tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89190360767412496322011-11-08T16:03:02.986-07:00my ability to make a short story long is notorious with my friends and family...and we all agree that given enough wine, i could rule the world. a little insight to my life, my work and the ones i love.larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-51904044246532045112011-11-08T15:12:00.000-07:002011-11-08T15:12:29.329-07:00

Too often I feel like I spend my days trudging through mud and dragging everyone with me. All five of them. Uphill. With at least 2 of them crying. One pouting. One whining. And the big one, my husband, digging in his heels. Anyone else feel that way? Sometimes it's getting ready for church or school, or while trying to pick up the house before a client comes by. Other times, it is just a

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-8086794512957029692011-02-11T20:39:00.000-07:002011-02-11T20:39:51.773-07:00

stroman's been a main topic here lately. until mid-January, he'd been home with me and that means lots of talking with momma time. sometimes it's funny. sometimes it's exhausting. but most often listening to stroman makes me tear up. tonight we received news that a man from our church had a massive heart attack while taking part in one of his favorite activities, swimming. while we waited for

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-81798927449532636572011-01-31T22:14:00.000-07:002011-01-31T22:14:41.329-07:00

which means I'll be right on time if I get my photos from Christmas online today! a little room to breathe here people! i just finished the best book...ROOM. stayed up late. didn't do a thing this a.m. until i finished it. lovely use of language. still thinking about the characters. meanwhile...look what i found on the external today... Case Lexi she really likes hats drew took

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-39622594618851121612011-01-27T18:45:00.001-07:002011-01-28T09:03:49.181-07:00

"Mom, did I tell you about when Tegin and I killed-ed a snake?" Stroman asked one night during dinner. "No, babe," I replied. "What happened?" "We were, um, in the pasture. I mean, the jungle..." gulp, gulp, gulp (drinking milk like he's never been so thirsty), sigh. "And we were neeking up on an elephant with our rifles, like what Mibter Bic (Mister Vic) has and we saw a big, huge rattlesnake

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-20269063885374723382011-01-26T09:10:00.000-07:002011-01-26T09:10:47.243-07:00

let's be honest. i'm just glad to have pants on. even if they are on fire. last week i was fortunate enough to spend some time chatting with my former neighbor, Mindi. and i promised her i would blog over the weekend, but life happened and i didn't make time for it. it's wednesday and here i sit. trying to decide what i could share... it's beyond time that we begin "The Chronicles of Tegin

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-42750974835400793552010-06-25T14:49:00.000-06:002010-06-25T14:49:58.789-06:00

that's said in a whisper...today i am betterthanexpected. but i'm skittish to say that too LOUDLY or the world could crash again... we've had a hellish busy week...let's start with Jal softball...we cruise into Jal, NM after dropping Lexi & Stroman with grandparents. bank temp reads a smooth 105 - holy cow - i'm 32 weeks pregnant and about to photograph almost 200 girls in 105 degree heat!

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-6713538422849574682010-06-14T21:06:00.000-06:002010-06-14T21:06:27.240-06:00

relocated? check. basically unpacked? check. in love with my husband? check. adorable children? check. 3 healthy and one on the way. happy woman? ouch. well, there are some days...okay moments of the day. um...no. not happy. not the joyful pregnant lady i should be. not the one i want to be. not the one i believe God intends for me to be. and i can't determine why not. there isn't anything in

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-13193609583446011202010-06-13T19:46:00.000-06:002010-06-13T19:46:03.140-06:00

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-2155228753678569452010-01-29T16:12:00.001-07:002010-01-29T16:20:46.061-07:00

man i love to take photos. really, really love to take photos. but i have the hardest time actually utilizing the pics i take of my kids or the family... so, these images - the ones i really treasure are hidden away on numerous external drives and sometimes i forget about some of them. recently, i had to drag out an old external to update some photos with new editing software to see how the

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-89411041778422717312010-01-04T12:20:00.001-07:002010-01-04T18:19:10.408-07:00

okay. breathe in. breathe out. that's my mantra today. why? you inquire. drew resigned from his job today. crazy! you deduce. possibly. we are going to chase our photography dreams and eliminate the rat race from our lives. he loves coaching and loved the kids at NMMI, but we are at a point in my photography where the business can stay at its current level - or we can work to grow the

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-60002897915702156312009-12-15T19:23:00.000-07:002009-12-15T19:23:47.084-07:00

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-79266638980456437802009-12-11T11:05:00.002-07:002009-12-11T11:05:59.430-07:00

stop giggling. wait for it. here it is.

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-78846205586543764322009-11-12T14:29:00.004-07:002009-11-12T14:34:18.698-07:00

when i take photos, i use a digital exposure checker to be certain my colors are correct.this is stroman helping me with the exposure card. but i don't care about the colors - look at the smilin' blue eyes on that precious boy!plus, he's got it upside down which won't tell me much on my histogram.

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-86961306467596740282009-11-12T10:14:00.010-07:002009-11-12T10:51:08.000-07:00

it's horrible to discover that you've done something wrong. and i believe i have discovered just that.i might have made a mistake.see, i don't really think anyone reads my blog. just me. maybe mindi. amy s comes by occassionally. my mom doesn't even read it. drew does if i ask him to...and then, the other day i got an email from someone saying they enjoyed the photos. how nice, i thought as i

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-1484669968644922582009-11-07T21:07:00.002-07:002009-11-07T21:12:38.903-07:00

but i can't anymore.dear neighbor,how nice it must be that you were guided to buy a motorcycle during your Quarter Life Crisis. it's been nice to know that you enjoy revving the engine of your bad-ass machine from the safety of your loud-ass garage every day. it doesn't seem to have any trouble with the engine, so why not just start it and drive away? is that too much to ask? it is a form of an

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-73589942202419609292009-07-29T09:25:00.003-06:002009-08-05T07:20:46.993-06:00

8:00 cereal in bowls, juice in cups, all at table8:01 realize we are out of milk and convince kids to eat cereal like a snack8:04 feeding lexi when cyd asks how i get my body to make milk for baby to drink. that's a fun thing to explain to a 4 year old. she took it well.8:22 remember it is trash day and quickly gather and take trash outside to place on curb. painfully aware as i wave at the

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-59290614914187225142009-05-11T16:52:00.001-06:002009-05-11T16:59:10.474-06:00

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-14698742040137501612009-05-11T16:08:00.003-06:002009-05-11T16:19:40.483-06:00

Stroman had another night terror a few nights back.Judging by how he was screaming "Mommy hold you!" it must have been something tragic that kept me from getting to him in his nightmare.The next morning, we discussed the episode over breakfast."Stroman, did you have a bad dream last night," Drew asked."Yeah," Stroman pouted."Were you scared?" Drew asked."Yeah," the little guy admitted. He's 2-

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-52074596564835059952009-04-28T09:09:00.002-06:002009-04-28T09:24:35.979-06:00

yesterday i drove to big spring, texas to pick up sniggles from her weekend with her biological father. during the brief 5-hour drive there i normally a) listen to talk radio, b) drink excessive amounts of coffee and c) consider things to blog about.apparently the DR was good listening because i only came up with blog tidbits...i'm EAGERLY awaiting the arrival of my new lens...drew and i made a

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-69511380038686273902009-04-14T08:21:00.002-06:002009-04-14T08:25:18.465-06:00

we received a call late last night...about 10 p.m. on our land line, which is never good.it was a girl who has babysat for us before.she wanted us to cover for her because she told her mom she was here keeping the kids...i asked where she had been.she told me she was at the movies with her boyfriend.her mom is calling this a.m. to confirm that the girl has been at our house keeping our kids

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-9976091965283077552009-04-07T09:10:00.004-06:002009-11-12T16:33:47.746-07:00

when coaches move.and discuss job opportunities.and dig out the resume to shine it up if something seems interesting.it doesn't always mean that life isn't good. more often than not, looking at a new job is simply part of going through this time of the year.here's my theory. coaches are constantly looking for the next challenge and when they hear about a program that needs revamping, most of the

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-15858280404152806562009-03-21T16:11:00.002-06:002009-03-21T16:14:13.845-06:00

perhaps.or maybe not.but i did.i started a new blog. odd, you say, she never seems to update her current blog...true. however, i think i'll be forced to update the new one simply to survive.we've just returned from our spring break vacation. it generated tons of info for both blogs. i'll begin the information overload this week. maybe.

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-91325370263407609342009-03-01T21:04:00.003-07:002009-03-01T21:44:49.401-07:00

because i keep meeting new people, it sometimes seems like this should be repeated...one of my first blog postings. this is from 2007. now, life is completely different. cyd is 4, stroman 2, baby lexi is due in july...and we live in a completely different state.but here's where we were then:where to start...or stopwhat i can't seem to grasp...(totally in the blogger world, if we expanded this

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-61978409558178147212009-02-26T10:19:00.002-07:002009-02-26T10:25:28.714-07:00

the ultrasound technician did all of the measuring, checking, etc. and baby remained extremely modest. in fact, tech told me that i was welcome to come back when i had my next ob/gyn appt. and see if her door was open to look again and see if we could find out boy or girl.but this is the second time we'd been in and i was already concocting a plan of walking around the office for 3 minutes and

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-69412882704235164202009-02-25T08:01:00.004-07:002009-02-25T08:07:31.351-07:00

this a.m. we will be dropping by the doc to have our regular visit and are planning to skip down to the ultrasound and learn if we'll be having a boy or girl.that's usually the highlight. and i'm terribly excited to get to know who we will be welcoming into this world in july.and yet, there are also so many other issues that could arise today. (can anyone tell that i'm a worrier by nature?) so,

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-20964354031393782532009-02-20T16:57:00.003-07:002009-02-20T17:35:14.392-07:00

as most of you know, we are pregnant with baby #3.and at 20 weeks, i should be in the midst of "the glow" - you know, glorious hair, flawless skin, nice nails and a life of ease and beauty. i should damn near look and feel like a chick on some cosmetics commercial.HOWEVER - this time around i am not glowing. my hair looks less than luxurious. my skin looks as if i'm ready to NOT be asked to prom.

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-10704240618011469272009-01-27T09:33:00.003-07:002009-01-27T09:40:07.088-07:00

these are all words that are not usually *fine, not EVER* associated with me. or my personality.and today, i'm headed to the grocery store...which happens to be one of my favorite places. but, like Mindi & Zane, we are adhering to the Dave Ramsey FPU classes and i know that this trip to the store will be less than fun.we've had a budget for a while. now we are actually sticking to it. and today,

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-71050307198086533042009-01-24T10:43:00.003-07:002009-01-24T10:55:25.708-07:00

my husband, drew, he's feeling frisky today.he's not a fan of the time i spend on the computer. and then today i got the itch to change my blog background.i've changed it a few times now and since he's currently doing the dishes, i know he's steamed.but he loves me. so i'm gonna make the bed and we'll call it fair.

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-76875935239576402472009-01-19T09:57:00.003-07:002009-01-19T10:31:40.932-07:00

cyd started gymnastics this week. and although she's pretty positive she's meant to be a glorious, graceful ballerina, we talked her into the bouncing around.SHE LOVED IT!the teachers were great at making the skills the little ones needed to learn seem like games...they did tons of jumping and following the leader and working different aspects of their extremities.we are loving that the

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-46679005987578297862009-01-16T08:35:00.001-07:002009-01-16T08:37:03.483-07:00

what's up with all the cool backgrounds?i was using "cutestblogontheblock" but now there are errors on the page and i can't get another nifty background.what do you guys use?i need suggestions...

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-41749209813800058132009-01-15T21:58:00.002-07:002009-01-15T22:05:22.667-07:00

have you ever been excited, but a bit um...shall we say, worried about first impressions? like, maybe you forgot to put away the folded underwear on the couch and the preacher's wife just dropped by to deliver some fresh brownies...do you let her in the house & invite her to sit - or stand like a bodyguard in the door to keep her from seeing your human-ish-ness?that's where I am right now.my

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-3645960719784836762008-12-17T11:36:00.005-07:002008-12-17T16:48:11.745-07:00

well, let me take a look at the calendar...yep - it's wednesday. so, that means we are officially at 11 weeks.11 weeks is one week shy of the so-called "safe sharing zone" but truth be told our doctor said that when he heard a solid heartbeat 2 weeks ago the chance of miscarriage drops from 25% to less than 1%. I told him that 96% of all percentages were made up. He didn't laugh.point being - we

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-44291976872653322612008-12-01T20:35:00.003-07:002008-12-01T20:59:43.597-07:00

anyone still there?i agree, it has been forever! glad to see you again & i hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.i didn't.sick. massively sick. the entire time. for 3 weeks now. sinus infection. stomach bug. and generally, a ticked off attitude.it got so bad that when drew left for his final football road game of the season, i called my mom...explained the situation and cried when she said she

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-53213053260886849482008-09-08T09:58:00.002-06:002008-09-08T10:08:31.011-06:00

Here's the write-up from our recent football trip to Alpine...Broncos open season with 24-14 victoryStaff ReportsALPINE, TEXAS (Staff reports) - Class is now in session at the New Mexico Military Institute, and the Bronco football team has already passed their first test, downing Sul Ross State University 24-14. Head coach Jeff Lynn and his Bronco footballers traveled to Alpine, Texas this

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-53735000433131326122008-08-22T10:58:00.005-06:002008-08-22T13:10:17.887-06:00

the following post is actually from the week of mother's day. i never published it. just found it...oddly enough, while i was waiting for a load of socks to dry.yesterday marked a day of incredible amounts of self-induced stress. i was finishing up a project and was blind to everything but the task at hand. blind to my son, 15 months, climbing onto our bed and sliding off on his belly. (okay, not

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-51663104887142515332008-06-30T13:29:00.006-06:002008-12-09T12:08:20.229-07:00

i realize it is the end of July & this is only my second post in 2 months. you might not be disappointed, but i am. my goal was to have at least 4 - hopefully 10 posts for this month. mainly because we have so much going on and it's fun to share...like when your aunt edith and uncle ernest used to make everyone come over for liver & onions and they just happened to have the slide show from their

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-70048551462771010922008-06-16T15:15:00.002-06:002008-06-16T15:35:39.564-06:00

do you ever go through a phase where you feel like all you do is apologize?i'm in it. deep.the lab i use for photos has been painfully slow fulfilling orders...tense calls about the whereabouts of photos.i apologize.i can't seem to get my cell phone to work for more than, oh, say, 45 days...without some strange glitch that leaves 25 messages/calls lost in space. i never know until someone makes a

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-51326366835428451922008-05-12T08:49:00.003-06:002008-12-09T12:08:20.391-07:00

Recently, my grandfather, Gordon, died. Officially, he was my step-grandfather...but he was very good to our family & most importantly, he was a great companion for my grandmother since 1999, when they both lost their respective spouses. Ruth (my grandmother) had been married to Bill Wyche for 55 years when he died in '99. They have a terrific story that I'll have to share another time. I think

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-35110806254709219012008-05-10T07:33:00.002-06:002008-08-22T10:57:06.767-06:00

yesterday marked a day of incredible amounts of self-induced stress. i was finishing up a project and was blind to everything but the task at hand. blind to my son, 15 months, climbing onto our bed and sliding off on his belly. (okay, not blind, but a good enough typist to watch his death defying feats and continue to work.)at one point, i almost gave up - the kids had found my last nerve and

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-57935143113590856302008-04-30T15:46:00.008-06:002008-12-09T12:08:21.030-07:00

It's the time of year for brides and all things bridal...the photos of the lovely blonde are how I was blessed to kick off this year's wedding season. We met up with Kellye G at the historic Paisano Hotel in Marfa recently to do her bridal portraits. The generous staff granted us access to a brilliant balcony room.The funny thing is how Kellye G and I were introduced. Drew, Meredith and I were

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-51227341703423787702008-04-14T10:26:00.002-06:002008-04-14T11:02:23.064-06:00

After thinking about Lori & Trace's responses to my last blog, I have to admit some things.a) my response to Drew's schedule was TOTALLY SELFISH! b) Lori mentioned that when I get the chance to do my own thing, I should and enjoy it. After much consideration, it has come to the attention of our household that I don't ever get to do my own thing. Because I don't allow myself to do my own thing. No

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-8115243643782658002008-04-11T20:22:00.002-06:002008-04-11T20:46:35.193-06:00

Classy title, don't you think.Let me start with the disclaimers - I believe marriage is a commitment, not just the happy-go-lucky feelings that first accompanied our initial dates. I love my husband. I'm committed to our marriage but sometimes I feel like I should just be committed - padded walls, timely doses of little blue, pink and yellow pills.Last week, I had the blessing of wrestling two

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-74176788112389084432008-04-09T08:16:00.002-06:002008-04-09T08:22:58.483-06:00

1. Share past week with blog family.scarlet fever - cyd & stromanstroman being full-body sanitized, then bathed due to curious hands in the potty while sister was using the toilet. (remember to describe the screaming and laughter from Cyd as she tried to get me to come to the bathroom)new marketing research jobnew health/wellness opportunity - my skin is gorgeous for the first time ever!2. Post

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-1047262348110046482008-04-02T08:47:00.003-06:002008-04-02T09:47:20.221-06:00

a) we did our taxes. after one day of sorting through all of my record-keeping for laren bridges : photography & deciphering all the medical receipts, the taxes are done. filed. yeah!um...our 2007 medical records are quite interesting to me. let's see - feb. 12th, child born. said child diagnosed with severe acid reflux a few months later. i had to be checked for blood clots after stroman's birth

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-42580803071935917652008-03-19T13:59:00.002-06:002008-03-19T14:03:17.237-06:00

or do you spell it gray?well, for me aging is just part of life. it's like having a birthday - i can't stop it, so why lose sleep over it.but, as you all know, my life is never normal.i'm going grey. i'm 31 with 2 kids, a fabulous husband, yadda yadda.but you'll never notice the grey.because it's solely on my eyelashes.NO KIDDING - so far, i've removed 3 solid white hairs from my lash line -

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-42781194892542053032008-03-13T22:12:00.002-06:002008-03-13T22:26:21.234-06:00

i'm dangerous.ladies, don't cry for me! all the comments on the last blog made me realize that i came off sounding down.nay.v. happy with life, just frustrated with my attitude towards life.and, trace & tracy, for those of us who have been through a divorce...you know that every decision, every day A.D. involves an element of rebuilding yourself. this is true if you had a nasty divorce or gave

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-65024093950914725882008-03-11T09:52:00.003-06:002008-12-09T12:08:21.390-07:00

as a control freak, i sometimes find it hard to let life situations be & let God handle them. as my mother used to tell me, it does no good to hand something to God but hang on to the corner & not let Him have full control.to be honest, in the face of challenges i often just ignore them. last week, while frustrated over business, i finally voiced my real issue. "i'm sick of having to start over.

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-29083020632501040742008-02-15T09:35:00.004-07:002008-12-09T12:08:22.707-07:00

and once again, i've scratched out a few minutes to blog....well - this week, Stroman turned a year old! i'm stunned how quickly time passed. it makes me long for another baby. but perhaps not another toddler quite yet. he started walking Christmas Day and is a champ at a) not sharing, b) screaming when sister takes something from him and c) throwing the most outrageous fits when he doesn't get

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-63926562321954421762008-01-30T10:54:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:23.130-07:00

Meredith tagged me to divulge some sordid details from my past...and when i began to think of "little known facts" about me, i realized that i talk too much to too many people for there to be much that is unknown. regardless, here we go: 1. around 4th grade i decided that my name should have been laren annedrea barns, rather than anne as my middle name. so i started writing it on my school papers

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-23919902298171193612008-01-13T19:36:00.001-07:002008-01-13T20:32:54.259-07:00

one of my goals this year is to blog more.why would i continue to drag you through the mundane rut that is my life with more incessant babble, you ask? now, that's your issue. i just write it. it's there. read it if you want to.for me, writing is a release. i need to write more.but tonight, my post is later than anticipated because we are packing up our 3-year-old's room. all toys, items used for

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-44526807364753249432008-01-12T21:35:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:23.374-07:00

this a.m. we woke with the mission of capturing some cheerful holiday photos before we took the lovely Christmas tree down.no such luck.kids were gripe-a-licious - wait, you say, holiday photos?? it's freaking January 12th! normal people head to the studio around the beginning of November to get their professional pics done for the holidays...yeah, well, look - i'm a photographer and i have no

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-90591686803062192482008-01-10T20:08:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:24.136-07:00

I was often bewildered by the task of motherhood, that precarious balance between total surrender and totalitarianism.(J. Nozipo Maraire)Remember my boycott for Thanksgiving? I think we all saw that as the first step toward the inevitable…and now, the time has come to acknowledge that next Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, we, the Drew Bridges family, will be gathered casually around our own tree in

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-88771522419834497452007-12-26T21:31:00.000-07:002007-12-27T21:40:23.455-07:00

i have to admit. i wished for so long that this time wouldn't come. that my darling boy could stay little and cuddle and need me...but this week, Stroman started pulling up on furniture (not new), letting go (new) and walking where he thinks he needs to be.HE'S ONLY 10 1/2 MONTHS OLD!!!Hopefully, I'll have photos for you soon. Husband is working on the video...we can't figure out why it won't

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-69695306538076098352007-12-19T03:39:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:24.913-07:00

"Mommy, tell me the princess pony story again." -say please.-"PLEAASSSEE"-when i was about 8 years old, Butch, you know, Papa, asked me to get my boots on to go to the red barn with him. i grabbed my boots and asked 10 million questions about why we were going to the barn. but i already knew. i was getting my own horse."yeah," she said with a sly smile. she's heard this story so many times that

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-23713532340407299862007-12-15T21:42:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:25.072-07:00

let's start by saying that the v. first night i met my lovely husband Drew, his friend Big Red talked me into having a shot of Sangria. I know what you are thinking...who in the WORLD shoots Sangria. Big Red. Red was Drew's roomie for years in various homes of disrepair around Alpine. Red was the best man in our wedding and Drew was in his wedding. Red married a lovely woman from Monahans & left

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-14276012523299637682007-12-10T09:30:00.000-07:002007-12-10T09:37:43.951-07:00

"but why," you ask. "he's only 10 months old?"true & for the next couple of weeks *hopefully not much longer* he'll be napping and sleeping in the pack and play.today, i am packing up and staging our house to sell. once sold, we will relocate across town in a home that we will be renting...which might sound like a step down, but actually it will almost double our square footage and the kids will

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-49724916252596640982007-12-03T08:18:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:25.573-07:00

how many of you have said, "I love you, but I'm not in love with you."? i've said it. i've heard it. i've always accepted this excuse as a reason. but last night at bible study (yes, they even allow me in!) my pastor's wife said some truth that struck me to the core. we were praying for a marriage that is in turmoil and one person had claimed to love his wife but not be in love with her. tracy

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-88870049508368928252007-12-01T20:25:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:08:25.769-07:00

let us begin with my current boycott. thanksgiving and Christmas are too close together. i'm boycotting. don't worry, there aren't picket signs or even any loud conversations, just the knowledge that i think these two freakin' holidays are wonderful, yet entirely too close together.so, if given the option, i'm skipping one of them...or willing - EXTREMELY willing - to have everyone at my house in

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-25142414415911003802007-10-29T20:16:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:26.583-07:00

Recently, there's been a bit of a to-do around our little University due to a man named Mike Flynt. He's 59 and played here at Sul Ross 37 years ago. Long story short, he's playing his last bit of eligibility out this season.LOADS of publicity for Sul Ross and I've been able to take quite a few photos of the team with this unusual member...but for me, the story is just starting.My mother and

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-90462745087535173012007-10-29T19:39:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:26.810-07:00

and if we happen to be cooler than ever - there's a definite reason. last week, Stroman and I were hit by a nasty sinus infection. things were snotted from my nasal passages that made my football coach husband cringe...and he doesn't even mind the rank locker room smell that lurks in the Lobos field house.now that all that junk is out of my system, i feel like a new woman. and this new woman must

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-63237487552589458122007-10-17T10:45:00.000-06:002007-10-29T21:07:36.818-06:00

I have so much to share we might have to break out the flowcharts or bulleted lists or something to keep on task.and that's been a problem lately - staying on track.my husband has enforced a strict new policy to keep me on task. one goal per day. i love it and it sucks. mainly because i have a hard time sticking something long enough to actually complet

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-86597361018888021642007-10-02T19:26:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:27.633-07:00

watching the season premier of House - i realize that most of you don't have the pleasure of dealing with me on a daily basis.however, my approach to life is eerily similar to the way House treats his students, patients...well, everyone he comes in contact with. people lie. the weird stuff is interesting. i could see the long-term advantages of using vicadin on an hourly basis. and finding the

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-24835551383110911452007-09-25T21:00:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:27.807-07:00

i'm getting ready for bed and thinking about the delights of the day. mainly because the 7-month-old has learned to play "toss the toys". this is an apparently humorous (for him) and wildly entertaining game where he pulls up in his crib, finds anything that isn't nailed down & tosses it as if he's trying out for the Yankees. but, Stroman & Cydney share a room, so this activity means that she

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-43031526761949705832007-09-24T12:35:00.000-06:002007-09-24T13:17:29.474-06:00

to strange tv shows.now, i don't think i need to explain the natural appeal of "Rock of Love w/ Bret Michaels" - who wouldn't want to fight for the chance to date an aging rock star who likes to wear as much eyeliner as you do? do they sell kohl liner in bulk at Sam's? and why wouldn't i want to watch some crazy cats fight it out. currently, it's down to the last two women...one is an exotic

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-70671703900333076362007-09-07T13:58:00.000-06:002007-09-18T10:16:54.807-06:00

raised on a ranch, i've been exposed to things some women my age might not ever imagine. in honor of Sarah Beth's birth, i'm sharing the lamb fetus story - ok, maybe it's not in honor, but rather because i told new mom Emily that i would share the story as soon as baby arrived.we raise cattle but for a few years, my father - Butch - decided to diversify by raising sheep. wild adventure. sheep are

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-73417986522025205402007-09-07T10:05:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:28.951-07:00

recently, i was hired to take photos of a wedding here in alpine. kyle & keith. thought i'd share a few of my favorite photos from them...kyle & keith are examples of true love. they didn't want any formal shots but rather something to capture the event without being stuffy. i am pleased with the results. this weekend, i'm headed to another wedding at cibilo. i'm not the head photog, but serving

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-61321885449246189152007-09-05T16:57:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:29.552-07:00

news alert - if i don't answer the phone, i'm busy.therefore, immediately calling back over and over and over, won't make me less busy. it will just force my head to spin right off of my body and slam into a wall. do we really want the kiddos to have to witness that?want a visual - baby screaming & stiff-backed because apparently today's poop contains poison ivy derivatives and it begins to eat

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-22741843686802437362007-09-03T11:58:00.000-06:002007-09-03T12:41:22.828-06:00

okay, so maybe i've had more jobs than the average person, but i'd like to say that being a fragrance model was one of the more lucrative adventures i've taken on...during college i could work for companies and make a minimum of $15/hour. sure, some people hate those of us who have the audacity to ask you to try a new fragrance and then SPRAY the product on a strip of paper, with hopes that

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-23007930097427893822007-08-31T19:34:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:30.203-07:00

what i can't seem to grasp...(totally in the blogger world, if we expanded this into regular life, dear God, i'd be typing forever. there is so much i don't understand about the world, i.e. brittney spears, the success of the 700 club and why i think hulk hogan is a good dad. ) so, back to the point - i have had lots of things happen in my life...some exhilarating, some tragic and most of them

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919036076741249632.post-73750523942695267312007-08-18T12:28:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:08:30.633-07:00

Recently, my husband - Drew - and I have been doing a LOT of hard labor around the house...putting in rock patios & walkways, renovating a bathroom, replacing the flooring, growing a garden and I've realized that parenting - especially as a stay-at-home mom - has many similarities with hard labor. Sometimes you are doing the same thing repeatedly and yet feel as if you are making no progress (i.e

larenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00198886915737153238noreply@blogger.com2