Category Archives: Life

Life

And He Doesn’t Look a Day Over Two…

My baby turns three years old today. It many ways I wonder how we got here so quickly. In many other ways I wonder how he can ONLY be three. It feels like we’ve had him forever – and sometimes he behaves well beyond his years (in good ways and in challenging ways).

At three Samuel is… funny, expressive, smart, pushy, obstinate and loving.

He likes… playing with his brother, annoying his brother, running (the kids runs everywhere), jumping, coloring, hugging and kissing (mostly just his family, thankfully – and we love it), saying “I love you”over and over again.

He is one very bright spark in our lives and I couldn’t imagine our family without him.

Happy birthday baby.

Twelve Years

Just over twelve years ago a man in America proposed to a (very) young woman in Australia and then moved to the other side of the world so the two of them could start a life together. The were married in a beautiful ceremony in the hills outside Melbourne and then went on to have a picture perfect marriage without conflict of any kind.

Ok, maybe that last part was a small exaggeration. The first year was rough and, to be honest, there were times when there was little more than a Visa restriction keeping them together. But they made it through that first year, bought an apartment, traveled the world (well, most of the United States), sold the apartment and began building a life for themselves in America complete with a house and two kids (and, soon, a much-anticipated deck).

The best part? After 12 years the story is not complete. In many ways it’s just begun.

Happy 12th anniversary to my wonderful husband and my best friend.

(Maybe next year you could buy me a scanner for an anniversary present so our wedding pictures don’t look like they’ve been gathering dust for, uh, 12 years).

A Touch of Spring

Back at work today after a fabulous long weekend that began with a birthday do-over and progressed to an anniversary dinner, a Spring Festival at Thomas’ school, a T-ball game and then a belated birthday dinner with the girls. And that was just Friday and Saturday.

Needless to say I have a TON of photos to go through and post but until then I will leave you with a touch of Spring in the form of my latest post for the I Heart Faces blog. This week’s challenge is “May Flowers”. I managed to take this photograph on Mothers day thanks to a patient family who agreed to a walk in the rain just so I could capture a few tulips while they are still blooming.

Back with more soon.

Birthday 2011: Requesting a Do-Over

I had big plans for my 36th birthday – and by big plans I mean a couple of days off from work, doing just what I wanted to do. No schedule, no appointments, just a couple of days by myself with the opportunity to walk around and take  a few photos.

Well, apparently life doesn’t quite work like that.

Tuesday (my birthday) turned out to be a day with Thomas. But not my healthy, happy Thomas. Instead I found myself looking after a sick child who was recovering from the stomach bug that Samuel kindly shared with us last week.

We did the grocery shopping (Trader Joe’s AND new Seasons), spent a lot of time watching TV and generally hung out for most of the day while I carefully monitored his every move to make sure he wasn’t going to throw up.

It wasn’t quite like I had planned but, actually, it was nice. It took me back to those days when we used to spend time together before Samuel was born. Just the two of us.

By the time Kei and Samuel got home at around 5pm, Thomas had perked up enough to agree to a birthday dinner of sushi (for me and Kei) and Soba noodles (for him and Samuel).

And this is the part when I realize just how important it is for me to take photos… While the events of later in the evening dampened my entire perspective of the day (more to come on that), these photos show me just how wonderful and special my birthday really was.

At first Samuel was all cranky and refused to let me take his photo so I said “please let me take a picture… for my birthday…” I honestly didn’t think t would work but then I got this…

And even this…

And then another reminder of that how he and I are genetically linked with the tongue-sticking-out-thing.

After a delicious sushi dinner we headed across the street to pick up a little dessert from the food carts. Thomas treated me to a couple of my favourite photos of him ever.

And then the boys ate cookies while I watched them eat. Strange – I didn’t feel dessert (more to come on that later).

Nothing commands their attention quite like the promise of food.

This was followed by a little activity to work off some of that chocolate. I know this next photo has the wrong focus and Samuel’s head is in the way, but I adore it anyway.

We ended dinner with a walk around the neighborhood where I finally had my opportunity to take a few photos of Spring.

The rest of the evening had a lot of promise – Glee night with the girls, wine and cupcakes. It started well but I had to leave a little early. Seems the stomach bug had not passed me over and I was destined to lie on the couch for the next 24 hours while Thomas (who wasn’t quite over it either) was forced to keep himself entertained with Lego and TV (LOTS of TV).

So, I am looking forward to my do-over next weekend even though in retrospect it wasn’t all that bad. Still, there’s no harm in trying to make it absolutely perfect and extend my birthday celebrations in the meantime, right? 🙂

Thoughts on Thirty-Six

Today is my birthday. I turn 36. I’m a little conflicted.

Pro: I am well out of my 20’s – that frustrating period of time when I knew where I wanted to be in my life but also knew I had to wait many years to get there.
Con: I’m on the downhill slide to 40.

Pro: I have a wonderful husband and two gorgeous, intelligent, wonderful boys.
Con: I sometimes yearn for the days when I didn’t have to do someone else’s laundry (x3).

Pro: I am approaching an age bracket that has been fully endorsed by Oprah.
Con: I’m on the downhill slide to 40 (important fact that needs repeating)

Pro: I found my life’s passion in photography in my mid 30’s.
Con: I am a long way from financial independence.

Pro: I have the chance to celebrate another year of life.
Con: It’s likely I’ll have to celebrate it while holding a bucket for my vomiting child. Very sad, but true.
Pro: A night out with the girls and a date night with my husband will more than make up for it.
Con: I will still have to do laundry the next day.

Pro: I have friends, wonderful friends.
Con: I often wish I could be closer to my family AND have my friends close by.

Pro: I have 20/15 vision
Con: I had to undergo surgery and pay a LOT of money to get it – but it was worth every penny.

Pro: I  know where I want to be in terms of health, weight and career.
Con: I am not quite where I want to be in terms of health, weigh and career.
Pro: I KNOW where I want to be (just need to find the means for some…and motivation for others). Oh, and I am FINALLY embracing my enormous forehead.

Pros: I’m happy (with the occasional off day). I’m comfortable. I’m loved. I’m healthy. I’m getting French doors and a deck. I’m 36.

…and I’m just where I need (and want) to be – right now.

My Sweet Thing is a Sick Thing

So, while I was thinking about my photo for this weeks I Heart Faces challenge, I came across this photo that was a little bit soft (in color) and more than a little sweet – the face, the boy and, of course, the Reese’s treat courtesy of the Easter Bunny.

Sadly, the boy in the photo is not feeling well. He has the stomach bug that hit Samuel last week. Reports from others at daycare suggest that it will only last 24 hours and I’m hoping that’s true. I need my boy back to his usual self (but perhaps with a little less whining).

Count Me Inspired

Thanks to a little work commitment, I found myself at the TEDx Portland event yesterday. I was there to manage the photo booth at the Waggener Edstrom table which meant I spent a day taking photos (which I love, of course) but I ALSO had the opportunity to actually watch the speaker sessions.

In a word – Inspirational.

I laughed, I cried, I sat in awe of amazing talent. I’m still taking it all in.

Unfortunately my camera was connected to the booth for the entire day so I didn’t take any of my own photos, but I will share a few highlights with some pics stolen borrowed from the interweb.

Jim Riswold 

Two bouts with cancer. Brave, funny, incredible. In one very short presentation, this man managed to teach me one very important lesson – laugh at the bad guy.

Storm Large

The woman can sing… and write and speak. She came across as brave and vulnerable and real all at the same time.

Genevieve Bell

As soon as she started speaking I knew she’d have something wonderful to say. I mean the Aussie accent gave it away. 🙂 Seriously though, she gave legitimacy to boredom. Put down the technology and just let your mind rest for a while. Now THAT’s an idea I can get behind… and I’ll try it as soon as I’m done with this blog post.

Greg Bell

This man changed his priorities in life and lives them. Adopting “mind your own Bamboo” as a catchphrase.

On The Rocks

Like Glee only better and in person.

PHAME (Pacific Honored Artists, Musicians and Entertainers)

Proving that anyone can have a dream and follow it (and be amazing), despite the obstacles.

Of course there was so much – discussions on everything from food to architecture to the power grid. DEFINITELY going back next year and encouraging all my friends to do the same.

Sunshine and Artistry

The sun came out for a few minutes a couple of weeks ago so Kei had the brilliant idea to set the kids up in the backyard to do a little painting. I’m looking forward to more of this as the weather continues to warm up – although right now it feels as though Portland is teasing us with warm, sunny skies one day and hurricane-force winds the next.

Still, we are without a playroom for the next few weeks so I suspect we may have to brave the outdoors regardless of the weather. (more on the reason we’ve lost the playroom coming soon).

Oh, my poor youngest child. You have no idea how much teasing I have endured over the years due to an uncontrollable need to poke out my tongue whilst concentrating. I’m sorry that I passed it on to you, but I promise to protect you from your grandparent’s inevitable comments as much as I can.

At this point I’ll mention how wonderful it is to see Thomas painting with color. For a long time every single picture that came back from school was a black and white drawing of a Storm Trooper or Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker. Now, we still get the same pictures of Star Wars characters but sometimes they come in lovely jewel tones.

Samuel has recently declared that his favorite color is blue. Must drink from a blue cup, wear blue pants, shirts and socks, eat with a blue spoon – you get the idea. Conveniently there is no shortage of blue in the boy’s clothing department.

I think it’s safe to say that we’re all excited with the prospect of a little more sunshine, a little more paint and a lot more blue.