Day 14.  Style 31.  Post an outfit pic!

Lately, my go-to outfits consist of a bright, strange colored pair of tights, flats and a comfy dress (thank you mod cloth).  I am having some issues with my clothes lately; I blame Cadbury mini eggs and a sheer lack of will power.  Jeans, one day again soon, you and I will be friends.  I'm refusing to post an actual picture of an out fit out of sheer laziness... and I'm busy watching the Canucks game.  Instead, I will post a picture of my favorite boy, just because its my blog & I can.



little j on his new bike, a birthday gift from nona & popaya.  he's so proud of himself.  
how can my baby look so grown up?

be still my heart. 

Day 15.  Write to encourage a friend.  Inspire her beauty.

dearest judy,

you inspire me with your enthusiasm and your love of life and your sense of adventure.

you are one of the most generous people i have met - with your time, with your encouragement, with your delicious dinner recipes.

you are a beautiful woman, inside and out.

you have nice abs.

i love our lunch time walks, our coffee dates and watching our babies grow together.

i'm so glad i made you be my friend after we met in the dentist office.  or, i should say, i'm so glad your parents made you be my friend after i wouldn't stop talking at the dentist office.  they must have sensed my loneliness at the time.

i cannot wait for you to be a bride & marry your love.  i'm so honored to be documenting your day.
my toes look beautiful; i loved our date today.

love {me}

p.s. ~ i will eternally supply you with the good chapstick. :)

Day 12.  Write about what wears you out as a woman.

The laundry.  And my kitchen floor.  Enough said.

Day 13.  Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

On a light note, I would like to change my body hair issues.  I know I have touched briefly on this before, but seriously, have you tried to pluck out a nose hair?!  It hurts.  And makes your eyes water.  And your sneeze about 10 times afterwards.  Now imagine you have 20 nose hairs in each nostril to pluck.  Not fun.  Although Jody seems to find it strangely entertaining.

On a more serious side, I would like to be 100% confident in who I was made to be.  And to take the tiny lingering goals and dreams and grab them, with all my strength, and just do it afraid.  I'm getting there.  My photography adventures are a small start.

{ photos }

i have been incredibly blessed this past few weeks with numerous photo shoots.  i have been praying a lot about the direction of my photography (more on that later), and God answered promptly with many texts and calls about bookings.  he is good. so good.

these little darlings filled my week last week. 

baby kaitlin was such a doll!  we weren't able to take newbie shots right away because she caught a nasty cold at only a few weeks old.  but this six week old beauty was a little peach as we dressed and adored her with gigantic flower headbands.  i absolutely adore these two pictures of her.

her mama, aspen (isn't that the best name?), even made me a bunch of flower props and two gorgeous tutus as a generous thank you!  my clients are the best!

baby bibi fawn (another incredible name!) came to visit on thursday.  she too is a bit older for the typical newbie shots, but was a little angel.  and so strong, lifting her head so high!  she has such big gorgeous blue eyes.

jody and i have no plans of expanding our family for a while yet, but this two little girls definitely make you reconsider, even if only for a minute.  or two.  or ten.

outside my window.... the ocean rolls and rocks... the sky is a beautiful blue... large tree gently sway... birds fly by, bringing the newness of spring.

i am thinking..... of a friend who is in the midst of heartbreak and marital confusion but so full of grace and faith... of friends' growing bellies and the wee ones within... that I wish teething wasn't so painful (for both of us).

i am thankful.....for a husband's encouragement and faith in my business ventures... for true friends... for my new 35mm lens... for a text from a friend full of excitement as Jody and I share our dreams with those around us.

in the kitchen... a new recipe sits as an experiment for dinner... tea cups litter the sink... budget jars litter the counter top... remnants of flax oatmeal sit.

i am wearing..... my hair piled carelessly, lounging pants and a purple t-shirt.  Not exactly stylish, but definitely comfortable!

i am creating.....a cream beenie for a photo shoot this weekend... a purple cowl for my island friend, who I miss terribly these days - her advice and her laughter... a felt pillow I saw on etsy but am refusing to buy.

i am going......to savor today.  I usually work Thursdays, but have today off because my boss is at a course.  Today, JJ and are heading off for coffee at the beach with one of my favorite people and her two girls, some play time at Strong Start, and then the pool with some beautiful mommas and their babies.  *sigh*  Oooh, I'm excited for today!


i am reading...... Replenishing the Earth by Wangari Maathai (founder of the Green Belt Movement & Nobel Peach Prize recipient in 2004).  So inspirational!  And The Home Experience by Devi Titus.  Helping me get organized & become the homemaker I truly desire to be but am clueless as how to achieve!

i am hoping....to plant a vegetable garden soon... to purchase my dream camera because the Canadian dollar is so good... to go away for my impending birthday...


i am hearing.....a baby's babbles... a snoring dog... Adele on itunes...

around the house.....chores are in desperate need of doing... Judah has pulled out all his books from the shelf... fresh flowers adorn the dining room table, speaking of spring...

one of my favourite things....popcorn made on the stove.  Ooooh, its so delish.  I'm been indulging in it often lately.  Mini eggs.  And Pierre Cardin cologne.  Have you smelt it before?  I have smelled it twice in the last two days on trips on London Drugs.  The first time, it rolled under the shelf and I actually got on the floor to fish it out.  I wanted to smell it that desperately.  It smells like my dad, a combination of Pierre Cardin and chlorets gum.

These last few weeks have passed in a whirlwind.  Our life is beyond busy; the regular business of life compounded as I try to build a photography business on the side.  Being back at work has been many things - an adjustment, a sacrifice, a joy, a sorrow.  I feel good - to be using my education, to be connecting with clients I have missed, to feel like I am contributing financially to our family budget and goals.  But it has been so hard to be apart from Judah for so many hours in a day, sorrow when its bedtime, which seems to come much too early.  But, after two weeks, we have settled into a routine that - fingers crossed - will work for us.  I have figured out a few things:

:: the slow cooker is my new best friend.  To have dinner ready when we get home from work means both Jody and I have more time with Judah before bedtime.

:: the early bird gets the worm.  I have been waking up early.  As in e.a.r.l.y!  It takes a few moments for a groggy haze to dissipate, but it gives me time to read my bible, do a few chores, email and edit and get ready for work before Judah wakes.  Because then, once he's awake, its just momma & Judah time.  I feed him a leisurely breakfast and read books and tickle and feed Minnow treats and go for a walk, looking at birds and touching plants.  It lets me go to work feeling like we had a good hour and a half of quality time.  Last week, out of exhaustion and laziness, I slept in a few times and wasn't able to have this time with him.  It made for a lousy day.

:: Wednesday.  Its my new favorite day.  I'm not sure that I've had a favorite day before, but now it is definitely Wednesday.  Because Thursday is my Friday.  And Wednesday means its almost Thursday.

:: Cleanliness.  Its over-rated.  My house is a disaster, the laundry pile claiming most of the underwear and socks Jody and I own.  I have stopped obsessing over the dishes and the bathrooms and have been just letting myself slack off a bit, with no guilt.

:: 7:30.  Until 7:30 (Judah's bedtime), nothing gets done.  No phone calls are returned, texts unanswered.  Its 100% family time.  We talk about our days, we play games and walk to the park, we eat dinner and cuddle.  Its just the three of us, together.

I know many people wouldn't agree with certain decisions Jody and I are making right now.  For me to work, for Judah to be in daycare.  But it is what our family needs right now.  Yes, I would love to be home full-time.  Or have the luxury of working only a day or two a week.  But, I also feel incredibly lucky to have a job I love.  Not everyone can say that.  And I do love it.  I love the clients, my co-workers, floss and toothbrushes.

This is our life right now.  It is busy and exhausting and full.  But it is our life and we love it.

A glimpse into our daily morning routine.

Judah & his love affair with the master bedroom ceiling fan remote. 

As you can tell, he's quite pleased with himself.

:: concentration ::

:: happiness ::

:: excitement ::

:: bliss ::

:: Happy Birthday ::

my little love, there is nothing i haven't told you before.  the joy you bring, the happiness we have found in parenthood, the overwhelming love.

you are a year old now.  i feel so much right now, its hard to verbalize.  surprise that a year has passed, but also as though you have been my baby for a lifetime.  i can't remember life without you. 

i remember meeting you, taking each other in as you lay on my chest; you didn't cry at all, just looked back at me.  you looked nothing like i expected, but somehow i felt as though i knew you forever.

you have become your own person - so expressive and happy and a little 'goofer', as your dad likes to call you.  you crawl on the coffee table and love playing your drums.  you love books, especially "Corduroy goes to the doctor", much to my chagrin.  you dance and dance, bouncing up and down, at the slightest hint of music.  you sing your sweet sleepy song daily, so tired yet not wanting to miss a moment.  you are gentle, opting to hand deliver balls over throwing them.  you know when we tease you and reward us with cheesy grins.  you try so hard to talk, making sounds for birds, baths, dogs, yes and no.  you flirt with people everywhere we go.

i stared at you this morning as you slept.  taking in your full lips and long eye-lashes, every part of your angelic face.  i have a one-year-old, slowly passed through my mind.  it felt strange, but also exciting and wonderful.  i love life with you, my sweet boy.  i cannot wait to see what this next year holds.

you are our treasure, cherished and loved.

love your momma