THREE years old!!!

My Mom and I took Owen to Portrait Innovations to have his 3 year picture made the Friday before his birthday (yes, I know, I am way behind in getting this up! and, yes, I still plan to do a post on his party...). He did great, like he always does, and was his usual happy, smiley self :) So, as always, it was NOT easy to choose. But, I refuse to purchase a ton of pictures/packages when I know that most of them will end up stuffed in a drawer somewhere. So, like every other session I have ever taken him for (with the exception of his 1 year pictures), I left only buying 2 different poses. I am really happy with both of them, but the head shot definitely captured him perfectly!!!

Working Mommy

Well, I officially have a J-O-B!
I went through the interview process for this company back in the spring. I actually had to go to the place 5 times and I was certain it was a sure thing and that it was definitely meant to be. But, apparently, they had other ideas. They hired 4 out of the 7 finalists (they started the interview process with around 40 people) and I was not one of them. To say I was bummed out is an understatement. This position is absolutely perfect for me...work from home part-time, doing almost exactly what I was doing before, use my degree, do what I love. What could be more perfect, right? That is what I thought. And, the way that it all played out back in the spring had me believing it was meant to be. But, obviously, it wasn't in God's timing. He had other plans for me that I guess meant getting that position had to wait until now. I got a call from them a few weeks ago and they didn't even need me to come back in for an interview. They just offered me the job and I accepted.

The company is called Bookminders and was started in Pittsburgh by a man who saw great potential in accountants that want to work from home. It really seems like an amazing company and seems just perfect for me. I am really looking forward to getting back to work. I have been wanting to find that balance for a long time and I really, truly believe this is going to be it! I had my first training this past Thursday. I am the only one in the training and it is self-guided, so it was a pretty quiet day spent working on the computer and reading through manuals. Right now, things are a little overwhelming...not the accounting (actually, I haven't even started that part), but the computer systems that are used for navigating the server and keeping up with time are pretty complex. I am sure I will pick it all up soon enough, but for now, I can only say it is a work in progress ;) I am certainly looking forward to the new adventure, that is for sure!!

Baby Birds

We have known for a while that there were 2 birds' nests under our back porch. But, we weren't sure at what stage these nests were (i.e. eggs laid, birds born, etc). And, not wanting to disturb them, we never did actually look into the nests. We were worried that if we did and there happened to be eggs, the Mommy bird would abandon them. That actually happened once before, when we discovered a nest in our hanging plant back in NC. So, we have just left them alone. Well, yesterday afternoon, when I passed by the porch to let our neighbors' dogs out, I heard a screeching sound and looked to my left. I was so excited to see 3 baby birds with their heads up high, crying for food in one of the nests. They were so cute and I was just beside myself with joy. I ran back in the house to get my camera, which was dead...then grabbed my phone instead to see if I could capture them. By the time I got back outside, they were all settled in the nest again. So, I just put my phone above the nest and snapped a few pictures. They weren't great quality pictures. Only one of the babies even seemed aware that anything was going on and picked his/her head up a little. But, ever since yesterday, everytime I have been outside, I have taken my camera with me. This morning, I was able to get a few pictures of them sleeping and then awake, screeching again because my flash woke them up, and then back asleep again. They seem to be easily aroused, but they settle down very quickly and go right back to sleep. And, just to be clear, I have NOT touched them or their nest at all. I have only been an observer. This afternoon, I was able to get a little bit of them on video. I am so flipping excited about this. How sweet that a Mommy and Daddy bird chose our porch for their babies to be born under! I hope we get to see them growing. I promise I will take as many pictures as I can without disturbing them or making the Mommy mad!! Here are the pictures and the video that I got this morning...

Almost updated...

I have almost gotten all updated on here. There are 4 new posts scattered throughout the blog. Yes, I am being particular again and I wanted them in chronological order. I know it seems petty, but I hope to someday have a blog book made and I want it all in the correct order for that. Plus, my Type A personality just can't handle it all out of whack ;) Anyway, the new posts are labeled "Memorial Weekend 2010", "Lake Trip with the Pughs", "July 4th 2010", and "Once a year!!" I have all of my pictures uploaded to Shutterfly, but I still have to label them, etc. So, that may be a while. I also still have to do a post for Owen's birthday party. But, first I have to get the pictures onto my computer. For now, I am tired and I am ready to be done! Enjoy :)

The Beach is that way...

Wordless (sort of) Wednesday

A few of my latest cell phone pictures worth sharing:

My newest favortie picture of my sweet boy!

Us on the firetruck at the Van Buren Point Community July 4th Celebration (yes, I got to ride the truck...FINALLY!! I mean, it is only my 8th year up there!!)

Owen was much more excited about sitting on this tractor than he was about riding the firetruck

Siblings and Bestfriends (Tim, Shawnee, Randy)

Our sick baby boy on the way home from the Lake (he spiked a fever the morning we were leaving)

We know he is sick when he falls asleep in our arms 2 nights in a row...he hasn't done that in at least a year. Poor kid :(

Daddy and Papa took Owen to play Putt-Putt for the 1st time ever

Air hockey with Papa

Ready for his Construction Site birthday party!

On his new roller skates...a birthday gift from Grammy and Pappers

Saying goodbye to G-Ma and Papa as they head back south on the Harley

Owen's Birthday Weekend/Party (FINALLY)

Playing on the computer with Papa the night before his birthday

Fun times with G-Ma

Opening some gifts on his birthday morning

George/Bruce (his name changes everyday) the fish! Part of his gift from us.

My baby boy is growing up too quickly :(

Ready to go for his party in his outfit from Aunt Amy!

Gotta represent Chick-fil-A!!

Pappers is in the party spirit!

And, Alex is too!

"I 'free' (3) "

With Uncle T & his girlfriend, Jess

G-Ma and Grammy chatting in the corner at the party

Having fun with Lisa :)

Opening his gift from Uncle T a little early because they had to leave

It's water play time!!

Gotta represent Metabo, too ;)

Beautiful Ryland!

Daddy grilling the food

The boys---Owen, Hayden, Cam, and Drew

with Grammy and Pappers

with G-Ma & Papa

finally on his roller skates from Grammy & Pappers

(he had been dying for these things for a month straight)

And, a scooter, too ;)

A bike from G-Ma and Papa!

(we are going to have lots of fun outdoors fun this summer and fall)

Musclemen, Papa & Owen

"The beach is that way"

Saying bye to G-Ma and Papa :(