Spring Break 2014

We are lucky to live about an hour and a half from Chicago because that is our go-to place for any kind of vacation.  It can easily be a one day trip.  

We bought a membership last year for the Shedd Aquarium (only $10 more for our family to buy a membership vs. a one-time visit!).  We went to our favorite exhibits and then went to the Museum of Science and Industry.  Now we have a membership there for the next year!  

As part of the membership, we got to tour the U505 which was amazing.  The kids really enjoyed it too and we talked a lot about it on the way home.  

Texture Tuesday, Volume 14

Linking up with Kim again...this week's theme for Texture Tuesday is...SIMPLE.

Life is a bit overwhelming right now so SIMPLE is good...

These are the only posts I've been able to do lately, but I really enjoy doing it :)

Can't get much more simple than this.  Edited with kk_justatouch in two layers; one in multiply blend mode and one in soft light.

I hope everyone has a blessed week!

Texture Tuesday, Volume 13

Linking up with Kim for Texture Tuesday.  

The theme today is... perfectly imperfect.  

I spent quite a bit of time on this and when I put them next to each other, I think I like the unedited version better - I guess that makes the edited version perfectly imperfect :)

I used kk_3003 and kk_0411 with a purple to orange gradient, increased saturation, and added a vignette.  

I enjoy seeing what everyone accomplishes every week...I'm always inspired!

Texture Tuesday, Volume 12

Joining Kim again today for Texture Tuesday -  

Today's theme is 'For the love of...' and I chose sisters.  

These two are about 19 months apart and are joined at the hip most of the time.  They have very different personalities and that's what makes their relationship so endearing.  I hope they never lose this closeness...

Edited with kk_justatouch in Multiply mode

Have a great spring week!

Old time flash

Someone I work with mentioned that I could get an old Sunpak 344D (also called an auto-thyristor) flash for my D40 and that it would work fine...if I learned how to use it!  Ha!  Once I saw that I could get one for about $8 on eBay, I did my research to learn how to use it so that by the time it came in the mail, I had it pretty well figured out.  

I love it!  It gives great light that's not harsh and I've been snapping everything indoors the past couple of days.

I have to sneak pictures of this one or I don't see his face in photos!

This one (left) taken with the new flash...

This one (bottom) taken with on-camera flash...subtle but noticeable difference...

Texture Tuesday, Volume 11

Linking up with Kim Klassen today - for Texture Tuesday -

I wish I could follow her more than I do.  Life does not allow for too much extra time spent on hobbies right now, but I know that all too soon I will have that extra time...so until then...

I used a watercolor filter in PSE first and then added a couple of textures and played around with opacity.

Happy Tuesday!

Family and Marriage Conference

Eric and I went to a Family and Marriage Conference Saturday at Notre Dame.  It was hosted by the Office of Family Life of our diocese and we are so glad we went!  We always said that we should do something like this, but hadn't actually signed up for one.  It also helps that the kids are old enough to be home on their own (Sarah was in charge) and we don't have to worry about them too much.  

Dr. Ray Guarendi was the keynote speaker...he is awesome!!  How can you not be inspired by the stories of a father of 10 adopted children?!  He and his wife are very faith-filled, down-to-earth people and have raised these children after adopting them under some pretty difficult circumstances.  We laughed saying that his books should be required reading for 
anyone having children!  

We attended two workshops and heard two talks by Dr. Ray.  There were plenty of breaks in between and lots of food for the whole day :)

What we took away from it, is that families in general are under attack in our current culture (which we already knew) and what we can do to stand strong.  As Dr. Ray said, "Love without discipline is abuse."  Not only being reminded of our parenting responsibilities but also being reminded of the goals and purpose of our marriage was so uplifting and reassuring.  
If you've never heard of Dr. Ray, you should definitely read about him here...

Or, watch this to see what a great speaker he is - he brought me to tears a couple of times laughing so hard!