treasure 2010

this year my word was treasure. this blog has given me and opportunity to do that. i was driven at the beginning to keep this going but my bad habit is starting a project really well and getting to about 80-90% finished then letting it sit. the hardest month for me to capture in pictures was december. i don't know why. but i was determined to finish. and i did. i have been challenged to get my camera out every day (proud to say i only missed a handful), take better photos visually and emotionally, and make sure i didn't miss any kids in the process. this has given me time to see how i view our family in photos. this year i have learned more about my camera by shooting in manual mode (still learning), and also learn to edit a little better. i also really desired to shoot "better" photos-but i look back and while they may not be perfectly placed or the lighting is still off they are perfect in emotion. i can look back and remember why i took these photos. it is a journey for me to remember what is important. a journey that at times has not been easy with having to let go of stuff that i need to let go of this year then reminding myself every day who and what i treasure. i love that i pick a word. it is simple but so powerful. i am blessed beyond measure to have so much to treasure in my life.
and as great it was to document our lives here i am still trying to figure out how i am going to capture 2011. i do know that i am going to rejoice so keep an eye on both my blogs for new photos and memories.

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

day 362

my awesome husband carrying out the christmas tree. this year was an adventure taking it down. i unscrew the bottom and kev lifts it up and out of the stand. it seems every year i don't unscrew it enough to get it out of the stand and kev is pulling on it trying not to get tortured by the pine needles or pull his back out. eventually the tree makes it outside. and soon we can laugh about how ridiculously hard that turned out to be.

day 350

max gave us his present tonite. he was so proud of making it at school. he had to get our picture with it.

day 347

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas. i love my snowmen!

day 336

marlee helped me make my first batch of caramel corn this year. she was fascinated by how the popper worked. and she loved how it tasted too. it is a joy teaching the kids how to cook.

day 289

quite a magnificent sky at the soccer games today. God shines His light amazingly!

day 288

one of my new sewing creations. the upcycled tote bag.

day 285

i went to meijer gardens with max and naomi on their field trip today. their friend audrey was in our group. (naomi's best little friend) it was a perfect day and we had lots of fun seeing all the beautiful things there. max got impatient at one point and said "mommy, you take too many pictures." i told him i take too many pictures to always remember what we did together.

day 279

wishing i could nail my focus like this on my own kids:) moving subjects are so much more challenging.

day 274

levi's last day before his 1st birthday. oh, what a sweet boy he is. thanks daddy for taking our picture.

day 229

our wonderful big family at the sleeping bear dunes.

day 226

we made it to our cottage. this is one of my favorite spots here. marlee loves reading books out on the swing.

day 221

my only child who has green eyes like me. mine changed from blue to green as a teenager and max's turned when he was five.

day 219

naomi and i had a girls day. we went to the alice in wonderland play at the hayloft theater. it was put on by kids which was awesome. naomi loved the silly characters. afterward we went to texas roadhouse for dinner. i love hanging out with this little sweetheart.

day 205

beautiful roses from my lover. i have enjoyed soaking in the beauty all week.

day 189

i was spoiled yesterday with these beautiful flowers from my fried Tonya who knew i was a little stressed out. i so appreciate our friendship and having someone who can tell where i am at and know how to make my day a little brighter. thanks my friend.

day 177

the size and mess of my kitchen is really getting to me lately. trying to have a good attitude about it.

day 173

me, my mom, and my sister. this just makes me happy

day 161

i have been sewing some bags for a friend. this is my disaster and piles that i have been working in and really need to clean up... the story of my life... cleaning up piles... good thing i love what i am creating...

day 159

marlee helping me feed levi today. she is in pure heaven when she gets to do this.