Photoshop

So.. I've been thinking today about Photoshop. I know people swear by it and im sure if you read enough tutorials that you can figure out how to use it, that it's awesome. HOWEVER is it cheating?
Shouldn't someone's skill be judged from how a picture looks straight out of the camera?
I use my editing software to straighten, crop, or change a picture to black and white. Thats it. Now i do realize i am not a professional but i think on occasion I take good pictures. I don't think they compare to Ansel Adams. Though.. i don't think he used Photoshop either.
I'm just saying.
I've been looking at all these pictures on various blogs i follow and they talk about how they do all this editing of pictures show before and afters.. I can see that Photoshop can take a mediocre photo and create something amazing. I dont have the time for that much fiddling around. I think a picture should be judged on the feeling not just the editing.

<----- This one.. Straight out of the camera.

Merry Christmas from us to you

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas! May God bless you all 

Oh Christmas Tree...

Well apparently this post got erased haha so i posted a blank blog post! 

Thanks T for letting me know it wouldn't pull up. 

On Sunday evening we had our tree decorating party! We made cookies, drank egg nog, and had the best time ever!! 

I think our tree shrank though... 

Normally the tree took over the whole living room. This year hahha in the new house it appears small. 

I wonder if it has something to do with the huge ceilings?  

This year.. it struck both Bigdaddy and I that our babies are growing. :( They didn't need help reaching the top. They evenly placed all the decorations. We didn't need to move any higher up. BigGwrl had some issues with knocking decorations off on accident. She said she fought she was the worstest decowaiter evew. Mommy and her had a talk and she decided she wasn't as bad as she used to be. 

All in all it was a great time. :) 

We are getting so excited! It's almost time for our Happy Birthday Jesus party!! 

The promised land

Early this week to reward the girls for all their hard work helping mommy, Daddy promised the girls he would talk them to the beach this weekend. HAHA he SOO regretted that promise come Saturday. It was cold and rainy.  BigDaddy had a cold so he TRIED to talk the girls out of going. They didn't go for that.
So off we went to Myrtle Beach.

Welcome home

well as of right now I don't have pictures to post because i'm doing the wifi at McD's thing. I just wanted to update everyone on what all was going on. We got here late Saturday night Got to walk through our truely amazing new house. We celebrated my eatting pizza on the floor! The next morning we went to Church and met lots of new people. People at this church actually talk to you! It gets better.. Later some men from the church stopped by to help us unpack the truck! It gets better. About 3 the pastor and the youth stopped by on their way to go caroling at the nursing home and wanted the girls to go with them. How awesome is that? We are so blessed!! The animals are adjusting. Mimi is loving all the space to roam , Genesis is laid back as usual and Indiana well the poor thing cried all the to South Carolina then cried all night and all day the next day. Today she didn't cry as much but she didn't want momma to leave her alone. :)  i think that about covers a quick update.
Sorry for blathering on. i am sooo sore and sooo tired :)

Gravy

It's been a stressful time lately, im not gonna lie. The girls have been crazy. I've been crazy. My saving grace has been T who always seems to know when to call or come by. She also seems to have a magical power to get the girls to behave when no one else can. Tonight is the last night in this house with all our stuff..such as it is. Tomorrow the moving truck will be loaded and we will be all packed and ready to move to South Carolina. Big_Daddy is on his way home right now and the girls are in bed (even if the lights aren't off yet). The plans i've been meticulously making for the past week about how the next few days are going to go have been in constant flux. People will call me and ask what the plans are.. then when they disagree they call Big_daddy in ANOTHER state and say how about we do this.. then HE calls and says such and such called with an idea to do things this way. To which i then have to explain that i've already told that person THIS way is how we are going to do it. *SIGH*
I'm trying TRYING to remember that this move is what God wants and my plans are not nessicarly his plans. It doesn't matter when or how things get done as long as they get done. The rest is just gravy. who cares if we start packing at noon or 5 as long as it gets done and Saturday evening I get to see the house God provided for us? NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. NOTHING.
People can change my plans, and they certinly will. They WILL complain that i'm not doing things the way they would. They can and will invite people they think are important. They can and will try to take charge and tell me how to do things. It's just the way things go. I need to remember this is just a little fraction of time. It's all just a blink. Our new life is starting soon. The rest is just gravy.

I would just like to thank daddy

quote for the day...
* middlest* mommy MOMMY MOOOOMMMMYY
*me* WHAT
*middlest* Watch this! (jumps off my chair despite asking her not to do that)
*Middlesy* Does that look dangerous?
*me* yes PLEASE do not do it again
*middlest* DADDY said if it doesn't look dangerous it probably isn't and this doesn't look dangerous. See I didn't hurt myself!
-Thanks Daddy
 I just wanted you to know how much your support means to me :P
By the way if you are also the one who told Rose tricycle rides are even bettew inside you better run.
im serious.

Bedtime

With Big_Daddy gone bed time is even worse than normal. Those with kids know what I mean. This was my evening. We started at 6:30 so the girls would have a full hour of fussing before i got upset.

Okay little ones Go get jammies on and teeth brushed.
*yea*
Are your clothes out for tomorrow?
*ummmmmm*
are your clothes out for tomorrow?
*i think they are in the dryer*
No nothing is in the dryer look in the clothes baskets
* where are the baskets? *
Same place they were. Beside mommys bed.
* okay* * i tired to make the bed and x punched me*
 go to bed. go to bed. go to bed. go to bed.
 *but*
 go to bed.
 *but mommy*
go to bed.
*how come Eldest gets to stay up late?*
Cause I love her more and she is 12 go to bed. go to bed. go to bed bed bed. go to bed.
 *do i have to go to bed*
 yes. go to bed
. *im not sleepy*
 I don't care go to bed.
 * I have to go to bed?*
YES GO TO BED.
 * you don't have to yell.*

- Can I move to South Carolina without them? Just for a few days? Please?

Our new home

Today Big_Daddy made my year.

This is our new home. 

It's a rental BUT it's my dream house

and this....

is my dream kitchen

all i've been able to do since Big_Daddy called is think about how much more furniture i need and how yummy my bread will be coming from that oven. 

I am joking about the furniture. 

kinda.

the packing chronicles

So. I am sitting here.. well wallering in my chair. Big_Daddy is leaving tomorrow to go to South Carolina. SOUTH CAROLINA. In possibly 9 days I and my family will be residents of South Carolina. RURAL South Carolina. R.U.R.A.L as in doesn't even have a WALMART! Most of the time I am 100% raring to go and so super excited to see what God has planned for us. HOWEVER I have moments of incredible panic about what we are doing. Mostly while i'm surrounded by boxes and things that need to go in them. What in the WORLD am i thinking?! Seriously?! We are moving 600 something miles away from our family our support groups!! We are taking our kids away from everyone they have EVER known!! WHAT AM I THINKING!! HOLY MOLY!! Then I remember to pray. This move is in Gods plan for us. It's not supposed to be easy. I have learned so much from this experience.  A move like this is scary and nerve-wracking, it is definatly not something for weenies. Thank goodness I have God to hold me up!

my job discription

Big_daddy came home yesterday and told me that in able to continue reciving help paying bills the company needed me to write a note stateing that I am able to work but dont and that it needs to be noterized.  I think the following will be my reply.
To whom it may concern,
             I was asked to send in a note stating that I am able to work ( not disabled) but that I don't. I feel this is to make me feel like I am not contrubuting to my family.  . I feel that being a stay at home mother IS a job... One I do not recive pay for.
My qualifications for these jobs are basic math, reading and cooking skills. I hold both basic and infant first aid and CPR.  The ability to carry 50 lbs of dead weight, while simotasily carrying a 10 lb diaper bag, 4 grocery sacks containg milk aqnd eggs and still being able to open a locked door.  The patience to deal with a whole neighborhood of children all hopped up on candy. As well as the stamina to deal with three children and a husband  with the flu.

I have 7 years experiance being a short order cook and at annaual events a passive baker. I am trained in the art of stain removal and dish scrubbing. I have training as a 24 hour nurse. I monitor media consumption. I frequently work as a sanitation enginner and house cleaner. I work daily as a teacher, counslor, and a P.E. teacher. I work daily as a taxi driver, and a laundress. In addition to these I also work as a receptionist, personal aide and life coach.   I have  great orginazitional skills. The ability to calm a screaming child with a hug and heal boo-boos with a kiss. I can plan a party in two days AND come in under budget for it. I am a thrifty shopper and am able to save my family money each month with my budgeting.  I have the ability to see  through walls and to tell when a child is lying. I am a Sunday school teacher.  I also have been known to be able to do craft projects in record time. I work as a photographer and historian. I am able to raise clean, respectful, well mannered children and keep a comfortable home.

I recive no salary for my job. I have instead chose to accept kisses, hugs, art work and the occasional weed (not the kind you smoke). I recive few benifits such as medical and dental coverage.  However, I get the ability to raise my children the way i see fit acording to my morals instead of allowing a stranger to do the job for me.

Thank you,

XXXXX X XXXXXXXX

Working on homework TOGETHER

Middlest has been having some problems in school. We study for her spelling tests, do her homework ect. and she was still having trouble passing her tests. We tried: flash cards, computer games, writing over and over, verbal spelling Pretty much everything i could think of! So I decided to try a diffrent route. Since we started homeschooling  Eldest; She and Biggwrl have become a LOT closer, often leaving Middlest out. So Eldest has now been put in charge of Middlest's spelling words. This way they are learning to be more patient with each other. Eldest is working on her handwriting, reading and PATIENCE. Also she gains self esteem as they BOTH succeed. Seeing how much closer and more understanding the girls have gotten toward each other has been a HUGE reward!! I was a little sad to see my little girl doing better working with her sister than her mother but then I realized that it doesn't matter WHO works with Middlest as long as she is learning and doing better.