New Camera

Happy Birthday to ME!  John totally scored big with this birthday gift! I have wanted a camera for a very long time and when we finally went through the 3rd cheap camera in 2 years he decided it was time to stop buying and time to invest!  (More likely he got tired of me whining not being happy with the results I would get with the point and shoot versions!).  Whatever the reason, I am THRILLED!  I have been having a blast with this new "toy".  I have a ton to learn...but it is the fun kind of learning.  Here is some of what I have been able to do so far.  PLEASE remember... I am not a professional nor do I play one on TV or in Blog-land.  It's just me having a good time.  (If you want to help my family then you can come over and let me photograph you because I think my family is getting tired of me being my photo guinea pigs!)

This is one from my first "photo session"  Hailey was a good sport and when the wind picked up this is what we got!

This is from the YW's 5 mile hike last saturday.

This is totally legit!  The kids were really playing monopoly and I was playing with different lighting and focus settings.

I am thinking of putting this in B&W and then getting different game pictures for the new family room.

The kids had just come in from playing in the rain.  Ususally I am annoyed when they leave their shoes by the door but now I look at everything and think, "This would make a great picture!"  (I know, they are just boots, but I like it.)

This one is legit too!  Brook was making cookies and I was getting on her nerves!

Maybe I'll write that cook book I have been dreaming about.

I have taken hundreds of pictures since my birthday (it's only been two weeks).  I don't like them all and I wont be keeping all of them. There are a lot that I do like.  There is no way I could post or even frame them all.  But I figure that if I take a lot of pictures I'm bound to find a few that work.  Hopefully as I practice it won't take so many bad pics to get to those good ones.

41st Birthday

Well, 41.  I never pictured myself here.  I could see myself as a young mother with toddlers and small children.  I could see myself retired and perhaps on a mission.  For some reason I never really thought about what I would be like in the middle.  It feels good.  So I wanted to take some time and figure out who is this person I am now and enjoy it.  I feel a little silly writing about myself so I'll just make a list, it is easier and more comfortable.
-I am a wife
-and mother of 5
-happy to be a "Stay at Home Mom"
-wish I could stay at home more!
-Love the gospel.
-Love our family motto "No Empy Chairs"  It holds lots of meaning for us. ask me about it and I'll be happy to share
-Love that there is a priesthood holder in my home!
-Love that he uses it for me and others.
-Always get answers to my prayers.  wish I always liked the answers
-love to read
-started a book club (it's in it's 3rd year now)
-love to cook but hate to do dishes
-love it when a new recipe works out and tastes great too!
-try to keep my house and family organized and efficient
-Enjoy setting a timer to help me get my work done (I'd rather do someting fun but cant enjoy it until the work is done)
-one of the best compliments I have received from a friend..."Your house always smells like bread!" (just wish it were true)
-best compliment from my kids..."Wow Mom! You're smart!"...thank you for noticing
-best compliment from my husband..."You did a good job."...ahhh, the satisfaction
-Young Women's leader (have been for most of my adult life)
-Love teenage girls- quirks and all
-I am my kids biggest fan
-try not to be the loud parent in the bleachers(it still happens sometimes)
-get annoyed with other drivers
-my kids remind me that other drivers cant hear me when I tell them how to drive!
-becoming more patient with those drivers (it's an effort)
-enjoy reading blogs of other people especially other moms who keep it real and have great craft/home/photography ideas
-tried to get into scrapbooking-hated it. too much stuff and equipment-  Started a blog instead
-learning how to upholstery -I will probably never do it again after this first project (pictures to follow)
-learning photography- having a blast!  Thanks John, for the perfect birthday gift!
-Love a nap on Sunday afternoon.
-Love that my kids are building a special relationship with their Grammy.  Not everyone has the opportunity to have a grandparent live with them.
-Voluteer with the Office of Emergency Management-I've seen a lot of  things I hope to never see again
and seen some miracles happen and love the energy that happens when people work together
-wore a BYU football tshirt at Walmart and was treated rudely
-Love to be super nice to rude people just to watch them squirm!
-Enjoy a good game of Settlers of Catan.  (especially if i win!)
-I am not a good sport.  I am getting better (another effort)
-Talking about Personal Progress makes me smile
-a list maker.  I love to cross things off as I complete them. (confession- I even add things to my list just so I can cross it off too!-pathetic!)
-Love it when my kids sit on my lap - even when my legs fall asleelp
-have great friends.  They are all different, all beautiful, all talented, smart and fun.  And they are all real!
-find mistakes in my bank account almost every time I reconcile!  it's getting better, yes, another effort
-would rather not roncile my bank accounts.  John is better at it anyway. but I know it is important! bleh!
-Love the variety of bird song outside my bedroom window in the morning.
-looking forward to building our house.  Not looking forward to the work.  Looking forward to having it done.
-Want to make our home a farm home. 
-Farm home = good feelings, good food, self sustaining, work and fun.  It's a lofty goal but I believe attainalbe
-Feel enormous satisfaction when completing very small goals! most especially when they add up to a big one
-cant stand it when people eat while talking on the phone.  Had a friend who talked to me while on the toilet.  I hung up the first time I heard her flush, then I got used to it and now it just makes me laugh!
-teach piano lessons after school.  I love it.  (just dont like the "donkey song" I am sick of it!
-love it that my husband always calls me during his lunch break
-My comfort food...definately Mexican!

-Family, it's what I do.
-LDS Woman.  It's who I am.

SPRING!

KOREA

John got to go to Korea again.  This is the view from his hotel in Seoul.  Notice the garden on top of the building.  He didn't have time for sight-seeing as he was very busy at a rolling mill in Yeongju.  When I asked him why he didn't bring home "travel" pictures he just laughed and said, "I was working."  So, if you ask an obvious question, you get an obvious answer! 

"OLD LADY"

This is where I spent most of the month of March after having surgery to repair cartilage in my hip. I have heard that manditory bedrest is terrible but I was very spoiled by family and friends.  I have to admit I rather enjoyed the break.  There is not much better in life than to smell breakfast cooking while you are still in bed!

This is a sweet card the girls in Young Women made for me.  They are so fun!

TREES, TREES, TREES

We have planted 75 trees!  There are already Ponderosa Pine all over the lot.  We have added White Pine, Douglas Fir, Spruce, Poplar, and Sugar Maples.  The Poplars and Maples alternate on both sides of the lane. I am very excited for them to grow in.  The display will be marvelous!  We have also planted Elberta Peaches and Honey Crisp apples.  I have never had fruit trees before so I am enjoying learning how to care for them.

(The little white "house" in the background of this picture is the chicken coop.  It looks like a playhouse to me!)

Light was fading fast on this evening but we got a fun suprise.  As the sun was setting the geese and ducks began their nightly migration from the farms on the prarie back to the lake.  Their path goes right over where we will live.  They didn't seem to be too afraid of us and as the light faded they traveled closer and closer to the tops of the trees.

"Spring" Break

We traveled to Utah and southern Idaho for spring break.  We got to visit Robyn and John's brother, sisters and parents.  The pictures from Easter didn't turn out but this is the travel conditions we had on the way home!  I love living in Idaho!