On a Cool Autumn Day...

On a cool autumn day, you will probably see me running about trying desperately to get 4 children to cooperate for a quick picture. Yesterday found me at my dad's house trying to do just that. I had already missed the best lighting of the day, now the struggle was just to get four kids, with four different personalities, to look in one central location and SMILE!!! Even with the help of my dad and step-mom, I only wound up with some half decent shots. It takes a lot to get a good picture of these guys, but oh, when you get one it is so-o-o worth it. Anyway, we celebrate the return of fall on Halloween vs. the usual, so I thought I would post a quick picture of the crazy Conwell clan saying

"Happy Fall Ya'll".

My mother brain has prevented me from remembering what happened here,

but, whatever it was, it wasn't good!!

Ok, is it just me or is NO ONE working with me here?!!

Conner, Mr. Personality as usual, finds plenty to laugh about.

Sometimes, a little too much!

Finally, I got one.

Not perfect mind you from a photographers perspective,

but from a mom who ran through hoops to get all four looking at the camera

at the same time smiling, yeah, that's perfect allright!

Making a Difference

Sometimes in life, you go through things that in the beginning and even sometimes at the end, leave you questioning God and why He would choose to put you in the middle of these difficult and often trying situations. I have a wonderful friend who has been through a lot in the last year. God chose her situation to be "AUTISM", it has affected her daughter as well as her entire family. I am sure that there have been moments that she has thought "God, why me and my family?" To the many that love and care about them, we have asked "Why them?" as well. Well, my wonderful friend has recently been able to share her family's autism story with many different people. She has already had the opportunity to open the eyes of some and answer the curiosity of many who know little about the disorder. Could this be God's purpose and plan? That I do not know for sure. What I do know is that God is using my wonderful friend and her wonderful daughter to bring more awareness and love to those who deal with this disorder, and in doing so, they are bringing more evidence of God's glory, purpose, and power to them as well.

Sisterfriend, I am so proud of you. You have made it through all the struggles, worries, and tears of the past year, and God is using you to make a difference.

Keep the Faith!!

My Sisterfriend's Autism Awareness Ribbon,
something she is using to bring awareness and make a difference not only for her daughter,
but for all the other children like her.

Mr. Personality + Cute Hat = Trouble

Conner is my hat guy. He is the one who has always worn them without a fight, and has always looked absolutely adorable in them. As he has gotten older, his personality has exploded. You never know what he is going to say or do next! At times, disciplining Mr. Personality has presented quite the challenge. He knows right when to pull out the scrunched up nose, the wink, some silly giggle, or just the l Love You, Mommy. When you add the personality to how adorable he is in a hat, well, I'm in trouble, complete mush. I am pretty much a useless parent at that point. Now, heaven forbid he should get older and realize what power the personality + a hat brings him. If he ever does, I am in big trouble, and trouble's name is CONNER!! I recently purchased him a new hat for fall. On the way to Sunday Night services, I pulled him out of his seat for an impromptu photo shoot at the end of our subdivision. As usual, Mr. Personality decided to appear, and he could've set the field behind him on fire, and I wouldn't have cared!! After all, how can you punish a face like that?!
See Mr.Personality's arsenal of facial expressions below. He will pull these out at any moment, especially when he knows he is in trouble. I have to say. they are quite effective!


The "Sweet Little Innocent" Look

The "You'll Never Guess What I Just Did" Look

OK- he's not always up to something!

Mr. Curious, That's usually what get's him into trouble!!

The "Mom, No More Pictures" Sign

The "Get Out of Jail Free" Look

The "Who ME???" Look

The "You Talkin' To Me?" Look

If You Just Believe

Believe, that's what Alex did today. Believe in herself. Believe that God would help her face her challenges today. Believe that Jimmy and I were proud of her no matter what. Today Alex had her first basketball game, her first one ever. She has never been viewed as the athletic type, more girly girl. Me, I am just fine with that, but just like me, she has hit the same phase that I did at her age. She's started to find something about sports interesting. Was she the superstar of the team today? No. She was however, just as Jimmy and I were, proud. She, just like someone that shall remain nameless, can expect a lot out of herself, and she doesn't like to fail. Today, she believed in herself and just stepped out and gave it a try. Several months ago, she would've beaten herself up about this or that, today, she held her head high. I couldn't be prouder of her if she had won a National Championship. I wish that the person that shall remain nameless would've learned that little lesson about believing in yourself sooner in life, but instead, I'd go through all those moments of self doubt again, just to see the smile and pride I saw today.Love you sis', and I am so proud of you!!The lighting in the gym was terrible but I will try to post one picture from her game today later on tomorrow.Have a great night everyone~Michelle

The Start of Something New

Ok, I didn't have enough to do, now I thought it would be neat to try this blogging thing out. We will see how long it lasts! I have no clue on how to do this, how to personalize this, but maybe, eventually, I will figure it out!!