A goal completed and a new baby 366/366

There are few better feelings than when you complete something you started. Patience and perseverence helped me finish strong.

On to bigger and much better news, we added a baby to our family last night. My brother-in-law and his wife texted us to let us know they had been admitted to the birthing center. The game was on. The girls and I loaded up and headed north to support them while the husband stayed back because he is still fighting a nasty sinus infection. After showing us their birthing room which included the blow up pool they wanted to use and talking to them for a few minutes, we headed to the waiting room to...wait for it... wait it out.

My sister-in-law's family arrived and we sat, talked and made predicitions as to the sex of the baby. I can't say it was very comfortable but it wasn't about us.

Before we knew it, she arrived. Hannah Marie joined our family. The birth was long but beautiful and mom and baby are doing great.

We all took turns oohing and aahing over her and heard the short version of her entrance into the world. All I can say is her skin feels like silk and I am so happy for the parents, who are probably still floating on the high that comes after bringing a life into the world.

My girls each held Hannah and soaked in her freshness. It'll be a memory they'll have forever.

Not wanting to overstay our welcome, we bid the family goodbye with promises to see them again soon. As we left them with a wish for a Happy New Year, I turned to watch the three of them huddle together to bask in the light of their new adventure.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Looking back 365/366

After spending a bit of time looking back and reflecting on my year, I am ready to move forward.

Looking back 365/366

After spending a bit of time looking back and reflecting on my year, I am ready to move forward.

Comfortable space 364/366

Thank you for creating an environment that makes me feel just as reposeful as I feel in my own home.

"Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will aways find me yours." ~ Ludwig van Beethoven

Beautiful night sky 363/366

As I unhappily let the dog out at 4:00 in the morning, I noticed the full moon illuminating the puffy, cotton ball looking clouds. The entire sky, as far as I could see, was white dots. It really was beautiful.  Beautiful enough to make me go back inside to get my camera. As I stood on the porch in my pajamas in 32 degrees weather snapping away, I realized how happy I was the dog had to go out.

Jesus and his peeps 362/366

Reevaluating 361/366

In 5 days, I'll be coming to the end of my 366 photo-a-day challenge and I am so proud of myself for sticking with it. I'm a great starter but not always a great finisher. Yeah me!

I used this year to improve my photography and Photoshop/Lightroom skills. Some days I focused on the camera portion of learning. Other days I concentrated on teaching myself new ways to edit in Photoshop and Lightroom. Both took me on a learning journey that only served to fan the flame of my passion.

I participated in a few clases both online and in person . Learning opportunities abounded on the internet and I found several amazing websites run by women with mad camera skills.

I met wonderful women who love their cameras as much as I do and aren't afraid to strike a crazy position to capture the image they see in their mind.

As I excitedly look forward to continued improvement, I'm not sure how I want to challenge myself, accountability wise. Do I want to commit to another 365 photoa-a-day or maybe a 52 week Monday thru Friday type plan which would give me weekends off?

Merry Christmas 360/366

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 359/366

Today I:

• made a last minute run to the grocery store
• packed the car to drive to my brother-in-law's house
• rode in a down pour through the city
• ate a wonderful meal
• packed food containers to deliver to my other brother-in-law who is about to have a baby any day now
• took pictures of said baby belly for posterity
• drove home with a husband who's feeling fluish and kids who are ready to open presents
• ate great left overs sent home by my sweet sister-in-law
• sat next to my Christmas tree acknowledging how blessed I am

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Did you know 358/366

it's possible to eat close to your weight in salad at the Olive Garden? When they say endless salad, they mean it.

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What Momma? 357/366

Now that school is out and grades are posted, it's officially time for Christmas break. We've been sleeping in, wearing pajamas until noon, baking banana bread, wrapping gifts, watching movies, surfing the web, and hanging with friends.

As this year comes to a close, I've been reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future. I want to finish strong , love others, and let my little light shine bright. I want to stop trying so hard to fit in because, as A.A. Milne once said, "The things that make me different are the things that make me stand out." I want to recognize what brings me joy, what is most important to me. I want to remember the things I did as a child that made me smile most and then do them as if I were young and didn't care who was looking. Whether its jumping in a puddle or dancing to whatever tune strikes my fancy, letting it take me back to a time when things were simple."

Along those youthful lines, I took my daughter and two of her friends to Gaddy's yesterday and had a fun time. After stopping for hot chocoloate and checking out Burton's Christmas Lights, we headed over to Gaddy's.

 I asked each of the girls to text me their four favorite photos of the night. In no special order, I've included their highlights of the light fest.

K had never been and I wanted to change that. I was even a bit rebellious agreeing to stop while she jumped out of the car to take a picture with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Burton Christmas Lights 356/366

I took my daughter and two of her friends out for a night of hot cocoa and Christmas lights. With our VERY hot cocoa, we drove to our first location. Burton's Christmas Lights was a stone's throw from Chick-fil-a and so close to my dear friends house that I can't beleive I didn't know about the light show until today.

Driving down the street, I was surprised there weren't more cars there. We looped through the cul-de-sac and took our place behind three cars. Once we tuned into the designated radio station, we could hear the music as we watched the lights dance to the beat. We were able to move up at one point which put us in a direct line to the front of the house. After many songs and tons of pictures, we decided to move on.

I can't wait to take my husband and youngest daughter. They'll love it. I think we found another favorite to our Christmas lights driving tour.

P.S. More tomorrow about our second stop. I asked them to each send me their favorite photos from our excursion. It was definately a memorable one.

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A wall of love 355/366

My mother-in-law has been receiving cards everyday. They were piling up and I decided what better way to remind her how much she's loved than to tape all of them to the wall. My husband thought it was too much but she really liked it.

Some days it's hard to get going 354/366

 

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Overcome 353/366

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. -Helen Keller

Today. Thermometers and popsicles.352/366

Sore throat and fever. Pajamas and blankets. Ice water and rice. Hope it passes quickly. We've never been sick at Chrisrmas time.

Today. Looking into a kaleidoscope. 351/366

Spending the day shopping, eating, and goofing off with a dear friend was the perfect distraction from  daily life, and we managed to cross most items off our Christmas lists. I ate a Mongolian meal for the first time {YUM}, bought a growler for my husband, and found a few really cool stocking stuffer (which shall remain nameless until after Christmas). We talked, laughed, and wandered. Things are always better with my soul after a day with her.

In memoriam..... 350/366

I was not aware of the tragedy in Newtown, CT until well into the evening. Thankfully, my day was full and didn't leave time for television or even Twitter. Not until I was standing in the day room at the nursing home did I hear the news playing in the background. Immediately my heart felt heavy. The senseless death of the adults and children. I will never be able to understand no matter how hard I try.

Today, I am heartbroken and refuse to listen to the blow by blow commentary and Mnday night quartebacking. I refuse to engage in the Twitterverse where sides have been taken and hate spews easily from the key strokes of people far away. I am turning to my family, my faith, and my hope in humanity.

I was reminded today of a quote left by Sarah Jayne on Brene Brown's website. "It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart. I simply can’t build my hopes on a foundation of confusion, misery, and death…and yet…I think…this cruelty will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.....I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains." ~ Anne Frank

This is what I will continue to hold to as I pray for the families who are suffering right now.

Lights at night 349/366

After the family goes to sleep, I love to sit in the dark and enjoy the lights of the Christmas tree. Each year, I am reminded how much I love the twinkling in the darkness.

The end of a December day 348/366

One present checked off the list. One day closer to Christmas. The receiver is going to be so excited.

12.12.12 347/366

Today was a day I wanted to capture, if only because the date is so cool. Totally catering to my love of  uniformity, I made sure to capture 12:12 on 12.12.12 with my iPhone.

It started with an early morning trip into the big city with the hubster. After spending the morning in a seminar, we ate lunch at one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The hot wings are to die for and the smell alone makes my mouth water.

Driving home, I was reminded how happy I am not being required to drive through traffic everyday to get to work.

I went to an ENT who wants to me undergo another round of allegy testing. It probably is a good idea but I'll have to psych myself into it. Having done that multiple times in my life, I know it's not fun and will make me feel uttterly miserable for a few days.

My last numerically repeating day ended with grading schoolwork, dinner with the family, and vegeing out on the couch while surfing photography sites.

Not bad, if I must say so myself.

P.S. The bird drawing is something my youngest whipped up while sitting in her room. Can you see the figure within the figure?

Today. Girls on a mission. 346/366

They wanted to be sure to get to the swings before the boys so when break started, off they went. Quickly jogging to the play area, they settled in on the green seats. Pumping their legs and pulling hard on the chains, it didn't take long before they were flying high into the sky. Hearing them giggle made me wonder what adventure they were on today.

There is love all around us 345/366

From the moment we put up the tree, he makes his home under the branches. I'm not sure why he likes it there, but he does. It's so sweet at night when all the lights are off.

As he lays there sleeping (and snoring not so softly), one can only wonder what's going on in his dreams.

Today. Waiting. 344/366

Once upon a time, I had zero patience. Now, I can wait with the best of them.

It does help that I have some amazing blogs to help me pass the time.

urban. prairie. forest - I love the musings that go along with the amazing photography
ClickinMoms is my go to for great photography and amazing tutorials on honing my craft
Gretrhel Van Epps - she has a wonderful way of capturing the everyday of her beautiful family
Life Refocused - Meghan captures her surrounding with film that makes me envious
Shutter Sisters has been a staple in my blog viewing for a long time now
Habit is a new find and it's one of the first I check each day
Chookooloonks is another longtime favorite

Those are a few of my daily reads. I have a few other photo blogs I like to check out. These days I really gravitate towards writing that will helkp me hone my skills.

Go. Check them out and send them some love. They're all great at getting their message across.

Today. Surprise among the gray skies. 343/366

This beauty was alongside the walkway behind the pool. The grass was dead, the mulch trampled beyond recognition, and bits of trash smashed into the weeds but this yellow beaut stood tall and strong. There was no way I could pass by without a second look.

Possibilities 342/366

When I see the outline of this building, I am reminded that the prospects are endless. The swimmers who enter these doors will only be limited by themselves. I am looking forward to all this weekend will bring.

Crossroad 341/366

We're on our way to a long weekend away from home.

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A Christmas Tradition 340/366

Every year for the past twelve years, we have taken the girls to Gaddy's to tour the light display.

It began when we moved here and a friend casually asked if we had heard of the awesome light display near us. Armed with directions, we headed out after dinner to see what all the fuss was about. We drove through three times that first night and once or twice a night after dinner until Christmas eve. The girls would sit in their car seats mesmerized by the different displays. They'd talk about it and compare which they liked the best. Every year after, we'd try to pick out the new additions and fawn over the old. We have never been disappointed.

The best year was when they were seven and five and Santa was there. I opened the van door and let them get out of their car seats. The looks on their faces when Santa leaned into the car, handed them a candy cane, asked them if they were being good little girls, and backed away with a hearty HO! HO! HO!.  The lookson their faces as they climbed back into their car seats...priceless.

When my husband was in Iraq, we upheld the tration and sent him photos. When friends and family come to town, we drive them over to share the lights. When new friends are made, they are told about Gaddy's.

It was (and is and will always be)our family Christmas tradition.

The Gaddy family has invited the community to drive through their property for the past 22 years. They begin setting up the lights 2 months before Thanksgiving. I can't even begin to imagine how many lights are involved in this extravaganza. Now that I think about it, I wonder where they keep everything  during the off season? I've been told the power company gives them a break on their electric bill. Santa shows up each year to hand out candy canes and they collect toys for Toys for Tots.

P.S. That five year old is now a teenager and tonight she stood on the passenger seat with her head out the sunroof taking pictures. 

What more can I say?

Go Gaddy's!

A dog's life 339/366

Expectation is the root of all heartache.  ~William Shakespeare

Three girls in the window 338/366

My thought for today. 337/366

Life should be a series of daring adventures launched from a secure base.