Basketball Players Don't Smile - Grayslake Family Photographer

Just a quick note that next week we will be on a spring break family adventure so I will not post a Wednesday blog.  Mammoth Cave, here we come! Thank you for checking in every week to see what I am up to.

Today I was trying to be a leaf.  At Yoga the instructor said something like this, "a leaf doesn't move on its own, it moves where ever the wind takes it."  Stopped by a PTO meeting this afternoon at my kiddos school.  My husband doesn't think I need to be a leaf; I have two part time jobs, I'm also a stay at home mom and the wind needs to settle - he reminds me with a smile. But I do love a nice breeze, I smile back.

Speaking of smiling...

"Tia (Aunt), basketball players don't smile," my 8 year old nephew informed me while I was taking his birthday pictures.  I want to know who made up that rule, I think.      

My favorite Etsy shop KimGDesigns whipped up this awesome shirt for me.  I just give her a theme and she runs with it.  He loves his new basketball shirt.

Who says basketball players don't smile?  :)

First Session and Third Birthday - Grayslake Children Photographer

I am so proud of my first session of 2014.  E will be 3 years old this month.  She has grown so much since our last session just a few months ago.  She is no longer a restless toddler. Now she is an interactive big girl.    

"While we try to teach our children all about life, 

Our children teach us what life is all about."

It is an honor to capture you grow precious E!

Happy third birthday!

email me at: angelclarkphotography@gmail.com
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On The Wall - Grayslake photographer and writer

I'm working my way towards accomplishing something.  During the process I am changing myself mentally and physically.  Only I will feel what I feel when I accomplish it.  But I believe, when you change yourself you change the world. 

Took me 8 weeks but I made it on the wall, finally.  Next, I will need to straighten my legs so they are parallel to the ground.  I am working on that.  Eventually, I will be able to lift one leg at a time.  Then... tada.... a handstand.  I love having my heart positioned higher than my head. 

  
My husband helped me take these so he just continued to click the shutter button.  He caught the pure sense of accomplishment on my face.  This was the first time I was able to put both feet on the wall. 

Grayslake - Photographer and Writer

When we moved here almost 3 years ago, I was sad and depressed.  We lived in Columbia, SC where I had a wonderful network of friends and the weather was perfect.  Although it was a decision that my husband and I made together I was resentful, unhappy and just stuck.  Then I heard it, I'm not sure where I heard it first but it has never left me since.  I hear it almost every day now. 

Bloom where you are planted. 

 

Not just geographically but in every way you can think of.  Bloom where you are planted.  In other words I had to make the choice to be happy with my life.  I do decide to be happy.  It's a choice that I consciously make every day until it becomes automatic.  Some days are easier than others.  We are in the depths of another cold spell.  Motherhood can be a thankless and lonely job, if I let it be.   

Bloom where you are planted.  

Bloom where you are planted. 
My friends help me bloom where I am planted.  It took me a while to open myself up to friends after leaving so many in Columbia.  Recently, I read how your social network can be more influential than your spouse.  Emphasizing how important it is to surround yourself with good people.  I like to think I help my friends bloom where they are planted too.

Grayslake is a great place to bloom where I am planted.  I encourage you to bloom where you are planted. 

*The beautiful pillow in these images are designed and created by my talented friend Kim Gaskill.  Visit her Etsy shop Pillow TalkCity where she has more designs or you can custom order. 

The Yoga Impact - Grayslake Photographer and Journalist

My Yoga passes are up.  I've completed 6 classes today.  It's time to decide if I want to commit to more. 

I know I am improving and getting stronger.  I can't stand on my head yet but I if I continue to challenge myself I will be able to, one day.

I am not afraid to fail. 

Yoga has helped me look within myself and I really like what I see. 

Going beyond the benefits I feel physically and spiritually, my family gets a better me. 

"With every day that passes I feel closer and more connected to you.  I feel like we just met and still have that giddy excitement of new love.  I can't wait to see you, talk to you, hold you, laugh with you..." This is a part of the message my husband wrote in my Valentine's Day card.  He reminded me that it was 11 years to the day that I said, "Yes". 

It is no coincidence that while I am getting stronger our relationship has reached another level. 

 

 

I heard the birds chirping for the first time this year, yesterday.  I saw the first buds that soon will be leaves.  Slowly the snow is starting to melt.  Change is in the air.  With excitement I welcome the change. 

    

Intention - Grayslake Photographer and Journalist

"Let's start by thinking of an intention," Anne began the class today. 

What does she mean by an intention?

"Sometimes it helps to dedicate our efforts in the class to someone or something," she continues almost as if responding to my thoughts. 

I always dedicate everything to my family; my husband and kiddos.  That's probably the "right" answer.  But what if I dedicate it to myself?  No, that's being selfish.  Why is that selfish?  Not sure why, it just is.  It is not selfish.  My intention for this class is ME.  

One of my favorite moves in Yoga is the sun salutation.  Starting with my arms down and bringing them all the way up on top of my head while taking a deep breath.  Bringing my hands together, lowering them over my heart and exhaling as they make their destination.  With all this snow the Sun is blinding as the light reflects just about every where.  It's been a tough winter.  With every challenge comes an opportunity. An opportunity to seek the light within.    
  

Heart Pose - Grayslake Photographer and Journalist

I attended classes #3 and #4 of my Yoga journey.  In between those two class the Yoga studio had a special mother & daughter Yoga.  It was a wonderful experience for the girls and I.  Lots of female bonding and girl power.  "I am STRONG.  I am SOFT.  I am POWERFUL."  They really enjoyed it and even said how relaxing it was when my husband asked.  I'm glad they felt relaxed. 

 

Slowly, I am beginning to feel more relaxed then on the first day.  Not totally relaxed.  I still have those moments where my whole body starts shaking uncontrollably during a pose.  But I am starting to feel a lot more comfortable with it.  Today I realized, Anna, the instructor for the Wed class is the owner.  When she brings blocks over to help me out with a pose and I am the only one she does this for; I can't... I won't feel defeated.  Let's face it, I need help.  I need help, why is it so hard to admit that?  But I am determined to get better. 

This is a two person heart pose.  We made it a three person. 
At the mother & daughter class there was another trio, the daughters were well into their teens maybe even twenties.  The mother of that group said, "my daughters still want to hang out with me."  I hope I will be able to say that, I thought.  Now is the time to work on that. 

"You can not breathe in the past.  You can not breathe in the future.  You only have breath in the present.  Notice your breath and breathe deeply."