1, 2, 3, 4/52 Week

I have been working on a 52 week portrait project, but have yet to post anything about it.  In my procrastination you now get 4 at one time.  Hopefully I'll be able to post my portrait each week for the rest of the year....is that wishful thinking?

1|52 January 2

2|52 January 12

3|52 January 17

4|52 January 27

A Burst of Color

It has been pretty dull and grey here in Missouri.  The minute the snow starts to melt we are hit with another big snow storm that encloses us in our home for a day or two.  While making a run to Wal-Mart to get all the essentials before the next big storm, I noticed something out of the ordinary (at least in winter)...lots of bright colors.  Of course, they were flowers, probably for those who want a head start on Valentines Day.  After some bribing, I convinced mom to buy some tulips -- my favorite flower.  Who knew flowers in the dead of winter could brighten your day so much.  So for those of you who are tired of the ugly, grey snow, these are for you, a little burst of color!  Enjoy!

Friday Five

I purposely didn't post my Friday Five till today because I was sure I would want to add something that didn't happen till latere in the evening.

1. Abby now things she can sit in the recliner chair in dad's all the time with me. This chair is really only big enough for one person so she makes herself comfortable in my lap.

2. Had a bunch of doctor appointments today. Mine was only a yearly checkup. During dad's appointment we found out he is .3% away from remission. I guesss that doesn't sound too bad, but we had high hopes that he would be in complete remission. We don't know if these are cells from before the transplant or if they are new ones. We still have hope he will get in complete remission. Prayers are definitely welcomed and greatly appreciated.

3. I babysat for a family I adore. The kids were great and E red to me most of the night. It was a great way to get my mind of things. After the parents got home, G the mom, invited me to stay and hang out with them a little bit. It was so nice and it made me feel like a part of their family.

4. Went out with M and A. All I can say is wow, it was a interesting night!

5. All the girls are in town this weekend and we are going out to celebrate my birthday! I.Can't.Wait.

Change

Yesterday was a rough day. Nothing particullary bad happened, I just realized there is a lot of change happening in my life. Change for my future. Instead of dwelling in my current activities, I need to focus on what lies ahead for me. I've learned the hard way that I can not do everything and that it is not healthy to spread myself too thin trying to cover everything that is expected and then some.

As I was realizing this yesterday a verse from a song came to mind. It is called Resolution by Nick Lachey.

I'm standing on the edge of my fear
And I see it clear
Here's my resolution
I'm letting go
All I need to learn is along this road
And I just want to be the best man I can be
Breathe, it's my resolution

Here we go...let's see how this year turns out....

Saturday Five?

Just doesn't have the same ring, does it? I wanted to post 5 things that happen on each Friday, but I totally forgot yesterday. Guess I'll do it for today. Oops!

1. I will add a Friday noteso I guesss it will count for my Friday Five. Last night I helped a close friend address her save the dates for her wedding in May! Can't wait! She is my first high school friend who is getting married!

2. I am still house sitting and got a call at 1am from a private caller. Yikes! Did they know how late (or early it was?!?)

3. After I woke up from my morning nap (7:30 is just too early for me, especially when I went to bed after 1am)the dogs attacked me with kisses. All three of them were climbing on my lap trying to lick me all over my face and neck. I'm used to only one dog and even she doesn't go that crazy.

4. I actully dressed up a little bit. Staying with dogs over a week has really made me lazy. I'm lucky if I even get out of my jammies. (the dogs don't care...they still like me.)

5. Brought a dinner to a friend/HS school mate/old co-worker's family this afternoon. Her family is going through a rough time with the loss of her mother. Sending lots of prayers to them!

The Girls

This past week I have been pet sitting these pups while their parents went to Hawaii.  (I wish I could be there now instead of shoveling the almost foot of snow we got last night.)  I've pet sat them many times in the last five years I've lived in Missouri, but never for this length of time.  I feel as if this time we have bonded and they are excited to see me, not just some person who comes over to feed them.

Freckles (left) is the mom of the group.  She is the nurturer.  She is reserved and calm and is often the last one noticed because the others are always the first to get attention.  She might not do the cooking, but she does do some cleaning...she cleans Cookie's ears a couple times a day.

Java (center) is the baby of the family.  She is timid and gets nervous when new people come to visit.  However, she can get a little feisty when it's needed.  When she plays with her sisters she always steals the toys and then guards them on her bed to make sure they don't sneak off.  This is done with a lot of growling too.

Cookie (right) is the alpha dog.  She is the boss of the group, what she says, goes.  But she does have a soft side to her.  Her favorite thing is to cuddle with you and she makes sure she doesn't go unseen.  The moment you sit down she will climb over you and paw at you till you pet her...and she won't stop till she has had enough.

Even though these aren't my babies, they hold a soft spot in my heart and I am so glad I've been able to capture their personalities in these photographs.

Check out all of the photos on my facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024982&id=1304880295

Sparkling Snow

There is something about a fresh snowfall that is so magical.  I don't know if it is that in the dark of night the snow sparkles and shines all on its own or if it is merely because it is untouched and unbothered.  It is as if everything freezes, even if it is just for a brief moment in time.  In life's hectic craziness, snow forces us to take a break and just sit back and enjoy the quiet time.

Prayer, Faith, Hope

2011 marks a new beginning for my family.  Last year our lives were changed forever and we were hit with a reality we never thought would happen.  I experienced first hand how important prayer is and that miracles do happen when you believe.

With that said, this year I pray that my little family heals and that daddy continues to gain strength every day.  I have faith that we will be provided for and I have hope in what the future holds.

Friday Five

1. I've lost 3 pounds! (And I weighed myself while wearing a sweatshirt, which is a big no-no in the losing weight world.)

2. I poured orange juice into my cereal this morning...

3. Abby serenaded me for five minutes...literally. She came into my room while I was cleaning and just started barking. I sat down on the floor and just watched her. I guess she wasn't amused because she promptly turned around and walked out of my room and it is now completely silent in the house. So silent you can hear the quiet hum of the fan. (Yes, I realize it is January and in the single digits, but I got hot cleaning.)

4. I realized how DESPERATELY I need to clean out my closet.

5.  I gave my blog a facelift.  It was time for a change.

Round Two

I completely forgot I even started a blog long ago.  I don't know how much I will use it since the past 2 years I have made a whopping 7 posts.  Go me!  Maybe with the new year I might be more inclined to post more.  Guess I'll find out.

So with the new year, a new try at blogging, and a new project, here we go....The new project is the 12 of 12.  Basically on the 12th day of each month you take 12 photos that document how you spend your day.  Kinda fun, right?

01.  Abby running in the snow.  We got 7 inches!
02.  Self Portrait
03.  Blackboard...another semester begins
04.  School
05.  Today's agenda
06.  My camera :)
07.  Reflection of myself in our living room window.
08.  Snow on our pine trees.
09.  Plaza Lights
10.  Tree on campus
11.  BRRRRR!!!!!
12.  Chocolate....a girl's best friend!