And she’s been 17 since November 12th! But NOW we have pictures of her being 17. It’s taken a while but we finally got it done. It’s not her favorite thing but I think she’s good at it! What a beautiful young woman! And one of my absolute favorite people. The thing that makes me sad is that she is talking about college. College?!?!
Well, it’s been an adventure. We took Dollie the Dog in on December 14th. On December 21st we welcomed six fluffy balls of fur to the world. I’ve actually really enjoyed watching the process. I felt Dollies’ pain during labor and birth, stayed up late worrying that everyone was warm enough, enjoyed the newborn sounds, and watched the little ones grow so much in just a week. And, like a doting grandmother I get to send them all home tomorrow! Also like a doting grandmother I will miss them. But we have play dates to look forward to.
I have just been introduced to this beautiful painting of the birth of our Savior. It is titled “The Nativity” 1597 by Federico Fiori Barocci. The colors are so rich and I love Mary’s halo, the adoring stable animals watching over the baby, and the sweet, sweet, baby that actually looks like a baby. It is very intimate and reminds me of all the times I watched a newborn of my own as they lay with the light just radiating from them, lighting up the whole room. Merry Christmas. Remember that this little baby is the reason for our celebrations and giving. Love to all!
Sorry to my niece, Sadie. She has great sense of humor though so I think she will forgive me. I found a new tool on Photoshop and had some fun with it at her expense.
Here’s the before and after:
Love you, girlie!
Hello friends and family and those who are not yet friends or family but someday will be. I have been pondering the meaning of the season and how much I have to be grateful for. This year has pretty much sucked but we are ending it with much more hope than we started it with. I was whining to my mom yesterday about how my life at 38 was not supposed to be like this. I had a different plan and I am ticked off that it hasn’t worked out that way. I quite often turn on my mental mute when people try to tell me that I will come through this stronger and wiser………..don’t always want to hear that. But as I look around me at the red and green and love and peace that accompanies this time of year I realize that this really is “but a small moment”. Happiness and joy are all around us just waiting to be grabbed.
A little holiday advice that I know you didn’t ask for but I’m going to give anyway:
Slow down.
That’s it. Just slow down and enjoy the good things. Friends and especially family. A home and a job. Food and clothing.
Try not to get caught up in the little things that ultimately don’t mean that much. Let go of the things you really don’t care about just because you think there is some expectation that you will do it.
I’ll go first. I refuse to be stressed about Christmas cards this year. More of the people I love will see it if I post it right here anyway. And, I honestly don’t need to spend a penny on printing and postage.
What will you let go of?
Thanks to everyone who has been asking about the kid. We had a great visit with her the first week of November. It was our first Parent Seminar Weekend and it was H-A-R-D! But, that’s how we make progress so it’s totally worth it. (That’s what they tell me anyway, check back in a year or two for an update on that!) I’ve been a so-so blogger of late but I’ll get back to it soon. In the meantime please follow this link to a video from the talent show that Sierra and her friends at Solstice put on for the parents that weekend. Life in a residential treatment center………
Solstice RTC Girls Talent Show November 2009
Sierra and Baylee at Temple Square in Salt Lake City
It’s my first real, non-kit camera lens since the “accident”. Though I must defend my 28-135 kit lens. It’s been awesome and I will still use it. But, the new one came this afternoon and I think it is going to change my life! Okay, maybe not, but I’m really excited about the possibilities. It’s really nice glass that I got for a really nice price from the used department at B&H. I’ve been saving my pennies and watching the used dept. for this lens for a while and it finally showed up. And, it’s not even used, just a return that never even got opened. Sweet! Anyway, I’ll be using it for a couple of shoots tomorrow after I spend all morning practicing with it. So, watch my 1000 Words blog for the results. I’m pretty sure I will not be sending it back.
