PSE: Just Too Cool

I'm in love with my PSE! Photo editing is my new obsession!

It's just amazing what you can do! Until now, I've only used it for scrapbooking.

Yesterday, I decided to start teaching myself a bit about it's photo editing capabilities and I'm just blown away!

Two of these I applied actions to and then tweaked a little myself. The other I just applied layer masks to. Anyway, I thought they looked way cooler than the originals.

And only one of these was taken with my Nikon. The other two are from my old point and shoot. Now, I can't wait for a little better weather to get B outside and take some great pictures!

Thought I'd share a few before and afters...

BEFORE:
AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Let me know if you know of any cool sites to download actions or textures...or if you have any good tricks up your sleeve!

These actions came from Coffee Shop and Flora Bella.

The Challenge Of Keeping CHRIST In Christmas

From the time I was pregnant with Brady, Buck and I have been discussing how we would handle the Santa Clause issue when it arose with our children.

We were both on the fence for the simple reason that we didn't want our children de-bunking the Santa myth for other children. We think that we need to be sensitive to what other parents tell their children and that it's a family's decision as to how to handle the issue. We respect what other people teach their children.

We just knew that we VERY much wanted Christmas to be centered around the reason that we celebrate--the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Don't get me wrong. We too enjoy many of the commercial aspects of Christmas! What adult or child doesn't love seeing brightly wrapped boxes under a beautifully decorated tree? And who doesn't love seeing the sparkle in a child's eyes when they look at a big, bright, glittery display of Christmas lights? And perhaps best of all, who doesn't love the smell of freshly baked goodies accompanied by a big cup of hot cocoa, in a cute candy cane striped mug, of course?

It just bothers us that so many children (and adults) spend an entire holiday season making list after list of their wants, and focusing on the things of this world that don't truly matter. We want our children to understand that life is just as much about giving as it is receiving. And, that the giving is far more rewarding and lasting.

I was discussing the issue with my friend Monica over dinner one night a few weeks back and Buck and I both love how their family handles the issue.

Their three (soon to be four:)) little ones get one small gift from "Santa". The other gifts under the tree are from Mama and Daddy.

Problem solved. Buck and I are like the idea for a few reasons...

One, and most importantly, Santa Clause and the gifts he brings doesn't become the central focus of Christmas. It makes it easy to incorporate the story of the birth of Jesus, and explain that we follow in the tradition that the Three Wise Men began over 2000 years ago when they brought gifts to honor their King.

Two, our children won't upset other children and their parents (and we won't get angry phone calls) because they informed them that Santa Clause doesn't exsist.

And three, our children will know that we are giving them gifts because we love and honor them, as we love and honor our Savior.

I also want us to find multiple ways throughout the holidays to teach our children the joys of giving.

Maybe by selecting a child to purchase a gift for from the Angel Tree (and using their own money to do so)...

Or by volunteering at a local coat drive...

Or a soup kitchen...

Or by inviting over a single soldier or two or ten for Christmas dinner who couldn't make it home to be with their families...

Jesus tell us in Matthew 25:40, "...Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me."

After all, in a week or two, the novelty of those gifts under the tree will wear off, and they, like all the others, will end up in the bottom of the toy basket or in the back of a closet. However, the feeling of bringing joy to others will last in their hearts all year long.

And in the process, we will have taught our children that regardless of what the world may tell them, CHRIST is the one true reason we have to celebrate not only at Christmas time, but every day of the year!

First Snow

This past weekend we had our first snow of the season.

Although it has snowed here several times since B was born, he wasn't cognizant of it, until now. So I'm counting this as his first ever snow experience.

We dressed him up in his snow suit and rain boots (since I forgot to get him any snow boots) and let him go. He loved it as it fell from the sky, but wasn't too sure about all that wet stuff on the ground. His reaction revolved from smiling joy to whining and crying, so I'm still not sure exactly what he thought of it.

Anyway...Here are a few pictures of him in his first snow.

Trying to catch it as it fell from the sky...
Getting his first snow ball from Daddy...

Taking refuge in the "house"...

Admiring his first itty bitty snowman...

And finally a video of our little snow baby...

Moving Day

The actual move itself took two days. One day to pack our things up and one day to deliver it all.

The first day, Buck stayed at the old place and B and I came here to the "new (empty) house" so he wouldn't get in the way of the packers.

The night before, Buck brought over an old TV we had in the basement and the DVD player and Brady's favorite chair to help me keep him entertained.

I have to say that the day went much better than I had anticipated. Brady was a doll and he loved all of the extra space to kick and throw his ball. He also got a kick out of hearing his echo in the big empty rooms.

Here he is watching one of his favorite shows, "Little Einsteins". (Note the floor cushion. That's what I had to sit on. Not very pleasing for my big, pregnant rump!)
Eating his first ever Burger King breakfast. I am a little ashamed to admit that it wasn't the last Burger King breakfast...or lunch...or dinner that week. But hey, when you literally don't have a pot to cook in, what else can ya do?

And when the TV gets old, how does an almost two year old entertain himself? He climbs and hides in the empty cabinets of course!

From That To This...In Under A Week

I must say that it's so nice to finally be able to rest and relax in a complete home. The move, though a short distance it was, wasn't an easy one for me. Though, it's not hard to figure out why...


At 28 weeks, walking to the car makes me tired! It's funny in a way, because I was almost 31 weeks the last time we moved...all the way to Germany! I told Buck that after this, we were planning any other children around moves!!


Because of Buck's scheduled PRK surgery we had just under a week to get the house in order and decorated for Christmas. Somehow, we managed!


7 rooms and just over 150 boxes later everything is neatly in its place.


Here are a few before and afters (minus the boy's rooms and kitchen)...


Brady enjoyed having new places to climb.

The master BR Before (and you can't see all of the boxes in this picture):

And After:

Dining Room Before:

After:

Living Room Before:

And After:

And finally...my tree is up!

Rapid Expansion: 28 Weeks

(I'm actually 29 weeks today!! :))

I know, it's blurry and the lighting is bad, but you get the idea!

In Case You Were Wondering...

Nothing life altering or catastrophic has happened over the last two weeks. It's just that apparently, customer service, are not words recognized by some German companies. After our experience with TKS, trying to get our phone and Internet service transfered, I am convinced that Sprint customer service should be winning awards!

As you know by now, the building we were in is soon to be renovated, so we had to move.

Although I wasn't thrilled to be moving at 28 weeks pregnant, it went well enough. They packed us up one day and delivered our household goods the next. We had the house set up in just under a week! Not bad for a woman with sciatica and swollen ankles who spends most hours of the day satisfiying the demands of an almost 2 year old!

We actually were given field grade quarters, which was an improvement! We have more room here, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, and it's probably been renovated in the last two or three years, so everything is nicer and newer. The biggest plus...it's on the first floor!!!!! My days of carrying a 31 pound toddler up three flights of stairs and taking 10 minutes to catch my breath and get my heart rate down are over!

Getting phone and Internet service transfered however...not so easy! Not only did we have to pay 160 euro (about $200) just to have the service moved to our new address, less than a block away, we had to wait over a week for phone service and we technically still don't have Internet access, two weeks later! (Told ya' it made Sprint look good!)

Our wonderfully kind new neighboors offered to let us piggy back off of their Internet until ours is turned back on! I'm just so glad to be able blog and check email again, I feel like Christmas has already come!

Last Monday, after frantically putting our home together again, Buck had PRK surgery. It was a long week with pre and post op appointments and of course the surgery day itself. We had to be up before 5 AM four mornings last week to be at the hospital on time. We also had to drag B out of bed super early and take him with us for all of the appointments! Our babysitter and her son both came down with the flu the night before all of this began. I will just say that it's advisable NOT to bring your sleepy toddler, who seems to have ants in his pants, to a hospital and expect him to sit in a stroller for the better part of four days!

Thankfully, tomorrow morning is the last of the appointments. And, Buck's vision is already improving by leaps and bounds! For that reason, it was time well spent.

Lots of things have transpired over the last two weeks. I have lots of pictures and posts to follow...stay tuned!