By The Way

Did you notice on my ticker box over there that I'm down to double digits on the days remaining until Sam joins us? Only 98 days! What the hell?! I am so not ready!

They've Won Me Back

After watching the Democratic National Convention last week and seeing Obama's speech, I was really considering defecting to the other side. Obama talks a good game and I drank it all up.

You see, I'm a pretty hardcore Republican. I'm pro-life, pro death penalty, all for gun rights, and a slew of other things.

However, being more of an adult, a wife, a mother, and middle class, my priorities have changed a bit since the last election. As a result, I can't blindly follow the Republican party like in the past. Why? Well, lower taxes, better health care, and better education are a huge priority for me and my kids.

Listening to all sides and candidates I was very concerned that I'd have to vote with the Democrats. In order to secure a better future for my kids, I'd have to give in on some things that are very important to me. Which is why voting is such a big responsibility.

I watched Palin's speech last night and really watched McCain's speech tonight hoping they could win me back. Honestly, I'm not too impressed with Palin since all she did was attack Obama. Big whoop. I'd rather have heard a bit more about her than what the news is reporting-you know, the whole teenage daughter thing?

But listening to McCain really tweaked my patriotic heart strings. I'm a Navy brat and the military life was a huge part of my life for most of my childhood. Hearing the national anthem to this day will bring tears to my eyes. Seeing a Navy ship, an Air Force plane, or any military person in uniform makes my heart skip a beat.

I feel a deep respect for a man that decided to stay behind as POW instead of being released early as loyalty to his other men. I respect a man that served for us in our military and then came home and began a long career serving our country in politics. Sure, he has his faults. But I am of the firm belief that the president of our country-or any country-should be a military man (or woman). When you are entrusted to protect us, you should have some experience.

That does not make Obama a lesser person or candidate because he was not in the military. It's just unlucky for him to be up against a man with such a long military record.

I still have some research to do on both candidates. But I watched both speeches. I listened to their policies. I know that picking either candidate is like picking the lesser of two evils. If only we can put the best of both of them together into one person. If I was to vote right now, though, I'd be voting for McCain.

It is very important that every person do as much research as they can on their candidate of choice and vote, regardless of which party you vote for. It is up to us to make sure we get the right people in office to help run our country. Not just with the presidential election-the importance goes into our local and statewide elections as well.

I also believe that you cannot complain about anything wrong with our country unless you vote. So go register, do your homework, and VOTE!

Another Month Gone

I cannot believe that August has come and gone already. We are 3/4's of the way through the year too. Insane. This past month has just flown by.

Only about 3 months to go until Samuel comes to join us. That really puts things into perspective and kind of gives me that panicky feeling-like I'm not quite prepared. These last three months will fly by I am sure. The last 6 months seem to have flown by. It seems like just yesterday I saw that positive pregnancy test. Geez.

I am up just a bit less than a pound this week. That brings my total weight gain up to 5 pounds since April 1st. That's about a pound a month which my doctor is happy with. I can really feel the awkwardness of pregnancy setting in too. The last few days I've noticed it's harder getting in and out of bed or off the couch. Sam is moving around a ton so that makes me a bit wobbly. I've even waddled a couple of times! With Aidan I never waddled. I think it is because Sam is sitting so much lower than Aidan did.

We are starting to get into planning mode for Samuel. Thinking of the things we need to get, things to do around the house, bills to take care of, things to start stockpiling. I know that in about a month or so I will probably go into warp speed because I have to make sure we are good to go just in case he arrives early.

The big thing over the next couple of months is to start planning for when Sam comes. Daniel needs to ask for time off from work but he doesn't know when. Him being a truck driver makes it quite a bit more difficult than most dads when it's go time. He's very stressed about that-a bit more than me I think. He has said he doesn't want me to go through it without him and he worries about me.

I will be talking a lot to my doctor to have a few plans lined up to keep us all sane.

Wow, already September!

How Do You Promote Yourself?

Many bloggers use their blogs to promote themselves, their work, or something else important to them. On top of that, may use social networks to promote their blog which in turn promotes the original product/person/etc.

The Social Arrow is holding a Social Media Marketing Contest to determine just what people are using these days to get the word out. The contest is a way to get ideas out their to other bloggers and businesses about how to best promote themselves.

I have used several different outlets over the last 21 months or so that my blog has existed. Some have come and gone and others I have stuck with. I have used this blog along with other outlets to help promote my photo website and I don't think I would have the success I have had without using all the resources I have.

In no particular order, here are the networking outlets I am currently using that have greatly increased both traffic to this blog and my other site:

• entreCard
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Email
• Blog posts

As you can see, there is not just one place that can lead to success. For me, using all these resources, as well as friends and word of mouth, I have been able to promote myself and my budding photography site to a greater extent than I thought possible. As a result, my readership of this blog has increased and I've made many more friends.

Even if you are not using a blog or site to promote yourself, product, or service for monetary gain, many social networks are great for increasing traffic to your personal blogs.

What social networking resources do you use?

Potty Training on Back Burner....Again

We were doing so good with potty training. Aidan was wearing big boy underwear for the majority of the day. Granted he went to the bathroom on the toilet only when I kept asking him but he was holding it.

But then he decided, nope, I'm not going to go on the toilet. He would go a couple times and then I'd ask him every so often, he'd say no, then poop or pee in his undies just minutes later.

He hates being in a diaper so the last few days have been killer on him. But just today he's told me when he's pooped-granted after the fact but it's an improvement. He's even told me he has to pee before he has to go.

It's turning into quite the slow process but I really want to do it on HIS schedule and not at my pressure, you know? He has big boy undies in various prints and designs and I think it's a great incentive. I know he can do this and I know he wants to. I think he is just so worried about all the things he wants to do every day that taking time to go potty is not high on his list.

With his talking so much lately, I'm hoping we're rounding the corner towards being potty trained.

I admit it's a bit frustrating especially with other moms telling me he should be out of diapers now just because their kids were. Or trying to win some kind of race with another mom whose son is younger. I know I shouldn't do it but it's hard-it's like an instinct that my kid has to be better than everyone else.

But I know I need to take it at his pace because he is a smart cookie. For him, it's easier to just wear a diaper. If I force it even the slightest bit, he can be the most stubborn person in the world and will refuse. I am trying to follow his cues. Now that he is actually telling me he has to go, I think we'll be well on our way.

Good Things Happening

This weekend I scored my very first paying photography gig for someone that is not a family or friend-an unknown to me. A family member recommended me to a friend and after viewing my website, they decided to hire me to photograph their wedding reception this coming Saturday. They have been looking specifically for an amateur photographer and they liked what they saw in me.

I cannot even express how excited and scared I am. It will be fabulous experience for me and the client is allowing me to use some of their favorites to add to my portfolio. I have the opportunity to set them up so that I can get residual sales from their photos to friends and family.

I believe the occasion is just a relaxing, semi-formal get together for a wedding that took place a few weeks ago. I think that once I get there and get set up, I'll be more relaxed and focused on getting great shots.

Hopefully this client will refer me to friends and family and I can really get my name out there!

In other news, we spent another day at the lake yesterday with Mandy and Mondo. We barbecued, went boating, swimming, and tubing. Well, not me. I stayed up on the grassy area stretched out on a blanket reading, just enjoying some 'alone' time. I did get out on the boat briefly but only when it got cooler because I'm still quite sunburned.

The kids all had tons of fun though I am pretty the adults had even more fun. It was just a very relaxing day. Now we are back to the nitty gritty daily stuff. Daniel's off at work and I'm getting ready for a busy week.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Maybe I've Said It Before

But I love, love, love, love, LOVE it when my darling Aidan says "Love you!". Especially when it's out of the blue at not followed by me saying it first! He is becoming so good at expressing himself.

And another new thing? He sings along to any and every song he hears. Mostly it's just humming but he's picking up more words. And he copies his favorite movies. I'm sure this will get annoying soon but to hear him saying the dialogue while watching a movie just makes me laugh.

He is growing so much and it is a bit sad while exciting!

Out On The Lake

We took the boat out today and it was pretty fun. I'm quite red 'cuz I'm a dork and took the sunscreen with me but didn't use it. I took some snacks and sandwich makings and we spent quite a bit of time out there. We had some technical issues but all in all not too bad. The weather was perfect-a bit windy but the temperature was below 80.

I went out on the tube behind the boat and Daniel went really slow. Though I did end up falling off once because the front of the tube went under and it was all down hill from there. Do you know how hard it is for a fat, short, pregnant woman to get back onto a tube/raft thing. Not too mention trying to get back into the boat. It took forever because I could only laugh.

But we all had fun. Even though I still hate the boat. Aidan had fun playing in the water off the dock. I'm glad that he isn't afraid of the water at all.

I think that we are planning on going back out on Saturday because Daniel will be home. We'll see though what happens.

I'm quite tuckered out. I learned that I need to swim more and build some muscle. I also learned that while pregnant, it is a bit more awkward climbing around on things.

Our New Addition, A Sunset, and a Baby

This is our new addition. A vessel named, quite seriously, WifeHatesIt. Because I do in fact hate it. For many reasons that I don't really want to go into right now. But the hubby loves it.

This was a shot of the sunset that I took late this evening about 9 p.m. or so on my way home. It is just on the outskirts of Caldwell before you get 'into town'. I had so many shots I'd have loved to take but there was nowhere to pull off the road. Idaho has some of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen in a long time.

This is Constance, Mandy's niece. I watch her one day a week and she is too cute. She is always so serious in what is going on around her. She has some blue eyes that could give Aidan a run for his money.

I need your help!

Specifically, I need your help over at Jenera Healy Photography !

I have been trying to fix my site so that it is more streamlined and customer friendly. I have made a few changes, a few more are on the way, and I'm hoping to be able to increase my sales.

It would greatly help if you folks could please swing by and visit the site to preview the new changes and suggest any other changes you'd like to see that would make it easier for you and others to shop there!

I am really trying to get this site going so I can make some money so your input is extremely valuable to me right now!

Thank you so very much!