Yesterday was filled with more excitement than this girl could handle. I waited all day for the big brown truck to pull up into my driveway. I jumped up and down, squealed and giggled like a little school girl when Mr. UPS Guy stepped off the truck bearing gifts.

Boxes dispatched from photography heaven! Oh Adorama, how I love you so…

Nestled deep within one of the boxes… My new camera boyfriend, Mr. Canon EOS 7D.

He’s hot. He’s sexy. He’s got a hard body.

And? We’re head-over-heels in love.

…………………….

You’re Invited…

I’m teaming up with a few friends to bring you an exciting, new winter photo challenge. The Poetic Winter Photography Challenge starts on Friday, February 3rd and is open to everyone! We’ll have tips, tutorials, freebies and exclusive discounts to  some of the hottest photography resources each week! Stop by, share your photos and get inspired in a fun and friendly photo challenge environment.

Head on over to the Winter Photo Challenge Page to get a complete list of prompts and to learn more about the Poetic Winter Photography Challenge.

Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. I’ll do my best to visit as many link-ups as possible, but if I don’t make it over to your place please don’t take it personally. I’m not Superwoman! And of course, if you’re looking for even more folks to link up with, I’d love for you to visit a few of my friends…

I’m a sucker for beautiful sunsets. And beautiful photos of sunsets. They make me smile, lift my spirits and well, they’re just lovely to look at.

Let’s take a look at a few sunsets from around the world, shall we?

Mt. Rainier – Washington, United States; Photo Credit: Don Jensen

Kinderdijk, the Netherlands; Photo Credit: noeky1980

Iceland; Photo Credit: RagnarTH

Marloes Sands – Wales, UK; Photo Credit: Max Hawkins

Manarola, Italy; Photo Credit: Karthick R

Rarotonga; Photo Credit: CubaGallery

Kariega River, South Africa; Photo Credit: Ryan McCurdy

Kumarakom, Kerala – India; Photo Credit: Karthick R

Talk about breathtaking! What can I say? I’m a sucker for beautiful sunsets.

My sweet friend Claire from The Adventures of Lactating Girl recently became a mother of two children. She’s a wife, mother and breastfeeding advocate who’s head over in heels in love with her two little girls and enjoying the bliss that is being a mother to two. I’m guest posting for her today, sharing a little bit of my mommy knowledge in the What to Expect When You Have a Second Child department and I’d love for you to pop over and say hi. You’ll laugh, you’ll nod your head and you’ll ooh and ahh too.

Here’s a little snippet of my guest post…

“As a mother of four children ranging in age from toddler to teens, it’s been a few years since I took the huge leap from being a parent of one child to being a parent of two children.

But I remember that time in my life like it was yesterday.

Those cool, carefree days of being a parent to just one child were a walk in the park compared to the chaos that ensued when I became a mother of two children.

It was a loud, crazy, fun-filled time in my life and an experience that I’ll never forget.”

If you follow me on Twitter or if you’re a fan of Live and Love Out Loud on Facebook, then you’ve already heard the homecoming rumblings here in small town Missouri.

Homecoming fever was alive and in the air last week here in our little corner of rural Missouri. My two oldest children had dates for the big dance and my daughter was on the homecoming court. It certainly was an exciting night for them both.

I may have been a bit overwhelmed. Seriously? They are growing up way too fast.

Here are a couple of pics I snapped with my iPhone right before we left. (Yes, these pics were taken in my kids’ bathroom. And no, I still haven’t replaced my DSLR.)

My son, Andre, cleaned up rather nicely. I was stoked that he actually agreed to take a pic with me. (I may have bribed him.) Boy is he getting tall!

My daughter wore a floor length gown and did a great job of walking in her heels during the homecoming ceremony. Being elected to serve on the homecoming court was certainly an honor and an experience she’ll not soon forget.

I had a great time getting the kids ready for homecoming and they had a blast. Me? Well, I’ve been sick since homecoming night…

…………………….

Have you heard?

I’m teaming up with a few friends to bring you an exciting, new winter photo challenge. The Poetic Winter Photography Challenge starts next week Friday, February 3rd and is open to everyone regardless of skill level, time commitment, camera equipment or geographic location. We’ll have tips, tutorials and freebies each week. Stop by, share your photos and get inspired in a fun and friendly photo challenge environment!

Head on over to the Winter Photo Challenge Page to get a complete list of prompts and to learn more about the Poetic Winter Photography Challenge.

Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. I’ll do my best to visit as many link-ups as possible, but if I don’t make it over to your place please don’t take it personally. I’m not Superwoman! And of course, if you’re looking for even more folks to link up with, I’d love for you to visit a few of my friends…

I’ve been running like a beast on the treadmill lately. 60 minutes. Yes! 60 minutes!

It’s hard work and I sweat like a pig, but I’ve got a cute little towel girl that helps me dry off at the end of my run.

How sweet is that?

In case you missed the annoucement…

I’m teaming up with a few friends to bring you an exciting, new winter photo challenge. The Poetic Winter Photography Challenge starts on Friday, February 3rd and is open to everyone regardless of skill level, time commitment, camera equipment or geographic location. We’ll have tips, tutorials and freebies each week. Stop by, share your photos and get inspired in a fun and friendly photo challenge environment!

Head on over to the Winter Photo Challenge Page to get a complete list of prompts and to learn more about the Poetic Winter Photography Challenge.

Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. I’ll do my best to visit as many link-ups as possible, but if I don’t make it over to your place please don’t take it personally. I’m not Superwoman! And of course, if you’re looking for even more folks to link up with, I’d love for you to visit a few of my friends…