"J-Dawg?!"

Good girl, don't hug the boys back...YET!

Emm and I were a little thrown off today without Jay around. We had an appointment to teach today. Memm was so tired and a bit moody, but had fun nonetheless. She gave me this look, I didn't think that they knew how to so young. They do a lot of things I didn't know they could do so young. Go figure.

Literally, the words came right out of his mouth...

"Mom! Go take a picture of Memms!"
Nuff said.

Prayers and Support Needed!

Our friend Andy fell from the Gateway on Tuesday afternoon while at work. He is in pretty bad shape, but he is stable, alive, and fighting. I just wanted to ask everyone to remember this sweet family in your prayers.

If anyone is able and would like to donate, there is a fund set up at any US Bank under the name: Gudmundson Donation Fund. Another friend of mine is taking donations, so if you would like to help, contact me and we will make sure it gets to the bank.

We love you Ashlee and Andy! Hang in there Buddy!

She is amazing...

Cassie

Love this boy!

He just melts my heart. He was really sick this past weekend, fever, sore throat, just so not himself, and yet, he was the sweetest, most kind, thoughtful boy I have ever seen out of him. For a week he has been an angel, I wondered where my boy had gone to, and why this little man replaced him. Until today at the fair when he LOST. IT. Due to the fact I did not get him a "blue ice cream" but rather a "cor de rosa ice cream" (pink) and he threw a fit for no less than 20 minutes. Even so, the things he says make me laugh, he never ceases to amaze me with his whit and charm. So, so, very in love with him.

Playing Dress Up

Anyway, isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen? I was dying as this was unfolding, and she really didn't see me until that last shot. What a DOLL! I am still amazed that at a year and a half she can go into my closet (while I was showering), help herself to my jewelry box, splash on a pair of pumps and go to town. Is dress up just in her nature? Did I do things like this? I don't think I did. All I remember doing at age four was climbing up the hall closet shelves and stealing lip gloss out of my mom's makeup bag. This girl is already accessorizing. I am SO in love.

Thankful for my freedom.

I wish I had a photograph to post with this. I don't, but hopefully my message can get across.

Today as I was so blessed to be able to drive to the store and pick up a pizza, I noticed on my drive home, our flag--The American Flag waving on a flagpole. It was then that I remember a trip I took to Brasil a few years ago. I remember visiting, and how odd it felt that everywhere I looked I saw the Brasilian flag waving in the wind, instead of my beloved Stars and Stripes.

I felt a lot of pride today, and thankfulness that I live in a country, and more importantly a portion of our country where I can afford food for my children. I have the luxury of driving to the corner and picking up a pizza.

I dunno, just stuff I take for granted a lot, but seeing that flag today, reminded me of how blessed we all are!

Forgot to mention...

...I read lips.

Let me explain. When I was a little girl I suffered from two major ear infections. leaving me with some hearing loss. After a few years of working in a clothing manufacturing facility, the humm of the machines didn't help much. Over the years I have learned to compensate for this loss by reading lips. I don't even realize I am doing it until after I leave a meeting, or an event. Generally I do it if I am in a noisy place like church, the mall, a restaurant, or if my kids are being loud. I always feel so embarassed because I should be making "eye contact".

Okay, I HAVE to link you...

...I am too proud. TOO. PROUD. A word I do NOT use lightly. Goes back to my days as a Seminary Council council member. (Inside Joke) ANYWAY. Please go and check out my student Miss Cassie.

I honestly am BLOWN away with what this lady has done with only TWO, yes TWO lame classes with moi. The "bokeh" the compositions, the creativity. She is better than ME! I am not even joking when I say that. I am not going to allow you to comment on this one. You have to go and see for yourself. Give her some mad shout-outs people. Way to go Cass!

My Big Boy

We spent a lot of time together last night doing our little photo shoot. He WANTED to have his photo taken (at least a few, and mostly before we left the house). We had a little family night tonight after taking Miss to the doctor. We ate dinner at the mall, got a cookie, and walked around. It felt SO good to be back with them, no other stresses, or plans for the week but THEM. I told him, "You are my heart!" He brings tears to my eyes. Growing so fast, no longer a little boy, "I'm a big boy Mom!" Oh how I love!

Why Do You Blog?!

Sarah asks, Why do you blog?

I answer:

Laughing a bit, It used to be so I could be honest with my feelings so I wouldn't go CRAZY thinking I was the only one! Now, I realize how important it is that I do blog, because I am indeed a little crazy, but without this blog I would miss out and forget all of "the little moments" in my children's lives. The funny things they say, the things that melt my heart. Another reason, to stay in touch with friends, when the miles and stresses of life would otherwise keep us apart! Miss you Sarah!

I tag:

Arianne

Leslie

Amanda

April

Ashley

18 Months, Who wants Ice Cream?

"I DO!!"

It is hard to believe that eighteen months have gone by since this little girl joined our family. I say little girl, because that is what she is. Each day she amazes me, she always comes up with the funniest phrases. I was getting her ready for church yesterday and I love her so much I started yelling, "BEAUTIFUL EYES!!!" and what do I hear in return? "BEAUTIFUL EYES!" My jaw hit the floor, since when does she talk? When can she say whatever she wants? Today after we took her for her 18 month photo shoot (with mom) I asked very loudly, "Who wants ice cream?" She shouts, "I DO!!!!" I am dying here. She is not a baby anymore. Just love her so much, love her squeaky little voice. Love how much she loves her brother, how well they play together, how much they care for one another!!!

So very happy to be their mom. So very blessed to be their mom. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Final Project

Hubbs and I went on a trip last weekend to Moab. I know I have driven through there when I was a little girl, but had never gotten out of the car. We didn't travel much when I was younger, so this was a place I had always wanted to go. After we were married, we set a goal to visit all of Utah. Sadly though, we haven't had time to visit close to home, although we have been blessed to travel the world.

We left the kids with the in-laws and went down, just him and me. For the assignment we had to write a proposal about how we wanted to execute the final, why were we going to shoot this particular final. Anyway, my goal was to "reconnect" with my husband. Things have been SO stressful around here the last few months. We have a considerable amount to be grateful for, but at times it is easy to lose sight of one another, and US in the mix of it all. I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to photograph, what I wanted to walk away with, and this was definitely what I had imagined and more. It was nice to get away, to be together if only for a day, and to be able to see such a magnificent part of the world. Feeling very thankful for this time.

My little brother and feeling a bit better...

I cannot tell you how good it feels to be out of school, but since all of you have been there too, perhaps you can remember. I have been so busy the past two months, I felt I was missing out on so much. Not to complain though, it has been a good busy, a learning busy, a thankful busy.

I have finally convinced my little brother (23) not so little, but convinced him anyway to start offering his talent to others. He plays the Ukelele and sings with one of his friends and another woman. They are AMAZING. I called him a few days ago to get me a demo CD, I was really blown away with what he came up with. If I can figure out how to upload music to my blog I would love to share. Anyway, if anyone is interested in hiring him, they sing at church functions (they have a handful of original, very unique, funny, and spiritual songs), but mostly they play at Luaus and Weddings, but they are in such demand that they are starting to charge. Anyway, if you are interested please let me know! Awesome stuff!

This photo is SUPER old, but came across it today and messed around with it a bit. Kind of fun. All of my recent stuff is on my other computer waiting for Internet access and high speed in that room, so when I get it, there will be lots to share! I have been busy organinzing photos, and getting my scrapbook room in order again so that I can start scrapbooking. I am looking so forward to it in my three weeks off from school.

That is about it from me here. Nothing really new or exciting. Hope everyone is doing fabulously!

Hi

So, you wanna know what's been going on?

Me? Doing good...hanging in there!

Well, just a little STRESSED.

School. Finals. HUGE projects (one right after another after another).

Dealing with a pig for a teacher (yes I liked him the first two weeks, now I am not so sure). I am getting an 'A' though as long as I, "...don't bomb anything we have left due!" Nice. Why do I even care? I have decided there is nothing prestigious about saying, "I graduated from the community college with a certificate in photography." Barf.

Need more money to pay for beautiful, lovely, fun, new house and all that comes with it. Oh and to top it off? We were told the wrong date for our first payment and we were "delinquent" or almost. They called us, figured it was weird we didn't even make the first payment. Luckily nothing went on the credit report, for that I am grateful.

Waiting...for a baby...help?!

Baby hunger sucks. Watching lovely happy little Memm? Wonderful! Or how about Jay? He is getting ready to go to PRESCHOOL! We bought him a new Spider Man backpack, he is in love...and can't wait. Every morning he tells me, "Mom, I am going to preschool today, OKAY?!" Love, love, love him! Oh my goodness. And Miss Memm is talking up a storm. English, Portuguese, a mixture of both...so big so fast. She just makes me laugh and laugh. I am so thankful for these two, they make life worthwhile.

Went to Moab this weekend. It was part of my final project. I will have to post the photos. It was A LOT more powerful than I had anticipated. We had to write up a plan, and how we were going to execute and frightfully enough it came together and expressed everything I was feeling.

What else? Oh, I got a new calling...drumroll please: Activities Committee. Too funny huh? I am SO excited to be working with this other lady, I just felt like I clicked with her the first week in the new ward. She is very outgoing and I think I am meant to be in this calling, it is going to be really good for me! Christmas Party here I come!

Have I mentioned my ward? NO!? I know, I was in my frump...but I LOVE IT! I cannot say enough good about it...I do have a funny bad story that a few of you know...once I have some things done in the yard I will have to share! It is a hoot. Anyway, really good things happening here. Just thankful school is out for a month starting this THURSDAY...can't wait!

Lastly, never something I thought I would do, or would ever want to do, but I am opening up Simply You Photography to weddings. I had an overwhelming month of bookings, all referrals, all weddings. Well, engagements, bridals, weddings...you name it. This is good news, although my first and foremost love are babies and children, so please, don't forget that! ;) Also, two weeks ago I got my first booking to photograph a birth story. Actually, she asked me a year ago, and she finally got pregnant! Congratulations Wendy...so stay tuned for March when I will have my first birth to photograph. Can't wait!

Well, there is a little update. I have missed the blog world. It has been a week since I have been able to read and catch up on everything in your worlds, can't wait. Come back soon and I will have more photos of me and my family, they are just all on the other computer until we get Internet access.

Welcome Home

What can I say, other than I almost had a nervous breakdown? Really, a really bad week last week. Yes, I am blessed, blah, blah, you have all heard that so I won't get into it, but things have been rough. I am thankful to be feeling a bit more on top. Thank you for the support of my dear friends. After a lengthy discussion with my sweet husband, I feel I owe anonymous an apology. I don't know who you are, but you helped me take a long look at my life. I hope that when you come here, you will see that I am just a normal girl, living a normal life, trying to be the best that I can be. Although I must say that trials are hard, if you have never been in the abyss of depression, I hope that it is a place you never have to be. It is a very lonely place and all of the happy thoughts and blessings in the world will not help you out of it. It is my hope that the things written here in the future can help lift people, help them feel more normal, because that is the reason I do this.

I am a little crazy, that is probably why I deleted my blog last week, I just felt so much weight and pressure from all sides I didn't think I could handle one more thing, one more item to have to worry about. I think a lot of this had to do with school. I want to be better, I want this to be a place where you can come and feel uplifted and leave with something to make you a better person. As much as I love my family, I may have days where they are driving me mad, if you have ever had a three year old, you will understand this, but most days, I am full of so much love and gratitude for them. My family is my life, they are my goals and my aspirations. Without them I am nothing, without them there is no me!

So, welcome back. I hope that you will welcome me back and forgive me for my craziness...ah life!

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