I've Moved...

HELLO HELLO!! I am still alive and kicking out here in the desert!! It seems to me that 2009 has FLOWN by! Does anyone else feel that way? I mean, it is already April 7? What happened to February and March? It seems like just a few days ago we were holed up in our little hotel room in KC for a couple of weeks while Chris was back working! And that was in January!! And now in just a few short days I begin my last year in my 20's...I guess the older you get the faster time vanishes into thin air? Or something like that anyway!!

Okay...so my new blog still isn't quite "complete." I mean, it is but it isn't! There are some minor little tweaks but it is taking a little longer to get those perfected than I had hoped, so I am sharing already!! {This is Chris' super busy time of year and he hasn't had as much time to help me as I need!!}

HERE is my new link!!

So hop on over and check me out! I just posted something new for your viewing pleasure!! And if you happened to be a proofreader and like that sort of thing, read over all my drop down menus and check for anything that doesn't make since or any typos! I have read and reread and read again and I don't catch anything, but I also wrote it, so I know my mind sees what it is supposed to see!

The "Website" link still isn't working! We had a hosting issue and had to take it down but plan to get it up and running again soon!

Also, I will probably leave this blog open for a month or so and then make it private so that it becomes obsolete. If there are any links you want, make sure to grab them before then! All of my old posts transferred over, but the links won't be making the jump!! I'll try to remember to post something on my new blog about it and remind you once I get closer to closing it!

Alright...let me know what you think!!

Reigning It All In...

So I am quite certain I can't be the only one out there who wishes there were more hours in a day and more days in a week? Lately I feel my mind going in every direction possible and I am really struggling to reign it all in and gain a little control over my days, but also my thoughts!

There are SO many things I want to do...and some I don't really want to do, but need to do! Take pictures. Edit pictures. Make bows. Make other fun hair pretties. Sew. Make tutus. Blog design. Digital design. Read. Exercise. Play. Clean. Sort. Organize. Quicken. List things on Ebay. Plan parties. Relax. Paper craft projects. SOOO many things to do. Each day I am torn on what "project" I should work on and how what little free time I have should be spent. Each day I partially complete something and spend the rest of the day going in circles cleaning up messes and wishing I had more done.

I don't think I'll ever be able to complete my long list of wants...and I am trying to learn to accept that. But it is hard. I think if you have a creative mind {in any aspect}, so much of who you are and what you love revolves around that. It is FUN to try new things and work on different projects. But the fun for me is now turning to stress. I have a half made pinafore sitting on top of a large pile of really cute and fun fabric that will probably never turn into anything because I simply don't have the time to learn to sew that I want. Plus, I am thinking it really isn't my niche in the domestic world! I wish it were, but I just don't think I have the patience for it!! And then there is the huge tub of ribbon waiting to be made into hair bows and other fun stuff! And my cabinet of paper, stamps, embellishments, you name it, just sitting, rarely opened these days. So many things, so little time!

Because I love so many things, sometimes I find it hard to focus. I want to do it all! But I am human after all and I fully admit I just can't!! Take my love of blog design for example. LOVE it, but the reality is that I simply cannot spend 15 hours designing and coding a blog when I have a giant list of other things to do. And because my true passion is photography, I am trying to find a way to to mesh design, crafting AND photography together. I have a few ideas, but it will take some time to figure it all out! Wish me luck!! {I am willing to create designs here and there but will have to charge $100. Believe me, I know it seems outrageous, with the amount of time it takes and projects on my plate, I simply cannot do it for less.}

I did just create another blog last week though and am ready to share that! I was waiting until she posted on it before I revealed her new look!



Carly found me through a comment I left on another blog and contacted me about creating a new look for her! She chose a kit that I probably never would have chosen for my own blog design since I am drawn to the more vibrant colors but I had SO much fun on this!! I absolutely love the final product and hope she does too! Thanks for the opportunity to create this for you Carly!

I also wanted to say that this is pretty much my last post here at "Graham Cracker Crumbs." I will post again soon telling you where to find me at. I am a bit sad to be saying goodbye to this sweet little site and my home here at Blogger, but I can't wait to see where this next chapter in my life takes me!

I'll be back in a few days and let you know where to find me! For now I am off to take care of my kiddos! Chris has been out of town and will be home later this evening and we are SO ready to see him!

Me Again!

Yeah, so days and days with no posts and here I am 14 hours after my last one! Anyway, I was rereading my entry and the comments and I hope I don't sound like I think I am perfect and have it all together because I most certainly don't! Each and every day is different around here and each and every day I am trying to be the best mom I can. That is all. Nothing more than anyone else out there...I just happen to babble about it!

I am FAR from perfect...I will openly admit that!! And yes, I still get on the computer during the day while my kids are awake. Like I said last night, I am only human! Take this morning for example, Huntler is at school and Gentry has been sitting beside me sifting through my earrings and snacking while I return emails and edit a couple of pics. She is happy, I am happy. I guess what I was trying to say was that I am trying to be better about spending SO much time on here. Not that I am banning myself from the computer all day every day...that will NEVER happen!

Just wanted to clear that up and make sure that I didn't sound like I thought I was some super great mom and that I have all the answers! I obviously don't, I am just trying to do the best I can!

Okay, so really quick before we head off to get Huntler and have his conference. I wasn't loving that image of him in the dumpster {yes, he IS in a dumpster...more on that later!} so I played around with it again and came up with this.



And here is the one from last night...I still can't decide!!



And now we are off to meet with his teacher!!

Peace out dudes! {We taught Gentry to say that...it is hilarious!!}

These Are My People

For the last couple of days I have been composing this post in my mind. Funny how I am just now finding enough time to actually sit down and type it up! As I was replaying the pictures in my mind and thinking about what I would say, this Rodney Atkins song kept coming to mind. And so here is my jumping off point...

The last couple of weeks my posts have been few and far between. I found myself putting silly, random, pointless stuff in front of my people far too frequently. I think it is easy to do as a stay at home mom. I am with my kids twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I obviously am going to be on and off the computer and "doing my own thing" at different times each day. I am only human after all. I also know for a fact I am not the only one who struggles with this each and every day. And while I seem to be getting my priorities back in check at the moment, I am quite aware of the fact that it is easy to slip back up. It starts out innocent enough...I'll just edit a couple pictures while the kids are playing. And a couple turn into a few. And then I am returning emails. And checking blogs. It is a vicious cycle that is incredibly hard to break. And while I have not disconnected from the benefits of technology completely, I am stepping back and taking a look at how exactly I spend my time each day.

It won't be long until both of my kids are in school all day, every day. That time is creeping up all too closely. I NEVER want to look back with regret on how we spent our days. EVER. The celeb gossip will wait...it really isn't all that important anyway. Blogs will wait. Emails will wait. It will ALL be there later. But what won't be is the sweetness of my kiddos at the stages they are in today. We all know they grow WAY too fast...that is becoming so painfully aware to me.

So bear with me as I find my groove! I most definitely plan to keep blogging, but I probably won't post until evening...or maybe I'll set them to post at random times during the day once I get back in the swing of things! We'll see!!

We are coming off a WONDERFUL long weekend. We packed up Thursday and headed to California. Hours in the car with my people. Laughter, tears, giggles and memories were all shared during our road trip. Little bits and pieces of who we are flash through my mind as I type. Memories I will forever cherish.

My people...





For literally months now I have been dreaming of getting some graffiti shots. I really have no idea why exactly, but it was something I have been wanting! Considering we live in a big city, I am sure I could find some without a problem. But I am not exactly the kind of girl who loads up and heads to the inner city on a regular basis. Or ever.

So while we were in California, Chris somehow was able to find a beach where there was all sorts of graffiti. Remember, he is a computer genius! Anyway, Saturday morning we left our hotel and headed to Venice Beach for some more beach time and a photo session before heading home.

These aren't exactly what I had in mind, but neither one of the kids were "feeling" this whole idea like I was!! I am lucky to have gotten the shots that I did! There are many, many more to share, but I am tired and heading to bed soon.

But first I have to share this. This little one is the whole reason we were out in California to start with!



This is sweet Avery girl touching her toes into salty seawater for the first time ever! {Look at how I managed to get her little foot trying to test it...that was pure luck but an amazing capture!!} Let me just tell you, if I had video to go along with this, you would hear the sweetest, most genuine belly laugh ever! Unlike our high maintenance Gentry girl who sat covered up in the stroller the entire time, Avery ADORED the beach!!

I have so, so much more to share about our trip, but for tonight I am signing off!! We got home Saturday night but we were gone all day yesterday at an air show and birthday party and today was spent trying to get laundry done and the house put back together!! As you can imagine, I am worn out!!

This Is Why...

This is why you haven't heard much from me lately...



{And yes I realize that my eye is half way cut off and that my arm is all crazed and cutting across Huntler's neck in a weird position, but I LOVE this image!! I want it framed!!}

I am trying really hard to get my priorities back in check and there simply isn't enough of me to go around. So for now my blog is taking the back burner while my sweet babes get the mommy they deserve!

We have played games, done puzzles, built towers, rode bikes, played outside, had picnics...all sorts of fun stuff! I find I am a MUCH better mama when I remember to simplify and that life in fact will go on whether I post or not!!

There also happen to be some {major} changes taking place behind the scenes with my new photography biz and that is taking up my free time! It just seems that my "free time" is less right now as I reevaluate my life!!

So with that, I am heading back over to build block towers with my cutie boy before his sassy sister wakes up and knocks 'em over!

Still Here!

I KNOW I haven't posted in days!! Things here are just a tad on the crazy side lately, but I'll be back in a couple of days and hopefully back on track!! Hope you'll stick around!!

Tuckered Out...

I am absolutely exhausted tonight, but I figured if I didn't post before bed I may not get to until tomorrow night!!

So, this is going to be a post of few words and few pictures...just popping in to say HI!

Sunday we were out and I found THE prop of the century! To say that I was thrilled is about the understatement of the year!



This is my fabulous new trunk!! I found it at Home Goods...it was the only one and there was no arguing with me on this baby...I WAS getting it!! I may have actually squealed out loud in the car once we had it loaded? The top completely comes off so other goodies can be stored inside! The kids love it!! And they both fit quite comfortably in it...their idea, not mine! I did snap a couple of them laying on top, but Gentry's nose was gross and Huntler, well, Huntler was wearing red today {totally clashed} and let's face it, this is for girls! So since I am tired tonight I am not going to edit snotty little noses!!

I am going to get some pink and brown tulle and make a tutu to match so it can be used in client photo shoots!! I am thinking once I have that tutu made I am going to take Gentry out in the desert somewhere with some "good" cacti and do a photo shoot!! Have to get to that in the next few weeks before it starts getting hot down here!!

I will leave you with this little pucker face! I sat her in my other new prop {more pics of it to come later...she was so upset I put the camera up for the night after this!} and quite obviously, she hated it! I hope other kids like it!!

Look at her wispy hair!! In case you are wondering, I did sharpen this image for the web but I erased over her hair...THAT is how it looked out of the camera!!

There Is a Reason...

There is a reason I never have expectations for my kids when I take their pictures. There is a reason I let them be and don't try too hard to pose or position them. There is a reason I follow their lead and take what I can get. That reason is my sanity!!

All I wanted was to get some super cute shots of Gentry in this adorable little headband yesterday. That is ALL I wanted. Granted, she didn't feel good. She was whiny and cranky. She is Gentry and is as opinionated as can be. And although I am not proud to admit this, she can be downright hateful and mean too. If she doesn't want to cooperate, she simply won't.



Take potty training for example. We had her completely potty trained months ago. As in she was wearing panties all over the place and it was no big deal. The one day she just decided she wasn't going to cooperate anymore. So she had accident after accident after accident and I, being the stay at home mom, cleaned up accident after accident after accident. I tried to tough it out. I mean, surely she would get sick and tired of being wet and yucky before too long. Turns out, I got tired of washing loads of towels and princess panties before she got tired of being wet.

So here we are in March and she is still in pull ups. Or "poo-dups" as she calls them! I can't tell you how many times she has asked us, "Potty in my poo-dup?" As in, do we care if she potties in her pull up. To be honest, more often than not I tell her to just do it. We used to tell her "No, go potty on your potty chair," but she would simply yell and scream and throw a huge fit. So there you have it...she is most definitely cute, but she is sassy beyond belief!! I KNOW that having opinions and being assertive will be such a great trait for her to have when she is say, 19, but right now it is exhausting!!

Anyway, I tried so hard to get some pics of her yesterday and she just wasn't having it! This is the best one I got!! And it did turn out pretty cute if I do say so myself...I just wanted more!! I am LOVING that bright green dress and those rainbow Baby Legs!! And don't even get me started on that headband!! It is so over the top and fabulous I could just squeal!

Before I get to the headband, would you believe it if I told you I bought that dress at Wal Mart of all places? For $5.00? Yep...I did!! And this one too!! So while I do like a lot of rather expensive stuff, mostly I just like cute!! And cute this is!! I think she needs it in more colors now!!

Now isn't that headband about the cutest thing you have ever seen?! My friend Julie is making them and has quite a selection in her Etsy shop! You should seriously go check them out!! I want one in every color for Gentry!!

And speaking of Gentry...she is laying across my lap as I type. I had her back in to see the doctor today. She is still running a fever and is having a hard time kicking this stuff. She is SO warm on me right now and her cheeks are really rosey. The pediatrician said not to give her Tylenol or Motrin and that the fever meant she was trying to kick this junk. Well, she just had some Tylenol. She obviously doesn't feel well...

Huntler is sound asleep on my bed. He too is still recovering! He was so, so, so sick that his little body is really needing rest. You know he is sick when days and days go by without so much mentioning his trains!!

And there you have it! The not so interesting saga of our lives!!

On The Mend...

{Processed with Sheye Rosemeyer's new Eye Candy actions!! LOVE them! So my style!! I love the hazy look I added to this one!}

So this guy is finally on the mend. I wouldn't say he is feeling wonderful by any stretch of the imagination, but I know he is feeling better and getting better! What a difference a day makes!

So my last post had us home from Urgent Care and Huntler sleeping. Well, that certainly didn't last long! At 11:00 PM he was awake and once again burning up. I have taken that child's temperature so many times in the last three days I couldn't tell you what it was if I wanted to, but it was consistently between 104 and 105. So, we threw him in his third freezing cold bath in 24 hours. As you can imagine, he was hysterical and it was NOT a fun situation. But it did cool him down a bit. After that we had cold cloths and ice on him still trying to get his fever down. We all fell asleep as the cold stuff surrounded him! Anyway, I woke back up at 1:30 and he was once again on fire. This time the thermometer read 105.3. I panicked. I mean, we had been giving him dose after dose after dose of Tylenol and Motrin as well as cold baths and cool rags on his head and NOTHING was working. So I got myself somewhat ready and hauled him to the ER.

We have only been to the ER one other time and that was nearly four years ago. We lead a relatively calm life around here and trips to the doctor and ER are very few and far between! So anyway, by the time I got him there and they took his vitals, his temp was down to 101.5. Go figure. I KNOW they thought I was overreacting, but Chris and I were both very worried about the fact that we could NOT get his fever under control. We would so much rather error on the side of caution. And this whole time all I could think about was my friend Lisa and how she had JUST told me last week about two little boys who had died from Influenza A. Things can turn dangerous in a heartbeat.

Anyway, they gave him a dose of Tylenol and when after 40 minutes that had done nothing to lower his temp, they gave him a dose of Ibuprofen. I am really not sure how safe that is, but they did it. And his temperature finally started to come down. They made us wait until it was under 101 to let him go.

So there is that little bit of drama for ya!! He slept in until 10:00 yesterday morning and woke up much cooler!! I was so excited when all day his temp was only reading between 100 and 101!! By the late afternoon he wasn't feverish at all. Thank goodness!

Both kids continue to have nasty coughs and are just worn down. Heck, I am worn down too and could really use a LONG nap!! I am just so glad that we seem to be through the worst of this and am hoping by the end of the weekend they are both completely back to normal!!

In other news, late last night {or early, early this morning!!} I finished up my first blog design customer!! YAY!! Well, I should say "we" finished it up!! I did all the design but Chris is the computer whiz and did the html aspect! Anyway, it really came together and turned out so cute!!

Here is Amanda's new header! Click on over to see the rest of her design!!

On that note, if anyone else is up for a makeover, let me know!! Or, if you don't have a blog yet but want one and don't know where to start, I can get you up and running! I LOVE the design aspect!! As I was working last night I kept second guessing my decision to move everything to one blog through Hissyfits because I am truly going to miss switching up my design every so often!! Decisions, decisions!!!

And I am off! I probably won't be back until Monday. Since this past week was so crazy I didn't have much of a chance to get some things done that I need to get done and need to spend my free time working and getting things accomplished!

Happy Weekend!

From Kisses to Coughs...

From kisses to coughs, these two share everything. Well, either that or they are fighting like cats and dogs! But for the sake of this post, we are talking about sharing! Anyway, this time it isn't so great.

We got home from Urgent Care about an hour ago. We have two sick kids...one VERY sick little boy. Huntler has pneumonia {really bad} and Gentry is borderline. I guess that explains the 103 - 105 degree temperature we could NOT get down. I mean, I obviously know he is very sick, but I never in my wildest dreams would have thought he had pneumonia.

So, one doctors visit, four ice cream cones and $80 worth of medicine later, that is the story! Huntler is already asleep again tonight and Gentry will probably be heading there soon! I have made a super cozy little pallet on our bedroom floor all nice and comfy for our two little sickies! Huntler has been sleeping with us the last few nights, but I need them both close tonight.

And there you have it...I have never been so glad that Gentry demanded to go anywhere as I was tonight! I thought I was just taking Huntler but then she "insisted" on going and Chris felt like he needed to be with us, so we all went. Had she not gone, we wouldn't have been able to have her checked out, and therefore no medicine.

After yet another long day around here, I am heading to bed!! Thanks for keeping Huntler in your thoughts!!

Urgent Care

We are on our way...Chris is getting Huntler out of the tub now. His second cold bath in the last two hours...we can NOT get his temperature down. He has had both Tylenol AND Ibuprofen. I don't mind taking him...I am just so worried they will have to draw his blood since we can't seem to get him well.

I'll keep ya'll posted.

get REAL::where do you blog

So my friend Laura is starting this new "weekly blog challenge" and I for one I am SUPER excited!! Like Laura, I have met a ton of really great people through my blog and I truly enjoy getting to know more about each them through their posts and their comments on mine!! I never would have thought I would feel so connected to friends back home as well as make such great friends through the world wide web, but I am so happy that I have!

The concept is perfect! She is calling it:

{get REAL}
sharing snapshots of you own simple.everyday.life.moments

The question at hand this week is "Where do you blog?" She has posted pictures of where she blogs and is challenging us all to post pictures of where we blog!!

So, this is it. This is where I spend way too many hours sitting on my bum browsing Etsy, editing pictures, returning emails, and of course blogging!!



This is the sitting room off of our bedroom. We aren't exactly the kind of people who require a fancy schmancy chair with a shelf full of books we have never and never will read! So, we use the space to suit our needs! My needs more like it!! And so you have it...my craft area!

I love this little part of the house!! There are two huge windows and it gets TONS of light, which I love! Although, one of those windows faces west and not only heats it up in here, but totally prevents me from even seeing the computer screen for a good half hour or so each afternoon!

Anyway, each email I send and update I post to my blog is created sitting right here in this chair!

So, go grab Laura's super cute button, whip up a post on where YOU blog, and let her know so she can check you out!!

On a much different note, today would have been sweet little Cora's first birthday. Her family has been on my mind all day. Remember to keep them in your thoughts as I am sure this is such a hard day for them.

And I am off to cuddle with my sick boy!! I honestly thought his fever broke last night but he woke up from his nap all hot and flushed. The poor little guy is having a rough go of it! Gentry isn't feeling all that whippy herself still...she is snoozing away as I type!

Isn't She Lovely?

Enough said! I still have two sickly kiddos and it was another long day!! Hope you are all well out in blog land!

Like a Kid in a Candy Store...

That is how I am feeling right about now! Like I could squeal with delight at the fabulous amount of fun I found on Etsy this afternoon! I can hardly contain myself and feel this overwhelming need to call someone! But instead, I am blogging! I am not sure my whiny kids would allow me to have a phone conversation the way this day has gone! In fact, it will probably take me hours just to complete this post!!

So as you know, the kids are both sick - I have no new pictures of either of them. I have spent the last week and a half working diligently away on Hissyfits stuff {which by the way is coming along wonderfully!}. So while I have been keeping up with blogs the best I can, my time on the computer has been spent researching photo stuff and "working." Not as much goofing off as usual! However, today I am goofing! It is cloudy and my mind is on candy!!

The past week my mind has been reeling with all things candy. I have in fact decided to have just one blog but am going to do that through Hissyfits. I don't quite know how all that will happen just yet, but I'll keep ya posted on where to find me!! Anyway, considering my love affair with my new logo, the blog is going to be AWESOME! Bright, funky, cheery, and totally candy-ish! So all of this candy chatter along with the fact that I have been planning this Candyland birthday bash of Gentry's for over a year now has me in full swing!

Today I was browsing on Etsy and just typed in "Candy Party." I have always typed in Candyland and although that is the direction I am going with the party, it is no secret that I like fun and original, not so much "matchy matchy." So...fix yourself some lemonade, get comfy and take a gander at what I found!!

First of all...I came upon this amazing shop!! We have never had a pinata at any of the kids' parties. I hadn't really thought ahead about whether we would have one for Gentry this year or not. Probably not since there is going to be a large abundance of candy there anyway! But HOW CUTE are these pinatas?! Seriously, my mouth was gaping at how cool these are!! So unique and creative!

This one would be the one I would choose for her if we had one! Only in more colors!

I have also been thinking about what she will wear. Yes, I am weird and I plan REALLY far ahead, I know. Just bear with me!!

I am thinking a tutu...a bright, rainbow colored tutu! {I have another idea for that same tutu for advertising, but that is another story for another day!} Anyway, I came across this fun candy-wear while I was browsing too!

I LOVE this outfit. LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it!! I found it here. It looks like the skirt isn't available anymore though which makes my decision to go with the tutu much easier!

And this fun shirt! I am thinking I could make something like it...and if not, I am sure my mom could help me!! Pair a cute little lolly tank top or tee with a sassy tutu and you have the perfect party attire!!

So then come all the other candy finds!! There are some REALLY cool things out there and I am so inspired as I sit here now!!

These next three all came from the same shop!! It is FULL of sweet finds!!

What a fun party favor idea this is!!

Isn't this the funnest stuff?!!

Random Picture Challenge #7

So check out this happy little button for 4 Little Men and Girly Twins Random Picture Challenge! Cute, hunh?! It just so happens that my great friend Laura designed it!! She does all sorts of custom stationary design so if you are needing something, go check her out!! You won't be disappointed!

Alright, so the challenge this week is to post your 11th picture from your September 2007 folder. I am quite embarrassed to post these seeing as when I look at them today they are HORRIBLE, but hey, we all start somewhere!! They are what they are and no matter what, they are sweet memories!!

So here is picture number 11:



And I am posting the one directly after it so you can kinda get a sense of what exactly Huntler was doing:



That orange "thing" is the controller for the rocket and Huntler was adjusting it!!

Okay...so, you know I can't post without mentioning The Bachelor. WHAT in the world happened last night?! I must admit I have NO patience whatsoever and pumped my "all knowing" friends for the scoop so I knew what the rumors were going in, but oh my goodness! I think it is safe to say that was seriously "THE most dramatic rose ceremony ever!" Those of you who watch regularly know that they use that line in every.single.episode!! Last night it was finally the real deal! Chris wouldn't let me tell him what I knew so he was shocked! I guess I am shocked too and I have had a few days to think about it!!

I will be wasting yet another hour of my life tonight {after wasting three hours last night!!} glued to the second taping of After the Final Rose! I can't decide where I stand on all this. There are so many ways to look at it! I mean, if once the taping of the show was over and "it" just wasn't there with Melissa, then that is just the way it is. You can't force yourself to love someone. I get that. I am so sad for Melissa because I REALLY like her and picked her back on the first night, but if he just can't imagine his life with her, then I guess I can't pick fault with him! BUT...the way in which he handled it was SO not cool! At all. It was crazy for sure!!

So, I guess I should get! I just wanted to post really quickly because I am not sure when I'll get a chance again. I have two sick kiddos today...yesterday Gentry was sick and then Huntler woke up in the night with a horrible cough and fever. They are both coughing and carrying on this morning. I have this sneaking suspicion that today is going to be even more challenging than yesterday!!

Reflective...

I love this image. I really and truly do. It represents where I came from...and where I long to be. The golden summer wheat, the wind whipping through Gentry's hair as she so intensely studies something new, the dark sky as a good ole fashioned thunderstorm moves across the Kansas prairie. I can almost smell the rain and feel the wind on my skin as I type...almost.

As I see my sweet girl examining wheat for the first time, a countless array of memories from my own childhood play like an old movie reel in my mind. I harbor so many memories from this very ground where she is standing. Wonderful memories that will travel with me throughout my life. Those hot, sticky, windy summer afternoons spent picking ladybugs off of the wheat during harvest. The cool, brisk fall mornings picking pine cones from underneath the old pine tree next to the shed. The Easter Egg hunts. The fireworks shows. The four wheeler rides with my grandpa to abandoned little creeks on dirt roads. The pairs of jeans lined up on the clothes line out front drying in the sun. I can see it so vividly as I sit here now. The old fashioned {and I am sure highly dangerous} popcorn popper that popped kernal after kernal of popcorn. The tiny little baby food jar filled with cinnamon and sugar which we sprinkled on our toast all those mornings we woke up after spending the night...

This is the home of my grandparents. When I think back to years gone by, I can honestly say that other than my own home, my most fond memories were created on this farm of theirs. I am a lucky one...at almost 29, I still have three of my four grandparents. While I was close to all of them, I have always been especially close to my mom's parents, and more specifically my grandpa.

I look back at pictures and he was so young when I was born! I was the first grandchild on my mom's side and was admittedly slightly spoiled! My grandpa is the only one who can get away with calling me "B-Beth" or "Bethy!" He is the only one I don't mind yelling for so he can hear me!! {All those years of riding noisy farm equipment really did a number on his hearing! I talked to him this week though and he finally got fitted for hearing aids!!} I don't really know why, but for some reason we have always been especially close. And although I have never considered myself a country girl, it is amazing how much I crave the simplicity of that lifestyle at times!

I took this back in June while we were home for my class reunion. When I posted it back then I received TONS of comments on it! I have spent some time today sifting back through images in an attempt to find some for my Hissyfits website and came across this one. The editing was atrocious, so I started all over and created something I love!

So, just for a little comparison, here is my first editing job from June or July...followed by the one I just did an hour or so ago!!





On that note, sweet Gentry girl is waking up from her nap so I need to get! I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend out there in blog land!

The Logo...

Here it is...my absolutely amazing, cheery, bright, fun, sassy, fabulous new logo for Hissyfits!! Can you tell I am in love with it?!!

The wonderful Genevieve was so patient and kind in working with me and has truly captured everything I wanted and more!! The thing is, while I gave her my thoughts and wants, she created this on her own!! She listened to what I had to say and went with it! It is truly me and I cannot wait to take this new little business of mine and RUN!!



So...now I am trying to figure out how to watermark my images with this funky new logo of mine! I guess I am an idiot and I didn't realize that brush files are only monochromatic. Well, of course I want to be able to do this in color if the mood so strikes, so I have to figure all that out. I think I need a "band" over my images with the file on top of it but I have NO clue how to do that. Help? Please? Anyone? {The more detail the better for this girl!!}

The ideas are swirling in my mind tonight!! I want to get my website going and blog situation figured out as soon as possible!! It was mentioned {in a very nice way} that my style of post processing is much softer than the vibrant colors you will find in my logo and on my website! I realized that long ago, but that is just me! I have all these ideas of how I am going to type something up about how "Vibrant color mixes with the retro tone of my images..." Obviously it will be much more thought out and well written than that, but it is nearly 10:30 and I'm tuckered out! I really see myself moving towards just having one blog...but it will be much the same. I have thought and thought and thought and thought and thought about this and for me, I think the best fit is one blog...a mixture of my personal life {which includes my kids, shopping, Etsy, reality TV and whatever else tickles my fancy!} and professional images.

WHEW! So even though I am tired I have a feeling my mind won't shut off once I get in bed tonight!!

ANY help on my watermark issue would be fantastic!!

And These are A Few of My Favorite Things...

So my sweet friend Laura whipped up a post awhile back that included some of her favorite things! Although we have been friends for years {since high school!}, it was fun to read up on these interesting little tidbits that don't tend to come up all that often!! Well, her infatuation with Tim Riggins of Friday Night Lights I was quite aware of...but not the rest of her post!! {Love ya Laura!!}

So, speaking of Tim Riggins, I'll start off with some of my favorite TV shows! I LOVE me some Friday Night Lights as well! We watched this show every single week last season and I was so bummed when they canceled it...so you can imagine that I am thrilled it is back on again!! We tune in every Friday night and are glued to the screen until it's over! LOVE IT!! {But NBC has made it nearly impossible to get pictures off of their website so I can't post one!!}

I also have an addiction to General Hospital. I got into this back when I wasn't working but before Huntler was born. So like May of 2004 or so. Oh my...have I seriously been watching that long?!! I am not so crazy as to insist on watching it on every trip we take or anything like that, but I was happy to see that ABC is now showing the episodes online!! I DVR it every day so I watch it each night, but just in case something "huge" was going on it would be nice to watch it on vacation if I ahem, "needed to!"



Funny little story about GH. From time to time the kids watch it. Either I watch it before they are in bed or they are off playing and they come back in or whatever and they see it. Now here is the really bad part...they like it. Pretty sure that the language is NOT appropriate for a two and four year old. Or the violence. So, Huntler talks about going to the hop-sit-al {that is how he says it!!} all the time. For random reasons. The other night he was telling Gentry to be careful or she was going to have to go to the hop-sit-al. She replies with, "General Hospital?" I have heard her say it before, several times, but this was the first time Chris has heard her and it cracked him up!!

The Bachelor. Sure sometimes it is downright annoying and ridiculous, but I love it. I have watched every single season but the first one and I am sure I'll continue to do so!! I mean, one of these times really does have to be "THE most dramatic rose ceremony ever," right?!!

This coming Monday is the "biggie" of the season! Jason chooses between Molly and Melissa! I personally like Melissa a bit better! She is so down to earth and seems so sweet! Plus, she is the ONLY one I liked on the first episode and I even told Chris, "My pick for the season is Melissa!" I have gotten it right a few times so let's see if I can do it again!!



I am also pretty hooked on Law and Order SVU, Jon and Kate Plus 8 and Desperate Housewives...but I won't babble on about TV shows anymore!

So this has to be one of my most prized posessions! My camera. I guard it like it is a helpless child! It is always WAY up high on a shelf and out of the reach of curious hands!! If there were ever a fire, my camera would be rescued just as soon as the kids were safe! The computer would be next {although we are now using a system where our stuff is backed up and stored elsewhere so it is safe!!} and then probably all of Gentry's clothes! There is a newer {more expensive} version of the 5D out, but I am so happy with mine!! Although our other camera was wonderful, I was just ready to move on to something with more options and capabilities!



This color of nail polish! I used to paint my nails ALL the time. That was two kids ago. Now it is a rare, rare occasion when they are painted! I am just now finally growing them back out again! After Gentry was born I cut my nails short and have kept them that way this whole time. I don't even know why? But now for some reason I appear to be growing them out again? Anyway, like you even care about any of that nonsense! I use this shade on my toes {a lot} because they are ALWAYS painted! This is such a fun, spring-y color and Gentry loves it as much as I do!



TomKat. For those of you not obsessed with celebs, that would be Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. I love Katie. I have for years...ever since Dawson's Creek. Anyway, now that they have sweet little Suri I am even more intrigued by them. I have no idea why...maybe because she genuinely seems nice. Like the girl next door...just with a superstar for a husband and a megaload of money!! I mean, other than that, she could be you or me!!

I saw this video today while I was checking up on them...it is kinda cute!



Sonic. Need I say more? Give me a Route 44 Cranberry Grape slush and I am good to go!!



And I saved the best for last...my sweets!! This was taken back in August when we were visiting California! I didn't do any editing to it and it was taken in full sun, so it isn't that great, but we have very few family shots and the ones we do have I use on everything so I wanted something different!



And now I am off to see if I can get some stuff done while Gentry is napping and Huntler is fighting hard to stay awake!!

Worker Bee...

So I have spent the entire day working like a crazy girl!! Cleaning and sorting. Mostly sorting although I did run the sweeper upstairs this morning! I kinda had to though...there was an "incident" yesterday involving a large bag of popcorn from the Target snack center and the playroom floor. I am not quite sure who the guilty party is on that one, but it got me motivated to clean up a bit!!

And then the sorting...there has been a massive amount of kids clothing stashed at the back of our closet for weeks...maybe months now. Anyway, it needed sorted and organized so that I could figure out what exactly I am doing with it. Several of you sweet blog readers have expressed interest in both of the kids' clothes. I am just trying to figure that all out. There is SO much. As in four of the HUGE totes full and two laundry baskets. Oodles and oodles of clothing. I am thinking it might be easier/smarter to try to sell what I can to the moms in our playgroup who are interested and then go from there? Unless I just put it in lots and give you a price? Those of you who were interested can shoot me an email on your thoughts!! But for now it is all folded nicely and organized by size and back in my closet again!

While I am on my spring cleaning kick, I am also getting rid of stuff. Some to Craig's List, some to Good Will, some to Ebay even maybe. Here is one of the items that needs a home!!





This is the bumper pad that matches Gentry's bedding set...crib and big girl. We obviously don't have a need for a bumper pad anymore so I am going to list it on Ebay but thought I would see if anyone who stops by here is interested! We aren't ready to part with the matching quilt yet. She uses that and will until we move since we are not planning on buying her big girl furniture until we are back in Kansas.

Anyway, Chris accidentally cut a little hole in it when he was cutting off the tag, but other than that it is in perfect condition. {We just covered it with a stuffed animal since it was in the corner!!} Pottery Barn bumper pads retails for $69 and we are asking $25 for it. Since it is kinda big I am guessing the shipping will be close to $10 or so? Let me know if you are interested!



Sorry it seems as though my posts have been a bit boring lately! I am trying to get rid of things and get organized!! With the reality of my photo biz being just on the horizon, I am feeling this overwhelming need to get everything in order!! All the "piles" dealt with, random items sold or hauled to Good Will...all of that!

Okay...that is my post for today!! Now I am off to get the kids more apples and start sifting through all my photography workshop print outs and getting those organized! I SO love days like this!! The kids have been by my side helping all day and we have really had a wonderful time!

Ta Ta For Now!!

Because I Can't Keep ANY Secrets...

And because I just can't mix something so bright and cheery with something so heartbreaking, I am posting twice this morning.

By now most of you know I am an open book. I have very few things that I refuse to share. That is just me and my personality...always has been and always will be I am sure!! I hate secrets and surprises and think I have to know everything!! So yesterday my logo proofs came. I was SO excited I nearly wet my pants!! This designer TOTALLY nailed it on what is "me!!" I wasn't going to share. I thought I was going to wait until I had decided and then show you the final product. But, I can't wait! I mean, just look at these little bits of happiness and you'll see why!!



Yesterday I was in such a tizzy and so excited I had no clue what I was going to do! This morning I still don't know for sure, but I have had some time to look at them more and of course to sleep on it so things are a bit more clear!! I will be taking bits and pieces and combining them to get the look I want!!

Here is the original logo I had designed. We changed a lot on this one to make it more my style, but it just wasn't working. SOMETHING was missing although I just couldn't put my finger on it!



And now I am off to get ready for the day!! It looks like it is going to be beautiful out and we are going to enjoy it before it starts getting hot!

Frailty

As I sit here bright and early this morning with my favorite girl on my lap, my heart is once again broken. We received an email from some of our dear, sweet friends this morning. An email they certainly didn't want to send and we didn't want to receive. They are about 19 weeks along with their first baby. A baby they love so deeply yet will never get to know. Due to a chromosomal fluke, their baby won't make it, short of a miracle. I ask you each to say a prayer for their miracle and keep them in your thoughts.

The frailty of life has never been so clear as it has to me this past month. I was 23 when I got pregnant with Huntler and was blissfully unaware of how just how many things can go wrong. Things were easy for us. No problems getting pregnant. Other than the normal aches and pains, the pregnancy was easy. Normal delivery. What every parent hopes for and dreams of. We are blessed, so truly blessed. In the chaos of day to day life with cups getting spilled, food getting flung, bedskirts getting cut and powder bottles getting opened and a fine film covering an entire room {all of these have happened}, it is easy to get caught up. To forget to count our blessings. To forget to cherish each phase of childhood and what it brings to our lives.

My heart and mind are so heavy this morning as I think of our friends and how they are picking up the pieces and trying to move forward. I know they read this and I want them to know that they are so very close to our hearts and we are praying for their miracle. We love you both...

A Boy

This one...he is something else for sure! Each day I think he gets funnier! Sassier, but funnier! Tonight he was in prime form and I smile sitting here thinking about his latest antics! Chris was late getting home tonight and when he finally did get here, the kids glued themselves to him! They instantly got louder and more out of control and quite simply, the amount of chaos more than doubled!! And then Huntler began...

He first piped in with a "Trust me." What? Where did he get that from?!! And later he was sitting next to Chris and he said, "I'm a little jealous." He SO did not use that in the right context, but it was cute for sure!! But the funniest was when I took him to bed and was getting him all tucked in for the night. I was reminding him that school was tomorrow and we had a short discussion. And then he starts:

Huntler: Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Huntler: Peach

Me: Peach who?

Huntler: Peach Owl Horn

Ummm...okay. He thought it was hilarious though! And then he goes on...NONE of his jokes made one iota of sense, but he was cracking himself up. And me too. This was one of the first times he has ever told jokes before and it was really cute!!

He is a chatterbox these days. Not always so much out and about, but at home for sure! Sometimes I want to scream because he talks.so.much. {Between him and Gentry who is two going on twenty, there is rarely a quiet moment!!} But then I kick myself because what will I do when he is in school 8 hours a day and I don't have my first born here chattering away all day long? We won't go there tonight though...I can feel the tears welling up already just thinking about it!

While so many things are going so well in my life right now, I can't help but feel reflective. I spend so much time thinking of how far we've come. How blessed we are. How much things have changed in such a short time. How we have grown with our kids and how we hope to shape them but how they have in fact shaped us in their short little lives... It is late, I am tired and my emotions are in overdrive right now. I was sifting through iPhoto today and SO many memories flooded my mind. It was a good day, a great day in fact, but definitely one that has me thinking!!

I am off to bed because tomorrow is a school day and those are always crazy! Not to mention I plan to load up my sweet babes and just go play. No camera. No schedule. Just a fun time with 100% of their mama!!

But first I have to say...I got the proofs for my new logo today and this designer nailed it!! She sent me three and I have no idea which one to choose!! She took what I said and truly listened and created something that is 150% me!! I can't wait to share!! Once I decide that is!!

And then the fabulous Sheye Rosemeyer {whose photography and style I absolutely ADORE...so much so that I have taken both of her Eye Candy workshops!!} launched her actions!! I am beyond estatic!! They are very vintage/retro and oh so right up my alley!! I think I bought them like 10 minutes after she posted and I have already played around with the first half of them! There are many more to go, but this girl has gotta get some rest!!

{The above pic of Huntler was edited using her "Honeychild" action!!}

The Results...And More!

So the much awaited winners of the fun hair bow giveaway are in!! Rather than writing down thirty seven names {there were a couple of people who forgot to include their email address in their original comment}, I used a random generator to save myself some time! It was so darn easy and actually kinda fun! I sat there waiting for the numbers to pop up and then counted down the list of comments like I actually stood a chance of winning!!

So here they are...remember the first place winner gets her choice of the bows and then the second place winner chooses from the two remaining items!

The first number to pop up was #10.
It was Michelle at mikala4463@aol.com. Michelle, email me and let me know your choice and your address!! I am making a trip to the post office tomorrow so these will go out then!!

The second number was #2.
Kelly...I will let you know when Michelle decides so you can choose from the remaining two!

The third number was #20.
Jessica...after three boys Jessica is finally having a girl!! I am sure she will be all dolled up all the time!!

So that was fun!! I need to do something like that again before too long!! If you didn't win and you "have" to have something, just shoot me an email at bethany.m.graham@gmail.com. I just made a cute bow last night for a custom order and would love to do more!!

And what is a post without a picture? This one was snapped late last night! The kids were slightly out of control in the bathtub and were in fact "sliding" down the back! I know my mom is cringing as she reads this as she hates it when they even stand up in the tub, but it was hilarious! And no one got hurt!! An entire extra load of laundry was created because there was as much water outside of the bathtub as in it, but this little snapshot is worth it!! I cropped it to keep the Little People zebra in as well as Gentry's puppy in because he is NEVER far from reach!! You can also see a fabric covered button and a little bottle full of rubberbands. Talk about random!! Anyway, this past week they have apparently gotten bored with the regular bath toys because Little People keep finding their way to the bathroom!!



And because I have had so much fun answering all your burning questions...here are the rest of them!

How old am I?

I am 28...I'll be 29 in April.

What is my favorite movie?

Ladder 49. I SOOOOO love that movie. It is one of the few that I could watch over and over and over again. If you have never seen it, you need to. And you will cry...but you'll laugh too! Here is a video clip... {Scroll down and turn off the music on my player at the bottom.}




And the biggie...are we going to have more kids?!

Ohh how I wish I knew the answer to this one! Ask me one day and I say yes, ask me the next and I say no!! I told Chris that if I didn't get pregnant in 2008 we were done. I don't want a huge gap in their ages and Gentry will already be three this July. Well, I lied! But, if we are going to have another, I am pretty set on the fact that we need to get pregnant this year. As in May, June or July so it will be a spring baby and I won't be huge in the summer months down here in this inferno. Plus, I need them somewhat spaced out for my over the top birthday parties!! It is just so hard to decide! Our kids are at such good, easy ages and adding another to the mix would be chaos for sure!! But I KNOW when we are older we will have wished we had a bigger family. So, who knows? I do know we have some DARLING names all picked out and ready to go! And no, I am not sharing! But I will share some other cute ones I have come across recently: Tinley, Keeper and Tapper. I thought those were all so cool!!

Just Curious...

If anyone would be interested in a custom blog design created by moi?! I FINALLY found some digital kit designers who don't charge a commercial license fee! YAY! Anyway, as you know, I love switching my blog up every little bit and thought it would be fun to do it for others!!

It would cost $65 {which includes me purchasing the kit of your choice and then the time to create and install it}. That includes the whole nine yards...custom header, different backgrounds, signature tab, sidebar tabs, etc... Pretty much just like mine since that is what I know! Or I should say my super smart husband knows since he does all the html part!! If you have different wants or needs we could probably figure it out!! {I should also mention that we only know Blogger...I have NO clue how the rest of the sites work!!}

Let me know your thoughts! Either comment on here or shoot me an email at bethany.m.graham@gmail.com!!

I should also put a little disclaimer that this is for PERSONAL blogs only...nothing professional!

I'll be back to announce the giveaway winners tomorrow! But now I am off to make this weekend THE MOST productive I possibly can!

White Balance Gone VERY Wrong!

Our playdate was canceled this morning and because we had to do something, I loaded the kids up and we headed out of our normal stomping grounds for a little bit of location scouting!!

Well, this was after we stopped in at the salon I go to and then popped over to Sonic for some bribery...slushes and tater tots! My models were starving and we can't have hungry kids for a photo shoot!

So everything went PERFECT! I found three great new places to shoot at, got some darling images of the kids, and in the midst of it we had fun! It is nice to get out of the house and go somewhere different sometimes.

All was well until I started uploading my pictures to the computer. Wouldn't ya know that earlier in the week I changed the white balance setting and forgot to change it back? My pictures, every last one of them, is blue. Blue, blue, blue. See?



Thank goodness it was just on my own kids and wasn't a client!! Not that I actually have clients yet, but you know what I mean!! That was a lesson learned the hard way for sure and something I will DEFINITELY remember to check from now on! I rarely even change it but was playing around a few days ago and then forgot to reset it!

I was planning to share more, but I don't have the time to edit them all since they are requiring some extra work and still don't look that great!! But, I have babbled on so much this week that I wanted to post at least a couple in my awesome new locations!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this wall! It is just a foot or two high, but it is so cute and so vintage-y feeling!!

So, do you see Huntler's shirt? It has to be like my favorite shirt of his, ever. It is so big boyish and so darn cute!! {We bought it at Pumpkin Patch for anyone who is wondering!} He seems to like it too! I put it on him last week {when I planned to take him out for photos but got rained out} and he asked if he could wear it to school the next day! Sorry buddy, it is too good to get ruined by red paint!!



And here is another! This place is the one closest to our house {still like 20 minutes away though!} and SO boy! There are all sorts of {huge} dead trees on their sides to climb up and on. I can SO see some shots of a daddy holding his little guy's hand as he helps him balance down the length of the tree! You can bet I will be washing this outfit of Huntler's and loading up our daddy and sweet boy again {and Gentry too} for another trip down there!!

This particular shot is actually in a little cut out of a tree...as in the trunk. SO COOL! While I was somewhat worried about snakes and scorpions at this locale, the real threat was the prisoners!! There is a prison not too far from where we were! And no, I wasn't really worried about an escapee! Chris just mentioned that it was awfully close to the prison when I told him where I was going!



And Gentrini-Beanie. I had to ask the restaurant if I could stick my kids behind the rails to shoot! It was early and there wasn't a soul around so they let me!! They LOVED peeking out of this green gate!!



So there is what we did today! Now I need to get some emails returned and stuff done!! I need this to be a REALLY REALLY productive weekend!!