iMac and I are not understanding eachother!!!

I am having some MAJOR issue right now with my lovely iMac. I have heard how wonderful Apple computers are for graphics and photography. So, since hubby needed a lap to go overseas, I thought this would be the the greatest opportunity to learn the "Apple way" Well, let me tell you I can for the life of me figure out how to edit my pictures. One of the many reason why I haven't posted.

I was using Paint Shop Pro XI, from what I have gathered, there isn't a compatible version of this for the iMac. I have Photoshop elements 3.0. for the iMac. Which blew my mind when we first got the computer.

So, is there ANYONE that CAN PLEASE help me out???? I am in need to get into my creativity, its one of the best ways to relieve stress. And with Nick overseas, and four kids, its the best way to get in some me time. Plus I am getting impatient since I really want to work on my photography!!!!

Thankyou in advance for taking the time to read my PLEA for HELP!!!

Sorry I have been MIA!!

Howdy everyone!!!

SOrry I have been gone for so long. Nick left last week and its been beyond crazy. Its been a week and a day. It started to hit me today. But I am still doing ok. Was just a bit blah there for a bit.

I am hoping to get some ideas for Christmas gifts. I also set up a little studio in what use to be Ben's room. Cameron had been begging for Ben to room with him since he was born. It took a little be of getting use to but they seem to enjoy each other's company.

Well, Nick took the laptop which means I am on the iMac full time and its making me insane. SO ANYONE OUT there, who knows the iMac please HELP ME!! Editing my pictures has been a pain in the you know where. I have Adobe Lightroom and PSE 3 I believe. And I got Adobe CS3 and I have tried the best to learn and experiment but its not working too well. I do have a book for PSE 3 so going to try that. I have heard that the iMac are awesome for graphics and photography. So if anyone can at least point me in the right direction.

Also, I have pictures uploaded from when Nick was on leave(vacation), we went on a few family outings. There are also pictures of Nick leaving and Halloween. Feel free to take a look and leave some feedback, love, suggestions or critiques.
Pictures

Busy, Busy, Busy.........and the countdown is starting =(

What do you get when siblings get together and mom says, time for no TV. They put their heads together, and turn a play kitchen into a play BOAT!! LOL!!! They loved playing pretend boat, they played this game for days to come. Sydney sitting the middle what the "driver", I have no idea what the rest of the kiddos were, LOL.

Well, we have been busy bees here. Cameron is doing soccer and he is getting to play goalie and getting quite good. Sydney is still dancing and LOVING every min. of it. We had observation day last week and she is doing so well. She had no hesitation performing in from of all the parents. She has come a long way from dance camp last summer. I am so VERY VERY proud.

Natalie being goofy as always, and Sydney is trying her very best to potty train her and Natalie is not having it, LOL. Natalie is a tad of hard headed to say the least. She is quite the entertainer along with Ben. There never is a dull moment here.

Ben is Mr. Talker. He is talking so much. Loves to repeat and mimic. He is already helping out in the house responsibility. He LOVES to let the dogs in and out. He also can go get a diaper when asked and throws away his dirty diaper. Yes, ladies and Gentlemen, my almost 2 year old is chipping in. He just wants to be a big kid just like his siblings. He still gets in trouble, digging in mom's scrapping space. Along with terrorizing the dogs, but they still worry and keep an eye on him.

Along with all these happy moments and growing, we have hit the time when we start counting down to Nick departure to land of sun and sand. He is now on leave, and we are trying our best to make the best of our time together. Today we sat and have a tentative plan for his time off. He will be off for about 3 weeks. Then he will deploy shortly after that. Along with that have I have projects to finish for him. Included in them are a pillow case with our pictures on it and a small scrapbook of family pics. I also want to take pics of the him with the kiddos, so the kids have recent pictures with daddy!!! A year is a long time, but we believe in the mission he is going to be part of and we are preparing the best we can. The rest, we have faith that God will watch over us and guide us and help us get through it.

Will try to update soon. Hoping to set up my studio in my spare room, now that Ben is rooming with his older brother and both are quite content with the arrangement. Anyone wanting to be practice models for this dream, determine pro-photographer wanna-be, would be great. Send me a message and I will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible. And just in case, I am in the market for a good deal on a Nikon D40. I am open to D40x or ect. I definitely want a Nikon though. Along with any good site or insight. Love you all and Hasta Pasta for now!!

P.S- Sorry the picture above was not edited because the hubby is taking my laptop and he wiped it clean and restore it, so my editing software isnt loaded. And I am too lazy to go mess with PSE 4 on the MAC. =)

WOw, me been bad!!!

Well, never did I inted to let my blog go this long. Life just been busy I guess. Nick did 2 weeks of training, just got back sunday. I haven't had much time to do much of anything besides the motherly duties.

Just trying to get things organized and settle for when Nick leaves. Though I still get curve balls thrown at me. So far so good, besides my photography thing. I definitly want the D80. I got to hold it yesterday and LOVE IT. And I tried out the D40 and OH MY!!! THe pictures it takes, can't even imagine with the D80(Nikon). I was planning to take a photography class but dont see how I can swing that. Besided the time I need to take the class, I will have assignments and stuff. Along with Daycare, I have to get the SLR and pay for the classes. And since I am not going full time, help with tuition and daycare isnt there, not that I have been able to find. I thought about going full time, but that is just not possible.

So, I dont know what else I cam really do till I am able to get the DSLR. I can read on lighting and stuff, and try some different stuff with what I have. I just feel kinda stuck. It can get fustrating but just trying to stay positive.

The Picture is of about a month ago when Nick took the kids to the movies. I just snapped a picture of them together, but was unexpectly surprised with the result, LOL.

Well hope you all have a great day, hopefully I will be back more often.

First Day School

Happy Monday!!!

Today was The First Day of School for Cameron. First day of First grade. He was so excited. He feels like such a Big Kid. He also now gets to walk to the bus stop. Last year I drove him, but he really wanted to ride the bus. We walked together and got there just in time. He walked home too. We are also instituted a routine for school days, I made him a clipboard with a check list, so he can look at it to know what he needs to do next. I will post a picture of it in another post. Anyway, it was a successful First Day of School. And well, no activity or post is really complete without a picture, LOL. So here Camerons first day of school. I photoshop one with the black and white picture and leaving Cameron in color. Been wanting to do that for a while and I finally did it. LOVE IT, LOVE IT.

ATC's

This is the first time I tried my hand at Artist Trading Cards (ATC)!!! And they turned out alot better then I thought they would. Also, the best part is that I finish ahead of schedule, unheard of from me. I am a very last who seems to be able to do things ahead of time, but seems I am finally getting the hang of it. Well, just wanted to show a samp of it. Hope you like them too!!!

yummy yummy and gearing up for the ABC's

Hello my Peeps,

Dont ask me where I got that from, cause I really dont know. Anyway, I have been really bad about blogging this week. Been a busy and somewhat stressful week. Anyway, we went out to Cici's Pizza for dinner this last week as a family, along with a trip to Target for school supplies. Well, I have never seen a 19 month eat this much. LOL. 1 BIG SLICE PIZZA and 3 cheese bread. He truly enjoy his pizza.

And Cameron wanted a messenger bag pack. He found it at Target and he was so very excited!!!

He is pretty much set for school. Well, I am exhausted....hopefully I will blog tomorrow with more interesting stories to tell, LOL.

Photo, I hope to be able to capture more like this on a regular basis

Picture of Cameron and Sydney. I loved how this picture, I hadn't posted it because I took this before I started this blog. But my fabulous friend Allie saw this and told me I should post it on my blog. So, Here it is. Hope you guys like it as much as Allie and I like it.

Things that make me happY!!!

Love, how everything is finding a place. I saw this idea with foam stamps on a blog. I have been organizing for a while, and I really think its going to make a difference. Now, I think I will reward my self with some creating tonight. I am itching to do something but just dont know what, LOL!!!

What to do on a HOT DAY!!!

It has been VERY VERY hot in our Neck of the woods. My kids have been a bit on the bored and rebuncious side. So, everyday, I try t change things up. I also have consituted NO electical entertainment time, well except listening to the music on my laptop. So, I guess interactive entertainment.

Anyway, I thought yesterday was a good day to make a club house. So, Cameron built it and they had tons of fun.

Today, have a crazy morning, its been a surpisely calm day. I got some more organizing done in my area, foam stamps are stored. Ok, well Ben is yelling for me, so I am off.

I am a Big Boy now!!!

Happy Hump day!!! Trying to stick to my picture a day!!!! Well Ben was more then willing to help his momma out, LOL!!! He felt the need to eat at the table like his brother and sisters. He thinks he is such the big boy.

And I must say he thinks that spagetti is mighty tasty, even if its just noodles and no sauce.

I am going to go see if I can track down some velcro and see if I can get my foam stamps organized.

Hope everyone has a great night!!!!

Hasta Pasta!!!LOL

The New HAIR!!!

Well, I went back to dark hair. Surprisely, I LIKE IT ALOT!!!! I gotten tired of it, and been playing with color, but when it was suggested to me by my BFF "Sista" and husband to go back to dark, I said what the heck, I had some dark dye in the bathroom. Well, I love it and for some reason, it looks healthier and its easier for me to do. Don't ask why, but thats the story.

Ok, Syd wants to take a shower and get dressed. And I hope to be able to take more pics and scrapping done today!!!

As you can see I have been trying to take more pictures, just been bad about posting, LOL. Hey just remember I am a work in progress. These were taken last week. LOVE THEM!!! They really show their personalities. Hope you enjoy them, and I would love comments and critiques. =)

A new beginning with a new outlook in mind

Well, I kinda just stop blogging. Life just got complicated and difficult. But, I have come a long way. I feel genuinely happier and content. I seem to be getting a handle on a routine and with the kids getting older life just seems to becoming together.

As part of my new outlook of life, I have found a renew appreciation for the little things. My kids learning something new. Or Cameron getting his little brother out of his crib without being asked. Nick getting home from work a little early. Or a friend, trying to make smile. I find that those little things bring me more joy then a million dollars. Though, I wouldn't mind the money, LOL!!!

I have had a love of photography for as long as I remember. THough the younger part of my life, I thought it was something I would dream but never even try. Now, I am try to learn more and more each day. My ultimate goal is to someday have a small family and children photography "buisness" With an emphasis in the military famly lifestyle. Because being a military family, we have unique occasions and life mile stones. One of those I truely want to document is Deployments. I have always said, that in my opinion and expierences, a homecoming is one of the most joyous occasions and accomplishments. The split moment you can finally hug and touch your love one again and know they are safe and sound, is indescribable. I have had 2 homecomings and each has been breathtaking, life changing moments. And to enjoy one of those wonderous occasions, unfortunely we have to go thru a Deployment day or Departure Day. And though they are some of the most hard and heart wrenching days, I also believe those days should be documented. Because it reminds you later, that you should not take things for granted. It is the beginning of a journey for both the one that leaves and the one that stays behind. A life defining journey, that teaches lessons that makes you see life through different eyes.

And for those reason and many others, I want to capture those so very special moments for future generations to have, learn and know about.

I hav learned that you only live once. That is why photography and scrapbooking are such passions of mine. And I am now ready to not let everyday stresses deter me from my passions. By presueing my passions, I teach my children and people around me to presue theirs.
So here is to the beginning a my unique journey.