Friday's favorites

Here are 5 of my favorite things:

(Apple Strudel bread, found only at Costco!)

(Art and art time...or photography and photo sessions)

(Anna's artwork)

(Taking walks with the kids)

The most recent funny pic of Micaiah...he is getting really good at expressing his dissatisfaction.
In this situation, it was because he wanted me to hold him instead of take his picture. :)

I am going to keep Friday posts simple, so I'll probably just post something about my favorite things about the week. I hope to have some fun images to share from Brian's birthday celebration this weekend to post next week. I hope you get to enjoy one of your favorite things this weekend.

A prayer request

Today, Micaiah had a check-up with his pediatrician. He measured: 19 pounds, 9 ounces and 30.5 inches long. Obviously he is a small 18 month-old boy. Anyone can tell that just by looking at him. Ever since he was born, he has been small for his age. The funny thing is that he eats more than Anna!


The issue is that Micaiah is under the 5th percentile for his weight. The doc says that he is not taking in enough calories to gain weight. (I find that hard to believe) The doc put him on Pediasure, a nutritional supplement.

Now, I'm supposed to find ways to add calories to every meal that he eats. Like adding butter, oil, and fatty foods. And get this, ice cream is actually a recommended every day food for him! Brian will be thrilled! :)

My prayer request is that Micaiah will gain weight. We've had these same problems before and have already visited a dietitian several times.

Because this is a recurring issue, it has me a little more worried about him. If this continues to be an issue, it could affect his other developmental skills.

With all this said, it makes me very thankful that this is such a small health concern.
Thank you for praying with us!

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." (Proverbs 27:1)

Planting project

A few weeks ago, Anna started asking me questions about plants and how they grow. I decided that it would be a fun project to grow something from seeds and let her watch it grow. That is, if we can keep Caiah from dumping it out! We took a trip to the local Lowe's and picked out some tomato, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds to grow. We have not planted them yet because the weather has been very overcast and dreary the past week. As the weather warms back up and the sun reappears, we hope to plant them at the end of this week or the beginning of the next. Maybe we'll even get some tomatoes! We'll be sure to take pictures and give reports on how its going.

Oh, I just remembered why Anna was asking me about plants. She has a book that plays music to nursery rhymes and one of them is:

Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow
Do you or I or anyone know
How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?

This song is what started her thinking about it. She has been singing it so much lately that I have the song stuck in my head. Whats really cute is that recently when Anna is singing a song, Micaiah will try to sing along too!

Love is about the little things...

The past week has been tough on me. I've had a bad sinus infection that has really zapped me of energy and given me intense headaches all week long. It has been tough to keep up with everything.

What a blessing my husband is! Here are two ways he has shown his extravagant love to me in the past week:

First, he made a lemon cake with lemon icing! (D-elicious!)
Then, he washed up the dishes!


To me, the little things make a big difference! Thank you Brian!
It also helps that my love language is acts of service.

I encourage you to choose one person this week and find two ways to intentionally encourage them. Remember, its the little things that can make a big difference!

So sweet

Today for craft time, Anna made a candy necklace and bracelet from a candy jewelry kit that she received. She made them for Brian because she wanted to make him something and she wanted him to eat the candy for her. Anna does not like to eat any kind of hard or chewy candy...which is quite surprising to us yet good at the same time. She told me that its because she does not like the way it sticks to her teeth and she does not want to get cavities. She had a lot of fun making them and gave them to him when he got home from work. She even enjoyed modeling them for me. Anna is such a cutie! We hope that you've had a 'sweet' day too!!!

This is what happens when...

In the Rich home, I have committed to myself and to Anna and Micaiah, that most Fridays are for fieldtrips and fun only!!! With weeks full of busyness, this is one way that I get to have quality time with just them. This is the one day where there is no teaching time or spot time; definitely no photo sessions or computer work until nap time; and more than likely Anna has asked, suggested, or picked the activity or event for the day.

Today, Anna wanted to go to the Kid Scape exhibit at the Johnson County Museum, right up the street. Its like a smaller version of Paradise Park or Wonderscope, if you've ever been to either of those places.

It was a lot of fun. We played there for almost two hours!!! Of course Anna talked about Grandpa and Grandma Ruth because the last time they visited we took them there. She really loves her Grandpa and Grandma Ruth! And Micaiah had a ton of fun walking from room to room. It was hard for me to keep up with both of them.

So after playing, Anna wanted to have her favorite lunch, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We headed home to have lunch.

As we were finishing up our meal, I noticed how quiet it had gotten and that Anna wasn't talking anymore. She was looking at Micaiah.

It was the funniest thing...he had actually fallen asleep while he was still eating. He was sooooo tired! He couldn't even keep his eyes open anymore, he wore himself out. It was so silly and cute. Peanut butter and jelly all over his face and all! When I realized what was happening, I grabbed the camera. Every time the shutter closed, he twitched or moved. It wasn't enough to wake him. He looked so peaceful.

That is what happens when you spend a fun friday with us! :)

My thoughts on the ART of photography...

Lets start by putting our cameras down.

Those who truly enjoy and participate in photography know that it is not a quick, overnight miracle and then you're instantly great at it.

Photography, in and of itself, is a field of vast and changing technology, knowledge, and trends.

It takes years of learning, education, and experience...and then continued years of learning and experience. Of course there is talent and equipment involved too.

So, the big question in the photography world is: what defines the difference between a picture and a piece of art? or whats the difference between picture-taking and photography?

Its funny when you discuss a client's images with them, and they single out an image that you just passed by.

Thats because in this digital age and media saturated environment, images are becoming more about who or what people value...and less about quality.

This kind of makes me think of the "Wal-mart" and "Target" example. Sure, lots of people will buy groceries or home supplies from Wal-mart because of the low price. But those same people who save money by shopping at Wal-mart, will choose to spend more on buying apparel and accessories at Target because of the difference in quality.

There certainly are defined differences in quality.
I'm sure there are other examples out there like this one.

Don't be fooled. Its not just about the quality of photographic images. This includes: presentation, professionalism, equipment, timeliness, products, and most importantly the customer's experience and customer service.

With this in mind, lets keep shooting to raise the awareness of the ART of photography; to uphold a higher standard of quality; to educate and prepare the future generations; and to serve our communities with our time and talent. This quite frankly, could be the difference that people are looking for: those who add value and quality to the art of photography.

(my thoughts after a professional photographer's meeting last night)

And don't forget to support your local visual and performing arts and artists.

My husband...

Brian is an amazing man! Not only is he my best friend (in the world), and he is also my favorite shooting partner and photo assistant.

He is a wonderful husband and a great father. The thing that I like the most about him is his passionate heart for truth. He truly is a genuine man.

Thank you Brian for enriching my life, for being genuinely you.

(oh, and for giving our children blonde hair and green eyes!!! who would've known?!)

A bike and a picnic

For the Rich family, we tend to do things a little different. Instead of going to an egg hunt, we took Anna to an egg drop. It was quite a sight to see hundreds of eggs being dropped out of a helicopter. Then, instead of loading her up with tons of sugary candy, we gave her a bike! She really enjoys riding it...and thinks its really funny to brake suddenly and make the back tire drag. Anna really likes that her bike has princesses on it and came with a front pouch and water bottle too. She wakes up every morning to see if the weather is nice enough to go out to ride her bike. I am looking forward to taking her on more walks now that she can ride.

Our family has a way of making our own traditions. This year, we decided to do an Easter picnic at the park with some of our family and friends here. It was perfect warm weather for it...and we weren't the only ones who had the same idea. The park was filled--lots of grills were going and the smells of summer were in the air! Here are some images from our time together...

I don't know if this tradition will stick or even if it will be warm enough next year, but it sure was fun! What do you say, Hardin's, Leal's, and McInnis'?! (I guess we'll have to wait and see)

moments from March...

So I know its April, but I couldn't resist in sharing two photos from last month because they show a little bit of Anna and Micaiah's personalities. As you can see, Micaiah waited very patiently by the window for the weather to warm up. He is an outdoor lover! He absolutely enjoys being outside, in any kind of weather. So now that the temperatures are warming up, you will more than likely find us outdoors. Caiah really likes to go to the playground and swing...and he is just about walking on his own. He is still a little fearful and holds my hand but he is maturing and getting braver everyday. As for his big sister Anna...

she is our little princess and fashion diva. Here she is in her favorite dress...and that day she just happened to choose to wear gloves. The winter weather never stopped her from wearing a dress around the house. She likes to wear dresses every day! And she is especially excited to be able to wear dresses outside this spring. Anna is learning to take more responsibility for herself by picking out her clothes, changing herself, making her bed, and brushing her teeth. She is becoming quite a young lady. It is really fun to see her creativity and unique personality blossom. She is so smart and doing a very good job with "teaching time." She is so random too...which I like. Tonight at bedtime, I could hear her singing, "I got the joy of the Lord." It is so sweet to hear her singing praises.

For me, in the midst of life's busyness, I'm learning to stop a little more and enjoy my children, their personality, and realize how precious my children are in the moment. They will never be this young again. I am so thankful for the privilege of teaching, influencing, and guiding them.

I hope to post some images from our Easter weekend in the next two days...until then...