Wordless Wednesday - Sibling Love

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes.

We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.

We live outside the touch of time."

~Clara Ortega

One of the greatest parts about having a sibling is having someone to share your history with.  Someone who experienced childhood with you exactly as you experienced it.  Someone to reminiesce with, someone who knows you as you have always been.  Although, siblings grow up and often life and distance separates them, their history never changes, their connection to each other does not expire. 

My girls will have this.

And so will these boys.  I'm entering this photo below in Paper Mama's weekly photo challenge this week.  It was taken in April, down at the Marina.  A young single Momma and the source of all of her joy.  I love how big brother has his hand on little brother's shoulder, and the pure joy on little brother's face.  She is one blessed Momma.

Happy Wednesday!

Wordless{ish} Wednesday & Photo Challenge - Fall

The horse is God's gift to mankind.

~Arabian Proverb

Chloe Belle sat in the saddle for the first time while we were at the Children's Farm pumpkin festival in Illinois last week.  Just like her big sister, she loved it.  She cried big tears when her ride was over.  I'm beginning to think that a love for animals is either innate or genetic as both of my kids have been fascinated with all things living from the moment they could talk.  I'll take it.  I swim in their curiosity and excitement as they discover animals and new experiences.  And, It makes for wonderful trips to the zoo and farms. 

I've been absent from photo challenges for awhile.  Life has been chaotic and I just couldn't quite get my act together.  This week's theme at Paper Mama is Fall.  I have some lovely fall pictures from our trip last weekend, but the photos of the turning trees don't have children in them, or the photos of kids don't have have beautiful, multi-colored trees in them.

I'm submitting this for the fall theme.  This photo was taken on my Grandad's Farm, after the corn had been harvested.  My girls found a pile of corn that the combine had left behind.  They played in it, they threw it in the air, and they loved the way the small kernels felt in their hands. 

This is fall, harvested corn, open fields, soft blue skies, long pants, and crisp air. 

Please visit Chelsey and view some wonderful interpretations of fall.

Wordless Wednesday and Photo Challenges - Hint of Color & Blue

 

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”

~Albert Einstein

Chelsey's photo challenge this week is Hint Of Color.  Awesome.  I love editing pictures like this, although I don't do it often.  This picture was taken a few weeks ago when we went to Busch Gardens.  Chloe was running through this sprinkler tunnel in the splash zone and she LOVED IT.  This is her excited, I'm having the best time of my life, I want to do it again,and again, and again, face.  She was hilarious and we laughed so hard watching her enjoy herself. 

Visit the Paper Mama and link up or view more fantastic entries with a dab of color! 

The challenge this week over at Trendy Treehouse is Blue.  I immediately thought of this picture.  The blue hues from the huge Hippo pool were such an issue for me while editing this photo.  I couldn't get rid of the blue cast on Chloe's face no matter what I tried.  In the end, I decided that's part of the mood of this photo.  It's part of the wonder and excitement as she looks at fish up close and personal for the 1st time.  The reflection from the water is part of the joy of this moment.  So, I sharpened it a little, and I lightened it a little and that's it.  The moment is this picture.

Please visit Shutter Love Tuesday at Trendy Treehouse to see some phenomenal interpretations of Blue. 

Wordless Wednesday and My Biggest Surprise Since I found out that Sweet Tea is not Sugar Free

"Your Birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world"

~Author Unknown

Last Wednesday I submitted this photo for the Paper Mama photo challenge:

And in return, I received this:

Yeah, Baby!  I was/am so excited!  I've never really won anything before...and I mean, ever.  Like, not even a raffle, or a cake from the cake walk at my elementary school fun fair.  So, I guess I was due, and maybe God just thought it was about time to send me a little encouragement to keep forging ahead with my new-found hobby.  Maybe he sees that this hobby is good for my soul.  Maybe he knows that I am happy with a camera in my hand.  And, maybe, the picture was just good.

So, now I find myself in a vote off.  If you could be a dear and CLICKY HERE it sure would be great if I could get a few votes.

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Wordless Wednesday - Paper Mama Photo Challenge - Brown

"Best friends just won't leave your side"
-Blink182

And even the littles are friends...well, when Chloe isn't biting or hitting, or when Sawyer isn't stealing her crackers....

The theme this week at Paper Mama is Brown, definitely a color of fall.  Fall, a season that we don't experience much this far south.  Well, actually our fall happens around Xmas time and it's fabulous then. 

Camdyn found this ginormous pine cone at the park last Friday and I thought....It's perfectly BROWN!  It reminds me of fall even as I wipe sweat from my brow in this 90+ degree heat.    I love the focus on the cone and her little hands.  I love the fact that she is not looking at the camera and I can make out her perfect profile.  I love how sharp the cone turned out, and I forgive myself for blowing out the background.  I'm shooting manually, y'all.  I'm getting there, one semi flawed photograph at a time :)

Head on over and visit Chelsey and check out all the fab submissions this week! 

Wordless Wednesay & Photo Challenges: Excitement & Bloopers

All things were made by him; and without him

was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3

The Paper Mama photo challenge theme this week is EXCITEMENT.  Fun!  I have scores of excited baby pictures, but decided to submit this:

This picture was taken last month at the playground at Siesta Key Beach.  This is where Camdyn's end-of-the-year class party was held.  It was HOT, but the kids had a blast playing with each other outside the confines of the classroom.  This picture makes me want to put a harness around the hands of time, and pull my body weight against it.  The days where blue twisty slides evoke excitement are numbered.  The days when simple pleasures are found in the small wonders of life, are numbered.  Our babies will go to Kindergarten next year, they will be exposed to a slice of the "real world."  They are growing up. 

But, for now, I will appreciate every second of their simple pleasures, and hope to capture the excitement in their eyes as they enjoy their final year as pre-schoolers. 

Now, head on over to the Paper Mama and link up a picture of Excitement! 

The theme this week at the Trendy Treehouse is Bloopers & Outtakes.  Wow.  Do I have a lot of those, especially because I suffer from an affliction that makes deleting photos almost impossible.  I think it's a version of photo hoarding...I wonder if they have a TLC show about that? 

Anyway, I give you this picture, of me, Chloe Belle, and Gramma.  We just wanted one adequate photo, and of course, little miss in the baby Bjorn was not cooperating, so I decided to not cooperate with her.  Man, if you can't beat them then join them. 

Please visit The Trendy Treehouse to see some seriously hilarious photos and perhaps submit your own photo! 

Self Portraits...are...um...AWKWARD!

The theme this week over at Paper Mama this week is Self Portrait.  Needless to say, this was work for me this week.  I have almost NO pictures of myself, and even fewer pictures that I took of myself. 

But, I like a good challenge, just ask my husband, so I gave it the good ole college try and this is the best thing that I came up with....

This is my submission for the challenge.  This photo was taken in the reflection of Chloe's sliding glass door...you know, because all babies need sliding door access to the pool.  The shot was dark, so I had to lighten it, and then I lost the scenary in the background, but it's my best attempt at me.  Oh, and it gives you an opportunity to admire my jewlery and hair band...you're welcome.

Just for fun, here are some more of my awkward attempts at a self portrait.  Maybe these look so bizarre to me because they don't have children in them, and I am most definitely mostly, always, usually, photographed with children...if ever at all. 

Here is the view from Chloe's slider, as seen in the flection.  You can see palm trees, our pool cage, and the pond behind the house.

I thought maybe I would look more comfortable in B&W...yeah, not really.

And, this is the shot that I am most comfortable with.  Love the colors.  The reflection is brighter, and my whole head is covered with the camera....yeah, this feels better!

So, head on over to Paper Mama and check out people who really know how to take a picture of themselves! 

Wordless Wednesday & TT Photo Challenge - Laughter

“Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps,

If you are not willing to move your feet.”
~unknown

The theme this week over at The Trendy Treehouse is Laughter.  I searched through dozens of laughter pictures last night.  Pictures of my babies literally rolling on the floor laughing with their daddy, pics of pre-schoolers laughing at the park, I just couldn't make up my mind....until I saw this picture. 

It was taken in June, in the middle of a mild Florida rain.  It was the first time Chloe Belle experienced the fall of raindrops on her skin purposefully and puddles underneath her bare feet.  Although, you can't see the expression on her face, or the squint of her eyes while she laughs, you can see that Camdyn & I are laughing with her.  This dancing in the rain moment, I will never forget.

Head over to Trendy Treehouse and link up your favorite photo of Laughter, or at the very least check out everyone's entries.  At the very least, they will make you smile!

Thankful Thursday & Paper Mama Photo Challenge - Flowers

The photo challenge theme over at The Paper Mama this week is Flower.  

 

I picked this photo because I love Cam's expression in the background.  When I took the photo the yellow flowers were practically neon in color.  They were so bright it made Cam appear as a distraction in the background. 

So, I darkened it using filters, and created this old world, this was taken with the first camera ever invented, kind of look. Which is appropriate, as the garden where this photo was taken was created in the early 1900's. The quality of this photo matches the atmosphere of the garden.  Now, go visit the Paper Mama and check out all of the fabulous entries, and submit one of your own!

So, it turns out that I have a lot to be Thankful for this week!  Here Goes:

101).  The Positive Discipline webinar that was hosted by Jen at Heligirl last night.  I learned something last night and I can't wait to implement it
102).  The cute little old lady who stopped me in Publix last night and said "You have a beautiful family, you know that don't you?"  Why yes, I do, but I really should be more appreciative of them.  Thank you for taking the time to say that and to remind me of my blessings!
103).  Camdyn's new teacher.  I knew she was "good" but I didn't know she was this good!  She's creative, and a breath of fresh air, and Camdyn is already impressing me with the things she's learned
104).  The Rain.  It's been raining since Sunday, but last night, the girls and I took the time to run through puddles and get completely soaked, and we made a memory
105).  Coffee, specifically, a grande, nonfat, 3 pump white mocha
106).  Realtors that work long hours and have your back
107).  A Friend who took amazing pics of my girlfriend's Newborn Baby Boy.  Pics that evoke emotion and make me want to reproduce again. Shhh, don't tell Hubs.  Check out her work and give her some comment love.
108).  2lbs.  Because that is all I've gained back even though I've gone way off course with the eating healthy thing.
109).  My children, for being the source of my joy.  This morning as they passed Barbies back and forth in the car, I realized just how awesome it is that I have two kids.
110).  The Hubs.  He keeps me grounded, he reminds me not to take myself so seriously, and he loves me no matter what silly things come out of my mouth. 


And, y'all the best part about that Webinar last night, was that I was sitting at the computer for an entire hour, undisturbed.  And I did exactly what most over-extended, multi-tasking, time crunching momma's would do.  I edited vacation pictures while listening and participating!  Wheeee! 

So, tomorrow, coming at you just in time for the weekend, you will see our trip. 

Wordless Wednesday & Photo Challenges: Trees

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again.

~Arthur Freed

Why does it always rain on the 1st day of school?  Chloe Belle had to wear her 

raincoat on Monday, which was okay with me because she looks so sweet in it.  In the morning, as we are headed out the door I usually find myself saying, "Line up by the door.  It's time to go."  So, that's what Chloe did when I snapped this photo.  She's all lined up by the door. 

This weeks theme at the In a Yellow House photo challenge is Trees.  I had several photos to choose from, but chose this one.  Do you remember it?  It's from the day we visited the Enchanted Garden or the Botanical Gardens, what ever you want to call it.  

These trees are so statuesque I couldn't back up far enough to get the whole tree in my photo.  Seriously, they are that big, and the coast is that close, I would need to be standing on a dingy boat in the Gulf in order to capture the entire tree. 

Two Trees

Centuries Old

Have Grown Together Through Time

They share History, Food, the Sunlight and the Earth

Their roots are Entwined and Exposed, like a heart beating

outside of its body

The challenges for the month of August are being hosted by Ashley at Ramblings & Photos.  She has some amazing tree shots, and they make me want to take my camera everywhere I go.  Please visit her beautiful blog and link up a picture of your favorite tree.








I know as thrilled as you are with the pics I've posted of Chloe Belle on the Beach, and my favorite Tree, you are still pining for vacation pics.  Well, I hate to admit that I haven't edited a single one!  Gah.  Where does the time go?  I know, it was gobbled up with a wonderful play date last night, a meeting with our realtor, bath time routines, bedtime stories, and picking out pictures of trees.

The good news is that all of the pics are on my computer, I just have a little editing to do.  I'm hoping to get that done tonight, and then maybe by Friday I'll have something worth while to share, and gab about.

Toodles,

I heart Faces - Beach Fun Photo Challenge

 

I live less than 5 miles from one of the most beautiful beaches in the Continental US. The sand is as soft as flour, the air smells of salt and refreshes the soul. The sound of the waves is therapy for the mind.

It's serene. It's gorgeous.

It's God's way of Reminding us just how Small we Are

Wordless Wednesday and Photo Challenges - Arts & Crafts, Orange, and Favorite Things

"Asante sana Squash banana, Wiwi nugu Mi mi apana."

~ Rafiki - The Lion King

(In reference to my post yesterday, not to the adorable child pictured below, yes, I am a bonified baboon)

I love Wednesdays, and surfing through my pictures to find the perfect, or not so perfect, pictures to submit for photo challenges.




First up, The In a Yellow House challenge that is being hosted by Ashley at Ramblings and Photos. This is my favorite challenge because I receive feedback. Ashley always comments on the photo even if it isn't even that great and I appreciate that and constructive criticism too, how else will I learn the error of my ways? The theme this week is Arts and Crafts. Here is my submission:

Nothing screams childhood more than a paintbrush, a fresh jar of tempera paints,

and a wooden birdhouse waiting for a fresh coat.

Please join in the fun.

The next Photo Challenge:

And, the theme over at Paper Mama is Orange. Of all the pretty colors in the world, it probably isn't my favorite, I posted a picture last week of Chloe in a adorable orange outfit, but I decided to go with this one instead:

Yep. That's orange.

Now, go visit Chelsey and her adorable blog and link up a picture. Orange you going to? I know you wanna. Yes, I'm dork.

The final challenge I learned about from my bestie, Liz at Tickled Pink, which reminds me...

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TODAY BABY ABBY!

Anyway, where was I, oh, Liz is participating in this challenge, and I thought the theme was so sweet, I had to join too. The theme at The Trendy Treehouse is Favorite Things. I have a photo for this challenge.





Here is my entry:

Sweet Chloe Belle is clutching two of her most favorite things in the world, her bottle and her blankie, and the fact that she is sporting bumble bee wings is just added bonus.

My heart melts.