She continues to be single and date multiple guys but no one has been able to win her over. We're glad. Focus on school is our motto. This year has brought her much success on youtube as well. She has about 30 original songs now and continues to blow us away with her witty lyrics and beautiful compositions. The world will one day know her name "Again" for sure!
Talen in ELEVEN today! I truly can't believe that my baby boy is eleven. That is just not fair. I love this boy more than words can say. He is a mini me and sometimes I love that and other times I think it will kill me. MOST days I am just so thankful that God granted me a second chance to be a mother and gave me this beautiful soul to nuture. This year has been a strange and different year for Talen. With the economy as it has been, Paul and I decided to try homeschooling. I, of course, doing most of it. So far, so good. He is such a good boy at sitting at his desk and working hard to get it all done. We have had some fun and done a few field trips to the zoo, the jelly belly factory, and a few other spontaneous day trips. Talen has taken up an interest in bowling much to mine and Paul's surprise. He love it. Santa will bring him tonight a ball, shoes and bag. He started taking some private lessons and has really improved. He is now in a Wed. league and really looks forward to it each week. The best part is we have found a fun activity for the both of us. We usually go early or stay late a bowl a few games together. Very fun and healthily competitive. Talen also has an interest in the drums. In January, he will take drum lessons here at the house once a week. A nice young neighbor drummer boy, will come over and give him some lessons. Should get loud in here. LOL! Tonight we will celebrate the birth of this miracle of mine and I will pray for another healthy year with him. He really is a sweet boy that loves his Mommy with all his heart. I just love that.
Paul and I are doing great. Not always that way, but we are on the right track right now. We are looking forward to a much needed family vacation in January. We are taking the kids on a Mexico cruise to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Woohoo! Can't wait. Paul is still at the same job and doing well there. The end of the year has offered him many side jobs and a chance for us to catch up a little. He continues to play baseball, and in the church praise band. His favorite thing this last year, fantasy football. He loves it.
I spent this year busy as ever. I continued with my photography education by taking a great lighting class at the local community college. I am in my third year as a photographer and loving every minute of it. This year I was able to shoot 7 weddings and most of them I was the lead photographer. Very challenging but I feel very successful. I think that my work as a photographer has grown leaps and bounds this year especially in the area of Maternity and Birth photography. This is so fun and gives me the creative license that I need to really fill that place in my heart that wants to create and challenge myself to be better. I was able to purchase my first really great lens back in October, a Canon 50mm F1.2 USM that I absolutely LOVE! This is an amazing lens and I am so happy to have it. For Christmas, Paul spoiled me with another great lens, a super wide angle Canon 16-35mm F2.8 II USM telephoto. I can't wait to use it. I have been so busy with engagement shoots, family shoots, newborn and baby shoots this year and hope that you all were able to follow along this journey of mine to become a sought after photographer. I don't think this will happen right away but I do think that I am talented and on my way to becoming THAT photographer. At least, I hope so. I have enjoyed this year at church and have been able to make some really great new friends and continue to build ties to this "new" church. We have actually been there for 3 years but I just didn't want to commit to another church. The ladies are sucking me in because they are wonderful. Paul really loves it there and is being very considerate and letting me find my way. Teaching Talen, homeschooling, well, you can only imagine the amount of time that takes and the patience. We are doing great here, actually, better than expected. Really, life is good. Hard times come and go, but for the most part, family is everything and without them, I would be nothing and have nothing of any value. I love them.
Brandie, our dog, is 17 this Christmas and I am afraid this will be her last with us. She has been the best dog ever. We have Sophia Principessa, the cat, and her son, Hornando Bloom. We really love these cats.
Tonight, we will continue the tradition of Chinese food on Christmas eve and off to bed early so Santa can do his thing. Tomorrow we will spend the day together, playing with new gadgets, eating and enjoying being an all American Christian family. Sunday we will spend time with Paul's family and Monday we will celebrate Talen's eleventh birthday with friends and family. Should be a great weekend.
