Winds of Change

What a weekend this has been! A very emotional one and yet full of victories.  My son had two soccer games. One game he played well, but today he was AMAZING! I am so proud of him.  It is amazing how the smile of one little person can change the mood of everything.   

 

Yes, he did score! A few times actually...

 

I am in such awe of my children.  They are my life.  And I know every mother says the same thing about their kids but I am truly in love with all three of my kids.  I could photograph them all day long!  It doesn't matter what is going through my mind, how sad, frustrated or confused I am... they always make things better.

 

 

 

My friend Dawn wrote something on her blog a few days ago.  And she doesn't know because I have pretty much kept to myself all weekend but her words helped me get things into perspective.  They helped me get out of my rut and enjoy each second of my life with my loves.  They are growing up so fast... so many "first" going on it's hard to keep up.  I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy every second with them and, even though it is a challenge, I am able to split myself into three and devote my love and attention to each of them. 

 

 

 In just four months Paula will be 12.  Things are getting harder by the minute but I have to be grateful that she is the best girl I know! I am so proud of her and how far she's come.  She is turning out to be quite the lady. 

 

 The winds are changing, January is not even over and so much has happened..  it's turning out to be a little bit overwhelming.  It's hard to go through change when people put you down but I have to say, that thank God I am a strong willed woman! All I need is a little push down for me to spring and soar up into success!  I have my children to keep me up and ready to go!  For them I'll go and do anything and everything and one day they will grow up and be so proud and appreciate everything I've done today... all for them <3

 

 

 To the moon and back infinity times, I will always love you!

 

 

 "Time flies when you become a parent, enjoy every second of it, savor each moment, make the good times far out weigh the bad, laugh at your mistakes but above all remember YOU are the parent, you are NOT a friend."  - Dawn Minney

 

Thank you Dawn!

<3

 

 

 

 

Salute our Gardens!

It has been a pretty hectic week.  Decisions to make, homework, work...  The time passed and I never posted my pictures for Sunday when we went to Bush Gardens.  The kids had so much fun!  All thanks to our dear friends fiance.  He is a proud US Soldier that just returned home from his mission  and is now enjoying his time with friends, family and most important... the love of his life!

 

I feel so blessed to call them our friends! We had the best time!  Gigi had never been on roller coasters! Her previous experiences had been... and I quote: "I have been on Tower of Terror, Aerosmith, Dumbo..."  We all cracked up! She is so awesome! We love you Gigi!!

 

I obviously was feeling very excited since I have my new camera! ... theirs no better place than Bush Gardens to take pictures!  So I started with a few chimps and cats!!...!

 

 

 

 

 

  Beautiful Cheetah

 

 

This was so funny! All the pictures I captured she had this same face.  When she gets off she tells me: "Mami, that ride was so lame I don't know why that boy was having so much fun.  It was totally for babies! "  Gotta love my Cami <3

 

I don't know why but this Kangaroo reminded me a little about Gus...  without the snoring

 

 

 

My handsome boy! He had so much fun and was so happy!

 

 

My model for the day! She is the only one that let's me take pictures! Paula is always hiding behind me... but I'll get her!

 

 

Enjoying the "little" kids area.  She wont admit it, but she had fun in it!

 

Gus, Paula, Niko, Gigi n Mike riding the Scorpion!

We had the best time! Thanks Gigi and Mike!!

You guys are the best and totally ROCKED OUR WORLD <3

 

Digging Up Fun

It's been a really long time since the last time we said screw it, packed our bags and just left.  This is what we did on Friday and what a fantastic time we had!  Things end up being more fun when you do them sporadically and without planning, at least that's how we think and have always seen things.  Destination on Friday night at 8pm... Sarasota, Florida.  We absolutely LOVE the Gulf Coast!  For the past 11 years it has been our getaway City.  White sandy beaches, marine life, Art, fresh air, relaxation... you name it and that's what you will find in the Gulf.

 

 

 

 This time the trip also had a purpose.  Niko had asked Santa for a Megalodon (huge shark from the prehistoric age) tooth.  Nice right! Well, we read that Venice, FL is the Shark Tooth Capital of the World.  So we decided to go on a shark tooth stakeout.  Luckily we found a handful of tooth each, so the kids were very happy.  No Megalodon's though.  To find those you need to go scuba diving on certain areas and they are still to young to scuba.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day, we were left with very HAPPY children!

 

 

 

One Day at a Time...

I can't remember the last time I got so frustrated! This new camera thing has me so excited and at the same time so anxious.  I know it takes time to learn how everything works but, I want to be able to understand my camera like... yesterday! I have read the manual and I still don't understand.  I have watched YouTube videos and I sort of got it... but still, the pictures are not coming out as I would like.  I know I wont be a professional any time soon, but it would be kind of nice if sometimes I could get a picture exactly the way I want it to turn out.  I think my "CDO" (OCD In alphabetical order) is kicking in too much.  I understand photography is an art and right now I don't feel like an artist at all.

I was looking for classes online and I got to say.. I picked quite the expensive hobby.  So here we go... tomorrow will be another day and hopefully I will soon understand and read enough to take a decent picture! One day at a time.... right?  I picked what I think are the best of the bunch.  One hour and a half of picture taking and 532 pictures later... I found 5 decent ones!

 

 

The Diving Plank at the pool.

 

 

 

Paula <3 Free

 

 

 

The Love of my Life! (1st Edition)

 

 

 

Cami, so proud of her split! (3rd Edition LOVE)

 

 

 

I don't know about this one... But Cami says it's her favorite! kids...

I am speed...

"I'm a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics.  I create feelings in others that they themselves don't understand."

 - Lighting McQueen

CARS

 

Believe it or not this were my thoughts and feelings today when I walked into my hubby's work.  So much adrenaline running through the air.  I felt like a million bucks! Well... not really I was wearing my work clothes which clearly stated I couldn't afford a bolt in that place.  Gus has been working there for almost a decade and I still get nervous when I go.  Still, I found a way to make myself feel comfy and at home.  I took my camera and went for a walk.   Here it is, a bit of The Collection!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My hunny, hard at work! 

 

 

All in a days work!

the end...

New Camera, Day 1 (Revised)

I have no clue what I did... But apparently I deleted this post.  Oh brother... me and computers, not so good together.  Which is why this Blog is TRULY a challenge! Anywho, here I go again!

Pictures from the first day with my new Canon Rebel T3 camera! 

 

 

 

Niko, hard at play!

 

 

Brumelia Love!

 

 

My precious Paula!

 

 

 

Scardy cat Oddie!

 

 

 

Camila Ballerina! <3

 

 

 

Niko & Oddie

 

 

"Mon Petit Amour"

1, 2 ,3 .... click !

All the time while at work today I kept thinking of new things I wanted to photograph. The day was so long and slow and all I wished for was my camera.  I got home and immediately I started to play with my new "toy", as my husband calls it... Tomorrow, I'm going to work with my camera! I'm sure tons of amazing pictures will emerge from a fun day at work ;)

I present to you, my day <3

 

My amazing model Jill.  She was born to model and loves that I take her picture over and over!

 

 

 

Back in Thanksgiving, while I was making my traditional Pumpkin Soup, the kids took all the seeds and decided to plant them.  Here is my interpretation of our "pumpkin plant".

 

 

 

Playing around with the settings and "Macro".

 

 

 

All about homework on a nice Sunday evening...

 

 

 

Homework and color and more homework!

 

 

 

And we are done for the day! Princess fell asleep as I was "doodling" with all the buttons of the camera.  So much to learn and so little time!

 

 I'm completely obsessed!

<3

 

 

 

 

Waterworks

What happens when you have children sleep deprived from a sleepover?

What can you do on a... sort of, hot "Wintery" afternoon in Miami?  

 

WE TURN ON THE HOSE !

 

 

 

Paula and Lily hard at play!

 

 

 

Dancing with water sprinkles <3

 

 

 

Swirl it, swirl it ;)

 

 

 

Finally Ms. Rosie arrived at the party!

 

 

 

Rosie... I see you!

 

 

 

This is so much fun! I absolutely LOVE this picture of Ms. Rose !