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



Friday March 16, 2012
Run! -  I can't believe how fast March break went by.  Charlie and I rode our bikes to the park to meet some friends on Friday.  He missed his buddies.

360/365

Saturday March 17, 2012.
Get Back - It's probably hard for my kids to believe this, but I am always on their side: even when they are grounded.  It will be even harder for them to believe that when they are grounded, I am their biggest ally.  I ground them because I want what is best for them.  I ground them to help them get back to their best selves.

361/365

Sunday March 18, 2012.
Little Sister - John and I had a great visit with Donna and my big brother.  Seriously, I love saying that.  Big Brother. 

362/365

Monday March 19, 2012.
New Tricks-  The Little Man has been out bike riding with his dad.  Which is probably a good thing.  Because he would never have attempted (I would never have encouraged) his new trick -
a POP-A-FREAKIN-WHEELIE. 

363/365

Tuesday March 20, 2012.
In My Footsteps -
"I haven't taken a picture yet today." I said to Kenzie.
"We can go to Kerncliff." she answered with a smile.
Because she looks to me, because she walks in my footsteps, because I see myself in her, I strive to be a better person. 

364/365

Wednesday March 21, 2012.
I Can Almost Taste It - Longer days, playing outside after dinner.  Warmer temperatures, it feels more like May than March.  I can almost taste it, Summer. 

365/365

Thursday March 22, 2012.
Courage - I am anxious girl.  If I were a Muppet, I would be Telly monster, constantly running around on the verge of a panic attack.  Or maybe I would be Bert, so desperately trying to control everything.  From where I stand: I am afraid  of heights (actually it's more the fear of falling), of driving (crashing).  I struggle to find the faith that if I leap the net will appear.

366/365

Friday March 23, 2012.
Joy full - Saturday is my birthday.  Last year, I started a my 365, and today I get to reap the rewards of my work.  It fills my heart with such absolute joy to see my completed project.  I had planned to take a break from the 365, but have changed my mind.  Regardless of how much I have on my plate, I can't imagine my life without a daily picture to go with it.  365.3 - Bring it.

367/365

Tuesday March 6, 2012.
Big League - His big sister invited him out to the driveway to play.  That's about as big league as he has gotten.  We haven't put him into an organized sport.  We've been resisting for a number of reasons, but he has asked to play hockey next year.  Ugh, hockey, my least favourite sport.

350-b/365

Wednesday March 7, 2012.
Shady - I pulled around the back of the drugstore where Kenzie works part time.  Her work isn't in the best neighbourhood.  I can say that because we used to live there when the big kids were small.  In the five years that we lived near there, I don't think I ever once took the shortcut and walked through this parking lot.  When I noticed this shady character waiting outside,  he made me a little nervous.  Turns out he was just a nice boy waiting to walk his girl home. 

351/365

Thursday March 8, 2012.
Giant Spider -

352/365

Friday March 9, 2012.
Boys will be Boys - They barricaded their sister and her friend in her room.

353/365

Saturday March 10, 2012.
Birthday Wishes - We invited ourselves for an overnight visit with my Dad and Lynda for his birthday.  Hubby took this picture of my Dad and I.  I know right?  I can't really count it as a 365 if I didn't take it.  No worries, I did take many other pictures on Saturday March 10th, but this was the one I wanted to share here.  It was nice to be able to visit with Dad.

354/365

Sunday March 11, 2012.
You'll Shoot Yer Eye Out Kid - Grampie bought a BB gun.  He and Charlie had great fun with the target practice.  I hope Grampie gets a chance to fix the drywall in the garage before he gets caught making holes in it.

355/365

Monday March 12, 2012.
Tired and Glad to be Home - Between the time change, not sleeping in his own bed and the long drive back and forth to Dad's house Hubby is tired; tired enough ignore his allergies and allow the cat to sit on him. 

356/365

Tuesday March 13, 2012.
Clearly, I'm Getting Nothing Done - It's March break and the weather has been fabulous.  I had big plans for the break to get caught up on a few of my English assignments and maybe even get ahead.  I tried, really I did.  I brought my laptop outside to work.  But the warm sunshine and cool breezes did nothing to help my concentration. 

357/365

Wednesday March 14, 2012.
Two Takes - In the morning I put the moon to bed,

358-a/365

 Two Takes - and in the evening, I watched my boys ride into the sunset.  It was a good day.

358-b/365

Thursday March 15, 2012.
Umm, I think you have something on your face - I love it when I make a dinner that everyone likes.  Tonight was Rib Night! 

359/365