Thankful Thursday - Twistin' my Arm

Call me crazy, but I've decided to take my first ever online photography class. No, I'm not crazy because I want to learn more and become better at taking photos. Crazy because October is going to be a busy, hectic, and probably chaotic month. Making the adjustment of being home from the baseball season, unpacking, packing, moving to our new house, Halloween festivities .... wow, we have a lot going on!!

So the timing isn't perfect... but the topics being offered in the October class are perfect! Light, focus, crop, perspective ... all topics I want to learn more about. And to be honest, my bestie basically twisted my arm. Seriously, she made me feel that twist and had a great sales pitch! For this I am thankful because I'm not sure I would have signed up for a class on my own. Hopefully this class will be able to offer a lot of advice for an amateur photographer (yup, that would be me!) and the best part is that Carol and I will get through it together. I'm really looking forward to it and will share some of my photos as we get through the next four weeks! Stay tuned ...

Wordless Wednesday

"Walk a little slower, Mommy,

Said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps,

And I don't want to fall."

~Author Unknown

Mommy & Abby

"Colorful" Photo Challenges

After taking last week off from photo challenges, I'm back and entering two challenges this week. The first one is over at The Paper Mama with a fun theme. The theme for the week is "Hint of Color," which I must say excited me a bit. I'm always editing those photos that I think just a "hint of color" could really make the photo pop. I took this photo just a few weeks ago of Abby getting ready for her Daddy's baseball game. Love it. Especially like this.

The next challenge is over at Trendy Treehouse. The theme for the week ... blue. I wasn't so sure about this one and originally I was looking for a photo that I could take all the color out, leaving just blue. But... then I stumbled upon this one and noticed how Gramma, Grandad, and Abby were all wearing a shade of blue. I love how this photo is so candid and expressive.

Head on over to one of these challenges to enter one of your own photos or to check out the other entries! Happy Tuesday :)

Fall Festival + First Pony Ride

The weather up North doesn't really feel like Fall just yet, but the Fall Festivals are in full swing! On Saturday, Gramma, Aunt Jenny, and I took Abby to Knightongale Farm for some fun on the farm. I absolutely LOVE this time of the year... there is just something about Fall that brings me so much excitement. Pumpkins, hayrides, cooler weather, Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love it all.

Welcome to Knightongale Farm.

83 acres... now that's what I call some land!!

Thanks to the DJ, Abby was in her own little world.

She is a dancing machine!

Since Abby wanted nothing to do with the pony,

Mommy had to show her how it's done.

I can't remember ever riding a pony,

although my Mama reassures me I have before.

I was a nervous wreck ... over a small pony!

Who is more annoyed with this pony ride?!

Cowboy, pretty pony, unsure child, or nervous Mommy?

Just for fun ... and a few laughs.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

For weeks now I've been a follower of Ashley's blog over at Ramblings and Photos. She is an inspiration of mine when it comes to photography ... man is she good!! You may remember she did an awesome edit for one of my favorite photos of Abby. Anyways, Ashley hosts a weekly scavenger hunt and each week I stalk these photos and attempt the list of five items to photograph. I always seem to come up short and give up until the next week. Well, not this time!! I photographed all five items ... ok, I fibbed. I did have to dig into the archives for one, but hey... that's not bad for my first scavenger hunt.

So, here goes ...

1. Miniature - Despite the heat wave, Abby, Gramma & I enjoyed playing ball outside on Friday. I'm glad I took the camera outside because I was able to take some good shots of Abby in action! I wish I could hold these small hands forever.

2. Water Droplet - I'll be honest... I went into my photo archives for this one. But when I read "water droplet," this photo came to my mind right away. This picture was taken when Abby was six months old and drooling nonstop because of those two bottom teeth. I just love that drool bubble!

3. Eyes - I know this picture only shows one eye, but I had to use this photo. I love the way this photo tells a story. Abby shows such thought and wonder through those expressive eyes of hers.

4. Bedhead - No words needed for this one. This is Abby at breakfast time - scared of her own bedhead!

5. Colorful - My dessert with a glass of milk. Not on the diet, but makes for a colorful photo!

Hope you enjoyed my photos and if you want to link up, check out the scavenger hunt items for next week!

Thankful Thursday - Baseball Family

When it comes to living in your own home for only five months out of the year ... traveling from one city to the next ... living without your hubby for long road trips ... other baseball wives know just what you're going through and we stick together. I am so thankful for this group of ladies and even more thankful they don't fit the typical baseball wife stereotype. These ladies are quick to offer help whenever you need it, appreciate their husbands work despite how hard this lifestyle can be, and hold on tight to their strong faith in God.

This past Friday night, we hosted a surprise bridal shower for one of the ladies. It's always a fun time when we all get together. (We were missing a few ladies and wish they could have been there!) We watched a little baseball, enjoyed some drinks (Helllllooooo sweet tea vodka!), played some bridal shower games, and shared many laughs. It was just the kind of night I needed! (the rest of the night with my hubs helped too :)

Me & Tara

Five other things I'm thankful for on this Thankful Thursday:

1. My Mom and Dad celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on Monday. What a special milestone for two very special people! :)

2. Baseball is over in two weeks! We'll be returning home to Sarasota to begin moving into our new home and enjoying time together, as a family.

3. Zac Brown Band. Love the music, love the new CD, and love how his voice can soothe Abby in the car.

4. While I'm on country music, I'm super excited for the Sugarland concert in three weeks. I cannot wait to enjoy a night out with the girls!

5. My husband... for making me feel like we were truly on a date last Friday night. Holding doors, pulling out chairs, holding my hand. I loved that we were able to be with each other as husband and wife, instead of Mommy and Daddy for a night.

Wordless Wednesday - Who says you can't find a princess at a ballpark?

Down at the County Fair ...

Good morning Monday, where's my coffee? I really need to start drinking coffee but that would require me to find coffee that I actually like. Until that day comes, I'll indulge in my midday sweet tea and complain about my too tight jeans later. Anyways, this weekend was a complete whirlwind ... the county fair, my baby-free night, a picnic with family, boat rides, and a baseball game. Phew! Now where is that sweet tea?!

On Thursday, Jim had an off day so we decided to take Abby to the county fair. We were excited about the petting zoo and thought we'd put Abby on a few rides. For those of you that may not frequent fairs often, here are some pointers. Number one - Do not go on Senior and Disabled Day. Abby could have had a stroller race with all of the wheelchairs! I think it's great that they have a day like this, I just wish there had been more families and children. Bummer. Number two - Wait until the weekend to go, not a weekday. No one was working the petting zoo, so we attempted to pet the animals through a small fence. Bummer. Number three - Go at night. Apparently the rides are only open at night. Again ... bummer. Needless to say, the fair was a bust... but not completely. Abby didn't know to expect anything different and she did enjoy looking at all the animals.

Daddy shows Abby the rabbits ... Mommy attempts to get the llamas attention so we could pet him through the fence.

Sheep ... Donkey ...

Abby playing near the baby cows.

1. The pouty face Abby makes when she sees the rooster.

2. The "I'm not so sure" face when Abby hears the rooster crow.

3. Full out cry. Not a fan of the noise AT ALL!

I'll post more about our jam-packed weekend throughout the week. Go grab yourself some coffee (or sweet tea) and Happy Monday!

A little bit of thanks ... and a whole lot of mums!

One of the many reasons I love being back in my hometown is because of the beautiful landscape. Those of you that grew up in the country know that there is nothing like it. Our family is truly blessed to be able to return here each summer and enjoy the countryside. I love that Abby can experience some of the things I did growing up as a child, even though we live in Florida for most of the year. Well half of the year... or a little less actually... wow, baseball season is loooooong. Sigh.

This week we've had some beautiful weather, with cooler temperatures reminding us that Fall is on its way! What better way to celebrate the beginning of Fall than to take a trip to the Mum Farm. My sister Heather plants Mums every Fall so Abby and I tagged along for some fun in the fields. Luckily schools were closed, so Emily got to come along too. Abby loves being around those cousins of hers!

Abby had a lot of fun pulling at the flowers, smelling them, and of course falling into a few of them. It was hard for her to walk on such rough terrain, but thankfully she managed to have only a few wipeouts. The farmer (her name is Cookie by the way), enjoyed watching Abby play with the flowers and said she loved how her Mama didn't mind her getting dirty, especially with such a pretty skirt on. Of course I didn't mind ... I'm a country girl at heart. Forever.

And here's five things I'm thankful for on this Thankful Thursday!

1. Gramma & Grandad giving me a night out on Friday! I am so looking forward to a night at the ballpark with the other wives, a late dinner with my hubby after the game, and an overnight stay at the Hilton! Wahoo!!

2. Getting the keys to our new house. It finally feels official and I can't wait to move in!

3. Jeans that are too tight. That's right, I'm actually thankful for this. It's a reminder that I need to start eating healthier. I even skipped my cookies and milk last night. I'm having withdrawals from the chocolate as I type.

4. No baseball today!! An off day to spend as a family. Abby and I have been looking forward to it!

5. My sweet baby and how she makes everyone around her smile and laugh. And her mad dance skills. :)

Wordless Wednesday + Photo Challenges

Hmm, do you think Abby's comfortable?!

So here I am again ... with more photo challenges! Chelsey's theme over at The Paper Mama is "Brown." I was unsure of which photo to submit for this ... should I stick with landscape, the color brown on the baby, or use a picture of Max? Then I found this photo of Abby that I took last month and I decided to go with brown colors. It's one of my favorite photos - those little hands won't be that small forever.

Over at In a Yellow House, the theme for the week is "Art." For this challenge, I knew exactly which photo I wanted to use so I dove into the archives on my computer to find it. I took this photograph of "The Hammering Man" outside the Seattle Art Museum.

Why don't you show some love for these ladies? Click on the links to enter a photo or check out the other entries!

Nobody likes a copycat ...

Not true. There is one exception. I like a copycat when she's a cute, spunky, animated, almost thirteen month old. I am really enjoying this age, the beginning of toddlerhood ... even though it's exhausting. Abby is quite the entertainer these days and it's all because of what she sees the people around her doing. Each day she picks up something new, something new that is able to give everyone a good laugh.

Abby will stop and dance to any tune ... even if you start to clap, she will start to dance. She knows how to clap, high five, and when asked, "Where's Mama's nose?", she will touch my nose. Thanks to Grandad, she also knows how to pick her nose. Yup, she saw it once and that's all it took. From watching us cook, Abby now pretends she is stirring something in a pot. She puts her (fake) lipstick on and tries to put the leash on Max. She walks around the house with her purse in one hand and a cell phone to her ear in the other saying "Hi" over and over. When passing a stranger in the grocery store, she sure does put on a show. She makes em' laugh and when she hears em' laugh, she shows off some more. It's the cutest thing. I see an award for "Most Outgoing" in my daughter's future.

It amazes me how much Abby can do and understand at this age. I know it's all a part of growing up and understanding more of the world around her. Her personality is really starting to take shape and she is becoming this little person instead of a baby. I guess in this scenario, being a copycat is a good thing ... she just keeps learning and learning ... and that's a good thing. :)

Abby loves her purse ... one of her favorite toys. :)

That's right Abby ... time for Max to go outside!

A little game of tag. I'm it!

Last weekend I was tagged by Torie over at Life with Rylie with a little question fun. Here's the deal ... I get to answer a few questions, then tag a few bloggers with some questions of my own.

1. What does a normal day look like for you? Ahh, is any day really normal?! Abby and I wake up around 7:30 and our daily adventure begins! We usually stick at home in the mornings and have breakfast together, playtime, and then Abby naps around 9:30 or so. While she sleeps, I shower, get ready, sit down to relax a bit... oh wait, what's that? She's up! Abby and I play some more, usually run an errand or two, play, have lunch, then it's time for another nap. In the evenings after her nap, we have dinner, spend time outside at the park or taking a walk. Then comes bath time, reading books, and bed usually by 8! Each day brings something new and exciting :)

2. If you could have any career, what would it be (other than staying home with kiddos)? Well, I love being home with Abby but there are times that I miss teaching. I think instead of being back in the classroom, I would rather have a literacy job, working with children who are struggling readers. If I could help children learn to read, all day, every day, that would be the perfect job for me!

3. What is your favorite type of music, if any? Country. I grew up in the country listening to this type of music. There is a song to match every kind of mood, and that I LOVE!

4. What is the best compliment you have ever received? Someone once told me I had a big heart, with a lot to give to other people. I know I have a big heart and a sensitive, sappy side and I'd like to think I use my heart to give and help others.

Now I'd like to tag these ladies ...

Meredith @ Figuring It All Out

Melissa @ Hanging with Mr. Cooper

Amy @ Just Another Manic Momday

... and here are your questions!

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

2. How may children do you want? Do you want them close in age or further apart?

3. What would your favorite date night look like?

4. What do people say is your best physical feature?