Snuggle Love

Well, I have a new look.  Don’t be mean.  I did all of it by myself (with some help from google).  I am in the process of moving craft and activities post to another blog.  That way it will be easier for others (and me). 

I had so much fun experimenting with self portraiture for the first time this past week.  This image is one of the ones I took.  I loved it so much I put it in the new header. 

Here I am holding Little Lady.  This is how she snuggles with me.  It is such a fabulous feeling.

Sharing this photo over at Captivus for Affection (representing the letter A).

My first time linking up with Paper Heart Camera (yippee).  This week’s Show and Tell Challenge was Self Portrait.  The prompt was “number”.  There aren’t any numbers in this picture, but the number of months before they decide if they are going to start proceedings to terminate parental rights is slowly decreasing.  Hopefully this summer we will know!

Perceptive Perspective for “in memory of”.  This picture is in memory of all of the foster families that came before us.  Today is the last day of May (National Foster Parent Appreciation Month).

Linking up to my other favorites, as well:

Scavenger Hunt : May 29

I am so excited to finally get off of my lazy rear and get some shots together to join in Sunday Scavenger Hunt.  I had so much fun with this. 

1. Classic Still Life

Grabbed the few apples we had and took some shots before the kids saw me with them.  There are now no apples in my house.

 

2. Self-Portrait

I was the most nervous about this one, but I really had fun.

 

3. On The Floor

We have a brand spanking new puppy in the house.  Meet Ranger.

 

4. Lines

Some railroad tracks that extend further than I can see.  I did a high grain effect and some tweaks to make it look vintage.  It almost has a tilt shift look to it.

 

5. Fresh

Nothing like fresh rain.  Here are some green leaf lettuce we planted so we can have fresh salad whenever we want.

 

I really did have a lot of fun doing this.  I am going to try to participate more often.  The inspiration that these kind of challenges bring has really helped me improve.  I know I have a long way to go, but I am so happy to take that journey.

Join in or see others.

Foto Friday: On and On

Woo hoo, last week was fantastic!  There were awesome photos shared.  If you didn’t go through all of them, here are a few that completely jumped off the screen.

Michelle at Flying Giggles and Lollipops joined in for the first time and boy did she hit one out of the park.  This is not edited to put that image in there,  She actually took a picture of the inside of a viewfinder-thing.

 

Shutter Happy Moments shared this awesome photo that was perfectly completely with the added texture. 

 

Now can you believe that this photo was completely unedited?!  All I could say in the comments was “Wow!”  Karina at Mumma Made It is loaded with talent.

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Now onto this week, the theme is “On and On”.  I should have taken a picture of my mouth.  Anyone that has met me in real life knows that I talk, a lot.  But instead I used a picture I took at the beach this past week while we were on vacation.

The beach just seemed to go on and on.  I just love the couple walking down the beach together.  It seems cheesy, but it really makes it picturesque.

If you are new to Foto Friday you can find out more about it at Foto Friday FAQ.  I would love for you to join in.  No fancy camera, no expensive editing software needed.  Just creativity and fun. 

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Next week’s theme is “Food”.

The Little Things (Prom Style)

Here are some more prom pictures of my niece and her boyfriend.  I wanted to share these before I started showing photos from our vacation.  I will have some more in the next couple of days, too.  Because I love them.  <3

These are shots that I hope my niece will look back at and treasure.  Sometimes it is the little things. 

 

Foto Friday: Old

Last week we hit a snag with the whole Blogger issue.  But this week we shouldn’t hit a snag.

Last week had some really neat ones, but a couple stood out.

Mountain Mama shared this picture of a baby squirrel  in her kitchen!

 

La La’s Home Daycare linked up an awesome shot of a tree frog on the side of her house.

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This week’s theme is old.  While many people joked they would send in a self portrait I hope that they don’t because I know all of you are so beautiful.

I drive by this barn all of the time.  I have always wanted to stop and take pictures.  So this Sunday I did (during my “me and my camera” time).

If you are new to Foto Friday please read Foto Friday FAQ.  I would love for you to join in.  No fancy camera, no expensive editing software needed.  Just your fantastic shot.

<center><a href=" http://www.momtriedit.net/search/label/Foto%20Friday"><img src=" http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy303/momtriedit/foto_friday.jpg " /></a><center></center></center>

 

Next week’s theme is “On and On”

 

Now show me your “Old”.  I can’t wait to see them!

Prom Kiss

I know you guys are freaking out with all of these recent posts.  I probably won’t get too used to it. 

Here is another picture of the impromptu prom photo session I did with my niece and her boyfriend. 

I truly loved pretending to be a “real photographer” for a few minutes.

Sweet 16

Last week I had the honor of taking a few pictures of my niece and her boyfriend before they left for prom.  I had no idea I was going to be taking pictures either.  It was a “Kim, go home and get your camera to take some pictures in 10 minutes” kind of thing.  Wow, no pressure.

I will be sharing a lot of them with you over the next couple of weeks, but here is one now.

This one is just so fun to me.  They have their sunglasses on and are trying to be nice as five different people with cameras take posed pictures.  So I just got down on my knees and snapped away while they were looking elsewhere. 

Isn’t 16 sweet?

But I am so glad I am not 16.

They looked so excited and happy to be finally going to prom.  I was also very happy to be playing photographer.  So I am linking up for the first time to a site I just found (very happy I did).

Beautiful May Flower

I had a fantastic opportunity yesterday to leave my house with nothing but my camera.  That’s right…no kids.  All four stayed at home with Daddy.  I had some camera time.  Ahhhhhh.

I stopped at a nearby arboretum and snapped some pictures of flowers.  I couldn’t resist sharing this and linking up to I Heart Faces for their weekly challenge of “May Flowers”.

Foto Friday: Out of Place

I am so sorry about the delay in getting this up, but most of you know that blogger has been down. So this did not publish when it was supposed to. Can you say wordpress switch?

I loved last week’s Foto Friday.  It might have something to do with the fact that my favorite color is blue or it just might be the fantastic shots that were shared.  I love that people from different styles and backgrounds are joining in.  There are point and shoot users, DSLR users, PS, PSE, Picasa, and everything in between.  Holy cow.  I am not a big blog, either.  That just goes to show you how photography can reach everyone.

So keep sharing those photos.  If you have been thinking about joining in but haven’t, you really should.  It is fun to challenge yourself.

Last week this image of robin eggs jumped out at me.  The road goes ever ever on captured these perfectly.  Look at the crispness of the shot.  The perfection of the nest.  I love how the nest’s texture stands out, but the color blends easily with the background to make the blue pop even more.  Fabulous!!!

This image was taken by and belongs to The road goes ever ever on.  I am just featuring it because it is awesome. 

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Now this week’s theme is “out of place”.  I had actually taken two photos this week that I thought would fit, but I am just going to share one. 

Yep, it’s a boat.  In a yard.  With crap growing all around it.  That my friends, is my neighbors yard.  I set my tripod on my porch and zoomed in with my 70-300mm lens to the maximum. 

If that isn’t out of place, I don’t know what is.  I had actually almost forgotten that boat was there because I see it so much that it isn’t out of place for me any longer.  I was playing outside with the kids and thought “Duh!” 

I am sure my neighbors think I am crazy, but I am not the one with a boat in my yard.  For the record it may look like a clever planter, but it isn’t.  They used to actually use this boat and needed to fix it.  So they put it in there yard many, many years ago to get around to working on it.  This is what happens when you keep putting things off. 

If you are new to Foto Friday and have questions, please read Foto Friday FAQ.  Please don’t feel apprehensive about joining in.  I would love to see your shot (whether it is with the theme or not – it’s just a suggestion).

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Next week’s theme is “old”.

Now I can’t wait to see what shots you are sharing this week!

Stories From Fostering: Take 1

Did you know that May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month?

So this month I thought I would share some stories that I have experienced as a foster mom. 

Young foster children and infants are automatically eligible for the WIC program.  I really wasn’t planning on taking them up on it with Little Lady, but then the doctor prescribed Nutrimagen.  Have you seen the price of that stuff?!

So I am at the grocery store redeeming WIC vouchers for formula.  I have all 4 kids with me (Cole, Charley, newborn Little Lady, and her brother Little Man).  The cashier knows me well and she knows that we foster.  She smiles as she sees Little Lady and comments about how beautiful she is. 

As I am checking out (with the super annoying fact that I had to use 4 separate transactions) the woman behind me is on her phone.  She loudly tells the person she is talking to that she can’t stand “breeders” that mooch off of the government to support their kids. 

Yeah, we are probably thinking the same thing, but my thoughts probably has a few more choice words than yours. 

The cashier gets mad.  She takes a deep breath and I can tell she is about to set the woman straight.  I quickly put my hand up and then bring my forefinger to my mouth.  I signal to her to shush (nicely, of course – she isn’t one of my kids after all).  She looks at me with a confused face.  I whisper to her as the woman is still ranting on the phone, “She doesn’t need to know anything.  Nothing we say is going to change her heart.  We might make her feel like crap for a minute or two, but her heart needs to be softened by God.”

As I am talking, I can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.  Am I saying this?  Surely I can’t be saying this!  The only softening I want this lady to get is from my fist.

God stepped in, just like He has so many times for me.  Nothing I said or did in that moment on my own was going to be good.  While that woman may never know anything about me, foster care, or helping out the people that need a hand through services like WIC, she was a big part of something. 

That cashier told me later that she loved what I said that day.  She told some friends about it.  It led to conversations with two different friends about God.  One of her friends she talked with starting asking questions, started going to church, and is now finding things out for herself.  I love it!

I learned that God leading my path to foster care wasn’t solely about our family or the kids we connect with.  He uses so many things in so many ways.

And to think that I wanted to tell that woman off.  Who am I kidding?  I still want to tell her off!

Foto Friday: Blue

I have to tell you that Foto Friday is definitely my favorite day of the week.  I have been blogging less and I plan to kick it up a bit more.  But back to the fun of photography.

Last week was loaded with awesome shots.  La-La’s Home Daycare shared this beautiful image of a bridge.

Oh The Places You’ll Go had this fantastic shot of her children.  I love this photo and the composition of it.

I am truly blessed to have friends that participate with me.  I love seeing your shots and I love the inspiration you give me.

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This week’s theme was blue.  I had a few images in my head of what I wanted to do.  I never got around to trying to get the shots done.  Honestly I am using the “I have 4 very small children” excuse.  I hate to play this card, but I do have a shot.  It just wasn’t the ones I had in my head.  Don’t you hate it when your own expectations don’t make it to fruition?  Oh well.

This picture of of Buddy and his gorgeous blue eyes.  Well, just one of them.

If you have any questions about this link up please read Foto Friday FAQ.  I would love for you to participate along with us.

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Next week’s theme is “Out of Place”

 

I can’t wait to see your shots!