Pic 1 is a rose from my yard. Pic 2 is a sunset I caught as we came across the I-205 bridge from Vancouver to Portland, on Saturday evening. Then Pic 3 is a bee on a flower, taken in Cannon Beach this weekend. :)

Then a quickly taken, but nicely focused photo of Meghan and the ocean behind her. Finally, Here is the funny pic from our beach trip. I had noticed and commented on a house that had plants growing from the gutters. Later, in Seaside... Sean says "hey, I wonder if those are the owners of that house we saw?!" I turned to notice... a car with moss growing from its bumper. LOL

photography is so gratifying!

Do you ever get the photography bug? I love it when I do. I love looking through the lens of my camera and trying to capture what I see. I especially love when I capture something I didn't see, but was able to see when I look back at my photos. I find a true feeling of happiness!

I just uploaded the photos from my SLR. I had about 250 photos on SD cards. I was amazed at what I had on there. I am planning trips, just by myself, for photography. I enjoy the time I spend while taking the photos so much. It is SO relaxing.

I am hoping to find a way to sell some of my photos, at some time in the future. I recently found out that my sister shares the photography bug too. She has the same wishes to make a business from it, as our kids grow and we find ourselves with more free time. Now, I just need to figure out how people get into selling photos. :)

Wow... another celeb!

Yet another celeb had passed away. Billy Mays was found by his wife this morning. :(

I read that they think it was possibly caused by an injury he got, during a hard landing, in an airplane Sat. evening. Oh my!! How freaky! He went to bed not feeling well. So sad... he leaves behind a 3 year old daughter, his wife, and a 20-ish step-son.

So many changes in just a weeks time. I was just talking to Sean about how it is all making me so thankful for every single moment I have. It just makes me sad to think about the kids loosing parents recently.

I am really starting to get nervous about flying to Vegas now too. I know, I know, it is more dangerous to get in a car, but still... flying is so exciting, enticing, etc... and so darn scary. I think leaving me kids here, and going with Sean is bugging me the most. But, it won't stop me. I want to live. I am just going to be leaving notes for my kids, family, etc. Just in case!!

This is day 8...

This is my 8th day straight, at work. I am tired!!! Mostly just mentally drained. I have the next three days off. It feels like all I have done this week, is sleep, eat, head to work. LOL I have huge news that will be announced on July 1st, at my work. I am not supposed to know. It will effect the people I work with, but not me in a negative way. It will mean a few less hours for some, but really just a swap of hours really. Ok... I will say more later. Basically though, for me, it will mean less stress in a way, and little bit more managing at the same time. I am good with these changes. They are deserved. Enough said.

So how are you all? I feel like I have lost contact with so many. Are you guys checking in still??? Comment would ya?? LOL I miss ya.

What are you planning for the summer? For July 4th? Etc.

We are heading to Vegas in July. Hope to camp in July too. We are camping for a week at the coast over Labor day weekend. I hope to get together for a few day trips to the River (Diane & kiddos). Oh then there is the state fair and county fairs... oh yeah!! I love summer!!

I went to the doctors... FINALLY...

I went to the doctors last week. I really thought my thyroid was off, or my blood pressure was an issue. But... come to find out, the doc thinks that my migraines are getting worse. He thinks I have a slight sleep apnea (sp). He also thinks I can fix a lot of my current symptoms but reducing and cutting out my coffee intake. OK, it got bad. I am already feeling SO MUCH better, just a week after reducing my coffee.
I am breaking the really bad habit that I had started. I am a fairly healthy eater, but the caffeine is the issue.
So, at work I am drinking water, tea, and pop. I am allowing myself one cup of coffee per day, and trying to think about whether I want something warm to drink... or if I need the boost that coffee brings. Mostly I want the warm, not carbonated drink, not sweet pop flavor. Cocoa is another good idea.
Starbucks is a total no-no now for me. I was spending too much, and wasting alot. Plus, it isn't good for me. So... will power!!! for me. And healthy for me too.

Our weekend...

Jordan getting his 8th grade diploma on Friday. We got the neatest gift for him, but it hasn't arrived YET! UGH!! I will share later... he might read this, and we are making him wait to be surprised.









This is Jarod (left) and his best friend Josiah. They were running about at field day and I caught this quick pic of the duo.








Here is Meghan (right side) and her girlfriends, on the last day of school - Friday. She remembered two years ago, when I let them take a sharpie and get siggy's in their T-shirt. Of course, she remembered the NIGHT BEFORE the last day... at 8:50pm. Luckily I was at work and happened to work where they sell T's and sharpies. LOL

This is Jordan scoring the winning run in his baseball game! Sean is the umpire behind the plate too. He is looking into getting his umpire certification. I think it will be fun for him. :)





Sean and I set up a family BBQ to celebrate Jordan's 8th grade graduation. We had the usual Burgers and Dogs, salads and watermelon. YUM!










In attendance were several sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews... along with my parents and Sean's parents. The weather held out just long enough to enjoy the event. :)





Ok, I could have made the cake. But when I stopped by Fred Meyer's and saw a green/white cake...(rowe school colors) it was too easy to buy it. YUM!!!

Graduation... last day of school...

Today was Jordan's 8th grade graduation. It was also the last day of school and field day for Jarod and Meghan. Sean and I were both off work, and spent the day between the two schools. Jordan went to Oaks Park for the day, with his classmates, after the graduation ceremony.
We will be having a BBQ to celebrate his graduation, tomorrow night.

I just called to schedule a doctors appointment, to have my thyroid tested. I am OVER the symptoms and just need to get the testing over with. I HATE doctor bills. I dislike medications for the most part, but I hate feel exhausted all the time, even more.

Custom Framing at Michaels will be 60% off, from Sunday thru Saturday. If you live near the clackamas Michaels, I would love to see you there!! :)

Hugs ya'll!

It's VEGAS BABY!!!

Sean and I took the plunge. We decided that we deserve a trip to ourselves. We talked to the kids, and they all agreed too. Isn't that sweet!! Meghan thought we were leaving last night, and was worried about what day we would return. Oh no! I know she is going to be upset while we are gone. The boys will miss us, but not so much UPSET. :)
I know I will miss them horribly... but the next month is not going to go fast enough now!

Anyone been? Got a good tip? We already heard to be in at night, and not on the streets... for the adult activities (beware). Oh my! We also know about "good tennis shoes" and "go in EVERY hotel as your walk the strip atleast one whole day".

$.99 cent hotdog vendors, coupon books from the hotel lobby and maybe in the cabs.

Anything else?? Off to google for tips in Vegas.

What to do???

Read through, and comment (at the end of this, I describe how to enter my
scrapbooking raffle)

Shall we choose to be selfish parents, and use the money this summer... for a vegas trip on the two of us? Or should we do as we usually do, even after buying them a pool, and spend the money on more family style events?

Here is what is happening... Sean and I will celebrate our 15th anniversary on July 16th. We have 4 days and 3 nights to toy with. Here are the options...

1. Camping in our trailer, at the coast where we have already been several times before, but it would be by ourselves. (Maybe get kinds boring, just the two of us!) (Oh, and we both said this)

2. Hotel at the beach instead... a little more $$, but maybe a little something more than camping in our trailer (Even though we love our trailer, it seems like a family thing while we still have kiddos)

3. Trip to Vegas (never been, haven't traveled together, other than a softball tournament and disneyland a few years ago) $700+ (hoping state taxes return, for added spending money) This might mean, not so much $$ for family camping this year, but our schedules are hard to book that together now anyways. We are already paid for 5 days over labor camping, btw.

4. Wild Waves in Seattle, its a waterpark and theme park, rebuilt since we went over 12 years ago. We used to go often, when we dated. We might stay the night, or though about a day trip and then take a day (maybe over night) to the coast.

UGH... I just can't decide. We have my sil set up to babysit and dog-sit. I think I am having a hard time deciding to do something just for us, and feeling bad that the kids "suffer". Though I really do know that my kids are not SUFFERING. LOL

Maybe I should ask Jordan (our 14 yr old). He is getting a bit smarter now that he is making me feel old by going off to high school next year. :)

Anyone else have an opinion? Post a comment and enter for my scrapbooking give-a-way raffle. The winner will tell me their favorite layout color, and I will get a surprise freebie package sent out, just for offering to help me decide. The winner will be chosen... sometimes Tuesday evening!

My head is spinning...

I swear I can feel my mind spinning in my head. Not because I am under current pressure, but just have so many things on my mind.
1 - I didn't vote for our president, and I sure wish others hadn't either.
2 - I enjoyed the swim session I had with my kids today. But DAMN that water was COLD.
3 - I had to have a budget talk with my 11 year old today. WHY??? Because the nearly $35 an hour that my husband and I make, isn't ENOUGH. I had to explain to him that we made choices to buy a trailer, a pool, etc. and that now means we got them those things and will not be taking them out to fast food tonight. Why did I have to explain that to him. Well... because parents need to teach their kids about money. Not just about spending it, but how to save it, or spend it wisely. That we hope that he will have the priviledge to go to be an adult and make the choices with his money. (but, that THAT worries me too.) Will he make it to be an adult? what kind of adult will he be? Am I doing enough to raise him well? Is my best, going to be good enough?
4 - My sil gets out of prison in just under 3 months. I am ANGRY with her still. Enough said... that's could be a book.
5 - Laundry and Meghan's room, the battle continues. LOL
6 - I love my husband and my kids! I just want to decide what Sean and I will do for our anniversary in July.
7 - Time to sip coffee and veg. in front of the TV. Ok, I should be sleeping, but UGH... wasted along time. LOL
8 - People like to read my blog, I think it would be neat to read replies!!
Oh my... see, alot of stuff in there... what's on your mind?