My New Camera And I Are Going To Be Great Friends…I Can Tell!!

While we were in Delaware, my husband cashed in his bonus points and bought me a Nikon D5000. 

It takes far better pictures than my old Olympus C-730 Ultra—even in the auto modes.  (Not that I would know what to do if I took it out of an auto mode!)

I’ve gone from 3.2 to 12.3 Megapixels and I love being able to see SO much more detail.  The pictures are crisp, and the colors are true—straight out of the camera!  Yay!!

Here are a few pictures I took with the D5000 at the campground swimming pool.  I can’t get over how it froze each water droplet! 

 

I took the first four pictures in the sports mode, and this last one in portrait.

I can see I am going to have so much fun with this thing!  The boys are already moaning when I don my “Camera backpack” and head outside for a walk!  Lol! 

And speaking of my boys, I have some soccer pictures I want to show you as well.  But I’ll save them for another post. 

What kind of camera do you use??  And can you recommend any sites for those who are new to SLRs like me who are looking for tips?

Linked Up To Wordless Wednesday.  :)

The Most Monumental Event Of Our Vacation

Do you see what he is holding??  That teensy tiny little white thing?  All I had with me was my cell phone to capture the moment.  So it’s not the best shot. 

While we were watching a friend’s son play soccer in New Jersey, my little guy lost his very FIRST TOOTH!  Sniff…Sniff… 

I can hardly believe it!  Seems like that little bugger of a tooth was only just coming in not that long ago!  Lol! 

I’m amazed every time something like this happens…that it could have snuck up and caught me all off guard.

It must be a mom thing. 

Because when he came over to show my friend and me what had happened, we both crooned, and fussed, and generally got all teary-eyed and sentimental.  I was so thankful to share the moment with her.  Two hearts who understood the moment for its significance.

My husband, on the other hand, simply said, “That’s good,” and returned his attention to the game. 

I wonder if Jesus’ first tooth was something Mary slipped into her pocket (if she had one).  And whether she counted the moment among the many treasures she kept in her heart.

Isn’t it amazing, that with all of our children, and with all the milestones we celebrate with them, we never run out of room in our hearts to tuck away one more special moment? 

So that we can pull it out and smile over the memory whenever we like…  

The storehouse of a mother’s heart is a wondrous thing.  Wouldn’t you say?  (Cell phone cameras are pretty nice, too!)

To see what others are celebrating, visit Gratituesday and Tuesdays Unwrapped! 

I’m also joining the 30 Minute Blog Challenge over at Steady Mom.  While we were away, I did some blogging contemplation, and I committed to holding my computer time to a reasonable amount.  So I can enjoy the summer with my boys.  She has some great tips on how to do that!

The Relaxing Part Of Our Vacation

For a mom of three, that can be an oxymoron.  Lol!  Right??? :)

But I did manage to snag a little down time.  Mainly because we stayed at this cabin  in Lake In Wood During our second week.  (This is our second year staying in the same cabin.) 

We like it because it has plenty of room for the boys to play Lego’s at one end…while Mom takes a nap/reading break in the other.  With icy cold AC, it was a heavenly place to crash. 

From here, we launched out on day trips and spent most of our evenings visiting my parents and our friends.  As crazy as it can get squeezing everybody in, I wouldn’t have it any other way!  Seeing people we miss is the best part of our vacation!

We even got to spend a day at Ocean City, New Jersey with some of our best friends.  Well, more like an evening.  We broke down 40 miles from the beach and had to spend the better part of our beach time at a community park waiting for the repairs. 

But, you know what?  It turned out just fine.  The kids all enjoyed playing on the playground while we got to enjoy spending time with friends—which was the point of the day, anyway.  :)  Did I say I love my friends?

My little guy had a love hate relationship with the sea gulls.  He couldn’t resist following them, but he didn’t want them snatching his Pringles.  Go figure.  :)

The kids caught TONS of sand crabs.  I’ve never seen one before, let alone the hundreds that the waves would uncover.  It was crazy to watch them scurry en mass back towards the ocean in the receding water and then burrow back down in the sand. 

My oldest son also caught a big crab.  You can’t really see his pinchers.  But he has some big ones.  Imagine stepping on this thing…which is how he discovered it!

In spite of many cries from the peanut gallery to take the crabs home, every last one of them made it back into the ocean.  :)  (Leaving the Mom and the crabs to live happily ever after.)

Can’t you just see the reluctance on their faces to set their crabby friends free?  Lol!

Boys.  What a riot!

On a serious note, I sure hope this hurricane season doesn’t send the oil all the way up the coast.  It’s such a sad thing to see what it is doing to beaches and economy in the south. 

Arlington National Cemetery: My Photos Can’t Do It Justice.

We watched the movie Gettysburg, toured the battlefields there, and then learned tons (at least I did) in the museum about the men who fought there during the Civil War.

With all of that as a point of reference, Arlington National Cemetery became one of my favorite stops on vacation.  It’s a place to remember all those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms of our country.

The grounds were beautiful.  The rows of stones staggering in their numbers. 

The Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was somber.  Sobering.  Moving.

The noonday heat was intense as we waited for it to begin.  So, my husband and youngest son had skirted the rope to find a bit of shade. 

It was a very poignant moment when I saw their two faces between the soldiers during the arms inspection.  I couldn’t help but think of why men in uniform serve…to protect families such as ours, and the freedom we enjoy.  

Seeing Arlington House itself, though, had to be the highlight.  Did you know that Arlington House, sitting high on a hill overlooking a breath-taking view of Washington, belonged to General Robert E. Lee?  Actually, it was the childhood home of his wife, Mary Custis Lee.

Although under renovation, the house was still amazing.  We started in the small front room to the right of the entryway, where Robert E. Lee proposed to his wife.  Then we went on to the adjoining room, where they were married.

Upstairs, we stood at the door of his bedchamber.

It was here where Lee faced the grim choice between loyalty to Virginia, where his family had lived for six generations, and loyalty to the United States which he had served for thirty two years as an officer in the U.S. Army.

After learning that Virginia would soon vote to secede from the Union, Lee retired to this room on the evening of April 19, 1861 to consider the situation and his own role in the impending Civil War. Closing the door behind him, he paced back and forth across the pine floors, trying to bring himself to a final decision.

Shortly after midnight he came downstairs with two letters in hand—one to the Secretary of War and the other to his friend and mentor, Gen. Winfield Scott—and announced to his wife, "Well, Mary, the question is settled. Here is my letter of resignation..."

Two days later, Lee left for Richmond where he accepted command of the Virginia militia forces, never to return to Arlington again. Within a month, the rest of the family would follow him southward.          National Park Service’s Virtual Tour

 

The land was transformed from a plantation estate into an Army encampment, community for emancipated slaves, and a cemetery. 

If you ever get the chance, this incredible property, with all of its historical and memorial history, is a must-see in Washington.  :)

Hosted by Cecily

P.S.  These photos were all taken with my old Olympus C-730 Ultra.  But a little later in our vacation I got a NEW camera!  It’s a dream…seriously.  It’s the Nikon D5000.  And just as soon as I figure out how to get my pictures out of the camera and onto my computer, you’ll get to see some of them!  Lol!

We’re Home!

Who turned up the heat???  It’s like coming home to a rain forest!  Lol!  I can’t even see out my windows this morning because of the condensation.  I’m definitely NOT looking forward to all the mowing and weeding that’s waiting out there. 

And you should see the sea of weeds that has taken over my garden! 

We got home Monday evening and were relieved to find only minor damage from the strong storms.  (This area was pretty hard hit by severe weather.)  The boys gathered most of the tree limbs, and we are just waiting for things to dry out enough to mow the low-lying areas. 

As for our vacation?  We put close to 2500 miles on our van traveling through five states.  I can’t wait to show you some pictures once I figure out how to get them downloaded from my new camera.  (Yes!  I got a new camera!!!  More to come on that later…)  We loved seeing everyone!

We had one (major) break-down in New Jersey on the way to the shore.  But we were able to hang out with some dear friends at a beautiful park while the repairs were made.  (Hanging out with friends makes everything better!)

And speaking of friends, on a sad note, my dear friend’s mother passed away while we were gone.  Although her mother was battling cancer and we knew it was inevitable, it happened very quickly.  I know the family would appreciate your prayers. 

And do you remember my telling you about an elderly neighbor friend who fell and broke her hip?  She has actually improved enough to undergo surgery.  Her recovery is still tenuous.  But we are all encouraged by the little bits of progress we see. 

Thank you all for your prayers!  It is so wonderful to be able to support each other in this way!

I’m so glad to be home.  :) 

Once I catch up around here, I’m hoping to grab myself a great big glass of iced tea and do some serious catching up with you!!!

So Many Lives Given In This Field

Vacation log…#1

We spent the morning at Gettysburg today.  The views from Little Round Top were spectacular.   We could not have asked for a more beautiful day. 

 

Before we left for vacation, we watched the movie, Gettysburg.  So images of battle were fresh in all of our minds.  It’s hard to believe that over 53,000 men lost their lives in this battle.

After visiting Little Round Top, we drove around and spent some time looking at things from where the Confederates formed their lines. 

In the distance, you can see Little Round Top on the left, and Big Round Top dead center.  I can’t imagine being a soldier and preparing to charge across these open fields.  Fields where Union cannon fire would rain down from the ridges above.  It would have taken incredible courage.

We learned a lot during today’s visit, and would love to be able to come back and spend more time.

Tonight, we are staying in Arlington. 

We ventured out to the Washington Mall area and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous evening.  The sunset was breathtaking.

A group leader, who was awaiting a ride to the top of the monument, gave us his extra tickets.  So all five of us enjoyed a free ride to the very top.  What a totally neat experience!

And What incredible views!!

We’re meeting some of my husband’s family tomorrow and seeing some of the museums.  We’re also planning to take a bus tour.  It promises to be a busy day, so I’d better get to bed now.

When I find time, I’ll post more pictures!  Happy Friday folks!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

What Color Shingles Go With Cedar Siding?

After we get home from vacation, we’ll be choosing a color for our new roof.  Here are the three colors samples we asked the roofer to bring out.  Keep in mind, our house is cedar sided.  I just didn’t get a good picture to show that.  

This is the green shingle on my woodshop roof.  You can see it against the cedar there. 

I think the contrast of the green against the cedar will look nice, but I’m still open to other color ideas.  What do you think?  Do you have any other suggestions?  The roofer is going to bring out a pewter grey sample, along with another shade of green, once we get home from vacation.

Speaking of Vacation, we leave in the morning for Pennsylvania.  All we have left to pack are the pillows and bikes.  :)

My little guy is feeling a little better.  Although he still has a nasty cough, he’s had no fever for three days!  Yay!!  My oldest went to bed at dinner time though.  I sure hope he’s just tired.

Anyway, if I can get a good signal during the long drive, I’m going to try to catch up with as many of you as I can on my fancy new cell phone.  Obviously, I’m not driving!  Lol!  And thank goodness for that.  The forced rest will be wonderful!  I feel like it’s been ages since I got to blog hop over a good cup of coffee.

Why The Shortage Of Posts?

Just in case any of you have stopped by and wondered why there’s not much new posted here (again), I thought I should let you know why…

No, the frog isn’t to blame.  I just thought you might enjoy seeing another of our tree frogs making himself at home.

Posting has been hard partly because of the normal changes this time of year brings.

The boys are home on summer break, and life is kind of crazy.  :)  Fun-crazy.  But crazy, none the less.

Yesterday, I opened a window on the computer to write, got interrupted, and never made it back.  I suspect that will happen often. 

For more than two weeks, the little guy has been sick.  We’ve seen the doctor twice and are on our second round of antibiotics.  He’s not feeling awful. Just feverish, congested, grumpy, and needy.  Especially in the middle of the night.  It doesn’t help his frame of mind that I need to keep him away from several families we normally see often (more on that in a minute).  Poor guy!

I told you about spending unexpected chunks of time picking out new cell phones and plans.  We still need to exchange one of them when we get back up to the store.  But that is near the bottom of our list.

Something I didn’t tell  you is that a spring storm left us with hail damage and we need a new roof.  Over the last few weeks, we’ve met with the insurance adjuster and numerous contractors.   We still have some decisions to make.  But it looks like things are finally falling into place.  

I might need your help picking out shingle colors when we get the samples.  :) 

Soccer has continued for the boys.  The last practice was tonight, and the final tournament of the season is this weekend.  Two games Saturday, and two on Sunday.  Then we can put the cleats on the shelf until August.

We leave for vacation Tuesday.  This year, we’ll be making stops at Gettysburg  and Washington D.C.  before spending a week in Pennsylvania.  Of course, we’ll also catch up with family and friends while we’re east. 

We’ve been making the plans for months.  However, now, I’m wishing the timing were different. 

An elderly friend, the very first one to welcome us to our new home in Indiana, is not doing well.  She’s had a number of health crises over the last few months.  But Friday night, she took a bad fall, broke her hip, and hasn’t been conscious or stable since.

Keeping my sick little guy away from her husband, who stops by frequently, hasn’t been easy.  Nor has it been easy to find the time to slip up to the hospital. 

Her husband and sons face some difficult decisions tomorrow and my heart goes out to them. 

Pray for God’s tender mercy to meet them where they are.  I want so much for this family to find His peace.    

Also, my very best friend in the world here is losing her mother to cancer.  I know there isn’t much I can do.  But I want more than anything to be here with hugs and tissues when she needs them.

So, as much as I usually enjoy seeing family and friends on vacation, I’m struggling with being away this year.  Does that make sense?  I haven’t even started to pack yet, and usually, I’m mostly done by now. 

If it weren’t for the boys being so excited about going, and the grandparents counting on our visit, I’d be sorely tempted to cancel.

I’m not sure if I’ll get to post over the weekend.  Or whether I’ll have the opportunity while I’m away.   But now you have some idea what will be going on. 

And what will be on my heart. 

Pray for our elderly friends.  And pray for my friend and her family.  I know both families would deeply appreciate it.   

Thanks for being the kind of friends I can ask that of.  You’re the best.

Crazy Connectivity

After more than 10 years of faithful service, our Nokia “bricks”  finally gave up the ghost.  Last week, we went shopping for new cell phones. 

Holy shmoly phones have changed!  Lol!

Now they do everything but cook your dinner!  

I’m a simple mom.  And I was pretty sure I just needed a simple phone.

However, my family of device-loving guys thought I needed more.  (Funny how that works.)  So this is what I came home with… the Motorola Backflip.

The jury is still out on whether it is a good fit for me.  Partly because the signal strength is only marginal at home, leaving me fighting to keep a connection to talk with my mom in Pa. 

And partly because we had to return the first Backflip we purchased for issues we later learned are common in the model.  This new one is working better.  But it kind of makes you wonder if it is only a matter of time...

Another reason I’m not sure if it’s the phone for me is that I keep calling people as I navigate my contact list.  People I didn’t mean to call.  How EMBARRASSING!!!! 

Worse, by the time I get the phone to recognize that I’m mashing the “End” button, the person I didn’t want to call is on the other end. 

Sigh. 

Kind of hate that. 

I’m not sure if it is a problem with the device or the user.  Lol!  O.k. Definitely the user.  But either way, the fit is still questionable. 

I’m guessing that this phone is a social networker’s dream.  Facebook, Twitter, email, IM, and texting…these are just a few of the things you can sync up and have forever at your fingertips.  Like how I tossed the word sync out there like I know what I’m talking about?   

I added my Facebook account to see how it worked, and then ooooh’d and ahhhh’d over how cool it was to see what everyone was up to on the little screen.  However, when I realized that it dumped all of my “friends” onto my comparatively short contact list, I made haste to remove the link.  For me, locating and calling the right person was already hard enough! 

As it turns out, there is a limit to how much I want to “sync” up, and I’m still pretty much a simple phone kind of mom.  In fact, I would lean heavily in the direction of exchanging it for something with less aps.  Or is that apps? 

But I’d have to pry it out of my husband’s fingers.  :)

He, by the way, got a Blackberry Bold, which doesn’t seem to hold his attention nearly as well. 

Maybe we should switch??

So tell me, what cell phone do you use???