Pretending...Round Seven

I figure seven is a good number to end this stint of pretending I've been doing.  Seven just feels right.  After this, it's time for me start to living in the moment and taking pictures of the snow, ice, and and frozen nostril hairs.  Yesterday, I was distracted by my off the wall texting conversation with Momma Debi, but today I'm all about ignoring real life for the next little bit.   

Last, but certainly not least are my little Owen and Emma.  I refer to them as mine because I consider them my niece and nephew.  As I've said before, their Mama and I have lived many important moments together like singing karaoke at the top of our lungs in an Eagle's Club full of the elderly.  Owen and Emma don't have "real" aunts and uncles because both of their parents are only children but I am their aunt.

I love when I hear them say, "Amy is funnnn!!" when I turn sorting/folding their socks into a game full of belly laughs.  I also love when I hear them say, "I'm a good helper" when I'm teaching them how to cut a green pepper with some kitchen dancing thrown in {I had the knife...don't worry}.  I feel I need to be their crazy aunt.  It's a part of my life and always will be.  

Last fall, their grandma needed some pictures of them drinking Greenzymes for a contest and I couldn't say no.  She asked when I was literally running twenty hours a day, but taking the time to drive out to the little town I'm from to spend a half an hour playing with my Owen and Emma was good medicine for my busy, slightly stressed heart at that time.  

 

Even with green stuff all over, those faces are just down right cute.  And, I'm so thankful I get to be the crazy aunt in those two little lives. 

Texting and Starbucks

A few minutes ago, I texted my mom..."You donkey kicking today?" because I like to say ridiculous things to people at random times. 

She replied..."Just half - a**ed." 

Ahhh, oh how I love Momma Debi's sense of humor. 

Then she texted me..."Have you taken down your Christmas tree yet?" 

I replied..."Yes.  Do you know me?"

Then she wrote..."Well, I bought this fancy new tree bag to store our tree in and after I got ours all loaded up, I realized it wasn't working so I got all the old boxes out and had to tape them together.  I wasted my money and now I have this huge wonderful bag!!! {I sensed some sarcasm here}  I was hoping you could use it." 

I replied..."Well, my tree is in nine big black garbage bags in my basement so I think I could use it."

Then she wrote..."Oh that would be good.  U can have it."  

I replied..."Yeah!  Yeah!  Tree bag for me!"  

Then she wrote..."How was your day?" 

Please tell me that others of you out there have texting conversations like this with your mom. 

Because I'm all about random right now...

Earlier today, as in much, much earlier when it was still dark out and my mascara was fresh, I met a few friends at Sbucks for some hot coffee.  Today was an inservice day for all of our district and that meant I didn't have to travel out to my school which meant I had time for a pre-work coffee date.  I arrived first and felt it was totally appropriate to take pictures while sitting in the big comfy chair. 

I knew once the few friends arrived, there would be no more of that.  No time.  No time.  You see, the few friends and I love to shout out a "Hey HEY Hey!!" to people and then proceed to harrass them for a bit real early in the morning when all they want is some coffee.  It's our idea of a fun and it's become an inservice day tradition.   

Yes, a little Sbucks meet-greet-laugh session is a sure way to start your day off on the right foot.  Then, to look up from your comfy chair and see four of your photographs hanging on the wall...

Well, that just guarantees the good factor for the day. 

Pretending...Round Six

Five kids, a few horses, a couple cats, one dog, some chickens, a moose...really what more could you ask for when capturing memories?  A homecooked meal maybe?  Oh wait, that was part of the deal too.  Spending a weekend afternoon with this family is being reminded of the simple pleasures in life.  Family, the love between kids and animals, sibling fun, homecooking...it's all there.  So, when the mom asked me to capture what her kids were like in the fall of 2010, I jumped at the chance.  She homeschools and wanted some "school" pictures.  I aimed to give her so much more - a glimpse into their personalities - a frozen day in time - one they can always look back on and be reminded of Thomas's love for his dog, Matthew's love for his horse, Anne's love for cats, Mark's love for football, and Hailey's love for not the pony like expected, but rather the big horse Tess.  And, a day they can look back on and remember the bond that can only come from having five children and raising them right.       

I am a firm believer in teaching children how to take responsibility and work hard.  I'm here to tell you that all five of these kids not only have the utmost character, but are also workers.  They all have chores and know that if they don't do them, then their animals will go hungry.  One of the best lessons in responsibility is having to care for another living thing.  They fully depend on you for their survival; these kids get that.  After we had supper the evening of these pictures, it was dark and rather chilly out, but the chores needed to be done so out went the kids, flashlights in little hands, to take care of their animals.  Because these kids really "get" that if they don't do their chores, then those animals that they love will be hungry.  Lesson learned. 

A different Sunday evening after this picture taking day, my whole family went to this family's farm to have supper {that's the evening meal if you aren't from here}.  When all had gathered around the table and there was a total of eight children under the age of ten you knew it would not be a boring meal.  Hailey is quite the character.  She just is.  My brother looked over at me about halfway through the meal and said, "Hey Amy, do you feel like you are looking in the mirror with that one?"  And, I must say that yes.  Yes indeed it feels as though that child is me.  At least her mom has some comfort in knowing that her spunky, fiercely independent, fearless, blonde haired, blue eyed girl can turn out alright.  At least I think I turned out alright.  For the most part.    

 

Each one of these kids are so different from one another and I admire their parents for being able to foster that uniqueness because it will take them far in life.  And, being ridiculously cute will also help. 

Yes, being around this family is being reminded of the simple joys in life.  That is for sure. 

And, on the way home from this perfect afternoon and evening, I saw a moose.  Because I don't think things through real well, I pulled into the abandoned farm yard where said moose was standing to take a picture.  I did not have a zoom lens along for this ride, so I drove up close enough to it so I would actually be able to tell it was a moose.  It was pitch black out, so I threw open the flash and snapped a picture.  Then, the moose flicked its ears back and gave a funny noisy shout out and then I realized I was probably a bit too close so I jumped back in the car.  It felt necessary. 

Not a boring day.  Not at all.