Knowing When to Quit

Goals are such good things to have. When you are really committed to a goal, it pushes you, challenges you and makes you do things you thought you couldn't. For the last five weeks, I have been diligent on the goal I set (mentioned here) and I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself so far. It definitely has been more work and has pushed me out of my comfort zone.
But I've realized, it's time to quit/postpone my goal. The reason being is that I've got things on my list that are higher in priority like:
1) MOVING! Like, starting today! Yes...we're crazy enough to be moving again, but it's time we get out of this rough part of town and to a place where things are better all around. (I am SOO EXCITED!)
2) I'm going to be starting up preschool for Lucy. Got to plan lessons and what-not.
3) And just being a better mom in general. Spending more quality time with my family and getting our family life organized. I'm on an life-organization kick right now.

This sure doesn't mean I'll be stopping my photography...you'll still see plenty of that. It's just going to have to take a back seat for now. And to be honest, it feels good to stop what I'm doing, realize what's more important, and move forward with that rather than finishing a goal just to say I finished it.

I know I can accomplish my goal. But I also know when to quit.
Right now, my family is my goal.

"Mom, I just thinking..."

"What are you thinking about, honey?"

"Getting married."

"Well, you need to get bigger and you need to go to school first."

"And then get married!!"

Photography Tip: Learn the Basics

I've only just begun my journey in photography. I am a professional by no means. I know I'll never be complete as an artist...there is always room for improvement, always new ways to try things.

But, I had to start somewhere in my photography exploration. The only place to start is from the beginning!
I love the vast amount of knowledge (free knowledge!) at my finger tips through the internet. I am constantly looking at blogs and websites for tips and "how-to's" regarding photography.

I thought I'd share some things that have helped me starting out or that I do/look for every time I pull out my camera.

Learn your camera inside and out
The first thing I did when I got my camera was read the entire manual from beginning to end. Sounds completely boring, I know. But how can you travel down a road when you haven't even paved it yet? It will be a rocky ride.
Once you learn the ins and outs of your camera, navigating it while shooting will go a lot smoother.

Get off of automatic
It's easy to get a new camera, put it on auto and you're done! I remember when I first took a picture with a DSLR (on auto) and thinking how amazing it looked. Of course it looked amazing compared to my point and shoot! But once you discover manual (or my favorite - the aperature setting), your possibilities open up!

Please, NO flash!! 
Instead, find a great source of light
I avoid my flash at all costs. The harshness of the flash can wash out your pictures and really flattens your picture. When taking a picture, look for a natural light source. An easy one is a window. I love taking pictures near windows where the light coming through has been soften and diffused. Most of the pictures you've seen me take of my kids have been taken near a window. Don't be afraid to move your subject to an area with better light.

Adjust your settings
Whenever I pull out my camera, I always check and adjust my settings. Here are the four things I always check: the ISO (light sensitivity. The higher the number, the more sensitive to light), the White Balance (usually kept on auto, but a lot of times I'll change it depending on where I am), the Aperature (I like lens with a large aperature, meaning the lens is wide open and letting more light in. You get a larger aperature with the lower numbers, such as f3.5) and the Shutter Speed.
These four things are the main things that affect the exposure of your picture. It takes a lot practice and messing around with your camera to figure out how these things work together.

and last but certainly not least
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
That's what I do everyday. Every time I pull out my camera, it's an opportunity for me to practice and learn something.
Hence why I blog so much...it's me practicing and sharing with you my journey as I go. :)

Round Here

*Apparently my pregnancy brain is a little more aloof than I thought... I sent my sister-in-law an empty envelope for our Christmas card! So embarrassing! I REALLY hope she was the only one that happened too...if it happened to you too, just know I'm totally sorry and can't help but laugh at myself!

*Todd did it! He says "Mama" now! Warms my soul.

*At church, Lucy graduated from Nursery to Primary! I'm pretty lucky and get to be her Sunbeam teacher. Having Lucy in Primary with all of the older kids makes me realize what an extroverted, excited, energetic little girl she is! We've got to work on our wiggles. :)

*Whenever we ask Lucy what baby girl's name is, she always replies with "Simmery!"
Simmery? No idea....
Then she usually follows with "I have a baby brudder in my tummy!"

Tea at Grandma's

Imagination and wonder - a recipe for magic!

26 Weeks

If only I could remember that I can't move as quick, bend down as easily, lift a stroller out of the trunk, and chase run-a-way children, then maybe I wouldn't be so exhausted during the day! Sometimes it feels as if the Hamburgler really did come in the middle of the night and beat the living day lights out of me! 

Keep growing baby! And lets hurry this along...I can't stand being so itchy anymore! 

What a Ham!

Lucy was sitting across from me at the breakfast table. Her head barely reaching above the table, just high enough to eat her yogurt.

"Mom, I love you. Mom, I like you too! Mom, I hug you and kiss you."

I couldn't help but snap a picture in my mind of her floppy morning hair, her coy little smile painted on her face, and the sun ever so slightly illuminating her porcelain skin. I hurried to grab my camera in the other room, but of course that moment was gone. The second she sees my camera, she hops down from her chair and proceeds to make her own poses.

"I like it like this...and this!" she says as she changes positions.

She's a girl that loves ballet. She loves the camera. And she loves the spotlight.
I love my Lucy. She brightens my day.

La Jolla, CA

We took a spontaneous trip down to La Jolla to go see the seals and to have lunch at Phil's BBQ. While down there, we found out that our good family friends were there too! We grew up next door to this family for years and have done many vacations together. They have since moved to Utah, so we were really excited to meet up with them!

We ended the night with a visit to the San Diego Temple - one of the most beautiful, serene places you could visit. 

Til next time, San Diego...

Christmas 2012 Video Montage

I threw together a video of Christmas with the fam. It's not what I envisioned, but it'll do :) 

I couldn't get it to upload for the life of me, so Youtube will have to do.

watch it here

Make it Happen

I dedicate this post to my two sisters whom I love dearly and want the very best for them. And I want them to want the very best for themselves too! 

No one can make you do anything. 

It has to come from you. 

You have so much ahead of you if you only use this precious time wisely. Don't let it go to waste. Make that happy ending HAPPEN!!

Here's to a brand new year and the start to a brand new beginning for all of us!!