Lights, Camera, Actions!

I'm addicted to actions.  I downloaded some free ones to Photoshop and can't stop using them now.  They make editing photos sooooooo much easier.  What did I do before them??  Oh I remember!  Spend an insane amount of time editing my pictures and they still never turned out great!  My friend, Ree, otherwise known as The Pioneer Woman has some free actions.  OK..so we aren't really friends, but I did meet her and she did sign my cookbook so I like to tell myself we're friends.  I also got some wonderful, free actions from Rita at Coffee Shop Blog Design.  Rita did my awesome blog makeover.  She has all sorts of neat stuff on her blog.  You probably know all about her site, but in case you don't, go check it out!

Here's an example of a before and after.  I took this picture of my nephew last summer when I was in Michigan.  

Before

I used one of Rita's actions on this...I think it was a vintage one.  I also added a texture.  I need to get the hang of textures, but for the most part I am pleased with it.

I used Rita's Sun Kissed action and a texture on this one.  The spot on his lip is from the sun flare from the action.  I could move it around so it's not there, but I didn't take the time to do that yet.

I am definitely just a beginner at all of this, but the actions allow me to edit with the click of my mouse.  They come with really easy instructions on how to download too. I know I will be taking a lot more photos this summer and doing a lot more editing.  I want to be ready when we finally have our little one home.  I'm also wanting to learn to shoot in manual more than I do now.  Goals for the summer.


Thanks for all the well wishes on the last post.  Our social worker called today just a short time before our appointment (our agency is an hour from our house).  He had to cancel today due to something going on.  The nice thing is that he is just going to do everything when he comes to our house on Wednesday.  I was freaking out a little at first because I am such a planner and control freak.  Once again I learned....I'm not in control here.  So we'll see what Wednesday brings.

School's Out, School's Out!!

Yippie!!  I'm just so thrilled to be on summer vacation!  Lots has been happening here so let me fill you in. 

Our pool plastering job is finished, the pool if full of water and we are able to swim!!!  It looks amazing!  I'll have to post some pics soon.  I haven't had time to take any this past week because I've been furiously trying to move all my school stuff to my new classroom and finish the end of the year stuff up.  I still have a bit to finish moving and will do that later in the week.  AND...I'm also moving to 2nd grade.  That will be a change, but I'm excited about it. 

The really exciting news is that we had our individual interviews with our social worker last week.  We love, love, love him!!!  Barry had his interview on Tuesday and then I went on Thursday.  We are both very outgoing and can talk to anyone so it wasn't bad at all.  The even better news is that our joint interview is tomorrow (Monday) and our home inspection is Wednesday afternoon.  Can you believe that?????!!!!!  Then we'll just have to meet with the financial people, pay our fee, make payment arrangements and we will be on the list.  Our SW said it won't take him long to have the paperwork finished.  He will be traveling the end of the month and wanted to have it all done before he leaves.  See why we love him?!!

Our Dear Birth Parent letter is done and so is the adoption portfolio.  My sweet friend Nikki takes some amazing photos and was sweet enough to do some for us to use in the portfolio.  We already had lots and lots of fun photos, but nothing really great for the cover.  We got together with her last week and went to our church prayer garden to take some...it's an amazing place for photos and also a great place for some quiet time with God.  Then we went downtown and took some fun ones too.  I haven't seen them all yet, but she gave me her favs and then I did a little editing. 

We are going to use the one above for the front cover of our portfolio.

This one is just a fun one.  We aren't using it, but I love it. 

We are using this one in our portfolio too. 

I've known I need to lose some weight, but after looking at these pics I am going to be hardcore about it!  I've made up a menu for the entire month of June with lots of healthy meals.  I'm starting at the gym next Monday.  I would start this week, but I have a LOT of stuff to finish up before our home inspection on Wednesday.  Plus, I'm fighting a cold/laryngitis right now.  Not a fun way to start the summer.  If any of you have any great and healthy recipes, I'd love for you to share them with me!  I feel like I get stuck in a rut sometimes.  I have lots of yummy recipes, but many of them are not super healthy.  ha!

Have a great week friends!  I know I've said this before, but I am hope to get caught up on commenting and blogging this week!  Summer is here and my life is much calmer now!  I miss all my favorite bloggy friends!

The End is Near!

The end of the school year that is! I love my job, but this has been a crazy year. I can't begin to explain how excited I am for the last day of school!! I have 8 days with students left this year. I'll miss my little friends, but I am happy to see them head on to first grade. I have a LOT to get done before the end of the year. I am moving to a different classroom next year so I have to pack up all my stuff. UGH! That's no fun, but the room is worth it! It's soooooo much bigger than my current room. I think I'll be working on getting everything moved the weekend after school is out and that next week. Our custodian is amazing and would do it all for me, but I just prefer to get it done myself. That way I am able to put it away as soon as I move it in.

Our pool has needed a new plaster job since last year. We got several estimates and after looking at what each company was going to do, we finally chose a company to replaster and tile our pool. We aren't excited about spending this much money since we need all our pennies for our adoption, but it had to be done. They are supposed to start on it this week. I can't wait until it's finished. It's been so hot here already. I could use a dip in the pool. I also love to entertain and pool parties are always fun!

We finally have our interviews set up. Our original social worker had some type of family issue and never ended up getting with us. So we have been assigned a new social worker who of course was leaving to go on vacation the day he got our case. He is supposed to be back tomorrow. We have appointments set up with him for our individual interviews next week. Then hopefully we can schedule our joint interview and home inspection shortly after those. I am ready to get this all done and be on the list!! I have our "dear birth*parent" letter ready and have been working on our profile. I have everything I want in it all organized and I'm having a friend help me get it all put together. I'm a scrapbooker, but have never done any digital scrapping. She is amazing and is going to help me get it all set up and organized the way I wanted it. Hoping to learn more about digital scrapbooking this summer. I have been doing some in fun stuff in PSE and PS.

After school is out, I'm heading to Michigan!  My mom is having a knee replacement and I'm going to go up for a couple of weeks to help her out after her surgery.  She had her other knee done several years ago so we know what to expect.  It will be nice to spend some time with my mom even if she's not feeling up to par.  It will also be great to hang out with all my friends.  I can't wait!

Does anyone have anything exciting planned for the summer?  Anything fun?  Anything not so fun?  Share your plans with me!

Something Looks Different

As you can see, I got a little makeover!! I'm so excited!! I debated about changing my name, but the name I wanted wasn't available in blogger and I didn't really want to switch to a domain name right now.  Although I have to say, a new look has really changed my attitude. I guess it's just like a new haircut or outfit...it is good for the soul!! The same is true with a new look for my blog. 

I can't recommend Rita at CoffeeShop Designs enough. She is amazing to work with and so very helpful!  She got everything up and running in no time at all.  If you need a bloggy makeover, go check her out!  Her prices are amazing too. 

I'm going to be tweaking a few things today so stick with me while I get everything ironed out.  I hope you all have a great day!

One Lovely Blogger Award

The very beautiful and equally sweet, Rachel from The Diary of a Dreamer gave me the One Lovely Blogger Award. Rachel recently changed the name of her blog and gave herself a great makeover. If you weren't reading Faithful Fashionista, you must start reading her new blog. She's a lot of fun! Thanks for the award Rachel!

The rules to this one are pretty simple…post a link to the person who nominated you along with links to your favorite blogs. Have fun discovering new blogs!

Here are my five of my favorite blogs.  If I were to choose all of my favorite blogs, the list would go on forever.  I love so many blogs!  So if I read you, know you are one of my favorites too!

My Basic World

Big Belly or Bust

Day by Day

It's Baby Time

Her Womb, Our Hearts

So Are You To Me

One Saturday when I was feeling especially sorry for myself, I spent the day in bed watching sappy Lifetime movies. Not the best thing to do to pick up my spirits, but it was just what I needed. I happened to watch the movie, Lucky Seven. It's a made for TV romantic comedy staring Patrick Dempsey (always yummy) and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. I'm not sure if it was the day or the movie, but I loved it. It is just a sweet, happily ever after movie and I needed that!  It's available on Amazon and I think I just might purchase it. 

During the movie they played the most beautiful song.  I knew I'd heard it in other shows and once I started looking for it I found several shows that have used this song.  It's called, "So Are You To Me" and it's by East Mountain South.  I absolutely adore this song.  I immediately downloaded it to my iPhone. 

Here's a video with the song. 



I've been toying with changing the name of my blog and think this just might be the perfect name. What do you think?

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I've planned to write so many posts and just don't get around to it. I have a great post I want to write about our camping trip, but I just haven't had the time to sit down and go through all of the pics and get that post together. I will soon though.

I have been working on our Dear Birthparent letter and our profile. It's a lot of work! It's hard to figure out what you want to say to a woman/couple who are going to give you the most wonderful gift of your life. How do I explain to them how much we will love their child? How do I give them a glimpse into our life and provide them enough information about us to let them know we will be wonderful parents? How can I describe the life we will provide for this child? Words just aren't adequate for such a letter. I've written the letter and had several friends look it over and they all give us great feedback, but somehow I just don't feel it's enough. Nothing ever will be though.

So that's why I've been absent. I've been pouring over pictures, overthinking ever single word I write and not sleeping much at all. But, it's been amazing for me to do this. I wouldn't have it any other way. Someday I'll get back to commenting on your blogs...I promise. Don't lose faith in me.