La Famille Armstrong

So, if many of you are still following this blog... please stop! And follow this one ;)

http://thearmstrong4.blogspot.com

Thanks!

I've been trying to keep this under wraps until things panned out... no, not another baby! We love our kids, but two is good for now - and very possibly for a LONG time :)

I am super excited to announce that in Spring 2011 I will be the Jumps Coach for the Track & Field team at Corban Univeristy!! It's a Christian University in Salem, OR with a track & field program that is only 2 years old. This year, we've got several jumpers coming on board who have great marks and could use some more precise coaching than Corban has had recently. My friend (from my GFU track & field days), Brad Bates, is the Assistant Cross Country coach and the sprint coach at Corban, and he referred me for the position. The head coach, Norm Berney, is giving me a tremendous amount of freedom in coaching and he and Brad will be taking care of my athletes the 2 days a week I will not be at practices. (Also crazy... his brother lives in Coos Bay and he used to watch my HS coach Fran Worthen run when she was just out of HS!) Coach Berney & Corban are also giving me lots of flexibility with the kids... I'm still in shock that I get to do this!

Track has been a great passion of mine for a while. I'll admit it though, I'm kind of a wimp. I didn't work as hard as I should have, and I think I was afraid of trying my best and still not being the best... so I (ignorantly & ridiculously) went with the option of not trying at all. Sadly, I'm pretty out of shape now, though getting better every day, but I'm so blessed to get back into training and becoming a support and encouragement for young, Christian athletes. I know my coach at GFU has had such a great impact on my life... I don't know where I would be without his support and the friendship his wife has given me. I look forward to seeing how God will use me in this role.

This means all my other endeavors are getting kicked. I do love taking photos, but this summer has really shown me that it's just not what I want to spend my energies pursuing. It leaves me drained, not energized. I understand that work is tiring, but I am seeing that God wants me to get closer to Him and share Him with others and I truly see this as an opportunity from Him to do just that, while most of my photographic endeavors have been drawing me away from Him, tempting me to pursue the things of the world. I've never been closer to God than when I am out working hard at something He made me good at. I can't wait!! And I'm sure you will be hearing all about it! Mark is already calling me coach and Asher is chiming in right behind him. I know my boys will love going to track meets and I really can't wait to get the season started! Time to hit and books (or rather, google) and plan workouts... it's going to be hard work and I'm trusting God to use me in this role to impart His love to these students. Did I mention I am excited?? January is just around the corner... wish me luck!

Darlene Taylor and I have a little booth set up at Heiser Farms today! You can get a family photo taken and receive a 5x7 print for $25 or an 8x10 print for $30. You can also get the image on a CD for $50. No matter what you order, we'll ship it to your address within 1-2 weeks. It's a bit wet out today, but we're in a covered area so you'll be dry while getting your photos taken ;) We plan on being there every Saturday in October so come get a family photo at a great price and pay us a visit!!

My friend will often post a picture of her newest little boy, and then post another pic of her oldest son to kinda show how they look alike and differ... I haven't been doing this so I thought I would post a few from the boys' first year of life!! Fun huh?? And in case you hadn't noticed (you will soon), my boys don't look too much alike... ah well, they are both super cute anyway! Enjoy!!

Alright, after much deliberation and constant thinking and praying about this... I've decided to take my photography up a notch. I love taking photos and I love helping people, but it's time that I run this like a real business instead of a fun little hobby. That means checking profits, checking costs and inevitably, changing my pricing. Thanks so much to all of you who have let me take your photos and use them for portfolio use!!! I would not be where I am today without you! And for all of you big purchasers, thanks for choosing me for your portraits, wedding and whatever else... I love having you as a client!

I made a new website that reflects my new look and gives a general idea of my pricing. I'm excited to really be working hard at this and learn the self-discipline it takes to run a viable business that will compete with other photographers in the area. Stay tuned as I'll be changing my web addresses to reflect my actual site and my photography blog - both of which will still be called JoliPhoto. Also, stay tuned for updates regarding some photo activities my good friend Darlene Taylor and I will be attempting together! Including (but not limited to) a senior portrait party and Harvest Mini-Shoots at a local pumpkin patch! So fun!!

So, here's my site... I'll soon be removing the wix.com ads once I know it's working well and people like it... so give me some feedback and spread the love!!

www.wix.com/joliphoto/Main-Page

It's been a while since I posted here. It's been a busy couple of weeks. First the trip to Texas - and all the getting ready stuff for that - and after just a week we headed down to Coos Bay. Mark took a trip with my dad down to CA to hit some race tracks and visit old friends and family. I decided to come down and spend the week with my mom and 2 of my sisters, and of course, the boys too :)

Boy, have they been a handful! Cole is teething with his 1 year molars and has been hot and cold, so to speak. Great for a day or two, then crabbier as I've ever seen him for another day or two. Crazy that he turns 1 tomorrow! And Mark turns 31!!! Asher has been pretty good for the most part. He's been melting down more and more in the evening, most likely just from missing his papa. But overall, it's been a great trip. We had quite a few outings (wal-mart of course)... trip to a park, the playground across the street, the Boardwalk, the Blackberry Festival, coffee and more shopping... eventful enough to keep the boys busy but not too crazy.

But, I'm exhausted! At home it's tough to keep up with the boys, but it gets harder when the house isn't totally baby-proofed and when all your stuff is just in a bag :) I had lots of help tho, just not much sleep! But Mark comes home tonight... within the hour!! So, hopefully next week I'll get some sleep and a break. I also have a TON of work to do, finishing the last 20 photos from one wedding and about 200+ from two other weddings... I'll likely be needed a babysitter one or two days the next 2 weeks, maybe 3... feel free to volunteer!!

Lately, God has been really doing things in me. I feel like I haven't had the chance to break away and really spend time in prayer, talking to Him and listening to Him. I feel like our life is changing (what's new) and I wonder what the future holds. I have ideas, desires, obligations, responsibilities and most of all, I have questions about where God would have me. I know I want to give up all my personal pursuits to chase after His plans and goals, but what's the best route? What does that LOOK like? Does He want me to do stuff here or is there something, somewhere else I should be doing? I just wonder. No answers yet. So, I suppose the best route is to just keep seeking Him and putting all my efforts into what is currently going on in my life and the things that come up. I just wonder, at what point should a person, namely myself, just stop what they are doing and pursue something else? Like missions work or something like that. Anyway, that's a little sneak peak into my jumbled mess of a brain :)

I'll put up some photos over the next couple of days from our little trip. Hope to connect with may of you dear friends soon... I need some down time!!! Love you all!

I always seem to get busy don't I? :) Thankfully, you all understand.

God has been doing so many things in my heart and life and I wish I could explain it all to all of you! I've been reading more in the Word every day and also reading a few books on my iPhone Kindle App. I definitely recommend reading "The Forgotten God" by Francis Chan and "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. Interestingly, I've taken away several truths from these books that were exactly in line with what God was teaching me. And while these books are about very different things, the underlying truth about God's way is the same. Something I'm really working on since reading these books, is allowing God's Spirit to guide me and acting in obedience once He calls. Doing that is the only way to have victory over sin... to be attentive what God tells me (in my "average" days and extraordinary days) then to actually DO what He desires instead of what gratifies myself and my "needs." I say needs in quotes b/c I'm also learning that this physical world is a lot less permanent than what I admit. Can I get an amen? :)

On another note, potty training Asher has been a huge success!! And I'm so blessed to say that. I was incredibly nervous about this endeavor and like Kristine Blackburn told me, I was really shocked that he is old enough to really be able to do it! Also, the Blackburns are finally moving down to Sacramento where Michael has been working 4 days a week and flying home on weekends for almost 4 years now! It's a blessing and a sadness, as they are some of the "founding fathers" of the church we attend. I will greatly miss her wisdom and grace... this next year of bible study will NOT be the same and I'm curious to see what God will be doing!

Asher is talking more and more every day. He's singing songs, picking out phrases from things he hears in music or movies (or our conversations). He's showing lots of aptitude (or at least desire) to play the guitar. Mark has been letting him strum his guitar and showing Ash a few chords too. Every morning Asher is in our room, trying to grab the guitar saying "Papa play guitar? Please? Say yes?" He plays guitar on any object that is wider than 3 inches. He especially loves to watch himself in the mirror :) He plays on brooms, spoons, shovels, sweatshirts all wadded up, phones, books... and he looks just like he's holding a pick too! So cute. So entertaining. We've video taped it several times... we'll share soon enough.

Cole has really turned into a little boy! He's standing up on furniture and interacting with us more and more. He seems to say "yeah" a lot. Anytime you ask him something. And he does it with a cute surprised look on his face. He also is more into books, sometimes sitting a looking at several for a few quiet minutes. He plays REALLY well by himself too which is a great blessing for us. He wakes up most morning around 5:45 tho, which while it is not directly a blessing, is right along with the theme of self-discipline and acting out in faith... a few more of the things I've been learning :) Cole will walk when you hold his hands and sometimes he can do it while only holding one hand... won't be long!! He also really loves grandpa, and I mean REALLY! Yesterday grandpa came into the room while Cole was in his highchair and there was no consoling that kid until grandpa came back and picked him up! I'm talking about screaming, crocodile tears, sad expressions... it was unreal! But I am really thankful for the bond my kids will have with their grandparents on both sides. Asher is always asking about grandpa Boatright and saying "in Coos Bay?" Our families are such blessings.

Lastly, next week we are going to Texas for Claire's wedding! Claire is one of Mark's cousins and their wedding photographer fell through. Basically, I'll be shooting their wedding in exchange for them bringing Mark and I out there for a few days. It'll be great! I don't feel too anxious, the kids will be in good hands (Mom and Dad A for 2 days, Tracy for the last 2). I feel great about doing the wedding... I'm more nervous about the heat in Bryan, TX during the middle of August!! But honestly, I'm totally fine with either being inside a hotel room or at the mall or movies the entire trip :) Mark and I have NEVER stayed at a hotel together for more than 1 night since we've been married, and we've never been away from both boys for more than 1 night either so this will be quite the treat for us!

Alright, well, I've got to update some stuff on The Giving Portal before Cole wakes up. Check the site for ways to give... I'll be getting more of that stuff done soon! Oh, and I'll post some wedding photos up this week too! Bye.

"Just a click here..."

Okay, Asher is officially being potty trained. We started on Tuesday, mid-morning after his bath. He did AWESOME!!! No accidents AT ALL until 7pm when we left him in his high chair a bit long while drinking his chocolate milk :) We have a 3 strikes policy though, and Wednesday morning he hit that limit. After going 2 times after waking up, he wet himself while standing over my brand new shoes after having gone only 20 minutes before. Then, the whole pooping in the potty thing did not happen. Then, another poop and pee... all within an hour or so. I was a bit hesitant about today thinking "Man, maybe it was fluke. Maybe he just can't hold it." But, only 1 accident again today! And this was after 6:30pm after a lot of water and (ashamedly) soda :)

Today, we drove out to Tracy's apartment to pick up Shannon, then out to NE Portland to drop off a check and Asher did AMAZING! We made it almost 50 minutes (part of that sleeping) on our way to Tracy's and he stayed dry the entire time! I'm so proud, and relieved!!! On the way home he slept for almost an hour and did wet then, but that's to be expected. I was super nervous about potty training but Asher seems to be understanding the concept. If he has to go and I'm not taking him, he just start to pull down his undies and say "underwear off!" until I help rush him to the bathroom. Also, he LOVES his "Cars" underwear so that motivates him to stay dry too.

Anyway, that's what I've been busy with - that, and editing, feeding, still changing boy #2's diapers, bottles, meals and everything else in-between. Tomorrow, Shannon and I are going to go out SUPER early and take a bunch of dance photos for stock stuff. Should be FUN! Not the early part, but the rest :) Stay tuned for those photos. I'll post a couple teaser wedding shots from Derek and Sarah's big day for your viewing pleasure. Thanks!