Life brings a Gift

"Something great happens each and every day. And because I am aware, I never miss it. Sometimes it is major--for example, a new business deal or an unexpected opportunity. Sometimes the gift is less obvious--a beautiful bird landing at my feeder, an email from a friend, the smile of a child, the pleasure from a great idea, or the joy that comes from complimenting someone. But sure enough, life brings a gift to my doorstep each and every day." ~Brook Noel~

I Am Inspired

Lately I am inspired by so many things! I find I just get into a creative rush, where ideas, thoughts, plans etc. just keep coming and coming! If only my energy level was just as powerful! And of course....if we all only had an extra 8 hours in a day! Lately I am inspired by so many PEOPLE. Maybe that is why I love talking with people, and getting to know them more. I find others so fascinating. I love hearing their stories, their ways of living...their challenges, their triumphs, their dreams and goals. Maybe my whole fascination is simply recognizing that I am a person who loves to document life. I just love the everyday things. Maybe that is why I simply love BLOGS. I just cannot get enough. I have "met" so many wonderful, creative, passionate woman through various blogs. Their scrapbooking, stories, photography, and everyday ramblings are so inspirational to me. I am also inspired again by my scrapbook pages. I am so thankful that I "make" the time to try and get some things down. This weekend I was lucky enough to have some free time to just play around and scrap. I didn't really have anything particular in mind...instead I just went with it, and it felt SO good. Nothing beats the feeling of a finished project. Now, you would think that I would have tons more finished, however that is not the case at all. I am a queen of starting...but finishing is another topic all on it's own. Some other things that are randomly inspiring me these days: magazines, music, scented candles, my camera, amazing friends, my job, being consciously grateful...(even for the "tough not so desirable" moments), blogging, my Creative Escape scrapbook...(which is ALMOST complete), slippers, journaling, and up and coming life change (more on this later). So much energy in...i am LOVING it.:)

Always Remember, Remember Always

I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me feel less afraid, more accessible, to listen to my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance, to live so that which came to me as seed goes to the next blossom and that which came to me as blossom, goes on as fruit. ~Dawna Markova

Time Flies

It sounds so cliche, however I cannot believe how time flies. Matt and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on Sunday, September 20th. It has been stated that the first year of marriage is definitly the hardest, and I will be the first to admit that yes, at times, things are not easy. But really, what is easy these days? All I know is that being married has pushed me to grow in so many areas of my life. It has been such a great ride. Like a roller coaster, there have been incredible highs, along with some dips, twists and turns, nonetheless. This year has been such a learning experience, ever-changing. Celebrating our wedding anniversary this year was amazing in so many ways. It was on our anniversary that Matt and I have made one of the biggest changes and decisions of our life, together, hand in hand. Details are still in the works, but it is a very positive and exciting thing that we are both so excited for. It has truly been such an incredible time right now. We are so very lucky for so many things. Lately, I have actually been grateful for a lot of the tough moments we have endured because now it all seems to make sense. We are now beginning to close this first chapter and begin our second. We are so excited to turn this page.

Why I LOVE Photography

I love photography. It is something I am so passionate about. I love recording the way I see things, the way I view the world. I love the way I am able to capture what I love. Because it is such a passion of mine, I love how I am able to capture and be a part of other people's passions because I know how it feels to love something so much. That it truly becomes a part of you. I am so grateful that because of what I love to do, I was able to capture my husband surrounded by what he loves. His love for the water and his wakeboard. Because of my camera I am able to record these memories and moments. That is why I LOVE photography. Thanks babe for being such a sport (and being so patient...). Thank you for appreciating and supporting my love and passion for photography. You are one of my biggest cheerleaders. And seriously...the camera simply loves you...or maybe that's me. Oh well, in any case I just adore these photos of you. xo

Looking back...

Taking some time to look back. Summer is slowly coming to an end, and finally for a few days so has the "busy-ness" of life. This time of year has always been my favorite. I do not love the fact that summer is coming to an end, however nothing beats the way I feel in the fall. I absolutely love this time of year. To me, this time of year I feel like beginning anew. I feel like this more at this time of year than even around New Years. It's weird, but I just love the feel of fall. I love the colors, the leaves, the cool nights and the way the fresh air smells in the morning. I love the beginning of new TV shows, the start up of everything again that ended for the summer. I just love it all. Also looking back on the summer brings me to a few scrapbook pages that I had the chance to complete but never got around to posting and sharing. I really love how these two pages came together. Looking back also brings me back to a very special place in time. A very sacred moment I keep in my heart of the most special and sentimental day in my life. The day I married my best friend for life. In less than 1 week we will be celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary...and looking back what a year it has been! Full of everything good, sprinkled with trial and challenge every now and then. But above all we have worked together through it all and it has only solidified the fact that we will face whatever comes our way together, hand in hand. Nothing is more important than our partnership together. Our wedding day was amazing. It was a day filled with so many of our best friends and family members. So many people we love together in one room to celebrate our day with us. We are truly so lucky. It was the beautiful fall day and fall wedding I had always dreamed of. I cannot wait to begin to celebrate our first year of memories as husband and wife together.

Glisten & Shine

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" ~Marianne Williamson