... Till the cows come home...

We are preparing for a big step in alan and my future... We are in the process of cleaning and building pens for the "Creekside Red Angus" herd. We are probably going to keep the name "Creekside Red Angus" because our farm doesn't have a name and we are going to keep the herd going I think it's rather fitting... Since we are also located by a creek!
There is a lot of stress that goes with this task. The preparations, the finances, the herd health... Etc...
We are excited to finally have the cows so close. I grew up taking care of these cows as well as showing them! I enjoy it just as much as my new passion for photography!

For my dads 30th birthday my mother bought him his first red angus cow (we called "mamma red"). Mamma red had a calf by her side (marigold) and was pregnant with bipper. Those three were our "foundation". Within the last year we had to part with bipper, which was a sad day... The last cow from the beginning pasted away. Now we have 18 head of cows! 15 years later! It's an amazing thing to see how your herd grow and bloodlines are refined. The calves look better and overall the herd is healthier!
I'm sure I will be updating with pictures sometime of these beautiful ladies soon!!!! As soon as our Internet is better!

Questions questions and more questions....

So I have decided to open this post to all of you who are following or at least reading my blog! Here's what I would like you to do ... Please leave me a question in a comment or message on facebook form... Then in a few days I will collectively answer those questions in one blog! If I have two many to answer then I will break them up into a few posts!

Here are a few example questions :)
1: what is my fav guilty food?
2: Looking back 10 years, what would I have changed?
3: What is my best personal quality?

Etc... You get the general idea! I am excited to see what kind of questions you all come up with!

Sniffles and Snorts of all Sorts

It's that time of year folks! The time for runny noses, coughing, aches, stiff muscles and feeling like laying on the couch ALL day long!

Rhya caught a nasty cold and gave it to me! ACK!!!! Now I'm dealing with a grumpy baby, no sleep and a fever :(
I tried the thera flu stuff and yet I feel no different!

The good thing about a cold is... Nothing! Sorry I can usually find something good about almost every situation but a cold... Nope! Plus my creativity is slightly strained!

I'm not going to write a huge post but I figured I'd update everyone on what we are going to be up to the splendid holiday week!
So far this week we are doing to normal Christmas eve service... Not sure where yet... Then back to my parents to exchange gifts :) rhya has figured out how to open the gifts so now I must hide them!
Christmas day we will spend at my aunt and uncles which is a family tradition. We have been spending Christmas together for many many years!
Then the Sunday after Christmas we will spend the evening with Alans family :)

What fun! So many get togethers! I love this time of year!!!!!!
After this holiday season we have the big WEDDING! Yeppers! Kate is getting married !!!!!! Whoo Hooo!!!!!!!
Hopefully everybody will be feeling up to par by then :)

Up... Up... And... SPLAT

So... have any of you ever felt like you were on top of the world until ONE person says ONE mean, unsympathetic, and demeaning thing that brings you right back down to the ground were you started...

Well I had one of those moments... Today...

I have been struggling with my weight since high school... Up... Down... Up... Down and then back up. I was able to loose at least 10 pounds since rhya was born. I have about 10 more to go. Not to bad I thought. Yes it's been over a year since rhya was born and yes I'm only human... I enjoy chocolate every once in a while... Every girl does.

Why do people have to be so critical about how much weight you've put on or I'd you've lost it right away... I'm not one of those girls who can have a baby and you'd never know it.

I am stuck with extra skin I can't "loose". Thanks for reminding me... But before you start picking at me, have a baby and see where your at in a year... Yes I am angry but I don't hate you... I hate the skin, stretch marks and extra "winter insolation" I have.

I can't sleep on my side without pillows because the skin is heavy and hurts my stomach... I know there's some women out there that have the same issue... It's hard to be us somedays... We must always be reminding ourselves that god made us this way for a reason...

Thanks for being encouraging, uplifting, and kind (saying this sarcastically)
Next time think about what you say because it could hurt the people you love...

Seasons Blessings!

We (Alan and I) have so much to be thankful for!
Every year I LOVE sending out christmas cards as a thank you for all the love and support from our family and friends! There is no other internet printing website I wouldn't trust more than SHUTTERFLY!!!!!!!!!! I got all my Christmas cards last year from them and was so pleased! I was also given many compliments on how nice the card was! I am so excited to send Christmas cards this year!!!!!!! Here is the link/address : http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
I noticed I wonderful friends blog post about Shutterflys 50 FREE prints! Yes I said it!!!!!!!! FREE!!!!! Yippie! So I filled out the form here
http://bit.ly/sfly2010
And am now praying that God will provide and we won't have to cut people from our Christmas card list! God does provide! Theres no question about it!
I also want to share that shutterfly is a great place to get your photo books, regular prints from wallet size up to canvas size prints! I am so excited to someday be able to do my own wedding album designed just the way I like it! Theres so many options and great prices!
Go check it out! http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books
I am also excited about shutterflys personalized calendars!!!!!!! They make awesome Christmas gifts and are a neat way to remember those special moments over the last year in the upcoming year!!!!! Here is the link / address so go check it out ! I promise you will find something you like!!!!! http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/desk-calendars

Now onto updates from the family!
Rhya is her normal mischievous self... Getting into everything! She's been on the table, cleaned all the papers off the computer desk, dumped baking soda all over the kitchen floor... Ack! And your all probably thinking where was I when all of this was happening! Well let's just say I was either washing dishes, used the bathroom for a quick second( thinking how much trouble could she get in in a few seconds) even cleaning up a mess she left in the living room! The little stinker keeps me on my toes!

Alan is doing what he does best! Pigs, cows, combine... Etc :) oh yes and lots of tires! We are excited that his tire business has taking off like crazy! It's funny when he calls to order tires and they already know who he is before he introduces himself! The pigs are going out this month so we will be getting little piggies right in the beginning of the year! We had/have five loads this week which means a lot (1000) pigs go to hatfeild ! Yummy! So if your having ham for Christmas, you can think of us! The farmers your supporting!

As for me... I'm running around like crazy after the little miss... Vacuuming cookie crumbs, scrubbing juice off the rugs, and sweeping baking soda off the tiles! Ha ha ha ! Plus keeping up with the laundry :( I hate laundry! It never ends! My husband goes through 2 pairs of socks a day! Ha! I never met anyone who makes me laugh like he does!
Heres a funny story to leave you with!
Alan and rhya were showering last night while I was making supper. I could hear the two of them laughing and an occasional squeal from rhya. Alan yelled for me to come look... I peeked through the door to see rhya covered in my shaving cream! Then Alan says... Watch this, and he proceeded to spray her with the shaving cream. She would then laugh and rub it around till it was fluffy! She then looked at me and smiled with her "I'm being funny scrunchy face" smile! What a precious moment!

Hopefully I will be able to blog more often now that it's getting cold outside!

Update for a Month! (sorry it took sooooooooo long)

I have been thinking, praying and digging in the bible over the last month more than I ever have! I'm feeling refreshed and ready to take on this new adventure :) Your all probably wondering what is this new adventure :) well... I am staring my own business! It's called Captured Moments by Ellen :) I am so excited to see where God is leading me and Alan! My husband is my BIGGEST supporter! Helping me with the equipment, noticing little things that I might not and just being a listening ear! Honestly I feel like we have grown closer since I started this business!
My sister was my first subject and it has snowballed in a GREAT way ever since then!
Although this a fun and great adventure, it is also an emotionally draining process. I constantly am thinking about if the business will thrive, will I be able to cover my bills, etc. I've also had people judge me for different reason I won't say on here. I have noticed how it is so hurtful for someone to accuse you of doing something that you are feeling called to do. Its really hard to explain.

My goal with my photography business is to bless people. Its as simple as that :)

I'm not perfect, neither are you!

No one is perfect, not one person can possibly know everything, and we make mistakes. If we were perfect and knew everything then what would our purpose be in life. I have run into some people throughout my 22 years of life that think they know everything and it's really sad! I have found that those people are lonely. They might not see it but you can tell by the way a person acts that there's a void that needs filled. The thing is... You can't tell them that. They know everything... Once a person is not humble, think they now everything, and doesn't take the time to learn and grow from the people around them. No one wants to be around them, let alone be their friend! Why would you want to be around someone if they are constantly challenging and criticizing what you say! It's emotionally draining! I have distanced myself from these kinds of people because I used to be like that. Now I'd like to say I wasn't as bad as others but I cant judge myself...

The thing with me is I won't comment if I don't know! I won't make something up because it sounds good, I admit if I have information wrong, and I want to learn from others :) I have grown so much since high school! I thank God for giving the gift of knowledge but I don't ever want to abuse that gift! There are people that use it to get their way... Make up things that a not true to move up in the world.

My whole life I have been taught to humble myself, admit when I'm wrong and ask for forgiveness. It's hard somedays, it never is easy.
I am constantly praying for those people who haven't grown the way I have through God. I also know that I am NEVER done learning from our creator. There's always something knew everyday :)

Thank you God for the good things and the bad things that I learn from everyday :)