Before & After Blog Hop | 10.28.10
{SOOC}
I opened in DPP, added some contrast and sharpening, and then converted to JPEG.
The I used CS5 to add some clarity to her beautiful eyes, and convert to black and white.
{This is my niece Brinley, isn't she GORGEOUS! ^_^}
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3 Years and Counting....
3 years ago today, I married the LOVE of my life.
My daddy walked with me, arm in arm, while a 2 year old Hailey tugged on my dress, the whole way down the isle.
I went completely untraditional with my music and walked down the isle to the BEAUTIFUL "Rebel Heart" by The Coors. I waited until it hit around the 57 second mark before making my "grand entrance".
I, of course, was following my bridesmaids who had walked down the isle to Moby's, "God Moving Over the Face of Water"
We were married by my mom's brother, my uncle Steve, and lit our unity candle as a family with Joshua and Hailey.
Once we were pronounced husband and wife we exited to The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony".
We ate DELICIOUS grilled chicken, and carved prime rib, with the BEST smashed potatoes and green beans I have EVER HAD in my life. {I didn't get to finish my plate, and really only got a few bites of food. I was SO PISSED. It was DELICIOUS though and I craved it for months after the tasting.}
We cut our beautiful cake to The Archies "Sugar Sugar". {Cliche'? Maybe...lol} It was yellow cake, with buttercream icing. Nothing too fancy, or spectacular, but it was delicious.
He threw my garter to Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" {I know, I know} and I threw my bouquet to No Doubt's "Just a Girl".
Our first dance was to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus "Your Guardian Angel".
Our colors were pink and black, and I carried a bouquet of soft pink roses, accented with little white flowers that were shaped like stars. I can't remember the name of them, but they were cute.
We spent our wedding night at the A M A Z I N G Westin hotel in Charlotte, and then left for a last minute, short, 4 day honeymoon at Myrtle Beach. To this day I can honestly say it was one of the BEST vacations we have ever had.
I planned the entire wedding myself, and even made my own invitations by hand. {It took me 4 months just to make the invitations.} It was NOT as hard as weddings I've seen on TV, and I have VERY few "Wish I'd"'s, so I consider that a success!
Over the past 3 years together we've added a beautiful little girl to our family, have been through the trials, joy, fear, happiness, laughter, and tears of raising three AMAZING children, and have grown together in every way. We've made it through with amazing communication and the undying love that brings patience, understanding.
He is my BEST friend and makes me smile every day. He's NEVER talked down to me, made me feel like less of a person, and has never spoke to me with words of anger. He has only built me up, brought out the best in me, and has shown me time and time again what true love and trust are.
I can honestly say, given the chance, I would marry Mel again. Over, and over, and over again.
Happy Anniversary baby! I can't wait until we celebrate our 50th, old and gray, still laughing it up. I love you more today than the day we got married. I look forward to loving you even more next year.
My and my hubby on our wedding night, after the wedding of course, about to spend our first night as the Mr. & Mrs.!
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My daddy walked with me, arm in arm, while a 2 year old Hailey tugged on my dress, the whole way down the isle.
I went completely untraditional with my music and walked down the isle to the BEAUTIFUL "Rebel Heart" by The Coors. I waited until it hit around the 57 second mark before making my "grand entrance".
I, of course, was following my bridesmaids who had walked down the isle to Moby's, "God Moving Over the Face of Water"
We were married by my mom's brother, my uncle Steve, and lit our unity candle as a family with Joshua and Hailey.
Once we were pronounced husband and wife we exited to The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony".
We ate DELICIOUS grilled chicken, and carved prime rib, with the BEST smashed potatoes and green beans I have EVER HAD in my life. {I didn't get to finish my plate, and really only got a few bites of food. I was SO PISSED. It was DELICIOUS though and I craved it for months after the tasting.}
We cut our beautiful cake to The Archies "Sugar Sugar". {Cliche'? Maybe...lol} It was yellow cake, with buttercream icing. Nothing too fancy, or spectacular, but it was delicious.
He threw my garter to Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" {I know, I know} and I threw my bouquet to No Doubt's "Just a Girl".
Our first dance was to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus "Your Guardian Angel".
Our colors were pink and black, and I carried a bouquet of soft pink roses, accented with little white flowers that were shaped like stars. I can't remember the name of them, but they were cute.
We spent our wedding night at the A M A Z I N G Westin hotel in Charlotte, and then left for a last minute, short, 4 day honeymoon at Myrtle Beach. To this day I can honestly say it was one of the BEST vacations we have ever had.
I planned the entire wedding myself, and even made my own invitations by hand. {It took me 4 months just to make the invitations.} It was NOT as hard as weddings I've seen on TV, and I have VERY few "Wish I'd"'s, so I consider that a success!
Over the past 3 years together we've added a beautiful little girl to our family, have been through the trials, joy, fear, happiness, laughter, and tears of raising three AMAZING children, and have grown together in every way. We've made it through with amazing communication and the undying love that brings patience, understanding.
He is my BEST friend and makes me smile every day. He's NEVER talked down to me, made me feel like less of a person, and has never spoke to me with words of anger. He has only built me up, brought out the best in me, and has shown me time and time again what true love and trust are.
I can honestly say, given the chance, I would marry Mel again. Over, and over, and over again.
Happy Anniversary baby! I can't wait until we celebrate our 50th, old and gray, still laughing it up. I love you more today than the day we got married. I look forward to loving you even more next year.
My and my hubby on our wedding night, after the wedding of course, about to spend our first night as the Mr. & Mrs.!
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Leah Elizabeth | Fall 2010
Leah was looking oh-so-adorable the other day, and I couldn't resist taking her out to get some pictures of her in her cute outfit! It just so happened to be 2 o'clock in the afternoon, which was great because I was also wanting to practice shooting in full-sun. It was a win-win I say! Not only did I get some super cute pics of Leah, but I feel like I really learned a lot technically speaking! I wasn't initially planning on making a collage, but when I saw that The Trendy Treehouse Shutter Love Tuesday's theme was "Collages" I felt I HAD too! {Thank goodness, this was BEFORE the big "owie" incident.}
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you....
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Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you....
{Click Image for Full-Size}
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Taking Donations
We are now accepting donations to fund Leah's every growing hospital/urgent care/orthopedic surgeon bills!
You guys, this is getting serious. This poor girl. I don't even know what to do with her! She has been to an orthopedist three times in less than a year. The urgent care and doctor 4 or 5 times!
First, with her pinky being slammed in the door, needed SURGERY, then with falling off the dining room table and breaking her leg, wore a cast for 2 weeks, now she's going Tuesday to have her splint removed from her broken thumb. I shut it in the van door. :(
Let's not forget the cat scan she had to have a few weeks ago after falling out of a chair onto the kitchen floor. Landing on her FACE. She had a bruised cheek for a week.
Talk about being devastating. I feel like the worst mom on earth.
Today, Leah was sitting in the front seat of the car pretending to drive, while we loaded up, getting ready to head out. Hailey, not knowing Leah was leaning on the door, opened it.
Leah landed on her face. In our gravel driveway. I didn't see her land, but I saw the door open, and she was gone, and the second I heard her cries my stomach dropped. I KNEW something was wrong. I couldn't hardly bare to look.
When I saw her grabbing her face, I couldn't look at all, I had to have Mel get her.
Just hearing her cries, and imagining the damage, I felt faint.
Luckily her teeth were in tact. Not lose either which was a plus. Her nose? Bloody. Her chin? Skinned. Her lips? TWO FAT LIPS. {The top is worse.} Her cheek? Black and blue, and slightly skinned.
She looks like she got in a bar fight and barely made it out alive.
"Does she need stitches?! Did she knock her teeth out? Are her teeth lose? Does she need stitches? Should we take her for a scan? Does she need an x-ray? DOES SHE NEED STITCHES?!" I'm sure Mel wanted to yell at me to shut-up...
I was a nervous wreck! Luckily, she didn't take long to calm down, and the damage wasn't TOO terribly bad. It certainly could have been worse.
My guess is, with her having her splint off on Tuesday, she had to have SOME injury in it's place.
It's so pitiful! :(
She's not even 3 yet. I am so worried to see what the years bring us. I'm hoping she gets it all out of her system now. Something tells me she may just end up being our accident prone child though...
**Edited to add, she woke up the next morning looking WORSE! D: Will post pics soon....
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You guys, this is getting serious. This poor girl. I don't even know what to do with her! She has been to an orthopedist three times in less than a year. The urgent care and doctor 4 or 5 times!
First, with her pinky being slammed in the door, needed SURGERY, then with falling off the dining room table and breaking her leg, wore a cast for 2 weeks, now she's going Tuesday to have her splint removed from her broken thumb. I shut it in the van door. :(
{Leah with her cast.}
(No pic from her pinky that I can quickly find.)
{Leah most recently with her splinted thumb.}
Let's not forget the cat scan she had to have a few weeks ago after falling out of a chair onto the kitchen floor. Landing on her FACE. She had a bruised cheek for a week.
{Leah going for her C/T scan.}
Talk about being devastating. I feel like the worst mom on earth.
Today, Leah was sitting in the front seat of the car pretending to drive, while we loaded up, getting ready to head out. Hailey, not knowing Leah was leaning on the door, opened it.
Leah landed on her face. In our gravel driveway. I didn't see her land, but I saw the door open, and she was gone, and the second I heard her cries my stomach dropped. I KNEW something was wrong. I couldn't hardly bare to look.
When I saw her grabbing her face, I couldn't look at all, I had to have Mel get her.
Just hearing her cries, and imagining the damage, I felt faint.
Luckily her teeth were in tact. Not lose either which was a plus. Her nose? Bloody. Her chin? Skinned. Her lips? TWO FAT LIPS. {The top is worse.} Her cheek? Black and blue, and slightly skinned.
She looks like she got in a bar fight and barely made it out alive.
{Her paci covers most of the damage. You can see her cheek and chin though. :(}
"Does she need stitches?! Did she knock her teeth out? Are her teeth lose? Does she need stitches? Should we take her for a scan? Does she need an x-ray? DOES SHE NEED STITCHES?!" I'm sure Mel wanted to yell at me to shut-up...
I was a nervous wreck! Luckily, she didn't take long to calm down, and the damage wasn't TOO terribly bad. It certainly could have been worse.
My guess is, with her having her splint off on Tuesday, she had to have SOME injury in it's place.
It's so pitiful! :(
She's not even 3 yet. I am so worried to see what the years bring us. I'm hoping she gets it all out of her system now. Something tells me she may just end up being our accident prone child though...
**Edited to add, she woke up the next morning looking WORSE! D: Will post pics soon....
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Ghouls and Boys
I'm late to the game as far as the whole "costume buying" things goes. :\
The trouble mostly being that I just haven't been able to find the perfect costumes.
In my defense though, we didn't get Joshua and Hailey's costume until like the day of, or the day before last year, so.....in that case I'm actually ahead of the game.
I actually found the most adorable, perfect, bestest ever in the whole world costume for Leah. And they're out of it. D:
I could cry.
Want to see it? Just so I'm not alone in wanting it, but unable to have it:
I know, I know, it's friggin' amazing. It's the cutest owl on earth. Well it WOULD be if it were Leah's sweet face peaking from that adorable costume. {Not that the model is adorable.}
I won't tell you who sells it, I'll spare you the disgust of not being able to buy it. Plus if you WERE able to buy it I might stab you.
{Please please don't brag to me if you have it. It will ruin my life.}
My life is already pretty much ruined because they're out of the costume.
Joshua wants to be a punk rock skater zombie.
Like this:
But honestly, I think I can do a better job with our own clothes and make-up. We'll have to see...
Hailey wants to be a "bad princess". Whatever that is.
When I googled "bad princess costume" the most appropriate one I could find was this:
Which I can actually TOTALLY see Hailey not only wearing, but ROCKING IT.
I may have to settle on this for Leah:
I really wanted her to be a cupcake last year, but there were no costumes to be found. Were I to posses the priceless knowledge of sewing I would have made my own, but alas, I posses no such knowledge.
I honestly think I could wrap my kids in tin foil and send them as left-overs and they'd still be the cutest things on the block because, well, I'm their mom and have a disgustingly biased opinion on their beauty/cute/handsome-ness.
Hmmm...I guess we shall just wait and see how the cards lay out this Halloween.
Until then, you can oogle and google over the nauseatingly cuteness from last year:
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The trouble mostly being that I just haven't been able to find the perfect costumes.
In my defense though, we didn't get Joshua and Hailey's costume until like the day of, or the day before last year, so.....in that case I'm actually ahead of the game.
I actually found the most adorable, perfect, bestest ever in the whole world costume for Leah. And they're out of it. D:
I could cry.
Want to see it? Just so I'm not alone in wanting it, but unable to have it:
I won't tell you who sells it, I'll spare you the disgust of not being able to buy it. Plus if you WERE able to buy it I might stab you.
{Please please don't brag to me if you have it. It will ruin my life.}
My life is already pretty much ruined because they're out of the costume.
Joshua wants to be a punk rock skater zombie.
Like this:
But honestly, I think I can do a better job with our own clothes and make-up. We'll have to see...
Hailey wants to be a "bad princess". Whatever that is.
When I googled "bad princess costume" the most appropriate one I could find was this:
Which I can actually TOTALLY see Hailey not only wearing, but ROCKING IT.
I may have to settle on this for Leah:
I really wanted her to be a cupcake last year, but there were no costumes to be found. Were I to posses the priceless knowledge of sewing I would have made my own, but alas, I posses no such knowledge.
I honestly think I could wrap my kids in tin foil and send them as left-overs and they'd still be the cutest things on the block because, well, I'm their mom and have a disgustingly biased opinion on their beauty/cute/handsome-ness.
Hmmm...I guess we shall just wait and see how the cards lay out this Halloween.
Until then, you can oogle and google over the nauseatingly cuteness from last year:
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Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!
For some odd, yet hilarious reason, this is Leah's FAVORITE commercial.
She will literally come running from the other room if she hears it.
"Weeeeeeeeee! Weeee mommy! Hehehehe That's SO funny mommy!"
It is most certainly one of the most obnoxious and annoying commercials ever.
And honestly its a little creepy. {Something about the "Thank Mrs.A just creeps me out."}
But just her reaction alone makes it one of my faves.
**Please help me choose! {Click Here} and leave a comment! Or vote in the sidebar!**
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HELP ME CHOOSE!
I am having a hard time making a decision.
It's been my dream for a long time to own my photography business one day. Over the past year {+ a few months} I have done several sessions for families, couples, etc.
Recently I have been trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and go in to full blown portfolio building session mode, or just continue to wait it out.
I don't want a full-time job. It's just not what I want in this time in my life. I want to do something part-time.
Anyhow, for my photography blog I have used the name, "Retrospective Images".
Well, I just don't feel it anymore!
Here are some other names and logo's I have been considering:
What do you think????
My personal fave is the first one. {My middle name is Joy.}
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It's been my dream for a long time to own my photography business one day. Over the past year {+ a few months} I have done several sessions for families, couples, etc.
Recently I have been trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and go in to full blown portfolio building session mode, or just continue to wait it out.
I don't want a full-time job. It's just not what I want in this time in my life. I want to do something part-time.
Anyhow, for my photography blog I have used the name, "Retrospective Images".
Well, I just don't feel it anymore!
Here are some other names and logo's I have been considering:
My personal fave is the first one. {My middle name is Joy.}
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Before & After Blog Hop w/ Pixel Perfect 10.14.10
It's Thursday folks! Which means it's time for one of my fave blog hops:
Pixel Perfect's Before & After Blog Hop!!
Want to participate? Here are the rules:
Now all you gotta do is head over and link up! Don't forget to give Monika a shout out. :)
{BEFORE}
My equipment:
Canon 50D, 50mm f/1.8
Photoshop CS5
My recipe:
I wish I could tell you in detail!
I upped the exposure a tad, added some contrast and sharpening using DPP.
Then I brought it into PSCS5 where I decreased the red in their skin, smoothed her skin, and popped her eyes.
I added a vignette and that's it! :)
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Pixel Perfect's Before & After Blog Hop!!
Want to participate? Here are the rules:
**Rules for playing along
- Use only one picture for your entry. I know we sometimes get excited about sharing but how can we judge the most favorite when you have multiple pictures.
- Post your straight out of camera version and then your edited one. This is where you can really share the art of digital photography.
- Share with everyone the editing program and equipment used. You don't have to go into a step by step process but I know it's appreciated to see the recipe.
- What makes blog hops fun for everyone is when you check out everyone's entries. You are encouraged to stop by others' blogs and be sure to leave some comment love.
- I want the voting to be in your hands. So after the blog hop is shutdown (friday evening) come back and vote for the edit you liked the best.
- Be sure to link back to Pixel Perfect Blog so others can join in on the fun!
Now all you gotta do is head over and link up! Don't forget to give Monika a shout out. :)
My equipment:
Canon 50D, 50mm f/1.8
Photoshop CS5
My recipe:
I wish I could tell you in detail!
I upped the exposure a tad, added some contrast and sharpening using DPP.
Then I brought it into PSCS5 where I decreased the red in their skin, smoothed her skin, and popped her eyes.
I added a vignette and that's it! :)
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i ♥ photoshop!
Please don't let my previous PINT rant make you think anything other than the fact that I LOVE PHOTOSHOP!
I couldn't live without it. Seriously. Photoshop is amazing, photoshop is awesome, photoshop is just the bees knees.
If it wasn't, I wouldn't have been SO INCREDIBLY UPSET that it was evading my advances!
Seriously.
And I'm sure it PROBABLY comes down to something I did or neglected to do. You know human error.
But either way, please don't ever think anything less of photoshop and the awesome, super, amazing people at adobe.
I even had a super awesome nice dude tweet me some tips.
I mean, um HELLO?! Busy.B{Custom}Designs wouldn't and COULDN'T be here today without my beloved photoshop. All of my Before&After's, they would SUCK! My photography? Well, it wouldn't be nearly as colorful and sharp.
So PLEASE don't think less of photoshop. Considering getting it? PLEASE DO! It will rock your world. So much in fact that when you are unable to use it you will go though withdrawals and post rants!
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PINT: Darn you photoshop! >:\
Feel free to visit the adobe photoshop cs5 website today and tell them to fix my stuff. I mean, if you want to.
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p/t conferences
Well, I got through it folks. The first parent/teacher conferences of the year.
And they went GREAT!
Hailey's teachers LOVE her. LOVE HER! I couldn't be happier. We talked about some things that Hailey is struggling with. Things that are to be expected, that just go along with ADHD. Besides those few obstacles Hailey is doing GREAT. She is a bright little girl.
The best part? Not only do her teachers absolutely adore her, so do her classmates! Hailey's teacher even said that a few parents at other conferences today asked about Hailey! Apparently their kiddos come home and talk about her (lovingly) all the time!
I LOVE IT!
One of the downsides that Hailey can be working on is talking. She's a talker, what can I say? Her teacher did say that she is amazed at how well Hailey is able to get her work done even through all the talking!
I left Hailey's classroom so pleased and proud and ready to tackle the 2nd six weeks of school.
And nervous to heck to sit down with Joshua's teacher.
I walked into Joshua's classroom not knowing what to expect. Joshua, being in the 3rd grade now is much more independent. I don't get the constant communication back and forth with his teacher anymore because he's now responsible for maintaining his own agenda. Writing his homework himself, and remembering to bring home assignments.
When I sat down we started off with a bang. His uber organized teacher went down a list she had prepared for the meeting and I was amazed at how well she was able to catch me up in just a few short mintues. She shared with me beginning of the year test scores, how they score the EOG's, Joshua's DRA score, and just a rundown of Joshua's daily tasks and assignments.
What she told me next made my heart soar! Joshua is smart. BRILLIANTLY SMART. She even used the word GENIUS. Yes I'm bragging. But I fully believe I have the right to brag when the word GENIUS is used to describe my son. Especially when his teacher is DEAD SERIOUS.
Not that I didn't know all of the above, but still.
Joshua is working above grade level on almost EVERYthing. Because of this she fully expects to see nothing but A's on his report card. She said that he is more than capable, and that the B he does currently have on his report card is due to his inability to have his work done in a timely manner. Something that all children with ADHD face.
What we talked about next BLEW ME AWAY. She showed me Joshua's desk. She showed me how he has a special organization system set out for him, separating his work, OUTSIDE of his desk, so that he's not distracted by having his hands constantly in his desk. She told me how she has given him special stretchy eraser to manipulate with his hands so that he is able to focus on his work. She showed me his special "wiggle pad" that he uses in his seat so that when he is wiggly and fidgety it doesn't disrupt the class. She told me how her teachers assistant has a special box of pencils for Joshua so that he always has a sharpened pencil to work with.
I could have cried.
I have never seen someone go to such lengths to ensure my son was successful in school despite his ADHD, OCD, and other behavioral conflicts and issues.
To top it all off she told me that she was now working with the guidiance counselors and EC to put together a special learning plan CUSTOMIZED to Joshua's needs.
We have needed this since Joshua started Pre-K but because his grades were never affected by his disabilities it was impossible to get.
This year they changed it so that even though he is on grade level he can receive the help he needs.
I have such hope for Joshua's future! I left the p/t conference so excited to know what is to come for him, and knowing that he is in such good and caring hands.
I feel SO INCREDIBLY lucky and BLESSED to have Joshua and Hailey placed with the teachers they have been placed with.
It is TRULY an answer to many, many prayers.
I am SO, SO, SO proud of my brilliant kiddo's.
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And they went GREAT!
Hailey's teachers LOVE her. LOVE HER! I couldn't be happier. We talked about some things that Hailey is struggling with. Things that are to be expected, that just go along with ADHD. Besides those few obstacles Hailey is doing GREAT. She is a bright little girl.
The best part? Not only do her teachers absolutely adore her, so do her classmates! Hailey's teacher even said that a few parents at other conferences today asked about Hailey! Apparently their kiddos come home and talk about her (lovingly) all the time!
I LOVE IT!
One of the downsides that Hailey can be working on is talking. She's a talker, what can I say? Her teacher did say that she is amazed at how well Hailey is able to get her work done even through all the talking!
I left Hailey's classroom so pleased and proud and ready to tackle the 2nd six weeks of school.
And nervous to heck to sit down with Joshua's teacher.
I walked into Joshua's classroom not knowing what to expect. Joshua, being in the 3rd grade now is much more independent. I don't get the constant communication back and forth with his teacher anymore because he's now responsible for maintaining his own agenda. Writing his homework himself, and remembering to bring home assignments.
When I sat down we started off with a bang. His uber organized teacher went down a list she had prepared for the meeting and I was amazed at how well she was able to catch me up in just a few short mintues. She shared with me beginning of the year test scores, how they score the EOG's, Joshua's DRA score, and just a rundown of Joshua's daily tasks and assignments.
What she told me next made my heart soar! Joshua is smart. BRILLIANTLY SMART. She even used the word GENIUS. Yes I'm bragging. But I fully believe I have the right to brag when the word GENIUS is used to describe my son. Especially when his teacher is DEAD SERIOUS.
Not that I didn't know all of the above, but still.
Joshua is working above grade level on almost EVERYthing. Because of this she fully expects to see nothing but A's on his report card. She said that he is more than capable, and that the B he does currently have on his report card is due to his inability to have his work done in a timely manner. Something that all children with ADHD face.
What we talked about next BLEW ME AWAY. She showed me Joshua's desk. She showed me how he has a special organization system set out for him, separating his work, OUTSIDE of his desk, so that he's not distracted by having his hands constantly in his desk. She told me how she has given him special stretchy eraser to manipulate with his hands so that he is able to focus on his work. She showed me his special "wiggle pad" that he uses in his seat so that when he is wiggly and fidgety it doesn't disrupt the class. She told me how her teachers assistant has a special box of pencils for Joshua so that he always has a sharpened pencil to work with.
I could have cried.
I have never seen someone go to such lengths to ensure my son was successful in school despite his ADHD, OCD, and other behavioral conflicts and issues.
To top it all off she told me that she was now working with the guidiance counselors and EC to put together a special learning plan CUSTOMIZED to Joshua's needs.
We have needed this since Joshua started Pre-K but because his grades were never affected by his disabilities it was impossible to get.
This year they changed it so that even though he is on grade level he can receive the help he needs.
I have such hope for Joshua's future! I left the p/t conference so excited to know what is to come for him, and knowing that he is in such good and caring hands.
I feel SO INCREDIBLY lucky and BLESSED to have Joshua and Hailey placed with the teachers they have been placed with.
It is TRULY an answer to many, many prayers.
I am SO, SO, SO proud of my brilliant kiddo's.
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Happy Columbus/Teacher Work Day
I had a few posts in mind for this week.
Now that I'm sitting down to blog I can't think of a single one. Did I think to write them down? Type them in my blackberry's memo pad? Email them to myself?
No.
I am averagely very good with doing such things to take action in remembering specific topics I'd like to pour my heart out over.
That sentence is quite insulting to the English language isn't it.
Apparently today is Columbus day. There's no school, but not because of the holiday, but because it's a teachers workday.
So instead of doing our normal Monday thing we get to do this:
Lounge around and watch Edward Scissorhands!
I won't get to lounge around for much longer. I've got two p/t conferences to attend. For those of you who don't know, that's parent/teacher conference. This is the first of the year.
I'm not looking forward to it.
In honor of Columbus Day I leave you with this:
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Now that I'm sitting down to blog I can't think of a single one. Did I think to write them down? Type them in my blackberry's memo pad? Email them to myself?
No.
I am averagely very good with doing such things to take action in remembering specific topics I'd like to pour my heart out over.
That sentence is quite insulting to the English language isn't it.
Apparently today is Columbus day. There's no school, but not because of the holiday, but because it's a teachers workday.
So instead of doing our normal Monday thing we get to do this:
Lounge around and watch Edward Scissorhands!
I won't get to lounge around for much longer. I've got two p/t conferences to attend. For those of you who don't know, that's parent/teacher conference. This is the first of the year.
I'm not looking forward to it.
In honor of Columbus Day I leave you with this:
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Seasons Greetings | Custom Die Cut Holiday Cards
Wow your friends with beautiful die cut holiday cards this upcoming holiday season! This design is available in three different colors. If you are interested in a color not shown, message me! Keep your eye out for many more shapes and designs coming soon! Use the contact button above to order yours today!
A girl can dream...
My current wish list. Because after all Christmas is coming in a few short months!
a) a camera bag
I LOVE the Belle from Epiphanie. It's gorgeous, and beautiful, and makes me swoon. It would lovingly hold all of my camera bits, parts, and accessories. I am in LOVE with this bag.
I mean look at this beauty:
Isn't she gorgeous?!
b) the HTC evo
I've had my blackberry for a year now, and while I have loved it for the most part, I am ready to move on to something new. I use to LOVE my Samsung Instinct, but felt it was constrictive in what I could do. It only had so many apps, and I just wasn't completely satisfied. The blackberry has fulfilled many app needs, but I find myself wanting more. An iPhone would be AWESOME, but I just don't see myself switching carriers. I've been with Sprint for almost 8 years.
Then came the HTC evo. It pretty much takes all of the above and puts it into one phone.
I am lusting for the HTC evo MAJORLY.
c) high speed car reader
This bad boy is a Rocketfish! It's a high speed compact flash card reader. Currently it takes FOREVER to upload pictures and this little nugget is supposed to speed that process up. For less than $40 I figure it's worth a try!
d) more glass for my camera bag
I've got an entire wishlist dedicated entirely to lenses. First is the 35mm f/2. Then the 85mm f/1.8. And last but not least, the 60mm f/2.8 macro!!!
I only need a few grand and I'll be set! Yea, I'm thinking I may get ONE of these if I'm lucky, but there's no harm in dreaming right? After all it's just a wishlist. I could add thousands of dollars of other photo equipment, electronics, and whatnot, but these are top on my list. :)
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a) a camera bag
I LOVE the Belle from Epiphanie. It's gorgeous, and beautiful, and makes me swoon. It would lovingly hold all of my camera bits, parts, and accessories. I am in LOVE with this bag.
I mean look at this beauty:
Isn't she gorgeous?!
b) the HTC evo
I've had my blackberry for a year now, and while I have loved it for the most part, I am ready to move on to something new. I use to LOVE my Samsung Instinct, but felt it was constrictive in what I could do. It only had so many apps, and I just wasn't completely satisfied. The blackberry has fulfilled many app needs, but I find myself wanting more. An iPhone would be AWESOME, but I just don't see myself switching carriers. I've been with Sprint for almost 8 years.
Then came the HTC evo. It pretty much takes all of the above and puts it into one phone.
I am lusting for the HTC evo MAJORLY.
c) high speed car reader
This bad boy is a Rocketfish! It's a high speed compact flash card reader. Currently it takes FOREVER to upload pictures and this little nugget is supposed to speed that process up. For less than $40 I figure it's worth a try!
d) more glass for my camera bag
I've got an entire wishlist dedicated entirely to lenses. First is the 35mm f/2. Then the 85mm f/1.8. And last but not least, the 60mm f/2.8 macro!!!
I only need a few grand and I'll be set! Yea, I'm thinking I may get ONE of these if I'm lucky, but there's no harm in dreaming right? After all it's just a wishlist. I could add thousands of dollars of other photo equipment, electronics, and whatnot, but these are top on my list. :)
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Moaning Monday
Where do people find this stuff on craigs list?!
I can't find CRAP. And that's all I want. CRAP. CHEAP CRAP.
Seriously!
And IMO people ask ENTIRELY too much for their crap!
"It's got a few scratches on the top, it's missing a handle, and it only has 3 of the 4 drawers. I'm also pretty sure a family of squirrels currently resides in the top drawer. But it's still TOTALLY usable and it's VINTAGE/ANTIQUE/SHABBY CHIC. I'll be willing to let it go for only $250!"
"Almost new bunkbeds, only a year old, $149."- That's from an actual ad I replied to. They sent me a photo of the bunkbeds. You can see them for yourself HERE. Yes, for $10 more I could buy them BRAND NEW.
I've only had two yard/garage sales in my lifetime. They were both pretty successful. The second, towards the end I had a gentlemen approach me and ask how much I wanted for something. He cut me off before I was able to tell him and said, "First, let me say this, I know this is stuff you are wanting to get rid of! And if you don't sell it you're probably just going to donate it or give it away. NOW tell me how much you want for it.".
In some ways, yea, he was right! But it also really pissed me off. How does he know that I'm not out there selling things that I LOVE, WANT, and possibly NEED?! How does he know that I'm not so desperate to put food in my childrens mouths or pay our mortgage that I am willing to sell things that I hold dear to me?!
I try and remember that each time I look at a ridiculous ad.
I don't know everyone's story, and they might be desperate for money. And I totally get that. {I KNOW I am blessed to be able to have a garage sale just to get rid of junk for some extra spending money.}
But back to the matter....
I just want to be able to find some cheap stuff. I have read SO many blogs where fellow peeps nab stuff for like $20. TWENTY BUCKS! Of course it's not the pertiest, but then they give it a fab makeover!
That's what I want to do!
I'm just majorly jealous.
Okay, okay I did have one pretty cool score on Craigs List. I meant to blog about it forever ago, and it's been sitting in my drafts FOREVER. Maybe I'll dust it off and post it.
Okay, I'm done moaning for now.
*I could've sworn I scheduled this to post this morning...hmm....weird...
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I ♥ Faces Fix it Friday
It has been quite some time since I participated in iheartfaces fix-it friday!
Here is my play on the adorable little girls photo:
I upped the exposure a tad and added some contrast and sharpening in ACR. Then using CS5 I played with the contrast and sharpening a wee more, added a vignette and then popped those gorgeous eyes.
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Here is my play on the adorable little girls photo:
I upped the exposure a tad and added some contrast and sharpening in ACR. Then using CS5 I played with the contrast and sharpening a wee more, added a vignette and then popped those gorgeous eyes.
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