It's been a stressful day ... for many reasons.
To top it all off, I just opened a letter we got in the mail today from our speech therapist. She is leaving the practice ... effective December 17.
And I am seriously about to lose it ... emotionally.
After everything we have worked for this past year or so ... gone. I understand Payton's speech won't be gone, but everything it took to get her there ... gone.
It took her MONTHS to warm up to this therapist. MONTHS to get to a point where she trusted her and would work with her. Those MONTHS were very stressful for me ... because who wants to bring a kid into therapy and have her say "No!" for the entire session?
Not me.
Now ... Payton loves her speech therapist. LOVES HER. And our speech therapist is SO good with the girls ... and has gotten them so far. Remember this post?
I know this may seem ridiculous to some people, but I feel like we are back at square one. And I suppose getting this news after an already stressful day isn't helping.
Sigh.
Sometimes I just get sick of everything we have to go through. In the end, it is so worth it ... but every once in awhile I get burnt out.
Today is one of those days.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Photography Q&A
Beautiful! (Kids, decor, everything!) Okay, can you share your secret? I have always struggled at Christmas time to capture the glow of the lights, the sparkle in the kids' eyes when decorating (the reflection from the lights in their eyes) and you did it... can you give me some hints on your settings? Taken during the day? Night? Fill flash? No flash? ISO? I can't seem to get the right combination! Thanks for sharing!
These pictures were taken at night with no flash. I do not have a fill flash and I never use my on camera flash -- I hate it. Ha.
The shots of the kids putting the ornaments on the tree ---> shot at f/1.2, ISO 400 (which makes them a bit noisy on my camera ... grr) and I was shooting on TV, which is shutter speed priority. Since it was dark, I knew I needed to keep my shutter speed up so my pictures were not blurry ... and I didn't want to increase my ISO because of noise. So I went with shutter speed priority at 1/125 ... although Mason's picture was shot at 1/80 -- not sure what the deal was there.
So with those settings, I kept my focal point on their eyes (of course) and tweaked a bit in Photoshop CS4. And even so, they still are not tack sharp ... but for the purposes of my blog, I didn't care. Ha.
The mantle and ornament shots were taken on AV using a higher ISO and then I used noiseware to try to remove some of the noise from the pictures. My shutter speed was lower and my aperture was upwards of 2.0 - 4.0 since I wanted them a little more in focus. Shooting that close at 1.2 gave me a lot of bokeh ... which is beautiful, but not what I was looking for here.
What lovely pictures. I'm very impressed and inspired. Okay, I have to know - what camera and lens do you use? Such beautiful clarity in your pictures.
Thank you! I shoot with a Canon Rebel xTi ---> however I desperately want to upgrade. The Christmas pictures were taken using an 85mm 1.2 lens ... which is a magical dream lens that I am renting. And of course, the pictures were all tweaked in Photoshop CS4.
These pictures were taken at night with no flash. I do not have a fill flash and I never use my on camera flash -- I hate it. Ha.
The shots of the kids putting the ornaments on the tree ---> shot at f/1.2, ISO 400 (which makes them a bit noisy on my camera ... grr) and I was shooting on TV, which is shutter speed priority. Since it was dark, I knew I needed to keep my shutter speed up so my pictures were not blurry ... and I didn't want to increase my ISO because of noise. So I went with shutter speed priority at 1/125 ... although Mason's picture was shot at 1/80 -- not sure what the deal was there.
So with those settings, I kept my focal point on their eyes (of course) and tweaked a bit in Photoshop CS4. And even so, they still are not tack sharp ... but for the purposes of my blog, I didn't care. Ha.
The mantle and ornament shots were taken on AV using a higher ISO and then I used noiseware to try to remove some of the noise from the pictures. My shutter speed was lower and my aperture was upwards of 2.0 - 4.0 since I wanted them a little more in focus. Shooting that close at 1.2 gave me a lot of bokeh ... which is beautiful, but not what I was looking for here.
What lovely pictures. I'm very impressed and inspired. Okay, I have to know - what camera and lens do you use? Such beautiful clarity in your pictures.
Thank you! I shoot with a Canon Rebel xTi ---> however I desperately want to upgrade. The Christmas pictures were taken using an 85mm 1.2 lens ... which is a magical dream lens that I am renting. And of course, the pictures were all tweaked in Photoshop CS4.
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I have received a lot of questions about photography that I'm positive I have not answered, so here is your chance ---> ask away!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Score: 3 to 2
Right now the healthy people are winning in our house. Three of us ... Kyle, Payton and I. The other two ... not so much.
Yesterday Mason woke up with a headache, sore throat and a massive fever ... upwards of 103.1. I alternated Tylenol and Motrin throughout the day and he was acting fine. He wanted to play Wii, go outside to play in the snow, etc.
Riight. Probably gonna let ya go outside right about now.
Umm no.
I really wasn't sure how badly his throat hurt ... he just kept telling me, "Just a little bit." I figured I would let it ride for awhile and see how he did. We got through the day, however last night he slept so hard and had drank so much fluid that he wet the bed ... which he never does -- I think this is only the second time.
And then today I found out that Mason's little neighbor friend that he played with over the weekend had strep. Thanks neighbor!
Ha.
So in to the doctor we went. Diagnosis ---> strep throat.
We came home and I noticed that Nika seemed to be declining quickly. She was feverish, was drooling and refused to eat. Not like her ... at all.
So off to Urgent Care we went. Diagnosis ---> strep throat.
Urgh!
To make matters worse, Nika started vomiting after we put her to bed. I'm not sure if the antibiotic made her sick ... or if she has a stomach bug on top of the strep.
Fun times in our house ... anyone want to come visit?
Here's to hoping the score remains 3 to 2.
Yesterday Mason woke up with a headache, sore throat and a massive fever ... upwards of 103.1. I alternated Tylenol and Motrin throughout the day and he was acting fine. He wanted to play Wii, go outside to play in the snow, etc.
Riight. Probably gonna let ya go outside right about now.
Umm no.
I really wasn't sure how badly his throat hurt ... he just kept telling me, "Just a little bit." I figured I would let it ride for awhile and see how he did. We got through the day, however last night he slept so hard and had drank so much fluid that he wet the bed ... which he never does -- I think this is only the second time.
And then today I found out that Mason's little neighbor friend that he played with over the weekend had strep. Thanks neighbor!
Ha.
So in to the doctor we went. Diagnosis ---> strep throat.
We came home and I noticed that Nika seemed to be declining quickly. She was feverish, was drooling and refused to eat. Not like her ... at all.
So off to Urgent Care we went. Diagnosis ---> strep throat.
Urgh!
To make matters worse, Nika started vomiting after we put her to bed. I'm not sure if the antibiotic made her sick ... or if she has a stomach bug on top of the strep.
Fun times in our house ... anyone want to come visit?
Here's to hoping the score remains 3 to 2.
12 Days of Giving: Day Eight
For the first 12 days of December, I am hosting the 12 Days of Giving here on my blog. For more information on what this is all about or how you can participate ... click here.
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World Vision is an international aid Christian humanitarian organization that works in nearly 100 countries around the globe, combating the root causes of poverty and responding quickly when disaster strikes. They partner with communities to find lasting ways of improving the lives of children and their families while providing international disaster relief.
Recently, I have received two catalogs in the mail that showcase very affordable ways to support World Vision. And quite honestly, I probably would have never found this organization had I not received those catalogs. Just goes to show you what marketing can do!
The kids and I paged through the catalog earlier today. I told them all about poverty in other countries ... it helped to be able to show them the pictures in the catalog as a point of reference for their little heads.I told them that we were going to help one family by purchasing an animal for them ... and I wanted them to pick which animal we would buy.
So they did ... and they picked a chicken.
Your gift of a chicken will provide a family with a lasting source of nutrition and income. Fresh eggs raise the levels of protein and other nutrients in a family’s diet, and the sale of extra eggs provides money for other household needs.
How cool is that ... all for just $13!
A fantastic idea?
So did ya'll really think that was my house?! I only wish I was smart enough to come up with something like that.
Ha.
Although, my husband says that will be our house come this weekend ... because he thought it was a fantastic idea.
Uh oh.
Mason: Mommy, who made us?
Me: God made us, honey. He created the earth and everyone on it.
Mason: And who came from your tummy first?
Me: You did.
Mason: Yeah, I did ... and then Chicky ... and then Nika came from Russia.
Me: That is right. You and Chicky grew in my tummy and Nika grew in my heart.
Mason: Well, how did she grow in your heart?
Me: Well honey, that just means that I loved her before we adopted her ... so she grew in my heart.
Mason: Well I think she is the cutest little baby ever.
Me: What about Chicky? Isn't she cute too?
Mason: Yes, because she wrestles with me.
Me: *laughs*
Ha.
Although, my husband says that will be our house come this weekend ... because he thought it was a fantastic idea.
Uh oh.
************
Mason: Mommy, who made us?
Me: God made us, honey. He created the earth and everyone on it.
Mason: And who came from your tummy first?
Me: You did.
Mason: Yeah, I did ... and then Chicky ... and then Nika came from Russia.
Me: That is right. You and Chicky grew in my tummy and Nika grew in my heart.
Mason: Well, how did she grow in your heart?
Me: Well honey, that just means that I loved her before we adopted her ... so she grew in my heart.
Mason: Well I think she is the cutest little baby ever.
Me: What about Chicky? Isn't she cute too?
Mason: Yes, because she wrestles with me.
Me: *laughs*
Monday, December 7, 2009
12 Days of Giving: Day Seven
For the first 12 days of December, I am hosting the 12 Days of Giving here on my blog. For more information on what this is all about or how you can participate ... click here.
By the way, many of you are questioning whether or not you can jump in late on this ... and the answer is yes! Better late than never!
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Today ... and for the next eight days ... I am helping to try to give a child a chance at life.
Meet Zhora."Zhora is too cute! Zhora is short for Georgiy ... so don't be confused ... this is definitely a boy. He is healthy, except for a minor heart murmur, which should not require surgery. He is active, happy and playful! Note: The weather was so hot when this picture was taken, that all the boys had their heads shaved."
Zhora is an orphan in Eastern Europe that was abandoned at birth -- most likely because he has Down syndrome. He lives in an orphanage where his basic needs are met, at best.
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a friend that I met several years ago ... courtesy of something we have in common ---> a child(ren) with Down syndrome. My friend ... Lisa ... has a son that is similar in age to Payton.
His name is Daniel. And he very much resembles Zhora. And for that reason ... Zhora weighs very heavily on Lisa's heart.
And she wanted to know if she could use my blog as a means to raise money for Zhora and try to find him a family. There are hundreds of families that are emotionally ready to adopt a child with Down syndrome ... however being financially ready is a different story.
Lisa's hope is that she is able to bulk up his grant fund at Reece's Rainbow ... so that it will increase his odds of someone being able to afford to bring him home. Right now, he has $835 in his grant fund. His adoption could cost upwards of $15,000 to $20,000 ... so he has a long way to go.
We are asking for your help ... and in the end, we will be giving away an iPod Touch and a quilt to two people that donated! See below for more information on these items.
The rules:
1) For every $10 donation, your name will be entered one time into the drawing. So ... if you donate $50 ---> then your name will be entered five times.
2) Every person who donates $35 or more at one time, will get a 2009 Reece's Rainbow Christmas Tree Project ornament. The ornament is porcelain and will have a picture of Zhora on the back.
4) The deadline is December 15, 2009 ... and the winners of the iPod Touch and the quilt will be announced on December 16, 2009 ... just in time for Christmas!
Remember ... your donations are 100% tax deductible!
Prizes:
1) iPod Touch
iPod Touch lets you enjoy everything you love about an iPod, and then some. Watch your movies and TV shows on a brilliant 3.5-inch display. Use the revolutionary Multi-Touch interface to flick through your music in Cover Flow. And anytime you’re itching for more entertainment, just tap iTunes to browse and buy on the fly.Specs ---> 8GB iPod Touch
- 1,750 songs
- 10 hours of video
- 10,000 photos
- Up to 30 hours of music playback
- Up to 6 hours of video playback
- iPod touch 3.1 software
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Nike + iPod support built in
- Built-in speaker
- Earphones
Specs ---> Handmade quilt
- Twisted 9 Square pattern
- Colored fabrics are from France
- Measures 45" x 45"
- 100% cotton
- Machine wash and dry
- Quilting done on a quilt machine using stippling
Good one babe!
Mason woke up this morning with a slight fever ... so I kept him home from school. The school said there is a measly 24 hour bug going around ... so hopefully that is all it is.
Right now, Mason and Payton are laying next to each other on the couch watching Dora and drinking chocolate milk.
Payton burps.
They both laugh.
Mason says, "Good one babe!"
Right now, Mason and Payton are laying next to each other on the couch watching Dora and drinking chocolate milk.
Payton burps.
They both laugh.
Mason says, "Good one babe!"
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Well ... there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year.
The good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take HIM down after two days.
I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever ---> great stories! But ... two things made me take it down.
First ... the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents, as they almost wrecked when they drove by.
Second ... a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house ... only to find out that HE was fake once she climbed to the top.
She was not happy.
By the way ... she was just one of many people who did that.
My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks in my yard where people literally drove right on up to save HIM.
My neighbor did confirm two near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made HIM too real this time.
So it was fun while it lasted!
The good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take HIM down after two days.
I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever ---> great stories! But ... two things made me take it down.
First ... the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents, as they almost wrecked when they drove by.
Second ... a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house ... only to find out that HE was fake once she climbed to the top.
She was not happy.
By the way ... she was just one of many people who did that.
My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks in my yard where people literally drove right on up to save HIM.
My neighbor did confirm two near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house. I think I made HIM too real this time.
So it was fun while it lasted!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
12 Days of Giving: Day Six
For the first 12 days of December, I am hosting the 12 Days of Giving here on my blog. For more information on what this is all about or how you can participate ... click here.
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After granting a wish for a Zhu Zhu Hamster the other day on Wish Upon a Hero, I sort of became obsessed with the website. I could sit for hours, just reading through everyone's wishes. It really makes you thankful for what you have.
As we put up our Christmas decorations a few days ago, I came across some old decorations that have piled up over the years. I asked on facebook if anyone knew of an organization that dealt solely with providing Christmas trees and decor to families that couldn't afford them ... but we didn't really come up with much.
However ...
I soon came to find out that there are plenty of people wishing for Christmas decorations on Wish Upon a Hero! And so ... today I packed up a box of decorations for one family that I came across. Not long ago, they had a fire in their garage and lost all their Christmas decorations.
If something as simple as this will put a smile on their face ... or on their kids' faces (they have 10 kids and no renter's insurance to cover the loss), for that matter ... then I have an even bigger smile on my face for granting their wish.
I love this giving stuff!
As we put up our Christmas decorations a few days ago, I came across some old decorations that have piled up over the years. I asked on facebook if anyone knew of an organization that dealt solely with providing Christmas trees and decor to families that couldn't afford them ... but we didn't really come up with much.
However ...
I soon came to find out that there are plenty of people wishing for Christmas decorations on Wish Upon a Hero! And so ... today I packed up a box of decorations for one family that I came across. Not long ago, they had a fire in their garage and lost all their Christmas decorations.
If something as simple as this will put a smile on their face ... or on their kids' faces (they have 10 kids and no renter's insurance to cover the loss), for that matter ... then I have an even bigger smile on my face for granting their wish.
I love this giving stuff!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
12 Days of Giving: Day Five
For the first 12 days of December, I am hosting the 12 Days of Giving here on my blog. For more information on what this is all about or how you can participate ... click here.
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My sister and brother-in-law are expecting a baby in February ... we are all so excited! I am having baby withdrawals, so it will be nice to have a teeny tiny one around here soon.
So ... my mom and I have been planning a baby shower for them ... scheduled for December 5, 2009 ... the one day that Mother Nature decided to give us snow. And lots of it.
{Photo courtesy of my mom}Well ... it wasn't necessarily lots of snow ... but even four snowflakes gets everyone's panties in a bunch around here because they are not used to it. Ha. My family, however ... being from the midwest ... is plenty used to lots of snow and we love it.
But the shower must go on!
Despite the snow. Despite some of our guests canceling on us. Despite the fact that we lost power just as our babysitter was showing up and we had to relocate our children and babysitter to my mom's house. Despite the fact that I forgot all the stuff for a shower game at my house due to being frantic over losing power.
We had the shower ... and we had fun!
{Photo courtesy of my mom}So today I gave my sister and brother-in-law a baby shower. In addition to that ... and because I was in a giving mood ... I went
And it was fun!
And all because I love them.
Do you see what I see?
Snow, snow ... beautiful snow!
We don't get a lot of snow 'round these parts ... so when we do, it is a big deal!
The kids were so excited to go outside and play. They grabbed their ski goggles and went for it!
You see ... that is the problem with living where you don't get a lot of snow. You learn quickly not to waste your money on snow pants and boots ... because it ends up being a one time use thing.
But then it snows ... and you are screwed. And you have to send your kids outside wearing pajama bottoms, rain boots and goggles that belong to a bath toy.
But then it snows ... and you are screwed. And you have to send your kids outside wearing pajama bottoms, rain boots and goggles that belong to a bath toy.
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