Mommy freak-out

So I'm running behind on the Get to Know Your Camera series, but I do plan on doing the assignments at some point. Right now I have other things on my mind, like how Emma is starting Kindergarten IN TWO DAYS. I am both super excited and super nervous at the same time.

I'm excited because she loves school. I always loved school, too. I'm excited because I know how well she's going to do in school. She listens and follows direction well, and she loves to learn. She's going to have so much fun.

I'm nervous because this is a whole new experience. I've never had a kindergartner before. I've never put my child on the bus and watched her drive away, heading to experience something of which I don't get to be a part. Speaking of the bus, I don't know what time it gets here (we're going to get up early tomorrow so we can see when the bus comes), nor do I know the route or who the driver is. I'm sure he's very nice and a great driver, but still.

I'm a bit sad that my baby's growing up, but mostly I'm so excited for her. I think the thing I'm looking forward to most is watching Emma get off the bus on Wednesday and hearing all about her day.

But I will cry as the bus leaves. And that's okay.

Get to Know Your Camera - Week 3

New week, new camera challenge. This time it was dealing with Aperture. I'm still a bit confused about aperture, but I did my best. With my camera set to the A priority mode, here's what I took:

This was the first one I took...

While I really like this one, the background is not blurry like it's supposed to be. Still a cute pic, though. :)

I think this one is the best one. The background is nice and blurry and everything.

I don't think I could ask for a better model, even though she gets bored somewhat quickly. And it was SUPER hot outside today. But she really does like posing for the camera, so it's not like I'm pulling teeth or anything.

Looking forward to the next challenge!

Get to Know Your Camera - Week 2

I should have done this last week, but things have been super busy around here. This past week's challenge was taking a photo inside without the flash, making it the best possible by adjusting the ISO. I sat on the floor with my model in front of her tent. She had just applied probably 5-8 different lip glosses, so that's why her lips are so shiny.

This first one is, I think, the best one of the bunch. But not my favorite. ISO 400.

This one is pretty cute, too. ISO 800.

This is my favorite. But not the best one, I don't think, but it's my favorite one. ISO 1600.

The settings on my camera go to ISO 1600, then anything higher than that is ISO HI1. So this is that one.

I like this one a lot too. Doesn't she look like she should have a cigar in her mouth? "Ah cha cha cha." Also ISO HI1.

So that was my attempt at learning more about my camera. Can't wait to get my next challenge!

Have you ever...

...felt like your best efforts just weren't good enough?
...wished you could change a situation but were totally powerless to do so?
...felt like you were alone?
...felt like your friends were slipping away?
...just felt sad a lot?
...gotten frustrated at the littlest things?

You have? Yeah, me too.

Have you ever believed that things won't always be like this?
...asked God for help?
...trusted that God has a plan and will make things better in His time?

No? Try it.

And check out Lamentations 3:22-25:

22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

23They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him."

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,

to the one who seeks him..."

How may I pray for you today?

Get to Know Your Camera - Week 1

I'm learning how to use the different modes of my camera this summer with this Summer Photography Series. Today I went out with Emma and Norbert for my first challenge. It's not challenging AT ALL for me to take photos of Emma, but doing them in a certain way makes it a little more difficult. Luckily, Emma is more than willing to have her picture taken. Norbert's a little more difficult, but what do you expect from a dog?

Today's challenge was to use a mode on my camera other than the Auto mode. I used Sports mode to catch Emma running; Portrait mode to get some cute shots of Norbert laying in front of me; and Macro mode to get some super-close ups of Emma, Norbert, and a little angel we have in front of the house.

Here is the link to all the photos I took today (minus the few that I didn't like and deleted already). But here are a couple of my favorites.

I'm excited to learn more about how to use my camera to its full potential. And mine, too!

As days go by...

Time flies when you're having fun. Isn't that what they say? I've found that's certainly the case with Emma. And I've also found that time slips away and sometimes takes things with it as it goes.

I was watching a commercial for McDonald's, and it made me think of how Emma calls it "Old McDonald's". You get it. Because of the song.

She has a cute way of saying things sometimes, and it's always so sad when you realize she's grown up and no longer says those things that way anymore. She used to say "sebee" for "seven". One, two, free (back when "th" was "f"), four, five, six, sebee, eight, nine, ten. And she said "lellow" instead of "yellow". It broke my heart the day I realized she didn't say lellow anymore.

So I'm going to keep calling it Old McDonald's. Our whole family does, and we will probably do so forever now. Try it. It'll bring a smile to your face.

Life as I know it

I'm ashamed of myself for letting so much time pass since my last post. Time sure gets away from you, doesn't it?

I thought about listing my weekly schedule, but I know when I do that it won't look as full as it feels. Nonetheless, we have several things going on right now. Emma and I still have dance class ... we're in the final stretch before the big recital on Saturday, June 4. Chris and I are part of the new worship band at our church, and we have practice once a week. Emma just started having t-ball practice each week. Her games will be each Saturday starting June 4, and the "season" will last for 7 weeks. And it just so happens that Emma's practices are at the exact same time as band practice, so I will be taking a short hiatus from the band.

Usually something else comes up each week on one night or another. Plus Chris's work has really ramped up, and he is going to have to be out of town from time to time in the coming weeks.

This Saturday, Chris and I are going to the X103 May Day concert. Chris got two free VIP tickets (and VIP parking!) from his work. High falootin', huh? And then we have the big Heacock family race party on Sunday. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

I know it will only get worse as Emma gets older and into more activities. But I will make a concerted effort to blog more.

Emma and I are off to the dentist today for cleanings. Fun times.

Graffiti

You know what they say: The family who does graffiti together stays together.

Or something like that.

After dinner on Thursday evening, Chris, Emma, Norbert, and I went for a walk around our end of the neighborhood. And since the weather was so nice, after we got back home, we brought out the sidewalk chalk and decorated not only our driveway but also our house and the brick pillars out by the road.

 She wrote "Daddy poops," then Chris put "EMMA" above it. Thanks for teaching her to spell that word, Daddy!

 My two favorite graffiti artists tagging our house.

 Norbert even joined in on the fun. He didn't even lay on the chalk this time.

 Chris did the "LOOK BOTH WAYS," and Emma added her own flair.

This was a contribution of my own.

Emma even drew a portrait of Norbert. Pretty good likeness, don't you think?

It was so nice to be outside as a family. I'm such a lucky girl to have such a great family!

The van

It happened. Chris and I officially became "adults." We traded in the Rumble Bee and the G6 for a Chrysler 300c and a Chrysler Town & Country minivan. That's right, a van.

I love it. So. Much. Not only is it a really pretty color (officially, its color is called Clearwater Blue Pearl), but also it is super comfy and fun to drive.

The van was actually traded for the Rumble Bee, which was to be getting its new vanity plate next month. The vanity plate I ordered a super long time ago for the Rumble Bee? BIG BEE. That's right. Now the van will sport said vanity plate. Silly.

But at least I'll be comfortable as I drive around town.

Easter preparations

Today was Emma's last day of school this week, since they will have Good Friday off. I guess they watched a movie about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection as a way of explaining why we celebrate Easter. I know no other information than what Emma told me when I picked her up: which was that they watched a movie about how Jesus died. I told her that's what Easter is all about; and she said it's important that people know about Jesus. My heart swelled.

This evening we ate dinner with my parents and my grandpa, who lives in Florida and has been visiting at their house for a few days. It was really nice to see him, and I was so glad he and Emma got a chance to play together. After dinner Emma was so excited to color Easter eggs, which is what she, my mom and I did.

Our eggs turned out beautifully.

We ended up with 3 cartons of colored eggs (minus the one Emma and I ate). My mom gave Emma the choice of which ones she wanted to take. She wanted to take them all. So we came home with 3 cartons of colored eggs (minus the one Emma and I ate). Looks like deviled egg- and egg salad-making time at the Heacock house.

We even made a few special eggs:

Emma colored all over the last several she did with the crayon before she dyed them. They are so cute.

Here is a photo of Emma and her great-grandpa. (Neither he nor my dad colored eggs with us, but they watched and encouraged us.) My mom was taking their picture at the same time, which is why they were looking at her when I snapped this photo.

On our way home from my parents' house, Emma said, "I didn't like the part of the movie where they whipped Jesus. Or the crown of thorns."

I said, "It's sad what they did to Him, isn't it?" She agreed. I told her the really sad part was that He hadn't done anything wrong when they did that to Him. But, I said, it was good that He did that, because He did it for us because He loves us. She agreed again and said it was good that He did that so we can go to heaven. And again, my heart swelled.

I really enjoy talking about Jesus with Emma. I'm so glad she gets to learn about Him in Sunday school and at her preschool. Even for a 5 year old, she seems to really understand. I only hope and pray that I can continue to encourage her and help her learn and understand more.

I'm so glad that, even though she knows the Easter Bunny is coming, Emma understands that Easter is more important and more special than that.

Faith like a child

Chris is working a men's Kairos weekend starting today in Plainfield, IN. Kairos is a prison ministry where people go into the prison to teach incarcerated individuals about Christ's love and forgiveness. This is the third Kairos weekend of which Chris has been a part.

Last night Emma and I were driving home, and I told her that Daddy wouldn't be around much for the next few days because he was going to the prison. Emma asked, "Is he going to get locked up?" After giggling, I told Emma that Daddy was not going to "get locked up." I told her he was going to there to teach the prisoners about Jesus.

I asked Emma if she knew what Jesus did for us, and she said, "He died." I asked her why He died, and her answer was, "So we can go to heaven."

Jesus said so in Matthew 18:3, "And he said, 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" It's simple. It's faith.

10 years

Today is mine and Chris's 10th wedding anniversary! Ten years ago today we got married at First Christian Church in Martinsville, Indiana. Dr. Larry Kuntz, the pastor I'd known pretty much my whole life, performed the ceremony. My dress was gorgeous, and Chris looked so handsome in a white tuxedo. (I currently don't have any of our wedding photos scanned onto my computer. I'll get to it sometime.)

We had lots of family and friends around us that day. Most of them are in our lives still: some have left this world to be with Jesus, some have left because that happens sometimes, and some are even closer to us today than they were back then. No matter what the case may be now, each and every person who was there made our special day perfect.

We've been through a lot in these past 10 years. We've had lots of laughs and great times, and we've also had our share of hard and trying times; all of it has brought us to where we are today. I can't wait to see what the next 10, 20, 30, 40+ years bring!

Live theater etiquette

After attending two live shows at Butler University's Clowes Hall this week, I feel it necessary to go over a few basic rules for proper etiquette while attending a live theater production.

1. Arrive EARLY at the show to give yourself enough time to find your seats, go to the restroom, and/or get situated BEFORE the show starts. You would not believe how many people I witnessed at just two live events arriving after the show started, thus making the ushers shine their flashlights all over and everyone get up so the latecomers could skooch slowly by to their seats.

2. If you have to get up to use the restroom, go before the show, during a scene break, in between songs (at a concert), or at intermission. The same goes for going to the lobby to buy show souvenirs. Then you won't have to walk in front of people as they are trying to see the show; nor will you have to interrupt people by saying, "Sorry, excuse me!" to everyone you pass, thus causing them to not be able to hear what's happening on stage.

3. Emergencies happen, but when they happen 5 times during one show they are no longer "emergencies" and are "normal behavior." Consider this when ordering tickets for younger children. For heaven's sake, people, you know how your kids behave (or don't) when they are forced to stay in one place for a certain amount of time. Just because they are going to a show that will feature their favorite performer does NOT mean that their behavior will miraculously change.

/stepping off soapbox

The things we do for our kids

This week is Spring Break week in our town, and Emma and I have been having slumber parties in the living room every night this week. I really wanted to sleep in my own bed this evening, but I just couldn't say no when Emma asked if we could have a sleepover again tonight.

We have these slumber parties quite often, Emma and I. It may seem indulgent to some ~ as it does to me from time to time ~ but I know that all too soon Emma will be too "grown up" to ask her mommy to have sleepovers with her anymore. So I'm taking advantage of it while I still have the chance.

Normally I watch Emma's movies during these slumber parties, but tonight I was really hoping to finish watching MY movie, the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth). So I told Emma that she could choose one movie (she chose Cinderella), and after that we would watch my movie. (I figured it would put her right to sleep. LOL)

So after her cinematic choice ended, we went upstairs and brushed our teeth and got ready for bed. I turned off the light in the living room and resumed my movie, hoping to coax Emma to quickly and quietly go to sleep. No such luck, of course. She played, albeit fairly quietly, and frequently asked questions about what was going on in the movie for probably another hour before finally crashing.

These slumber parties make me tired ~ since I'm not as young as I used to be ~ but I wouldn't trade these nights with my baby for anything.

Could you say no to something this sweet? I think not.

Reading rocks

I always enjoyed reading when I was in school. Well, let me amend that statement: I always enjoyed reading novels ~ not so much with the textbook reading.

I still have several of the books I read in high school and college. I don't have "The Great Gatsby," which I remember enjoying quite a bit; but I can probably get that at the library, which I may do. Here are the books I still have from school:

• "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• "The Sword in the Stone" by T.H. White
• "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
• "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
• "The Little Prince" (in English) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry {I was supposed to read the French version in high school... I will now admit that I cheated and read the English version. There, I said it.}
• "Murder in the Cathedral" by T.S. Eliot
• "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

I also still have the books I remember were some of my favorites as a younger child:

• "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin (I read this one over and over and over. Nothing like a fun mystery.)
• "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" by Roald Dahl
• "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle
• "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I also really liked "The Indian and the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks. I don't seem to have that one, but I do have the two sequels to it, "The Return of the Indian" and "The Secret of the Indian." These are great books for younger readers. Heck, I'd probably still enjoy them now.

My current favorites are the Twilight series and the Harry Potter series. Those are always great go-to books when I want something to read. But I have been on a kick of wanting to read the classics, and especially ones I've heard were good but never had the opportunity to read.

I am currently enjoying Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." I checked it out at the local library, and of course the only copy available was the large-print edition. I'm just over halfway through the book and am finally getting used to the giant words.

Do you like to read? What are you reading now? What types of books do you enjoy most? Could I be any more nosy?

St. Patrick's Day fun

I'll admit that I've never really been a big celebrator of St. Patrick's Day; but after becoming a mom, my type of fun on the day is certainly much more different than that of the people you'll hear about on the news.

Last night Emma and I had a fun slumber party in the living room. We watched a bunch of cartoon shows of her choosing, then I turned them off and watched DVR'd shows after she fell asleep. We woke up to a beautifully sunny, warm day, which was such a nice change of pace.

We took a walk with Norbert in our neighborhood.

We had a fun afternoon with the blinds open and sun streaming through the windows, playing Wii Sports and Mario Party 8. Emma got to ride her bike and paint with water on the driveway for a little bit while Chris grilled steaks for dinner. We even ate at the dinner table for the first time in too long for dinner.

One of the topics we discussed at dinner was how excited Emma and I are to go to the Imagination Movers concert at the end of the month. Emma wanted to make a sign to hold up, so she decided we needed to do that immediately after dinner. Rich is her favorite Mover, so Chris came up with a clever sign slogan: Rich ROCKS.

I figured it would be much cuter for Emma to actually write the sign. I was right. :)

So that was our exciting St. Patty's Day. Do you have any annual SPD traditions?

How to: St. Patrick's Day wrap-around hat

Emma came home from preschool today with a note from her teacher that said she is to wear green on Wednesday. Emma made sure to tell me that she was allowed to wear a green hat if she had one. She does not, in fact, have a green hat; but I knew she really wanted to wear one.

I scoured the internet for easy ideas on how to make a St. Patrick's Day hat, but I couldn't find anything that I could make with the materials I already have. So I came up with my own idea. And here's how it turned out...

Cute, right? I am pleased with the results. And it only took about 10 minutes or so.

Here are the materials I used for the hat: one 8.5x11" sheet of black cardstock, one 8.5x11" sheet of green printer paper, one 8.5x11" sheet of yellow printer paper, ruler, pencil, scissors, paper cutter, glue stick, Scotch tape, and double-stick tape.

1. Cut several 1.5" strips long-wise of black cardstock.
2. Put together the ends of two strips and tape with Scotch tape on one side (this will be the inner side of the wrap-around headband). Put a small piece of double-stick tape on the opposite side between the two strips (so the tape doesn't show on the outside of the headband). Repeat with the amount of strips you need to fit around the child's (or your) head.
3. Wrap the band around the child's (or your) head and hold the strips together. Repeat Step 2, making a full ring out of the strips of paper. Set aside the ring.
4. Cut the green paper to 8x11". Measure and cut the hat how big/small you want it. In my hat, the brim is 2" high by 8" across. The tall part is 6" high by 5" across.
5. Cut a 1.5x6" strip of black paper for the band.
6. Cut a 3x3" square of yellow paper for the buckle. Measure down 3/4" from each side, making a square in the center. Cut out the center.
7. Glue/tape the yellow buckle to the black band, then attach to the hat.
8. Cut a 1.5x7" strip of black cardstock and glue to the back of the hat (this will help the hat stand up).
9. Put a 2" piece of double-stick tape on the back of the had in the center of the brim and attach it to the ring. And that's it!

I may add a sparkly shamrock (Emma loves using glitter glue) on the upper part of the hat. But we'll see. Feel free to embellish your hat to your heart's content.

It seems pretty sturdy on Emma's head. She was moving her head all around, and it stayed on well. So hopefully it will last on Wednesday at school. We'll see about that, too.

Happy early St. Patrick's Day!

Creativity is cool

What comes to mind when you think of the word "creative"? I think, for most people, the word creative describes someone who is artistic. I know that's what I usually mean when I call someone creative.

A friend of mine called me creative recently because of the baby shower invitations I made for her and another idea I had for something she was wanting to make to go along with them. Here are some photos of the items I made (I am really pleased with the way they turned out and honestly just wanted to share them with you all)...

After I told her my idea, she said, "Wish I was this creative." So I was pondering that today, and I've decided that there are many ways a person can be creative besides just being "artistic."

• A teacher who comes up with interesting, fun ways to teach which makes their students excited to learn.
• A cook who tweaks a recipe - or comes up with his/her own recipe - that turns out delicious. Or even if it doesn't turn out, trying something outside of the box is creative.
• A woman who picks out fabulous outfits and enhances them with great jewelry pieces.
• A child with an active, vibrant imagination.

Those are just a few examples of creativity. What do you think? What do you find creative?

Cheese!

I took photos for some friends at their daughters' birthday party yesterday. And tonight I'm taking photos during all the dance classes at church. I'm really getting into taking photos. I'm sure I have tons to learn about the proper way to compose a great photo; but our Nikon D40x makes taking good pictures so easy. (Do I sound like a commercial, or what?)

Here are just a couple of the 200+ pictures I took last night at the party...

How sweet is that last photo? It's so fun to be able to catch sweet moments with the camera.

And funny moments.

And action-packed moments.

I also like to try to take artsy photos sometimes. I actually took these with the point-and-shoot camera I always carry in my purse, then I futzed with the colors in Photoshop.

I took those at my grandparents' farm house not long before it was sold. I also made a black and white version of the chicken coop photo. I like black and white photos.

Maybe I should be a photographer. Or maybe I should just stick to taking pictures for fun and leave photography to the professionals.

Brilliant!

Today at Emma's school they celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

And we were supposed to put the kids in either black and white or red, white and black (like the Cat in the Hat).

"The Emma in the Hat"

I enjoy writing. From time to time, I think about maybe trying to write a kids' book. Then when I try to come up with an idea, I can't think of anything that's not been done already. People like Shel Silverstein (The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, etc.), Victoria Kann (author of the Pinkalicious books), and Dr. Seuss have pretty much cornered the market on great kids' literature.

I mean, how GREAT are Dr. Seuss's books?! I loved them as a child. And Emma loves them now. And I have a feeling her kids will love them, too, someday. His stories are timelessly whimsical.

My favorites as a kid were "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Wacky Wednesday". Emma's favorites are "What was I scared of?" (which she calls "Pale Green Pants"), "The Sneetches", and "The Zax" ~ all of which can be found in this book.

Maybe someday I'll be able to come up with a brilliant children's book idea. But, if not, at least we have Dr. Seuss and other great authors like him to keep our children entertained.

What are your favorite children's books?