Sweet Life

Learning: 10 things about me

2012-02-28T14:46:00.001-08:00

Beyon Layers-Learning, originally uploaded by Lolafalola.

As part of my effort to "Grow" in 2012 I am taking Kim Klassen's year long Beyond Layer's e-course and I am loving it! This week she challenged us to make a list of 10 things about ourselves and then share that list with the group. Now, I have done something similar in the past but that was a list of 100 things about me (and unfortunately that list brought me within the sights of some folks investigating the disappearance of a young girl over 30 years ago...they thought I might be her and as such looked into my private life. That unsettled me quite a bit and is the whole reason I try to keep my children's faces and any/or identifying info off of my blog).

Anyways this list is fairly innocuous and I thought it might be fun, so here it goes:

1. I love my 40's...in the words of a friend's friend: the 40's feel "settled".
2. I never imagined myself as a mom. I was going to have a passport, be a doting Auntie, and travel the world!
3. I LOVE being mom to my 5 kids (and all the friends they bring home)!
4. I got my first passport 18 months ago!
5. I love Medieval history.
6. I know amazingly stupid facts about many things.
7. I've always wanted to be a helicopter pilot.
8. I only read one magazine: Country Living UK (but I read MANY books).
9. I met my husband 3 weeks before my 18th birthday...I knew within 6 weeks that he was the one for me. We've been together 26.5 years and married almost 20!---he's my one and only true love.
10.I spontaneously break out in song--especially in the grocery store (much to my teenager's complete mortification)!

Words are powerful

2012-01-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Squares, originally uploaded by Lolafalola.

In 2010 I chose a word on which I wanted to focus: Grace. I felt I need to be more gracious and extend that grace to those around me. Funny thing is that it was I who needed Grace. I needed to extend it to myself. But I didn't know that until much later.

For the most part I rather forgot my word but toward the end of the year my mother was hospitalized. Her 5 year battle with a terminal lung disease was coming to a close and she needed me, she needed grace and love and forgiveness. For the next 4 months my mom and many aspects of her life took over my life. It took everything I had to be gracious to this woman whom I loved but with whom for nearly 20 years I had had to maintain strict, sometimes severe boundries for the sake of my own mental health and for the health of my marriage and children. But I did it. I let down the boundries. Thankfully, I managed to care for her and love her and by doing so learn some things about her and myself. I know she loved me and I have NO regrets about the kind of relationship we maintained for so long. It was necessary at the time but in the end it didn't matter. I was able to extend to her a level of grace I didn't know I had in me and by doing so gave grace to myself. I was a good daughter.

Words can be powerful. Very powerful. So, at the start of 2011 I knew I wanted to choose another word and really make it a focus of my year. I had already signed up for Ali Edward's One Little Word class and I had been mulling over a few words but none really called to me. But with my mom's passing on January 2nd I knew the word that I needed. It chose me. Embrace. I wanted to embrace change, creativity, adventure, and new things. And I did. Boy, did I embrace these things and more.

The day after my mom's passing was the first day of a class my husband gifted me for Christmas, Simple Soulful with Irene Nam. It was a photography class. A gift from an established photographer husband to his burgeoning photographer wife. Not a technical type class but one where we would learn to shoot from our heart. To see through the viewfinder those things which move us. Speak to us. See that which we love. That class was just what I needed. That one little 4 week long class started me on a journey I NEVER imagined I'd take. One that lead me from taking pictures of my garden and kids in my backyard to an amazing gathering of women by the sea. I embraced photography. And photography embraced me.

So, toward the end of 2011 I pondered, ruminated, percolated what my word for 2012 would be. Light? Story? Believe? Dream? All wonderful words but none were THE word. I knew I wanted a word that would continue on from where embrace left off. A word that spoke of continuity yet change. A word that summed up the feeling of moving forward but not ending. I started to drive my husband crazy asking him about words. What he liked. If the word sounded right. If he thought it fit me. He felt I was thinking too hard about it all; over analyzing the whole thing. He was correct. I'm so thankful I married a man so insightful to the workings of my mind. Once I stopped trying to make the word come to me it came: Grow. It fit. Moving forward but not ceasing. Positive. A sense of becoming. Continuing what started in 2011 and making it better. I can't wait to experience growth not just in my photography but in so many other areas of my life: relational, spiritual, emotional, physical. This is going to be a great year!

Home from Camp, part deux

2011-11-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

I had no idea when I signed up exactly what Camp would be like. I knew it would involve photography and that was fine with me. My husband is a fine art nature photographer and has been encouraging me to really work on my own photography. In the past year he's given me the gift of an amazing photography book, an online class by the wonderful and encouraging Irene Nam, other online classes, and even his extra camera equipment. I thought this would be a great way to learn new things and become a better photographer. So, for months I eagerly looked forward to October 16th--the DAY. In the meantime, Tracy Clark added me to the "secret" FaceBook page for all the Campers. I got to "know" a few gals by name on that page, exchanged a few pleasantries, and made comments but nothing of any real depth. Everything was going great. My anticipation was mounting and Camp was becoming more and more of a reality.

Then without warning all the insecurities of life seemed to jump out at me in the week or two before Camp...yikes! What in the world was I thinking joining nearly 70 other women NONE OF WHOM I KNEW in person and only a few by name (and often not even their real name) online. I'm sure my kids thought I was nuts. My husband asked me if I was scared. Some of my in-real-life friends just smiled and said, "well, that sounds fun". My bravado really kicked in. "Yes, I really want to go", "NO...I'm not scared" I told friends and family and myself. In reality, I was terrified. Would the other women think I was a poser. A wannabe photographer who had only her husband's hand me down, albeit very nice, gear and no idea what it all could really do. I was afraid to actually try to take a picture in front of anyone for fear I be quizzed on what settings I used: what aperture? what iso? WHY was I taking of picture of THAT! I was overwhelmed to say the least.

Then I arrived. Checked-in. Met Tracy Clark. I was at Camp. It was real.

The hardest step is always the first...and milling about with nearly 70 other women, chatting it up while waiting for the evening to begin was hard. I didn't really know anyone and small talk is not my forte. Yet, it was the start to a wonderful, meaningful 3 days.

Lest you think I am going to bore you with each day's details, fear not. I won't. I can't. There are no words.

It was more than a retreat. It was more than the photography. It was amazing. Empowering. Permission giving. I met women who loved photography. And women who really didn't care where I got my camera equipment. Women who kindly, graciously helped me with my settings. Who encouraged me, the NOVICE, with her photography. Who liked me for ME (and who laughed with me about my curly hair getting curlier and curlier by the minute)! In the words of another camper, it was an "epic gathering of kindred spirits".

Camp was all I expected and nothing I expected. It refreshed me, renewed me, and gave me a gift. The gift of stepping out of my comfort zone and realizing I can do this thing called Photography. Camp changed me. And I'm glad.

Home From Camp

2011-10-28T21:05:00.000-07:00


The sign welcoming us to Camp Shutter Sisters

Last week I went away. From Sunday to Wednesday. All alone. No kids. No husband. Just me. And my camera. I've never really left my family for more than a quick overnight...and it was good. I needed it. After dealing with the last stages of my mom's terminal illness, hospitalization, and eventual death for four very stressful months, all the emotional and physical baggage that came with it, and then the subsequent long months of dealing with her credit card companies, bill collectors and the like. Couple that with all the usual stress and angst a family of 7 deals with daily, I needed a break. A big break.

And I knew just what I wanted to do. In early January I saw posted on the Shutter Sisters blog the opportunity to attend Camp Shutter Sisters; a photography retreat envisioned by Tracy Clark. I just had to bide my time until the March sign-up date arrived. When 9am on that day in March did arrive I jumped on the computer and...was about 1 minute too late. I hit submit at 9:14am and Camp was already filled. I didn't know how much I wanted to go to Camp until that moment. I'd like to say I handled the disappointment like an adult. I'd like to, but I didn't. I cried for a bit, was cranky then tried to get on with life. But not before sending and e-mail to Tracy asking to be placed on the wait list. I was number one on that list. I really needed to be on that list. I really needed to go to Camp. Only I didn't know then how much I needed Camp. Providentially I was one of the lucky few that did get to go. I got the e-mail at the end of May saying a spot opened up, asking me would I like to come. I could hardly contain myself...Yes! I wanted to come!!! I thought a Camp experience would be just what I needed to refresh and renew myself. A mini-vacation just for me.

It was that and more. So much more.

part two to come....

One Image

2011-09-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

apple painting

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No words, just one image from our life.

1000 Gifts

2011-09-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

apple pie making

One little image from the past week to start my gratitude list this beautiful, nearly fall, Monday morning:

#790-#804

~Apple Hill!

~pie making with friends

~fall is only a few days away

~cooler mornings

~apple donuts

~pumpkin pie fudge

~friends trusting in God

~frog song early in the morning

~cinnamon pine cones

~fall colors

~lidded baskets keeping our roving homeschool mess in check

~dark mornings

~the idea of small gatherings

~missing my mom

~curly hair

We all have so much for which to be thankful. Won't you join us in the gratitude community?

One thing

2011-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

church bell, Ft. Ross, California, 2010

My One Little Word for the year is Embrace. One thing which I wanted to embrace this year was my photography. In January, I took a class called Simple Soulful with the wonderful Irene Nam. I've read and re-read the inspiring book Expressive Photography by the highly motivating Tracey Clark. I registered for Camp Shutter Sisters (which happens in just 8 weeks! I am so excited!). I even tried carrying my camera everywhere. No easy thing considering how heavy it is combined with all the other stuff that finds it's way into my bag. Unfortunately life with 5 children, 1 husband, homeschooling, a home to care for and the myriad of things that life has thrown at me got in the way of my really using my camera for anything other that a paperweight. So, hoping to try to get my focus back on Embracing my photography I thought on a daily or weekly basis I'd go through my photo archives and find one (or two) image that I really liked and share it here. Hopefully, I'll start posting current images, too. I really want to grow as a photographer and I know that won't happen until I pick up my camera and just shoot.

Transitions

2011-08-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a turning point in Babycakes life: she graduated from her car seat to a booster seat. If was a turning point in my life, also. This is the first time in exactly 17.5 years that I don't have a five point restraint child seat in my vehicle. I am not sure if this makes me happy or sad. Yes, I have been smiling widely with the thought of not having to climb into the van to buckle her in, but...I don't have to buckle her in. She's my youngest, my last, my baby. Only she's really not a baby any more and truthfully, hasn't been for sometime now. Yet, that doesn't make this transition for me any easier. She's quite capable of buckling herself in and that is just one more step away from me. Yes, this is healthy. Yes, this is the way it is supposed to be. But I am not so sure I like it as much as I thought I would. She doesn't need me as much as she did just two days ago. This same day, my oldest started college. Technically he's still a senior in high school but he's also a dual enrolled student; he not only gets high school credit but college credit for the class he's taking. He's moving away from me, too...only he's moving at lightning speed. In less than a year he'll most likely be away at college...for good.

I know all this is the way life is supposed to happen. As a parent, it is my job to try my best to raise healthy, well-adjusted children. Healthy, well-adjusted children try new things, gain independence, grow up and eventually leave home. But that always seemed so much in the future. Now I'm staring the future squarely in the eye and I am a little sad. My homeschooling journey with my oldest child, the child that caused us to start homeschooling in the first place, is nearing it's end. And yet, while this is somewhat bittersweet, I do have the comfort of knowing that my homeschooling journey with my youngest is just starting. She still needs me...for a little bit longer.

I am a "Courted" Woman

2011-06-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

The other night my husband came home and out of the blue asked me if I was worried that he didn't "court" me enough. Apparently this had come up in a conversation with some of his friends. At first I laughed the question off wondering from where the dickens it came. I quickly realized he was asking in earnest. He really wanted to know if I felt let down in this area of our relationship. I replied that I never felt the need to be courted and after all he already caught me! We spoke a little more about it but for the most part we left it at that. Well, for some reason this whole idea of courting came to my mind this morning and I realized that my husband DOES court me everyday...just not in the traditional, expected manner that society tells us he should. No, we don't go out on dates every week or even every month. To be honest, we probably only go out on a "date" a couple of times a year. But he courts me nonetheless.

He courts me when he and I are in bed, each reading our own books and he stops to read me a passage that has made him laugh, touched him or caused him to really think hard and he wants me to share in this discovery of his. He courts me every time he cups one of our children's faces in his hands to tell them he loves them. He courts me every time he comes home from a LONG day at work and finds me washing dishes with my cracked and bleeding hands and moves me aside to finish the job for me. He courts me every time he comes home and cheerfully asks what can he do for me. He courts me when he listens to me tell a story...for the second time or third time. He courts me every time he puts up with my nervous and annoying habits and does so with love and gentleness. He courts me every time he COMES home! There is much in this world to entice a man away from his wife but my husband has committed himself before God to remain true and faithful to the wife of his youth. All this and more make me want to marry him all over again...everyday. If that isn't courting then I don't know what is.

Coram Deo,
Lola

Places you really must visit

2011-05-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of blogs that I visit when I need a bit of inspiration in my photography, crafting, decorating or just plain daily living.

I hope they inspire you, too!

Dreamy Whites
Mimi Charmante
Lisa Leonard Designs
Shutter Sisters
London vs Paris
A Creative Mint
Cannelle et Vanille
Honey and Jam
The Habit of Being
A Holy Experience

Have a beautiful rest of the week!
Lola

Stepping out of my comfort zone

2011-05-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

Some of you may be visiting from my Facebook page and wonder about why I try to remain as anonymous as possible here on my blog. Well, a few years ago I had a creepy blog stalker-kind-of-thing happen to me. It made me want to stop blogging forever. But, I didn't want to be a reactionary so I continued to blog all the while trying to be even more diligent at keeping my true identity masked (ooh, I sound like a Caped Crusader!) Hence, you won't find me mentioning my kid's names or even an exact location of where we live. I try to be fairly vague about these things as a way to offer myself and my family some protection. I know this is a very open, public platform but I try not to make to easy for others whom I do not know personally to find out who I am (because you all know how popular I am--snicker, snicker). But, I also am not so naive that I think this protects me completely. It is also because of this caution that I do not use my name when I comment on other's blogs.

Now you may be wondering to where all this is leading. Well, I recently made an online purchase of a vintage French Bistro Chair (you can see a picture of it here) from a delightful online shop called Dreamy Whites . I initially contacted the proprietess, Maria, through her blog to ask if she had any more chairs for sale that she hadn't listed in her shop. She graciously e-mailed me back with several pictures of chairs from which I could choose! Oh, my! Let me tell you choosing was hard; each chair had it's own uniqueness to it. I liked them all...but I really had my heart set on an all white chair. Now, none of this terribly unusual but the fact that Maria only lives about 1.5 hours away from me is! Having lived in this area for most of my life and having JUST visited the area the area where Maria lives only 3 weeks ago I knew I could very easily pick-up the chair rather than it shipped to me--and I figured this would save me the shipping charges. So, I hesitantly mentioned it to Maria and she agreed! Well, that was definitely a step of faith for me...meeting someone in person that I only knew from the blogosphere. Yikes! All I could hear in the back of my mind was: "Danger! Will Robinson! Danger!"

But let me tell you those red-flags that my nervous-nelly mind sent up were for naught. Maria is quite possibly one of the most gracious people I've ever met. She not only brought the chair I purchased but 3 more from which to choose in case I liked a different one better! AND...she had tied a wonderful little burlap parcel with a little postcard attached to the back of the chair. I knew it had to contain some lavender (she sells that in her shop, too!) as I could smell it but it wasn't until I got home and opened it that I found two bunches of lavender AND a small sachet! AND (yes, it does get better!) she gifted me one of these! Oh, my! Those of you who really know me know that I've had a long time dream of owning a lavender farm. I love lavender; the scent of it, its many color variations, how it attracts bees...I just love everything about it! What Maria did not know was that 3 weeks ago I visited the little shop she had mentioned on her blog and I purchased one of her lavender pillows. So now I own two (they are the little pillows in the basket on my chair shown in the previous post). Those two little pillows really scent the room!

I'm so glad I took a chance and asked to pick up my chair...otherwise I would not have met Maria in person...and my Monday would have been the worse for it!

Good Monday Morning and a Giveaway Heads-UP

2011-05-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful Monday here and to start your week off well I have a wonderful opportunity for you!

A beautiful blog I visit, mimi charmante, has blogged about a friend of hers that is an amazing clothing designer and artist. AND, she is having a giveaway for a beautiful market bag. Once you visit Jeanne's shop you will want one for yourself. But, that's not all...Jeanne herself is hosting a giveaway on her blog...for a $500 gift certificate for her shop!!!! So, Go. Quickly. Start here. Comment away and perhaps you will win! Good luck!!
p.s.--I was so excited and loved all the styles so much that I couldn't resist...I bought the camera bag!!

First Roses

2011-05-02T15:28:00.001-07:00

Here it is again...Monday morning. It's been a long week...a couple of sick children and a third hard on their heels. But there is still much for which to be thankful:

~a stunning Royal wedding--so like a fairy tale--girlies and I watching on TV and loving it!

~purchasing baby gifts--celebrating new life!

~new jean size!!! 

~littlest feeling better 

~beautiful roses from the garden--season's first bouquet

There is so much in life for which to be thankful; won't you join us?

1000 Gifts

2011-04-26T18:18:00.001-07:00

I know it's not Monday but the Tuesday after Easter but, my blessings list keeps growing and I didn't want to wait until next week to share with what I've been blessed!

~He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

~beautiful flowers gracing our Easter table

~rainy Monday morning workout--moving toward a healthier body

~meeting the lovely Maria of Dreamy Whites

~vintage chair love!!! (yes, this chair is sitting in my bedroom!)

~lavender pillows and sachets--the most delicious of scents!

~unexpected gift of the last of her ranunculus from the one I was

hoping to bless.

~a husband who let me sleep in...on a school day, because he knew I truly needed it.

It isn't really Multitudes Monday (perhaps, Thankful Tuesday?) but please, won't you join us anyways?

Praise Him in the Morning

2011-04-20T11:59:00.001-07:00

lilacshadow, originally uploaded by Lolafalola.

ajuga, originally uploaded by Lolafalola.

It's Spring break around here. My two oldest children are away on a missions trip house building and helping with VBS/Sport Camp in a community outside Ensenada. It sure is quiet with only three kiddos bustling about. And, of course, since it is Spring Break the weather has decided to be less than gorgeous...gray, overcast, slightly chilly and rainy...sigh...but I did snap these images last week when it was perfect spring weather! No matter...I will still Praise HIM in the morning...it is good to be alive!

Rain, rain...has gone away!

2011-03-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a glorious day! After more than a week of gray clouds and rainy weather, the last two days have been such a blessing. We spent some time outdoors reading history and having tea time...and look what is blooming:

Monday, Monday

2011-03-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good Monday morning!

It's Multitudes Monday and I'm counting my blessings:

~My One Little Word--Embrace 

~Mama Bootcamp--encouraging coaches make getting healthy fun!

~Spaghetti sauce jars lined up and ready to go to the Gathering Inn

~12 pounds of  browned ground beef -- it will be enough

~My 3 faithful teenagers ready and willing to serve 

~Short lines at DMV!!

Won't you join us and count your blessings, too?

Changes are afoot!

2011-03-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know that this is my new blog only just recently designed by my lovely daughter but she has big plans for this space...she sees it as her own canvas for new ideas (I love that!). So hopefully in the next few weeks this space will be completely redecorated! Think more spring-like. I know I'll be saving the current header images as they are some of my most favorite...but I agree with my daughter: they say "summer".

Monday, Monday!

2011-03-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

After being inspired by Ann at Holy Experience (and in a related but slightly different way by Lisa at Lisa Leonard Designs) I thought I'd add my two cents worth (and yes, I know, today is Tuesday, but between homeschooling, various sports activities and 5 kids this is the best I could do!):

Here are the things I'm thankful for on this beautiful Monday Morning!

~ponied tailed little girls
~finding the perfect white frames--in my garage!!

~5 year old asking to do school!

~singing the Alphabet Song--sweet little voice, oh! how I hope I never forget your sound!

~forgotten daffodils blooming

Won't you join me as I join in on Multitudes on Monday

Trying hard

2011-02-05T22:25:00.001-08:00

Trying hard, originally uploaded by Lolafalola.

Here is the littlest one trying hard to tie her shoe...caught her at it on a walk to the park a couple of days ago...

Hello World!

2011-01-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

Whoo Hoo!! My new blog designed just for me by my very own daughter!!! Didn't she do an amazing job! I just told her what colors I liked, gave her some images and she did the rest! I am so proud of her!

Anyways--one of my desires this year is to actually blog more. This will be a place for me to post my photographs ( how original, huh?) and whatever else strikes my fancy. I probably won't post very often but hopefully more than every few months as is my track record!