mischief

Our little Maycee Moo is quite the busy little girl.  Lately, she has gotten LOTS of daddy/mommy time.  Since Shem is home during the days, we have had lots of family time!  We have been able to go swimming lots and watch her get a great tan.  She has the best skin color!  And she is slowly transitioning to having just one nap in the day.  At night, she will sleep about 12 hours.  She's constantly growing and learning.  Lately she has been making kitty noises.  She says "owwww, owwww", which is her trying to say "meoww".  And she can say "one, twooo, freee".  I love listening to her trying to say words.  We are always asking her to say things and she is getting very good at repeating them back.  She is also getting to be a pro at giving closed-mouth kisses and the best hugs!  What can I say?  I'm pretty sure she is the best little 17 (almost 18) month old!  She keeps things exciting and full of life here at home.  I love it!!

I've captured her in the act of being a little mischevious!  So funny!!!

Hanging out at Tempe Marketplace.  HILARIOUS!

On the way home from hanging out in Tempe.  Daddy shared his chocolate chip cookie from Kookiez with little M.

She got into all of our papers that I was attempting to organize.  Just trying to help, I guess!

EVERY time I have my make up out, she heads for this brush.  It's her favorite.  Oh, and she is sitting in Sadie's bed.  One of her many places she runs to when she KNOWS she's into something she shouldn't be.  

Her hair is long enough for pigtails!!  (excuse the toilet in the background)

Spaghetti, one of her favorites!

She runs free once she's naked.  Check out that tan line!

Of course, as always, totally attached to the bink but she discovered TWO can fit in her mouth.  haha

This girl is a crack up.  I gotta share these funny photos more!!

journaling

Today at church, there was a wonderful talk given about the importance of keeping a record of our lives.  As the talk starts out, I think to myself wow, I'm really good at journaling because I keep a blog.  As the talk proceeds, these points are brought up:

-write about YOURSELF
-write about the people around you
-write about current political/social events
-write about your triumphs
-write about your struggels/trials
-share your spirituality
-and most importantly, BE HONEST

Those points put me in my place!  All this time I have been thinking I was pretty good about giving updates here and there, when in reality, I have really been slacking.  With the intention of keeping a personal record for our posterity, I feel like I've not been fulfilling that!  The most striking point was that of writing about yourself.  I have a phobia about appearing self-centered (had some INTERESTING things said to me on the topic, ex. EFY teacher, ha..long story) and avoid talking about myself to anyone no matter what the vehicle (computer, text, face to face, etc).  Throughout all my life, my parents have taught me to be considerate of others.  Therefore, I have yet to fully feel confident in talking about me, me, me.  I hope I'm not the only loon who thinks like that?...  haha anyway, I am truly motivated!  In a sense, I am choosing to doing some inward reflecting.  Time to focus on ME!

And what have I learned today about me?  Well, number one...I cannot make anyone do what I think is right.  I cannot make Maycee eat her vegetables and I most certaintly cannot make my Biology teacher push back our test dates because we only have a week to prepare.  I can't make those close to me understand my love for them or those that I do not favor understand my lack of love for them.  So what have I learned about ME in these realizations?  Well, that I have not fully understood this principle until today.  In my life, very recently, I have felt great peace.  I have felt love for those around me in ways that I have forgotten I could feel.  Each day I find something to be grateful for, whether it be a roof over my head, or the random check in the mail/random job that brings in just enough money to carry us another month or two.  Truly, I feel blessed.  I know I'm blessed and so is my family of three.  And beginning today I want to keep myself reminded to not "control", rather to let people have their agency.

In conclusion, I plan on journaling consistently about my personal experiences.  I do not feel comfortable doing it publicly here on this blog, but will share certain occurrences here and there, such as my thoughts today.  It is such a great feeling knowing how important this simple task really is and having  an appreciation for it.

The end.

Happy Sunday, I hope it was a restful one.

Wrapping up

This week I wrapped up all my photo shoots that I've had to finish up.  What a relief, but also I'm sad.  As I posted earlier this month, I am no longer doing photography.  Just temporarily, until I have attained my nursing degree. I also feel strongly that I need to do a better job at fulfilling my role as a mother.  There is no way I can be a photographer and be a mommy and be wife and be a student and be pleasant to be around with the piled up stress!  Yep, I reached my limit.  With putting a strain on important relationships with those I am close to as well as not ever feeling satisfied with my work or, anything else for that matter, I knew something had to give--my passion.  I'm sure others can relate in different areas of their lives.  As Pres. Monson has said, "Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved."  Too often have I found myself sitting at the computer editing pics late at night and not practicing a good night-time ritual with Shem or with myself.  And then in the mornings I am exhausted and don't have the energy to care for my little firecracker, Maycee.  Although I am temporarily not doing business I will be continually perfecting the art as I capture precious family memories.  That being said, I look forward to taking off with a part-time business in a few years as our family grows and I'm a stay at home mom.  It will be so much fun!  If anyone is interested in photo tips or camera equipment questions, don't hesitate to ask.  I'm no professional, but I have invested lots of time in the art, post-processing, researching and reading on the subject.  And, of course, I will still post cute pictures of "mini" shoots I do of my family!  :)  Happy photography-ing to all!

Britynn.  One year pictures.

Lauren. Taken at 4 days old.

Tiffany expecting her daughter Holly.  Taken at the Orange Patch in Mesa, AZ.

2nd shooter with Trevor Dayley Photography.  Taken at the Mesa, AZ temple and a nearby barnyard

Nicola and her son Luc.

Adam and Sherra's sweet kids: Kaden, Britynn, and Kenidi.

the comparison

So, here are photos of Shem and me close to Maycee's age or at least as toddlers. I had to make this quick collage because I can't believe the perfect mix she is between us two. It's so amazing that Shem and I are parents. AND that she looks like the both of us!  Love it.

I will venture to say she got the best of both of us!

Our 4th

We didn't do much yesterday.  We spent a few hours with Shem's family, then came home and lazily spent the rest of the day eating.  Yeah, that's about what we did.  I made Chinese Sundaes for dinner and a festive cake.  After cake we lit off some fireworks I had surprised Shem with last week.  Maycee was in bed right after and Shem and I followed about an hour later.  It was a laid back day but nice to spend time just the three of us.  We don't get a lot of days where it's just us three, with Shem and I in school.  These days will be missed.

Chinese Sundaes:  These are similar to Hawaiian Haystack in assembly, but the chicken sauce is entirely different.  Soooo darn good and EASY, too!

Source of inspiration:  Turbobubblegum! (Hers looks a hundred times better, but I put in LESS dye.  I am still happy with it :)  Banner...thanks to a few of Sherra's scraps..I knew if I bailed completely on making this, I would regret it!  Oh, and I did not try to make the cake white using whites only.  I was a little lazy.  Next time I will be a more tenacious.

 I think this is the crack the whip firework...Maycee and I were standing pretty far away taking these photos.  haha.

Maycee last July 4th, 2010. Hasn't she grown so much?!

The best photo I could get of this little wiggleworm. She refused to stay still. Oh well, she's sporting her patriotism and has her bald eagle, too. Such a sweetie!

Happy fourth!

Since we didn't have the opportunity to watch fireworks, I've been admiring the gorgeous photos some fellow photographers took. These pictures are amazing, seriously! Check them out NOW! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.159127727490378

Land of the free!

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.  
~Author unknown


I guilty for not taking the time to pray and thank my Heavenly Father for the wonderful, free land I live in.  I am so thankful for this beautiful country we have!  And for the freedoms we have enjoyed for hundreds of years.  May it remain this way.  :)  Happy fourth!

The funny things she does

Maycee is a VERY busy girl. She runs down the church hallways and right into the middle of sacrament meeting as I chase after her in high heels (BIG MISTAKE). In fact, just this past Sunday I was chasing after her and rolled my ankle with the RIDICULOUS heels I had on. I found myself flat on the floor immediately. It was so embarrassing and luckily no one saw! Time to bring out the flats. I have been in denial for too long, convincing myself I can get away with tall shoes. haha, mommyhood...

She just recently started watching television shows. Her two favorites are Wonderpets and Yo, Gaba, Gaba.   Yo Gaba Gaba is definitley number one. The first time I ever put it on she stood about a foot away from the tv and just stared, for literally the entire show! No, not really, but close.

This is her watching Yo, Gaba, Gaba!  She is too funny :)  I love her little laugh!

Also.....

Maycee is a little fish, but does NOT like the little swimming pool we bought her!  We got this hoping she would love it and play it and oh, the relief for us.  She has other plans, as usual.  Her idea of playing in the pool is when we drive to the pool and let her roam around in the kiddie pool.  Hmmm...I wonder if she'd like the mini pool better if we started with it instead?  Oh well, she'll grow to love the little pool...I hope!

And.....

Binkies...hmmm....to have it or not to have it, that's the question. Last week we could not find a single bink. We looked everywhere in the house, the cars, etc. couldn't find one! Maycee was flipping out and it happened to be the night before my state board exam. Kids sense stress.... anyway, finally Shem zipped over to Walgreens and bought new ones. Oh my goodness. I think we are fast approaching the point that we have her throw it in the trash. I'm sure other moms can relate. At first, I felt guilty for having a bink for her and now I feel guilty for getting rid of it. She is so attached to it. She wakes up in the night if she can't find it. Madness!

We're setting the goal of having her off the bink before school starts back up in August....I'll report back.  haha

4's and 5's:

This little girl is getting big!  She is a whopping 25lbs, CRAZY!!  Her birthweight was 7lbs. 12 oz.  I can't believe how fast babies grow into toddlers.  She just upgraded in diapers.  Yup...she's a 4.  What?!  This is nuts!  AND her shoe size is 5!  I remember when both her diapers and shoes we N (newborn).  Watching her grow bigger is really making me baby hungry!  I can't wait to have another baby.  Maycee is going to be a great big sister, I know it :)

I have attempted doing photography as a side business (AND love it), but it's so time consuming for my lifestyle.  I don't have the right editing program to batch edit, so it takes HOURS to edit as little as ten photos.  Plus, it's unrealistic in our given circumstances.  Time to dedicate all my time to Shem, Maycee, my health and spirituality.  Woohoo!  Freedom!  I'll be back in business in 2 years, baby!  Til then, all my photos are dedicated to capturing family memories.

Happier things....I recently became a Certified Nursing Assistant!  No job yet...but who knows?!

I captured some darling photos of Maycee for Father's Day.  With help from my sweet friend, Emily, we got Maycee to smile!  :)  Yay!  That is a rarity when the camera is in her face.  Happpy Father's Day, Shem, Papa, Grandpa W, Pops and Grandpa C!  I hope it was a wonderful day!