Inspired

“There is freedom waiting for you,

On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask "What if I fall?"
Oh but my darling,

What if you fly?” Erin Hanson

 Photo Cred: @melody112775
Yesterday @igerscolumbus celebrated World Wide Instameet Weekend. We met at The Columbus Museum of Art to view the #MobilePhotoNow exhibit. A collection of over 300 amazing photos captured thru smart phones from all over the world. I was lucky enough to meet several of the photographers that were from Cbus & a few that had come into town to see their photo in the exhibit. After the exhibit we had an amazing walk about. This shot was me on top of a Columbus State Parking garage. AMAZING!!!!!

Photo from Kenya by @samdave69. Below, Norma shot by @bigmanjapan right here in Columbus. Norma's my friend on instagram<3 by="" horses="" p="" shot="" william_francis="">

You can see all of the photos from the exhibit HERE!!!  Thanks to The Columbus Museum of Art for being amazing & embracing such an amazing project!!!!

It's NOT A Perfect Life

Lately I'm seeing some serious backlash against the mommy blogs.  Ripping on them for portraying too perfect a life. Kids too well dressed, houses too clean, bodies too fit.  I call bullshit.  We all know that being a mom is a hair pulling, heart breaking job. It gives you headaches, hemorrhoids & chronic heartburn. It also makes you want to be better. To learn & grow yourself, so you can teach these sweet babies to be the best that they can be.  SO WHAT! if the mommy bloggers take pictures of the quinoa they made on Sunday not the hot dog they served on Monday. We all still know  the hot dog happens eventually. If all anyone ever posted was how shitty their day was no one would want to read. I blog because I love taking pictures of my family. In 30 years I want to remember the everyday moments that get lost in the monotony of raising 2 little kids while trying to work full time & love on my husband.  I read blogs for inspiration and come away realizing we're all carrying the same burdens.  

When I had a miscarriage in 2010 the very 1st place I went was the internet. It might sound weird. I was devastated & felt like my body had betrayed me. None of my close friends had experienced this type of loss. I craved hearing other people's stories. I found those stories on the mommy blogs. I realized I wasn't a freak or a failure. I realized it was common. It didn't mean I was never going to be a mom or that I had a serious medical issue. These other woman who so bravely shared their own losses for all the world to read helped soothe my soul during one of the hardest times of my life.  Instead of judging them for being too perfect I applaud them for sharing & striving to be better moms, wives,  friends, cooks, decorators, dressers....Whatever  Let's hold ourselves accountable for our own insecurities & come together  through social media (if that's your thing) to overcome. YOU CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY.  

I CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. PINTEREST FOREVER!!! 

Welcome to Lazy Town

I'm the Mayor!!! Ugh....

Anyway, love this sentiment. Reposted on Tumblr over 350k times! 

Lazy weekend here! Yesterday i took a DSLR class at Mid West Photo Exchange. It was tons of fun. Then I came home snuggled w my babies, snuggled w my husband. Today as the kids played I snuck in the pilot episode of Parenthood. I know I am waaaaay behind. Bless you netflix.

Be Beautiful

A quick Happy New Year as we rush off to the casino:) Sharing a few pics that didn't make the blog this year. 

Seriously this first pic of Wesley? Probably my favorite image of the year. So new & fresh.  I want to eat him up!!!  New Years Resolutions for this year???  

I loved Emma's post here.... I also loved Glennon's post here. A must read!!!! Be BEAUTIFUL in 2014.

Happy Sunday

Something my littles help me remember everyday!!!!  Don't forget to play, pretend, read, shop (my personal fav!!), run, dance, sing!!!!!!!  My mom & dad are so good at embracing this. Just yesterday we all danced in their living room to this song..  If it seems like an odd choice, remember my mom & dad lived in New Orleans in the late 70's!!!!

A Thought

Ilsa was an acrobat who went and fell in love with that
Horatio the human cannonball

            A weddin' 'neath the big top tent with barkers clowns and elephants

Sideshow family oddities and all.

The dog-faced boy howled out with joy

As the tattooed lady was crying.

Ever since the beginning to keep the world spinning

It takes all kinds of kinds.

Miranda Lambert

I would have totally runaway with the circus in the 1920's....

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!

This morning my mom took Mia to a retirement center where they gave out roses & wished the moms/grandmas/great grandmas/ even great great grandmas Happy Mother's Day. Then they returned home with flowers & treats for me.  

These actions sum up my mom perfectly. Generous, giving & selfless to a fault (take care of yourself women!! we need you!).  Thank you Mom, for teaching Mia, me & everyone who knows you how to be caring and generous of spirit. I am so lucky & thankful for you!!

Happy Mother's Day:)

Damon posted this on my FB page this morning:) Looks just how I feel!! I'm back to work tomorrow:/

Looking Forward

Damon loooooves Geoge Takei aka Captain Sulu from Star Trek. George posted this quote on his FB page a few days ago.  

With approximately 52 more days until the birth of our baby boy I'd say old Sulu is on to something.  

Thanks Dad

These past few months have been really difficult. After my 1st hospital stay, my dad had a severe neurological event that had him in the hospital for a week, sent home with little to no answers. He is steadily improving but originally couldn't walk, had double vision and a heart rate in the 20's. THEN I had another hospital stay this week for severe muscular chest pin (pleurisy), on top of a grouchy teething babe, trying to get rid of two mortgages, losing our family pet..I'm sure there's more I am just blocking it out.

ANYWAY, my dad sent me this text yesterday & I LOVE IT!!! Thanks Dad, I needed that!!!!

Glow Big

When I came in to the office on Monday I noticed someone had decorated our dry erase boards. There were colorful stars, hearts, swirls & sweet sentiments. Do your best, you rock, etc.. Turns out my director of scheduling's young  niece interned for the day. It my sound silly or cheesy, but I SWEAR something she wrote has stayed with me all week. Glow Big, complete with a bright yellow sunshine. So that's what i'm shooting for this week & maybe forever if i can manage. Glow Big:)

Resolution

My mind set for 2012....

:Source via pinterest

NYE Inspiration

I can not believe it's about to be 2012..I can not believe we have the most perfect baby daughter. I can not believe she is the Class of 2029..My husband would second me when I say that makes me feel slightly old.

picframe iphone app <3

Honestly getting older doesn't really bother me. More dreams come true, i'm smarter, sassier & best of all, a mama!!. My resolution for the New Year?? To shake off the 2011 tough times..terrible work woes, double mortgage hell blah blah.. I found myself stressed & cynical more times then I would have liked in 2011.

2012, be kind to my family & i'll be kind to you.  xoxoxoxx 

Feeling It

This could be the motivation I need to get back to the gym.. It makes me laugh out loud...

Beautiful

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Mary jean Iron

Give Thanks

Celebrating this Thanksgiving weekend with family and patiently (not so much) waiting for April to come around, i find this to be SO appropriate.

Life is WONDERFUL!

Optimistic

Quote:

Bitter

Recently times have been a little rough. Actually the whole month of may was yucky. I try not to post the negative because A) Usually i would like to forget it B) I know my life is 89% amazing.

BUT I have to say yesterday was a BAD day... I posted my thoughts on facebook, sparing my beautiful blog and my friend Robin had the best comment.

Inspiring quote for the day (or yucky yesterday):

YESTERDAY CAN SUCK IT!!!!!

I feel better just saying it...

Love you mom & dad!

After a great work out with my mom this morning we met my dad for food at Panera. He has been reading Jack Kerouac. He insists the best book of all time could very well be Desolation Angels.

He also tossed out a GREAT Winston Churchill quote!

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

Make it A GREAT Day!

"I believe in pink. I believe laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing and kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe tomorrow is another day. And I believe in miracles." ~ Audrey Hepburn

Sweet!

so i was surfing around and stumbled across these adorable sweeties! Next i got distracted and forgot to note where you can buy them! Bummer b/c they were only $10! So enjoy, be inspired to create and love the simple things. When I stumble across the site where these cuties were created i promise to link!!!