Washin' off the dirt

~ a GREAT way to end a GREAT day ~

11 months old ... yesterday.

Hey Dad ...

Can I go with you tomorrow??

Is it tomorrow??

Where we going tomorrow?

Hey Dad ... I love you ... dad ... hey dad ... I love you!

~ Mason, age 3

Seashore, seashore...

we just can't get enough of the beautiful seashore!

Can you tell we had a GREAT time?

Documenting Life.

My photography class started this week. It's week "0" of 8 weeks.
The first 3 lessons have been a wonderful reminder to me of why I am intrigued by photography in the first place.
It's affirming my love of and desire to capture the every-day moments of my family's life with pictures ... and words.
It's showing me what I am already ... and what I'm going to become.

It's not about perfection for me, it's about real, unedited, inspiring, thought provoking life.

It's about focusing on the things that are most important & not worrying about the "right look" or the "right words" ... but about experiencing and capturing life as I know it right now.


It is going to change. Life. Tomorrow is going to be different than today... and if I don't treasure NOW, what am I really living for?

I love that I'm learning new ways to share this passion I have for life & my family with my camera ... so bear with me during the next 9 weeks or so as I learn & grow & change.

... and feel free to hop on board this train of ours any time you want. You're guaranteed to have the ride of a lifetime.

This picture, this guy, this husband of mine ... he's watching me capture our life together. He's smiling. He's content. He knows that our life is being documented ... and instead of questioning and giving me that look of total frustration, he's content. He knows things aren't perfect. He knows there is room for improvement. He knows a lot, but he's still smiling.


and guess what ... so am I.

1st.

Sand.

Waves.

Dune Grass.

Pelican Pub.

What did you think of your 1st trip to Pacific City Mack??

{ I think you liked it ... sand and all. }

He's only 3.

He never stops ... because if he does, he might just fall asleep.

He runs.

He laughs.

He climbs.

He wonders.

He questions.

He watches.

He smiles.

He is such a big boy ... and I have to ... I need to ....

I must keep reminding myself over & over

he's only 3.

(well ... almost 3 1/2)

We're Home...

from the beach.

{ many more pictures to come }

Ouch

Learning to walk while we hold your hand.

Learning to crawl up and down steps.

Finally rolling over from your back.

Milestone after milestone ...

and a few bumps, scrapes & bruises along the way ...

you're still as cute as can be.

teary.

I can't imagine.

I can't fathom.

I can't comprehend.

I can't begin to understand at all.

But God can.

... and God will give the comfort & peace that only He can.

Praying for the Steven Curtis Chapman family ~ each and every one of them.

In Memory of Maria.



Isn't it crazy how those we don't even really know can melt our hearts, cause us to mourn, & give us a reason to appreciate what we have. Each and every day we are alive is a gift. We have no control over our future ... but we do have the choice of making the most of the minutes, hours, days & years we are given.

Two more reasons...

why I {heart} the color RED!

Taste of Home Entertaining & my new camera!!

I'm dreaming of...

summer.

{Strawberries}

{Sunsets}



{Seashores}



{Sweet corn}

and SO much more.

I hear myself saying...

Good Morning!
Hello!
Sure I can!
Darn it Mason!
Come here - NOW!
IAN!
Bless your heart!
I'd like a soft taco supreme & a nachos please!
Yep!
NO WAY!
Dinner's ready NOW!
When will you be home?
Because.
I don't know.
I love my job, I love my job, I love my job!
I'm not sure when he'll be here, but I'll give him the message.
Come here Mack!
I love you!
Don't touch that please!
Thank you!
That's too bad!
Later gator!
I'm sorry.
I forgot.
No, I'm not that busy.
Look at me.
Do you need to go potty first?
I'll call you later.
See ya!
Mason, please give that back to Mack.
You're just not big enough.
I'll do it right now.
That is ridiculous!
Have a GREAT day!
NO, I'm not blogging!
Why?
Oh man!
Gotta go.
Give that to mommy please.
God is good - all the time!

I know there is more ...

but right now in my life, I say these things A LOT ...

and I wanted to be able to look back in 10 years (maybe 20) and have something to smile about~laugh about~compare and remember!

Fuelin' Up.

What keeps you moving? What fuels you up?

Your family?
Your job?
Your love of life?

Me... well, I live for moments like these!

Moments when life is captured forever by a few clicks of a button.
Moments when life is good.
Moments when nothing else matters.

Moments.

{Wishing you a week full of "moments" like these.}

Blazin' a Trail.

Did you know that cows follow the same trails to and from watering holes & feed?

A few nights ago, we were driving through acres of range ground putting out mineral & a few of those "trails" caught my eye. They don't seem to follow any rhyme or reason, they just twist and turn around sagebrush & boulders leading down canyons and up ravines. Some seem to cut right across an open area, and others follow the fence line. I stared at the paths & then began to wonder.

Trail blazin'.

What is it really?!
Are there only certain species that do it?
Who decides which one is the leader of the bunch?
Is there an election?
Do some members of the herd take on the responsibility without being asked?
Are the same 6 cows the ones that do EVERYTHING?
Is there "burn out" among the group?

I've been blazin' a trail in some uncharted territory the past few weeks.

I've attempted to write for the local paper.
I've purchased a new camera and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival.
I've given "acting" a try.
I've over-committed myself a little... well, actually a lot.
I've signed up for a photography class.
I've agreed to teach a class to fellow teachers.
I've been the first to apologize.
I've created opportunities for others to shine.
I've stepped up when I really wanted to hide.

The trails I've been blazing have led me to some interesting places.

Some I will continue to follow because I'm not quite sure where they'll take me.
A few have created exhaustion, but were definitely worth the trip.
and... there are a couple that I need ODOT to come put DEAD END signs on.

Blazin' a trail.

It's trusting and believing in the unknown & the unseen.
It's going, and going, and going even when you feel like quitting.
It's being a leader, when it would be easier to follow.

It's life ... and isn't the view grand?!

Cooling Off.

sunshine + a hose + water + 2 boys = happiness

{wishing you a weekend full of sunshine too!}

finally, finally, finally

It's Friday!

We made it.

We survived.

We're livin', givin' & expectin' great things for the weekend!

{hope you are too}