time, frozen.

I find myself often wishing I could freeze time, don’t you?!?  Especially for those moments that really make your heart skip a beat. After saying this so many times to myself, I realized I have that power...and we all do!  People tend to think their most prize pictures are those where you and your family are all dressed up and at a photo session...but really, the prize pictures could and should be happening throughout your everyday.  

I have always loved candid photography, but my new outlook for 2012 is something a little more than just candidness.  It's about freezing REAL time.  Not caring what my kids look like.  Not caring what I look like.  Just freezing that moment that isn't planned, isn't staged, and isn't about just trying to get a good picture to hang on my wall.  I want to remember the little things.  The ones that really made me smile and thankful for all that I have.

I've been putting together a slideshow, but in the meantime, I couldn't help but post my time frozen from this morning.  I woke up and wasn't looking forward to getting Madi out of bed since she was up late last night.  I could hear Austin whispering and could tell he wasn't in his room. I walked into the girl's room to find all three of my sunshine babies laying on the floor, Madi's blanket laid out, pillows and all... and them giggling at my arrival :-)

Now this...is time, frozen.

Lexi's first birthday smash session is posted on my photography page!!
www.sunshinesmiles-lisa.blogspot.com

our family *scrabble style*

Latest family time project complete!

Since Madison is obsessed with Scrabble now (ok, we are all obsessed with it and play words with friends on our iWhatever's against each other when we are sitting right next to each other), she suggested our latest family time project be something to do with our family and scrabble. We only had to use 4 blank tiles and "add" them, but this is what we came up with!! 

photography blog

So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to manage business/personal...so for the time being, I'm keeping the two separate.
For those who enjoy seeing my photography work, below is the link :-)

http://sunshinesmiles-lisa.blogspot.com/

2011 Fall Mantle: simple, but special to me :-)

I love when I love my mantel!!  And this year, rearranging for fall was so easy!!  (Since I'm like most people who is contantly changing it around!).  I remember last "valentine's day" mantel, I was sad to re-arrange it for spring (but didn't think leaving hearts and lovey dovey looking things up all year would be suitable).  I think I might be sad to change it this time too for Christmas!!  Looking at it just makes me happy and I LOVE when I get to put up the picture of Austin in his Lion costume --- it's my favorite picture ever of him :-)

karate time!

When I asked Madison what sport she was going to join this fall, I assumed it would be soccer again.  BUT, I was wrong!  After asking for over a year now to join karate, she was still pushing to join.  So, here she is - our new karate kid.  I have done a bit of research, spoke to some people who have taken it over the years and really feel this will be good for her in more ways than one!  She has been in the class for a month now and although I can't see much "change" in her, I guess I'm taking Mr. Miyagi's advice here in that "not everything is as it seems."

What I'm hoping she will get from this is exactly what the class description says she will get out of it: confidence, to stand for what's right, respect (both self and for others) and confidence.  I'm hoping it will also help with her little attitude, but that's wishful hoping :-)

Anyone out there take karate before that can give me some feedback on how it helped (or didn't help) them?  

#184

To many people, a 5k is no big deal... but, for someone like me who has always hated running and swore I would never be able to do ONE mile let alone over THREE miles at one time, it is a huge thing!!  After I graduated college, I really concentrated on my "to do" list containing things I want to accomplish/do before I turned 30, and a longer list of things over time (as a side note, my Pop-Pop firmly believed that the more you educate yourself and set goals for yourself, the lower risk you have of getting Alzheimer's, so I believe him). 
After I developed a love affair with running, after I learned that it did wonders for me when it came to weight loss, I added the Broad Street run to my list, why not, 10 miles seemed like nothing at the time!!!!  I'm reeeeeeeally hoping 2012 will be my year to do it (even though I totally do not think I'll be able to do it!!).  So, I signed up for my very first 5k and am one step closer to believing in myself a little bit more :-)
Below are some special pictures that I will hold very dear to me for a long time...and here's why:

The night before, I was snuggling with Madison and the following conversation took place: 
Me: "Madi, I'm nervous.  What if I can't finish the race or come in last place?" 
Madi: "It's ok.  Just go and have fun.  Like when I was nervous to play tennis, but then I said to myself "just have fun" and I did have fun and I wasn't nervous anymore" 
Me: "But I really want to do the whole thing without stopping.  What if I feel like I can't do it anymore and want to give up?"
Madi (with such a beautiful look on her face, looking right at me): "Aunt Lisa, if you feel like you are going to give up, just believe in yourself.  I believe in you!" 
I totally feel this little 7 year old would make an amazing coach after the way she spoke to me - I seriously felt like I could run the entire Broad Street run the next morning!!  So, the first picture is of me and my inspiration!

For my first race, I was # 184 and I am a cornball and came up with something that signifies each # (along with the help of my party of 5).  #1 stands for my first race! (and yes, this is my official picture of me about to cross the finish line b/c I didn't realize there was a professional photographer taking your pic. and I was so excited to see my family at the end!!)

#8 stands for....I don't think I could come up with something haha!

#4 stands for my four supporters who were there to cheer me on and got me through to the end <3

Just remember, when you feel like you are going to give up, just believe in yourself!