Happy New Year

We're wrapping up our 2012 with family & friends. The wind is ripping; the rain is pouring. It's not so lovely outside. I suppose it's a good time to move into a new year (& on thursday this guy moves into a new age, 6, he can hardly wait). New Years is kind of a funny time for me. I'm always excited to celebrate it, even if we barely stay awake until midnight. But the whole New Years resolution sort of gets me. Suddenly, we're all motivated to make ourselves better, positively change ourselves, start something new. I totally fall for it. I have admiration for those that make those resolutions & stick with them. It's not an easy task. This year, I'm falling for it again. I'm changing my diet, mostly because I have to. My baby has some food intolerances & since she's breastfeeding, I have to cut those foods out of my diet. So I told myself January 1st is the day- no more dairy, wheat, eggs, etc. It's quite a long list, but hopefully it helps her little tummy. You'd never guess she was even bothered by it, so I'm hoping I'll be able to add some back in gradually this spring.

I'm also making photography goals. I want to continue to learn more & shoot more. I loved taking a purposeful photo a day in November, of my kids. I plan to do that in January, too, & possibly continue it month-to-month, but I'm not quite ready to commit to a 365 project (a photo a day for the year). I also want to shoot film this year. I shot a roll not too long ago & I just adored it. It's how I started my photographic journey; I swore I'd never go digital, well until digital got really good. But now I want to go back, not exclusively, but at least for fun. It's good to keep challenging yourself, it keeps you improving.

This year, I plan to write out my goals, to keep near my computer. Just simple reminders of what I want to work on. Goals are good. They keep us focused; moving forward; striving to do better. But I think it's also good to make goals year-round. So I'm making a goal to make goals throughout the year. Anyway, that's a wrap on our 2012 & here's looking to a happy, healthy, fun, humorous, amazing 2013!

My Final Thanks, for November

When I decided to start this project, I figured time would get away from me- I wouldn't make it to the computer every day to post, or even remember to take a photo. Well, time certainly got away, but I made myself stay up late some nights, to get these posts up. I found it almost therapeutic, for a number of reasons- it got me shooting every day, & not just with my phone. I use my iPhone a lot! Which means I use my good camera even less (for my kiddos). It also made me document little bits of our every day. In doing so, I played with new light & it inspired new ideas. I also enjoy looking back over the past month, at my own words & images. I feel like I unintentionally created a journal for my kids.

So while I had a completely different intention for this post, I'm changing course. I am thankful for my thankful project. I think I would be tempted to start one in December, except that we are leaving Saturday morning for a few weeks, but I'm sure there will be no shortage of images ;). I hope you enjoy your last day of the month & delight in the holiday season that has arrived.

 

Be Joyful

Be PeacefulHappy Holidays~

The Christmas Photo

We're leaving bright & early Saturday morning for a two-week vacation. I'm trying to accomplish a little bit more each day, to avoid frantically running around Friday. Who am I kidding, I'll still be thinking of everything I didn't do & remember the one important thing as the plane lifts off...oh well! Today I attempted a photo of the three kiddos, for Christmas cards. I adore unposed images of these munchkins & was reminded why today- as I tried to wrangle them all together for a moment. It didn't quite work. It was not the most pleasant experience & I'm pretty sure if they're every in therapy, they'll blame it our Christmas card photos. Therapy or not, I know they still love me. For surviving my imperfect parenting, I am thankful.