You Capture ~ Youth

One day, when we pick out new wall stickers, my children aren't going to pick the sweet adorable fairies.

One day, I won't have to vacuum up 8 million sequins after the girls dress up in a mermaid costume.

One day, she's not going to suck her thumb during her afternoon nap.

And that day will be bittersweet. I sort of want their youthfulness to stay around forever. (Although, the day the mermaid costume stops shedding all over the house will be a slightly happy one!)

Visit Beth for more captures and next week's assignment!

You Capture ~ Feet

I have to say about 1200 things before I show you my capture of the week.

First, I almost opted out of this week. (Which I usually do out of sheer forgetfulness. But that's not my point.) This week I was going to refuse to participate on principle. That principle being I loathe feet. Absolutely LOATHE them. Like, my husband and I didn't sleep under the same blanket for the first year we were married. To this day, I make sure there is something in between our legs on the bed, because heaven forbid his feet touch me while we sleep.

I'm not even particularly fond of baby feet. I mean, I know they are so cute because they are tiny and hello! on a baby, but they hold no magic for me. Baby fingernails, eyelashes, and ears are my kryponite in that regard.

Also, if you don't go check out Beth's capture for the week you will be sad. Because, while it's still a picture of FEET, it's fabulous.

And, this week You Capture is hosted by Kelli, because Beth is otherwise preoccupied. Obviously.

Now, my capture.

This one foot uncovered thing must be genetic. So while, I don't smile because it's a FOOT, I do smile because it's HER foot. And it's just like mine.

You Capture ~ Moments

Little kids can sleep anywhere. And that makes me a little bit jealous, considering somedays, I can't even sleep in my own bed, let alone on the floor in the hallway...

Or while draped over a giant piece of foam...

More You Capture can be found over at Beth's.

You Capture ~ 2009

Last year was an amazingly awesome and completely horrible year for me. Two extremely conflicting emotions. But, instead of me whining about it, let me show you what I mean.

January ~

I have no photographic evidence that January 2009 ever happened. January happened and then in February, my laptop died. Taking the pictures with it.

February ~

There was the computer crash, so I discovered my newest love. The one thing other than my kids and my dog I would grab if the house were on fire.

It also brought the croupe to our house. And Zoe got her first taste of how life being my relative will be, when she was in a fight with a parking lot.

And I purchased the coolest puzzle ever, during an hour long trip to the Lakeshore store in Denver.

March~

The days that myself and fellow daycare providers dream of starting in late September. The return of days warm enough to take the kids to the park without putting on 7 layers of clothing.

March also took us to a performance of Disney On Ice.

April ~

April, however, found us at a bittersweet crossroads. Although I had only been doing FCC daycare for less than 6 months, I had to close. But not before the Easter egg hunt I help organize got "snowed out", forcing us into the gym.

Easiest egg hunt ever.

We also celebrated Easter for the last time with a handful of our dearest friends. It would be the last holiday we spent with them. The food was amazing. And I am not above flying back to Colorado for every holiday that involves ham, so long as Holly's husband is cooking it.

May ~

An era of our lives ended in May. We packed up to leave Colorado, to begin a new adventure in Germany.

And I had to say goodbye to the first bunch of friends I made as an adult. Of course there was food involved, and maybe a little alcohol, but there really is no other way. This picture is a sad one, no matter how happy (or drunk) we look. I miss these girls tremendously. We've been through a lot together.

May also brought us our "yearly" visit to Indiana. To a place that is home, but is not home.

I also got a new sister in law. One who is closer to my age. And instead of congratulations, I told them it was about time. Also, I banned them from having kids for three years minimum. And then we ate cake.

May 2009 marks the first time I have ever caught a fish in my entire life. I think my mother in law must be good luck.

June ~

Our long vacation came to an end, but not before I learned that with a prickly pear, an old knee high, and some good old fashioned ingenuity, you can make a really pretty margarita. And serve it in a Christmas glass, even if it's not Christmas.

Then we boarded a few airplanes, and arrived to our new home.

Germany.

July~

We moved into a large beautiful house, with amazing landlords. Who adore my children.

And even fed them ice cream.

August ~

I had a birthday. I got chocolates, roses, and wine.

And the sun didn't set until 10 pm.

We had our first "visitor" when Aunt Becky's business card stopped by. Zoe's love of baby octopi was also discovered, when she ate most of Paulo's appetizer.

September ~ The Zephina turned 5. And we played at the park in the village a lot to make the most of the last warm days of summer. October ~ We had an uneventful October. Paul worked late a lot, and we just sort of hung out. And carved pumpkins. And then went trick or treating. November ~ The first of the month brought us our 6th move in 6 years. And we spend our first Thanksgiving with no company. Or traveling. It was just the four of us, but was just as delicious as Thanksgivings past. December ~ Always our busiest month of the year. We have Zoe's birthday, an apartment to decorate, chores to do, and Christmas to celebrate. Our anniversary is also in December, and we celebrated being married for 6 years. Which is amazing for me to think about. It doesn't seem that long ago, and yet, it feels like it's been longer. I'm not sure what 2010 is going to throw our way, but I'm pretty sure we can handle it!

You Capture ~ Autumn

Fall. Oh my favorite season. I love the smells, the sights, the FOOD. I love pulling out the hats and gloves to wear with my jeans and flip flops. Carving pumpkins, making soup. I knew there was ONE picture I had to capture for this theme.

This is our village from one of the back roads that lead to it. This view makes me think we live in a post card.

I love the empty field behind this sign. Being from a place where corn fields are abundant, empty fields are a sure sign of fall!

And the growing collection of jackets hanging by the door is indicative of cooler weather.

And when else but October can you paint your toenails like this, wear flip flops and people not think you are weird?! (Yes, those toes belong to myself and Big Z.)

You Capture is hosted each week by Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry.

You Capture ~ Black and White

So, while looking for the one picture I took this week that I just KNEW would be perfect for a black and white, I about had a heart attack. It seems that when you take a picture, in order for it to appear on your computer, you have to upload them. And I forgot that I hadn't completed that step yet. Oops. While I was snapping pictures this week, our first "real" week in Germany, in our house, mostly unpacked, I kept thinking that I am lucky that I am a military wife living in another country NOW. I will have so many pictures to show the girls as they grow up. This is the picture I was looking for. I love that I was able to get their picture taken, WITHOUT them looking at me. Seems they are very conscious these days of when mom has the camera pointed at them, and it drives me NUTS. Except for when they are filling up the watering cans with Arno. They pay attention to nothing else when the care of the nine million flower pots are involved! And this one I took with my phone at the BX. I'm sure that in a few years, this scene will be recreated many times. Each time with bigger and bigger cups of coffee. (Not little not-so-hot chocolates.)

You Capture ~ Week 8

The assignment for this week was to capture joy. I haven't had a lot of JOY this week. So I will take it upon myself to capture joy sometime in the month of May or June. And post about it often. While I do have a picture for this week, I will confess I took it last week. Before the assignment was given. But Beth, I will take time to capture a make up capture soon. Pinky promise! Light wispy clouds on a brisk Spring day. After what felt like the billionth Colorado blizzard, this kind of day is what can bring me joy. For more You Captures, visit Beth. And play along next week. The assignment next week is "expression". I'm sure with my drama queens, this one will be easy!

You Capture ~ Week 7

This week Beth gave us the task of capturing FUN! So I kept taking pictures until I found the picture that was so spontaneous and fun and childlike. Here's what I got! This week Beth gave us the mission to capture FUN! So I just kept taking pictures till I found something that made me say "Oh, this is fun!"

You Capture ~ Week 6

Totally jumping in WAY late. But I'm here none the less. This week Beth gave us the mission to capture Spring. And my photo op occurred right in my front yard. Two days after the "blizzard". The first green grass of the season! Yay! There is hope after all!