Embrace the Camera: 12/6/2012

I sit here, completely sleep deprived and desperately needing a shower since I was puked on all night long. However, one day I will look back and miss the fact that my children completely depended on me and how I would hold them and suffer just as much as them when they didn't feel well. How every time I would debate going to the hospital. Only because you want them to feel better RIGHT AWAY. 

So instead of embracing a nap, I'll share a picture I took after I cut eleven inches off my head! Cray right?

I hope you all had a wonderful time with family. Sorry I was a stranger, I am back and ready to share more fun times. 

Are you embracing the camera with your little ones? One day THEY will look back and love all these little snippets into your time together. You have no excuse. I know you have an iphone with that little flip feature. Do it.

Embrace the Camera: 11/22/2012

This week I am embracing the camera with my little comic. She is such a joy to have, even though she has only slept about four hours in the last few days. I keep telling myself I will miss the all-nighters. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for so I hope you all embrace your crazy families like I am going to and realize they are the reason YOU are so awesome. Thank you everyone in my life for the continuous support, love and memories. Here is to another crazy Thanksgiving which I am sure will create more memories. Hopefully none of these will be behind bars.

Like, never...

At least shes not in the fetal position on her bed clutching a letter jacket that smells like cheap cologne. Oh yes, I am looking forward to those teen years!

Comment Me...

I need topics..I can pretty much write about anything so I challenge you to comment me with a topic you would like me to cover. I may be serious, sarcastic or downright judgmental.

Let the fun begin.

InstaFriday

So just when my husband thought my obsession with technology and social networking could NOT get any worse....I went ahead and joined Instagram.

If you would like to follow me on instagram, I am sure I will fill your feed with useless pictures of mostly....my children. Here it is just in case: @mcgannster207

So here are some pics from my first week on iNstAgRAm:

The new "Queen" of the chair.

Kayleigh and Piper playing with my little ponies. A new obsession for Kayleigh. Thanks Nici....

I'm not ready for this one to grow up

Sleeping at Aunt Debbies...at least one of us got some rest.

Kayleigh made a Santa Clause ornament after storytime!

I don't dress her anymore...PLEASE take not of that

Ready to walk?

My goofy buckethead!

Watching Mickey Mouse together...PLEASE TAKE NOTE I NO LONGER DRESS MY TWO YEAR OLD! She picks out her own clothes now. Fun times!

 And of course a pic of my little 9 month old:

You can stop growing up now.

To be thankful

Someone is always going to have a bigger house or nicer car than you and you will never win the race if you are constantly comparing yourself materialistically to others.

So here are some "things" that are not things at all that I am very thankful for:

1. I am thankful for my wonderful husband.

2. I have two beautiful healthy girls. I know I wanted all boys but I couldn't imagine my life without disney princesses, dressing up, coloring, barbies, dollhouses, dresses, jewelry, makeup.

3. I am thankful for my mom. I know we had a rough time while I was a teenager and young adult but now our relationship has blossomed. I love how involved she is with my babies and she is an inspiration to everyone wanting to better themselves. She goes to a gym 5+ days a week and looks like she is about 40. Also, she doesn't smoke anymore after indulging in the habit for 40+ years. You can do it too!

4. I am thankful for great in-laws. I am sorry but I won the lotto with this one. My MIL is more of a big sister than a typical MIL. My FIL is so caring and protective over my girls and it is great to see a tough harley man dance to any princess song that Kayleigh wants to dance to. WINNING!

5. I am thankful for family. I grew up with no biological grandparents so I wanted kids young so they could know their grandparents. Move over grandparents, my kids have GREAT GRANDPARENTS. How awesome is that? My kids are so lucky when it comes to family because both Dan and I have plenty. So I am SO thankful for all the aunts, uncles, godparents, cousins and grandparents that shower my kids with love and also shower Dan and I with reassurance that we are good parents because sometimes, that is all you need to hear.

6. I am thankful for all the new friends I have made and all their kids who keep mine busy.

7. I am thankful for my new passion of photography. I am nowhere near making it a career but it is a great hobby. Also, lightroom, the editing program, keeps me in the whole "tech world."

8. I am thankful for being able to stay home. Sure, we have made sacrifices but my baby is about to be three and I have not missed work at all. It goes to fast. I can always get that job back with that paycheck but I will never get these moments with my babies back.

9. Because I stay home, I have a lot of time to travel and I am thankful that I am able to experience new places with my husband and kids.

10. I am thankful that sometimes things get tough. We have had our share of roadblocks BELIEVE ME. I mean roadblock isn't even the word it's more like a bridge collapsing with us on it. We survived and we will be fine. The trials of life make us stronger and I love my little family more now because I know we can get through anything. Also, when things get tough it makes you think that saying about "When God closes a door he always opens a window" is very incorrect. It should go something like this: "When God closes a door, he opens the curtains and you see how f'ed up it is inside and you are glad you got out of that place." Thanks God for having our backs.

Kaitlyn & Kenny

So a few of my cousins were gracious enough to let me experiment with taking photos and editing said photos of them this past weekend. I LOVE taking pictures but I can never judge editing time since I rarely edit my own photos. This gave me the perfect opportunity.

Below are some of my favorite pictures I snapped of my cousin and her boyfriend a few days ago. They are just madly in love with one another and I LOVE that my little lens captured some sweet moments between the two of them. It really was a pleasure taking pictures of this photogenic couple. Editing was a snap since, well look at them! They are just perfect.