or picture of the CENTURY...
or picture of this LIFETIME....
Here it is.
My kids.
Loving each other.
Don't blink.
birthday boyS! {40 and 8}
16 years ago
Sunday, July 11, 2010
picture of the week
or maybe it's the picture of the YEAR...
or picture of the CENTURY...
or picture of this LIFETIME....
Here it is.
My kids.
Loving each other.
Don't blink.
or picture of the CENTURY...
or picture of this LIFETIME....
Here it is.
My kids.
Loving each other.
Don't blink.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Today
It was a big day for my boys. They had their first tournament.
Getting a pep talk before his first competition, breaking.
In practice earlier, he broke a board after four tries. Today, he broke three boards in a row on the first try every time!!! (We have a video; I'll post it later)
He received first place for his age group!!!! He was beaming!
And his teachers were so proud of him!
We're so thankful for the Conn family. His teachers are a family of four-- dad, mom, son, and daughter. They're all second and third degree black belts. They're so good with him.
I'm bummed that I didn't get the focus right on this picture, but you can still see Mike's face. Tough! He broke through four boards.
They're in class with our friend and his son. Todd is not that far away from his black belt. I love this picture of these two.
Mike competing on his "form."
Okay, so this wasn't too fun for me. Jonah didn't get to spar today since we didn't have all the protective gear for him. It was a big deal. I think he cried, "I want to spar!" for 15 minutes. I could have watched Jonah with pride; the young kids aren't that aggressive yet. But seriously, why would I ever want to see my husband "fight" a 20-something year old? He lost one match and won the other one, 5-0.
Jonah received two first place trophies. He received a first place for his form as well, but we didn't want to make a big deal of it. He needs to practice his forms more, and it was actually a little frustrating that he was rewarded for something that he could have done better!
Guess who's ready to start Tae-Kwon-Do next summer?
Getting a pep talk before his first competition, breaking.
In practice earlier, he broke a board after four tries. Today, he broke three boards in a row on the first try every time!!! (We have a video; I'll post it later)
He received first place for his age group!!!! He was beaming!
And his teachers were so proud of him!
We're so thankful for the Conn family. His teachers are a family of four-- dad, mom, son, and daughter. They're all second and third degree black belts. They're so good with him. I'm bummed that I didn't get the focus right on this picture, but you can still see Mike's face. Tough! He broke through four boards.
They're in class with our friend and his son. Todd is not that far away from his black belt. I love this picture of these two.
Mike competing on his "form."
Okay, so this wasn't too fun for me. Jonah didn't get to spar today since we didn't have all the protective gear for him. It was a big deal. I think he cried, "I want to spar!" for 15 minutes. I could have watched Jonah with pride; the young kids aren't that aggressive yet. But seriously, why would I ever want to see my husband "fight" a 20-something year old? He lost one match and won the other one, 5-0.
Jonah received two first place trophies. He received a first place for his form as well, but we didn't want to make a big deal of it. He needs to practice his forms more, and it was actually a little frustrating that he was rewarded for something that he could have done better!
Guess who's ready to start Tae-Kwon-Do next summer?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Gi-Yup
Someone broke his first board tonight at Tae-Kwon-Do!
And someone's dad broke through three adult size boards!
I live with two strong men :)
And someone's dad broke through three adult size boards!
I live with two strong men :)
Saturday, June 12, 2010
glad THAT's over
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
It's over. I did it.
I had my first wedding yesterday. I wasn't nervous once I got there, but I'm thankful that I don't have to anticipate it anymore. It was in Bloomington so I wasn't able to visualize the venue before I arrived. Once there, it was fun!
My friend Molly with Molly Bea Photography came to help at the last minute. I'm second shooting for her next weekend in Michigan so she thought she'd return the favor. Molly had referred the bride to me so it was a natural connnction for her to be involved. I'm glad she was there. It was enjoyable to spend the day with a friend, and she has a gift of posing! She stood back while I did the majority of the shooting and then came forward with some rock star idea when I was finished! We made a good team!
I learned a few lessons-- specifically, I learned better ways that I could coach my brides so that they can get the best pictures, and now that I've done a wedding, I think I can be more assertive in telling them my opinion!
The bride was stunning. I can't wait to post pictures.
Monday, May 31, 2010
our weekend
We've hardly had time to blink!
Garage Sale. Six hundred dollars. Check.
Time with Pop and Grammy. Check.
Visit from Washington D.C. friends. Check.
Catching up on work. Check.
Lydia with Baby Finola. You'll see more pix of her soon on my photography site!
Garage Sale. Six hundred dollars. Check.
Time with Pop and Grammy. Check.
Visit from Washington D.C. friends. Check.
Catching up on work. Check.
Lydia with Baby Finola. You'll see more pix of her soon on my photography site!
Monday, May 24, 2010
my little green thumb
Look at that concentration!
We're going to have a fun summer taking care of our plants together!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
family fun!
Our friends all pitched-in to rent a roller rink for a few hours last night.
Jonah's first try on his skates:)
Lydia loved it!
She especially loved dancing on her skates...
Jonah spent a lot of time on the floor-- always with a smile on his face!
Taking a family picture is always difficult but taking a family pictures on roller skates is quite the feat!
A few fun pictures of friends. We're so blessed.
Jonah's first try on his skates:)
Lydia loved it!
She especially loved dancing on her skates...
Jonah spent a lot of time on the floor-- always with a smile on his face!
Taking a family picture is always difficult but taking a family pictures on roller skates is quite the feat!
A few fun pictures of friends. We're so blessed.
Friday, May 21, 2010
one proud mama
We celebrated Jonah today at his Kindergarten Completion Program. He was one of two kids from his class chosen to read in front of the crowded cafeteria. Disclaimer: I was using the video option on my camera and clearly had no idea how to work it!
We were so proud of him.
His favorite friend at school, Brody:
We were so proud of him.
His favorite friend at school, Brody:
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
never a dull moment
The kids and I went to the ETC on campus to pick up something we had painted earlier in the day. Afterwards, Jonah wanted to go on a walk to "get some energy out." Sure.
We decided at Nussbaum that we would run a little around campus. I presented the plan before we began. We would run to the prayer chapel, to Wengatz, to Olson, and then back to our car in the Reade Center parking lot (for those of you not familiar with campus, our path led us on an approximate 600 meter circle, where we'd be visible to one another the whole time). Lydia was running more slowly, of course, so Jonah was ahead of us a bit.
At the prayer chapel, Jonah decided to run BEHIND Wengatz. I kicked myself that I didn't clarify he needed to stay IN FRONT of the dorms. Lydia and I ran behind Wengatz but didn't see him. We continued to Olson and still didn't see him. I was slightly panicked and remember saying things to Lydia like, "That boy!....Doggone it, Jonah!" You get the idea. I headed back toward the car, assuming that he was just really fast, constantly looking all around for the bright yellow boots he was wearing. In front of Nussbaum a nice student with a skateboard asked if I was looking for a little boy. The student informed me that he was hiding from me behind a tree in the field by the lake. So when he ran behind Wengatz, he decided to hide from me.
That was a mistake.
I ran back to my car and headed to the field by the lake. Jonah wasn't there but the boy with the skateboard was near the woods, obviously trying to find him. I drove back to Reade where my car had been parked, looking for his yellow boots running through campus. I could have seen him-- if he was there. He wasn't there.
It was time to include Mike. I went to Mike's office.
Up until this point, I was pretty composed, but I have a tendency to get emotional when I see Mike. "I've lost Jonah," I cried.
"You lost Jonah?"
"Yes."
I took Mike to the lake. He walked through the woods in his suit and tie, yelling his name. I circled campus a few more times. By this time, Mike saw two other men. Before they started looking for him, they encouraged us to call the campus police.
I knew he was okay. Jonah has tremendous courage. It will serve him well later in his life, but for right now, it makes life difficult! At this point, I wasn't worried about someone taking him, and I really wasn't worried that he'd get hurt. I was concerned about the great lengths everyone would have to go through to find him-- and where he'd go.
In the midst of looking, I took Lydia to a friend that lives close to campus; she was getting car sick (what else is new?) . I didn't even ask my friend if she could watch her. I just said, "Jonah's lost. I need you to take Lydia" as I was getting her out of the van. I didn't take the time to look her in the eyes, but she understood. She sent out a text, asking for prayer. I love my friends.
When I returned to campus, it was obvious that the police called the facilities crew to help. Every transportation vehicle on campus was driving the loop-- golf carts, small pick up trucks, 16 passenger vans, etc.
Mike and I found each other again (Did I mention that my cell phone was at home? After all, this was supposed to just be a quick trip to the ETC!) and then saw Jeff Wallace, Chief of Police. He had just said, "I think it's time to send out an all campus announcement" when Mike's phone rang.
A friend found Jonah.
Jonah was on the press box in the football stadium. He thought he could find me if he climbed to a lookout point.
I don't know the whole story. We probably never will. But he said he was in the woods by the lake, on the soccer field (which he may have mistaken for the practice football field) and the president's house. He had to climb a fence to get into the football stadium. I asked how high the fence was. "Eighty-four inches," was his reply. He knows he is 48" and the fence is probably twice as tall as he is. I thought that was a clever answer :)
We set his punishment and loved him.
I'm recovering. I'm about to recover with a big bowl of ice cream and my favorite night of television.
While Lydia was taking her bath I was reading a magazine. Here's what I read:
"God's grace is the foundation for everything we seek to accomplish in our homes and families. We must build our house on the foundation of grace. Let us be like the wise woman of Proverbs who builds and does not tear down her house.
When the laundry piles up and the dishes remain undone; when the children drive you crazy or disappear for the forty-third time, when the bills are past due and the mail stacks are high, remember that you are exactly where God wants you to be-- dependent upon His grace. Recognize the importance of His strength. Realize that God is at work giving you the grace you need. Step back from the circumstances of today and see God's long-term work in your life.
Someday we will know the reason for the difficulties, trials, weaknesses, and hardships. We will catch up on laundry, the children will grown into godly adults, and our husbands will receive a hot meal in a timely manner. In the meantime, as I receive grace for each day, [we don't need to exclaim, 'I've had it!'] I can exclaim, 'I have it!'"
We decided at Nussbaum that we would run a little around campus. I presented the plan before we began. We would run to the prayer chapel, to Wengatz, to Olson, and then back to our car in the Reade Center parking lot (for those of you not familiar with campus, our path led us on an approximate 600 meter circle, where we'd be visible to one another the whole time). Lydia was running more slowly, of course, so Jonah was ahead of us a bit.
At the prayer chapel, Jonah decided to run BEHIND Wengatz. I kicked myself that I didn't clarify he needed to stay IN FRONT of the dorms. Lydia and I ran behind Wengatz but didn't see him. We continued to Olson and still didn't see him. I was slightly panicked and remember saying things to Lydia like, "That boy!....Doggone it, Jonah!" You get the idea. I headed back toward the car, assuming that he was just really fast, constantly looking all around for the bright yellow boots he was wearing. In front of Nussbaum a nice student with a skateboard asked if I was looking for a little boy. The student informed me that he was hiding from me behind a tree in the field by the lake. So when he ran behind Wengatz, he decided to hide from me.
That was a mistake.
I ran back to my car and headed to the field by the lake. Jonah wasn't there but the boy with the skateboard was near the woods, obviously trying to find him. I drove back to Reade where my car had been parked, looking for his yellow boots running through campus. I could have seen him-- if he was there. He wasn't there.
It was time to include Mike. I went to Mike's office.
Up until this point, I was pretty composed, but I have a tendency to get emotional when I see Mike. "I've lost Jonah," I cried.
"You lost Jonah?"
"Yes."
I took Mike to the lake. He walked through the woods in his suit and tie, yelling his name. I circled campus a few more times. By this time, Mike saw two other men. Before they started looking for him, they encouraged us to call the campus police.
I knew he was okay. Jonah has tremendous courage. It will serve him well later in his life, but for right now, it makes life difficult! At this point, I wasn't worried about someone taking him, and I really wasn't worried that he'd get hurt. I was concerned about the great lengths everyone would have to go through to find him-- and where he'd go.
In the midst of looking, I took Lydia to a friend that lives close to campus; she was getting car sick (what else is new?) . I didn't even ask my friend if she could watch her. I just said, "Jonah's lost. I need you to take Lydia" as I was getting her out of the van. I didn't take the time to look her in the eyes, but she understood. She sent out a text, asking for prayer. I love my friends.
When I returned to campus, it was obvious that the police called the facilities crew to help. Every transportation vehicle on campus was driving the loop-- golf carts, small pick up trucks, 16 passenger vans, etc.
Mike and I found each other again (Did I mention that my cell phone was at home? After all, this was supposed to just be a quick trip to the ETC!) and then saw Jeff Wallace, Chief of Police. He had just said, "I think it's time to send out an all campus announcement" when Mike's phone rang.
A friend found Jonah.
Jonah was on the press box in the football stadium. He thought he could find me if he climbed to a lookout point.
I don't know the whole story. We probably never will. But he said he was in the woods by the lake, on the soccer field (which he may have mistaken for the practice football field) and the president's house. He had to climb a fence to get into the football stadium. I asked how high the fence was. "Eighty-four inches," was his reply. He knows he is 48" and the fence is probably twice as tall as he is. I thought that was a clever answer :)
We set his punishment and loved him.
I'm recovering. I'm about to recover with a big bowl of ice cream and my favorite night of television.
While Lydia was taking her bath I was reading a magazine. Here's what I read:
"God's grace is the foundation for everything we seek to accomplish in our homes and families. We must build our house on the foundation of grace. Let us be like the wise woman of Proverbs who builds and does not tear down her house.
When the laundry piles up and the dishes remain undone; when the children drive you crazy or disappear for the forty-third time, when the bills are past due and the mail stacks are high, remember that you are exactly where God wants you to be-- dependent upon His grace. Recognize the importance of His strength. Realize that God is at work giving you the grace you need. Step back from the circumstances of today and see God's long-term work in your life.
Someday we will know the reason for the difficulties, trials, weaknesses, and hardships. We will catch up on laundry, the children will grown into godly adults, and our husbands will receive a hot meal in a timely manner. In the meantime, as I receive grace for each day, [we don't need to exclaim, 'I've had it!'] I can exclaim, 'I have it!'"
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
today
It was a rough morning. I started the day with a long run but went into panic mode when I opened the door and heard Jonah in meltdown mode and Lydia on the steps crying.
Nothing really happened. Jonah was just "tightly wound" from the moment he awakened. It was going to be a long day.
But Mike had a plan.
At 10:15 a.m. he checked the weather for Cincinnati. No rain until 5:00 p.m. I knew what he was thinking.
The boys had their inaugural trip to Kings Island for the season. They decided to go at 10:20 a.m. and left at 10:30 a.m. My parents got them season tickets for Christmas; they were so excited!
Jonah is exactly 48 inches. For those of you that know Jonah well, you know that he's had the height requirement for every ride at Cedar Point, Kings Island, and the Disney Parks memorized for the past two years.
Since he's EXACTLY 48 inches, it was a big deal every time they got in line-- most of the time he was measured by multiple people. But he got to ride EVERYTHING!!!
The Racers, The Beast, The Vortex, The Drop Tower...
It's a monumental day in our house. He cuddled up next to me when he got home-- calmly telling me everything.
I'm thanking God for a good day.
Nothing really happened. Jonah was just "tightly wound" from the moment he awakened. It was going to be a long day.
But Mike had a plan.
At 10:15 a.m. he checked the weather for Cincinnati. No rain until 5:00 p.m. I knew what he was thinking.
The boys had their inaugural trip to Kings Island for the season. They decided to go at 10:20 a.m. and left at 10:30 a.m. My parents got them season tickets for Christmas; they were so excited!
Jonah is exactly 48 inches. For those of you that know Jonah well, you know that he's had the height requirement for every ride at Cedar Point, Kings Island, and the Disney Parks memorized for the past two years.
Since he's EXACTLY 48 inches, it was a big deal every time they got in line-- most of the time he was measured by multiple people. But he got to ride EVERYTHING!!!
The Racers, The Beast, The Vortex, The Drop Tower...
It's a monumental day in our house. He cuddled up next to me when he got home-- calmly telling me everything.
I'm thanking God for a good day.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Introducing....
the new Traci Falder Photography!
I wanted a more fresh, modern, clean, simple look that would appeal to brides and high school seniors. I think my talented graphic designer, Ben Wehling, gave me just that. I'm equally exited about some of the branding elements he created on my press printed products-- business cards, notecards, cd holders, etc.
And seriously, I'll shout as loud as I can that my friend, Wally, of Moritz Fine Design is AMAZING and an absolutely wonderful friend. My business would look a lot different without her.
Check it out!
Monday, April 05, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
1000
Some of you know I've been working on a big project for my business. I wanted it to be done in January; it's still lingering....
It's no secret that Mike is a visionary. He thinks big. I love that part of him because I don't think outside of my tiny box often. I think realistically & practically; he dreams. I ran a marathon because he dreamed it for me. I had an amazing Hawaiian honeymoon because he dreamed it for us. I've succeeded in my business because he dreams bigger dreams for me. He believes in me. He's my biggest fan.
And speaking of fans, Mike has made it HIS personal mission to see me get to 1000 facebook fans. I currently have 300. It's seems over the top to me, because, as I mentioned before, I think realistically! Yet his business mind helped me realize that at least 25% of my new clients are a result of "seeing me on Facebook." It's the only marketing tool I use-- and it's free!
Soliciting is not something that comes naturally to me, but it's Mike's job. So I had to laugh at the end of the day when I discovered that Mike's been soliciting Facebook fans for me throughout his day at work. That's when he got the idea for 1000 fans.
Here's how it works. The more fans I get, the more people see my name. The more people see my name, the more it appears on others' newsfeeds, and so on and so on. It really grows exponentially (whoa! did I actually just reference a math word?), and the more people that become my fan by next week, the more people will see the big reveal of the new Traci Falder Photography!
If you'd like to help me reach this goal, you can go to my FB photography page and click on "suggest to friends" under the profile picture. You can pick & choose the friends that you "suggest."
I'll thank you when I'm published in my first bridal magazine.
It's no secret that Mike is a visionary. He thinks big. I love that part of him because I don't think outside of my tiny box often. I think realistically & practically; he dreams. I ran a marathon because he dreamed it for me. I had an amazing Hawaiian honeymoon because he dreamed it for us. I've succeeded in my business because he dreams bigger dreams for me. He believes in me. He's my biggest fan.
And speaking of fans, Mike has made it HIS personal mission to see me get to 1000 facebook fans. I currently have 300. It's seems over the top to me, because, as I mentioned before, I think realistically! Yet his business mind helped me realize that at least 25% of my new clients are a result of "seeing me on Facebook." It's the only marketing tool I use-- and it's free!
Soliciting is not something that comes naturally to me, but it's Mike's job. So I had to laugh at the end of the day when I discovered that Mike's been soliciting Facebook fans for me throughout his day at work. That's when he got the idea for 1000 fans.
Here's how it works. The more fans I get, the more people see my name. The more people see my name, the more it appears on others' newsfeeds, and so on and so on. It really grows exponentially (whoa! did I actually just reference a math word?), and the more people that become my fan by next week, the more people will see the big reveal of the new Traci Falder Photography!
If you'd like to help me reach this goal, you can go to my FB photography page and click on "suggest to friends" under the profile picture. You can pick & choose the friends that you "suggest."
I'll thank you when I'm published in my first bridal magazine.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday
I was testing my light for a photo session. I told them to look at me without smiling.
Okay, where is my baby? He looks so old!
She's such a thespian. She can change her facial expression in a split second. I'm waiting patiently for her freckles to arrive...:)
Okay, where is my baby? He looks so old!
She's such a thespian. She can change her facial expression in a split second. I'm waiting patiently for her freckles to arrive...:)
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