Life with BOYS!!

I just love this...my oldest son, playing in the kitchen, britches on backwards and inside out....

Ele Fun net on the head....and punching bag as a sword......

It never ceases to amaze me at what boys find fun, I love that Bowen was entertained for hours with this particular combination of items!!

Seriously this face cracks me up, where does he get his faces from?

He is just cute, what can I say. This is a special glimpse into a day in the life of a boy, an Estes boy at that! We do have fun, never a dull moment. So neat to see my baby getting so big, and what an imagination, I love how descriptive he is and how animated, and I love that he has conversations as if he is playing 2 different people...I just love it.

I always thought I would have little girls, well that was what my mother hexed me with!!! But I am so thankful for my boys, so rough and tumble yet just little lovers too, such sweet kisses and snuggles! I know a girl would add a new dynamic to this testosterone filled crowed, just in case it never happens, and the only pink I can ever buy is my own nail polish...well I will still be the luckiest girl alive, enjoying the blessings I already have!!!!

Happy Easter!!

So here we are, the day after Easter, I ate absolutely WAY too much candy, the kids had a ball and we spent the whole day as a family. On the down side, I have had a sore throat since Saturday and it is not feeling any better, but, I pushed through and managed to get some pictures of the boys as the went hunting for their eggs.

This was the first Easter where both boys were able to participate, it was fun. Every time Bowen found another egg, he would get so excited!! My kids are candy holics...they do come by it honestly, but I believe they were excited, not about the eggs themselves or the achievement of finding them, but for the shear fact that that meant they were going to eat more candy...

The boys did so well, they shared and dove in together to sugar heaven, and had a blast!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, candy, eggs, chocolate are all fun but we are so thankful our God conquered the grave. IT IS FINISHED. What great words! More pictures from the egg dying coming soon....that was fun....

The Laser Show

So this weekend we had one good day to explore the outdoors, and well we decided to go and visit my family out in Stone Mountain. It was Keith's Birthday, so we celebrated with cake and good food, then we decided to head over to Stone Mountain Park. It was a blast. I will be honest, every other time I have been to the laser show I have not been impressed, but this time it was different!! I thought it was great! There were tons more lights and different music, I just really enjoyed it.

We took Bowen and left Judd with my mom, so it was nice to spend some time with him without the Lil guy there. We missed Judd, but it was nice to see Bowen and Mason play swords with one another, and of course I had to have the traditional funnel cake, one of my many food weaknesses. It was nice outside, not too cold in the evening, but just cool enough for a blanket and some snuggles!

Bowen loved the fireworks, it was so neat to see him laugh and giggle as they all went off. We had a great time , it will be nice when Judd can stay up a bit later and we can all go as a family. I enjoyed my weekend, and my night out with my 2 very special boys!

A big thanks to my momma who kept Judd Budd for me without hesitation so we could party at the park till about 10pm...

No pics, again I have been so super busy that the last thing I want to do is take pics while I am out....bummer I know, but I just feel that way right now! The weather hopefully will turn around again and Spring can finally arrive, and as soon as it does I will snag some updated pictures of the boys!!!

I am LIVE!!!!!!!!!!

So I am so thrilled to announce the unveiling of my new website!!! I have been working on this for months, and it has tested me a bit , but I am so very pleased with the result!! You can check it out here www.sugarsnapatl.com. Lots of great things are happening for Sugar Snap Photography, we are getting ready to expand, my very dear friend and business partner Tandy will be spearheading a new Sugar Snap in Orlando Florida! I am so excited for this expansion, we are looking forward to what God has in store for us the remainder of this year. Speaking of the remainder of this year, can you believe we are already almost in April??? Scheesh, the time is really flying!!

Just an update on all of us here, Paul is still working 2 jobs, he is really starting to see some results from his second job Mona Vie, I am so proud of him for reaching for his dreams and persevering, what a great example for our boys, to keep pressing on for what you believe in. He continually amazes me with his new look on life and leadership and I am so thankful he was God's provision.

My boys....oh, my boys....where to begin? I am on most days a referee, I try to keep the peace. They are such wonderful and loving kids, who keep me on my toes, and I would not have it any other way! They continue to bring such love and laughter to our home, we are truly blessed.

I am excited to help welcome a new baby to the Estes clan....(no not me) my sis in law April is expecting her 3rd, better her than me. I am so excited for them and am keeping my fingers crossed we will have a little pink added to the mix, that would be nice, we will see soon!!

I again am in a women's bible study on Thursday mornings, it is amazing ad I have meet some great women who I have come to admire, respect and adore. So if you are in the area and do not have plans on Thursday's come on, we would love to have as many great ladies as we can join us!

So I guess that is a little snippet as to what has been going on here, so busy, and there is so much more to report, but I am in a hurry and will have to make it another post.

I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week, I will try not to make the disappearances in between posts quite as long!!!

An Ode To Paul!

Valentines Day...what a silly holiday, I believe love should be celebrated all year long, not just one day. It is funny to watch all the men last minute running into the store to purchase the obligatory card, cheap box o chocolates and flowers. As I look back on this day (with no frills at all) it was pleasant. Just as I would have hoped for. My honey let me sleep in, and took the kids out for several hours so I could sleep. I woke up from my slumber and got tons of things finished around the house. I bagged 3 huge trash bags full of toys the boys will never miss, I started the move from winter clothes to summer clothes, and bagged the small ones to sell in the consignment sale next month, I cleaned the house and edited some pictures. It was great! Paul brought me home my favorite salad from Zaxby's and then we ordered pizza for dinner. You gotta love it when you don't have to cook....nice!

But I say all this to just get around to bragging on my hubby...I am not going to pretend online that we have the most perfect relationship, we argue and fuss and stomp around mad at one another from time to time(more me than him) but we are perfect for each other. I never dreamed the first time I met Paul that we would get married. Never did I dream this good old boy would steal my heart, but he did! I know he was surely not thinking I was his bride to be either... funny how God works things out!

I do know that he made me laugh(and still does) All the time!!! His lighthearted and carefree spirit were just what this city girl needed. He was a breath of fresh air with talent like none I had ever seen before, man can he sing!!! Paul has shown me so many things, how to forgive, how to love and how to fight for what is right, good and true. He has taught me some profound lessons only he could have guided me through. He is a big kid and so full of life, there is never a dull moment! He works so I can be home with our boys, and he works hard, even when he gets home, to play with the boys, give me a break and even occasionally do the dishes:)!

At the end of the day there is no blue Tiffany's box, there are no flowers and no cheap candy (or expensive candy at that) There is just love, love for each other. Everyday not just Feb 14, everyday! I have a genuine adoration for this man, only he can make me laugh when I am sad, only he can know something is wrong even when I do my best to hide it, only he understands this girl who is full of emotion....And in the quiet moments when I just know he thinks I am crazy, he chooses to love me for me. That is all I can ask for....he loves me, and I love him faults and all. And just when I think that silly feeling I used to get in the pit of my stomach is gone, he does something that gets me giddy all over again!

Love is a choice, not a feeling, I am getting better at claiming this. I may not "feel" in love everyday, Paul my hurt my feelings and be a jerk...but it is not about my feelings, it is about the choice I made to love him forever, serve him forever...my feelings may change, but my choice and covenant stands strong. Paul is God's perfect provision in my life...and I am one lucky girl. Happy Valentine's Day my lover...I will love you FOREVER!!!

My 2 Fellas!

So we have really enjoyed the past few weeks, we have had some wonderful weather! My Lil' Brother turned 13....crazy! We had a blast at Malibu Grand Prix! Photos coming soon! Other than that we have just been doing the same ole same ole! Not much happening, except, kids growing, learning, walking, talking...the usual! This picture is of my 2 big fellas! They are silly and I love it!! This was at the dinner table, after dinner, we played around, this is one of my favorite sets of Bowen and Paul!!

So that is my grand update...I guess no news is good news!! I am ready for the warmer weather...that's about it!

Finally !! We are free!!!!

No pictures, boy did I wish I brought my camera. But, I did not so here is just a rundown. The kids were feeling better this morning and we decided to head out and just do something fun to burn some energy. So we headed out to eat dinner at Stevie B's and then we went to Jump 4 Joey's. It was a blast. There was no one else in there except us 4 and we had the run of the place. Paul was home today from work and we just enjoyed him and each other.

The boys were so cute, Judd is usually a bit more timid around a bunch of kids, but he was climbing and sliding down with his big brother and his daddy. It was so cute!

So it was a nice day! I love having Paul home, even though he gets on my nerves for the first few hours of the day. ( Come on ladies...you all know what I mean.) Paul is usually not home all day everyday so when he is home he messes up the routine, cause he thinks he knows a better way!! It is fine, just bugs me for a sec then I am over it and am able to enjoy him and not wanna kill him. Just being honest!

I am looking forward to tomorrow, shoot, bible study...who knows what else I may venture off to do now that I have broken free....

The cabin fever blues!!!

Alright, the past week or so has been a bit strange. Bowen was fine, then feverish, then fine, then coughing up a lung, then feverish, then fine.....needless to say we have been cooped up in the house!!!! I am defiantly an on the go kind of gal, and I start to go a bit stir crazy after looking at the same walls for days and days... not to mention we have no TV and the DVD player broke last week. I'll tell you what, it is harder then you may think to entertain 2 kids with no cartoons or anything like that ALL day long, with no outside play!!! But, I have had fun, there are always more snuggles for me when the boys don't feel well. This would be the one and ONLY perk of a under the weather baby!! (not that I want the perk...you get what I am sayin')

So, if there was a face that could express how we all have felt being held captive in our own home...this would be it!!

Judd on the other hand would be happy no matter where you took him, he is so easy going and happy, especially when I give him a sucker!!!

Aghh, my kids and their faces , I just could squeeze them till they pop!!

My Bowen, so full of life, he has really shown some wonderful leadership qualities since his little brother came along. He is quite the helper and even when he does not feel well he is always up for a task that helps out mommie!! I am so proud of him, he is a wonderful big brother. Again, my kids are the greatest! I know I am partial...what mom isn't! :)

I was able to get out a bit and do a shoot, which is always a great source of relief for me. You should check out the new maternity pics I took. My friend Kristina is due any day and she looks amazing!! www.photosbysugarsnap.com

This is supposed to be a busy one, we will see if I am able to keep appointments and dinner dates. I am hoping so. I am looking forward to seeing some friends I have not been able to catch up with in a while!!

I am waiting on my babies to get better so I can at least get out and snap one or two VDay shots!! Also my little brother's birthday is this weekend....13....I seriously feel old...

No pictures, again...sorry!

Alright it has been a crazy couple of days, my CD burner has broken, my external hard drive is having issues, so therefore I can only use it on Paul's laptop, which stinks, so in all this rambling there are still no pictures. But today I was able to make it to the store and get a new external hard drive and a new CD burner, back in business. Once I get all this up and running again I will put some pics up of the boys and Christmas and such!!

So today my Mom-in-love has both my kids...I am a bit lost! I am just used to them being with me, but this has been nice. I am able to clean and get things finished around the house in what feels like warp speed. Everything gets finished faster when the kids are gone!!!

So just a few ramblings, here to post! Nothing too major. I had my first Client meeting without my partner Tandy...boooo, she is leaving me to start a new church with the man of her dreams, I am so proud, but she will be sorely missed. This means that the responsibilities of Sugar Snap Photography/ Atlanta are all mine!!! Scary but exciting too! It was a great meeting, we will see what happens. I have my 2nd meeting tonight! So I think I should be a bit more relaxed , but we shall see!!

Last night I was laying in bed with Bowen and we were saying his prayers. Now, he typically goes off on a tangent, thanking God for, well, whatever he sees as he is laying in bed....the toys, the fan, the deer...He will continue on to thank God for mommie, daddy, brother, kiki, maggots...you know our family! I will pull him back on track and say okay now thank God for dying on the cross, he repeats "thank you God for dinosaurs and the cross>" Sweet, just makes me smile!

I will leave you with that little blurb into my life, now back to cleaning!! Promise I will post pics tomorrow!

Reflecting!

I keep being reminded of how awesome God is! I spent some time talking with a friend I had not "talked to" in a while! So amazing to see where God takes us and sees us through! I was encouraged by her sweet spirit, and just reminded me of how blessed I am to be where I am! To look back on my life and know that the God of the Universe has seen me through the good and the bad! Hearing where she has been and what God has healed her from was beautiful! Inspirational at that!

Then yesterday I get an amazing phone call from some friends of mine...16 years....16 years they tried to have a baby and now are calling to spread the news that God is faithful!!! I, with many tears was rejoicing with them. Do you know that never....not once have I herd this precious couple complain about the circumstance that they were given....People all around them are having babies, and nothing but joy and excitement came from them! What A testament! To have prayed for them, and even when I lost hope they remained confident.

I have friends, family that have lost children....a loss I find UN imaginable, and the pain and agony, I pray hard that I never have to experience this first hand. But these people are renewed their spirit is renewed and they have hope, and their heart's mended.

These, and many other moments of God pouring his grace on not just myself, but the ones I love around me, are why I am thankful. My heart is full and HE is enough! There have been broken relationships in my life but I believe God is faithful and He will renew...in His perfect time he will renew.

My daily challenge is that I will be satisfied, that I will be content, and that those around me will know that there is a God out there who can relate, who repairs, who heals, who mends. This is for His glory! I am for His glory. I pray my boys will be strong men of God that they run and chase hard after Him. When they experience deep hurt, I pray they turn to Him, when they experience deep joy, I pray they see Him there!!

Makes me think of this.....

We are here for HIS glory!

I am back!!

Finally, I am home from what was a wonderful little getaway! Although I missed my hubby terribly, it was nice to just hang out and relax, spend time with my dad and my aunts and my grand mom, my cousin...you get the drift!

Today was my first official photo shoot of the new year and I was super excited! This whole thing has gotten in my blood, now I really crave to be creative and take pictures! So it was nice to get back to it! The family I shot today was so nice and sweet! I am forever grateful that I gain new friends from this line of work!

Christmas and New Years were awesome! I am so looking forward to this year personally and professionally! Paul and I have both purchased gym memberships...scary I know but we have decided to take hold of our health and make 2009 our year! So 4 days a week my hubs and I will have a date on the treadmill!! I think it will be real fun!

Now professionally, there are some awesome thing happening with my business Sugar Snap Photography! I cannot divulge all that is happening now, but I am THRILLED with what we have coming down the pipes! So I will keep everyone updated as I release new things in that area!

A few tings I am going to work hard to do, keep up with my personal blog, I will strive to do one post a day! I just don't feel lead to write everyday, but I will try...another will be to take a picture a day, not a self portrait but an image that represents what we did each day.....who knows. I am a sanguine so this may not last past this week, but my intentions were good!! HaHa!

Waiting on the SNOW!!!

Well, here we are up in Delaware, and it is pretty freezing! I miss Paul terribly, but I am enjoying my sweet family up here. My grand mom is still alive at 87 years old and in better shape than some 50 year oldI know. It has been so nice to spend some time with her and my other aunts and uncles!

I love visiting up here, my Dad and Mary's place is just beautiful on a great lot of land with horses, a pool and a jacuzzi...It is a nice little retreat! Well, it would be if I was not the only one chasing the 2 babies around all day! Thank God they hit the hay by 8 or 8:30...mommie is worn slap out! I think I will need a vacation from my vacation!

Tomorrow we are heading off to Expos, where the kids can run off some steam, it has just been too cold to take them outside, so we have just a bit of cabin fever. I am hoping it will snow, they are calling for some on Sunday! I miss the snow, it is so beautiful and I can't wait to make a snowman.

I have taken a break from the whole business, but it was pretty cool, I had my fist client meeting in New Jersey for a wedding in March 2010... who knows what will happen but it was still cool that she wanted to meet me and get some information! I love what I do and think it would be fun to travel and see new places....not New Jersey....but somewhere else. I am ready to get back in the swing of things, it is hard for me to wind down or relax, I like to keep busy. It is hard to keep busy when all your friends are not here to help entertain you! Hah!

The boys are being so good, I am so proud of them. Sometimes they can be a bit crazy when we are home, but they have been angels here and I am loving it! Still a workout to keep them out of trouble in a non baby proofed home, but angels none the less.

I wish it was not so cold, everywhere I turn is another amazing place to take pictures, I love it it is different and would be something people in Georgia would not be able to find...I strive to be different, sometimes that is hard, so shots up here would be neat!

Well, I am just rambling, no editing....kids in bed, no hubby to make me listen to cd's(just kidding baby), just me, myself and I.

I miss Paul and wish he was here with me, we are all a little lost without each other!!I am heading to bed, have a great night!

Resolutions...

First of all, I am not a huge fan of resolutions...I think maybe because I am not really good at keeping them, and if I get off track then I tend to give up....Not my best character trait here...

This year has been a bit different, I have really had an amazing year and looking back I am more and more aware of God's hand in my life!

So after much hesitation, I am fully confident in my resolution being to take some time to sit back and recognize all that God is doing around me. May sound silly to some, but in the past year I have been more and more in tune with His Holy Spirit and I am so thankful for it! Not that I have arrived....there are moments of a "flesh lapse" but they tend not to last as long! Praise the Lord.

My prayer has always and will continue to be for God to change the offensive ways in me, but I will now add that my spirit will be open....simply open to hear what my heavenly Father has to tell me or better yet, teach me.

I am really looking forward to this year, I can't really say why, except that I really do feel new, rejuvenated and ready for anything. I am ready, ready to take on this wonderful gift I have been given. I am ready to get my priorities straight and I am super pumped about it!

I have been blessed with an amazing family, my hubby and my babies hung the moon and I am just smitten with the three of them. I am blessed and more aware than ever how fast and easy time or people can be taken from us, so I will enjoy this time as it passes ever so quickly, by continuing to etch these moments on the tablet of my heart! For these are the most important people in my life!