Finally, Tonja whisked me away yesterday. A moment of solace. Peace. Away from the kids . . . well, until Mark came down, found us at the park, and deposited the kids on me. Great. *eye roll* At least I had my honkin' death-con 5 camera with me. Instead of wallowing in the torment of the seven kids (my 4 and my sister's 3) I took advantage and shot my sweet Ruby.
Ruby, are you really 8 1/2 months old? Sweet girl, I love you. Yes, I know.
I am quite aware that I spell words wrong all the time. What did you say? Did I used to teach English? Harrumph, Hardly. I didn't teach it, I Dictated! But, so what. Just because I'm merciless and snappy rude to the youngsters doesn't mean I have to obey those same rules. In fact, I like to think of myself as the 'rogue' English major. I'm dancing to the beat of my own drum. I'm spelling with my own flair. I'm edumakated as much as the next frumpy mother of four.
Why all the fuss? Well, I've decided that despite my spelling choice, I shouldn't be OK with spelling my name wrong.
Yes, I know. I know that on my own website I've spelled my name wrong. How did that happen? Though I hate to admit the truth, it is one of the four answers below...you can decide which one.
1. I secretly loathe my married name and this is my way of taking a stand.
2. I was trying something new to see if it was easier to pronounce.
3. It was a ploy to entice you and others to scrutinize my website for hours on end...essentially drumming up business.
4. I was so dead tired, working at three in the morning, that I truly forgot how to spell my name.
Moving on...what was this post about? Ah, Yes. The Truth. Truth is, I am too tired, or lazy, or annoyed to fix it. I lost the original graphic and it would take me too long to make another logo. Plus I am not all that in love with the logo anyway. This is where I'm hoping one of you out there will take pity on me, fix me a new logo as a .png, and send it to me.
If not, well, you'll just have to live with it. OK, I'll just have to live with it. Whatever.
1. Showed up late to my aerobics class. *sigh* It's becoming the norm.
2. Ran out halfway through aerobics--I forgot to send boys to gymnastics (in the same building).
3. After aerobics, nursed Ruby in the gym corner. (Screaming babies take precedence over possible uncomfortable on-lookers) For Pete's sake, I had a blanket covering me.
4. Shoved seven squirrely kids into my van and took them to a library party - so much for being quiet.
5. Shoved seven squirrely kids into the van again to go to swim lessons. Then immediately un-shoved because one forgot her shoes somewhere at the library party. (Do you need to take off your shoes everywhere we go?)
6. Re-shoved kids back into van and raced to swim lessons.
7. Late again.
8. Shouted directions at 6 running kids as they broke pool rules and bolted toward their teachers.
9. Relaxed with Ruby in the mom and tot class -- ah, peace.
10. Dried off 6 squirrely kids.
11. Physically restrained myself from beating (my) toddler when he chucked his shoe at Ruby's head.
12. Calmed screaming kids.
13. Searched pool vicinity for 3 missing kids.
14. Shoved all 7 kids back in van and headed peacefully down the road.
15. Yelled at toddler to get back in seat and stop jumping on booster.
16. Choked on diet Pepsi when oldest randomly decided to open van door as we're cruising down the road.
17. Swore in front of 6 kids when I saw a police officer behind me viewing all the mayhem.
18. Finished reading Actor and the Housewife and chucked it across the room.
Note: I in now way claim to be a landscape photographer. Yes, I enjoy taking pictures. No, I am not as skilled at taking pictures of architecture or landscape as I am people. So, there you have it. Now here are a few I clicked off tonight at the open house.
So we dated, like everybody else. Oh, except for the fact that Mark was exceptionally cheap and never paid for a date. So we hung out. Here, there, everywhere. I loved it.
I thought he did too. But after we broke up, and my heart broken, I couldn't figure out what went wrong. 
So I stalked him like any normal girl would do. Nothing serious, no running around clad in black with football glare paint on my cheeks, those wild days of mine were over. This time I stuck to the basics: Watching for when he left in the morning, watching for when he returned, 'running into him' at the oddest places...hm, hm, singles ward, and just a few car tailings.
And I thought it was working. We did, after all start dating (and kissing) again. But when he decided he didn't want to date anymore, I decided to pull out the BIG GUNS! (Yes all caps again. Come on. It illustrates my point.)
I reached for the 'casual' approach. The Teal Sweats. I flaunted my hot bod in the teal sweats my mom made for me years before. In them I was (besides warm) confident, yet relaxed, and I didn't care about his waxing and waning flirtations. Whatever. I'd had it. 
And then it all came together. Bow on top. He finally proposed and I graciously accepted.
End of Story.
For dating tips and advice, please feel free to email me anytime. I would love to be your 'how to stalk a guy' coach.
Ah, I love a good read. To throw myself into another world for a few hours and take in the stories of others. Sigh. I thought I'd share my opinion on some books I read over the last month. Here's a quick summarizing thought for each one. Take it with a grain of salt, or not. I like to read, so I thought I'd share my two second cents.
Graceling by Kristen Cashore - Killer Protagonist. Seriously...she's a killer. LOVED IT! In fact, I loved it so much I read it twice. I never read books twice.
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder - Gritty. That sums it it. I loved it.
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder - Equally Gritty. I loved it more.
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder - Currently reading this...the jury is still out.
The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - Though I must admit, I'm on the fence about this one. I'm not a lover of the end, but since I recently heard there's a sequel, I feel redemption is coming. Poetic writing. Zombies and Romance. What more could you want?
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey - Hmm. What to say? If it ended, I could have liked it, but since they cut the dang book in half and ended it in mid rising action, what can I say? It does have great rising action. I'll let you know my verdict after I read the sequel.
Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry - Cute. Fun quick read. Plot holes? Sure...but I heard there may be a sequel.
Ever by Gail Carson Levine - 75% good 25% LAME! Pulled through to the end and then was let down. You decide.
Selkie Girl by Susan Cooper - I didn't finish it. That should tell you what I thought of it.
Skin Deep by E. M. Crane - Currently Reading. I haven't stopped yet, so it's pretty good.
Ask the Audience:
What are you reading? What is you favorite book, and why? What do you suggest I pick up?
1st Call - 9:44 am. I don't pick up. Why? Ruby's peed out, I'm barely able to crack my eyes open, and I couldn't care less about getting off the couch. I shouldn't have stayed up till almost three revising my first three chapters for the eleventy billionth time.
2nd Call - 9:54 am. I look from the blinking light on my home phone to my cell. Peggy called both phones? Oh crap, the realization hits me that I forgot to pick up the lovely gift she's had waiting for me since Friday. This time I call her back and apologize for my unfriendly friendship.
We talk. She asks what I am doing today? Revising yet again--Of course my book won't be ready until every dag gum word is different. Today, Peggy's taking a break from writing. Instead, she's going out to lunch with her daughter. Fun for her. If I took Ruby out to lunch it would be on me. (snort. I'm laughing at my own joke...Ruby is still nursing.)
3rd Call - 12:55 pm. I don't pick up. I'm Writing.
4th Call - 12:55 1/2 pm. Still Writing.
5th Call - 12:56. Ok Peggy, I get the point. I pick up.
"You're not going to believe who I ran into at P.F. Changs!" Peggy's voice is light, near giddy.
"Who?" (I'm a sucker for a hook, and Peggy knows how to hook me)
"Laura Hickman!"
"SHUT UP!"
(Yes, I know you're not supposed to ever write in all caps, but I did yell. Peggy just ran into one of the greatest Fantasy writers of all time--A woman I so sneakily stalked at the BYU-Writers for Young Reader's Conference just over a month before.)
Peggy recognized Laura and called out her name. Laura turned, and Peggy talked to her. Peggy reminded Laura that she'd met her at the Writer's Conference.
And then Laura Hickman said, "That's right, you were with . . . ERIN!"
(Ok, so she probably didn't yell my name like I just wrote in all caps, but that is how excited I was to hear she said it. Stop being such a critic).
I squeal into the phone. I dance a little jig in my computer seat. I lightly caress the Hickman's book, Mystic Warrior, Book One of The Bronze Canticles that sits on my desk.
Sigh.
Peggy says, "Next time you'll pick up the phone the first time I call."
I laugh. Hopefully she's right.
Above are Tracy and Laura Hickman, the married, fantasy writing duo. I just wanted to do a little name dropping today and let you know They Rock!
Near Silhouette
Romantic Back lighting
Another lovely silhouette
Starburst
Sidelighting
And these last ones were mostly for fun, but a little teaser for next month's workshop. (Urban Rock)
1. Roll out of bed when you're supposed to and go for that run. Don't sleep in until the kids are reaping havoc on your home.
2. Steer clear of the Lucky Charms and be content with your fiber one cereal.
3. Never open the freezer at 11:00 am just to 'look'. The ice cream your hubby bought the night before will still be there and it will somehow talk you into scooping a bowl full and sneaking off to your room so your kids don't see.
4. Get off the computer. Don't let the computer suck away hours of your day, where you are tempted to read, look, and EAT!
5. If you're reading this blog post, remember not to judge the author.
*sigh*
Truth be told, I'm not a very good friend. I get preoccupied. I fail to answer the phone. I triple schedule every hour of my life. I live in complete chaos.
Needless to say, I'm sure I've always had those flaws. One instance in particular stands out in my mind of how 'not' of a good friend I was with my dear bff, Bobbi.
We were walking home from the Junior High school on a warm spring day when out of nowhere a huge black dog came bounding down the street toward us. Of course, because I 'm such a dog lover I reached out to pet the massive thing. He apparently loved our attention so much that he attacked my dearest friend Bobbi.
And what did I do?
Nothing.
Really, I can remember it clear as day. I stood. I gaped. And after watching poor Bobbi wrestle with a crazy hulk of a dog, I actually think I laughed.
Bobbi, I'm sorry.
And any other friend I've not been very nice to, I am sorry too. 
p.s. YOu look fabulous, despite our junior high days, and your kids look great too!I really did have a witty post in mind for today, that is until I looked at my own slacking blog and saw quite a few of my friends had updated. I jumped over to
I love how, particularly on the Fourth of July, you can spend all day with your nose in the air and no one thinks your snooty. We drove down to Provo for the annual balloon launch. If you haven't gone, and you live in the Utah County area, I suggest you do at least once. It is beautiful. For nearly thirty minutes, my kids stood and stared and ceased to whine, fight, or poop on me . . . that's a freakin' miracle!
It's funny how many times people comment that my family must have millions of shots of them because I'm a photographer. NO, in fact, it's the opposite. I'm busy shooting other people all the time that I neglect my own family. So in light of that, this post in inundated with picture after picture. Go with me on this folks, it might not happen for a while. 
These first three shots are my favorites. I loved seeing the balloon crest above the mountains and the morning sun rays illuminate the flag. Patriotic. Stunning. 
I actually thought I'd try a silhouette and see how I it turned out. I'm on the fence about this one. Do I like it? Hmmm...I can't say yet. 
There you go --looking up, up, up. 
Balloons in the sky.
Life Flight taking off.
George looking UP.
Fireworks blazing across the sky.
Grandpa and Teddy looking up.
The whole family...plus cute cousin Jarom.
Another crazy Photographer getting in my way. I'll have to post a picture later to show you how I treat pregnant photographers that get in my shot. (ha ha snort)
And of course, how could I post any family pictures with out a lovely shot of my sweet Ruby!
The bigger the better. That's what I always say. In my full wedding glory, I chose the biggest, fattest Phattest (is that even a cool word any more?...was it ever?) dress on the market. What can I say? I love poof. So, to be honest, I'm still drawn to these types of dresses. It amazes me how much a dress can make all the difference in wedding pictures. Yes, I like to think I can shoot a good shot now and then, but come on...IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRESS!
I shot this wedding about a month ago and fell in love with her dress . . . check out the first picture! That's right, all DRESS!
Ask the Audience: What type of Dress Gal are you? 
