Stillness of Summer

Be Still

And know that I am God.

Ps. 46:10

The kiddo

When my brother and sister-in-law were down for a brief visit I got to snap some photos of my newest nephew! He is so irresistible with all his sweet little faces.

That pouty lip!!

He fits right in with the rest of the family... lucky enough to snag a few of the other kiddos that day as well.

A day at the park

As I've mentioned in the last few posts... I spent a few days at the park when we had a brief showing of sunshine. I can't believe how beautiful and relaxing it was - so glad I brought my camera with me. Knowing it's only February 14th makes me a little sad because I know we have been deceived. Spring will not come back until June, so I'll relish the few breaks we get here and there.

Also... realizing today is February 14th - I am thinking I should be posting something "heart" related, or perhaps something I created that's super cute and pink.... But I've never really been that fond of this day. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love flowers & going out & and being spoiled just like the next girl... but this day holds too much meaning. Too much pressure. Too much money to greeting cards... 

The other day I mentioned to our middle school and high school students that Valentine was a name given to martyred saints.

"Huh?"

No one had a clue what I was talking about. Way to go Hallmark. Way to go.

Where has the time gone?

Man, I really missed a few days there... I guess I needed it though. While the husband was away over the weekend I spent probably over 6 hours at the park with the puppy. We had a great time. And, I kid you not, there was a time - after 2.5 hours walking the trails at Fort Steilacoom Park and snapping photos with my D90, that I just sat down on a log in the middle of an open field. I shut my eyes and felt the warmth of the sun on my face... I haven't been that relaxed in MONTHS... What a blissful moment that was. Then a few preteen boys rounded the corner and I heard one of them shout - "Man! This would be a great place for a zombie apocalypse!"... My kinda kids. I couldn't help but laugh.

So... I'm catching up here with what should have been up a few days ago - my project 366. One of the things I'm learning in this process is I need to take photos with a little more variety... Otherwise at the end of the year I'm pretty sure I'll just think that all I did was snap pics of the dog and stare at the cello. I'll work on that for this coming week.

Finally... Friday - February 3rd - it was desperately needed (as you can see)

All project 366 photos taken via instagram! @chrisklas or online here!

Game Nights

Learning a little cribbage... in the dark... & experiments in macro.

Feeling a bit bipolar...

Can you imagine if you had SAD today? (Seasonal Affective Disorder)... (no offense I guess should you have it...) but you'd be so out of sorts today! Battling between bouts of uncontrollable euphoria to plummeting depression every 15 minutes or so. 

We sat in a coffeeshop earlier and were approached by a man looking for directions to the freeway. He wanted to know if traffic was bad going south because he was trying to get to California. He said "Well... I was going to catch a plane - but due to the weather I'm not sure if that's possible. I just thought... well, I'll head somewhere warm"... Now, either he's playing a few aces short of a deck or he's living the EXACT life that I want to lead... jealous either way. haha.

My back porch. About every 15 minutes or so. In descending order (most recent first - only I wish I could say it was still snowing. Since uploading the photos it has now turned sunny again.)

Temptation

In it's most common form...

These sat in front of me during an early (7am) morning meeting today... At a time of day when I never thought I could make adequate decisions for myself - I was able to resist the temptation of the donut. (yay me!) 

I'm ready for change in my life and I want new things to happen. Instead of waiting around for something to happen... job opportunities to come... more photography adventures to happen... 

I'll take charge of what's in my power to control.

I'll rely on God's power and invite him into this process of getting my health/life/body into shape so that I am not limited at the adventures mountains I can climb.

That's not to say I don't need TONS of motivation... So - this whole pinterest community has been more support than I could have realized. Some recent "pins" that I've needed/relied upon the truth of:

linking up with:

stay tuned for an update... one year from today. Hope it's a good one. :)

The view from here

Man, things are always harder in the beginning. I can't see the future or where I'll be in a month so the view looks a little bleak.. To be honest it's all the "kitschy" quotes on pinterest that keep me going... "A year from now you'll wish you would have started today"... or "It always seems impossible until it's done"... HELLO? People! It's only day two and I'm exhausted! haha. I woke up early this morning to get my workout on to some exercise tv (goal!) and had to put myself back in bed for 15 minutes afterward because I was tuckered out. At least I did it though right? I'm banking on the 21 days to form a habit rule. If I can keep a goal for 21 days perhaps it will stick around for a while. 

I should add in my goals somewhere to get out and take more pictures. I've been so consumed with the portrait/family/kid baby photos that I've neglected what this blog originated as: a city daily photo. Where's my little ghetto town? I haven't posted anything from the streets in a while and hopefully I can get back to my roots! (That being said - I need some more families to shoot too before "Friday Photo Shoots" turn up empty!)

For now. Some shots from our recent Happy New Year.