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

Funk.

I hate to say that I am in a funk.
Truth is?

I am kind of in a funk.

I can tell you exactly what started it even.
The problem?

I don't really want to share why.

It is silly, it is not important to anyone but me. Still, it started this enormous wave of self-doubt, it brought back great and painful feelings of loss, and really, I would just like to forget it, jump over it, and continue onward. I am not to that point, I don't have the ability as much as I long for it. So, I am treading through, praying, hitting my knees, longing for the answer that won't come and I am heartbroken because of it all.

Sigh.
Deep. Breath.
Sigh.

Other than that? My kids are growing so fast. Can you believe how ginormous she is?

I wish she didn't feel the need to act like she is 20. She is getting so big, and so smart, and SO funny. She brings us all so much joy. I am still so amazed that her brother and sister can have so much love for her. I am so pleased with them. There has not been one single moment of jealousy toward her. She came into their lives and she was loved from the very moment. I am not sure how many parents can say the same, but the dynamic between them all has tears spilling over.

My life is good. Truly, truly, truly good. Funk and all. It is good, and I realize that, and that is what is going to get me to the other side.

How do you de-funkify?

Happy Halloween, er uh...Thanksgiving!

So, I have had these photos for a few weeks, but with the busy season lots of things have been neglected, things like my own photos, my blog, and the dishes. (Although I don't care much about the dishes.)

This year we got to go trick or treating on Mr. J's birthday. He was super adorable in his racecar driver costume. He was so excited about wearing it, in fact he did for a few weeks before the big day. Memmy chose to be a witch again. She was a witch when she was 2. I always hope they will choose something new and exciting, but I also love for them to choose for themselves, so a witch she was. A cute and adorable witch at that. Zilly was Little Bo Peep. Oh my goodness, I just want to kiss on her all day long. That little face of hers. Gah.

We went and visited grandparents that day, and went trick or treating at the mall. Where are those photos you ask? Well, I only brought the Polaroid and my lens broke after the first photo I took. I was SO bummed but super thankful that I had taken these shots before leaving.

When we got home that night all prepped to make Jobb's cake, but he got sick...SUPER sick for a few days and we weren't able to make his 'cake' (really brownies that he chooses every year...) until a few days later.

Here he is feeling MUCH better and ready to blow out his seven candles:

Love you buddy. Hope this is one of your best years yet.

Winners, winners, WINNERS!

Random.org selected two winners for the Palmyra, New York prints:

Commenter #18:

"Barb @ getupandplay said...

Oh, Kim, I was already mentally "shopping" as I read this post before I even saw the giveaway part!!"

Commenter # 40:

"Cheyenne and Seth and Co. said...

Oh Kim! So beautiful!!! Crossing my fingers and wishing on stars that I could have the stunning picture of the Sacred Grove. I love you!!"

As always, SO thankful I don't have to choose the winners. Thank goodness for random number generators.

Due to the overwhelming response to the giveaway and so many of you requesting the ability to purchase a print for yourselves, I have set up on my proofing site for you to purchase these prints and a tremendous discount.

Please visit: http://kimorlandini.instaproofs.com/enterEvent.php?id=306592

And using the code: 50off Enjoy 50% off any print order from this event.

That is it! Easy as pie.

Love you all, and thank you for making this post and giveaway such a fun, fun, fun one.

xoxo

Oh Sweet Sadie!

Last April, the r house couture was part of the Oh Sweet Sadie! Art and Gift Show's Spring Show.

This holiday season we are honored to be invited again...and so was our dear friend megan from Ruby Jane Boutique. You can get a sneak peek at her stuff by clicking on her logo below.



What is Oh Sweet Sadie?

Here's the short answer: it's over 80 artisans and vendors featuring "original art work and photography, beautiful clothing for adults and children, original home decor, coveted wrapping paper, everything for baby, super cool playhouses, neck ties for your men, mineral makeup, jewelry galor, funky hair accessories, designer jeans and bags, dress ups, adorable fabric and ribbon, scrumptious baked goods, homemeade candy, games and toys for girls and boys and oh so much more!"

Three great things about Oh Sweet Sadie:

1) There is a killer opening night party.
2) They have an academy where you get to learn a new skill.
3) Most importantly it is an art show.

Featuring looks from DownEast Basics, Oopsie Daisy Boutique, as well as OSS vendors like Pear and Peony, and Bug n' Bees. MC and Stylist, Aly Brooks, will be on hand throughout the night with style demonstrations and to answer all your burning style questions (umm... is wearing yoga pants every day really that bad?). Salon 9 will be there doing holiday hair demonstrations.

Come be the first in line to purchase your Oh Sweet Sadie! treasures on Wednesday, November 10th from 6:00 - 10:00 pm. So many fun things... the band Double or Nothing will be on hand to rock the house.

Style Please is sponsoring a fashion show at 7:00 pm and again at 8:30 pm. Our Academy will also open that night with two fabulous make and take classes! Ongoing throughout the night, you can register ahead or just pop in. Lauri Cox will be teaching a beautiful Bamboo Charms and Ornaments class for $8, and Deon Thomas will instruct you how to make a hip leather cuffs for $10. Bring a friend for a HUGE discount that is applied automatically at checkout when you register together. To register or for more information visit ohsweetsadie.com.

We still have space available in our Holiday Academy! There are so many great classes, we know it is tough to make a decision. Remember that the Academy is next Thursday and Friday night and most of the day on Saturday. (You can sneak away at night and on Saturdays, can't you?)

The best bang for your buck is the Full Academy weekend ($245.00)...you'll definitely get a great return on that investment. Think of everything you can cross off of your holiday list...a better photo of the kids for the Christmas card, check. Designing your own card, check. Even a new skirt and accessories for that holiday photo, check. Beautiful, delicious treats for the neighbors, check. Gifts, cards, home decor, the list goes on and on...The Academy will be your best purchase this holiday season!

If you cannot make it for the entire time, the Mini Academy is a great bargain! 4 classes + dinner for $100, that's $25 a class. Classes are also offered a la carte for $30 each. (some classes have an additional supply charge) Our mailing list (that's you guys) can use the code 'iloveoss' at checkout for 10% off your Academy purchase!

*ENTER THIS CODE WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR THE ACADEMY AND GET A HUGE DISCOUNT: therhouse

I am pretty obsessed with the recycled book wreath. I MUST sign up for that class. Plus it is being taught by one of my favorite people, Marie, from Make and Takes.

The Holiday Show will be our best ever! We have top vendors and artisians from Utah and surrounding states. Original artwork, beautiful clothing, jewelry galore, everything for baby, home decor, games and toys for girls and boys and oh so much more! Contests started last week on the Oh Sweet Sadie blogsite, don't miss an opportunity to win something great!

When is it?

Wednesday, November 10th: Opening Night Party from 6:00--10:oo pm
Thursday & Friday, November 11th &12th: 10 am--9:00 pm
Saturday, November 13th: 10 am--6:00 pm

Where is it?

SoDa Row in Daybreak; 4563 W. Kestrel Rise Road, South Jordan, Utah


Do I get anything special if I come and see you?

Well, it is funny that you would ask that, because the girls and I came up with a fun plan! The first 5 people to mention this post, or any one of our posts will get a free pass along card holder like this one:


We will also have a bowl full of pass along cards of families that are hoping to adopt for you to fill it up with!

Lame, I don't live in Utah!

Fear not, my non-utah friends! We have a treat for you too! Here's a $5 off coupon on your next online custom order. Just mention you have this coupon and give the code! It's our special gift for National Adoption Month to all our beloved clients!


P.S. We will have Oreo cookies at our booth for free ...and a "tough cookie" jewelry box to match for only $8. You won't want to miss it.

Palmyra and The Hill Cumorah, Upstate New York

***Edited to add some info to help identify the photos (I tend to miss a few things when I blog at 2 a.m. Sorry guys):

Old and new. The Palmyra Temple as seen from the property of the Smith Family's farm.

Palmyra, New York Temple

Smith's log cabin.

Alvin's Tree

Replica of the box the Book of Mormon was hidden in.

Sacred Grove

Moroni Monument, Hill Cumorah, New York

Monument

Monument, other side.

(all photos shot fuji 400h on a Nikon N80, using a 50mm 1.4, at 1.4)

My brother has been BEGGING me to continue posting photos from our trip, so I thought what better time than now?

Travelling to New York City, then to Upstate New York was a fulfillment of a life long dream. I am such a history buff it isn't even funny. Combine that history love, with the love of my religion, and well, I am one happy girl.

The peace I felt in this place is indescribable. Tears come to my eyes just thinking about it. My heart longs to go back. If I could, I would live there. LIVE there I tell you. It is beautiful, peaceful, reverent. Amazing.


Very grateful I could take my sweet family there, and share such a neat experience with them. I wish you could have all gone with me. Truly.


Because I wasn't able to slip you all into my suitcase, I want two of you to be able to have a little piece of this trip to hang on your wall. SO, that means a giveaway! Leave me a comment telling me which photo is your favorite from this little post, because if you win, that photo will be yours! The two winners will get a mounted 11x14 of their favorite image from this post. (I'm sorry, I know the kids are adorable, but I won't give you a photo of them.)


Share the giveaway love with your facebook and twitter friends...I want everyone to feel the joy.


I will take comments for the giveaway until Noon MST on Sunday, November 14, 2010. I will choose two winners that evening.


xoxo

Utah Museum of Natural History

A few weeks ago I had the amazing opportunity to hang out with some of my favorite local bloggers and friends. The Utah Museum of Natural History invited us on a tour of the construction site of their new museum.

The day started out bright and early and beautiful. It was a hard hat tour, so needless to say we donned our finest boots, safety goggles and hard hats. We all looked super stunning and fabulous. You want to know what was truly stunning though?

This museum. Breathtaking.

It sits at the foothills of the Wasatch mountains just east of the University of Utah campus. The panoramic view from this space is awe inspiring. Being a photographer, I can appreciate the beauty that my eye sees both from this building and this building itself. It is going to be amazing folks. Amazing.

I may or may not have gotten a little crush on the tour guide. I am sure he is my dad's age, but he was just so handsome and funny and sweet in that 'dad' sort of a way.

Truth be told, a few times a year I try to drag my kids out and up to the current museum. I somehow always talk myself out of it. "Parking will be a nightmare, I can't do Traxx with three kids, yada, yada...". This new museum will have none of those excuses. I am so excited to take my kids there all the time. It will be the perfect venue for my dinosaur/science loving 7 year old. They will even rent out the venue for parties and weddings. (I can't wait to photograph my first wedding there.)

The builders and planners thought of everything, from the coat check at the front door, to the Canyon Room to the walkways that lead you over the canyon. It is just beautiful. Words cannot do it justice, and even though it is a severe construction site, you can get an idea of its grandeur and beauty here.

Seriously though, construction and hard hats run in my veins. I look pretty stunning in this photo with Lindsey don't I?

Emily, thank you for this hawt photo, next time tell me to stand up straight. Oh I have such a mighty hump.

P.S. If you don't read Emily's blog, you should...she is one of my most favorite people in this world.

I hope it will geek you guys up as well. Make plans to visit the grand opening, you won't regret it.

Afterward, we all were treated to lunch at the Corner Bakery. The manager was so nice and helpful when it came to ordering. I love sandwiches and always have the hardest time deciding. I went with a BBLT. Double bacon. The world is truly a better place when it comes to bacon in my face, you double that? I am a happy queen. Next time I have a sitter, I am definitely going back. Especially now that there is one by the mall...double bonus.

I am going to leave you with one last shot of myself and my lady friends in all of our glorious orange-ness. I forgot to mention the vest above. So slimming.



***Full Disclosure: I was given the amazing opportunity to see the new museum under construction and was then given a delicious meal with my friends at the Corner Bakery. I was given the opportunity to blog about this experience if I so desired, which I did desire, therefore, here you see me posting about it. I truly hope you will all visit both places in the future, to experience the awesomeness for yourself.***

Hubbs Openly Mocks Me

So, the conversation went something like this:

Hubbs: "So, when are you going to post some good stuff to your blog?"

Me: "I KNOW! I just have so much to write about, and yet nothing all at once."

Hubbs: "I am so sick of your propoganda."

Me: "So am I, but it has to be done, I needed people to freaking vote for that bond, and dood, readers like free stuff."

So, to appease both sides of the masses, Hubbs and free stuff, here I am to say:

"Hubbs, I love you, I will have some good things to blog in a day or two. JUST for you. Hopefully this post will suffice, because as per our conversation earlier today, I told you I would be blogging this."

As for you, the masses:

"I hope that the occasional giveaway is fun. I honestly get asked to do a lot, and I only choose the ones I feel are awesome and beneficial. So, to honor that, and to honor National Adoption Month, and along with the r house couture , I would like to give you a $5 off coupon code good for any custom order from my etsy shop during the month of November. Think of it as an early Christmas present from me to you. We are going to be loading the shop with LOTS of fun and affordable Christmas gifts in two weeks, so watch for those."


Anyway, here is to more (amazing) propoganda, and to many more 'Hubbs' worthy posting. My heart needs it, oh I have so many posts to share...let me just say, I am getting more and more brave to share some things, and when I do, I am going to let it all out.

Happy Wednesday.

xo

Vote

image via google images

I hope everyone is planning on voting on Tuesday. I sure am. I believe in it so much. We need to be more active in our communities and in who we elect to run our local and national governments. We, as a people have no right to sit and complain about what is happening, when we are not proactive in helping to change the things that we don't agree with, or like. I have many dear friends who are extremely active in their local political campaigns and I think it is wonderful.

I don't claim to know everything, but I try to educate myself as well as I can, then go out and vote for those people who represent my values and the things I hope for my own children and families. So please, go vote.

This week in my local elections I am voting in favor of this bond. **full disclosure: I have not been asked to, or paid to write the following opinion, I did, however receive the opportunity to enjoy a 'hard hat' tour of the new Natural History Museum under construction, and folks, it is going to be amazing.** I am so excited for something to amazing to be brought to Salt Lake City. I remember going to the museum as a kid and being fascinated by all of the things there, especially dinosaurs. Being mother to one very science loving and minded kid, I am thankful and excited to share this new museum with my children.

Anyway, just putting in my two cents. If you live in Salt Lake County, I encourage you to read the article and consider voting in favor of proposition 1.

As for me, I am off to finish studying the candidates and making a fully educated decision.

Happy Haunting and Happy Voting.

Winner! Winner!

The winner of the giveaway can be found HERE!

Healthy Home Giveaway!

A fun and exciting giveaway can be found on my review blog HERE.

Tiny Steps

***Originally posted to Shredding With Simply Me***

That is where I am at. Just tiny, itty bitty steps. I have a goal of when I want this weight gone. I am completely serious about it, and I am having to remind myself every day when the cravings hit.

It has been a little over a week of this daily reminder, and daily knee hitting, asking for strength.

Today it paid off. 1/2 pound. In a week. Still it is there, and going down in the right direction.

My goal for right now is to hit 190. Wow, to actually weight 190 seems so daunting, but I am only a few pounds away. I think literally biting off this huge number of weight into little bits is going to be the only way I can get through this. Down 5 lbs at a time, slowly chipping away at it. I think it was Becca who suggested doing little goals. (I can't remember who said it, but IT HELPS!)

SO, after 190, it will be 185, etc, etc.

Like Nakia, I am having a hard time deciding what my 'treat' should be when I hit 190. I keep hoping that it will be that I can try on a pair of pants I have hidden in a tote and they will magically fit, so that I can add to my wardrobe. I just need to psych myself up that they may not fit, and that is okay.

We'll see. For now, still on the journey to 190. 193...192...191...190...

Savoring Summer

Loving these last moments of summer.

Going outside on Sunday evenings and letting the kids play.

Grabbing my camera and just shooting them, over and over and over.

Fall is on it's way.

I feel it in the crisp mornings and the chilly evenings.

Soon the frost will come, and with it the short days and long nights of winter.

For now, relishing in these last moments of summer, soaking in as much sun and warmth as I can...

...and loving in this little one whose days are passing just as quickly as the summer has, and listening to her constant (and new) "Mama! Mama! Mama!"

Hitting a wall.

Photo completely unrelated to post, and old, and digital. This is what you get when I post from my husband's new laptop, er uh, my new laptop, which I wish was mine, but isn't really.

I am going to use the term 'hitting -a- wall' instead of 'hitting -the- wall'. It has nothing to do with running either.

This week was rough. I have had myself together for the past month. I have been on top of my motherly and wifely duties for so long, and then WHAM this week hit me like a ton of bricks.

It started last week when that effer Aunt F was in town, she forced all sorts of brownies down my throat and convinced me that if I went running and worked out I would feel even worse than I already did, so I stayed put, working around the house, working on sessions etc.

This week found us a one car family. Well, sort of, first we were a no car family, (long story) we were using a borrowed car that started SMOKING on us Wednesday. We got our car back in time for the busiest weeks of my life to hit. So, between no cars, trading cars, entertaining out of town guests, boutiques, sessions, editing, laundry, dishes, (or not being home to do laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping etc.), a surprise party for my brother who is leaving for the army and has me in tears, and generally being OFF my schedule, I hit a wall tonight.

I got a migraine through the roof. I am so tired from averaging 4 hours of sleep this entire week, and yet, here I am, scheduled to wake in 6 hours and I am not sleeping. I needed writing therapy, for, even my blog has suffered damages from this week.

Deep. Breaths.

This week will not control me. This week will not tear me down, I will overcome and get back on my routine.

In other news and completely unrelated, but not:

Did you know I need to lose almost an entire person's worth of weight from my body? More than my almost 7 year old weighs?

Did you know my -biological- father told me that I was perhaps a wee bit fat tonight? Did you know that that made me cry in my migraine ridden state?

Then I somehow had to drive an hour home in with my migraine, fighting back the choking sobs that I am still fighting back. *frowny face*.

SO over today. As in over.

Gonna jump over this effing wall and move on...

Join me.

Did you know?

That I have a beautiful life?

As in, grade-a amazing?

I have grown so much in the past two months, it is astounding. I attribute that to my faith. I also attribute it to myself and getting to know myself and loving myself more. Trusting in who I am inside, who I was born to be, and letting her shine through.

It is not an easy thing to do by any means. It is hard. Some days I cry. Some days I still don't want to get out of bed. Some days I am not the perfect mother (okay most days). Still, I am trying. Trying to be better, and reach farther, and I am making huge strides.

Huge. Strides.

I hope that you are too.

Have a happy weekend.

xo

~Kim

I know...

...I am a cracker jack blogger.

For that I apologize. It is THE busiest time of year for me. Fall = family photos for EVERYONE. It also is the beginning of the holiday season, which for the r house couture, means crazy orders and boutiques. (Which we love.) Did I mention we just celebrated our first birthday, the r house couture I mean? I didn't...well we did, and it is incredible.

But this post is not about that, it is about how I left you for an entire week with no new posts. Nothing new is really going on besides said busy-ness. I have been incredibly happy, incredibly busy, and trying with all of my might to keep these people from growing.

But alas, they don't listen to me. Just like my cravings for brownies COMPLETELY ignored me the past weekend. (I was doing SO good with my diet and exercise.) I feel so icky for eating them, but they tasted SO good. (I blame Aunt Flow, damn her.)

Anyway, enough of this MEZCLA of a cracker jack post for this cracker jack blogger. Come see me next Thursday in Draper mmmmmkkkk? The ladies and I will be having a boutique with our new lovlies. Designs only available at our boutiques this year.

(pssst. click to enlarge.)

Okay. Done. Next time you come it will be a lot better and I promise to not blog at 1 a.m. and to make sure I am well rested the night before I blog. Love you all. Really, I do. xoxo

Run Karsen Run

Four-year-old Karsen Mery lost his left foot in a lawn mower accident last September. This tough little boy has gone through many surgeries and now has a prosthetic leg.
Just last week, Karsen was involved in a playground accident where he broke the femur in that same leg. This still hasn't stopped Karsen!

What: 5k Run/Walk/Bike Fundraiser and Silent Auction
Where: Pavilion at 7982 South Grizzly Way, West Jordan, UT 84081
When: Race at 8am, Silent Auction at 8:30

Register at www.runkarsenrun.com

How you can help:
** Pre-order a shirt for $20 that guarantees your spot in the race
**Go to http://www.karsenmery.blogspot.com/ and click on the link on the right side where you can donate online
**Donate your time or new products/gift certificates for the silent auction

This is a great opportunity to raise money for Mery family to assist with all the medical bills they’ve incurred.

One-third of all donations will be given to Shriner’s Hospital to help more amazing kids like Karsen.