Category Archives: Parenting

Staring Into Space: #MySundayPhoto – 03.08.15

It’s been pictures galore in our house, and we only have one subject; Avery. No surprise, huh? This week’s My Sunday Photo is of Avery staring out of our windows where a new house is being built behind us.

We’ve been watching the workers quickly and efficiently construct the two story house that seems to dwarf our one story, but hopefully the new neighbors will be nice!

I have no clue what I’m doing when it comes to editing photos, but figured I’d have fun and see what I can come up with. Here is the original photo:

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Cute, of course, because, when isn’t she? But here is what I came up with. I just messed around with the basics like hue, brightness, etc. and added a blur effect.

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What do you think? Too much? Any quick tips on how to make photos a little more lively? I want to try doing a black and white one but having just one part in color. What is that called?


OneDad3Girls

I’m a Soft Star Shoes Ambassador!!

First there’s NuttZo, the most delicious and healthy organic nut/seed butter EVER, and now I’m proud to announce I’m an ambassador for Soft Star Shoes!

Soft Star Shoes is a company based out of Oregon where they passionately make minimal footwear for the entire family. Handcrafted to order, they offer minimalist Running shoes, Moccasins, Sandals, Padraig Slippers, Sheepskin boots, and other Casual Wear.

I just started using their Running Moccasins they sent me to try and will post a review here in the near future.

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Looking forward to logging some miles, HIIT exercises, and weightlifting sessions in these 5oz foot-huggers. The freedom of sprinting practically barefoot is here! But I really can’t wait to get a pair of Kids’ shoes for Avery. They have shoes for babies, toddlers, and youth up to 12 years!

As if handmade in the USA by people (they actually call them elves) actually passionate about what they do isn’t enough, you can go online and design your own shoes for yourself and your little ones. I’m ready to get our whole family “going” minimal in Soft Star Shoes for casual daily use as well as when working out.

I’m no stranger to working out in minimal shoes as that’s all I’ve used for years now, but I’ve never tried anything like Soft Star Shoes….yet. Check out their site and see what you would like for yourself. Have fun with the design-your-own feature to see what you can create for the kiddos. A monogrammed moccasin for your tyke? How could you resist?!

Kids and adults don’t need the excessive padding seen on most running and casual shoes. It’s not natural and only messes with our dynamics. Get yourself and your family closer to the earth and feel the benefits of having “Happy, Healthy Feet”.

More to come on Soft Star Shoes, I promise. For now, enjoy your weekend and check out all they have to offer.

Dear Wife, I Caught You

Dear Wife (aka Going Mom, Kelley, Best Friend, and Mommy), I caught you doing something basically every night. It’s nothing bad, but actually very sweet.

At night, after a lonnngggg day at work, after coming home only to be bombarded by the need to breastfeed Avery as I am asking you several questions before you have time to think, after you spend the little time left before bedtime playing with Avery, after you nurse her to sleep (or try your damnedest since she’s a crazy), after you finally lay down to relax, you do something that warms my heart.

You look up pictures and videos of Avery, as if just to make sure she’s really ours since it seems so surreal at times.

When you join me in the living room where I’m usually writing on this blog, I’ll glance over and see you watching an old video of Avery from your phone on on Instagram. Videos both from your account and from mine, like this…

Most times you have your phone on silent, but I can hear Avery’s giggles just like I know you have in your head while watching this.

And the pictures, we have pictures from months ago as well as current day that you will make your way through. Again, from your phone, on Facebook, or on Instagram, you scroll through and look at the wonder that is our beautiful daughter.

Even on those nights when you’re so tired you go straight to bed, I know you make sure to look through pictures and watch videos of our growing girl. Sometimes I hear the videos playing, but other times it’s just instinct.

I can see it in your eyes and from your actions, you absolutely adore Avery, and not even the world itself is good enough for her. There are times when you doubt yourself as a good mother, but I want you to know that doubt is complete nonsense! You’re the best mother and wife there is, and you make both Avery and me so very happy.

Please, never, ever, think of yourself as anything less than the best. There are times when we don’t hug as much as we should, and when we finally do, it feels wonderful and I don’t want to stop. Unless I have tea tree oil on my face and you have carrot seed on yours. 🙂

Basically, dear, I just want you to know that seeing you simply look at old pics of our daughter says a lot about how kind, loving, and caring of mother you are. Avery is the luckiest girl and Wes (Updated to include our 2nd child) is the luckiest boy to have you as a mom, and I, the same as my wife.

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You’ll probably be paranoid every time you get on your phone at night, but don’t worry, I don’t sit and stare or anything, just happen to see our daughter on your phone. It’s precious, you’re precious, our family is precious, and I hope that never changes.

Kelley, I love you, thank you for everything you do!!

The Dad Network