OMG! I'm writing a blog!

I'm completely having a bit of a freak out right now! I'm going to make my very first blog post to the web! The world wide web!  Woot woot! The whole world can see it! AAhhh!  Okay lets be realistic, its SO SiLLY to hold a shred of apprehension about this initial post especially since when I make this post no one is even likely to see it! Ha ha! I guess this falls into the whole "if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it..." line of thinking. If I post a blog and no one is there to read it do I REALLY have anything to be worried about. I guess not. So lets carry on.

I decided that for my first blog I should write about how I came up with my blog name. I sometimes (translate - often)  find myself feeling like I really need to be better at keeping my house clean. With kids and dogs running around all the time it seems like try as I might, I just can't seem to win the battle against the dust, dirt and smudges all over here and there. And don't even get me started on the furry tumbleweeds that seem to grow over night along my hardwood floors. I also think I need to budget my time better. I need to learn more about cooking really great food for my family. I have such a love for photography and I'm not half bad at it... I need to be better at that and really focus on furthering my education. I need to contribute to my household finances more, maybe I need a part time job.

I need, I need, I need???

Well, I'm starting to think that all of these things are great and I can make all of them goals, but all I really need is heart.  A big heart to love up my kids and husband everyday. A brave heart to try all of these new things (like writing a blog!) A sincere heart so that the time I devote to any new endeavor is time well spent. A thankful heart so that I can appreciate all of the blessings in my every day. - All you need is heart.  The rest will come. Wish me luck and please join me for the ride. I'm going to work at keeping it interesting for ya.


Pics of the Day!  
For today I'm posting a few photos of my crew. 

Photo #1 - Zee and Routh (pronounced Ruth) - these are my kiddos. I always let them goof off and make silly faces following a photo shoot. I just love this one! This picture was taken this past October at the NC coast. We were trying to get a Christmas card photo. I was so pleased with the results that day - I'll share the highlights from that shoot with more information on location, conditions, and all my gear on an upcoming post soon.


                                                   


Photo #2 - Pepper is my goof-ball 2  year old Gordon Setter. She's a good girl but boy is she a handful. All of those endearing puppy behaviors that seem so adorable in little dogs are not as cute when the "puppy" is 65 pounds! She's a great family pet and she's awesome with the kids. We LOVE you Pepper-oni!

Photo #3 - This pretty girl is our other dog Brandy.  Brandy is a Llewellin Setter. She has such an amazing story!  In 2007  We drove from the Chicagoland area in Illinois to rural Kentucky and rescued Brandy from a truly dreadful situation. I'll fill you in on her whole story on another day. As you can see she is doing great now. Her path has been a long one, but life with her forever family is going great.

Photo #4 - This last photo was taken during the start of this years snowy season in North Carolina. Boy oh' boy are we lovin' the snow.  Its no news that the East coast is taking a beating with the winter weather this year.  My kids are just thrilled. They had become accustomed to the snowfall we received in Chicago and while we don't get the same quantity down south we sure think its beautiful!

Pics of the Day!