backyard campout aka sleepover: a photo essay

Friday night Adam's family had planned another backyard campout. Remember last year? Well it was such a hit that we decided to do it again. It was suppose to go off without a hitch like last year, but right off the bat plans changed when Adam came home ill (I went without him).



And then while I was driving I couldn't help but notice the crazy dark clouds in the distance and wondered if it was going to ruin our plans.

It did, but sadly it didn't have to.





About an hour into it the wind came up hard and fast. It was bad enough that we started to take everything down fearing it would begin to rain. Tess and Lori, however, decided to play through it (the wind not the clean up).

The saddest part is once the wind died down it was actually a great night. We didn't put up the tents again, instead decided to make it a big family sleepover.







The adults talked on the porch for most of the evening while the kids played. Then Randy and Jared made a fire so the kids could roast marshmallows,




[just she look like she's in the most peaceful kind of sleep.]

Afterward, after everyone was good and tired, we figured out our sleeping arrangements (I was fortunate enough to share a room with Lori) and then fell delightfully to sleep on our air mattresses. At least until the loud kids woke us up in the morning.

It wasn't quite the campout we had last year, but it was a fun family sleepover nevertheless.

2 reasons

Have you ever had an experience when you're looking through your photos and one of them catches your eye and for a moment you've forgotten what you were looking for in the first place? This photo was like that for me. I know what your thinking....it's not much of anything, however, to me it's a whole lot of everything. It speaks to me about life and the one I pray I won't have to remember because I will always have. Here are two other reasons why I adore this photo, reasons I don't ever want to forget.



1) it captures so perfectly the moments I love the most with Adam. Just the two of us hanging out in our bedroom, not doing much of anything, but enjoying each other. As you all know life is so busy these days finding a moment to be together seems few and far between so Friday afternoon when Adam walked into our bedroom feeling ill and looking for a quiet place to lay I was more than happy to oblige. I was in the middle of reading The End by Salvatore Scibona and because I talked it up so much he asked me to read it to him. All I know is when it was time for me and the girls to leave, we went camping with his family without him, the book stayed at home with him. He did in fact like it enough to put his current book on hold.

and 2) Tess is the one who captured it. It's not the first time I've seen a photograph she's taken and been impressed by it's composition or creativity (after all she's only 7). I wonder if she will ever, like me, fall in love with this art? I hope because from what I've seen from her she definitely has an eye. Now if I could just convince her to enter one of her photographs into the Reflections contest. I guess we'll see.

today

* I'm writing this on a laptop because I'm experiencing computer woes. I fear I may be out my computer for a week or so. Other than the obvious, it has been seriously inconvenient since I had a project I had to finish yesterday. I kept hearing in my head, "make it work". What can I say, I'm such a fan of Tim Gunn.
* I made banana bread with the girls and I can smell it cooking in the oven. (edit...I'm pretty sure I over cooked the smaller ones)
* I took a 2 hour nap. I fear it may mess me up tonight.
* I got a new calling as the Primary Secretary in my ward for my church (it was a complete shock). A calling, for those of you who don't know, is volunteer service for various organizations in my church. The primary is the organization over the children 11 and under.



* I can see the mountains are beginning to change colors. I'm offically ready for autumn.
* I've been debating about either adding more to my etsy store or closing it down. I've been told it can't be found so I am adding a link to my sidebar in case anyone is interested.
* I've been watching Return of the Jedi with my four. I definitely like the other 2 better.
* I feel like I've got something I need to do that I'm not doing, but I can't imagine what it is. I keep looking at my calendar thinking something will be there.
* I have photos I want to upload and share from our attempt to camp last weekend.
* Have I told you lately that I am not a fan of computer problems.
* It's 8:30pm. I think I'll go back to bed and read a while and hopefully get a good 8 hours.

$5 project

Bella, my 9 year old who is such an amazing thoughtful person already (you can learn more about her here and here), came home from school yesterday with the most fabulous assignment. Her teacher won a pie contest at the local state fair and instead of keeping the money for herself she is giving each of her students $5 to do something for someone else.

This morning while talking to Bella about what she might do she told me her teacher read of few of the past essays from other years and some of the students were able to raise more money by asking family members to match the $5 donation. It definitely got my wheels spinning and I thought about the blog community...what if I wrote about this on my blog and she was able to get donation from all over? Other than she would be able to give much more with more money, she would also have something very interesting to write about in her essay.

Forgive me. I never do things like this...ask for money. Ever. But I thought it was such a great assignment and would love for her to learn how a mere $5 can grow and really make a difference to someone or to a community.

Here is what we're asking...
Be apart of something and donate to this project. It could be as small as $.50 or you could match the $5 she was given or you could give more if you are so inclined. If you would like to donate please send money using paypal to afmphotography@gmail.com. Please include somewhere in your donation the words $5 project so I know it's for this & your address (I know she'll want to send a personal thank you). The catch, her assignment is due on the 28th so she would need you to donate as soon as you can.

Please please please do not feel like you need to or feel any obligation to donate to this project. I know we are all struggling right now and saving every penny with the economy being like it is. If you are unable to donate and would like to do something you could always spread the word by adding a link on your blog to the post. However, if you are looking for a way to give (and can) my I suggest this little project. It will not only help someone, but help Bella, and hopefully her sisters too, learn a great lesson in service.



Where will your money go?
She has not finalized what she wants to do, I think it will depend in the end how much money she receives. Here are two of her ideas she brought up this morning.
1) do something for animals, like donating something to the humane society
2) put together Thanksgiving dinners for families in need
3) buy flowers and deliver them to individuals living in an Old Folks home
I would love her to do something like that so she can see first hand the difference giving can make to someone, but in the end it will be her decision.

When it's all said and done, I will post about the whole experience (included her essay) so you can see where your money went and the difference you made to someone in need and to a 9 year old trying to make a difference herself.

Thank You!

3 ply lovin'

after having one of the most horrible nights of sleep i can remember (no I'm not sick just incredibly tired) i woke up to this...



nothing says i love you like a giant 3 ply heart on your bathroom floor.

muted version

The last four days have all been a little too much for me. I suppose all this home time, which normally I savor as much as possible, has given me more time to just sit and think than I've had in the last month or so. There's definitely something to be said for, keeping yourself busy. I didn't realize until this weekend how busy I've become so I didn't have to think about things that hurt on the inside.

It makes me think about something I read on Kelly Rae's blog a week or so ago, brave in sadness means sitting with our tender spots and vulnerabilities. it means facing the direction of our fear and inching our way through it to the other side. it means expressing our broken pieces with absolute courage, whether in writing, conversation, or art. it means seeing the light of possibility in our disappointments. it means giving our sadness a rightful voice, listening to it, and allowing it to birth experiences we need in our lives.

So it's what I did, "give my sadness a rightful voice". Unfortunately I didn't sleep well last night, but my early hour gave me the opportunity to get up with the sun. I ventured out of my house for the first time in days attempting to shoot away my mood. It's been far too long since I've been roaming around my yard looking for goodness and here is what I found...







and the b&w version because I couldn't decide


















I knew even in my vulnerable state that taking pictures would work. It helps me think clearly, brings me back to reality, and helps me remember what I have and what I've been given. More than anything I think I just needed a day to get it out, what I fondly call the crazy lady, and now I'm feeling myself again. Of course I'd love a little bit of normalcy (praying Adam, Bella, and I will stay healthy), and have hope that it's just around the corner.

12of12

[Wednesday, August 12th]

On this day my sister was in town, we finished up our tie dye shirts the kids made the night before, I caught up on some laundry and helped pick up my moms house. We went swimming in the morning so in the afternoon the kids just lounged around the house. Later the kids had a water fight while the adults played games. Yep, we were still selling...

We've got some sickies around here and it's not the good kind either.

* There's been lots of whining and I need you to be with me.
* Two hours spent at the doctors in order to find out a diagnosis.
* $65 on medication x 2 with Megan coming down with it (so that's $130 in 2 days).
* Lots of tears over silly things....perhaps it's just PMS.
* Adam and I waiting and wondering who will get hit with it next...we're each betting on the other.
* Missed opportunities for all (Adam & kids were suppose to go camping this weekend so there goes my free night).
* No friends after school means a "no fun Friday" according to Bella.
* Incredible amounts of laziness and apathy from all.

Looks like it's shaping up to be one of those weekends. Is it too early (3pm) to go to bed?

finally giving PW a try

I've heard about Pioneer Woman for a long time now from Robyn and Hannah. Just recently after this post I decided it was time to give her a try...after all I want to be eating as well as the rest of you. The first thing I saw when I visited her site was this and I knew then that my family would never have boring same old meals again. Robyn she is my hero too.

I was intrigued by her site and so impressed by the amount of details she gives for each dish. Seriously, with her help anyone can be a cook. After searching through for a few minutes last week this recipe for strawberry jam caught my attention. I've always wanted to make jam, but was too afraid. I don't know, I guess I was intimidated by the inevitable jars not sealing properly and exposing my family and friends to botulism.

Enter domestic diva I can try anything (once) Amy...I tried it.


[photo by Adam. Check out my cute apron...first time wearing it. I knew I would have a hard time getting it messy.]

Round of applause please....I made jam, for the first time in my life. It feels like quite the accomplishment except I didn't follow her recipe exactly because I didn't have a big pot and didn't want to spend the money on it right now. Instead I did freezer jam. Definitely less complicated, but still intimidating nevertheless.



When I was done, took about 40 minutes, I had made 7 8oz jars of some fantastic raspberry jam if I do say so myself. Ok, so Megan doesn't like it, but Bella does and I do, so that's 2 out of 3 (Adam and Tess have still yet to try it). The best thing I have found about this jam, other than it tastes good and was easy to make, is they're perfect for sharing...I only have 1 jar left in my freezer! I think I'll be making a few more batches this weekend so we're stocked up this winter.

PS If you're not into cooking and never want to be still give Pioneer Woman a try. She's a great writer and is an amazing photographer with great tips. But I'm sure you already knew that...I think I'm the slow learner here.

labor day: bagels, beatings, and a bbq

As a family we hit Einsteins again in honor of Tess' return. Seriously Adam, do we have stock in this company?







Megan doing what she does and dictating where Mom (that would be me) gets to sit...next to her.





Photo taken by Adam. Not the most flattering, but at least it's proof I was there.







This is where the beating took place, except I didn't know it until today. My legs are making it virtually impossible to walk...especially upstairs. Never do lunges if you can help it.



Later in the evening we had some friends over for a bbq. The food, if I do say so myself, was an utter delight which is key when having company over. Adam whipped us up a concoction of brazilian lemonade, thanks to Robyn who made it over the weekend at Lori's bday party. Of course with Adam around the conversation wasn't half bad either. I think it's what Jill refers to as an ab workout.





...and the kids, well, apparently they had the time of their lives because we didn't see the kids all night. I'm not surprised, my girls spend the afternoon preparing to entertain.

It was the perfect way to unofficially end the summer.

Happy Birthday Lolo!!! We love your guts.

she's back

The four of us stayed up waiting for Tess to come home late Sunday night. I hate to admit it, but 9:30 on a Sunday night is late for us so I guess you could say we were all excited to see her again and have her home. It wasn't until she was gone that I realized all the little things she does that help make up our family.

for instance....
*Although Bella and Megan do play good together Tess seems to be the glue that holds the three of them together.
*We still have fruit in the fridge. She's a fruit fanatic and usually a Costco size bag of oranges don't even last a week with her in the house.
*On Saturday mornings she's the first one to run upstairs after 'bagel day' to see if I'm awake. No one came this week.
*After school she's the one who runs down the hill when she sees me waiting.
*I call her my sidekick because she's the one who hangs out with me. If I'm in my studio working on something she'll often hunker down and do some type of art project right along side me. Or if I'm cooking she'll want to help.
*She's the one that will volunteer to help Megan put away her clean clothes.
*It was sad seeing Bella walk to the neighbors to catch a ride to school alone.
*She's not the loudest of the bunch, but for some reasons the house seemed quieter without her.
*She often has scary dreams at night so she's the one who wants me to sing primary songs with her before she goes to bed.

It was strange, even though only 1 person was gone, it felt like 4 people were missing. I was so happy she was able to go and spend some time with her cousins and have a grand adventure, but I am sure happy to have her home. I think I missed her most of all.

typical sunday

Sundays are quickly becoming my favorite day of the week. A typical Sunday for us goes something like this...

After lunch, which is really dinner, Adam and I head to our bed. Traditionally this is when we would talk together until I fell asleep, but I can't do the nap anymore so we just lay and talk. Apparently we've done this for so long that the girls now know to let mom and dad have some alone time; however, there comes a time when they just can't take it any more and inevitably we find them sneaking in to reclaim us.

It usually looks something like this...


[this was one of the first Sundays with his iphone and he was thrilled that the two of us could lay in bed talking with music playing right next to us without having to hook it up to speakers. He will deny it no longer, the iphone has changed his life.]

Our comfy little haven broken up by our girls climbing all over us. It goes on for a while until we can't handle it anymore and then we begin to tickle.




[she doesn't look like she's enjoying herself, but I assure you she is.]

Then everything calms down for a bit. Adam does his thing, the girls do there's, and I do mine. The girls are really passing the time until Adam let's them know it's baking time.



We usually make cookies, but it varies. Last week we made banana bread because we had lots of ripe bananas and today, because we are having a BBQ tomorrow, we made chocolate cake.





and there is of course a lot of taste testing.



Now this is where the normal routine stops and it beomes a little unclear. Some Sundays we sit down to watch a movie together or Americas Funniest Home Videos. Other times, like last Sunday, we picked pears off our tree.



Then because we were outside we made an evening of it. Adam and I hunkered down and talked (round 2) while the girls played with one another. I so enjoy watching them play, especially when they get along, and hearing/seeing where their imagination takes them. I will definitely miss these warm summer nights.





Last Sunday we took a walk and delivered some banana bread to our new neighbors. Walking use to be a big Sunday tradition, but when there got to be too many kids to push in a stroller and too many hills we stopped. I think I'm ready to reintroduce the walk...it was so enjoyable.



The other thing I love about Sundays is Mondays are next and I love Mondays...especially holiday Mondays.

Did you know....

Did you know I sing to myself in the shower?
Did you know I have a guilty conscience?
Did you know I had an eating disorder 12 years ago?
Did you know dude is a huge part of my vocabulary?
Did you know when I read to myself I practice my English accent (which is hideous)?
Did you know I love English men...even Nigel?
Did you know I can do 40 push ups without stopping?
Did you know I don't love to exercise?
Did you know I look like this when I wake up?


[no edits. idea came from tara whitney]

Did you know I feel lonely?
Did you know despite that I feel very blessed?
Did you know I am or was a massage therapist (I don't do it too much these days)?
Did you know I'm goofy, silly, boarding on annoying to some?
Did you know I dream of having my own gallery?
Did you know I'm Mormon?
Did you know I love to people watch?
Did you know Twilight got me reading again?
Did you know I never graduated from college?
Did you know I'm going back to school in a few years and majoring in design?
Did you know I have a hard time making decisions?
Did you know I often go to sleep at 9:30pm?
Did you know all I drink is water?
Did you know I can easily pass up dessert?
Did you know when I was sick in bed pregnant with Megan (2003) I lived for my two hours of Dawson's Creek on TBS?
Did you know each time I write a post I hesitate to publish wondering how it will be received?
Did you know I'm insecure?
Did you know I bust out dancing at the most random times and places?
Did you know I'm afraid to fly when leaving, but can easily get on a plane coming home?
Did you know I'm not afraid to try new things?
Did you know I fail a lot?
Did you know I'm a crier?
Did you know I love lyrics and dream of writing my own?

fridays at our house

[photo taken last friday afterschool]

Because fridays are early out days a group of kids walk home together and somehow they all congregate here for drinks, snacks, and some good/needed play time. They did this quite a bit last year, but you never know if these things will stick. Well, so far we're two for two.

I always wanted to be the house everyone came to. Now, to think of a way to keep it happening....better snacks?