151/365... Memorial Day Parade joy

Our little town has a Memorial Day parade every year.

The start of the parade is the blue cop car. The end of the parade is the last fire truck.



Our oldest children rode with their daddy in the firetruck during the parade. They were so excited that you would have thought they were riding in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.



Our youngest children watched the parade with me. They really liked the police cars, flags, marching band and the firetrucks.

I guess you could say they loved the parade... from start to finish.

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day parade joy.

150/365... That's what life is all about joy

Our family and friends gathered at our home today to celebrate my son's birthday and each other. They came from far (Tennessee and Arizona) and near. We laughed and ate and talked and hugged.

That's what life is all about.

That's what life is all about joy.

149/365... Crazy busy day joy

It was a crazy busy day.

We are prepping for the big "5" birthday party tomorrow. In between cooking and cleaning, I went with my mom and two oldest kiddos to pick up my 83-year old grandma from the airport.

It wasn't until almost 9 p.m. that I realized I hadn't taken my picture of the day. Good thing my oldest was still awake. Good thing my hubby was in a cooperative mood.

It was one of those days that is so busy that I can only hope to sleep REALLY well tonight. I want to be well rested for Carter's celebration tomorrow. Yippee!!

Crazy busy day joy.

148/365... Bee stalker joy

I am officially a bee stalker.

Since I got the macro, it has been a goal of mine to capture one in mid-flight.

The bee is a little out of focus. However, look at those catchlights!

My bee stalking days will continue.

Bee stalker joy.

147/365... Technically wrong but emotionally perfect joy

It's crooked. His hand shows movement. I chopped off limbs.

There so many things wrong about this image.

But when you love an image, the emotional outweighs the technical.

Technically wrong but emotionally perfect joy.

146/365... Magical connections joy

I introduced Mark (camera) to Macro (lens) today.

The moment they connected, it was magical.



My four children met their new baby cousin today.

Another magical connection was made.

Magical connections joy.

145/365... Happy 5th Birthday, Carter joy

This photo was taken on September 24, 2006. I remember this moment like it was yesterday.



Five years ago today, God blessed our lives with this beautiful baby boy.

He has been such an amazing gift to us. His heart is kind. His smile is contagious. His love is infectious.

I thank God every day for him.



It was such a wonderful day.

Pancakes shaped like the number 5. More sprinkler time. Phone calls to say Happy Birthday. Mac and cheese. Presents. Petting zoo. Borders bookstore. Culvers. Chocolate icecream with M&Ms. A prayer of thanks for a wonderful 5th birthday.

My dear Carter John... I love you more than words could ever begin to express.

Happy 5th Birthday, Carter joy.

144/365... Make-shift sprinkler joy

It was the first 90 degree day of the year.

I made sure that the kiddie pool was cleaned and filled before my kiddos woke up. The pool was too cold for most of them and quickly filled up with sand, grass, and random bugs so it was even less desirable.

The make-shift sprinkler entertained all of four of my babies all afternoon.

Make-shift sprinkler joy.



In other news... 12 years ago today, my hubby and I had our first date. Look where we are now! Happy Dating Anniversary, honey!

143/365... Another new camera joy

Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time to play with my new camera. This is one of my first shots with Mark. My fingers are crossed that we will fall madly in love with each other.

In other news, I shipped the 7d back to B&H yesterday... with the memory card still in it. DUH!

Another new camera joy.

142/365... Good, good friends joy

It's amazing how fast time goes by when you are surrounded with those who know you the best.

We celebrated Angie's upcoming wedding by going to dinner. The four of us were in that restaurant for well over 4 hours. We talked about EVERYTHING. We laughed until we cried. We smiled until our cheeks hurt. We ate and drank and drank and ate.

All four of us had our cameras but not one of us remembered to have someone take our picture until we were in the parking lot.

Thank goodness for self-timers...



... and the long arm reach technique.



We can't always be perfect...



... but together we are pretty darn close to perfect.

Good, good friends joy.



And another joy...

I was having some problems with the focusing system on the 7d. So, I did what I should have done in the first place...

5D Mark II joy.

141/365... Mother and newborn son joy.

She said that she would always remember this very moment. I know she will.

And so will I.

A mother and her newborn son joy.

140/365... He loves school joy.

He walked into his preschool classroom on the first day of school with a big smile on his face.

He walked out of his preschool classroom on the last day of school with a big smile on his face.

He loves school.

That puts a big smile on my face.

He loves school joy.

139/365... In love with my new nephew joy.

My sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy today. I'm proud to introduce the world to my first nephew... Owen Ray. He was born at 10:25 a.m. He was 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21.5 inches long.

I'm so thankful to the doctors, nurses, and, most of all, God for a safe delivery of this precious and perfect baby boy.

To my sister... I'm so very proud of you! I love you more than words, Stac!

Congratulations to my sister, brother-in-law, and the new big sister, Hailie!

I love you so very much, Owen Ray.

In love with my new nephew joy.

138/365... Piggie tails joy.

Even though they are crooked and windblown, I adore those "piggie tails"!

Piggie tails joy.

In other news, my first nephew will make his grand entrance into the world tomorrow. Please pray for my sister, baby Owen, the doctors and nurses for a safe and healthy delivery.

In other, other news... Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Sarah. Our busy lives don't allow us to see each other as much as we'd like to but that doesn't mean I don't think of her often! Love you, Sarah Jane!

137/365... Stop and kiss the flowers joy

My sweet baby girl took some time to stop and kiss the flowers today.

Stop and kiss the flowers joy.

136/365... New bathtub joy.

Rub-a-dub-dub
Four kiddos in a brand new tub.

New bathtub joy.

135/365... Fire Department Open House joy.

Today was the Open House at the Fire Department. There was something for everyone. Extracation demonstration, smoke house, food, firetrucks, t-shirts for sale, goodie bags for the kiddos.

It was a good time had by all.

Even the youngest kiddos loved it. You can see it in his smile and eyes.

Fire Department Open House joy.

134/365... Pulling weeds joy

We finally had a beautiful spring day! I did a little yard work today.

Even my youngest helped pull weeds.

Pulling weeds joy.

133/365... My baby is turning 5 joy

This little man will be FIVE in less than two weeks!

Today, he helped me stuff, address, and mail his birthday invitations. Like any child, he is counting down the days until his birthday. The days can't go fast enough for him.

The days can't go slow enough for me.

My baby is turning 5 joy.



Loving my...



macro lens!

132/365... Redo joy

New card. New camera. No files recovered. Blah!

My joy? I had only taken 10 pictures and they can be redone.

Redo joy.