RDV

While in Europe I took SPs where ever I could. This just happens to be one of my favorites. Walking down the small streets of Sorrento Italy (near Naples) when I came upon this wall of paintings and one long mirror. Immediately I felt apart of the art and had to quickly captured the moment before I lost our friends (most of the trip felt like that, as I scurried around to get the shot before moving on). It wasn't until I got home that I recognized it's significance to me.

Last year, and for a lot of my life, I've felt like a picture on a wall watching others around me experiencing life. Feeling lost, never really knowing where to jump in, I continued to watch. It was a conscious decision, one Adam and I call a "Random Declaration of Victory" or RDV, when I decided to start living in the moment. Letting go of the past, my heartache, that which was keeping me closed off, and allowed Amy to shine and just be. Live. Everyday.

It's amazing how my life has changed in the time that has past. Though, bad days come, as they always do, I feel I'm more capable of dealing with life's frustrations and realize there is always tomorrow, a fresh start. Got to love the gift of a fresh start.

I'm glad I took that moment to take this photo. It has served to remind me of what I have chosen to give myself now, a full life. Now when I feel my commitment fading, the negativity spreading, I look at this photo and remember how horrible it was to feel lost in the background. I live. Laugh. Cry. Experience all that I can and hopefully along the way i will find that woman I see staring back at me. The one I want to be. The one I know I can be.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

There I am outside with my new cute shoes on lounging back in a chair with my feet kicked up on the railing as if it were spring weather. Unfortunately this is what I'm really enjoying (all of which came down between 8am-11am). Yes, the mountains are beautiful, but the cold and shoveling all that snow...not so much. Why am I out here then, it's definitely a great place to hide when trying to get away from loud grumpy children.

I like this idea of "putting our best foot forward." Pushing aside those things that pull us down and doing what we know to make us a better person. Essentially our best foot will always benefit others. It's really something I would like to ponder more about. Thanks for the challenge Lelly and for making me think.

31 years and counting

photo by amy f last Saturday (thanks amy)

So it’s my birthday. A day I fully welcome, embrace, and hope I will all the years of my life. It’s a day that brings with it refection and evaluation. I always wonder, “Am I a better person?” “Have I grown in the last 12 months?” etc. So today as I sit in contemplation about turning 31 and the last year of my life, I remember all that I’ve been through and realize it was just in the last year that I was finally able and willing to accept and move on.


Last year when I turned 30 I knew it would be something different. I don’t know why, except I guess I was ready to let go. Ready to face my fears. Ready to explore more fully the person that I am. Ready to love and accept who “she” is. Ready to get rid of the garbage I had held onto for way to long in my 20’s. I’m happy to report to myself that in fact my first year as a thirty year old was a different year. It felt like a different life I was living. It certainly wasn’t easy, and I fought the change most the way, but how grateful I am for the emotional weight that has lifted. Now what I am left with is the potential to fill my life with goodness. Happiness. Doing. Gratitude. Love.

I am excited about this coming year. I can wait to see what's in store. I feel it has the makings of being the best year of my life thus far.

Of course I couldn't have done it without the support of those I love in my life. Namely my dear husband. He is good to me. So good to me at times I feel undeserving of his love, but am utterly grateful for it. He has been so sweet to me the past few days. Doing what he can to make my day a wonderful memorable birthday. He made dinner and cake and gave me some very thoughtful gifts...one that brought me to tears. I will share it when I finally take a photo, but for now I'm just getting cozy ready to take a nap.

My favorite Sunday nap.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Coincidentally I have taken self-portraits both today and yesterday without knowing there was a challenge/invitation given by Lelly until I read Jill's post tonight. Actually I take them quite frequently, every month and a half or so. My philosophy, if I don't take photos of myself there won't be any to share with my children later in life (It's rare the camera gets in the other hands). I had planned on using them for another day, my day, but thought I would share one with you. A silly one.

I've already loved what I've seen. Thanks for the inspiration ladies.