Scatter Sunshine all along your Way: January 2009

I Speak Normal

Yesterday I was subbing Kindergarten and had to pass out a note for the kids to take home to their parents. There were two versions of the note, one in English and one in Spanish (with English on the back). I asked the kids who needed English and who needed Spanish. I thought I knew pretty well, but wanted to make sure. A conversation ensued of things like, "My dad can speak Spanish," and "My brother can speak Spanish." There were a few notes to pass out, so I put them on the table and then helped the children pick the right ones. I had a few students who were very concerned. They told me that their parents did not speak Spanish or English, their parents spoke normal. I tried to explain that what they thought was normal, was actually English. They didn't understand. One said, "No, my parents speak normal...like you."

Fireproof

Tomorrow Fireproof comes out on DVD. I had heard great things about this movie and couldn't wait to watch it. We saw it last Friday and really liked it. If you haven't heard about it, it's probably because it was too religious to show in mainstream theaters...they're mostly for R rated movies I guess.

My Photoblog

One day I was looking at my blog and thought, "Wow, those pictures look really blurry." I wondered what to do, asked Winter again and decided that I would start a blog just for my photos. The ones that I post showing what I've been practicing on to become a better photographer someday. I will keep this blog for snapshots and everyday life activities. The other blog will mainly be photos with very little journaling. Check it out. The link is to the right. Yesterday I was playing with an idea we learned at our InStudio workshop, and loved the look I got on a picture of Brockton and a picture of Stacy. Let me know what you think.

Brockton loves...

I was looking through my photos today and found these. I took them earlier in the month but forgot to post them.

I love this photo of Brockton with his daddy. Stephanie says that when Cody comes home, Brockton runs to him and says, "Da da, Da da."

I found this drum on clearance a few months ago. Brockton has liked to play with it, but hasn't been able to hold the sticks right until this month. He loves to play with it now.

And here's a picture of Brockton with his Aunt Stacy. Brockton is learning how to say words all the time, but one of the words that he says the best and the most often when he comes to visit is "Stacy!" He loves her!

And of course Brockton loves his mommy! It is so much fun to see his eyes light up when his mommy comes to pick him up.

Practicing

I wanted to practice some things we learned Saturday, but things were just not going as planned. I finally told Stacy, "We have to do it now, or we'll never find time." I'm just lucky that I have a more beautiful model than she does.

Jamie's Wedding

Stacy and I hurried back from our class in Orem to make it to Jamie's wedding reception. It was almost over, but we met her new husband and snapped a few pictures.

I thought this was funny. Aden thought it was kind of pointless to do the garter toss since the only single man around was Jamie's nephew, Brigham. Everyone had to talk him into doing it anyway. Then they had to get Brigham to cooperate.

InStudio Class

Yesterday, Stacy and I attended Kenneth Linge's Photographing People Part 1. We loved it! Kenneth is an award winning photographer from Norway. When we arrived, doughnuts and orange juice were waiting for us! We had training in his studio classroom. Kenneth gave us a bottle of Voss water at the start of the day. Stacy and I both thought it was hairspray at first. After a couple of hours of training, we had lunch, which was provided, then went outside to take some pictures in he harsh midday sun. Kenneth wanted to show us how to take good pictures anywhere and in any light condition.

Here's some of my pictures. Now, keep in mind, there were 15 students in the class and everyone was taking pictures all at once, so it was a little hard to get just the right shot. We were actually supposed to just take notes with our camera of what Kenneth was doing, so we could document what we were learning. So, he was always right in front of the subject and we were off to the side.

Here's a couple of pictures of Kenneth and his wife MaryLyn photographing one of the students.

Below is MaryLyn back in the studio, giving instructions of how to look for the right light source.
We had more training, then went back outside to finish up. Below is one of my photos of Kenneth's daughter posing for us. I left my telephoto lens in the studio, so I had to make due with my normal lens and cropped it later. Now, if the situation was ideal, I wouldn't have gotten the Target sign in the background, but I had to work around the other students, so just pretend this is for a Target ad. The Blue Hour (hour in Norway, 10-15 minutes in Utah.)

It was a pretty fun day.

We had to hurry back for my niece Jamie's wedding reception. I was sad when I realized these two things were on the same day, and that I would have to miss her wedding, but we had already paid for the class, and I think it's only held once or twice a year.

Keep your eyes open for Stacy to update her blog with her pictures.

I Think I'm Allergic to Mornings

I really do. Some mornings, I wake up sneezing over and over.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am pretty much a morning person. My body used to be trained to go to bed at 9:00 p.m. and get up around 6:30 a.m. I'm doing a little better and can stay up a little later now. When I was growing up we were not allowed to sleep in past 8:00 a.m. If I do happen to sleep in now, I make sure I'm out of bed before 8:00, but it's usually much sooner. So, why do I sneeze? I really don't know. Sometimes, I sneeze when I just think about getting up. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just a sneeze or two, but I can sneeze off and on for up to 10 minutes.

It started when Marinda was a baby. Dallan is six months older, so he had been sleeping through the night for about 3 months and all of a sudden, I had to start getting up again with her. My ex and I would take turns getting up with her. When it was my turn, I would sneeze and sneeze. Maybe it's stress. I don't know.

Community Education

It's time to sign up for community education classes again. Stacy and I started our photography journey at Inkleys, then community ed, then Nicole Hill. We have another class with a different teacher this weekend. Can't wait to see how that turns out! We are also thinking of taking the next class with our community ed teacher.

If you've been thinking about enhancing your photography skills, sign up for community ed today!

The Ultimate Gift

Ok, I am ready for winter to be over!!! Today was such a gloomy, cloudy day! I need sun!!!

On another note, Stacy and I watched a pretty good movie last night, The Ultimate Gift. It had a good message and was even kind of a chick flick. Jace came in towards the end and said, "This looks kind of dumb, is it?" We both said, "No!" He stayed to watch and seemed to enjoy it.

More Winter Photos

Stacy and I took Brockton out again Saturday afternoon, so Stacy could take his picture. We were tending him while Cody and Stephanie went skiing. I love this one. Check Stacy's blog for more.

Sunday morning Stacy and I went out and took pictures of each other. She only let me take a few of her. She wanted to practice taking pictures, so I was her model. We didn't stay out long, it was freezing cold!

A Wintery, Frosty Morning

When I woke up this morning, I thought it would be a perfect day for practicing photography since it snowed yesterday. Stacy and I planned to go take pictures as soon as I got back from our Primary meet the teachers breakfast. When I got back I saw a text from her saying that she had forgotten she had bowling league and had gone to that. She bowled a 180 by the way, the highest she has ever gotten. She was super excited!

I decided to go out and take pictures on my own, using her camera. I tried to capture all the glittering ice crystals. The photos just don't do them justice.

I love the beauty of fresh, fallen snow. I just don't like it on the roads, or where I want to walk. I also hate the cold. Winter is my least favorite season, but I must admit, today was gorgeous!

As I was taking pictures, Cody called and asked where I was. He had just arrived at our house. I told him I was across the street taking pictures and to bring his family out to get some family pictures. He said no, so I went home and talked them into coming with me to take pictures of Brockton. Here's Cody showing Brockton the snow.