What They Don't Tell You

As moms we pass the wisdom down from generation to generation...

Don't blink... the time goes so fast... before you know it he will be driving or she will be going off to college...

In our hearts we know it is true. From the sleep deprived days of sobbing into the newborn clothes as we put them away and pull out the next size, we know in our hearts that these days are numbered. 

No one tells you that in the middle of a busy getting-ready-for-school morning. The youngest will take off the "rainbow dash" shoes she decorated for herself with such pride last year and announce that they are too small and she wants older kid shoes now.

No one tells you that those little shoes will be left there on the floor, in front of the heater where she always gets dressed, as if it doesn't even matter that she is walking away from the rainbow dash days.

We keep trying. We try to prepare younger moms for these moments. We keep passing on the wisdom in hopes that the next mom will slow down a little more, soak in the moments more often, say yes a little more often. Because one of these days no one in your house will say that rainbow dash is their favorite color.

In Praise of the Normal

After a rough spell with blinding pain in my head for days then another week of recovery my life has returned to normal this week.

Yeah the normal of this week includes sick children and doctor visits and antibiotics for the 2 with strep. It includes trips to Walmart and juggling who drives which vehicle when and where. It includes the irritation of getting in the vehicle, a little late for an eye doctor appointment, to be greeted by the low fuel level warning and the phone dying as I attempt to send a not so cheerful message to the person who last drove said vehicle. It includes new driver training and looking at very sore throats with my phone flashlight in the middle of the night.

But normal is good.

It includes extra time with kids home from school. It includes chores done well by a proud 9 year old. It includes an early arrival home from work for Keith during tax season. It includes the end of basketball season and the beginning of more time at home for the boys. It includes laughing over the different options available when ordering glasses online with Annika.

It is a combination of the funny, the busy, the frustrating, the well, and the sick moments that make up my life right now. Normal is good. I cannot help but look around and praise God for the normal moments of this life of mine.

Phoenix Or {And} Bust

I did it. I went to Phoenix for a photography workshop. It was amazing. The ladies who planned it went above and beyond. It was fun and it was educational. I learned so much and I'm super excited to build on what I've learned.

We did a photo shoot with teen models in a salvage yard one afternoon. I had never done a shoot in a salvage yard, but I totally loved it. The colors and props and textures were so varied. I would love to do that again and intend to try to find one around here that will let photographers in.

We had a lesson on free lensing one morning. That is where you hold your lens in front of your camera rather than actually attaching it. It is difficult, but it gives you focus options that are so creative.

We also took a sunrise walk in the desert. It was so beautiful. But I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Shooting photos of families, learning to know new people and strengthening relationships with ladies I had met before, seeing beauty in a totally different environment from what I am accustomed to... all of these things were part of the time there.

Unfortunately, a migraine was also part of my time there, that is where the bust part of the post title comes in. It started on Thursday, the day after I arrived and lasted until several days after I got home. It was the fly in my ointment for sure. I shot quite a few pictures through sunglasses, relying on my camera's light meter. Thankfully, I did get some lovely pictures that I'm very happy with.

At the end of my trip I even got to spend some time with my sweet Aunt Beverly. I had so much fun spending time with her. My Uncle David, whom I had not seen in probably 15 years came to her house and we all had dinner together. It was truly a perfect end to my trip. She even let me take her picture while I was there!

I can't wait for next year. I can't tell you how fun these workshops are. And how educational. I have never been part of anything like this before. It is like building family, community. It is what we all long for and I am very thankful to be part of this group.