Jesus at Walmart?

I decided to go grocery shopping yesterday for the first time in about 12 years (or what seemed like 12 years according to our cabinets). After hearing on the radio that my store of choice, which is usually Meijer, was having some big back-to-school bash, Walmart quickly became my only choice. It was unusually quiet which was strange because it was 5:30 in the evening and usually a really busy time. It was just Tater and I, so I got through everything pretty quickly while she was "resting" in the front of the cart.

We get to the check-out lane and the guy in front of us was a little unkempt looking.....and that is probably being nice. He hadn't shaved, cut his hair, or probably showered for about 5 years, and he was wearing an orange robe/tunic looking thing. By this time, Mae was wide awake and begging for candy bars. She looked forward, noticed they guy, and started pointing and yelling "LOOK MOMMA!! It's an ORANGE JESUS!!" I was doing my best to give her "the face"...you know "the face" moms. It's the "dear GOD please stop pointing and embarrassing me" face. It's the "be quiet before I get into a confrontation with a rather scary looking person" face. I was shooshing her and begging her to stop talking...all with "the face". She didn't notice the face and refused to quiet down until I acknowledged that she truly did see an "orange Jesus".

Fortunately, I don't believe the guy was with it enough to hear her, or he was just being nice and not acknowledging that he heard her which if that was was the case, was kind of Jesus-like:) The check-out lady, however, did hear her and was laughing hysterically as if she had been holding it in for about 12 years. She informed Maebree (as did I of course) that was NOT in fact Jesus.

kids.....*sigh* Their perspectives are pretty interesting. We don't know what Jesus looks like, but I am anxious to see if he looks like my Maebree's "Orange Jesus" or more like my "Passion of The Christ" Jim Caviezel Jesus. I'm hoping the latter, but probably neither.......

Zeke and Zack

THEEEERRRREEE DOOOOOOOONNNEEE! And I cried while editing...just like I cried at her maternity shoot.

Ok...not gonna say more or I'll cry. Grab a box of tissues, some coffee, click on the pic and go on over and attempt to prepare yourself for all the cuteness that is awaiting you. Just try...I triple-dog-dare ya!

First Day of School

Thursday was the first two-hours of school (lame...I can't believe they make us do that!) and Friday was the first OFFICIAL DAY of school. I snapped a quick pick of the girls before we walked out the door.

Please note the incredible excitement all over Emmy's face. Thrilled.

Mae had to wear her Dora backpack, but she informed me that she was "too yiddo to stay. I not big yet momma...I too yiddo to be at school. Maybe in two weeks". I was also informed that Tinney Bear as well was too "yiddo to stay".

Baby Z's

I am not supposed to publish a bunch before I get the whole lot to her....but I have been hounded by so many people to see even a sneak peek.....I just couldn't take it anymore! I can't wait to see what the future holds for these precious little guys.

In the meantime...Peace out my brotha!

I'm Old....

....Yep....I am.

Due to massive amounts of back-to-school shopping and partying yesterday, I didn't get this post up! My baby turned 10 yesterday. That's right....ten. As in double digits. 1-0. She's the best 10-year-old money can buy. I couldn't ask for a better kid in her. She is literally THE most helpful kid I know. If she senses that I'm stressed (which is a lot lately) she immediately asks what she can do. I love her more than my heart can stand, and I can't wait to see what God has for her as she gets older.

We decided to forgo a massive family party and took her and her BFF Lydia to Indiana Beach for the day. She is not a roller coaster kid as I thought. But regardless, we had lots of fun walking around that County-Fair-on-Steroids.

Happy Birthday Faithy-Foo!

Officially official

It's done! The house is ready....complete with that new-carpet smell! Besides a few odds and ends that need to be finished up (some trim work, ceiling fan scrubbing, small pool removal, etc) the HOUSE is complete and ready for your offer:) The small child pictured is not included.....unless it is a REALLY good offer.

I went to bed last night feeling a little nostalgic. I had that moment of sheer panic that I was going to have to leave this house that I love so much. We had it built. We picked the cabinets, fixtures (thank YOU Gullifords!), flooring that ended up all being replaced due to crappy installation. We picked all the paint colors. We spent two weeks and six coats painting the kitchen and dining room to get JUST the right color red. I really do love this house. I brought two of my babies home to this house. If it had a basement, we wouldn't move. Oh, do I wish we would've just spent the extra $10-15,000 and put a stinking basement in when it was built! We haven't outgrown it yet, but soon we will have. Can you imagine THREE teenage girls fighting over who gets their own room and who gets the sink and whose turn it is to shower? Ug. Not to mention, I know God has given me this photography gift. I know he is growing my business, and I know I want to be able to bless others with it. So change is in order.

We have a house picked out. It's massive. It's got a studio ready made for me. It has three massive bedrooms for the girls, a MASSIVE bathroom with TWO sinks and a completely separate shower space for their teenage years. It is literally one of our houses on level one, and one MORE of our houses on level two. So I have in my mind moved us in there. I know where the Christmas tree is supposed to go. I know where I'm going to store all that extra "stuff" I just can't get rid of. It has room to grow. All of that said, if it sells before we can get to it, I can't wait to see the even BETTER house God has for us. Cause that one just seems perfect.

So prayers are in order for us. Pray that I can keep my sanity while trying to keep a house picked up and ready for a showing at any moment. Pray I can keep on top of the already intense schedule I already keep on a daily basis. Pray that ours sells quick and that bandaid can be ripped off super fast! Pray that the other house stays where it's at so that I can put my Christmas tree where I want it.

Girls Photo Shoot 2010

Outside of St. Joe, there is this little area called "The Wetlands". Personally, I think it's a waste of taxpayers dollars. It's basically a hotbed of mosquitoes and bugs of all sort, but I have wanted to take some pictures out there for a long time. It's lush and green and has some flowers. I had something else in mind, but had no assistant, so we just kind of went with what worked which was simple. As soon as I pulled up there, got the kids and the camera out of the car and shut the door, I realized I locked our keys in the car. Emmy immediately went into hysterics as she thought we were for sure going to leave our car there forever. If you notice, she is a bit blotchy in some of these pics from her little fit of fear. I assured her no matter what, we would figure something out, and after randomly hitting numbers on the side of the door, I got the right code (still couldn't tell you what it was, it was extremely random!) and we were off. I wanted to get some more stuff downtown with the kids with some of the older brick buildings, antique shops and such, but as soon as we left the car, I noticed the little one had indeed peed her pants. Photo shoot over. Why is it always my kids?

All in all, it was a success as I got some pretty good stuff. My little Faithy sure is showing me that she is getting "the eye". She posed her sisters and herself in MANY of these! Just click on the collage to see more!