Family photos

I love to have family photos taken every year. 

Unfortunately, it is hard to dish out the dough for it every time.

We had amazing photos done by my friend Bethany last year.

This year, we took the tripod and camera to a local park for some family pictures.

I think they turned out pretty decent for using the self timer on the family ones!

a beautiful weekend

Our weather has been perfect this weekend. Sadly, it's going to turn cold again this week, but we are enjoying every ounce of spring that we can!

Friday night, we went to watch the Northwest Arkansas Naturals play.

We had a great time!

The Naturals lost, but we got to see an awesome fireworks display after the game!

Today, B Boy had baseball practice and then we came home to do some yard work and house work. Tim grilled some awesome burgers for dinner.

I thought since the weather was so great and we had time, that I would try to get some spring pictures of the kids.

Every time that I take photos of the kids, I am stressed out, frustrated and sure that I am not getting any good photos.

The kids are okay for the first little bit and then they are so over it.

I took quite a few pictures, but I think I got a few really good ones. Plus, editing goes a long way... :-)

Here are some of my favorites:

Tim decided to take a picture of me taking pictures, lol.

This could quite possibly be my favorite picture of them ever.

My testimony and Last week.... {#30daysofThanksgiving}

My friend Kelly asked me a few months ago if I would share my testimony on her blog.  She had started a series called "Testimony Tuesday."  I immediately knew that I should say yes.  God has been pressing me for a year to write out my story and I didn't know why.  

In the weeks surrounding the time that my testimony was to appear on her blog, I received confirmation after confirmation of my decision.  

I'm so glad when I know for sure that God wants me to do something!

If you would like to read it, just head on over here to her blog.

I'm so very thankful for all of the emails, comments, Facebook posts and words of encouragement in person that I received.  I never want it to be about me.  

I am just so very thankful that my story may have touched people or given them encouragement.

Kelly shared her testimony yesterday during our women's ministry Bible study time.  

It was so good.  I have fallen in love with testimony.  I love to learn more about people and I LOVE to see how God works in and throughout our lives!  

He is so, so GOOD!

God has been so good to me in my life.  There have been so many hard times, but He has always worked good of even the bad times.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Last week.... I helped in the classrooms like I normally do, listened to a great testimony at church during Bible study time, we had a makeup gymnastics class and regular gymnastics class, AWANA, Tim and I got to have adult conversation while they were in church, I had a baby shower Thursday night for my friend Elizabeth who is having a baby girl next month, and shopped on Friday and had dinner at Flying Fish. 

I started feeling run down on Thursday evening.  On Friday, I seemed better until dinnertime. By the time we got home, I was SO ready for bed.  I woke up Saturday morning knowing that I had a cold :(

We also had company on their way!

I took meds and rested as much as I could.  I somehow powered through and visited, took Jessica to my favorite consignment store and then took some family photos for Keith, Jessica and Parker.

We had a fantastic visit with them!

And, I can officially say that- I love my new camera!!!

Today, I am thankful for cameras.  Nothing thrills my heart more than to know that I can preserve images of our lives to always look back on. 

The big catch up

Warning! This is a long post catching up on life! Finally!

Almost two weeks ago, we were in week 2 of October intercession.  Tim took the day off from work and we loaded up and went to the Tulsa zoo.  This is the first zoo we ever took the kids to when they were smaller and we have always loved it.  The weather was perfect that day and we were one of only a few families there - score for being off in October!

do you see the bee and the spider?  eeeeek!

love these guys!

We bought a deal on Living Social that included unlimited carousel rides. My kids were in heaven!

I wish I could post pictures of all the animals. There really is a lot to see and they are currently expanding the zoo!

The next day, the kiddos had dentist appointments. They had a good report, so we had a trip to Taco Bell!

Friday, the kids went to their old school to read in their K and 1st grade classes!

They both did an amazing job!

 We spent the rest of the day getting my flu shot, shopping and then having a pizza and cookie movie night! We watched Nanny McPhee and it was really cute!

We had a relaxing weekend.  Last week included enjoying the fabulous fall colors, carving pumpkins, watching the rain, red ribbon week at school, and Halloween.

Hoping to "sell" candy to trick or treat-ers! This is one of their favorite parts of Halloween!

Friday, I purchased a camera from one of my photographer friends!  I have a Nikon D3100 and love it! I now also own a D7000 and I'm excited to get to know this camera!  I'm definitely not ever going to be a pro photographer.  I just really, really love taking pictures.  

Friday night, we had a dinner out at Copeland's. I love that place so much!

Saturday, we went to Cracker Barrel (we did a lot of eating out!) and then to the Razorback game.

Yesterday we had church and then our fall family photo session.

My friend Bethany did our photos and the preview is amazing!!!

She did some photos for me in the spring and those were outstanding so I can't wait to see the magic she has for us this time!

It looks to be a low key week and I'm very much looking forward to that!