29/52

29/52 inspired*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

inspired*

This week, the theme is inspired. It could be from lyrics, poem, artwork. I chose this artwork as inspiration for the title for this photo.
"Summer Stroll"

One morning as I was driving through my neighborhood to go to work, I saw this goose family walking down the sidewalk. I turned my car around to get a picture. I didn't bring my camera so I used my blackberry. By this time they had crossed the street and were cutting the corner. It was the cutest thing to see. I really wish I knew where they were going. I'm assuming they came from a pond in the back of my sub-division.

28/52

28/52 round*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

round*

Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar
You called me sugar.

the kids

The kids at our nephew's wedding last weekend. 

They sure clean up nicely, I must say. This was one of those, "Hurry, let me get your picture. And smile this time!" photos right before we got on the elevator. 

I look at these two and I can't believe my eyes. Where has the time gone? It sounds so cliche, but it's true. We spent some time up-north with family this past week. My great-nephew, who just turned 2, was there. I kept thinking back to when David was his age. I remember him standing on the kitchen chair up at the sink washing dishes. Now he doesn't need that chair anymore. And my great-niece, who is 5 months old, was also there. She was just learning to eat baby food and was full of smiles. Wasn't that Emily I was just holding and cuddling? Not any longer. A quick hug (and kiss on the cheek, if I'm lucky) before she runs out the door to spend time with her friends is about all I get. 

Cherish your little ones, for the grow so quickly. It's bittersweet I tell you. *sniff *sniff

27/52

27/52 minimal*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

minimal*
This weekend was a family wedding. My husband's nephew got married. The family now has 2 Emily Murphy's.
The reception was at Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor. Hubby and I took some time afterward to sneak into the hot tub. It was relaxing!

26/52

26/52 nature*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

nature*

"As beautiful as the waterlilies. You too are a waterlily, my waterlily."
Ella Cara Deloria

We are halfway through the fiftytwo. I can't believe it. Where has this year gone? These were found in my pond. I love seeing the water lilies. They are so beautiful.

One more week of work! Saturday is a family wedding. It should be fun. Mike's sister and nieces will be in from San Diego. We plan on heading up to Higgins Lake the week afterward. I cannot wait for water, sun and being lazy! I want to get away from it all. I need a break.
This past week was pretty much the same ol' same ol'. Last night we headed over to a neighboring city for their fireworks. It was nice. We took Emily and her two besties. They played toss with a football. I couldn't figure out why they wanted to bring a football. Well after the second or third boy asked to play I figured it out. DUH, Mom!
David walked up there with a few of his friends. I never saw them. I wonder what kind of trouble they got into. Who knows... they are good kids though. I guess I just have to rely on my way of raising him to know he was fine though. I know he's loving the extra freedom that being 16 allows.
It's summer-time!

25/52

25/52 pair*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

pair*

This is Milo, our new addition and Simon, our black lab.
Hubby brought Milo home Thursday night, much to my dismay. He’s soooo darn cute that I can’t help but like the darn thing. He’s an eleven week old chihuahua / mini pincher hybrid, or “chipin”. He is a lovable ball of energy. He took to Emily as soon as he saw her. She loves him so much too. He sleeps with her at night. He whines when he can't find her, if she leaves the house or is showering.

24/52

24/52 black & white*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

black & white*
This is a spot in my backyard that I let overgrow with weeds. I feel that my little toad friends need a place to hide. Of course I maintain the overgrowth with a little cleaning up now and again.
I think maybe I'm crazy.

23/52

23/52 toy*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

toy*
The theme for the week is toy/game/childhood pastime. It was tough trying to find a toy in this house. Emily does have a bunch of Polly Pockets and I found this cute jet-ski that she could ride in. So Polly is riding through our pond.
This week is the last full week of school for the kids. I know they are excited to be done but they do have a lot of preparation for their exams.
David had his track banquet at a local pizza place on Friday. Emily had her tennis banquet earlier in the week at the same place. She earned her 1st varsity letter.
The pool is open but it's too cold to swim in it. Emily can't wait to use the pool.

22/52

22/52 low point of view*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

low point of view*
Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

In Flander's Field
by John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

21/52 part 2

21/52 jump*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

jump*

This here is my original photo for week 21. I didn't blog it because I wanted to post about Emily. However, I feel like I'm cheating because I didn't take that photo, only "poladroid"ed it ...

I found out how hard it is to sp myself jumping. I am definitely getting old! But it was fun and now the neighbors know how crazy I really am.
I don't know what was more fun... processing this or the jumping.

21/52

Pride*
I wanted to share with you something my 14 year old daughter did. I posted something on FB but I didn't go into detail. She is in Honors English and one of her assignments was to video tape herself doing something that shows her helping others. Her teacher gave them a list of ideas. I think Em went above and beyond the assignment. She used her own money to buy supplies for a school for blind children. On her day off of school this past week she and her bff walked over a mile in the drizzling rain to the grocery store. She bought bleach, paper towels, copy paper, Bounce dryer sheets, etc. Her friend's brother was able to pick them up and gave them a ride to the school. They showed up unannounced. The director was amazed that 2 girls did this by themselves. They were able to take a tour and meet 3 children who weren't in school. Emily just loved one of the little boys.He was full of laughs and smiles. Emily is looking forward to going back.
I will have to find a way to post her video. She is not on a career path for directing. Ha ha!
I can't express how very proud I am of Emily. She could have cleaned up a park or helped someone with yard work. But instead she came up with this idea all on her own. She did not let the lack of transportation stop her or the rain for that matter. She used her hard earned babysitting money on others.
Just when I feel like my hard parenting has done no good, I am reminded by this act of kindness that maybe I have done something right.

20/52

20/52 soft*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

soft*

The theme for the week was soft. I can think of all kinds of soft things.... my pillow, the cat, a dandelion puff, cotton balls, a softball... you get the idea. I wanted to capture something that related to the past week, hence this tulip petal. It is part of the bouquet of red roses and white tulips that I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up on my birthday. Mike was so sweet and had them waiting for me on the kitchen table so that I'd see them first thing in the morning.
I took the past week off of work and was extremely disappointed in the weather. It was so cold and rainy. I had planned to go to a few places that were outside. Instead I stayed home and did a lot of running around to and from the kids school. I went to David's track meet and Emily's tennis match. It was nice to do since normally I'm at work. (They are boring though, I must admit. Not at all like football or volleyball.)
So tomorrow I go back to work and I am not ready at all. I need more time off. I'm just really dreading tomorrow.

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime. - John P. Grier

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime. - John P. Grier, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

I went to the bank today and the teller gave me this sticker! Small things make me smile.
So... yeah... I'm taking pictures of myself on my birthday. It is pretty silly, but what the hey. When I'm gone one day, and hopefully not soon, I'm hoping that my photos make someone that I love happy that they found them.
I wanted to post something profound and wise... but those things are not an area that I'm gifted in. I resort to putting stickers on my face.

19/52

19/52 green*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

green*

A pretty non-descript, boring green shot. Taken outside my patio door one sunny morning before heading to work.

Happy Mother's Day everyone. I was surprised with coffee and breakfast in bed from Mike. The kids slept in but when they finally woke up they gave me their gift. They each made me a card. Emily painted one on a big poster board. David made his in Art class with rubber stamps. I love those kinds of gifts. They also got me a Lilac scented Yankee candle. I love the smell of lilacs. 

The News Herald: Breaking news coverage for Southgate, MI

The News Herald: Breaking news coverage for Southgate, MI

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18/52

18/52 spring*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Spring*
Spring is my favorite time of year. May is my favorite month. The weather is getting warmer, trees are budding, the tulips have poked through the soil, the beautiful scent of lilacs is in the air, the robin has come back home, spring showers, mud puddles, worms, and the best thing about May.... someone's birthday. ;-)


Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~ Dale Larson

17/52

17/52 hands*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

hands*
This past Friday I was able to make it to one of Emily's tennis matches. I don't know a thing about tennis. I guess they didn't win the match. Better luck next time.

16/52

16/52 bench*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

bench*
I realized that I had not posted a photo last week. This was taken for the subject "bench". Although, this is not really a bench.... it's the back of the couch. Bailey's favorite spot.

15/52

15/52 Depth of Field*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Depth of Field*

The depth of field (DOF) is the portion of a scene that appears acceptably sharp in the image.
This week... I felt like it was only a small DOF. The rest of the week was a blur. Easter came and went. I had work, while the kids had the week off.
It was a pretty stressful week. I had one person out for the week and had to train another. Then I hear through the grapevine that my boss feels like I'm basically slacking. I'm going to consider the source / boss. Ugh! Well I can say that I am extremely burnt out! So I'm sure that shows.
I can't win.
When I get home... I'm done.... this house reflects it too. I need about three weeks to myself. That will never happen.
I'm not sure how to get out of this.

14/52

14/52 Easter*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Happy Easter*
I planted hyacinth bulbs when we moved to this house. They finally blossomed so I cut the stems of flowers to bring them in the house. They smell heavenly. It is a smell that I associate with Easter, that is why I chose this for the photo of the week.