Day 215

Waiting til morning! What are your favorite coffee flavors? I'd have to say I'm a caramel macchiato or Dunkin' Donuts fresh ground coffee beans with vanilla creamer kinda gal. 

Day 215

ISO 400, f/1.8, 1/60, 50 mm

Day 214

The maple leaves with the summer sun highlighting their details. The lighting here was amazing, and I loved the way it accentuated the leaf it was surrounding. The leaves are really big, it made for some fun shots! 

Happy Summer!

Day 214

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500, 150 mm

Day 213

So I was talking to my friend today on the phone. We were discussing how far behind we were on our 365 journey that we started together. We fall off the wagon, get back on again, and repeat. Living in the city, but not close enough to downtown where all the character and fun are, what's left for us? Flowers, sidewalks, curbs.. haha we were laughing, because our inspiration is just gone! 

After I hung up, I went out front to sit and watch 3 squirrels fighting for territory of our coveted maple trees as I throw stale peanuts out there or extra what not from snacks every once in a while. I grabbed my camera and just started snapping off what I saw. Needless to say, as I came back out with my camera, the squirrels had gone to acquire new lands, and I was left with.. yep, you guessed it. Sidewalk. 

I took pictures of leaves, tree trunks, grass, etc. and then I saw it. Sidewalk art! Real live sidewalk stamps! Okay, I'm getting artsy here, but the reflection of the branches and leaves on the sidewalk looked like stamps. 

 

Day 213

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/250, 160 mm

Day 208

Tiger Lily! Do you also think Disney when you hear things that remind you of it? All I can think of is Peter Pan and Captain Hook fighting over Tiger Lily. But, the main thing that goes through my head is Captain Hook growling, "Mr Smee??!" I don't know why, but everytime I walk by these tiger lilies, I think of that.

Day 208

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/2500, 50 mm

Day 201

Testing the theory, "So hot I could fry an egg on the sidewalk." Well, we did it. Took photos of the process, little one was documenting everything on her flip camera as she professionally described what was going on, and an hour later? Dried up, non cooked egg. :) It was fun, though! Here is a glimpse of our science project.

Day 201 

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/4000, 50 mm

Day 194

Waiting in the airport for our oldest to come home from Uganda! So, the youngest made a sign with real flowers, then we also adorned the headband. I'm kicking myself about not getting better photos of my oldest's return. They were so blurry because we were all so excited to see her!! 

Day 194

ISO 400, f/2.2, 1/50, 50 mm

Day 187

I am pretty sure I'm a wildflower girl. I love them the most. Daisies, sticker bushes (whatever they're actually called) flowers alongside the expressway that I can't ever get to... all of these, I love!

I want to line my alley with these, but then they cost money and I'm never back there. So, what a quandary, huh? I would do this for someone else to see, or for me to go take photos of, then how many photos do I need of these.... *trails off with wonder*

Day 187

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/3200, 50 mm

Day 180

Some day my prince will come
Some day I'll find my love
And how thrilling that moment will be
When the prince of my dreams comes to me 

Doesn't this look like Snow White's house? I was walking with my friend last night around her neighborhood, helping her work out some settings on her camera, when she took me by "The Snow White House" she calls it. Isn't that cute? I wanted to just capture the roof line. There were beautiful roses and other flowers enveloping the brick and cast iron fencing, but the focus is on the roof. Love the layers of shingles, the lines go on forever. Fun!

Day 173

Basketball camp! Today I picked up the youngest from her last day. She had a BLAST. The coaches were amazing, and she even took on her dad with a little one-on-one when he got home tonight. He said she'd learned a lot, and she's a great little defender!

Here is one last team huddle.. what a great group of people that led this. Thank you, Moody Church!  Imagine, the Chicago Bulls practice here some.. same courts. So fun!

Day 173

ISO 200, f/1.8, 1/80, 50 mm

Day 166

I've been a little bit behind lately...in a good way! I've booked several shoots, so I've been editing, running around with everyday life..etc. I have been taking pictures every day, however! 

As I'm cleaning house, I can't help but wonder, who needs this many silly bands? I will look back at my photos one day, and see what was popular at the time my kids were growing up. These are definitely the rage. I have them in my shower (which also leads me to the drain problem we had), the kitchen, inside my vacuum, and possibly every corner of my house I have not yet attended to. 

Day 166

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.5, 1/30, 50 mm

Day 159

Another day at the pond. I loved the reeds poking up along the sides, so I hunched behind them and focused on the ones actually in the pond. That's it, I just liked the colors and composition.

Day 159

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.8, ss 1/2000, 50 mm

Day 152

The youngest is totally into Nancy Drew! She's reading The Secret of the Old Clock. I loved that series! With the weather turning so much better, the perfect place to read is the pool, on a float, pushing herself from side to side with her feet.

Day 152

Settings:
ISO 400, f/2.8, ss 1/3200, 50 mm

Day 145

What I constantly listen to while driving in my car, is KLove Radio. The kids will even ask for it, and I love that the most. There's nothing better than driving along listening to the kids lift up their voices and hearts in praises to our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing. What does the Bible say? 

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 

Proverbs 22:6

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

Psalm 119:11

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.   

Psalm 19:14

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

These days are crucial that we are doing everything we can to teach our children. With the natural disasters, wars, disease.. it's complete Bible prophesy. 

Luke 21 5-38 -

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

I hope that the words that my kids hear everyday are pleasing to Him. Sometimes the radio gets changed, the songs are fun too, but it's amazing the whole mood of the car changes when it's switched back to KLove. Try it! Let me know if it's the same for you! For Chicago it's 94.3.  Here is the station list. See if it's in your area.

Day 145

Settings: 

ISO 200, f/2.2, ss 1/500, 50 mm

(used the burn tool to darken the dust in my car!)

Day 138

Today was a drizzly day, but it was fantastic! A fantastic photographer friend of mine was in from LA and she was willing to shoot my kiddos! Check out Maria Peterson Photography. She's amazing! I can't do headshots/comp cards myself for the kids, it would take way too long, and way too much whining. So Maria fit them in her hectic schedule, and I can't wait to see the finished results! She will update her facebook in the next few days.


Update: Here are a few she's put up. Just a sneak peek. Yay!
photos #1

photos #2

My youngest was awaiting her turn, but loving to watch her brother work. She had fun propped underneath the stadium umbrella, and busied herself with whatever was at hand. Here, she was intently watching the shoot. I couldn't resist grabbing my camera and snapping off a few pictures of the setting. 

Day 138

Settings:
ISO 200, f/5, ss 1/125, 90 mm

Day 131

Nothing too exciting today, we mostly cleaned and did school. The youngest and I picked lilacs and put them in every vase we could find. We also cut watermelon and our house smelled like a summer backyard. Until...I made pizza and it ruined the good smells I had going on. I picked up my oldest and we barely beat the thunderstorms home! The skies were gorgeous, but wouldn't you know it, I left my camera at home. Probably a good thing or I'd be out like the storm chasers looking for an exciting photo!

Gotta share a good thing. I love this Yankee Candle smell Dune Grass. We got the pretty smells back into the kitchen like fresh grass and watermelon.. just like it was!

Day 131

Settings: 200, f/2, ss 1/10, 50 mm

bumped up the levels a tad

Day 124

I almost walked up and down our block in pajamas and slippers this morning, but decided to actually find shoes and shorts. Still cold here today! Where is our sun? 

Okay, imagine me sneaking up to my neighbor's front porch and crouching along side the gangway taking pictures. Now, half the neighborhood are cops/SWAT team/firefighters. Too funny. I am just waiting for the day a squad car comes flying up beside me looking like Maxine with curlers in my hair, a cup of coffee and a camera. LOL! Guess what my 365 picture for the day would be then? 

Day 124

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.2, ss 1/4000, 50 mm

Day 117

Things are going a lot better today! Thank you for all your cheery comments. Things are good. God has a plan! 

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Wasn't home much, didn't take many photos, either. Except for the Awana awards tonight which basically all looked about the same in the end. I should have trudged down like another mom up there with absolutely no shame! None. I just don't think I can sit in front of the front pew on the floor asking children filing off the stage to please stop so I could take a picture. I have limits!

We went to the zoo a few days ago. It was really nice walking around with the kiddos. I wanted to get some photos of the walkways, they were so pretty! This particular shot, I almost asked my daughter to move. But there she was, all caught up in what she was reading, that I just took it anyway. Didn't get the walkway by itself, but a wonderful photo of her in a beautiful brightly lit area, and I'm glad I didn't ask her to move!  

Day 117

Settings:
ISO 200, f/2.5, ss 1/8, 50 mm

Day 110

I could stare at fresh dew drops all day long. I think they're beautiful. Combine that with my favorite color and outdoors, it's my favorite thing!

Long day today, just trying to make it through the week. How y'all doing? 

One last time to beg (well, I might again)... I'd LOVE it if you attached your email to your account. That way when you ask a question, and I hit reply, it will actually send it to your email instead of typing out an entire response, then getting a "noreply-comment@blogger.com" error message. If you are completely opposed to doing this, I understand for privacy, but if you don't know how to do this.. here.

Go to Design > Settings > Comments > 
at the bottom of the Comments page, right before "SAVE SETTINGS" it says,
"Comment Notification Email" In this box, type your email address that you want to get notifications from. 
See? Easy, and it will eliminate frustration as to which one did or did not have the email set up to respond to you. I'd love to answer people back when they ask a question on my blog, but sometimes it's harder to chase them down and find a random post they've done to answer a question. 

Anyone else? :)

Day 110

Settings:

ISO 200, f/3.2, ss 1/640, 50 mm

Day 103

Today was a whirlwind, but we made it through! My husband has an EMT class to renew, so he had to get a few blood pressure numbers. Whatever. I'm not EMT savvy, but the youngest got a hold of the stethoscope and went straight for the animals. You can see, the cat could care less. She had fun, and learned a little along the way. 

Day 103

Settings:

ISO 200, f/3.2, ss 1/6, 50 mm

Day 96

Tonight's sunset was interesting. It only had patches of color, then looked like an upside down ocean with the light coming down the center. You know, like it does on the ocean as the sunrise comes up? The colors were so pink and purple. I caught this shot at the mall! 

Yess!!! 

A little shopping and 365ing done at once! I know, you're jealous. *wink*

Day 96

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/160, 280 mm

(okay, so I just grabbed regular settings and went for it. Don't use these to achieve this look, because I had to adjust the lighting meter quite a lot to make it look like it actually looked in person!)