Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Photography 101

Okie doke. So from time to time I have had friends, family, old clients ask me to teach them photography or at least give them a few hints for taking better pictures of their own kids. I haven't really done much about this because a.) I am terribly uncertain about my own knowledge b.) I am not the best with words c.) I'm a college student/mom/wife... ok many hats. But I figured there is no time like the present, and since I LOVE photography, I might as well share it.
So I have put together a small tutorial on exposure. Please understand that this is my understanding of exposure and I do not claim to be an expert on the subject by any means. But maybe there is someone out there who thinks like I do and might benefit from this. If not, well then, oh well. At least there are pretty pictures to look at! :)












Sunday, March 24, 2013

Everybody Get Funky!

Sooo, twice a year the coolest crafters, artists, and the like get together over in Fort Worth for Funky Finds an indie craft fair put on by two of my very good friends Joe and Jessica Doughtery

{Mel & Jess}

So every show possible I pack my shopping... err I mean working shoes and head west to the Will Rogers Colosseum for a weekend of shopping, crafting, adorable puppies (yup, it's a pet friendly event) and hanging out with some of the coolest people I know. 


So I just returned.... a couple of weeks ago, from the Spring Fling. I had an absolute blast, as usual!! If you missed it, you'll want to mark your calendars for the next event for a fantastic shopping EXPERIENCE. You'll be glad you did!


Close to Heaven



A rare thing these days is to have our whole family together in one place, especially Detroit, Texas. Our favorite Airman finally came home for a couple of weeks. When Aunt Shirley walked in our front door and saw our motley crew all together she paused and said "that's about as close to heaven as you can get, having all of your family under one roof". She was right.


So without hesitation, we scheduled family pictures. I'm sure that our kids gag every time they hear me say that, because I take full advantage at every opportunity. It's kind of my thing. ;)
But I guess it didn't really hit me, the impact of our ever changing lives, until I watched my husband stand at the front door watching his "baby" get in his car and drive away. We will see him once more before his leave is up, but it's the idea that he can do just that... get in his car and drive away. Doesn't seem right. So my reaction was "I can't imagine what I'll do when Olivia does me that way". And Steaven simply said "just what I did". Gulp.




It's true. My girl is getting so big, so fast. I just want to put a brick on her head. Why can't that really work?

-Mel

Saturday, March 16, 2013

A good person

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."
-Ann Landers

Olivia and I have had a very busy weekend hosting a garage sale at the Tabernacle. We finally packed it all away and were finally able to relax this afternoon when I realized that I had to go to Paris to pick up a couple of things. So I almost literally  had to drag myself and my little princess to town for a Walmart run and a Braum's burger. But I am glad I did.
As we were standing in line of a somewhat busy little Braum's, Olivia was busy chatting away as she always is. I was beat-down exhausted. So I started doing the little thing that I love so much that she and I started doing together when she was four months old in Guatemala. I pat her mouth and she hums. I know. EVERYone does this with their kid. But it was the first thing I taught her. The first time I cried with her. Right there laying on the bed in Guatemala with this new little baby. There's a video of it, you should see it some time. Anyway, anytime either of us start it, it makes us both smile. So to make a long story short, we were in our own little world, standing in line for a burger, oblivious to the world around us.
When we got to the register and began to give our order, the lady from the ice cream register walked over to tell me that the man in the ice cream line wanted to buy our dinner. I looked over and saw who appeared to be some sort of pastor, but one whom I'd never met. After an awkward moment trying to make sure that I understood, I thanked him and so did Olivia. He seemed to be such a gentle and gracious man. He nodded, smiled, and he walked away.
The girls at the register asked me if I knew him. I didn't. I asked if he'd said anything more. He hadn't. 
Perhaps he was paying it forward. Perhaps he recognized us as an adoption family. Perhaps something different. Either way, he made a perfect stranger's day. He made me smile, and he reminded me that there are still good people out there who do kind things for people who can do them absolutely no good. There are still good people in this world. 

I hope his story made you smile too. :)
Mel