Brentwood Drive

Racing birthday and schedules...

2012-02-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

Yea... it's me. HA! been a while I know.
So incredibly busy.
All of us.
So here is much of December
in a little nut shell.

Stormy's wanted to do her birthday get together at a store where you
paint or make jewelry.
She enjoyed making her sign out front to let her friends know that they
were at the right place :)

There were a lot of choices. The girls had fun there were still two more coming.
These were the early birds.
They had a great time and I think next year she wants to come back and do
the jewelry. I may make on too. ;)

Stormy was in the Spelling bee too. So incredibly proud of her. She won her homeroom (fourth grade) and then went onto the next round and she and the other fourth grade winners competed against the winners of the fifth grade homerooms.

We went with friends down to Atlantic Station to see the tree and the "snow" that falls every night at 6 p.m.
Well it was the equivalent of spitting and sputtering foam out of machines in the trees. We were all a little disappointed.
But it was so great to hang with friends :)

My Matt-Daddy ran his first race in a couple of years. He is getting his groove back.
I was so proud of him!

Always makes it better to run with friends :)

Boosterthon was also a big part of our November and December.

The kids all get pledges and they run laps to raise money for the school.

They ran and ran and ran.... to the point of silliness I think !! ;)

As they run each lap the teachers mark the back of their shirts.

The cutest stinking shot of the day???
Stoney and his bestie ran together most of the laps. But this one they
reached out and held hands on the lap.
O. M. G. Love those two.

It was a great day.
The kids ended up after all was said and done raising over $25,000.
WOW
It is going towards purchasing Promethean boards for every class room.
Which by the way...
Are the coolest tools ever for the classroom.

So that is most of our December in a nut shell.
Sans time back AL with family.
I actually didn't take one. single. photo. While we there.
I couldn't believe it.

So hope you guys are well.
We are so busy..
hence why I have not blogged.
Stormy is in the fourth and fifth grade
production of Mulan Jr.
She has had practice multiple times a week since November.
The play is finally next week.
With four performances.

Stormy has also been doing hip-hop jump rope again this year.
There are three more performances next week.
then we are done.
Stoney has started basketball. we are two games
into the short season.
(they won last night ans he had one rebound!)
AND.... Matt-Daddy started back to college this semester!
WooHoo!!
So proud of him.
He had a 18 hours to transfer from years ago.
So he is a little ahead of the game.
I am so proud of him.
He is in class two nights a week and every Saturday
and working. It is hard but the reward will
be so worth it.
Tennis starts next month and near the end of that
will begin swim team.
Whew.
Is it Summer yet?
Feels like it outside...js.
It is very busy...
But I wouldn't change it for a thing.
Seriously.

Have a great Thursday!!
Ciao!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T10:13:00.003-05:00

I want to wish everyone a very

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!!

Double digits

2011-12-01T07:32:00.001-05:00

Ahhhh.....

Double digits.

So hard to believe she has been in our lives for ten years.

Wasn't it just yesterday that we were standing in the parking deck

in the hospital making calls, telling family "It's time?"

It's gone so fast.

Too fast.

She owns my heart.
A piece of it has been walking around outside my body for ten years.
She makes me so proud.
Her laugh lights up a room. Especially when she gets really tickled ;)
And at the same time can make me madder than anyone else..ever. ;)
She loves her family and is loyal to a fault to her friends.
I have watched her relationship with Christ grow right in front of my eyes.
She can't wait to get to church every Sunday to be with her small group.

Matt-Daddy and I walked in her room last night to give her a good night hug.
She was lying in bed hold a frame with four photos in it.
Sobbing. Hard.
They were photos of her when she was a few months old laughing and smiling.
She said. "I don't want to be grow up. I don't want to be ten."
It broke my heart.
Such a sweet loving heart.
She wants to be with us forever.
IT was all I could do not to cry in front of her.
For I too don't want her to grow up.
I don't want her to be ten either.
I want my sweet, funny little girl in matching outfits with a sippy
cup and ponytails to never go away either.

I wish it were that easy.

But, if what I have witnessed so far is any indication of the joys
she has ahead of her and the amazing adult she will be someday.
I can't be selfish.
What I can do is continue to pray for her every night.
What I can do is continue to love her with all my heart.
What I can do is encourage her to try new things.
What I can do is support and help in every way I can her relationship
with Christ to continue to grow.
What I can do is pray for her friends.
What I can do is continue to tell her that being her is the only way to go and
she is who she is supposed to be and not to let anyone tell her any different.
What I can do is tell her that being strong in her beliefs is a huge part of what
makes her so HER.

I love that girl so much.

Happy Birthday Stormy!!

Christmas Cards Mini | Atlanta Lifestyle Photographer

2011-11-19T08:48:00.001-05:00

Love these two.. So sweet.

And the quickest session ever!

Enjoy!

And remember, if you are in the ATL area and would like a mini session

I have two that I am offering right now.

Leave me a comment or email or you can find me on facebook.

I will be glad to let you know all the deets ;)

If you are in the East AL area I will have a couple of spaces open on

Saturday morning November 26, 2011.

Let me know!

Ciao!

Roxanne

Christmas Card Mini | Atlanta Lifestyle Photographer

2011-11-15T08:53:00.001-05:00

Had two Christmas card mini sessions a couple of weeks ago.

I loved both couples.

(I will blog the other next)

But I am a little partial to this one...

because we're related ;)

That's my cousin down there on the left.

And that would be their baby...
Mr. Bigglesworth ;)

This one may be my favorite... The cat had just yawned
really big and everyone laughed. :)

Hope everyone is having a great week before Thanksgiving.
Got your menu planned?

If you are in the Atlanta area and would like
a mini session or a regular session,
please don't hesitate to contact me.
Leave a comment or find me and check out
other photos here or here.

Ciao,
Roxanne

Halloween Costume Ball 2011

2011-11-08T09:45:00.001-05:00

The Costume Ball was a huge hit this year with some great

costumes.

The kids were so excited.

Food, fun and a DJ rockin' out the cafe' with some great tunes!

So here are a few shots.

Sorry, short post today.

I have 456,093 photos to edit from the weekend.

These are for paying customers.

Yep.. paying *yikes*

Still hard to believe that peeps have that kind of confidence in me...

Scary.

Gotta get busy.

Will try to get a sneak peek up later today. :)

Entrance into the school :)

My Hippie chick...out of focus.
And Peeps are paying?
*double yikes*
lol

One of my favorite shots of the night :)

My sweet Stormy and one of her besties :)

Stoney danced the night away!

Boogie down

So cute!

Hippie Chick working the Cha Cha Slide ;)

I hope you guys are in back in the groove from the time
change over the weekend.
I know my cousin pops in on here from time to time..
So his birthday was recently and I missed it.

So HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRES!!
I hope you had a wonderful day filled with
all the things you love!!
All My Love,
xoxo
Roxanne

You guys have a great Tuesday!!

October catch up Part 1

2011-11-03T09:18:00.000-04:00

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah I know..

I couldn't be more behind.

But my behind has been been busy!

So here we go!

Fall has to be my most favorite time of the year.
It runs into my second favorite..
But it has to be the most busy.
It wouldn't be the same any other way..

Matt-Daddy in his hoodie. ;)

Went to a party Saturday night and looked over and Dr. J (Julius Erving) was shooting hoops..
I mean what are the odds?
You know me..
Camera in hand (imagine that).
So, I am sharing with you ;)

The King and Queen building here in Atlanta always lights the top of the
Queen building in pink during the month of October
for breast cancer awareness.
Did you get squished last month? I did.
If you didn't.. Don't put it off longer.
I was right there..
I had to have a shot.

Headed into the city on a Saturday night.
Don't get excited. Haha..
We went to Matt-Daddy's work to check something ;)

Stormy had a hip hop jump rope performance on Saturday.
Outside.
It was cold.
The wind was kicking.
And it was cold.
Cold.

Did I mention it was cold?
Like toboggans and sweats cold.

It did not slow her down.
She never complained.
They do all kinds of tricks and there are like 40 kids.
These are only the returnees. They go out in groups of 5 or 6.
Super love that shot up there.

Thought that was pretty cool too. ;)
She was jumping rope WHILE bouncing on a ball. (??)
I mean wow.
Who knew she had the coordination?
I certainly didn't. ;)

Get it girl!
She loves this stuff so much.
I am looking forward to after the holidays.
They get to preform at halftime during the basketball games at local colleges
like Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Oglethorpe etc.
It is always fun and the kids love it!

I do hope you guys are doing well and fighting all cold and sinus junk that the Fall
inevitably brings.
Will post photos from the Halloween ball next!
It was a scream with all the outfits.

ciao,
Roxanne

Finally She Rides

2011-09-26T14:09:00.001-04:00

Bad blogger award goes too who....?

That would be me

Who knew starting a new job and school starting would actually take up so much time??

LOL Um yeah... We have been a little busy around here.

But when we have had a break on the weekends...
We have been outside if at all possible.

This one up there ^^^ ...
She did not know how to ride her bike...
She wanted to but the tire was low or she would just not want to take the other training wheel off.
So we didn't push her. Figured she would do it when she was ready.
Well, fast forward to three weeks ago..
She friended someone that rides her bus and she and Stoney started playing outside with him and another friend..
Guess what?

They both have and know how to ride ....what?
Bikes.
Yep. That was all it took.
That next Saturday she told Matt-Daddy she wanted to ride.
I thought Oh boy this should be interesting...

Matt-Daddy sent me a photo on my Blackberry ^^^^
I screamed! I couldn't believe it.
She was riding her bike.

She rode and rode all day.

She got better and better... only took out one down spout ;)
See it up there on the left? Nice little dent.
The downspout got more damage than she did ;)

Let me tell you....
This chick was so happy.

Stoney wanted to ride too...
Ahem.. but his bike was too small.

Like... I was looking through some of Matt-Daddy's photos on fb... and there was
a photo of Stoney on said same bike when he was three...
Nice.

She rode that Saturday for like four hours...
So held the handlebars so tight she had blisters on the base of both thumbs.
Ouch.

Said handlebars...

Guess what else was sore the next morning?
He little bum...
I laughed.. I remembered a sore bum back in the day from riding bikes for hours.

Girlfriend is proud of her bike and what she accomplished out of sheer determination.

Her Momma is too ;)

I hope everyone is having a great start to Fall..
Just hoping some Fall temps get here soon.
I am tired of being hot...
Mostly I'm tired of sweating.
September is almost over...
That has to be good.. right?
The temp has to go down eventually..
*fingers crossed*

Ciao,
Roxanne

Around here...

2011-08-21T13:05:00.001-04:00

This child..

When she wants to be, she is so focused....

And I don't want to do anything to break it.

She has always loved to design clothes...

She didn't get the clothes part from me but her Grandmother and I can be pretty creative

and crafty when we want to be...

Her grandmother more so than me and

on a much larger scale...

Quilts, refinishing furniture, painting etc.

Me..
Well...photography and paper crafts.

She got these design templates a few years ago and pulls them out from time to time.
Then it graduated to a dress form that she loves to dress up with material and costume jewelry.

Last week we went to visit a friend that runs a dress shop that specializes in formal attire.
Especially dresses for prom and bridesmaids... well, you get the idea.
Stormy was in a trance...
She tried on dress after dress...
(much to her Dad's chagrin)
Those pics are on my phone... will have to get those uploaded..
I need to do a phone dump anyway.

I had mentioned to my friend that Stormy loves dresses and draws them free hand and puts them in a
notebook and she loves to create on her dress form and with her templates etc.
She said, "Well she needs to come spend a Saturday with me dressing the mannequins."
She told Stormy that... and
Girl. It. Was. On.

She has been using her templates and organizing her "portfolio".
She can't wait to go hang with Miss Tammy ;)

On a another note...
She got off the bus Friday and was non stop chatter about her project due in two weeks.
I thought, great we have time.
No.
She wanted to do it TODAY.

It is on Native American Dwellings. She picked a "Winter Hogan".
Not the easiest one either I might add.
She has actually done 90% of it.
She has done an amazing job so far.
Matt-Daddy has guided and given her instruction, although the above
photo would say the contrary. ;)
He was working on the very top of the roof.
She wants it to be removable so she can show the inside and what they are doing.
You go girl.
Don't let me stand in the way.

f.y.i. ....
Me - fourth grade...
Mom --When is that project due?
Me -- "Um... in two days.."
Mom -- "How long have you had to prepare for this?"
Me -- "A little over two weeks."
Mom -- (steam blowing out her ears and flames in her eyes)
Me -- "I guess I will go with the igloo.
Do we have any sugar cubes??"
"Glue?"
Yeah..... I would have totally chosen the easiest one.

Like I said.. I'm not going to do anything to
break that focus.
Especially when it comes to school work.
We are only one week into school and she has already read
the 3rd book in the series "My Sister's a Vampire".
She started the 4th this morning.

Wow.
I love her.
For any number of reasons....
But today I found another reason. I see another strong point and she
makes me want to make them mine.
Since the day she was born....
She still makes me want to be a better person..

Hope you guys have had a great weekend!
Here's to fabulous week ahead :)

Ciao,
Rox

Another First Day ... Really?

2011-08-18T08:35:00.000-04:00

Wow. Am I behind in blogging. It is so hard to give up those last few weeks of Summer vacation.

Sorry.

But here we are, almost done with our first week of school.

Man, I woke up Monday with a fourth grader and a second grader.

How did that happen??

Really?

They had Open house last Friday and got to meet new teachers and see what friends would be in their class this year. They both got new teachers for their grade. They seem very nice and structured.

The fourth grader definitely needs structure.

Definitely.

Bless her.

Ahem.

So, here is the obligatory new shoe shot that I do each year.
And really? My fourth grader is on a 6.5 in Women's??
Really?
A size four when school let out...
*insert very confused face*
Growth spurt much?
Sheesh.

Triple love the outfit she picked out to buy for the first day of school.
And his hair? Don't get me started on his hair.
I explained ...like perfectly plain how to cut his hair.
2 guard up from the neck and bowl cut with tapered edges to blend. Please leave it long around the top.
He has a large dome with a double crown from stitches..
Heellerrrr...
Short layered hair. Will. Not. Work.
He even leaned up in the car afterwards and said "Momma, I want you to cut my hair from on.
I don't like this."
Sheesh.

Sweet shot.
Wonder how long before HE will have her on HIS back for the first day of school..
Please, by all means, note the recycle bag hanging from the door.
Nice photo prop huh?

Waiting on Big Yellow.
First first day of school that we did not drop them off.

Probably could have used a little more sleep.

I'm quite sure she could have.
I tried to tell her she would be dragging booty the next morning.
Although, they were dressed and made their beds before I was out of the bed.
I guess they were a little excited. :)
In my defense, the alarm was still going off. Wasn't time for me to get up yet.
Now, if it will only last...
Who am I kidding?
Sheesh.

So, There is Monday in a nut shell.
Promise not to be away so long.
I have lots to post.
A fabulous Sr. session and a
concert that was unreal.
And someone had a birthday!

Have a wonderful Thursday!!

Ciao,
Rox

Right now ...

2011-07-11T09:52:00.001-04:00

right now, we are...

listening to: Keith Urban on my ear buds (concert is just 3 weeks away).

watching: The first Harry Potter movie (then one each day this week) in anticipation of the last movie this weekend. (trying to stay off Pinterest ;)

eating: Cheese toast on 7 grain bread.

planning: A Sr. Portrait photo shoot for next week for great girl from a great family. And Stoney's 7th birthday party.

needing: Some time at the nearest beach :)

thankful for: Matt-Daddy's job and the wonderful friends that we love and love us :)

praying for: My Sister

drinking: Diet Dr. Pepper. The only way to start off my day.

feeling: Tired but content

waiting for: Always for Matt-Daddy to get home.

wondering: How I can slow time down a bit... *sigh*

Have a wonderful day! Stay cool and hydrated. :)

Ciao,

Roxanne

2011-07-02T08:10:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone has a a hair raising weekend! LOL

Happy Fourth of July!

Be safe and stay cool.

Hanging at the park a few weeks ago.

Stormy came down the slide and was full of electricity. :)

Enjoy yourselves and your three day weekend!

Ciao,

Roxanne

2011-06-29T19:21:00.000-04:00

To say I have been a huge fan of the Parson's work would be an understatement.

You can see their work here.

I mean.. it is amazing to me.

It is inspiring, fun and motivating to me.

But today what is more amazing is their personal journey that they

decided to undertake.

It all came to fruition today.

You can read more about it on their personal blog here .

I am in awe to say the least.

They are hero's to me.

The birth Mother is a hero to me.

I am excited for them.

I am excited for Zion.

How blessed is that child.

See, I am adopted.

And what has been given to that child.

And what has been given to those amazing Parsons....

Well, see, that can only be a God thing.

A serious God thing.

Please go read the story of little Zion Jeremiah

and his new Mom and Dad and his two big brothers :)

You will have a smile.

You will most likely shed a tear.

But what you will definitely leave with

is 'feel good'

And lots of it.

And nobody has enough of that :)

Ciao,

Roxanne

Family

2011-06-25T10:21:00.000-04:00

SO... For the ... I don't know maybe since the 50's or 40's maybe longer..

we have had a reunion on my Mom's side.

My grandmother had 11 brothers and sisters...

So we have a lot of cousins.

They are spread far and wide.

But each year.... usually on the second Sunday in June...

We try to get to together.

It used to be much easier... we all sort of lived in the same area of Alabama.

So we would have large turnouts.

Now it has dwindled but we refuse to let it die.

This year it was held in Gadsden, AL at

Noccalula Falls .

It was hot, but up on the mountain there was a pretty steady breeze.

The Falls were a bit sad.. Drought conditions have left the Falls to a trickle.

We had folks come that had not been in several years ...

It was so good to see them.

Looking forward to next year already and

hopeful to see some of the cousins before then :)

Hope you guys have something fun planned for this weekend.

We are staying low since next weekend is a Holiday weekend.

For you photographers...

These were taken all in Manual or Aperture mode.

It was high noon.. hottest part of the day with the worst lighting.

So most are washed out from the sun :/

Ciao,

Roxanne

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-18T13:22:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day...

Matt-Daddy is such a loving, sweet, supportive Dad.

I knew he had it in him.

I always knew.

The first time he ever.. ever held a baby was after he cut the cord

when Stormy was born.

Right there in delivery.

He was scared and turned and handed her off to my Mom..

but he was hooked.

He has never let go...

And neither has she ;)

Stoney and he are so funny together.

The Father and son thing..

I love watching it.

It is so very special...

like the Father-Daughter thing...

But different...

That relationship is an entity all to itself ;)

I love him so much...
He loves us so much.

We think he is the bomb :)

Happy Father's Day to all of you!
Have a great weekend and don't forget your camera :)

xoxo
Rox

Don't Melt

2011-06-10T16:13:00.000-04:00

Have a wonderful weekend...

Don't melt.

I mean seriously...

Things to help:

Stay hydrated...

with... well whatever you choose.

Don't go out in the daylight.

Be like a vamp and stay inside all day.

If you go to the pool...Don't get out of the pool until dark.

Read a book... inside.

Turn the air down and the fan up.. js.

Don't do housework, I mean that would be strenuous at any time...

But on a hot Saturday...? Phsssh... please.

Oh, and don't cook.

The last thing you want to do is heat up the kitchen.

I say order out and have it delivered...

Yea... that's the ticket.

And if you need some total cuteness factor to help get you through...?

Well, I am here to please ..

So here ya go ;)

Oh yea... My Stoney Munch :)
I could eat him up :)

Have a wonderful weekend!
Matt-Daddy gets off work in an hour.
Dinner is in the slow cooker.
We are having Hawaiian Pork Sandwiches.
And the recipe can be found here
I will let you know how they turn out :)

Stay cool.
Ciao,
Roxanne

Roller Derby Princess

2011-06-07T16:29:00.000-04:00

Two weeks out so far and it feels like more... just saying. ;)

I am behind on blogging. We have been at the pool or out being busy everyday.

And ... you know.. It has been like 187 degrees.. I mean seriously..

There was no easing into Summer this year for sure.

Stormy was invited to a skating birthday party a few weeks back.

Stoney decided he would rather eat pizza and playing on the climbing apparatuses.. ;)

For her first time in an actual skating rink... I was impressed.

I mean she taught herself...

At home...

on carpet...

And very little hard wood or vinyl...

In Dora skates no less that she got for her birthday back in '08 I think...

I mean... she is doing something I never learned how to do...

I am so proud of her. She never hesitated. Never said she was
scared or had any fear at all.

She rocked it! And was even moving her head and hands to the beat
when a little Bieber hit the air waves ;)

Hope everyone is keeping cool and hydrated...
August is here with all it's fury.
No wait... we've only been out of school two weeks.
It just feels like August.
Blech...

Ciao!
Rox

Field Days Field Days

2011-05-23T15:52:00.000-04:00

Another year is coming to a close. That means field days are here again.

The weather for Stoney's was like almost perfect.

Low humidity.. kinda cool in the morning.

He ran like the wind.
Only a little wet from the first water sport.

Coming in for a high five from one of his besties :)

Way to run Stoney!

Ahh... another water game.... Over under.
You dunk the huge sponge in the water and then over
and under it goes until the end of the line. Then you wring out
what is left to fill the coffee can. The first team that fills it, wins.

But guess what... we are talking about 6 and 7 year olds... heelllooooo.
The thought of squeezing that sponge over their heads is just more
than most of them can handle. ;)
So by the time this is done...
Most are soaked.
And coming right after the tug of war in GA red clay..
Well, you get the idea.
nice...

And last but not least my favorite shots of the day usually.
The parachute..
Love when they pull it up and the balls go into the air.

See....
Love this...

Check the shirt...
And he was the least wet and muddy.
really..
I decided to take that shirt, shorts,socks and shoes to the laundry mat
and let that washer beat the mud out instead of mine. ;)

More field days later..
And a play too...
You're excited... I can tell. ;) lol

Ciao,
Rox

Peachtree Dash & Jr. 2011

2011-05-18T22:13:00.000-04:00

Annnnd...... I'm back ;)

As I was saying a couple of days ago, the kids ran their

first and third Peachtree races respectively.

We were worried about the weather for Saturday morning but it turned out practically
perfect for running a race.

It misted/rained on us walking downtown to the park just a little.
There was a little breeze and the temp was in the high 50's for the races.

So Matt-Daddy pinned their numbers on and they were ready...

My two racers ready to run!

Stoney was so excited and it was over quickly. Too quick he said...

It was only 50 meters... I think it should be at least a 100 yards.

But then again, he is about to be 7 that is the cutoff for the Dash.

There were younger ones and they might not have made it a lot farther.

Wish this was more clear but... it is still a favorite :)

So, next year he will be running the Peachtree Jr. with his Sister. :)

He is already looking forward to it.

Of course it has become tradition that Opal Yak (Uncle Zach) comes to watch the race.
It is a big deal and we look forward to it every year.

There she is coming across the finish line! She did it again.
Third consecutive year.
Couldn't be prouder of her determination and just wanting to do it.

After crossing the finish line she turned back to see us for a second and wait for
one of her best buds to come across the line.

There she is with one of her besties :)

They have been besties since they were four years old.
They don't get to see each other as often as they would like....
But when they do they have not lost a beat.

It's the same for her Mom and me too.
We never get to spend enough time together.

My three favorite fellas....
Like... on the planet.

I hope you guys are having a fabulous week.
It has been full here.
Play on Tuesday and Field days for both still to come.
Seven more days and another school year is in the books!
I still can't believe it...
*sigh*

Ciao,
Rox

Training

2011-05-16T17:25:00.000-04:00

The Peachtree Dash and Peachtree Jr. were this last weekend.

It usually falls the last Saturday in May but was moved two weeks up

this year. Stoney got to run his first dash (won't be 7 until July).

And Stormy ran her 3rd Peachtree Jr.

These shots are only of them outside training with Matt-Daddy.

So the photos from the actual race will be posted soon :)

Hey, I'm working on it... This is already two posts in one day.

I may need a nap ....

This child... he keeps us laughing most of the time...
I just love him ...

Maybe my favorite photo of the day...

She is so kind... we watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1

last night... she cried right along with me when Doby died... :(

I just love her too..

Ciao Peeps,

Roxanne

One More Monday

2011-05-16T12:13:00.000-04:00

I am so very far behind on posts.

I apologize.

There is one more Monday.. ONE..

until school is out for Summer.

But who's counting ;)

Um... that would be me.

(When that is all done I hope to back blogging on a regular basis)

Don't get me wrong. I love my minions. I do.

And I love that they are at school and I get to take care of things around here

without being pulled three different ways.

But, I do love not having a schedule...per say.

To go swimming in the morning.

Be able to visit friends and go to the movies.

Going to see family and not having to wait until

the weekend.

Staying in pajamas if it is so desired.... all day ;)

but I would never do that.... ahem ;)

I will not miss laying clothes out each school night for the

next morning.

I will not.. or well, Matt will not miss making and packing lunches

each morning.

Mostly... I will not miss homework. Really I won't.

I will celebrate the end of school for that reason alone.

... Just saying.

Don't judge... ;)

Well, with all that being said...

Here is my Mother's Day picture.

A week late.

Told you I was behind..

again....don't judge... ;)

I do hope that you all had a most wonderful Mother's Day.

We did.

There will be more pictures soon.

Hey...don't judge.. ;)

Ciao

Rox

Today... almost ten years.

2011-05-02T12:24:00.000-04:00

Thank you... to every soldier on foreign soil.
Thank you... to every soldier on home soil.
God Bless you.
God Bless The United States of America.

I wanted/needed to post today...
anything else would have just not done.

I Heart Faces | Photo Challenge | Pets

2011-04-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

This week at iheartfaces the theme is Pets.

This is our Pippin. Or our Great Pipponie. Or Pippinator. Or the Pippinister.
Or..well you get the idea. One thing we do all agree on around here is that it is a Pipponie world,
we just live in it. :)
He is named after the character Pip from the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
Pip was a hungry orphan who just wanted to be loved and needed.
I thought it was a perfect fit ;)
We found Pippin as a puppy wandering, cold and hungry at about 6 weeks old.
We can't imagine the last 10 years without him.
The tiny white dots on his head and ears are little bity snowflakes.

Now, head on over to iheartfaces and see all the other wonderful entries.
I promise you won't be disapointed! :)

Soft hearted...

2011-03-29T21:30:00.000-04:00

I went to pick up our girl from school Friday and she burst into tears when she got into the car.

I was so surprised...

I said what is wrong?

Are you hurt?

Did someone say something to hurt you?

Is someone else hurt?

She kept saying no. No. No.

I said then what is it?

She said in a very high pitched voice between sobs.

Today was Mrs. 'Teacher's' last day!!

Um... Duh...

Mom of the year here..

Her teacher is having a baby on Monday.

Today was her last day at school for the year.

I've only known this was coming the ENTIRE school year.

So... While I polished my Mom of the year trophy,

I talked to her and tried to calm her.

I told her how wonderful a blessing it is that Mr. and Mrs. 'Teacher'

(names have been changed to protect the innocent ;)

were going to receive on Monday. And that their son was going to be a big brother.

They would have a little girl in the family now.

She said I know. I know. *gasp for air sob sob*

I KNOOOooooooWW...

But she won't be there the rest OF THE YEAR MoOOoOOoOOOOMMM!

Geeez.....

I get it.

I do.

She proceeded to burst out in sobs at least three more times before bed.

I let her get on the laptop and hold it in her lap on the couch for awhile.

(that is a big deal - they are only allowed toset it on the table)

I captured these images between sobbing outbursts...

I hope you guys are having a great week.

By the way...

Mrs. 'Teacher' had a successful delivery on Monday and she and

'Baby girl Teacher' are doing fine.

And so is my Baby Girl :)

Ciao,

xoxo

Stone Soup x 2

2011-03-27T20:29:00.000-04:00

This was our second time to enjoy the play Stone Soup.

See, each year the entire first grade puts on a production of the play based on the book.

Well... We have a third grader so we knew all about Stone Soup.

This year Stoney was a dancer :)

Stormy taking a picture of Stoney for Uncle Zach.

The show is about to begin :)

My sweet boy ...

the dancer's are working it.

We came back to the house to visit for a bit before company had to go home,
Stormy is reading to her Grandmother.

Uncle Zach,,, Always a hit around here ;)

Taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

A couple of more photos of the dancers.

Hope you guys have had a great weekend. We did. I will have more pictures later.

Ciao

xoxo

Not City Life....

2011-03-25T09:28:00.000-04:00

I know.... I have been away for awhile.. sorry.

It has been a bit busy.. But I know.. No excuse. I could put a picture up and say hi.

But I did miss you guys.. really.

We have had a surgery (don't worry all is fine, it was scheduled)

A play with out of town company. That meant some serious house cleaning, that took more than a day.

Tennis practice started for both minions but on separate days.

A week long bout with vertigo = NO fun zone.

That put me out of commission. Seriously out.

And a spur of the moment one day road trip.

That's where the pictures on this post come in.

Now these photos are not the best.. This is the day that the vertigo started.

On the way to AL just out of the blue. Stoney laughed really loud and I got dizzy.

Then it got worse as the day progressed. I couldn't even chew anything with a crunch.

It was Auditory triggered. I have never had it with sound trigger.

So, these pictures... Well there are some I don't even remember taking so there ya go.

We went to friends home in AL. She and her husband have a farm of sorts. Not a working farm per say.
But a farm non the less.
They have chickens and baby chicks. Roosters and a horse and donkey.

This is Blackjack. He is a sweet boy.

They even had a turkey show back in January and it stayed. I mean if I were getting feed put
out everyday and had a dry place to stay and a safe place...
I'd stick around too. : )
And I found out a couple of days ago that another has showed up.
I guess the word is out....

We went for a walk in the woods. It was warm but not too hot.
It was beautiful. The leaves were just starting to show on the trees.

And there was a little green poking up from the ground.

She has a speckled chicken. Love this bird. I will be back to get more photos of her for sure. ;)

There were some great trees on the walk too.

This is one of my favorites.. I guess a vine got wrapped around the trunk.
Way cool I think.

I hope you guys have had a great March.. It is finally Spring!
Finally.
I did not think this Winter would ever end.
We have had a few warm days.. It is colder today... But it is not frigid and it is not snowing.
Amen. :)

Promise to be back on a regular basis. I have pictures from the play and some Spring
shots as well.

Have a great weekend!

Ciao,
xoxo

A Hike In Winter…

2011-03-04T22:16:00.002-05:00

Several weeks ago… I guess it was the tail end of January, beginning of February, the weather was amazing for a few days. One of those days was a Sunday.
We decided to go to the Vicery Creek Dam in Roswell. There are these beautiful falls. There is a little hike up to it but you can walk right next to the water on some of the hike.
We took a little snack to picnic with and of course our cameras. So much history at this place. The Old Mill from the 1800’s. There are markers with information set up periodically along the trail with history and pictures from back in the day.
It really was a gorgeous day. After the Winter we had had so far, it was a very welcome sight.

I hope you guys have had a good week and have an even better weekend.

We got a new laptop last week and I have been learning how to use everything and transfer from the big computer. I am blogging this on Windows Live Writer. So far I really like it. I am curious to see how it looks published. So without further ado…. let’s hit that publish button

Ciao,

Rox

2011-02-18T11:54:00.000-05:00

So here is Matt-Daddy's Valentine's Day gift....

He got it four days late ;) *ahem*

But hey... he got it :)

It is matted and framed and hanging next to his side of the bed.

We surprised him with it when he got in from work yesterday.

It was hit.

If I must say so myself. ;)

Now... don't ask me where I got the template.

It has been on my PC for months.. I will dig around and see if I can find out.

If it is yours... I apologize :)

Thank you. I was a breeze to use and I wish I had a Mom one too.

We have 70 degree weather here this weekend... Hallelujah.

And we have a holiday Monday (not being used for make-up snow day)

...can I get another Hallelujah please.

Thank you back there in the red shirt. ;)

I hope wherever you are this weekend you are doing something you love

with someone or one's you love.

xoxo

Ciao,

Rox

Day 9 Joy of Love

2011-02-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

Day 9 Joy Of Love

"Passions and Hobbies"

Matt-Daddy on our hike at a local historical site a couple of weeks ago with a dam and waterfall.
He has acquired my love for photography.
I'm so glad. It's a wonderful thing to love the same things and enjoy them and
grow together. :)

Joy of Love -- 9 of 28

Porcupine

2011-02-07T12:13:00.000-05:00

OK... so I am already behind on Joy of Love project. One of them will have to wait until later to do and yesterdays is ... well I can do the one from yesterday. And I will. I just have a lot going on today.

Stormy has to go back to the ENT today.

We went to the Allergist last week to confirm what I knew already that she did not have any allergies.

And after all the crying and being poked...

It was confirmed.

The Dr. Said that she was a lucky girl. She was not allergic to anything. Nothing. Nada. You hear me?

That is amazing. Especially with someone that has had over 15 ear infections since the age of two.

We will find out today what is next.

Her fourth set of tubes???

Time will tell... I hope not. But if that is what it will take to keep

my baby girl well. We will do it I suppose.

Ouch! I mean Ouch.. seriously. She was such a brave girl.
She amazes me.

These hurt worse. You would think that the tender skin on your back and 30 plus pokes would be worse.
No... not according to my baby. And I believe her.

She went right back to school. Didn't even blink.
Again... she amazes me.
(There was a picture of her sweet face too. But Blogger is being
a booger about loading)

So, I am off to get ready. Matt-Daddy is on his way to get me
and then the kids from school. Bless him. he will go right back
to work when we are done.

I will be back later with my input today for the Joy of Love.
I am determined to finish what I started. ;)

Have a great afternoon. I will see you in a bit.
And if you get a chance.. Keep my baby girl in your prayers.
Thanks...
xoxo

Day 4 Joy of Love

2011-02-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

Day 3 Joy of Love

"What They Wear"

Matt-Daddy's work shirts...

I see him in these more often than not.

Joy of Love -- 4 of 28

Day 3 Joy of Love

2011-02-03T14:13:00.000-05:00

Day 3 Joy of Love

"Then and Now"

Matt-Daddy and me... our first Christmas. circa 1992

Then Matt Daddy now :)

Joy of Love -- 3 of 28

Day 2 Joy of Love

2011-02-03T13:33:00.000-05:00

Joy of Love Day 2

"How They Look"

HA! Christmas morning with Stoney's Bumblebee helmet on acting goofy.

This is the real Matt-Daddy..

I wish this side showed up more often ;)

Joy of Love -- 2 of 28

Day 1 Joy of Love

2011-02-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

Here is my Picture for The Joy of Love Day one...

"What They Do"

That would be...

Stoney playing his DS.

And Pippin sleeping Zzzz.....

Joy of Love --1 of 28

The Joy of Love

2011-02-01T16:37:00.000-05:00

So this month I joined the Joy of Love.

Every day in February I will receive assignments that I can

complete and share with the group .

The theme of the class is Love and involves photos of your

loved ones.

There is this really cool badge that you can click on and go right to the site.

But, me and all my infinite wisdom cannot get the blooming thing

to work.

SO...

I will hyperlink you to the site here if you would like to participate.

There is a Flickr group that you can upload your pictures to each day and you can also put them on the facebook page.

If you would like to join me please do so byclicking on the links and sign up.

The best part is it's free!

Willette makes amazing photographs and teaches amazing classes.

There are tons of tips and beautiful photos on the blog.

So, it's really a no brainer. Go check it out..really..

Go on.. I'll wait....

OK... so now that you've signed up, comment and tell me

where to go see your photos ;)

Now then, a post is not a post without a picture so here ya go via Blackberry.

I will add my Joy Of Love picture for 02.01 this evening. :)

Doesn't Stoney look enthused?? haha

And Stormy just cracks me up.. haha

Ok, I will be waiting. I am eager to see what cha got too :)

xoxo

Rox

Snowmageddon '11

2011-01-26T09:51:00.000-05:00

So.. as I promised... a week ago.

Snomageddon '11

Ha ha... It started on a Sunday evening.. and ended up holding us hostage for a week.

Nice.

This is about ten minutes after it started.

Out the window ;)

The view from our LR window aka my office. heh...

Matt-Daddy and Stormy walking Pippin.
Taken from my office window. heh.

Matt- Daddy and the Great One ;)

My Baby Boy....

My Sweet girl....

Trekking up to the entrance.

I liked this shot...

Stormy and Matt-Daddy

Stoney and Matt-Daddy

Snowball anyone??

Stormy

The first day it was beautiful and quite fluffy.. that evening the the sleet started.
It covered everything with a shell of ice. Well it was so fluffy it was kind of hard to make a snowman.
So Stormy and Matt-Daddy scooped all the snow on the hood of the car and she carved
eyes and a mouth into and exclaimed "Mom! Look at my Jabba the Snowman!"
Yea.. we've been known to watch a little Star Wars around here *ahem*.

So, again.. My hat is off to you guys up North..
Give me my heat.
Give me my humidity.
My flip-flops and shorts.
And My Air Conditioning kicking!

I hope that that is the last of snow and ice we see until next year.
Seriously.

Ciao!
Rox

Cabin Fever.

2011-01-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

After a week of snow and ice that refused to melt.. Well, it would melt,

run down into the streets etc. then re freeze... anyway after not being able to get out and go anywhere..

And a almost ten days of nothing but each other.. Don't get me wrong, I love my little family.. but hey,

They were tired of me too..

We were ready for a change of scenery.

We headed to Bass Pro Shops.

It has only been four years since we had been there.

Seriously.. I had my shirt on that had 2007 on the pocket.

Sadness.

I mean.. think about it.. Shopping for the adults and some fun stuff for the kids ;)
A two for one if you will.
Check the snow still on the ground and the roof.

Stormy mugging for the camera with Rocky... I mean a Moose ;)

As I said... Fun stuff for the kids too.
Stormy loves a climbing wall. So she stood in line to hit this one.
Three times.

A little frustration at this point wouldn't you say?

She really needed gloves. That was her problem she said. Her hands were hurting,

and she was having a hard time gripping the wall.

She didn't make it up to ring the bell but she had fun trying.

That..is what matters ;)

On to the shooting range. Stoney had not stopped asking about this since
I mentioned it before we left home.
The rifles were a lot heavier than I remember.. OR maybe I'm older?
Naah.. they are just heavier I'm sure. ;)

Stormy was pretty good. I was impressed.

Stoney loved it.

Time to head...

Matt-Daddy did get the kids their very first Moon-Pie..

Ever.

Double-Decker too.

Yum-O

My favorite shot of the day...

Hey!

Where did you come from?

(Love the fish tank.. next to the shopping, it's my favorite ;)

Have a great weekend.

Ciao!

Rox

ps... as we were leaving Stormy asked me if we had to wait four years to come back..

Sadness.

Only thing..maybe.

2011-01-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

The only thing that I seem to find redeeming about January are the birthday's that my family celebrates.

I have some some very good friends with birthday's in January also.

There is one in particular that I am very thankful for.

Matt-Daddy :)

He is my rock.

He is the best Daddy.

Did you know he never even held a baby until the Dr. put Stormy

in his arms in the delivery room minutes after she was born?

Yep... and it was right as rain.

He never looked back.

He is my best friend.

He and I have been together for over 18 years.

Almost half of his life.

I have watched him grow into an amazing man.

A Daddy to rival all others.

The kind of husband I thank God for everyday.

A friend that will last anyone a lifetime.

So Happy Birthday Matt-Daddy.

We Love you...

More than you will ever know.

More than we can ever put into words.

You are the Bomb Baby.

Here's to celebrating the next several decades of birthdays together..

xoxo

Rox

A Longing...

2011-01-15T18:31:00.000-05:00

OK.. It has been a HOT mess here.. and by hot.. I do NOT mean it has been

shorts and flip-flop weather :)

Last Sunday night started the Southern version of the Ice Age.

We got this gorgeous, lovely, fluffy snow falling and swirling in the form of these beautiful,

large, white snow flakes.. It was really beautiful! It was... We were told maybe 2 inches.. Great. That is just enough to play and it will be gone in a day or two...

We got up Monday morning and it was about five inches... It was beautiful and quiet.

The kids played and threw snowballs.. I even got a few solid pics

out there before my hands froze in place.

Then.... Then it started to happen... The sleet.. the frozen rain. It put a nice shell over all the snow.
Think... Dairy Queen.. a vanilla cone dipped in the chocolate that gets hard as it dries.
That is what it turned into... And not near as enjoyable as that
cone would be.. let me tell you.

So It went from over 5 inches of fluffy snow to... a few inches of ice.

It basically shut the ATL..

D - O - W - N.

Believe me.. No school for a week!! A week mind you.. Unheard of around these parts.

No trash pickup. No school. Nothing is open. Interstates and all roads..

Shut down.

Huge trucks and passenger cars stranded on the side of the road for days.

No deliveries to the grocery stores. If you could even get there.. there

was nothing on the shelves.

It was a HOT mess.

And to top it all off... The temp didn't go above freezing until Thursday... So for over four days
we were iced in.
Good. Times.

Can you say... Cabin Fever? Can you say.. Mom, I'm hungry.. (again)
It's all fun and games until you have done everything you can possibly think to do.
And you have eaten everything in the house... (with no way of getting more)
;)
What I would have given to have had access to that trampoline up there.

SOooo... I'm sure you're asking yourself..
Why is she posting THESE pictures while she writes about an ice storm.
Well, since you asked, I will tell you.
1- I haven't uploaded my pictures from the snow yet.
2- As I was cleaning off my hard drive of 2010 pics I found these.
3- They reminded me of how warm and breezy that late Spring evening was in our friends
backyard.
4- How I LONG for it to be that weather again!

So.. For the Record... I am done with Ice. I am done with Snow.

I love living in the South.

I have a whole new respect for you guys up North.

I do.

I don't know how you do it.

Bless you and all that snow and those freezing temps you have every year.

My Hat is off....

p.s. I will get those pics uploaded soon. I mean the kids and I have only been together

now for 10 days.. We still have two more to go. Ha!

Monday is a Holiday!

What Luck.... not ;)

I am either going to have start praying harder...

or start drinking.

Seriously.

I Heart Faces | Smile Photo Contest

2011-01-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

iheartfaces is TWO!

This is my baby boy.. we were all goofing off one day and I had my camera in hand
He was cracking up and fell back on the pillow. I clicked in time and got his sweet smile!
I love this shot... I can hear him laughing every time I look at it. :)

Please head on over to the iheartfaces site and check out all the wonderful entries this week!

WooHoo!

Happy Birthday again!

After

2011-01-05T10:43:00.000-05:00

So now that the Holidays are over and we are back to the grind..

I am going to do my best to finish this book! I mean.. I bought it the day it came out.

I have read the first two in the series. I have started this one...

But I have just not had the time to sit with it. It has been busy. We have been out of town

almost every other weekend.

The Christmas decorations are put away. We returned last night from our final trip for awhile I hope.

We are all dragging boooTay today. Got home late and crashed.. Didn't even unload the car

until this morning. Heck... we all went to bed with yuck-mouths last night... (shhh!...Don't tell anyone)

Can you say exhausted?

I have every intention of taking a minimum of at least 30 minutes today to read.

And.. read under my favorite quilt I have had since I was about 7 or 8 years old. :)

I love Raggedy Ann and Andy.

I do hope that your Holidays were magical and filled with love and laughter.

oh and p.s. I have decided to try the 365 pictures this year. I know. I know... It's 01.05

But I have been taking pictures everyday. And I will post them today. I may even put them

on another blog. I will link it here when I do and you can bookmark it and check it too..

Keep me honest ;)

xoxo

ciao

Christmas Night...

2010-12-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

It was a White Christmas after all.

I couldn't believe it... In all my years. I had never seen a White Christmas.

And here in Southtowne?? There hasn't been one since 1882.

So, thank you Heat Miser for that cold, white, quiet gift this year.

Christmas Morning

2010-12-30T10:10:00.000-05:00

So Christmas morning arrives.. and It arrives EARLY. Like Stoney came in

our room at 4:44 a.m. ??? Really? Wow. He got in our bed and we said let's try to go

back to sleep, just till the sun comes up. The night before we told them not to come

out until 6a.m. or the sun was up.

Yea.. Not.

So we laid there for 15 minutes and we were wide awake. I said "Let's go on and get up.

Go wake your Sister". He tore off to their room and in they came and we never looked

back. I felt for sure we would all get a nap in at some point during the day...

Not. So. Much.

*sigh*

Christmas morning is only once a year..

We lived and here are the pictures to prove it.

A very Cool K & S if I do say so myself :)

Watching Sister opening some of her gifts :)

There is a little of the Bumblebee helmet that Santa brought Stoney. It was a HUGE hit :)

Stoney was a little surprised :)

It was early.. so early.... *yawn*

Matt-Daddy opening some goodies :)

Some of the aftermath..

Showing off some of her loot. And no.. her lips aren' t chapped. The Hawaiian
punch mix on the water bottle stains her lips. Haha :)

So.. That was the morning. We watched movies and the radar too most of the day.

I kept seeing so many of my friends in AL where I grew up talk about all the snow that

was falling. They said it would be just North of us.. and it was for awhile.

I hope your Christmas morning was wonderful and memorable

and you got everything you wanted :)

Ciao.

Christmas Eve..

2010-12-29T09:39:00.000-05:00

So it was a rare Christmas Eve in our home.. Matt-Daddy was off work! He was still on call but.. hey we will take what we can get.

Everything was clean. We decided to watch a movie and rented Toy Story 3.

It was really good. I was not disappointed. The kids enjoyed it too.

It was so nice to just be all together.

There was even rumor of snow on Christmas Day.. Really? Snow? On Christmas Day?

We shall see.. The latest radar said if it fell it would be North of us.

It was also my Big Brother Zach's birthday. I don't like not seeing him on his birthday.

But I called..we texted. I sent pictures..

I hope your Christmas Eve was enjoyable.

There's Ken.. He's FAB-U-Lous! ;)

Kick back on Matt-Daddy enjoying the movie..
This was my view.. I loved it ;)

You know..... one of those RARE moments... ;)

Enjoying an apple...

Stoney saving the world....

Stormy watching Toy Story 3...

Stormy and her constant friend.. She loves this yoga ball... She had a blue one for a few years
It met its demise earlier this year.. The Easter bunny brought her a new one ;)

My Sweet Boys... My two favorite Boys...

Merry Christmas....

2010-12-25T18:02:00.000-05:00

...from our family to yours.

Have a Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!!!

2010-12-03T11:31:00.000-05:00

I guess two months is more than enough time off ;)

So without further adieu...

Here we go!

These are shots from the pumpkin patch and corn maze followed by

the Fall Festival and then Halloween :)

I am going to do my best to play catch up and stay caught up!

Hope everyone had a wonderful October :)

The sky was an amazing fall blue that day.. but it was H O T let me tell ya!

Goodies on the bake sale table at the school's fall festival..

Stormy got her hair sprayed blue with decorations ;)

My Mad Hatter :)

Running to the next house for more candy!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful October! Especially
Halloween!

Ciao!
Rox

I Heart Faces -- Week 38 -- Smirk Photo Challenge

2010-09-21T17:43:00.000-04:00

I was taking pictures at a friends house. His sister is in the background jumping on the trampoline.
He kept turning to his right and looking at me..
Every time he did he had a different goofy look on his face...
At this point I think he was getting a little annoyed with the camera ;)

Head on over to www.iheartfaces.com and check the other entries too..
You won't be disappointed :)

Five

2010-09-01T10:13:00.000-04:00

I don't talk about him much... Although I should. He is with me everyday. Especially when the

minions are in school. He will come in and check on me every now and then.

He was running around a rundown trailer park with his brother and sister.
Eating scraps and rocks.. literally. He broke a tooth on one.
We couldn't save them all but we could take one.
He just took to me. So loving and so sweet and funny.

He is quiet unless there is a leaf blower in the vicinity or someone
gets near the front door.

Squirrels are his sworn enemy (still not sure why). I think they have
mocked him in the past. ;-) He loses his mind when he sees one.

He even understands when we say the word. Or the the word we made up when we see
one to warn each other. "Skirna-doon".
Yea, he figured out that one too.
If you say it in the house. He will immediately run to the back door
to look out the window on full alert. ;)

He can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Which to me means that he is completely
comfortable and safe in his surroundings.

He has been with us a year longer than Stormy.

I don't think we could love him any more.

Oh... and he has several names.. The most common is Pippin. But he answers to Pipponie.
I like to call him "The Great Pipponie".
We say it's a Pipponie world, we just live in it. :)
The Pipponator, Pipster, Pip.
I named him after the main character in the Charles Dickens novel,
Great Expectations.

He is a lover of tennis balls and sausage balls. ;)
He is always with us when we travel.
He is quirky.. he has one front leg longer than the other and sits with it
bent at the wrist.. looking so proper.
He will ever so lightly rest his paw on your foot to get your attention when
you are eating to let you know he is there..in case you dont know he is blatantly begging. ;)
He likes to be covered up head to toe at night when we go to bed.
He is a sweet, sweet boy.

If you ask me how many are in our family, my answer will be...

Yes, there are five of us.

xoxo

Ciao,

Rox

A boy and his Dad...

2010-08-27T12:57:00.000-04:00

A boy and his Dad...

On a Sunday afternoon.

After church, then lunch. When it's too hot to go outside.

Just hanging on the couch. Watching a race most likely.

Can you think of a better place to fall asleep?

We are finally back in school here.

So I hope to be posting more frequently.

Have a wonderful weekend. :)

Ciao,

Rox

Life after 5

2010-08-10T16:37:00.000-04:00

Matt-Daddy says that after 5.. you're no longer a little guy...

everything changes.. you're imagination is different..

the way people perseve you is different too.

In other words ..It all changes.

And for the record.... Matt-Daddy was a bit sad about our boy turning 6.
Although.. he would never admit it and will shrug
it off if ever asked... ;)

He just looked.... longer.

And a little leaner..

In a word.... Older.
And for the record...?
I didn't like it either.

And the cupcakes...?
Well, they were bigger than most 6 year olds ;)

Oh. My. Word. She was determined to not let it win! :)

We were surrounded by friends..

And family too :)

One of my most favorite people in the world was there too..
My Bro ;)

My baby (still and always;).. the shirt says it all by the way ;)

Hope everyone is having a great week.
Keeping cool the best way you can too.
By the way.. everyone's face is so red because it was
and still is a scorcher down here.

Ciao!
Rox

It can be a funny thing about pictures...

2010-07-29T17:15:00.000-04:00

Some of the best ones (at least to me) seem to happen

when you least expect it.

Hair not fixed. Face not washed. Space where the picture is made not tidy.

I think this one is my favorite...

Stormy had received some new clothes (hand-be-downs but new to us). And she

was trying everything on and of course coming in the office to show me.

I took several different ones in all kinds of different clothes and different

combinations too.

I loved them all...of course ;)

love it too...

But this series of three really stood out.
She had on a Winter coat and shorts with a t-shirt underneath.

I love series shots...

She was just leaning on my desk talking to me. There were papers stacked up at her elbows.
Crayons on the floor. An overflowing waste basket.
But you would have never known those things if I hadn't of told you...
Everything doesn't have to be perfect.. In a photograph.
Or in life.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
And for me it was watching her have SO much fun modeling and posing for the camera.
To hear her laugh and just talk with me.
I wouldn't have cared if she had had on a potato sack. ;)

Ciao,
Rox

Only what...three weeks late?

2010-07-26T10:24:00.000-04:00

Sorry. I'll swear, it seems like Summer can be busier than during the

school year! Between that and the heat and NOT having A/C in the car...

in this heat seriously? It is the no fun zone if we have to go anywhere..

Especially in the daytime. :(

So here in All it's glory is my July 4th post.

On.... July 26.. (ahem)

We went to a local 4th of July parade.. well it was on Monday the 5th.

But that's neither here nor there.

It was our first time to attend and it was really fun.

We arrived early and got our spots under a nice shade tree.

Matt-Daddy with his Patriotic hat on for the parade.

My Stoney... probably my favorite shot of the day. :)

My Stormy... Love this shot... I could so see it on a card.

Matt-Daddy actually took this one. I love it too.

You just can't help but love the flag in all it's splendor..

The front of a red tractor. That is pretty American if you ask me. :)

I love a Parade! I was covered in chill bumps when the Marine band struck up.
They were amazing!

Love this one too... If you look closely on the right you can see Stormy's
reflection in the pink shirt.

Stay cool and hydrated.
See you soon!
Ciao!
Rox

Heat... too much heat.

2010-07-22T09:56:00.000-04:00

So... the heat...

The heat is B-rutal right now. Especially if you live in the South. Today... it will be in

the upper 90's with a heat index of 102 to 106.... bleck.

* insert gagging noise*

So I thought I would think cool as I hold up in my little air-conditioned space today

with my minions to entertain me, and share some

photos that might help you think cool too ...

Stoney looking like a super hero at the pool. All
he needs is his cape :)

Stormy... she would stay in the water from dawn till dusk.. maybe even after that.

See.... I love this shot by the way..

And the diving sticks... If I had a dime for every time I have thrown those this Summer :)

So everyone... Stay hydrated. Stay cool. Think cool thoughts.
Put on some Christmas music :)
Whatever you need to do.
Just stay cool !

Ciao
Roxanne

2010-07-03T11:40:00.000-04:00

Today.....

I feed my kids.
I edited a few pictures.
I started a load of laundry.
My Matt-Daddy is working.
I miss him :(
He kissed me and told me he loved me before he left.
I watched Serena make quick work of her opponent in the Wimbledon women's Finals.
I am looking forward to the parade tomorrow morning.
I always love watching Pop goes the 4th on the 4th of July.
Matt is not running the Peachtree Road Race tomorrow for the first time in 7 or 8 years.
I am wondering why I have a mosquito in my office?
I got a hug and an I Love You from both my minions.
As much as I love a good color photo.. my heart will always belong to B&W.
I went to see Eclipse three days ago.. I can't stop thinking about it.
I want to go again.
Stumped about dinner tonight.
So glad that Matt-Daddy is off the next two days..even if he is on-call
Been doing some soul searching lately.
It's a good thing.
Will never own another Ford.. Even if it is given to me.
Should have learned my lesson the first time.
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July.
Summer is half over. Bleck...
I am listening to Stormy sing behind me at her desk. :)

So the sun will rise on another day..

It will be filled with the mundane and hopefully the exciting.

And it shall also set... Good Lord willing.

And I will have another list rolling around in my head to accomplish :)

Such is life.

Such is my life.

I love it.

I wouldn't change it..

Not for a thing.

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday weekend :)

Be safe on the roadways and the waterways.

Ciao,

Rox