The golden hour

Most nights, especially when Jeremy is home,  we take the kids outside to play after dinner.  The hour before the sun sets is called the golden hour to photographers because of the soft golden light.  It's the best time to capture a photo.  

I like to think of it as the golden hour for another reason too.  It's the time of night we just sit and enjoy the present, breathing in that moment in time.  

Not worrying about the dishes in the sink.  Not yet running baths and brushing teeth.  The boys are still sticky from a days worth of playing. 

We are together.  Everything is more beautiful in the golden light.

Sometimes when I am in a moment that I want to remember, I take a mental picture.  I look around at everything around me and try to burn the image into my brain.  Like when I'm rocking Braxton next to his crib.  His little face staring up at me, the dark room, Kaden sleeping peacefully in bed.  I burn it into my mind because life passes so fast, and I don't want to forget these moments.  

It's easy to let the day run by you.  We're busy with kids, jobs, school, housework, life.  Luckily there is the golden hour to remind us to slow down and see the beauty of it all.

Second Born.

Braxton Cash Quinn

Mexico in March '11

Mexico in May '11

Big Bear 

Bathtub+Braxton+Natural light+50mm lens= MAGIC

Forever my baby.  

Balance.

I've been thinking a lot about balance lately.  Sometimes when I am struggling in a certain area, I like to google "______ quotes" and see what others have to say on the subject.  For instance, "faith quotes", "letting go quotes", "staying sane with 2 small children quotes", you get the idea.  While I don't want to get specific, it seems lately Jeremy and I are out of balance, each in our own way, with each other and as a family.    

Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself. Jessye Norman

Thanks Jessye, who ever you are, that is exactly the problem.  I don't know if it's just me, but I always feel more empowered to make an adjustment once I have found an eloquent description of just what it is that need adjusting.  A lot of times, when things are out of balance it means a big change is on the way in order to correct it.  I'm not sure what that change may be, but I am excited by the possibility of a more harmonious life.  

Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them. Thomas Kinkade

Achieving balance in life is so important, and in some areas I do it very well.  While I'd love to play all day with the kids, I must also make sure the house is clean, bills paid, and needs of others in our lives met.  It is just as important to live in the moment that it is to plan ahead.  My kids need to learn that certain things must be done before we can let loose and have fun.  I am not just raising my kids to be happy and fun loving, while that is important, I am raising my kids to become responsible adults.  While they might not mind now if I let the house be overrun by Legos, light sabers, and toy trains it will ultimately be a disservice to them as men.  They will hopefully be thankful one day that I modeled a sense organization and respect for our things.  In nature, everything is balanced.  There is a balanced relationship between plants, animals and all living organisms.  Equilibrium is even maintained within our human bodies.  It's inspiring.  I like to believe its not a coincidence, that mother nature is teaching us how to achieve and maintain happiness.  BALANCE. 

Just as light brightens darkness, discovering inner fulfillment can eliminate any disorder or discomfort. This is truly the key to creating balance and harmony in everything you do.

Deepak Chopra
P.S. I don't know what the heck is wrong with the font.  So after trying to fix it 20 times, I'm just gonna post this as it is.  Sorry!

'Stache Bash

What do you do when your sweet sis-in-law's birthday rolls around?  You have a 70's 'stache bash, of course.  

It's my party and I'll take tequila shots if I wanna

He just got back from 'Nam and his lady is already 5 months pregnant? Hmmmm.   Oh well, it's the 70's.

The Cuban

My brother's wardrobe change.

Someone lost his stache

No words.

Here's to you Jamie!

Happy Birthday Jamie Lynn Chadwick, we love you.

Today.

Today I played with my kids.  I laughed my butt off as my youngest continued to shoot himself in the face with a squirt gun (he too was laughing all the while).  I scanned 110 picture of my parents and siblings.

I got teary-eyed while looking at said pictures.  Today I told Kaden about his great grandma Libby and that she is in heaven with God.

 I watched Kaden boss around his younger cousin Noah, much to my dismay.  I mopped the kitchen and living room floor.  I missed Jeremy while he was at work.  I paid some bills.  I folded a load of laundry.  Today I listened to Jeremy tell me how he gave a girl $20 at the gas station by our house because she said her "debit card got declined and needed money to get home, and the reason I'm here is because I'm pregnant and I had to get some tests done....." and that he realized it was probably a scam seconds later.  Today I got in the car and drove to the same gas station intending to tell the woman just what a horrible person she is for preying upon the kindness of others. I saw her asking two other men for money, while her boyfriend waited in the car counting money.  I shook with anger.   Today I (reluctantly) turned the other cheek instead.  I told Jeremy not to worry, what goes around comes around.  I felt the kindness of a woman who offered me a 50% off coupon at the fabric store.  I watched the movie Totoro for the 100th, or so, time.  I smiled listening to Eva and Kaden playing pretend.

 I helped Kaden bury a June bug and explained, again, that our bodies stay here on earth, but our souls go to live with God in heaven.  Today I cried talking to Jeremy about my Grandma.  I got a little creeped out when the bathroom door shut and lights went out while we were talking about her.  I drank a glass of wine.  It was a day filled with disappointment and joy.  Sadness and happiness.  Tears and laughter.  Deceit and kindness.  Today was a good day.  

Why I don't watch reality TV

It's hot today.  The kids are relaxing in their air conditioned room watching Bob the Builder so I have a few minutes to share some random thoughts.

I am as guilty as the next girl of being drawn into celebrity culture.  I occasionally buy Star magazine and I have the Us Weekly app on my phone.  Guilty as charged.  Honestly, the magazines are a complete waste of money because I never read the stories. I just look at the pictures.  I like to see what they're wearing or doing, how they've changed their hair or if they've gained or lost weight.  That's about it.  What irritates me now is that reality TV "stars" are now appearing in celebrity gossip magazines.  For Heavens sake, is nothing sacred?  Everywhere I turn people are talking about Housewives of Wherever, Teen Moms, Jersey Shore, and I don't even know what else.  Who are these reality TV show people and why do I care?!  It's true, I used to watch a couple reality shows here and there.  And then I started noticing every time I did I was MAD at the people in them.  I was judging them.  I was thinking how completely stupid and annoying they were.  I was shaking my head in disgust.  But by watching I was supporting their behavior and helping them exploit themselves.  So I just decided one day not to watch anymore.  And I stopped watching the news and The View too.   Call me crazy, but "reality", or least how it is portrayed on TV, really bums me out.

I don't want to see teens being abusive or abused, unloving or unloved.  I don't want to see adults in their 20's being reckless, irresponsible, classless, sloppy and disrespectful.  I DON'T WANT TO SEE GROWN WOMEN TEAR EACH OTHER DOWN,  or mothers being petty and immature.  I get the concept of watching a train wreck and how alluring that can be and I know these people and people like them exist, but I refuse to accept them as reality.  It is not my reality and I pray it is not the reality of most people.

Disclaimer to friends and family who enjoy these shows:  I am in no way insulting your TV watching habits.  You have the ability to watch with enjoyment and without getting worked up. I am completely down with that.  Go on with yo' bad selves!