The Butterfly - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

The monarch butterfly story captivates me.  Less than 1% of caterpillars become Monarch Butterflies.  They go through four stages of life; egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult butterfly.  The life span of a butterfly is 2 to 6 weeks after it becomes a monarch.  It takes four generation (four different butterflies) of the less than 1 % to achieve a phase known as diapause.  This fourth generation of butterflies is stronger and faster so that it is able to migrate the hundreds of thousands of miles to Mexico.  The life span of the fourth generation butterfly is more than seven months.  Although, these butterflies have never been to their final destination they know exactly where they are going and how to get there.

I spent some time this weekend with my 85 years young grandmother.  I listened to her and soaked her in.  Breathing in who she is and holding her hand.  She talked about the time of Poncho Villa. She told me about selling an egg for 7 cents and filling her apron with candy.  My grandmother recounted her arranged marriage to my grandfather and teared up when she started to talk about him.  She also had us laughing with unexpected jokes.

My 8 year old gave me a beautiful card she made at school for Mother's Day. Part of it reads, "I love you because you take care of me and help me find out who I am."

I wonder how many generations it will take for us to make the transformation.    

Mother's Day - Grayslake Photographer

I am so excited to share these images of some of my favorite Grayslake mamas.  This is about half of our Bunco group.  Not sure why it's called Bunco, I hear it's a game of some sort that we have never played. We get together once a month to connect, laugh and toast.  I've been dreaming about doing this for a while. I am so glad that they were up for it.. for the most part.. most of them were up for it ;)   

Susan is a working mom who never looks/sounds overwhelmed.  She always has it together.  Poise would be a great word to describe her.  Confidence radiates through her so I stand a little closer to catch some.  

Diane is a planner and an A type personality.  She made sure we had reservations after the photo shoot, I thought we should just show up to the restaurant.  She was right because the place was packed.  We are so different and I appreciate her that much more. She is intelligent and resourceful.

Stacey embarked on a new adventure this school year, going back to work.  In many ways she is fearless. One thing I love about her, is her knack for one liners.  She can make a joke within any conversation.  We are always laughing but don't give her the map, we will never get there.  

Ciara and Maria are cousins, I'm so glad Maria invited her.  Here is what Maria had to say about Ciara: "She is the definition of unique.  Anyone that knows her quickly realizes that there is no one quite like her! She has a fierce loyalty to her family and friends.  Her sense of humor is one of a kind.  She is a sister to me and I wouldn't trade her for anything."

I feel a deep connection with Maria because she "saved" me.  (Long story that I will probably share some other time.) She is the type of friend that would bring her camera to a photo shoot to make sure that her photographer friend got in a few pics.  I love that she wore a peace sign because she illuminates serenity.

LA has an excitement for life.  She is the first one on the dance floor and then she drags everyone else out with her to dance.  She doesn't just laugh with her voice or her mouth she laughs with every cell of her body. She transmits passion in every aspect of her life.  

Here we are, some of us.  Women.  Friends. Wives. Daughters. Mothers.  Individuals. One.  

Happy Mother's Day!

This Too Shall Pass ? - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

I am working on a really great Mother's Day blog for next week.  Some of my favorite Grayslake mama's allowed me to take some shots of them.  I can't wait to share.

I've decided to update my progress on my handstand.  I've got one leg up, whoot! whoot!  My girls helped me out with this shot and they encouraged me the whole time.  "Come on mommy, you can do it!"  I did it three times so that they could get this one shot for me. I feel so much stronger at Yoga class. I've been doing Yoga for three and a half months now.  I'm come to the point where I really enjoy it. :)

So why is this blog entitled, "this too shall pass ?"  I had a moment of clarity these last few weeks.  I've used the phrase, "this too shall pass"  numerous times to encourage myself and others during difficulties.  But really the happy times pass too, they come and go, just like the difficult times.  Life ebbs and flows it always has and it always will.  I thought my ultimate goal was this state of blissful, happiness on a daily basis but I've come to realize that is not my goal.  I sure can appreciate/enjoy the happy times. But if that is not the goal then what is? I'm not too sure yet and that's okay because I will continue my journey to discovering what the goal is.        

Over The Rainbow - Grayslake Photographer

Last week I was in the clouds and today I am over the rainbow. Well at least that's what I call this piece. I've learned photography through studying, a lot of trial and error, and putting forth a great amount of effort. It took me a while but I can say that I now provide my clients beautiful, professional images.  This isn't true inspiration or pure God given talent per say.  Posing, lighting, shutter speed and Photoshop can be learned. True inspiration comes from a much deeper place within.  It doesn't come by studying nor by trying really hard.  It just comes and I felt it come this day that I took this image.

My dear friend asked me if I would be willing to donate a framed image for a special event the Nine, Wine and Fine Arts event that Foundation 46 is hosting.  My initial plan was to do a local landscape image.  But after the one hundredth snow fall I decided that no one wants to see more snow in an image.  I had no idea what I was going to do.  One evening, I took my daughter to guitar lessons and distracted my little guy by playing super hero's with him.  There was a little dove statue on the end table that the hero's were asking for a ride from.  My little girl started strumming "Over the Rainbow" for the very first time.  I started to get teary eyed as I sat their, it is one of my favorite songs.  So much joy filled my heart, when I looked at the reflection in the lamp, there it was... a beautiful image.

 I think I had to be in that moment to actually see it even though it had been there many times before.  

This was the first time I've ever really felt this kind of pure inspiration, I can't wait till it happens again.

Head In The Clouds - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

I've had my head in the clouds the last few days.  Good thing too or I would have missed this heart in the clouds.  A welcomed and wonderful sight as I celebrated my 11th wedding anniversary.
I posted my heartfelt thoughts on my personal FB page along with a picture of us when we were dating. Although, I had something totally different planned for today's blog I took this heart in the clouds as a sign to share my heartfelt message again here.

This week marks a special day in my life, our 11th wedding anniversary.  When I think about it, the path of my life really changed when I asked him out on our first date.  Something I had never done and never even considered doing before.  That leap of faith, that uncharacteristic out of the blue act, changed the path of my life forever.  Without fifty cent chicken wings at Brothers Bar at the University of Illinois, there would be no surprise commercial in which he proposed.  Which led to an "I do" in a simple ceremony in AL.  I would have never seen first hand the beautiful TN sunsets and sparkling stars that have made a lasting imprint in my mind.  I have felt the stillness and warmth of Alabama.  I met the lovely people in wonderful South Carolina as a result.  I now know what being a military wife is really like; saying goodbye and saying welcome home. There would be no blue eyed beautiful, M. Nor curly haired compassionate, R.  Nor our special little guy who looks exactly like daddy, J.  I may have never found photography.  He gave me my first camera as an anniversary gift.  While trying to define our oneness he constantly reminded me not to lose myself.  Our Grayslake home and the life we have built together though partnership is the trajectory of one leap of faith. The universe/God rose up to meet us in unimaginable ways and this is just the beginning there is so much more ahead.

    
After I posted this the thought crossed my mind: What would my life be like if I missed that one opportunity. After all we only had one mutual friend and circumstances were all but ideal. I deliberately changed that thought to: God sends us opportunities all the time to leap into our faith.  I just need to be still and listen.  

Mammoth Cave KY - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

We had a fun and wonderful adventure to Mammoth Cave KY.  Here are my favorite images from the trip with the thought that has consumed me.

Seek me with all of your heart and soul, you shall find me.

This is the thought that I have allowed to consume me as of late.  Every time my thoughts wander about the past, the future, negativity or just that incessant stream of thought appears I make myself go back to this one thought: 

Seek me with all of your heart and soul, you shall find me.  

I'm seeking high

and low.

In everyone

and everything.

I realize that my eyes can't see it, that is why we are instructed to use our heart and soul.  I close my eyes a lot more often to seek.  

Some days I feel like I'm almost there.  

One Month New - Grayslake Baby Photographer

There is something very special about a new baby.  They have this divinity and holiness about them.  We hold them in the most gentle way.  We speak softly to them and rock them.  Maybe, they do come from heaven. Maybe, the love of God is so pure and authentic in new babies that we want to protect that.  Yes... new babies are the love of God.

Here is the love of God baby E...

  

Thank you mom and grandma for this opportunity.  I know you are enjoying your little piece of heaven.

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