home/family life

Dear God,
Thank you for making my children fountains of life
and to those who encounter them. ( Especially me! )

Just the other morning I caught myself looking
at my children just for the pure pleasure of it.
-Phyllis Theroux

This Mosaic of life experiences.
We arent the perfect parents, we don't have a wonderful marriage.
We have issues with expectations, communications and we need encouragement still
as this season of parenting is still in the early stages.
This blog, may make us look all sunshiney and perfect, we are far from that.
We fight, we make up, and fight again about the same issues and new ones.
We yell at our children sometimes, we apologize, and do it again.
We've been known to feed the kids chocolate chip cookies for breakfast, and sometimes we forget to brush their teeth.
I burn dinner at least 12 times a month.
We try.
We cry.
We get down low.
We get up and brush it all off.
Start over.
And we are continually thankful for the sunrise each morning and the chance to do it all over again.
I am thankful for Maive's baby hoppy run, and her contagious baby mischeivious infectious giggle, and the way she combines the two while I chase her ( always ) and she's happily running away and turning to see where I am, giggling.
I am thankful for my kind hearted Aiva, always looking out for her sister and brother, lending a helping hand, tender hug.
I am thankful for Aidan, my snuggle buddy. You're so boney but you are perfect to snuggle with in the mornings. I love all the silly things you are doing this summer, especially; " I AM DRAGON.. RAWR!!!"
Thankful for my husband, for loving me even though I am a rebel and stubbornly stick my heels in. My accountability, my arms that hold me tight through dark clouds. I am so glad we all have each other to get through this chaotic at times life in pursuit of heaven.
Dear God,
Help me appreciate every season of mothering with new eyes that see life from the fresh perspective of my child.

small talk of the weather.

I am not complaining by any means, but hasn't this NY state weather been cool?
I remember alot of swimming and exhaustion from the heat in previous summers.
This summer we've only had 2 days so far of bathing suits and the hose/sprinkler.
Now, I am okay with this, i can cook my dinner and the house doesnt turn into an oven, we havent had any sleepless nights, just the ones with all the thunderstorms and that is totally okay with me! Love'm!!
The sun flooded in this morning and I woke up excited, however now 1 hour later at 9am it's gloomy dark and scary, looks like another day of sunshine one hour, thunderstorm the next, and me and the kids really confused on what to do! 'o)
Enjoy some pictures I took last month on my birthday!
so fun!
*NOTE*: Yes, I do realize that I post way to many pictures, usually of the same thing.. but I do love them so much, i can never leave one out or make a decision, so happy scrolling! 'oD





















Our yard = Neverland and Aidan is Peter Pan! Aiva is Tink and we call Maive the Tiger Lily Fairy!



toughy!



















There's trouble brewing!!


Poor Scooter caught in the cross fire!



and last week i was excited to get a book in the mail from Rae Barnes with the photos from her blog and some surprise ones in it! It was a big highlight to the week!

sooc {straight out of the camera}

So many of the pple thAT email me, comment and such are just mom's who came across this blog through shabby blogs or people who know people.
here are some answer's to most asked questions:
I use Adobe Lightroom to process my photos.
I use www.artscow.com, www.shutterfly.com and walgreens.com for prints and photo gifts.
I use the Canon Rebel XTI with the 28mm 1.8 lens and the 50mm. 1.8
I am just a wanna be photographer.
I love my life as the circus ring leader of this family, I enjoy taking and "priddying up" pictures and giving them as gifts.
these are before: {straight out of camera} *sooc*
and then after. Most of the time I use Adobe LR to warm up the pictures, add vibrance and a little vignette or border.
There ya go!
{SOOC}


{SOOC}

I didnt edit Aiva's bump off her head, because it's really hilarious what happened { she didnt cry } and I dont mind remembering it!




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Now playing: Chris Anderson - 02_Chapter_01
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Chris Anderson - 02_Chapter_01
via FoxyTunes

American Independence! not a pictureless post, promise!

So yes, today we celebrate the fourth of July.
To my kids it means.. hmm..
Aiva: The number four.. with a fff to it..and .."Mommy are you saying your name funny?
Note to self: teach Aiva the months again..
Yes, I Julie, Love this day, patriotism, hamburgers, red white and blue pinwheels, flags, summer food, kids playing and wonderful fireworks, kids laughing, sparklers...
I also think of Francis Scott Key writing the Star Spangled banner while imprisoned on a british ship the morning after witnessing the attack on Fort McHenry. Yes I am a history buff.. throughout the night the large flag that stood over Ft. McHenry was still there while rockets and explosions lit the sky. When all was quiet and Dawn crepted forth, there stood the flag still flying..
I think of 9/11
I think of Pilgrims, George Washington and the founding fathers.. I think of abolitionists, the civil war, and many many soldiers, who gave their lives, still living, and yet to embark..
BUT, I also think of our CREATOR.
His Idea of Independence.
I haven't always been grateful to be an American, I've been embarrassed, angry and worry-some of this country's future, but today will be today and I will celebrate how blessed I am to be born here, where I can raise my loved ones and go to bed at night, fearless, and in the arms of my husband.


Isaiah 61 (New Living Translation)
Good News for the Oppressed
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.[a]
2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,[b]
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
3 To all who mourn in Israel,[c]
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations.
5 Foreigners will be your servants.
They will feed your flocks
and plow your fields
and tend your vineyards.
6 You will be called priests of the Lord,
ministers of our God.
You will feed on the treasures of the nations
and boast in their riches.
7 Instead of shame and dishonor,
you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice.
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be recognized
and honored among the nations.
Everyone will realize that they are a people
the Lord has blessed.”
10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit
or a bride with her jewels.
11 The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
Everyone will praise him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
with plants springing up everywhere.
My beautiful girls. Our date at the field pickin' flowers and laughing!

Shawn & Maria: Future Mr. & Mrs. Leonard

Our friends, Shawn and Maria drove down from Ithaca to spend some time with us on Sunday.
I met Shawn ten years ago as we went to Dryden High together he was a senior and I was a freshman. He was a very kind and a great friend when I was going through one of the hardest times I've experience in my life so far! He graduated 1999 and was off to Germany. I lost track of him but every now and then have kept him in my prayers. Then, January 1st of this year I received a phone call around noon and it was him, telling me that he was getting married!
Most of you who know me, know that yes, I squealed.. ALOT!!
I probably blew out poor Shawn's ear drum!
I am so excited for them, I'm happy giddy and as I type this my knee is bouncing!!!
They are getting married Aug. 1st of this year and I am so very happy to tell you, they picked MEEEE!! to document their day photographically speaking!
AHHH!!
I cannot wait for this!
Maria is going to be so gorgeous and thinking of her on her wedding day I am already getting teary eyed! Weddings are so very special, oh jeez the waterworks!


I am back and dry!


Shawn just got baptized this morning, we were supposed to go, however I woke up with a nasty nasty migraine! GOOD news: I have been getting less of them ( YES! ) bad news: when I get them, they are so painful, puking and I have to take two Imitrex before the pain resides. I am so bummed we missed the baptism this morning but, I was there in thought and prayers and I promise you two, we'll make it up to ya! Aiva misses Maria and Shawn and keeps asking when they will be coming back to visit! She is quite taken! Maria is so very sweet, sensitive, and soft spoken! But, get this, she totally rocks the highest heels, and SHE DRIVES A MOTORCYCLE! HOT!!! I KNOW!!!
Ok, this was not a session, I am still working on convincing them to let me do a shoot for them pre-wedding, so I can make them a photo guestbook. Both of them are extremely shy of the camera and I will have to remedy this w/o being to pushy.. we all know Julie G is not pushy! 'o)
Enjoy and come back to visit 30 images on Aug. 4 from Shawn & Maria's wedding day!
Much Love, delight and appreciation,
Julie G