We’re FINISHED!!! :) Wednesday, Sep 12 2007

We finished our foster care certification tonight!!!!  One of our final activities was really cute.  The instructor handed out a bunch of hardboiled eggs and crayons and had us decorate the egg however we wanted.  This was mine (yes.  I took a picture of it with my camera phone. You’d think a phone that you can surf the internet and send emails on would have a better camera.)

Then you put them all back in a basket, and have to pick yours back out of the crowd.  Easy since they all look different.  Then she had us peel our eggs.  The lesson was that to God, we all look the same.  He doesnt see us by our shells.  What a good way to teach kids that we’re all the same regardless of skin color.  And coloring on eggs is fun.

Now all we have to do is wrap up the home study paperwork and we should get a placement.  We may have a little one in time for Christmas!!!  This is the first time in YEARS that I am actually excited about holidays.  I told Beth that I think I’d actually like to decorate for Halloween this year.  I’m even looking forward to putting up a CHRISTMAS TREE!!

It was a bittersweet night.  It really didn’t seem like it’s been 10 weeks.  We met some awesome people in class that I’ll kind of miss seeing once a week. 

On the way home, though, I had the most awful thought and it has stuck with me.  It’s 1:30 (am) right now and I can’t sleep because I just keep thinking about it.  Somewhere right now, our future child is probably being neglected or abused.  For us to get this precious child, someone else is mistreating them.  That makes me so sick to my stomach.  I think it’s awful that I’m suddenly focusing on that – I think I can honestly say I truly love whatever child or children wind up with us – foster or adopted – and I dont even know them yet.  I dont know their age, their race, what they look like or what they’ve been through, and I’m already sick that someone didn’t appreciate them for the gift that they are.  I guess that means I’m ready.

 On a much happier note:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!!! 

You are one of the best friends I could ever ask for.  You have been there for me so much – I love you to pieces!  There arent enough good things I can say about you.  I’m sorry that you’re one year away from 30.  Better you than me.  (I’ll catch up in 5 months.  Enjoy being my elder)  Love you!!

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So annoyed :) Tuesday, Sep 11 2007

I’m so annoyed that I have to post this post… I may delete it later but venting is healthy and my photo friends will totally understand where I’m coming from on this one!

I had an aquaintence call me today – someone who has actually never really been that nice to me, in fact – and tell me she is going to start a photography business on the side and telling me she has some information she needs to get from me.  Seriously – her voice mail didnt say “I have some questions for you” or “I’d like to ask you some things” – it was “I have some information I need to get from you.”  NEEDS.  Not wants.  Like I’m her employee

I wasnt even irritated until I stood my ground and said, “I’m sorry, those are business secrets, I can’t give you that information” and she got SNIPPY WITH ME!  I should be able to say no without getting attitude… right?  GEESH.  I felt compelled to follow up with, “I dont even give my friends that info.”  Beth is like my freaking sister, and she would never even ask me what lab I use to develop pictures of her kids.  If she wanted me to process them that bad, she’d just give me the pictures and have me do it.  Ditto to Kim.  In fact, Kim HAS had me process pictures of her kids for her. 

Those who have been through this whole photography experience with me know how many sleepless nights, long work hours, overnighters and just general WORK I have put into this business over the past 3 years.  I did not just pick up a camera and start clicking.  You can tell the people that do just pick up a camera and start clicking – they are the ones who’s work never gets better year after year, or they just copy everyone elses work.  I digress…

My point is, people jump out of the woodwork wanting you to help them, teach them, give them your knowledge once you actually get a business rolling.  I want other people to succeed, but not at my expense.  Financially I’m still in debt thousands for starting a business.  I helped too many people and was too afraid of hurting feelings and saying no in the beginning – and now I pay the price for it!  I feel fortunate that I am able to do what I love for a living, but it is far from a cakewalk. 

If you have been nice to me, if you have helped me along the way – I will help you!  Just ask my co-collaborators   There is nothing I do without emailing them and saying “Try this!!”  And they give me ideas and help in return! But, if you have been rude to me, if you have scanned my pictures and stolen them, or talked badly about me behind my back, heck NO I’m not going to help you!  And you should be ashamed of yourself for even having the gall to ask!

So that is todays soapbox.  Since I dont feel used by anyone that reads this, I dont feel bad posting this.  lol 

I should put a PS in here for the person that acquaintence knows me through – I KNOW you had nothing to do with this – dont worry   You probably want to backhand her as badly as I do… LOL

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God works in mysterious ways. Monday, Sep 10 2007

We’re still waiting to hear the results of Justin’s MRI/Catscan thingy, but he did talk to his endocrinologist today.  He really wants Justin to go to a hospital in Boston that focuses on the specifics of what Justin has for a second opinion before he starts any of this. 

Justin is currently looking into if our insurance will cover this hospital visit/tests and we will go from there.  One bonus about it being a hospital in Boston is that is where the majority of Justin’s extended family lives.  We could have free room and board, so it would alleviate some of the stress.  The part of the stress that can’t be alleviated is how I can’t afford to leave the studio behind in my busy season…  this is the time of year I make my money to pay studio bills for the rest of the year… so that is a little scary.  I’m almost thinking our Poland mission trip is not going to happen at this point   The fostering will be helping kids here, and I know that God had a plan for us to do that all a long, but Justin was really excited about that Poland trip.  I’m sure we can still do that in the future.

So that’s the only update I have right now.  I should have more answers in the next week or two about what we are going to wind up doing.  Thank you for your continued prayers!!

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I’m still here Friday, Sep 7 2007

Just a note – if you’re trying to get ahold of me and I’m slow at responding, its because I have entered that time of year that makes me question being a photographer.    I have multiple sessions a day for the next month as well as allergies from hades, so I’m tired, grumpy and frazzled.  I still love you and will return to earth after the holidays. 

For those of you that put up with me during this time, I’m sure there is a special place reserved for you in heaven.

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Words women use Friday, Sep 7 2007

This was forwarded to me – it’s soooo true!

WORDS WOMEN USE 

 1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an 
argument when they are right and you need to shut up. 

 2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this 
means a 1/2 hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have 
just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping 
around the house. 

 3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should

be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine. 

 4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It! 

 5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a 
non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she 
thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time 
standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for 
the meaning of nothing.) 
 
6. That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous 
statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to 
think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your 
mistake. 
 
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or 
Faint. Just say you’re welcome. 
 
8. Whatever: Is a women’s way of saying ____ YOU! 
 
9. Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous 
statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do 
several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in 
a man asking ‘What’s wrong?’ For the woman’s response refer to #3. 

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Make this Wednesday, Sep 5 2007

I want what’s best for you.  Well, what’s best for your taste buds – not your cholesterol.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

2 (10.85 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 tb. butter
2 tb. dried minced onion flakes
1 (2 lb) pkg frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c crushed cornflakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a baking dish and set aside.

On stove, melt butter.  Stir in soup, onions, sour cream and 1/2 of cheese.  Mix in hashbrowns and transfer to baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cornflakes.

Bake 45 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

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I’m graceful. Wednesday, Sep 5 2007

After yesterday’s dog and burnt cookie debaucle, I took a benedryl to try to get myself to stop sneezing.  I stopped sneezing, but only because I was too tired to physically sneeze anymore.  This prevented me from making any more cookies, so when Justin got home we went to Henhouse to grab cookies (and Starbucks… now every store or shopping center I shop in has a Starbucks in it.)

On the way out, I was concentrating on walking in high heels whilst in a benedryl induced fog.  I got a text message and went to respond to it when I stepped in a parking lot pothole, twisted my ankle and hit the ground… hard.  My phone went flying and I collapsed into a ticked off heap on the pavement.  Really the only thing hurt was my ego.  And my phone. 

At foster class a current foster parent was there with her two kids talking about her experiences.  I fell in love with the kids she had with her, and it made me even more excited (if that’s possible) to wrap up our homestudy and get kids of our own!  One of the little girls was a dainty little two year old with long black hair and great big eyes.  She looked like Dora the Explorer, and I really wanted to take her home with me   Her name was Mia.  All things named Mia are beautiful, I’m convinced.

That’s really all I have to say.  If you didn’t laugh at the image of me falling in the grocery store parking lot, you have no soul.  It’s funny.

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Jake and Max Tuesday, Sep 4 2007

I was sitting here in my pjs with PIGTAILS in my hair that I had slept on all night editing pictures.  I had a giant cookie cake in the oven for foster care class tonight and was minding my own business when my neighbors dog started freaking out.  It’s the neighbor that is my friend, so I had to go check it out and see what was going on – two dogs were out sniffing the fence.  They were unbothered by her, but she wanted to eat their faces   I called them over, which is really suprising for me as I’m pretty much terrified by any dog larger than my foot that I don’t know.  It was especially fun when they got close and I realized they were a pit bull/mutt mix and a rottweiler/german shepard mix…  I figured if they were still wagging their tails and happy with a 130 lb mastiff barking at them, they probably weren’t going to eat me.  I went inside and got some dog treats and a bowl for water, then hung out with them while I waited for animal control to get there.  They even posed for my camera phone!

I named this one Jake:

And this one Max:

Animal control took an HOUR to get here.  An hour while I sat out front in my pjs and my horrible pigtails – no makeup on – probably cookie dough on my face since I had been MAKING cookies (I tend to eat more dough than I bake…)  Speaking of those cookies – I forgot about the cookie cake while I was out hanging with my new buds, and came inside to a smokey kitchen.  Turns out an hour is WAY too long to cook something that calls for 15 minutes. 

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I do dog tricks! Sunday, Sep 2 2007

How cute is this?  Go to this site:

 www.idodogtricks.com

and type in commands -the dog will do them!
I have found he will do: sit, roll over, speak, play dead, beg, fetch, jump on couch, and kiss.  Can you figure out any other commands?  Good dog.

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Gospel Music Channel? COOL!! Saturday, Sep 1 2007

Most of you know Justin and I have a special love for contemporary Christian music and rock – especially Justin.  We love Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Kutlass, Pillar – I could go on and on there are soooo many great bands out there!!  Justin was flipping around the upper digital cable channels that no one ever watches and found the COOLEST channel!!  It’s Gospel Music Channel…  here is their website if you want to see if it’s in your area http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/
Go check it out and if your cable company doesn’t carry the channel, there is a form you can fill out to send a letter to them.  How cool would it be if someday this channel was popular enough to be in the same vincinity on the dial as MTV, VH1, BET – Christian music is NOT dorky.  It has come a LONG way in the last 5 years!  You can honor God with lots of drums, bass and screeching guitars

They have lots of videos, concerts, etc and play different genres on different days of the week.  I’m excited.    And now I leave you with a Jeremy Camp video to get you excited:

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