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?