February 28th

I hate this shot but didn't have enough time to take a decent shot today..this is what I ate for dinner.

My life is so busy these days..it is a good thing.  More busy the more money..woohooo

February 27th

Free Week

From a photoshoot today.
These two little girls are the cutest!  They were so fun to work with. 

Thanks Bambi for that opportunity to take pictures of you and your girls.  They are just adorable!

February 26th

Last day for me..thank goodness. This was a tough week for me. Thought I would end the week with a few shots of me. I am such a goof. That costume was my jazz outfit from 2 years ago.

Thanks all for your comments and your support! You are rock.
Sorry I haven't comment in a few days. I have been so busy with my kids' activities. I will get to your pictures in a few days. (hug)



This is all me! My least favorite collage so far, but it will have to do.
hey, mike..thanks..you rock! (hug)

February 25th

Talk about a nervous time. My son Troy is on the highschool swim team. The state meet was this weekend. He had been sick for a week worrying about it. They shaved most all the hair on their bodies to get ready for this big event. It was amazing to see so many good swimmers in the same building at one time. You all should be proud you made it to state. Way to go!!! There was a man there that used to swim for Wyoming College and was in a skiing accident who was paralyzed from the waist down. He was there showing his support to all the kids.

Our highschool boys swim team took state championship. They have been working hard all year and were excited to see they were in the lead most the meet. What an accomplishment. You all rock!

My son took 8th in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:53:60. Wooohooo! I am so proud fo you, Troy! You keep up the good work and strengthening your body and you will kick some butt next year. I know you will!

It is way awesome to see such an amazing bond between these young men. Wow, they have been together for 3 years now. It is the team work that help you all win. Keep that up and teach the younger ones who join the team next year.



Troy (second kid on the block) getting ready for the 200 yard freestyle to begin.



Troy and one of his coaches, Miller giving him a hug and telling him he did an awesome job.

February 24th

My daughter Lila Mae started dance tonight.  She has been bugging me for every it seems to start dance. Woot..my second dancer in the making.  She got hurt a few times but actually stayed the whole 60 minutes.  I know this was supposed to be my week but I couldn't pass this moment up.  Has to go in the journal.  She is the one in the front with the cute smile.



Lila Mae on the left side looking at the camera.

February 23rd

I asked for God to take away my pain. God said, No,
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to grant me patience.  God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t
granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No.
I give you blessings.  Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.  God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my Spirit grow.  God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make
you Fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.  I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.  God said...
Ahhh.. finally you have an idea.

As you all probably know, I am a Christian gal.  I know I am not perfect and you have probably seen me at my worst.  But what was the point in Jesus dieing for our sins if we could be perfect?  I know a lot of Christians judge others, but I don't.  Do what you want, live how you want.  It is your business not mine.  If you ask me about God I will tell you how I feel.  I will love you just as much as the Christain people.  I am not ashamed of Him.  God has been with me my whole life.  I look back and see Him as I walked  my path as a child.  I learned fast because I noticed there was a higher power.  I realized there was more to live for and there could be happiness.
I have walked away from God several times and found myself in deep poo because of it.  You would think I would get a clue keep walking with Him.

February 22nd

Free Spirit

I have a free spirit.  I will go anywhere and do anything as long as it doesn't result in a little jail time.  However I would trespass and play dumb if I got caught.  I am like a tumbleweed tumbling across the prairie, bouncing in the wind, making tracks (hopefully good ones) as I'm ushered down the path of life.


Bet you all haven't see an tumbleweed this big.  hehehe.. it was as big as my daughter.  Heavy sucker too.  I took it off the fence and through it in the wind. The snow was coming down and I happened to be in my aerobics outfit. (capris and a hiking boots) LOL...I am sure the people driving by were wondering what I was doing out there.

February 21st

Pasting back together something that was never there.

My life has been a constant struggle. Not always bad but there has been quite a few bad things happen in my life.
I started out with parents who didn't want me. My mom put me in an orphanage when I was a baby and from there lived with aunts, uncles and cousins. My dad finally got remarried but still didn't have his life together and was on drugs pretty heavily. Growing up in the home was very stressful and almost unbareable. Thought about taking my life many times growing up. My first time smoking pot was at the age of 10 with my brother and sister. I was 12 when I first got drunk so bad that I thought I was going to die. I went through foster homes and group homes my teenage life and emancipated at the age of 17.
Did some pretty bad stuff between the ages of 17 and 19 that got me to thinking about my life. Was this how I was going to live my life forever? NO WAY! I got myself together.. yes, made bad choices along the way but I am here where I am today. I have beautiful kids, I am strong and have confidence to make it through any hardship. I know the past hurts and will always be there and it tends to leak out pain and confusion, but I am getting my life in order and helping my kids have the best childhood I can offer.

February 20th

Turning that page
the last page...
not wanting to finish
no desire to move on
longing for more
This story can't end
the chapter has to go on.
Looking for pages..maybe unread
frantically searching for what might be missing
turning and flipping but nothing found
All was read but nothing  was quite understood
turning to the last page again
understanding what has to take place
this last chapter has to end.
my heart yearns for more chapters
but I realize another book will have to do.
By Soni

As you all know, I am seperated from my husband.  I thought we could work it out one more time but he showed me Saturday night that he is still not willing to change his old bad habits.  So, I must move on with my life and focus on just my kids and myself.
 
Here's to me and my new life.

February 19th

My Week to Shine



Ok..I was asked by several people where my week to shine was.  So without taking pictures of myself I thought I would take pictures that tell a bit about me and what I believe.

The flag and my country are an important part of my family life.  I believe in standing by my country through thick and thin.   I believe our country is going down hill because folks aren't loyal like they used to be.  They get disappointed in the government and give up on them.  We can't do that!  It's like family..we have to stand by our family no matter what.  We has a country need to grow together and as I see today our country is so seperated.  I am raising my kids to respect our people of power and the flag on which it was based on.

From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...
"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives...
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

February 18th

My daughter loves bubble baths.  She could sit in the tub all day if she could.  She should have been a fish. 

February 17th

I love dance.  It is addicting and almost as bad as a drug for me.  This is Chandraya's hip hop class. She is the one in red with a skirt..well, the little one.  Her dance teacher, Jessica in the grey shirt in front.  She rocks!  I love watching what she comes up with for each dance.  She is somewhat new to the teaching world and is quite impressive.  I am sure the judges don't know how to take her stuff.  She has a style like no other. My daughter and I both just love her.  She has such a sweet personality and adores the kids.

February 16th

The things I love the most. mmm..mountain dew totally rocks!
Zachary marshmallow eggs rock even more and are only sold during Easter.  So hell with waiting a till Easter..I buy a bunch before hand and gobble up.  they are only a $1.00 so that makes eating them that much better.  yummy.. oh and kitkats.  another good snack.

February 15th

This was my idea for the heart challenge.  I am so bummed I didn't have time to take it yesterday.  I barely had anytime on the computer.  Oh well.  Good luck everyone who did enter. 

February 14th

I love the fact that my son wants to help me with my business. 

Had a wedding today and took this picture of my son taking pictures of them..I am so proud of him.  The guy gave him a good tip for helping out.  The are a beautiful couple and were awesome to work with. 

Zachery enjoyed the time he spent while taking pictures. He said, "mom, that was actually fun."  LOL  good to see he can make money and have fun at the same time. 

February 13th

This weeks theme: LOVE



All for one and one for all!

This shot was suggested by my best online buddy, Mike Fairbanks.  Thanks! (hug)  I couldn't find a good light to put under the hands but figured this will do for now considering my oldest is sick with a fever.

My kids mean the world to me.  I will not anyone take them from me or tear down that bond we share with  one another.  Love you all!!!

February 12th

My son and I have been competing on his little gameboy thingy with Pac Man.  Hehehe..I have the high score now though. muhahahaaa

Zachery, I am very proud of you for who you are and what you are becoming.  You are reashing a point in your life where manhood is just around the corner and it makes me sad to see my last boy growing up.  You are so special to me and I pray everyday for your body to heal.  God is giving us strength through this hard time and we will beat it.  You have such a strong will that you will go very far in life.  And your determination will lead you through life with ease I hope.  We will have fun the next few months working and learning together as we reach that goal we have set.  Thanks for being there for me and thanks for being an incredible brother to your siblings.  Let's go play pool!

February 11th

The bond between me and my kids is very strong.  I will not let anyone tear it down.  We will stay strong as a family, I will see to it.

One of my favorite things about Zachery:
I can still kick his butt when playing mercy..hehehe..say "uncle" buddy! 

February 10th

My son reading..something he loves to do.

I am pulling Zachery out of school. He is getting behind in school because of all the doctors appointments. The teachers punish him for being late on things when they know we are out of town trying to get his body fixed. Makes me so mad that they do that..they don't get stuff ready for him when they know we are leaving so he can do it during our trip to where ever. So homeschooling another. sigh..

One of my favorite things about Zachery:
He respects what I have to say and does it. He may not like what I say but he doesn't complain.

February 9th

Did a bit of CS2 editing here..there are about 6 layers in this shot. Definitly not DPC legal.

One of my favorite things about Zachery:
When he was 3 and 4 years old he would tell people he was batman and he always wore his cape almost as if it made him feel bigger or look bigger. He was very proud and strong and the kids in the neighborhood respected him. Of course to me he was the cutest batman around. Even though he is small for his age, he stands up for himself and doesn't allow anyone to step all over him. He still wears that cape it's just invisible now.

February 8th

We had a beautiful sunset..I just had to run out and take a few pictures of Zachery out of town walking the railroad tracks.

One of my favorite things about Zachery:
Even though he has Crohns disease he remains strong and happy. He is always hoping for the best with strong faith that he will over come his downfalls. Keep it up, Zachery..that is what makes you so special.

February 7th

Zachery's Week to Shine!



My youngest son, Zachery just turned 15 in December.  He is doing what he loves in this picture.  Playing on the computer.  He really wants to get into game and computer designs when he gets older.  He is making skins and graphics now and learning the html codes.  He spends most his free time on there.  I am going to let him do it since it is a carreer choice.

Zachery has a disease that was diagnosed abouto 4 years ago.  Crohns disease is tough on the kids.  Stunts their growth because of lack of nutrition.  He is just a little guy of 5'4" tall, but a personality like a 6 footer.  He also had arthritas, and fistulas that go along with the disease which prevents him from doing anything that requires a lot of physical activity.  We recently seen a new doctor that we hope will help him more and get his body back in order.  Lots of meds and doctor apointments in the mean time.  

One of my favorite things about Zachery:
Zachery is very good with the girls.  He keeps them in line when I am busy with stuff.  He is like a second dad to them.  Doesn't allow them to get away with anything. LOL  Good babysitter!

February 6th

Moo and me!  She is so fun because she loves to be stylish like me. 
Thanks Chandraya for being such a great daughter and being you!  You rock mommy's world!

February 5th

Chandraya gets an extra 2 days. I was to tired to take pictures with her tonight after the long trip home so I will do that tomorrow. This is her with her two metals. High Gold and Silver. Woot!

One of my favorite things about Chandraya:
She takes critisism so well for her age. She doesn't cry when someone tells her she goofed up on something. She tries to fix whatever it is she needs to fix. She fell yesterday while performing her solo but you couldn't tell if you were watching it and didn't know the routine. She made it look good and still had a smile on her face. Mommy is so proud of you for staying positive and doing your best!




















A collage from I made up from Saturdays performance.

February 4th

This is Chandraya, Ashley and Donna their dance teacher. She rocks! This was taken right before they performed their duo to the "Puppy Song". They took Silver for their award. It was so cute to watch them on stage. Way to go, Girls!

Chandraya also performed her solo and took High Gold for her award. Wooohooo! Mommy is so proud of you!

Will make a collage when I get home.

February 3rd

Chandraya jazzed because she can swim...LOL

One of my favorite things about Chandraya:
She is not afraid to be herself. She dresses the way SHE wants to dress and doesn't care what others think about her. "Dare to be Different"

February 2nd

Chandraya learned how to swim on her back today. Woohooo..go, MOo!
This is her coming back to the room from swimming. She is tired and ready for bed.

One of my favorite things about Chandraya:
She is very caring with her brothers and sister. She puts up with a lot of Lila Mae's selfishness. She is patient with her most the time. She loves hanging with her brothers and always laughs at all the funny things they do. She really looks up to them.

February 1st

Chandraya and her new sunglasses..she is so into fashion right now and has to have all the latest stuff.  She is going to be an expensive wife..LOL..

One of my favorite things about Chandraya:
She learns very quickly when I tell her something.  She went through a stage of lieing and I told her that she would get in less trouble if she tells me the truth so these past months she has been being very honest with me when she does something wrong or breaks something.  She know nows that it is always best to talk with mom before sneaking around.  Thank you, Moo!