Bite?

Norah is starting to say more words! She can now say hi, bye, Mama and... Bite!



Click the photo above to see the video! Photo and video by iPhone.

Norah's Precious Laugh

Click to see the video! Photo and video by iPhone.

Paper Girl

I made a special trip to Rogers today just to go to Borders. You see, of all the local stores available, they have by far the best selection of paper products, and as Jason put it earlier this evening, I am "a paper girl." : )

I love the feeling of turning an actual page with my hands, and there is nothing better than the smell of a new book. I used to work at Barnes & Noble, back in my college days, and during my tenure there, I could frequently be found sneaking whiffs of the delicious fresh books as I placed them carefully back on their shelves where they belonged after people had left them in stray heaps near the armchairs scattered throughout the store.

Today's trip to Borders was focused on the search of a new planner. Yes, yes, I know, we have Google calendar, and I'm actually a pretty big fan of it.





We use it daily to coordinate schedules between myself, Jason, Kara and Jamie. It's incredibly convenient. And yet, I find it strangely satisfying to have an actual paper object in my hands telling me where I'm supposed to be and when I'm supposed to be there, preferably in the smooth, blue ink of a Pilot Precise v7 blue ink pen.





I've been using these pens since middle school, and as a tactile perfectionist who has tried a veritable smorgasbord of writing instruments, I must tell you, nothing beats them. Seriously. Nothing.

So anyway, I succeeded at my Borders mission and tracked down a great pocket-sized Moleskin day planner. I have been a fan of their vast array of notebooks and sketchbooks for years, but this is the first planner I've bought of theirs. So far, I love it just as much as all of their products! I think they may have been designed with me in mind...






I did this so that I can have an actual, in-person, touchable version of my daily calendar of events. Practical? Maybe not so much. Satisfying? Oh so very! : )





While I was there, I managed to resist the temptation to buy a bunch of books I didn't need, which for me is saying something, but I did also buy a handy little notebook to jot stray ideas down in, and I caved and bought the journal pictured below for no apparent reason other than that I just really liked it.





I guess I'm just a paper girl after all.

Random - Cooking in Mom's Kitchen

I have no recollection of this picture being taken, but here we are cooking in my Mom's kitchen...

Sad Day

Disclaimer: The image below was not taken by us. Please click on the image below to view its original source.




We just heard that the legendary Michael Jackson has died. He'll be missed by many fans. On a sidenote, we first heard the news on Facebook, then on Twitter, then on TMZ, and then in a text message from Jamie, and as of this blog posting, neither FoxNews nor CNN are reporting it. Strange how the flow of information has shifted such that now we get news from across the country (or across the world, for that matter) almost instantly, and not from the places you would expect.

Prayers to the families of Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and much closer to home, please keep Little Rock wedding photographer Sarah Bussey Adams and her family in your thoughts and prayers. They are suffering a very painful personal tragedy right now that just hurts my heart to even think about. Their daughter, Mamie, was stillborn early this morning.

Sometimes I just don't understand why God does things, and even though I know he knows what's best, it's so hard for me to wrap my head around. When I think about experiencing something like that, it makes me almost dizzy. I can't even imagine the pain she and her husband are going through right now. When I heard, I just held Norah and cried. I just pray that God will somehow heal their hearts and make them whole again. Why does life have to be so sad sometimes?

Hello From the Office!

JPG Magazine

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Jason's New iPhone

Just shot this on Jason's new iPhone and uploaded it to YouTube instantly (click to view):





I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone. I do not need a new iPhone.

My old one is fine.

Right?

Kids in the yard, 04.21.09

Here are a few Jason took of the kids playing in the yard a couple of months ago.






It cracks me up that Autumn and Barrett are always so very much "themselves." Even when doing something as simple as swinging, their personalities clearly shine through! Barrett's poor kindergarten teacher...

Silly Fancy Italians.

Here is Norah snoozing in the Chicco umbrella stroller we bought while we were in NYC (perfect for easy subway riding!). Until now, I have spent my entire mommy career pronouncing it "Chee-ko." Because that's what it looks like, and that's what it should be. Well, I learned the other day from my friend Kara, who is expecting, that it is actually pronounced "Kee-ko." I was reluctant to believe her (even though she is remarkably intelligent and seemed quite confident about it), so I sneaked a peek on my iPhone behind her back. Turns out she was right!



Apparently it is an Italian brand, and "Chicco" is Italian for "berry." (At least according to my handy dandy free Google translator.) I find this to be highly annoying, for several reasons. One, it just LOOKS like it should be Chee-ko! Why be complicated? Two, I have apparently been walking around saying it incorrectly for years now. And three, now I feel very awkward about how to refer to it to other people. If I call it Chee-ko, will they be quietly judging me for saying it wrong? If I call it Kee-ko, will they think I'm crazy, confused, and/or pretentious? What's a mom to do?

*sigh

Oh, well, at least the stroller's cute!

Field Day 2009

A few snapshots from Field Day at Autumn's school...









Oh, and here is her first grade teacher, Mr. Folsom, checking out the scrapbook that one of the moms made for him. I came in and took pictures one day, and she had the kids all write out why Mr. Folsom was the best teacher (he really was!). Then she cut them all out and put them together along with some pictures taken throughout the year into a baseball-themed scrapbook, because he is a big Cubs fan. I'm sure it was a lot of work, but it turned out so cute!

Need to Edit

My "Need to Edit" folder is officially overflowing! I have been way too busy to blog much lately, but with a couple of local weddings in a row coming up, and no more trips to Mississippi in the foreseeable future, I am taking the opportunity to get caught up on some blog posts! In between editing my other shoots, I'm going straight down the line of the family stuff in "Need to Edit." This will make for some random blog posts, in no particular order, but at least they'll be done!

I am also keeping copies in a folder to finally get some prints made! I realized the other day that I haven't put a single print in an album since Norah was born. I heard a commercial once that said, to the tune of the familiar country song, "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be jpegs." : )

Time to get some prints made!

But for now, some blog posts...

Calling All Fans!

Hey! If you haven't done so already, please become our fan on Facebook! We're trying to get 1,000 fans so that we can have our very own username for "The Hudsons."

Oh, and is there someone you think other people should know about to become a fan of? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

Thanks so much! : )

Fly Lady

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I went to visit my grandmother after she had surgery. I asked her how she was doing. She was completely drugged up, and all she could manage to say was, "I'm just so glad I have flylady.com. You should go there." I had no idea what she was talking about. Intrigued, when I got home, I went to flylady.com. There was nothing there. So I googled Fly Lady, and found what she was talking about: flylady.net! (www.flylady.com now directs here as well)

I have been following their system off and on for about 5 years now. It seems like I get into it, establish some good habits, keep my house looking great for a while, and then fall off the wagon after a bit and give up again. Part of the reason why I would get out of the habit was that I had a hard time keeping up with the reminders, because for a long time, you could only get the reminders by being part of their group on Yahoo. Well, thank goodness, they have moved forward, and now you can follow them on Twitter!

It's a great place to start if you're feeling a little overwhelmed by your life (or just your laundry.) Check out their website, or click the picture above to follow them on Twitter!

Twitterati

Well, I'm still trying to get used to Twitter, but I'm not having much luck yet. As of right now, whenever I do manage to update my Twitter, I feel as if I am "tweeting" into a black hole! I just don't think I get it yet. I read an article today though that gave me new resolve to make an effort at Twitter! I also downloaded an app for my iPhone called Tweetie that allows me to follow people on the go, so now I'm looking for some help.

I need suggestions of people to follow on Twitter! If you're on there, leave me a comment and let me know. Or, if you know of any people that you enjoy following on Twitter, please share!

Because this is just what I need: one more technological thing to be addicted to.

Oh, and if you ARE on Twitter, come find us! Our username is "jasonandkori." Or just click on the button over to the right. Now off to Mena/El Dorado for the weekend! I am sensing some Papa Poblanos in my imminent future... : )

Halfway There!

One more thing... When I weighed this morning, I discovered that I am HALFWAY THERE already! Woo-hoo! Of the 17 pounds to lose, I have now officially lost 9. This means that I only have 8 to go between now and July 7. I have major hope! And also some emerging abs... Fun!

Norah this morning/Kori is a Bad Blogger

Well, it appears that I am a bad Blogger! Or at least a busy Blogger... Either way, I have not had time to post anything since before we left for New York! We had a fun trip despite assorted plane delays followed by a quick discovery that Norah is not a fan of the Big Apple. I think all the taxis, subways and bizarre people (of which there are MANY) freaked her out a little.

In any event, it was great to get to spend some time just hanging out with Jason, people watching and eating cheesecake for several days before photographing Erica and Sal's wedding!

I have lot of fun snapshots from our trip to post if I ever manage to get around to it, but in the meantime, here are a few pictures Jason took of our sweet baby girl this morning. I can't believe she's already 8 months old!







Now off to pack for this weekend. The kids are going to visit Garner and Papa in Mena while Jason and I go photograph a wedding in El Dorado. Then, on Wednesday, Kara and I leave for Mississippi to photograph our wonderful friend Alyda's wedding! I can't wait for that one! It's going to be a busy, but hopefully fun, couple of weeks. Maybe I'll even manage to blog a little along the way! We shall see.

Oh, and today was the last day of school here in Fayetteville, and Autumn is so excited she can barely stand it. Since bursting in the doors from her last day of first grade this afternoon, she has managed to play with her friends in the backyard, swim for 2 and a half hours at the pool, get a snowcone, and rent a movie. That is a lot of summer to pack into 6 hours. : ) Hope everyone else is having a great summer so far too!