A couple months late.

Hi everyone,

I was looking at Joey's company's website today, and found the press release they issued when he started working there (in October!). I am very proud of Joey and the work that he does.

If you would like to see it, click here.

Cartoons by Andertoons

6 FREE Valentines

I found a website that is offering 6 FREE Valentine's Day cards, plus FREE shipping! You have to put in your credit card info, but it doesn't charge you anything.

CLICK HERE

But hurry! The offer expires February 1st.

Haiku Challenge

Mom's Ode to the Stomach Flu reminded me of Haiku's. What is Haiku you might ask? Haiku is one of the most important forms of traditional Japanese poetry. It's a 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Some people meditate to create inspirational Haiku, I just took a minute to remember how cold it was when I came home from work and then thought about J saying over dinner he was hoping for snow day tomorrow. Here is my Haiku:

I miss summertime
Winter is too cold for me
I don’t get snow days.

I now challenge everyone to write one themselves and then leave a comment with your Haiku.

Hope all the Gibson Crew that has had
this ole stomach virus is better soon!!

It's a Bird. . . .

This morning, Parker and I were playing throw the balls down the stairs. It works like this--he stands on top of the landing, I stand on the stairs and he throws the balls over the railing and does a crazy laugh! When I was waiting for the last ball, I heard a thud on the porch and looked outside. I saw a feather floating and thought a bird had hit the front door. When I went to gather up the balls, I looked outside but saw nothing. Our game went on for several minutes. I was standing below Parker on the stairs so I really wasn't looking at anything but him and where the balls were flying!
I started up the stairs and had to do a double take, because there in the window, pretty much in the middle hung a bird. I looked closer and could see it blinking its eyes. Now, I didn't really want to touch that bird, but I couldn't just let it hang there. So I worked up the courage to open the window thinking I could just sort of push its little feet out of the screen, but just then it shook its head and flew away right off the screen. I took this picture because it was one of those tales that you might have trouble believing without evidence! (Parker paid no attention at all to the bird, just acted like it was normal for a bird to be stuck in the window screen)

Can you say Too Much Stuff!

See that corner cabinet, everything in the floor came out of there! Amazing, but wait that's not all. The stuff below was in there too!
Seriously, it was all there, I cleaned it out because we could no longer close the door. It looks better now. Anyone need any Tupperware?
Note, the photos on the fridge are arranged by Parker, he likes them at his eye level!

It's Joey's Birthday

Thursday, January 22nd is Joey's 26th birthday! This is little Joey on the lake, where he still loves to be when he is not auditing someone!

And this is Little Joey pretending to be Bo Duke a long time ago. He still drives like Bo Duke!

Here's Big Joey with Tracie and Parker just enjoying getting his picture taken.
Happy Birthday, Joey!

I Love Mad Libs

Do you too?

Aimee has started a blog

Aimee has just started her own blog. Check, check, check it out - simplelifewiththeclayborns.

Parker's Day

Parker started his day early (before six) with some chocolate muffins for breakfast.

He played in the house for a while. . .

Then, since it was a sunny day with no wind. . .

He rode around with his Pa for a little while.

He rode by himself for a while.

He drove the golf cart in circles in the middle of the field.

And then after a snack, and a story he just gave up and fell asleep in the floor!

Music Related Update

At Christmas Randy, Camille and myself had a small controversy about some music from the past! Randy said that Neil Sedaka sang Mandy. Camille and I disputed his word and said we were positive it was Barry Manilow. Joey confirmed it for us with his cell/internet connection, but we could not think what songs Neil Sedaka had made popular.
Well, today I am watching the Today Show and Neil Sedaka is on and telling about his new cd with his grandchildren! He has taken some of his old hits and made a children's album by changing the words. For instance, one of his big hits was Breaking Up is Hard to Do. He has changed this to Waking up is Hard to Do. Some of his other hits were Love Will Keep Us Together and Calendar Girls! So now I guess if you ever heard any of this songs, you have them in your head!
And just in case you forgot here's the lyrics for Breaking Up is Hard to Do:

Don't take your love away from me
Don't you leave my heart in misery
If you go then I'll be blue
'Cause breaking up his hard to do

Remember when you held me tight
And you kissed me all through the night
Think of all that we've been through
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it's true
Don't say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again

I beg of you, don't say goodbye
Can't we give our love another try
Come on baby, let's start a new
'Cause breaking up is hard to do

It's Kevin's Birthday

January 8th--It's Kevin's birthday. Here's a couple of photos of little Kevin, back when he was a cowboy. The bottom picture was taken in our front yard when we lived in Rolling Acres. That's my green/white Maverick in the background. Kevin liked to visit with us, but he wouldn't stay all night, when it came time for bed he would say that he had better go home! He had the privilege of being the first grandchild so he got every one's attention! Then, his little world was crushed when he got a sister and several cousins! You are still number one, Kevin, hope you have a Happy Birthday.

100th Post

I just noticed that when Tracie posted the photography article (good suggestions) it was our 100th post! Wonder how many we can make this year? I believe we started the blog in the summer, so it has been up a little over 6 months! Keep sharing!

Photograph Your Family Like a Pro

Add style and elegance to your family photos with these easy professional techniques

Carolyn Buchanan, Parent and Child Magazine

We're snap-happy! Our digital cameras let us take tons of photos of our favorite subjects (our children, who else?) almost anytime, anywhere. But sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to getting memorable shots of our tots.

Shooting everything can spoil a moment and drain the spontaneity out of a picture, says National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, author of Photographing Your Family. He explains that a camera can act as a barrier. "I shot my first child's birth and missed the whole thing," he says. "I didn't experience it." Sartore left the camera home for number two and "cried like a baby."

You don't have to be a pro to get pro pictures. Sartore suggests thinking about what is most significant about your child to you. Does he imagine himself a superhero? Are stuffed animals part of her rich fantasy world? Try to capture a visual representation of those things. Here, Sartore shares his family photos and tips to help you create your own classy family photo album.

Fill the frame.

Many of us shoot from the same distance when we try to capture our kids at an event. Sartore suggests moving closer so that your child fills the entire frame before shooting. Then back up until your subject appears tiny in the frame and shoot again. "An old newspaper trick is to think about the wide shot, the medium shot, and the tight shot when you're telling a story," says Sartore. "It's more of a complete job that way."

Go flash free.

Most cameras allow you to override automatic settings. And most do very well in low light. That's good, especially when it comes to the flash, which can make photos look harsh. For interiors, dare to go flash free - most of Sartore's favorite photos were taken without one. When outside, shoot in indirect light, Sartore suggests; early morning and late afternoon are prime times.

Try high and low.

Changing your angle on the subject can dramatically improve your photos. Since kids start out low to the ground, it's a good idea to get down on their level when taking pictures. Try a whole bunch of different angles: worm's eye view, bird's eye view, 360 degrees. You can also try turning the camera from horizontal to vertical for more variety.

Be aware of background.

Cluttered and busy backgrounds wreck pictures because they draw your eye away from the subject. Sartore often sets up his pictures from the rear forward. "If I can't make the background look good, I move on." He insists that taking just 30 seconds to consider how best to photograph your subjects will yield better pictures. Get into the habit of looking at the surroundings before you shoot and either minimizing them (if they're a distraction) or incorporating them into the photo's composition.

Snap spontaneous portraits.

To get a great shot, look for moments when your kids are sitting still, preoccupied with something else - like a puzzle or the computer. The spontaneity will yield more natural results. You may also want to think beyond the obvious. One of Sartore's most poignant and unique "portraits" depicts the underside of feet - those of his baby son and wife.

Say something new.

Sartore suggests leaving cliches behind when you're about to shoot. Instead of "Hold still" or "Say cheese," try, "Show me what you've got in your hand." You never know what will happen, but be ready to capture whatever comes your way.

Find your focus.

Some cameras let you get very close to your subject, which allows you to blur out other elements in the photograph and lead the viewer's eye directly to what's important. Sartore suggests using this technique when photographing your child's hands or feet. "Focus on just a few toes or fingers - or that freshly pulled tooth - while keeping an eye on what's in the background so it's not distracting."

Don't shoot for perfection.

Take the time to make mistakes and experiment. Professional photographers like Sartore will take dozens of shots of every scene. "It's amazing how a similar photo can have a completely different feel with a small adjustment of angle or slightly different timing," he says.

Kristen's Blog

Check out our blog list and you will see a new addition called Livin' the Taylor Dream.

It's Kristen, she's just started blogging and sharing her adventures. After reading it though I am a little concerned about what has happened to her driving skills!!!

No More School For Dad!

Though it's hard to say that he is "retired" since he actually has another job, school started back today, but Dad didn't have to go! This post is in honor his retirement from his teaching job. I am jealous. I did find a couple of inspirational posters for those of us still working to be able to quit working someday!!

Need AVON?

In case anyone doesn't know, I sell AVON!

If you want to order something you can go to my website: www.youravon.com/tcowan
I have free standard shipping on my website until midnight on the 10th of this month. All you have to do is type in CLEARANCE in the coupon code at checkout.

If you live in Byrdstown, my mom usually has a book. I'll start sending more for her to pass around. I usually do orders every other Monday.