Baby Steps

It's been about three years since I first picked up my DSLR camera. Mike got it for me for Christmas and it was the best material gift I've ever received. The camera is a tool and when Mike gave it to me, he gave me the confidence to pursue my dream. And it's been slow progress but progress just the same. Steadily , I've learned bits here and there. I've practiced what I've learned the important things and I've learned which rules can be ignored . I've been encouraged by countless people to share my " talent" with others but my own insecurities have stopped me.

Until now.

I'm taking a teeny, tiny baby step. I have listed some of my photos on Etsy.com as digital downloads- people can pay to download and/or print my photos. This wasn't something I decided to do earn money. If I do, that's fantastic. But this is just me sticking my toe in the water, testing it out. It's a tiny step. But it's a step and many steps will follow. Thank you to those who have supported me and encouraged me to push forward. I feel photography in my heart. I see life in photographs. My dream would be share that with others and I am certain I will one day get there.

If you want to check out my Etsy shop, click here to take a look around!

Raw Talent!

My mom is so talented! I think it even takes her by surprise. She's really taken a liking to acrylic painting and has been painting almost every day!  If you want to see more of her work, check it out here. 

My photos from last spring

My mom's painted photos . They look so great!

Clothed in style

Grammy and her creative side kept the kids and I busy for almost two hours last week! We pulled out our ( mostly naked) Barbies and the suit case full of clothes that Grammy made for Mike when he was growing up and we clothes our entire troop!  What fun we had!

Laying low

Mason caught a strange virus which came with a fever and , apparently, every time Mason spikes a fever, he will also have a seizure because he suffered another one when his temp rose. The last time he had a fever, in the fall, he had one as well. This virus really took him down and he was pretty sick for several days. Those days were " lay low at home" kind of days.

Laying low with Mack....How did her legs get to be nearly as long as mine?

There's our boy! Back to eating and smiling.

My gorgeous girl is always so patient and helpful when her brother is sick.

Sazzy

 Honest to goodness, the way Mason loves my mom, Grams or " Sazzy" as he calls her, is just so sweet. I think because she was here so much when I had him and was dealing with my anxiety, he just bonded with her and that bond has only grown. This is similar to the bond that Mackenzie has with her Grammy and I am confident Mason will share with Grammy, too. My kids are both so lucky to know their grandmas and grandpa ( and even great grandparents!)  the way they do. And though Grammy is far away and they never got to meet their grandpa Ralph, we are always talking about them, sharing stories and plans and fond memories that carry us through until we see Grammy again.

The chicks are here!

 Each year my dad gets a dozen chicks to add to his flock. Each year, everyone goes nuts for them. Who wouldn't? They are absolutely adorable. But do you know what's more adorable than chicks? KIDS with chicks! So please forgive the photo heavy post but I had so much fun taking pictures of the kids with the chicks that I cannot decide which to post. So I'm posting a lot.

Kaleb with " his" chick.

Cameron the self proclaimed " chick magnet"

Mason had to be eased into holding the chicks. His first inclination is always to eat them!

Can you guess what happened next? Yes. That bird pooped on Mack's head. As Mack does, she wiped it off and continued on mothering these little babies.

Does this photo not just melt your heart? She tucked that little chick into her shirt and was in heaven, snuggling with it.

The most fun was had when Mason's chick escaped his grasp and jumped across to Macky.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Mike ( and his March Mustache- raising money for the burn fund at work) and the beach themed canvas my mom painted for him.

Mike celebrated the big 35 a few weeks ago. In true Mike Long fashion, he reported that 35 feels a lot like 34. We wanted to celebrate the man we love so much and call husband, daddy, son-in-law, uncle and brother-in-law ( to name the nice ones *wink* ) My mom and I put together a beer themed dinner. Also in true Mike Long fashion, he insisted on cooking his own favorite meal- ribs, of course! They were wonderful and there wasn't a single morsel to be found once the crew had their fill.

My mom baked a beer cake inside mason jars. They were a big hit!

See?

Kaleb