Finding my way...

... that one special picture...

As I edit through the galleries of pictures I've taken, every so often there is one picture in the group that I just love... It's not usually the one that is typical or the one I think other people may like, but for whatever reason, it captures "something" and speaks to me... these pictures are the the reasons I love taking pictures - this next pic says all of that to me.. maybe it is because I was a flower girl when I was 5, in my sister's wedding... maybe it is just the innocence captured in the moment, for whatever reason, I love this photo..  

in front of the lens...

i am always behind the lens.. i tease Jeff that if I died, there would be no proof of my existence - since I am always behind the lens taking the photos.. i like it that way. i feel that i am not photogenic and it is a GREAT effort to get a good shot of me... just the facts as i see them. Since making that statement tho, Jeff has made more of an effort to take family snapshots with me in the mix...

I love taking photos.. its my passion... i love the process of finding that perfect shot to the part where i tweek the photo in photoshop and take it from ordinary to extraordinary... i could spend every waking hour doing this over and over again. I get a high from creating a work of art photo... still new to the idea that i am an artist... but loving it.

Well Hank wanted to take my photo today.. we were at the park and I was waiting for a family to show up for a photoshoot.. i did not do my hair or my makeup - but i agreed to let Hank take the pic... knowing I would delete it afterwards... as I never ever take a good photo.. in my own mind...

Well here is his photo and actually i like it.. i was thrilled... this is how people must feel when i take their picture and show them the finished product... what a thrill for me to be in front of the lens... and to see my son has a great eye...

http://www.azpetersonzoo.blogspot.com/

moving..

ok, so i am keeping this blog for myself...

but we will have a family blog @ http://azpetersonzoo.blogspot.com/

Jeff's stepdad is going to Afghanistan for a year so we created a family blog so he can keep in touch w. us.. Jeff and the boys will also be updating the family blog as well - so bookmark that one in your favorites....

proud to be an American, still. and yes i took this photo

getting rid of CLUTTER

Life is getting complicated, well at least for me…

 

Join me in TAKING back YOUR LIFE – It is extremely empowering

I have 3 phone numbers, 5 email addresses, and a blackberry (well truth be told “crack”berry) – My new job is going great and I really like it.. (It is crazy busy and in today’s economy, I am just happy to have a job in the land of layoffs..), our photo Biz is exploding and has become a full time job on its own. I am shooting weddings, portraits, magazine covers, and print ads – I am kicking as fast as I can to keep my head above water – this has been truly blessed! The boys are busy with school and sports, which keeps Jeff and I equally busy trying to ensure we are taking an active role in their lives – and paying attention to the daily details…

So, off the soap box. I am working this month and next month to completely simplify my life. I have too much clutter.. not just in my garage (which we are clearing out today) or in my house (which we already got rid of) but in life in general… I am getting rid of my “crack”berry. I am going to a regular cell phone {GASP}… I do not need to be reached by email 100% of my day.. and it is a huge distraction for me… not because I get 100 emails every few hours, but because I have to check them – I can’t NOT check them..when I know they are there (hence the term “crack”berry). I love technology as much as the next guy – but it is too much.

I am letting go of this crazy pace – and focusing on the really important things in life (and email is just not one of them.. hahah) you can text me, call me, email me and then I can respond when the time is right for me… I know that makes sense… I am unconnecting myself.

I am going to stop watching stupid TV shows that just don’t add value – now there are “fluff” shows that people need to relax with, I get that and I am not giving up TV all together, although I am considering it

We have all seen how short life is – focus on the important things… forget the rest… If you want to see how we are doing and cannot call me, (which I understand, bc I know we are ALL busy.) check our blog (new name, new blog coming out next week, stay tuned). I will use that to stay connected when I cannot connect in person or via phone or whatever….

I am watching my finances and I am stopping the madness.. buying the latest gadgets, the newest crap – stuff I don’t need… stuff that just gets my attention for a month and then is tossed in the forgotten bin… I am paring down. I am going to spend more time with the boys playing football on the grass, more time alone with Jeff. More time having tea with mom, more time drinking wine with sue, more time walking around and talking with my friends and family (which means you!), calling my in-laws, morning drive/coffee time phone chats, more time listening to my favorite songs and less time on the rest… you may not see or hear from me for a little while as I adjust – but I am still here.., thinking of you, loving you, and wishing you the best…… it’s either that or start drinking and we all know how well that works out! Hahah  {insert, smart ass comment from Aaron about Guinness as a food group} hahah

I do no want to wake up one morning with a new cancer diagnosis and start regretting what I didn’t do or didn’t say. I am going to live life to the fullest in the moment – and be fully present in each and every moment. I have been so darn preoccupied that I don’t even remember conversations with people as I was so busy thinking about other crap.. that is not a good thing…

Our house is ALWAYs open – for anyone to stop by – we love visits – we will be in town for the holidays and I will see some of you, some of you I won’t. I plan on seeing most of the gals on this email on 12/5 at the ornament party!

How do you feel about a monthly conference call – we all get on and connect.. some of us must have conference bridges we can use…

Sincerely, me

wow - where did she go...

well - i have been here - been so blessed and so busy i don't even know where to begin... my day job is going very well! I love it.... my photobiz is coming together - i have so much to report - kids are doing great, Jeff is awesome - I am on a deadline for some photos for a magazine - in anthem - so I will post a biggie. after. that. is. done.

meanwhile.. here is a teaser of some photos i am shooting for the magazine.

Make it a GrEaT DAY

  TGIF - Life is good @ Chez Peterson - nothing too new to report... Hank did get a haircut last night... gone is the long stringy hockey hair... he has a nice short spiked cut and he looks so so so handsome... He also got a new phone last night.. envi 2 - a must have for a texting tween! hahah - he has been using my old pink phone for 6 months now - and so it was time for a new phone and we got such a great smokin deal - we could not pass it up... Hockey is in full swing.. games on Saturday, Practice on Sun/Mon - so it keeps us pretty busy!

We are closing in on the Relay as well - we meet every Tues night as a commitee! Thank you to our friends.family who have donated money, i greatly appreciate it - especially in today's economy -

big girls weekend next weekend. my gal pal Shay is coming for the weekend from Colorado - its a PHOTOG weekend!!  She is going to teach me all i need to know! about my camera, photoshop, etc.. we have some photoshoots lined up - oh man its gonna rock! rock! Rock! I am so jazzed and thankful that she is doing that for me!!! i am blessed

we started "Pillow" journals w. the boys this week. they each have a notebook that we write notes to them in and they right back - if you want someone to read it, you put the journal on their pillow at night.. its been super fun. They crack me up with their ideas and writings!

Hank had a classmate pass away last week totally unexpectedly - from a brain annerism.. 12 yrs old. So tragic and sad - we had some interesting talks about death and heaven... i still get chills. our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the Sanchez family. no parent should out live their children.

So - blog challenge.

What are you passionate about - as far as a cause that is bigger than yourself? do you volunteer time or money to something? I think it is obvious in our house - we support the ACS - I cannot describe in words the joy it brings us to be part of something that is making  a difference in people's lives... and I cannot imagine not being a part of it... find something like that for yourself, my friend supports the JDRF (juvenile diabetes) b/c her daughter is diabetic (she's 10) -  there are other ways to make a difference than money - time is so valuable... that works just as well!! think about it. I challenge you to find somehow - something - somewhere - that you can make a difference and DO IT! Buy school supplies for your child's teacher!  Volunteer in a hospital - volunteer in an older folks home - something... i promise you the rewards far far far outweigh the work!!

make it a great day!

p.s. the last sentence in my outgoing message on my cell phone says MAKE it a great day! I copied it from my friend Wendy! and I listened to Hank's out going message on his cell phone yesterday and he has the same ending sentence.. it was so cute ! it is a great mantra!

 

MAKE it a great day.. you have the power!

Please donate to my cause...........

Jeff and I are VERY VERY committed to giving back to a cause far greater than ourselves...

We support the American Cancer Society - and we work hard to raise money and support cancer survivors and cancer fighters! We work hard to honor the memory of those we lost.... i am still here to give them a voice... so I will do that.

Please sponsor me in this fight! I am walking in a ReLAY for LIFE event... Click Here to donate PLEASE

Aside from my family and friends, this is on my top priority list! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...

if you would like to purchase a luminaria, or honor a loved one - click here to purchase a $10.00 luminaria