light | 04/52

I watch this little guy on Tuesdays and must say, his sweet calming spirit has the ability to add so much light, not only to my day, but to the girls as well.

We've loved having him around.

project life | first three weeks

The year project life had it's big start I wanted to give it a go. I was excited to be able to document our everyday life this way, but also felt realistic about the amount of time I would be able to spend on it. It just seemed like the perfect solution. Unfortunately the kits sold were at a very limited quantity so I never did get one and my desire sort of fizzled out -- (for some reason when I don't start at the beginning I have a hard time jumping in in the middle). So I found 12of12 and started doing that project.

At the end of 2010 I decided to give project life another chance. I purchased Becky Higgins kit and had every intention of diving in. I can't be sure what happened, but the box sat in my room for nearly two years -- yes I looked at the box, unopened mind you, for two years. It always haunted me, but somehow I was able to put it out of my head and stopped seeing it every time I walked in my studio.

Fast forward to the end of 2012. I started getting excited again about working on this project. I have loved 12of12 and will continue to participate in it, but last year I lost so many stories just by failing to write them down that I was determined to have something to help me get back on track. So I grabbed the box, whipped off the dust, and pulled out my kit. Admittedly I wasn't in love with the kit as I must have been when I bought it originally so I sold many of the pieces, but was able to use the binder and plastic sleeves. I also purchased the seafoam addition that suited my style and the direction I wanted to go this year. 

I am three weeks in and loving it. I can't believe I waited so long to do it. I suppose I didn't want to start a project I knew I wouldn't' finish and so I always hesitated, but I feel like I've missed out these four years. It's easy and simple and by scheduling time every week to put the weekly page together I am staying on top of it. What I'm saying is it's very doable. 

Right now I am keeping track of our week with a medium size moleskin graph journal. That way I can even play with the layout ahead of time when I know the photos and/or words I want to include. Also I'm having Adam help me as well. When he's out with the girls one on one like he was Saturday I asked him to take some shots of their time together or when he's out of town, which it seems he will be quite a bit I will put it in our week. 

Have you heard about project life?

Are you doing it?

week one | 01-05 January




6x12 insert of a blog post


I am also including Bella's instagram photos as well.

week two | 06-12 January






I chose to included my 12of12 with an insert. I wanted to keep the photos square so I added the journaling at the bottom.




week three | 13-19 January

missing the one photos of adam and megan. just need to print it.

light | 3/52

I brought my camera to church to take some photos of the primary children for a mural they are working on. While waiting I saw a mirror, and well, I couldn't help take the shot. When I got home and looked through my images I stopped on this one -- I didn't realize I had captured the painting of Christ with the little children along side my reflection. It made me smile, I love that painting, and then the song I Am a Child of God played through my head.



It's one of the very first songs I remember learning as a little girl and singing, not only in church, but with my family at home. Years later I sang it to my girls when I would put them down to sleep or when they were scared to calm their fears. It's still to this day a very comforting song to me. It brings light when darkness threatens to cloud my spirit, reminding me that I am and will never be alone in this vast world of growing uncertainty. I have no doubt who I am, where I came from, and where I want to be -- this alone brings peace beyond measure to my life.


Below is my favorite verse of the song. Go here to read more and/or listen to the song.

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I'll live with him once more.

Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

first attempt

One of my wants this year is to learn Adobe Illustrator. Ouch! I know. The program is a beast, but I am determined. I've tried playing around with it in the past, but got so frustrated I decided Photoshop would have to suffice.

Until now.

As you know, I've been very interested in graphic design. I'm tired of just dreaming about it and really want to push further, which unfortunately means getting uncomfortable. The more I looked into my ultimate goal, my own designs, the more I want to use the tools in Illustrator that will make the creations easier and quicker.

After 2 weeks of playing in the program, believe it or not, I am picking up on it rather quickly, but I'm not the only one. Megan has been watching me and finally asked if she could take a turn. I taught her some of the basics and this is what she created.

Titled: Kitty with Leg Warmers



This is her first attempt.

Adam and I have both recognized lately, not only how much her artistic eye and skills are growing, but how often she spends her time with paper and pen in hand. We should have known her attention to detail would have been expressed this way. All her school work comes home with doodles all over it. I hope she keeps this up.

Can't wait to see where she goes as she evolves.

12of12 | January

[enlarge]

01. On our way

02. Ice formations on the window -- it's cold out this morning.

03. Bagel day -- not even the snow will stop us.

04. Getting a workout with the girls dancing to Just Dance 4.

05. We decided to go sledding up in the canyon. The hill/slope was really small so it was hard to get any really speed, but when you did, you had a long trek back.

06. Five sets of boots

07. Bella didn't last long sledding. She spend the last bit in the car trying to warm up.

08. Megan and Tess had the best time. They didn't even know they were frozen till we left.

09. How could Adam and I resist going down together.

10. A new toy. I got the Bamboo tablet with some of my amazon gift cards for Christmas. Thanks all! I'm really looking forward to playing with it and learning illustrator this year.

11. View sledding (iphone)

12. Saying good night from my studio.


The majority of my collage is from the beginning our our day because, sadly, I accidentally erased 1/2 my photo card. Deep breath. I don't have the words at how bummed I am that it happened. I really don't get it. My camera changed the date back to 1/1/2000, so somehow the photos got missed when I went to import them. My heart hurts every time I remember a photo that I can't get back. Deep breath.
I am choosing to let it go -- there' s nothing I can do about it now. Sigh! I hope you all had better luck than me.

Actually I really hope you all had a great day. I know we did. Always fun when the 12th lands on a Saturday.

So I'm mixing it up this year and trying a new link system. You should easily be able to share your link and choose the photo you want to put in the thumbnail. If you run into any troubles let me know, I will make a tutorial (have been unable to find one).

still no snow day

This was yesterday morning.



We woke up to at least two feet of snow and still the kids were not given a snow day. Bummer for them. Apparently as a state, we're just too prepared for the snow. I guess it's a good thing. :)

I loved it, especially because I had no reason to go out in it and it kept the inversion away. What a beautiful day!


p.s. I got a message from the district last night apologizing for not cancelling school. Oops!

here we go again | 12of12

If there is possibly a way for me to do a year in review in 2012, it's using my 12of12 photos. I wasn't good at all last year at sharing my everyday, but when I look through my twelve collages I have a great representation of what last year was like (I hope if you participated in 2012 you're feeling the same). It was the one project I did and finished all the way through and I can't be happier about seeing them all together.

Twenty Twelve

January | Thursday

February | Sunday

March | Monday

April | Thursday

May | Saturday

June | Tuesday | St. George, UT

July | Thursday 

August | Monday

September | Thursday | Squam Lake, NH

October | Friday

November | Monday

December | Wednesday

I have to be honest, when January hit I considered, quite seriously, if I would do the 12of12 challenge again this year. I am tackling other projects (more to come on that) and wasn't sure if I had it in me to do this too, but when it came down to do, I don't think I could really give it up. It really is one of my favorite ways to document our year.

If you are new to the 12of12 challenge please visit my first post here, which explains the who, what, where, and whys. Basically you take photos on the 12th of each month and share 12 photos that you feel best represent your day. It maybe of something you don't want to forget, it maybe of a book you're reading, it maybe of a specific routine you always do that day of the week. Whatever it is, take photos you think will best represent where you are and how you're feeling -- your everyday.

Have a look at my other years to get a better understanding.
Twenty Ten
Twenty Eleven


What do you think? Will you be joining me this year for 12of12?

Glist

Today I'm grateful...



for clear skies. I loved being able to see the valley again.

for time with my friend Amy and her advice that life isn't life without sugar. We should limit instead of eliminate. I accept.

to stumble upon kid doodles.

to get our snow blower fixed just as we usher in another winter storm.

for the mild weather. It's 30 degrees --downright balmy.

for finding time for my hope tos.

for a space heater that's keeping my studio nice and cozy.

for leftovers, which made an easy, yet satisfying lunch.

for my girls honesty.

for snowy evenings safe at home.

for a family movie night -- we watched born to be wild.

for a new blank journal.


What are you grateful for today??

hypocrite

I walked into my closet this morning and looked down at my feet...



I am such a hypocrite :)

In our home we've emphasized the importance of being clean and organized. I find it really hard to get anything accomplish when there's chaos all around -- not to mention how hard it is to have light in my life when where I live and work is in disarray. I find I first need to attack the mess before I can do anything else, which lately means I haven't been able to spend time on what I want -- there is always something to put in order.

In the past we've had systems in place (charts) for the girls to help them get all their essential activities done, e.g. homework, practice, etc., and they've worked out really well, but over the years we've been lax on those systems and everything has seemed to fall apart in that department just as their lives have become more complicated.

Suddenly I've had enough.

After feeling like our stuff is beginning to own us, I've been going from room to room decluttering like mad. Over the break I did the entire basement plus the girls rooms. Saturday I did our library. We've given away about 35 large garbage bags full of clothes, toys, books, etc., not to mention the amount we've thrown away. Since then I can't believe how much lighter I feel after getting rid of all the stuff that's weighing me down.

But

Then I come into my closet, which made me think of my studio, the two spaces in my house that are completely mine, and my heart sunk. How can I possibly talk about picking up after oneself, cleaning, and organizing when my own personal spaces look like the above?

Sigh.

It's shameful. Going through the house didn't seem like such a big deal, I was actually excited to let it all go, but when it comes to my own personal things, I don't even know where to begin.

Gratefully I'm finding that perspective (thanks Susannah) and beginning my week with more compassion, understanding that there's a learning curve for all of us. It is going to take time and patience for them to learn these skills, apparently it's something i haven't mastered, at least with my own things. So I've issued myself a goal to not only keep my closet organized and clutter free, but to attack my studio in a serious way -- I have a ton of supplies I don't use anymore that need a different home. I am being kind and giving myself four weeks to complete my task and by sharing it here I'm hoping the accountability will help me accomplish my goal.

Do you find yourself decluttering in January?

funny to me

I know it's the third, but well, I couldn't resist.

Already eating sugar again.

lighten up

DO | 2007

LIVE | 2008

GIVE | 2009

CHOOSE | 2010  

TRUTH | 2011

Ah, the five little words that have significantly impacted who I am in the last 1/2 decade.

They hold meaning to me on a very personal level, and each time I hear one or read it in a passage, I can't help think about the year it was mine and how it shaped me over the 365 days. So much so that I've considered several times recycling one of the words from my list because it made such a difference. What I never realized when I started the practice of choosing a word each year, was that the word would not only help me throughout my year and give me focus, but would stay with me long after the year had past. As silly as it sounds, these words are apart of me now and have been apart of my time since.

You will notice that 2012 is missing from the list. It's not a mistake, I never did choose a word last year. It wasn't intentional, I thought very carefully for a long time, but that long time turned into months and before I knew it 2012 was wordless. Looking back I completely think it was meant to be. While 2012 was an amazing year for many reasons, and a hard year for others, it was apparently a year of breaks, reinvention, and letting go. I got exactly what I wanted (so to speak) in 2012 and I guess you could say I needed to allow myself to be present, all in (thanks tracey), if you will, as I realized my dream, but I also wanted a chance to realign my goals and figure out what was next.



“Whatever you are physically...male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy--all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light inside.” ~Cassandra Clare

LIGHT. 

2013 will be a year full of light.

I want to focus on the light and continue to see the good in my everyday. 
I want to do the things that will keep the light in my life.
I want to share the light within me. 
I want to find time to seek out the light -- photography. 
I want to be open to the light of others. 
I want to let my light shine.

goodbye 2012

It's 3am on the 31st of December and I'm up, clearly since I'm blogging. It's crazy for me to watch the last few hours of 2012 fly by, it's almost sealed away -- history. I can't be sure why I'm up, except the fact that my mind is moving through the year, the ups and downs, wondering how to say goodbye to such a full year and what to let go of. I hadn't thought until I was chatting with some friends over google+ last night what I will we shed as I enter 2013.

I learned so much about myself this year, and would venture to say, I'm finally feeling like I'm beginning to understand who I am. Perhaps it's not that I'm better understanding who I am, but rather, finally feeling like I'm getting comfortable in my own shoes. I know what I'm about, I know what I want, I know what needs to be done to get there -- it's all a matter of doing, is it not? That's the hard part.

The first thing that comes to my mind as I leave 2012 for good is relationships. Relationships are everything and need to be nourished and feed. I've learned this so much in my marriage, there is constantly an ebb and flow and if we're not giving to one another the sparks dim. It is also true when it comes to relationships with my girls and friends. Relationships are constantly changing and molding and need different things at different times. If there is one thing I'm going to put my energy into in 2012 it's relationships.



What else I learned in 2012:

A continuing theme that is constantly coming up for me -- my life is my choosing. I am must say I am very grateful for where I am at. Very grateful.

We need less judgement, more kindness.

Hug those I love daily and show them what they mean to me with my words+actions.

Accepting help, where help is needed, is a sign of humility and a beautiful part of being human.

Staying focused on the good will make everyday full of light.

Be you. A genuine life will draw people to you.

There's no time like the present.

Daily scriptures, prayer, and really do make all the difference. When I put God first I have found there is time enough for everything else.

When I'm in a slump creatively try something new or do something a different way. I loved pushing myself to take photographs this year with more than just with my DSLR.

Be adventurous. Going to South Carolina on a whim seemed so out of character for me. Need more of that spontaneity.

Dreams do come true -- but not without a lot of work.

I need to see more of the world. Twenty twelve included trips to New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Moab, Jackson Hole, and Washington state. I'm itching for more...

Sharing what I love (photography) = fulfilled

Our actions will tell us what we love.

It's ok to take a break, my blog sort of fell off the grid, when it's needed. There's no time like the present to welcome it back.

December | 12of12 | iphone addition

I know I've said it a millions time, but seriously where did this year go. I hope you all take a chance to look at all your twelves together to get a glimpse of how great your year was.



01. Celebrating 12.12.12 today.

02. 06:12 Megan doing homework while she waits her turn for violin.

03. This is where I was when the clock struck 12:12pm on 12.12.12. Felt a little too coped up and needed some fresh air. I would never have remembered if I hadn't set my alarm.

04. I had big intentions for this day, but I'm not feeling myself, a bit under the weather, so I wasn't as ambitious as I had hoped.

05. 01:12pm Doing my last little bit of Christmas (online) shopping.

06. 02:12pm Folding laundry, not a fan.

07. 03:12pm Bella was telling me all about her day of twelves. Apparently the class went wild with cheering and shouts when the clock hit 12:12pm. Then they stopped and she said it was all a little weird.

08. I couldn't resist adding this picture mainly because I never laughed so hard. We were shopping at Target this evening for Sub For Santa gifts, but before we started I needed to return a few items. As it turns out while I was being helped by a young man Megan pulled out of my bag a tampon and said, "what do you use these for?" I was semi-mortified until I saw the look on the target employees face and then I couldn't help but say, "that was awesome," which made the kid laugh and relieved the tension  He still turned the color of his red target shirt. Poor guy.

09. 5:12pm Ah Megan what a delight to shop with -- not. I counted at least 15 items that she had to have -- no we are not talking for Christmas. This, I don't even know what it was, stuffed panda in her hand was the hardest one for her to let go of. She told me she would give anything to have it and when I suggested her kitty she promptly said, "anything but that". I suppose she really didn't get into the Sub for Santa spirit.

10. Cafe rio for dinner. Hard to resist when it's next door to target.

11. 9:12pm Working on a gift this evening while the girls are fast asleep. I couldn't show the finished product, for obvious reasons, so I smudge it out.

12. We are halfway through the advent. Only TWELVE days to go!

I hope you all had a good time capturing your day on this the 12th month of the 12th day of the year 2012. Weird to think I will never see it again.

I enjoyed following a few of my friends on instagram who posted photos every hour. Lara I'm looking forward to seeing your 12of12! Of course I look forward to seeing what the rest of you came up with and what your 12.12.12 day was like.

12 things i'm grateful for on this day of twelve

I'm grateful...

i have a light schedule today -- feeling a bit under the weather.

to be a woman.

for friends that get me.

for amazon Christmas shopping.

for holiday goodies.

[instagrams from Monday nights FHE at temple square]

for twinkling lights that greet me in the morning when I wake and before I go to sleep.

for technology that keeps us connected.

for peace in my heart.

for a phone camera with awesome resolution. I hardly recognize my canon these days.

for the relationship with my girls. I love how much deeper our conversations are now that they're a little older.

for warm cozy beds and good books to keep me company.

for the holiday season and how this time of year always brings me back to what's most important.

12of12 reminder

Tomorrow is one of those days that won't happen again for another 100 years.

12.12.12


Even if you haven't been playing along all year, you may want to consider documenting tomorrow, you know, for posterity sake? :)

Enjoy!

lately ...

I'm thinking about my elderly neighbors and what I could do for them this holiday season.

I'm reading the Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.

I'm doing laundry that I've avoided all week.



I'm making candy cane peppermint cookies just for fun.

I'm watching the delight in my girls faces as we start the countdown to Christmas today.

I'm working on Christmas gifts.

I'm contemplating a big change in our everyday life.

I'm ecstatic my gratitude journals sold out. :)

I'm hoping to go on a date tonight.

I'm missing my sister and her family.



I'm loving going to sleep and waking up to Christmas lights.

I'm grateful for my life. I am tremendously blessed.

I'm waiting for the snow.

I need to clean my studio, again. Sad thing is I just cleaned it last Saturday.

I'm trying not to let my tired get the better of me.

I'm debating whether u should worry that my back still hurts after falling down the stairs over a month ago.



I'm looking forward to my Google hang out this weekend.

12of12 | November

01. Off they go. Seems like there is always a little bit of dawdling on the way out.
02. Vacuuming the weekend away.
03. Volunteering in Megan's class.
04. Snowy mountain view from the school.
05. Been reading This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart by Susannah Conway. I'm taking it slow and savoring every piece. Plus finding the joy of writing again.
06. Tess practicing her cello. She started playing in the school orchestra this year.
07. Taking a much needed break.
08. Thinking about knitting/crochet projects I want to start now that the weather has cooled considerably.
09. Self Portrait
10. Pizza at our favorite place.
11. While they wait for their food to arrive. Thanks goodness for crayons and coloring menus.
12. Bella playing in the WMA orchestra concert tonight. She is one of the younger violist (most kids are in high school) and was so please she made 2nd violins, 1st chair.

Good day. It was a good day. I'm grateful to go to bed with a happy heart. I hope you all had a great day as well. Only one more month to go, can you believe it? Honestly where has this year gone??

looking back | September 28

I missed a lot of stuff this year and I told myself I wouldn't go back, but I couldn't resist celebrating the fall one last time. After all, winter is very much upon us now.

It seems like a life time ago that we were running through the mountain paths enjoying the colors. Sign. Couldn't be more grateful for my three.

Happy Monday!