My Minuscule Moments

  I tend to over think things so I rely on our Father to guide me in decision making and following through with that in action  ; )  I'm known for trying on 27 pairs of jeans, to only find that I like 3 of them.  But once I find something I like I usually fall deeply in love with it after the dire search is complete.  Then there's those items I buy on a whim that seem  fun at the time but make my stomach ache in knots later, thus resulting in my returning them.  I can't help stewing over buying even little things like pyrex dishes or coffee creamer in an unknown new flavor for the fear of that 'what if I don't like it and can't take it back' feeling.  I regret to say this drives my husband crazy but he loves me enough to deal with my minuscule moments.  When I love something, I LOVE it.  Like a certain brand of makeup, jeans or tennis shoes.  They are well loved and used frequently until their dying day.  This sometimes makes it hard when it does come time to replace the passing product because I compare the new to the old.  Like when I dropped my super duper loved digital camera.  I dropped it outside while enjoying a nice sunny day, with my then 1 year old, on the bare pavement. 

It died right before my eyes and I was stranded.  If anyone knows how many photos I have collected in just the past 6 years, it wouldn't surprise you to feel my loss.  My current count is a little over 30,000 pictures! So began the search for its replacement.  I felt rushed and unprepared.  I wanted to stick with the same brand and style of my lost camera but couldn't buy the exact same Panasonic DMC-LZ7 again since technology is constantly changing.  I also knew I wanted a longer life battery since I bought AA's by the dozens previously.  So with a little list of priority I set foot and began shopping.  My checklist included: Panasonic as the brand, a rechargeable lithium battery, pocket size, video capable, and easy to use point & shoot operation.  I landed on a (not so cheap) Panasonic DMC-ZS5. 

It has features I don't know how to control but I typically stick with the 'sport' setting because I mostly take pictures of my active boys.  I thought then (but don't agree now) that the higher the megapixel the better quality camera you get. A website that reviewed this camera stated the comment
Sharpness: The wide-angle end of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5's zoom produced some moderate blurring in the corners, though the effect doesn't extend very far into the frame. http://www.imagingresource.com/PRODS/ZS5/ZS5A.HTM
I went from  7.2 to 12.1 megapixels, 6x optical to 12x optical zoom, and AA battery to rechargeable Lithium.  I like the HD video feature of my new camera more than my old standard video one but I feel I never get the same quality photo I used to.  The new camera, having a wide screen, seems to leave a 'grainy' look to the background and foreground often.  My old camera had exceptional zoom and bright, clear, up-close abilities.  I always received super shots with it at almost every click of the shutter.  Thus setting my expectation for the newer camera.  I will say I like my new one compared to a lot of others out there, but I don't know if I'd say I like it so much that I would pay double the price I paid for my old one.  I would have just liked to find my old one with a rechargeable lithium battery but like I said I thought the better the technology the more I'd love it... boy was I wrong.  I'm sure you're wondering why I didn't just return it.  This is the expensive lesson I learned on buying something through a discount place.  You may think you are getting a rockin' deal but I really ended up paying for it in the end.  I purchased a camera I COULDN'T RETURN...  I could only exchange it for another camera there.  I thought I could trust this particular store because I bought my LG HDTV that I couldn't be happier with at the same place.  My heart sank the day I brought it home but I have tried to learn how to use it to the best of its ability.  This happened because I was buying it on a whim, in a rush, and without comparing a wide variety before committing myself entirely.  I hope to gain more knowledge about this camera to make it capture the shots I'm looking for.  I think maybe it might just be too advanced for my novice knowledge whereas my old one could have been suited for beginners ; )  So the conclusion I have to come up with is maybe it's not the camera, it's the OPERATOR! LOL

More Than Just a Status Update

I want my blog to be a place where family and friends can have a deeper connection through tales of our day to day life.  Facebook is great but sometimes it feels like it's just a 'surface-level sharing' site.  I intend on sharing deep thoughts, feelings of faith, intimate encounters, fun facts, delicious recipes, and hopefully enjoyable humor.  Basically, I want to share my life in a way that is more than just a status update and with someone other than  my 2 year old  ; )  I am not an expert at anything but I am passionate about my family and what I believe in.  I will also share with you, products, places & things I like or how I do something. I hope hear back from you as well on what you like and why or how you do something... By sharing my thoughts, I anticipate hearing similar & opposing views ; )  I desire feedback, sometimes beyond just a one word quote like cute or cool.  I love reading other blogs and feel a correlation between our lives from strangers simply from deep felt communication.  I would love to have a 'homey' feel when someone reads my blog but I hope I won't stir up controversy simply by difference of opinion ; )  I wish to provide (and gain myself) encouragement on a variety of topics including faith, education, marriage, children, cooking, style, crafts or anything in between ; )

Intro to Playdough

I have been eager to get my almost 3 year old some safety scissors to practice cutting playdough after seeing a preschool demonstrate this activity on You Tube, to build motor skills. I was in Wal-mart and wondered if they sold just the scissors or if I'd have to go to Toys R Us to find them. I was SO excited when I found a kit that came inside a clear plastic bag with a zipper and handles on top. Inside I found 4 playdough cans, an assortment of animal cookie cutter tools, a rolling tool, a noodle making tool, and my favorite, scissors made of plastic that he can get the hang of  but not hurt with ; ) This whole thing can be kept together so nothing gets lost and I was really happy it only cost $10 bucks!

He did perfect and loves everything in this kit

Not 9 Months Already!

     I can't believe it...My baby is turning 9 months in less than a week. (Wipe tear here.)  He started crawling (officially) a couple of days ago.   For quite some time he has struggled to pull himself around the house with just his arms, leaving his legs just dragging behind.  But he has graduated now to 'crawling' on his hands and knees.  He moves slow and steady, studying and critiquing his every move with sheer tenacity.  You can see in his face how hard he is concentrating on achieving this skill.  I have to laugh though because he looks like something you'd buy from Toy's R Us.  His movement is interupted and almost standstill.  He simulates a robot to me.  He is also grasping things to keep himself standing upright.  He walks all over the house while holding my hands well, however, he's confident he can walk all by himself already.  Gravity insists he needs assistance still ; )  which heartwarmingly means...  he still needs MOMMY ; )

    

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF

A BREAK IN THE WEATHER TODAY

Splashin' in the mud puddle

Huntin' fur pinecones ; )

Singin' in the rain while splashin in the puddle

Cropper Hopper Photo Case

                                        I SOOO NEED THIS!!!
TOYS R US
Cropper Hopper Photo Case - Purple
$32.99

Product Description
Organizing photos just got easier with this handy case! Holds over 2000 4x6 photos safely and efficiently. Movable dividers allow you to create sections by theme year family member or photo size. Use the 12 acid free index cards to create reference guides for each section. The opposite side opens to accommodate portraits and over-sized memorabilia as large as 12x13. Also doubles as a storage case to hold an array of tools and supplies for other crafts like rubber stamping. Measures 13-1/4H x 12-3/4W x6D
                                                   AWESOME!!!

I Am Making an Impact in My Particular Position

     I was just thinking the other day about how I could make a little money somehow.  Not because I'm in a bind and need it, simply just to have a little mad money.  But it occurred to me that I already have a job that I love.  It will not be downsized, I will not be replaced, and I am making an impact in my particular position.  I am a MOM.  I have to remind myself, sometimes, why I am making the decision to raise my children, thus being a stay at home mom.  My mind occasionally tries to play tricks on me, leading me to believe I am sacrificing something in order to stay home.  Money, clothes, jewelry can all wait, but my babies won't!  Sometimes I have "want-I-tis"  I think of what I'd like to have instead of thinking how can I GIVE somehow.  My selfish desires try to fool me into thinking there is more to life than what I already have, when in fact, I have it ALL;  I am blessed beyond reason.  I am thankful for the days I am given, the transportation I have, the work my husband is blessed with to provide the roof over our head and for my boys who fulfill the love in our hearts.

How I Chose My Background to This Blog

     I was inspired by the look of the greenery growing.  First it is relevant to cultivating children because they grow like weeds ; )  Hence my need to savor them!  Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  Second, I thought the style of it fit my blog since it's about life with my boys.  And what do boys like to do?  Play.  Where?  In the dirt and grass ; )

First Entry Ever

     Thank you for your interest in Savoring My Sons blog.  This blog has been challenging before it even formed.  I thought long and hard for the perfect name to head up my blog.  I thought about what my blog content would be about and realized my world revolves around my two wonderful sons.  I intend on blogging about "faith, family, food, and fun" so I thought I could make that my blog name.  Taken.  I'm not the only one who liked it.  There are many versions of blogs pertaining to the same topic. I couldn't be more happy with the name I landed on!  I feel like I just gave life to my blog now that I made my first post ; )  It's exciting to think of all the different topics you can explore on here with me.  I hope to hear feedback from you too! Thanks again for stopping by.  Have a day to savor!