What do you think...?

So I have been playing more with textures and the different blending modes in photoshop and have a couple of things to show. These two pictures are the same, they were both taken a few weeks back when I went shooting with my dad. Which one is your favorite?
This one....

or this one?

What a week...

So, there are two reasons that I haven't blogged in such a long time. First, I wanted my cute husbands post to have enough time for others to read :) and also 'cause I've been sicker than a dog! I have had a sore throat since last Saturday...that's nine days now! I have also had a horrible cough-which sounds like a dog bark-so embarrassing! Anywho, I wanted to post a couple of pictures. Last Saturday...my dad (the best photographer I know) and I went to take some pictures. I'd like to make a little interjection here if I could, I am SO lucky to have such cool, talented parents. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to learn great things from both of my parents. My mom is an amazing violinist, musician and teacher. She has taught me pretty much everything I know about music. My dad, is immensely talented. Everything he touches turns to gold. He is a great cook, an AMAZING photographer and I have greatly benefited from his talents. Anyway, back to my story. So, my Dad I have been trying to find time to go and take pictures together, mostly for him to teach me about photography. We went around to a few places and then decided to go to temple square. I got this shot (after adjusting a few things on my camera)!

I LOVE it!!! My Dad thought it was pretty cool too, which is saying alot, because he is INCREDIBLE! Hopefully my Dad and I can find more time to take pictures together. I had such a great time. I love being around him, he's so funny and he teaches me so much. Thanks Dad and I love you!
As you all probably know, I love digital scrapbooking and I occasionally post my "stuff" on my blog. Well, a few people have commented on how to get started and I would like to HIGHLY recommend taking an online class from Jessica Sprague. She has three classes, I am currently taking the beginning class-I really, really wanted to know how to use photoshop right and I am...it's amazing! Each class is about 50 dollars, but think about how much a book costs, how un-fun it is to read it and how hard it is to apply it. Besides, most photoshop how-to books aren't geared towards scrappers. Anywho, if you are interested, here is the link to her website. Here are two of the pages I have made while doing her class!

Happy Mother's Day Linds

I'm usually not inclined to post a blog, but wanted to express to my sweet wife how much I love her. She writes so many nice things about me on this blog, so I figured that it was my turn. This Mothers day has caused me to reflect even more about the things for which I'm most grateful. I realize today that she is truly the source of all my happiness. The gift I gave her today and the breakfast I made this morning seemed to fall short of expressing my true feelings. As I sit here writing this, I find it difficult to express how lucky I am to have found my best friend as my eternal companion. I'm so grateful for her selfless service to our little boys. I can't imagine the stress and patience that she must endure day after day dealing with the pulling, nagging, crying, pooping, etc. I don't know how she does it. I know that she feels inadequate at times, but I want her to know what a fantastic job I think she does. I'm so proud of the growth I've seen in her these 5 years we've been married. She cares so much about Drew and Cameron and puts her whole heart into teaching and being a perfect example to them. Linds, I hope you know how much I love you. I couldn't have asked for a better mother for our children, eternal companion and best friend.

T.J.

Something gross...but funny!

So, my poor little Drew has been pretty sick this week. He has had a horrible cough, a fever, drippy nose and watery and oozing eyes (so sad!!!). Anyway, I noticed that he kept wiping his nose on his arm-gross! So I told him to use a tissue next time. His response, in complete frustration, was..."Mom, there's too much booger sauce!" Me: "Booger sauce....oh,....I get it. Drew it's really gross to wipe your nose on your arm," and he said, "but there is too much booger sauce to get a tissue every time mom!!!" Tj was standing right there and wondered if I had taught him that term....no, I didn't. Pretty funny, huh?!

Penelope...

I don't know if any of you have ever seen the "Penelope" skits on SNL, but they are so, sooooo, so funny! I found one of the best skits for you...
ENJOY!!!!

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

For the bazillionth time...FOOD STORAGE!

OK, I know that we ALL know about this, but who is actually doing anything? I know I'm not. Here is an idea...TJ and I are going to use our economic stimulus refund (the one that everyone is getting) and are going to purchase the most food storage we can get. I've read about five different blogs that have shared a link with a national news website or something...and found one I want to pass on. I feel like I hear something about food storage every day now and I am finally listening. For all of my blogging buddies who shared an article and/or their feelings about the subject, thank you...it has surely gotten me moving.
Here is the link I promised.

Same old, same old

As a stay at home mom, don't you love being asked, "How's life, what's new...?" If I could only answer truthfully..."well, Cameron just barely went from size three diapers to size four diapers and has gone from two naps to one...he is less of a picky eater than he used to be...and Drew...well, lets just say it will be a miracle if he makes it to his fourth birthday." :) I am feeling the monotony of motherhood these days and am desperately looking for a way to change that. I guess we mommies go through it from time to time, it's just hard for me to really enjoy my kids 'cause I have so much going on in my mind, and then they just frustrate me...not purposely, I know. I love my little boys dearly and constantly have to tell myself that they are limited by their ages. Sometimes I expect more than I should and for that I feel bad. Poor Drew woke up this morning with the most horrendous cough ever! He was coughing so hard that he threw-up...poor kid. I was so worried about cleaning up the puke, that I paid very little attention to him and how he felt (see, it's like I have blinders on!!!). Anywho, any advice from any of you mommies that read my blog? How do you put aside your responsibilities and obligations to just sit and enjoy your kids? What kind of things do you do, or have you done to break out of the binds of monotony? I would sure love another point of view...For those of you who are still reading this...you're check is in the mail :)