La Famille Armstrong

So, I had a pretty good day. I went down 3rd Street with Gizelle this morning (thanks to Mom A. for watching the boys) and took a bunch of photos. I was wanting to stay active with my photography and Gizelle wanted to practice with her SLR so we just walked up and down the street taking photos of whatever. I'm hoping I can use a bunch of these for stock to earn some extra $$$ so we'll see how they sell. I actually am liking more of them in the B&W version... enjoy. Oh, and PLEASE tell me what you think... I love taking photos, but some days I feel more discouraged than hopeful... just gotta keep my focus on what is actually important in life... Jesus. Thanks :)

No pictures today, sorry. Just thought I write a bit about the day and what the fam is up to.

Mark has been pretty busy at work. He still has been able to come home for lunches most days (which is such a blessing to me) but he's been working on lots of other projects once the kiddos are in bed. Feels like we don't actually get to hang out - oh wait, we really don't! It does seem to get easier as the kids are getting older so we're just doing what we can to take some time off together every once in a while.

Asher is learning a new word almost every hour it seems! Yesterday he learned "gross" (due to his yucky cold) and today he said "Shell" as in Michelle, "Chul" as in Rachel and has been repeating "Srah" and "Kaee" ever since Sarah and her daughter Katie came over yesterday morning. Gosh, what else? He certainly is entering into the 2 year old tantrums but our methods for handling  them seem to be working, they certainly are trying times but we're confident that consistency and prayer will seal the deal! Picky eating has become a new fad... especially when he's hungry after nap time... only fruit snacks will do... which are not mom's favorite idea... so yeah, that's been fun every day :( He's also learning how to play catch and he's pretty good at it! The first time we played he caught the ball about 75% of the time and after a few catches and lots of my saying "Great job" he says "treat?" So cute! I told him sorry, but treats are only for helping mama or going on the potty :)

Cole sure is growing too. He seemed to really turn a corner in his eating lately. With solids he's just been weird... so finicky about when you offer them. If it's too soon after a bottle he's not interested, if it's after a nap, he is too hungry and just cries. So the past 2 or 3 days I've waited 1.5 hours after his bottle and voila!!! He's been great! Still getting up in the middle of the night eating a lot and then not eating a ton during the day but I have an idea to help that out... I'll let you know how it goes! He's still working on sitting up, he's just too much of a wiggle! He's certainly strong, but he won't hold still for very long and doesn't care if he falls over. But he's really become a lot more aware lately. Loves peekaboo, loves tickling... he just seems to understand a bit more about what's going on... he gets excited when he sees his bottle or me making baby cereal... and of course, he LOVES Asher.

The two brothers are so cute together. Lately, Ash gets really close to Cole and grabs his hand while saying "Coley, Coley, Cole" in a high voice. Then Cole starts making high pitched squeaks back to him. Then Asher laughs really loud, and so does Cole and it continues on and on... it's pretty much the cutest thing ever! Maybe we can catch it on video soon.

Me? Hmm, I'm too tired to think about it. Tomorrow I'm going on a photo shoot down 3rd street with Gizelle... Dar was going to come with us but she ended up leaving town. Ah well, her loss ;) I'll post some photos this weekend hopefully... we're mainly going so I can get some new stock shots and so Gizelle can get some practice with her new camera. Should be fun! I'll also scout out some areas to take portraits on 3rd st that I can hopefully use as I begin to book more photo shoots again.

Alright, enough for now. Time for bed!

I love my boys. They sure are cute... even if they are a ridiculous amount of work!! I thought I'd share these photos from the other day. The one with the bears is super special as it shows both boys with the very first gift anyone gave them once I found out I was pregnant. They are from Jeanne - the photo gal I used to work for :) Thanks Jeanne... they will be loved forever!

Also, coming up soon on the blog - some thoughts on living the Christian life in America and a great muffin recipe my friend Jana shared with me and taught me how to alter (she really needs to have her own cooking show)!! Hope you love the photos!

Such a cutie huh? And to add to my previous post... Asher actually loved swinging like a big kid... and he only fell off 2 times! And it wasn't so much as falling as it was tripping and tumbling as he tried to stop swinging. I was surprised b/c I just put him on, told him to hang on tight and pushed a little, then he started pumping his legs and getting going on his own!! I was a lot older and had to have my grandpa Gates teach me how to swing... I knew Asher was smart!!

I'm so excited for this summer. I expect to make lots of good memories with my two boys at the park... hopefully many times!! On Sunday, it was so nice out that Ash and I went to the park for some fun. He LOVED it! Last summer, he liked the park but he was still a little bit too uncoordinated to tackle the climbing structures and stuff - plus it was hot, I was super pregnant and we didn't have a car :) This year however, we still don't have a car but are within walking distance, I'm not pregnant and Asher seems to have figured out that the park is a great place to be! Enjoy the photos and I'll post a few more pics tonight. Also (small photo plug here) I was thinking I'd start offering "park photos" to families - session that takes place at the park where I pretty much just photograph kids playing at the park... ideas?

I have been thinking so much about Haiti... mainly b/c an old friend of mine shared a link on facebook to a blog of some even older friends of mine :) Corrigan Clay and his wife Shelley, along with their 2 biological children and 2 adopted Haitian children, are missionaries in Haiti right where the earthquake was worst. They've been there for a while and I haven't had the chance to read all of their blog about when they started, but it's amazing to see God's Spirit so evidently shown in their lives and shown to the people around them. Corrigan has such a heart to know God and to best show His to others... his blog brings me to tears almost every time I read it!

Anyway, check out their blog or their website to see what they're doing and how you can help. I plan on hosting a jewelry party for them to support the work they are giving needy women sometime in March. Their work really inspires me and pushes me to seek more where God wants me. They work with many artists, teaching skills and artistic trades, which Mark and I are both really interested in. Maybe we'll go there and help out someday :)

On another note, Mark and I are working on a non-profit called The Giving Portal and our website should be up soon. The main purpose is to provide an online avenue of giving and awareness of need... that is the simplest way to say it... but it involves a lot more!! I'll keep you posted on that as it progresses.