no words...

Just this.

Sawyer Jon

Never would have thought I'd have a baby with blue eyes.  Denim-blue eyes.  But it happened.  Not sure they'll stay, but at almost four and a half weeks, I think it's likely.  He's pretty handsome, of course I'm a little partial to someone I grew inside me.  

Enjoying Life {I Heart Faces}

I haven't blogged since I don't know when.  I was busy this spring gestating a baby and then three and a half weeks ago birthing said baby.  Thought I'd jump back into blogging with a link up to I Heart Faces July photo challenge. 

I love this picture of sis holding baby Sawyer for the first time.  She prayed and prayed for a sister, but God had other plans for our family.  And even though she cried when dad told her we had a boy, when she got to the hospital to meet brother she was so sweet on him.

New Socks

It's actually Thursday.  And even though she constantly gets her feet stuck while sitting like this way, it's still her preferred choice. 

ETA: My friend Sheyenne wondered about this pic, so here is the sooc, and final edit along with some details. 

 ISO800 * 55mm * f/5.6 * 1/15 sec shutter speed.  

Here's what I did with it in photoshop elements.  I ran Urban Grit action from Coffee Shop Blog. I painted just on the socks to apply the affect.  Then I ran Purely for the Web action from Pure.  That's it.  

I obviously am by NO means a photographer or expert photoshopper, BUT I'm learning, and it's fun to learn.  As a result of me learning, you'll probably be seeing lots more short photo posts like this one.

My New Toy {Holiday Bokeh Challenge}

Santa brought me a new camera lens, it even came a bit early on Christmas Eve. 

I must have been really good.  And mom & dad love me lots. :)
Here's one of the first shots I took with it.  I had been reading up the How to Capture Holiday Bokeh tutorial, which is really helpful.

ISO 1600 ~ 50mm ~ f/4 ~ 1/30 sec shutter speed

Year in Review Photobook

                                           Click here to view this photo book larger

I made this book as a Christmas gift for my parents and Ben's parents (and myself).  I love it!! Can't wait for it to get my hands on it.  Yes, I'm lame and didn't get it done till yesterday, so estimated arrival isn't until after the new year.  But that's ok.

And I'm sure you've noticed my absence lately.  I have good reason.

Not that I've been sick or anything.  I'm one of those people most other pregnant people hate.....never been sick with any of my pregnancies.  PTL!
So there you have it, we are so blessed with three kiddios and will prayerfully be welcoming a fourth this June.  Hopefully I'll get back to more regular posting.  But I will say it's been nice having lots of time away.


(lame disclosure in case anyone cares: I paid for these books myself, just thought I'd share the cuteness w/ you)
Shutterfly photo books are the new way to preserve your memories. Create your own today.

InstaFriday

Another installment of InstaFriday, some Fourth of July fun included

Retro baby in big brother's "vintage" 2006 Old Navy tee.  (Yes, that is my living room floor covered with toys in the background.  Real life peeps, real life)

Dad is always a good sport and lets sister brush his hair.

His Fourth of July attire (minus shorts).  Mason wore a matching tie, but I didn't get a pic of him in his.  

  Headed out to have some fireworks fun!!

The moon on the Fourth was so pretty.

Ooh, awwww!!

DATE NIGHT!! What a cute couple! *wink*  My MOPS group and church sponsored date night for 50 families, you dropped your kids off at the church, they got fed Chickfila and you were given a gift card to go eat.  SCORE!!! Since we chose a Starbucks giftcard (don't be jealous) we ended up going to Outback for dinner.  God blessed us with slow service and we got to eat free.  When we left the manager apologized and told Ben, "That's not how we do business."  Um, we kinda like doing business that way, bring on the free steak :)

And I had to laugh when they brought us our second loaf of bread, they stabbed the life out it. But it was still delicious and I had about ten slices, ok maybe just five.

Took a trip to Silver Dollar City, this handsome dude kept me company while daddy road rides with the big kids. 

SUPER Dad!

Linking to:

InstaFriday at Life Rearranged

InstaFriday

I've seen a couple of blogs (grey luster girl & kidnapped by suburbia) link up to InstaFriday, so I figured I'd join in on the fun.  After all, I am constantly snapping pics of my kids, my day and life around us.  I don't know what I did before my EVO, oh wait, yes I do.  I rocked a pink flip phone for 3 years and it took me 5 years to type a text.  And seriously the conversations we had about actually getting smart phones, you would have thought it was some major life decisions, like having another kid or building a house.  But when you stay at home and your husband is in ministry anything involving $ is a major decisions.  Six months later we are SO happy (and thankful) we have them.

On with the PICS!!

Ben got home from two weeks of travel, to say Mason missed him is an understatement. 

A trip to Sam's to get some staples.  Lincoln is almost always shoe-less, he did have some of the ministars from Target, but outgrew them.  It's summertime, and pudgy baby feet are cute so it's ok. 

My favorite summertime anytime salad.  Ben and I finished off almost the whole bowl.  YUM!

Can of corn drained, diced green peppers, diced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, mayo & chili cheese fritos=DELISH.  My friend Angie gave me this recipe, I'm forever grateful.  She also said you can throw in some chicken and call it dinner. 

I HATE when my baby is sick. 

My little artist, painting while big brother is at kinder camp and little brother naps. 

Hit up happy hour for half-priced slushes.  The slush machine was on the fritz so we got ice cream & and Coke Zero instead.

Had craft night last night at my good friend Jen's.  We embellished hats.  My flower is snapped on so I can change it out.  I'll look super cute sportin' it on The Fourth.  Along with crafting we also ate. A LOT.  I should have snapped a pic of the spread, but let me just tell you what was there.  PW's Cinnamon Rolls, choco/oreo/brownie bar goodness, cream cheese/salsa dip, cupcakes, lemon bars, trail mix, and fruit dip.  And yummy coffee with Almond Joy creamer. 

My festive toes.  

Linking to:

InstaFriday at Life Rearranged

Baby is 5 months!

Seriously!  How can he be 5 months old?!  Time goes too quick I tell ya.  He is rolling over, almost sitting up by himself, turning in belly circles and draws his legs up under him during tummy time.  I predict he'll be scooting within the next month.  Mason and Brooke were both early crawlers too.  I was just looking at old pics of Mason and can't believe that he is 5 and a half and going to be in kindergarten in August.  

These days he would stay outside ALL DAY if we let him and weather was nice.  And although he loves the camera and will give me tons of smiles to work with, I thought this pic fits him to-a-tee.  Outside, wild hair blowing in the spring wind.  

And then there's my Brooke, who I have to beg and beg to give me a look when I've got the lens pointed at her.  But this pic captures her as well, playing play dough, fighting the urge to put it in her mouth.  That sweet smile coming through.  You might never know what a goof she is and the CRAZY things she says that have the BEST facial expressions to go along with them. 

Does it ever just hit you how blessed you are??  I've got three amazing kids, who everyday are becoming more of the person they are meant to be.  Growth in its simplest form.  And through it all, I'm growing too.   

Want to see more pics check out my photography blog.  I just figured I'd post these here today since it has been a while since my last post.  But I am working on sewing, fear not, so pics of sewing works should be up within the week. 

New Sister Site

I jumped on in and am trying to do a project 365, take a pic a day.  You can check out my shots and skills using my camera over at my new sister site, I take pics, do you? 

A Hat for Monster

After I finished this hat for me I asked Monster if he wanted a camo one.  He did, so I got to work.  I still have lots of digital camo left over from his play tent.  He has a messenger bag made from it, but fabric still abounds.  I barely used any for his hat, so I've got to come up with some more projects to use it up.  Anyways, on to his hat.  Same construction as mine, except I did add a bit of elastic in the bag for a snugger fit on his head.  He really likes it (he's ALL about camo-such a BOY.)

And can I say I'm pretty proud of this shot, all I did to fix it was a quick color fix.  I'm finally starting to shoot more in semi-auto.  I still need to take tons more pics to really get down ISO, aperture, shutter speed, but I'm finally starting to get it all.....I think :).

And just some Lincoln love for you.

   He is six weeks today.  Where does the time go?!

Camera Strap for My Photog Friend

After I made my camera strap I knew I wanted to make one for my friend who does photography.  She did family pics way back in May, I've been meaning to post some of them cause she deserves lots of praise.  I LOVE THEM!  

So first off, the camera strap for her.

I added ruffle detail to each end, different than the ruffle detail you see on lots that run the length of the strap.

Now on the good stuff, our family pics :)  Prepare to be overloaded with pics

And lastly, I've titled this shot "Sibling Love" :)

  I'm so excited that she's also going to do maternity shots for me.  And once I have this babe I'm cooking, NEWBORN shots.  I absolutely CANNOT wait!!  If you live in the Southwest Missouri area, you should check her out.  She is so great to work with and VERY affordable.  You can find her on Facebook, Moments Captured by Emily. 

Lego Dudes

I'm planning a Lego party for Monster's 5th birthday.  I've got a month to get it all planned out.  Here's what I'm thinking:

• Gonna make these Lego Cake Pops
• Gonna play Lego bingo
• Gonna make these Lego chocolate figures
• Gonna make my own Lego memory game cards for gift bags DONE
• Possibly make some Lego magnets for gift bags

I better get on it!

And yes, the Lego dudes had a great time with their little mini photo session :)  I'll be doing many more to get pics for the memory game cards I'm going to make.  

One Thing I love about Summer

My hydrangeas blooming.  Aren't they the most beautiful flower you've ever seen?!  I think I'm partial cause I carried them in my wedding. 

I just love them so much!!

What I Really Want in 2010

A fancy camera.  Like this one.

And since we love Dave Ramsey (we're debt-free minus our house, did you know?) this is something I'll be saving towards.  With the Mr. being in a ministry our budget is really tight, but my kids have clothes, we all sleep in warm beds and we've got a car to drive around town.  So there isn't anything to complain about.  Just the fact that I can't go out and buy this camera that I wanted like yesterday. :) I'm going to start with a goal of saving $400.  We got some money from my grandparents for Christmas, Ben and I split it so I've got $25 in my camera savings stash already.  Only $375 to go :)  I would love to be able to get it by summer time, but that seems really ambitious.  So it will be my goal to give myself a new fancy camera for Christmas next year.

You know what else I want for 2010?  To get pregnant and have a babe, shhhhh, don't tell.  Hey maybe I'll be able to use my new fancy camera to take pics of a sweet new baby in my life.