52 Week Project - Week 39

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph; snapshots from my life.

Still playing catch-up, but I'm getting there slowly.

I love this photo, I love that children have no personal space boundaries. A ride for one, would be way more fun with three, right? This is my daughter in the front, with two little buddies behind her. We, the parents, are all good friends and as we embarked on the journey of parenthood, our children joined us.

I remember when my husband first brought me to California, it was a whole new beginning. A new country, new home, no friends and so many unknowns. I was very shy and would prefer for him to do the speaking, after all, my accent drew attention that I had no desire for. 

That was thirteen years ago and so much has changed. This really does feel like home and a large part of that is the many wonderful friends that we have made over the years. We became friends as young marrieds, some were still single and brought their spouses into our little mix and we went on to have families together. What fun and what a blessing.

We are all so much busier these days than we were back then, but on birthdays, or play dates or other gatherings when we all get together, there is so much joy and so much laughter and an ease and familiarity that can only come with time. These are the people I can turn to in times of need, these are the people I can share my frustrated moments with. Friends are those who listen and know when to do just that, when to respond, or when to pray. Friends know you!

What are the things that you cherish most about your friendships? I would love to hear.

52 Week Project - Week 38

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph; snapshots from my life.

I love trees. There are people who would rather be in the mountains, or at a beach, or in the countryside, but there is something about being in the woods that captures me. There is a certain mystery, a romanticism. Old weathered leaves coupled with new shoots of life. The sound of a stream, or a bird, or the crunching underfoot. Whatever 'it' is, stirs something within me that excites me. I can breathe more deeply and feel more fully.

We recently took the children to Muir Woods, a place that is amazing, but also throws me for a loop. Where else would you find paved paths, in a wood? I understand that it makes life easier for families with strollers, or the disabled in wheelchairs but I cannot truly enjoy my woods experience until we have ventured onto the trails. It takes away from the natural and brings in the man-made and I want to enjoy nature in all it's glorious natural beauty. Don't even get me started on the entrance fee! Our visit was on a National Parks Free Day, for which I am grateful.

52 Week Project - Week 37

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph; snapshots from my life.

I love roses, the way they look and the way they smell. The most perfect of flowers. Yes they can grow in many, many places, but they remind me of my home country. An English Rose, a country garden, tea with scones and clotted cream (sigh).

I appreciate Anne Bronte's sentiment, that often with beauty there will come sacrifice, hard work, maybe even pain. We should not expect for everything to be easy and beautiful. It is not a right, or a foregone conclusion. Beauty must be protected, treasured, fought for. How often we yearn for life to be easier, whatever that may mean, at any time. Yet are we prepared for the thorns that will accompany? We need to embrace the hardships, the struggles and difficulties and then we will truly see the beauty that is already before us and value it all the more.

52 Week Project - Week 36

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph; snapshots from my life.

With Arran and Bryttain in school again, Asia and I have had our mornings together, on our own. She is such an easy, happy little girl and her sweet smile can brighten up the dullest day. She has energy and enthusiasm and a zest for life. She is my little friend, she accompanies me on errands, or walks, we read together and explore together and I cherish these moments. I know that, all too soon, she also will be in school, and these special days are numbered.

It is a privilege to watch her grow and learn and know that I play a part in shaping the person she is becoming.

52 Week Project - Week 35

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph; snapshots from my life.


It was the first day of school, at a new school.

The day did not start off all smiles. It was traumatic, to say the least. I was one parent, taking two, very anxious kids to a new school and I could only be in one place at a time. There were tears, many tears...and then I left the school with my little Asia and sat in the minivan and I cried.  I had had to leave both my children in tears and felt like they would feel abandoned and as though I had not been there for them. Their fear-filled, tear drenched faces will be etched in my memory for ever, as their arms reached out for me. I felt like a horrible mother, a failure!


Our role as parents though, is to encourage our children in new things. To allow them to spread their wings, in safe places, to give them the freedom they can handle, knowing that they will always have a place of love and security to return to. As they grow and learn, their world expands, their little minds will never be the same.


By the end of their first day they were all smiles, with stories of new friends made and wonderful teachers. There were rough days that followed, it was not over in one day, but we all knew that it would be okay.