fifty two on fridays | week fifty

WEEK 50 - Joy

Continue on the "joy" circle by visiting Krista Lund Photography.

fifty two on fridays | week forty six

“My heart is drumming in my chest so hard it aches,

but it's the good kind of ache,

like the feeling you get on the first real day of autumn,

when the air is crisp

and the leaves are all flaring at the edges

and the wind smells just vaguely of smoke -

like the end and the beginning of something all at once.”

-Lauren Oliver, Delirium

WEEK 46 - Autumn

I don't know what it is about this time of year, but I love it so much. When I was younger, I soaked up the sun & lived for summer. But now, the smells, colors, & feelings of autumn call to me. They refresh my soul & make me feel close to God in this beautiful world He created. The falling leaves, the bright hues of orange, yellow & red that fade into brown & then leave both fragile & majestic branches bare.

Perhaps it's the memory of family traditions, good food, hot chocolate, brisk air, the first long sleeves & jackets of the season, cuddling under warm blankets with loved ones. The richness of autumn sets my heart on fire. The peace of this time of year, the extra burst of love & kindness, & the presence of God everywhere rejuvinate me & remind me of all I have to be grateful for.

My good friend Tiffani took this picture of Ruby & me, & since it's so rare to have pictures of me with the children, I had to add it. Getting colds is not my favorite thing about autumn, but I do love cuddling my sweet babes when they need the extra comfort.

Continue to Jackie Petersen Photography to see what her autumn experience is like.

fifty two on fridays | week forty five

Clearly I've been gone from this project for quite a while. This year has been crazy, but now that things are starting to level out, I've started to feel the major pull back to photography again.

WEEK 45 - Black & White

When I consider "black & white,"

one of the thoughts that comes to me is

the "all or nothing" delusion.

And let me tell you, this is something I have been working through a lot lately.

I tend to be a perfectionist.

If something can't be done right,

then I struggle to do anything at all.

This is why I hesitate when it comes to photographing for others,

why making meals & keeping a clean (or clean-ish) home often feels like such an unattainable goal,

why a setback in the day can make it difficult to carry on with the rest of my plans.

Why is it so easy to get stuck

in this "all or nothing" rut?

It's like I'm telling myself that if it can't be done just right,

why attempt in the first place?

All or nothing?

That doesn't even make sense!

Better to do a little imperfectly than to do nothing at all.

After all, "by small & simple things are great things brought to pass."

All or nothing?

Is that even part of the great plan?

We do things by degrees,

by taking steps up a ladder.

I'm not Wonder Woman, no matter how much I envision that ideal in my mind. 

I can't fly straight to the top of perfect. And if I do fly,

it's with dips & curves, 

but hopefully I'm still heading in the right direction.

It's the small things we do that allow for progress & growth.

Building habits out of the little, perhaps mundane or ordinary things

that make up the great & truly important things.

All or nothing?

Who says we have to do it all?

Doing something is better than doing nothing.

Continue the circle by visiting Cris Stephens Photography. Trust me, you're in for a treat. Her images are gorgeous!

march 2: play date

Today, Will, Ruby & I went on a play date/photog outing with our friends (Crystal, Hailey, McKay & Aaron). It felt great to get out of the house & explore the woods by our home. The older kids spent a big part of the time finding & then throwing sticks into the little creek while Crystal & I tried to keep them from slipping & falling down the slope into the water (seriously, I was paranoid). It was a busy photography shoot, especially chasing kids around who refused to hold still for the camera. Will even started hiding behind a tree from me, & any time I got close to taking a picture, he'd duck away, & start laughing. He thought it was hilarious. Me? Not so much. ;)

I tried taking a pic of Ruby & me, but with a prime lens that's zoomed in pretty close, I didn't have much to work with. I love this picture of Ruby's eyes - they're so sharp & blue. I, on the other hand, look terrifying. I guess that's how I always look though b/c I wasn't trying to look so creepy. Just another tidbit I've learned about myself: if I'm not smiling, I tend to look like something out of a horror movie (or maybe I've just been watching too much Vampire Diaries). Either that, or I just look overly tired . . . which I am, but hey! that's life, & I'll take it.

Will had to spend a little time on time out for throwing dirt clods when Hailey was standing in front of him. I'm pretty sure he got her square in the face. At least with him being forced to sit still, I was able to take advantage & get a picture. Of course he still refused to look at the camera. Haha - love that kid! :)

Hailey - such a sweet girl

On our way home: If Will can find anything to kick, he will. His choice today? a little rock that looked like it might have been something other than a rock . . . I hope it was just bark.



10 on 10: january

I hesitated this month when it came to documenting another 10 on 10. What could I possibly do different than last time? How could I prevent it from being redundant each month? Isn't it a little soon to be asking these questions since this is only month 2? Well, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see that life has its own things in store, & the day I documented ended up being wonderful. This month was another lesson in seeing the beauty of everyday life. I was able to capture the sweet personalities of my two children, as well as my husband & wonderful friends. I'm grateful for these preserved memories that this project gives me.

8:00 am - Ruby Jane is sleeping soundly.

9:00 am - retrieving some cereal that dropped on the barstool.

10:00 am - Will gets so excited when his daddy comes home. he can't wait to tell him all the fun things he's been up to.

11:00 am - Ruby finishes her shower & kicks her feet & talks to us while waiting in the bassinet.

12:00 pm - getting ready to drive down to the bay area when Scott notices we have a flat tire. Will did his part to help.

1:00 pm - on the road. sunglasses on & baishie in hand (Will's lion blanket that he takes everywhere).

it didn't take long before this guy was out. he seriously has the most beautiful eyelashes & has since day one. i just can't get over them.

2:00 pm - Ruby meets my other mother & sister for the first time. we've been life-long friends, & they're practically family.

3:00 pm - love this girly.

Ruby bonds with her godmother & my best friend, Caitlin.

4:00 pm - i loved capturing the look on my husband's face while he smiled at our sweet daughter. it's these tender, natural moments that i treasure.

5:00 pm - buckled up & ready to head back home.

to continue the blog circle, head on over to Julie Ander's 10 on 10.

christmas lights

Last night, Scott & I called some of our friends up to go look at Christmas lights for Family Home Evening. We started at our house where we had some hot chocolate, & then we drove to a neighborhood that is completely decked out for the holidays. We bundled up nice & warm & strolled around looking at all the fun displays.

(me w/ Will, the Taylor's, the Fisher's, & Ruby in her carseat)

Maternity Shoot - Tiffani

Last week, I asked my great friend Tiffani if I could take some maternity photos of her. I'm in the process of building my portfolio before officially starting my photography business.

Tiffani is very photogenic, & I came away from the photo shoot with so many beautiful pictures of her.

Here's a small sample:

a mini reunion of friends & their babes

On Sunday, I met up with some of my great friends from the good ol' days. We went through 6 years of girls' camp together, frequented concerts (Reel Big Fish, Yellowcard, Ataris, Aquabats . . .), sang & danced in Showbiz, partied it up at the Stake Dances, roomed together our freshman year at BYU, played night games in the park, raided vending machines . . . let's just say we had a blast together over the years!

Marisa holding Ruby, her husband Rob & daughter Fara, Emily's husband Jason holding Jane

Emily & I have been great friends since 8th grade, & wouldn't you know it, we ended up having baby girls born within 9 days of each other.

Emily & Jane, me & Ruby

Now all we need is Caitlin & her Olivia to join in. Then we'd have a complete set of roommates with their baby girls.

Love you ladies & babies. It was grand seeing you all!