One Year Anniversary

Well it’s not really the kind of anniversary one likes to mention.  So why do I, especially here on my photo blog?  Well because it has been a huge part of our family lives for the last year.  It’s something that can’t be ignored or forgotten about.  Of course it’s not pleasant to experience either!

TODAY….is our One year Anniversary of Steve’s (my husband) layoff from work.  Yep we are part of the unemployment stats in the USA.

Here is the summary of the year:

• Lots of promises of jobs/work that’s fallen through
• Steve has applied to so many jobs
• Steve Worked hard on his own company (ParseTree) trying to get contracts/building clients (not easy in this economy)
• He’s managed to get some contracts throughout the 2009 year (yet not enough to support a family on as of yet)
• Had a son get married out of State in Dec
• Benefited from some very generous friends
• Learned that some people has tons of advise
• Felt blessed for the families general good health
• Grateful to understanding kids
• Yuk to 7 days a week work for me but feeling extremely grateful to have it
• Feel grateful for being able to make it this far in one year…so far we haven’t fallen behind on bills
• What an emotional roller coaster ride the year has given us with extreme highs and extreme lows, that can change very quickly.
• To bad the federal government hasn’t adjusted its budget like we have been forced to.  We certainly couldn’t act like them and get away with it.
• Forced to prioritize important from unimportant expenses.
• Has been blessed by a higher power and know of the reality of it.

Just to clarify some questions I’ve been asked over the last several months:  Yes I still do pictures and photo sessions!!  Fortunately my schedule does allow for the flexibility to do the thing I love most!  So please feel free to contact me if you need a photo session done.  This is the work I love the best and would like more of!

Advertisement

Oh My Goodness “Meine Gute!”

Had to add in a bit of German there.  It fits!  The last number of weeks seem like a BIG whirlwind with so much going on, that I had to make decisions.  Those decisions included putting a number of things on hold while focusing on the most important thing in my life which is family.  Family will always come first.  Christmas season is normally a busy time anyhow, but throw in a son’s wedding, one can only image what that can do.

I will remember this Christmas season as a season of miracle; with caring people who opened their hearts in many ways.  This made things fall into place that only a month earlier I was wondering how to pull it all off.  I’m not going to elaborate on the details except to say that I’ve been blessed!  In the end I’ve gained yet another wonderful daughter-in-law!

Then, I’ve been cleaning up after company, Christmas, open house, trip and trying to again become organized if there is ever such a thing and once again get into a regular schedule.  (wink).  But then….who knows what else will come fill the void.  Wait, did I say void?  Never mind, most should understand what I mean.

Here is my son and his wonderful new wife in a scrapbook page I put together of them.  All the photo’s are by me except maybe the upper right hand one.  That one her Dad (also a photographer/artist) may have taken using my camera.  The digital Scrapbook kit is by one of my most favorite designers Jenny Binder.  Her kit “Winter Frost” seemed perfect for this winter wedding.  The colors were perfect; except I did recolor some papers to include purple since it was also part of Bri’s colors for her reception/open house.  Beautiful bride and groom don’t you think?  Ok, I know I’m a bit biased.

I started out with one daughter (right) and now have two more beautiful and wonderful daughters added.  Amber Skye joined our family almost two years ago (left).  Married to Sean.  Brianna is my newest daughter (center).  Married to Ryan.  My boys have done a good job.

Ok here is a picture of my boys!  Yep,  every one of them.  Aren’t they a good looking crew?  I know, I’m very biased, for that is how Mom’s are.

Here is our newest family picture.  It’s the first time we’ve been all together for quite a few years.  So this is my treasure!  My family.

Here is the man I love most.  My dear husband and friend Steve!

Kindness-The Spirit of Christmas

Our family has been recipiants of kindness over the last several months.  In each case it has been humbling….and teaches one lessons.  In recent days we’ve had some big ones come by friends and people I work for.  It has made me examine my own heart.  This kindness makes me appreciate the good people we seem surrounded by.  I certainly desire to have that trait too and shall continue to work on it for the rest of my life.  Anyhow this has been on my mind which inspired me to create this page to share with you.

Billings again

Today was the day to go fetch Steve from the Billings airport.  Once again I left my camera at home.  A BAD thing to do because that’s when one will always find those perfect picture moments.

How does one describe in words what a picture can convey?  Well for me pictures can say things far better than I can in words.  Never was gifted at that, but I’ll attempt here in this post.  By the time you’re done reading, if you do, you’ll probably wish I did have the camera too.

Sure enough, I saw quite a few perfect pictures.  One was of the river valley outside of Belfry.  The fog coated all the bushes, trees, etc….next to the river with all its white glory.  Then the river had steam rising up in the cold air.  There were quite a few places that would have composed a GREAT picture.  Alas no camera…so I guess I’ll have to keep the image in my mind till it’s replaced.

Then there was an area that had at least two dozen black ravens all together.  They were feasting on a road kill.  It was quite the site because I don’t think I’ve ever saw more than three together in one area.  Made me appreciate my own method of eating in the comfort of a warm home.  Then I saw numerous hawks perched here and there.

Coming home, I thought I saw a wolf.  So we pulled over to view it.  Of course it knew that wasn’t normal, so it immediately ran off.  We watched it run across the field from a distance and tried to figure out if it was indeed a wolf, maybe a coyote or fox.  Regardless, that would have been fun to try capturing.

When seeing animals while traveling like this, it’s hard to capture those pictures, because by the time you stop, pull out your equipment, etc…the animal is long gone.  So I try to console myself by saying I wouldn’t have been able to get it anyway, but then that is the fun and challenge in trying.

In the end the trip to Billings this week may have been well worth the time, even if I didn’t capture those pictures, because their are some positive possibilities on the horizon for Steve.  Now, that would be the most perfect picture!  Yet I’m not sure if words or pictures can capture the deep feelings involved in that moment when it indeed becomes real.   Just hoping those possibilities don’t die as the others have.

Today’s Tradition on Thanksgiving Day

I have learned to appreciate the work that goes into preparing those meals especially when many family members gather together. It certainly helps when many hands help prepare the food. In recent years we’ve added something before eating the meal. We say the prayer of thanksgiving and then one by one we go around the table and try naming a thing we are thankful for that someone else hasn’t used. It starts to get a bit tricky if there is a large group.

Enjoy the people you are spending the day with.  May you find things to be grateful for.

Things I’m Thankful For This Year

This year I’m grateful that we have been able to pay our bills in spite of hubby being laid off for nearly 9 months and really no savings to rely on. Yes, we’ve had to cut way back and do without things.

I’m grateful to have been able to find work, have the health I’ve had to do the work I’ve done, and strength to do all the roles I’ve taken on. (maybe not like I’ve planned).

Thankful of unselfish children who has taken the changes with admirable strength of character.  Thankful for the kindness of people around us.

I’m thankful most of all for a higher power that has taught me to be humble, trust, have faith and patience.

Thankful for…

Yes, in many ways it can seem cliche but oh how far it is from that!  I am truly grateful to have a good devoted, kind, loving husband. I feel so blessed to have the good children I do. Each holds a very special spot in my heart.

I love my daughter in law and my soon to be daughter in law. I feel so blessed to have the parents I do. I have always felt of their love towards me. They have taught me so many things like honesty, kindness, to work hard, to enjoy life, to laugh, etc.

Then to have the in laws I have. They are wonderful. I only hope that I can be an in law like they have been to me. They have always praised me, my parenting skills, etc…they always lifted me. I’m grateful that we live where we do, surrounded by such good people.

Thankful for Childhood Memories

As a kid I always looked forward to the day for many reasons. One is that I got off of school (which I must admit I liked), that I got to spend time with my favorite cousins and play, eating all this wonderful food including all the yummy pies.

Some years we would travel to NM to visit my mothers family there.  I loved that too. It was always fun to go to my Grandparent’s place. In fact I have alot of memories from those trips.  It would include traveling in the middle of bad storms in WY, CO, UT, and NM.

Then one year my parents took us to Disney land during the Thanksgiving break. What fond memories to have.

Thanksgiving Week

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

Looking up the meaning of things can be interesting.  So I did a google search on Thanksgiving and came across the link above.  Here is some of what it said, “Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States. ….Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members and friends.”

So I thought it would be appropriate to blog a little something about my feelings on the subject this week.