A busy day for me.

Im photographing preschoolers today!! Im so excited to meet them, I love, love, love to work with the little kids! They say the funniest things and have the best facial expressions.

My big girl fell asleep yesterday afternoon. She looked so peaceful and beautiful resting her head on her well loved favorite blanket...I snapped one for ya! (gotta love those heart-shaped lips of hers). She's my shoppin' pal, my fashionista and such a great help with her little sister. She tries so hard to please us and is always making me beautiful works of art. Makenna is definately my strongest willed child but in her 5.5 years on this earth, I have finally figured her out and know how to communicate with her effectively. Im really going to miss her company when she goes to school this fall. I know Marleigh will miss her for sure. It will be my first school year having only one child home with me and Im pretty sentimental about it.

Because I was quietly taking photos of sleeping beauty, Ms. Marleigh got a little jealous and asked if I was going to take her photo. Now...do you see why I talk about her so much.....her personality ooozes out in this photo. I am constantly hugging them both like crazy ... my beauties! You know, I am for hire - a day in the life would make a nice coffee table book!

Do you nickname your children? I remember trying to carefully chose my children's names so they wouldn't grow up with people singing things like "Kelly with a belly" (or that dreadful song Woody on Cheers sang about his girlfriend Kelly that just repeated her name over and over) or "Jean, Jean the dancin' machine". BUT......since Branden was little, I have always called him "Boy"....Cameron was Dewey but now occasionally he's "the Dew Man", Makenna is "Kenna girl" and poor Marleigh got a silly name...."Marleigh burgah" (I remember correcting Jean when he started catching on to it....we say it in our Mainer accents....it is not "burger", it is "burgah"). I know you're wondering how she got this name....remember a few months back on the blog, I mentioned how when Jean and I are hugging, she always wants to join us by saying "big hug" with her arms up to us. Well, I would always say...."its time for a Marleigh burger" as we were picking her up. She knows its not her name and when you ask her what mommy calls her, she will tell you with a smile.

The nickname story reminds me of when my brother was little and we would ask him to tell people his name...his reply was "Cody Nelson Come Here". Always makes me laugh because I will never forget his puzzled look wondering why people were laughing at his name. See....I'm giggling again!

I'm off to shoot some kiddos!!

Have yourself a great day!

~kel

My baby.....

I'm gonna talk about my babe today. She makes me smile. She does the funniest things right now and I just wish I could keep her this age forever. I dug up a few older photos of her where she's showing me her belly button. The first one was edited when I took the photo and the second was only edited quickly this morning to a chocolate look. I dont have the same program anymore so I couldnt make them look the same. I like the old look of the first one and though not a technically correct photo.....I love it. I'd like to think I will always remember how cute she was when she was looking for her belly button and how neat she sounded when said belly button...pronoucing the L's and T's so clearly.

The other day she was being pesty. It was one of those days where very time I sat down, she needed something else. A drink, a snack, help getting something or help after using the potty...something. At one point, she came to me whispering and asking for a drink....I jokingly said "I think you're being a pest to me today" and her reply "But mumma, I quiet"....gosh she made me laugh.

She goes to the potty by herself now and just calls for me when she's done (remember those days?) So when I appear in the doorway to help her out.....never fails.....she says "there you are!" I'm telling you....funny!!! Im anxious for this summer when we will see our friends at camp regularly and they will get a good dose of Marleigh and her funny ways. I just want to share her with the world.

Today she woke up last - (6:15 is sleeping in around here!) She came right to me sitting here at the pc....she wraps her little arms around me and says good morning. I hold onto her and hug her for a minute and then put her down....she skips straight to the kitchen and asks for a "waffle too" because Makenna was having one. She wakes up so happy! She's pretty head strong when she wants something and really has no concept of "wait just a second" but that aside, she makes me smile. She was our surprise. We found out Christmas morning we were expecting her and although all I could think was I was too old and four sounded like a lot of kids, I was thrilled beyond words! Its probably a good thing Jean is fixed, I'd have more just so I don't have to go through this mourning period of not having a baby around anymore. Im thankful though that her personality makes her my most cuddly kid.....well, next to Cameron who is always hugging me! When I pick Marleigh up, she melts right into me and that's such a good feeling. When I sit to watch TV, she always wants to me in my lap (or Jeans) and she just makes herself cozy.

Well, Im off make my dinner reservations at Disney :) My friend Heidi has been kind enough to give me some great tips. I always feel like I'm imposing on her but she assures me she LOVES to talk about Disney and that makes me feel better.

I hope you have a great day and get some cuddle time with your "baby" no matter who that might be or what their age is! If you do - take a photo too....its nice to have memories that last forever.

Jamie V....thanks for that tip on having my blog printed - CAN YOU IMAGINE an entire year's worth of my blogs in a book? I love that idea - it will be the size of an encylopedia but I think the kids would enjoy it - if not, maybe their kids (oh, they better have kids!!)

~kel~

Dinner here is like a 3-ring circus!

We just finished dinner and I wanted to blog about the silliness in my house before I forget the funniest details. It amazes me how an accidental passing of gas can set children off into laughing fits that make the process of finishing dinner nearly impossible. Once the kids (and Jean) recovered from that, my battle with Marleigh to finish her dinner in order to have dessert began. When I noticed she was not eating her lasagna (which she typically gobbles down), I started with my "if you dont eat your dinner, you wont get ice cream" threat. I will never do that again - the focus went directly to the ice cream and dinner was pretty much done for her. I told her she was not getting ice cream and she continued her protest. During the protest, I was watching Jean serve it up to the rest of the kids....as he gave Cameron his, he noticed something on the table in front of Cameron - thinking the ice cream had dripped, he proceeded to swipe it with his finger and then went to lick his finger. It wasn't ice cream, it was salad dressing...and the look on his face was priceless! You've done it before....eaten something that was completely NOT what you were expecting! Oh my gosh, my laughing fit started and I could not stop. All the time I was laughing and thinking that will teach him...the seagull...I secretly named him that because I can count on him to eat all the leftovers! I was losing my breath and the kids were laughing so hard at me laughing so hard it was hysterical! When I finally calmed down (it took Jean putting the video camera on me to help me gain my composure)....I had to tell the kids what I was laughing at - to this point, they had no idea!

Then I noticed her....to my left.....was Marleigh....indulging herself on my helping of ice cream!!! I told her she was eating mine...she passed me her plate of cold lasagna and told me I could have it! So generous! She ate that ice cream so fast it was funny to watch. Then, as we were all starting to enjoy our dessert (Jean got me more)....from the left again...here comes her spoon....helping herself to mine and everyone elses!! I'm telling you, she's crazy for ice cream and that was her mission. Her face was one of determination - she deserved that ice cream and nobody was stopping her. Again....the kids were laughing! It was a funny, memorable evening and that's why I had to document it here.

Im sure I've mentioned how blogging has been so awesome for me. I use it like a journal/scrapbook and print it off at the end of the month. I have talked with a few friends who have started blogging too and I hope they enjoy its benefits as much as I do. So...I direct my blog to the readers but all the time I selfishly do it for myself and my children.

It's morning now. I didn't sleep well. I saw every single hour of last night and had a dream I was nearly struck by lightening and that woke me up in a snap. That is the second night of sleeping poorly like that. I don't like it and too many more sleepless/restless nights and I'm gonna be junk. I dont know why I struggled. I usually never have trouble sleeping.

I had to dig up this pic to show what we will be doing this weekend...if it doesnt rain.

The temps will be chilly but we will bring our sleeping bags out around the fire. Jean lives for these nights - and its great to see him relax too. I'll have to post photos from the camp this summer....hopefully I can catch some funny stuff to share here!

Im off to get some things done.

Have a great day!

~kel~

Back to school....

I have that song from Grease running through my head this morning....the one when summer is over and they are all going back to school. We had a very low-key week off from school. We didn't even go take in a movie or really get out much. It was kinda nice - the kids got along great and it actually gives me hope for the summer months. They did complain a little about the heat so I'll be sure to be prepared for that with the pool ready. We dont have a nice pool that sits up year round, we bought one of those that rises with the water level. Its perfect for the kids and if we had a pool, where would be put the ice rink?

I had to take another photo of my golf cart yesterday. Jean covered it because of the rain. Its about as camouflage as it's ever gonna get!

I took a few photos of Jean and the kids playing ball in the backyard. Cam is working on stepping into the play when he's batting - he was stepping back away from the ball and missing every time. He's a great thrower and when he's batting at home, he knocks them out like crazy but when on the real field, his luck is not so good and he gets a little frustrated. Note the jammies again - its mid day and he's still in his pj's - that's a great day if you ask me!

Branden didn't know I was taking photos. Caught him dancing in the outfield :) This photo makes me smile.....therefore, to me it is priceless!

Today I may have to leave the house! Yesterday my afternoon appointment cancelled due to the rain and I never even put shoes on! I worked on updating my website so if you get a minute to check it out, you will see some familiar faces there. Its hard to go through all the photos I have taken in the past so I used the ones that are currently on my pc to make it easier. Changing the website is a tedious job because I have to plan to sit at the pc for a long time - leaving in the middle makes it way more frustrating to come back to where I left off. I had Lifetime on to listen to and glance at occasionally.....I love that channel on the weekends!

Well, I gotta go hollar at the kids.....I mean rally the troops for school :) They have forgotten the routine for school mornings and my house feels chaotic. Makenna just came down in a WAY TOO SMALL outfit from last summer and was so mad at me when I said she needed to wear more clothes to school (I supposed I could have been more gentle instead of saying "there is no way you're going out of the house dressed like that"). I was insensitive to her feelings as she was really proud of her outfit and she thought she looked cute. I will apologize for my response to her and see if she wants me to help her find clothes that cover her properly. CALGON........

Happy Monday!!!!!!

~kel~

Today is a great movie day!

It's overcast and I don't have anything planned until later today. Its nice to not feel overbooked. I already watched the Goonies with the kids this morning and now Groundhog's Day with Bill Murray is on and they are watching that. I'm not a huge fan of this movie but its fun to sit with the kids and just veg.

I wanted to show my new toy. I bought this golf cart from my friend Tracy as I've been wanting one for quite some time for camp! We dont NEED one, I just wanted one. Jean and Branden went to pick it up for me and when they got it back home, they proclaimed they were repainting it camouflage....yeah, I put that idea right to rest! My girlfriends and I have plans to decorate it Kelly style! I have named it Miss Daisy and she will be christened with a floral plattern to keep the males away!!! I'll show you the "after" photos when its done.

Pretty cool huh?

I'm going back to watching movies with the kids as I dont get to do this often!

Have a great Sunday!!!!

~kel~

I forgot the blog!!!

I can't even believe it! This morning I got to working on editing some photos and placing orders then I rushed to get out to do my grandmother's hair.....completely forgot to update the blog before I left and I couldn't stop thinking about it while I was gone!!!! SORRY!!!!! I'm busier now that I'm not working as much. Funny how that happens.

I just left Jean and the kids at my mother's doing some yard work to come home and get a few things done while I'm alone!!! I'm very easily distracted though. I took this photo on my drive back home today. I like how this fence leans in front of the trees and though this time of day is not perfect for photos (sun is too bright and high in the sky) I still stopped and I like it!

I wanted to show an edit I did this morning. I don't know what I was going for, just something different and rustic/edgy. Maybe it looks better before to some but I like the look of the after. Plus, I think I appreciate it more in a larger size than you can see here.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Well, I better get to my projects before the troops come home. Sorry I was late today! Hope its been a great day for you so far :)

~kel~

FREEBIE FRIDAY!! I HAVE A WINNER!! Thank you!

ONE FREE 5x7 PRINT to the first emailer who mentions it in the subject line of an email to me! jkroy(AT)roadrunner.com. You can choose either a print from a previous session, apply it to a future session or it can be a scenery print of mine you have seen on the blog or my website. (If you have one in the last thirty days or were part of my Mother's Day Special, please allow someone else the opportunity to win this print).

Thank you and Good Luck!!!!!

I survived April Vacation!!!

This morning its just me and the girls. Bran and Cam spent the night with their cousins. I'd say its quiet here without them but Marleigh really makes up for it.

Last night my mom watched the girls while Jean and I took a much needed date night. We had a gift certificate for dining at a place called Yellowfin's in Ocean Park. I'd never heard of it so I called them to find out if they were open/seasonal and where they are located. While on the phone, the man who answered told me it was a BYOB restaurant as Ocean Park is a dry community and they are not allowed to serve alcohol and he asked if I had a reservation. I then asked what types of food they serve and by the descriptions, I knew it was a touch nicer than what Im used to (Olive Garden). It was a fabulous dinner and a much needed night out. We stopped for an ice cream before going back to get the girls.

I AM going to have a giveaway today! I was thinking of discontinuing the freebie fridays because I dont get as much response to them as I thought I would. I have decided to continue it a few more weeks and then revisit that decision again.

I only took a few photos of my new shoes yesterday. I was playing with my camera settings and taking photos in full sun! I'm really loving all this sunshine and warm weather....75 degrees is perfect for me. Soon enough, I'll be complaining about how hot is!

Im going to close this post here and will be back later with a giveaway!

TTYL!

~kel~

Im considering a lawnmower bicycle....

do they make them for a family of six? My gosh, are gas prices getting crazy? I wonder how bad they will get. The newscaster said its like a vicious circle....oil and gas prices are high because the US dollar is not worth as much as it used to be because the interest rates are being lowered to help boost the economy because people cant afford gas, oil, etc. Crazy world we live in. I just wanna be rich and live above all this mess. But when I think of rich, for some reason I get a picture of Donald Trump in my head and I wouldn't wanna be like him for all the money in the world.....so I guess I'll take my struggles, live in my little house like the old woman in the shoe and continue to crab about the price of gas on my blog.

Today I have photos from the special again. I have two dads to share today. I forgot one family when posting yesterday so Im adding them today. The first dad is my uncle. He and his wife adopted Lili from China. She's only a few weeks younger than Makenna so when we get together at family things, Makenna is always trying to drag shy Lili around. Im going to have to go to their house sometime and take some photos of Lili's amazing room! She has the greatest playhouse in her back yard too - a replica of their larger home. My uncle can make her laugh and I was anxiously waiting for a shot like this one.

Here is another dad that came too....they were so easy to photograph, such a cute family!

Here is the family I forgot to add yesterday. The boy was in Cameron's class last year, Makenna was in dance with the little girl and shortly after the baby was born, I shamelessly approached the mom about letting me take her photos! She's a beautiful little girl and they all have amazing eyes - I got a few sessions in her first year and they were all successful. Im so glad I can sweep my shyness under the rug sometimes and approach people - we have a great friendship now.

Well, Im off to help the girls throw together a teddy bear birthday party with pretend presents. Its a beautiful morning and they are both outside already. Im going to have to take a photo - Marleigh is dressed in her pajamas (mismatched top/bottom because she has to dress herself now), with a sequined lavendar dress over them from the dress-up box and a pair of yucky brown shoes (no socks). She has just come in to put on a sweater and her hair is a mess because she went to bed with it wet. She's a sight! ......I had to stop the presses to go grab a photo to post here so here you go....fresh pics from this morning! She's still cute!!!

Just when you thought you were done hearing me whine about the snow.....I also decided to take a photo of the stubborn pile of it still there this morning in my backyard - after an 80 degree day yesterday, this is the only hint of it left!!!! There's no chance it will be there tomorrow! My whining is over! :)

Have a great day!!!!!!!

~kel~

More beautiful mothers.......

This is Lili. She brought in her mom, aunt and grammie for photos. It worked out perfectly because they were all together for the weekend celebrating Lili's "Gotcha" day (from China). Im happy to be the one to capture this photo to mark this time in their lives. They are a really close family and so much fun to be with!!

Its a good feeling to be giving these memories on paper for people to have forever. Most dad's came along and some even sat in for a photo too but Im only showing the ones that apply to Mother's day. Maybe I'll share the dad's later in the week!

I love this photo......I dont think I even need to explain why. I was lovin this little girls freckles!

I know you think I hand picked these folks to come in and model for me but no...they are actual clients! All beautiful!!!!!!! This next little girl and I have a relationship now. She's come to the studio a few times and I am her official photographer now. She poses, I shoot! I know it makes mom crazy sometimes but I love that she's comfortable with me.

This was my comical family - the kids were so fun....the girl was quiet and the boy is ready for a career in modeling! He had so many posing ideas and his facial expressions were priceless! I had a blast photographing them and I sure hope they come back again!!! I will have to share more from these sessions later in the week because I got some priceless photos!!!

Well, so far so good as far as school vacation goes. No bloody accidents or major fights to break up. Branden has spent the night at a friends and that has given Cameron and Makenna some time to bond (NOT). Later today, three of us get to sit in the dentists chair for our cleanings. Its so great that they take three of us at a time :)

Im going to enjoy the sunshine today and might even sit out in a tank top to see if I can get some color!

Happy Hump Day!!!!!

~kel~

Earth Day!!!

While picking my girls up last Thursday (Meemie Day) I noticed the triplets were visiting their grandmother who lives across the street. I saw that they were up to something out there parading around the yard with a sign so I grabbed my camera and went over for a peek. They had made the sign with their cousin in preparation for today! It says "Please save the earth now". Their dad is serving in Iraq and that is why it says "Navy" in the corner. They live just down the street, across from my grandmother (whose hair I do on the weekends) so Saturday I was telling her how I had gotten their photo and she was telling me that she saw they were up to something earlier in the day. She said they would get cars to honk at them and seemed to be having so much fun.

I captured mother's day successfully!!! Well, I think I did! I'll show you a few photos and you let me know if you think I did. This first one...my gosh.....the baby is so happy and was fantastic the entire shoot - look at how he's lovin' on his mom so much! Here are a few generations. I loved how the kids competed with each other to show me who loved mom more. I didn't have to ask, they just did it!

Day two of vacation - Jean is back to work today and Im going to run Cam to visit a friend for a few hours. I'll be here working and enjoying the beautiful sunshine!

Yesterday we took the kids for an ice cream and I guess I dont do it often enough because Marleigh thought it was the greatest thing......she told everyone we saw that day. I should have told her it was Disney because every time we are getting ready to go somewhere she asks me if we are going to Disney today! October is SOOO far away!!!! LOL

Well, Im off to get some breakfast for the kiddos. Look for more Mother's Day photos tomorrow!

Enjoy the day!
~kel~

Happy Patriot's Day!

Another busy weekend behind me and the official countdown to summer begins because camping season starts next week! I will go back to my summer shoot schedule and work Sunday-Thursday evenings again (exceptions are made for company visiting from out of town, etc. so if you need a Fri/Sat night, just ask me). The kids are so excited we will be spending weekends in the camper at our little campsite about 20 minutes from home. I know it sounds silly to be so close but we have friends up there that we like to hang out with and the convenience of being that close to home is perfect for me!

The Mother's Day Special was awesome! The sessions are just long enough for the kids because they get tired of having to smile for too long. I got great photos from each session and I will share a few in the coming days. Thank you all who came, you followed my plan of action perfectly with how you dressed and who you brought with you. I think you will be pleased with the results. Im working on them and will have them up for your reveiw shortly.

My original helper, Lisa, hurt her back and couldn't make it (hope you're better today Lise) so my mom came to help me out! Between two sessions, I asked her if I could take a photo of us together...so happy we did! Thanks Mom!

I realized I didn't put up any photos of Chris' winning smile yesterday! I quickly chose a few photos I really liked and didn't pay attention to that fact that the ones I chose were more serious (I prefer serious faces, not sure why). So here are a few more of Chris :)

Jean has today off from work so he's here with me this morning. You know how that is.....you want them home with you so much when they are working...and then when they are home, you want them busy doing their own thing because (well, for me) it messes with my schedule! I must confess though...with my workload being so light, I might actually enjoy this day having him and the boys here. These are the times when I really notice how small my little house is. During the week, just the girls here with me, I like that I can clean it up in a short time and the fact that I can hear the girls no matter where they are in the house is a bonus too. When everyone is here Im surprised you cant see the walls of the house bulging or the seams busting from outside....well, sometimes it feels like that. I guess we will just watch and wait. The right house will come on the market that will be just right for us.

Have a great holiday if you are off - if you are working, I'm sorry!

~kel~

Senior Rep...a guy this time!

Im so lucky to have great friends! My friend Lisa went on a hunt for reps to help me get my name out into the upcoming senior community. She matched me up with the first girl sr. rep you saw and this family and she couldn't have done a better job.

I'd like to thank Chris and his mom for coming to see me yesterday. I had a great time and look forward to working you!

I thought the chocolate version of this had a sort of Abercrombie look to it.

Chris and I have plans for another shoot in warmer weather so you haven't seen the last of him!

A short post today because I have a full day at the studio! I'll post updates later!!!!! :-)

Have a great day!!!
~kel

Eventful Friday!

Today I have photos that are just snapshots from my day yesterday.

Every morning Makenna asks me for a hot chocolate. I think she likes it more because its something I allow her to make herself. If permitted, she'd be baking goodies all day - she loves to be in the kitchen helping me. She has started making a cocoa for Marleigh now too only she puts half the cocoa mix into one of those little tupperware cups (not a mug) and the other half goes into her cocoa mug (win/win situation in her eyes). This morning, the girls shared one mug and when it was done, they dumped Marleigh's tupperware cup into the mug and enjoyed double.

Someone asked me once how I get my kids to share cups (even the boys will share with Marleigh the backwash queen - maybe they dont realize she does that). Its just always been the way in our house and there are times when not everyone can have their own drink and sharing is required. I must have that situation a lot and my kids have learned its just the way it is.

I had two of Branden's friend's here all day (they spent the night and are still here this morning) and I was getting a kick out of listening to their conversations! At lunch time, they were all sitting here eating their grilled cheese sandwiches and one of them (such a funny kid) tells Branden that he (Bran) eats and eats but never gets fat. The friend turns to me and says "have you ever thought that maybe Branden has a tapeworm". Branden turns his head quickly to look at me with huge eyes and total disgust waiting to see my response.......Cameron blurts out "what's a tapeworm" just as digusted and Makenna sat there wide-eyed waiting to hear what I will say next. I smiled and told him no, his dad was thin like that too and Im not worried about him having a tapeworm. Friend went right back to having his lunch and the conversation went on about tapeworms. He had the kids in stitches - look at Cameron's face in this pic - he's hysterical. I had to leave the room to laugh.

The excitement continued when Branden stepped on a stick while running through the woods and the stick poked through his sneakers and into his foot! I called the doc to ask if his tetanus shot was up to date - they told me I should bring him in! His friends asked if they could go for moral support and I agreed it would be fine. Jean met me at the docs and when the shots were done, he took the boys and headed home and I took the girls to get a few things at Walmart.

While we were at Walmart, Makenna asked for a pair of shoes like mine....the kind that make that clicking noise :) Flip flops! We found her a pair for $4 and she was DELIGHTED! She put them on in the car and when we got home, she headed right for the backyard where she squealed with happiness "Look mom, they click like yours" as she paraded around. Its a great feeling to be going on 40 and be the one your daughter thinks is cool! Im listening to her tap, tap around in them this morning - she just asked me if it would be warm like yesterday and if we could go for a walk so she could hear them click! :)

Im off to take care of my grandmother's hair and pick up a few things for tomorrow!

I hope you have a great Saturday!!!!!!!!!!

~kel~

FREEBIE FRIDAY!!!!

Its late in the day today and I am going over my schedule and other materials for the Mother's Day Special on Sunday. I have one slot on my schedule at 1:00 that is open and I was thinking I would give it away here! You would get a free 5x7 and the sitting for FREE!

Please let me know if it interests you!! First responder gets it! This particular offer is open to anyone, including recent winners and my pals who think they are too close to me to take my freebies. If you know someone who might not otherwise be able to afford something like this, please give them this information and my number or email address!!

I look forward to hearing from you!

~kel

Photo-A-Day project

Im trying to keep up with taking a photo every day. I carried my older camera with me yesterday and I regret that I was rushing so much because I saw LOTS of things I would like to have stopped for and today I really wish I had. I was on busy roads so it was really hard to find the right places to stop, which discouraged me. I still did get a few photos in though. I took this one of Marleigh waiting in the window for the bus to come pick up the boys. She stands on the window sill with me and the sun was really strong but I still got a few I liked.

Yesterday was Meemie day and I was on my way to pick the girls up. When I saw this, it made me think summer instantly so I stopped to capture it for you all to see :)

Today I will be at home all day - the kids have already started their April vacation and I have extra boys here. I don't mind at all - Bran and Cam pick pretty good friends and I can manage them just fine. I am also meeting with my friend Heather this morning who wants me to be her wedding photographer in June!! Im definately up for the challenge but its a lot of pressure - or as Joanne says "like flying without a net" because I wont get a reshoot. Heather keeps telling me she has total confidence and wants my style....so sweet, how can I not do it!

This morning my heart is a little heavy. My Cameron took it out and jumped all over it at bedtime last night and Im still recovering. Being a mom is sooooo hard sometimes. He's usually the gentle, kind hearted boy that I don't have to worry about and last night Branden had a friend spend the night. The three of them wanted to sleep on the floor in their bedroom. I told the older boys they could do that but Cam needed to sleep in his bed (bottom bunk, right next to them) as he had already bumped his head and was crying over that. He protested and continued to back talk to me. I asked Jean to come into the room and help me get them settled. Cameron continued to tell us we were mean and "always made him...." and he "never gets to".....and then he started with "no, Im not going to sleep in my bed...you can't make me..." and I felt my blood starting to boil. We had a guest there and he was watching my gentle giant melt down and become someone that I didn't even recognize at that point.

What did I do? I removed Cameron from the room, turned down the lights in my kitchen and made him kneel in a corner for 15 minutes in quiet silence so that he could think about how disrespectful his actions were. He was told that this time alone would be silent and if he talked, I would start the timer over. He just cried.....and so did I. When his time was done, we talked about his age difference from the other boys and the mean things he said to Jean and I. I told him that today he would write me a paper about how he thought that made everyone around him feel when he lost his temper. It broke my heart to listen to those things he was saying to us.

As soon as this post is updated, I am going to take on that battle with him. :(

This weekend I have my Mother's Day Special!!!!! Im excited to see everyone coming in and I cannot wait to share my style with them!!

One last thing before I go.....one of my oldest friends, whom I share many GREAT memories with had a birthday on Wednesday and I forgot to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish for her!! I'd like to say: Tam, thanks for the great memories, a friendship that has never gone out of style and for all those times you washed my car.....out of the kindness of your heart!!!! :) I love you girl - hope your day was FABULOUS!!!!

Have a great Friday!!!!

~kel~

Better today.

My eye is better today. I get the contact off today so Im anxious to see how it feels under it. Since putting it in yesterday, I've felt almost normal.

The day I did it, the pain was so intense, it would make me cry. I couldn't believe Cameron's worry and Makenna's tears for me were huge. They love me so much - what a great feeling! When I left for the hospital after the kids went to bed, I guess Cameron was still awake and Tina heard him sobbing. Poor guy he got my sensitive side.

Kevin Mannix says today is going to be beautiful. I might actually toss on some capri pants and flip flops! Had a pedicure last week and didn't have sandals with me so I treated myself to a pair of Life is Good ones at Olympia (right next door to the salon)......gotta make good use of them and show off that pedi. The little girl gave me bright pink toes with a white flower on the big toe...(love it!)..then she drew in what I guess are supposed to be stems on the flowers in a thin curved black line....not fond of those - it looks like I have a pubic hair on my toe....will ask that she not do that again :)

As I type this, my boys are making me crazy! They are wrestling and I keep yelling at them to stop it and get ready for school. Yeah, there's plenty of time but I hear them slapping each other and laughing, things falling and breaking, and their room is a dump so Im hollaring for them to pick that up too! Gosh....they know how to wind me up! I hollar and they laugh at me! One of Branden's spelling words is lenient and I use myself as an example! They are good kids and their acting in good fun and not actually fighting so Im appreciative of the happy but it makes the rest of the house crazy too. Just as I was typing this, I thought about my picture a day project - jumped up and took this snapshot - see my sarcastic son laughing at me....the other was jumping behind him on the bed because he only had his underwear on and you can see the mess in their room!

Next I carried my camera to the living room.....this is Marleigh whining...."Mom, don't take my picha"...

Here is Makenna.....ALWAYS working on some sort of project.

Im off to finish the work I didn't get done yesterday!

I hope you have a great day!!!!!

~kel

Scratched my cornea :(

UPDATE: I called my eye doctor and he wasn't in so they scheduled me with his associate...who happens to be one of my clients from a beach shoot last summer. I was so happy they could fit me in. He made me feel like a woman and told me he's seen people come in on stretchers with injuries to their eyes like I have. He said moms are tough.....I really needed Jean to hear that but he's at work so I'll be sure to mention it later! Anyway, doc put a contact lense over my eye to promote healing and protect the scratches from my eyelid rubbing on them (he said I had more than just one scratch). I leave the lense on for 24 hours then back to him to remove it tomorrow. The ER had given me antibiotic ointment but he replaced it with drops that are SO much better! Im comfortable now - working almost to full capacity, just a little discomfort and occasional tears.

I continue my quest to take at least one photograph a day and this morning was no exception. While waiting for the bus to come, I saw the boys out playing frisbee - they looked peaceful and the sun rays were coming through the trees (you know I love the sun rays, especially on my front lawn). I shot these few photos with my camera set to auto because I couldnt see well enough to get them techincally right on manual settings. Its a good memory for me.

Makenna chose to have her breakfast outside this morning while watching the boys play. Dont you love these stripped tights? She likes a little bif of funk in her style and Im okay with that. She chooses her own clothing and I only make her change when its really inappropriate or off the wall.

Just wanted to update on my eye and give some photos to look at today!

I was working in the yard yesterday, turned to check on Marleigh and caught a tree branch in my right eye. Dealt with the pain of it for four hours and then couldn't take it anymore. My awesome sister-in-law didn't hesitate a second when I called her and came to sit with the kids for us (they were in bed). Thanks Tina!!!

Today I have goopy antibiotics in that eye and my left eye gets so tired doing all the work itself. I just feel like laying down. They dilated the eye to help relax the muscles and ease the pain but its still so uncomfortable. I feel the scratch - the doc said its a big one and is probably gonna hurt through the healing process! Great, something to look forward to! I didnt ask how long I'd be a cyclops, this dilation only lasts 24 hours. I hated getting that done - it stung so much like tons of needles being poked in my eye.

So, forgive me today - no photos - Im going to return to the couch and hope the girls will take care of me. If they just dont make too many terrible messes, that will be enough TLC for this mom.

Happy Hump Day!
~kel

Wrapping things up.

I'm getting things wrapped up as far as my transcription business goes and I have mixed feelings about it. Change is good and I'm keeping that in the front of my mind along with the fact that my family needs me more at this stage. I have a lot of projects and ideas to work on so hopefully I will feel more accomplished when I get through that list. I did transcription for 11 years and it served me well. I like the work but there were not enough hours in my day to get it all done.

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL:

Today I would like to promote my Mother's Day Special that is coming up this Sunday. I have two spots open in the afternoon and would love to see them filled up! Im going to put up some of my favorite photos of mother's and children so you can get an idea of what Im hoping to accomplish at the special. I love how they look.....casual, comfortable and no fake smiles!

Have I convinced you yet that you need to have a portrait done with your child/ren or your mother and siblings? Trust me...casual fun in black and white!

I can't believe how long it has taken me to get through this post this morning. I've had many interruptions getting the boys on the bus. They are very self sufficient and as long as they follow the chart everything gets done as it should. Marleigh on the other hand....she is at that whiny stage where she says "mom, mumma, mooooooommmmmm, moooooooooooommmmmmmm" all while tapping my arm constantly! She's doing it now and its making me crazy! She's where my interruptions come from. Yesterday I had final deadlines to meet with my work and she and Kenna made some wicked messes in the house because I was so distracted. I checked on them regularly because there was no way Marleigh could not bug me every few minutes....but I just didn't have the time required to keep up with neatening after each of their projects. I ended my day on a sour note, frustrated and angry with the girls and I hate that! My goal today is to make some special time with them just playing. I am going to get my camera out more and try to take at least a photo a day!

Here she comes again.....(marleigh)....naked and asking me if she can "wear this sweater" which happens to be the top to some pajamas that are WAY too small for her now. She's insisting it fits her - this otta be a good battle! She's tappin' and mmmmmmaaaaaaammmaaaaing me again so I'm going to close!

Have a great Tuesday! Enjoy this SUNSHINE!!!!

:)

~kel

Getting back outside.

I completely enjoyed my seminar yesterday and look forward to the next one. I got a lot out of it and took some notes that hopefully I can make sense of again when I go back to read them! I have some great ideas for the studio and hope to implement them in the coming months.

I brought Marleigh to the studio the other day to meet up with some friends. When I told her we were going to the studio, she actually wanted me to take some photos of her in her new pettiskirt.

She didn't cooperate long and I decided to try to get some photos of her outside. She thought the frogs should be kissing for a photo. I tried so hard to get her to put them down so I could have a shot of her without the darned frogs but she refused. I love TWO! (NOT!)I didn't realize how much I missed the look of photos taken in natural sunlight. Im ready to start booking outdoor sessions as the snow is gone in most places now (except my backyard). The sunset beach sessions are done one hour before sunset so if you're interested in booking, please pick a date and give me a call. I am going to keep the same schedule I did last year and only do sessions Sunday through Thursday. (special circumstances will be allowed for weekends). Also, I will only be taking limited sessions per week.Happy Monday!!!!!

~kel~