Stressful today...

I have had obstacles today but nothing so bad that God couldn't help me overcome.  I got a virus on my computer when I tried to download a free photoshop color pallet.  Didn't I already know that there is no such thing as free anything?  But never fear, I fixed the problem.  Had to reset my computer back a couple of days. 
I did however, get to take some snapshots of my little sister Montanna today. 

Hope everyone has had a wonderful start to the week.  The weekend can not get here fast enough for me.  Maybe tomorrow will be more productive for me. 

<3

Mortar is messy...

Today I spent the whole day at my mom's laying tile in her sunroom.  I mortar and tiled the whole floor and I was impressed with myself. The first pic is the concrete floor before the tile.

and during...

and after the tile was laid but before the grout.

  I'm already sore in places I forgot I had.  Tomorrow is probably going to be a chore just to get out of bed.  But a mommy's work never ends and I must pull myself together to take care of my baby.  Then hopefully I can get the house clean or at least mostly clean and head back out to moms to grout the tile.  I can't wait to see the finished product.  I even want to start my own project in the kitchen with a decorative backsplash.  I really enjoyed laying the tile today.  Ben helped and I couldn't have done it without him! 

In honor of Valentine's EVE  I want to say how much I love my husband.  He is amazing and I could never imagine my life without him.  I've known him for 6 years, loved him for most of that time and we have been married almost a year now.  He is the sun to my sky.

Happy Valentine's Eve to everyone and hope it is as amazing as you wish it to be.  <3

Saturday Bliss

Was today really Saturday?  It didn't feel like Saturday...  Dawson was of course bored out of his mind even though he has a billion toys and a HUGE yard in which to play.  When Ben got home from work we went to my mom's to eat dinner.  She made salad with creamy Italian dressing, spaghetti and meatballs with garlic cheesy toast.  Yummy! After eating I set a grid to tile her sun room.  Tomorrow I'm going back to actually lay the tile and depending on how fast that drys I might grout it as well.  If not, I guess I'll go back Monday...  I was bored while she and Ben went to get some grouting supplies so I took some pics of things at my mom's.

These are sand dollars that she found on a beach on the East coast.  They stink.  But I'm sure they will be beautiful once they dry and she has a chance to clean them up.  I like how she had them laid out on that distressed piece of wood.  I think I want to do some editing of some kind on this one.

I haven't been home long from mom's.  I can not get warm.  I feel like my bones are cold.  I think this is the first winter that I have been this cold.  I usually am very hot natured like my grandmother Peebles was.  I usually didn't even run much heat in the winter but this one...  This one has been a doosie!  Might have something to do with my hormones after having Laylah or maybe an iron level in my blood?  I don't know but I can't wait for Spring.  NOT SUMMER... Just Spring.

Speaking of Spring, I'm trying to get a couple of bunnies to use in my Easter/Spring portraits!  Can't wait to try that out!  I might borrow a chicky from someone too and make it pink or blue (Photoshop of course not dye).  I'd love to hear more Easter/Spring ideas if anyone has any.

Still lovin' my life!

Do you ever feel like you missed the whole day?

I only got maybe 3 hours of sleep last night.  And today I felt sluggish and out-of-it all day.  I finally got a nap after Ben got home from work but then when I woke up it was time for him to go to bed because he gets up at 2am for work.  I only saw him for 5 minutes.  I feel like today didn't even exist.  On one productive note I took a few nature and object shots that turned out pretty neat.  You can go to my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whitley-Art-Photography/182469221792357
and view my albums.  Don't forget to "LIKE" the page while your visiting.  Here is one that turned out to be one of my favorites.

And the woodpecker below has been teasing me all winter long.  I have been trying my best to get this snapshot for months.  FINALLY I got him!!  He's so pretty.

I can't wait for warm weather this weekend.  I am planning on meeting one of my sisters in law on Sunday that I haven't had the chance to meet yet.  Looking forward to that and I really need to get this yard ready for spring so I can take some more great portraits! 

I hosted a giveaway tonight on Itty Bitty Laylah Love on facebook.  You can "LIKE" that page as well.  There is a link to that page toward the bottom of the page and on the left.  That was a fun giveaway.  I found out what items people really like and gave away a great Houndstooth pillow to the lucky winner.  I can't wait to do more giveaways! I got several new fans with the first one and maybe it will continue that way!

I also got to video my 9 year old son Dawson playing with his baby sister and her toys.  He is so sweet to her!  I love him with all my heart.  She looks at him like he is Superman already!  I think he is going to be very overprotective of her very soon. 

I think I am done for tonight so lets see what tomorrow brings!

Snow Day... again

Woke up this morning to snow again.  Gladly it melted ~quickly~!  I even got a couple cool shots of the snow dripping off the roof onto the porch rail!  I love the one of the splash. 

After I made Laylah a cute outfit and headband the whole family ventured out to Wal-Mart and of course they had 3 lanes open (one of those being express lane) and a store full of people who were all ready to check out at the same time.  Can't complain though because I got what I needed.  Valentines for Dawson's class and goody bags we filled with pencils, candy, slinkys, rubber balls and valentine cards. I am however running out of ways to keep Dawson occupied inside while the snow is melting away messily.  Today he worked on multiplication with flash cards and played with Legos.  He wanted me to take pics of his work so here ya go...

That "thing" in the left hand corner of the bottom pic is a "nuke" he informed me.  :)  Gotta <3 that kid!!  After we left Wal-Mart or as my friend calls it "The Great Satan", we visited with my dad and step mom. Their sweet 14 year old kitty passed away a few days ago and I made her a headstone so I took it to them.  RIP Christine Peebles 1997-2011 

Made an awesome dinner for my family.  Homemade enchiladas with homemade salsa and spanish rice.  It was yummy!  I got a few bookings for March.  Super excited about that!  Can't wait!! 

So that was pretty much my day.  What can I say?  I love my life!!

Day in the life of a stay at home mom.

Today was great!  I love being able to stay at home with my babies.  Laylah is such a good baby.  I love her more than I ever thought possible.  I guess God just keeps making more room for love in your heart the more people He sees fit to bring into your life!  I got to wake up knowing I could look into her eyes all day and not get tired of it.  Dawson is the most loving son I ever could have asked for in a child.  He has a heart bigger than the state of Texas.  When his heart is breaking (for whatever reason that would break a 9 year olds heart) mine falls to pieces too. 

I actually got more done today than I had planned.  I didn't take any pictures today but I did get several items listed on my Etsy shop.  http://www.etsy.com/your/listings 

I am extremely happy with these wedding hair pins I listed today.  I can't wait to go shopping and buy some Dupioni silk fabric and French Vintage Netting!  I want to make some wedding headbands and wrist corsages then maybe some matching shoe clips and boutineers!  So if you or someone you know are getting married I can custom the wedding pieces you want!  My email is amandawhitley2488@yahoo.com

I am also hosting a giveaway on my Itty Bitty Laylah Love facebook page.  I need 36 more fans to hit the goal of 150 fans.  When I get there I'm going to draw from random.org for one lucky winner to receive a custom monogram door hanger in winners choice of colors and letter!  (worth $18)

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=188966124467365&id=100000046854832&ref=notif&notif_t=share_comment#!/pages/Itty-Bitty-Laylah-Love/178597248845360

I think with that I'm calling it a night.  Feeling accomplished.  Ahhh... 

Welcome to my Blogg!

I'm new to blogging but I thought with everything else I had going on, what the heck I'll give it a try.  It will give me a chance to let off some steam :)  So stay tuned for some great pics coming up this spring and I am going to write about my photo shoots individually in order to journalize my adventures!