Day 90

It was lovely out today... well, except for the wind :) 

Both pictures are the same rocks, just different settings. 

(f:6.3; 1/160s; ISO 100)

(f: 6.3; 1/1250s; ISO 100)

Wow. Shutter speed can makes such a difference!

Day 89

Today I went to Palmer Park and I just stood in awe of God's creation. Exquisitely beautiful.

I should have lowered my shutter speed, so that it didn't turn out as dark as it did. It was actually somewhat sunny... definitely not this dark. But I like what came of it.

(f: 4.5; 1/4000s; ISO 100)

Day 88

Today was a busy day. I interned fo 9 1/2 hours, and right after that I had a big exam.

Tomorrow I have two more HUGE exams. :/

I didn't manage to get a picture, but here is one that I took very soon after I got my camera. It's one of the first pictures that I had taken with my canon rebel.

Wanna hear some good news? I finished my internship today, at least I finished the hard part. I. Am. So. Relieved. I was also offered two jobs today! woo!

Day 87

I think someone is missing momma.

(f: 9.0; 1/4s; ISO 800)

Day 86

Guess what came to visit last night????

You guessed right. Snow showed up. Blah.

I had a lot of trouble trying to get this picture. For some reason I could not figure out the lighting. It was all foggy so I had the setting on cloudy, but those pictures turned out really bright. I finally changed the setting to sunny, and it turned out better.

(f: 6.3; 1/15s; ISO 100). 

I also didn't have much time because I got this pictures a couple minutes before church, and I was rushed, but I wanted to get pictures before the snow melted.

Day 85

Today's picture is very similar to yesterday. But, it's really all I did today... other than sleep :)
Today I cut, folded, and stuffed envelopes, and I was able to get all 250 invites ready. All that is left to do is address them, close them, and send them out! (But that won't happen for another month and a half). I am really dreading writing the addresses on them because it will take so long, but maybe I'll have an address writing party and get some help from my friends :)

I just realized today that I am a senior.
I am almost done.
woah.
My four years of high school have definitely gone by so quickly, but I have been waiting for this day for what seems like a long time.

(f:6.3; 1/5s ISO 400)

Day 84

Today I did quite a few things.

I worked.

I bought my prom dress. 

I started my big project of getting invitations ready for graduation. 

This picture shows some of that.

(f: 5.6; 1/8s; ISO 800)

The blue is the color of my dress. Just fyi.
And that is one of the four senior pictures I chose to send out.
The background are the envelopes and the cards that we are sending out.
My mom and I decided to make our own invites (print them ourselves).
We actually saved about $150 by doing that.

I was thinking about the different settings on my camera. You know, M, AV, TV, P... those settings, and I was wondering which setting you have your camera most on (All of you photography lovers out there.) I tend to keep mine on AV. Although sometimes I use TV. 

Day 83

Today I went bowling.
With my mom.
I lost.
Again.
What a surprise, huh?

I had a lot of trouble getting this picture. They all came out blurry. It was frustrating. Plus, I didn't put that much time into it. The lighting was also horrible to work with. Oh well. I feel so behind on everything, but next week, when I am back into my normal routine I can hopefully catch up :)

(f:5.6; 1/30s; ISO 800)

Day 82

I have been behind. My bad. I haven't even been that busy, but I have been enjoying my break. I've stayed home for most of it, and that has been perfectly fine for me. It has been soooo amazing.

(f: 5.0; 1/1000s; ISO 250)

Day 81

Yours truly,

(f: 3.5; 1/25s; ISO 800)

I was waiting for my mom to finish her shopping... unfortunately I was not able to get any good pictures.

Also, the girl helping my mom out said that if she had to place me in a state (fashionably that is) she would place me in Oregon. Does my style look like I am from Oregon? Weird, Huh?


What state would you put me in?

Day 80

Today I went mini-golfing with la madre.

It was a beautiful day. :) 

Such a great day to be outside. 

I lost. 

But all is still well in the world.

(f: 13; 1/160s; ISO 200)

Becoming See Through

This is a bit from a post that I wrote last year, but never published. I was talking about false identities, and how we would be better people if we didn't have our own little facade to hide behind. 

I believe that most of us have forgotten that God is constantly with us, and that He does know, understand, and see everything that you may do or think. If only we were able to constantly remember that. If only we could constantly be reminded of God's great love, which would remind us that we too love Him. If we were constantly reminded that God is always there, even when no one else is around, we would be different people.

I know that my goal is to remember God's presence all the time, and I believe that with that goal, my relationship with the most wonderful Father, will grow immensely. So with this belief, I beg you to join me.

I want you to start thinking about becoming a person who is literally see through. Become someone who evangelizes through their pure life. Become someone who is NOT hypocritical, and people WILL wonder what made you become such a wonderful person.

It's strange to see how this can relate to my life now. 

Day 79

All I've been doing lately is eating. Seriously though, food is so good. Last night I went to souper salad with my mom and it was delicious. Thankfully it is an all you can eat buffet! Today I went to On The Border with my mom and brother, and I ate until I could eat no more. Maybe I am having a growth spurt? Or I've just starved from lack of homemade meals, and when I see my mom, my appetite goes crazy? Sometimes I feel bad for my poor college kid self... eating ramen and all... just kidding. I cook quite often.

(f:4.0; 1/25s; ISO 500)

That was my lunch today and it was YUMMY!

Day 78

Today I took the boys to soccer... and I took a picture of the bleachers. Woo?

(f:5.0; 1/4s; ISO 800)

In other news, my mom got here today :) It has been good to see her.

Day 77

Okay, this is pretty much the only picture I took today. Not amazing, but I got myself in it, and my best friend in it.

This is David and I at the National Honor Society Inductee ceremony.

Day 75- repeat

ah, I actually did take a picture on Wednesday.

Day 75

There will be no day 75. Well there will be... but I will not be participating on day 75 or day 76. I left my camera at my friends house, and I will not see him until Friday. I did not manage to even take a picture today... and the sad thing is that I took my camera EVERYWHERE with me. It was with me (in my car) on my field trip to Garden of the Gods. It was with me when I went to the storage place. It was with me when I went out to dinner. I even took it over to my friends house hoping to get a picture... but I didn't.

Hopefully on Friday, when I get it back, I will be able to get a picture... I was accepted into the National Honor Society, and they are having a ceremony that I must attend on Friday.

Also, I am officially on Spring Break! No school until the 27? I think... maybe... I will be catching up on homework though.

Day 74

These boys make lots of messes... anywhere we go.

(f:5.6; 1/40; ISO 200)

This one just made me laugh.

Day 73

This boy has got an imagination!

(f:5.6; 1/80s: ISO 500)

Day 72

Before:

(f: 5.6; 1/20s; ISO 800)

After:

(f:5.6; 1/13s; ISO 800)

I organized this closet today. The food is now much more easily accesible, and I now know what I have, what I am running low on, and what I don't have. Woo!

Day 71

This weekend has been so busy.

I unexpectedly worked on Saturday, and since then I've just been going going going.

I took the boys to soccer practice on Saturday, but I only got a couple pictures, and did not have time to experiment because the coaches invited the "parents" to go out and play with them.

(f:5.6;1/25s; ISO 800)

(f: 5.6; 1/30s; ISO 800)

Day 70

Today is Friday, and today is good :)

It is 68 degrees out today. Just beautiful.

(f: 5.0; 1/1600s; ISO 200)

This was the first time that I noticed that Asher found his paci, picked it up, and stuck it in his mouth. I was so proud :) 

(f: 3.5; 1/2000; ISO 200)

Poor little boy is teething. He is chewing on anything he can get in his mouth... including baseball bats. That is a mini baseball bat... by the way. 

(f: 4.5; 1/1250s; ISO 200)

Today was the first time that Asher rode in the wagon. He loved it. And it was SO cute. He just sat there enjoying the sights, sounds, and warm weather. 

(f: 5.6; 1/3200s; ISO 200)

We were running from the earthquake (or tsunami), as Caden put it. 

(f: 5.0; 1/1600; ISO 200)

Maxwell looks ready to conquer the world. :) 

(f: 5.6; 1/1000s; ISO 200)

Today I stopped by starbucks and bought a caramel frappuccino. I am not a big fan of starbucks (the prices, and the coffee), but there are days when I will buy it. (only once, maybe twice a month usually to bribe myself into going to class :)) Today it was absolutely delicious. 

(f: 5.6; 1/3200s; ISO 125)

I went on a walk with Poncho... and I imagined this on my fence... because, you know, Poncho is just so scary. 

(f: 29; 1/320s; ISO 125)

I really like this last picture. I definitely played around with lighting a lot today :) 

Day 69- a different kind of view

(f: 7.1; 1/200s; ISO 200)

Day 68

There are few things that I really can't stand. It's easy for me to change a diaper, or clean a toilet, but when it comes to uncooked meat... I can't stand it. I'm a fairly decent cook, and I can really make whatever I want (at least everything I've tried so far). 

It's just that the texture and the smell is just... gross. 

Sadly, I have to deal with raw meat, so I do it. Just very quickly. 

What's one of your least favorite tasks?

(f: 7.1; 0"3s: ISO 800).

I made sloppy joe. It was good, especially after I finished cooking the meat :)

Day 67

My precious Asher :)

(f: 4.5; 1/13s; ISO 800)

Day 66

If you know me at all, you know that I enjoy reading. It's definitely such a great past time. There is one downside to reading though. I hate it when I find a really good book... and then I finish it. I wish it would just last forever. Good books are hard to find. I usually only read ONE maybe two good books a year. I mean, like really good books. A book that you cannot seem to put down. I've been lucky so far to have found THREE books that were stupendous. Yes, maybe the writing wasn't all that fancy, but the story telling was great.

Thankfully, I tend to enjoy reading books multiple times. Usually I find a book better the second time around, because I can focus on the little details. I just read these books (about a month ago) and already I want to start reading from the beginning again, but I know that if I do, I will be disappointed because I JUST read them (I usually need to wait 6 months- to a year to read books again). So, I've been on the hunt for good books, but with my mind still reeling from these books, it's been hard.

(f: 4.5; 1/50s; ISO 1600).

This is a trilogy (first comes the hunger games, then catching fire, and the last one is mockingjay) by Suzanne Collins.
If you enjoy fiction (and a lot of imagination), then you would probably enjoy these. My wonderful mother read these books, and then told me that I would like them... and I did :) If you start reading them, then make sure you have time!

Do you have any favorite books? I'll have to check them out :)

Giveaway!

I am not the one that is giving something away, but my sister is. She is just starting her business as a doula, and she is trying to advertise and find clients. Check it out. Enter into the giveaway, and let all your pregnant Chicago friends know. :) She's giving away a pretty sweet giftcard if you do this :)

Day 65

My morning routine usually consists of dabbing on some mascara, brushing my long luscious locks (not), and putting deodorant on... in no particular order. There are days when I forget to do any of this... okay well I usually remember deodorant (friends, you should thank me for that).

I only took one picture... because I was lazy... and hey, this turned out good enough for my lazy sunday.

(f:5.0; 1/20s; ISO 800)

Okay, you caught me. I do sometimes use body spray... but I already smell like the sweet aroma of spring, so what's the point? ;)

Have a wonderful week :)

Day 64

This was at walmart back with the fishies. I hope to get some of these fish because they are so CUTE. I wonder if my goldfish will eat them or be nice?

I really liked the colors here :)

(f:5.0; 1/40s; ISO 800)

Day 63

Some of my favorite little boys :)


Yes, Caiden is wearing rain boots. No, it was not raining. That is just how we role.

(f:3.5; 1/20s; ISO 800)

(f: 5.0; 1/20; ISO 800)

So, I looked through my photos on my blog today, and I've decided that I have already improved. When I was looking at some of my oldest pictures I will be thinking about how I should have used different settings, or that I should have worked on the lighting a bit more. I've also noticed that figuring out settings and my lighting is becoming a lot easier.

Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts.

Tonight I am babysitting Caiden and Grady, and they have been quite rambunctious. They have definitely worn me out, those silly boys. :)

Day 62

I was determined to get myself into a picture today, but it's HARD. First I had to figure out the best settings. Next I had to make sure it focused correctly. THEN, I had to make it to the right spot in time for the picture to take. 

It's really not an easy task. 

I also have problems with the background of this picture, but I love how Asher is looking at me :) So cute. 

(f: 25; 1/50s; ISO 200)

It was beautiful today (65 degrees!), and yet it is supposed to snow and rain tonight. SO SAD.

Also, who likes my new jeans?? The are not holy :)

Day 61

I thought for sure that I had strep. I mean, I had been around two little boys who had it, and I had been around them a lot!

So, when my throat started hurting (a lot), I decided to make a doctor's appointment. I didn't get in to the doctor until today, and yesterday things had gotten a lot worse. 

Today, while the nurse was swabbing my throat she says, "oh, you have a big pocket of pus back here." Yummy. 

After all of that fun stuff, the result comes back negative. In a way that was kind of upsetting because then I didn't know what was wrong with me, but I'm glad I wasn't spreading strep around :) 

Now I'm just waiting it out to see if it goes away in a week. 

I feel a little bit better (I think the nurse popped the pocket of pus, which may have helped?)

I was also prescribed this medicine, to help with the pain. 

It works. It pretty much instantly numbs my throat. Oh, sweet relief. 

(f: 5.6; 1/40; ISO 800)

I hope you all are having a better week than I am! :)

I had to go jean shopping this week because my favorite (and only) jeans (that I bought for $3) grew two holes in them :( I hate it when that happens, because it's so hard to find good, cheap, jeans. 

Day 60

I missed my precious boy last week. Isn't he just too cute? Poor boy has a nasty cold.

(F: 4.5; 1/30s; ISO 800)

He's getting really good at grabbing things... and sticking them in his mouth :) He's definitely teething.

Also, whenever he cries I laugh, because he looks so pitiful. It's cute. (I really do take good care of him).  

(f:4.5; 1/30s; ISO 800)