Snaps of Gideon

Gideon's party was today and I managed to lose ALL 200 pictures. Luckily Kristen took a few. I'll get those pics up later.

And tonight, for some shooting practice with my new camera (which, btw, is not named "bokeh", bokeh is a photography term), I took some pictures of Gideon. I may use these as his 3 yr. shots. But I may try cleaning him up and putting him in a different shirt for a more "formal" look. We'll see...

But, here you go.

My First Shot with Bokeh!

I give it an "eh". (I'm so punny.)

The camera came today (just in time for G's b-day party) and I've been learning a lot!

My Big 3-Year-Old

Three years have gone by quickly. Three years ago, Gideon looked like this:
Two years ago, Gideon looked like this:

And last year:

And this year:(story to follow)

He is getting so big.

I mean, right now he's going through a testing phase, but he's still an amazing kid. Here are some of my favorite Gideonisms.

* His nickname for me is "Georgia". I don't know where it came from, but I think it's adorable.
* He is often heard saying, "actually" and "it's kinda' (l)ike...".
* This kid LOVES to play with his daddy. Lately they have been playing "Airport" (which is G's bed). They go on amazing journeys to outerspace and beyond.
* Every prayer includes thanking God for Madison and Hudson. (usually multiple times)
* Gideon is great about taking care of people and animals.

I'm sure I will think of many more things that I'll want to remember about G at this stage.

But for now, JR and I are thankful for our growing boy. He is everything we ever hoped for in a son. And we are so proud of him.

Here's a run-down of his 3rd Birthday.

7:15-- Gideon BURST forth from his bedroom and hi-tailed it to Grandma's room where he got to watch "Pinocchio" while Debby got ready.

8:15-- G requested pancakes for breakfast.

9-- Hudson came over for his usual Wednesday visit. But Madison was with them on her way to preschool and sang "Happy Birthday".

10:45-- While getting ready for his special lunch with Daddy, G somehow managed to miss jumping up on the toilet, and instead, landed in the trash basket.

11-- Chick-fil-A ("on Appalachee") with Daddy.

12-- Back home for some more playing.

2:31-- Momma kissed G's nose just like she did for the first time 3 years earlier.

3:30-- Baked cookies.

4:15--Grated cheese.

5:45-- Family dinner of requested "BAKED" mac and cheese and BBQ chicken.

6:30-- Blew out candles on cookie.

6:40-- Opened presents that have arrived in the mail.

6:45-- Played with all the new stuff.

7:15-- REQUESTED a bath.

7:30-- cuddle time

8-- Bed

(That's a full day for a 3 yr. old!)

Enjoy the slide show!



I get my new camera on Friday!, so that is when I'll take his more formal "3 Year" Portraits.

2 Slide-shows for Your Viewing Pleasure

A week ago, Kristen and I planned to take the kids to Zoinks. Well, as we got there we were warned that an elementary school was about to descend. So we decided that we didn't want our kids to be trampled by an entire school and headed out to the rest of the shopping center to occupy our time.

We explored Fresh Market and had TONS of free samples of lovely dried fruit and berries. The kids were given gourmet cookies... and all-in-all we were fed enough to push off lunch time so that we could head to Steinmart as well.

And it was here that we had a little photo-shoot. Enjoy!



And on to slide-show number two...
Here are pictures that I've taken this week. For the family blog, I'm just focusing on the pictures that tell what we've been up to recently. Remember to check out my photography blog to see pictures that I'm really working with.

You Have to Begin Somewhere

For the past year, as I have imagined my role of supporting JR, emotionally (and possibly financially) through getting his MDiv, I have seen myself doing "whatever jobs were needed" to bring in income. In my imagination I saw myself teaching children's theatre, working on various projects with my contacts at Harding, selling some "Montages"... but nothing was really getting me excited or motivated.

I recognized within myself a "martyr attitude" in my approach to the next few years. You know what I'm talking about... that, "I'm working hard for "us" while you pursue YOUR dream." I'm not proud of this. I'm confessing that I had that attitude.

However, over the past several weeks, a new plan is churning and gaining momentum in my imagninings.

I have always been intrigued by photography. My stageing and lighting background from theater have already trained my eye to a certain degree. But I always thought that getting the right equipment was a big step. And it is.

When Naomi knocked my camera out of my hand several weeks ago, I saw it as a change to get a good camera since we were going to have to replace our fine camera. And the wheels started turning. Working on photography--honing those skills-- gives me something to be working towards as well as possibly bringing in income for my family. I could be doing something I enjoy instead of just "getting through" the years of JR's schooling.

I ask you to join me in praying about this business endeavor. I know that it will take some time to learn the art of photography... so I'm not naive enough to think that I'll start making a full-time, money-making business out of this in August when we move to Searcy. But I crave your prayer support.

I have ordered a new camera. It, hopefully, will be here in time for Gideon's birthday. (Keep your fingers crossed.) The plan right now is to take as many pictures as I can this summer to build up my skills. (So if I'll be around you this summer and you want a free photo session, let me know.) When I move to Searcy, I'll have access to the different photo-editing programs and will be able to work with a variety of them before I buy some of my own.

I (because this is what I do) have created a new blog to start getting constructive criticism on my photos. Check it out. There is a link on the right. It'll also be a place where I play around with branding. (You will be able to leave your comments about that as well.) :)

My prayer is that if photography is going to be a good business for me and my family, that God will bless my learning curve and opportunities. If this will not be a good fit for my family, I pray He shows me early on in the process.

Thanks for praying with me.
-Daisha

Life Right Now

Out for a Jog

On May 2, (a Saturday) JR got up before the kids to go for a run. This is rare in and of itself, but what transpired over the next few minutes became a "first."

Gideon woke up hearing JR moving around getting ready. And Gideon INSISTED that he would go to work with JR. So it was explained to Gideon that "Daddy was going for a run, not to work."

Excitedly, Gideon told us he was getting his flip-flops and was going with Daddy. Well, JR tried to talk him out of it and I explained that he couldn't go on a run in just his underwear.

After convincing JR that he was not going to be left behind, JR put him in shorts and shoes (non-flip-floppy variety) and they headed out for a stretch before their first father-son run.I, of course, got my camera.
They headed out for a lap around our block. The distance is almost exactly 1/2 a mile.
Gideon ran the ENTIRE way. The guys passed Kristen (which is a detail Gideon never fails to mention when you ask him about the run).
JR and I are so proud of the way Gideon is becoming such a big kid! After that first 1/2 mile, JR dropped him back off for a potty break and breakfast while he continued his run.

I'm sure this was just the first of many runs the fellas will go out on over the next several years.

Mother's Day Post-poned

Since this weekend was rather busy, we decided to celebrate Mother's Day this coming Sunday.

However, Debby did take a picture of me with both kids on her phone camera. I am pretty sure that (except for a random picture in Germany) this is the first time the 3 of us have posed for a picture since I was holding Naomi in our hospital bed. (that's a shame)

So, here we are...

Frenzy

So after months of trying to find a renter for this house we currently rent... one was found.

He starts his job here on Monday... so we are packing, moving into Debby's, having a moving sale, and cleaning before then. (It's a good thing I had about half of the house already packed up.) :)

If you are in the area and are looking for anything for babys/toddlers (of either gender), electronics, tvs, or furniture, stop on by our house on Saturday and buy it from us. :)

I probably won't have time to post until sometime next week.

Naomi's 15 Monthabirthday

15 Things about my baby:

1.) Here's a list of her words (over 50). Some are recognizable. Most are understandable in context and in conjunction with her non-verbal cues.

Momma, Dada, Gideon (eeh-uh), Grandma (MAH-ma), Izzie, Elaina, Gigi, Papa, Hannah, Anna, Hudson, Dog, ruff, elephant sound, meow, monkey noise, baa, moo, duck, quack, all done, up up, down down, juice, more, raisian, banana, thank you, hot, biscut, cheers, ice, eyes, nose, mouth, knee, toe, Bible, gentle, shoes, baby, no, stop, uh-oh, bye-bye, hello, George, diaper, Big Bird, Elmo, tick-tock, blanket, car, truck, off, on, boo-boo, mwah, ball, clap clap, "I-did-it"

2.) She is great with non-verbal communication. She points and signs. It really makes her quite understandable.

3.) SHE HAS A FAKE SMILE!!! Gideon did this around the same age. But since N broke my camera when I was trying to capture it, I don't have a picture to post of it currently. Kristen took a couple of cute pictures of it as did Debby. So when I get those, I'll update and place it here.

UPDATE: I took this of N on Debby's camera (Sunday, May 3). It's not her biggest Fake Smile, but it's pretty cute anyway.

4.) Favorite things to play with:

a) cars/trains

b) dress up

c) Gideon

5.) Favorite solitary past-times

a) reading

b) playing with shoes

c) climbing

d) climbing UP slides

6.) She is eating more and more like a "big kid". She uses plates and sometimes she uses utensils.

7.) Naomi sleeps well in her big girl bed. We put her down shortly after 8 and she usually sleeps for 12 hrs. (Sometimes Gideon wakes up the whole house as soon as he sees light.) However, she is trying to give up her one remaining nap already. I'm not willing to let this happen. But her one nap has been running about 1 hr. lately. Shouldn't she be sleeping longer!?!

8.) She continues to be a good listener. Sometimes you can see her struggle to obey. But in the end, she does.

9.) For the most part, she is really easy-going. However, when she gets frustrated, she gets violent. She is inconsolable and starts destroying everything around her. The first time JR saw this, he said, "Oh, no! She's got my temper!" (It's true.) :)

10.) The other day Naomi helped me unload the dishwasher. She would hold up a dish as if to ask me where it went, I'd tell her, and she put it away. It was actually helpful. She did a good job of following directions.

11.) We ate at Chick-fil-A with the Mosiers the other day and Naomi had a blast playing on the playground. She climbed as far as her slippery shoes would allow her to, up the slide. I had to crawl in and get her.

12.) She is wearing 24mon./2T clothing and when I took her to the dr. the other day (for raspy breathing) she weighed 28 lbs. 6 oz. In a few weeks I'll get her official 15 mon. stats.

13.) Naomi LOVES being outside. If a door opens and she sees the outdoors, she bolts over to make her way out. And if the door is closed and she's kept in, well... let's just say that I'm pretty sure the whole block knows she is upset about it. :)

14.) I LOVE the way that Naomi greets JR when he comes home from work. She squeals his name and runs to him with her arms up. When she gets to him she says, "up up" and when in his arms, calms down and pats JR's chest and says, "Dada." (as if to let me know that he is hers)

15.) The only thing that still has me stumped for now, is how Naomi reacts when we take her to church. She still HATES the nursery. If I stay in there with her she is normal. But even if Debby (who is one of her favorite people) stays with her, she is weird and moody and cranky. If anyone has advice on how to work through this stage, bring it on. I'm all ears. (or eyes, since I'd probably be reading your advice)

That's our little 15 month old. We love her to bits and pieces.