A New Addition (I'm Not Pregnant)

We have a new addition to our family.  Her name is Gracie.  She's been our beloved pet for about 6 hours. And while I am not a veterinarian, I'm afraid we might have already loved her to death.

That, or she is already in cocoon mode because this is one big fat caterpillar that is undoubtedly uncomfortable in her skin.  She's ready to fly with her monarch relatives.  But she'll have to convince Eloise to let her go first.

Because for the last 6 hours, she's been Eloise's best friend.  They've talked and played.  Gracie even rode on Eloise's finger as we took our evening stroll in the stroller.

Gracie is (or maybe was....is it possible to over stimulate a caterpillar?) a wonderful pet.

Those are caterpillar droppings.  She eats and poops all the time.  That's one draw back.

But caterpillars are friendly,

and quiet,

slow,

cooperative,

and beautiful.  Just what we girls in this house are looking for a pet.

I Heart Faces

It's Vroom Vroom time at I Heart Faces.  And while Cordelia might not be going anywhere in her sissy's cool car, she sure thinks she's hot stuff!  She'll steal every moment she can get in those hot wheels.  But shhhh.... please don't tell her big sis.

Thanks.

Happy Sunday

It's Sunday afternoon around here.  And a small miracle is unfolding before my eyes.  One sleeping baby in her crib, and two sleeping in the chair.

And me alone with my computer editing photos.  Pure Bliss.

The Pastor's Wife

Today, as I am everyday really, I am a pastor's wife.  The ultimate church volunteer.  The church lady that knows where the vacuum is, where the coffee mugs go, and can lock-up after an event.

It doesn't make me special.  You can do all these things too.  Hint, hint.  Wink, wink.  It's just a description of what I do, and probably many pastor's wives do, every week.

I love this role.  (On most days :-)

Here's what I did this week as a pastor's wife.

1.  Made some yummy banana bread and attended our mother's Bible study.

2.  Traded loads, literally loads, of emails concerning Meals for Moms, scheduling, retreat info, etc.

3.  Took photos of some new (and not so new) staff members for the welcome board.

4.  Hosted a preschool welcome party at the church's preschool.  I'm still tired from it.  Yawn.

5.  I let Eloise pretend to be a bride and walk down the aisle with an empty church.  She asked where her prince was.  I said I didn't know.

6.  I printed and posted the photos of the new (and not so new) staff members for the member board.

7.  I admired and thought about our stained glass window that has Robert E. Lee and George Washington sitting together.  And I wondered a lot about it.  I still do, really.

8.  I was welcomed.  That's a passive thing.  I didn't really do anything but stand there and be confused.  We've been here for 2 years.  Where's she been for 2 years?  At least she was nice and welcomed us to the church.  (That doesn't always happen, you know.)

9.  Finally, I'm planning (I will do this tonight) for Kid's Church tomorrow.  Yippee!

Now go forth, and volunteer at your church today!!

Fix-It Friday

It's Fix-It Friday at I Heart Faces.  I have found recently how important editing photos can be.  And just how much practice it takes.  So, practice I am.

This darling really pops out from her dark surroundings.  I wanted to enhance that even more.  I love me some bright colors.

Straight Out of the Camera

My Edit

Using PSE 8, I opened in RAW.  Adjusted the white balance, clarity, blacks, vibrance (I'm really increasing my vibrance these days), and sharpen until I saw an image that I thought portrayed reality the best.

Then I cropped to a 8 by 10.  Saturated and dodged her eyes with a very low opacity.  I ran Lovely and Ethereal by Pioneer Woman and darkened the left side of the the background.

I flattened.  I saved.  All done.

Good Morning

Good Morning, crowd!  Wake up with this morning's addition of Funny Faces.

By us, for you.

Technical Difficulties (bring faith)

I'm having some technical difficulties, so I have no photos for you.  Even though we went to the zoo and saw the panda sleeping.  And saw 2 orangoutangs swinging above our heads.  And 2 elephants in their new and improved and beautiful habitat.  And 2 little 3 year olds holding hands.  I can't share them with you because I'm having technical difficulties.

Eloise had a little technical difficulty herself, today.  She got her thumb stuck in the bench at the zoo.  She was screaming and I was pulling.  I'm thinking, you got this in there, there has to be a way out.  And after one mighty tug, she was free.  Phew.

This is not the first time she's done this.  Her first stuck experience was at the park.  She managed to get her leg stuck in the playground equipment.  She was bruised and tattered.  I was scarred.  Then, she managed to wedge her head between the bar and cart of an airport luggage cart.  Did you catch that?  Her head was stuck.  Stuck.  Stuck. Stuck.  She screamed so loud that her face turned as red as a tomato.  My heart jumped out of my chest.

I figured out how to wiggle her out of that one too.  But barely.


Sheesh.  Parenting is not for the faint of heart.  I know I'm not always going to be able to wiggle her free.  And that's the most terrifying thought of all.

It's in these terribly stressful and scary times that I'm most thankful for my faith in Jesus Christ.  Because I know that when she is stuck, He will carry her.

And when I'm stuck, He will carry me.  And when you are stuck, He will carry you.

He is always carrying you.

Eloise Today

Eloise, right now.  Watching her most favorite thing in the whole wide world for rest time.  The Nutcracker.  What a treat.  

If you look real closely, you can see who is starring in this beloved production.  

Can you guess?  Can you guess?

Everyone needs a little MacCaulay Culkin at 3pm in the afternoon.  

Cordelia Today

Today little Miss Delia is 10 months old.  Can't believe it.  I'm grieving it.  She's just the most perfect little chubster.  And she makes me want to have another chubby cherib tomorrow.

Well, kinda.  But not entirely.

So, what does our little 10 month-er do these days?  Climb stairs, climb on the couch, rough house with her sister, navigate the fire place, eat lots of finger foods, push our push toys, and stand independently.  I know you don't believe me, but I tell no lies.  So I set out to capture her standing/almost walking self to prove it to you.

But I got nothing for you.  You'll just have to believe me.  All this girl wanted to do was squat on her 10 month birthday.

Happy, Ten Months little Miss Delia Pie!

Labor Day Today

Good Morning, Washington DC.

(Not to self: Always go downtown on Labor Day.  Nobody is there.)

(This small town is still asleep.)

(But you have to wait for the carousel to open.)

(Which is not easy.)

(You get to be alone in the museums. though.  Which is beautiful fun.)

(You can chirp and babble and crawl on the cleanest floor in town.)

(You have 1 to 1 teacher student ratio.  And think really hard about Native Americans.)

(Then you leave while the town awakes.)

(And the sun is high and naps are nigh.)

(Happy Nap Time.  And Happy Labor Day.)

Do you . . . ?

Do you let your child eat their seconds off the floor?

Or is it just me?

Fix-It Friday

It's Fix-It Friday at I Heart Faces.  And this week this cute couple is sharing their photo with us.  Isn't cute?  They've inspired me to change it up a bit behind the camera.

Will you take a picture of us?  I ask someone.

Sure.  They say.

Then we assume the position.  Alex puts his arm around me.  We stand shoulder to shoulder, face forward, and say cheese.  And we get the exact same photo every time.  Boring!  Whether Alex likes it or not, I'm going to try to have a little more fun next time.

Straight Out Of The Camera

My Edit

I used PSE-8.  Opened it in RAW and adjusted the white balance, vibrancy, contrast, etc to make it look like it would if I was standing there on the dirt road with them.

Then I opened it as a JPEG in Full Edit.  I cropped.  I burned the trees a little.  Tried to get some color in the sky but couldn't figure that out.  (Suggestions anyone?)  I left it at that and played with some different actions.  I wanted it to be dreamy and warm.  So I went with Pioneer Woman's Soft and Faded.  I adjusted the opacity to my liking.  Flattened.  Saved.

Aren't they cute?

Eloise Yesterday

Out-Takes

So you've ooohhhed and aaahhhed over my precious Cordelia and my amazing photography skills.  And that makes me feel so good inside.  (Maybe that's the real reason I blog.  I love all the positive feed back.  Who wouldn't?)

But that's not really how it looks around here.  (Well at least, all the time. :-)

Here are some of the behind the scenes.  Unedited.

Oh, there's someone familiar.

Taking over.

And conquering the chair.

Then deserts to hit a tree with a stick.

I put Cordelia back in the chair.

Smile, please!

Pretty, please?!

It's always amazing I get anything done around here with so many variables moving parts  ... with a 3 year old, isn't?

This post has been dedicated to all those who parent 3 year olds today.  And got anything done.