That Day You Dread Every Year... Family Picture Day

The year is almost over. Above is our family Christmas card picture. I'm thankful that is over too. Most stressful day of the year for me I think. Everyone has to be clean, dressed, match and in a good mood. Oh and we have to be on time. [We weren't] It's a hard day, but I'm glad I do it every year because it's so fun to see how much we have changed. 

There's always one kid who won't cooperate and this day it was Moses. He just kept giving this little smirk like "what? I'm not smiling". Nation was a good sport and Solomon's real smile lasted maybe after the first click. "Are we done yet?" Heaven didn't want to sit still much or smile at the camera, but she was pretty enough to get away with it all. I had to bribe them with a new toy AND ice cream.

I love my little tribe. 

We used a new photographer and she was great with our kiddos. All in all it's never as bad as I prepare myself for. I even bought a fart machine this time in hope it would make kids laugh, but for some reason even that couldn't crack Moses' smile, ha ha.

Thankful for another year with my wonderful [truly he is] husband, and 4 little ones. We never look this put together the other 364 days a year, so for once, it's nice. Mark your calendars people, our whole family showered that day.

Until next year.

2012 Christmas Card Photo Session

Our Christmas card photo session by Clear Creek Images

Three Marvels Seek Candy

Party of 6 for Pumpkin Patch

We visited our favorite Pumpkin Patch in the Atlanta Area... Washington Farms

Highlight of the day... paying for and then accidentally leaving our pumpkin there!

Portrait Innovations Surprise

Charles took the boys out over the weekend to let Heaven and I rest quietly in the house and he surprised me by taking them to get their portraits made at Portrait Innovations. Love them.

This is about 15 of the 100 photos taken. Just my favs.

Thankful Thursday Top Ten #74

this would have been a keeper, but alas what really happens when you try to photograph small child

i probably would have picked this one if it wasn't for faceless moses

three boys, three personalities

the winner

[the above are the best of the best of the photo shoot we did for our 2011 christmas card]

[all taken by my old & dear friend mary beth from mango street photography]

Thankful This Year For...

...Ten Things that made my life easier...

1. more space in my house

2. a lower to the ground car with sliding doors & tv

3. ipad and all the games that kept my kids busy

4. a small group at church

5. not working out of town this year

6. beth moore bible studies

7. an amazing babysitter

8. not traveling for thanksgiving or christmas

9. working out in my house

10. parks/DAC kids/aquarium/children's museum/chickfila you name it. it helped.

What are you thankful for this year?

Thanksgiving

table runner and turkey placeholders from Bed Bath & Beyond

table almost ready

charles cuts his first turkey & my son and brother Noah

table set...minus drinks

kids plate+adult plate

rolls go on forks

my bros, sister, mom, and my family

Why I Never Decorated For Fall Before

1. My last house was 1000 sq ft and it was all about survival with 5 people. Decorations might have gotten in the way of us making it to the bathroom or being able to lay down on a bed. Looking back---I probably could have done...something!

2. I hate spending money on decorations or decorating my house. I like the final results, but I just cry over the money spent. Any one else? Hence, why my new house is going for more of that "on purpose" simple look. i.e. I haven't really decorated or *gasp* even hung one thing on the wall in 5 months.

3. I don't know how. I don't think I'm naturally gifted at decorating or have quick good natural taste or an "eye" for seeing how something will look in a room. I am thankful for Pinterest though---It's really helped me--- like I suppose a cooking show helps a not so good cooker. Although, they still haven't helped me, but then again I don't watch them, maybe that's why? *Note to self...start watching cooking shows*

I "went crazy" by Candra's standards and hit up the local Target and a little of Ross for a few fall things and smells. Pretty happy. My husband was like wowzers about it---totally shocked me---I guess he's so use to no decorations, the few I did really made him feel like his house was a home. Hey---if he likes it---permission to spend more in this department I guess?

When Seasons Change

When Seasons Change...

...I'm somewhere in between ready for the last season to be over and "can't wait" for the next season all the while knowing that before I know it...I'll be feeling just the same way about this season as I was the last---ready for the next.

I was born and raised in Texas, which has...basically...one season. Hot. Okay, two seasons, Hot & Humid. Neither which work well with naturally curly frizzy hair. Moving to Georgia my sophomore year in high school was the best thing that ever happen to the locks attached to my head. They throughly enjoy those few months between summer and spring to hold those hot roller-curls and soak up the compliments like bounty paper towels.

Being in Ohio, we did enjoy the snow, but the cold there [and here] I'm over. It's mid May and my heater has been on this week? I'm ready for the warm. Ready to break out the capri's and skirts and rock the Rainbows till November, or December. As for my hair, well, it will mainly stay in a pony tail.

As for other season in my life. The season of packing, unpacking, moving, packing, unpacking, traveling, looking to move, packing, moving, unpacking---is---hopefully over. We've been here in our new house for two weeks and I'm looking forward to the next season of---no boxes.

Another season I've been thinking about is, baby bump time. Normally around the time my baby is a year, I get pregnant, and I'd love to be pregnant like...yesterday, but am trying to faithfully finish Weight Watchers. I'm growing tired of this season of no baby in my belly, but looking forward to it maybe this Fall. But then again, looking around at all these boxes [and my pregnant friends] I'm maybe still thankful for that heater on, maybe I'm not quite ready to be lugging that huge belly around up and down these stairs. But maybe I am.

You forget how much work it is!

Seasons, they are a funny thing. They encompass that "grass is greener on the other side" more than anything else in life.

I Ate This: Thanksgiving

You Capture Photo Challenge: I Ate This

$1 at TJMax

Nation "not eating...just licking"

Thanksgiving Noah's way [turkey+dr.pepper+computer]

My boys excitement over photo time...look at Moses

If only I could make them smile & be in the picture

What happens when I'm in the picture

I changed Moses face...the best I can do...oh well, love them anyways

Love my guys

Most especially this one

Photos taken by my little 9 year old brother, Noah