Friday April 13, 2012.
In the Classroom - I volunteered to help out for Charlie's in class field trip about structures.  Oh boy, talk about not knowing what you are getting yourself into.  I had thought that I would be supervising a group of children as they learned about structures.  What actually happened was I supervised multiple groups of children as I taught them about structures.

April 13 - 21/365

Saturday April 14, 2012.
Movie Night - On Saturday we tried to download and watch the Muppet Movie.  Sadly, it took forever to download and we ended up watching some crappy movie on Netflix.  I can't tell you how much I miss Blockbuster. 

April 14 - 22/365

Sunday April 15, 2012.
Proof -  This picture wasn't meant for the future.  It wasn't meant to look back on as proof that I existed.  This picture was to remind my self that I exist - today.  I've been so busy taking care of everyone else, busy with my nose in my school books and ticking off the boxes on my To Do list that I have forgotten that I am an actual person.  So here is proof.  I am alive. 

April 15 - 23/365

Monday April 16, 2012.
Blossoms - We have lived in our home for seven years.  Season after Season, the crab apple tree that grows in the neighbours yard has been my muse.  This year, it is the subject for my Unit Six lighting assignment.  Check it out.

April 16 - 24/365

Tuesday April 17, 2012.
Reflected - Another photo of a crab apple blossom.  This time, an Instagram photo of it reflected on my patio table. 

April 17 - 25/365

Wednesday April 18, 2012.
Rise and Shine - Can you imagine being my kid?  This is how I woke him up this morning. 

April 18 - 26/365

Thursday April 19, 2012.
Best Brothers Ever - Charlie is a proud reader and we are proud of him.  When he started the school year in September he was at a level C. Now, in April he is at a level L. Way to go Buddy! He loves to read to anyone who will listen.  On Thursday, his brother did his nightly reading homework with him. 

April 19 - 27/365

Friday April 20, 2012.
Eggs - Another shot taken for my photography class.  I can't wait to be finished.  I kind of miss my life. 

April 20 - 28/365

Saturday April 21, 2012.
Biomedical - I had the chance to attend a seminar on Saturday on the emerging trends in Autism/ADHD/OCD.  It was both interesting and overwhelming.  I came home with my head spinning with information looking for a glass of wine.  I wonder what the biomedical doctors would say about that?

April 21 - 29/365

Sunday April 22, 2012.
Big Kids, Big Mess - I used to think that the older my kids grew to be, that they would naturally clean up after themselves more.  I was wrong.  The older they get the bigger mess they can make.  Seriously, if you don't believe me you don't have teenagers in the house.  Kenzie and her friend Emily made smoothies this afternoon. 

April 22 - 30/365

Monday April 23, 2012.
Sharp - On Monday, we went to visit Gramma.  You never know what you are going to get when you visit with her.  Some days, she is easily confused and emotional, other days she is sharp and funny.  Thankfully, this was a sharp and funny visit.  I love those. 

April 23 - 31/365

Tuesday April 24, 2012.
Sun Kissed -  I love his freckles and his dark eyes.  He makes my heart melt. 

April 24 - 32/365

Wednesday April 25, 2012.
The Details Within -  Sometimes I get so focused on the big picture that I miss the little details.  Or - I am so focused on one specific detail that I miss something else.  Last night, I was so intent on the goal of finishing my classes, that I lost sight of all the small victories that I've gained.  It's also true for this picture.  My eye was so drawn to the light in the maple tree, that I completely missed seeing the bird in the grass.

April 25 - 33/365

Monday April 2, 2012. 
Dozin' -  I see squirrels around my neighbourhood all the time.  They amuse me the way in which they frantically busy themselves, like they have a to do list that is a mile long.  You've probably seen them, digging in your garden, chasing one another up a tree or darting out in front of your car, but have you ever seen a squirrel relaxing?  I mean just doing nothing for the sake of doing nothing?  When I came across this squirrel sunning himself on my back deck, I had to stop and wonder.  Was he hurt?  Why is he doing nothing?  How could he have possibly finished his to do list, and just relax for the day?  Doesn't he know the other squirrels will talk?  But, then I thought, maybe, just maybe this guy had the right idea - maybe his chores for the day weren't done, but he decided to give himself just a few minutes of breathing space, to rejuvenate before he tackled them.  Maybe, just maybe I was a little jealous. 

10/365

Tuesday April 3, 2012. 
Awakening -  I am coming out of my winter hibernation, welcoming the signs of new life and grieving the lives who slipped away.  My brother's (adopted) mother passed away today.  Rest in peace. I wish I could have met you to thank-you for raising an awesome son.

11/365

Wednesday April 4, 2012. 
There'll be Days Like this My Momma Said - Charlie and I found this girl on the way home from school.  "Take a picture Mom!"  So I did. 

12/365

Thursday April 5, 2012.
Date Night, Times Five - We went out for dinner, the five of us on a date.  We exchanged stories over appetizers and asked for five spoons so we could share an order of  dessert.  It was everything a date night should be, times five. 

13/365

Friday April 6, 2012. 
Business Man - I met my brother-in-law Jamie when he was four years old.  He sat at his little wooden table, set up in the living room playing - The table was set up to be his office: he had a calculator, a binder and neatly stacked paperwork.  You see, Jamie's favourite game to play was business.  They say that your profession should be what you dreamed of doing when you were a child.  I've watched Jamie grow into a man, and I couldn't be prouder of him.  He is doing exactly what he should be doing.  He has followed the dreams of his child heart owns two businesses. 

14/365

Saturday April 7, 2012. 
Old Girls -  I am the younger sister.  I don't say that just to point out that Jennifer is older (although obviously she is.)  I point it out because where we sit in the family hierarchy is just the beginning of our differences.  Early on, whether consciously or subconsciously we decided that it was easier to be different than compete for the same recognition.  She was a tom-boy; I was girly.  She was the outgoing one; I was quiet.  She was smart; I struggled.  She was easy-going; I had wicked temper.  She had posters of heart throbs and heavy metal bands wallpapering her walls; I had a Ziggy poster and a plaque of Jesus (not kidding.)  In striving to carve out our own identities, we have become two very different women.  I wonder what choices I would have made, who I would have become without Jennifer.  I know that I am the person I am because of her.  Happy Birthday Jen, congratulations on your Cougar Status. 

15/365

Sunday April 8, 2012. 
The Loot - Charlie would like you to know that the Easter Egg hunt was fun and exciting - and that he got the most.  Sugar high to start in seconds.

16/365

Monday April, 9, 2012.
Sad Pansy - I planted some spring pansies in my garden over the weekend.  There has been so little rain, that the soil has turned bone dry.  This pansy sadly hung his head, waiting for the promise of April showers. 

17/365

Tuesday April 10, 2012.
Blue -  It seems I was on a flower streak.  Here is the second of three not so exciting flower shots.  Enjoy.

18/365

Wednesday April 11, 2012.
Just Dandy - Third and final flower shot of the week. 

19/365

Thursday April 12, 2012.
Leaning - I'm trying my best to balance school, home and family.  For my photography assignment, I multi tasked and actually handed in a series of pictures with me doing the dishes.  Inspirational really.  I haven't gotten my grade back yet, but I'm thinking I deserve an A.  You can check it out if you want, I write my assignments as blog posts here at Elevating Exposures.

20/365

Saturday March 24, 2012.
New Year, New Addition - Happy Birthday to Me!  We have a new addition to our family, a birthday present from my awesome husband.  Her name is Kimber Rae and she smells as good as I remember my old dolls smelling.  Her brothers have welcomed her with open arms, but her sister has been less accepting.  I think Kenzie may be a tad jealous of her baby sister.

1/365

 Sunday March 25, 2012.
Get on your bikes and ride -Our lives have been so busy lately, and we are having a tough time carving out couple time.  I was glad that I suggested a bike ride together before dinner. 

2/365

Monday March 26, 2012.
Spring Greens -

3/365

Tuesday March 27, 2012.
A Re-Count -  Charlie bought himself a chocolate bar from the school fundraiser.  He counted the money out of his bank and put it the envelope all by himself.  The only problem was, that we were not sure if he had counted the money right.  He felt indignant about the whole thing, and I don't blame him.  Turns out he had counted correctly.

4/365

Wednesday March 28, 2012.
From the Edge, Looking In -

5/365

Thursday March 29, 2012.
Converging Lines - I love when things all come together.

6/365

Friday March 30, 2012.
Book Report - The Little Man completed his first book report.  He chose one of my favourite books from when I was a kid, and one of his favourites, "The Monster at the End of this Book." 

7/365

Saturday March 31, 2012.
Snow on Forsythia - I knew we were not done with winter, but I wonder if the forsythia was surprised.

8/365

Sunday April 1, 2012.
The View From Here - It's a rainy, dreary day.  A perfect for hanging out in my pj's and catching up on some homework.


9/365