week 10: happiness is...

Happiness is lazy Saturday mornings with my kiddos...

.....and in a few weeks .... happiness will be waking in the mornings listening to the lapping of the waves outside on the balcony of our cruise ship!

sap collecting

Sap collecting season is upon us!!

Bucks and Cousins

We got to spend last weekend in Fredonia with Abby and Kaleb and the boys.  Lucy, Jack and Andy headed to the Bucks game for 'Mormon Night' with Kaleb, Jake and Al Friday night and the rest of us checked out their new home and town.  It is a really great place for them and we are so glad they found somewhere they are happy and safe.  We enjoyed a morning at the Y, I finally got to see what all the fuss is about Costco, and we enjoyed some sledding and relaxing together.  We are already looking forward to our next visit. ♥

sickness

A few weeks ago Isaac had a nasty stomach bug.  I guess he typically gets sick overnight, and feels good by mid-morning, but not this time.  Poor guys woke up looking a little green.... within 15 minutes he threw up, and then continued to do so for the next 11 hours ... all day long.  I felt so bad for him. Thankfully the rest of us avoided getting it.  He just seems to have a weaker stomach :(.

week 9: Backlight

Backlighting photographs is tricky and something I am still working on perfecting... at least perfecting my own style.  I guess I tend to like photos with more clarity and pop to them, but there is a definite mood that can be created within backlit photos.

We have been having some pretty busy weeks, (hence the gap of time between posts in Feb and March) and I have had little time to work photography in specifically for this project, so I am being a bit creative.

This photo is not of me (duh!) but is a backlit photo of Cassidy in her favorite mermaid blanket.

two weeks

Two weeks from today we will be full of excitement. It will be just like Christmas Eve when we were kids.  We probably won't be able to sleep.  And that won't matter all that much because we will have to wake up about 3:00 am to get to the airport on time.  Southern Caribbean here we come!!!!

We booked our cruise almost a year ago, so to have it be only two weeks away is a little surreal.  We have been looking forward to it and enjoying the planning end of things for some time now. Honestly, planning and anticipating are half the fun for us.... snorkeling, zip lining, deep sea fishing, lavish dinners and nightly entertainment.... I get all fluttery just thinking about all that awaits us!

Andy's knee is doing well and he is just as excited for this adventure as I am .  For Valentine's Day he bought me an amazing gift.... a new leather weekend bag.  It is AMAZING.  He actually stalked my Pinterest account and found it pinned on my 'things I like' board.  And then he scoured the internet and ordered it covertly so I would have no idea it was coming.  I was so surprised... actually a little stunned!  And then the other night.... he came home with another gift.  Just because. He had booked a shellac manicure and spa pedicure for me a few days before we leave. WHAT?! He has been so thoughtful lately... and it makes me feel so very loved.  It also makes me feel a little like I need to step it up! (don't worry.... I have a few plans ;) )  We both have been working hard to be fit and in shape for this trip.  Andy is back down to his 'goal weight' and he looks great.... I might have to sneak a photo of his buffness ;) .

week 8: best beauty tip

When I think about beauty.... so many things come to mind.  Beautiful golden sunlight.  The smell of a newborn baby. Tousled curls. Gently falling snowflakes. Smokey eye makeup.  The fresh green grass. Spring flowers. Turquoise blue Caribbean seawater (and the sound of waves lapping outside our cruise ship balcony! Gah! sorry... I got sidetracked...We leave in one month! )  Beauty surrounds us and it is really up to us to try to find it.

When I think about a 'beauty tip', I immediately think, 'huh I hardly wear makeup and it is pretty much the same thing I have worn forever, soooooooooo.'  I had to think about it.  When I go about my day who are the beautiful people that stand out to me?

The ones who smile.

Doesn't matter if you are old and wrinkly, or fresh and taut and primped.  If have a smile, your true beauty shines through.

It makes me think of a song that brings me back to my St. Norbert College days.  I can remember sitting in my dorm room listening to the song 'Lullaby' by Shawn Mullins.  "And all her friends tell her she's so pretty, But she'd be a whole lot prettier if she smiled once in a while"

Or the movie Annie... "You're never fully dressed, without a smile..."

So my tip for you --- smile.  It's contagious and who knows how you can brighten someone's day.

Photo credit: Lucy ♥

Milwaukee, Florida

Last weekend the kids and I piled into the car for our annual long weekend in Milwaukee.  Only, somehow it seemed like we drove 4 hours and ended up in Florida.  We went from a good 8 inches of snow (and admittedly warmer than typical temperatures) to mid 60's and sun!  It was simply heavenly!  We spent a good chunk of Saturday at the zoo. With only sweatshirts that we occasionally shed for t-shirts!  We rushed to get there when it opened so Cassidy could finally get to feed her favorite animal, the giraffes.  However we didn't get to - yet again- because it is typically freezing cold in February and it was still closed for the season. Poor thing has been wanting to do it for 3 years in a row and we have missed it every time because the tickets usually sell out so fast.  We'll have to try again next time!

The kids had a great time the whole weekend.  It was our first time staying in their new house, and this year each child had their own special room to have a big extended sleepover with their cousins in. We made a trip to the mall and the girls promptly wanted to buy everything they saw.  Good thing there were some good clearance deals!

The kids played outside in shorts; the girls doing cartwheels and riding bikes; the boys playing football and getting muddy.  They enjoyed a few picnic meals and went to play at the kids school playground a few blocks down.  

It was so refreshing to get to spend the weekend outside in the sunshine.  We have missed its warmth! As always the time went way too quickly and before we knew it, we were on our way home.  We stopped to see Great Grandma and Grandpa to stretch our legs on the way-- it is always so good to see them.  At 91 and 93, they look a little older each time I seem them, but the same feelings of love reside in their home.  The childhood memories stream back to me as I walk through their home and look at photographs, and see that home they have lived in for as long as I have known. I always leave there with a bittersweet feeling in my heart, hoping there will be more of those visits in the future.♥

 

a taste of chocolate

Downtown Rhinelander sponsors a yearly event called 'A Taste of Chocolate'.  Several downtown businesses offer later hours, chocolate treats and typically some kind of sale to patrons who buy a ticket.  It is a great excuse to get out with the girls for a night of chocolate and carefree fun.  This year I went with Tiffanie and Allison.  We munched truffles and shopped before we capped off the night at Rhinelander's new Brown Street 151 for dinner.  What a nice way to spice up the winter season!

Week 7: My love

I fell behind a little bit this past week.... whoops!  My week 7 photography project prompt was 'My love'.  While it was obvious to me what that photo needed to feature, it just so happens that 'my love', doesn't love to have his photo taken!  Like AT ALL.  I was pretty fortunate this past summer to get him to agree to have some family photos taken by my talented friend and photographer, Jen Ruby.  After some thought, I decided to take a creative shot of one of Jen's photos that I had printed on a wood cutout.  This photo sits on my rustic bedside table.  While he may be a little camera-shy, I find myself thinking daily, how lucky I am to have him as my husband.  He is very thoughtful and loving. He works harder than anyone I know, and he is an amazing, faithful leader for our family.  (Almost) 17 years later, and I still find my heart a-flutter when I see him after a long day ♥.  

Grandparent's Day with 'Sista Jones'

Isaac recently had Grandparent's Day at school.  Grandpa and Grandma R winter in Florida. Grandma and Grandpa L are on an extended vacation in Arizona.  But he is such a lucky guy.  Even though both of his grandparents are basking in the warmth, hundreds of miles away, another special lady that he loves just like a Grandma, swept in and came to school for his special day.  Cheryl, or 'Sista Jones' as he calls her, is a very special friend we know from church.  They have had a connection since he was a very little boy.  She has taken him fishing and goes out of her way to do nice things for him. (You should have seen the chocolate shark valentine that said 'You're JAWsome!' she got for him!) When Isaac turned three and first started Primary at church, she was a huge part of his transition into 'big kid class'.  He would always ask to sit on her lap, and often times got to be her special helper. There has always been a special connection there.

Here they are enjoying their lunch together in the cafeteria♥.  He came home so excited that 'Sista Jones' came to spend the day with him at school.

Cheryl and her family are very special friends to our family and we are lucky to have them.

Valentine's Day thoughts

I made some yummy peanut butter cookies with Dove Chocolate hearts (real cookies... not "fake cookies" like the healthy ones they hate,) and wrote each of the kids a special Valentine's thought.  I thought I would share them here since they give a little insight into our relationships right now. Things change so quickly, and blogging seems to happen less and less, so I wanted to have a record of this for the future. 

Dear Jack,

I love you so very much.  I don’t think you will ever know how much that is.  I know we don’t always see eye to eye on everything but that doesn’t matter.  I pray every day that we can get along and work together so we can enjoy our time together.  I want to laugh and have fun with you every day!  I know you will do great things, buddy.  I am proud to be your mother.  ♥♥♥

Dear Lucy,

Happy Valentine’s Day!  You are growing into such a beautiful, confident, smart young woman.  You make me proud every day.  I know as you are getting older, you are finding me dorkier, (in all honesty… the secret is out…. I am kinda dorky) but please know that I could not love you any more than I do.  Keep being the sweet, kind, sensitive young lady you are.  Much love!  ♥♥♥

Dear Cassidy,

Hey babe!  You make me so very proud every day!  I am impressed with your organization, your perky spirit, and your kindness.  I love to hug and hold you --- and love goofing off with you.  You are a great dancer, an amazing reader and a wonderful, thoughtful big and little sister.  I love you to the moon and back, D! ♥♥♥

Dear Isaac,

You will always be my baby—the one I want to cuddle and hold and kiss.  But each day I watch you become older, and more aware and wiser.  I love your sense of humor and that you still ‘need’ me to comfort you.  But I also love that you are independent and confident at school.  It makes me so proud to hear what a good leader and example you are to your classmates. Keep it up!  I love you so very much Zeekie Zoo!  ♥♥♥

week 6: I'm strong because...

This week's topic was "I'm strong because...".
I am really liking this project because it is causing me to stop and really think about how I want to interpret each prompt.  There are so many things that make me strong mentally, emotionally and physically.  My first thought when I read 'strong' was my body-- the positive changes I have been seeing since changing my eating habits and initiating some weight lifting routines.  Then my mind went to the support I receive from my family, husband, and friends.  But when I sat back and thought about what gives me strength in every aspect of my life, I decided that my faith is truly what gives me strength.

When a morning starts out the wrong way (and it seems like it does all too many mornings!) and one of my children and I are at odds, they usually get out of the car, head for the bus as my heart sinks. Why couldn't I have controlled myself?!  Why couldn't they just listen better!? What am I doing wrong? Then my mind usually starts searching for ways to make it up to them, to make it better, to make myself stronger so I can avoid this happening again.  I usually end up saying a little prayer asking for strength and patience... and forgiveness.  And I am able to move on, feeling my load lessened a bit.  And throughout the day ideas pop into my head that I am able to use to try to mend and strengthen our relationship when they return home.

When I feel overwhelmed with something specific...or just life in general, I rely upon my faith. Whether it be reading a few verses of scripture, saying a prayer or humming a hymn, I take great comfort in my knowledge of the gospel.

Every Sunday I sit in church and marvel at the wonderful feelings I have there.  I feel so many feelings as I listen to talks and lessons as many of them speak so dearly to my heart.  They confirm the things that I believe, they give me ideas of new things to try, they help me to be aware of others and increase my desire to serve them, they motivate me to be a better form of myself, but most of all, the gospel provides me with strength.  Strength in knowing I am never alone... that I am loved infinitely, that I am worthy, and that because I am trying I AM ENOUGH.  I know I can conquer the obstacles placed before me with the strength the gospel provides me.

week 5: rule of thirds

In photography, the rule of thirds is a technique that is used to help to create an image that is appealing to the eye. Technically it takes into account lines and intersecting points, and visually placing the subject in an area pleasing to the eye.  The resulting image is supposed to flow nicely and lead the eye to the most important part.  I tend to lean towards placing my subject to one of the side of my image.  I did this before I even knew about this 'rule' simply because that is what looked good to me.  As I have studied photography a little more I am learning how to use this rule for my landscape shots-- and am hoping to practice its use a bunch once we are on our cruise in a few weeks :).

This past week I got to spend the day with one of my favorite people. We headed to Tomahawk to browse a few shoppes we like, and to warm up with a sandwich and cup of hot chocolate for lunch. The light streamed into the little coffee shop so beautifully and felt so warm on my face, even though it was a measly 6 degrees outside.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity, so I grabbed my phone for a selfie. I genuinely love spending time with Marta- she fills me up and makes me happy.  I am so thankful that besides being a mother, that I am rediscovering my identity as a woman and friend. My photo this week depicts these other roles that I fill.

just because

I just cannot resist this little one.  We were reading on the couch together as we typically do in the afternoons he is home with me.  A tickle fight ensued and the light, and those eyelashes they just screamed at me that I needed to photograph them.