QOTD

"With a quick change of my shirt I can go from humble to a party animal" - Quayde (age 12)

Before and Afters

On Thursday I took a second photography class from Megan. She is an incredible photographer and owns Holdsworth Photography. We learned about lighting and shadows and what time of day NOT to take pictures and how to 'stage' your subject. So these pictures are of Maliea before and after I worked on the photo. Isn't she a pretty girl? All grown up!!!!

It's not in our budget right now to afford a fancy camera so I am learning to use what I have and work with it as much as I can. Loving it!

For everyone who has asked about what we used. Part of the theatre was from a kit from HearthSong. The "paper" across the front of the cardboard is a large sheet of vellum. You should be able to find it in a craft store near you. We made other puppets from black and dark blue sheets of card stock with straws. We are still working out the hinges and we used brads to attach body parts to the croc and monkey. Experiement even just on your wall with a lamp, it's SO FUN!

Shadow puppets

Today I had a client consultation cancel so we had time for a big art /school project!! Thank you Maliea for being patient and donating materials. We spent several hours cutting and creating our little theatre. Chaiya did a great re-telling of a fable with crocodile and monkey. When nurse Debi came she was sweet enough to create some more little puppets for Lydia. I think this will be some on-going fun for us for the week. Quayde and Lyd had so much fun playing and acting out parts we will probably be writing our own plays soon.

Easter

I think we need to remember to take pictures of the older kids too!! This Spring week /Easter weekend was quite full. We painted wooden eggs since Lyd can't touch real ones, Chaiya made a fake Cherry blossom tree with tissue paper flowers and branches, we made more tissue paper flowers and hung them so Thayne could pretend they were pinatas(not really for him) and had enough candy to have sugar hangovers.

Quayde found two eggs that fell from a tree and one was still warm. He wanted to try and hatch it and set up a light and homemade washcloth nest in his room. Well a little sibling went to investigate and damaged the egg. Quayde was very very sad. My heart is so touched by this boy who is so kind and loving. My heart is so grateful that Christ stepped in and filled in the areas that need filled when I tried so hard to be two parents for awhile. His Grace is so sufficient and we just need to trust in Him and have faith. Quayde is such a good young man with a wonderful heart and I am grateful for who this boy of mine is each day.

We had a wonderful Easter and I love these kiddos of mine!

QOTD

Every night I put Lydia to bed with a story and her special customized lullaby. It's the one from the Disney movie "Lady and the Tramp" except I have to fill in part of it with her super secret special name ( Super Suit Lydia LUMPA) long story.
Tonight out of the blue she says, "Every night the Angels put me to sleep...(long pause) except Fridays"
I wonder if they just need a break.

I just looked out the window to check on the littles. Lydia is teaching Thayne the yoga poses that she learned off of her Yoga Kids video. The fact that she can do these is amazing and Thayne is not as well balanced as she. Boy is she bossy! We are loving how she sticks out her tongue with the snake pose.

I have seen it all!!!!

Today I drove to Phoenix for Maliea to see her endocrinologist and right after we got off the freeway, we were waiting at the light and there was a man in his 30's holding a sign panhandling. This is what the sign said," I have a job, I have a home, Wife wants boob job for birthday, can you help?"
I kid you not!

Finished

Yes, ladies and gentlemen I finished my second book of the year. I chose Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Excellent book! Although I am a person that believes you can find yourself without having to leave the country. My India was Lydia which I am still learning from each day. My Italy is Michael he has travel so much and tells me all his stories that I re-live them through him. My Bali is each day as I find it is not so much about balance as it is taking good care of oneself and not neglecting each aspect of ones' soul. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
This book was a good read. She is a great author who can make you laugh and cry all on the same page.
On to book number three!

Our anniversary!

We had to cancel our plans to head to Vegas. I still have the opportunity to use our vacation package until June though. We just couldn't pull it off completely right now.
So Michael and I had a wonderful afternoon and evening. We went to the movies, he ate squid and other lovely things I won't touch (I had chicken), we pretended that we were guests at the Hassyampa hotel, walked the square and had a wonderful time.
Since we were married on the 29th, every year is kind of fun. We received some wonderful cards and emails from people that I was really surprised remembered.
My husband is such a loving, caring man. He gets up in the night to help with Lydia, that's amazing cause she is a lot of work. He rarely complains. He always does way more than he needs too. I am so blessed to have him in my life...in our lives. I love him so much!!!!

The winner is.....

Ginny! Because she guessed the crucial part. Yes many of you guessed light reflection. Good but Ginny knew it had something to do with Magellan.
Quayde had placed the library book of Magellan down on the sofa. The sunlight through the window hit the plastic cover and made the incredible light display across the whole entire ceiling. What you can not see very well in the video is the colors. Quayde would wiggle the plastic just a tiny bit and the reflection would move.
Thanks everyone who played! Ginny I have your address already so watch your mail for a treat.