Kauai

I wish I could say that I produced this.  My friend, Cara, showed me this and sent me the link.  Devin Graham has inspired me on a whole new level!   I watched it while we were there and recognized many of the beautiful shots.  I was inspired-I want to study cinematography and get a GlideCam.  : )  I have now watched this probably five more times and wanted to share it with you.  It is just absolutely beautiful. Read about it after you watch it… follow his blog for more amazing stuff!

The sunshine | Kirkland, WA Family Photographer

Today was a glorious day and a perfect day for pictures.  You see, Kirkland residents (as well as many others around the world) have been patiently waiting for sunshine… consistent sunshine.  When it comes out to play, we can’t help ourselves.  Sunshine warms the soul, lifts the spirit and brightens the day.  I feel so capable when the sun is out.  I want to try new things, make new friendships, be a better photographer-mother-wife-neighbor-friend, and bake something delicious.  Wow, all because of the sunshine.  Please note… I probably won’t be posting something about rainy days and what I am capable after 30+ days of rain.  : )  I would like to know how to bottle up days like this (maybe I can?  Is it called Vitamin D?).  The hazy warmth and green grass is good for me.

Faces | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I love these faces.  Its park time and you would never know based on the look they are giving me.  Don’t worry, I wasn’t stalking children at the park…  (Although it certainly looks like they are feeling a little that way…)  Anyhow, these kids belong to my good friend and I am trying REALLY hard to get the darling little girl to smile at me.  When I graduate from frowns to smiles I will be sure to post them (hopefully I will have my camera for the moment).  Is it me or the camera?  : )

It was a darn cold day and we were just trying to get out of our darn cold (and dark) homes.  You can see that we don’t have sunshine and much light to be excited about.  I brought out of my camera (since I tote it everywhere while trying to stay on top of my photo a day project) right during “My Little Pony Fruit Snack” time and you can see that I did not win.

Time flies | Kirkland, WA Photographer

This happens to be one of my favorite statues in Kirkland, WA (and there are statues everywhere).  I saw this treasure on a walk one morning and loved the tender moment between two solid pieces of sculpture metal ish type stuff.  I stood above, below, to the side and in the back trying to get all the angles of this moment.  I think it may be one of those things that touch me personally but I couldn’t seem to capture how it made me feel.    I remembered the days when my own children loved to sit and cuddle with me, the days when I could read to them for long periods of time, the time when they fit on my lap.  Time flies.

Bus driver | Kirkland, WA photographer

So, when we moved to Washington, I applied to be a bus driver.  Long story-sort of.  Are you laughing?  I can be a bus driver AND a photographer, right?  I spent hours at the computer completing the in depth application wondering the whole time what exactly it takes to be a good bus driver.  I wanted to see the world-the people in the world who would board my bus and maybe have a conversation or two about who they are.  I had a picture in my head of how I wanted my bus driving career to be.  When I told my husband what I was doing when he called one afternoon, he laughed and had to ask again.  Yep.  I am serious.  I wanted to be a bus driver.  I was new around here and wanted to meet new people-what better way then driving them around?  : )  Well, to make the long story long, it didn’t work out and the schedule was well, not going to work for me- I suppose bringing my four year old son with me on my route wasn’t an option.  But, the idea still excites me… maybe someday.

My vacation | personal

A VACATION!  This vacation was much needed.  But, I must say that I am embarrassed that the last thing on my blog was pictures of me and here I start the next post with well… a picture of me.  : )

These pictures are from Kauai-I think the most gorgeous of the Hawaiian islands.  This island suited me well… tons of adventure, hikes, swimming, snorkeling, and the beauty was amazing.  I needed more time to get in the kayaking and hiking as we only accomplished one hike.  The hike was the Napali coast.  It was difficult.  Difficult.  We hike 2 miles in to a private beach, 2 miles up to a waterfall but maybe I forgot that I would need to hike the 4 miles back out?  I could barely move the sore muscles the next day!  It was time to get out of Kirkland, Washington and enjoy warmth and the sun.  We met up with several of our favorite couples, making it a superb vacation!  One of my favorite activities was the zipline!  If you are headed to Hawaii anytime in the near future-check out Kauai!  Do the hike along the Napali Coast and visit Princeville Ranch for their awesome King Kong zipline!  Now, its time to check back in to my regular life and get blog posts rolling, Photo A Day (flickr page here) caught up, and tasks checked off my to-do list (and finally stop the vacation responder in email).  I suppose vacation can last only so long…

Happy Mother’s Day | Kirkland, WA Photographer

I saw this while processing pictures and thought it was a sweet picture to wish all the mommies a wonderful, relaxing and peaceful Mother’s Day. My mom is amazing and raised four of us. I am often in awe at her patience and diligence now that I am trying to raise my own kiddos. I love her and I am grateful for her love and example. I know she is one of my biggest fans, supporters, and cheerleaders. This year, for my mother’s day gift, I have my parents here with me to celebrate mothers (and Zane’s birthday).

Mothers sometimes get flowers, sometimes breakfast in bed and sometimes other trinkets and treasures but being a mother is a gift.  I will hug my children and thank them for allowing me to be their mother, for allowing me to make mistakes in the journey and for loving me and forgiving me and for making me smile every day