The Reason...

for the season.

Change

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

~ Mark Twain

That being said, change is on the horizon for all of us here at I Miei Due Bambini. I accepted a new job and with acceptance of that new position we will be relocating. Now we don't do things small around her, by relocating we are going to the West Coast. Just typing that gives me a knot in my stomach, but we are really doing it.

I am really excited about my new position, I am going to be doing the same type of work as now but working on a new project as well as an advanced position. We are also fortunate that both my sister-in-law and brother-in-law live in the town we are moving to and only 5 minutes away. Another blessing is Michael does not need to find a new job, whewww! Our kids are young and seem to be excited about the move, it all just seem to be falling into place. It's still very crazy and busy here! I picked a fine time of the year to move, let alone relocate across the country.

Wish us luck! Here is hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas and an extremely Happy New Year. I will update as soon as we settle.

Mom Moment - "what you are doing matters"

I just had one of those "Mom Moments", you know the ones that melt your heart and tell you what you are doing matters.

Francesco fell earlier today on his bike and hurt his left abdomen by landing on the handle bars, ouch! He will have a bruise and he is sore but otherwise okay, thanks to his helmet. I of course came to his rescue, and did all the things a mom would do, from kissing it, to rubbing it, to just reassuring him he was okay. Then at dinner he complained because his pants were irritating the sore spot. I offered to get his PJ's on after dinner to help with the discomfort . So, once we got his jammies on I asked him if he was okay and he said yes. I then said, "see jammies make it all better!" He says to me, "actually, you make it all better!"

I literally was at a lost for words, and for those of you who know me know that is rare. My mouth dropped, my heart burst and I had that moment. I had that, "what you are doing matters" moment. Loved it!

I had to put this down so as to A) share and B) have it to come back to when I need it (when he is about 15 - LOL).

And, just because a post seems unfinished without a photo, here are my two boys that have taken me on this great adventure of motherhood and I couldn't have asked for any better!

The Kids Where Here {4}

“The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that our souls remaining over the places where we once enjoyed ourselves” ~Kahlil Gibran

I haven't had the time

I can not even start to tell you all that has been going on and in due time I will (just so you know I am not pregnant). I did however after a long absences take a few photos. It feels like forever since I hit the shutter. I really wish I had more time but I just don't. I miss my blogosphere friends and family. I am also hoping Jessie will understand.
This a a photo I took in the fall a year ago...

this on I took today!

What is it about taking a portrait that does not involve the face that really moves me?
Wow, even in their legs you can see how they have grown.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was my sweethearts first day of Kindergarten. He loved it and he agree to go back again tomorrow.



Just in case you were wondering, yes I cried. Once on the way home after dropping him off and then again as I saw him come out of the school with his classmates and his backpack on. He looks so grown up all of a sudden.

Photo Shoot With Francesco - The Only Smile

Francesco and I have been hanging out together this last week before he goes to Kindergarten (gulp). I had planned on doing a lot of outside activities, but atlas the rain - which I am so over- has put a kink in those plans. One day we had a few hours where it was not raining and so I decided to try and get some pictures of him. I did not want to take pictures in or around our house, I am so tired of the walls in my house right now. A short walk up the road is a building with brick walls and a cinder block wall on the other side. Seemed like an ideal place, which it was. My subject wasn't ideal though. This one picture of him with a smile is the only one out of 300 shots... the only one.





What I learned about doing a photo shoot with a 5 year old.
1 Bring more props. All I had was a point and shoot camera and a thing of bubbles.
2. Learn how to bribe well. I will give you a cookie is not sufficient for a 5 year old, it has to be more like I will let you drink a whole Orange Soda or I will get you a pack of Pokemon Cards.
3. Don't lug your tri-pod because a 5 year old doesn't stand still long enough for you to even put the camera on it.
4. Never tell them to smile, if you do be prepared to get the cheesiest smile that they won't be able to get rid of for the rest of the shoot.
5. When you say "chin up a little" expect them to look to the heavens, "chin down a little" gets you the opposite, there is no in between to them.
6. Don't even try to suggest a pose, it's just not going to happen.
7. Take a lot of shots and cross your fingers you get a few you like.
8. It's hard work!

52 Weeks of Me: Week 35 {Behind} & Week 36 {SOOC}

First off I still owe you a Night Shot. I had planned on getting a night shot with the boys while at Disney, that of course did not pan out. Each night at Disney we either did not make it till after dark or we looked exhausted. Let me tell you we had a great time but it wore us out. The boys actually fell asleep at dinner one night and we had to carry two sleeping kids out of the Magic Kingdom.



When it came to the prompt "behind" I took a cue from Jen. I started school, have a ton of work and a presentation to complete so I spend a lot of time behind this computer because I am very behind.







Now the SOOC I totally dreaded. I of course shot this wide open, hoping it would soften my skin.







Next weeks theme: Emotions/Expression - this could be fun.



Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

Negative Space - {Mortal Muses Theme}

Negative Space

Negative space in a photograph is very pleasing to me. I like how it really puts your focus on the subject. It's like de-cluttering your closet, once the clutter is gone you can really see what you have.



You can link in this weekend with the Mortal Muses on negative space. Swing by to check out what others have posted. You will find beautiful pleasing images with negative space that leaves out the clutter and focuses on the subject.

A Trip to Remember

We finally made our way to Disney! The boys had a great time overall. We learned a lot, ate a lot, waited a lot and walked a lot. We even got a lot of rain but you wouldn't know it from the pictures. The boys favorite rides were "It's a Small World" and "Toy Story Mania". If you ask Francesco his favorite part of the trip he will say, "the whole entire thing", if you ask Nicolo he will say, "the roller coasters". Not sure why he says that since he was not able to go on any roller coasters, but he went on a lot of other rides.



I of course took a ton of pictures. I made a little collage of my favorites.





If I had to pick one picture from the hundreds that I took as one to hang on the wall it would be this one.







I have a solo picture of Nicolo that I am going to hang and now I have one with a similar composition of Francesco. These are begging to be made into canvases.







Overall it was a fabulous vacation, a definite must do again. Now to get ready for school. Kindergarten is starting in two weeks and we have a few more things to do to prepare. Look for a sappy, emotional post about the first day.

Liberate Your Art

I recently participated in a unmistakably neat project called Liberate Your Art. Kat of The Kat Eye View of the World had those who wanted to participate send her 5 postcards with your art (any medium) along with address labels with your address and the stamps. She then dived out the cards, put on the postage and the address labels and sent then out. I've gotten 5 postcards from 5 different people from 5 different places around the world. How cool is that?







This one is from Steph, I love the single line flowers. I have such trouble not lifting the pen when "attempting" to draw anything. She is a creative writer and has a great website you should check out.







This one is from Joelle. I am not sure if she has a website but I know she is from Ohio. I like the interesting perspective of the shot. The blue and white contrast is really striking too.







This one is from Sassy she has a really neat site absolutely worth a visit. I have no idea what this is but I like it. I like that I am intrigued by not knowing what it is a picture of, plus the color green is so soothing to look at.







This one is from Rosa she is and artist and a writer. Her card was handmade, as well as beautiful. The purple is so regal.







Last, but certainly not least this one is from Lynn. Lynn's is a photo of a vignette style composition she learned from a online class. I've also sent Lynn one of my cards after corresponding with her via e-mail. That's the best part of this project, connecting.









Here are a couple of links to the people that I have heard from that received my cards.



Sun Breaks in the Forecast



Ann Isik



Hearts and Scars



Creative Explorer

52 Weeks of Me: Week 33 {Hands}

How impressed are you that I am posting on Sunday for our 52 Weeks of Me Project???? Probably not as impressed as I am (LOL)! This weeks theme was hands. I think I've taken more pictures of my hands than my face in this project so far. This is a shot of me writing a postcard...you heard it, I am sending snail mail. I can't tell you who I am sending this to because I want it to be a surprise. Don't you love getting a card in the real mail? I had some postcards made for the Liberate Your Art Project, I will be posting more about that at the end of next week.





I also tried something a little different- not sure if I like it but I thought I would post it so you could see that I did try to think outside the box. I think my arms look weird, but I think I am looking at it too much. If you look closely you can see I am actually standing in the rain.







Next weeks theme: Night Shot - that's going to be a tough one(think, think, think)!



Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week32 {Negative Space}

This weeks theme was negative space. I love this photographic technique but found it really hard to do a selfie. I ended up finding a blank wall in the house and had to climb on top of the chair next to the fish tank. The hardest part was keeping the cat out of the shot. In reality she is in my lap, you just can see her. I also did a little cross processing because the gray color of my blouse did not look good against the green walls of the basement.







Next weeks theme: Hands -that should be easy for me (LOL)!



Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

How do you like them apples?

Don't you just hate when you lose things, especially when you are going to need them? I lost my license at a concert that had about 67,000 people at it (that's the seating capacity of the stadium). I was pretty sure I wasn't getting it back, so now I had to figure out how to get a duplicate and fast. I have to fly soon and need my license to get on the plane without need a full body search.



My husband decides to help me out by looking up the process. First he tells me he thinks I might only be able to do it by mail. I was like, are you kidding me? He then tells me that no, I could got the Photo License Center and get a duplicate. He looks up the hours of operation and let me know, 8:30 -4:15 M-F and till 6:00 on Thursday. He then tells me to go to the building were the Driver License center has always been (more on that in a minute). Then he reminds me I could use my Passport, so I relax a little and think that even if I'm not able to get a duplicate in time at least I could use my passport. I go get it out to have on hand and my husband tells me to look at the expiration date...guess what...you got it, expired April 2011. (Someone shoot me already)



So the next day I get ready to go get a duplicate, as I am on my way my husband calls and informs me to get cash because they don't take checks. I said, "Are you serious?" he said, "trust me." (You know what that means.) So I stop, get cash and head to the building he told me to go to and guess what...it was all boarded up. Yep, they are no longer there. So I call him to see if he could look up the NEW address, at first he didn't believe me, but as he was looking it up he realized that there was a new place, he says..."guess I missed that."



So, thankfully the new building is not far from the old and I head over there. As I pull up the place is literally deserted. I mean any other time I’ve gone to the DMV there is a line out the door waiting for the place to open. Plus, I notice a HUGE sign in the window that sates "WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH" (remember "trust me"?). I go inside and there are 2 ladies sitting behind desks having a conversation, the door I walk through makes a sound and I walk over to the one ladies desk. She does not stop talking or even look in my direction for that matter. I wait about 30 second to let her finish her sentence and still no acknowledgement, not even from the other women she is talking to.



Finally I say excuse me and then they ask what they can help me with, I tell her I need a duplicate license. Guess what....that office is closed on Mondays (come to find out that's another thing my husband missed when looking up the information for me) and I can only get a duplicate license Tues - Sat. 8:30 - 4:15. I said to lady, "REALLY?", her response was "really".



So I leave and call my wonderful husband who helped to facilitate the procurement of my duplicate license to let him know my progress...nil! I had to face the fact I would have to come back tomorrow, which meant another day late for work.



That is not the end of the story though. You know that saying about if you do kind things it comes back to you tenfold. Well I must have done something right because last night when we got the mail, there was my license. Someone found it and put it in the mailbox and the post office put it in and envelope and delivered to me. How do you like them apples?!



I was shocked but completely relieved! I do not have to try and obtain a duplicate and the kind act of a stranger completely made my day. I don't know who it was but I sure hope that something good happens to them, they deserve it.

Five Already

Francesco-
Wow, five already. I never believed it when people said the time would fly. In a few short week you will be heading to school and learning new thing. It feels like we are closing a chapter on a part of your life, you know what they say...you can't go back. You can capture it though, and that is just what I've tried to do.

Words could never describe how I feel about you, I've tried to find those words but I just can't. You have a smile that lights up the room, eyes that make my heart melt and the biggest personality a little kid could have. So, since I can't tell you how I feel I thought I would show you what I see when I look at you.



I would love to be able to pause this time and not move forward, freeze you at 5 forever but I can't. I hope that in the coming years when you look back at this it will make all the memories of getting to 5 seem more real and let you to remember what an awesome little kid you were.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Love,
Mommy

52 Weeks of Me - Week 30 {I Love ...} & Week 31 {Leading Lines}

I know, I know, I am crazy behind. I even missed posting on Francesco's 5TH Birthday! You heard me, my boy turned 5! I do have something to post for him but I wanted to get this up as to not get even farther in the hole.

Week 30's theme was I Love..., all I had to do was take a self portrait that completed the sentence. Not easy. Then I realized one morning that all the things I loved were right in front of me. Now I know what your thinking, I am not in the shot, but I am. You see those two little guys, they are me, I see myself in them daily. One I see my face and one I see my personality. That big guy over there, I love him to the moon and back and would not have those two little guys without him. So if I had to complete the sentence I love...it would say: I love my boys!


Week 31's theme was Leading Lines. I love leading lines in a photo but found it super difficult to get a self portrait. I tried sitting on steps, standing down the end of a road and leaning against a wall. My biggest issue was the focus, I was always completely blurry. Then I tried to get closer and thought that this one worked. I took a walk at lunch and set the camera on a fence post. I had to use the timer since I left my remote home from all my prior attempts. I think you can see the leading line in there.


Next weeks theme: Negative Space - again another composition technique that I love but an not sure how to capture in a selfie.

Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

The Kids Were Here {3}

The story: Francesco tells me that the older kids as camp won't let him touch their Bakugan cards. I tell him, if he is good I will get him his own pack. He holds up his end of the deal and we go in search of these cards. Unfortunately we can't find them, what we do find is a Rubik's Cube (do you remember those?). So, he decides instead he needs the cube more than the cards and I agreed. Of course Nicolo then "needed" more matchbox cars, since we really don't have enough already. They both took their new loot to bed that night and then to breakfast the next morning.


New loot and the book: 7/20/2011

The other part of the story is the book. It's one of those books with great pictures and not a lot of words. The kind that you have to tell the story about what is going on from the picture. They were eating breakfast with their new toys and going back and forth telling each other what was going on in the picture. It was a moment you want to last forever but can't.

They then had to get up to get dressed for school and the scene was frozen in time till them came back. It screamed "take my picture" to me, so I did.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 29 {Shallow DOF}

This weeks theme was Shallow Depth of Field, I love photos that have the creamy background, I also like how the shallow DOF makes your skin look good. I found that holding the camera at arms length was easier than trying to use the tripod for this shoot. I was also inspired by Jen for my shot this week.



Next weeks theme: I Love..., take a photo that completes the sentence.

Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

The Kids Were Here {2}

1/80 sec, ISO 250, f/2.2, 50mm

Sunday Morning 7/10/11

Playing Around

I've been playing with some of the cool programs on my new Mac Book Pro and the video feature on my camera. Let's just say I've been having some fun.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 27 {At Work} & Week 28 {Faceless Portrait}

For the theme At Work/At Home Week I could not think of anything interesting to photograph. Even though I sit in front of a computer all day now my work is kind of interesting but on the surface it looks like I sit in front of a computer all day. I do occasionally do things the old fashion way and pick up a pen now and then to write things out. Sometimes I have to put thing on paper to make sense to me, that is the old "show your work" part of me. I am good at math but only on paper, I am not one of those people that can do it in their head.


For this weeks prompt, faceless portrait I decided to stop taking pictures of my hands. This is a necklace that I wear daily. I love jewelry but I never think of changing it to match my outfit. I am too busy trying to remember who needs what for the day, is it pizza day, share day, bring a soft toy to sleep with day or swim/splash day. All of that distracts me from the accessories. Someday I will accessorize more but for now this little infinity circle goes with everything. I wear it so much that if I don't have it on one of my boys will notice and ask where it is.



Next weeks theme: Shallow DOF (depth of field), time to break out the 50mm and shoot it wide (f/1.8).


As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

The Kids Were Here {1}

As I walk around my house each morning, noon and night to pick up the kids things I think to myself, you can really tell kids live here. Recently I saw a project over at Erika Ray Photography called "The Kids Were Here" that she was participating in. I kept seeing her photos and thinking to myself, I could totally relate. I have decided to do a little project of my own, to capture in photos the evidence that my kids were here. I am just going to randomly post, no set number of days, no set days of the week, no end date. Just when the urge hits me.



After Breakfast 6/29/2011

52 Weeks of Me: Week 26 {Daily Object}

Woo Hoo, week 26! We are halfway through the year. It's been such a fun project to host with Jessie's. This weeks theme was Daily Object. I thought and thought about what would be my daily object, cup of coffee, iPad, laptop, toothbrush, blackberry, the list goes on. Then I thought of the thing I grab everyday as I walk out the door, my keys! I have them with me every day, now that is a daily object. I also think it is interesting the different thing people have on their key rings. Mine is pretty typical, a key fob, store cards and a little flashlight.


Next week theme is: At home/At work, this can be a good think out of the box one. I will probably procrastinate and come up with something very literal, but we shall see.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 24 {Framing You} & 25 {Shoot Through}

I know, I know I am really slacking on getting my selfies done. I missed the week before and late on this week. You would never know by my blog post that I am a very punctual person.
The week before the theme was Framing You. I wanted to think outside the box but I couldn't get outside the house. I opted for the obvious as you can tell.



This weeks theme is Shoot Through glass/water/etc., I went with glass. I kind of like how you see the reflection of all the stuff outside, especially the trees. It's almost like a texture.



Next week theme: Daily Object, pick an object that you interact with daily and have that in your shot or the main focus.

I can not believe that next week we are half way there. Keep up the great work ladies!
As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

How does your garden grow?

We planted a garden this season, not to get a bumper crop but to watch the change from seed to plant to fruit. It has been fun to water, watch and wait. This morning the cucumber plants flower were open, the tomato plant had one small fruit and the basil is just flourishing.



We are also participating in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) this year. I thinks it a great way to support local farmers, try new thing and to know where your food comes from. I have to find a good recipe for garlic scapes and decide what to do with Bok Choy this week.

In our garden the boys are most looking forward to the watermelon growing and I the tomato. Is there really anything better than a ripe, juice tomato??????

Photo Commitment

I love taking pictures but have such a hard time deciding which ones I want to actually hang up. If I had it my way I would hang them all but that can get a little out of hand. So I have a hard time committing to a photo to blow up and hang on the wall. I recently did a canvas of a photo that I took for my Picture Fall class hosted by the fabulous Tracey Clark. It's a photo I just kept going back to, let say I am so glad I chose this one.



Michael has not seen it yet (the blown up canvas) but I am pretty sure he will make some reference to the fact that you can't see their faces. He does that just to goat me though. I think he will love it just as much as I do!

52 Weeks of Me: Week 23 {Connection}

This week theme was connection and I have never felt so connected to anyone the way I feel connected to my children. It's such a deep connection I can hardly find the words to describe it. I always knew I wanted to be a mother but I never knew just how close I would feel to my children. I feel connected to my husband but to my boys it's internal. I am certain that when they are teenagers they won't want to snuggle anymore. I am capturing this moment, when I feel the most connected to them, to remind me of this time.

The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated. ~Washington Irving

Next weeks theme is: Framing You, that could be fun and challenging.

I want Mitchelle to know that we are all praying for her husband and her family in this time of need.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

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