It has been a hectic, weird week. It started off with the news that someone we loved once died in his sleep. I say we loved him, and we still do... but the man he became while addicted to drugs was not welcomed in our lives. I had to protect my family, and being drowned in someone else's drama, well- it takes energy away from the ones I love. So we were estranged, but still the news hurts...

Then I let my nerves get the best of me.... and instead of hitting a home run, I barely got to first base. I took some pictures of a friend and her family, and they didn't come out as nice as I'd hoped. I was out of my element... and tried to force the lighting situation- and it didn't work.

I must admit... I learned more from that photo shoot than I have in a while. I also realized I need to learn to give better direction, and check things out before hand. (Thankfully she is a good friend... and hopefully her husband won't shoot me for making him get dressed up again.) That was a little CHP humor... sorry!

So to get back on the horse, and try again... I took my two favorite subjects to the park.

We had a very rough start to our morning- but after cleaning up ants, a second change of clothes due to spilled yogurt, and dropping a cup of ice on the floor- we made it to the park.

I asked them "Who's ready to have fun?"


Me too, guys!
I learned at my friends' photo shoot that I'm so used to getting candid shots- I really don't know much about directing people how to stand. So I asked them to stand next to each other, and Zach said he wanted to put his arm around his brother... so sweet.I asked them to stand back to back... and that turned out cute...

Of course, my youngest decided it was time to liven things up. Nice face Kyle Baer... lil' turd.
I tried to remember what my photography class taught us... I was starting to feel better...

I could do this all day. Besides... the crazy week is almost over... whoop whoop.

I told him not to smile... that works on kids... that I know. :)


Then it was Little Turd's turn.

I am so blowing these shots up, and I might even frame them...

Thanks Kyle. I'm going to work real hard on taking better pictures of people who look, listen and smile for the camera. And when this shows up at your wedding, and in your yearbook... well, what can I say?

So after our pictures, the boys were playing with another little fellow. They were chasing him around, playing tag and having a ton of fun. There was a mom there with a 9-ish year old, and a 18 month old. She kept reminding the boys to slow down around the baby... and so did I.

There's only so much you can do, after all we are at the park... in the big kid area.

Next thing I know, that mom starts getting huffy with me... "I guess I have to take her to the other section... or she's just going to get mowed over!"

I smiled and said "Yeah, I had a hard time when my guys were little too. They want to be in the big kid section, but it's just not safe.... and you can't ask 5 years old to stop being 5 years old... at the park." (Insert shitty grin...)

She glared at me, like I'd pissed in her lemonade. She scooped up her smaller child- leaving the big one sitting on the swing- and stomped off.

She's a lucky woman after the crazy week I've had.

I just have to remember, that even the bad things that happen, can turn out good- as long as you learn from them. Goodness knows, I still have a ton to learn... and God willing, I have the time to do it! :)

Now, I'm off to make cookies... because that's how we survive the tough times!

lol... have a good one!