i think my definition of bliss is changing
in fact i know it is

or maybe its just additional parts of the puzzle

that you choose to focus on
because you’ve grown some other parts

i like that

If you asked me what was most important to me in the world, the answer would be easy.  My sons, my family.  They are growing up so much and turning into rad young men.  I have been doing a great deal of thinking about the men I know and the things that I hope for my boys, and the things I pray my boys won’t become.  There are a lot of examples of both in the men I witness.

One of the challenges of being a single mom raising sons, is that I’m not a man (I know.. hard to believe).  I feel like I’m not totally certain on a lot of things relating to boys.. as my experience.. well.. is that of a woman and a girl.

I think the best that we can do.. is BE THERE FOR THEM.  ALWAYS and in ALL ways.  BE THERE.  I try my best daily to do that, to put them first, so that they know.. yup.. she’s there.  Life is filled with uncertainty. It is also filled with magic, dreams, and love.  I hope the lessons they learn as they grow up are ones that help them to live happy, content, loving lives filled with passion and personal successes.

The only real way to help seal that deal is modeling those behaviors for them.

So far, so good… the rest we’ll take moment to moment.

we returned from a very long
very satisfying vacation

hi

yes i will call this home

there were amazing nights and days
spent body surfing
watching fireworks
taking beach walks
sleeping a whole lot

i was blessed to spend time with parents, siblings, nephews, cousins, friends and so many people i love
i am blessed in the most delicious ways

i hope your summer is feeling blissful
i am grateful for so much
what are you grateful for?

summertime goodness

xo

my hair is almost its natural color
with a whole hell of a lot of grey
i’m trying to figure out if i’m okay with that
heh

we are all ready to have the best summer
one filled with love, light, sand, creative

and hopefully a lot of diva parties, photoshoots, and art

what are you doing with your summer?

COGS

these women are my heart.. and inspire my art
all amazingly talented photographers
all incredible individuals

we met through flickr
and decided to team up and see what our powers could do together

and over the years i have watched them all grow and flourish
all take on new challenges.. all spread their wings and take risks

they teach me daily
they make me laugh
they bring me joy

they are incredible

…

i was in a bar one time and someone said
“you met online? i don’t have a single friend i met online”

my response was “i don’t have a lot of friends i HAVEN’T met online”

i have a deep love of paints
i have a deep love of powerful goddess

yesterday
i got to co-mingle the two

my friend denise
allowed me to paint her
and photograph her

the experience was beautiful
and i for one
can’t wait to paint some more

goddess

it seemed to be a reflection on the creative process and life’s journey

lessons in relationships and trust
lessons in freedom and letting go
lessons in things that last and things that don’t
lessons on being in the moment

washing . of . the . water

thank you denise
for being my canvas

love
<3

i have this amazing friend van

he’s such good peeps
he’s an amazing friend
incredible programmer
great dad

the list goes on and on

i took a couple candids on my front porch last night

guitar lessons.. pizza.. summer evenings
good stuff

my life is filled with good stuff — and they are definately a big part of that

van . the . man

my son performed in his dance / acting recital yesterday

needless to say.. i was so filled with joy.. it was unbearable
he lives creatively without even knowing how creative he is

nothing better than that!

playin . basketball

what a fantastic day!

<3

my children often remind me to stay present
my children inspire me to want to do great things
…

sometimes i wish there were more hours in the day

steps . always . steps

don’t ever stop moving forward
don’t ever stop trying

don’t ever stop growing