A Joyful Week

My New Obsession
Originally uploaded by momofthreewi

I know, I know...I've been a bad blogger. It's been over a week since I posted. Things have been a bit hectic at our house, but I'm pleased to report that it's primarily been good news that has kept me away.

I'll start with an explanation of the photo. A bit of really good luck came our way last week and I couldn't be happier about it. Anyone who knows me or follows my blog knows I have a teensy bit of a passion for photography. Okay, I admit it. I'm hooked. I love taking photos and though I don't have any formal training, I've taught myself some tricks along the way and have continued to work on developing my skills. However, I've always been a bit limited in what I could do photographically because of the cameras I've had. I was doing everything on a point and shoot camera, all the while longing for a digital SLR camera that would flash when I wanted it to, would respond quickly, would give me more flexibility, etc. I just couldn't seem to justify the expense. Well, a couple weeks ago I purchased raffle tickets for a fundraiser to help purchase phone calling cards for soldiers. I decided to put 5 of my raffle tickets in the drawing box for a $500 Best Buy gift card. Much to my shock and amazement, WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been one of those people whose name gets drawn for raffles. I enter them time and time again with the same results. Well, this time we apparently got all of our good luck in one fell swoop! My initial instinct was that we should purchase a new t.v. for the rec room since the one currently down there recently died on us. But my wonderful husband, knowing how much I desperately wanted a nice camera (and frankly sick of hearing me complain about the other one, I'm sure! :) )suggested we get a digital SLR camera. When we discovered that there was a great Nikon with excellent reviews on sale for EXACTLY $500 at Best Buy, it was clearly a sign. We bought the camera the next day! I've been playing with it ever since and am I ever having fun with it. I thought I knew what I was missing, but I really had no idea. I have much to learn about my new friend, but I know I will enjoy every moment. If you'd like to see some of the shots I've taken with the new camera, check out my Nikon D40 set on Flickr.

In other news from the past week, I've discovered Facebook. A friend from high school suggested I start a facebook page since several other people from our high school were also on there. Not only did I find many of those friends, but other people I'd lost touch with as well, including several moms I befriended through an iVillage online group when I was pregnant with Theo. We were all expecting our little ones in March 2002 and it was wonderful to reconnect with some of them and see some recent photos of their little ones. The internet still continues to amaze me and I often marvel at how we ever functioned without it. Of course it's an amazing resource for so many things, but on a personal level I wouldn't have many of the friends I have and, most importantly, my amazing husband, if it weren't for the internet. I would have to (gasp!) PRINT OUT MY PHOTOS and put them in the regular mail in order to keep my in-laws updated on how their grandchildren are doing. Instead, they get pictures almost daily and are probably almost sick of it by now (just kidding, Omi! I know you love it.) Anyone reading this blog probably appreciates the wonderful world wide web as much as I do or you wouldn't be able to even find me on here. I can hardly wait to see what else will develop over these next years while my children are growing (and how they will undoubtedly laugh at some of the things we think are "cool" now but they will find positively antiquated by the time they are adults.) So if you're on facebook, please look me up!

Let's see...what other great news did I have to report? The kids are doing great in school. Straight A's for both of the girls. How awesome is that? Theo is starting to understand that being the class clown in kindergarten is probably not the best choice he could make (how did I not see this coming when he made me laugh constantly before he started school??) and he is making much better choices. The taxes are just about done and the outcome was better than expected (although we won't see a refund this year, unfortunately). I've been working out 4-5 days a week and sticking with Weight Watchers for 5 weeks now and I've lost 7 1/2 pounds. VERY happy about that, of course! Steve and I have been playing racquetball together which is such a blast. We don't keep score and we really don't play by the rules, but we get a good workout and we laugh the whole time. What could be better?

Overall, life is pretty good at the moment. There are downs mixed in with the ups, but I can't complain. And updating my blog feels great, too. It's like ignoring a good friend when I don't write for more than a couple days and when it's been over a week, I'm practically chomping at the bit to find a few moments to fit it in. So there you go, old friend...an update from me and a promise to return soon.