I think I need to start a photo blog...

It seems lately all I have been doing is posting pictures...so I think I'm going to start up another site where I can post my photography and then eventually it will be the site for my business.  So, it's always...yes...you guessed it...BUSY!  I almost loathe that word.  

David's mom visited on short notice this last weekend so he didn't get to recoup from his work week.   Needless to say, Dave has been sick and this is his second day not going to work...PLEASE pray for him as we really can't afford for him to have sick days...It's amazing what us women consider sick compared to men.  I went to work a couple of weeks ago, nautious and the pharmacy has no ac so it was about 95 degrees.  Yes, I puked, yes I felt like crap, and yes I probably wasn't as efficient as I normally am...but I did go to work.  I don't know...mom's rarely get sick days...and when we do get a day, we never have off from the kids.  Can you tell I'm a bit frustrated at this whole situation?  

Anyway, enough about that.  So, I have my first official shoot this weekend.  My subjects are a mom and her daughter and son.  And then three brothers...two whom are twins.  I'm very excited.  I've been reading alot on twin sessions.  I'm very blessed to have this opportunity for my first shoot.  I just hope I don't screw it up.  

So, to get ready for the shoot I went to the location and played around with my boys.  I had great lighting.  It was a cloudy day so I didn't have overwhelming shadows...If it ends up being bright and sunny I might ask somebody to help me with a big piece of cardboard.  We'll see.  So, here are those shots for your viewing pleasure...and I will work on that other site so I don't fill up this one with my work :-)

The three images that are the same shows the difference of color, black & white, and black & white with a hint of tint:

PS  The reason you don't see Parker in but one pic is because he was fed up with the camera...so yea, ya'll know how that goes.  

It's been a very busy weekend for us here at the Brown home.  Tonight was the first night that I just sat down on the couch and "chilled."  Dave and I watched The Island tonight and it was a really good movie.  

Earlier today, I went with some friends from church to Paris Gibson track and ran a mile.  I am glad to say that I was able to do it without stopping.  My time still could improve though.  

Yesterday, I was honored to sing at my friend Alicia and Jason Hefner's wedding.  I asked if I could tag along my camera and pretend I was a photographer...so here are some, "I'm not really the photographer so I'm not gonna get in the way" pictures...

My boys were being so cute the other day with there sunglasses, that I had to experiment with my camera again...aren't they funny?

And lastly, after the wedding, Dave and I did have a couple of hours together...we had fun just being lazy in the sun.  I thought he looked super hot so I snapped some of him too...

And this is his super hot but not-so-hot-on-gas truck

So there's the weekend update.  I have made a goal to run next month's mile in 9 minutes or under so I have to start running at the park in the morning.  It would probably be a good idea for me to get to bed so I can do that.  

Tuesday morning my husband had to call into work to see if he was needed.  Unfortunately, he was not and that stinks b/c it's alot of moolah that we won't be seeing this next check.  Anyhoo, he asked if he could have the kids for the day b/c I would normally take them to day care.  I thought that was very awesome of him...the kids rarely get to see their daddy and they were so excited to have a day with him.  I frantically called the daycare and asked if I could switch their day from Tuesday to Wednesday so that I could have a day "off."  Thankfully, this was not a problem.  It was so nice just doing whatever I wanted without having to wipe something gooey up every 20 minutes.  The only stinky thing was that I wasn't feeling very good.  But I did get to poot around on my camera programs alot.  I even got to hang out with Ann which is always a blast.  So, I asked her if I could take pictures of Grace to experiment with.  I still need to work on my shutter speed/ISO/aperture settings but I don't think they're that bad.  I got to play on Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop with these.  Grace did pretty good for on the fly. 

Before that I was able to capture my dog doing what he does best...being lazy.

These were some shots that I was able to take Monday morning of the freezing frost...so pretty.

I am very excited about what I have been learning and the loads of info that I still need to soak in.  My chickens are getting bigger...maybe I should get a picture of them.  Oh and sad news...we are having to get rid of the new animal of the house, Leah.  Our umbrella cockatoo.  She isn't adjusting very well to the kids and other animals...she has biting Ashton, me, Dave, Sophie (my cat) and Sam - SEVERAL times-he is just too slow to get away I guess.  Anyway, she normally is very lovey with us adults but I have been reading that these birds can get jealous when having other animals around and can just get plain nasty...so that is sad but I am tired of catching Sam limping everywhere because he got bit by the bird.  So, needless to say, we have to keep her locked up now and I just feel so bad about that.  We are in the works for finding her another home that will suit her better.  Be praying that we'll find someone...I always hate having to give a pet away.  

I just viewed my post and these pictures are not the same colors as they are on my computer...so sorry.  So I am now investigating to see how I can make them show up true from my files to cyber space...wish me luck ;-)

Subjects wanted...

So, it's been a very eventful couple of days.  After only two weeks of working the extra half day, David and I have decided that it isn't worth it...me working an extra half day that is.  I pay more in daycare than I make.  I am just praying that my boss will understand.  I also had to share my pride in one of the tasks I completed today.

 

Since David has been working these two jobs, I try to make the most of my time and am trying to get my house organized.  I am right along with Ann on that one.  I was really productive in the beginning but now that I am also starting to workout in the evenings I haven't had a ton of time for the organizing...

Not too long ago I discovered something that I think should be a documentary for the Discovery Channel.  The link between cave drawings in B.C. times and toddlers:

I came home from work one day and to my astonishment, cave man drawings were on the wall above Parkers bed.  I know they are Parker's because every time he draws a person they end up looking like Bert from Sesame Street.  I had to leave the room from busting out in a big gut laugh right in front of him.  He had stumbled upon some wax crayons made for drawing in tubs and showers.  Well, our claw foot tub is rough and needs to be be resurfaced so I was saving them in the very cluttered linen closet.  Anyhoo, this is the result of my mess in the closet.  I had to take a picture of the men before painting over them.  Thank goodness he didn't decide to be Picasso on his newly painted walls.  

A Thrift Store Treasure:

To the right is my cat Sophie.  I adopted her from the humane society last year on Mother's Day.  She has been such a blessing to me and I love her dearly.  She was so skinny when I first got her and now from this photo you can see that she is very healthy.  So, we cuddle every night and I could go on and on about my sweet kitty.

I was in Saint Vinnies to buy a cute chest for the 

boys room, and lo and behold, there she was!

My Sophie in ceramic form, blue eyes and all! She was a little overpriced but where in the world would I ever get the opportunity to buy my kitty.  So I got her and when I got home I was delighted to find out that she has a slit in her back...she's a kitty bank.  So she (ceramic Sophie) is perched on my fake fireplace and anytime I give the boys a quarter for chores or they find pennies on the ground, they stick it in the "Kitty Bank" or "Sophie Bank."  I just thought that was too cool!

Anyway, to the title of my blog.  Yes, I need subjects.  I am pursuing photography and have been in contact with a very established photographer via email.  His work is amazing and he has been so kind to give me advice on how to start out.  To get into this awesome sort of art, you must have a decent camera, some hint of a gift, a fast computer and a "dark room" or post processor program.  Well, I just recently bought myself the Canon EOS 40D, and the new Imac, I think I do have a hint of a gift for taking pictures so the only thing I'm lacking is my "dark room."  Which happens to be Photoshop Creative Suite 3.  I'm trying to develop my portfolio so I have a couple of sittings that I am doing for fun...A pregnancy sitting of a friend and another friend who is easy to photograph.  But, I need a way to save up for this amazing program.  So, I was thinking, why not take pictures for folks for a 25.00 fee.  Not too shabby since I would post process on my default iphoto program (not near as good as photoshop but something) and also give whomever a CD of their "proofs."  It would take only 10 sittings to then save up.  Normally, PS CS3 is about  650 bucks...but a student discount is 250 and Dave is still considered a student right now.  So anyhoo, if you know of anyone who wants a girl getting into photography with a nice camera to take pictures of them, kids, animals, whatever, then please let me know.  I have 2 days during the week I can shoot and also Saturday morning or afternoons. 

Any encouragement or advice is welcome and I thank everyone in advance for supporting me in this new adventure.  I have always loved catching moments in time and would love for this to eventually be my job one day.  Here are a few samples of pics I've taken that I think are neat:

Long time, no blog...

Everyone has been telling me that they are tired of the ugly sweaters...."We wanna blog!!" They exclaim...so here ya go.  Something new and fresh.  So what has been going on in my life since Christmas?  Here's the bulleted version:

*Ashton turned 4

*Got reeeeal sick

*Dave separated from the AirForce

*Went to Florida for vacation - don't hate ;-)

*Dave looks for new job

*Dave looks for new job

*Dave looks for new job

*YAY!  Dave got 2 jobs

*Wait, BOO!  Dave got TWO jobs

*Parker turned 3

*New animals added to the Brown house

So, there it is.  It has been a huge transition for us these past couple of months.  God has been giving me supernatural strength to work 30 hours a week, take care of the kids Monday through Friday with no help and get by with seeing my husband for only 1 1/2 hours M-F.  I know there are those who have it way worse than me and I'm not trying to whine, but it has been very difficult for me.  I think that God knows just how much to give us so that we have to rely on him.  And you know what?  I am going to rejoice in this...b/c I have grown so close to my sweet heavenly Daddy.  So, with that nutshell said, I better get to work so I'm not late and here are some recent pictures of the fam...

I love Trees!

Relaxing on a wonderful Florida day...

Having fun on the island

Wrestling with daddy during his terminal leave

The kiddos at Easter

Parker with his "presents"

My love after a hard day at work

Someone at some time thought they were pretty...

We had our first get together at our home today.  

It was our Ugliest Christmas Sweater Party!  It has been very busy the last week...let me recap...last Wed. night-church, Thursday am - appt, night - choir practice, Friday am - work, night - going away part, Sat am - Christmas program dress rehearsal, noon - shopped for food for my party, night - young adult gift exchange party, Sunday am- Christmas program, noon - cooked food, night - 2nd Christmas program, till 1 am - still cooking food, Mon am - work, night frantically cleaning and getting ready for the party!!!  SO yea, it was nuts!  But it was wonderful!  We had many friends come and I had a blast.  I wish I had a little more time to get the food ready but I think it turned out well.  I had some drawing prizes.  Jason won the "you make me twinkle" mug and hot cocoa, Raistlin won a box of Swiss cocoa, Alicia won a blinking nose, and Steven won a hideous fleece scarf...they were all gag gifts.  And Kat won the ugliest sweater prize...a snowman frame.  I'm glad that she will use it!  :-)  I had so much fun and if anyone is reading this who came...thank you for coming.  I was so blessed to be able to have ya'll over.  If you weren't able to come, maybe next time.  But I hope you enjoy the pictures regardless.  Hope ya'll are having a fabulous Christmas!!!

Parker trying to take Steven's nose..

Our Ugliest Sweater Winner!  Kat...so beautiful even in that!!!

Steven being silly :-)

My hot hunny in his hot sweater

Chris and Summer 

The gushiest people right now...but oh so cute...

Jason and Alicia

Kat, Andy & their adorable litte girl

Alicia and John trying to work on getting my dead and helpless

computer back to life...*I should have never punched it*hahaha

And last but not least...The Brown's...Christmas HERE WE COME!!!

We're going to Nashville!

Where have the Brown's been? Well, up until October 26th I (Ali) was preparing to get Thirty9 and my boys, dogs, ect. ready for a showcase in Lincoln, Nebraska. My wonderful friend Charlotte watched my kiddos and my sweet friend Vina watched my dogs. We left Wednesday night, the 24th, at 11:30 pm. We had a 20 hour drive to Nebraska and made it there on the 25th around 7:30ish. It was a fun drive though. Long, but three seasons of "The Office" made it fun...I love road trips! Anyhoo, the next day was the competition...it is sponsored by Band With A Mission. So we competed and spent time with some old friends, then trucked on back to Great Falls. We came back to a messy house and worn out from the trip. We have some hilarious road trip footage though. We were supposed to find out the beginning of this week of we were chosen to go, but lo and behold, no emails. Finally, today on the website I noticed the new blog, "Lincoln Finalist Announced." I was so nervous clicking the link...but I did it anyway. Click here to read it. So, now we are preparing for yet another road trip, and figuring out whose watching the kiddos and dogs again. This time it will be 32 hours. Many movies await us. A couple things we need if you feel lead to:
1. Prayer - everyone can do that right? We need prayer for safe travel, that our kids would be safe, that we would raise enough finances to go, and that we would not all kill each other before we get to Nashville.

2. $$$ - we kind of went broke to pay for the Nebraska trip(without going into debt of course)...so we need finances to help pay for gas and lodging. We figured it would be about 1,000.00 for everything. I know it sounds like alot but any little bit helps...

God has already started making a way for us to raise money...Dave has been helping a friend out with his house for 10/hour and we have between the guys working and extra money I earned, 200.00 so far. So only 800.00 to go. But please pray for us anyway. We love you all and are really excited to see what God is going to do with Thirty9. Thank you for all your support. LOVE YOU!

Here are some fun pics for you to enjoy:

Sarah and I with Baby Moriah

Me playing with a Lama

Isn't she precious?

My mountain of laundry I have to put away

(Hey, at least I'm honest about it)

They are so proud to be doing this