Happening Here

When I signed up for a three week photography course, I had one main goal and that was to find out what changed on my camera that lead me to start having issues with indoor shots. Sadly, on day five the teacher advised I need to have my camera repaired as the issue isn't a user error. According to Nikon, I am anticipating not only going a few weeks without my camera but I am also going to spend at minimum $285 on the repair. I could cry. After a considerable amount of deliberation, I ordered a new-to-me replacement camera body for a bit more than the repair estimate. In doing so, I was able to commit to photographing an upcoming school dance and accept a wedding gig. Make no mistake, I want nothing to do with event photography but both cases are good causes without budgets.

Both of the older girls in our home have been given flowers this week. I display them and laugh. Many, many years ago I sent Greg to the store for three items and one of them was flowers. He didn't buy them then and he has not purchased them since. In fact, the flowers I recieved for my birthday only arrived because Erin ordered them, paid for them and signed everyone's name. My twenty-something self wanted flowers she never got.  My forty-something self buys them when she wants them. However, I do wonder if the young men giving them to my daughters wouldn't mind rotating weeks. Hmmmm......

So just when we thought Austin could not get any cuter, he got his helmet. Goodness, those adorable chubby cheeks are just highlighted now! Not only is he not bothered by it, but he has already figured out (on day 2, no less) that he can use his head to bulldoze his way through furniture and toys. Good luck to his parents as this baby has an ornery spirit.

We woke to snow after both Kate and Ty had friends sleepover last night. To say they had a blast would be an understatement. The temperature was so mild and the snow perfect for packing.

Ada really wanted to participate in the snowball fight so Kate obliged.

My third photography course assignment was to capture a flat layout. I was pretty stumped at first about what I would photograph to represent me and at first considered a book and a cup of tea as those simple pleasures really are my favorite. However, inspiration presented itself when my son owed me a written apology after one melt down too many.

Some Updates

Austin is ten months old today. They made it home last Thursday just in time to finally have him evaluated in Texas for the physical therapy he needs to treat torticollis. He suffers from a traumatic birth and the military has taken its sweet time authorizing necessary treatment. His head shaping helmet will arrive this week as well. Again, despite the fact their insurance won't pay for the $1500 helmet, they had to have a prescription in order to obtain it. They had the process completed when it was time to leave Georgia in October and had to start over with referrals in Texas. He has lost vital time to treat as he should have been in the helmet months ago. There simply isn't much our government touches that is better off as result. *steps off soap box

And now he looks just like his mom!

Anyway, the therapy assessment was fruitful as they evaluated several aspects of Austin's development. He scored five months ahead of schedule in his comprehensive ability. The boy understands far more than most give him credit and it explains where his frustration enters the equation. He comprehends more than he can communicate. And puts to rest fears an incompetent army physician laid on Lauren's heart when observing Austin's diet was full of vegetables and proteins. She wanted Lauren to eliminate solids in exchange for formula rather than treat the formula as the secondary food source. Lauren questioned how a baby was supposed to suddenly be exclusively on solids by 12 months if at 10 months he wasn't supposed to eat them. The response warned her he wasn't getting quality brain development, which frightened his parents. *Apparently I am not fully off that soap box.

This weekend we spent a lot of time outside enjoying rare sunshine sightings. Ty was invited to a birthday party at the trampoline park Sunday and watching him with five of his classmates had me questioning how his teacher accomplishes anything in her classroom. Holy energy Batman.

My parents purchased Greg an Ohio State nutcracker for Christmas and when I attempted to put it away with the other Christmas decor, he objected. The compromise was supposed to have him taking it to his office to guard his desk. It hasn't left this position despite my asking about it regularly. Thanks Mom and Dad and I mean that in the most sarcastic manner possible.

I signed up (reluctantly if I am being honest) for a photography course after stewing about spending the money for weeks. Today we had our first assignment. We needed to share an image that expresses who we are as a photographer. I spent hours polling friends and re-visiting images I have adored in the past for one reason or another. In the end, I selected this shot because it embraces who I want to be in this field, a photographer who captures authentic images in real time. Seeing Ava with her pants not fully back in place, a half eaten apple in the bathroom and her exhausted mother trying to keep up told the "I am almost two" story beautifully.

While I worked on my photography course this evening, Greg handled bedtime.

That went well.

Fifteen minutes later......because Mom is boring.

Saying Goodbye is Brutal

New Year's Eve

As we wrapped up 2018, teen girls requested shopping and baking whereas the boys were loud; bouncing from one activity to another. Young adults hung close to home until night fell; knowing we prefer to be in bed by nine thirty at the latest, no matter the holiday.

The baby has been ill so we have seen little of him or his parents this week. An ear infection was diagnosed today and we pray treatment takes hold prior to their flight home.

Oldest daughters requested massages to cope with headaches and found instant relief. If it weren't for the impact I fear it would have on my physical health, I would invest in massage therapy school as I believe in healing touch. I instead make the most of the trust others place in me when they need relaxation.

New year's resolutions have been loosely drawn; intentional dates with my husband, bedtime stories returning for Kate and Ty and daily stretching in hopes of reducing nightly muscle aches are sketched into my planner. Lofty goals of reigning in my diet and adding workouts are also on the agenda but relationships take first priority. A photography course starts next week for both personal and professional development as I am eager to grow and be stretched out of my comfort zone.

We won't wait on any balls to drop as 2019 will arrive whether we are watching or not. Sleep takes priority after such a full day; as it does every year.

Christmas Week

Erin purchased Ada a new drinking fountain for Christmas. At first it spooked both cats but they quickly fell in love with their fresh filtered water. The line at the drinking fountain occurs frequently and whereas I rolled my eyes upon the initial presentation of this little gizmo, the cats waiting turns amuses me.

The day after Christmas, both Kate and Ty had physicals. Kate's tumor required X-rays to monitor it's growth. It has grown minimally since August and still requires no additional testing. As a side note, she is five foot three and a half inches tall. This delights her. Lauren and I are both five feet four inches and she has her heart set on passing us soon. After visiting the pediatrician's office, the hospital for xrays and then for the perfect trifecta, the grocery store, Kate woke with pink eye 24 hours later. Of course she did.

I felt under the weather off and on all week. I found myself requiring naps and able to eat very little. In fact, I lost five pounds for Christmas and am fairly certain that should be somewhat illegal. I clearly did not fully enjoy all the sweet treats available. As result of the fatigue, the Christmas decorations survived until Friday the 28th. This is a twenty year record in my house. Ty was heartbroken when I went to toss his gingerbread house into the garbage so Greg made him an offer he couldn't refuse. All of them aimed for the gumdrop on top with the BB gun. Kate was our champion.

Our days have been leisurely and full of walks, naps and family time together. It has been restful; the recharge needed in order to start 2019 strong.

Kate has a friend who moved to Indy two summers ago spending a few days with us and I went to get Benjamin today.

The energy in the house has made a 180 degree turn. There is noise, a locker room type odor and a lot of hugs as he keeps telling us he loves us. We have missed him.