Being vs Doing - Grayslake Writer and Photographer

Last week I was doing.  I was so busy doing... taking the kids to varies summer activities, working my part time job from home (did you know I work at a call center from home?), the household cleaning/laundry, cooking, and grocery shopping- to name just a few.  When things get busy and I am on my own keeping up with everything (hubby's busy season at work is summertime) the first thing that gets cut from my "to do" list are things that I do for my well being.  I don't go to Yoga, I don't run (well I don't really do that for myself, I do that for my waist line), and I don't meditate.  I'm too busy doing and not being.

The universe/God gave me a few whispers that I was on the wrong path. One was when I couldn't remember if I turned the stove off.  I was too busy doing to remember.  Far from home and that panic feeling strikes me like lightening.  Thankfully, an awesome friend stopped by and checked for me... all was well.

By the end of the week I had also done these things: made myself miserable, picked fights with my husband, and yelled way too much.

I knew Yoga would help, so the next day my hubby had  off I went.  I thought if I just did something for myself that it would fix my crazy week.  Instantly, I felt like a new woman afterwards.  Why? Was it because I did something for me?  Was it because of those awesome endorphins? Was I being at Yoga?

Then I realized it's not a battle between being and doing.  It's about merging the two.
  
It was because, during Yoga doing and being came together and I moved myself forward.

How can I translate that feeling of being while doing that I feel at Yoga into my day to day life?    

          

Father's Day - Grayslake Writer and Photographer

Every year we purchase cards for Father's Day.  The kids often pick a card that is funny or sings a song. This year we decided to make special cards using images that I have captured with my phone.  I take my phone every where and I often snap impromptu images.  These images stay on my phone until I have no more memory, my phone keeps shutting down and I have to download the pictures to my computer otherwise I can't use my phone.  The images are hardly ever printed or even seen again  (up until last week when I was looking for images for my Roommate blog).  

Here are some of the pages of the cards they put together:

Awesome Dad! You always try to make me feel better when I'm sad.  I Love You!

I snapped the image above when M had woken up at night because she didn't feel good.  Daddy lifted her in his arms like when she was a baby.  It made her smile.

Would you ever have too much fun?  

 Thanks for being an awesome daddy.

every year you are great

Daddy putting in our beautiful new hardwood flooring.  

great job with the starburst it was awesome

Daddy learning how to use the bracelet loom.  

Would you ever have too much fun that you burst?  

 I took all the images in this blog post except for the image (below in the center) of my husband when he was 5 years old.

I put together some of my favorite moments of this year as well.

When the kids went to bed he told me that he loved the cards so much, the kids must have worked really hard on them.  He said that I should have saved something like this for when he was on his death bed, it was so special.  LOL!
These were "just" every day every day moments.
This is experiencing the power of NOW!  

Roommate - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

We had a roommate with us the last 6 months.  My brother.  He was living in the St. Louis area for several years and received a wonderful opportunity in his field to work in the Northern Suburbs of Chicago.  He asked us if he could crash with us until he found a place and settled in.  Without hesitation we welcomed him home.  Tio David went on many adventures with us; rollerskating, dodge ball, and the occasional taco/movie night Friday. My husband enjoyed having another guy around to talk to about guy things.  I loved his having his big smile and supportive hugs after long days.  He found a place in the city and is starting a new chapter in his life entitled: City Living.  We loved having him with us.

I took the image below with my phone the day he moved in.  The kids were so excited!

He introduced us to Chinese culture.  Tio David travels there often for work and now the kids talk about our future trips to China all the time.

An end of the work week toast, image taken with my phone.

A new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.  Sending positive loving thoughts your way little brother ;)

Graduation - Chicago Area Photographer and Writer

I snapped this one as my niece was walking.. more like floating off of the stage.  Just pure joy!

The graduate pictured below gave such a great speech.  He rhymed, rapped, had props, audience participation and even ate a pudding cup while he was speaking.  Beyond his non traditional, creative presentation what I loved the most is what he said.  He conveyed the message that this is not the end. There are so many things ahead but this is not the beginning either. That started a long time ago.  This is a special moment in time. He went on to point out other special moments throughout their high school days.  Every moment in its own way a celebration of their time in high school.    

My niece says she is going to make a difference in the world.  What she doesn't realize is that she already has made a difference.  She gave me my first experience with children.  She was a baby growing up under the same roof as I was a high schooler.  She was/is the first child I loved and set the stage for what love would be like for my own children.  My children look up to her and have now witnessed her graduate.  She has planted seeds in all of our hearts just by being.

"A" will be attending Columbia University in New York.  She is being propelled into the next stage of her life and we will be here cheering her on, watching her soar.