and so it goes

It's hard to believe that just last Monday movers were packing up my house. It has been a crazy ride, to be sure. There were so many times when I thought I couldn't do it, that I just didn't have it in me to do it all, and do it on my own.

But I did.

I've come out on the other side, and I now know I'm capable of far more than I ever knew. I think life tests us like that. It shows us that the hard way is sometimes the only way. For to truly learn and understand who you are, what you're made of and what can be achieved, you have to take the road less travelled. It may not be one of your choosing, but when you accept it for what it is, stare it straight in the face and give it all you've got, you're bound to come out on the other side- smarter, wiser, and a little less afraid.

I have so many pics to share from our first day in Hawaii. But for now I will leave you with one of my favorites, probably one of my favorites ever. I can't decide if I like it in color or b&w better, so I'll share both. Tomorrow's post- lots and lots of pics!

We're here! Can you believe it?! It's still kind of a dream:)

leap of faith

i did it. i made the toughest decision i've ever made. i said to hell with thinking, i'm gonna follow my heart. and what did my heart tell me? what it's been telling me for a very very long time. that home is with my family. that i just couldn't continue down a path that seemed reasonable, practical, and safe. i knew it was time to let go. fly. leap without a net. and so i have been getting ready, preparing for our move to join hubby in Hawaii. paradise. our new home. together. here we come!

i have been saving these photos for that day. the day we would be ready to make our jump. i took these photos on our last family beach day together so many months ago right before Matt left. who needs a net to catch you when you have your family waiting on the other side!

I'm still here!

I know it's been a long time, a really long time. But I'm still here. Still set up in my little corner of cyber-space. I have had a very full several weeks, so full that they're busting at the seams. I can't wait to share with you some of the amazing people and families I've met, as well as the once in a lifetime memories I've created. I have lots of photo sessions to share, lots of journeys to record...
and yes, I'm still here too. In Florida, that is. But not for long. There is a huge current pushing me forward. Pushing me to a new land with an old love. I am ready. Will you join me?

no fair

i can hear those words rolling out of her mouth
"no fair mom"
"she's just so lucky"
as if her sister (because she's bigger and always will be)
has an unfair advantage in all things
and hence little one is always trying to keep up

but guess what little one?
mama feels like that too at times

it's only a passing feeling
one without much truth
and certainly one that rears its head
when one is
a) tired
b) not concentrating on what one is supposed to be doing
c) both a and b combined

no one ever said life is supposed to be fair...
it's how we handle it that makes us standout
and maybe even appear oh "so lucky".

shameless plug

I gotta say it's pretty cool to see my hubby cross over to the dark side of blogger world. For those who have never blogged, visited blogs, or who could pretty much just care less about others' lives, this isn't for you (but then you probably wouldn't be here would you?!). But if you wanna laugh, you wanna know a little bit more about me and who has been my biggest influence my entire adult life, then venture on over to my other half's blog. Fair warning- we are very different. But thank God! If I was married to someone like me, I would probably be completely insane, and if he was married to someone other than me, well he'd be missing out lol. Anyway, shameless plug for the hubby, only because I think he's pretty amazing, and I think you may think so too (in that not so touchy feely, crude but brutally honest kinda way :))

http://thedailyshrug.blogspot.com/

the winding road

I remember this drive like it was yesterday. My great friend Wendy was driving. We both knew we were headed for a great day, but we had no idea where the road would lead us, for we had never been there before. It was the last day of our workshop in Sonoma, a weekend that changed both of our lives. I remember being so glad I didn't have to drive. I had my camera at the ready. This road we were on was so beautiful. One I had never ventured before. Every turn brought a new beauty, a new landscape.


And then I got sick. I had taken in so much, drunk it all in, and it left me feeling uneasy. Life is kinda like that sometimes. You can see the destination. You know you want it so badly. You know it will be great, that it is perfect for you. And along the way there are so many things to look at. So many things that are new, or strangely familiar, yet you don't know where to focus and it leaves you feeling out of sorts.
Sometimes on the road, you turn your head, because you drove by too fast, you feel like you missed something. Other times you just want to pull over and stay awhile, revel in the atmosphere, feel out your surroundings and stick your whole self into the environment, even if for just a minute.
But I am learning, or at least trying to remind myself, that no matter how beautiful the view, no matter how much you are pulled to look in all directions, it's best to keep your eyes straight ahead. Straight ahead on the road you know will take you where you want to go, where you want to be, where you're supposed to be.

in the moment

jumping on beds
hotel bound
flying through the crowds
making fun with every turn
looking at each other
knowing life is real
breathing the smells
popcorn and sweetness
balloons carried away with the wind
logging in the miles
waiting for the thrills
lingering and chatting
hoping to see with our imaginations
all the dreams we remember
childlike and determined
ready for the curves,
the dips and the chills
mapping it, scoping it
pushing our way, weaving
ferries and trams
boardwalks and magic
rain and hunger pains
fireworks
memories before we leave this place
the most magical of places
thankful for this time
this place
this family

~family weekend at Disney World before Matt left for Hawaii