ANOTHER CLASS...

I took another online class today and learned how to do some cool effects with photos.

Here's a picture of my dad tubbing.

Ethan and Eggs

When Ethan was around 12 months, we noticed VERY quickly that he had an allergic reaction to eggs. None of my other children have ANY food allergies, so this was quite a surprise, but it was also very alarming. If he ate eggs, his skin around his lips would quickly turn red & splotchy and then it would spread to the rest of his face. He would have to give him Benedryl to get it under control. (And yes, I know...they don't recommend giving babies Benedryl...but when they're having an allergic reaction, it's okay to give them a VERY small dose. And yes, this has been varified by the pediatrician.)

Since then, we've seen other reactions just depending on what and where we are.

This summer while we were at the baseball field, he was walking

in some freshly cut grass and started having a reaction, same red color

and it got really hot to touch.

Well, after meeting Kelly and Harper in June, I learned that babies can

be tested for allergies through a blood test.

We recently had a doctor appointment to take his blood for the test.

It only took a few days to get the results. And they really surprised us!

Eggs were NOT listed.

But cat hair, fish, shell fish, and white oak were listed.

I just didn't understand why eggs didn't come up.

That's the one thing we were CERTAIN he was allergic to.

Well, what do we know???

The pediatrician suggested that maybe has was allergic to it when

he was younger, but maybe he had grown out of it already.

So, this morning I made eggs for Mason and Kate and decided to

give 'em a try with Ethan.

Not only did he LOVE 'em, but he DID NOT have a reaction.

ABSOLUTELY CRAZY.

So, I'm curious if any of you have children with food related allergies?

Foto Find Friday

Angie Seeman is hoting "Foto Find Friday" again and the theme for this week..."EYES".
Eyes are one of my favorite things to capture in a photo.

So picking out one of my favorites

isn't very easy.

Since Connor doesn't care to see the lens of the camera very often,

I thought I should post a recent picture

of him.

He isn't smiling ear to ear, but I think this captures Connor

and who he is...mr. deep thinker!!

For those of you that have asked about my new "BIG" project,

it's coming soon.

Hint...you'll see this photo again!! :)

Have a great Friday!! We're having movie night at the Rooney house!

Complete with popcorn and chocolate chip cookies!!

Made my Day!!

These were delivered to my house today....



It's not my birthday....

...nor my annviversary....

Just a man that wanted to say "He loves me..."

Cool, huh?

I have absolutely no idea why God chose me,

out of every woman of earth,

to be Michael's bride.

But I do know that I am one of the most blessed women on the planet.

Oh - and the absolute best part of the whole thing...

When Kate came home from school she said, "Wow Mommy! I love all those beautiful

rosies. Bet you got those from daddy, huh?" " 'Cause he loves you...right!"

"Umm...Mommy....since daddy loves me too.....can we share...

...the pink ones?"

"Then one day when I get rosies I'll share with you....okay...?"

ABSOLUTELY.

Thank you, Michael....

...you made my day...

...and Kate's too!! :)

The First Day

Yesterday was the first day of school for Mansfield.

Mason is now in the fifth grade and that means that he now attends

the Intermediate School.

He changes classes/teachers. There is also an A/B day schedule.

On B days he will go to PE and now they have to "suit out".

Connor is in the second grade.

Mrs. Whittaker is his new teacher and she is the sweetest thing!!

A soft, sweet voice and she's crazy organized and structured (woo hoo!)

And Kate is now in Kindergarten.

The beginning of the end.

And her teacher, Mrs. Diaz is a bit crazy like her momma!

They are going to have just too much fun!!

No wonder she doesn't want to leave and can't wait to return!!

I'm super excited about our teachers this year!!

I truly believe that they can "make it" or "break it"...

so, Thank You, Jesus for blessing us again this year with such AWESOME teachers!!

Students must be at school by 8:00. Kate and Connor can arrive beginning

at 7:45 and Mason at 7:30.

I woke up at 6:15 and got myself ready. Then started making

breakfast (pancakes and eggs by request) while

Michael got everyone up and running.

Somehow, we still managed to have to rush a little in the end.

So the pictures aren't up to my par,

but they're pictures none the less.

We always enjoy going out to eat on the first day so we can

just enjoy dinner and hear about

everyone's first day.

This year, Granda and Granddaddy joined us.

I'm so glad that we beleive that you shouldn't load up on sugar before bed time. :)
Oh well - they were happy to go to school again today...

'Twas the Night Before School Starts...

First of all, I got a surprise in the mail that just made my day...

Kelly sent me a card with a CFA gift card with instructions to go get a sweet tea.

Now folks, it just doesn't get much "sweeter" than that!!

God bless you, Kelly!!

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking pictures of this little guy...

His name is Cash and he's cute as a button!!

Today after church we took the kids to Six Flags for a little

fun before they head back to school tomorrow.

I was forced to ride a few too many

coasters and now I'm getting a headache!!

But before the children head to bed I'll be giving out fresh hair cuts.

Everyone has already picked out their clothes for the "Big" day.

And I had my "emotional moment" last night

so we should all be ready for tomorrow.

And don't worry...I'm sure I'll have plenty of free time to post pictures!!

Polka Dots and Swirls

The past few days I've been working on a cake for a baby shower.

A friend of mine was hosting a shower for her SIL

who will have a baby, via adoption, in September!!

The colors were hot pink and lime green..

themed with polka dots...

and a few swirls..

And the best part...my friend called me earlier this evening

to tell me how great the shower went and how much everyone enjoyed their cake.

I thought it was so sweet that she called to tell me so...

made my day.

After delivering the cake, Michael and I started working

on our next BIG project...

and as soon as we're finished...you'll be the first to know!! :)

Foto Find Friday

It's Friday. And cannot believe that it's the last Friday before school starts.

The last official day of summer :(

Angie is hosting Foto Find Friday again and today we are posting

images of color.

And after looking through the pictures I've taken this summer,

I have a variety to post.

Summer wouldn't be summer without the pool pictures...




We went to a Rangers game with our church. Over 2500 people

from our church wore these red Crossroads shirts.

It was amazing to see soooo many red shirts everywhere!!

And here's a picture of the field.

This is one of the pictures of The Cliffs



I think I posted these pictures back in July,

but when we were in Tulsa

we went to Savastano's for pizza.

ABSOLUTELY the BEST pizza EVER.

More Photography Assignments

Earlier this week I was taking tons of pictures of my kids because I had two assignments due in my photography class.

The picture of Kate had to be taken inside without a flash.

And the picture of Mason was all about composition.

After posting for the class, I wanted

to try out some

Photoshop Techniques.

However, there really wasn't many changes that needed to be made.

The coloring was quite well on its own.

So, their variations were strickly b & w and then sepia.

And although Kate can wear me out to no end sometimes,

this picture is proof that she is stunningly beautiful.

It's crazy to think that she is only FIVE.

And Mason was my model for outside.

He did a great job too. Good lookin' kiddo!!

Now it's time to vote, which techniques are your fav for each kidoo...color, b&w, or sepia?

FYI and Photoshop Makeovers

I thought I would let everyone know that the Design Girl

is having some great give aways this month.

There's some really great stuff,

so go check it out!!

We spent all day yesterday exchanging clothes, shopping for school supplies,

shopping for school supplies, and shopping for school supplies.

Does anyone else feel my pain?

We also had to pick up Mason's schedule.

Wow! Crazy to think he's no longer going to be at

elementary school.

I spent most of the day in my pjs going through a photo editing class.

It was really incredible to learn what all you can do

with Photoshop!! I had sooo much fun!!

This evening we had Mason's last game of the summer baseball season

and I had great fun taking pics of an adorable

little boy named Maddox.

He was absolutely precious!!

And I couldn't wait to get home and try out my new skills.

So, here ya go...

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

B & W

SEPIA

BEFORE

AFTER

And Ethan wanted his picture taken too, so here' is his BEFORE

AND AFTER.