You thought I forgot about ya...

But I haven't! I just haven't taken ANY pictures. Still sad about the lens. Yes, it's been a few months. But I'm still sad nonetheless! Enough about that lens. I am sure you are tired of hearing about it. Anyway, life has been going on. I have been stressed and now at a place of peace, so I thought I should write when I'm in a peaceful place...otherwise the post might have been something like this-- "I hate people....and other things too. Kiss my butt, I'm done with everything." Of course I don't feel that way now, thank God, but I was not in a good place just a few weeks ago. With all that being said, I took some pictures of Jude yesterday. Not with my nice camera, but my crappy point and shoot that will only take photos outside. Here is Jude, at 16 months old. He's a walking, talking, toddler machine! So much has changed in the time since I wrote last, and I am loving it! This stage is so much more fun than the last. But it's also harder. Now we are doing more training than ever, more spanking...that's just the way it is with those toddlers! Always testing their parents. I love being a mom. ;)

Here are the pics I took of my boy. Enjoy!He loves playing with sticks!

The year of leather or crystal...

The day was perfect. It was the day I had been waiting for since I was a little girl. The day my prince charming came to say "I do" and carry me off into the sunset to live happily ever after. It was a Sunday, the weather was warm, overcast, with a breeze. We were worried about rain, especially since we were to have a garden wedding and no back-up plan. I was looking the best I'd ever looked. Those work-outs really paid off. After getting my hair and make-up done, putting on my dress that I couldn't breathe in, it was time. I started to get nervous...it was all so overwhelming! This was it, the moment I'd been waiting for since I could dream about happily ever afters! I walked down the aisle with both my dads, crying the whole way down. I felt like such a goober that I was crying before the ceremony even started. But, as I approached Ross, he looked at me with wide, awestruck eyes and when he breathed the words "You look amazing," my world was alright. (and the rain held off, much to my relief!)

As I look back on the day I became Mrs. Fergus, I honestly cannot remember a day where I was more joyful. Sure, I was happy when Jude was born, but that was a different kind of joy. I had my whole life ahead of me and I thought we'd always be happy and in love and everyday would be exciting, lovely and full of intimate conversation. I came into the marriage with so many expectations, which I would later realize were completely off. Of course I knew there would be hard times, but we were in love! What couldn't we face!

I kind of laugh to myself when I think about those early days. They were awesome, no doubt, but we were on cloud nine and still in the honeymoon phase. Reality and life hadn't had time to set in yet. Most people say that the first year of marriage is the hardest, but I have to disagree. Our first year of marriage was amazing. I would have to say that the second year is the hardest. After the newness wears off, you just don't know how to keep the spark going that was so easy in the beginning. But, different things are a bit sweeter. Like learning to understand another person that was made just for you to understand. Learning how to love this person who was made for you to love. Watching this person grow and change more into a man he longs to be. I have to say that as the years go on, marriage is more fun, more exciting...sometimes more than those early days. And I have come to love reality more than fantasy. I have learned to throw out all my expectations. I have learned to build up, not tear down. And starting a family was/is a whole other adventure!

Here is a little flashback to June 4, 2006....

This dance was so awkward for some reason, ha!

Happy 3rd anniversary, my love. I love you more as the years go on, and I can't wait to spend many more with you.

So much to do, so little time

There is just too much to do. Am I the only one who feels this way? From listening to everyone around me, I wouldn't think so. I mean, the main things get done; taking care of Jude, my work with the children's ministry, cleaning, cooking, errands...the things essential for survival. But, what about the things that I desperately want to do but can't get done? I have slowly been working on redoing my blog, but it's taking forever. I just can't seem to find the time to do it. And a project that is sitting on my couch, waiting to be finished? Hasn't been touched in a week. Not to mention some photo editing I've been needing to get done. Haven't touched that at all. I think it's safe to say I need to be a better manager of my time, and I am tired of this little list of things I need to get finished. What do you think? Am I the only one that is bothered by this?

I think I am going to try to be more disciplined in how I manage my time. I just need to get these things done!

And I am having major withdrawals...I haven't taken a picture in weeks! ahhh!!! If I don't get a lens soon, I'm gonna go nuts.

No more lens

My step dad took his lens back, which is why I haven't posted any new pics lately. I have been having major withdrawals from not being able to take photos. Hopefully someday soon I can replace my lens!

However, I do have round 2 of photos from the park that Ross and I both took that I want to post. The problem I'm having now is that I want to enhance them, but the free editing program I'm using just isn't cutting it. Anyone know how to get Photoshop (Elements) for free (and legally, lol)?? It's going on my list of things to get, but it's behind several other things, so it'll be awhile.

Once I get the lens (and maybe Photoshop), there will be tons more activity on here! :)

More Cuteness...

I've been taking serious advantage of the time I have with the borrowed lens. Here are some pictures of Jude I took yesterday...

*Photo of the day

Took this photo of Jude with natural light and I really liked how it turned out--

Hodgepodge with my new camera

Yes, most (if not all) of you know by now that I got a new camera a week ago, the camera I've been wanting for about a year (Canon 450D), and of course started shooting right away. I took a million pictures of Jude, the dogs, Ross, the leaves outside...anything, really. Then, 2 days later, as I was importing pictures from my new camera, as I got up from my desk, my foot caught theUSB cable and pulled the whole camera off my desk...damaging the lens in the process. So, I was camera-less again. Ross and I properly mourned the loss of our brand new camera (lens) by having some frozen custard. And while that help soften the blow, it by no means replaced the loss I felt. :) Then, my sweet step-dad let me borrow his lenses, so I could take some pictures...at least for a week. So, here is a mixture of photos taken with my lens before it broke, and then some with the borrowed lens.

These I took with my camera (and lens too) at the park right before I broke it...







And just some hodgepodge pics of Jude...

My mom thought this would make a good bib...





This is universally what everyone loves to do on Sunday afternoons...