Frustrated, Overwhelmed, gotta Practice!

This is how I have felt lately as I am trying to learn how to take better pictures with my camera. I downloaded a photography course a while ago and have now decided that it is high time I sit down and go through it.

I downloaded it from the Two Peas website and it is by a husband and wife team (Mark and Joanna Bolick) of professional photographers. Check out their blog if you ever get a chance, there are some really great photos and inspiration. I also have to thank Crystal for telling me about this course, it was free and I am learning a lot!!!

So I have been feeling frustrated with my lack of knowledge and creativity, overwhelmed with ALL there is to learn about my camera and the art of taking pictures. I just have to practice, practice, practice! I have been doing the course and the first lesson was all about APERTURE and the second lesson was about SHUTTER SPEED. It was pretty cool! I never did understand those features on my camera and now I do.

Just thought I would share a few pictures while I was out trying to practice!

Playing with the Aperture Priority setting--very cool!!

Now for the Shutter Speed....love how I can "freeze" the water for a pretty cool effect! I can't wait to put this to use a lot more!


I have never been able to take very good "low light" photos without using the flash. I hate using the flash or even putting it on night view, as it doesn't capture the whole atmosphere. This actually turned out quite nice and I still have no idea what I did or was doing so that I didn't get all of the blur! It's still a little fuzzy, but I like the look of it!


And these are a few random ones I took of Zech while we were out walking and I was trying to practice. He actually wasn't my "subject" for my practice shots, but I couldn't resist! :o)



This is the little dirt pile he was determined to climb up. He kept trying and tyring and trying, but every time he just slid back down. He didn't want my help, but he kept sliding down and would get so frustrated and angry. He started hitting the pile, tried to bite the pile and yelled at the pile! Boy I really have one strong willed little boy! We had to end our outdoor adventure at this point and go in before the tantrum got really bad!

WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN...

1. CHOCOLATE MILK
2. POPCORN
3. NEW SUNGLASSES


**This was Zech's first time drinking chocolate milk and boy did he LOVE it!!
**We found his new shades at Superstore for $0.48, so we bought a couple pairs (these are his fun ones)!!
**Zech LOVES popcorn, but his favourite part is the seeds. He digs to the bottom to eat the seeds----you'll never guess who else does that!! HIS DADDY also loves the seeds, but has never had popcorn with him, so it must be a genetic thing?? :o)

Remembering Grandma

It is exactly a year since my Grandma B passed away today! It still seems so hard to believe that she is no longer with us! She was a remarkable woman who is dearly missed by so many!

Since she passed she has had 5 great-grandchildren added to the family whom I know she would have loved to meet. Zech was her third great grandchild and I am so blessed that she got to meet him and that I was able to get some pictures of her with him. She couldn't get over how much Zechariah reminded her and looked like my Dad.

I miss her lots and I know this is a particularly hard day for my Mom and my Aunts and Uncles. So a big hug goes out to you all and know that she is safe in heaven in God's loving arms! Our prayers are with you today!!

My Grandma was always a very eloquently dressed woman who took great pride in her appearance, her health and of course fashion. I think her love of high quality clothing and fashion has definitely been passed down to a few of us!! :o)

Christmas 2006, Zech was almost three months old!!

Grateful Eight

Another week and more things to be grateful for!

1. Time to run and go on bike rides! It feels so great to get out and be active!

2. That my fall down the stairs with Zech in my arms only resulted in Mom being all banged up and nothing more serious. We really do have that motherly instinct to "protect" our kids BUILT into us! Zech didn't have a scratch, I on the other hand am full of bruises and scrapes.

3. My sister-in-law who took care of Zech, so that I could go out and do a bit of 'self marketing' and hand out some resumes to the various Government departments/agencies! Please pray that I get a job here soon!

4. Time to be creative and get four more layouts almost completed!!

5. My amazing little boy who has really adapted well to his new schedule change. He is now only taking one nap a day, but we switched it from the morning to the afternoon. It helps mommy's days go a bit better and he has been great! He even naps for almost three hours!

6. My Mom and the wonderful, strong woman she is! I think being a mother myself makes me appreciate all of the things that she has done for us so much more! Also for my mother-in-law and my Grandmas (one who we miss dearly and the other who we are still blessed to have with us)! What wonderful mothers, a true gift from God!

7. A wonderful Mother's Day. John and Zech took me to a beautiful brunch at Lake Okanagan Resort. They spoiled me with a new perfume set and a nice relaxing day. We also went over to my sister and brother-in-laws for a nice BBQ. It really was a great day!

8. That our little monkey did NOT swallow a tack! My Mother's Day did end with a trip to the hospital. We found 5 tacks at the bottom of Zech's bed and we had no idea if he swallowed one or not, so off we went to get some X-rays. Thank the Lord he did not swallow one, but we had to make sure! Wow, this is a really stressful age!! :o)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Just wanted to send a little Mother's Day tribute to my Mom and my Mother-in-law. Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do for us. May God always bless you and the special role He created you for, to be a MOM!

I Said A Mother's Prayer For You

I said a Mother's Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.
I thanked God for the caring
you've shown me through the years,
for the closeness we've enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.
And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you've done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!

Author Unknown

And a very Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's out there!

A blessing and prayer tribute to all mothers

"Blessed be all mothers
Who have come into our lives
Whose kindness, care and loving
Remain with us to guide.

Your inspiration in us
Made us strive in every way
Especially to remember
Helping others makes our day.

Mothers, this little tribute
Flows directly from my heart
You are so loved and cherished
Invaluable, one and all, you are.

Susan Kramer

Dancing and Reading

Zech has discovered a new love for dancing. It is so funny! We took some really good video of him and I wanted to post it, but we haven't had a chance to put it on the computer yet, so pictures will have to suffice.

Notice the little music machine in the background.....that is what he dances to. Plus now, everytime he hears any type of music, he starts grooving. He also likes to ask people to dance with him. I love when he asks John, and I even encourage him to ask daddy, just so I can see his moves too! :o)






Zech still loves his books and loves this special reading chair. It is so perfect for him and he is so proud of himself for climbing up all by himself!

Grateful Eight

It's May!!! I still can't believe that April is gone and it is May!

This week I am grateful for:

1. Nice weather! We were able to get out a lot by the middle to the end of the week and play, go on walks and bike, bike, bike!!!

2. Good Friends.

3. The Bible! It comes in handy when I am frustrated and upset and need a time out! (We got another medical bill from our visit to the hospital with Zech. The doctor billed us for his time and billed us a lot! I was irrate, frustrated and upset! This doctor did NOTHING, didn't even diagnose him)....... I'll end it there! :o)

4. Emails from people I wish we could see and be closer to!

5. Our little boy who is such a joy to be around. He has found a new love--dancing!! Check out his new boots too!!


6. For Ron and Laura Redner. They are leaving again tomorrow for 5 weeks to celebrate 50 years of marriage on an European tour! They have been a real blessing and it has been wonderful getting to know them.

7. For reaquainting with new friends (see picture above). John happened to run into a friend that he worked with quite a few years ago. Turns out this friend and his new fiance are good friends with Ron and Laura and their daughter and family. It was nice to meet another young couple and we look forward to getting to know them more.

8. For answers to prayer and encouragement when you need it most! God is truly great!