blessed

I had this moment today as I watched Adam with his girls reading his handmade father's day cards and laughing together that they too, like me, are extremely lucky to have been blessed with an amazing father.

When I think about the man my father is and what he has taught me in this life I am reminded of my Adam. They are both one of the most sincere, genuine, and giving people I know. I am who I am today because of their loving influence in my life.

thank you for giving all of yourself to us.
we are so very blessed.

52 photo project | week 08 | outside the window

Adam and I sat watching the moon rise above the mountain outside our window as we attempted to escape the heat of the day. We let the rustling of the leaves and passerby-ers provide the only noise as we enjoyed the view, the cool breeze, and each other. Eventually, as our eyes felt too heavy to stand, we made our way inside and said goodnight to a busy day.

a day in the city

library
new books
reading passports
attic room
magazines
art gallery
ideas
cafe



glass elevators
roof top garden
lovely views
noise
waterfalls
foliage
summer heat



fresh cookies
gateway
more heat
fountains
shops
knick knacks
can we get a slushy?
apple accessories
mist

glist

right now I'm grateful for...



--the early light in the morning that gets me up
--the coolish breeze
--quiet time after a long busy day
--a husband who just knows to bring me home neilsen's frozen chocolate custard with toasted almonds
--friends who listen & understand
--possibility
--second chances
--a heartfelt thank you from one my girls
--inspiring images
--answered prayers
--my testimony
--good British tv when I just want to veg (check out Masterpiece theater: Collision)
--the farmers market
--the new cut grass smell
--books that keep me & the girls reading
--our right to choose for ourselves
--a family who bravely let's me try new recipes (tonight: skewed chicken with peanut sauce)
--our differences, that we each have something unique to give/share with each other


**what are you grateful for today?

everydayness | may

this is why we all make our own pizzas--lot of eating, lot of finger licking


turkey burgers--thanks for the idea meili


remember this game?


time with my lovely friends


miss meg the ballerina--taken the night of her recital


delightful morning view


like mother, like daughter


always a good time with this girl, well, except when you're exhausted.

12of12 | June

[click here to enlarge]

01. Sundays, the only day of the week I tend to sleep in, I love taking my time waking up. This is my view in the morning.
02. As a mother of three girls you need to leave extra time for hair.
03. walking to church
04. Megan, as usual, running ahead.
05. flowers along the way
06. Bella and Tess enjoying a quiet afternoon with a book.
07. A giant symphony bar is almost always apart of my Sunday afternoons.
08. Megan doing her part of dinner clean up.
09. Writing in my journal
10. Went for a walk in the evening, we did a lot of walks today, and found more flowers. It took us a long time to get there, but the weather lately has been perfect.
11. Adam finally made it home after a weekend of camping with friends. :)
12. The evening sunset

It was a delightful day together with my girls and grateful to be able to spend the evening with Adam as well. I hope it was an equally enjoyable day for all of you.

12of12 reminder

[june 2010]

With schedules changing as summer arrives, or at least mine has--I'm not even sure what day of the week it is let alone the date--I quickly wanted to remind you that tomorrow is the 12th.

Get ready. It's another full day of documenting the life you see. :)

52 photo project | week 07 | heart

not a moment will be lost as long as we have heart & voice to speak & we will walk again together with a thousand others & a thousand more & on & on until there is no one among us who does not know the truth: there is no future without love.

~storypeople

tess bday revisted

I'm certain if you asked Tess she would tell you her birthday was a success, that she very much enjoyed her day. Except for maybe one part--piercing her ears.


It was of course her choice, but apparently she wasn't quite prepared for the stick. She later told me it felt like they had stuck pins in her ears and I gently had to reminder her that's exactly what they did. I mostly felt bad for the poor little girl who was watching Tess get them done. I guess the mom should never had told her daughter to watch and see how easy it was.

But before all that we had breakfast together as a family. Tess is one to never really know how to handle the attention of a birthday so we had to ease her into the lime light.



Of course she seemed to handle it pretty well once we got to the party. Even though the weather didn't cooperate like I had hope, the rain was off and on enough that she was still able to ride her new bike.



Speaking of her bike, Adam and I got her pretty good. When we got out of the car at the park to unload everything she noticed we did not bring her "old" bike just Megan's. She was devastated and began to cry. I assured her I would ask Grandma and Grandpa to stop home and bring it, but when they showed they didn't have it either--all part of my plan. She was super bummed which made me more excited to give her the "new" bike. Instead of making her wait after dinner and waste all the good riding time I grabbed it out of the car and started riding around the park. I yelled at her to get her attention that I had her bike and come get it. She seemed sort of confused at first, but once she got it she chased me down. She was and still is excited about her new ride.



It was a great day from start to finish and I'm glad she thought so. Later that night she gave me a big hug and thanked me for a fun day. Bless her heart--I would happily do it again and again.



I still look at her and am amazed that she is already nine. Everyday I am grateful I get to learn from her and watch her grow. She is a little bit goofy and a lot sweet and all mine. love you tessinni--never change.

right now randoms

--I'm still having a hard time believing it's June. I hope the summer slows down & takes it's time.
--This week we are tackling each girls room. It's what we like to call end of school clean out. So far so good--it's so nice to see them helping each other.
--What I need to be tackling is my yard. We have some rough spots that need our love and attention.
--I had to quit p90x due to my back incision (drs orders), and believe it or not, I'm actually missing it. I am, however, enjoying my walks & seldom runs in the morning with friends.
--I'm hoping to entertain more this summer.
--I haven't watched regular TV in months, but I highly recommend Downtown Abbey a delightfully British TV show. Lori brought it to my attention a couple weeks ago and Adam & I are hooked.
--I've been in sort of a reading funk lately. Started the year off strong, but unfortunately it's petered out. Do you have a great book suggestion to bring me back?



--Although my tomato plant doesn't look like it's doing too well, it is bearing fruit. The strange weather we've had lately is beating on it. I'm hoping if I show it love daily it will continue to grow. Why am I so bad with plants?
--The girls started swimming again at the local high school every morning at 9am. The best news is that Megan can join them this year.
--Tess has shown interest in rock climbing so I'm thinking I'll get in on the action with her. Thought it might be a fun summer activity for the both of us.
--The summer just got more exciting. We won a week stay at a beach house in Laguna Beach, CA at our YW/YM fundraiser auction. We got it for a screaming deal and can't wait to take the girls to the ocean for the first time this summer.

summer begins now

[taken as they left the house on the last day]

There were tears shed by Megan, some frustration from Tess this afternoon when they thought no friends made it into their class next year (they were wrong), but it was the tears shed by me that surprised me. I so loved their teachers this year and appreciated the efforts of each one to help my child succeed. Truly I cannot thank them enough for everything they've done. When you're sending your child out the door you want to make sure they are going to a safe happy environment where they can thrive. We got that this year and so much more. I will missed not having them apart of my girls life next year.





But like they say, all good things must come to an end and we are all ready for summer to begin. A week or so ago I was a little apprehensive for the school year to end, but now that it's here I'm really looking forward to this time with my girls. We have big plans this summer to stay on task academically, we can't afford to loose what we gained this year, but more importantly, to enjoy the freedom of summer. After all, you only get one childhood and I want these memories together to be memories that last a lifetime.


Has summer break started for you?

52 photo project | week 06 | memory

It doesn't take long these days with social media around to get the word out, unfortunately it was not good news this time. I found out today my older brother's friend died yesterday in a plane crash. Knowing too well the loss that my high school friend is now experiencing for her brother has brought some very tender feelings back to my heart.

When my brother died there was a part of me that longed to go back in time when life was effortless and my world simple. When I didn't know the pain of loss and how it could devastate you. When I didn't have to think or concern myself with what came next I could just walked outside my door and a world was waiting to be created.

Sigh.



Those were the days, the carefree summers nights playing games with the neighborhood kids, our annual fourth of july swimming and fireworks with my cousins, riding horses in Star Valley, fishing, jumping in Lake Powell to cool off, playing star wars with my brother, sleeping in my doorway to feel the swamp cooler breeze, playing house in my tree house, walking to the dairy to get ice-cream, summer chores, sleepovers....etc. etc.

I can never go back to those innocent years and simpler times (honestly I don't want to), but I am grateful those memories have stayed with me long after other ones have faded because it's those carefree moments of running through the grass barefoot without a care in the world that have become a source of comfort and a continual reminder to me to let go, to not fear, to live with abandon--and heaven knows I need reminders.

I know life is fragile, and while I think we should continually keep our eyes focus on the now, our happy memories can be a source of peace and play a part in helping keep us on our desired course and live the life we always dreamed we would as a child. When you're a child anything is possible, why should we forget that now that we've long grown out of our childhood?

We shouldn't.

xo

summer journals

I have, since the time I was a little girl, been taught the importance of writing in a journal. For the longest time I always thought it was only for documenting history, and while I still think journal writing can have that purpose, I have recently realized writing for me has become a lot more. I'm a thinker, I know I've told you that before, so writing has been a great way for me to sift through the thoughts floating around my head. It's helped me to better understand who I am and where I want to go, to really evaluate what is worth holding onto and what needs to be let go. Writing is what's helped me clear up space in my head for what's really important.

With that said, I will admit I have not written in my journal for several months and it shows. I'm definitely more efficient when I write--I need it. I promised myself a few weeks ago I would start writing again, but sadly it hasn't happened. That's why when Megan brought home her journal from school and wanted to share it with the family we thought it a great opportunity to discuss the importance of writing.



So Monday night we gathered on our bed while Adam pulled out several old journals from his life and let us flip through them. His, of course, are full of words + drawings, which we all got a kick out of seeing. I loved that it showed the girls, who are not all strong in word, that journals can be a lot more--it's a way of expressing yourself freely, unedited. It can be what you need when you need it. As it turns out, Megan's were an example of the same, words + drawings, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the workings of her mind.


[ps she said i could share]

After looking through Megan's school journal and seeing how far she's come in the past 9 months I am challenging all of us to write in our journals daily. Not only is it a great way to keep up their writing skills over the summer, but it will be something we can all do together. I'm hoping it will be the beginning of a beautiful habit.


Do you have a journal?
Have you written in it lately?

good to be nine

my sweet Tess, who is awfully uncomfortable with the attention that comes from having a birthday, didn't even want me to sing her happy birthday this morning in the car on the way to breakfast. i did it anyway, like any good parent would, watching her squirm in her seat while her face blushed. it was the smile, however, that made me believe it was ok to keep going.

my sweet Tess is always the first one to put her arms around you and tell you everything is going to be ok and what can i do to help. she lovingly helped me take care of my back wound each morning even though it sickened her.

my sweet Tess is a pleaser. she wants to make you happy, sometimes i fear to her detriment, but she gives freely and i love that about her. she'd offer to share her ice-cream if yours fell on the ground.

my sweet Tess can be grumpy, but she always knows to take some moments alone to calm down.

my sweet Tess is a visual learner and loves any and all creative projects. she's been learning to sew, draws, and been taking photos. i'm so grateful these are all things we have in common.

my sweet Tess is my little tom boy. instead of playing with dolls and small character toys she'd rather be outside moving. lately it's biking that she's been drawn too. she was just complaining to Adam how her brakes don't work and would you please fix the chain on the other one. Adam kept putting her off knowing in a few hours she's going to get a new one. turns out i made the right call. i can't wait to surprise her.

my sweet Tess loves being with you. she doesn't really mind what you do as long as you do it together.



my sweet Tess is nine today and i celebrate the beautiful girl that she is.

a fortune

fortune: you find beauty in ordinary things. do not lose this ability
(click on fortune to see photo of actual fortune)

I have never had a fortune feel like it was written solely for me until this fortune. I pulled it out of a cookie the night my friend Amy took me for sushi for my birthday. It was one of those reaffirming ah-ha moments where I realized finding beauty out of the ordinary is what I love to do. Watching life unfold around me and capturing those moments is the driving force behind my photography. The best part is, with my family, I will never run out of things to document.



case in point:
A few weeks ago I found Bella reading to Megan after school. It was her way of spending time with Megan and getting her reading done at the same time--so she says. I, for one, am grateful I heard mumbling down the hall and stumbled upon this scene. I know when they're older and Bella is busy with friends Megan will love having proof that Bella spent time with her. And of course the umbrella just makes it that much sweeter for me. The funny thing is I can totally see us talking about this photo in twenty years and Megan asking what she was doing with an umbrella. I'd like to think she was staging the scene, that she knew I would be coming with my camera, but using it so randomly is just Megan's way--a little bit quirky, a little bit loud.

I'm so grateful life is chock-full of stories like these to tell.

you find beauty in ordinary things. do not lose this ability
i pray i never will.

52 photo project | week 05 | water

52photosproject

first impressions

if we met on a park bench with the smell of lavender in the air, i'd tell you...
my name is amy gretchen and some friends call me g.
i'm a stay at home mom that has still not found a good relationship with laundry.
i can easily pass on dessert, but not french fries.
i love getting lost in a book and usually cry when the story is over.
i love handwritten letters, but i don't write in my journal as much as i would like.
i have three beautiful girls and don't long for a son.
i am spending less time than ever on the computer and find it agrees with me.
i delight in being on time.
i live close to the mountains, but don't use them like i should.
i dream of roaming the world with adam and my camera.
i have a random manner of speaking that is often mistaken for humor.
i don't mind being lost, it often brings the best discoveries.

if we met over hot cocoa in the dim light, I'd tell you...
i rarely regret what I do only what I don't do.
i know life can be hard, unfair at times, and it's my faith in Christ that keeps me whole.
i believe british films can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one.
my greatest fear is not being enough for those who are counting on me.
i am a product of all that i have been through.
i hate that i am constantly falling short of where i want to be.
i want to be seen--understood.
i am grateful for my right to choose for myself.
i take photographs to share with the world a piece of me.
i don't need a lot, but i do need love.

xo

rainy days

i love...
the smell
the rich colors
the feel on my face
dancing in
the pitter patter against my window
the drops on my windshield
the misty mountains
the way the drops gently linger on the grass & trees

52 photo project | week 04 | ray of light

[bella & whitney at nanas | may 2011]

"a simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it."-unknown

their joyous laughter
their good morning hugs
their thoughtful cards
their "i love yous"
their contagious smiles
their funny phrases
their goodnight kisses
their unconditional love are all pieces of light they share with me each day making my day that much brighter. The joy and richness they bring to my life are immeasurable and far beyond what I ever thought possible when I was innocently daydreaming with my friends over summer break.

Where light is you will find no darkness--my life is full of light. I am grateful to my four for making it so.

over the weekend

annual school art night: the girls got to showcase their many forms of art. It is always so enjoyable to walk through the halls and see what the kids have been working on all year.



project: I made this for my friends sister (she came up with the phrase) and then took photos of said sister Saturday. Enjoyable afternoon.



Soccer game: spent a windy morning at the park watching Megan. With comments like, is the game over yet, I'm thinking she's mentally come to the end of her season even though she still has one game left. She did get her first goal though.

12of12 | may

Is it just me or has blogger been unavailable since last night? Glad we're back on track. :)


[click here to enlarge]

01. Slept in til 7:30am. The surgery I had Wednesday took more of a toll on me then I thought. In fact this was the first 12of12 that I had a hard time doing—my camera is too heavy for my weak back.
02. This is one of my favorite flowering trees in my yard—I’m patiently waiting for it to bloom. Almost there.
03. Bella’s morning violin practice. Isn’t that lovely light at 7:30am?
04. Girls on their way to school
05. Tess reading with Megan before school
06. Had lunch with one of my favorite people, Eryn. Excited she’ll be in town for a few more months.
07. The weather has been so beautiful today. Enjoyed sometime outside waiting for my girls to walk home.
08. Girls enjoying a Creamie after school
09. Documenting the bandage that takes up half my back. I had a mole removed yesterday that was “severe atypical” and was on its way to being melanoma. If you haven’t been to the dermatologist lately make an appointment. Now.
10. On my nightstand
11. Tulips found on a walk in the avenues with Amy. Tulips are a novelty to me. Since it’s on the top of the deers “to eat list” no one in our neighborhood has them.
12. Watching the sun set over the capital. Unfortunately my battery died so my iphone had to take over.

So like I said, it was kind of a weird day for me not feeling 100%. I guess I just thought since the surgery was on my back i wouldn’t have any down time. Apparently I need to take some and give my body a break—I think I did way too much.

I hope your day was really great. With spring full bloom it must be nice getting outside, at least it was for me. If you played along add your link to mr. linky below. I’m looking forward to seeing spring from around the globe.

52 photo project | week 03 | i found it on the ground

I admittedly did cheat this week, I took this picture a long time ago, but I thought it was ok because I can say with certainty there is sidewalk chalk that has again weathered the winter months tucked away under the brush.

Seeing it now puts a smile to my face. This is proof that children are here, happily imagining, busily creating, getting lost exploring, and enjoying the outside world. I love it here.


go here to learn more about the 52 photo project

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

just a quick reminder for those who are participating in the 12of12 challenge that tomorrow is the 12th.

glist

i'm grateful for...

-mothers day wild flowers found throughout my home
-adam's suggestion that i go to the dermatologist. i'm having surgery next week to remove more of my "atypical" mole & surrounding skin
-changes in our ward boundaries
-starting the morning off exercising with friends
-homemade hot cocoa on rainy spring days
-this app that helps me easily rent an audiobook from the library
-finding motivation
-personal revelation
-those who have reached out to me through email
-adam's knack for finding good music (digging iron by woodkid--prefer the gucci remix)
-getting some answers with tess' on again off again abdominal pain
-breakfast for dinner
-clean sheets
-bbc films
-handwritten notes
-promise of summer vacation (4 weeks)
-the kind of laughter that makes your abs hurt & eyes weepy
-late night confessions

0509

I would never have guess, I could never had known that saying yes to "hang out with a few co-workers" would have ever turned into the beginnings of my future life.



But there we were, after weeks of flirting and friendly banter, alone, making our way to his car to begin our first of all dates.

I can't say for certain what either of us were thinking when the evening was over, but it was the evening that began our courtship. We spent the majority of the night listening to Clannad while talking meaningfully about the life we had lived and shared intimate moments of who we were. I know I enjoyed his company and I was certain he enjoyed mine as we parted ways, but the thing that stands out to me the most now and did all those years ago was the ease in our togetherness, never forced or contrived, the conversation flowed.

Yesterday as Adam and I sat after church talking the hours away that I would normally be napping, I thought of that night, our very first date, sixteen years ago today that we spent together laughing and crying. There was a level of trust that had formed between us and a bond created that has never been broken. To this day it is not unheard of to find us together, deep in conversation, for hours at a time. In many ways our conversation has changed and in many way it is very much the same, but whether the topic of life, dreams, improvement, purpose, love, and happiness has caught our attention, it is very much us that brings us together.

"Ah, good conversation - there's nothing like it, is there? The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing." -Edith Wharton (Age of Innocence)

Sixteen years later and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The secret is not in your hand or your eye or your voice, he told me once. The secret is in your heart. Of course, he said, knowing that doesn't make it any easier.
-storypeople