Simply Craig

If you've been reading along for a while, you probably remember my adventures with Wikki Stix. Those colorful little wax-coated strands have found their way into just about every corner of our house. They're wonderful for creating artwork. They're reusable. They're mostly mess-free. But lately... They've discovered a brand-new purpose. Decorating bedroom doors. Apparently, my children have decided their doors make the perfect art gallery for anyone walking down the hallway. Flowers. Basketball hoops. Animals. Even a little dirt bike that somehow managed to stick right to the door. Who knew those little wax strings were strong enough to hold toys? I'll admit... I wasn't exactly thrilled. Until today. As I walked past my little girls' bedroom, something caught my eye. Clinging to the door with Wikki Stix was a simple necklace she'd received in Primary... Along with a small picture of the Savior she had carefully clipped from the sacrament program. I st...

Of course Dawson wouldn't   have his homework done when he has more important things like this to be doing in the morning. (cereal box cut out) Thankfully, whenever I find myself in moments like these, one quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley comes to mind. "Mothers, control your voices, keep them down. Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." I repeat those words to myself... Over and over... And sometimes over again. Because let's be honest... This kid might have been toast if it weren't for President Hinckley's gentle reminder. Instead, we took a deep breath, had a little conversation about priorities, finished the homework... And admired the cereal box masterpiece afterward. Some days, motherhood is less about perfect children... And more about learning to respond with patience, perspective, and a little bit of humor. Thankfully, tomorrow always brings another chance to get it right...for both of us.

Click HERE to see. Scroll down to music playlist (bottom of page) and pause music before clicking play. Who else thought this ROCKED?

Breakfast has always been a big deal at our house. During the week, I'm usually the one making breakfast for the family, and honestly, I think it's one of the best ways to start the day. But somewhere along the way, Sunday mornings became a little different. If my memory serves me correctly, it all started on one of those mornings. You know the kind. You walk into the kitchen because breakfast still has to be made... But you don't have the slightest desire to cook. Apparently, Mr. B.T.C. has a sixth sense for moments like these. Without me saying a word, he looked at me, smiled, and said he'd take care of breakfast. That morning he introduced the family to what has since become a Sunday tradition... Dad's Famous Oatmeal. Not only was it delicious, but it gave me a little extra time to focus on getting everyone dressed, fixing little girls' hair, and making sure we were all ready for church. It quickly became one of my favorite Sunday routines. Just last week I w...

This week was school picture week. Like moms everywhere, I made sure shirts were neatly pressed, hair was combed just right, and everyone walked out the door looking their very best. Before they left, I gave each of them one simple reminder: "Give the photographer your very best smile!" Not because I couldn't wait to fill another picture frame... But because this would be the one photograph that would forever represent them in this year's school yearbook. I've always appreciated the job Lifetouch does. The only thing I've never loved is ordering picture packages before ever seeing the photographs. I'm much more of a  look first... then choose my favorites  kind of girl. So while the kids were at school smiling for the official photographer... I was at home getting ready for a portrait session of my own. When they walked through the front door that afternoon, I had one announcement waiting for them. "That was just practice. Now it's time for the re...

We've been doing a little straightening up around here... These two handsome boys are sporting brand-new braces! Poor guys. They haven't been eating much this week as they adjust to all that new hardware. Let's just say soft foods have become their new best friends. Here's to straighter smiles...

Soccer season is in full swing around our house, and I have to admit... Watching our little guy wear  #2  is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. There is something so exciting about watching him charge up and down the field with confidence, determination, and skill. Every game, he seems to grow a little more. Not just as a player... But as a teammate. His school team has been on quite a roll this season. They've won every game so far, and to make it even more impressive, no opposing team has managed to score a single goal against them. That's quite an accomplishment! It's so exciting watching our children discover their talents, work hard, encourage their teammates, and gain confidence with every game they play. It sure is fun cheering for the little stud who wears  #2 . We'll be right there on the sidelines, cheering you on every step of the way. Go get 'em, Wesley!

They say,  "West is best." After this trip, I'd have to agree. We packed up the car and headed west for a few days of sunshine, ocean breezes, and a little adventure. Our vacation began with one of my favorite things to photograph... A sunset. There is something magical about watching the sky slowly transform into shades of orange, pink, and gold. As a photographer, I'm always learning little tricks along the way. I had recently read that using a longer telephoto lens makes the sun appear much larger in your photographs than using a wide-angle lens. I decided to put that theory to the test, and you'll notice the difference in some of the sunset photos later in this post. I love learning something new. This trip also brought something else new. Mr. B.T.C. surprised us by booking an apartment we'd never stayed in before. It was right in the heart of Venice Beach. The moment we stepped outside, we were immediately surrounded by the energy of the famous boardwal...