Focus

As I sat at my sewing machine the other day and was so hurried to get my project done, I thought about how our focus can go askew. So here is my best attempt at an illustration...



Sometimes I struggle with having this narrowed focused point of view which causes me to get agitated and annoyed because I want to do what I want to do. Because of this "me" view I not only miss out on a lot of the greatness that is my children's childhood, but I rob them of the mom they deserve. Granted sometimes I need this focus to keep me sane, but I keep telling myself "everything in moderation".





The funny thing is when I keep my focus where it should be when it should be there then not only are they happy but I find that I am happy too. When I decide to be a here-and-now mom I notice they are more content and then they aren't spending all of their day asking and bugging me. When I take that time to build a fort, play tea party, read a story, or just let them help with house duties then they are more apt to let me have my time when I need it.

Apart from the mom thing this I have noticed is the same in my spiritual life. Not that God is sitting there nagging me for a drink or to wipe his butt. However, He is asking me to spend time with Him. To focus into the Word, into His teachings and guidelines for my life. When I want to do what I want to do and say "to heck" with what God wants from me or when I am just too busy to be obedient then it seems that my world is shaky, I am off. Just like with the kids, when I give up that selfish thinking and lovingly and willingly give of myself and time I am blessed beyond measure. Is it roses everyday that I start out in prayer and bible reading? YEAH RIGHT! Nope, but it is a lot easier to remember that God is there when you just got done spending time with Him. So when crap hits the fan it is easier to grab a mop and start cleaning up instead of whining about it. So there is my thoughts as I sit at my sewing machine and ponder life.

Glimpses of my views.

So like the title says I got a new camera. I LOVE it. I am sure a lot of you don't know this but I took a semester or so of photography in college and really loved developing prints. I don't mind taking pictures, don't get me wrong but the real magic for me was in the dark room. So when I moved from all the dark room stuff the joy of taking the pictures sorta died. I got all anti "creative photo" taking because everyone and their grandma can take good pictures with a digital camera strapped to them. So I boycotted. But I began to miss it. I began to lose seeing things as I would through a lens. So thanks to my pushy and thoughtful husband and Katie from KATIE CANNON PHOTOGRAPHY who just so happens to be a VERY good friend of mine and not to mention an AMAZING photographer...I got a new-to-me digital SLR. Despite the fact I didn't touch it for a week after I got it, and it just sat in the box on our table...it soon called to me. And then my husband couldn't stand it anymore and he opened it and started to push buttons he knew nothing about, I couldn't handle it! So after grabbing from his hand and in a huff looking it over...that is when it that old feeling snuck in again. Now I have used it almost everyday just to capture my babies growing up, and to mostly do it for fun. To have something that is my own again...to express a little of me. So here are a few pictures I took...enjoy.


This is my daughter and she is awesome. Not only is she my second pair of hands, she loves to be my muse. We were walking and I noticed this well pump, which I have not seen one of these in YEARS...so we snapped a few shots.


This is my dad's car back home in Wisconsin. I loved how the sky was looking and how regal that old weathered car looked.



While out berry picking. I couldn't help but take a few shots of what seemed to be a fairytale in pictures. This is Auden and her best friend Leif. They love playing and just being friends...simple and easy, which we all could use more of.


Caelis was so majestic while trying to eat grass during our berry picking time. The fog and lighting was perfect that day.


I call this one the edge of the world because that is what it looks like...they are so small and the world is so big, yet it is theirs to conquer.


My time in Wisconsin was such a blessing. I go to hang with my brother and nephew and capture some of that bond. I love it.


My boy! He is so full of love and life that it makes me smile just thinking of him. Everything he does is done with every fiber of his being. Then there is our faithful dog Moses, always watching and waiting for that next stick.
These are just a few glimpses into how I see things. Hope you like them.