365 Wrap Up

It is hard for me to believe that 365 days have passed since almost one year ago 5 minutes from now. When I set out on the 365 project, I had hoped that by the end I would know how to use my camera better. I do. I am still learning, and I will always be learning, but I have a much broader knowledge base of what my camera can do. I did not expect when I started this project, however, the wide range of things it would teach me outside of knowing my camera about just life. Our lives do happen every day, 365 days of the year. They happen fast but they are packed with a richness I never fully understood or appreciated until I started taking notice of it with my camera. We are all blessed beyond measure with our lives no matter how extraordinary or simple they may appear. The reality of it is, life is a gift, it is precious, and it should always be appreciated each and every one of the 365 days of each year that we get to live it. In a nut shell, that last statement is what has been the most valuable thing that I have learned from my 365 project. As I enter into 2012, I will take this nugget of truth that I have learned and apply it to the days ahead. May all of you be blessed with many wonderful days in the year to come!

Here's a look back on some of my favorite photos from 2011:

The End!

Sophie's Christmas Pageant Part II, and a Confession

                  Last week I gave you a little preview of Sophie's debut as a Shepherd girl in her preschool Christmas Pageant. One week after the show, I am finally getting the actual photos posted.I will announce here and now that I am not going to beat myself over the head to try and get a post up for the days I missed in November as well as the few here and there that I am missing this month. My 365 project has far exceeded the 1 photo post per day (which in reality would only equal 365 photos). Those of you who know me and follow this blog know that I have posted 365 photos multiplied by 100 or maybe 1000. My goal of learning my camera has been achieved. Now my goal is to finish 365 without begrudging my camera. So there's my confession. I feel that my 365 project is complete as I wrap up this year. And I am happy with what I have learned including the knowledge that pushing myself to finish to the point of bergrudery is not worth it.
                 Now back to Miss Sophie Rose, my little Shepherd Girl. When Sophie was first told she was to be a Shepherd in the Pageant, she was not a happy little girl. "Why can't I be an angel, like Emily?" she wailed to me. After explaining to her that being a shepherd was a very important role and that she could wear a pink robe and headdress, Sophie was more enthusiastic about her part. We came to the Sacred Heart Preschool program with quite a bit of emotion. This was the last performance our family would be a part of. I had once worked at the Preschool in college while I was getting my Master's in Elementary Ed so I have known Miss Candi, the Director, and almost every single teacher there for many, many years. Having my youngest child about to graduate from the program is bitter sweet. We are happy that Sophie is going on to kindergarten next year, but we will miss Sacred Heart Preschool. In watching Sophie perform one last Christmas program, I was proud and nostalgic at the same time. She did an amazing job as a Shepherd girl and we all enjoyed our last show.

 Sophie's entire class before the pageant began with one of her teacher's Miss Norma.

 Looking for the star.

 Singing.

 Getting ready to say her line, "Wow, it's beautiful!"

 Look at Sophie and her friend Luci here. Tey had both just recited their parts in the pageant. They are so pleased with themselves. And look at the little boy on the far right. Hilarious!

 Singing loudly to end the show.

Proud big sister!

And hopefully this video will upload. All of the children were all super cute!

Holly, Jolly, Christmas

 I loved this expression on Emma-Caroline's face. She is having a ball at Christmas this year. The lighting in this photo, though, is really off. The original was very dark, so I decided to play around with it in Photoshop. The above editing is done with more exposure and of course black and white. The below shot is cropped closer and I gave it a glow and muted color wash for an old timey affect. Neither photo edit is awesome, but it allows a ho hum, poorly lit photo to at least have some more interesting qualities about it. The most important thing I have learned in this 365 project is, even if a photo is not the best in lighting, it doesn't mean it needs to be thrown to the curb, especially if  you have captured a priceless expression like the one on Emma-Caroline's face above. It's worth it to play around with it in Photo Shop or other editing process to see how you can make it better.

Ornament

Advent

 Watching . . .

 Waiting . . .

 Preparing . . .

Hoping . . .

 Loving . . .

Receiving . . . God's gift