Another try, and a different medium

So I try adding color to my last picture, and I'm not happy with the result, therefore, I think I will try a new method.

Here is the oil painting that I believe is NOT working out...

However, I might go back, and keep trying it out. So here is another drawing, this time I'm attempting the same painting with watercolors, and pen and ink. I'm trying out masking fluid for the first time. Wish me luck! I'm using "Fineline Resist Pen."

And here it is, the new under painting, after applying the FineLine masking fluid, the idea is that all those areas that look blueish will be white.

The under painting

So my Sister in law gave me a beautiful image from her trip to Rome to attempt to paint. I love the perspective of the picture, and since today my little ones were gone with grandma, and grandpa, I spend the afternoon working on the under painting.
Sometimes, I actually like under paintings more than the finish product (maybe watercolors with pen and ink could be something to try soon). I hope that's not the case with this picture, even though I really love how it is coming along so far.
I can't wait to get going, and add some color to this painting.
I don't think I'll include the original photograph at this point. But maybe once the whole painting is completed, I can put them side by side.
Yeah for awesome grandparents, that take amazing care of our children, so I can draw, and listen to 90's tunes for an afternoon. I guess grocery shopping will have to wait for another day.

It is still cool to blog?!?

So I have not updated my blog for a very long, and so this question is mostly for me. I was reading back on my past blog posts, and it was enjoyable to see back on the happenings of our family, so I guess the answer is, YES it is still cool to post, and if anyone happens to also enjoy reading it then BONUS!
So here is to writing again.
OK, I was recently called as the Nursery Leader in our ward, and I really want to do a good job in my new calling. I almost have that same feeling I had when I started a new University class, a clean slate, and the possibility of doing really well in a new task. So, does anyone have any suggestion for running a really good nursery program? Anything you have done, or have seen done in the past, that has worked really well ? I am lucky to have a fairly small, and from what I can see well behaved group of children...so please bring on the ideas friends!

Halloween

This post is for you Miki. My mom told me you wanted to see pictures of your cousins in their Halloween costumes. Maija was a Woodland fairy, and Terran was a Red Bear. Happy belated Halloween everyone!

My Beautiful Fairy

My Red Panda

Poor Terran looked like he had the Chicken pox, I didn't have any face painting stuff, so I used my makeup, luckily his smile makes him looks beautiful no matter what. 

What a scary Witch!

Even Scarier wizard

My three best friends

Happy Halloween

My little sweetheart

This picture just makes me smile. I haven't written much about little T, but he is the sweetest, most smiley boy EVER!

Playing Dollhouse

So I am sorry to admit, that I am not usually one of those mothers who LOVE to play with their kids. I love reading to my children, I could read to them for hours, and sometimes I do, but playing...well I'm pretty lame at it. However, this is one of the MANY areas in which I will like to improve as a mother.
A few months back I found this pamphlet called "to the mothers in Zion" it was from a talk given back in the 80's by Pres. Ezra Taft Benson. He gave a number of suggestions on how to spend time with children. To summarize he said the following:
1. Be at the crossroads- aka when they leave and return from school, dates, when they bring friends home, etc.
2.Be a Real Friend-aka Listen to your children, really listen, and among other things PLAY WITH THEM!
3.Read to your children- This is probably the one in which I do best! ;)
4.Pray with your children
5.Have weekly Home Evenings
6.Be together at Mealtimes
7.Read Scriptures Daily
8.Do things as a Family
9.Teach your Children
10. Truly Love Your Children.

Anyway, I have tried, and many times failed, but stilled tried really hard to apply these principles in my life, and "Be a Real Friend" has been on my mind a lot. I tried to play with little M, since little T is still pretty young, and he is mostly satisfied with smiling, and chewing on things. Anyway, to get to the point, I find that as kids get a little older, this mandate of being a real friend gets easier....so for all you mothers who are not PLAYERS...wait, that came out wrong! I played Dollhouse today, for a while, I even lost track of time a little, and the best part, I REALLY TRULY enjoyed it. It was not something I was doing for the good of my kids, but because it was fun! and I guess I just wanted to share that good feeling with the rest of the world.
so good night to all you Players!

Terran

Maija with her brand new baby brother



On August 28th, at the very early hour of 4:20 am, we welcomed the newest member of our family, Terran. He is as his sister says "the cutest little Chunker!" I'm afraid my lack of announcing this great news earlier, is directly related to my lack of sleep. He is pretty awesome, and I can't believe how much I love this little guy!
Terran is also the newest model for his Daddy's photography, here are a couple of pictures of Terran that his Daddy took, I love my two little angels. Maija is doing well, and we are all slowly adjusting to our new growing family.

My sweet angel