expecting a new niece in May

Micah is getting married!  We love Rachel!  We can't wait for the big day-May 12th 2018!

BEATS

ISO 100 50mm  f2.2. 1/1600

the worst Christmas present I ever gave...

what were we thinking?

she can never hear me-

but she does LOVE to get lost in a world of music.

AUTHENTICITY

ISO 320 135MM f8  1/1600

(why was my ISO @320 when my shutter was 1/1600!?)

“...the older I get, the less impressed I become with originality.  These days, I’m far more moved by authenticity.  Attempts at originality can often feel forced...but authenticticity has quiet resonance that never fails to stir me” -Elizabeth Gilbert in BIG MAGIC

These words seemed to jump off the page as I read them in the bleachers at Sophie’s swim practice yesterday. My mother-in-law has to be one of the most authentic people I know. She lives true to herself and will take my girls to the park with all four of them in pjs...in the middle of the day...just to make them happy...which makes her happy. ❤️ 

(This photo was taken in Hawaii just after she jumped into the water off a cliff)

SLEEP

50mm f2.2 1/100 ISO1250

When she asked Friday night if she could sleep in the bathtub I didn't think she would really do it.

CREATE > CONSUME

35mm 1.4 ISO 400

Photo taken on March 31, 2017.  Danny and I (with Michel + Jimmy) rose early our first morning in Hawaii to watch the sunrise over the ocean.  On our way back to the house (oh how I long to be there every morning!) I caught my shadow as I approached the lawn. Rising early to capture the sunrise over the ocean is one of my favorite examples of living the concept I learned today.

I LOVE the podcast BOLD NEW MOM by Jody Moore.  (I can't find the episode on her blog right now.  It may be the very newest that was posted yesterday and not on the blog yet.)  Today she taught the concept of CREATE MORE THAN YOU CONSUME.  It was EXACTLY what I needed and what I have been praying to understand.  As a stay at home mom with 3 children in 10th, 8th and 5th grades I have a lot of time on my hands.  Time that goes quickly to be sure, but time that is really flexible to fill however I choose.  I have felt really unsettled the last few years...really unsatisfied truly.  I have this desire to be more...produce more...give more...

The concept of CREATE > CONSUME pierced me!  Many of my days are filled with approximately  80% as CONSUMER and 20% as CREATOR.

Some of my CONSUMER choices:

social media: especially IG.  I check IG ALL DAY LONG.  Most of the people I follow are people I know personally.  I check in on them over and over and over.  Photo posting then stories, then look by again in case I missed anything.  Then I head to "explore." anything there...?  Facebook.  Honestly.  I hate FB.  I love people that I know on there which has been a great excuse to check in...but I really don't like "being there."

audible...LOVE
podcasts...LOVE
shopping...LOVE
eating...LOVE

reading, Netflix, listening to music, magazines, YouTube (brilliant!), TedTalks (YES!), blog reading, NEWS (UGGGH), movies, TV.

Jody explains...and I am in complete agreement that none of these things are bad.  The trick is to make sure that we create  MORE than we consume.

Some CREATE choices that I love (and don't do enough of):

write, play, art, cook, serve, walk, yoga, bike, swim, travel, photography, hugs, budget, FHE, calligraphy, yard work, cleaning, piano, guitar, blog....

I have a new plan.  I am done living under a rock of consumerism.  Why have I been afraid to be me...to live...to grow?  Why have I been standing on the sidelines observing others living?  I am grateful for this new vision.  Thank you Jody Moore!