Archive for March, 2010
Spa Treatment… {Promotional Photographer – Daybreak, Utah}
March 27, 2010
Just a little shout out for Leslie…one of my favorite people! She is an esthetician/make-up artist and recently opened a small spa in her her home. You can check out her brand new blog HERE, then call her to schedule an appointment. You are going to LOVE her! Oh, and you can see another one of our favorite images from her session on her blog. So, be sure to head over there and leave her a comment!
Last Sunday, a letter from the First Presidency was read from the pulpit, specifically asking that all church meetings be canceled on Tuesday to allow everyone to attend the political caucus meetings. I didn’t even know what a caucus meeting was, but decided that if the prophet thinks it is important, that I would attend. So, last night…I attended the Republican caucus. The meeting was supposed to begin at 7:00. Around 7:15, an announcement was made that due to the unprecedented turnout, it was taking a little while longer than anticipated to get everyone signed in. By the time the meetings started, the entire high school auditorium was full. Standing room only. The woman who conducted the meeting asked, by show of hands, how many people in attendance were at a caucus meeting for the first time. Over half of the congregation raised their hands. I actually got chills. It was a testament to me that Americans are ready to re-claim their rights. To have a voice again. Following the initial meeting, we broke into precinct groups to appoint representatives. I was nominated to fill in for any of our precinct state representatives or county representatives in the event that he/she cannot fulfill the 2 year term for any reason. It is kind of exciting to be a part of the civic process from the grass-roots.
I want to show a good example to my children. To let them know that preserving the freedoms of this nation are important to me.
Part of our daily home-school ritual is reciting the pledge of allegiance. The Bub’s sole responsibility during home-school is to hold the flag. We used to take turns holding the flag. But, one day it was his turn. He stood on his chair and proudly waved the flag, while smiling at the world. He was so happy with his flag that it became his job. One day last week, we started our day as usual with a morning prayer, and were ready to do the pledge of allegiance. The Bub was nowhere in sight. We didn’t think it was a big deal. We started saying the pledge. The Bub came running in with big alligator tears, pointing to his chest and saying, “Mine? Mine?” It was so sad and sweet. We put him on his chair, gave him his flag, then all proceeded to re-recite the pledge, each with one hand on our hearts and the other hugging the Bub.
Just for fun, I thought I would post some recent pictures of the Bub. Not with the flag. But, with another item in our home that he thinks belongs to him. The cookie mixer.
He looks possessed in this picture. We are serious about cookie dough in our house!
Almost 1… {Daybreak Baby Photographer – South Jordan, Utah}
March 22, 2010
My CUTE little niece is almost one year old! In anticipation of her birthday, we did a birthday photo-session. I have SO MANY pictures that I love! So, for today I will start with the first outfit. To come: lollipops and polka-dots, “peasantly” adorable, pink pettiskirt, and cake crumbles! I love photographing babies!!!
On another note: I finished reading “Wuthering Heights” last week. I did not like it! I kept hoping the book would get better but it never did. You cannot connect with any of the characters because they are all awful! Things just keep getting worse until it finally ends in I guess what could be considered the best way possible, under the circumstances. But, still. Not good. I started reading “Great Expectations” last night and am hoping that it will be more enjoyable 
Our family has been listening to books on CD. We finished “Ella Enchanted.” It is so cute. Much better than the movie. Currently, we are listening to “”The Tale of Despereaux.” We were lucky enough to find the audio book as well as multiple copies of the actual book on the shelves at the library. Mae Mae is hooked! She has been sitting on the couch following along for the past hour. Missy and I have been reading “Anne of Green Gables” aloud to each other. That is fun too. I love sharing my favorite things with them. I feel like we finally have time to do those things together. I don’t quite feel like we are doing enough “school-work” yet, but we are slowly getting organized and settling into our routine. Well, we were anyways. Then, daylight savings time had to come along and mess us all up. We cannot seem to get started before 10:00 now (previously 9:00). You would think that by now we would have adjusted to the new time. But, we’re having a hard time. Maybe if we would just go to bed earlier. There is just so much to do!
painting… {South Jordan, Utah Homeschool Family}
March 15, 2010In case you have been wondering what we have been up to lately…
Well, we have been doing a lot of this:
I am sure you have noticed that I have not been the best blogger lately. But, I have been reading a lot, learning a lot, and hopefully teaching my kids a lot! We are starting to get settled into a routine and have purchased most of our curriculum. I spent a lot of time researching different teaching materials to make sure I was selecting the best of what is out there. There is just so much to learn. It can be a little overwhelming!
We recently finished our oceanography unit and are moving on to “Eternity & Beyond” – sun, moon, stars/ solar system/universe/galaxy, etc. It is pretty exciting!
self-control…
March 8, 2010One goal I have had for our family is for each family member to learn self-control. That we don’t just react to things around us. But, that there is a space. A moment where we can decide how we want to handle any situation. I have been praying for new ways to teach this in our family. So, when I was browsing the movie section at the library and found a DVD containing a couple of Mr. Rogers episodes focused on self-control, I was super excited. I love Mr. Rogers. I know that he is kind of cheesy. But, I love the values he teaches. Tonight, for family home evening, we watched the episodes entitled, “What do you do with the mad that you feel?” He taught about healthy ways to handle aggression and encouraged children to find ways to express their anger in ways that won’t hurt themselves or anybody else.
Then, for our FHE treat, we ate Oreo moons. (More on this later…once I upload the pictures from my camera!) So fun!
studio lighting… {South Jordan, Utah Child Photographer}
March 1, 2010
And now…for all my photographer friends out there…
I am posting a pull back shot (as promised)!
This is my new studio space I recently set up in my unfinished basement. You can see that my husband built a faux floor for me (which I love!). Behind that I have my backdrop stand set up. I usually keep my Westcott TD5 Spiderlite right up against my floor (as shown in the picture). The light is raised in this picture because I had just finished taking the picture of the Bub at the top of the little ladder. I adjust my light height depending on the relationship to my subject. The previous studio pictures I posted were taken in my front room next to a large picture window. So, you can see that there is greater contrast to the pictures without the large amount of natural light. There are 2 windows in the space I am shooting in now, but as the new studio space is in the basement, not much light comes in through the windows. I have contemplated the idea of getting another light to act as fill. I think it would soften the look of the images and allow me to photograph more than one person at a time. Anyways… In this set of pictures, I am shooting just to the left of the light. My lens was lined up next to the front of the softbox. If you have any additional questions about my lighting set-up please let me know!
-Mindy