Williams Wedding

Sweet, sweet friends of ours were married last weekend.  I've posted several pics on FB, but I'm tired of the stinky quality, so I thought I'd post some recent edits here instead.  :)

DIYs

I've mentioned my obsession with Pinterest.  Well, here are a couple of recent tshirt creations:

Exhibit A:

Let's not pay attention to the obvious negatives to this pic (shot with the iphone; no makeup; and leftover sunburn line from yesterday's trip to the park... now that we've cleared that up...)  This is an old, OLD tshirt from ALL the way back when my husband was in college... I saw him in this play, and just can't seem to part with the keepsake that is this tshirt.  I've used it as a paint shirt; bedtime shirt... so it has been well loved and well worn.  When I saw this clever tutorial, I thought I'd use this one as my guinea pig.  Here's how I did it:

Here's the link:  DIY Tshirt/tank

Exhibit B:

This one was easily more complicated... kind of a mish-mosh of ideas.  We started off with one of my oldest son's white undershirts (Come to think of it, I really need to buy him more to replace the ones I've "borrowed."  I doubt he'll want them returned after I've finished my experimentation with them!  ha!)  I really kind of played with it until I liked it.  The sleeves were a revised idea of the pic above.  And the tshirt weaving can be "searched" on  youtube.  That's how I found that one.  And the flowers were made from the trims I cut off the sleeves and neck.  Sorry, no tutorial.  But I'm going to get better about keeping better track of how/what I'm doing when I do it.  :)

In today's other news:

I went for a 2 mile walk with my 3 boys and 3 dogs.  A sight to see, I'm sure.  All we had on us was my oldest son's phone, so this was the best I got:

Our poor, little 3-legged puppy was POOPED!  She was trooper, though... just had to take a few breaks to sit and rest.

What fun we had, walking around the neighborhood on an overcast spring day, looking at all of God's creation in bloom.  He even held the rain off until AFTER we came home.  :)

The First Day of Spring w/my Boys...

...was yesterday.  :)  And we enjoyed it thoroughly.  You never know what kind of weather the "first day of spring" will hold in Missouri... but this year, it was warm temps, blue skies and lots of wind!

You should have seen me try to untangle this mess after returning home from our visit to the park.  Yikes.

But the boys enjoyed their time immensely:

I basically followed them around the entire time, walking slowly behind, as they endeavored to find the "perfect hill to catch air."  My youngest took turns hanging out with Mom and riding behind his brothers on his little scooter. He's a bit young yet, to really keep up with them... He's getting there, though.  :)

We sat in the dirt, pointed out turtles in the lake, walked on trails, played on the playground, and had a picnic lunch.

Ah... my life as a mommy of boys.  :)  

I often get asked if "we'll try again for a girl."  I usually answer with something like, "Well, that would be silly... clearly, there's a pattern.  :)", or "And give up my role as the only princess in my castle?  NO WAY!", or "Nah, God knew I didn't have the patience for a daughter who might have turned out like her mamma!"

It has always been funny to me, how people get so hung up on what sex of child they "prefer."  We found out  "what" we were having with each pregnancy, and I can tell you in all sincerity, not once did my husband or I feel disappointed when the ultrasound technician announced, "Yep!  Looks like another boy!"  

Being the "girly-girl" that I am, some have assumed that I would feel as though I was missing out, not to have a daughter... that my love for all things feminine would not have a sufficient outlet... or my very favorite... that I would not really know "how" to be a mom of boys if I couldn't appreciate the "yucky" things in life.  Hahaa!  Well, I assure you that I can play with trains, planes, and automobiles; dig in dirt; hold worms and caterpillars in my bare hands; watch (and even enjoy) every superhero cartoon or movie... with the very best of them.  :) My guys don't think a thing of it, that Mommy likes big earrings and pretty polish on her toenails... Mommy's a girl... that's what girls do!  It's how they know me.  :)

Recently, my youngest was at the doctor (he has known us for several years now, and has 3 boys of his own, so I think he relates well to our little family :)... As he was examining my son, he was making polite "kid conversation" with him, and asked, "So, are you liking girls these days?  Or are girls still yucky?"  My little guy looked up at him with an astonished expression, and said in his best matter-of-fact tone, "Girls aren't yucky!  My mom is a girl, and she's AWESOME!"  The doctor looked back at me and smiled, "Someone has his mommy wrapped around his little finger!"  Still makes me giggle.  I wish I could keep him THAT in love with me forever and ever.  :)

Yes, my life with 3 little boys is quite fulfilling.  I am quickly reminded by how much I enjoy them on a day like yesterday, just walking and talking and playing with them.  I am blessed by them every day, and I hardly feel like the "lack of pink" in their wardrobes causes me to miss out.  (I have plenty of pink in my own...)

Nope, I wouldn't change a thing.  :)

Random...

Just checked my Google Reader for the first time.... in..... Well, I don't know how long.... My "Pioneer Woman" tab had 78 unread posts.  Does that give you an idea?  Goodness.  That's not to mention all of my photography sites that I like to keep tabs on, learn new things, and study...

Seems like my wheels have been spinning since Christmas.  From somewhere in the middle of January until the end of February (ish), my family dealt with illness.  It was nothing serious... just that seasonal stuff that can get ya down, but it was certainly inconvenient.  However, I try to take such moments as a reminder to be thankful for my otherwise very healthy children!

Spring is now blooming, and it's a beautiful sight.  I've put my camera down a lot more than usual.  I take several snapshots with my iphone, and I have a lot of fun with that.  But the "photography Laura" has been on a bit of a break.

In the meantime, I've used my creativity in different ways... playing with fabric creations, jewelry making, and testing out my own versions of Pinterest ideas.  I've also read more than usual.  I finished up the Hunger Games series, which is WAY out of my normal realm of interest, but I enjoyed it greatly.  It was fun to step out of my box.

All of that to say, my Canon is calling my name.  I'm excited that the weather is gearing back up for a busy season of business.  I'll be photographing our friends' wedding next weekend, and I'm really looking forward to it!  That will be the kick off, and a few other sessions are already on the agenda.  Seeing all of the colors starting to emerge on God's spring canvas definitely gets me in the mood to get to clicking!

I'll keep y'all (all five of you :) posted!  :)

My Parents... 40 years

40 years... Whew!

They dated for five months.

On February 19, 1972, they said "I do" in a little church with only a handful of witnesses.  Mom wore a purple, velvet dress.  :)  She was almost 19 years old... Dad, almost 20.

Of course, their real joy began four years later, when I was born...

... but let's not make this about me. :)

I love this pic.  My mom still makes this SAME expression of embarrassment/frustration when someone tries to take her picture.  She absolutely despises to have her picture taken... .and then she has ME for a daughter... go figure.














We treated my dad and mom to a dinner at the Ketteman house... to enjoy their favorite main courses with the whole family (unfortunately, one of my sisters ended up home with sick kiddos...  :(

And there they are now... 40 years, 6 children (1 in heaven), 2 sons in law, 1 daughter in law, and 6 grandchildren later.  :)  I'd say they have a lot to show for all of their hard work and love throughout the years... Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad.  We all love you so very much!

8 Months Old

I cannot express how much I adore this baby boy.  Just look at that awesome, precious face!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!