Photographing My World

366 Days of 2012 - Day 34 - Feb 3

2012-02-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

Time for Celebration

I wish, for my photo of the day, I had a selfie of me being histerical over the annoucement of the flower catagory winners in the +Chrysta Rae's Photography Scavenger Hunt. But I don't so I'll have to settle for this.
Today they were celebrating the 5th birthday of My Masterpiece Art Studio, a local art studio geared towards kids. PPS didn't have school, so the kids and I headed to the party. They sculpted and painted clay cupcakes. I helped and took pictures and got clay on my camera. It was good morning.

Note for my blog followers: I was one of the winners. My flower picture earned me both a first by one judge and a third from another. I'm kind of stoked about it.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 33 - Feb 2

2012-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Standing on top of a hill

One day it's raining, the next the sun shines. In Portland the weather is a bit manic. Wasn't it slushing a week or so ago? Today was gorgeous, so while the youngest was at her preschool, I spent a couple hours at the local park. When I saw this scene, I knew it would be my photo of the day.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 32 - Feb 1

2012-02-04T21:59:00.000-08:00

Late Blooms

At the beginning of January, I bought one of those Christmas gift force bulbs on clearance. My thought, a flower to photograph for +Chrysta Rae's Photography Scavenger Hunt. Yesterday, it finally bloomed. You blew in flowers, you could have been famous. Now you're just in my 366 days album.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 31 - Jan 31

2012-02-04T21:56:00.001-08:00

Slow Churned Research

Homemade ice cream is the order of the day. Gotta love it when your Lego League team picks ice cream as their "snack attack" project. This we call research. Research never tasted so good.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 30 - Jan 30

2012-02-04T21:55:00.000-08:00

Points to the sky

I don't feel like I've been posting the best pictures. But sometimes life as a mom doesn't leave you with much time to shoot. And sometimes you expend on your shooting skills on silly photo scavenger hunts.

Before school, my son and I stand at this corner and wait for his yellow limousine. Recently, it's just as the sun is breaking the horizon on the other side of the trees across the street. The other day I looked up the street and saw the sign which seem to point to the illuminated clouds. I pointed it out to my son and I think he liked the new reason the sign was there as much as I. Now it's one of our silly morning jokes that puts a smile on his face. Unfortunately, after the bus arrived and I ran inside to get the camera and tripod, the pink had all but faded. I must remember to take my camera to the bus stop with us.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 29 - Jan 29

2012-02-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

China Town Bokeh

I may live in Portland, but it's not often that I have the time to find myself downtown. Tonight, I spent it with my honey, +Wesly Smith on our first G+ photo walk. I can't wait to do it again with less rain and wind. #PDXPhotowalk

366 Day of 2012 - Day 27 - Jan 27

2012-02-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

She's Falling Apart

I continue to take pictures of flowers, thanks to +Chrysta Rae's Photography Scavenger Hunt. I think a lot of people are. The other day +LaDonna Pride tempted me with some focus stacking. So I downloaded the software to give it a try. Kind of a fun thing to do.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 28 - Jan 28

2012-02-04T21:47:00.001-08:00

Her World is Pink

How did I end up with such a girlie girl? Some days are more pink than others.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 26 - Jan 26

2012-02-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

A Little Hope for my Soul

I was drowning this morning. Then the sun shone through my window and a rainbow was painted. A rainbow to remind me that God's promises are true.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 25 - Jan 25

2012-02-04T21:35:00.000-08:00

Taking a trip...

Field trip! Today my son and I took a trip on The Magic School Bus today, at the Oregon Children's Theatre production of Magic School Bus Live: The Climate Challenge. My kids love The Magic School Bus. They watch it every Saturday morning. At least twice. PBS has done a couple of marathons recently and they have watched it for the entire morning. My son also has a dozen chapter books which he has read several times over. Therefore, my son was super excited when he found out his class was going to go to this production and I was excited to get to join him.

Beautiful nieces - Christmas Eve

2012-01-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

366 Days of 2012 - Day 24 - Jan 24

2012-01-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

In Portland, it Rains

In Portland, it rains. We all know that. We all expect it. The rain falls often. It rained a lot today, therefore I got wet. It poured while Adaya and I rain from the car to the school, dodging puddles. I was soaked when I walked into Target to make a return. The windshield wipers ran at full speed as I drove down the road. Today I present to you, Portland rain.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 23 - Jan 23

2012-01-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

Purple Love

Just because I already have my photo hunt "flowers" doesn't mean I can't buy and photograph more. Plus, I thought +Wesly Smith might like to have different flowers than I have. See, my love, I help provide you with props too. Thank you for the wiskers.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 22 - Jan 22

2012-01-25T16:05:00.000-08:00

The King Commands that you Read

2 Kings 22 tells us that Josiah was eight when he became king. It goes on to tell us that in the 18th year of King Josiah they found some scrolls and Josiah requested that they be read aloud. Something tells me this is not the first time he requested to be read to while he was king. For I too know an eight year old Josiah who makes this request frequently.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 21 - Jan 21

2012-01-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

For the love of Words

The mommy had a playdate today. Old friends arrived at her house just before one. Friends from college that she hadn't seen in about 10 years. The friends had lunch together, spent hours browsing the shelves at Powell's City of Books, and finnished the day with dinner. There were many stories and much laughter. It was a good day.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 20 - Jan 20

2012-01-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

Dancing with Mr Twiga

Adaya and I had a playdate today. Mr. Giraffe always comes along with this friend. I find it interesting to see what children cling to as they grow. Adaya needs to have "Pink Baby Doll" whenever she heads to bed. Once in a while she takes her somewhere, but mostly pink baby doll stays at home. Josiah always had to have his blanket, for years, right next to him in bed. Now at eight, it's usually a part of some fort, stage, or trap he has designed. Children and their attachments, security and joy.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 19 - Jan 19

2012-01-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

The Enemy

When I was a kid, I disliked spelling homework, because I couldn't spell. It was the one thing I kind of sucked at academically. No, I still can't spell. I may have gotten a 4.0 GPA in high school and I may have a college degree, but I still can't spell. My son, he can spell just about anything. However, writing is a different story. Therefore, spelling homework is still one of my greatest foes. (Yes, I looked up more than one word while typing this.)

366 Days of 2012 - Day 18 - Jan 18

2012-01-25T15:56:00.000-08:00

Making Cookies with my Daya

Yesterday my daughter came to me with a cookies cutter and asked, "Can we make cookies shaped like strawberries?" During a rare trip to the local M, she got it as part of her toy. So we made 1/2 a vanilla cookie batch and decorated them. Turns out my kids don't like vanilla cookies. To me they taste like Christmas because my mom only made them once a year.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 17 - Jan 17

2012-01-25T15:54:00.000-08:00

Rainbow Banana

Today was Jr.FLL day. That means five 2nd graders hung out at my house, after school, to do Lego. This year's challenge theme is "Snack Attack." Today we brain stormed names. One of the boys came up with the name Rainbow Banana. This is his mini design idea to go with it. That is him, on a rainbow banana.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 16 - Jan 16

2012-01-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

Coming in for another attack.

My mom got these for her sons. Sometimes I think it's fun that +Wesly Smith gets such a kick out of his little boy toy. Then other times I want to rip it out of the air and snap it in two. Often I turn and find it hurtling towards me at top speed or hovering within a foot of my head. I'm waiting for the day it gets caught in my hair and I have to wear in to the hair salon.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 15 - Jan 15

2012-01-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

Portland Snow

It snowed today. So I present you with Portland snow.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 14 - Jan 14

2012-01-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

The sun sets on a local rose.

On most days, when the sun is putting on a show, I am at home with my children while the hubs is at work. Today, when we noticed the sky begin to light up with color, I mentioned that I often think about heading up to the dairy to take photos. So Wesly Smith "made me" take a walk. This is Alpenrose. Perhaps you have heard of it for it is "Home of the Little League Softball World Series."

366 Days of 2012 - Day 13 - Jan 13

2012-01-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

White Avurvedic Chai

One of the things you should know about me, is I'm a tea-holic. My tea and I are tight. If you came to my house, you would not see on my counter a coffee maker. What you would see is a kettle for boiling water and several tins of loose leaf tea from Teavana. Yes, I am a Teavana snob. Just like I'm a Lego snob and a Creative Memories snob. Now if you'll excuse me, my water is boiling.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 12 - Jan 12

2012-01-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

"Daddy, I got a new computer today."

Not much happened photographically today. Spent half my day at Target checking out the 70% off sale. I should have presents for all the children in my life for the next year now. Adaya fell in love with this little toy computer. I don't usually just buy her anything but she wanted this barbie-like tangled doll, so I handed her this thing to play with and she forgot all about the twinkling lights, purple glitter dress,long haired, signing princess.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 11 - Jan 11

2012-01-16T17:18:00.000-08:00

Yellow Blooms

I've been enjoying my Christmas present from Wesly Smith and the kiddos. Who knew a tripod could be so much fun? I've always hated using a tripod, because the one I've been using for the last 10+ yrs is a piece of junk.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 10 - Jan 10

2012-01-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

Mr. E has his game face on.

This is my favorite 9 month old. He comes over to our house (and brings his parents too) almost every Tuesday evening for community group. I'm his paparazzi, been taking pictures of him since the very moment he entered this world.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 9 - Jan 9

2012-01-16T17:09:00.000-08:00

7:30am fog

I had hoped for some "weather" fun today. But it was just foggy and overcast and Adaya didn't want to go anywhere, so we stayed home and played games. I did try something different for "orange." Maybe tomorrow I will go buy some "flowers" during preschool. This is 7:30am fog and the bright light is the street light.

What is 366 Days of 2012?

2012-01-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

This summer Google started a social network, called G+. Within it is a huge photo community, which has served to inspire me in my photographic journey. I decided to endever to post on G+ one photo a day, which I took that day, and therefore represents that specific day. This evening I decided that I might as well post them on my blog too, in case anyone reads my blog anymore. So what you will see on these posts is exactly what I posted on G+. If you see a name you do not reconize, that would be because it's someone I interact with within G+. Hope you enjoy.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 8 - Jan 8

2012-01-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

Her notebook, pen, and Bible.

Mary's stuff, as seen during today's Sunday gathering of Potter's Hands Christian Church. I took my camera to the weekly gathering because I was taking photos before church for potential scavenger hunt entries. :O) Couldn't resist this pile on the chair in front of me.

366 Days of 2012 - Day7 - Jan 7

2012-01-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

Thinking about Orange

What things can I find in my house that are orange? Well, nothing comes to mind so I think I'll just have a nutritious snack.

366 days of 2012 - Day 6 - Jan 6

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas shatters into a hundred pieces.

Yes, it was my fault. I did it. As time slowed and I watched it fall in slow motion, I hoped beyond hope that it would not break. I wasn't ready to see it in the trash. It was afterall a Christmas gift. Actually, I got it for "Thanksmas." So I guess that means I had it a whole month and a half. Sigh.

366 Days of 2012 - Day 5 - Jan 5

2012-01-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Cookie Photo Shoot

A photo shoot with cookies. What a yummy idea Chrysta Rae. Now to hide the evidence before Wesly Smith gets home and tries to steal my ideas. Can't let the competition know what I did with this plate of cookies...

366 Days of 2012 - Day4 -Jan 4

2012-01-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

The baby game.

I really want to work on Chrysta Rae's photo scavenger hunt, but the constant request is "play with me."

366 days of 2012 - Day 3 - Jan 3

2012-01-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Too many leftover candy canes.

If you buy 2 packages of 10 hand made candy canes each and have two children, how many candy canes do you remove from the tree before disposing of it?

16?

Really?

366 Days of 2012 - Day 2 - Jan 2

2012-01-08T17:23:00.000-08:00

Baked with love, Mom's apple pie.

My bother, his wife, and my darling nieces have been in town, at my parents' house, for the Christmas season. Tomorrow they will return to Alaska and we will probably not see them again for a year or two. After dinner tonight we partook of Mom's apple pie together. Here lie the remains. I would not be surprised to learn that the pie dish has since been scraped clean.

366 days of 2012 - Day 1 - Jan 1

2012-01-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

Her shoes make her happy.

Spent the day hanging out with friends, eating good food, playing games, enjoying the first day of the year. This is one of those friends.

Things Adaya said today...

2012-01-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

"Love does come from the hearts."

"Where does a kid girl find money to buy a car and key?"

Daya-ism # 2046

2012-01-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

"Is tomorrow after we sleep?"

and related...

"How many sleeps is that?"

Kenya - herds

2011-12-31T21:44:00.000-08:00

Adaya's Fall Preschool Performance

2011-10-31T14:35:00.000-07:00

Waiting in line for her introduction.

I've been spotted.

The welcome song. Adaya says they bow and say "Kanichiwalk."

"It's raining, how it's raining..."

"This little light of mine..."

"O, be careful little ears what you hear..."

growing again

2011-10-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Last night, Josiah weighed in at 51 lbs. His first time over 50lbs. Typically, for Josiah, 1 lb = 1 inch. Which would mean 2 inches in the last couple months.

This morning I wonder how Adaya's pants got so short. Didn't she wear those last week? Didn't they look long enough then? Didn't I just send Autumn a box of clothes?

Why am I so suprised? They always spurt in October. I know that.

Making red Lightening McQueen fondant

2011-10-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

First melt marshmellows in microwave 30 seconds at a time, stiring between each 30 seconds.

Add red dye to marshmellows and mix, then add more and mix more, and more, and more.

And more.

Add chocolate powder to make red darker.

Mix more.

Once red, pour equally into to gallon zip lock bags.

Make sure to sift powder surger.

Add to Ziplock with red marshmellow goo. Kneed and kneed, and kneed.

Eventually it will become red again. Then do other bag.

Soon you will have two bags of red fondant again.

Then add more powdered sugar. Kneed. Sigh.

Put both bags together in one. Refrigerate.

Make a 1/2 batch of white as well for nonred detail.

A package in the mail

2011-10-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

The anticipation is killing him!

The first b-day present of 2011. Oh, the joy!

MONEY!

Josiah makes the connection that he has 8 packs of gum and $8 and Adaya has 4 packs and $4.

How to make a garden cake for an 8 yr old

2011-10-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Bake cake, slice in half, hide gummy worms inbetween layers, frost poorly

Sprinkle with demolished Hersey bar - aka dirt

Make tea

create heads of lettuce from lime totsie rolls, add halloween pumpkin candies

Use green candy strings to make pumpkin vines.

Add frogs, carrots made from orange totsie rolls, rocks, colorful seeds

Add peas made from more green totsie rolls and skittles, add red skittles

Add carrot tops, raddish frosting and leaves, and lots of bugs

Final touch shovels constructed of more totsie rolls and pretzels

Happy Birthdaytober!

2011-10-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Josiah - 6 years - 2009

Josiah - 7 years - 2010

Josiah - 8 years - 2011
Adaya - 2 years - 2009

Adaya - 3 years- 2010

Adaya - 4 years - 2011

Grandpa's germ tornado

2011-09-28T12:41:00.001-07:00

Adaya had done a couple of paintings Monday morning. I suggested that she paint a picture for Grandpa. I told her that a pretty picture would make grandpa happy and help him heal faster. So at 11am, while Grandpa was in sugery, Adaya started a painting. When I glance over to see how it was going, this is what I saw. A couple minutes later... "Mommy, look at my painting. It's a tornado, a germ tornado. It's going to suck up all of Grandpa's bad germs and make him all better."

This is where all the bad germs collect.

The finished results. (Sorry, you'll have to tilt your head to the left.)

my baby went to preschool today

2011-09-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

And yes, she picked out her own outfit. She's so Portland.

Taking dinner at Mama Susan's

2011-08-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

Kim, short for Kimani, named after his grandfather. He also has another cousin named Kim, named after the same grandfather, because in Kenya you name your first born son after the father's father. You are also given a baptismal name. I think Kim's is George. He has resently decided that he wants his name to be Ethan. Anyway, this young man is almost 6 and since he is Susan's nephew and Susan and Ashby are "sisters," Ashby considers him her nephew as well. Therefore we spoil him rotten and let him play with Ashby's camera.

Keith and Pete work hard at eating all the food on their plate. It's rude not to. Also in the picture is Mama Kim. Thus named after her first born child, the mother of Kim.

We were really excited about this moment when Kim was showing his grandma, Mama Susan (Susan's mother), a photo. She had a rare moment of smiles. Unfortunatly, the camera fired before the lense focused and the moment was gone. Clearly the fault of the camera.

Keith and Kim share a high five.

Kim recites his ABC's.

Kim small, Lenard, and Kim big

Taking chai after taking supper

Teaching her nephews how to play Angry birds on her iphone.

Aunt Susan and Kim small

Kim big and his father, Baba Kim.

Random Kenya Photos 6

2011-08-10T20:51:00.001-07:00

This picture makes me remember playing hide and seek with the kids at the flat...

A means for natural light to get into the stair well.

Right outside my door, at the flats.

View of Ngong hills as the sun sets. Ngong is the Masi word for knuckles. Ngong is named for its hills that look like knuckles.

Glass in our living room window.

Friends from our flats in Matasia.

Giraffe Center 2

2011-08-09T13:09:00.001-07:00

Did you see the baby twiga? Four days old and probably 4 ft tall.

There are 1000's of bird species in the Nairobi are.

Masks for sale at the twiga center

I got this really nice series of photos of this giraffe walking away from us. Got myself home, editing photos, finally saw that it was a giraffe needing a privacy...

The worthogs and giraffes get along well.

I miss Susan.

Worty.

Keith (call Keit by all the little mtato we met) kissed about a dozen giraffe. He made the mistake of putting the pellet between his teeth the first time (instead of just his lips), and got a full on twiga french smooch.

Twiga Center 1

2011-08-09T12:51:00.001-07:00

Baby twiga is just 4 days old.

Everyone is talking except for Pete who's looking at the giraffe slobber on my face. (not really)

Just another inch...

You might think this was Ashby's first time feeding the twiga, not that she's come her at least once a year for the past ten years.

She may be a relative of Mr Ed.

How long is his tongue anyway? Let's see how far we can get him to stretch it.

Susan getting a kiss.

Gotta love the little girl's pink weave. I think her sister's was red...

Ngong Slums 3

2011-08-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

Random Kenya Photos 5

2011-08-08T15:28:00.001-07:00

Ngong, to buy eggs, bean, fruits, and veggies.

Ngong market, you can buy just about anything here.

Bananas, fresh and rippened on the tree.

Hanging melons.

View from the third floor of the flats we stayed in.

Kidogo rafiki, Mouso.

Typical Pete - camera, camera pack, hat, cig, shirt he wore yesterday and the day before...

The kids all want to see the pictures, digital is so fun.

Maise.

These flowers come in four colors.

Mini door at our flats.

Susan and Wilson's front door, always open, Karibu.

Bedroom window in the room Kim and I stayed in. There are glass shards cemented on the top of the wall outside. I crime deterent.

Nairobi garbage.

Baby and Angie, at a home of abandoned HIV babies.

Ashby's latte Pete's cappicino

Ashby and Susan, aka Ashby and Ashby Big. Susan decided to change her name to Ashby. She has two nephews, both named Kim after their grandfather (everyone is named after the granparents), so we call them Kim Small and Kim Big. So Susan decided that she would be Ashby Big, so we could tell them apart.

Ngong Slums 2

2011-08-06T20:46:00.001-07:00

Ngong Slums 1

2011-08-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Random Kenya Photos 4

2011-08-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

John - "I am John, Jesus's disciple. I will spit in the dirt and make mud and heal your wounds. I am not John the Baptist. He got his head chopped off. I have my head."

Lindsay, posing for ground breaking ceremony.

More raking.

Lindsay at Hekima, a home for orphaned girls.

Lindsay/John

Lindsay's new eharmony picture?

More "reading" by Mama Musou (spelling wrong, I'm sure)

All the kids want to see pictures of themselves as soon as you take a photo. Kimberly shows a picture to a boy a Heshima.

Two boys at Heshima. The older boy picked the younger up so they could be at the same height and get a picture together.

A location marker for foundation lines.

The caretaker did most of the pre digging grass cutting.

little purple flowers on the VG land.

Random Kenya Photos 3

2011-08-02T15:53:00.001-07:00

Lindsay and Kimberly - silliness while waiting for our bus

Lindsay and one of our mtoto friends.

My friends - Lindsay and Keith - posing for a picture - no, they are not an item

Lindsay and a new mtoto friend at a home for orphaned girls

Lindsay and Kimberly - waiting

One of my friends at the flats we stayed at. She is "reading", sounds a bit like counting, "one, two, three, four,..."

This cow was very curious about my camera, one of Ashby's Mama's cows.

Hand dug trenches for the foundation of the first Visible Grace building.

Foundation materials

It's raining. Work has stopped. We are all trying to stay dry.

Two crazy wazungus run across the Vis Grace field in the rain. This is the first time Ashby had been on the land in the rain. We gave the Kenyan workers a good story to take home to their families and laugh about for the next few weeks.

Random Kenya Photos 2

2011-08-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

Keith and Kimberly at the lumber yard, waiting for Susan to purchase lumber for the day's work.

"Daisy," named by Keith before Baba Kim bought him, also known by the name "dinner."

Sharpened knives and bowl to catch the blood. Yum.

Slaughter. Never want to see an animal suffer this much again. Much prefer to a bullet to the head.

Lindsay and Kimberly "racking" hay.

Digging a foundation, Keith and Kim hard at work.

Hard working Mama Ellory.

A couple swings for the ground breaking "cermony." I hope someone has photos of me actually working.

Kimberly and Ashby leaping.

Sunset just outside Kiberian, Kenya near Swara road.

Random Kenya photos 1

2011-07-31T20:36:00.000-07:00

A baby
Kimberly and Twiga at Giraffe Center
Giraffe at Twiga Center
Kimberly and Ashby
Kim, Kim, and Kim- aka The Kims

Drying towels

The Wazungu's laundry

clothes lines

The neighbor's chicken fence

Flower on a bush, the only flowering bush on the VisGrace land.

Kimberly, setting up her shot, Vis Grace land

Vis Grace fence to keep simba out

pictures

2011-07-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

I'm not ready to upload any pictures yet, but some of my new friends have. Check out Kimberly's tumblr and Pete's facebook.

http://krusselafrica.tumblr.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.214201938627472.49303.100001130010392&type=1

Kenya bound

2011-07-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

If you did not read my letter about Kenya, I suggest you start there. Then I would ask you to pray for our team. Below you will find specific prayer requests. I look forward to sharing stories and photos.
Love you all,
Angie

Kenya team -July 12-27, 2011
Ashby Rauch, Angie Smith, Lindsay Burke, Keith Buisman, Kimberly Russel, Pete Dryden

Specific prayer requests:
• Safety – In all our travels and while working on the land.
• Health – Typical travel illnesses and general health so we can be more effective.
• Homesickness – Two of us are leaving our babies at home. That our loved ones would find comfort in God, during our absence.
• Open eyes – That we might always be able to see with God’s eyes.
• Patience – In our encounters with differences.
• New Contractor – We have 3 contractor interviews set up. We would like to find the right contractor so we can begin work on building.
• Discernment – That we would always know God’s will and that his words would always be on our tongues.
• Love – That we would learn to love people better.

Learn more about Visible Grace at www.visiblegrace.org.
Sign up for my Kenya email list by sending me an email to angie@thesmithswerehere.com.

2011-06-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

My baby

I'm a cat

2011-06-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

"I have one, two, three, four paws. Meow, meow."

Mom's snap dragons

2011-06-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

My new Etsy shop!

2011-06-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

www.etsy.com/shop/cr8ingimages?ref=pr_shop_more

Summer comes to Portland...finally

2011-06-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

talking to grandma on the phone

2011-05-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

A letter about Kenya - July 12-27

2011-05-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and family,

I am writing today to share with you a story. This is a story that begins 20 years ago. Some of you will find yourselves between the lines of the story. If you do not, I hope that in the future you will, as the story continues past the lines of this letter.

I would like to start by sharing with you the portion of the story that I wrote out five years ago.

How last week came to be…
This past week I have been reminded that God is amazing. He truly does have plans for our lives, amazing plans. He does do things in His time. Wow, His time is not our time.

Let me explain…
After my freshman year of high school, I had an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico. It’s the only mission trip I’ve ever been on. It was an eye opener. It broke my heart the first time I laid eyes on the slums. It wasn’t right. People needed real homes. These were glorified cardboard boxes, large cardboard boxes made of wood, tin and tires. It was in that moment that God first called me. He gave me a gentle tug on my heart. He said, “You could do something about some of this, some day.” I felt that I would be back, that someday I would design a home for some of these people. Not big, fancy, American dream homes, but something they could be proud of, something that would offer these children a safer place to sleep at night. God was working His plan.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” That was the way I felt. Whatever I did, I would do for Him. My senior year I applied to one of the best architectural schools, our own UO. As part of my application I was required to write two essays. My parents went to Bible study one evening and I began to write. God poured my first essay out through me that night. I was done by the time my parents got home. I used that essay for both for my admission to the architecture program and as the essay for several of the scholarships I won.

Architecture was a lot of work. It was a tough course of study. During my last year I completed my terminal studio, with the design of a camp for disabled children. We had a large site on which we had to design various buildings; cabins, dining halls, kitchen, ampitheater, gardens, etc… God was preparing me for my role in his plan.

After school I got married. Then I spent some time trying to get a job in the field of architecture. However, the architectural intern market in Portland was already saturated. Being a domestic engineer wasn’t so bad. It gave me a chance to learn AutoCAD more in depth. I got involved with children’s ministry at our church. I took up photography. Eventually, I became a mommy. So it’s been a good seven years. Seven years for God to mold me, grow me, and shape me. Seven years for me to find out who I really am.

A few months ago Josiah and I were downtown at the mall. There was a display set up. It was for the People’s Choice Architecture Awards. Josiah had fallen asleep in his stroller. So I spent an hour picking through my options and then voting. During that hour I began to remember what it was about architecture that I loved. I longed to sit down at my drafting table and draw. I didn’t know it, but God was reigniting a spark in my heart, a passion and desire for architecture.

Last week, God called. He called in an email from a friend. A friend I met just one year ago. She has a vision for the children of Kenya. I’ve fallen in love with that vision. The email was a request for help. It was a request for the knowledge that I had spent five years gaining. It was a call from God to do my part in His plan, that He has been preparing me for.

I didn’t expect the call. I didn’t expect it to come at this time, or in this way. I didn’t expect it to involve Kenya. But that was God’s plan all along. I’m designing homes, for children in Africa. I’m designing them a school. I’m designing the buildings where they will grow and learn free from the struggles and hungers they once knew. Why? Because God has a plan for their lives too. Because God has given my friend a vision. I’m amazed by God’s plan. I’m astounded by His timing.

It’s been five years now since that email. Over those years I have watched Visible Grace grow. I have watched my friend, Ashby, struggle with God’s timing, which to us can seem so slow. I have designed and redesigned Grace Academy three times. Now, there is land. Now, there is enough money to build a foundation for our first building. Now, is the time to go.

And so, I am going. This July, I am going to spend two weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. To say that I am excited to be there, to build, to be a part of God’s plan, is an understatement. This journey will give me a chance to finally picture my design on a piece of land. This journey will allow me to get dirty. This journey will allow me to meet the children of Kibera. This journey will allow me to better understand the culture of Kenya and better influence my design choices. I feel this is an important step and one that I am ready to take.

Now it is time for you to be a part of God’s plan, of this story. Now is your chance to get involved with Visible Grace. First and foremost, I am asking for your prayers. Prayers now, as a team prepares for this journey. Prayers, for health and safety while we are traveling and away from our loved ones. Prayers for me, that I would more clearly see God’s vision for what He would require of me both now, while in Kenya, and in the years to follow. Secondly, I would ask you to consider partnering with myself and Visible Grace financially. Currently I am raising funds for my costs to get to Kenya and for building costs associated with Grace Academy. In the next year or two, as the doors to the first home open, there will also be an opportunity to sponsor children on a monthly basis. Please pray, about sponsoring one of God’s little Children through Visible Grace.

If you would like to partner with me, financially, you my send a check to: Visible Grace, PO Box 91332, Portland, OR 97291. Please put my name in the memo line. All donations to Visible Grace are tax deductable.

Please be praying for our trip, July 12-27, Nairobi, Kenya.

Learn more about Visible Grace:
http://www.visiblegrace.org/home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Egmkactg4

Time?

2011-05-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Adaya's choice in reading material today... Time's "The World's Most Influential People"

reading together

2011-05-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

A mother's day discussion

2011-05-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Setting: In the car, after church.

Daddy - Do you think we should take mommy out for lunch today?
Kids - Yeah!
Daddy - Where should we take her?
Josiah - I want to go somewhere where I can get something.
Mommy - You want to get another pot and seeds?
Josiah - No, I want something different.
Adaya - How about we go to McDonald's?
Daddy - Maybe we should ask mommy where she wants to go?
Adaya - Mommy, where do you want to go?
Mommy - Hummmm, I don't know...
Adaya - I want to go to McDonald's!
Mommy - I don't really feel like going to McDonald's.
Adaya - We could drop you off at home. Then the rest of us can go to McDonald's.

Digging daffodil bulbs at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house

2011-05-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Helping with Stations of the Cross

2011-05-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa

2011-05-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

Boiled the eggs Saturday, but with the Alpenrose hunt and my birthday, we ran out of time to color eggs. So we took them to Grandma and Grandpa's house to color.

One guess... Who drew this picture on the eggs.

Playing with Grandma's I-pod. "The wheels on the bus"

Josiah teaches Adaya how to play balloon lagoon.

What the Easter Bunny brought.

2011-05-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

Several books.

Tiny jelly bean filled egg.

Legos in many of the eggs.

Yes. Undies

Good bye April. Hello May.

2011-05-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

April was wet, really wet. We had one really nice day, April 23rd. Can't complain much about that little birthday present from God. May is gorgeous. Well, it's only May 1st, but so far, May's looking good. Unfortunatly, the kiddos are sick, sick, sick. Josiah will not be going to school tomorrow. Adaya is sleeping most of the day away.

Hey, I think I'll post some April photos!

Stinking cute, little, bugger

2011-04-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

Mommy set up the studio lights yesterday to do a newborn shoot with 6 day old Elias and his parents. Adaya got into the action too. Josiah was too busy reading to care. He is reading the Box Car Children again. I hope he will read more than the four Grandma Bethune bought him. We now own all 16 of the original series, thanks to Powells. I love Powells. I love cheep, used books.

Our new friend- Elias James Parker Carlson

2011-04-04T08:10:00.001-07:00

Little engineers - Jr FIRST Lego League

2011-03-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

Today was our first meeting and it was crazy and fun. The boys were so excited. Casey could hardly sit still. In fact I had to ask him several times not to do head stands on the couch. He also rocked the glider onto it's back. Josiah talked more to his team mates than I have ever heard him talk to friends. Luke's mom had to drag him out to the car fifteen minutes after the meeting was officially over. The best behaved one was the one I was most worried about, Porter. I sure did not expect Adaya to fall apart for half the meeting. I think I will let her watch a movie next week.

What I didn't expect today was for Josiah to show off his lego skills. Skills I didn't realize he yet had. He's played with Grandpa Smith's erectors, but only since Thanksgiving. He's played with lego motors and gears a little, but only since Christmas, and mostly he's just watched the big boys play. After today, I have a feeling that FIRST is going to be an organization that we will be getting to know well.

I wonder what would happen if I let him keep building on his model. It's really too bad that he can't keep working on it. We really do need the pieces to start our team model next week.

Less than an inch = no school

2011-02-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

"snow castle"

It took all the snow in our yard to make our friend.

snow angel

ready to throw one

Jr First Lego League

2011-02-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

It looks like we will be starting a Jr FLL club, at my house, this next month. Currently there are 3, 1st grade boys on the team. We won't be doing any robot programing this year, but maybe by the time they are 3rd graders we will incorporate it into our design. Unlike a FLL team for 4th-8th grades, JrFLL is non competitive and we do not have to have a robot.

This year's theme is Body Forward. We will be learning about biomedical engineering. Yes, 1st graders are going to learn what the term biomedical engineering means. They will be designing a tool, out of Legos, that is the result of biomedical engineering. I am looking forward to sharing their achievements with you.

Because she's cute even when she's sick

2011-02-12T19:02:00.000-08:00

Sick day

2011-02-12T13:59:00.001-08:00

Adaya is, at this moment, working on her 3rd or 4th nap of the day, this one in Daddy's favorite chair. Mom and Dad are still washing the blankets. This afternoon she has been able to keep some sipped juice (no she doesn't usually use a sippy cup) down. Hoping that this is a short bug and that the rest of us don't get it. I hear some wimpering coming from that brown leather chair over yonder. I need to get her some tylonal for her fever and hope that doesn't come back up. Sigh.

growing crystals

2011-02-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

After a school field trip to the Rice Rock and Mineral Museum, Josiah decided to try his hand at growing crytals. Mom helped, of course. She purchased a $25 crystal growing kit for $10 off the Freddy toy clearance shelves, boiled water, and transfered the hot solutions to their crystal growing containers. Then we watched and waited for several days.

Kenya

2011-02-09T09:07:00.001-08:00

So, um, I think I'm going to Kenya in July for a couple weeks. Because, well, I've been working on the designs for Visible Grace Academy for several years and they finally have the money to break ground this year. So I kind of need to do this.

Also, I'm sure it will be a great opportunity to take pictures and they will look good on my blog. :O)

I'm going to need:

$2000 for a plane trip
child care help

Who's in?

Christmas eve

2011-01-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

In their new pj's and ready for bed. They can't wait to see what Santa will put in their stockings and what mom and dad put under the tree.

burning down the house

2011-01-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Wes's 37th birthday with a few friends at community group the evening before. Party - Wednesday December 22

B-day - Thursday December 23

first major technic build

2011-01-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

1100 pieces of technic legos. Rated for ages 10-16. Josiah completed 99% of this on his own.

Adaya is checking under the tractor to see what needs repaired.

And sometimes I draw

2010-12-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

30 minute sketches of the Smith family

A messy art morning

2010-12-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

Mornings like today make being a stay at home mom the best job ever.

Josiah and Adaya?

2010-11-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

Or Stephen and Angie?

Sometimes it feels like I'm looking at a memory.

my readers

2010-10-30T21:52:00.001-07:00

One is reading and the other wants to be just like her big brother.

my littlest artist

2010-10-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Santa,

2010-10-01T11:23:00.001-07:00

I would like the Tower Bridge for Christmas. It came out today. I think it is amazing. You get 479 VIP points if your elves build it this month. I will let Josiah help me put it together. He thinks it is cool too. I will leave you lots of cookies.

Sincerely,

Angela Lee Smith

Portland, Oregon

It's the tan house with brown trim just off Shattuck.

Adaya's new shirt

2010-09-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today we created horse art at My Masterpiece Art Studio. I am excited about the free movie tickets we got. Adaya is excited about the free t-shirt she got.

Opal Creek Women's backpacking trip day 1

2010-09-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

Opal Creek - women's backpacking day 2

2010-09-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

women's backpacking - opal creek - day 3

2010-09-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Women's backpacking day 4

2010-09-23T17:40:00.001-07:00

Birthday Party announcement

2010-09-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

Josiah is turning 7 in exactly 2 weeks. Which means that Adaya will turn 3 in 2 weeks and 11 days. Therefore, let it be known, that we will have a party on Saturday, October 9th.

Adaya's party will begin in the late moring 10:30 and include a light lunch and cake. We will be having "build-a-bear" fun. Along with various make-your-own, decorate-your-own, color-a-bear type activities.

Josiah's party will begin at about 1 and will be dino themed. It will include several dino activities and at the request of the birthday boy, a cake with a t-rex fighting a triceratops. Do you think it would upset Josiah if I made the triceratops the victor?

Yes, you are officially invited.