Updates!

I finally updated my blog pages as well as my header, so feel free to look around the links at the top :)

Cheap, easy way to hang backdrops

I am a photographer. Any at-home studio photographer out there knows that hanging backdrops are a PAIN. Some are paper, some are fabric, some are canvas and it's just a pain to find something that fits, that's easy to use, that keeps your backdrops looking nice, and that doesn't cost a fortune. Since most of my clients are baby/children I have invested in fabric backdrops because they are versatile with newborns, etc. but it leaves a real problem when it comes to keeping them from falling down during the session and from wrinkles. Bokeh hides some, but I was sick of having to iron my backdrops every time I wanted to use them. I brainstormed my idea for a while and finally came up with a great way to hang them so that they could be changed quite easily with only a $20-30 investment. I bought two large hooks that could fit all my backdrops, then I bought clip hangers that clasp right on to the fabric at each side at the top. I found the hangers at walmart and the hooks at Lowe's. I love this because a typical backdrop holder is at least $100, is really a pain to set up and hard to change the backdrops in and out, plus they are usually so flimsy, I was worried a kid would tip the whole thing over! This is so simple. And they stay nice and wrinkle free. I don't have to tape, tug or iron. Plus the best part about the hangers is that you CAN still use them with a normal backdrop set up because the hanger heads can turn so you can just hang them right on the bar without having to thread them through. So if you don't want to drill a bunch of holes in your wall or if you want them to be easy to bring to a location, it's done!

Old clothes

I should really be sleeping right now. But I wanted to get this little post written. Today was a cleaning/organizing day. The basement has been needing serious attention and I was in the mood to purge so I started going through all the kids old clothes. Besides the miracle of finding the long lost Wii remote in one of the clothes bins I started looking at Claire's tiny clothes. Some raggedy old night gowns she loved to wear as a 3 year old I just didn't want to let go of. I am very sentimental, but I don't typically hold on to a lot of "stuff", but man it just hit me how I will never get back to that place in our lives. I just wanted to cry. She is so old. 7. A very old girl. I've had a lot on my mind the past week or so. Lot's of thinking and reflecting. We had a great time at the temple on Saturday with our ward. I am amazed each time I go at how strong the Spirit is there. Prayers answered and new insights. So calming when things are so uncertain right now.

My thoughts are so scattered, but after a hard week and a hard day of reflecting we had one of those blissful evenings. An evening where everything is perfect even though Sam is crying and won't let me put him down and FHE is a joke with 2 roudy boys and a giggly little girl. But it was was one of those evenings I'll look back on and think, where did the time go? When she was only 7 and everything was so simple. And somehow I ache for my future self and I kiss those kiddies for like the millionth time and send them off to bed to get a day older. And I'll try to sear that image of her and her squished little face and her little dimpled cheek into my brain so I never forget.

Happy

Two years ago, I was in such a different place mentally, physically, spiritually. I was not very happy. I worried too much what people thought of me and wasn't true to myself. I was grumpy and emotional and I wasn't living. I saw everything as a competition that I was losing. I don't know if it's just me getting older or just blessings from heaven, but I've stopped seeing everyone as my competitor and I now see them as my friend, as my team mate and I feel so happy in every aspect of my life! Everyday I learn more about the person I want to become. I have so many dreams for this life and I'm taking charge of who I want to be and how I'm going to get there and I don't care what anybody thinks. It's so liberating! Nothing good comes from negative thoughts and I have seen my life following after positive people. I wish I could reach out to anyone who is sad or mad or fed up, because life does not have to be that way. I know that life isn't always easy, but it can be grand! I feel like the more I allowed myself to open up and not be a "naysayer" or judge others, the more happiness has come into my life. I think the best thing I've learned is to forgive others and to forgive myself. I make mistakes everyday, but I repent and move on! I know some people think I am crazy for starting my own business and all my little ventures and that's okay. :) But I wanted to record how I feel this day. Because I'm in the prime of my life, I have a family who loves me and I am HAPPY!



I traded pictures with a friend of mine. This is my present for Chris for Valentine's Day.

Sam the one*year*old

Oh boy. We love this little boy. He loves to give hugs and kisses. He is in love with his big sister and a little afraid of his big brother. He has a fascination with his tongue and always has it flapping like a puppy dog. He does a few signs for drink and more. He hates to be put down, but would sit on my lap contentedly for an hour. He took his first steps about 2 weeks ago. He has 7 teeth. He is a water baby. He's got big hands, and looks just like his daddy I think. He's HEAVY--at least 25 lbs. With that comes a big appetite. He's an early riser like his brother, either that, or his brother has trained him well :) He likes to rip books and he loves to hide away in Claire's room. He still loves his binky. He is so dang sweet, did I mention he's a snuggler? We just love having him around. Happy Birthday Sammy!