Foto Friday: Week 14

This week the theme is "What I love."

I could make a list, but it wouldn't have an end.

There's too many "whats" to love.

Take yesterday, for example.. 

After a trip to Costco 

(blessed, blessed Costco- that's on the list too...) 

I re-discovered my love for Maple Creme cookies. 

Imported from Canada, of course.

They're not Steve's favorite - I love them. 

I always have and predict I always will. 

(As of yesterday the pirates do too.)

After Costco, I took the pirates downstairs to play. 

We tied my scarf around their middles and played Pup and Owner.

Robs took the scarf and ran around the room- 

she draped it over her face, and threw it into the air.

Enriqueface clamored to get it back.

Squísh crawled on my legs.

There was evening light in the window, and angels were singing.

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I do not live in NYC.

I am not fashionable.

I do not have lots of money.

And my blog is not trendy. 

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But yesterday, for the bajillionth time, I decided

the only real "what" I love is life.

(...and cookies)

Please.
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 Care for some more?

Meg 

Hilary

Kristyn

Rosemary

Foto Friday: Week 13

I love lens flare in a photo. 

It gives it such a feel, 

creating this dreamlike effect before photoshop even touches it.

So I was bummed when

this week escaped me. 

But it did.

It flicked right past, laughing the whole way. 

On Thursday night, as it was heading out for an early weekend, 

 it said something smart like "think fast"

and tossed me Friday.

Lucky for me, 

I planned the whole thing out.

In July.

Lucky for me I have an archive the size of Arkansas.

Want some current lens flare? 

Try
  Meg,
Hilary,
Rosemary,
and
Kristyn. 

Foto Friday: Week 12

The theme this week is: In My House.

And to be fully honest here, 

I do not have a house. 

If it were not for my gracious in-laws, 

I might be mostly homeless.

But last week I found it.

...the perfect house.

At Hobby Lobby. 

I used that darling, 40% off coupon, and then 

one day later I purchased this little gem.

The two combined will be making their appearance on December 25th, 

complete with a red bow. 

I don't know if I can stand the suspense!

...And now for Hilary! 

Foto Friday: Week 11

The first time I heard the word "nostalgic" I was twelve years old.

I was in a play, where, in all of my twelve year old glory... I sang a solo. 

I also wore glasses and overalls.

(Though not at the same time.)

One of my co-stars had the word in a line.

I thought it sounded like something I might have caught, 

had I been crossing the plains in the dead of winter- shoeless. 

I distinctly remember not liking the word, 

similar to how I remember holding the microphone while trying to hit a high note. 

It didn't make me very comfortable.

And since that time I've retired to strictly alto.

This week I looked up "nostalgic"
and I don't know if I agree with the idea- as it's properly defined. 

So for the "Nostalgic" theme this week, 

I had to post a picture of us, as we are... 

...currently.

Because it's where my soul lives.

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And now for something fabulous from Meg... because that's just how she is.

Foto Friday: Week 10

This week is "iPhone Photo."

Can I admit I was resistant to get an iPhone? 

Highly resistant.

Once upon a time my cell phone minutes belonged to Verizon and a rose colored flip phone. 

I chatted happily on free minutes with just about my entire family...

And then one day ALL OF THEM got an iPhone.... except for me. 

Little ol' me, living in Louisiana...

I went into the recesses of my contact list and renamed them all. 

Darth Mom...

Darth Dad... 

You get the idea. 

They'd converted to the dark side as far as I was concerned.

And then one fateful day in December I took my two pirates into the AT&T store... 

...and the rest is history. 

Steve Jobs was a genius.

( Now iMove yourself over to Hilary!)

Foto Friday: Week 9

Fall is fab. 

I love the weather. I love the color. 

I love the change. 

(This year the change was a little extreme, but we're coping well.)

The theme this week is Little Things. 

It sounds so juvenile, but ALL of Fall? 

Made of a bazillion little colorful things. 

Isn't it grand?

Meg is grand too. Check her out!

Foto Friday: Week 8

The theme this week is Shadow Play...

Can I get an excused absence? 

This past week has looked, smelled, and tasted, like a cardboard box. 

Thank heavens it came to an end...

And TODAY, we're starting the drive! 

Twenty six hours of pure driving. 

I've been so roller-coaster-ish this week, 

zooming between happy and sad...
that I've decided to settle somewhere in the middle.

Moving is always difficult.

But even with all of the bugs, and craziness... 

We've loved our time in Louisiana. 

And we're going to miss it...

Mostly the people. 

And the warm Valentine's Days. 

(... those are pretty nice.)

Wish us luck!
...and then move yourself over to Rosemary's! 

Foto Friday: Week 7

There's something about pirates that goes hand in hand with stories. 

My middle pirate loves them. 

I tell him the same ones... over and over and over and over...

They never. get. old. 

Most of the time they happen on our run. 

I'll be lost somewhere in my thoughts- 

and something we pass will remind him of something in his past... 

and just like that we're knee deep in stories. 

"Remember when I found my McQueen?  Can you tell me that story?"

"Remember that fire hydrant? Can you tell me the story?"

"Remember when we saw the alligator?  Can you tell that story?"

The funniest part is, if I tell the story with even one word out of place, he knows it.

And he'll repeat to me, word for word, what I was supposed to have said.

Those little minds are brilliant... 

This week's theme is Photo Story. 

"Remember when we saw the boat? Can you tell me that story?"


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Now clickity-click over to Meg's!

Foto Friday: Week 6

This weeks' theme is Emotion.

I've been saving this picture for a couple weeks.
I've tried posting it several times but I couldn't ever hit 'publish.'

Nothing I wrote really embraced what I see...

It looks simple enough.
And if I had a wide angle lens, maybe you could see it too.

Right beyond the crop
I see five years of learning how to be a mom.
I see two pirates who fight so well, but can't go to sleep without the other.
I see three years of hand me downs,
And two children who think its great.

I see us...
clearing the dishes and letting them soak,
because the great outdoors were calling
and two pirates were itching to go.

I see love, and patience, and games, and listening, and books,
and dads, and grandparents, and uncles and aunts, and all the teeny tiny things that go
into making capable people
...Confident people.

I see two years of trying to make the world a pretty place...
and finally understanding it really is.

I see a community of people, and a neighborhood we've come to love.

I see two years of wishing I could leave...
and then having it come true-
only to realize I'm going to miss it.

We're moving again.
This time it's a big move... we're headed out west.
I'm excited... I'm happy... I'm thrilled to live close to family again.
But it hurts to leave so many people.

The trials, the challenges, the roaches...
oh the roaches... 
All of it has molded me into someone stronger.

A stronger woman
...A stronger wife.
...A stronger mother.

...Just thinking about it makes me emotional!


Now go check out Hilary at hAha!

Foto Friday: Week 5

Week Five's theme goes like this:
 "What's in your desk?"

My answer goes like this:
"A teensy bit of everything."

When given the choice, I opted for a computer armoire.
It keeps some things safe, and other things
out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

(Robs loves saying armoire.  It sounds so fancy and French.)

Our current favorite item is the load of markers in the green bucket,
and the giant roll of paper I didn't photograph.

Skeeeeeedaddle over to Kristyn's place to get a peek in her desk!

Foto Friday: Week 4

This week is Favorite Places. 

...and to be honest? 

Home is where it's at. 

With my pirates.

But they're in front of my camera

all. the time. 

I decided to give them the day off.

So for a Runner up?

 The Narrows at Zion's National Park 

That place is heaven on Earth.

It's also a 24 hour drive from here. 

It was out of the question. 

Now for a local Louisiana Runner Up?

Island Drive. 

I run it every day.

It runs along a bayou and a river. 

It has huge trees on either side.

It has barely any traffic. 

It has gorgeous estates. 

  It's nice, isn't it?
...When favorite and everyday combine?

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Now go see what Rosemary came up with

Foto Friday: Week 3

Oh... Structure.

Can I be honest?

This one had me all over the place.

...On top of buildings.

...Cruising the train tracks.

...lounging on sidewalks.

It was fun.

(basic structure...)

(engineered structure...)

(classic structure...)

(old structure...)

(new structure...)

(...parking structure.)

Are you curious to see what Meg did with structure? Yes?

Go take a look!

Foto Friday: Week 2

This week is retro...

There's a fine line between retro and vintage.

This week I walked all over it.

(Now click your way over to Hilary!)

It's Friday!

Can I call it Foto Friday?

('Cause that's what it is.)

I'm starting something new!

For 52 Fridays, I'll post a photo based on a theme- and then link to one of five other talented gals, who will be posting their photo based on the same theme.

Simple AND fun.

Today's theme is:

Morning Self Portrait

And here's three fun facts:

1. I run in the mornings.

2. I never untie my shoes.

3. Just recently I've started running on the grassy trail along the river

with only the bare feet I've had since birth.

It's so refreshing.

Now skip over to Kristyn's blog to see her take!