What a great surprise my dear friend gave me...this was picture I didn't know she had and she gave it to me all framed and ready to display. Wow, the half marathon was over a month ago already and it seems like yesterday. I'm on the right and my good friend and running buddy is on the left. It's great to have a friend to share the experience with. We're already talking about the next one. We always say we will be toenail-less (yes, I did lose one with all the running) and will be having knee replacements someday, but it will all be worth the feeling of exhileration of crossing the finish line. I just may not be able to wear sandals for a really long time...

You know you're getting old when your 6 1/2 year old daughter is talking about boyfriends. Yeah, it came as a shock to me too. Actually, you should have seen my bh's face...now that was shocked. She was talking about it this morning while eating her Lucky Charms. It just came out of nowhere. "Oakley was my boyfriend but now he's my ex-boyfriend. So now Quinn is my boyfriend." I just stared at her. Where did the "ex" come from? Do you even know what that means? Wait a minute, why are we even talking about BOYFRIENDS?!?!?! My youngest daughter giggled, my son was grossed out and my bh just looked a little pale. I knew it was up to me to take the bull by the horn and ask more questions.

"What do you mean he is your boyfriend? It's okay to have boys as your friends but..." Oh where was I going with this. We are talking about 1st graders here. They are probably just friends that play on the playground at recess.

"Quinn is just cute with his glasses and he makes me laugh. He's a good friend."

Whew. She really just has a little boy in her class that is her friend. Okay we're safe for now. But only for now. For I know in just a few short years, those boys will be calling, coming over, asking for dates....ugh. I'm glad I have a few more years to think about that talk. Sorry, Quinn. No dates for now. Just some swings on the monkey bars and some good giggles.

I just hope the color comes back to my bh's face!

this is a picture I took a couple of weekends ago and it's one of my favorites. It reminds me of when my bh and I were married 12 1/2 years ago...we were about the same age as this couple was and just as in love. Still are when it comes right down to it. Through all the trials and tribulations, the love is always there. We laugh at our memories and look forward to the ones yet to come. Aaahhh, love....there's nothing like it.

This is our family dog, Ridge. He has a special place for my youngest daughter for some reason. Maybe it's all the treats she sneaks to him. Prior to Ridge, we had a chocolate lab for 13 years which is very old for a lab. We had to put him down in January and we still miss him! We made it two months before Ridge came into our lives and literally has turned it upside down! Going from an old dog who didn't do much to this rambunctious puppy was an eye opener to say the least! But over the last couple of months, he is really learning his boundaries and to stay off the couch. (Except in this picture!) I have met quite a few of my neighbors through trying to get Ridge out their yard and stop chasing the cats. Luckily I have very nice neighbors! He loves the kids and is a great dog to play with. One of his favorite things to play is football with my son...he makes a great defender for him to practice against. It's quite the sight to watch. He is a great hunter, much to the boys' delight and found several pheasants for us to eat last weekend. So at 8-months old, Ridge is turning out to be a wonderful part of our family. As long as he stays off the couch...

My 4-yr. old and I went to M.O.P.S. this morning and had a great time. This is a great group of women that I have befriended over the last couple of years. This morning we went around and told "our story". It all started with how many M&M's there were on your plate, that is how many things you needed to say about your life. I was amazed at the little tidbits that I didn't know about some of these women. We laughed with each other and just listened to each other tell about ourselves. I even found Cami sitting next to me graduated a year behind me in high school. Who knew?!? It was a good morning and my daughter loves "Moppets", the program for the preschoolers while us moms learn from each other. It's really amazing how at the same time moms can have totally different lives, we can have so much in common. I think back about 7-8 years and how I was just lost with myself. I didn't know who I was or what I was supposed to be doing and didn't know who to turn to for help. and somehow, by God's hand, I was lead into these awesome groups...MOPS, Beth Moore and our church. They have shown me to be okay with me and who I am and have lead me to meet some amazing people..friends. God really is something, isn't He?! I just am in awe of the way He works in our lives. I pray that I can instill that into my children as they grow. speaking of children, my baby girl is awaiting her lunch. Thanks to God for giving me direction back then so I can give my children the direction they need. Which is right now, towards the kitchen!

My blog is a little outdated. Yes, I am still blogging, just having problems finding the time lately. Which is a good thing I guess. My appointment book has been full this month. I'm amazed at the response this year. I hope it continues. My bh told me I need to get a business plan written up for the next several years. Business plan?! What is that? Do I really need that? Sometimes I think I need someone to sit down with me and help me out with this kind of stuff. Anyway, maybe I will get business-knowledged and start to know what I am doing. All I know now is that I love taking pictures of people, places and things. I think I should have a specialty, something that I known for. Is that part of a business plan? Once I am out of the busy season, I think I will have to figure that out. I usually don't think too far ahead of, well, today. Maybe the weekend. I'm grateful for today so I don't worry too much about what lies ahead. But now that I have business, maybe I need to change that mindset. So that's my blog for today...to business plan or not to business plan. I can't believe I actually have to think about it.

Thank you, God, for opening my eyes up to my "thing". Now I ask for your guidance in making up a plan. I give it all to you because you have the plan on me. Thank you for your blessings I so undeservingly receive.

I took the kids out to the nature trail in Yankton last weekend. It was so nice and thought it would be a great day to take Christmas pictures. Plus we could take a little stroll on the trail and take in all the pretty colors of fall. Sounded perfect right? It started out great...




...then they started to get a little silly. "Let's be farmers and put the wheat in our mouths..." They giggled. Even I laughed. Okay it was funny and cute. But only once. Come on kids, I just need a few more shots for Christmas cards. Just give me five more minutes, a few more smiles and we'll be done...



My 4 yr. old decided it was just too much walking. But I couldn't carry her, I had my camera, tripod and lenses with me. Come on, baby girl. I encouraged her we were almost there. I started praying for patience. Please God...She finally joined up with the rest of us. The 50 cent bribe helped...





...hmmm, these flowers look interesting. "Can I pick some and bring them home?" Okay I said. Whatever you want, let's just keep moving. The 15 minute picture shoot was ending up taking an hour. She loves exploring. But by now it was getting hot...they were getting thirsty. Great, I didn't bring anything to drink. Now what?!


Whew. My son to the rescue. " Hey, here's a water spicket. I'll see if it works." It did and everyone got a drink. Including their clothes. By this time, I was sweating bullets. It's harder taking pictures of my own kids than customers! We kept on trekking. My bh called on the phone. "Where are you?" I told him it taking a little longer than expected. He laughed. By now the bribe was up to a dollar...



...we LOVE our brother. He didn't quite feel the love. Right after this shot, they all rolled in the grass. They were really hot by now and ready to get out of those sweaters! Mom, are we done?!






Finally, and hour and 3 dollars later, I got the picture. Someday they will appreciate this picture. Okay, maybe not. But I'll remember how hard it was getting them to cooperate and they did. And had some fun along the way. And what's really cool is they smiled and got along just for me. Here's to this years Christmas card. Thank you God for my wonderful blessings whom I love with all my heart...but I'm sure glad I only have to do this once a year....:)


Whew!