Take a Seat

The holidays are such a hectic time! There is so much planning, buying, cooking, calling, mailing, traveling and visiting going on. We rush through our days trying to be efficient and looking to please everyone... We tend to focus on the energy we need to put forth, and we forget to be authentic to ourselves; to the season.

So I share with you a photo above, as an invitation for you to slow down and sit! Please snuggle in that chair for a moment, and fully experience all the joy and glory of the season!

When you're feeling pressure... Take a seat and lighten up. Don't be so hard on yourself. You've done enough. Too much seriousness about everything only contributes to a killjoy attitude!

When you're feeling frustrated... Take a seat and breathe. You can give in to anger and resentment or you can hold your seat and be merry!

When you're feeling disconnected... Take a seat, close your eyes and put your hands over your heart. Let the beat humble you. Allow it to make you feel grateful for all that you are, all that you have and all that you do!

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas.

remembering

While I am fairly new to the world of photography (well at least with sharing my photography), I feel like I have been seeing things through a lens my whole life. I've always been content to quietly observe my surroundings, noticing things that others might not. When I was young most people thought I was just quiet and shy (true), but there was more to it than that. I was busy observing. I was noticing the swirling pattern in the shell buttons on someone’s shirt or the way the sunlight made a pattern on the floor as it filtered through the trees.

I think that’s why photography is the perfect outlet for me. When the camera captures what my eye is seeing, I can finally relax. It's real now. I’m sure there are a lot of reasons that people become interested in photography. But I think that for most of us it is a way to capture what we’re afraid we’ll forget.

What do you do to help you remember what you might forget?

Thankful

Logan, Kali and Landin

Kian actually took this photograph (after some strategic placement, of course)

Kian and Landin with cousin Kali

Well...I know it's well past Thanksgiving, and we're all onto bigger and brighter things like Christmas lights and Holiday cards, but I thought I'd take a moment to reflect. To stop and listen to my heart and share with you what it is saying. Each November I have grand plans for the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether it be on a community wide scale or just something small and personal, like sending thankful notes to all those "special" people in my life. And each year I wind up doing small pieces of my grand plan, only to feel a slight disappointing tug at my heart. So, here's my attempt to redeem myself, thank you to all those creative computer people who created Blogs! While this list could very easily be long and winded I narrowed it down to 10 things that I am extremely grateful for. . . . . .

1. My fabulous husband; without him none of this life we've created would be possible
2. My extraordinary children; without them my life would not be as complete, nor would I feel such genuine love
3. My supportive and loving parents; without them I would not be half the person I am today
4. My extended family; without them life would not have as much meaning
5. My wonderful friends; without them I would go insane and not experience as much joy as I do.
6. My children's school; without it my kids would not be as well rounded nor continue to love to learn as easily as they do.
7. My pastor; without him I would not push myself to be the change I wish to see in the world
8. My health; without it I would be a big hypocrite!
9. Power yoga; without it I would not be as patient and happy of a mommy/wife/friend. . .
10. Our Nation; without living here I would not have the same freedoms, creations and opportunities as I do today
    
    What are you thankful for?

Guinness Book

I swear, Kian is persistent. That boy wants in the book of world records like its nobodies business! His latest attempt is this pencil. . .

He actually wrote with this all day last Wednesday!

Football Frenzy

Just some photos from 2 weekends ago

One of the boys favorite things to do with their dad. . .

The Great Pumpkin Patch!

I thought this picture was so funny.

This is Patrick, one of Kian's good friends.

These are the 2 classes that make up second grade. Kian is on the bottom row.

Kian's teacher is @ the top, left side.

Go class of 2019!

In second grade it is tradition to do a "Pumpkin Fair." The purpose of this is to teach 'real' math skills. The children practice making change as they sell: pumpkins, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread (and an assortment of Halloween trinkets from oriental trading post.)

The day starts early as the children wait patiently for the pumpkin delivery. Then, one by one a massive line of orangeness march outside to gather and assemble a huge pile of pumpkins in the school's main hallway! They all worked so hard. It was great to be a part of this memorable day and act as one of the honorary photographers.

Finding Peace

My favorite photography subjects are my two young boys and animals, all types, as long as they flit and scurry and FLY (sorry ostriches). Capturing either can be both breath-holding and heart-thumping because these subjects do not stay still for long. And I don't always want them to. Sometimes capturing their stillness isn't enough; I want to capture the fitful, unpredictable beauty of their wildness. I am a peaceful person by nature. However, I don't always feel it is my calling to shoot photos of the calm and soothing landscapes of this life. A pretty still life here and there, sure. Who can resist? But what I have found in taking photos over the past few years is that I love to chase chance with my camera. I love not knowing what's going to happen next. I love the challenge of waiting for the moment, and I love waiting to see what arbitrary magic the shots will reveal. Some of my favorite photos have come from such moments.

As for finding some peace, well. . . for me the peace is actually what comes as I gaze upon the outcome, a colorful moment frozen before my eyes. I find my peace (and my thrill) in the capturing, as I see them, of the random and wild little miracles in my life. Then I can continue to live the unstill life I am quite possibly destined to live, while raising 2 active boys. I find serenity in what unfolds naturally before my eyes.

The way I see it, to steal a few potent words from Wendell Berry's poem "The Broken Ground": "What is left is what is." This is peace to me.

As with most artful motives, there is a dilemma at the core of this methodology: do you snap quickly (and wildly) without regard to mechanics of photography in hopes that you'll capture the magic. Is this just downright lazy and amateur? Or do you pick up your camera gently, think wisely, swirl the dial to the appropriate numerology, take aim, check focus, hold your breath, and hope that in doing everything right, the magic will reveal itself—that's if the subject's still around to capture after all that? I have to say I don't have an exact answer here. I've had luck with both. But luck is so often what it is for me. Trying to 'guess' when they may have an unbelievably funny or enduring moment. So, at what point do you decide to prop up the luck with practice, knowledge, and applied expertise? Or do you? Maybe you just keep following the magic.

Happy Halloween

Kian enjoyed trick or treating with friends and family, while Landin enjoyed his first Halloween with friends only (Kian told him he was breaking the family law.) Our day was spent with parades, parties, staying up late and eating too much candy! What more could a kid ask for? Today. . . we reinstated naps! Hope you all had a great a Halloween.

My baby turned 12!

It's true. Yesterday he officially became a 'preteen.' Now what? Do our long and deep conversations get better or worse, longer or shorter? Will he ever become embarrassed if I see him in his boxers or better yet his boxer briefs? When will he have his first "real" crush? How many more months till he's taller than both Mike and I? All these unanswered questions. I'm actually excited for this next phase, I love learning things right along with my kids. It makes it so real. So raw and interesting. But for now, I know he still looks up at me with his big beautiful soulful eyes and knows,I am here for him. My life is for him; that everything is just fine.

Landin's celebrations started early, (last weekend) with his honorary birthday visit from Pop Pop. Good conversation, Jets game, a new Jets jersey and playing football were a few of the visits highlights. Landin spent his actual Birthday, in his words "just right." He started by going out for a pancake breakfast with Grandma and Kian. Then the four of us went to see the movie "The Express" (great movie btw.) After that we met Grandma, Grandpa Den and Grammie at our house for a delicious homemade Lasagna dinner and Ice cream cake dessert. He ended the night at Grandma and Grandpa Den's for a "sleepover." I'm so glad he still loves those so much. They are such special times. Landin received some great gifts. Ranging from clothes he wanted to Penguin tickets to a cell phone. Yes, we finally broke down and got him his very own cell phone. Sigh.

This year has been a ever changing for Landin. He continues to amaze us. He's gone from giving small class presentations to full tours as an ambassador for his school. He's thoroughly enjoying middle school and just recently was asked to participate in the John's Hopkins's University Talent Search, for gifted and talented kids. He continues to love most sports and any book he can get his hands on. He has a new favorite interest as of late. I think obsession would be more appropriate; the Election. I think he could out argue/debate the average adult and he'd definitely kick butt on Jay Leno's "J-walking." He's actually quite the inspiration. I wish I would hear more kids his age talking about character/democracy/liberty the way he does. He's so interested in the world and how it works, it's such a breath fresh air from the standard pop culture.

So, I guess you could say this has been a fabulous year for Landin. He's growing up, fast. Mike is doing an excellent job in teaching him how to be a honorable young man. Cheers to you my sweet Landin!

I've been tagged. . .

OK, this post is long overdue. My friend Julie tagged me almost 2 months ago. I'm suppose to write 6 random AND interesting things about yourself. Anyone that knows me knows I'm not all that "random", I do most things purposeful. I'll try to do my best, though. I went with a few "in the moment thoughts" Here goes. . .

1. I have only owned 1 brand of cars (Acura/Honda) and 1 shade of color (grey/silver). I guess one could argue that when you find something that works you stick with it. Or one could argue I'm a boring car person!

2. I was married on the playground in 5th grade. He even gave me a ring, I was shocked! We don't need to mention the ring turned my finger green, 3 days later. I was scared to death he was going to try and kiss me! Fortunately, it started pouring down rain towards the end of the "ceremony" and the teachers called us in. Thank you Mr. 5th grade teacher!

3. I'm a complete pen snob. I love to write, the actual art of writing. I often write out my blogs before I type them. I will not write with a pen that has a point bigger then .05mm. And of course it has to be gel. My current favorite is Pilot G-2 .38mm. It's a clicky one, even better!

4. In 2002, I entered one of my photos of Kian into a contest and it wound up winning a place in the Library of Congress Photography book.

5. I've never lived alone. I went from home, to college with roommates, to living with my hubby.

6. Up until I was about 10, I use to be able to bend my right middle finger all the way back to touch my wrist. Kind of gross and cool all at the same time. Kids would come up to me randomly and say "do that cool thing with your finger." I still wish I had that flexibility.

Accepting the Fall

Hey fall, please don't take my forced smile and phony enthusiasm too personally. I'll come around. Eventually. I really will. Once the trees really start in with all the glowing and the leaves do that thing where they float and dance around in the air and crunch under foot, I'll soften. When I've baked my first real loaf of banana nut bread and cooked up my first pot of chili, I'll feel better about you. I promise. A new pair of boots wouldn't hurt your case either. And if you really want to seal the deal, throw in a couple pairs of new tights. That might do it. Because you were made for tights and boots. And sweaters. Oh, sweaters. It's all that crisp air, you know. You're sort of famous for it. So I think I'm starting to warm up to the idea of you. Just don't be so stingy with the sunshine. All bets are off when you start messing with my sun.
P.S. you smell good. I'll give you that.

Devoured!

Landin completed this 784 page book in 6 1/2 hours!!

For those of you who don't know, this is the 3rd book in the Inheritance Cycle, and one of Landin's favorite authors. Mike started reading the 1st book, Eragon when Landin was in second grade. By third grade the 2nd book, Eldest was released and Landin started reading these books on his own. Last year Mike started reading this series to Kian, so the release of the newest book couldn't have come at a better time!

Working hard. . .

Highs and lows of Middle School:

High: The Friday night dance he went to.

Low: Getting use to homework on the weekend, especially the algebra, ugh!

Kian wanted me to try and get this entered into the Guinness Book of World Records (one of his favorite books) for:

"Most held rubber animals in one small kid hand" I think he held 23 of them!

I told him he may need to settle for self publishing, aka this blog!

Ahh, to be 7 again

Passing Time

Eight days ago, I was on a plane reading part of, A New Earth. The author talks about the illusions of the past and future, and about how happiness is always found in the moment. At one point, he used a quotation from the Bible, “This too, shall pass.” I’d always heard that scripture in reference to painful events…when people lost a loved one, or went through difficulties. He introduced it as a way of perceiving everything. When a baby is born, when you’re laughing with friends around dinner...this too shall pass. All of a sudden, that temporary space in time, takes on more importance.

Five days ago, I was on vacation looking out of the car window at these amazing views, surrounded by friends who rarely get to be together. When the anticipated days finally come, I feel like everything should be monumental. Then I get up to the actual moment and realize my expectations were my imagination (again). And that what’s real is even better (again). And even the grandest of events, are just made up of lots of Sweet Ordinary. A trip to the grocery store together, a hysterical car ride up the mountain, good conversation over morning coffee, a laugh and a story here and there. What’s grand, is what’s ordinary. And that’s why it’s easy to overlook.

Today I sit here a little melancholy for my friends. Distance between people that care about each other, always feels like a waste. But even in those feelings, I feel a certain contentment because I know I was paying attention while the time was passing. And that's all anyone can ever really do, anyway. Right?

How are you passing the time these days?

Our Trip to Colorado

Our view from about 30,000 feet

Breckenridge, CO
It's a really great little skiing town with excellent shopping. We'll definitely have to go back some time with the kids and snowboard!

Getting ready for the WVU/CO game in Boulder. Unfortunately they lost, but it was a good time anyway!

A little decompression from school overload!

This has been a tough couple of weeks on the kids. Of course, I am enjoying having some of my "own" time back-but for them, it's been an overload of new things; people, places, schedules, things to remember, homework to do, etc. Back to school all day everyday meant a roller coaster of emotions from excitement and enthusiasm to hesitation and mini melt-downs. Total brain over-load.

This weekend we just needed a little levity and what better place than outside to do just that? Here are a few snapshots of how my kids blew off a little steam from the pressure-cooker that is the first month of school.

FUMBLE!

On Wednesday, Mike and I are off to Boulder, CO for long weekend with some college friends. We're going to see WVU kick some butt, hopefully, and do some hiking/rafting/horseback riding, who knows at this point, in Breckenridge.

The boys will stay with Grammie for 2 nights and then they are headed to Lancaster, PA with my mom and Dennis to see the Renaissance festival! It should be a great time for all of us, I'll post some shots when I get back.

Summer's End

This has been a hard post to share. The end of summer is always so bittersweet for me. I love the freedom. I look forward to the ebb and flow of lazy days and exciting adventures. It’s not a huge surprise that summer is my favorite time of year. However, the end of this summer was different. As the new school year slowly crept up on us, I became slightly uneasy. I know that each September will begin a familiar routine. The slow and steady flow of school, homework and extra-circular activities that little by little as the months pass, begins to feel more like a river than a stream only to have the damn break in June to a force that can make it difficult for even the mightiest of moms to remain standing. That is how June can sometimes feel, but this year I’m feeling it in September. As summer come to an end I recognize that it’s not only these last few weeks that are a blur, it’s my son’s childhood. Both of my sons for that matter. The milestones this year feel larger than life as one has just begun Middle School and the other Second grade. Sigh. I know what this is about. It’s the familiar melancholy of motherhood, the passing of time and the growing of the little parts and pieces of my children that remind me that they are getting older. That I am getting older. That they won’t be mine forever.

So, with that introduction of where my head has been lately, I share with you a few (and it was hard to choose since I tok sooo many pictures) of our Ohio Pyle adventures. These are from the last two weekends. We had so much fun the weekend of the 23rd, we went back again for Labor day weekend. What a blast we had.

I hope you are enjoying the end of summer, as you know it!

Ohio Pyle State Park, PA.

A great little place that serves as the gateway to the Laurel Mountains. The focal point of the area is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny [yaw-ki-GAY-nee] River Gorge that passes through the heart of the park. The "Yough", as we call it, provides some of the best whitewater boating in the Eastern U. S. as well as spectacular scenery. There is also a great bike path that runs along side the river!

Our first whitewater rafting experience as a family. The kids absolutely LOVED it, even though Kian fell out of the boat during one of the rapids.

This was so cool. You sit in the creek bed and ride the water through 2 natural water slides in Meadow Run. The kids must have ridden it 20 times last weekend and about 5 times this past weekend.


Morning rays
Last weekend was The Ninth Annual "American Whitewater Ohiopyle Over The Falls Festival" Once a year Ohio Pyle lifts the dam and whitewater paddlers from all over the country can run the race over this 18 foot waterfall. It was amazing to see, but not something I aspire to do, Mike on the other hand, possibly!