The time has come to make a move:

After much deliberation, and much thought. (We are talking a years worth of thought going into this.) I have decided to mesh my photography life and my personal life into one blog.

It is such a tough decision because I have been separate for so long. (Blog wise anyway.) My home here has been this little www.kimsueellen.blogspot.com and I know that I will miss it. I may still use this blog occasionally to post reviews and other insights until I transition to the other blog fully and decide how those things will work into it, and when I get more comfortable sharing it. For now, silly enough, I feel a little exposed.

Things to look forward to in the coming months? My official dot com. It will be easier to find me, you just need to remember my name: Kim Orlandini. It will take a bit to get all of my posts carried over, but I ask for your patience as I work with my designer(s) to make this a reality.

So, if you are reading this, please come on over to my new and everlasting blog: www.kimorlandini.com and join in on the fun over there. Same great taste, fresh start.

Love you all. Thank you for your support and love to me, especially this past week. It has helped me immensely in my struggles, and I am slowly starting to see the sunshine again.

xoxo

Me

Deep.

I am feeling a deep and painful sadness.

I am depressed.

I have been so for almost a week now.

It is profound.

It is heavy.

It is dark.

I wasn't expecting it.

It is making me feel like a failure.

In my marriage.

As a mother.

As a photographer.

As a blogger.

As a friend.

As a provider.

As a servant.

In every way.

I cried for a long, long time today.

In the closet.

While running down the road.

In the shower.

On the bathroom floor.

Heaping.

Sobs.

It hurts.

It is frightening.

It is all I can do to keep breathing.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

I want to run away.

I want to be different.

I want to sleep all day.

I wish for the pain to be lessened.

I wish to feel myself again.

I hope this passes soon.

Getting Results

***Originally posted to the Shredding with Simply Me blog. If you would like access to that blog, and are interested in losing weight or sharing your weight loss stories, photos, triumphs, as well as struggles, please email me: kimsueellen[at]gmail[dot]com and I would be happy to give you access. We have room for about 25 more readers.***

Friends. I had to share some good news. When I measured in this week I finally saw some tremendous (for me) results from the last time I measured in about 3 weeks ago.

I had lost 1/2" from each thigh, 1/4" from each calf, 1/4" from each bicep. So I have lost a total of 5" from my entire body since Jan 1, 2011.

This was a huge step for me. Since my last blog post, I have not done anything different. You know the post, the one where I cry about hovering at 188.2. Well yesterday I weighed in at 186.4. This puts me at having lost 14.75 total. My highest weight was 205. I didn't start counting weight loss until I was at 200lbs. I am thinking if I want to sound incredible I should count that 5 extra pounds just to say I have lost 20lbs. *giggle*

I have also 'grown out of' two size 17 jeans (I know, I know that is a junior size) as well as almost completely not being able to wear 2 size 14 (misses size) jeans. I went to the Old Navy clearance rack yesterday and pulled off a size 12 super nervous as to whether they would fit, and guess what? They fit perfectly. Like a glove. Not a tight glove, but a nice, sweet glove. My bumm looks TOTALLY hot in them. Please comment on it's hotness the next time you see me wearing them.

I don't write this to boast, but to share with you. I have not seen any sort of change or result in my body since November. Nothing. It has been disheartening at times, and I have, of course wanted to give up. I have pushed through, and while this may be a temporary slide in the right direction, I know I am going to hit other roadblocks and long plateaus. I just need to realize that all of those things can be pushed through, and once again I will be able to see something wonderful and beautiful on the other side. Defining who I am by what I am inside is far more important that what I look like on the outside. However, it is a beautiful place to be reflecting the beauty in both areas.

I don't want to talk about 'goals' or specifically what my 'goals' are. Sometimes I feel like goals are so abstract, and intangible. I am keeping with my goal to lose 5lbs at a time. Ultimately, I would love to see the number 140 on my scale. It is a good number for my height and frame. I would love to be able to wear a size 8 jean. I would be content at these numbers. For now, I am embracing this size 12 body and I am going to love her and carry her with grace and sophistication.

xoxo

***Edited to say that with the encouragement of a few close people in my life, especially Em, I am going to run with the fact I started at 205. I am not as ashamed to admit that now as I was at the time, I have personal journal entries to prove how much of a dark place I was in. I was in complete denial, therefore pretended it wasn't real. It was. It was very very sad. Sigh. So, here we go. Down 20. Feels good. Really good. ***

Why film?

Film is something I am passionate about.

Film for me is not a fad.

It is not something I shoot because 'all the cool kids are doing it'.

Film has always been, for me, a source of magic.

It has always been a connection to something bigger than myself. Film has the ability to help us remember times gone by, and those whom we love so openly and fully, we remember them because of film. The miraculous nature by which it came about, and and of itself is magical. For me, each and every time I make an image on film, that magic comes alive for me, and I see sparkling glitter fall from the sky. Silly? Perhaps. Truthful? Certainly.

Fuji Instant Film Negative.

Shot on a Polaroid 600SE on Fuji fp3000b

When I was 15 I knew in the deepest corners of my soul that I needed to be a photographer. I don't know why, or what compelled that desire in me. Perhaps it was my grandfather. Perhaps it was his relatives who were asked to photograph Zion's National Park. Perhaps I knew at that young age that it was my destiny to capture moments that can so easily slip away. It wasn't until I was a mother, and was given the opportunity to learn, to shoot. It was on film that I learned. When the digital cameras started coming out, and were 'all the rage' I stood on the sidelines. Secretly wishing for one of those new fandangled contraptions, but still holding to my love of film. It was real, it was tangible. I was saving my pennies for a medium format film camera. That was my dream.

That year I was given a digital SLR. I loved this camera. Imagine my surprise when it was frustrating to learn to use. So different from the film I was accustomed to shooting. With time, I learned to master that digital camera although my heart still longed for film. For years I had been stalking the blog of one Jonathan Canlas. Well, I wouldn't say stalking because I left comments almost every time I went to visit his blog. It wasn't before long that I realized why I was drawn to his work. He shot film. Only film. I loved this thought. I wanted this to be me. Much to my surprise he had his first workshop in 2008. I was determined to attend that workshop. Hell or high water, I would go. And. I. Did. I wouldn't say that the workshop changed me immediately. I knew going into film that I needed to make a commitment to it. I was one of those people that had to have all or nothing. It was so deep in my soul that I knew leaving that workshop that I would one day shoot only film. Two years, almost to the day from attending that workshop, I made the switch to 100% film. I have never regretted that decision. It has forever changed me. I am lucky to call Jon one of my greatest friends. I am lucky to call him my mentor.

I get a lot of emails asking about why I shoot film, asking how they can shoot film, should they shoot film, should they just get a digital SLR. My answer to them is YES they can shoot film, and they SHOULD. Don't wait for anything. Life is short. Go and dust off that 35mm, I don't care how old it is. Grab a roll of film, load it and SHOOT it. "But isn't that hard." You ask. Well, my friends. Jon has just written a book that is about to change your life:

I have this book. I have devoured it already. It is beautiful, it is breathtaking, it is a work of art, and I am not lying when I tell you it will change your life if you let it. I don't care if you are a mom taking photos of her babies. I don't care if you are an empty nester. If you have access to a camera, please, please pick it up and shoot something on it this year.

Jon's book was released today. It is available in PDF format for immediate download and is on sale for an introductory price of $89 until February 23. I highly suggest you buy your copy before it goes to it's regular price of $149 which is still killer and worth every penny. (I spent more on one college book studying photography and didn't learn a tenth of what I have learned from Jon.)

Jon has given me the opportunity to offer this book to you. For each book that my friends and readers buy, I get a small portion of the sale, but even if I did not I would support this book, as I do now, with my entire being.

Let film change you as it has me.

Get your book HERE.

I'll send the first five people who buy it a little something special in the mail to get them started on their own film journey. Simply send me an email to: kimorlandini[at]gmail[dot]com.

Cheers.

Weighing In

***Originally posted to the Shredding with Simply Me blog. If you would like access to that blog, and are interested in losing weight or sharing your weight loss stories, photos, triumphs, as well as struggles, please email me: kimsueellen[at]gmail[dot]com and I would be happy to give you access. We have room for about 30 more readers.***

I am hoping this week to finally develop some photos from the first month of my personal photography project. I'll share more details then, but wanted to check in and let you know how things are going here.

I am a few days shy of being half way through my first round of P90x. I started out super slow, listening to my body, and now I am finally at the point where I can almost keep up with the video, and get through it without feeling like I am going to die.

I wish however, that I could tell you I have seen amazing results from it. Truth is, I have not. I have lost only 3/4" from my entire body, and zero weight in pounds or ounces. I am pretty much hovering at 188.2 with the lowest number I have seen being 187, but I am not going to let it get me down. Instead I am trying to think positively, and feeling less guilty and loving myself for who I am. It is not easy, but this time, this time it is a life change, not a change of desperate attempts. This is going to be a lasting thing, and in order for that to happen, I have to be careful with me...and support me.

I can't tell you the last time I had a soda, probably some time in December. The last time I had any sort of shake was mid January. I have almost completely cut out all dairy from my diet except for some cheeses. January was a focus on returning to exercise. February has been a focus on not eating out at all, or fairly little, and really *thinking* about what is going into my body. I have been making dinner at home for me, and for my family. We are eating a more balanced diet, and controlling our portions so that we have room for each area in our food group. The kids are handling it well. I should say it is just me and the kids doing it as our dad and hubby has a freaky deaky schedule and has to fend for himself the leftovers and whatnot.

I feel I am on a good track, one that I feel is the right track. I'll keep you posted on how things go, and I am excited (well, sort of) to share a bit of my project with you hopefully in the coming weeks.

Much love to you all, and to myself.

xoxo

Gonad Punching and Therapy Installment 1

Photo by the beautiful Sharon Johnson

You know that voice inside your head, the one that tells you, "You're not good enough!"? The one that says, "Don't even try!" or "Why bother?" I hate that voice.

It seems like this voice has been my companion since I can remember. It started for no apparent reason when I was younger. It seemed as I got into my teenage years, it only got louder and louder. Now that I am approaching thirty, it seems like it is getting more and more muffled. Either that or I have tried to punch that voice in the gonads so many times, it is sounding like a twelve year old boy in puberty. It is probably a combination of the gonad punching along with the fact that I realize that I don't have to always follow the -rules- of the voice.

Guess what? I can!

I am seriously amazed at the person I have become in the past year. The past almost three years really. Three years ago I would never have stood up for myself in any arena. Not at the grocery store, not in my business practices, not at church. Today? I am the complete opposite. I no longer listen to that voice that tells me, "You can't say that!". I do say that and I am happier for it.

A couple of months ago I was at a church function. If any of you know me, you know that I say what I think. I wouldn't go as far as to say I don't have a filter unless of course maybe you were at church on Sunday when I got up to bear my testimony and I may or may not have said and I quote, "Although I am sure my husband wishes I would fulfill more of his needs." And that folks could have been and probably was taken out of context. I promise you that I did not mean to say it in that way. Anyway, I do have a filter, it is just sometimes it is dirty or I leave it at home...but at this particular function, I was being, well, just me. For some reason or another the conversation went a little random, and people began talking about, 'you're only as old as you feel' blah blah blah. I mentioned that I felt like I was still in junior high. This girl sitting next to me, stone faced, non-jokingly says to me, "It is because you act like you are in junior high." I am pretty sure I was suppose to take offence to that statement. Usually that voice inside my head would have said, "Shut up...she is right, you are immature, knock it off, you can't be that way." Instead, I laughed. I laughed hard. I realized in that moment that I would rather be happy, have my sense of humor, enjoy life and have everyone think I was immature rather than to be stuffy, 'perfect', or 30. This, along with many moments changed me.

I do wish, however, that I had the body of a teenager, a ninth grade teenager (maybe if she was an 'early bloomer') then I would have taken the comment to the extreme, jumped up on the table and partied like it was 1999.

I digress. We were talking about that voice that I punch in the gonads. Well this voice, he is responsible for all the years I was never late to class. All the years I didn't take time to just miss the school bus. All the years I just didn't even make dinner for my family because I couldn't be as good at it as 'so and so'. This voice is the reason I stayed in the back of the room and didn't participate in the group because 'I wouldn't have anything great to add'. The voice that made me think I wasn't skinny enough, or pretty enough to have the popular guys ask me out. This same voice was responsible for me making the first few years of my marriage to my husband living hell. That voice said things to me like, "He doesn't love you.", "He will cheat on you just like your dad did.", "He says he loves you now, but...". That voice ruined SO much for me. So much precious, precious time has been wasted by listening to him. He is responsible for my anxiety, my depression, my weight, for not ever getting my photography website up, for neglecting my family, my children, my husband, my LIFE.

Do you readers...do you have a voice like that? Have you given that voice a good gonad punch lately? I just slapped mine to the curb.

From now on it is just me, and the voice that says "You can!". The voice that tells me, "You are beautiful!", "You are smart.", "You are talented.", "You can do hard things.", "You are brave.", "You are loved.", "You can do it all." I like this voice. A LOT.

Friday.

I am so thankful it is Friday. I don't know why, it is no different than any other day. It is not like I am going to spend more time with my family than I normally do, or see my husband any more. Perhaps it is because I get to have a free day on Sunday. No working out. Possible nap. I get to see my brothers and my step mom. I dunno there is just something about it.

In other news, thank you to the -6- people who shared about the auction for Jenny.

*Crickets*

I think those six people all deserve something for sharing, so throughout the next few weeks each one is going to get a Claire de Lune CD from me. Please send me an email at: kimsueellen[at]gmail[dot]com with your address.

This auction meansso much to me because I am a mother. I would do anything for anyone to help comfort his/her fight with cancer, so thank you. THANK YOU!

Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to Jothan's jump for Parker. He raised $190 almost twice as much as his goal of $100. My heart was full and I cried tears of joy at your ginormous hearts and willingness to serve so others can have good and healthy hearts as well.

Stay tuned for next week. I have lots of emotional vomit to spout off. Blogging is cheaper than therapy, and heaven knows I need lots and lots of therapy.

xoxo

~Kim

Blue Lemon

Be still my heart. The Blue Lemon is one of my favorite places to eat. It has been since I was happily introduced to them two years ago. Until now, the only way for me to enjoy it was to hop in my car and drive an hour and a half to get there. Believe me, their tomato bisque soup was worth every second of that car ride, and then this week I discovered there is one just 12 minutes from me.

12. Minutes. That is: 720 Seconds until I can have my mouth on some soup, or sweet potato fries, or the steak griller.

Do you understand the beauty of this?

To make my life even better, this past week I, along with a handful of other Utah bloggers, was invited to come and tour and taste, and be treated to the beauty that is their new downtown Salt Lake City, City Creek Location.

Their first restaurant is beautiful, but this time they may have outdone themselves.

(In the craziness of my week, I completely walked out the door without my camera, or my stack of business cards. The following photos are courtesy of Lindsey, Vanessa and Stephanie. Thank you for sharing guys.)

Me, deciding what to eat. This is hard in that EVERYTHING is good. I am being 100% truthful when I say you cannot order something bad off of this menu. If my tummy was big enough I would eat it all.

Me in awe over the 'not quite pebble' ice. Yummy.

Me, being silly inside the walk in refrigerator. Loved being able to see the 'behind the scenes'. Everything is so clean and organized and fresh. Just what you like to see when you go out to eat.

Me, sitting next to Lindsey devouring my favorite dish on the menu.

Tomato Bisque Soup.

Stephanie and I both ordered the Blue Lemon Steak Griller. Bacon, Gorgonzola cheese, garlic mashed potatoes.

Heaven. Divinity. I am not sure what else I can say, other than I ate every bite. AMAZING.

The portion sizes are generous, yet not over the top.

I felt like I could finish my entire meal guilt free. I like that in a restaurant.

The lovely ladies from the evening. Me, with everyone's hands on my shoulder. I am truly loved. :)

The Blue Lemon folks have been generous enough to offer a coupon to my readers for the next week only! Be sure to copy the coupon now, as next Saturday it will be gone, gone, gone. (Only one per blog reader please. Let's be nice.)

All I ask for you to do is to like the Blue Lemon on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Lemon/118845631471495

Then leave a comment letting me know that you did so. Then you may copy and print off the following coupon.

***Coupon has been removed.***

Good at this location:

Salt Lake City:

801.328.BLUE (2583)
55 W South Temple, SLC, UT 84111

Yearbook 2010: February

February looks super lame. I took 5 photos that month? They were all digital? Sad, sad times. (Okay, so I may have taken more, which I am almost POSITIVE I did, proof may be in the stack of 5 or so discs I just found from Walgreen's.) I'll check them out and let you know, but for now...

Yep. That's it. Not even a photo of Joth. BOO.

Anyway. I'll share another one of my resolutions. Take time each day to hug each of my kids, look them in the eye, and do SOMEthing that THEY want to do. Today, I took time to help Memms write a story. She REALLY likes writing stories and drawing pictures to go with them. Actually, she draws the pictures and then we write the story together. Afterwards I kissed her ginormous cheeks repeatedly. She is the sweetest girl I know.

Millz? Well, I held her on my lap for what seemed like two hours while I worked. That is what she seemed to want to do, so I let her. I also gave her some of my leftover birthday cake from The Cheesecake Factory. She really liked that.

Joth? He has been at school all day, but I plan on taking him with me to run a few errands before we are off to our cousin Lance's funeral. Jobby tends to get super tired and crabby after school, so I hope to tickle him and be silly with him and let him pick a treat from the store. Possibly I'll give into the Hot Wheels car he always tries to get me to buy.

Yep, these are the days, and they are quickly speeding past us. This week I lost two family members. Lance, and my Great Grandma Thurgood. Tears well up when I think of all the times I let the 'other stuff' get in the way of the right now.

Trying super hard to remember this each and every day.

Hope your days are full of as much joy as I am trying to find in mine.

xoxo

Yearbook 2010

Where in the world has she been? You are possibly saying. The answer? A LOT. This week was so crazy busy, just trying to get a few things squared away as I have a HUGE personal photography project in the works. Not, quite ready to debut it, or share it, suffice it to say that it will end in a big party. I can't wait.

New years resolutions are a hard thing for me. I hate to even make them, knowing full well, I more than likely will not keep them. Sad isn't it? You know that old adage that if you write down a goal, it is more likely to become possible? Do any of you actually believe that? For me, I have to live that goal every single day of my life. I have to be slapped in the face with it over and over and over again until is it right there staring me in the face each day. This year, I have big plans. BIG. HUGE. Lots of them also. Being someone that suffers from depression, this is a huge undertaking. I have been hit with depression multiple times this week. It has been a constant struggle to literally talk myself out of the muck and get back on track each day.

I. am. doing. it. My goals that is. One week down, 51 more to go to reach my goals, and I am doing it. I am anxious for day 26 when supposedly things become habit. I would love for all of my things to become habit, and easier in the sense that it is going to be how I live my life. I await the day when I can add a few more things and ease my mind a bit instead of being super concerned that I am not achieving my hoped for goals each day. I am also hyper aware that if I am not perfect in this, that I cannot be allowed to berate myself, instead, I need to learn to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start over again the next day...anew.

These are the thoughts.

I'll share the goals throughout the next few weeks and months. I'll start with this one.

Yearbook 2010.

Editing ALL of my personal photos from 2010 by the end of January. Guess what? I am already to August. YEP. AUGUST. So, I hope to share a BUNCH of personal work in the next few weeks, and as I move into editing 2009 (I have given myself TWO months to do 2009) I will share those as well.

We'll start with January 2010. The month I made the commitment to start the process of switching back to film 100%. It began with shooting a few rolls of pure b&w film. (All the color images in this month are digital, except for 'yoga master'. Can you tell I did not even take the time to edit my digital nicely? I hate it that much.) Happy looking.

What are your goals for 2011, and what are you doing to achieve them? Ready? SHARE!

First Real Cut

Two weeks ago after Millz had a shower with Hubbs, I decided enough was enough. I had to rid her of her awful tresses.

She had a haircut when she was six days old. We did it with all of the kids, you know, to keep some of that sweet, super dark newborn hair before it all falls out. Then she had one when she was about six months old because we had been giving her beautiful little faux-hawks and wanted t0 keep that style.

As she got more hair, that haircut backfired and she ended up looking more mullet-like than adorable toddler. All she needed was a creepy 80's stache and all would be well.

So, I sat her down, and in my haste forgot to take a photo of the before, plus it is really hard to cut hair, take photos of said cutting, and then take photos after. I got one of the three, not bad.

I cut about 1.5" off of her adorable curls. (I know some of you are scoffing and saying, "Curls? What curls?" Just so you know this is as curly as it gets in our house.)

She went from such nicknames as, "Witch hair" "White Trash Hair" "Rat's Nest" "Ugly" Etc, etc (Aren't we endearing?), to pretty much calling her the same thing. Girl is all business in the front and ratty party in the back, but at least now she lacks the mullet-like rat's nest in the back.

Today she actually looked pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. As of today, no one has even noticed her haircut.

Love this squishy girl. Love, love, love, love her.

Also? She moves a lot when taking photos. Hence why these are so out of focus.

Dear Memms,

My heart is full at the moment. It is almost 2 a.m. and I can't get your sweet heart off of my mind. Tonight you had your Christmas dance recital. You got to wear your favorite pajamas that I bought just for this special event. You have had them for weeks and weeks and have worn them so much they looked like they were a year old. We fixed your hair in pigtails, and tied white ribbons around them. Your hair is getting so long, you look like a different girl. You danced so wonderfully. The sweet smile you have upon seeing your friends and your dance teacher Melissa absolutely melts me. So thankful for you.

Tonight was a big lesson in learning to give. There was a gift exchange with all of the tiny dancers. There was a $5 limit on the gift and we gave a very sweet box of Littlest Pet Shop toys that I got for a steal from Walgreen's this summer. Remember how we were saving it for Dilly? Well, I remembered that we had it and thought how fun it would be to use it for the gift exchange. You were so excited when I pulled it out. I could tell how badly you wished it was for you. You were still so very sweet as we wrapped it up to give away to someone else. I guess I should have explained that part a little better. It can be a hard concept for a little four year old to comprehend. When it was your turn to choose a gift toward the end of the group, there were only a few gifts left, and there was your beautiful bag, still waiting to be chosen, no one realizing what a wonderful gift that was inside. So you walked up and snatched it. I felt conflicted, I wanted you to learn to share and give, and so I called across the room, "Hey Memms! Why don't you choose another gift so that someone can have your gift." Immediate alligator tears ensued. I am not sure if it was because of the 50 people watching, or if I had just shattered your tiny heart, or the fact that after some love and coaxing from your teacher she helped you choose another gift which happened to be a pair of beautiful red polka dot socks instead of a toy, doll, or game like the other girls got. Your heart was shattered, and at that instant, so was mine.

Even as I write this tears are streaming down my cheeks. Oh how I love you, and wanted to run away with you at that moment. It seems so silly, but watching you hurt over something so small made me ache. I felt four again. I felt your pain. There was a boy in the audience, maybe 11 or 12 who was watching you. I think your broken heart touched his. He was so concerned about you, he wanted to make you happy too! He gave you a tiny, shiny pink rock. (He must have had it in his pocket.) You loved it. As we drove home we talked about giving, and receiving and being thankful for everything that we have. We talked about the beautiful red socks with the cute green bow, perfect for Christmas. We cherished the gold and blue box the socks came in, and the tissue paper discretely hiding your new treasured rock. We said silent prayers of thanks for a teaching moment, and for a tender hearted girl.

Thank you for teaching me about love today Memms. You are laying right next to me in my bed as I type this. I wish I could stop time, if even for a day, and freeze who you are at this moment. My first girl, my serious, deep, thoughtful girl. Thank you for sacrificing today to learn a deeper lesson in life. Momma loves you, with all of her soul.

Much love always,

Mom

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The week we set up Christmas my friend Lindsey asked me to take some photos because she loves to see how people decorate.

So I did. It was so fun to walk around and photograph the things that are important to us each year as this special time rolls around.

Our tree is simple. It is not real. We bought it after Christmas the first year we were married. it was $10 at Walmart. It stands about 6ft tall. Tiny in our living room with vaulted ceilings. Still, it is ours and we keep it.

Colored lights. I prefer white, but Hubbs and the kids love color. This year I decided to add some colorful glass balls to fill in and add depth. These are in addition to the ornaments we collect each year to honor or commemorate something that happened in the year before. We each get one. For instance, this year Joth is getting a Curious George ornament. George is reading a book, this will remind us of the year that Joth learned to read. I love looking at it.

The angel on top is a gift from my mother. She purchased this angel and one that I am not sure she has anymore when I was a little girl. I had always loved them and was so thankful when she gave it to me the first year Hubbs and I were married.

Ever since I was 11 years old, we have had a photo of Christ on our tree. I got the idea from my primary teacher. My mom loved the idea and I carried it over into our little family. I decided that I preferred this photo of the baby Jesus. It holds a very special place in my heart for a few reasons. Ones I hold dear and sacred.

Each year I try to add one new decoration or Christmas themed toy to our house. this year it was the cookie tray advent calendar. Not only was I sick of the kids fighting over the one below, I also adore them and always wanted one when I was little. Next year I will venture out and find one more so that when Millz gets in on the action they can all have their own, or rotate each day doing a different one. Smartest investment ever.

This was our first countdown. I got it at Hallmark. I love all of their Christmas for Kids items.

I joke with the kids that this nutcracker is as old as I am. Truth is, he probably is. They love to touch it and I let them, but cringe a little when they do.

Another item from my childhood.

Our homemade stockings. I made two more last night. I wish I had a photo of those two. I feel I get better each time I make one. I made the first two, mine and Hubbs' a year after we were married. I got the pattern at some ward craft thingy. I don't love shabby crafty things so much, but these I love. Everyone loves having their very own.

Hubbs has the tree, I have a star, Joth a car, Memms a doll, Peanut a mitten, and Millz a gingerbread boy, er uh girl?

Our toy box of Christmas only toys. It is full of finger puppets, Fisher Price Nativity sets, and ornaments to decorate the tree on the left. (Also from Hallmark.)

My favorite piece.

I hope you are all having a Merry Christmas. Get out your cameras this week, and show me your favorite holiday things, and what is special to you this time of year. Then link them to me so I can oogle them and be jealous your stuff is so much better than mine.

Happy Holidays.

Thanksgiving Point 2011 Annual Pass Giveaway

Due to being censored for the next 29.5 days (completely looking forward to that birthday present), you may enter this giveaway HERE.

All previous entries and comments are still in affect. Thank you!

Fayette, New York: Peter Whitmer Cabin

I thought I would resume the sharing of our vacation photos. These were all shot on a Nikon N80 with Fuji 400h. I am amazed at how much I have grown in photography in just the past three months. I am thankful for how confident film is making me. I do love these photos so very much. I was in the mood to play with the sun, and rimming. Very pleased with the results. (SO geek I know.)

Anyway, I loved it here. LOVED. The Peter Whitmer Cabin. This is where the LDS church was organized. The land and surrounding areas are so beautiful. Fields and trees as far as the eye can see. Breathtaking. My kids loved running around in the grass, the log fences were TDF. Sigh. I long to go back. I would move to upstate New York in an instant. Truly, I would. Especially since my BFF Bec now lives there. T'would be a double bonus.

Wow, a family photo! Truly. We were lucky to get a handful of these on our trip. VERY fun.

Please note I am 12, YES 12 lbs thinner NOW than in this photo, and my hair is super long. I regretfully inform you that those 12lbs were lost from one place...my boobs. :(

Uhm, this melts me.

I need to get Hubbs into some flip flops. I love this man.

Picking grass. A childhood pastime.

Me trying to get a perfect 'one year old' photo.

I think I got one.

Hope you are enjoying your holidays, and that everything is merry and bright. They are here.

xo