52 photos project * Nourish *

One of my intentions for this year was to improve my photography skills, both technically and creatively. As such, I'm always on the lookout for reasons to take photos and for prompts that help me think of unique ways to express myself photographically.

So, you can imagine my delight when I heard about my girl Bella's new collaborative photo project 52 photos. Basically, she posts a prompt every Sunday and on Wednesday, I (and everyone else playing along) will post our photographic interpretation of that word. I'm so excited to participate!

The word for this week is 'Nourish', which could not be more perfect for me. I just returned from vacation in Hawaii and there is nothing that is more nourishing to me than to spend time by the sea. The water soothes and calms me like nothing else can. I am drawn to the power of the waves and the rhythm of the tides. I am intrigued by the mysterious beauty that shows itself, bit by bit, as treasure wash up on shore. I am awed by it's vastness and comforted by it's continuity. The ocean nourishes me.

Sunrise on Kailua Bay, Oahu, HI

Checking Out

Because I need a break. badly.
Because I haven't taken a vacation that's all about me...well....ever.
Because I completely trust that my child will be safe and loved by my sister.
Because I get to spend a few days with the twinners first.
Because I can't wait to sink into the peace that I can only find by the ocean.
Because salty skin and sunscreen is my recipe for heaven.
Because I get to spend time with this amazing woman.
Because it's about time.

I'm heading out for a couple of weeks of fun, family, sun, sand and surf.
See you on the flip.

April 12of12

Click the photo to enlarge

1. The cherry trees in front of my condo are blossoming. One of my favorite signs of spring!

2. I'm not trying to be vulgar, I'm showing you my broken finger. But no surgery required! Yay! I do have to go to 'Hand Therapy' though, although I'm not even sure what it is.
3. Current read - very good but a bit tough to take. The words, though....the words are beautiful.
4. How I look during a conference call. I do this often.
5. My friend and co-worker Tricia making her first cameo on my blog. She is hilarious and helps me with all my dumb questions. Couldn't ask for a cooler person to work with.
6. I filled up my gas tank today. Yeeeeeesh. Good thing we don't do much driving- a tank lasts a week or more.
7. The lovely Candace. My office is between hers and Tricia's. It's lovely. Location, location, location!
8. Afternoon herbal tea break.
9. I had a photo tutoring date with the beautiful and insanely talented Alisha. I learned more about light and exposure and using my camera in this one hour of instruction from her than I have ever by myself or reading books on the subject. She's a phenomenal teacher and her work is, well...nothing short of amazing. Check her out here.
10. I let Riley pick what we had for dinner and she picked Hires for fries, root beer and bacon, her favorite meal for a girl date. Weird kid.
11. Finished off the evening with a quick trip to Target. She loves the circle.
12. Cool door handles from my photo walk.

Grateful.

Today, I am grateful for:

-Sunday afternoon visits from friends who are out-and-about on an alphabet walk.
-The anticipation of a busy but productive week ahead.
-Learning to say no to what doesn't serve me.
-Hot baths with essential oils and gentle piano music in the background.
-Sudafed, Vitamin C and a killer immune system.
-GoodReads.
-Forgiving, letting go, moving on.
-My little girl's wild, colorful imagination and her inquisitive nature.
-This talk from last week's LDS General Conference.
-Phone dates with long distance friends.
-The ingredients for a week of healthy meals waiting in my refrigerator.
-Prayers that are answered in a way I couldn't have anticipated.
-Finally feeling like I have organized, tossed, and recycled my way into a clean, manageable home.
-Homemade brownies and wise advice, both courtesy of a very kind, very insightful friend.
-It's getting to be that time of year - time to ride my bike.
-Feeling very much at home in my own skin.

What are you grateful for today?

Riley-isms

This girl....She keeps me on my toes.
A few nights ago, I heard Riley tossing and turning in her bed for more than an hour, muttering to herself that she "just didn't know", and "just couldn't remember".
Finally, I went in and asked if there was something on her mind.
She turned on her side, looked at me very seriously, and said "Mama, I just can't remember."
"Can't remember what?" I asked, trying to figure out what could be so important that it was keeping her from falling asleep.
"I just can't remember...what it was that Peter Piper Picked?!"
"Uh....you mean... a Peck of Pickled Peppers?" I replied, shocked that this is what had kept her up.
"Oh, yes! That's it. Thanks, Mom!"
And she rolled over and fell right to sleep.

**************************************
Last night, Riley asked me where we could buy a Daddy that could go to church with us on "Church Days" and a little sister who we could name Olive.

I told her we'd look at Costco tomorrow.

If only it were that easy, huh?

(I have no idea where she came up with the name 'Olive' but I actually really dig it.)

**************************************

Four Good (but sort of random)Things

I don't really like chocolate, but I love how pretty Easter kisses are.

**Last fall, my Hannah kept telling me to take strength training more seriously, to work it into the swim-bike-run routine I had going. Swore it would improve my tri workouts. Swore I'd grow to love it. Yeah, yeah....I listened to her. Sorta. But not really. And then I ripped my hip-flexor in November and couldn't do much but strength training. And then I sorta started to like it. And then I really started to like it. And so I kept doing it. And then my hip-flexor healed and I kept up the strength training, while adding the running and swimming back into the mix. And then I started riding again this season, and lo and behold - I'm STRONGER! And FASTER! Like, a LOT faster! I can push bigger gears for a longer time! This is HUGE, people! (ok, maybe only for me, but still...I'm excited.)

Moral of the story: Listen to Hannah (except about making your own yogurt because let's just be honest, we all know yogurt is gross.)

**We're making serious progress on the "go-to-bed" routine around here. It usually takes about 30 minutes, which is significantly shorter than the 2 hours it was eating up a few weeks ago.

**Brown Rice + Almond Milk + Fresh Fruit + teeny bit of Agave = Best. Breakfast. Ever. So yummy and keeps me full of consistent, steady energy all morning. I am NOT a breakfast eater, and I actually wake up excited to eat this stuff. Try it. And then send me a present for telling you about it. It's that good.

**Two weeks from now, I'll be in California, getting ready to depart for Hawaii. I'm flying to CA first because Riley is staying with my sister and her family while I am gone (She's beyond excited to see her aunt and uncle and the twinners). So, besides going on the trip I have been dying to take, I get to see the sister I have been dying to see. So excited. For all of it.

*********************

What if....

...we looked for the good first, in every person, idea and situation?

...we moved playing with our family, friends, and loved ones at the top of our "to-do" list?

...we sought wisdom instead of information, connection instead of crowds, communion instead of congregation?

...we understood that it took real strength to cry?

...we allowed ourselves to dream impossible dreams, and then began to put one foot in front of the other towards them?

...we stopped trying to fix everything and began asking for help?

...we stopped worrying about what we are doing wrong and started celebrating what we are doing right?

...we focused on naming gratitude instead of placing blame?

...we stopped judging ourselves harshly, and instead gave ourselves the same kindness and compassion we show others?

...we owned our talents and our strengths?

...we walked wherever we could?

...we led with our hearts and trusted our intuition, because they always know the truth?

...we began to play with our edges, acknowledging that the most amazing experiences are often found at the fringe?

...we changed our minds about what "failure" meant?

...we acknowledged that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, because it's unlikely anyone is even really thinking that much about you?

...we dropped the anger, released the grudges, and let the sweet peace of forgiveness soothe the rough patches in our soul?

...we stopped beating ourselves up for making poor decisions, and instead recognized them as some of life's greatest learning experiences?

...we stopped defining ourselves by our achievements, the size of our jeans, or the balance of our bank accounts and instead described ourselves by the moments that left us breathless?

...we loved with a heart that was wide-open and vulnerable, and trusted that those we share it with would protect it as vigilantly (or even more so) as we do?

...we accepted compliments with a simple "thank you", knowing that they are genuine and well-deserved?

...we spent time learning, studying and really understanding our own belief system, and we allowed others the time and freedom to do the same?

....we stopped trying to be normal, and instead let our freak flags fly?

...we collectively agreed that rest was sacred and bedtime was heralded as the most important event of the day?

*************
I'm working on putting some of these ideas into practice in my own life.
I fully expect some of them to rock my world.

Which one do you think would change your world the most?