Katrina Grace

I got to go visit my dear friends yesterday. Friends who just happen to have a brand new baby. Happiness!

So I was inspired and grabbed a handful of pictures before the light went away.

So did her sister.

Christina and Katrina
:)

To view a few more you can go to:
Here

~baby lover

What if I said yes

Mom bowling the other night when the skating rink we went to had no public skate that night.

Me at the bowling ally roasting in my beautiful and fuzzy sweater that shed all over everything.

There were 12 in our group and therefore we had a lot of balls.

Last night I was driving home thinking about all the times I simply drive past a good picture for reasons of time, laziness, safety or any number of excuses.
Here is how it generally happens:
For some reason I see the best scenery and photo ops from the driver's seat of a car. Yes, its true. I drive down the road literally thinking of different shots and blinking my eyes in a desperate attempt to at least document that scene in my mind. This may sound totally weird but when I blink I automatically think of the shutter sound as if I took a real picture. So why don't I stop and take pictures for real. Well...you see...I don't have time...not really...where would I park?...Isn't it illegal to stop on the interstate?...I could go watch the sunset tomorrow night...maybe. Boil all of that down and you have nothing of substance. Just a pile of lame excuses that mostly are not even true. I can't even begin to tell you the great opportunities to take pictures and even make money that I have missed because of excuses and laziness. Yesterday was no exception. More then once I kept driving when I felt like I should stop. I neglect to seize the moment, regularly. Then I feel bad. Guilty. Regretful. Irritated (with myself), etc. What a way to live. Doing the same thing over and over again even though I know the result will not make me happy. Does that make me insane?

So driving along thinking about these things I thought of all the times I have heard/read that the best way to reduce stress is to say no. No to things that are not as important and cause us more worry and less sleep. On the flip side I began to wonder what would happen if I began to say yes. Instead of saying no and feeling bad, or saying yes and not getting around to finishing it, what if I did the things I am prompted to do...right away?!?! Novel idea, I know, also a lot easier said than done, but...

What if I just pulled out a card and responded to a letter right away?
~I would probably have a much happier Grandmother and deeper relationships with others

What if I just picked up the phone when I felt the urge to call someone rather then convincing myself I was interrupting?
~I would be able to complete projects a lot sooner
~This would also enhance my ability to stay in touch with friends and build relationships (something I feel like a failure at)

What if I really got off the computer instead of clicking into facebook or google reader one more time to see if someone just happened to post something exciting in the last 10 minutes?
~I would be a better steward of the time the Lord has given me
~I could finish projects that I have looked at for years...literally

What if when mom asked me to walk the dogs with her I just dropped the trivial task I was so distracted by and went?
~I would bless my mother and make our relationship even stronger
~I would get fresh air and exercise (always a winning combination)
~The dogs would like me better then my sister...HA HA, that is a joke

What if I said yes when someone asked me to go out somewhere instead of over analysing it and becoming nervous about the possibilities?
~I might have more friends
~I would probably have a good time

What if I just did things when I felt an urgency to do them, when I knew I should do them, when they FIRST came to mind?
~I would probably get a ton more accomplished
~I would be obeying the God through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, as I am normally perfectly capable of discerning between right and wrong and I am talking about doing good and profitable things
~I would be healthier and happier

Now, so far this theory is simply intellectual I am speculating what my life could be like and I have the distinct feeling that I can't even imagine all of the possibilities and opportunities that would arise by living that way. I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that I must ask the Lord to bless me in an effort to develop self-discipline. These things will have to change slowly; one "yes" at a time.

Thank you for reading, I am now going to shut the computer and read one of the books in my "stack" (books I have been meaning to read)

~Reforming time waster

Winter

Winter often means far less picture taking for me. For one I am often unmotivated to leave the comfort of my semi warm room and two it is far more dangerous to take beautiful images in the winter. It's like this. I live in an area that is completely socked in with snow right now. Yes, in fact I am supposed to be typing up an article on how the local towns are running out of places to put said snow. Blue skys like the one featured above are rare but amazingly welcome. If I were to actually take pictures of what inspired me I would likely be dead. There is nowhere to pull off the road! I could get stuck, slid into, or who knows what! I gotta figure out a way to buy a snowmobile or something to capture this lake effect beauty. Don't let me fool you though, all in all my lack of pictures just boils down to the fact that it is cold and I am affected by the seasons and completely unmotivated!

~likin' icicles shots from this side of the window

Operation 25th Anniversary Surprise: Before and After

My parents celebrated 25 years of marriage on December 31st and their children (of which I am one) wanted to think of a really special gift for them. We tossed around ideas all year and honestly some of us really wanted to send them a a fabulous trip. Too bad we hadn't saved enough money.
Right after Thanksgiving we started a series of sibling meetings and decided that what would be most enjoyable for all those involved would be to buy them the sectional sofa that dad has dreamed of for years. Yes, that would be expensive but there are five of us and we are adults...pretty much.
The project grew into a whole living room remodel and we planned as we desperately tried to keep it a secret. On their anniversary they left for four days and we got right to work. With the help of some great friends and family we were able to pull it off and mostly finish our awesome "new" room.

For more pictures and captions go to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80314&l=5fc04&id=789526947

~decorator girl

Christmas

Is it too late to do a Christmas post? Well, I hope not. I rarely take very many pictures during the Christmas celebrations I am involved in (because I just want to live it) but this year I managed to snag a few shots.

Now I am trying to catch up from the massive holiday routine crushing. 2009 is here and my dreams and expectations of starting out the year with review and documented goals has dissolved. Looking forward to posting more when I get a chance.

~Christina