mom*tog

Have you read http://www.momtog.com/ yet? Are you a Mom*tog? Well I love this site and after careful reading and inspiration from Drews other amazing site http://blog.drewbphotography.com/, I have been working really hard at trying to learn my camera and pay attention to detail and to try and capture the true spirit of my children. I took some today that I am so proud of I just wanted to share them here. Also the pictures of the snow is from Thanksgiving weekend when we went up to Big Bear, I seriously love the look of snow, especially on fruit and branches, it's really quite lovely.

I'm really in love with her site it is a great source of inspiration for other Mom*togs out there!

Stephanie Nielson's family marks her year of survival

Stephanie Nielson's family marks her year of survival

Read this story.....your life will be forever changed!

are you in?

I am going to be a part of something awesome, amazing, inspiring, life changing. How about you? Are you in? Check out http://www.project320.blogspot.com/
and change lives!

shop ruche

Seriously how cute is that jacket? Love it!

christmas gifts with heart

Christmas time is upon us once again. I love Christmas. But really who doesn't? The music. The smell of the Christmas trees. Family. Christmas lights. Jesus. It's really a beautiful time of year. This year I have been searching for new things to give as gifts. This year I have been drawn to gifts that really give. I have found some cool things that I thought I would pass along. On the top of my blog is the button to buy a NICU pack for a family with a baby/child in the NICU. Having gone through that experience I know that a pack like that would have been greatly appreciated. Also it is sponsored by the Spohrs. If you don't know their story check them out here http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/. Their story is well heart wrenching, but uplifting in the way they are keeping Maddies spirit alive.
The other gift I have read about is the gift of water. Yes water. Something here we take for granted all the time. And in some countries the water is so contaminated that people are dying. From water. That is absurd! You can donate and give someone clean water for a whole year. That is amazing!!! Here is the link http://water4christmas.com/index.html. Seriously do it. Because can you imagine not having clean water. Or not being able to give your child clean water. I can't.
Last but definitely not least donate. Donate to a cause close to your heart. Or one you believe in. If you don't have much money to give this year. Donate your time. Go to a shelter and ask how you can help. Donate a unwrapped toy to your local fire department (this drive is done in Southern California but if you don't live here I'm sure you can find something similar in your area) it's called spark of love toy drive http://www.calfund.org/give/giving_sparkoflove.php you can click on that link to learn more. We do it every year and it is a great way for our children to really understand the reason for the season. Adopt a family or child and give them gifts and Christmas dinner. You can find families through your church or at the mall. We are doing that this year.
Here are some great sites to donate to (and causes I believe in):
http://www.wish.org/
http://ww5.komen.org/
http://www.autismspeaks.org/donate/index.php
http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/donation
http://www.hurricanekatrinarelief.com/index.html
If you know of others I urge you to post to your site. The season of giving is upon us and it really feels good to give, especially to those who need it more than ourselves!

15 again

So last night I became 15 years old again.

I went and watched a movie at midnight.

You know that movie.

Oh please don't make me say it, it's already too embarrassing that I went at midnight to see a movie overflowing with tween angst. But yes I did.
And not only did I go but my friend rented out a theater for the big event. And in that private theater I was sandwiched between by best girlfriends, watching vampires sparkle, six pack abed boys turn into werewolves, and one very monotone voice girl struggle with her love for a blood thirsty vampire and an angry werewolf. Personally I would choose the werewolf but I have a never been a fan of sparkles on boys.
It was fun.
But I realized last night that I am no longer 15, but 29. And being 29 and a mother of 3 I don't have the drive to stay up past midnight. And that going to bed at 3:30 is no fun unless you are snuggling a newborn baby (cuz then it makes it worth it) And that today I felt as if my eyeballs were going to fall out. So while it was fun New Moon, I don't think I would like to be 15 ever again.



This is me and one of my BFFs. Yes she is dressed like a vampire. Yes she is almost 30. And yes she is pregnant.

beautiful

Because there is nothing better than.... sharing an ipod.....

laying on the cool grass in the afternoon.....

watching the sun turn the sky the most beautiful colors......

in your daddys arms.....

BEAUTIFUL!