Making Memories

I know, Memorial Day is for remembering soldiers, remembering the sacrifices, celebrating freedom.

I am thankful to live here in The United States of America.

I am thankful for the soldiers who fight for our freedom.

I want to recognize and honor them, remember those who gave their lives--lived their life for our country and those living every day to keep protecting us. Having a soldier in the family would be an honorable, good thing.

Applying Memorial Day to my life: I don't want to look back with regrets. I want to remember the wonderful, good parts of being happily married, busy with kids, struggling and learning and growing together. I don't want to take the technology (freedom) for granted. Use that camera. Work it! Save photos, explore the world visually, and capture the ordinary, every day, even the posed moments so you can REMEMBER! Make memories by remembering them immediately-on the spot!

This was a fun photo shoot with Suzanna--she had some great ideas and we were compliant and willing. I can see her as a talented photographer in the future, doing weddings...documenting her life, journalling with pictures!

Seldom Seen Siblings

I have a sister who lives 5 hours west of us. Another sister lives 5 hours northeast. A brother 2 hours south. Next closest is a brother 20 hours west, then a sister southwest of him (Happy Belated B-day, Laura! Hope it was great!) , and 2 more brothers and another sister even further west (38 hours driving straight through).

I am thankful for their good influence. Thankful for the things they teach me as adult peers. Thankful for their sharing anecdotes of parenthood and married life, recent good reads, fun music, great art.

We've had a hard time getting to the temple this month, and Lu & Bob's spontaneous trip and invitation to join them made it easy to just go.

Thanks to Brother John and Jen and their babysitting. Thanks for the kisses and hugs and family connection in a crazy, busy world. Wishing we could have seen all the cousins together--I have grand hopes for future reunions and shared moments.

Thanks, Mom & Dad, for having all of us! Thanks for scolding us when we weren't being kind to each other. Thanks for helping us learn to like and love each other when we were young so it would be easy now.

This is why we sing, "Love at Home" as a family when we are feeling grouchy and impatient and in need of reminding. It matters now how siblings treat each other, so you will WANT to be together forever after this life.

Hats for Deb

Thanks for the couple photo ideas! We will be trying some of them!Last Wednesday John had to go get more bike helmets to fit all the boys before their scout bike ride. Roxie and I went to pick strawberries with the Activity Day girls. A meeting of hats!
John's wedding ring is on his pinkie because of the injury inflicted while digging bamboo for me to transplant INTO our backyard (to hide the neighbor's light shinning in our bedroom window).

Who Does the Laundry in Your House?

Sometimes I don't know if I have worn the same outfit two days in a row, or if we took a couple picture in the morning, and then one in the same day afternoon? Dinning room light fixture from IKEA, sold around Christmas time made for outdoor use, but I love it inside.

We were all sitting in the living room one night, and there was a noise, very loud, one I couldn't identify.

"What's that noise?" I asked John.

All the kids laughed. They knew, from experience, first hand. They help make that noise.

"The washing machine," they giggled.

Not something I recognized--since he does all my laundry washing. The kids do their own. I do help fold/hide baskets when people come over.

Running Out of Couple Photo IDEAS

I need to go and look at some more wedding photography sites, get more creative. You've seen this background, this pose, those eyes, these outfits...Time for something new again. Same spouse. Same closeness. Same camera. Same goals.

We Need Wednesdays

Not only is Suzu giving us bunny ears, Sam is leaping into this couple shot.

My Day Job & My REAL Job!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Always Time for a Kiss

Minutes ago, this Tuesday morning.

Falling Behind But Pressing Forward

Stewart's head at the SMA Gallery Walk Through posted Saturday.
I'm trying to catch up on all the work from the weekend! Painting for a buddy so their home will sell--all other clients are still on hold! Please be patient with me!

I went to a home of a lady more talented/crafty than I am. It was refreshing, exciting, wonderful to see her many works-in-progress and the things she has done all over her fun home. Her collections were delightful, her enthusiasm catchy, her cranberry scones perfect! I want to grow up and be like her, and borrow some of her display ideas. I kept wishing I had brought a camera--she had antique cookie cutters wired to an old wooden cask lid hung in the hallway...Americana galore, gorgeous quilts (real ones) a Wizard of Oz porcelain doll collection, a butter churn she bought when she was 10 years old in Colorado and brought down the mountain on the train and told her grandpa she was going to use it for a garbage can. It was glorious! Lots of creative clutter and warmth! And it didn't bother her at all that she had so many on-going piles and projects. She said "...you gotta have a life besides work!" She hasn't let the death of her husband stop her. Her kids have grown up and moved away. She keeps overcoming all obstacles in her path and she plows forward with wit and warmth and kisses on the cheek for greeting (I LOVE that!).

Missed the Before Pictures

I love to paint. I don't love pressure-deadline painting so much. But I would still rather paint than_______ (fill in the blank).

This was my weekend project: a repaint--years ago when they first moved in I painted this dinning room a beautiful periwinkly blue, a custom mix from basement gallons of Oops. The house has been on the market too long, so owner asked me to neutralize it--another custom color that looks fabulous with the BM "Jersey Cream" in the front hallway.
Study went from deep burgundy to same neutral. I wish I had left it the incredible sagey-neutral of Oops primer/sealer I used--it looked better green with the grey carpet, but I have a feeling it may go next. While I was there three potential groups of buyers came to see the house. It was fun overhearing comments, "What a great party house!" and "How many kids do you think they had?" and "Beautiful, I love it!" They would come and thank me, and I would have to explain I am just the hired help, but that I would pass on the compliments to the owner! Does anyone need a 4 bedroom home in BelAir? HUGE finished basement. Freshly painted dinning room and study!

My quilt from "So You Think You Can Quilt." Survived another round.

Sunday Hugs

T-shirts from that W store David won't shop at- $1 each on clearance. Wishing they came in bigger sizes! Roxie is standing under the London Bridge postcard Em sent! Thinking of you!

Happy Nerdy Success!

And I mean that as a sincere compliment. (Two nerds get married and birth more nerds. It seems to be a dominant trait.) Check out that cool tie! Thrift store, yes! Suit $15 bought the night before after going through all the closets and not finding one that fit him. Light blue shirt, thrift store years ago--one of John's favorite shirts because I like the way it matches his eyes and he likes that I like that and wore it more--but if fits his son better now. Stewart graduates this year from the Science & Math Academy. Their final project is comparable to a thesis project. Many hours of work with a mentor. Specific budgets. Wonderful application potential. Think SUPER science fair for scary smart nerds.

Senator Nancy Jacobs looking at his project. Moving the venue to the cafeteria was brilliant, more space to move among the 42 projects, mentors, families, community visitors. Professionally catered. Very nice event.
I know Dwayne gets it. The rest of us are struggling with the mechanical engineering vocabulary. Check out Stewart's clever water bottle holder. That's my boy!

Friday Again

Tonight is not date night--at least not with the two of us. Mother and son activity for Church. The invitation said come dressed like you are going on a safari. An adventure Sam is eager for! Work can wait. Date can take place tomorrow morning instead. Tonight, I am a mom of a handsome-almost-12-year old son!

Stretch Yourself

One more, same clothes, same day--just in case I can't upload any more pictures this week!

Today I will be thinking about: probably work. My family. Crazy week of seminary with high school assessment tests all week and different times of classes starting changes the schedule for everyone but me. Emma far away. Praying for computer fixing help. Wishing I were painting more. Still praying for job with benefits and full-time for John. And reading "Little Dorrit" by Charles Dickens. LOVE that book, and it has so much to say about money issues!

I cheated and watched the BBC series first, but so far the book is very faithful to the story, with very few exceptions. The book makes things make more sense, bridges the film better. I feel like I already know the characters as they were so well acted in the film. Good, thick read to keep me under 40 hours of C. work for the week. I have to physically stop, take off my work badge, force myself to read so I am not spending 15 hours a day managing a huge crew.

Stretching, yes.

I could have shown you a treading water in the deep end picture of us--not quite drowning, but legs are growing weary trying to keep our heads above water (all kinds of great imagery). For others in the same financial boat: you are not alone. I will never take for granted financial security.

To the young and less experienced crowd: GET ALL THE EDUCATION YOU CAN while you are young--so much easier! Keep up your skills. Figure out how to support your family now, don't wait until you need to do it. Spend less. Save more. Pray always. Budget. Be disciplined with money. STREEEEEEeeeeettttttch out those paychecks. Be frugal. Be thrifty. Look at how you spend money on entertainment and see what you can cut out today. Figure out the difference between what you need and what you want.

Ceilings are Important

Same photo shoot as yesterday's post, but I am scurrying trying to pre-blog knowing this machine is dying and over-heating (typed over-eating first time).

You can see my living room glowing RL ballroom paint silver candlestick paint! Love what it does to ceilings. A high recommendation. (Loving puns today and always.)

Go vote for your favorite quilt. John had a horrible time guessing mine this round. Doesn't look like my work? Go push on button for "So You Think You Can Quilt" at Brown Paper Packages.

Technology is not always my friend

Tech difficulty this week, waiting for new video card-under warranty which is a blessing. Best talk in Church on Sunday: analogy of importance of contrast needed in photography (high speed camera work by the speaker at APG) and the way trials help us understand and appreciate our blessings. Too true.

On Purpose

There are things I do different on purpose. Ways I try very hard not to appear ordinary.

I asked Sister Babcock on her mission what I could pass on to the pre-missionary youth. She talked about the ability to open up and talk to complete strangers, learning to share your feelings and thoughts about religious and spiritual things, and then she stressed, "Complete obedience in all things."

She told me that they were very impressed with a young missionary who had to go to the doctor with his companion. There was a tv in the waiting room, outside of their control, but this obedient elder purposefully turned his head away and would not watch.

It is okay to stand out in beliefs and moral conviction!

The trick is doing it consistently. Believing it and living it needs FAITH so you act on it and avoid being a hypocrite.

I *cringe inside when I tell the seminary kids they are in charge of their bodies. They don't have to just go along with what is happening to them. They can exert force, choose to get out of uncomfortable and wrong circumstances.

They can STOP breaking the Word of Wisdom, they can STOP kissing before the intensity of passions and feelings and hormones take over; they can stop touching inappropriately.

They can STOP looking at immodest people. They can turn away.

They CAN WAIT until they get married to have sex. They CAN WAIT to experience those pleasures.

They CAN CONTROL their thoughts by singing their favorite hymn. They CAN CONTROL their appetites and desires by exerting faith and acting on the Sunday School Answers that outline what the GOSPEL is all about:

1. be strong, read the scriptures so they will know and can obey the commandments, (FAITH in the LORD JESUS CHRIST)
2. pray every day at least twice, (REPENTANCE)
3. go to Church, keep coming to seminary, (BAPTISM and renewal of that covenant each Sabbath through the Sacrament).
4. do everything in their power to step away from and avoid temptations (listen to the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST)
5. and then do it every day (ENDURE TO THE END!)

Even though I am not a perfect example of exerting body control (don't say chocolate, ice cream, donuts, or anything about my eating when I am stressed and not exercising enough) the principle is still true*.

I can control my physical body with my spiritual choices. I believe that.

Now I just need to do it on purpose.

Eye-Aye Lessons

John has been trying to coach me to keep my eyes OPEN for photos.

Yes, I am really trying here!

Color Play Same Room 2 Shots

Sort of a couple photo. All the kids are gone Friday night except Roxie. Empty house. I am finally done with interview meetings for the day. I can only work 5 hours Saturday and I am out of time for the week. Must conserve hours for the weekends! Turn off my phone? Almost everything has been assigned out. Amazing crew. I like being the boss. But I like stopping for the day, too. Go check out So You Think You Can Quilt voting next week. Vote. For the one you like best, not just for the one you guess is mine. 8<) Theme is circles...

How Long Can I Do This?

These photos really make me laugh--you can tell who is holding the camera by who is peeking.

Patience and "Thy will be done" part of praying is hard for me lately. Mostly I feel happy and content, but I still have freak-out-can't-stand-the-poverty moments.

We are making it. Paying our bills. Squeaking by. Still married. Still kissing. Still talking.

Money fight/discussions don't go away when you have no money. We are constantly figuring out what the priorities are for each other.

Three Choices...

Today's seminary lesson was on the difference between secrets and surprises--specifically the evil and harm of secret combinations made for evil purposes and to control others, and then the good kind of Happy Birthday surprises. Bad ones are secret addictions. Things you feel guilty about and don't want your mom or bishop to find out--those are really bad.

(End of seminary application. Further is how it applies to me.)

I've been thinking about some of my friends and their serial monogamy. The desire to be committed to one person is a good desire. Wanting a committed, righteous marriage--good goal. The reality is hard work. And sometimes things happen out of your control--the choices the other person makes that don't include you.

It is sobering to hear about how those "secret" bad things tear apart marriages. Weaknesses that are hidden, lies, bad choices. Not sharing whole self with spouse and keeping back parts for some one else, a new girlfriend/boyfriend; innocent-seeming beginnings that turn more and more intimate and exclusive and pushes the spouse out. Dangerous. Slimy. Horrible. How can they not see what they are doing, the pain they are causing?

And what advice do you give, or do you just listen to someone going through that?

What do you say to the offended spouse? (And I always remind myself I am hearing one side of the story...).

I've been married to the same guy for 21 years. I'm no expert.

Simple answers:

Stay married for the sake of the kids. Try counseling. Get ecclesiastical help. And if it continues? Keep forgiving. How many times? Separate for the sake of your sanity. Or....?

I don't ever want an ex, or the grief and heartache that comes from making visitation for kids smooth and fair. A friend came over last week in tears about the attorney costs to keep her kids all summer. I was sympathetic. Tried to help my grieving friend. Build her up. Tell her how wonderful she is and encourage non-conflict with her ex for the sake of the kids.

Hard stuff.

So tonight during dinner John innocently asked me if I recycled our lunch pizza box.

"PIZZA?!" the kids exclaimed.

And John said, "Aren't you lucky to know your parents are in love and go on dates in the middle of the day without you?!"

No answer. (Wish I knew what they were thinking sometimes!)

They kept eating the French toast and guacamole dinner I had whipped up for them.

Two loaves of bread and half another, 10 eggs+sour cream+vanilla flavoring (the buttermilk had gone bad--that's how long it's been since I've cooked dinner. It takes a really, really long time for buttermilk to go bad and I use it all the time when I am in cooking-mode! Great blessing of John losing job has been him teaching kids how to cook-but I guess I use more buttermilk than he does...).

Guacamole was on the side (veggie!). With chips. So a carb-heavy dinner, but it was so good.

Choice #1 original photo
Choice #2 color-leeched
Choice #3 cropped, tilted, and sepia-ed; (my favorite. Which is yours?)

Rush, (comma) JOB

Flying out the door. Proctoring test for out-of-town MIL (Mom-by-marriage sounds so much nicer), censoring the rest of the day, and maybe crocheting some more baby blankets on the side...mural clients on hold for another couple of weeks, but some exciting up-coming projects that I can't wait to do! John is training for C job this week (quality control that comes after my phase) so I am taking kids to school. I make them walk. Nephew M isn't thrilled about that, but agreed to when I volunteered to carry his massive bell instrument. Ha. Thinking of car on Thursday when he has band again. It's heavy!

Yes, I Cut My Hair

Actually, Michael Harrington did it. 410-838-8085 #3 for voice mail. His salon is right by the Elder's apartment.

He had just got back from a haircutting conference, and I sat in his chair and told him anything he wanted would be great. Total freedom. Shorter would be great-I completely trust him. And he charges me barely anything just to experiment. Hehehheee! We all win.


I like that John notices when I change something. He has learned to say, "I love it" or some other your-choice complement rather than the awful, "DID you cut your hair?" or "What is different about you?" I like to be paid attention to by John.

Yes, Dear

We were up on post to drop Suzu off to babysit (thanks, Aunt Amy, for the referral!). Lots and lots and lots of deer. Everywhere. Tame. No fear. They've all got the stares. We couldn't even get a blink.
(He didn't know about this one, or maybe he would have done a Nacho Libre move for me.) Did I mention he's a good sport? When I take the camera along on our dates he is very cooperative. I hear about husbands who don't want to pose--how did I get so lucky?

My Babies Make Me Smile

They made me a washer-stamped necklace (they each made their own name, very cool) and gave me as much time as I wanted to take their photos. We skyped with Emma today, just call, no video. Nice relaxing day.