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Day 21 Attitude Adjustment ~Picture the Holidays~

Enjoy the Ride.....

As a family, we strive to always just "enjoy the ride" that life gives us. During the busy holidays it is so easy to try to do more, buy more, GO MORE, but we have made it a habit to do everything a little bit less and say "no" more.  In doing less we really get to focus on our time together and teach our kids WHY we celebrate Christmas. In saying "no", we really get to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Catching Up with Picture the Holidays...and a gift tutorial

Well, I guess it's time to get caught up on my Picture the Holidays post...I was 5 days behind, got all caught up yesterday, but am behind again today. Typical, but whatever. I don't stress too much about my 'to do' list...it will get done:)

Here, in no particular order (because I am too tired lazy to put them in order and look up the days) are the photos:

GOT GIFTS:

I made the teachers at school and a few neighbors  Lemon Hand Sugar Scrub and Lemon hand Wash. 

I made the sugar scrub recipe up: Mix 3 cups of sugar, 1 cup of sweet almond oil, and lots of shakes of lemon oil.  "Lots of shakes" is a technical cooking term I use often in the kitchen. I just kept shaking lemon oil into the mix until I liked the smell....because I'm exact like that.

The soap recipe was found on Pinterest (you can follow me at slsmithphotos) via The Farmer's Nest. Cool blog, easy recipe. The soap is great and smells good, but I added a little extra water due to the snot like consistency.

Next up : Sincerly Yours

These are my favorite ornaments. Each child made one in kindergarten and their little hand prints are on the ornaments. I cry each year we take them out...I'm starting to wonder if my PMS happens to occur every single Christmas...is that possible, because I cry at the silliest things.

Recharge....playing my guitar and singing is one way I like to recharge when I'm feeling drained or overwhelmed.  I'm not good at singing or playing but when I do, I totally feel like Ingrid Michaelson..or Jewel...or Christina Perri and sing loud and proud. In my head I'm Adele..in true life I'm just some 38 year old mom clumsily twanging her guitar strings and screeching. People who have asked me to play for them before have regretted it. Sorry for your ears, guys.

 

I don't really feel the other 2 photos are blog worthy, so I will spare you having to scroll through them. 

I really love all my new blog friends I have met through this fun project. This post is for you;)

Days 12&13, ~Picture The Holidays~

Day 12 A Whole Lotta Happy

 I do not love rolling and cutting out cookies with my 3 kids (chaos) but I do love the decorating part. Looking at their sometimes pretty, sometimes kooky, sometimes strange creations makes me very happy.

Day 13: Simply Divine This little guy is our fighter, our survivor, or spiritual warrior. His painful battle with cancer (that he won) and his big, tender heart inspire me everyday.

Baby Almaraz ~ San Antonio Birth Photography~

 

I was so honored when my new maternity clients called me a few days after their session to ask me to photograph the birth. It felt like they were proposing marriage...to be present at a birth is such a personal moment. I was prepared: bags bags, cameras ready, back-up babysitters on call in case my husband was not home were all lined up. Mom called to let me know they were on their way to the hospital and I grabbed my bags and flew out the door. By the time I arrived at the hospital, he was already born!!!!!! Mom almost had him right there in the hallway. Despite missing his birth at 11:59pm on 11/11/11...yes, you read that right, he had one minute to go...I was able to capture the sweet moments after his birth, the father announcing his arrival to the family, and all of the first meetings. Such sweet moments. Please excuse the length of this video...I got a little carried away. Lol. Music used with permission be Ashley Grammins.

Days 8-11 ~Picture the Holidays~

Day 8 Reflective

 

Day 9: A Sign

Day 10: Twinkle

Day 11: Shaping Up

Day 7: Express Yourself ~Picture the Holidays~

Day 7: Express Yourself  I like to wear braids. A few days ago a woman gave me a back handed compliment "You are brave to wear braids at your age". she said. I am expressing myself by wearing my braids and taking some very mature pictures of myself for her ;)

Day 6 the Details ~ Picture the Holidays~

Day 6 The Details I never noticed until today that the seeds on a pinecone grow in a spiral pattern.

Days 4 and 5 ~Picture the Holidays~

day 4: The Key The key for me to regroup during this time of year...or any time of year is yoga. 75 minutes of quite concentration, patience, and breathing through the pain:)

Day 5:The View from Here  This little girl is who I see every time I look down.

Day 3 All You Need is Love ~Picture the Holidays 2011~

I have always loved her little girl feet...but they are quickly turning to teen feet. I never want to forget them being tiny.

Day 2: Reframing the Season ~Picture the Holidays~

 Every year we try to get a better and deeper understanding for the true meaning of Christmas and each year it becomes more and more important to teach our children.