Straight off the Edge

So, me and my bestie, Val...You have heard her name and seen her face many times...We have teamed up to create a new blog.  It is called  Straight off the Edge.  The whole premise, I am a straight girl, and she isn't.  I am so republican and conservative.  She is not so much.  The best part is that we are highly entertaining, and we freely insult each other.  It should be really funny to follow.

Val and I have been best friends since we were five years old.  I would never be who I am without her. There are so many funny farm stories that go along with our friendship.  Please join us, here, if you wish to hear about our story.

Book Recommendations

Hi kids!  I have no actual things to post, but I still wanted to post. That makes no sense.  Anyhow, I thought I would give you a few book recs for happy reading.

Rule by Jay Crownover
Thorough Breeds and Trailer Trash by Bev Pettresen
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Tidal by Emily Snow
Cleaning House by Kay Willis Wyma
Tall, Dark & Handsome by R.L. Mathewson
The Opportunist
Three Girls and a Baby by Rachel Schurig
Back to You
Leopard Moon by Jeanette Battista

I'm sure there are more.  I am on a time limit!

I Heart Faces/Best Face Photo 2012

I have had the absolute honor to take pictures of many beautiful faces this last year.  Many beautiful faces of people I know, and people I don't.  And it feels amazing that the pictures I've taken will grace the wall's of these people's homes.  This is a photo I took at a wedding earlier in 2012.  I absolutely loved this bride and groom, and their family.  The groomsmen reminded me so much of my brothers and their friends.  They were so awesome, and funny with a sense of humor right up my alley.  This was a candid shot of the groom with his grandfather.  Grandpa had stolen a flask off of the groomsmen.  Apparently, they found their own private moment to tell a joke and laugh amongst all of the guests. 

If you'd like to enter your photo, please go to iheartfaces.

Project Life: January-June

I'm am nearly done with my entire project for 2012.  I was short a couple of pictures so I have to have them printed out.  I just wanted to get this first six months up for you.  I will put the rest up soon and then include links to all of the posts for this project.  I would really like to do this project again, but I'm finding it difficult to find new month by month papers.  I don't want to use the same ones again this year.  I might even do it digitally.  We shall, see.

January

I created an extra 8.5x11 layout for January

February

March

April

May

June

OOOHHHH.....Snow!

Notice the boy's lone snowball in the yard from last night.

We got a nice little winter storm!  We were sent home from work yesterday at noon...as roads started closing.  We got the day off today as well!  Maddie was the only one who braved the snow today.  Wolfie and Maddie went out last night and I didn't get photos.  Such is life, I guess.

No New Years Resolutions...And a VERY Useful Book Reccomendation

So  this year I have no resolutions.  I just don't.  My plan is to live by my one little word; BALANCE.  Living by this word didn't start as of January 1...as many of you know I started about a week ago.  I've been reflecting on a lot of things, talking with Erik.  We are really examining our life and our goals.

Enter this new book I'm reading...

If you are an overwhelmed mom who thinks your home could use more help from the kiddos, this book is for you.  I heard about it from The Coffee Shop Blog.  Her post really spoke to me and made so. much. sense.  For some reason, I've felt like I needed to do everything around here....control issues anyone?  Anyhow, I've realized that I can't do it alone.  It only makes me upset, angry, and overwhelmed.  It just became so much easier to do things myself than argue with the kids to do it, or listen to their fighting about who got what out.

I also really think it leads to a future of entitlement.  If we think our kids deserve everything in the world and provide everything for them, then they expect that.  Then guess what, surprise...you're an adult and you don't get everything you want.  I think that's why we as Americans live out of budget, buy things to compete with everyone else.  I have always told my children that hard work pays off; that you have to work hard to get the things in life that you want.  I just don't think I've actually showed them how to be accountable and to appreciate things.  

Here are some of the quotes from the book that really made sense to me.

"Kids must do for the world and family; they must give to the world and family."

"TR (Theodore Roosevelt) would climb out of his grave, metaphorical big stick in hand and all thoughts of speaking softly abandoned, if he knew what we have done to this country that he and so many other determined leaders worked diligently to shape."

"When I catch myself muttering under my breath, "I told them to pick this up" and then proceeding not only to pick up pajamas, towels, and shoes but also to organize their closet while I am it, I'm solidifying my children's expectation that someone will always be around to do their work for them."

"I believe in you, and I'm going to prove it by putting you to work"

There are so many more quotes.  I'll let you read them for yourselves.  Really good book, and really enlightening.  I am so using the jar idea.

Have a good day!

Happy New Year...and a few Denver Pics

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
This is a day late, I guess.  Erik and I were out of town.  I gave Erik tickets to the Broncos v Chiefs game for Christmas.  I had to tell him earlier in the year so he could get the time off :(.  We spent our New Years in Denver.  We went out for dinner and Benihana and then back to our hotel.  We were in by 10 pm.

 Most Downtrodden Fan Ever

This is my favorite photo of the whole trip.  This guy actually wore Chiefs clothing to the game.  There was not one other Chiefs fan in the vicinity.  At the end of the game, I took his picture.  That is his friend mocking him in the background.  Downtrodden fan, as I call him, actually loved the picture, so I got his email address and sent him the picture.

 Peyton Manning! I just mostly took pictures of him during the game.  I just wished I'd brought my zoom lens.

 First Denver Drive of the game...Touchdown!

 More Manning

 Erik and I before the game.

 Erik and I at Benihana

 Erik and I before the game.

 Erik and I in downtown Denver at the 16th Street Mall.

And meanwhile, my parents and Erik's parents watched the kids.  My dad took my boys to my Grandma's house.  This is a picture with 8 of her Great Grandchildren.  I love this picture!  I love how they all sort of look alike too.

Happy New Year, Kids!  I'll post later with my Project Life Album for 2012...I've been a little busy trying to get everything picked up, washed, and put away!