I finally did it~~A new camera!!!

So after LITERALLY months of research....bugging everyone I knew about what camera they had...buying one camera and returning it and going to Best Buy OVER and OVER and OVER agian to "play" I finally decided and bought my new friend!

I made the jump to a Digital SLR! I ended up getting a Canon XS 1000D. This was just the best match for all of my "wants". I have to say...I am in love! From the very first picture I took!

Yup....my first picture. By the time I had the time to open it up and play....everyone else was in bed. :)

Can't wait to figure out photshop now!

Now, I am sooooo looking forward to the tulip festival this year! I am already contemplating my shots!

Inaguration Day 2009

Today, I was unable to stop watching history in the making. When I did finally stop watching...I couldn't stop thinking about how far our nation has come. How much we, as a people, have finally grown! I am so happy that my children are being brought up in a country that has passed "that" point...a country, where the majority finally looked beyond race, and decided based on other factors!

When my son looked at me and asked why I was so involved, I explained that this was our new president, and told him that he is the first African American president ever...and he said...
"so, what's the big deal?"
I am so happy he sees it like that, and wish that for everyone! I hope it is never a "big deal" agian...

This is certainly NOT to say that I do now, nor will ever agree with everything that President Obama intends to do, or might do, while in office. But, as an American, I am proud to stand, and support.
I believe that None of this has ANYTHING to do with party lines....not caring whether you are Conservative, Liberal or Independant,
This was a monumental day in America! A day of exceptance...of new beginnings...of hope.

Highschool Debate...

Karman has joined debate this year.
It seems it is right up her alley...She is very outgoing, and can be well spoken, and always makes a good first impression on people.

We, as parents, are hoping it will give her some experience beyond what is in her comfort zone. To gain some world knowledge, to become even more clear in her thoughts, and learn how to organize them. We are hopeful, as she is excelling, that the intrest remains, because there are MANY scholarship opportunities.

There are many different forms of debate, and she has chosen the speech format. So she has written two speeches. One is informational, and one is persuasive. Throughout the year, she keeps the same speeches, but improves them. Eventually, she will memorize them, and add movements, and visual aides. They are very good, and I look forward to them getting even better as the year progresses.

In her very first debate she got a ribbon...which was unheard of, as she is only in her first year of debate, and at a brand-spankin new school, that barely even has a team. She competed against many very seasoned teams, and still won a ribbon. Her second earned her a metal...At the end of November, her fourth debate, she received TWO trophies....one FIRST place, and one SECOND place! It was amazing. She and I had worked and worked on the speeches, and it paid off!!!

Now she is working toward her sixth competition, she is working on memorization now, and will be moving into open debate (which means that notecards are no longer allowed).

She puts in LONG hours on competition days, and works hard...and the pay off, for the teenage self-esteem, is HUGE!

Where does the time go?

A little Wii

We got a Wii for Christmas.

It is sooooo great! We have never let our kids watch much TV, or play the computer or video games much at all. That, hasn't changed....but I have to say, something that can entertain, two adults, a teenager and two little kids is pretty awesome!

So one of our new years resolutions for the year (for the umpteenth time) was to lose some weight and gain back some strength etc....so I really wanted to get the Wii and the Wii fit for us. It is amazing! It acts as accountability as you weight-in on it, and also gets you up off the couch and moving :) Plus, and this is the best part...it is FUN! So you want to do it again!

Plus, the kids love it. Tyler has the most interest. Makylie is still too young, to really "get it"...and Karman had already played it many times before we ever got it, so it isn't as exciting to her...but she still enjoys it. We still limit to about 1/2 hour a day...but it is so fun to watch everyone play it and learn the skills and the coordination. Plus, it is a great bargaining tool...for cleaning up, studying and staying in bed at night. :)

Happy New Year

Reflecting....


On the love of family, the beauty of the world, and the wonder that is life.


HOW HONORED I AM TO BE A PART OF ALL OF IT!

Happy, Happy New Year!