Thursday, March 31, 2016

Happiness - Grayslake Family Photographer and Writer

This years journey of loving kindness has brought me back to this one purest, simplest truth:
Everyone is trying their best to find happiness.  
This connects us all as human beings.
Every time I go back to this thought, unwise judgment disappears.
Furthermore, when you are happy it trickles down to those around you, even those that don't know you.  We are all connected in our happiness.

I look back at my own personal journey and the things that I thought made me happy (a place we lived, a job I had etc).  Not until I realized how those things weren't what happiness was about, was I able to create space to find my own happiness.

This kind of happiness isn't tied to any one person, place or thing.

It's the happiness that has no name that I practice every day for.

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." M Aurelius















We had a fun Spring break trip last week.  The first half we went to Alabama where we were married and had our second child.  A tour of our family history.  It was so special to share that with the kids and for Mike and I to go back.  During one of our many long car rides Mike asked me, "Any regrets?" I answered: "No, but I wish I would have enjoyed every change for what it was.  I wasn't able to do that then.  I caused myself a lot of suffering (and probably you) with every move and transition, clinging to the things that I thought made me happy then."

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." M Aurelius

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Hello, Is Anybody There - Grayslake Photographer


Hello! I know it's been pretty quiet around here.  At times I feel like I've lost my voice... HEY, has anyone seen my voice?  Anyone?  It was here a few minutes ago but now it's gone. Call 911! Why don't I have anything to say?   But then I stop from hitting the panic button and I realize I like the silence.  Great things come out of silence, it nourishes wisdom.  Instead of creating a story that isn't there I'm just going to respect the silence.   The quieter you become, the more you can hear.


Picture courtesy of my Aunt Carmela Villasenor.  Me when I was 3 years old.  Enjoy the silence!

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Maternity Session - Grayslake Family Photographer

This beautiful family came by for a maternity session. It was great working with them, they were pros in front of the camera.  Here is a sneak peek:


Mom has this wonderful glow to her.


Big sister is a doll! I could take her picture all day.  






Simple, clean and beautiful exactly what a family portrait should be.    



Congratulations! What an exciting time for your family. Thank you for coming to Grayslake.  
I hope to see you guys soon.