Shannon Gurney Photoblog

Days like this...

For some reason, Ty has decided to be a little challenging.  I keep thinking he might be learning it at pre-school (which he started last week) or that he just doesn't feel well or something - anything... I need some explanation, because up until now, he has literally been the perfect little boy.  He never went through the whole "terrible two" phase and has always been taught to say "yes, ma'am" or "yes, sir" and believe me, it's really cool to hear those words consistently coming from a 2 1/2 year olds mouth.  It really is amazing how well-behaved and well-mannered he's been to this point.  But, this week, we're dealing with something totally different.  He is throwing temper tantrums and has been very jealous of his brother.  It's like he's doing everything he should've done when Wes came home from the hospital.  He'll look right at me, lately, and do the opposite of what I've said.  I just don't get it! 

I know you probably don't want to hear my issues with child rearing, but I just needed to vent.  So, in honor of my day, my week....

The more I seek you...

I'm not one to push my ideals or beliefs on others...

I don't even make it to church very often...

I pray every day.

I pray for my children and my children's children.  I pray for my husband.

I have very strong beliefs... even if you don't see them very often.  This I had to share.

I was so moved when I saw this on another blog and then discovered that the blogger was just a few miles away from me here in Oklahoma.  What are the chances, I asked myself...  Was it coincidence or something higher...

You decide... but today I am changed.  I'm inspired.  I'm SO blessed.

I plan to contact my blogger friend who inspired me today to share this with you.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  - Hebrews 11:1

Tag...you're it!

Alrighty... well... apparently I've been tagged by my loyal blogging buddy cynthia over at "Come, Sit Awhile."  Thanks so much... said with no sarcasm whatsoever!  hhmmmm...I'm supposed to share 8 interesting facts about myself with all of you.  I'm just NOT that interesting, but here goes:

• 1. I hate pedicures! I'm way too ticklish for someone to be scrubbing away on the bottom of my feet.  But, the truth is... I wish I wasn't... secretly, I really want to get pedicures!
• 2.   I get a rush from cleaning & organizing!  No, seriously...I do!
• 3.  I've always wanted to own a working horse ranch in Colorado.  (& live in a log cabin, of course!) - go through life without make-up or dress clothes, but just live in the mountains with my family...riding horses everyday.  Vacations here have caused me to want this.
• 4.  I love learning!  If I could be a full-time college student forever, that would be totally okay with me!  I can think of tons of classes I want to take even now.
• 5.  I've always wanted to be able to quote the bible in everyday conversation.  You know, those people, who can give you a verse for every situation.  I love that and find it so inspiring... but I can't do it.  Once again, I have more to learn.
• 6.  If there was a miracle diet pill that said you'd lose 50 pounds with no work...but it could be dangerous - I'd take it anyway!!!  I was SO skinny just a few years back before my children were born.  Now, I'm a stay-at-home mom/photographer who never gets to exercise and therefore never loses a pound!
• 7.  I secretly want to be RICH RICH RICH - but only because I want to give it all away.  I worry all the time about other family members who don't have much.  This truly is a thought I have daily.  How can I make more money...so I can send some to ___________.  Maybe one day I'll be a famous photographer raking in the bucks! 
• 8.  I love my husband and my children more than life itself.  But, then, who doesn't right?  yea, I know.... but I'm grateful each day for the gifts God has placed before me - healthy children and an awesome husband who loves me even if he's not the most romantic guy in the world.  He is the hottest, right!  :)

Alright, so there's my eight.  Cynthia, thanks for letting me share the love... even if I did whine a bit.  Now, I'm tagging:  Megan, Tracey,  Kelley, and Tauna. Have fun girls!

Road trip to the Arbuckles

Okay, I said we had a totally busy weekend!  I wasn't kidding!  After Friday night at the race track, we got up Saturday morning, piddled around a bit, got in the van, and headed South.  We were takin' a road trip!  First stop...Tishomingo, Oklahoma to visit my family.  They're in the process of building a new house (which is more like a cabin) next to the old-itty-bitty one.  Here's a shot of it...

After, leaving Tish...we decided to take the long way towards the Arbuckles.  We thought Ty would get a total kick out of driving through the Arbuckle Wilderness.  His favorite part was me screaming as the animals tried to jump in the van with us!!!  Seriously!  If you don't roll up the window fast enough... they'll reach their BIG heads in and look around for anything they can find to eat!!!!!!!  Josh thought it'd be really funny to use the WINDOW LOCK trick on me!  NOT COOL!!!! 

Now, remember, some of these shots just aren't that great - mostly due to the fact they're taken through my window glass!!!  I told ya'll I was scared of them, right!?!?!?!  I like getting THE SHOT as much as anyone, but not if I'm gonna get some sort of scar to show for it!

Email Trouble

It looks like I've been having a little email trouble.  Apparently, I'm not receiving some of the emails you guys have sent me lately.  So, if you've sent an email in the last few days and haven't heard back from me... please try again or give me a call.  I'm really good about getting back with you quickly.  So, from now on, if you don't get a response from me within a couple of days - be sure to call or email again just to make sure!  Thanks guys and sorry about the trouble!

Race Night - OK State Fair Speedway

We've had the busiest weekend!  Normally, we're low key around here and are pretty much homebodies.  However, this weekend, we went all out!  Josh and I had been talking about taking Ty to the dirt track races for most of the summer and had never made it there until this weekend.  We planned ahead and made sure to bring the ear protection - Ty loves race cars, but hates LOUD stuff.  It's funny in a way cause everything he loves is loud, but he hates the noise of it all.  So, the headphones come on and he goes out. 

Anywho, I'd never been to the races (dirt track) either, and was SO excited!  We had a great time and I shot a TON of photos.  It was great practice for me to try shooting at such high speeds.  We're totally ready for the monster trucks and tractor pulls to come to town! 

Here are a few of the shots I got.  Don't expect miracles.  Like I said...just practice shots!

Ty looks so frozen and scared in all the photos, doesn't he... but I promise - that's all he's talked about since Friday night - when are we goin' back, mom!! 

Photo fun around the house and Great Grandma Shirley

Today, for some reason, I was in a picture-taking mood.  I was outside in my pjs this morning just lookin' for something to shoot.  The poor dogs are always my loyal subjects - today it was Josie, our chocolate lab.  Ty gets to where he runs from me when I have the camera - today was no different.  So, I moved on to flowers and birds, etc.  Then we went to see my grandmother at the nursing home and I got to steal a couple of shots there. 

Here's a few from our day...

And guess who's the proud, new owner of 10 guinea birds...

That's right...US.  We know nothing about guinea birds, by the way.  So, feel free to share any guinea insight.

Wes Owen - 6 months

It's time... 

Everyone says Wes gets a little neglected on the blog.  So, this time, he gets his own post.  This week my smallest little guy turned 6 months old.  He's the funniest little thing - really has some personality.  He laughs mostly at his brother and not so much for Mom and Dad.  But, that's ok.  I can only hope they'll be the closest of friends.  I can put Wes in his bouncer seat and place it in Ty's room while Ty is playing cars or barn animals or whatever.  Wes will watch and take it all in - never makes a peep except to give a little input to Ty.  If I leave him in that bouncer anywhere else in the house - he hollers the entire time!!! "Pick me up!", he says... in his own little way, of course.  So, I haul him around the house on my hip while I do just about everything.  He's rotten to the core! 

They tell me at the doctor that he weighs 17 pounds, 9 ounces right now.  That's almost 3 pounds more than two months ago - little chubby bubby like I've told you before!! 

We love him...

Oh, the feel of grass between my fingers....  what a cool, new toy.

The Landlord - Will Ferrell

If you haven't seen this yet, you have to...  I'm still laughing! 

But, before you watch...

remember...

I'm a sweet God-fearing gal that doesn't condone teaching youngins to curse, drink, or act rudely.  I just really like to laugh!!! 

So, don't hold this against me!  It's unsual for me to share interesting tidbits like this, especially after the sheltered life I've lived.  Until, my rude-crude-and socially unacceptable sister came along who happens to be 14 years my junior.  She tends to enlighten me quite often!

So, Meme (my grandmother who reads my blog pretty often), please cover your ears.

Here's the making of the video... which is almost as important as the actual video...

Pre-School

Yesterday was Ty's first day of pre-school/mother's day out.  It's the first time ever, really, that he's been away from me without being watched by a relative (mostly grandma).  I'd been prepping him for a week about how much fun school was going to be (remember he's only 2 1/2).  He really has no idea what school even is, except that big buses take kids there.  He loves buses!!  So, we got up early, packed his Cars lunchbox and headed out the door.  He jabbered non-stop the whole way there about the other kids he'd meet, the music, the dancing, the fun fun fun!  Right? 

not quite

you see...he thought I'd be there the whole time

apparently mommies go to school too...right?!?

which leads me to the whole preparation speech - I did mention mommy would be going to run errands and would come back to pick him up...he decided he'd go run errands too - of course - this was all at the last minute. 

school is a very intimidating place...especially to someone who is such a good momma's boy...

Basically, it boils down to this... I had to run and hide, while they pulled him screaming/clawing/fighting down the hall on the way to music...

poor me

poor him

I just kept saying to myself... "I can do this."  "He'll be just fine."  "He'll meet new friends."  ETC ETC ETC

Well, we did survive.  I picked him up and it seems that once I rounded the corner and left..he was fine.  He loved music and dancing - sang the whole way home. 

I was whipped and needed a nap.

So, here are the pre crazy.fit-throwing tantrum photos (taken with my canon point and shoot - I need about 3 extra hands - remember I have another child who must be lugged around in an infant carrier).

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  Proverbs 22:6