joy out loud

5 on Friday

1.  We just had a drag race on the street in front of our house.  I stood out in the middle of the street and dropped the flags to start it out.  (part of that is true!)

2.
 
This grows in my yard!  Isn't it pretty?  I'm hoping to add some other things to the garden, too!

3.  two toddlers who talk non-stop can become extremely irksome!

4.  I'm interested to see what happens in the next few years in our country.  I'm interested to see what happens in this year in my life.  Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 3:20 ring in my mind alot!

5. my toenails really, really, really need a pedi.  I'm debating foregoing a nap for babyin' my piggies.

happy day, all!

TV is overrated!

Me and the boys periodically will hop on the internet to find pictures of animals or what ever it is we're discussing, so that they can see what it is we're talking about.  And, one of our favorites is youtube.  We've looked up gorillas fighting, tractors, rhinocerosesssssessess (however you end that one properly!  could it be rhinoceri?!)  But the other day we found a few that just got me giggling.

This:

and this:
(which we danced to pretty much all day long!) and this, which has become some sort of phenom in the U.K.
They just crack me up, sitting watching the computer. we even figured out how to watch the Disney channel online. Seriously, who needs TV anymore?

I found it!

I just thought it needed to be said...

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In other news, I needed a little 'play' time, me personally, I mean.  So, I snagged a pretty face, asked her to doll up for me, and then started playing. 
I had so much fun with these! 

I've decided I should schedule play dates for myself more often. 

Thanks, girl! 

the hoyos family

The first official shoot of the new year!  I had so much fun with these guys.  But, seriously, three boys, how can it not be fun?  We had tried to do a photo shoot a few months ago, and it just didn't work out.  But, Monday was perfect for this crew!
It was hard to get the boys not to giggle too much over mom and day cozying in the background! 
These guys are the youth leaders at Church for Life.  They have awesome hearts to serve God, and to see the next Generation fulfill their destinies.  They rock!  And, they're raising up a  brood of awesome little men of God. 
Love you, guys!  So glad you guys are in our lives.

making friends

As many times as I get overwhelmed with everything in life - my husband has brought it to my attention that he has been noticing more facial lines! - I'm still completely blown away at how blessed I am.  I sit here this morning, listening to the radio (not through the internet, just through the regular air waves like everyone else), sipping coffee while my boys play around me, in a peaceful home, part of an awesome church, and yet, God still blesses me with new friends.  I have some fun pictures of some shoots that I'll post later this week, but I wanted to share about how we made some new friends last week.  Ever since I was little, I would go somewhere and make a friend.  I would scope out the kids playing around me, pick one, and somehow convince them that I was their best prospect for fun that day!  Somewhere in high school that all went a little awry, something about jealousy, game-playing, and partying that I wasn't able to fully grasp!  But, now it's still the same.  Even the grocery store!  I try to get the people in line talking to me, I try to work a smile out of the cashier, I go out of my way to help other people  all in the hope that  someone might continue the conversation - that they might be looking for a friend, too.  Well, the other day I wasn't looking for friends.  I had actually decided to avoid too much contact with the other shoppers.  Weird for me, but even I have off days.  But, then, this lovely family appeared in the aisle in front of me.  I didn't see which aisle  they came out of and I don't remember them being there the second before.  But, there they were.  And, I got a sick feeling in my tummy.  literally.  'No, I don't want to give them my business card!'  was my first thought, since I haven't been brave enough to walk up to people and ask them to be my friend since, well, grade school, and they would be absolutely adorable in my portfolio!  So, after a whole conversation  back and forth with my inner mind over whether I should approach them or not, I of course did.  The next day I received an e-mail that said, 'I want to be your friend!!'  I just about fell out of my chair.  So, we got together. And, a divine friendship was begun.  I'm so glad that God has created me to be who I am, even if it's kind of scary being who I am sometimes!  Here's some pictures of the first time that we got together.  Well, of the kids.  I always forget to take a picture of me and my friend!  It will come.

 

 

 

 
and they brought me flowers!!!!
Since this day, we've gotten together more, introduced the hubbies, and introduced more friends!  Fun. 

Words for me

I wanted to pick a word for the year, but I can't narrow it down.  I have lots of words rolling around in my head right now, and they all have quite a bit of meaning to me -they all hold a certain amount of 'potential' for me. 
So, I'll share them all.
ADORE -
To worship as God or a god.
To regard with deep, often rapturous love.
To like very much: (understatement!!!!!!)
It's seems as though I'm stepping into a new level of affection in my relationships.  With God, Danny, and even my boys.  I think I'm starting to feel adoration given to me, also.  To me, it's such a tender feeling, but deeper than simply friendship.
BREATHE -
to take in from the air around you, draw out life-giving oxygen from it so your body can live.  Maybe life is what is on my mind, but I'm still working on the breathing part.  When Judah was first born, he had a hard time breathing.  I wasn't able to hold him, I didn't get to nurse him right away, like I had hoped for, he didn't get to experience my warmth and tenderness, and that first bond - that I was told was so important and special - was missed.  He wasn't living yet, he was struggling to get the air he needed.  after an hour on oxygen, he was thriving, but he needed help. maybe he needed to be shown how.  I've been wondering if I'm re-learning how to breathe.  It continues to get easier, and I can see Life - full, thriving, and lovely, up ahead.
ADVENTURE -
my life is wonderful, (even while I'm re-learning to breathe) and I am going to claim every opportunity to adore it and show it as full and blessed.

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Today, we were playing in a wading pool!  seriously.  It's January and we're busting out the swimsuits!  crazy.  But, still not an excuse for this!
 In Europe they just go naked, but I'm not really hep on that either!  Just keep the shirt on. If you feel like you have to get in the water that badly, borrow the boyfriend's shirt.  It's not just like wearing a bikini top! or be brave and keep all your clothes dry! (remember? adventure!)

California living

So, I am starting to absolutely love being able to say that I live in California!  Christmas wasn't even a month ago, but in my head - and everyone else's it seems, summer is here!  We went to the beach after church yesterday, and forgive me, but I couldn't help but catch this shot!  (If you are one of the beautiful young ladies in this photo, or if you know who they are, please let me know)  Look at them!  I absolutely love, LOVE this shot!  They inspire me!  I just  grin all over the place looking at this picture.  When I saw them walking up the beach towards me, I knew I

had to catch this moment!  Strength, freedom, beauty, fun, joy...Love it!   I have some more shots from the beach, but people hunting for gold, and huge fashion faux pas cannot be included in the inspirational body that is this post!  they'll have to wait. but aren't you just curious...especially about the fashion faux pas!

really good and bad

Okay folks!  I need to get my name out into the Central Coast a little more.  I want to bring some more joy to some more lives!  I'm portfolio building so, from now until the end of March, I'm offering special prices for all sessions.

What you get:

    *1-2 hour session (on-location)

    *the time and talent of 'moi' - I look at every photo to make sure that the best moments of our time together are shown beautifully - and Awesome-ly!

    *online gallery  of entire session for 2 weeks - it's password protected, so not only do you have a place to choose which are your favorites, you can send the link to friends and family so that they can see the entire album.

    *free 8x10 print

for $75

I'm also including a sale on prints, which also includes all of you who have existing albums.  30% OFF each print! 
So, if you are interested in some photos, whether it's family, just you, your kids, maternity, or a special day, contact me.  And, let your friends know, too.  You can e-mail me or leave a comment to set up your appointment! 

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Every time I empty the coffee pot, I think, "I should take the whole bucket out instead of trying to make it over to the garbage with just the wet, limp filter.  It's going to fall open one of these days."  But, I kept trying, and kept being lucky...until today.  Sure enough, the edge of the filter fell open and dumped a mess on the kitchen floor.  It needed mopped anyhow!  And, guess what's the best part?!  I'll probably still won't be emptying the coffee pot by the bucket!

computer problems

my NEW computer is having issues (aren't they always?), so I'm on the laptop, and I'm hate to rerun wires and cords to post pictures, so I was extemely happy to see that Ann had tagged me. 

Q. five names you go by:
Amber

Amber Joy

Mom

Babe – the hubby

Heather – for some reason lots of people have called me Heather, even after they know me!

Q. three things you are wearing right now:

ugly, pilled, cream sweater that keeps me toasty

Paris

blues jeans that need to be replaced

Underwear : )

Q. two things you want very badly at the moment:
my house to be clean 

For the boys to both nap

Q. two things you did last night:
sat in a hot tub

cried

Q. two things you ate today:
ummmm……..

Q. two people you last talked to on the phone:
Dan
Jana

Q. two things you are going to do tomorrow:
have a friend over

Have more friends over for dinner

Q. two longest car rides:

Georgia

from

Montana

multiple times growing up

Frankfurt

,

Germany

to Kosova the very first time we went

Q. two of your favorite beverages:
Coffee

Coca-Cola

Q. the people you’d like tag for their very own
Susie

Missy M

Marie

Elizabeth

Cortney

Christel

Ali

New Beginnings

I'm surrounded by new beginnings.  I've always, always, always wanted a wreath to hang on my door during the Holidays!  They have always seemed like such a beautiful way to welcome any visitors to your door.  I'm tempted to leave it up, even though my tree will not be with us very much longer (I was supposed to take it down today, but I forgot to start while the boys were awake, and Judah just might not ever love forgive me if I did it without him, and we have a busy evening).  This was our first Christmas in the United States in our own home, and it was the beginning of some of our own non-traditions, including the wreath! 

note:  Daniel and I don't like traditions that lose meaning but are still upheld because they're...tradition.  We make 'non-traditions' that draw our family closer together, but aren't the glue that we build life on!  I had us wear Santa hats while we opened presents, and was informed, by all three boys, that that was a non-tradition that would have to be forgotten!

Anyhow.

As this new year begins I'm full of hope.  I realized that throughout last year, I slowly stopped looking at life as an adventure!  Aaaauuggghhh! shoot me, please!  I'm beginning to remember what it's like to be excited about everything, and infect those around me with that excitement.  As an adventure, there are no plans.  There is no certain way that things are supposed to go.  You only take road maps so that you know where you can jump off the beaten path!  Hooray! 
New Years Eve, we went to a drive-in movie with some friends.  I was excited from the very moment we paid.  The sign told me which station to tune in so that we could listen, I immediately turned the knob so that the sound of the previews was blaring.  I laughed too loud, I teared up out of sheer joy.  Dan kept looking at me out of the corner of is eye.  I know that I was experiencing a little culture shock, something that still surprises us now and then.  But more than that was the realization that this is the beginning of the new adventure in our lives! 
This probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense - I have a lot of stuff running through my head pretty much all the time right now - but, I hope that it has excited you.  or at least made you smile at the thought of me laughing too hard at a drive-in movie!

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I'm doing 365 pictures again this year, so take a look gander over in the sidebar!