happy anniversary....

to RichardsFamilyof4...the blog!

it is hard to believe that about one year ago today i was doing quite the same thing i am this beautiful *sunny* morning.....watching the today show....what does the today show have to do with me blogging???? everything. that particular morning they were airing a segment about this phenomenal woman and her amazing husband who had been critically injured in a plane crash.....her family was there, bright and early, telling her story to all who would listen.....nienie is a blogger.....and not just any blogger....an unbelievable blogger ....her sister cjane is also an amazing, talented blogger....these ladies mesmerized me....i began reading about nienie, i actually started at the beginning of her blogs and read all the way back.....it took me a few days to say the least.....when i was finished reading about this phenomenal woman i was inspired....i was inspired to blog, inspired to be a better mother & wife, inspired to be a better christian, inspired to be a lot of things.....so that is when i began my blog with this very first post here.....

i think i've come a long way since then.....though for the most part this blog is just a place to keep my family & friends all over updated on our little lives, but for myself it has become a bit of therapy for me.....it is an outlet for writing, a hobby, a love, a creative moment, a way to decompress from a hectic day, relaxation, a love....i have been blessed to come across many, many wonderful blogs and women through this whole experience....many of which are listed on my blogrolls on the bottom left of this site...visit them, see what they are doing too.....it's an amazing *blog* world out there...

moving right along.....because, how could i not ~ on my anniversary and all ~ include some pics of my kiddos :) but not just any pics.....see, i've been learning a bit about photo editing....man, do i still have a long way to go.....it is so fun to see what a pic straight out of the camera, that i thought was pretty dang good, can turn into...i have been using this site, picnik, for my editing....i chose that site for two reasons 1) it came highly recommended & 2) it is FREE.....i would LOVE to have photoshop, but i will have to wait....also, i have learned how to make my pics a bit bigger too....this site is awesome and has lots of great tips for all us amateur photogs....i still have a good bit to learn about that too.....

tell me what ya think....

here is big man....straight out of the camera

here is big man.......edited

here is sweet girl......straight out of the camera

here is sweet girl.....edited

i don't know about you guys but i am LOVING those edits.....so vibrant!! so neat looking!!

.....this weekend could possibly be pretty laid back for us...ahhhh, so nice! i think we are heading downtown to the greek festival at some point for a plate of delicious, yummy food.....yup, there i go again talking about food :)