an early birthday present arrived...

And I hope to unveil it later this week :)

To my iPhone/iPod Touch friends... beware of THIS highly addictive app. (Note: There are different themes that can be applied to the game by entering different user-names. This adds to the addictive nature because it forces you to try every version at least once ten times.)

Heading back to the opthamologist this week and will keep you posted on anything new.

And as far as the retreat goes, it looks like we're down to only one open spot now up to THREE OPEN SPOTS! I'll keep you posted on that as well.

Can't remember if I shared this with you before but THESE CAMERA BAGS are so cute, I thought it worth a possible re-post.

I have cookies on the brain and came across THIS Minneapolis bakery, awarded "Best Cookie - 2009" by City Pages. Sounds like a trip worth taking. And for my gluten-free readers, THIS might be worth it for you. Or, how about THIS new place in St. Paul?

I'm only making the cravings worse. Guess that's means it's time for bed :) Have a super night.

hint**hint**hint**

A hint for the February Faithbooking Crop:

Our next Faithbooking Crop will be on Saturday, February 13th from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville. The crops are FREE and include snacks, beverages, prizes, and more! Feel free to work the crop around your schedule, just let me know if you plan to attend and I'll be sure to have a spot ready for you.

"when she reds book's"

When my son was in kindergarten he had a very special teacher who received a Stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis early in the school year. To encourage Miss C, I helped the kids put together a very special album. Each student was asked a number of questions about Miss C, some of which included:

• What do you like most about Miss C?
• What have you learned from Miss C?
• What advice do you have for Miss C as she recovers? (They knew she'd just had surgery.)

I hadn't thought much about my son's answers until today, when he came home with this:

You see, Miss C recently lost her valiant battle with cancer. And because reading was so important to her, she'd asked that all of her books be distributed to former students.

My son being one.

It seemed especially bittersweet after recalling what he'd written in her scrapbook so long ago:

Q: What do you like most about Miss C?

A: When she reds book's

I'm so thankful for this tangible reminder of Miss C.

And am sure someday my son will be, too.

I guess you could call these the bloopers

I've been finishing up the G-Man's first birthday pics and enjoying every second of edits :) Mellissa was game for anything when it came to the session, all that she asked for was at least one shot of her son on the platter...the same platter he'd been photographed on throughout the year.

No problem! Or so I thought.

Okay, let's try it again.

We'd like you to sit ON it. Yep, right there...

There's nothing underneath, I promise. One more try, puhleeeeeez?

Perfect.

the float wrap

I thought I'd share a little piece on my all-time favorite product:

Available only to photographers and their clients:

As regular or canvas wraps:

At unbelievably low prices (starting at $27 for a regular 8x10 to $124 for a canvas 20x30). Want to purchase one? Just book your 2010 session HERE. (Fall slots fill quickly so book early. The session cutoff for holiday orders and cards is November 9, 2010.)

retreat anyone?

I have still have two openings for our Spring Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat. The cost is $145 for Friday, March 26-Sunday, March 28 and an additional $30 to add on Thursday, March 25. The price includes all food and beverages (aside from one dish you will be assigned to bring). If you are interested in attending, let me know and I will connect with you regarding other details.

random things that make me happy

1. Daydreaming about future vacations.
2. Watching Chuck with my hubby.
3. Having the right ingredients in my pantry and fridge to make a really good meal.
4. Taking pictures.
5. Playing with pictures on the computer.
6. Being done with my taxes.
7. Artificial tears. Who knew?
8. Provoking my children with song.
9. A clean house.
10. Foosball.
11. Having quiet time alone.
12. Amazon.
13. Finding super cute things on clearance at Target.
14. Fancy chocolate.
15. Coffee shops.
16. The Taste of Peace & Quiet.
17. Scrapbooking embellishments.
18. Fancy journals.
19. My church.
20. Listening to my kids play together... without fighting.
21. Lunch dates with my hubby.
22. Socks without holes.
23. A day without errands.
24. Talking on the phone.
25. Blogging.

What makes you happy?