Ever?

Do you ever feel invisible. Or maybe like you just don't belong somewhere, but that somewhere is where you are supposed to be? It seems, for me, there are these places. It doesn't matter how many times I visit here, or my intent when going. I come out the same person. The person who wonders where they have disappeared too. But how do we change the visit? I could change me to fit the situationa round me. Become seen. Or do we want to change really? If we are happy who we are, then maybe it's okay to be invisible sometimes. Maybe, it's not for you to be seen at that time. Maybe, just maybe, it's someone else who needs to be seen. And that's not always a bad thing. Just hard to swallow. Really hard.

trying to get better

It's been so long since I've posted anything, and I don't like it. But I just can't seem to get back into it. I think it's because I haven't been feeling the best, and that could be the reason. I must have looked like I was having a blast in my misery because my youngest isn't feeling good now either. Granted, we have completely different things. Mine a cold, and her's teething, but now we are both miserable at home. Now are the times I'm glad kids are off to school for part of the day, but getting them there.... there has to be a better way! So anyway, instead of posting any of the pictures I've been piling up to post, I just couldn't help posting these about Ase. Right before she got sick, she was completely flirting with the camera. And I think I just miss this smile right now! We're almost back! So until then, I'll just keep looking at this happy face while snuggling with the most snuggable little thing around. :)








(this one is my favorite because this is her surprised look! i happened to have the camera on her right when she thought she was going to fall off the chair, and this face is the result of such moments. just look at those EYES!!)

A few years away

Okay, so I actually do know this is more than just a few years away, but I might have caught a glimps of what Ase is going to look like at, oh say around the age of... 80? Matt had this wig and the glasses from some skit they had to do at a work function (-and he thinks I get to just play all day?? ) and I talked her into putting them on. Once on though, she couldn't get enough of herself in the mirror, and actually WANTED me to take pictures of her. It was hilarious! So there you go. A good look into the future. I hope I look that good! :)

Rainy Fridays are the best!

Friday was a good day! Nothing but rain and more rain. It felt really good to have a day like this, and I think the kids agreed. All they wanted to do was to play outside in the rain. I was up for it, although a little on the chilly side. So the kids pulled out the bikes, and had a blast! Sometimes I just wish I was a kid again. :) I wanted to put this up yesterday, because by now it's "old news", but I just couldn't bring myself to get on the computer. It wasn't on ALL DAY! Now that says something! So here's summary of yesterday outside.

I think this would have to be one of my favorite shots. She actually posed with a face, and I had to stop myself from laughing out loud!


This was one of my favorite moments:
Nutmeg: Does this face look like I'm trying hard to win a race?"
Me: "No, it looks like your trying to poop"
nutmeg laughing hysterically, and then cracking up every time she thought about it


When asked if I could get just one picture of him. I guess he let me....


This would be our version of "Speed Racer". Now this type of picture he thought was very cool, hence I HAD to take about 30 more.


Still laughing to herself about the comment earlier


trying to figure out more cool Speed Racer moves he could do


And when it was all done, this is how we all went in. Soaked up to the knees, or close too, wet shoes and socks, and very happy. Next in line was some warm apple cider (we were sadly out of hot chocolate) with some popcorn and High School Musical. Who cares what's for dinner!

New method

That hubby of mine decided to iron the other day. It's not something he ever asks me to do for him, and I don't like it... so I he'd have to ask if he wanted it done. He's always done it when he needs it done. But it's been awhile and lets just say it didn't go to successfully. This is what I found later that night.



Yes. It is in the garbage can. Do you think it would work if I applied this technique to the dishes? ;)

Needs

Okay, I don't usually do these chain-tag things on here. Just don't have the time, although I love to read others. But this one I just did out of curiosity.. and then had to post because, well. Was it funny?

Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” and share the first 10 results.
That's it: it is that simple.
But be honest! Anyone else want to play?
Here is my list:

1. Diana needs: a wealthy husband (won't turn it down :))
2. Diana needs: a nickname (kinda hard with my name)
3. Diana needs: a message in a bottle (kind of romatic-y)
4. Diana needs: facebook (too late.. got it)
5. Diana needs: drinks and hugs (it might help)
6. Diana needs: esophageal diseases (??? I dont' even know what to say)
7. Diana needs: US!!! (I do! I do! wait, who's us?)
8. Diana needs: to be more like Emma Frost (I'll work on that right after... laundry!)
9. Diana needs: Expressions of Life (that boring huh?)
10. Diana needs: to go this week. (anywhere, I won't even ask and I'm happily gone!)

Besides that, all I really need is a man who will cook for me!

CHECK !

two fashion proned girls

Frequently I've been happy to share with you the styles of Nutmeg and her future endeavors as a fashion-ista. Looks like it's worn off on the youngest now! Nutmegs intent is to really become a rock star. And we all know you have to dress the part. Well, Ase's was more to be a princess. A princess with warm legs! They both have very different ides of what they are dressing as, but it looks so similar! Maybe there are some similarities between the two of them.

Small, but they are there!






That, and I think the monkey may of had some influence! ;)

learning toughness at school

If she hasn't learned anything else (which by the way she has) I know she just had a lesson on toughing it up. This is what I found when I picked up her up from school. It doesn't look near as bad as it was really. Another kid "collided" with her and she was the one resulting in injury. Poor thing. I guess she was pretty shaken up, and the teacher actually wanted to call me... but the school said no, since she didn't need to go to the hospital. :( Funny she hasn't complained too much. That's not like her! Now if she could toughen up like that at home.... ;)

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

It all started for us about 7:00 this morning, and considering the kids were up until 9 last night... that was WAY to early! And they were NOT going to let us sleep in. Any other morning, sure. But not today. Naturally. After some breakfast the boys took off to help a friend move into a new house. So us girls, girlified! We have pink sugar cookie hearts, and pink milk. Heart shaped sandwiches, and heart shaped cards. Pink clothes (however I don't know if Nutmeg will get her way all day...I'm in pink pajama pants!), pink painted nails, and now.. a very valentiney hair-do. I think the boys are going to be very glad they escaped for a bit! Nutmeg has 2 hearts in her hair, one on each side, and Ase just has one on the top. It was so easy, and super cute!

Paying it forward

I got this from my friend Becky. I thought it was so cool, so had to jump on board. Thanks for inspiring us all do good! You always have! :)

Pay it forward...

This is how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise (but if there is anything in particular you like, let me know!) BUT, in order for you to leave a comment on my blog, you have to post this on your blog first. (That means that sometime during this year you will send a gift to 3 people as well.) Get it? So, the first 3 people to comment on this post will be the lucky ones!

blue

I don't even like the color blue. But I guess, to be fair it was supposed to be purple. Not blue! I did like it though. A lot! I was so bored with my hair, and have always wanted to put some color in it. But my husband, as much as he is an amazing person, was completely against it. Why, I'm not sure. Not very professional he'd say. Um... hello! I work at home. How much more condusive could it be. So I decided to get some purple put in. Just a couple hidden streaks in the middle. And I wanted a really deep purple. One that you'd look at and say "Is that purple? No it's just black... wait. I think it really is purple" type of purples. Yea, it wasn't. It was blue. Very true, blue. Again, I really didn't care. But Matt really did. He just kept repeating that it will wash out soon. Which it does, sadly. But the poor guy. He's been waiting for it to disappear, which it nearly has, to find me today saying I'm going to get some more color back on there. Yea, I think he's glad to go on another trip! But now I'm back to picking any color I want. I've done blue, so I'm trying to decide what else to go for. I might just give the purple one more shot. If that doesn't work... I'll do something else. Or, if Matt is lucky enough I'll just let it all wash off. I will have to admit though. It's a little addictive! So to those who kept asking for a picture of the blue... this is all I have. You really couldn't see it, despite what Matt said. I even circled it to help out. Yes, that is blue you see! Maybe. If you can see it!

If I posted any more

I have a feeling, No, I know this is what my husband was going to do if I kept posting any more pictures on my blog that weren't "us". :)

But first I just have to point out that this is my blog. I didn't start it to be the "family blog" although most of what I post is about my family. I just wanted something for me, and of course, I have to post pictures of my kids because they are such a HUGE part of my life! Besides, have you found a post on here that he did? Nope. So really, I am still putting my foot down that this is mine! But as a compromise....

I went ahead and started another blog for the photos I do for/of others. Maybe this will keep us all happy? It's worth a shot! So anyway, bookmark the other one too, and please feel free to check out, leave feedback and whatever. I LOVE hearing from all of you no matter what you say! The link is on the top right, or follow it below. But PLEASE don't forget me here too! Love you all!

www.diatphotography.blogspot.com

100 days and not looking back

So last week Bug hit his "100th day of school". It was a big deal! I even was lucky enough to be able to go in and help with the festivities during class. The kids have been waiting so long for this day. I think it's cute. Makes me wonder if we did the same thing when I was in Kindergarten and I just don't remember. Funny how you could forget something that at the time was a HUGE mile marker. Either way, I had to get some pictures in his hat he made. Know one thing I love about this kid. He just doesn't care what others think. He wore this hat all day at school, when most had taken theirs off, and didn't care one bit. He even wore it for all of lunch. And when I went to pick him up from school... yup. Still wearing it! I hope that self confidence sticks.

This happened first thing that morning....

He said: "Mom, today's your lucky day."

Me: "Why is that?"

Him: "You get to go two places today mom. To my class to help, and to YW! That really is a lucky day for you!"

Me: (really thinking that I must get out more, but impressed at his thoughtfulness).









this would have to be one of Bugs best friends. And it couldn't have worked out better that I love his mom to pieces and they live right across the street. May neither of us EVER move!

swapping kids

(*if you're looking for the pictures that used to be here of "miss C", they've been moved to my new photography blog.. so check it out there! Or just follow the link on the top right. dia.T.photography. Either will get you to the same place!)

NO, I don't want to swap kids really. (And please make sure you read that as swapping and swatting. Completely different!) I just do on Monday and Thursdays for a few hours. It's a great break, and it gives me a chance to go and volunteer in at Bugs school. So Mondays I send little Ase off, and on Thursday I gain one or two. It works great. It's one of my good friends I swap with, so there is no stress, and besides... we get to hang out a bit after the swap. It's been great. Oh, and she has 3 kids all roughly the same age as mine, however all girls. Not that that has stopped anyone.
No.
All the kids love to play together regardless. So yesterday when I had the girls, I just couldn't help but try taking a few shots. My kids are so sick of me trying with them, it's getting to where I almost have to beg. So it was refreshing and these girls crack me up! They are so hammy in front of a camera you couldn't get just a frozen smile if you wanted to. I love it. It is a lot of fun, and in the end there are a lot of really fun pictures, and a lot that.. well...get sifted through!

So anyway, I just had to post of few... so now you know what my Thursday's are full of!

(again, check out the new blog for those photos)

We Care

So I had a really funny mail experience the other day. I went to get the mail, and there was only one thing in there. If you've ever had damaged mail, the post office ever so kindly put that mail in a little bag that says how much they "care" about your mail, and how they regret the damage and hope it didn't cause any inconvenience. Right. And normally there is just a little tear or something.

So I look in the bag. There is a strip about one inch wide left of the envelope. Just the part showing the address to mail to.

????

How did they keep just the middle? And they still felt they needed to deliver this? So I open my strip of paper, and there is a Christmas card (well, a very small portion of the card). It talked of someone moving, and about a new job. Good. Good things to know about your friends. I was laughing so hard. It was just too funny to get this little strip in the mail, with an apology, assuming that would make up for it. It really made my day.

Shouldn't someone get their stamp price back? But I guess they'd never know who to give it to now would they?

On to three wheels

We were outside the other day, and what do you know. Ase just hops on to what is usually Nutmegs trike, and just started pedeling. We've tried to teach her before, but she just didn't get it. I guess she just needed to do it on her own time, because there she went. It was rather funny though, watching her drive into the grass quite a few times before she understood that she was stearing (or in her case not) the trike. A little backwards, but hey, we don't judge in this family! And she discovered how much she doesn't have to pedel at the end of the driveway, she can more or less coast down the very small hill!

Just one more sign my baby is growing up.

"so beautiful and happy"

In this dress, Nutmeg said she feels "so beautiful and happy", and really wanted me to take some pictures of her in it. Outside. It was cold. I mean, it's only January! So we headed out into the small patch of sunshine we could find. Usually you try to stay out of the sun, but this was the only way we could tolerate the cold. She wouldn't wear a coat. Of course. And, she really wanted Ase in them. I don't need to remind many of how well these two work together. Lets just say the whole experince was.... interesting. But she really wanted these photos, and it wouldn't be right if I didn't share in her hard work. So here it is!


(yes, that is ase's foot in the way, and yes, nutmeg pointed that out immediately. taking it personal of course. but anytime I can get a genuine smile, in a photo of that girl, then its a keeper.)





(nutmeg was trying every trick in the book to get ase to smile!)

yEa!

I couldn't get these pictures to load for some reason, so I'm just now putting these on, although I found out a bit ago. Do you remember this awhile back. Well, two photos won some cash. Not too bad for throwing something together last minute! I was disappointed I didn't take first... but really. Come on. First time, what can you expect! :) These weren't my first two picks either, which is funny that I wanted the ones I liked better to win over these, but hey. I keep telling myself it doesn't really matter. The one in the umbrella, I actually have a better version of, but didn't want to hand it over to Abbott... so I changed it just enough...

thank you babe

To my wonderful hubby. He knew what I wanted, and delivered. Between him and Santa I can't complain. Santa brought me a new portrait lens I've been really wanting.... and I love it! f/1.8! No more lighting problems inside! It does a really great job, now it's up to me to figure out how to use it best. And then Matt got me a new camera. I don't know that I needed a new one... but it sure is a good one! Yay! Now I guess I REALLY need to figure out how to use all the programing on it. I'll be doing a lot of reading. Any suggestions on easy ways to figure (and remember) all this stuff out would be great. I just can't seem to retain some of this info! Anyway, here are a couple shots I took of Makenna with the new lens and camera. I had to do no photoshop! (well okay, I did change the black and white, but that's it!). What do you think?

Smile

Matt comes home tonight.
:)