Trying

Is there anyone in this big world that has ever felt like the more they tried at something the worse it got?  But when you just do it, do what comes naturally that's the best stuff.  I get so frustrated because I am like that.   If I shower at night and let my hair air dry during the night the next day is a great hair day.  But if I try to "do" my hair it just looks horrible.  How women get their hair to look perfect is beyond me.  I couldn't do my hair to save my life, okay well maybe to save my life. :)  But it's bad.
The same with keeping house.  I would not consider myself OCD in any sense, but I do like things to be organized and clean.  Don't judge, there are lots of not OCD people who like things to be clean.  When Josh and I first got married I loved keeping house and cooking, it was so fun.  But the more people get added to the equation the less and less stuff gets done.  Some amazing super women can juggle work, cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, baths, brushing teeth, brushing hair, washing faces (this I feel bad about because it seems like our children always have dirty faces), and the list goes on.   Little by little I have given up little things that would make life more stressful if I fought them and my house keeping skills have gotten worse and worse.
Now there's photography.  I get inspired my magazines and life.  I love taking pictures of my children.  I love light!!! Composition! It's fun to take great pictures of my family.   I have this amazing stay at home mom friend who asked me to take pictures of her girls which caught me off guard.  I was nervous but it was fun and turned out good.  Those pictures of her girls are my favorite ones (other than ones of my own children).  That session was an "aha!" moment for me; the second one I've had in my life; possibly the third.  When I worked for Silker Photographic I just loved it - I have been bugging Josh for years to start a photography business.  Taking those pictures just confirmed it. I felt like doing photography was something I could do and be happy doing.  So what happened?  Why does it seem like I'm getting worse at it instead of better?
Friends, if anyone is even reading this,  if you have ever felt this way, I feel your pain.  Stay strong and trust God.  I guess I just keep telling myself that, because everything happens for a reason.

The WaterSlide!!!!!

Okay this is going to be a long post, just to warn you!  We couldn't stand the heat, so we bought a slip n slide from Family Dollar.

 Isn't this a look of pure joy?

 This was their idea: unfortunately I don't think that it worked as well as they hoped. :)

 Uncles do come in handy every now and then

 Even with the sun out they were huddling together to keep warm :)  I guess well water can be pretty cold.

Memorial Day weekend

Yes, finally blogging from months ago.  That's okay.  It's fun to think I might actually get caught up. :)  Maybe.
For Memorial Day weekend we went the 9 hours down to Missouri.  It is nice to visit the country!  It's gorgeous and peaceful, but I also love the buzz of activity that the city provides.   We had EVERYONE there except one person: Ezekiel's Patti.  It was so great to get everyone together.  As we get older it will probably be harder and harder.  It seems that of late I am really appreciating being able to be around my siblings more.  I wish we were all closer together.  It's easy to take your family for granted but they are oh so important.  I seemed to have learned that lesson the hard way instead of the easy way like most people who just know those things.
While we were there we helped Dad put up a pole barn for hay and machinery.  It definitely makes work a lot easier when you have a large family.  :)
Here is the start:

 The girls found these great sunglasses, necklaces, and hats!  They are so adorable!!

 I just love these pictures of the girls!! I might say that again!  Don't judge! :)

 Crack me up!

 What a contagious smile!  Love it!! Definitely a favorite!

 So the story with this picture is:  I had all the brothers and dad get in a group for a picture and Ezekiel says something like, "Aren't we missing someone?"  Without a thought I said, "Oh Josh will get in a different one."  (which he didn't, because we didn't take another guy group picture).  Ezekiel even turned around and looked at Uriah who was by the hay bale behind them.  I still didn't get it, until about 10 minutes later.  Ugh!! Sorry Uriah!!  So this picture is Dad and all the brothers except the youngest, Uriah.

 The pole barn is being built right next to the garden.  My parents always have such great flowers and plants and colorful things to photograph.  It is so lovely.

 I love this high key black and white!  The lines and angles just pop out!

Up next, the best part!!! haha!  I have been dying to post these!!