273

We drove to New Mexico today.

(f/3.5; 1/100s; ISO 400; 18 mm)

This pretty much sums up the drive.

Just kidding. That's not true. It actually went very smoothly. We made it here in about 7 hours, and that is with a few stops... one of them being about 45 minutes for lunch and for the boys to get some energy out.

Not bad.

Happy Friday, everyone!

P.S. I tried to edit this picture so that M didn't look so white, buuuuuuut... I couldn't figure out a way to do it ;)

272

*I just realized that I haven't titled my posts with Day lately... I've just been putting numbers. Aw well. My handful of avid readers probably know what I'm saying. Today is DAY 272.

(f/5.6; 1/25s; ISO 400; 55 mm) 

We went to the library for the first time today. *Gasp* I know, I'm just a horrible nanny because all we do is sit around eating ding dongs all day. Actually, one reason why we've never gone before is because most of the time I am too lazy to do it. It's just so much work to get the boys dressed, pack food, pack diapers, pack drinks, put the boys in the car, remember their shoes, drive to the library, get the stroller out, get the boys out, walk across a big parking lot, try to enter the library without looking like an incompetent person who can't seem to manage holding open a door while ushering a 4 year old in, and pushing a stroller through... while holding a few books.

Anyway, moving on. I think the boys enjoyed the library. We played with toys, read some books, and maxwell got to work on his computer skills. And believe me, he has got some SKILLLZZ. Maybe next time we'll go for story time :) (and yes I did say next time, but you'll have to wait for a day when I feel especially productive)

*I would like to say that no, we do not just sit around all day eating ding dongs. That was sarcasm.


and that is all.

271

We spent most of the morning at the park.... because it was so gorgeous out! High of 85 and sunny :) Perfect weather!

(f/3.5; 1/3200s; ISO 100; 18 mm)

I set the camera on a bench, put it on 10 second timer, ran and picked up Asher and just stood wherever. ha. If only I had remembered my remote!

270

Fall is right around the corner!

(f/3.5; 1/2000s; ISO 200; 18 mm)

Day 269

I have no pictures for day 267 &268

(f/4.5; 1/40s; ISO 800; 37mm)

Lately Asher's been acting like he wants to drop his morning nap (bummer), so we've been seeing how he does without it. Surprisingly he's been super happy without it, and super active. Today he was just ready for his afternoon nap a little early. I was close to joining him. I got home today and took an hour and a half nap, and only woke up because my alarm went off.

266

Boys and sunshine = my favorite.

(f/5.6; 1/125s; ISO 100; 55 mm)

265

This little mister has such long eyelashes. So cute

(f/5.6; 1/100s; ISO 800; 55mm) 

264

My family left on this day.
I actually felt very much at peace. I was totally and completely calm.
I didn't feel much of the heart wrenching feeling that I felt last year.
Part of me is waiting for it to hit.
Maybe it hasn't hit yet because I've been so busy.
Or maybe it won't hit.
I know that I will see my family again... and soon.
I know that I can talk to them every day.
My family is very much missed by me, but I can live with that.
I also know that I have a family to live with for the next year.
Maybe that's what is making the difference.
Speaking of which, I moved in yesterday.
Everything has gone so smoothly.
I have my own bathroom for the first time ever. Crazy.
Also, I think this is the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on (Thanks, Deb!)
I know that this has been a lot of change in the past few months, and I know I've been very vague. So if anyone of my *cough* many readers has any questions about all of this, ask and I will tell :) I just have no idea what I should talk about.

Well here are my pictures for the day.

Just had to show you the Shedd fam at 4 A.M.... yes, you may be shocked, but I actually did wake up at 3:50 A.M. and I LIVED! 

(f/ 4.5; 1/60s; ISO 3200; 32 mm)

That was the sunrise on the way home from the airport.... morning skies are SO pretty.

(f/5.6; 1/2000s; ISO 3200; 55 mm)

As I pulled on to my street I saw the light streaming through this tree. I quickly pulled to the side of the road, hopped out, and took this picture.

263

(f/ 5.0; 1/100s; ISO 3200; 41 mm)

I love these girls... a lot. sadly, they're both not in my life as much as I'd like. Now that I'm moved, I'll be seeing Lindsay (my neighbor) a lot less. And that makes me sad... so Lindsay, we HAVE to try to hang out.

And It's pretty self explanatory that I won't be seeing Julianna very much since she's now in Ecuador.

We had to get one last picture before we went off in somewhat separate directions. Although Lindsay will hopefully come to Ecuador with me this December!

262

Ever since my family got back from Michigan a couple weeks ago (where Micah lost a tooth), I've wanted to capture his new smile. I FINALLY got around to it. 

(f/ 1.8; 1/2000s; ISO 100; 50mm lens) 

Stereotypical 7 year old boy smile? I think yes.  

Day 261

It was the last Sunday that my family was at church :(

(f/5.0; 1/125; ISO 3200; 27mm)

David took this picture for me.

Day 260

Today was my birthday. It was a good day. I ate a lot of food. I went mini golfing (and totally rocked at it too ;)). I saw friends. I got to spend precious time with my family... who leaves in approximately 72 hours more or less, and I didn't do homework... so I can't complain :)

(f/5.0; 1/60s; ISO 200; 18mm)

I set the setting and Katelyn took this. CUUUUTEE.

Day 259

New red shoes.

(f/5.6; 1/500s; ISO 400; 55mm)

Day 258

Today was a strange day. I woke up and got ready for work. All was normal. I drove to work... rang the door bell, and the lady I nanny for answers and says, "You must not have gotten my text" Apparently she sent me a text saying the boys were really sick and that she was going to stay home with them. I never got the text. So, I went home. It was actually a nice little surprise. It was nice to have the morning off. It gave me time to change up my blog some. You like it?

So, Maxwell and Asher are sick with hand and foot disease (I think that's what it's called). It's supposedly super contagious, and if an adult gets it, then it can affect them for up to two weeks. So, hopefully I don't get it!

Also, I can't believe that it is a year ago already that Trey lost his battle with Leukemia. I miss my dear friend, and I'm excited to meet up with him in heaven some day :)

(f/5.0; 1/1250s; ISO 1600; 18mm) 

 Furthermore, after raining all of yesterday, the rains just continued today. It's crazy. I saw a few fields that had been turned into ponds for the time being.

Embracing the Camera

I'm joining embrace the camera this week.

sweet baby asher

this & that (day 257)

I took no pictures today. That was nice though. It was nice not having to lug my camera around, and it was nice being lazy and just not turning it on.
Although I love photography, it's nice to take a day off here and there.
So, instead I'll just write a little update, since I haven't been writing much lately.
Let's see...
I believe Asher took his first steps today (at least for me). I also found out that he is much more willing to try standing if he is upstairs on carpet, rather than on the main floor on the wood. He was pretty thrilled with himself :)
I turn 19 on Saturday... Yeah, I don't even feel like I'm 18 yet.  But you can bet your bottom dollar that my family will be partying it up. Okay, actually, don't bet that. We're probably going to be packing and going to bed early.
I just wrote "Christina" all over my toothpaste tube because my family doesn't seem to comprehend that if they use my toothpaste, they are more likely to get mono. 
My family leaves next Wednesday. I was upset that it was the middle of the week, because I have to get up at 4, drive them to Denver, and then be at work by 8:50, but it was nice of them to choose another day since they had wanted to leave on my birthday at first.
School is already pretty dull. Although I think I'm doing fairly well in the hard classes that I'm taking. AKA Biology. I'm not really a science person.
It's been raining for about 10 hours straight, and it's been heavy rain too. Rarely does Colorado's weather stay the same for that long.
Mono is still affecting me. 
Something that has been on my mind a lot lately? Love. "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16


-- So go out and live in love today, folks! 


Happy Wednesday! 

Day 256

(f/5.0; 1/200s; ISO 6400; 23 mm) 

Asher loves crawling up the stairs.

Day 255

(f/5.0; 1/50s; ISO 3200; 20 mm)

Asher is always proud of himself when he crawls on to this shelf.

Day 254

Today we went on a little hike. It was SO gorgeous out there.

(f/5.6; 1/640s; ISO 400; 55 mm) 

 These kids: David, Isaac, and Julianna... well, they are too cool for school. That's for sure.

(f/5.0; 1/2000s; ISO 400; 18 mm) 

Isn't God's creation amazing?

(f/ 5.0; 1/2500s; ISO 400; 18mm) 

This is the rock we "climbed". It actually looks a lot easier than it was. David, Lydia, and I made it about half way. If that.

Day 252&253

We got our floors done in the basement... at least in the kitchen/dining room area.

Before:

The people who rented the basement this summer... well their dog... must have thrown up the last night that they were in the basement and he tried to lick it up... which then led to this hole in the carpet. So this was one reason we go different flooring put in. 

After:

Nice, huh? It will be so nice to cook in there and not worry about spilling on the carpet. And guess what? that's not wood... it's actually more of a rubber linoleum type stuff that looks like wood. Pretty snazzy, eh?

Also, it makes the basement look a lot more like a separate apartment... especially since the floor helps define where the rooms starts and end.

Day 251

Today I showed Maxwell how to make a froot loop necklace. He absolutely loved it. He was even willing to pose for some pictures after he finished.

(f/1.8; 1/400s; ISO 400; 50mm lens)

Lately Maxwell has been obsessed with food. If you want him to do anything... just bribe him with food... just kidding, well, kind of.
I'm thinking he's growing. The other day he ate an entire sandwich, a big serving of fruit, and a big serving of hamburger helper. That's a lot for a four year old.

Day 250

Maxwell is a cutie, but he never likes to smile normally in pictures.

(f/1.8; 1/200s; ISO 1600; 50mm lens)

Day 249

I found this gorgeous sunflower up the street.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

(f/2.0; 1/1250s; ISO 200; 50mm lens) 

(f/2.0; 1/1000s; ISO 200; 50mm lens)

(f/ 2.0; 1/1000s; ISO 200; 50mm lens) 

Which one is your favorite?

Day 248

Driving home last night.

(f/4.5; 1/6s; ISO 6400; 32mm)

Thank you higher ISO :)

Day 247

David playing around with his BB gun.

(f/4.0; 1/160s; ISO 400; 24mm)

Day 246

Today I had a productive day at home. I finally organized my closet of a room. And I'm serious when I say closet.

Before:

After:

Yes, I am messy sometimes.
It's nice to have it clean, and I'm glad I took the time to find a spot for everything.

Day 245

My  sister is so pretty.

(f/1.8; 1/1250s; ISO 400; 50mm lens)

(f/1.8; 1/2000s; ISO 400; 50 mm lens) 

(f/1.8; 1/1250s; ISO 400; 50mm lens)

Day 244

Asher could sit around for hours and play with these toys... especially the cars.

(f/1.8; 1/125s; ISO 800; 50mm lens)