Catching Up

I have so missed posting on here regularly.
This new life of ours has been so trying, I have not felt like doing anything.

But I resolve right now, I am putting that all behind me.
I will enjoy what God is doing, even when I don't understand it.

On that note, I have some catching up for you in pictures.

While I have been away from the blog, I have not been away from my camera.

So, away we go...

My Josh turned 12.
We celebrated with a pink cake (his current favorite color).
And shenanigans at Six Flags.

My daughter went to her first prom.
I got a little camera happy.
Sue me.

Josh is playing Little League now.
My heart skips a beat when I see him in his
little uniform playing the best sport in the world.

We celebrated Easter will coloring eggs, a black bear, and sword fights.

I love that my 16 year old is not ready to give up being a kid still.
Let them stay young as long as possible, I say.
Kids grow up too fast nowadays anyway.

The real celebration was at church where we worshiped God for His amazing gift
of Jesus' sacrifice.
It was wonderful to enjoy the day with fellow believers.
Alas, I have no pictures of the service.


And last, but not least, I got to enjoy some "alone" time with my sweetie
at a Rangers game and MercyMe concert.

I think we are all caught up now.
I vow to do better with my posting.

Hope you are all having a great week!!

Some of My Favorites

I started a photography course this semester in college to finally figure out my new camera.
The fact that I've had it for about 2 years now is not the point.
Don't judge me.

I played with the camera a bit and learned some on my own, but I really wanted to learn all the nuances of how to properly use it and get great pictures.

I am loving this class!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures so far.

This is one of the action shots I got at a local college basketball game.
I was still learning how to take indoor shot with movement, so it is a little blurry.
But, I like the action in it.

I love the rainbow of colors here.

This is a Magnolia tree shot from the ground up.
My favorite part is the glow.

I never could resist abandoned farmhouse equipment.
I wish I knew the story behind it.

This is one of my very favorite shots.
I adore how I captures the sun's halo above the barn.

The best part of the day for pictures.
The golden hour.

The simplest, most common things can look so different up close.

 

This one is in a dance studio with mirrors on both sides.
I like the wavy reflections back and forth.


I have about six more weeks in the class, but I am pretty sure I want to take
Photography II in the fall.
Hopefully before then I can get a better camera.
I have found that mine has some limitations and I am really itching
to learn how to do this the best way possible.


This weekend, my oldest boy turns 12 and we will be celebrating with
cake and presents at Six Flags.
I hope to be able to get some good shots to share with y'all.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Random

Just some randomness for you on a Thursday.

 I love this kid. He makes me smile.

My last Cub Scout.

Father/Son carpentry.

A sweet Lego TARDIS.

Oh, and Spring is coming.
Which means...

Happy almost Spring, friends!!

So, thing is...

I am done.

We live in a world that tells girls,
"You must grow up to be something"
"You have to have a career outside the home"
"If you are a stay at home mom/wife, you are lazy, a leech on society"
"Depend on nobody but yourself"

Well, you know what?
I am done listening to it.
I am done feeling guilty for my calling.
I am done being told that I am worthless.

It's my job to raise these kids, to teach them about God, about love, about right and wrong.
It's a worthwhile job.
One I will never apologize for again.

And you know what else?
After they are grown, I may get a career.
Or I may not.
I might stay home then and spoil my grand children.
And love them.
And teach them.

Because my worth isn't in a "career."
My worth is in my God.

Proverbs 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 

Titus 2:5

To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.  

I am a wife.
I am a mother.
I will no longer think that is not enough.

2013 in Pictures

2013 was a very hard year for our family.
A lot of changes happened for us.
We are still adjusting, but I am hoping for a better,
happier 2014.

Here are the highlights from the year:

January

 We left El Paso in the middle of a snow storm.
We were ready to go!

February

 Jerry and I finally had a fabulous date night.
And we celebrated his 37th birthday.
Good times.

March

 Had a great day at Six Flags.
Josh turned 11 this year.


April

 Easter in the bluebonnets.
Trina's first driving lesson.

May

 My James turned 9.
Brand new great nephew added to the family.

June

 Summer in full swing with lemonade stands and snow cones.

July

 Forth of July fireworks.
Heroes being inducted into Hall of Fame.

August

  Bow ties are cool.
And so is school.

September

 Celebrating the life of my grandmother.
Solitary fishing at the lake.

October

Dancing the night away.
Whovians for Halloween.

November

Family Thanksgiving.
Finding just the right Christmas tree.

December

 A new Christmas Eve tradition.
Three generations.


Looking back, I will focus on the blessings and the good times.
Obviously, they were there.

Here's to making 2014 ROCK!!