My life is an I ♥ Faces contest

Woohoo! It's that time again -- time to enter a photo at I ♥ Faces. This week it's silhouettes and as it so happens I have a silhouette picture that I took that I like! Here it is...




{Huntington Beach, CA}

Imelda Marcos

First, I want to say that this post is about my boys love for shoes, NOT about photography. Getting a good picture of this kid requires the use of staples, or duct tape if you're in a bind. He refuses to LOOK at the camera -- no matter what. Only trickery works. And, getting him to SIT still requires serious bribes or lots of hard manual labor.

Okay. Anyway. My boy's love for shoes rivals Imelda Marcos' collection of shoes. Remember her? She had a lot of shoes. Harry doesn't really *have* alot of shoes, but shoes take up a lot of room in his heart. Alot. Up until about a week ago, shoe was the most common word out of his mouth. (Now, for the record, it's NO. Everything is no. ) If he noticed Andy wasn't wearing his shoes -- he ought to head for the hills -- or put the shoes ON. NOW. Not the rest of us. Just Andy.

{on every different day he's wearing a different pair of shoes! I just noticed that!}

And, just this week. Still lovin' the shoes. Wearing Cam's that are too big and snuggling some Teva's that are too small. Silly boy.

I did it! My very own *ETSY* shop

It's about time, really. I've been scrapping since the beginning of time, making my own embellishments for a while - and collecting vintage ephemera for a while.

So, here it is. Please be nice and visit. I would visit yours! Momma to boys on Etsy!

Back more tomorrow with photos, fun and goodness!

I ♥ Faces

So, again I'm giving it ago. Why not? Certainly doesn't hurt. And, it's fun!

Anyway...

{my boy. appx. 8 months old. so incredibly cute}

"I am submitting this photo into the http://www.iheartfaces.com/ Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

What are you trying to do?

RIGHT NOW I'm trying to live the best life I can. I'm trying to teach my kids how to lose gracefully and have fun while trying hard.

I'm trying to look at the good in people and in situations that, at first glance, seem negative or adverse. (ie. a losing baseball season. that's right. not *one* win)



RIGHT NOW I'm working on letting myself be happy and letting others know it because I like it and trying to encourage others to feel good, live for themselves and seek their own truth in their daily lives.



I'm trying to find beauty all around me. In warm summer days, in ordinary moments, in tantrums. You get the picture.

RIGHT now I'm trying to be a photographer. I'd really like to get there. I struggle with exposure and focus, but I'm trying hard. I'm going to get there. I'm never going to stop learning.

An example...not in focus. The focus fell on his hand. BUT, he's cute anyway. Trying to see that it's still a valuable picture - even if it's not flawless. We're all still valuable even if we're not flawless.

Winner, Winner CHICKEN DINNER!

I, for the record, am not a big fan of chicken. Weird, right?

Anyway....the giveaway goes to....

comment #3, DANA! Email me at aj_mcgarvey AT msn DOT com and I'll send your little package out right away. Make a mini album of that sweet girl of yours, will ya?!

I'm trying

So, I really like to take pictures. Though, I will admit, my own children do stress me out a bit. I want to capture the perfect image - I want it to be crisp and clear and colorful and .... I can't think of another c word.

Anyway. I tried to get some great images for Sawyer's 6 year photos and Harrison's 18 month photos. Sawyer's turned out okay (Though he couldn't remember how to smile?!) and Harrison's were a total and complete bust. Well, that is my opinion. I'll let you be the judge, I suppose...

These are not the best of the bunch. I posted those over at the photography blog, Sweet Smiles.

These are the momma shots...the ones I love because they are my babies.

{not in focus, but so cute}

{full of glee, yet unable to balance}

{a total sawyer face}

{a bit sheepish}

{what could be more fun?}

{just love this one. love it}

{he was less than cooperative. Seriously.}

How'd they turn out?

Not much better

As far as I can tell...there isn't much better than a happy family. Oh, well, maybe being *part* of that happy family.

An amazing mothers day...letting me know how loved and cherished I am. That's enough for me!

{a little love from my biggest boy}

{yes, we like the jumping photos lately. try and tell me they *aren't* fun}

My aspirations as a mother for the coming year: daily mantra: life, love and laughter - what priceless gifts to give our children. {phylis campbell dryden}

I ♥ Faces

There is a little blog called I ♥ Faces and they have a weekly photography contest, judged by different photographers. Every week, the theme changes. This week, the theme is LAUGHTER! Perfect for a gal like me! :)

My own boys...we were just taking a test run in the flower field near our home and we got this!

{deleted image}

Laughter is so totally fun. I was photographing this family and it was so easy and such a joy -- obviously, right?!

Choosing Authenticity...loving and living with my whole heart

{I was thrilled to find this online today. I find that it encompasses my life, entirely. I am not perfect and I don't make perfect choices -- but this is the goal -- what I work toward.}