Today.

Today, I accept myself just the way I am.

Today, I accept my body the way it is.

Today, I accept my mind the way it is.

Today, I accept my heart the way it is.

Today, the love I have for myself is so strong that I embrace all that is me.

Self-love transforms my life from fear to joy and guides me to make healthy choices.

Today, I share time with others and easily forgive any injustice I feel in my mind.

Today, all of my relationships are based on respect, love, and joy.

Today, I allow the divine wisdom in me to direct all my thoughts, words, and deeds.

Today, I allow divine love to give me the peace and joy.

Today, I remember I am one with all life, and I give thanks for being me.

Seattle, Washington - December 2011

The Fields.

I apologize for the silence on my end. It's been a whirlwind of busyness for the last four months. Graduate school and work has been the definition of life. Sometimes I remember to do things for me, and other times I hit a wall and don't really know how to pull myself back up.

I'm writing this from a train, on my way to Edmonds, WA to visit a dear friend. I've been in Washington for about two days and it's already been incredibly good for my soul. Recently I have found myself searching for inspiration - some kind of charge that keeps me going for a month or two. School assignments and classes drain me, sometimes work can be draining from pouring so much of myself out, and I miss out on the things that feed my spirit.

Travel has always been something that I was able to rely on to bring me back to my center. It's the one thing, besides photography that makes me feel like I've reconnected with my soul. As this train took me through beautiful parts of Northern Washington, I couldn't help but start to let the tears fall. Not because of sadness, but because I felt myself being filled up again. The scenery, the peace, and the expectation of the next few days of being present with the people I love and going on adventures.

Taking myself out of my element and exploring this amazing world that we live in is truly a gift.

Cheers.

Simplicity in complexity.

This has been such a reflective time in my life. I've had the opportunity to reevaluate and process a lot of decisions, relationships, circumstances, and fears in the last two months. There is so much room in our lives for worry, but when we truly step back and look at all of the goodness that is underneath it, it proves that life is still simply, good.

I woke up the other morning and the sun was peaking into my room from my kitchen window. It's moments like these where I can stop, and enjoy beauty in simplicity. The flurries of particles were dancing in the rays of sunlight and all I could think was "freeze". What would we do differently if we could step back into memories that make our hearts flood with joy? Or even memories that make our hearts wrench with despair?

You cannot "do life over". You can't re-create or remake things that once were, but you can choose to be fully present and embrace what God is giving you.

Enjoy the people in your life.
Enjoy the circumstances you currently find yourself in.
Enjoy love.
Enjoy yourself.

Love.

Boutiques!

This past Thursday I had the opportunity to help out a dear friend, Angi with a boutique where she was invited to showcase and sell her hand designed calligraphy stamps.

We met another business owner, Jessica who owns Allora handmade.

It was a great evening filled with laughs, and inspiration! 

Love.

Refreshed.

I'm back.

Rested.

Centered.

And most of all,

focused.

Thanks for your grace and patience. 

Bellingham, Washington. July, 2007.

The thing that will take your life... and light it up.

I've got all of this creative energy crawling through my veins and I feel like I'm about to explode. I don't necessarily know where I need to channel it... or what I need to do, but some kind of project is in the midst of being made.

Blogging has not been on the forefront of my mind as of late. Work took over, and swallowed me whole. But, I'm back now and I'm feeling a bit unsure as to what I need to do to get the ball rolling again.

Bellingham, Washington 2009

Cancer.

I don't usually like to post too much personal information here. But I've definitely needed to say this.

In life, I have never really supported a cause. I've never really found something that hit me so deep to the core, that I wanted to be apart of a movement. But since May 17th, 2011 I have found something that taps into my heart and makes me want to tell the world.

Breast Cancer.

It is a disease that kills women (and some men) daily, monthly, yearly. It is serious. It is curable. It is unfortunate.

Breast Cancer.

It's stolen my joy. It's affected someone who is closer to me than my skin itself. Someone who has taught me the most about life, love, and womanhood. It has ripped my soul into shreds and laughed at me while I find myself again.

Breast Cancer.

It lurks and springs into action without warning. It moves fast. It is devastating. It is destructive. It changes lives.

Breast Cancer.

It has changed my life in less than 6 months. I am amazed at what it does to me when I hear it now. Before, I would turn a deaf ear to it and pretend like it didn't exist, while I was secretly grateful that I did not have to deal with it.

Breast Cancer.

Starting today, 30% of any profit made from Day By Snap Photography sessions will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation for the cure.

Forgive me.

Forgive my absence! I was in the magical city of Chicago last week and am still recovering/getting my life together/ unpacking.

Families.

Family is so important to me. Memories are so critical at every stage. I am so grateful I got to capture some of those for this beautiful family. Thanks to the A fam for being so gracious and welcoming me into their home!

Miracles.

Maternity/family shoot with the Calderas.

Sundays.

Sunday evenings are reserved for drinking irresponsible amounts of tea, taking long walks with Mr. Puppy, and reading books into the deepest corners of the night.

Love.

We'll call her sunshine.

I give kudos to all of you who are parents. I had such an adventure with my little friend "Sunshine" (I don't like using real names). She was an absolute doll, and let me tell you she's smart, intuitive, and she's got a spicy personality.

One thing I have learned about children in the last few years is that if you let them, they can teach you so much more than you can teach them. What an honor it is to have someone trust you with their child. Even more so, how exciting is it to be able to make an imprint on them? Whether it is by letting their imaginations take them wherever it is that they want to go or simply letting them get dirty because it's just something every kid should experience. Kids will always be my favorite.

So, after a day of messy arts and crafts, running around in the sprinklers and sunshine, chasing the dog, letting the dog chase us, eating popsicles, dancing in the house, and finding missing socks-- I was dead tired, but so lit up inside.