Full Sun

Lest you think I'm complaining, let me explain.  I love the sun.  I thrive in the beautiful, sunny, lovely weather of California.  It is glorious and beautiful.  And I'm not bragging.  It just is what it is.  But it makes photos challenging sometimes.  Full sun makes for hard, severe shadows. Hollow, dark holes where sparkly eyes should be.  Hmm...I could get up earlier. Drag my kids and myself out of bed to catch that ethereal morning light.   And then run ten miles, clean my house from top to bottom, do twenty science experiments with the kids, and cook a gourmet dinner.  Point?  It's probably not going to happen.  So... I've found using a flash, even in full sun, helps minimize shadow.  Course, that only works when you're close.  And you can also look for shady spots.  That sometimes helps.  Other than that, we just enjoy the drama hard shadows create (seriously...I have three daughters.  We can be very dramatic).  And try to take advantage of the occasional cloud.

I'll call this one "Blue Skies"
How's that for product placement?  I'm in no way affiliated with the Pepsi Corporation.  But would greatly appreciate a check for my efforts.  By the way, that's my awesome sister and her husband.
She's wearing pants.  I promise!  It's a "skort" kind of thing that just caught on the swing.  We're all about modesty here.  Just apparently not in this picture.

Eight is Great

The house is quiet.  The last of our company just left.  It's been an awesome week.  My sister and her family came and Brent's parents came.  And even though right now Sarah only remembers that the water was freezing, I know that over time she'll realize the significance of her baptism.  The power and direction that comes with the gift of the Holy Ghost is so life changing.  And the gift of repentance is key to joy.  And I'm not just talking happiness.. but true, deep joy.  The kind you feel to your very center.  She'll get it.  I don't think I really "got it" until I was in my twenties.   Actually, who am I kidding?  I probably still don't fully get it.  But I am happy.. and I have moments of that deep kind of joy.  Sarah is a part of that.  And I'm so proud of the woman she is growing up to be.  

Company

My awesome sister and her awesome family are spending their spring break crashing our little apartment.  And I love it!!  Of course the first order of business was a trip to the beach.  It's the perfect place to take the kids.  No tv. No phone.  No merchandise they are begging me to buy.  Just waves, sun, sand, and good company.  Not to mention a great place to take pictures.  Is it normal to think your children are the most beautiful, creative, awesome people in the universe?  And their cousins, I have to say, are a close second.

Smooth 9.35HR Treadmill

We're getting one of these.  See that picture?  That girl jogging?  Well that's me.  Don't my buns look great?  Did I mention I'm on medication?  I'm kidding.  Although there are days....  

In my desperate and slightly chubby state, my husband purchased one of these to keep me from losing my mind completely.  I know exercise is good for me.  I believe in it, I just can't seem to take it to the next level and actually do it regularly.  And so, please wish me luck.  Pray that I develop a severe allergy to sugar, cheese, and all things good.  And maybe, just maybe, in a year my buns really will look like her's.   

Puppy hungry

For several reasons, we don't have a dog right now.  But I do want one. Oh how I want one!  Not necessarily one of this stature.  This guy is beautiful, but also in the category of "small horse".   What I need is something small... but respectable.  A little bigger than "yappy" yet small enough to survive in a 1200 square foot apartment.  Preferably one that doesn't shed, smell, or require me to clean up...um.. droppings. Oh come on... is that so much to ask?  On second thought, maybe we should just move to a small farm in Idaho (or Heber City) and get something exactly like this big guy.  He really is beautiful, isn't he?

Lauren

With this new found hobby of mine, I tend to lug my camera around on most, if not all, of our outings.  Just what I need right?  One more bag.  My two older girls harass me continually with cries of "Take my picture Mommy! Look at me! Take my picture!"  But Lauren?  Not so much.  She tolerates the camera. Barely.  And bribing aside, I rarely get her to smile.  Or even make any semblance of a normal face for a picture.  Contortions are her speciality. Which makes me crazy because seriously, that fiery hair?.. and those gorgeous blue eyes?  They break my heart nearly every day! I shouldn't be surprised really. She was born with this quirky sense of humor that tickles me to no end.   I blame it on her father.  Yeah, definitely on her father.

Children and Friends

We just got home from a play date at the park.  I don't mean to brag.. but I'm going to do it anyway.  I have an absolutely stellar group of friends.  Women I met at church who get together at least once a week.  We let the kiddies play and just enjoy spending time together.  On the whole, they are amazingly beautiful, talented, and so very, very positive.  I love it and I love them.  I know many of them well and others I'm still getting to know (it's a big group).  However there's this one small problem.  Even as an adult I still get blind sided with shyness.  It's a curse.  Really it is.  Aren't we supposed to outgrow such things?!  The good news is that my children have definitely NOT inherited my shy, and occasionally insecure, nature.  I love watching them play.  They are so confident and happy!  I thought I was supposed to teach them about life, love etc.. But I've found exactly the opposite to be true.  Thank you, Lord, for sending me children like these!  And good friends too.