P52 Week 1

I did it. I made it through the first week. ha. I know it is silly to find some happiness in that but it would have been very easy to not participate in week one and then abandon ship, so I am proud. :) 

For the My Four Hens  group, the prompt was "Resolution" and my photo: 

For the Paint the Moon group, the prompt was "Sharing" and my photo:

Mia and I had gone to see "ChipWrecked" and since movie critics, we are not, we enjoyed it! 

I did bring out the camera for a little fun photoshoot with Mia. We made this little pom-pom garland and found some gray seamless paper and did a quick little Valentine's set-up. I also had a cute chalkboard but I am saving those photos for later! :) 

And now, that I have typed past midnight, it is officially Friday the 13th and my sweet girls 12th brithday. My heart feel joy and a twinge of pain all in the same moment.. she is such a little grown up yet, she is my baby. ♥

Magical.

Sometimes late at night (anyone else start singing that Garth Brooks song when they hear that phrase?!)

Ok, back to the thought at hand. Sometimes, when I am just sitting in the quiet and mostly dark house, I wish for something magical in this life. You know, that moment that some people capture, that "aha" moment when life all makes sense and the bad doesn't seem all bad and somewhere deep down you feel like you can conquer anything.
It is that image, of smiling children, of laugh lines that are amazingly beautiful, that image of something that just brings warmth to your soul and "throw your head back" kind of laugh to your face. I know that I have so much in my life that is good- in fact, just as often my evenings are spent in awe of the blessings that I have and the people who love me and who I love.
I think I am learning that the magic that I seek, is in the everyday. The moments are there, but I miss them because I am focused on what is next... what is on my to-do list, the laundry, the dishes, the homework... and if I could just stop in the midst of it all. If I could find the magic in the folding of laundry... it really is there...I know it because I've experienced a second of it... ever hold up your "babies" favorite shirt and remember what she was like 5 years ago and how much she has grown? Or scrunch up your husbands tee shirt and breathe in the smell of the one you married? See, it is there, but I get so wrapped up in finishing. completing. the end. I just want to be "in the moment" at least once a day... to recognize what is right in front of me.

I pinned this some time ago to try and remind myself. I need to remind myself of this every. single. morning. Because truth is- I love those moments... and I know, they aren't "magic" they are blessings...each one of them.

Photo Credit

No camera action... yet

Ok, ok, if I have to be completely honest and provide full disclosure, I will. My family has recently fallen into a trap... a black hole of tv...and all for one show: Storage Wars.
Do not ask how, as I am not really sure, but it is indeed true that we have watched "a few" episodes the past 2 evenings.
I am not usually big on TV outside of my regular schedule...
Monday is Hart of Grace and Castle
Tuesday is New Girl and Parenthood
Wednesday is Revenge
Thursday is Grey's and Private Practice
Sunday is Once Upon a Time
Yep- that 7 and a 1/2 hours is juuust enough for me. Or it was, anyway!

I do have an idea brewing for some fun photos so I am excited and my mind is working so that is progress!

Until then, just one little pic that I already shared on Facebook, but will document here too. Two of my favorite people...

Twenty Twelve

It is always nice to begin at the beginning and so that is what I decided to do!

This year, among all the other standard traditions, I would really like to get back to being the creative girl that I once was. I used to scrapbook for hours, I enjoyed blogging and working on photos... but over the past few years, I have set all that aside. The time has come to reclaim!

Fair warning, I might fail, and if I do, that is okay too. Sometimes creativity changes and you realize what you once truly enjoyed, may not give that same satisfaction. That said, I am taking some steps to help me succeed... participating in some Project 52's. Each week a prompt will be given and I will take one photo that represents that word. I am really looking forward to this and hope that when Twenty Thirteen (!) rolls around, I will have 52 beautiful photos to show for it.

Looking forward to posting more and can't wait to see what 2012 brings- I am praying for goodness and laughter, healing and hope!

And life changes before your eyes!

Wow. You know that moment when you look at your child and wonder just when she grew 2 inches? Just when did she become so independent? Just when did she start to mature? These are the questions that I am asking myself when I look at my daughter. 

I've always said it is bittersweet and I think I feel this way with each passing year so I am not sure why is surprises or catches me off guard. 

My girl will be starting middle school in just over a month and I have to be honest, I feel completely lost. I am not even sure what she'll need in regards to school supplies! The elementary days were a little easier- I knew what to expect, I had worked with children that age in the past but this, it is all new and I am feeling a little scared. I am sure that just like everything else, in these next few years, we'll work through the good times and maybe some hard times... some friendship issues, perhaps a heartbreak or two (oh my!) and I am sure my first middle school battle might just be about make-up! :)

It is never far from my mind just how blessed we are to have this child and what an amazing gift her life really is...all of our lives, actually. :)

When Daddy is away....

Mia and Mama play! :) Last weekend, Joe was out of town for work and so we had a couple of "Mama Mia" days! Here is a little photo diary of some of what we did. It was a good time and we enjoyed our girls weekend! I love my girlie and she makes this life a million times sweeter!

Visited my mom
 

Had a rare breakfast! Yummy!

Mia found a new fav. store 

We had Faygo...in glass bottles

  

We stopped in a random field for pics

I let her have the camera! 

I got the camera back!

  

We visited Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jimmy

♥

Tap, tap, tap...is this thing on!?

It probably isn't a good thing when you have to go searching through your many blog links to remember where your own blog can be found! Only half kidding! ;)

My good friend Kristi was talking about blogging this week for the first time in awhile and I myself had been thinking the same thing. I have really missed having a place where I could just ramble on and keep a running log of all the little things that happen from day to day. So, here I am. Ready to jump back in.

It has been a long time since I've blogged and just blogged about life in general instead of just writing about losing my Dad. I find myself in a slightly different position now... not emotionally, so much, as I still feel the same about him... just a little different about the situation. There is a healing that takes place when you realize that the love and the days were enough and all the other noise surrounding is just that- noise. There is also a wonderful peace that comes when you don't feel guilt or anger.

So, I can't wait to share my stories about my kid... my life...my pictures...and maybe, juuuust maybe a scrapbook page or two! It has been a long time since I've really been able to be creative and the reason for that has mostly been my computer...it was "elderly" and moved a little slower but I have remedied that issue and I am ready to Photoshop my heart out! :)

So, welcome back, little blog, welcome back to the land of the living. And of course, here is a picture share. I have more that will go along with it but short story for now: Joe went away for work and Mia and I had a little girls weekend... we were just plain silly and we laughed....a lot.

Mama and Mia Self Portrait 7.16.2011