Jordyn Michelle Turns Four!!

We attended a very special little girl's birthday at Build-A-Bear this weekend.  Her momma got really sick so several of her close friends and great husband pulled it off -maybe not the way momma would have but it worked!  She is just adorable and the camera loves her.  Just wanted to share a couple of my favorites. 
Happy Birthday Jordyn!  Aunt Jenn loves you!
p.s. These appear very grainy on here.  Sorry for the fuzziness.

1/11/11

So cool huh?  Today was 1/11/11.  I  know to some it isn't cool but to me a great picture to add to my project 12.  One scrapbook layout for each month to add to my family scrapbook.  Will help me remember the little things that go on in our household that we will forget with time.  Kinda neat to look back on.  That will be one of our photos for this month.  Not the best exposure but none-the-less... When I am at home I am not always wearing my "photographer" hat.  Have to take advantage of the willingness of the little man to pose for a picture without worrying about settings.  :)

Favorite Gifts this Christmas

The kids got so many gifts.  But they still had their favorites.  Still trying to find a place to put it all. 
We were so blessed to get to spend so many days with family and enjoying each other's company. 
Thank you Lord!

Wii - what an invention!

I am posting a few things from Christmas break to play catch-up. We got together at my cousin's house to have our annual chinese Christmas on my dad's side of the family. It is always so much fun and I just love getting to have most of my family in one room.  So fun for the kids, just like  it was when all the cousins got together when we were young, and now adults can sit and catch up and reminisce.  This year was a little harder without our Nannie who passed away in July but we know she is looking down on us and smiling at our celebration.  Several of my family members couldn't make it but we had a good time anyway.  Aurie got the Just Dance 2 game for the Wii so *almost* everyone had to have a turn at it.  I was the photographer as usual so I side-stepped that experience.  Young and not-so-young had so much fun!  And it was fun for those who watched for sure!!  Jaedyn surprised me by pretty much hogging the game all night long.  She was a dancin' queen!  I think she was already hinting to PawPaw for a birthday present! :) 

Happy New Year!

Can't believe it is really 2011~ although to me 2010 wasn't the greatest year so I am ready for a fresh start.  Making some of the same resolutions for this new year as I did last year.  Life just seemed to get in the way of me attempting most of those things.  And I had a lack of focus on the most important things that I truly hope to change this year.
Warning...very personal.  Sorry if this is not appropriate for my business/personal blog but I feel I want to put it out there so I will hold myself accountable.

**My goals for this year...not necessarily to master all of these but just do the best I can and not let day to day trials get in the way.
1.  praise my kids more - this world is full of negativity.  I want them to be great examples of christian love but I have to remember they are learning.  I want to guide them without squashing who they are and the greatness of themselves! ( I will need lots of help with this Lord)
2. Study my bible more, do devotionals, have quiet time, and have a much stronger personal relationship with God.
3. Help my children learn/know the principles of being a christian.  It is my job, not just the church's. Not just telling them but more importantly SHOWING them every day in my walk.
4. Read more.  I used to love it and now I don't take time to do it.  Just be quiet and listen more to the inner me.  Reading does that for me.  It slows me down, helps me focus, not worry, and be peaceful.
5. Eat dinner at the table as a family.  Jaedyn begs for this and I am always too busy!  (I hate those words "too busy"!)
6. Remember that things will pass.  Take it one day at a time and weigh importance on how much of my life worry should take up over trivial things.  I am not perfect and things don't have to be.  Just doing the best I can will have to be enough.
7.  Stop and play with the kids.  enjoy them and laugh with them.  Just to laugh more.  Life has to be more fun than this!  Last year was much too serious!
8.  Be healthier.  Make myself feel better and enjoy life! Not feel tired all the time and worn out.
9. Have more me time.  Learn more photography skills, continue to offer photography services, be a blessing to others as I go through my day, and scrapbook more to preserve memories for my children.
10. Devote more time to family time and couples time.  More date nights with my husband and more date time with each child. 

I know this seems like a lot but I wasn't productive in many of my relationships last year, especially mine with the Lord, which is a reflection on all others in my life.  I wasn't who I wanted to be and I want to change that.  I can change that and I will.  I know it won't happen overnight or without lots of effort but I want to be better.  There were many things last year that tested me and I may not have responded as well as I should have to them.  But I am committed to being who God wants me to be and with His help I hope I can do better this year. My word for this year is "focus".  Focus on what is important, focus on what matters to me, focus on my family, and focus on the Lord. 

Again, sorry if this was too personal.  I hope you will post your new year's resolutions in the comments  section if you are not afraid of getting too personal.
Best wishes in 2011 for you and your family and may He richly bless you!