pieces of you

S & C always spend the majority of the summer with their dad. While I realize and value the importance of that relationship, I miss them when they're gone. Carsey text messages me dozens of times a day. Shorthand-style quips in an abbreviated style that this generation has come up with to communicate.
"hi mom how ru?"
"how much u love me?" (this is how they start all requests when they want something."
"plz mom!"
"k, cu l8r"
And many more I now recognize but couldn't regurgitate if quizzed.
But then like a mom should do, I start to notice the timestamp...10:27...10:48...11:17..
11:17?? Why are you up so late? I wasn't even up that late, so saw this message in the morning - but it will stay with me forever: "nite mommy." Ahhh, I'm still her mommy.
Nite sweetie, I love you.

(technical info on this layout since some of you have asked: I printed the photo at 8 x 10 on a sheet of avery address labels. Then I peeled them off and reassembled them sort of haphazardly on my cardstock.)

Caught on (virtual) film

I shy away from the camera like nothin' else, but Shade managed to get this one, without my knowledge, while I was shooting the Mariner's game on Saturday.

We had a great time! Were there for DJ's birthday, with the whole family, the beautiful Seattle sunshine and a lazy Saturday afternoon. This is the life!
t 

Clean your desk

Two "clean your desk" layouts. You know, you hang on to those little things, usually the last couple items that never seem to get put away. Pretty soon, you're shuffling little groups of stuff around in order to make room.
Love when something can be made from "nothing".
Who says you need a viewfinder? Indy was in the back seat directly behind me. Aimed the camera over my head, pointed backwards and snapped off about 20 frames. Got about 16 good, silly, goofy and just plain beautiful shots, like this one. silly rabbit!

Behind the glitz

A few of my impressions of the downtown Vegas, the rougher, less glitzy side. While there were still lights a plenty, downtown felt distinctly more dangerous. Run-down, off-color, etc. Still loved it down there (we had our best luck there!) but I definately would NOT leave the immediate Fremont St. area and wander around.

Always glad to go, always glad to be home.

Viva Las Vegas

In Las Vegas for the week. Yes, it was a tough decision, I was supposed to be at CHA in Chicago but DJ had training in LV for the same week and I had to decide. In the end, a week with my hubby in Sin City (with no kiddos!) won out. I get to lounge all day in the air conditioned room while he's in class. Then about 6 p.m. we get to play (and eat!) our way through Las Vegas at night. Last night we had what was probably the best burger ever at the Burger Barn in the Mandalay Bay (thanks Thad and Steph for the suggestion.) Famed Kobe beef, Ciabatta rolls, jalepeno bacon, pepperjack, slivered red onion, tomato....yum.

Have only taken the camera out one night, so not a whole lot to show you. Hope to take it again tonight, but honestly, awfully hot to lug it around (even my little one, which I used for these.) MUCH funner to use my hands to play blackjack! Hit me!
Stay cool everyone!
t