What's happening in our world...

Tyler is kind of young to start the potty training thing, but he is OBSESSED with going on the potty. He even dumps it into the toilet and flushes when he is done and then washes his hands. Now all we need to do is get him to actually get his pee in the potty instead of all over the floor...

I am starting on line classes this week here for photography and photo editing. I am super excited and will be posting photos from my assignments over the next 6 weeks.

Breakfast with Papa and Nana

My parents started a tradition about a year ago of taking Tyler every Saturday morning for breakfast. They go to the Peppermill Grill by my house. I even tag along once in awhile if I can get ready in time. Tyler loves going to breakfast and pancake is one of the few legible words in his vocabulary. He knows all of the waitresses and gives them all hugs before he leaves. It's pretty cute.

The best part of the Saturday mornings is that they usually take him on trips to the tool store or the grocery store and I have a Saturday morning free. I should be cleaning or getting groceries right now and here I am wasting my time...

My parents sometimes run a little late getting here and Tyler always waits by the door saying there names over and over and over and over and over again...

Last week I was getting ready so I could go along and the doorbell rings. I went to see who was ringing my doorbell at 7:30 in the morning and it was my dear Tyler. He had managed to get outside by himself and was trying to get back in. Scared me to death. I locked the door and then took photos of him mad because he couldn't get out and then he rolled over tying to plot his escape.

Kiva

I saw a link on another blog that I read about Kiva. Basically, Kiva is where you can make a micro loan of $25.00 to poverty stricken people in other countries. These loans are paid back in 6-12 months and you get email journals showing you what your loan is doing as well as track payments.

I am so overwhelmed by the billions and billions of dollars we are using to bailout already wealthy people in our country. I don't feel bad for the bankers and auto execs who have million dollar homes and super expensive cars. For too long, their greed has led their companies to this point. I do feel bad for the workers who may loose their jobs to this greed.

It just feels good knowing that $25 of my dollars could totally change a persons life. $25 here wouldn't make a dent for anyone. Plus, even our poorest are wealthy compared to the rest of the world. So, for less than the cost of a dinner at Outback, I will be searching for an entrepreneur to loan to. I will post back with who I choose...

Love

We had a nice low-key Valentines Day. Mike and I are fortunate enough to go on dates at least twice a month, that we didn't really want to battle the crowds to go out on Valentines. We didn't do any cards or gifts either. Mike helped me a TON around the house over the weekend plus was super patient at the mall on Saturday evening. Romantic? No...but just what I needed.

Tyler having a more and more common two year old moment. Where did my sweet baby go???

Photo Edits

Original Image

I have had some people ask about how I edit my photos. I used to use a free trial of Lightroom by Adobe, but now use Picnik. A friend from work told me about it. The best part...it is free or you can pay $24.95 for a year of extra features, which is what I do. I took an original photo of Tyler and edited it 6 ways at Picnik to show some of the things you can do. I like to combine multiple actions to get the results. Have fun!

Light 'em up...

Tyler got a lantern from Culvers on Sunday...it is already broken, but fun while it lasted.

Sunny Sunday

Click on each strip to see images larger if you wish...

Special Delivery

I received a beautiful vase of tulips from the photo studio that I work with. It made my week!

plans, plans, and more plans

I love weekends so so much
I love waffles on Sundays
I love stocking my fridge back up with meals for the week

I love having my laundry done...but not doing it
I love watching movies on Sunday afternoon while we fold laundry
I love not having to go to work
I love, love, love date night


Tomorrow I am going to rise and shine at 7:00am, get ready, and send Tyler off to weekly breakfast with Nana and Papa. I am going grocery shopping at 7 freaking 30 in the morning. Sick...yes, but I am oh so excited about it. I will be all alone and the store will be practically empty.

Ahh...Heaven

I am going to clean my house from 8:30-10 before going off to get my butt kicked by the personal trainer my Mom and I are going to. Poor Mike will be at work and lucky Tyler and Papa will be bonding over some project that involves tools.

My original weekend desires only involved me and a good book, however my house is N.A.S.T.Y. right now. My basement looks like a bomb stuffed with toys was set off and there is just junk piled up everywhere from the week of craziness that we have had.

In the afternoon, while Tyler naps, I am having some yummy craft time. I have no idea what I am going to do but it will be creative and cool.

Tomorrow night Mike and I are having date night. Did I mention I love date night? So do my parents and Tyler who get to hang out while we take some much needed and enjoyed adult time. I am very proud of the fact that we still have around 2 date nights a month and I am so thankful that my parents always want to babysit.

Sunday morning will be waffles before church, lunch at Panera with the padres, and a trip to Costco. Laundry and a movie in the afternoon.
Glorious...and just as nice as me and a good book.

Photo by me...

Things every boy should do...