Darling baby

I used to call you that.

I forgot.

Oh that name brings back so many memories.

"Come here Darling Baby."

As I would sneak my hands under your head and bum, and very slowly sneak you out of the small opening in your isolette in the NICU.

You have a lot of other nick names now....

Mone-si

Munchin

Baby Medusa (in the morning!)

Moni

Spumoni

Moon

Simoneymon

Simone'nin roll

BUT

The best one is what you call yourself.

First, you tell me your name is baby.

Then you try to say your name after much prompting. I try to help and say "SSSSSi" - "mone".

You say "SSSssssss" then you pause and blow a kiss.

Darling baby!

A member

I just downloaded tons of pictures from my point and shoot. This one stood out to me. I wasn't going to blog about Wyatt's baptism because I was being selfish. It was one of the most spiritual days of my life and I didn't feel like sharing that with the "world".....I mean- the whopping six people that read my blog. =) I'll share a few of the highlights.

It was a wonderful day from start to finish. The morning was spent talking to my sweet boy. Wyatt was asked to speak at his own Baptism. We sat and wrote the talk together. This was a special conversation, and I know that my son chose to get baptized because he believes that this church is true. I told him he didn't have to get baptized, this was his choice. He said that he wanted to, and was excited to do it! He has a strong testimony for a small boy. Sometimes he questions things and I encourage him to do so. There is no better way to find out the truth than to ask questions, pray, and study the scriptures to find the answers.

We went to Sliver Springs to get him his own set of Scriptures, and over to the temple for a quick look.

Then we headed over to the stake center. There were three adorable girls getting baptized on the same day. I got a chance to photograph these four children before the baptism for a little thank you note we tied to some cookies, and some 8x10s on the entry table. It was amazing working with the other Mom's. We all added our talents to create some special touches for the day. There were so many people at the baptism we had to move into the chapel. Over 100 people were in attendance. I was so pleased to look around and see some of my favorite people there with us.

We moved into the smaller room where the baptismal font was located when it was time for the baptisms. Wyatt was last in line. (Ladies first you know.) He was a little nervous jumping bean with a big smile. My eyes filled with tears as I was watched a worthy priesthood holder, who also happens to be my husband, baptize my first born. Natalia was up in the front row, and as Wyatt began to climb out of the font she said loudly, "Wyatt, how was it?"

"GOOD!" he said with a smile and a thumbs up.

Then when they were dry and back in the chapel it was time for Wyatt's talk. He was so nervous. He looked out over the congregation and just stared at them... FOR A LONG TIME. Then a he did a big gulp and began his talk. He did a great job! I was so proud. OH! I forgot one of my favorite parts. Wyatt and the three girls sang the first verse of "I'm trying to be like Jesus." and then ALL their sister's joined in and sang the chorus and the 2nd verse with them. It was so touching. We practiced that song so much as a family! I love the words, they are so simple and so true. Talia was beaming and Wyatt was proud....and I just bawled. I loved it! Wyatt began to cry as he started the song....

"I'm trying to be like Jesus
I'm following in his ways."

I saw his lip quiver.
Then he wiped is eyes in embarrassment and pointed at the lights- blaming them!
He kept going and he sang his best. It was a great moment.

Wyatt was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. His father also gave him special blessing, and it was so personal and so in tune with the spirit. It brings tears to my eyes even as I think about it now. I know that our Heavenly Father loves my son, and he cares about the little things he worries about and struggles with.

I also know that our Father in Heaven feels this way about everyone. That is mind boggling to me...I love to think about that when I am in a stadium filled with people. I look over the crowd and all their faces and think.... He loves them all, and he cares about their happiness. He wants every single one of them to return to him! Every single one! Even that crazy man with his body painted in the team's colors! There is a way to return to him, our Savior Jesus Christ who paved the way for us.

tea time

This tea party has been in the making for months. I am so happy that we were finally able to get together and celebrate with our favorite little friends.

Beautiful details.




Wonderful photographs and fabulous friends.

Delicious treats.

So many lovely little things to take pictures of.





I had to create some Alice inspired art with my little girls.

Enjoy!

Butterfly

I took my macro lens, I mean... my children to Brookside Gardens to see the Butterfly exhibit. I was a little worried how Simone would do, but she was so sweetly amazed. She would just sit and watch the butterflies fly around her. She would point to her arm and say "sit" because she wanted one to land on her. Wyatt learned about butterflies in school this year so he was our expert, and Natalia loved every minute of it. I got some great photos. One giant butterfly landed on my hip, I don't think he had a very cute face....but I withheld the urge to flick him off and took his picture.

Fireflies

The magic hour.

There are two fireflies in this picture. One in the grass by their feet, and one in between the kids. I love the painterly look of this image!

She watches and waits.



Magic.

a time to dance

Natalia's dance recital was last Saturday. She did a wonderful job. She was confident and happy to be on the stage. I think Lincoln was more proud of her than I was! =) She has grown so much as a dancer this year, and we are so proud of her.

Simone on the other hand...not so proud of. She pooped her pants. Yep. Luckily Talia had already performed. This is her first accident in three weeks. I missed so much of the recital while Lincoln sat there watching dance after dance. Silly Simone. Hey, stop laughing. =)



Here are some pictures...we grabbed a few on the stage. I love the dramatic light we got.

Baby take a bow.

3 words

entertaining * happy * small

energetic * affectionate * thoughtful

Where the Wild Things Are

She's been wearing this crown for about a week.

She asked her Dad to help her tie a string to it so she could wear it.

The first time I saw her in the crown she was wearing Wyatt's dinosaur pajamas. She walked into my bed room early in the morning and I smiled at her. I remembered putting her to bed in a princess nightgown the night before.

I love this little Wild Thing.

Exhibit

The images below are on exhibit at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center from now until June 20th. It is going to be a beautiful exhibit featuring botanicals photographed on the temple grounds.

Every picture tells a story....well I wish you could have been there to see what was taking place while I was taking these. You certainly can't tell by the images.

I had Talia and Simone with me.

The wind keep blowing off my carefully placed water drops.

I would be laying on the ground and I would hear Simone say, "Potty, Potty."

Talia was running around with a 9 foot piece of black fabric on her head, like a long veil.

They were both suddenly starving.

I was balancing on a wall that was only 4 inches wide, trying to manually focus my macro lens.

I was only there about an hour, at NOON! The worst time of day to shoot!

( I don't know if the titles are going to be part of the exhibit,
but I thought I would share them here.)

"You are joyful and true. "

"The spirit of God like a fire is Burning"

"Scatter Sunshine"
(My favorite hymn.)

Reflection
(Do you see the silhouette of the temple in the water drop? If you don't I may kick you.)

Assembled in White
(10 white flowers.
I have 8 brothers and sisters, and one flower to count as my Mom and Dad. Okay, I may be stretching that idea, but I still like it. =)

Released

Today has been an emotional day.

I was released from my calling in church today. It's been two and a half years since I was called to serve in as the first counselor in the Primary Presidency. I loved this calling, and I loved serving the children in our ward! What an amazing and overwhelming responsibility it has been. We had over 100 children in our ward before the ward was divided. I can honestly say that love every single one of these little ones! I wanted to make sure they knew that I loved being in the Primary with them each Sunday, but when I started to tell them that I began to cry. Geez. =) How do I feel about being released? It is Bittersweet. I really am so busy, and a lighter load is a very welcome thing right now. Then at church today I saw the kids and the people I got to work with so closely, and my heart ached. I will miss it.

On to another emotion....Elation!

I got a COMMENDED on my ballet exam, which is the highest ranking. I did not expect that! I was praying just for a simple pass. The exam was for the Cecchetti Grade 1 Teacher exam. I will not lie....it was so so so so difficult. Everything I studied...I was not asked. Things that I thought were second nature to me, were not when I was being watched so closely by the two examiners. I still loved the exam process...my cheeks hurt from smiling when I left the room. I was not smiling from happiness, I was smiling to try to lighten the MOOD in the room. It was so serious!

Well- I have got to get to work. I photographed Talia's dance school yesterday. Correction--OUR dance school. I am a dancer again! Saying that make my heart sing!

You know, I love my life right now. Life is good!

Amazing.....

(Took this last summer.)

The most amazing thing just happened.

Wyatt was walking up the drive way. The girls were on the steps. I saw a beautiful black and blue butterfly land in the flowerbed. I pointed it out to the kids so they could see it before it flew away.

Wyatt said, " Nobody move." He tip toed over to it.

I said, "What are you doing? What are you going to do if you catch it?"

"I'm going to pick it up. Watch."


He stooped down, put his hand gently under the front of the butterfly, and picked it up. I couldn't believe my eyes. It stayed there for quite a long time. Then I ran to get my camera, and it flew away.

Then he said," That was a black tiger swallowtail butterfly. I know it was."
"I saw it's proboscis too."

Really? Where does he keep all this information? I love this about Wyatt. Tell him a fact, and he'll remember it!

My children in a garden....

I am really far behind on blogging. I still need to blog about Easter! I am going to try to get caught up.

This week....

I have and IEP meeting for Wyatt.
Ballet class.
Swim class for the kids.
Lyrical class.
My first ballet exam. (Grade 1 teachers exam.)
Scouts for Wyatt.
Ballet for Talia.
Fencing class for Wyatt.
I have to get ready for an ALL DAY shoot for the dance school on Saturday.
Proofing
Orders to place.

All that on top of the regular stuff.



Here are some images that made me smile. (Or sometimes cry, because they are getting so big.)

How to...

I lost my wallet.

K- stop laughing all of you on facebook.

That would make it my keys, my phone, AND my wallet in a span of a month.

Found keys. (Ran over in the middle of an intersection for a few days, bits and pieces remained.)

Found phone. (Inside a sleeping bag.)

Wallet? Well I needed to go buy some necessities for Wyatt's baptism. I took a small key chain debit card and went to Target.

After shopping I found out that little debit card was an old number.

I started to wonder if my wallet had actually been stolen.

I logged on to my bank from my phone to check for any large purchases.

BOY, THERE WAS ONE!!

Someone had a hay day at the Mac store.

I called Lincoln.

His reply?





"Thanks for ruining your Mother's day, " in an irritated voice.

Oops.



I cried.

Then he came home and found my wallet under the drivers seat in my van and gave me my present a few days early.

I love my new ipad sweetie! Even though I ruined the surprise.


So my title...you can fill in the blank.



How to ruin a great surprise
or
How to loose your stuff.

Pine cone family

Simone has inspired a new tradition in our family.

If she sees something small she'll say "baby" and show me.

Next she points to a bigger one and say "Daddy?".

Then she'll look for another to be the "Mommy".

She does this with grapes, trees, pancakes, poop, flowers, and shoes.

Funny.


I thought that was a great idea-- So I am going always be on the look out for 5 things to photograph on each of our vacations.


Here is our pine cone family.

"Mommy?"