A New Camera and Birthday Happenings - Collage Friday
Friday, December 13, 2013 at 5:00AM
It's been a week of interesting highs and lows... but before I go into all of that let's start with something fun.
I bit the bullet and purchased a camera this week.
It's actually my Christmas present from my husband - but I really wanted to have it before I leave for Ecaudor this Sunday.
A lot of camera research was done before I bought this Canon Powershot. I wanted a camera that was better than my iPhone, but one that did NOT require a steep learning curve.
It needed to have WiFi connectivity and take great pictures.
I had set a budget for $400, but was pleasantly surprised that I could get what I wanted for about half that price.
Score. I love my Canon Powershot SX 510 HS. It has just enough for me.
Hopefully you will be seeing better pictures here on the blog. I've been playing with it all week (I was able to hook up the WiFi within 15 minutes - I was shocked it was so easy!) in the hopes that I'll be good at taking pictures in South America.
Yikes! I just said "South America" - I'm VERY VERY excited about my trip with Operation Christmas Child.
More about that later - there's a week to wrap up in collages, so let's go!
Bowling for a Birthday
My kids always have one friend over for their birthday - usually a sleepover or special time together.
A few times I've done birthday parties at home, but having a birthday party somewhere else was HUGE treat this year for Grant.
He enjoyed an afternoon with 11 of his buddies - bowling, eating pizza and cake, and playing in the arcade.
It was so much fun! Most of the parents stuck around and we ordered extra pizza and enjoyed ourselves for the afternoon.
I think the gift of choice this year is NERF guns. Grant now has quite the collection! Who knew they make NERF guns with revolving chambers that require batteries. My child was so excited he couldn't see straight.
He also got an awesome Z Tek Bow and Arrows!
Life in my house this week was anything but DULL, that's for sure!
Christmas School
With Grant's birthday this week and Anna's Challenge A midterms completed on Tuesday, we did very light Christmas schooling the rest of the week.
I mean, really light.
I'm so thankful for Professor Carol's online Advent Calendar, because that started each day for us. With this I felt like the kids were getting some good "meat" in their days, know what I mean?
Beyond that - just fun.
One the most rainy and cold day I let the kids watch Elf and do melty bead ornaments. They made many more rubber band bracelets for the children in Ecuador, too.
I made them Crockpot Nutella Hot Chocolate (and yes, it's as good as it sounds!) and general laziness ensued.
A Fun Day
We took Grant's actual birthday and spent it at Target (spending birthday money) and talking a long nature walk by a local lake.
It was a good day.
Sometimes there are things I can't write about in this space - things that might violate my family's privacy.
I can share with you, though, that someone dear to me is facing a difficult road ahead. We are entering a season that is going to be difficult and possibly very painful, yet I know God walks before me and WITH me every step of the way.
The blessings of so many people sending me rubber band bracelets for the children in Ecuador, the covering of prayer I have felt - all of these things are tangible evidence of God's love for me and all his children.
There have been so many different emotions going on in my head this week - it's hard to put it all in words. And while I am often "Susie Sunshine" here on the blog, sometimes the everyday stressors of life and the bigger obstacles of life weigh on me.
I covet your prayers as I travel on Sunday - I will be trying to keep my Facebook and Instagram updated, with a possible blog post while I am gone (but I'm not promising!).
I'd love to hear about your week!! How was it?
Please join me for Collage Friday!
If you'd like to link, you can do so in a couple of ways:
- Enter your link below. Be sure to link to your post with photo collages and link back to this post (or include the Collage Friday button on your blog).
- Share your photo collage(s) on Instagram, FB, G+, or Twitter - use the hashtag #collagefriday so I can find you!
Reader Comments (12)
We'll be covering you in prayer over the next wee while over here in England. Have a wonderful time away and I really hope it is all you would like it to be and so much more. Be blessed!
You are in my prayers, for your spoken and unspoken needs. I know that this trip is going to bring many emotions for you, and many blessings for you and so many others.
1. loving the bow & arrow set, my son might get that for Christmas! 2. praying praying praying over your trip!!
Prayers for safety and encouragement on your journey to/from Ecuador and for your unspoken needs.
We have gone on Christmas break, too. I am praying for you and your trip. I understand that there are things that cannot be shared on the blogs and those are the most emotionally charged. We are going through a similar thing, too. Congrats on your camera. It looks beautiful. I do hope you are able to post while you are gone as I don't do FB or Instagram.
Hang in there my dear friend!
It sounds like a good week! Let me know what you think of the camera. I want to get my hubby a starter camera. He thinks he might want to start a photography hobby now to grow into a business or bigger hobby later, like with retirement. But we (well, I) don't want to start with a $4000 camera LOL
Happy birthday to your son! And I will be praying for your trip. Be blessed!
I totally understand about not being able to share everything. I'm raising a prodigal - trusting God to work in his life. But if things don't change, it will continue to be a rough road. I would love to write about it to encourage others, but I can't because his struggle is too personal. ((HUGS))
Sounds like a lot of birthday fun was had this week. Be safe on your trip and I pray that it is a blessing for you and those you visit.
Happy birthday to Grant! My boys all went through a nerf gun stage too! Watch out because the next stage might be the air rifle stage! Congrats on your camera! My daughter, Rebekah just got a new camera too! I'm hoping I can 'hire' her to take some better blog photos for me! Travel safely, Mary and be the shining light that you are! I'll be praying!
Wow Mary. Have a blessed trip.
♥ the Powershot. Such a great compact camera. I'm sure you will not be disappointed. Looking forward to seeing your pics.
Prayers and Love Mary! Prayers for safe travels, exciting adventures, and success in all that you do while away. :)
Thanks for your fantastic blog posts....we appreciate all your hard work for us homeschool mamas! Praying traveling mercies for you and praying for your loved one. It's been a difficult couple of years for my family and God has been with us every step of the way, He will be with you as well....guiding and loving you all the way through. Blessings!