lets be friends and ask me anything

Blogging is so much fun when I become real life friends with some of you guys. Some of my bestest friends I have met or became closer with via this blog! You all rock.

SO... lets connect! I am all over social networking and might occasionally let my kid each cheese-its for lunch when I am surfing around on here. shhhh dont tell. I love it. 

facebook

twitter

pinterest 

formspring 

instagram @ lauren_meandmine 

email (thats always fun too) lulabellphotography@gmail.com

Follow me, I'll follow you back ;) 

NOW that we are all friends and such lets open this thing up for an Ask Me Anything kind of thing. 

Any question you want. I will answer. ready, set GO. 

They will be answered in a post this weekend! 

 

"you're so vain"

Okay imagine the song above playing in the background as you scroll through some selfies I took the other day. I got a remote for my camera for christmas and hadn't broken it out yet. Ryan thought it was totally awesome and joined the fun too. After a few lovely bloggy friends talked about the importance of self portraits on our blogs I felt guilt that my face rarely graces this blogs presence. I have few pictures of myself because most of the time I dont like the way they look (not trolling for compliments I promise) but I have been told the more I get in front of the camera the more comfortable I will feel. Hoping thats true because these are WAY out of my zone.

And thanks to everyone who left a comment on my last post. I am going to just branch out and blog about it all! First up- some home overhaul updates. We bought some new things tonight including a dark grey sectional sofa that I am in LOVE with. Cant wait to show you!

I hate blogging about blogging

I do, I do, I really do. But I am going to do it anyway. I am sitting here in my super uber messy house (pictures of that are coming tomorrow) chowing down on last nights home made left over BBQ chicken pizza thats to die for while the little dude sleeps away in his swing and the big dude tears apart my kitchen trying to find everything to make pop corn with my hot hair popper. I look at my life, at this blog.. they sometimes go hand in hand as this really is my spill all, share all dumping ground.

My life was put on hold for most of 2011. We had some family issues to work through, we moved into a new house, and then of course that pregnancy thing. Zofran twice a day every day for 8 months if that gives you an idea of how sick I really was. Things are getting back to normal finally and now I feel the strong urge to kick it into high gear over here. And I want to blog about it all. But I am torn. I love my niche bloggers. The daybook, Chris loves Julia, The art of making a baby.. they all have their thing and they are really really good at it. I guess this has been mostly a baby/mommy blog and thats what you are all used too. My endless rants about toddler sleep patterns, my dreams for my sons in the future, and throwing up in the car.

There is more to me than that. I have a strong desire brought on by my husbands jokes about living in sweatpants purgatory (thank you Up All Night) to start dressing better even when I am just at home. Like today I am in sweats no make up hair messy, my kids are still in the pjs.. ridiculous there is no excuse for this. I had big pinterest plans for this little ol house of ours and started dreaming about projects and new decor when we moved in.. well that was last september and it still looks like our apartment just bigger. I want to take one room at a time and give it a serious overhaul. I have been saving up and I am pretty sure this is where I want to invest some moolah. I am a pretty decent cook, meaning I can follow recipes well yet we eat out most of the week because I am way too unorganized and busy to plan out a menu. I started my photog biz last year and I know this is down time for most but I still want the business to grow. I want to be shooting more and be bringing on new clients. That means I need to sharpen my skills, I need more practice with my camera and I need to be better.

I guess my question to you my lovely friends and readers where do I draw the line. Do I blog about it all? Do you care to have an all access pass to my life and the things going on here that dont include cute baby cheeks smiles? Do I just start blogging everything that I am working on? I wonder if it will keep me motivated to change and do better knowing there is someone to hold me accountable that doesnt just love me unconditionally (sorry hubs and mom you dont count!)

I dont usually get comments but I would really love some input of what YOU want to see out of Me and Mine in 2012. Leave it here or on facebook.

xoxo
L

my why

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience."
Gordon B. Hinckley

I saw this on another blog and it totally fits my WHY of blogging. Sometimes I lose sight of why I do this and when I dont feel like counting my blessings in a post or I am going crazy in the toddler stage I need to come here and type away. These things will build upon another and represent something wonderful in the end.

Because soon enough I will have little feet like these in my house again and I want to cherish every moment til then and after as well.

well hello there

Well hello there little blog of mine. I went off to this amazing conference and met all these great ladies. Then I came back and abandoned it all. So sorry about that. 

Pretty much everything in our house is on toddler time. We go from this-

 To this in a matter of .5 seconds.

Its over everything- eating, sleeping, shoes, teeth brushing, books, which toys we play with or movies we watch, whether we are going to see daddy at work or go to Yia Yia's house. Its insane. I drove home from my parents this weekend and he yelled and cried the WHOLE 4 hours in the car. By the time I got home I just wanted to bang my head against the wall.

I want to love the toddler stage. I want to enjoy his growing independence and personality. I want to wake up each morning excited to spend the day with my awesome little man child. But honestly I am not. We but butt heads constantly, it is one giant temper tantrum from sun up to sun down 6.5 days out of the week. I have tried everything. Reasoning- hahahahahaha. Okay it works like 5% of the time. Distractions- he gets SO mad when he thinks his feelings and thoughts are being pushed aside, he will not be deterred. Playing outside? That works when I have enough energy to chase him around a park and when its sunny- combination of those happen about 2% of the time.

He is just awesome but SO incredibly difficult at the same time. Dear old grown up Ryan- when you read this you must come give me a big hug and apologize for making me wrinkle and grey at an early age because of you.

In pregnancy related news I am 12 weeks finally! I feel like we were cruising along so fast and then now we slowed down. I think I am just crazy because part of me wants it to speed up again but the other part is no where near ready for two children. I am only up 8 lbs now from my starting weight. I lost a bunch being so nausea's all the time then I slowly started gaining it back with Jelly Bean getting bigger. According to my belly button this baby is done cooking, its already poking out I cant imagine what 28 more weeks will look like.

We have another OB appointment this week, cant wait to see them wiggling around in there, we should find out the gender in a few weeks too, I can hardly wait I am so anxious. I have had so many people assume and say to me well you probably want a girl this time. Actually NO. I have NO preference whats so ever! I am not the mom that waits to have one of each so I can be done :) I am going to be so insanely happy with whomever the Lord sends.

The gestational diabetes its getting under control I have to retrain myself and they way I eat but it is so torturous for a pregnant gal to not be able to fill up on carbs! Its hard to feel satisfied after a meal I am always left hungry and needing more food but I have had my "allotment" for the time. Oh why do my children like to plague me from the beginning with heartache and suffering?

But its all worth it I cant wait to hold another little one in my arms.. and breastfeeding! woop woop so excited for that one I miss it SO SO much. Yes I know that is super weird, just roll with it.

Do you have any questions for us? Hubs and Ryan are open to answering some as well, we would love to put together a Q&A post/section of this blog so email away OR ask on fb or twitter. All my contact info can be found above in the tabs

thank you

Wow LOTS of new blog readers this week! Thanks to everyone who has joined the party over here. I normally blog quite regularly but being pregnant with #2 is taking its toll on our little family so if I am a little distant here check us out on facebook or twitter! I would love to hear from you, answer questions or check out your blogs so leave us a love note!

I will be back more next week, til then

xoxo

weekend happenings part 1 #bbcsea

If you follow my tweets @lmalberts you have read about the fabulous/crazy/wonderful things that were seen and heard at Bloggy Boot Camp, Seattle (#bbcsea) this weekend! If not I am going to give you a snap shot play by play here.
Friday- pick up blog friend Amy, whom I had never met before and drive to meet up with Stephanie and Mandy, who I have also never met! Ahh talk about nerve racking! I have known these girls via blogging, fb, and twitter for almost a year now and its completely amazing and crazy how much we are all in love with each other at first sight. I had the BEST time ever with them, never awkward silence or not sure what to say, never a dull moment. It was a non stop best time of your life ever kind of weekend. We stayed up til nearly 3 am talking. It was wonderful being with girls who knew me inside and out, its crazy how much we can know about a person by following their blog for a while, these girls are my kindred sisters and I love them to pieces.

L to R. Amy, Me, Stephanie, Mandy

Saturday was our beloved all day blog boot camp. We had class after class on content, monetizing, time management, networking, and pretty much being a blogging bad mama jama. My head was swimming by the end of the day with all the things I learned it was such a great experience. The best part of the day was meeting the lovely Mama Kat . I am in love with her blog and weekly writing workshops which I am promising myself and you that I will start up again soon. Not only is she talented and witty she is a glamazon. So gorgeous and so tall I was pretty much in awe of her. The girls convinced me to finally and bashfully introduce myself at the end of the day, oh heck yes she took a picture with me using HER iphone. I got a few shots too but dont have them back yet. She is just amazing.

 more of us girls

Saturday night we met up with tons of other local blogging mama's! Some I have been reading for a while and a few new ones too. I am so grateful for this little community I am blessed to be a part of. It really is like match.com for moms (thanks Melissa!) We had a blast restaurant hopping and taking our steppin out saturday photos. Mandy who started the trend was even there!

cardigan - BP

T - shadeclothing.com

belt - BP

jeans - american eagle

shoes - gap

baby - husband

hello almost 11 week jelly bean bump

I had so much fun if you cant tell already. I am so ready for the next PNW blogger meetup! Next time I will actually get my camera out of the car and not wait for everyone else to email me pictures. I will post me and kat and our BIG saturday night group another day.

Oh and dont worry about me having a fun filled weekend and leaving the boys home to fend for themselves they headed off to the beach for hubs family reunion! I am pretty sure Ryan needs to live at the coast he was so mad to come home.. more on that tomorrow!

on my mind

Lots on my mind tonight though I dont know if I have the energy to sort them each into an exact topic or even sentence. I feel like we have all been sick and run down for the last few weeks and its taking its toll. Its time to get the heck out of dodge and breathe some new air for a few days. Luckily my Mama's house is just 3 hours away. I cant wait to give her a big hug and cuddle on the couch in the mornings. Ryan cant wait to play with Mimi and Papa. One of the highlights from this trip is seeing Aunt Hannah-nana! She is home from Utah for a few days and we miss her oh so very much.

Ryan is getting SO big. Mentally. Of course hes still our little shrimp at just 24 pounds ;) He is coloring all the time and hes not just making a scribbly mess anymore. Okay it still looks the same BUT he is drawing Yia Yia and Papa, Mommy, and Daddy, and of course Macy the dog. It amazes me how each person or pet is just lots of lines and dots but everyone gets their own color :) ask him 15 min later who each blob is and he can totally remember. Like DUH thats Dada!

Like I mentioned in my last post he loves loves looooooves to be nekkid. I always finding him taking his clothes and diaper off and the first place he heads is outside on the patio. All of our neighbors have seen his cute tush. In a few years that will need to stop but for now why not feel the breeze on both sets of cheeks.

Its been nice to take pictures for friends and family! I am grateful for the support that I have had from everyone its overwhelmingly wonderful :) If anyone wants pictures taken email me asap! I am hoping to do more families, bellies, and babies! Nothing is better then taking pictures of people for me I love it! I added a link to my photo blog up above too.

Do you like our new makeover? I change my blog about as often as I change my hair- which is all the time. I am working with Jess on a new banner and cant wait to show you all, go check her out she is the bomb.com and her son Wyatt was Ryans bloggy baby gift exchange buddy!

Somehow it was Cinco De Mayo and I did not eat any mexican food I find this quite depressing I will have to make up for it tomorrow.

Tonight Ryan said his bedtime prayers for the first time, he normally picks mommy or daddy to say them but hes been working on some signs- Heavenly Father, thank you, mom, dad, ryan, help, sleep, Jesus Christ, amen! Ahhhhhhhh I love him.

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad! 27 years! AND to my bestest bud Hillary and her hubby Aaron who are celebrating 2 :)

This is stuck in my head. Love me some Lady A.




Okay enough rambling time for bed..

the things I say

Sometimes things come out of my mouth and I cant believe I actually said it. Ask my best friend B she hears too many of them to still love me.

Currently I have 2 canker sores so bad I cant eat. I have a sinus infection and Ryan has a double ear infection. I think our dog is going into heat and my sissys were in town which meant double the adults in my apartment. Its a mess. We are a mess. Today was anything goes. It was insane.


Today I said......

you cant rub it on your body like lotion even if its the same color- talking about amoxocillin

dont lick his penis (to the dog in reference to ryan who wouldnt put pants on!)

I am going to watch you push a poopie out, you can do it. Push real hard.

Dont tinkle on the couch

Why do you have to be naked all the time?

I dont want to play trains if you smell like poop

Do you want to take a cookie to bed with you?


For reals? And pardon the mess around here I am cleaning blog house and working on a new look I love what I had but I like to change things up every now and then. If anyone wants to lend a helping hand or knows a great designer let me know!

be inspired

My mind is swimming with so much this afternoon. Probably because I did the quickest google reader clear out known to man AND left comments for my peeps. I feel inspired, lifted up, humbled, and proud to be in this group of strong, God fearing women. Some days when I am feeling down or uninspired all I have to do is open my blogger and let the light pour in! Blogs about faith, righteous child rearing, wholesome marriages, adoption, service, forgiveness.. everything so positive. Sure we all get our moments where we complain and let our guard down and that is ok by me. Everyone deserves a quick pity party every now and then but the point is there is an end to the sadness. There is hope, grace, and faith.

Sometimes I wonder if this blogging thing is all really worth it. It takes time, lots of it some days. The networking, the posting, the pictures, the reading. But would I do it all over again- in a heart beat. Its because of all of you I have meet some of the greatest people and learned some of lifes most valuable lessons. I have shelves of life help, parenting, and "be the best you" books. In my humble opinion. This right here is all I need.

This boy is my light. I hate to admit that sometimes he is not enough. Sometimes I let my strong mom wall tumble down and let the ugly beast within show its face. The one where the house isnt big enough, toddler hangs on me too much, hubs cant do a thing right to save his life, dinner hasnt been made in days, my hair is too fried, and my boobs are sad. Where I look in the mirror and want to throw something at it because how DARE I let the devil into my thoughts this much. How dare I take one look at my self and think I am anything but beautiful.

I was reading a post and for the life of me cant find where it is now hopefully Kelle will email me with it soon. She was asked lots of questions about her blog- all things I already knew being a long time reader- but some of them stood out so strong to me at the time and still do. One of the questions was where do you find inspiration. Her answer- where do I NOT find it? I love this.

If I sit here, without moving much, and look around my house I can be inspired. The family photos that adorn my walls. I am part of something bigger than myself. I am part of this elite club of people, sealed together as a family for eternity.

I see toys scattered all over the floor. Signs that I was blessed to be a mother. That God trusted me with one of his choice spirits. He is healthy, he is happy, he is our joy.

I see our family year book. Its filled with stories and pictures (thanks to this blog!) reminding me of the life we have lived and all of the greatness we've shared.

I see my camera. A generous gift from my in laws. Probably one of the greatest temporal gifts I will ever be given. Through that lens I see the world in a different way. I notice the details that people are too busy to see. I capture the moments that are sometimes too fading yet can also impact a lifetime. I see beauty in the world when without it, it all seems to dark to bear. I can preserve precious moments of my life and of my son that I will cherish forever. I know I cant take them with me when I die but I can take the memories that they provide. I can take the lessons I learned when that moment happened and that is priceless.

I see photos of temples, quotes about family and love, artwork of the Savior. Always reminding me that I am not alone. He knows my fears, my struggles, my pain. He rejoices in my triumphs, my testimony, and my love. All of which I know are blessings from Him.

Today I, as Kelle, ask myself- what doesnt inspire me?

a book

Our 2010 year book and I am in love with it!! It took me a few hours to put together and it makes me so happy. I am grateful for blogging so I could look back to each month and remember highlights and the things that made this year unique. I laughed and cried remembering the things that we went through and Ryan loves to look through this book every few days. Its 12x12 inches so its big enough to cuddle on the couch with everyone and enjoy.

click here to make your own