march 365+1.

I can't believe March is over. Seriously, where is this year going? It will be September in just six months (I've got good math skills...;) ) and I will be sending my little boy off to kindergarten. Sniffle sniffle...

March gave us some crazy weather, including some snow, cold temps and our wettest March to date (well, in Portland - where they keep track of those things.) Something like 7.76 inches had fallen by 3pm today. That's many inches too much for my liking. But March gave us a nice last day. It is was sunny for a good portion of the day. I can still see some blue sky in one direction out our living room windows and grey in the other direction. 

I finally forgot a day of my 366 project, thus only 30 photos. Well, I really didn't forget but it was a long day and I just didn't want to take a picture just to take a picture. I do try to put a little thought behind my photo each day....just a tiny bit. Here's too a sunny, warm April!! (Gotta think positive here!)

52 linked: planning.

I'm not a planner. I used to be, but I'm not anymore. I had to plan out my day to day activities when I was in college and when I worked outside the home. My time was limited and if I didn't plan-out my days things would inevitably be forgotten. Even though I felt like I had very little free-time back then, my life felt less chaotic due to the fact that I mapped-out my time and activities. But now that my life does not necessitate me keeping everything straight, I don't plan. And since I don't plan, my life feels a little crazy. I forget things all the time, and I feel frazzled most of the time. So basically what I'm saying is: I need to get back to planning. (Any and all planning advice for the SAHM is welcome!) And since I'm not about planning things out anymore, I did not plan for this post very well. So you get a cute photo of Sammy from a few weeks ago. I'm pretty sure she was planning how she could best mess with Max and his toys. ;) Happy Friday, friends.

52 Linked 2012 A new theme every week.

A few other friends are joining-in on the adventure.

Please stop by and see their interpretations of our word of the week.

Michelle, Tracey, Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Kristin, Heather, Amy, Liza, and Veronica.

slice of life: his space.

He's got an office, friends. He's five and he has an office. In our family room. He's got a little corner by the windows that is full of his things - pens, pencils, stapler, DVDs, CDs, little cut-out paper butterflies, a dry erase board, Lego clock, T-ball trophy, glue, scissors...I could go on and on. Lots of stuff. It's a bit too much visual clutter for me, but I'm learning to be okay with it. Who cares if my family room is messy. Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? No. I keep reminding myself of this. It's his fun, happy place to play. That's all that matters.

doggie disneyland.

Sunday we went to the dog park aka Doggie Disneyland. Eric and Max actually took Sammy on Saturday, but I chose to stay home and have some alone time. But Sunday we all piled in the car, made a Starbucks run (it was Sunday, so I was okay to have my latte) and headed to Doggie Disneyland. Sammy had a blast. She ran and played and got stinky. All blissful events in a dog's world, especially the stinky part. And Max followed her all around, so it was really a great two-for-one deal for us - wear out the dog and the boy. ;) The dog park is situated right in the path of some large power lines. You know, the giant structures that look like big men that hold those big power lines. One after another the men are lined-up for as far as the eye can see. While there was cute doggie-ness all around me, I chose to look up this day and shoot these lines instead.

(The collage is not what I wanted it to be...I am not a fan of Picasa. But with Picnik going bye-bye in April, I have to find something new for collages. If anyone can give me some pointers on Picasa I'd appreciate it! No idea how to move the photo around within the collage or size it down...or do anything really. And if anyone knows how I get rid of that faint border around my photos in blogger - I will be forever grateful. No clue how to get rid of it and it kinda drives me crazy. Maybe it's my blogger template?)

52 linked: spring

When I first started my draft of this post it was Wednesday morning and it was snowing. And yesterday we woke-up to about three inches of snow. It's nearing the end of March, friends. It's spring. Well, it's supposed to be spring. Spring in the PNW is hit or miss. We get a few good, sunny, warm days among the cloudy, rainy, grey days. We have had snow one day a week for the past four weeks now. It's not much, and it usually turns to rain by about noon, but still...

Spring is "springing" even among the rain and snow and cold. She's making her presence known. And I'm really happy about that. I have to say that spring has moved up the ranks in my list of favorite seasons. After months of rain and wind and cold and dark, dreary days, I welcome the little green buds and flowers and sunshine and a little bit of warmth with open arms

{Photos taken with my D700. I'm not sure anyone else can tell a difference between

the 700 and my 70s, but I sure can. ;) }

52 Linked 2012 A new theme every week.

A few other friends are joining-in on the adventure.

Please stop by and see their interpretations of our word of the week.

Michelle, Tracey, Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Kristin, Heather, Amy, Liza, and Veronica.

random monday (a day late.)

I'm back with a random Monday post (ok, I know it's Tuesday, but just go with it...). I know you missed them ;) I pretty much stopped my random Monday posts when Maggie died. Many of you know I usually had my Maggie Monday posts every week. I'm considering doing a Sammy Sunday series, but we'll see.
So, on to my randomness:
1. Total mommy moment - Getting the call from preschool to come pick-up Max early because he tripped and bumped his nose. Then getting to preschool, seeing him sitting quietly with the preschool director in her office, and then watching him cry the minute he sees me. And then trying to hold it together while I comfort him. He is ok, but will likely have has a black eye. Boo.
2. Proud moment - I was on a total high Sunday after I completed my first 5k where I actually ran the entire race. I've done the Portland Shamrock run four times now and a few other 5ks, and this was the first time I didn't have to walk part of it. So happy. (Photo above is post-Shamrock race.) My husband suggested it had something to do with my cool, new running kicks.
3. His moment - After a slow, sore start to my Monday I was fully prepared to go get a latte (which I gave up for Lent). I said to myself, "I really need a latte today." And then I said to myself, "No, what I really need is Him."
4. Funny moment - My legs were really sore yesterday, but not nearly as sore as my jaw because I chewed gum while I was running yesterday. Note to self - don't chew gum during a race again.
5. Delicious moment - I had the most wonderful latte Sunday after my run. (I'm the "fast Monday through Saturday, feast on Sundays" Lent observer.) A delicious decaf, triple grande (I never get a grande), vanilla latte with whipped cream.
6. Awkward moment - sitting through the lonngg line to get out of the parking garage after my run, and when I got to the front to pay they didn't take Discover and I didn't have cash. Then I became that girl who holds up the lonngg line while the parking attendant writes up a ticket so I can send in my payment. At least the parking garage attendant was nice. I told him, "They're all hating me right about now." And he said, "Yeah, so what." He didn't chastise me, or tell me I was holding up the line and the drivers behind me would be mad. He just said, "So what." I need to learn to say "So what" more often. I spend far too much time worrying what people think of me.
7. Feed the soul moment - Listening to our Bible study leader give a great talk about forgiveness on Sunday. If I could paraphrase it and do it any justice I would. But I can't.
8. Unbelievable moment (though it shouldn't have been) - I heard two Adele songs back to back on the same radio station. I kid you not, friends - Rumor Has It followed by Someone Like You. I love Adele, but she is over-played (as is Bruno Mars...does anybody else turn the station when his songs come on? Or it just me?)
9. Unbelievably happy moment - My dad gave me his Nikon D700 this weekend. Well, a permanent loan. If I ever don't want it (that'd be crazy, right?) he wants it back. He knows I love photography, he believes in his heart of hearts that I am really good, and he knows I am feeling the limitations of my D70s. (He has three Nikons, and he can't use them all at the same time, right? :-) ) Let me say, I was in love with the 700 after I took just a couple of photos. It actually takes photos of what my eyes see, how my eyes see it. The white balance isn't wonky, and it's so much faster and sharper than the D70s. I'm in love. And I am beyond thankful of my dad's gift. Not just of his camera, but more importantly of his support and belief in my talents. Thanks, dad.
10. Crazy weather moment - We woke-up to snow Monday morning. It wasn't sticking much, but still so disappointing. We've had snow one day of the week for the past three weeks. I'm ready for spring and summer.
11. Family moment - Celebrating my mom's birthday on Thursday. I made one of her favorite meals - mac and cheese - and I even made a cake with yummy chocolate butter cream frosting. SO good. It was a fun evening with my family.
12. Fattening moment - I made cupcakes last night because I had left-over yummy frosting. Can't let that frosting go to waste. Even if it all goes to my waist.

Hope you all have a super week, friends. Mine will be spent trying to keep the peace between Max and Sammy, and trying to maintain my sanity while my husband is working in Seattle. All prayers are welcome. He's going to be up there most of the week for the next, well, who knows how long...We will miss him.
a

52 linked: underneath

When I saw what the theme was for this week I knew exactly who I was taking a photo of - Miss Sammy girl under our bed. She loves to lay under the bed - our bed, Max's bed - doesn't matter as long as she's under one of them. When Max heads to bed she comes upstairs with us and scurries into his room and under his bed. Almost like a cat. It must feel like a safe place for her under there. It's quite a change from Maggie who always wanted to be on the bed. She would occasionally creep under the bed if she was scared, but it didn't happen often. So there you have it - Little Miss Sammy underneath our bed, trying to relax while I take more photos of her cuteness.

52 Linked 2012 A new theme every week.

A few other friends are joining-in on the adventure.

Please stop by and see their interpretations of our word of the week.

Michelle, Tracey, Stacey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Kristin, Heather, Amy, Liza, and Veronica.