Father Daughter Valentines' Dance

Mike and Lauren went to their first Father Daughter Dance tonight. She had a blast!! She is already looking forward to next years dance!

Blue Skies

Today's temperature was in the upper 50s. The best part was all the sunshine! I tried to capture the blue sky reflected in the water here, but I just couldn't get the right angle. I still like what I captured though. You can see streaks of the sunset starting to creap in.

Just Me

This is a self-portrait taken Feb 4.

Who Put the Sprinkles in My Dough?

That was Matthew's question on Sunday while the kids, along with two of Lauren's friends, were making cookies. Given the condition of the table, I would say it's a question he will never have an answer to!

Macro Monday

I read that as a title for a posting criteria at a website, but can't remember where. My friend Ros asked about some pictures I had taken with a macro filter on my camera. I went back and pulled three of those pictures. These were taken when I first got those filters. I really need to pull them out and play with them more.

Make-up Post

I forgot to post a picture last night, so I am doing it today instead!
This is a weed or some type of plant I saw on a walk when we had the snow last week. I thought it was pretty cool the way the snow just sat on the plant.

Cold Crossing

The snow and ice from last week is really sticking around. Today was alot warmer, in the 50s. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the upper 60s. In places where the sun doesn't shine for very long, or where the temp is still pretty low when the sun is shining, you can still find a good bit of ice. I took this picture yesterday. It's a stream that runs over a low water crossing. The opposite side of the crossing is solid ice.

On the Edge

As I was walking from my office to the main office at school today, I looked up and saw sheets of ice perched on the edge of the roof of the junior high building. The snow we had last week is slow to melt. I notified the office that this was a hazard as it could easily slide off and injure a student. After school, I went back and took a few pictures of the ice. This is the best of those pictures. Now, I want to go back and scrub and repaint the gutters... eww!!

iPhone

We had a phone upgrade available for Jan. Mike called our provider in Dec to see if they would let him upgrade early so he could get me a new phone for Christmas. I was eyeing the Blackberry Curve, in Red! He did some research, called around and waiting for a call back on whether we could upgrade early. Our provider called us two days after Christmas to tell us that we could upgrade early. At that point, it was too late for it to be a Christmas gift. Mike's phone started to act weird, so I told him that we could upgrade his phone and I would wait until the May upgrade to get my new phone. He uses his phone daily and relies on it. I can't use mine at home because we don't get signal here. I use mine when I go to post or when I go on trips. He did more research and checked out all his buddies phones as well. He decided that he wanted and iPhone. Most evenings, you can find Mike on the sofa, watching tv, and playing with his phone!

Taking the Plunge

I didn't take today's picture!!
My friend Wendy went to Duluth, Minnasota for work last week. She was asked to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge there to help raise money for the Special Olympics. This is one of the pictures that was posted on the newspaper's website. Wendy is the one on the far right!!!

Snow Fort

This is the snow fort Jacob made in the front yard yesterday. This morning, a small corner on the left side wall had some yellow snow. I guess the dogs claim it as their own now!

Quilt Top

We were home for another snow day today. I cleaned out the craft room the other day in hopes of making a quilt. Last night, I pulled out the fabrics I wanted to use and drew up a pattern. This morning, I cut all the fabric. Lauren and Madison helped me to lay it all out. Madison sewed a little, as did Jacob. I finished the top tonight. I am hoping to get it to the quilter soon. I can't wait to put the binding on it!!

Snow Day X2

We got to stay home again today. Yesterday was pretty dreary out as we had a wintery mix fall all day. It was just overcast and grey. Last night, we got about 4 inches of snow. The kids and I spent about an hour outside playing today. The first picture was taken about 5:45pm yesterday. The second picture was taken at 4:35pm today.

Begging

Sometimes I give the dogs a treat once I let them in the house. Today, I was holding a few treats in my hand and they were all begging for them. They were excited once I snapped the picture and gave them to them!

So Cool

I just set up my camera on my new gorilla pod Mike got me for Christmas. I was trying to capture the glittery looking snow as it falls. Instead, I got this really cool shot of the railing on my front porch! This is with no flash! :)

Cold Dogs

Friday night we got a little snow. We got up Saturday morning to about an inch of snow on everything. It was mostly gone by Sunday with just a little left on the ground today. We got out of school early today as the forecast calls for ice, sleet and snow all night tonight through tomorrow. School has already been called off for tomorrow! The above picture was taken Saturday morning. I'll be sure to post one tomorrow of how much snow/ice we get!!

Loss of Power

My goal was to post a photo every weekday this year. I missed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Last Saturday, my power cord for my laptop stopped working. Without juice, my laptop was powerless. I actually cried when I realized that I would have to go without my laptop while waiting for a new power cord to arrive. On Monday, I upload a picture here using Mike's laptop. I didn't get on the computer much the other days as it just wasn't the same without MY laptop! I felt so loss. I guess it can be viewed a shame that I rely so much on this machine. Our budget is stored on my laptop as well as alot of my photos. I backed up my photos to my external hard drive at the beginning of the month. The only ones I don't have backed up at this time are the ones I've taken in this month. I really need to save a copy of the budget on the external hard drive as well!!

Today's picture was taken on Wednesday. I do home visits for work, and I got permission last week to take pictures of this cabin on a clients property. The owner is a principle who lives in the cabin on the weekends. It is located on my clients property, across the pond from the 'main house' where my client lives. I was given a tour of the cabin last year and must say how charmed I was. I can't wait to take another picture in this spot in the spring/summer once the leaves are green again. Just looking at the pond and cabin, I feel a sense of peace and tranquility.

Pack Away your Pride and Dignity

The kids put in a talent show after dinner tonight. Lauren did a dance followed by a wrestling match with Jacob. As they were preparing to fight, Lauren said to Jacob to pack away anything he didn't want to get broken. Jacob's response was "Then you should pack away your Pride and Dignity". It was quite comical. Jacob did nail her twice!

Dessert

I am going to a pool party tonight. Indoors of course, as we have snow on the ground!! This is the summer dessert pizza I made to take with me. YUM!

Computer Geeks

Three years ago, right before Mike was deployed, our desktop computer died. Mike had just purchased a laptop to take with him. We bought another laptop, for me to use for schoolwork. Last week, we got the desktop fixed and gave it to the kids. Tonight after dinner the kids were all hanging out at their computer. Matthew was coaching Lauren on how to use the drawing pad. Jacob was sitting his doorway watching. I thought a it was a perfect photo op!

Turkey

I cooked a pretty big turkey for Thanksgiving which resulted in a good bit of leftovers. We ate on them for a few days and I was even able to freeze some of the turkey for later use. Tonight, I used the last of the left-over turkey to make soup. I just learned how to make soup about 2 months ago, when I was trying to figure out what to do with the left-over turkey a day after Thanksgiving. The kids have mixed reviews about it. Matthew loves it! Jacob only likes some of the ingredients and will pick out what he doesn't like. Lauren won't eat it or complains the entire meal if we do make her eat it.
The picture above is my bowl of soup tonight. I used turkey, celery, parsley, onion, garlic, carrots, zucchini, cabbage and egg noodles. Below, is my bowl when I was done! The weather is supposed to dip into the negative digits tonight with the wind chill. I thought it was perfect weather for soup!

Really Cold

Two years ago, we had the worst ice storm I have ever witnessed. That doesn't say much, as I'm from Louisiana and we don't get snow or ice. January 2007 was beautiful and COLD! The temperature for the next few days is going to stay below the freezing mark. Tommorrow night, with the wind chill, it is expected that the temp will be -10*! BRRRRR! Thankfully, it will be dry. Today's picture was taken two years ago. I was standing on my front porch, looking at the left hand side of my yard. I hope we do get some ice and snow this year, and not just the sprinkles we have had here and there. I hope we have a really good, deep snow!!

Lauren

I don't know what is her deal lately, but Lauren has been quite a challenge. She argues over dinner every night. She makes a choice to do the opposite of what I suggest, even if what I suggest is what she really wanted. My friend suggested that maybe it's a growth spurt causing the moodiness. I'm not sure, but I hope it passes quickly. Here is a picture of her from Sep 2006. Moody.

Demon

We adopted a new dog from my Uncle. This is Demon. He is a pure bred Siberian Husky. We are still training him to recognize the boundries of our property and to not beg for food. He seems to be doing much better since he has gotten here. He has been with us for 2 weeks now. I think he is going to be a great addition to our pack! The other two dogs seems to like him and he fits in well.

I've been Tagged

Ros tagged me! The rules are you go to your fourth picture folder and choose the fourth picture in that folder and post in with an explanation as to what it's about. Then you can tag someone else. Have fun! (IF you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!! Please post in the comments if you do post so I can visit your site!)

I had a little trouble with this as my pictures are in folders grouped by the year, then month then day uploaded or taken. So, I went to my 2009 folder and then to Jan, because it's the only folder in there. I picked the fourth pic in the folder and here is what you get:


This picture is Logan, Dyson and Matthew in the front of an Army bull dozer. When my sister was visiting last week, we took the boys to see all the big army equipment set up on post. They had a great time running around and checking out all the big green machines.

Hangin' Around

This is a picture of Mike from Warrior Tower last June. Warrior Tower is an obstacle course used to develop confidence in trainees. Mike was demonstrating one method of rapelling for the troops.

Back to School

Today's picture was taken on the first day of school, August 14. The kids are all lined up youngest to oldest; Madison, Lauren, Jacob and Matthew.

Old Ice

As I was going through some pictures from last February, I came across these two of one of the trees in our front yard coated in ice. Since I was asking for snow yesterday, I thought it appropriate to share these.

Where's the Snow

Here is our house and front yard on December 10. We got a little snow. The kids can't wait to get some real snow on the ground so they can built a snow man and attempt to slide on the ice! After two weeks off school and work, I'm looking forward to a snow day or two!

My Jake

I drove for almost 12 hours today. Holli and the kids are back home, safe and sound. Jacob was my travel buddy. We met Devin 1/2 way, which brought us just south of Memphis. Jacob and I had a nice, quiet ride home. He spent the day with Mike yesterday and when asked if he enjoyed having each of us to himself for the day, he replied "we should do this more often".
I really enjoy when I get to spend one on one time with the kids. It helps us to reconnect and get to know each other a little better. I am proud of the people my children are becoming. I get sad when I think about them growing up and away from me. I want them to be independant and well adjusted adults. But at the same time, I struggle with the thought of them being adults!
When I though of having kids, I never really thought past the kid stages. I don't think anyone starts out wanting kids just so they can raise teenagers! I absolutely love watching children grow from a helpless infant, into a thinking, caring, loving being. But I have to admit that I am struggling with the thought of my kids being so independant. As long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a Mom. To think of their being a time, in the not so distant future, when my kids will not need me, breaks my heart a little. I can't imagine my life without the responsiblity of my children. For so long now, they have been a huge part of how I defind myself. I know in the long run, it will all work out. I guess I'm just afraid of what the future holds. There are so many evils in this world.
I'm sure my Mom had this same thoughts about us as we were growing up. I joined the Army and left home a week after my 18th birthday. I was the first and only of 5 to leave home. Thinking back, I can't imagine what she must have felt. I can't imagine just letting my kids go out into the world. For her to have just watched me pack a small duffle and walk away must have been so hard for her. But, I am so glad she was able to put her feelings aside and allow me to become who I am. I only hope I can find that strength in myself when it's time to let my kids grow.

Today's picture is Jacob. This picture was taken on Friday when we took the kids to see the tanks and other Army equipment on post. My nephews really enjoyed running around and checking it all out. Jacob doesn't let me take his picture often, so it's a realy treat to capture a genuine smile from him!

Going Home

My sister and her three kids have been here since last Saturday. The kids have done great. They have really enjoyed spending time with each other. They don't get to spend much time together, as we live so far apart. I've really enjoyed seeing my nephew Dyson, as he has the best expressions. He talks really well for an almost 2 year old!!


Today's picture is me and my sister, Holli.


If you click on any pictures on this blog, it opens them bigger.

New Year

I don't like to make resolutions. I never seem to keep them. I think this year, I am going to try something. Starting today, I want to try to post a picture here at least every week day. I think it will help me to take better pictures because I will only want to post good pictures. It will also help me to see how far I've come with my pictures. I LOVE taking pictures and would like to improve. I'm hoping this will help!

So, here is my first picture post this year:

This is my nephew, Dyson. He has the cutest expressions!


Dyson is in the foreground here playing his brother's Nintendo DS. In the background, you can see Lynzi and Lauren playing thier game boys as well.

67th Military Police Regimental Ball

Mike and I went to the Ball last night. Here are a couple of pictures.
It must be noted that Lauren chose my dress! :)

Barbieri's In Tights

While in Florida, visiting my in-laws, the kids put together a show. Chuck worked realy hard to help them with the routine. Here they are, in their finest tights:

Vacation

The kids and I headed to Louisiana last Tuesday. After a trip that took longer than we thought it would, we got to Mom's late that night. Wednesday we packed and prepared to head to Florida with my Mom, my sister (Tootie), her two children, my best friend Danielle, her daughter, my Aunt, and another of my neices. We stayed in Panama City Beach from Thursday until Sunday. We had a good time. Here are some pictures Danielle took. I need to upload mine, though I didn't take many. I believe my sister also has some on her camera that I will have to put on my computer once I return to Louisiana.

Lauren, digging in the sand, making sand castles


Danielle and Me. Danielle was holding the camera and we were trying to not get bowled over by the waves!


Lauren, buried in sand.


Matthew, digging.


Jacob in the front, Lauren and Me behind him.


The kids and I are still in Florida, at my Mother-in-Laws house. We will head back to Louisiana on either Friday or Saturday. We have a fun week of things we would like to do, but nothing set in stone. It's nice to be able to just relax and have fun. I will post more pictures once I download them onto my laptop.