How do I keep falling so behind?

Argh, I am obviously SO behind on blogging, answering questions on my blog, commenting on others' blogs. Ever since I got my business license, I've been working on my FlashPalette, planning a few portfolio building sessions, etc. Some days I wake up and think, forget this! I can't do it, I've changed my mind... then I will edit some pictures that I love and think NO, I've GOT to do this, I LOVE it!

ANyway, my husband took the 3 boys camping for the next 2 days so I'm alone with just Clara. I will try to catch up on blogging and commenting. I've gone through about 1/3 of my blogs so if I haven't commented on yours yet, I will soon!

I was tagged waaaaay back to list 8 interesting things about myself. I am such a loser that I don't even remember WHO tagged me, but here goes.

1. I speak near fluent Russian and I would LOVE to work as a translator. I just LOVE language.

2. I birthed 3 of my 4 children at home, underwater in a spa on the patio. When I had Nicholas, I refused to take my underwear off so at the last minute, my midwife cut them off. I have them saved in a box somewhere. lol

3. I once breastfed one of a good friend's twin babies when she had to have surgery on her leg.

4. I developed a strong craving for non food items during each pregnancy. I chewed on clay (I won't tell you what form the clay took, lol) and my midwife even brought me some cleaned dirt from Germany specifically made for pregnant women.

5. After years of hating most forms of exercise, I discovered I LOVE to run. Like really, really love it. Dream about it, read about it, long exhilirating runs.

6. My absolute favorite musician/singer is Prince. When I was younger, I used to think I was going to move to Minnesota and marry him.

7. I'm an animal rights activist. I used to be the loud, sign waving kind but now I've mellowed to a polite, not-in-your-face type. I have such empathy for all kinds of animals and I cannot bear to see or think about an animal feeling pain.

8. I dreamed of having a sibling for my whole childhood. My 14 year old sister was born when I was nearly 20. :)

Now, if you're not asleep yet, I was also tagged by Jennifer to list 4 of everything! I hate to make this entry SO painfully long but I really just need to catch up on everything. Skip ahead to the pictures if you wish. :)

4 of Everything

4 Jobs I've Had
Volunteer Librarian at Animal Protection Institue, desk job at my dad's produce company and 2 very boring jobs at fast food joints

4 Places I've Lived
California and New York are it!

4 Fave TV Shows (keep in mind that we don't get tv reception here so I don't know anything very recent)
Seinfeld, X-Files, 80's version of the Twilight Zone and Sisters (does anyone else remember this show?)

4 Places I've Been on Vacation (using the term vacation loosely, haha)
Hawaii, New York, Minnesota, Ft. Bragg, CA

4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over Again
The Shining, The Others, Silence of the Lambs and Cape Fear

4 Favorite Dishes
Alu Mattar and Samosas, Vegetarian Lemon "Chicken", Potato Knishes and plain old avocado sandwiches

4 Places I'd Like to Be
New York, Maine, Russia and Bali

So, these are some pictures from a park day couple weeks ago. I could photograph this girl forever. She is SO cute and photogenic.





There's some purple fringing in the water here but I really don't care unless I print it.




Here's Nicholas underneath the bridge. He was playing with a stick, excuse me, he was playing with a *sword*. haha


There is this really cool barn/building at the park.


Lastly, this is Benjamin, who detests having his picture taken.


Angela, the only homeschooling "advice" I can offer it to follow your heart. There are so many different routes to go and so many people that will gladly offer you advice. Homeschooling is really like parenting. Some kids like to sit down and do workbooks and others (like mine) can happily spend their days outside, chasing butterflies and riding their bikes. Learning comes in so many forms. In my opinion, math and reading are no important than art and nature. This is one fun website though. Lots of different articles to read and such. www.homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/index.htm

And Ellen, I don't go to MDC anymore. I used to spend a lot of time there but I burned out after a while. That place is SO big and I don't really like conflict, so... :)