Just a recap of what's been going on here for 2009

Where did 2009 go? It feels like we were just starting the year. So much has gone by in a blink.
This past year we did do some interesting things.

January took Deanna to Phoenix, Arizona for a photography conference. It was a really wonderful experience. Traveling buddy was Autumn, we had a lot of fun. We even had time to see some of Arizona, a really beautiful place.
In February, we went to Jamaica with Travis's cousins Shawn and Jaime. We had a wonderful time. It was a great vacation with my hubby and good friends.
March went very fast. So fast, I don't even remember anything happening! :-0

April, we celebrated Skye's 5th birthday. This year we decided do things a bit different. Instead of the giant blow-out at Mama and Papa Tom's, Skye decided on Buccaneer Bay. We had 30 people there to celebrate. It was nice, and Skye really enjoyed it. After the party, Jaylie and Alivia stayed over in the hotel with us. We swam a lot! Went out for pizza and got their faces painted.

We also began the house remodel in April. We removed all the carpet and vinyl floors and replaced them with ceramic tile and laminate hardwood, painted the entire house, changed the back slider door into a solid door with built in blinds, we also changed all the blinds. We got a new dining table, fish tank, bedroom set, and office desk. Going to hold off on the kitchen appliances, but we did replace our troubled washer and dryer.

April was also the last celebration of Easter for my family. Every year, all the family would travel home for a weekend of family fun. We would start out on Friday night, hanging out at a hotel, having pizza and letting the kids swim. Then on Saturday, we would have a big Easter Egg hunt with a carry in meal, followed by a big cookout just to party the last bit we could with the family. Sadly 2009, was the last year, do to the cost and the work involved.

May came with Skye graduating Kids Alive Pre-School. Gotta say, I miss that place. For us, who do not go to church regularly, if was a source of strength for me. I recommend Kids Alive they were a great educational foundation.

May also, was the spout of Chickens that Papa Dean had. What strange animals to have as pets. We'll call it his senior moment.
June brought beautiful days and gorgeous sunsets. We tried to grow a garden at Papa Dean and Granny's but we only managed some radishes and peppers. Not bad for our first try. Oh, and this year we found so many four leaf clovers you would have thought we were going to win the lottery! Never did win money. But everyone is healthy which has to be some luck! Skye learned how to fly a kite for the first time.
July provided us a wonderful time for family. We took a huge group to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We rented a beach house and it was wonderful. There are always minor issues when you have big groups and lots of kids. But it was a great time. I would do it again in a heart beat! One house had, Papa Dean, Granny, Travis, Deanna, Skye, James, Candy, Tyler, Keaton, Kian, Kennedy, Nolan, Aunt Crystal, Uncle Tim, Nicole and Luke, and the other house had, April, Kenny, Trevor, Kevin, Ryan, and Clayton.
August, allowed us some time to get to the Chicago Zoo. We went with Shawn, Jaime, Anna and Owen. We had a great time. I'm a sucker for zoos!



August, also brought us the first day of Kindergarten. It was a difficult day, but only for Mommy. My little girl was so ready for it all. She and her friend Jaylie made the adventure hand in hand. Then she waved goodbye to me through the window.



August also was the first try at organized sports. Skye played Soccer! She was a pretty good goalie and a great cheerleader for her team:-)
September came in with deer hunting season. Travis took Tyler out. Tyler got a buck. A proud night for Tyler and for Travis. The family also grew during this time.
Granny and Papa Dean got a new puppy, Porsche.

The dishwasher broke....Contemplating new appliances.

October came and went. I totally forgot the camera for Halloween. Skye was a beautiful Sleeping Beauty. Complete with ringlet curls everywhere.

November was hopping with photography work. But we managed to sneak away for Thanksgiving and spent it in Tennessee with family. We also got our Christmas Picture taken there for our cards.
December brought upon us a battle of real tree versus fake tree. Travis won with the real one. Just seems the same to me. It doesn't really smell anymore, it just cost us money, when we had one in the attic. We got a new dishwasher and a new microwave, the other stuff will have to wait.

December was also the breaking point for the dog hair! The dogs would not stop shedding no matter what we did. So Deanna shaved them and bought them sweaters. Not sure they are so happy about it.
We also have a new addition to the family. Travis rescued the little girl from a car. Called Deanna, one look at her cute face, how could you not fall in love. After a week, she finally got her name, Miley. She is Skye's Christmas present with responsibilities.
We are approaching the final days of 2009, looking forward to Christmas and time with family. Hope all is well for you and hope you had a wonderful 2009.

Blessings to you all,
Deanna

Numbers

Have you ever noticed that the world revolves around numbers. House numbers, phone numbers, numbers for you size, numbers on your weight, numbers for tv channels, numbers here and there, they are everywhere.

It's amazing how depressing a number can be and how uplifting another can be. For instance, today, I got a call from a number and I was totally excited. It was my cousin, that I will be getting to see very soon.

Tuesday, I was at the doctor's office for the yearly violation, aka physical. After seeing the number on the scale I was down. I have been working on eating much better, drinking much better, and yet the scale was the same or pretty much the same.

However on Wednesday, I went shopping for a pair of jeans, that wouldn't fall down and give that ever dreaded plumbers butt. I found a pair that fit, and it was a 6!!!! Spirits are up. Feeling good.

I guess the point is, never get too upset by a number, it is after all just a number. Stay healthy, do your best and it will be ok.

Love to all!
~Deanna

Insomnia

I was laying in bed watching tv, just about to dose off. But then another show came on that I like, I decided to watch it. About 10 minutes into it. Travis decided to peel himself off the couch that he had fallen asleep on and come to bed. At this time, he turns on our extremely sound blocking-out fan, so I have to turn up the tv just to barely hear it. So I strain to hear the show, which then perks me up from all the concentration.... Needless to say, when it was over, I laid in bed for 45 minutes, staring around the room. Completely awake. I need to be sleeping a photo session at preschool tomorrow morning. I have to be up early and get the girls on the bus.
Instead I am messing around on the computer. I did get my business registered on google. So hopefully more people will find me when the search for a photographer. hmmm....we'll see if I did it right.
We went truck shopping today for Travis. I am feeling a bit uneasy about the decision. I don't know that it's a bad decision it just seems a bit much to take in. I'll explain. We leased his truck. Nice truck, but we traded a fully paid for vehicle in on it. Well, that made our payments really cheap. $130 a month, for that monster truck... Well, the lease is up in about three months. So we are at decision time, do we turn in back in and have nothing. Buy it out for the residual price, or trade it in on another truck and either lease again or buy....
I think we are going to trade it in on another lease. But for some reason my stomach is turning with that decision. I don't know if its because I need to just accept we are going to have a bigger payment no matter what, or if its my gut trying to say. "hey stupid! don't do that!"
I don't know. I need to talk to Travis a little more, but the booger is sleeping soundly.
Side note: I have been working out with Travis as he is training for the World Police and Fire Games. He has decided he wants to swim. He was not a swimmer in high school. He was a diver. BIG difference. He is doing really well. We have been doing the practices together. Which has helped me too. I have already dropped a jean size! And the new ones I just bought are already loose. Bummer on the budget, but awesome that the butt is getting smaller! Gotta say, I like exercising with him. In the pool, we are on a level playing field. His height, his stamina, and his incredible abilities on land, are cut down to where we are pretty equal in swimming.
He is doing really well, and I think once he learns all the technique of the strokes he will be zooming passed me. But for now, it is still fun.
Business has been slowing down. Which is not good. I like having a little free time. But I would really like to pick up a few more weddings for 2010. I am willing to travel. Actually I would love to travel;-)

Well, I guess that's all that's on my mind tonight.

Blessings to you all! <3

Changes

A new blog for many reasons. When I first started to blog I had something to say. But then I realized it would be a really easy way to show samples of my work. So then I created a different one. But I should have used the original to showcase my work. So I re-did some and deleted one.

So here, This place will be for my thoughts, interests, my vents, my happiness.

I will first tell you that back in August I decided I would put some goals in front of myself. I can't say that I progressed or not.

I am trying to be healthier. In that, I would like to loose a few pounds. Travis has even got on board and has been a real motivator. We joined an exercise club. Despite the cost. ugh! But, if we are paying for it, then we better be using it. So far, we are doing good.

I try to stay home at least one day a week. When Skye first started school, my freedom was almost overwhelming. But after the first couple of weeks, I realized I couldn't afford being out of the house so much, because I was spending money. So, I decided to dive headfirst into getting my business going at a fast walk. I don't think its ready to jog, but soon. Baby steps, to walking, to a fast walk. All with time. Referrals are always welcome! (www.4-ever-photos.com)

As for taking a picture every day. Not doing that so much. I have been working quite a bit. I have noticed that when you take pictures as work that last thing you think of is to grab the camera a take a few pictures. I need to do it. My little girl is growing up so very fast, and I know I will regret the fact that I have very few pictures of her. I have milestones, but not the snapshots like I use to have all the time. I even forgot the camera at Halloween. She was a gorgeous Sleeping Beauty. Ringlet curls and all. And I forgot the freakin camera!

Keeping in touch with people has been hard. I have to say that I have started to meet new people. Opening up a bit more. I always thought that I was a friendly person. But I realized I have a hard time opening up to people. It takes me a while to trust or feel safe. Not sure. But I have to say, I am very thankful for the new friends I have been meeting the last couple months. Some were strangers, some acquaintances, some parents of kids at Skye's school. All of which I am happy to have met, and hope to build stronger friendships with.

Blessings to you all!