half a lifetime ago...

I fell for this guy.

I can say that, since I recently turned 32.

Happy 12th Anniversary to us today!

And on this particular anniversary, he ran a 50k.  

Without training. (Yes, I'm proud. Yes, I'm bragging.)

Even though he is a runner, the most he's ever done (race-wise) is a 10k.

He's pretty awesome like that. 

I'll definitely keep him.

And then I realized something.

That March photo challenge? Well, it really made me happy. 

It gave me something good to focus on.

And  reminded  me to take pictures.

It's totally obvious (to me) that I need another one.
So, I searched and searched Pinterest to find the perfect one.
It never showed up.  Instead, I compiled a list of the ideas that I liked the most.
The ones that I think will inspire and challenge me to learn to use my camera.
Are you excited? I am.

My May Photo Challenge:
1.) Bokeh (you can go with lights, if you want)
2.) Movement
3.) Strangers
4.) Street
5.) Soft
6.) Reflection
7.) My shadow
8.) Silhouette
9.) All alone
10.) What makes me smile
11.) Bold
12.) Emotion
13.) Beauty
14.) Sunflare
15.) Texture
16.) Rule of thirds
17.) Hands
18.) Water
19.) Sign
20.) Inequality
21.) Contrast
22.) Diptych or Triptych
23.) Mother Nature
24.) Simplicity
25.) Weathered
26.) After dark
27.) Shallow depth of field
28.) Strange
29.) Vintage
30.) Broken
31.) Trust

Join me, if you'd like! I just feel like these will really challenge me to play with my camera and/or make me think outside the box.  And I am posting it now so I have a few days to conquer the first one.   *insert cheesy grin* Let me know if you want to join in- I realize there's been a challenge for a couple months in a row and you might be burnt out, so no biggie if nobody joins in. (Or if you make up your own challenge) I just mainly wanted to push myself with this wonderful new toy I have.  Plus, I have to admit that I see more beauty in the world when I have my camera hanging from my neck.  It's a good thing.

Today was a good day.

From beginning to end. That's all.

Just for fun.

Spring break wasn't anything exciting for this family.

We did make an attempt to make some memories.

And beat the boredom.

Regardless, I'm still playing catch up.

Not yet done with cleaning up after the rugrats.

NEXT year. Next year I want to do something memorable.

One can only hope.

At least I caught up on my sleep.

(I love this picture. It shows ZZtop's true parenting colors. He's the best.)

Guess who is potty trained?

It's also safe to say that she hasn't quite mastered pulling up her "unnies". Or at least when she is wearing a dress.

I found it! (hopefully I linked correctly this time so that it stays)

And another one, my mommy friends. I don't know if this spring break thing is getting to me or what... It's nice to stumble upon something that makes you feel better.

Have you...?

Ever been a scary mommy? (ETA: I'm sorry, my link isn't going to the correct place anymore. I've been hunting for the article and I can not find it.) What!? Me? Pfffft. OF COURSE I have! As if you even question it.

Okay, I might not have a "just in case" joint hidden, but I can relate to these mommies. Admit it- you didn't read the article until I mentioned the joint, did you? I see how you are.

It's a funny article and it makes me feel a lot better about my parenting skills. (You like how I juxtapose this post with my previous? Heh. Such is life.) I don't think any mom- or dad- is good enough to avoid a scary mom/dad moment. Don't even tell me that you have never had that parenting moment, I'll never believe you. I guess what really matter is that most of the time, we aren't the scary parent. Right?

Freeze-frame.

Where we are now, is my favorite place to be. This whole thing where my baby isn't a baby and my oldest still hangs out with us, it's pretty fabulous. It makes for easy outings and memory making moments. The best part being, I can relax and be in the moment enjoying it along with the rest of my family. As a mom, that's a pretty big deal. Heaven knows what God's plans are for us two years from now, but I hope it's my favorite place to be then.

Vote for Pedro

Pretty soon I'm going to be one of those annoying dog owners. (I hope you dog owners know I'm kidding when I say this. You aren't any more annoying than I am about my kids. And we both know I'm not annoying. Heh.)
Technically, I am already a dog owner. But this time, I'm getting the dog I want- a boxer. And I'm really excited about it. In an annoying way.

Now if only I could get the name I want, too. Z is going for "Tank" or "Tyson". I'm going for "Pedro" in a nod to our time in NM. Vote for Pedro. (I need that shirt.)