Communion - Grayslake Photographer

Our little girl received her First Holy Communion last weekend.  My faith has evolved from when I was in second grade and I find it difficult as a parent to pass that down to my children.  It's challenging not to pass down beliefs as truths.  Everyone has their own spiritual truths.  I hope that we are setting a good foundation for them to joyfully explore theirs.  

I often don't have all the answers they search for.  

"If God made the universe, who made God?"

I actually rarely have the answers they seek.  

I want them to know that the answers they seek are to be found inward.  

They just need to seek and they will find.  

Above all I want to show them this by example:

"This is my simple religion.  There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy.  Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."

Riding The Wave - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

This week we celebrated our 12 year anniversary.  The storyboard below contains an image captured during that year of marriage (I included our most recent pic so there are 13 images).

This week I had also been listening to a talk by D. Bowling a lawyer and mediator for the US District Court for Northern California, author of "Bringing Peace Into the Room".  I finally finished listening to the whole talk this morning.
I am paraphrasing:

   Life is a deep paradox.  Everything we know has an opposite.  That is why life has its up and downs you can't have the ups without the downs.  In the ups we feel connected, filled with awe and love.  In the downs we feel disconnected, separate, and lost.  It is in the space of loss and disconnect that we lose our presence and negative thoughts arise.  We often get stuck here in our relationships.  'Why didn't they do this or that.'  'Don't they know how important I am.' ... we lose connection.  
Instead what we must do is to hold both the ups and the downs, that is how we are able to sustain our connection over time.  Being able to see disconnect and awe as the same wave.  The paradox is, the flow of life, that is the way life is up and down.    When we ride the wave of connection and awe; disconnection and separation without resistance or clinging to either one we are able to allow the great wonders of life to happen.  

He ends the talk with this:

     There were several low points in my life.  One of the lowest points where I felt completely disconnected was when I had lost my marriage of 25 years and I had gotten my dream job but it was totally not what I had expected.  My friend asked me to go to this conference with him.  I could barely get out of bed let alone jump on a plane to go to a conference.  I told him NO.  He insisted and I insisted that I wasn't going.  Then a plane ticket appeared in the mail.  I got on this small plane realizing that most of the people on the plane were headed to the same conference.  On the plane in the seat right in front of me I heard the most mesmerizing voice I had ever heard.  A few years later she became my wife and she is the reason why I do what I do.  

It's been a wonderful ride thus far.... here's to riding out more ups and downs together allowing life's great wonders to happen!

Perseverance - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

It takes some amount of perseverance to achieve anything.  It is especially important when you make a change in your life like; becoming more physically active with a new exercise routine, changing eating habits, a daily spiritual practice like meditation, changing careers, starting a business, writing a book, learning a new skill, educational goals and the list goes on and on.

Perseverance is defined as continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition.  

  "Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." - J. Andrews

Perseverance is why we get back up when we fall.

Perseverance is faith that the third day will come. 

Get back up.   

Spring Break - Grayslake Family Photographer

We had a wonderful spring break! It was filled with peace, joy and love.
We kept it simple and did the things we enjoy most.  Spending quality time with wonderful friends and exploring this magnificent land.
No detailed itinerary for each days activities/stops.  We just went with what the day brought.  Every day was perfect.

In South Carolina the Cox family were exceptional hosts.   

Thank you Cox family for such a joy filled and happy time with you.   

 "I like your accent." 

"I don't have an accent, you have an accent." 

"Look at what the girls did to the puppy!" 

When I met this special lady I was in desperate need for a friendly smile.  I just had my second child far away from family and felt alone (hubby had long Army hours).  She came into my life like a beacon of light, saying you are not alone.  I will never forget the loving kindness we shared during those difficult years of new motherhood round two.  We continue to share a special friendship!
I love you!

That's us having a great time!

"I didn't know I wasn't suppose to play in the mud."

 I can't tell you how big my heart would get to see our children playing together.  Something that I thought I may not get to see because of distance.  

The second part of our trip brought us to the serenity of Ohio.

Where the state motto is: "With God All Things Are Possible"

The morning mist throughout the State Park was pretty amazing.

We hiked 2 miles up and down paths, some were muddy and icy.  The kids did great!

I love this image above.  I could barely see them through the foggy mist when I took it.
Unfortunately this image doesn't capture how awe-inspiring it really felt to be there at that time.
But when I see it I can recall that moment, watching the mist surround them.

It's hard to tell from this image above how huge this cave is.  If you look close at the center there are three black sticks spread apart, those are the steps that lead you up into the cave.  

My oldest requested a silhouette picture she could take to school and show her art teacher.  

The kids are great about asking to take a picture of me so that I can be in a few.  

They are getting good at it.  

There was only one couple hiking by when we were at this spot.  

I am so glad I asked if they could take a picture of us. 

Our one family image during this part of the journey.  

It holds remarkable value for us.  Thank you couple hiking! 

The end of this beautiful journey.  So many more to come! 

"With God All Things Are Possible."

New Baby Girl - Grayslake Newborn Photographer

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Just a quick note that my family and I will be enjoying Spring Break next week so check back in two weeks (April 2nd).   Happy Spring!
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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." - E. J. Le Shan

This beautiful baby is captured at just 4 days new.  After our wonderful maternity session, I knew the newborn session was going to be special.  Special it is!

"Babies bring us a piece of heaven on Earth." R. Leonhardt  

The first thing I heard when I arrived  for the session was a little voice exclaiming; 

"I have a new baby! I have a new baby!"

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." Unknown

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." C. Sandburg

"Words can not express the joy of new life." H. Hesse

Congratulations, W Family!

angelclarkphotography@gmail.com

Book Release Event - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

Last July I was fortunate enough to work with author Emily Bleeker on a professional portrait session.  She used one of the images we took as her official author picture and it's included in her recently published book Wreckage.  Amazon did an early release in February offering the Kindle Edition.  Emily's book quickly took the number one spot in best sellers - Kindle Edition. She blogs all about that here.  It's been a whirlwind of success for her these last few weeks.  She had a book launch party over the weekend.  I was happy to attend and capture these images.  

Find Emily on FB.

She has a lot to smile about.  

Find her on Twitter.

Emily had this excited, nervous and happy energy that I could feel.  

Make sure you check out her blog.  

She has more exciting news regarding where you will be able to purchase Wreckage.  

 With thousands of copies sold she has already started on her next book.  

 Here she is signing my copy of Wreckage.  Make sure you get your copy.  

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

Congratulations, Emily! Your courage inspires me.