As the snow melts...

Well, I thought I would share that the snow is FINALLY melting and life is returning to a normal pace....thank God! Austin and Joel took alittle stroll in the neighborhood and while they were out having fun, I thought I would test out my new Christmas present; my new 85mm 1.8f camera lense...LOVE IT!

P.S. Aren't father and son pictures sooooooooooooo cute!

Prayer for baby Stellan...

My heart goes out this evening to a fellow blogger who I have never met, but feel as if I have known forever. Her name is Jennifer a.k.a. MckMama and is need of prayer for her family. I have followed her blog for the last year while reading her amazing journey while being pregnant with her son Stellan a.k.a MckMuffin. Her son was diagnosed with premature atrial contractions (heart failure) while in the womb at 20 weeks. They had prepared for the worse, but prayed for the best...a miracle! With a diagnoses that would more then likely kill her son, the lord healed him and he was brought into this world a healthy baby boy...Amen! Now, Stellan faces another terrible and scary moment in his tiny life. He is currently in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) and has been diagnosed with RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) very scary! The doctors are doing all they can, so this is where your help comes in. Jennifer and her family are in need of your prayers to help their little guy pull through. Please pray for baby Stellan while he fights yet again for his precious life.



If you would like to follow the updates and progress of baby Stellan, you can see her blog on the sidebar of my blog or by pressing the button above.

Thank you for joining me in prayer for this family!
Your Friend,
Stephanie

Christmas Day...

I know...I know...where have I been? Well, I just got back from spending a wonderful weekend with my husband at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA. It was a wonderful weekend relaxing and spending quality time together. Austin, stayed with my mom and was spoiled from the second we left. So, while I am delayed on posting Christmas day, I can greatly say that I am rested and revived!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day...Ours started at 9 a.m. when Austin awoke and progressed to the living room. He had no clue at first what the day was, but by the time we started handing out the presents, he had figured things out...It's my Birthday again...hahahaha:)





Austin was so cute opening his presents. Once he opened one, he wanted to play (with only that toy) not understanding that he had a million more to open and play with as well.





Christmas was a different feeling this year. It was no longer about the presents I got or who was spoiled more. This year it was the excitement of seeing the look on my sons face when he saw and opened all his presents. It was also the feeling of being complete. Having Joel home was the best Christmas present I cold have imagined. I was soooooooo happy that he was able to be here and spend time with his son during the holidays. All in all, it was a great day and it definitely felt like Christmas:)



Oh yeah, I have to say this real quick...Technology is GREAT! Not only do I get to see my husband over the internet everyday with Skype (while he is gone), but my inlaws were able to watch Austin open some of his gifts and participate in the moment...It was great! Technology and where it has come...what a blessing!

Oh Little Child...

Oh Little child so near the tree
The precious view you clearly see

Adorned in white, a glistened sight
A chilling warmth, it’s nearly night

Excitement grows within each eye
A splendid match, so bright yet shy

You make each wish, each secret part
A ray with God, so fills your heart

Your wants are small, unselfish child
Not to be wrapped, branded or styled

A world of hope, filled full of peace
A caring call, let love increase

Next year this child so wants to be
Back out to watch, this growing tree

What of our wants as time goes by
Will hope and peace and love climb high


From my family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

My Christmas Wish List...

(My Christmas wrapping is officially done!)

Now, I know that Christmas is not all about gifts and all, but I could not help but share my Christmas wish list with you all. Cross your fingers lol...

We all know that my newest love is my new digital dslr camera that I bought back in October to capture the moments of my family growing before my eyes...well, my list consist of the following:

1) Nikon 50 mm f/1.8D Nikkor AF Lens



2) Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight Flash



3) Fundamentals of Digital SLR Photography class

Stay tuned...I'll fill you in on Christmas day!

Winter wonderland is not so wonderful anymore...

(Picture was taken by my camera phone)

It's now day five and I am now officially sick of the snow...It's been way too long since I have been able to drive and not be terrified at the way other people are driving. I occassionally get alittle nervous when I see people driving like maniacs, but this last week has been overwhelming. Now that the snow has finally stopped (for now keep your fingers crossed) we are currently at an accumulation of eighteen inches...can you believe that! The last time my town here in Western Washington saw this much snow was back in 1972. If that doesn't hit you, it's been 36 years since we have had snow like this. Now, if you think the poeple in the video below look crazy, you should have seen me driving to the airport to pick up my husband who by the way is home for the holidays....YEAH!!! What normally took 45 minutes to drive took me well over two hours and approximatly 35-45mph to get there on a major interstate...it was CRAZY! I nearly thought I was going to die when I could no longer see the lines on the interstate anymore. The only thing that kept me going was seeing my husband come home after flying for what seemed like three days straight. Now that we are safe and sound, I can look back and laugh at this adventure, but I will assure you it nothing but a pure terror driving there and back!

This is what happens when the West Coast meets snow...

OK, so I know most of you believe me when I say that our town shuts down for just a couple inches of snow (about 12 now to be exact)...for those of you who find it hard to believe, this video is for you. Watch and be amazed at how stupid drivers on the West Coast can be...Simply Hilarious!!

P.S. Make sure to pause the music below (scroll down to the bottom of page) to get the FULL effect...lol!

Sunsets in the winter...

So, Austin and I bravely ventured out today in the snow. We drove around with my camera in hand taking pictures every so often (no I wasn't driving and taking pictures...we parked!). It was so beautiful to see our town dressed in white and everyone on the street or in their cars bundled up. Now see, we don't get this weather very often. Like I mentioned in an earlier post I haven't seen it snow like this since I was a child. In fact, as I was waiting in an ambush to get sleds for my sister and her friend, I had a conversation with a gentleman that too remembers being young and having a snow like this...awww memories! Well, here are the shots from this afternoon...wish you all were here to enjoy it with me!

Winter Wonderland Part 2...

The snow here has finally stopped...thank goodness! I believe the last measurement of snow was an accumulation of 10 inches...AMAZING! It's been beautiful and cozy here, but the cabin fever is starting to set in on day three. I will have to say though that that this morning was beautiful when the sun came out to shine. It was so beautiful you couldn't help but feel all fluttery inside. Austin and I went out in the snow this morning to play in fear that it may be gone soon. He had so much fun laughing and playing with his, truck, mommy, and Heidi.









What an amazing morning we had...It's been so much fun playing out in the snow and making holiday memories...I hope daddy gets here soon to play in snow with us:)

Winter Wonderland...

It's a winter wonderland out here in Washington State. For the last forty-eight hours we have been coated in over four inches of snow and it's beautiful. I haven't seen it snow like this since I was a child and now that I have one of my own it's oh so fun to go out and play in it again. For those of you who live where snow is normal, don't laugh when I say that our town has been shut down for the last two days. No school, work, and barely any stores open. Everyone here stays inside warm and cozy. Our family has certainly enjoyed the cozy and warm. For the last two days my family and I have enjoyed making cookies, playing in the snow and wrapping up in our blankets watching movies.





I never thought I would turn into someone who enjoys baking, but I had a blast making these cookies...Instead of using a chocolate kiss on top of a sugar cookies try using the Hickory Farm melt away mints....YUMMY!



This was Austin's picture last year when it snowed in Virginia...He was so thrilled that mommy dragged him out into the snow for a picture. Can you see it in his face...lol!



This year was different! When Austin woke up the first day it snowed, I swear he stood at the door for atleast thirty minutes trying to figure out what was all over the ground and falling from the sky. When I finally took him outside to play, he at first was yet again not thrilled until he figured out how to move around in it.



Here is our dog Heidi and Austin playing fetch. Ready...Set...BREAK! Already we are grooming him to be the starter back football player!



As an adult, I have somewhat lost the true feeling of Christmas...This year is especially special to me. My husband is on route to be home for the holidays and I can't thank god enough for sending him my way. It's been hard to be on my own, and being a family for Christmas will make the holidays feel as they should. Plus...I have always wanted a white Christmas:) We shall see if this beautiful snow sticks around!! Take care:)))

New Pictures...

I thought I would share with you some of the fun pictures I have taken lately. Below are two of my girlfriends. First, Denise who I have met through MOPS and has been a wonderful friend to me is with her family in front of the capitol building. Let me just say that this is the sweetest family...her children are darling and her and her husband are so cute together. This picture actually turned out to be this year's Christmas picture...so much fun!



Here are also my favorites from their pictures...





This second set of pictures are very special to me. Adrienne who I have grown up with and have been childhood friends with for almost twenty years is having her first baby boy. She was so cute in these pictures, in fact so cute that she almost made me sick how beautiful she looked while being pregnant...wish I had her jeans:) Anyhow, all joking aside, I was so honored that she let me take her maternity pictures. Congratulations Adrienne...I can't wait to meet him:)







I hope you all enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them...More to come!
Also, thank you so much Denise and Adrienne for letting me take pictures of your family...I really enjoyed sharing the moment with you.

Always buy the warranty...

So do I need to explain or does the picture say a thousand words? As you can see my most prized and most priciest possession had a great fall. As a new parent a lesson was learned...when you think you have something up and away, you never can be too safe. Here is the short story on what happened to my oh so loved camera...I had just gotten back from taking pictures for my girlfriend and her family. I took my camera out to do some editing and placed it on the table out of the way of curious fingers (so I thought). As I was I editing, I heard from the background SMASH...I quickly looked and there sat my son and my Nikon D90 on the floor. I thought OOOOOH MY...how did this happen there is no way he could have gotten my camera down off from the table...well sure enough HE HAD! I learned two very valuable lessons yesterday, NEVER underestimate the ability of a one year old and ALWAYS buy the warranty on your most prized possession (especially with kids). Now before you go losing your marbles like I almost did, I was very fortunate to have made the right decision on paying for the additional coverage on my camera. Today when I went into KITZ Camera I had absolutely no hassles on getting it turned in and fixed. I was also surprised to experience the generosity of KITZ Camera when they offered to give me a loaner lens until mine return in 6-8 weeks...How cool! Luckily, the camera was ok and that the lens wasn't broken...only the filter protecting the lens was cracked and jammed. So, I ALMOST had a heart attack last night, but was revived today to find that everything was going to be ok...



Now let me tell you a story about when I was a child. My mother to this day still has the remains in a drawer of a crystal bowl that once stylishly decorated the mantel above the fireplace. I am not sure how the bowl came down, but I do remember my sister and I would always play on the fireplace steps back at the old house in the Farm. We would always use it as our "stage" when pretending to be singers or putting on a play for my parents. The last time we were allowed on the fireplace was the day that my mothers crystal bowl was shattered into pieces after it came tumbling down onto the brick fireplace. We all learn our lessons as mothers and children; mine was last night and soon, there will be a moment like the crystal bowl where Austin will learn to take care and be careful with Mommy's most precious possessions.

Who wants their picture taken?

My love for photography is beginning to branch out to my friends and family. This weekend I went to downtown Paducah and took over 750 pictures of my friends and their families...here is just a few to show off!









If I am lucky, my brother in law may just use one of my pictures for his new album...wouldn't that be cool!



I had a great time with you all this weekend...thank you for letting me capture the moment:)

Happy Thanksgiving...

This year I traveled to Kentucky to be with my husband's family for Thanksgiving. Now I know what some of you are thinking and that is, you must be crazy to go to your in laws by yourself for two weeks. Well, this is one of the many things I am thankful for. I have a wonderful relationship with my in laws and truly they are my second home and family. I am blessed to have them in my life and for that I am thankful. We had a wonderful time over at Aunt Vic's house sharing stories, memories, and of course stuffing ourselves with all the wonderful "fixins."


Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."

Information Overload...

Ok, so I have been super busy here in Kentucky visiting friends and family and I feel terrible (not really) for neglecting to update my blog. SOOOOOO with that said, I am ready to update my blog with an information overload...I hope you enjoy all the new pictures and fun things! Take care:)

Simply Amazing...

As I watch my son from afar play with the most oddest of toys, I find myself thinking how wonderful it is that a child is amused by the most simplest of things. Here I am going out and buying $20+ toys for my son to play with and he is content with a couple of bowls, a spoon, and muffin pan. I would have never thought in a million years that you could have so much fun with the simple things in life (i.e. a kitchen strainer..lol). I just thought I would share this moment with you as I thought it was funny to watch him play. These pictures make you wonder what their little minds are up to...Enjoy!

Rain...Rain...Go Away...

Rain...Rain...GO Away...Come Again Another Day!



Here in the beautiful northwest, it's been raining for the last three days. I suppose with growing up here, I should be use to it, but apparently I am not. Poor little Austin has been stuck inside to play with his toys and mommy. I guess with the winter season coming up I should get creative and plan some fun things for us to do inside...any suggestions? Well, I thought I would share this picture I captured of Austin looking outside at the rain. SO CUTE!

The free spirit is off on another adventure...

I dropped my sister Christy off today at the airport for her year long adventure in Australia. It was so hard to let her go, but I know she will be making some wonderful memories to come home and share. My sister traveled last year with my cousin Sarah in New Zealand for six months and then on the way home traveled Australia and Fiji. This time around she is going with one of our really close friends Amy. Amy went out and visited my sister in New Zealand and while she was there caught the travel bug like my sister. Their plan is to travel the beaches in Thailand for eleven days before heading out to Australia for a year...so much fun!

The last couple of months have been wonderful having my sister home. As kids we were close in age, but always seemed to be going different directions. Now as adults we are super close and more like best friends. I am going to miss having her around to hang out with and talk to, but I will hopefully be seeing her soon when our family goes to visit in the coming months (keeping fingers crossed).

To my sister and Amy, be safe, don't talk to strangers, and have the time of your life! Love you both...MUAH!









If those of you who read this blog could keep my sister Christy and Amy in your prayers that would mean the world to me!