back in the saddle

I've been a terrible blogger over the last year and a half. That is mostly because I have felt like I have too much to blog about and lack the time and patience to get it all out. I've decided to just accept that that period of time will never be recorded in this blog and to move on with the present.

I don't have anything particularly noteworthy to discuss tonight. I would just like to get back in the habit of keeping a record of my life. So, I guess this is goodbye until tomorrow.

Grace: the first 9 months

gracies first steps

Grace took her first steps a few weeks ago. She just has to keep up with the big kids.

the flag as a hate symbol?

I know, I know, it has been almost 9 months since I have blogged about anything. I have just been wrapped up in my life. There is so much going on and I feel like I have to write about every detail ... I just haven't found the time to do that.

However, I do want to say something concerning the kids who were kicked out of school for wearing flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo. I have to preface this by saying I don't watch the news and I have heard hardly anything about it. So I apologize if there are facts I am neglecting to consider. . . but I think whether or not the school's actions were just all depends on the context. If the kids just happened to be wearing flag t-shirts then it is totally unjust and there is cause to be concerned for the future of our nation. However, if their intentions were to offend those celebrating Mexican Independence then those kids were not only insulting their Mexican peers, they were also insulting everything the flag represents. No one should be allowed to cloak their bigotry in our American flag.

ready and waiting

So the nursery is finally finished. It has been so fun and stressful putting it together. My mother in law and I made pretty much everything but the furniture. She made most of the stuff that required skilled sewing like the sheets and the quilt and I made the decorations and helped with some of the more simple things like valances. I even made the pillow all by myself! Sure hope Gracie likes it.

it's the final countdown...

I know that a lot of people who are 9 months pregnant are doing everything they can to get their babies out -- but not me. I have to say that I cannot wait for her to get here but I know that she's coming and she'll be here soon enough. Life is about to change for Cory and I and I am sure it will change in ways we haven't imagined. That's why I am happy to enjoy the last few moments of life as it is. I'll miss feeling the squirms and kicks inside my belly. I'll miss Cory rubbing my belly like a crystal ball and saying really goofy things to our little human growing inside. Pregnancy has been such a miracle that I want to hang onto it as long as I can -- but when the time comes for us to begin our lives as parents, we're ready and so grateful for the opportunity. We are so excited to meet our little girl.

2 wonderful years

You know the show “Everybody loves Raymond”? Well, I grew up so worried that that’s what marriage would be like. I worried that married people lived together, had kids together and maybe even loved each other, but didn’t like each other. I thought that people who seemed to be happily married were probably faking it a little bit. I am so happy to say that I have learned that happy marriages where husbands and wives not only love each other but actually like each other do exist.

I am grateful everyday to have such a happy marriage and wonderful husband. We have made it through two short years and I look forward to the rest of eternity. If I were more the gushing type I’d go on and on about how amazing my husband is and how he’s my best friend and how much I love him, but since I’m not much of a gusher I’ll just say Happy anniversary babe. I love you.

new chapter

So I have begun a new chapter in life. I quite my job at Bad Dog and am starting up my own business photographing babies, toddlers, and children. I want to be home with Grace when she is born and I think this is the best solution to supplement Cory's income and still have the flexibility to be home as much as I want.

I have to admit it is all a little scary right now. It is hard to build a client base and it is hard to build up enough confidence to feel good about charging people for my services. This venture is really forcing me out of my comfort zone, which is never something I love in the moment but am always grateful for later on.

I would appreciate any referrals! My business email is bitsylane@gmail.com and my website (though still under construction) is bitsylanephotography.com.

Here are a few photos I've done but check out the website for a larger sample.

a new decade

So it is happy birthday to me today. I am now 30 years old... yikes. I have to say I am happy with where life has taken me and I am happy with the pace I have set. I am looking forward to the next decade that I get to begin as a new mom. I've packed a lot in to the first 30 years -- let's see how much I can pack into the next 30.

My first birthday-- April 28, 1980

inspiration

I apologize that it has been so long. I found out I was pregnant on Christmas and I was totally unmotivated to do anything for my whole first trimester. That's not to say that I wasn't thrilled to pieces that I was pregnant, I just had extreme laziness instead of morning sickness.

Anyway, I am not going to catch you up with this post. I just have something on my mind that I need to get out. It seems that the media and grocery check-out line conversations are all filled with doom and gloom these days. I have noticed the media making a bit more of an effort to find a bright side lately but, in my opinion, it's not enough. Our society completely undervalues the use of inspiration as a valid tool to accomplish the hard tasks. We, as human beings, react to our environment whether consciously or subconsciously. Just think of how much you can be affected by a grumpy person or by someone who goes out of their way to do something nice for you. If we filled our conversations and media coverage with stories of hope and examples of people doing good and making the most of their misfortune, would we be more motivated to do good ourselves? Our government has to take action to deal with some of our nations issues, there is no question, but small acts of kindness and communities pulling together to take care of those who are struggling do more for us individually than billions of dollars being thrown at our problems. I am not saying that we put on a happy face and pretend that everything is fine, but we can do so much more to help ourselves rather than waiting for the government guardian angle to come and make it all better. I am a firm believer that there is a great lesson to be learned in every hardship. This is our opportunity to come together as communities and friends to inspire each other to do more than we thought possible.

I challenge all of us to be more of an inspiration to those in our sphere of influence. Take a few minutes this week to brighten someone's day. Kindness is contagious and it can do more than any stimulus package to turn the attitude of our society from that of despair to that of hope. Obama doesn't know our neighbors but we do.

season of giving

I apologize for my blatant disregard for blog updates. Since I finished my class it has been a mad dash to get my Christmas fill. We are going easy on the gifts this year, as I am sure most people are due to our nauseous economy, but that only makes gift giving harder rather than easier. I know that Christmas is not about stuff, but I can't help that I love giving gifts. I will admit that I also like opening them -- not so much because of the "new stuff" factor, but because of the thought that has to go into it. To me gift giving and receiving is a way to express affection for love ones. I know there are other ways, but the tradition of gifts is already embedded in my psychology and I embrace it. There is something so rewarding about giving something, and not just any something but what you feel is the right something. I wish I had the time and money to give gifts to everyone I love.

seeing the light . . . s

Sorry I haven't been writing lately but it is the end of the term for me. Last weekend we did actually get out of the house to see the lights on Temple Square with the Harmons. I promise to write more after the 12th =) I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season!

remember the wedding

So I was surfing the internet the other day and I stopped by the site of our wedding photographer. I clicked on a new link she has added called "featured", and guess what I saw . . . A whole collection of photos from our wedding. I feel almost famous. It's too bad I didn't get copies of all of the images she posted. That was the first time I had even seen some of them.

To check it out click here then click on "menu", "the art" and then "featured".

a time for hope

So the elections are over and Obama will be our new president. At this time in our history I would ask you to join me in setting aside cynicism for a moment to recognize that we are experiencing history. We are a part of something significant. Whether or not you agree with Obama's politics, you cannot deny that he has been able to inspire so many. Inspiration leads to motivation and if he can motivate us, just think of what we are capable of doing for ourselves.

No matter the outcome of his politics, there will be positive change. Though I have never had experience the sting of racism, I know there are so many Americans who live under its oppressive thumb each day. The United States is an example to the world. The world can look at our history and see how far we have come. I know there are angels in Heaven with tears in their eyes as they finally see solid proof that their pain an suffering for basic human rights was not in vein -- that it paved the way. It's not just about black people. This moment in time is a symbol that as a human race we can grow and change and learn from our past. There are more mistakes that will be made and there is no doubt that the physical, emotional, and political devastation people experience around the world will not end in our life time. But at least we are reminded that there is hope that it can get a little better.

This really is a new day. I may be an idealist but I do believe in change. There will be a change in how we look at possibilities. It is difficult for me to have faith in a politician but what do I have to lose besides the opportunity to say "I knew he'd screw it up?" I'd rather have hope. I'd rather take the chance that some day I can say "I knew we could, and yes we did."

photos of us

Everyone is probably wondering what we've been up too and Teigan mentioned that Cory and I should post more pictures of ourselves. So here you go -- these should satisfy both requests. I guess the biggest change is Cory decided to grow his hair out and I decided to cut all of mine off. It feels good to be in shape!!

some more thoughts on politics. . .

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words to try not to live by

"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it."
- Ellen Goodman

My goal in life is to always have balance. If this quote ever describes me then I will know it is time to make changes.

. . . and now for a little political humor to make you laugh (or at least roll your eyes) . . .

choices

Do you ever stop to think about who you would be if you had made different choices? I mean there are some big things that are obvious like what if I had moved to San Francisco like I had planned when I graduated from USU ? I might be right where I am now or in a totally different place. . . What I have been thinking about though, are the small choices -- the ones that could have changed who I am not just where I am -- Like that day I knew I needed to talk to the missionaries. What if I had talked myself out of that? What if I had given in to roommates and friends in high school and college? What if I had patched things up the x-boyfriend . . . or what if I hadn't called it off to begin with? Who would I be? I look at my life and see how it is the sum of my choices. . . the good ones and the bad ones. I am happy where it has gotten me. I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be and there is such power in that. It makes be able to deal with adversity because I know the challenges I have are for a purpose and some how are for my benefit. I should be careful what I say or I might be tested with something big. All I know is that I am excited for the future. I can wait to view it all from hind sight so I can see how it all fits together.

last week of freedom

So this is it - my last week of freedom. I start school again on the 6th. As much as I like learning. I don't like school so much. My husband works every minuet of his life so I don't think we will be doing anything super spectacular to celebrate this momentous week. I think I might just spend it watching guilt free television. I am particularly fond of Chuck (watched it tonight - love it) and House (tomorrow night at 7). I may even spend time with other non-reality TV shows that catch my attention.

to pass the time

I haven't had time to write anything of substance. . . so here is a little something to make you grateful for well made pants. Is that Obama?

iTunes 8

I love it. If you are an iTunes music shopper you will love the new iTunes 8. It is a lot like the Pandora site I mentioned before -- only it uses the music in your iTunes library (this will be a great way for me to get acquainted with all the music in my collection that I have never actually listed to). You can also sample/purchase new music with out exiting your library. . . just check it out for yourself.

ps

In the comments section you have to leave something in the text field. If you only want to rate the photos just type it in addition to/or instead of using the drop down menu. Thanks again!

calling all photo critics

So I need some help . . . I am thinking of trying to do something with my photos but I'm not sure which ones are interesting to other people. I'd really like some honest feedback. If you can spare a few minuets click here to visit my smugmug page. In this gallery you'll find a sample of some of my cross processed images. There are some I really like and some I don't -- and there are a few that are similar to each other. I need help narrowing down which ones I want to use in my portfolio. On the bottom of the page you can click on the "comment" section to leave me your feedback and rate each photo. Feel free to be honest. As long as you are not trying to hurt my feelings you won't. If you want your comment to be anonymous just leave the name field empty. I look forward to hearing what you think. . . good or bad. (If you are feeling really ambitious you can look through the other cross process and documentary galleries as well). Thanks in advance.

fall is almost here

My only problem with fall is that winter comes next. . .

politics

I have been watching a little of the democratic and GOP conventions and I have to say that they infuriate me. I am so tired of politicians trying to manipulate the American people. Quit trying to use our emotions to distract us from the facts. I am all about inspiring speeches when they are used in context. McCain has a very inspirational story about being a POW, and I am really glad that our county has moved beyond its past enough to have a black man in the presidential race. . . HOWEVER, I feel like these stories are used as a diversion. The stories are told to draw people's emotions to the surface and then the stories are followed by a bunch of half-true out of context criticisms or promises. I want to know the truth and I know I am not going to get it from the mouth of any of the candidates.

There is hope if you are seeking the real story as I am . . . It is a website called PolitiFact. There was a representative from the site on NPR last night so I checked it out. It dispels a lot of the claims made by the candidates and they make it entertaining with a truth-o-meter. For example, Obama has been criticized for wanting to raise taxes. McCain and Palin have both gone on and on about how this will hurt the middle class American. The claim was rated a half-truth because the real story is that Obama intends to roll back the Bush administration's tax cuts on people with incomes of $250,000 for couples and $200,000 for singles. Agree or disagree, but at least you are doing it based on the truth. . . and the whole truth (or at least as close and you can get to it). Anyway, I encourage everyone to educate yourselves and don't depend on the politicians to do it for you. Happy fact finding.