January 2010 in Review

31/365 Lazy Day

Well, I've made it a full month and gotten a photo a day. Today's photo is Spanky basking in the sunlight from the porch doors and enjoying the view of the sparkling backyard in the snow and ice. It's so peaceful and beautiful.

30/365 Snow Day

The first snow day of the year has turned into a majorly rainy, icy day. The boys haven't even really gotten to get out and play. Here are a few of my favorite pictures for the blog. I'm just hoping for a safe, warm day for all my NC friends.

29/365 Soooo Sweet

Today Davy came home with roses. Just because. I'm a lucky lucky lady - mostly because the first thing that crossed my mind *wasn't* "what did he do now?" Ha!

28/365

Beautiful comes in many shapes and sizes. Starting and committing to this project has made me look at all aspects of my life thorough a different perspective. It is a gift to seek the beauty in the day to day things of our lives.

27/365 Common? Landscape

Today's Daily Shoot prompt was to photograph a common landscape. On the way home today from school, I struggled to capture this photo while crossing the 17 overpass on Hwy 33 leaving school. I don't think this could be categorized as "common." I get to experience God's beautiful creation in its fullest glory in so many ways each day - if only I'll stop long enough to notice them.

26/365 Perspective

Today was a long day - very long day. I declared today as the kick off for Operation Mulligan with my students. It was a great day, but just as exhausting as the "actual: first day of school. So, when today's Daily Shoot prompt was to take a picture from a different perspective, I just couldn't muster up any more energy. Instead, I decided to go back into the "vault" and find something in our family collection.



Could those same big boys from yesterday's photo be these little men at just 3 1/2 months? It's funny because when they were little people would ask me how we could possibly tell them apart. I never understood how they got the boys confused. They don't look anything alike. I was obviously so in tune to every little nuance of a difference in their smiles, demeanors, fingers and toes that I couldn't see them through the eyes of our friends. Looking back on these photos now, I chuckle because now I can see the boys through that different lens, of someone somewhat removed. They are still unique and different in so many ways to me, but this photo reminds me of how similar they are as well. Can you tell them apart?

25/365 Intersecting Lines

24/365 Collections

This weekend I was prompted to think about different collections that we have. I have collections of necklaces, photos, books, warm and cozy blankets and flavored coffees. The boys have Bakugan cards and Matchbox cars and Dr. Seuss books and marbles. David has collections of sports memorabilia, football and sports cards, and ties. But we, as a family, have one special collection - David's late grandfather's coin collection. It's a bit informal, housed in an old baby food jar, and sitting on our bookshelf as a reminder of him. John P. Hines started this collection and kept it for us. It will always remind us as him!

23/365 Warm & Cozy

Tonight I'm away from the boys (all three of them) while at a Teacher Leadership seminar. It's 8:35 PM and I'm heading to bed. My time away tends to be a time to relax and go to bed early in a big, fluffy white bed where I get to sleep right in the middle (David would say that I do this at home). I think big, fluffy white beds are peaceful, serene and calming. It's too bad that I doubt I'll ever have one in my house of 2 boys, a football coach & 2 dogs; but that's just conjecture.

22/365 Memories

David and Tyler both had projects due this week that were family oriented. They had to choose 5 pictures to tell about them and their families from various prompts, like favorite activity, favorite meal, etc. Today I thought I'd share their photos. They both selected last summer's camping trip to Cherokee for their favorite vacation. Tyler picked his favorite activity as fishing, and David selected riding his scooter. They both chose to show off the pups (Spanky and Ariel). They selected different family portraits to include because David *had* to include his uncle Christopher. Tyler wrote about his favorite meal (eggs, grits, toast and the crawdad he caught) and David wrote about his favorite holiday (like father, like son).

21/365 Randomness

I was having a hard time coming up with a photo for today, so I just started to look around me. And voila! Here's what's right in front of me. I think back to the coffee table in the house where I grew up. It had coffee table books and a few coasters. I was thrilled to grow tall enough that I could lay on the floor, with my eyes far enough from the tv that it wouldn't damage my brain (of course), and change the channel with my big toe. My mom HATED it. The cordless phone didn't come until I was in middle school, and it had the metal, pull out antenna. My coffee table looks a little different, huh? 2 remotes, cell phone, laptop, headphones... wait, there are books and a pencil. It isn't totally different. I wonder what David & Tyler's coffee tables will look like 25 years from now, or even my own for that matter.

20/365 Camera Shy

A snap shot of my snap shot taker... I was helping Tyler with a family project last night that required photos to be put on a poster. I couldn't believe it I realized that I hadn't actually printed photographs since last spring. I scan through them all the time on my computer, but I don't know if that compares to turning crinkly pages in old photo albums. I remember spending hours just turning those pages, remembering moments in my own life and imagining moments in my family's lives. Running my fingers gently over those pictures almost released sights, sounds and smells from the event itself. Will my children have that tangible connection to the past? I wonder.

January Bonus

I took this today as I headed home from my run. It really struck me as beautiful! This was taken with my phone, but I wish I had my "real" camera.

19/365 Transportation

Today's daily shoot prompt is to take a photo of a form of transportation. Here's the boys' favorite way to move :) On a side note, David and Tyler have giant feet. At 6 years old, they already wear the same size shoes as their Aunt Allison and Nana!

18/365 Minimalist View

There's not a big story with today's minimal photo, but if we do stop and look around, we can surely find beauty in anything.

17/365 David(s)

Today's Daily Shoot idea was to take a picture of a person. Well, I chose my two favorite Davids in the world. Since I'm using this 365 project as a way to remember and tell stories of our family, I'll mention names today. People often ask us why one of the twins was named after his dad, but not the other. In fact, both of the boys were named after their Dad. Originally, we had thought that we might name a son Jonathan David, after Davy. Well, when we found out that we were having twins, we thought that we should rethink that plan. So, our little David was given the name David Wade in honor of my husband and my maiden name. Tyler's name is actually Jonathan Tyler in honor of the long lines of Hines/Pace family men named John(athan). We are very proud that both of our boys have names that are rich in family meaning, names that are special to us all.

16/365 All In This Together

I woke up this morning to David and Tyler watching "High School Musical 3" on DVR (again). David and Tyler tried out copying some of the dances. Tyler has quite the knack for it, I believe. We certainly had a good laugh over it.

15/365 Sunrise

I am so blessed that I get to start my day with a beautiful drive to work. I drive just 10 minutes through downtown Washington and over the Pamlico River. The view of the revitalized waterfront is always stunning. Sometimes the water is as still as glass, and it looks like you could walk on it. Sailboats and fishermen dot the water at all hours of the day. The lights of the waterfront walkways reflect off the river. In any direction, it really is picture perfect. This morning I captured this picture with just my Blackberry. I hope to one day brave the bridge with my "real" camera to capture this view as the sun rises over downtown. Who can have a bad day when it starts like this?

14/365 Warm and Fuzzy

It seems that we are *finally* coming to the end of a wretched cold spell... or at least receiving some reprieve. I think of how blessed I am through this cold to have a warm house, warm clothes and warm friends. One of my favorite pieces of cool weather comfort is this cashmere scarf that my parents brought from Scotland a few years ago. For those of you who might be reading this and saying "Your parents? As in, both of them?" it's true. Dad has boarded international flights a few times over the last years - of course, there has been golf involved, but still. Crazy, I know?! Hmmmmm.... I wonder if that has anything to do with why it's been so cold? ;)

13/365 Favorites

Today's Daily Shoot recommendation was to take a photo with your favorite colors as the dominant focus. I love color. It is really impossible to pick a favorite. I love chocolate brown on walls and accented with creamy whites and frosty blues. I revel in the sea of Carolina blue and white that erupts at a Tarheel football or basketball game. Even the red, green and yellow of stoplights seem to be dressed up for Christmas every year. The oranges, purples, pinks, reds and smoky grays of sunrise and sunset are also nothing that can be challenged. So I settled on this beautiful set of sea glass and tinted hurricane light. The soft colors remind me of a relaxing spring day when the weather is just warming and I sure could use some warmer weather!

12/365 Relay for Life

I have had the pleasure and privilege of teaching over 750 students over the last eleven years. I have taught math, science, reading, writing and more. I have given, graded and poured over countless tests. I have sat in thousands of hours of in-services and trainings. Yet, when I think of the things that I feel are the most important in the lives of the children I have taught, very little has to do with testing or curriculum. Last year, I had an amazing class of 4th grade students who wanted to impact the community in a positive way. They decided to form a Relay for Life team and raise money for the American Cancer Society. My students raised $2807.48 with a dress down day, a 3rd and 4th grade dance and other grass-roots efforts. Each time I think of these students and this event, they will always touch my heart. Tonight at our Relay for Life 2010 Captains' Meeting, I surprisingly received an award on their behalf. It was certainly an honor and worthy of my photo of the day.

11/365 Math, Meetings and More

So today was quite a day. I spent 12 hours of my day in 3 different meetings. My hind-parts are numb, my hands are cold, my eye balls are burning... but now I am HOME! Tonight's picture is from my math in-service. We were working on a new series of Geometry lessons that included finding the possible squares in a standard geoboard. I was passing my time and building fun photo-ops.

10/365 Read with Me

There are many beautiful memories of milestones I have with our children... first coo, first steps, first words, first haircut. It was amazing to watch our boys throw their first baseball, kick their first soccer ball and swing their first bat. I must say, though, that one of the amazing firsts that I've experienced is hearing the boys read their first books. I'm not talking about words on a sign or a billboard, but a "real" book. The first time David and Tyler sat down and read a book on their own to me brought me to tears. What a special milestone! Not only was I bursting with pride, but so were they. I feel very blessed that they have developed their skill and love of reading. Woo hoo! So today's picture reflects that enjoyment of reading with the added bonus of closeness as a Father-Son moment.

9/365 Can't We All Just Get Along

I had to capture this moment of my boys being this close together without prompting, bribing or punches being thrown. Will miracles never cease?!

8/365 Ariel too

Well, if we are going to spotlight Spanky, we can't leave out Ariel. As our youngest baby, she joined our family in January 2007. We were living in Fayetteville at the time and thought we were going to stay there for a while - ha! Anyways, we decided to check out the Hoke Raeford Humane Society. There were lots of great dogs, and we've always been ones to prefer rescue dogs. Well there were happy dogs and hyper dogs and old dogs and little pups, and then there, cowering in the corner of her kennel, was a shaking little mutt with wide eyes. When I walked over toward her cage, she immediately crawled up under my legs and scrunched up like a cat. When we talked with the shelter staff, they said that had kept Ariel for over 8 months (which was extraordinary for a kill- shelter). Well, we decided to bring her home that day! Spanky has finally whipped her into shape. Ariel has turned into the beautiful, loving, lap dog that we knew she would - and she's a great companion for our little Spanky too!

7.5/365 Bubblicous

If you let your child watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, beware. This movie taught my child one very dangerous habit. Tonight at supper, David apparently stuck his big, juicy wad of bubble gum behind his ear a la Violet Beauregard. I say "apparently" because I had no idea this had happened until about an hour after he went to bed and he stumbled to the bathroom, stringing pink bubblegum along the way. Yes... really. I was dumbfounded. How do you get layers of gum off a warm ear? You can't stick it in the freezer and scrape it off with a knife. The poor kid was so upset that I couldn't actually be mad at him, especially since he's already a bundle of emotion since he was half asleep. These are the things that the instructors leave out of the parenting handbook, yet these same things are what makes it an amazing adventure!

7/365 Woohoo

I know it may seem that I'm "cheating" but I'm OK with that. I'm taking the word "photo" loosely and including a screenshot today. Woo Hoo! 2 hr delay tomorrow. You've got to love anticipatory panic over a dusting of snow. There's no milk or bread (why people buy these particular items, I have no idea). But, if anticipatory panic results in 2 additional hours of sleep for me, I'm a happy camper. The boys are excited about the possibility of snow. I'm just happy about sleep :)

6/365 Spankster

Today I captured a pic of our oldest child, Spanky. It's as good a time as any to tell his story. In March 2002, David and I decided to expand our family. We started scanning the petfinder ads, shelters and such for the right puppy. We came across Spanky's description, but the animal rescue coordinator was keeping him at her home and we had to come "interview" for the job of being his family. Spanky was already 3 months old and weighed just 5 pounds. He fit into the palm of my hand. We fell in love instantly, despite going down there "just to look." Spanky had to eat Gerber rice cereal and take glucose shots. He made it through his awkward teenage years with legs that were way too long for his body. Spanky has dealt with a lot during his years, but he is our sweet boy. We couldn't ask for a better dog for our family, despite the fact that his head has been known to totally flip upside down. Don't ask! At least now, he's pretty good at predicting the weather. Here we are, nearly 8 years later. Spanky's an old man who has brought so much joy and love to our family - even when he finds coats strewn on the floor to use for a bed!

5/365 Upside Down

As I went on another walk with the boys today (and it's still 35 degrees!) I took the camera along, trying to see what caught my eye. I snapped quite a few pics, some of which were deleted as soon as I uploaded them. Other photos came out pretty well and I may rework them another day on another walk. For today, I settled on a photo of a fire hydrant in our neighborhood, just from a different perspective. I often feel like things are upside down around here, so I guess this one is appropriate for us too. My photo of a hydrant, from a different angle.

4/365 Long Shadows

As these long winter days just seem to get longer and colder, I captured this shot of the boys and I before we went for our walk today (yes, I went for a long walk in this 35 degree weather). The boys, of course, stayed out for an hour to play with their scooters - their favorite gift from Santa. We had a great time making all kinds of shapes with our shadows, and I look forward to experimenting with this a bit more (when it's warmer).

3/365 Fiesta, Food, Family, Fun

Today was a bit harder. I meant to take the camera to church and take a photo there since First Baptist is such a big part of our lives. I guess I'll just have to save that one for another day. Instead, I went back to the Daily Shoot page looking for inspiration. Yesterday's prompt was to focus on something yellow. I wandered around the house looking for something yellow - a yellow bowl filled with bananas and Golden Delicious apples, a container of Play-Doh, a post-it note. Yet nothing really captured my attention until I settled on my favorite dishes. While not primarily yellow, the Mexican Pottery inspired pattern is still beautiful to me. These dishes were our wedding registry dishes from Pier One in 2001, and I laugh because I still see them in sitcoms and such today. So, I believe these dishes do tell a story of our lives. We have certainly shared meals and memories with these items.

2/365 We love to read!

I braved the cold this morning to make one of our bi-weekly trips to the George H. and Laura Brown Public Library here in Washington. I am so excited by the stack of books that I picked up that I hardly know where to start. Our trips to the library are a big part of our routines these days, and I thought it would be a good subject for one of our 365 photos for 2010.

2010/365 - day 1

This year I have decided to really commit myself to participating in a 365 photo project. I am going to use our family blog site as a host for my photos as a way to document things that we are doing, learning, seeing and experiencing through photography. I have always enjoyed taking pictures, so I am looking forward to following through with this project.



My first picture is actually a photo of a pre-digital camera/scanner pic. David & I spent our honeymoon at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, GA in 2001 and had a blast. We rang in 2002 in downtown Atlanta, enjoying a UNC victory. Each year when college football bowl games roll around, it is fun to remember those days. So, in honor of that, this is still one of my favorite photos of us.

2010

So, looking back at the family blog for 2009, and I'm realizing that I TOTALLY dropped the ball on that one. Here's hoping that 2010 will lead to better documentation of the happenings in our lives.

Happy holidays and Happy New Year from our family to yours!