch!

Does Ty's hand touching the pole as Jon reeled it in count?

Grandpa is bribing Tyli with a quarter to buy a treat if she'll take this pictures with him. She agreed, but on her terms...absolutely NO smiling!

A very successful day!

Even though this trip was about fishing with grandpa, the girls couldn't have had more fun with their own dad.

Baby Cambree

What can I say? I am totally an amateur photographer. What better subject to practice on than my brand new baby niece? I definitely have a lot to learn, but we had fun all the same. Fortunately I was able to shuffle through all of the photos to find a couple keepers. It doesn't hurt that she is totally adorable!