Day 3: Clouds

Day 3 of June's photo challenge is clouds. I took this picture of altocumulus clouds back in 2009 but I wish they were hanging out in the sky today because google says they often precede a cold front. With temps already in the upper 90's here, I could use a little cold front right now.

Day 2: What I Wore Today

Look at me all gussied up! I'm so glad today's photo challenge fell on the day of Nathan's Academy Awards Banquet otherwise you would be seeing me in a t-shirt, yoga pants and flip flops. Today, however, I spent the afternoon giving myself a manicure and pedicure, straightening my hair and searching for my slim-shaping underwear.

The Academy Awards Banquet is for students who have made all A's all year long and this is Nathan's second year to receive a trophy while Thomas made the A/B Honor Roll. I'm so proud of both my boys!

Day 1: Self-Portrait

My cousin-in-law, Teri, posted a 30 Day Photography Challenge for the month of June and I thought I would give it a shot. I've been a very lazy blogger this year and I'd like to get back into it--the boys are growing up so fast and I need to be more consistent in recording their silliness, their sweetness and their history. I thought this would be a great way to get back into the habit of blogging.

So here it is...day 1...self-portrait. This was taken during spring break at the science museum in Orlando. It wasn't on our itinerary but it turned out to be a really fun visit once we got through those initial boorrrring science exhibits about mechanics and electricity. THEN there were snakes! space! blue dudes! sound waves! earthquake simulators! AND a very cool Curious George exhibit! It was definitely a hit--even though blue dude wasn't that interested in me.

Seven?!

Whenever my yoga teacher tells me to relax and "soften my face" I always think of babies. A mental picture of their smiling faces helps me release tension and put a smile on my face. Inevitably, my mind always goes to this baby in particular...



...I can't believe Nathan is 7!

If only I could get him to smile at the camera like that again!

The Passion Continues

It's been awhile since I've posted but I didn't want to miss posting my usual Good Friday verse. You know, Dr. Seuss wasn't just concerned with the way words sounded but he also paid close attention to the way they looked on paper. I like the way this verse from Hebrews looks on the screen...like great drops of words. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Keep your eyes on Jesus,our leader and instructor.
He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross
because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards;
and now he sits in the place of honor
by the throne of God.

If you want to keep
from becoming
fainthearted and weary,
think about his patience
as sinful men
did such
terrible
things
to
him.

After all,
you have never yet struggled
against sin and temptation
until you sweat
great
drops
of
blood.

--Hebrews 12:2-4

Oatmeal Cookies

I have a 9 year old!

My oldest turned 9 on March 6th and instead of making a birthday cake I made birthday cookies.

I love soft, chewy oatmeal cookies. Especially the ones my mom made when I was growing up. They were so good I thought it had to be a secret family recipe but I found out later that it was the recipe from the Quaker Oats box, ha!

So here's the recipe in all it's tried-and-true, memorable perfection...

Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
3 cups uncooked oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Stir in oats.
Drop rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Enjoyed by 9 year olds everywhere!

Wordless Wednesday: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...Spring!