Blogging...

Wow has it really been a week since my last post? And that was mainly pictures! The good and the bad of it is that I've made a goal to not be on the computer as much. The blog is taking a hit for that one. So if you want to hear about what we're up to, you'll just have to come visit! We're at the pool! I'm also gearing up for the adpi seminar that is later this month. Lots of little projects to accomplish in the next few weeks. I actually the a neighbor girl come over to play with Jameson this morning. They were doing pretty good until poor Olivia got stung by a bee.

The current series at FCC is about David's blog. Last weeks message centerd around Psalm 19. Each week our connection group delves deeper into the message. We discussed sin and how every single person is a sinner with the exception of Jesus who was the only pure person to walk this earth. James 4:17 says "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." I read that verse at a friends house the other day and it has stuck with me since. Being aware of sin and the fact that God is watching us at all times. That helps me to try to choose the right way each time. Doesn't always happen that way but I try.

Are you prepared to shed a few tears? View this amazing video. Such an awesome way to show the power of faith.

In photography news, anyone new to the DSLR world, there is an online class that just opened up. If I wasn't already signed up for this photography class, I'd totally take this one. I really like Candice's work. Want to take your camera off of auto, this might be a great place to start!

The pictures that are posted here...crazy boy on his 'ford-wheela' he is so cute standing like a big kit - reminds me of the circus acts; raspberries that we picked fresh earlier this week (I don't know that I've ever tasted fresh right off the vine berries - super yummy). The other 3 photos are from the pool. We've been spending lots of time there this week and I'm sure that is where we'll be for most of the summer. The photo of the two boys today, that Jeb makes the funniest faces. They were running to jump in together but for some reason this is one area that Jameson is still a bit hesitant. He will not jump in without holding the hand of an adult. I'm sure before the end of summer this won't occur. Hope you have a great week!

Wedding pics!

Here are the pictures from the wedding last Saturday. I had a great time shooting this for these Keith and Jamie. Such a nice change from toddlers that don't want to stand still for a single shot. The only requested poses that they had were ones with their bibles. I thought it was so neat that Keith's bible is black and Jamie's is white. So cute! Jamie's son was incorporated into the ceremony. Keith gave him a token, which was so touching. Overall I think it went well. Enjoy some of my favs!

I'll be back later this week with an update on what we've been doing. Lots of outside play which doesn't go well with the computer. We're good though...no worries!

Winner...

We have a winner for our fun guessing game...Debbie. She was the closest guess to our Sams trip. Our total bill was $272.48. The amount surprised me since you know there are only 3 of us in our house and really we don't eat that much. I did spend about $50 on pictures (included Father's Day gifts and some prints for of my friend Caroline's baby). Lots of juice, toilet paper, paper towels, power bars, fruits, veggies & a set of steaks that we'll be enjoying on Monday in celebration of Memorial Day.

Happy Friday!

Quick post to wish everyone a happy friday and a wonderful extended weekend. Tonight my husband actually said he wished he could call in sick. For that thought to even cross his mind really makes me happy (not that I would ever encourage someone to lie about not being sick to miss work). He is such a work-a-holic that he doesn't normally even think about being at home at a time that the shop is open.

Yesterday a few of us from church went to pick strawberries. Oh my they are so delicious! Last night I actually did a little taste test...one bite of a hand picked berry and one bite from a wal-mart berry. Oh yes there is a difference and I'm not sure I'll be able to eat one from a plastic container again. For breakfast we had a HUGE bowl of rice krispies with strawberries on it, for lunch we had a few berries and then for an afternoon snack we had vanilla pudding with oh yes, strawberries. What am I snack on right now, you guessed it strawberries. We officially have a berry picking basket, see those stains they to me are awesome and I can't wait to add some other colors. Blackberries and raspberries come into season in the next few weeks...guess where we'll be!

This weekend I am going to do something I've never done before...photograph a wedding. Okay so I've taken pictures weddings before (see cute boy, bride right there to the left) but I was not the official photographer, I'm feeling pressure to 'capture' the day for this happy couple. Keith works at the shop with James and he asked me a couple of weeks ago if I would mind doing it for them. Please pray that the images they are hoping for are captured.

In other news, one of the best scrapbook companies out there is Chatterbox. The company is a grassroots type, has a family feel and keeps producing awesome products. Their newest line Artsy.licious (love that name) it is awesome. The main designer, Melody is giving away some product...go enter!

I've gotten a couple of questions regarding our total at Sam's. I didn't take a picture of the loaded down truck (mainly because I didn't think to play this fun game until it was all cleared out). I can tell you that there were 33 total items (photos only count for 1).

Tonight was the season finale for Grey's Anatomy. They have totally outdone themselves. The characters have such depth it is awesome. Loved the ending!

Seriously?

Is it seriously already almost Thursday which means it is almost Memorial Day Weekend? Which also means that the Grey's Anatomy season finale is in less then 24 hours? Seriously? I just don't know where the time goes. We had a whirlwind Saturday and it really hasn't slowed down much from there. Early Saturday we got up and as a family participated in an event coordinated through church called SHINE. It was a community wide service project. We delivered donated food to the local food bank and helped sort it. I pray that Jameson grows up to have a giving heart, that would warm my heart and I'm sure it would be pleasing to God too. Straight from the food bank we headed to Georgia for a fun birthday party for Aubrey. These two little guys are such good friends. They play so nicely together.

After returning home to change clothes, get a refill on juice we headed back out to work on our garden. Now that was an adventure! The ground here is basically clay so we knew it was going to be tough. James said it was rock hard on the surface but once he got through that layer it was really soft. So we planted seeds and topped them with manure mixed top soil. Yes we were playing with boop (now that is something I never would have thought I would have been doing). Here is a picture of the garden at the end of the day.

So yesterday I was a lucky girl who got to talk to Shari who has moved to Germany. While I was chatting away I heard, crash. Oh yes we've now turned the corner into the world of broken glass from a thrown ball. He cracked the glass on one of the pictures in the hallway. No one was hurt and the little guy said, "but I didn't mean to do it". And of course the scrapbooker in my had to take a picture of it. See...

Daily I read an email devotional from Proverbs 31, which today was written by Amy Carroll. The closing prayer said "Dear Lord, sometimes I don’t understand your timing. It’s often very hard to wait, but I trust You. I want to rely on Your ways and Your timing. Help me to learn what I need to learn as I wait. In Jesus’ name, Amen." Such a great reminder that He is in control and that everything happens in His timing, we just have to have faith.

Okay now for a fun little game. We took a trip to Sams today to stock up on some stuff, which included pictures. So here is the game, guess what our total bill was. What is in it for you, besides the fun of guessing? Scrapbook supplies from Scrapping Buckeyes. Now if you're not a scrapbooker, maybe I'll create something for you with the supplies?! No limit to the number of guesses, winner must reside in either the US or Canada. If we don't have a winner by Friday evening, I'll pick the person that guesses closest. What is your guess on our summer stock up from Sams.

*Edited to add that the guessing is closed now**

Good eats!

Today we had BBQ from the new spotted big restaurant that is literally right outside of our development. I was asked by Shari to be sure to eat there lots while they are in Germany so it is still open when they return to the upstate! We tried it out and we're pretty pleased. They were already sold out of chicken though and we were there at 6 - either poor planning or some really good chicken?! For the most part everything was pretty good. We did the combo platters so we could try a variety of things. I got beef brisket and won't be getting that again, too much fat for my taste. Jameson got a pulled pork sandwich and loved it. Overall we're pleased with the new local restaurant.

Earlier today we spent the day at Jameson's school for his end of year program. He has officially graduated from the 2 year old program at Bethel. He was so proud of himself. Yesterday he even asked James if he was for sure going to come watch him sing in the big church. Sing he did...it was so stinkin cute. I found out last week that all of the kids in his class will be returning in the fall. I hope we're able to connect with some of them over the summer so he will remember these early friends.

In other news, we've been invited to join in on growing a garden with some friends. The tilling is set to begin sometime soon so I'll keep you all posted. A few years ago I started a scrapbook about my life goals. Growing a garden is one of them so I'm excited to finish another page for this album. Now if I could get to milk a cow and learn to change a tired I'd be even closer to filling up the album.

Did you all notice the new fun widget I grabbed from the compassion website. It will rotate to show various children that are waiting to be sponsored. The compassion blog post today brought tears to my eyes. This organization is doing amazing things and it all starts with individuals helping others. We got a letter just yesterday from Jose, the 9 year old boy who we sponsor. He lives in the Dominican Republic. He wrote it himself which is so cute (it is in Spanish but is translated by a compassion employee). This is the first of many letters we will exchange. So exciting!

Links

As previously promised here is the digital page I did from our visit to the strawberry patch (most items from Sugarplum). I was happy to find the prefect verse to include on this page about the harvest. Revelations 14:15

I've been meaning to post some links that are of interest to me. Today I read a post on the Compassion International site that really hit me. We live in such a privileged country that is sometimes easy to forget that not everyone lives just like us. Read this and tell me what you think. When I started my etsy site I knew that I wanted to donate 10% of my sales to a worthy cause...Compassion is where I'm donating. The idea that things are going to get worse is heartbreaking.

Another not quite as important link would be to let everyone know about social bookmarking. This a way to share links and save your favorites without being tired to one specific computer. Watch this video to find out the benefits.

And of course another regular site visited by me...google reader. I love tracking lots of blogs for inspiration, updates from friends and lots more.

What cool links do you often use?