Fina Drea

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Busy day! - Updated :-)
2008-04-11 21:14:00
7:45am - wake up8:00am - get kids ready, get myself ready8:50am - take caleb to school8:50-12:30pm - went to a town 40 minutes away to buy some photography supplies (few new backdrops, etc...). Went to kmart, target, handcocks fabrics, and kroger.1:00pm - lunch w/ friend3:00pm - got home from lunch (it was a long lunch.. wow)3:15pm - blogging...Caleb just woke up..4:00pm - off to another photoshoot while Travis watches the boys (hopefully)I need a vacation :-)I hope you know im kidding ;-)I need a maid to keep up the house since im on the go so much. Thats more like it.I like staying busy.. but not so busy that the house gets left to fall apart. I like things clean and organized.. and right now im behind on everything.
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The rest will have 2 wait...
2008-04-11 04:20:00
The photo shoot went well.Beautiful 80 degree weather and sunshine. Plus a happy 3 year old with lots of spunk :-)Heres a few to tease with..Its 10:40pm.. we just got in 15 minutes ago.. now its off to bed... seeing as we have a full day tomorrow with pre-school, shopping, lunch date, naps and another photo shoot.Night!
More About: Rest , Wait

Its no wonder!
2008-04-10 21:00:00
Serious Car RiderOriginally uploaded by finadrea The other night we were at our friends Brian and Kellys house for dinner. Our kids love playing with theirs... and its always just a great time. While sitting around chatting with them though Taite was beside me playing on their sofa. No big deal right?I dont mind Taite playing on sofas... but the problem came when he found it humorous to trot back and forth from one end to the other. I tried not to be all overly protective about it... so I let him do it.. and he ended up falling off the sofa and landed like head first! It was more like a head slant? not directly on top but it was enough to make me cringe and almost curse. You know you all have those moments! I am not one to cuss... I never have been.. and I believe cursing is wrong and doesnt honor Christ... but I did have to bite my tongue. It scared me!He was fine though.. and went on playing as normal.Today though he went for his adjustment at the Chiropractor and had a spot in hi...

I get annoyed by this :-) *Updated*
2008-04-10 13:47:00
I have been working out atleast 3 days a week.. if not more doing pilates...yet the past few weeks it seems like I cant keep my weight at its normal level. Maybe It is the extra muscle im building? but really pilates builds LEAN muscles... not bulky stuff.I know I am not over weight. Dont worry. Im not insane :-)But when you work so hard to stay a certain weight... and each day the scale says the opposite.. it can be very annoying. Maybe those extra brownies (thanks kelly!!!) did me in.Don't feel like you need to comment and tell me im skinny ;-) thats not why im writing this. Im just venting a little.Updated:I dropped Caleb off and school and Taites down for his nap. So I decided to do my work out. Instead of pilates this time I used my DDR game on the PS2. Not familiar with this?Check out this 5 year old boy playing it below! ITS INCREDIBLE how good he is.The game has a workout mode. You can enter in your weight and a goal amt. of calories. This morning I did it for atleast 15-20...

You know you're an obsessive camera addict when...
2008-04-10 03:39:00
You take 40 plus photos in a 10 minute period outside w/ the kids...I know though I will not regret one photo ever taken of my children :-)They grow up WAY TO FAST. I love being able to capture each second I have with them.My husband loves the new lens as well ;-) See more HERE
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Dump.. and a real man
2008-04-09 21:04:00
I entered a fun contest over at 4tunate. Check it out.. its called DUMP!You basically have to dump your camera... and email Jen your favorites from your dump haha.I read this yesterday so I used my last camera dump and picked these favorites...BrothersCalebs cute faceTaite ChuggingI couldnt enter the photos below that I took today though.. that would of been cheating :-) But I can atleast post them here.I got a call today from a lady I met at a restaurant months ago. She was pregnant with twins then... and I saw her at the local walmart a couple weeks ago. She had the twins. Two boys! And.... she wants me to take their photos! They were born at 33 weeks.. and this week will be 6 weeks old. I cant wait!So thats two shoots in 1 week. Possibly 3 (a friend of mine lives near a lady im photographing for on thursday... and if I have time im swinging by her place to snap a few photos of her son as well)So exciting. I love taking photos :-)I must add...This is really nice to see ;-)Need a c...
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What I'm going to attempt...
2008-04-09 15:38:00
I love homemade bread...I finally found out where you can buy active yeast :- Thanks Jaymi!Its cheap stuff btw!Now im off to make THIS

Let the drama unfold
2008-04-08 20:05:00
Below is an email I recived from a reader who told me months ago she doesnt read my blog anymore.. after an issue she had with a movie review I wrote. I am not one to OUT a person or link to other peoples blogs. But if she has the nerve to keep writing me and insulting my family .. then I feel no reason why I should hide anything.Heres the email...(I put some of my thoughts throughout her email in blue)"Oh sweetie. (I find it funny that someone addresses me as sweetie.. when I am the one who is older, married and with children. I think of someone addressing someone as 'sweetie' who is a child or a close friend.. and I am neither to her.)I seriously considered removing your blog from my blogroll (Remove me please) because many of your choices as a parent concern me (This coming from a woman with no children and no spouse? I dont get how a person feels the need to judge anyone as a parent when they do not have children themselves). That's a parenting thing and your choice. Just n...
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It came!
2008-04-08 16:44:00
New Tamron Lens! Originally uploaded by finadrea I got my new TAMRON SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 Lens! Phhew thats a mouth full. Its soooo nice! I havent had a chance to really test it outside... but I played with it a bit indoors and love it.I ordered mine from Beach Camera.

New Shoes for Lubbers
2008-04-08 02:50:00
Today I went with a new friend Megan to a nearby town to do some shopping. She has a 6 mo. old little boy who is cute as can be. Im actually going to use him as a model for myrockstarbaby.com. They want me to photograph some items for them.. and since Taite is no longer in 6-12 mo. clothing we opted to use her baby. Shes super excited about it and so am I.One of the stores we dropped by was Kohls. I have been in search of some shoes for Caleb. Ive searched shoe shows, payless, target, show carnival, etc... and was unable to find a shoe he liked. He has been spoiled since he was a baby when it comes to shoes. He has worn SEE KAI RUN shoes for the past 2 years of his life... so to go from that to clunker shoes from payless just wasnt happening. I dont blame him :-)I think you can invest a little more in shoes if needed.I thought about buying him a set of ELEVEN shoes. They are the sister company to see kai run. See Kai Run shoes only go up to size 9... (which was his current shoe)... ...
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Just a remark from my husband..
2008-04-07 20:54:00
Not sure if any of you were apart of this conversation.. but if so heres what my husband had to say about it (which I found really good...)"In glancing through the comments, I know it seems on the surface that many of us, as professing Christians are very narrow-minded, and disagreeable. I'm sure we don't mean to come across as mean or agressive. But let me try to explain in my way why we are so passionate.Everyone is entitled to their own belief. And I'm the first person who doesn't want to see the freedom of religion lost. But that is a political issue.The Spiritual issue is however, that the truth is there is only one God... One Creator, One Lord, and One Judge of all that there is. And HE alone has revealed Himself to us. He has revealed the truth about Himself... the truth about mankind... and the truth concerning what happens when we die. And unless we respond in obedience to His Revelation... then there is NO HOPE!This is why we are so passionate, because even though peop...
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Day w/ my man
2008-04-07 04:20:00
I was looking through some old photos and found this one... :-)Time is just passing to fast!!!Caleb was about Taites age in that photo...

Some people have no sense..
2008-04-07 03:34:00
This afternoon Travis and I decided to go out for a late lunch. We both wanted a nice salad... and knew of a place in town with a fairly decent salad bar.SO we go... it was a bit crowded.. but we got seated fairly quickly.We eat.. and as I was leaving and paying for the meal (Travis had to make a bathroom break).. I had Taite on my hip and Caleb was running around... (did I mention it was CROWDED).As I am trying to talk to the cashier lady.. and sign the receipt this man comes up behind me..and says..."I thought Id let you know you dropped your little boys shoe back at the table."Gee thanks for letting me know...But you know what would of been nice... had you brought the shoe with you! HAHAI MEAN HELLO!If he had the time to get up and come tell me the shoe was left by our table.. why in the world didnt he bring it?That just made no sense to me... at all.I was thankful the lady at the cash register waved down my waitress and she went to grab Taites shoe.Since I obviously had my hands...
More About: Sense , People

Good start to a day
2008-04-06 16:26:00
Morning Prayer Time Originally uploaded by finadrea The boys had breakfast this morning in our kitchen. We have a very small bar area that allows like one person to sit and eat...We decided to cram all 3 around it today :-)Since I had already eaten a small breakfast.Taite LOVES to pray.Its so precious...and Caleb some days enjoys saying the prayer.. but lately would rather watch Taite.Have a great Sunday!*Also updated: Simple, Taites Blog and Calebs Blog*
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I just cant find a soap that compares
2008-04-06 03:13:00
I have searched every store in our town for a good ALL NATURAL SOAP.I wanted a soap for my face that wasn't filled with all sorts of unreadable ingredients... cause honestly I don't think its good to use something you cant even pronounce day after day on your face.I was at the local walmart tonight checking out the many facial washes they had... and looked at all the ones that said "all natural." Even the ones that said all natural had all sorts of weird ingredients in them... I couldn't even read half of them.So I went back to one of the companies I reviewed for called THE LOTE TREE. I got to review a few of her soaps (among other things). I loved all of her products especially the soaps.I felt they did a fantastic job at keeping my skin clean and from breakouts.So I went ahead and order two of her full size soap bars and a lotion nugget (these are cool because they aren't LIQUID! so when you fly you can take them on the plane with you, hehe)I hate paying shipping for things th...
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What no PJS for me?
2008-04-05 10:45:00
Happy Rester Originally uploaded by finadrea Its 4:40am... ::sigh::Im off to a VBS meeting at 6am with a lady from church. Its over an hour from us so we have to leave early...*I must add that I went to bed just after 8pm last night.. so im good on sleep! I actually woke up without an alarm... but I could seriously go back to bed if I wanted.*Thought I would write a quick blog showing my mom and dad Taites PJS on him. They sent us a package full of goodies and one of those goodies were these Pajamas on Taite.He looks super cute in them.It was funny though when we opened it and I showed Taite his PJS.. Caleb says "She didn't get me PJS?""No Caleb.. these are for Taite.""Both of them?" (the PJS came with two sets of pants.. so he thought it was two sets)HAHAIm like "No not this time.. but she got you new shoes, and snacks, and some chocolate, and a book... and special kid tea!" He looked at me a second and said"I like Tea"Thanks Nana and Papa we love the goodies!

What I do to TRY and stay in shape
2008-04-04 19:45:00
I am not the type of girl who enjoys going to a gym and sweating a lot.I just dont enjoy getting all hot and sticky like that. I think its awesome if you have the will power to do that.. but if not I have another option.Windsor Pilates is something Ive done since I had Caleb (almost 4 years ago)I started with the beginners. Did it 6 - 8 weeks after giving birth to Caleb... and with that and a well balanced diet I was back into pre-pregnancy jeans in no time. I can actually wear smaller jeans now than I did in high school. It does wonders!After having Taite I did CORE Secrets.. which I liked because it built muscles in places I normally didnt work. The thing I didnt like about it was that it felt a bit harsh on my back.. and the ball for the workouts was insanely big. Seriously HUGE. It wasnt very convenient for traveling either...I think thats a great work out if you want to concentrate more on your arms/shoulders and maybe some ab training. It builds more bulk Id say than lean musc...
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Tank issues
2008-04-04 15:45:00
So we got a fish tank for Caleb at Christmas. It was a great addition to our home and we loved it... the tank stayed SUPER clean until about 1 month ago... we moved it to a different location and almost instantly it started to look cloudy.I thought it was because we never cleaned it. It had been at least 2 1/2 months since we first filled it... So I decided to clean it.This was the tank PRIOR to cleaning...Not to bad right?I clean the tank.. wash out the gravel... put fresh water...Now here we are 2 weeks later and our tank looks like a green swamp!! (BTW its half empty because I took that photo this morning after emptying half the water)Im seriously surprised the fish can still live in that mess...What did I do differently?I looked online and figured out that the location is everything.. and because we moved it from the darkest room of the house to the BRIGHTEST room... it resulted in a major build up in algae. YUCK.I emptied half the tank this morning... Travis went to run a few e...
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Produce Bags - Facial Recipes
2008-04-04 02:38:00
I havent really bought much online lately (except for that 400 dollar lens! blah... but that was a business expense). Most of what I get is free :-) but I had to buy these...They're mesh Organic Cotton Produce bags!Since I use reusable grocery bags (Envirosaxs) I figured I should get some produce bags as well. I buy fruit and veggies almost every trip to the store... so it only makes sense to use a reusable produce bag instead of those plastic ones.I cant wait to get them! I ordered the smalls. The large ones looked a bit big for what I need... but we'll see ;-)These are easily seen through as well.. so its easier on the cashier at check out :-)I also ordered Travis a SIGG bottle :-) since he was the only one in the family without one.We have a 20% off coupon on SIMPLE right now for the site I ordered these off of. Take advantage of it while it last!I was talking to one of our students back in Ohio tonight. She was telling me how she was online looking at some homemade facial clea...
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Idea from Shanni
2008-04-03 21:30:00
I made the profile below after getting the idea from Shanni!Thanks Shanni!
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Who is ... Drea
2008-04-03 20:44:00
Name: Andrea, Drea for shortDOB: Aug 6th 1983Marital Status: Married to Travis on Jan. 4th 2003.Children: Caleb (Born on Aug 31, 2004) and Taite (Born on Dec. 18, 2006)Location: Somewhere in NCHeight: 5 ft. 2 inches (Im below the average height of most women. But thats okay! I love being short)Weight: 110-115 lbs. It really does vary from week to week.Hair: Dark Brown (almost black) - very thick and wavy/straightEyes: Medium BrownNationality: Considered Caucasian.. but my mother is Panamanian. So I like to call myself Panamerican :-)Siblings: 1 Brother Kevin (exactly 1 year and a week older than me) He lives in Italy right now serving with the US Air Force.Personality: A bit timid around certain groups... but overall I consider myself an outgoing person. Laid back. Very casual. Smiley. Not the most confident behind closed doors... but confident enough to hold my head up. My husband also says I'm a tad "silly" :-) or in Caleb's words "weird" HAH!Occupation: MOTHER 1st off... but al...

Throwback Thursday - My Parents at my age
2008-04-03 16:59:00
Aren't they the cutest couple :-)Still are!
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So nice to have back :-)
2008-04-03 03:47:00
So! I got a package today from my parents. It had a bunch of goodies for the boys... as usual :-) but in the center of the package was the Canon 1:1.8 50mm lens I bought used. Incase you missed where I got this lens.. Heres the 411. I bought it from my friend Elizabeths photographer friend. Its very similar to the Canon 1:1.8 50mm lens I had (that broke.. ::sniffle sniffle::). I thought it was the same one... but its actually a different model. I had the 1:1.8 II. This is an older version. Its the 1:1.8 I. Its VERY similar though.. I think its a bit slower than the II.. but I am very happy with its performance and the photos I got today. I snapped just random shots out in the yard to test it out.This will be my back up lens. It was only $25.00. Well worth that! I would of paid more :-)I will get my Tamron lens this week or next week. I didnt do rush shipping.. so it could be next week.Then I'll be set.Heres a few shots from today....Its SO NICE TO HAVE BACK... See more on my flickr...
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Put forth the effort, go reusable
2008-04-02 19:56:00
I am sure that image is a familiar scene, right?Many of us go to the grocery store weekly.. get what we need and without thinking about it much use the grocery store bags.Have you ever noticed how many you get each week? I started keeping track and it was insane. Seriously like 5-10 each trip. Thats like 40 a month! Thats just one family... multiply that by the millions/billions of other families in the US!I know this may strike a few nerves.. but I think its worth mentioning.These days there are so many options for us in order to help the environment.I do not believe in the whole global warming idea. But I do believe we should take care of the beautiful earth God has given us to live in.At the rate we are going I often wonder how it will be w hen my children are my age.I dont have time to go into all the details as to how many plastic bags are used each day. www.reusablebags.com has a lot of information if you are curious. We will be featuring them on simple later in the week.This ...
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Pros and Cons :-)
2008-04-02 14:07:00
PRO -Last night I had a lady from our church come up to me and tell me that I was..."A fantastic mother"and that.."I was doing a great job with my boys."Those sort of compliments make my day..No... month. :-)Thank you! (she reads my blog, hehe)CON-This morning I woke up and still was unable to find my cell phone... its been missing for a day 1/2 now..Im expecting a call..So I went into my personal greeting this morning on the phone (calling from a landline)and this is what it says..."My cell phone is lost. One of my children lost my cell phone. If you are trying to reach Andrea, please give me a call on my husbands phone 555-555-5555. Thank you"It will show up eventually.. hopefully. I know I had it yesterday.... and I asked Caleb if he took it.. he said "yes" but he cant find it now. GRRRR
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Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion. Looking for who he can devour
2008-04-02 03:08:00
My friend Stacey posted this today on her blog and I had to pass it on..Even those with all the money .. and all the eduction.. all the success can be deceived by this world and Satan .Wow...One of many things that stood out to me in the video was when Oprah would ask the man on the video..."So you believe what happens to us at death, when the body dies?" - OPRAH"I dont give it any thought" - MAN"You dont have a belief?" - OPRAHWHY IS SHE ASKING HIM? HELLO LOOK AT GODS WORDS. HIS BREATHE .. THE WRITTEN WORD. Why would you even care what some MAN thinks about what happens to us when we die. It is all written in plain english for us to see with our own eyes.Its so clear.I just pray that the Lord would help reveal His truth.. and help people to see the wickeness in what Oprah is doing. "God is a feeling experience.. not a believing experience.." - OPRAHEvery person who has ever stepped foot into a church has heard this verse. BUT READ IT!"WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish but ha...
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He did it!
2008-04-01 23:59:00
Today Travis took Caleb with him to his Chiropractor Apt.Caleb was a gem the entire time.One of our church members was there getting adjusted as well.. and went to talk to Caleb while Travis was on the tables. She asked Caleb for a hug and he told her .."I cant leave... Daddy told me to stay here."Sounds so like him.After Travis was adjusted though Caleb said he wanted to be.And climbed right onto the adjustment table and let the Doc. do his thing.Im so proud :-)Goes to show you cant push a child into trusting a Doctor :-)Once we stopped stressing it he was ready to go.Caleb had 3 areas in his mid back out of alignment as well as two in his neck!They went back perfectly.YAY! :-DTo bad I didnt get a photo of the event :-(I did get this done during the boys naps though!It will be in action tonight after the boys go down at Fun With Friesens

Ive felt plump
2008-04-01 16:04:00
The past month or so I have had the worst time watching what I eat.Im normally very disciplined.. and dont crave food.. but lately Ive felt like Travis. HAHAJust never wanting to stop.Ive been working out a lot as well though.. so I figured it was due to all the extra calories burning, right?Heh.Well..I decided to go get a physical done to check things out.. and they did a urine test... andturns out (and just so you know Travis doesnt even know about this!)We may infact be a tad bit busy this Christmas..Yea two.TWO!My dads a twin...and now we'll have a set.I dread the pregnancy but im super excited.Oh and one last thing.April fools(Prank idea from Jaymi HEHE)
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New Winners/Reviews up at Simple
2008-04-01 16:00:00
We posted 3 winners to recent giveaways at simple today.Also a new review is up!
More About: Reviews , Winners , Simple

Babywearing Family
2008-04-01 03:27:00
We all just loveeee babywearing ;-)This was taken on the way to dinner tonight. We were meeting up with a few church members and our revival preacher/family. Caleb had his baby (aka the bear) with him and wanted to wear him. I think its so sweet when he does this.This sling isnt ours to keep (Im just borrowing it to help do some photos for http://www.babyloveslings.com/)... but we may have to buy one after all... or make one :-)*Caleb looks sad in this photo.. but he wasnt. He was just being serious*Also to those curious... we skipped the photo shoot. The weather was crummy... and we decided it be best to just wait until its warmer. The couple lives near Travis' family... so we can just work out a time to visit with his family and do the shoot then. They may even wait until the new baby is born (in a few months).Both their kiddos were super tired any how.. so I think to try and get them to photograph cheerfully ;-) would of been a task.So turns out I didnt need the lens so fast aft...
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