She’s not mine but I love those big blue eyes and chubby cheeks.

*this pic doesn’t do them justice…let me put that in my things to work on in my 365 file.

Here is another as well.

May all of our candles burn bright in 2010!

This morning we woke up to a couple inches of snow.

Not enough for a snowman, but enough for an enthusiastic 4 year old to shovel.

Our sidewalk…the neighbors’ sidewalks…

He would have kept going if I didn’t make his rosy red cheeks go inside.

New Year’s Resolution: Take better care of myself and family – CHECK

Workout clothes and shoes ready – CHECK

Headphones – CHECK

Cell phone updates with new MP3s – CHECK

Children ready to wake me up at 7am like clockwork – CHECK

Last piece of chocolate…..Belgian chocolate…Almost CHECK

Just a few more out takes of the making of my soar video…

You can stop watching after a minute or so.

I edited my first out takes video to use the title slides and forgot to remove the last two minutes….

well I was working on it then got distracted by a smelly child and then forgot about it.

Ahhh motherhood is wonderful

Well filming my SOAR video was a fun experience.  Especially with two boys running around.   Here are a few of the out takes…

I just thought I would clue everyone in as to what has been on my mind this month.   On December 1st, one of my favorite photographers/bloggers, Me Ra Koh, announced the SOAR! Scholarship.  It is a wonderful opportunity for three women.   It provides them with the tools, the wisdom, the confidence and much more to start a photography career.   Prior to SOAR! Me Ra selected a woman who was Running on Empty to attend each of her photography workshops.   But this time she upped the ante.   So far 73 women have submitted videos showing why they should SOAR! in 2010.   I am one of those women.

For the past three weeks it has been all my mind could think about.   What would make me stand out?   What photos to include?   I setup and filmed clips of myself.  I bribed my children to play quietly while I filmed.  I also bribed them to appear on camera which resulted in me having to bride them to get off camera.

This is my video.

I really have mixed emotions about it.

I don’t know if:

• I did enough to put me in the top three.
• I could have done more.
• I should have said more.

I do know that:

• All of the SOAR! videos displayed wonderful creativity, touching stories, breathtaking photos, and each one showed an amazing woman.   All of the women are so deserving of this scholarship.  View all the videos here.
• I feel like I’ve been on an emotional rollar coaster.  And it is not scheduled to end till January 1st.   Its a long ride.   I’ve been here before though.  Since following her blog, I’ve entered the Running On Empty Mom contest 3-4 times.   I try to think positive and be confident.  But the day the winner is announce I go from sky high to hitting the ground.   So I have mixed emotions about January 1st.
• I did the best I could with the resources I have.
• I chose the best photos I have.   I am not a professional.   I am a mom with a camera, a momarazzi.   I have a year of experience with my camera.   But I have potential.   I was so happy with the photos I took at the museum last week.  It was my first time in complete manual mode.
• I felt good seeing myself on camera.   I didn’t feel self conscious.  I was happy.
• I tried.  I put myself out there.   The only thing they can say is “No” and there is always someone else to ask.

I know that I made the leap.   I just hope 2010 is my year to SOAR!