The Best Day

Yesterday Bob and I made the trek to El Paso and I was reunited with "my" twins. I had not seen them in six years and lost contact with their mom, Nena. By the grace of God I found their older brother on Facebook and he let his mom know that I was found. She asked me if I would come out here for their 15th birthday celebration. So last night I walked out to the backyard where they were decorating. I saw Amber first and she just stared at me with complete shock on her face and then screamed. As I started to walk over to Amber, Adam who was far off in the distance came running over. All I could do was hold onto them and let the tears fall. They have gotten so big! They are still great kids and I am looking forward to spending more time with them this week. And of course we have the big birthday bash tonight.

A guest Blogger

The following is written by my niece Becca:



i like morty and bob

wen i tell morty a secret and bob to

bob is fanny just like me

i love you bob

and morty is funny to

and they love me rebecca

do you no whut i call bob bobby

A little too often?

You know you have been going to Starbucks way too often when:

• you can order a "Marty" or a "Bob" and they know the custom drinks that correspond to each name.
  
• you let them know when you are going on vacation.
  
• your dogs go crazy when they hear you say Starbucks, fourbucks, do you want to go to, or now the look that means Starbucks.
  
• they know your dogs by name (and come outside to greet them).
  
• they come out to the patio and spend their break visiting with you.
  
• you walk through the door and are greeted like Norm from Cheers.

No Pictures

Lately, due to some really bad allergies, I have been wearing my glasses. Glasses and my camera do not mix. I'll see something that I want to take a picture of but once I take my glasses off I can't tell if the aperture is correct since everything that I am seeing is blurry. If I try to take a picture with my glasses I tend to miss what I was trying to capture since I am trying to readjust the way I normally take a picture. (Note: On my camera you have to put your eye up to the view finder.)

I don't care how bad my eyes hurt on Friday (and the week after) I am going to wear my contacts! Bob and I are heading out to El Paso for a reunion/birthday party. Can't wait!!

Photos by Kristen

Here are a few pictures that Kristen (age 6) took with my camera last night. I think we have a future photographer.


Her baby brother Caden.


Self Portrait


Her older brother Cole.

Snapshots of Memories

15 years ago:

The call that said to get to the hospital ASAP.

The car ride.

Praying for a miracle.

Walking into the ICU ward and seeing my Uncle Bobby with his head in his hands.

It was at that moment I knew.

My grandfather had passed away.

The look on my grandfather’s face just minutes after he went to be with the Lord.

No more wrinkles and a smile on his face.

Knowing beyond a doubt God existed.

Being so angry with God for taking my Grandpa.

Overwhelming grief.

Sitting at the kitchen table watching my Grandma break down.

Seeing her cry for the first time.

Waiting for the funeral to take place.

Holding Joey (2 months old) and telling him about his Grandpa through my tears.

The candle next to his casket flickering as I cried and cried.

"Going home" written on his casket.

My Aunt Becky and Aunt Patsy trying to comfort me.

Standing in awe over the amount of people who came to show their respect.

Looking at the cabinet full of candy and me wondering if anybody would think to fill it.

The day after the funeral boarding a bus to Denver to see the Pope.

Crying as the Pope gave mass.

Wanting to go home.

Watching tears from my friend, Karen, fall to the ground as she tried to comfort me.

Moving in with my Grandmother.

This week:

The phone call from my friend.

Her dad had passed away.

Listening to her story of what happened.

Trying to find the words to provide some comfort.

God taking control and giving me the words to say.

Watching my friend comfort her daughter.

The rainbow that appeared as I walked out of the church.

Big hugs.

Beautiful flowers.

The feeling of love in the church.

Crying.

Praying.

A joyful reception.

Children running around.

Babies cooing.

People laughing.

Family and friends coming together to celebrate a wonderful man.

(My grandpa went to be with the Lord on August 5, 1993. Charles, my friend's dad, went to be with the Lord on August 3, 2008.)

Maddox at the Lake

Maddox's first trip to the lake.


Not to sure about this wet stuff.


Mia trying to convince her bro that he will have a ton of fun. He's not buying it.


Testing out the water. After this picture Bob gave Maddox some swim lessons. He held Maddox's belly while he got used to the water. It took him less than a minute before he was swimming around Bob.


Swimming towards me.


Wet Dog!

I did not capture the best moment at the lake. Maddox started to swim out towards Bob and then noticed some dogs on the shore. Bob is oblivious to the dogs and laughs as Maddox passes him until I yell "Dogs." This causes Maddox to swim a little faster while Bob is trying to run in the water to catch him. The best part was when Maddox was able to touch the ground and started to make a run for it causing Bob to dive for him. He managed to stop Maddox by grabbing his tail. Bob came away with a few scraps and bruises but all in all it was a fun time.

I just bought what?

I just bought something I always told myself I would never buy. I just bought Photoshop for Dummies. I know I can't believe it either. What can I say? I'm desperate!

Time to Read...

I used to consider myself relatively intelligent until a little while ago. I just installed photoshop and tried playing around with it. I can't figure it out. Usually I can figure programs out on my own. It's what I am paid to do. I am on my third hour and the only thing I have managed to do is give myself a massive headache. As much as this pains me I am going to have to read the manual. The 200+ page manual. :(

Invert Colors?

So I was looking through some of my pictures to decide which one I could crop to use as a footer for my blog.


I thought this one might be nice if I could crop out everything but the waterfall. So I clicked on the edit photo icon on my viewer to open the picture for editing. As I am looking for the word "crop" under image (it's not there) I notice a "invert colors" option. Hmm, wonder what happens if I click on this?


This is what happens. Another tool for me to play around with. :)

Another example..

Before.


After. I like this one..


My banner with the colors inverted. (I'm not sure about this one.)

Okay I need to step away from the computer otherwise I am going to be here forever...

Shutter speed

This past Friday Bob and I went to Wise County Old Settlers Reunion where I was able to play with my shutter speed. I started of with a fast shutter speed and then decreased it as I went along. You can see the longer I left it open the more it exaggerated the lights.