time keeps on slippin slippin slippin....into the future.

every women can, no matter how many years have passed by, tell you in exact detail, their birth story or stories--or the stories that recall how they became a mom. in exact detail. becoming a mom is an honest and mighty journey for us all regardless of where it started. and it's a path which lingers in the darkness of fear, the celebration of light and life and the promise of tomorrow.

for me, time passes by so quickly lately that i find myself in shock at it. no doubt i remember the details of my first and second son's births as well as the stories of the past 5 years with them. i remember. i remember. but when i look at pictures of them lately i am so taken back by the swiftness of time. tears roll down my face as i look at these pictures taken this week on their first days of school. aaron in kindergarten and casey in preschool.

memories flood my mind and force the tears to roll down my face even faster. hope and excitement for the future with them helps to lessen the emotion a bit at times. but just a bit.

these are images of my babies frozen in time for just a moment as they begin their journey. thank you god for the gift of these children. every second with them is a privilege indeed.

bittersweet surrender

(sophie the skateboarder)

(daughter and son in law)

(mother and son)



(the family)









(mother and daughter)













(all of the kids)

i have had the pleasure and privileged of knowing my friend janet over the past few years. never before have i known a more giving, kind and spiritual person so well. she's taught me. and taught me. and teaches me still. somehow the simple words 'thank you' seemed way too generic to offer to her. so, i did what i do best, and offered to take some pics of her family.

janet is going through the most bittersweet of moments in life. BOTH (scratch that--all three of her children--as she has an amazing son in law too) are taking a huge step in life. a huge step away from their family. her lovely daughter and her sweet husband are packing up and moving to ohio. she is pursuing a masters/phd program and will be committing at least 5 years of their lives away from colorado. and away from janet. keep in mind that janet home schooled both of these children and, suffice it to say, they are both her best friends.

janet's son recently graduated from high school and has enlisted in the marine corp. after a family road trip across country to get his sister and hubby situated in ohio, he will be off to basic training camp and then off to some very new places.

janet's pain in palpable. her response to it is admirable. she is, most definitely, experiencing life's very bittersweet surrender.

you are loved janet. you have given these amazing children the most magical of experiences. they are blessed. you are blessed. and although they will be physically far away--they will always remain as close as they are today because of your immeasurable love.

i wanted to capture simple glances and simple stares. i wanted to freeze the emotion. to forever preserve the magic and mighty glances only a mother can give.
did i do it? well--you be the judge.

the simple things...

there is just something about colorado that speaks to me on a level i just can't find words to describe. the mountains bring a peacefulness to me that is unsurpassed.
this weekend we ventured out on a fun wildflower-seeking hike in eldora, colorado. loaded down with lots of snacks, sunscreen, camera gear and good hiking boots for all we headed out on an adventure.
come join us.
heck--after you join us--get out and have an adventure of your own. step away from the computer--life's waiting for you! (although i DO appreciate you taking the time to stop by!!)