I can't believe a week has gone by!!!!!!  June 20th was another wonderful {CREATE} Beautiful Images Workshop!  It was unlike any of the previous workshops...because we had rain most of the day.  Fortunately--it made for some unique learning opportunities and our participants and models were the best sports...EVER!

The workshop season is flying by for me!  March and June are completed and the first homework assignment is already out for August (which is full)!  It has been such a priveledge to teach so many talented photography lovers how to utilize their cameras!  What a rewarding experience!  Thank you to all of those who have attended any of these workshops!

A few pictures of some of our participants being GREAT sports in the rain....

I will post images of our models next week!  It has been difficult to squeeze in work with all of the summer fun going on!!!!  :)

Lens debate posted on {CREATE} blog...I would love to know what you think...

How do you thank someone who...

cared for you since birth, always believes in you, "integrity" is his middle name, an amazing example of generosity, and who loves you no matter what????

A beautiful tribute to a father found here:  http://theapronstage.com/2009/06/16/average-communting-time

I do everything I can to keep them out of my yard...

but dandelions are so beautiful when they are found in the hands of a child~

a blessing of motherhood indeed.

What a perfect way to start our day!!!!!!  We had SO MUCH FUN @ Eliza's race for MLD!!!!  My girls called it Eliza's party...and it really was a party!

What a wonderful community we live in...to have so many unite and give the way they do!  We had never attempted to run a family 5k before...and thanks to Danny pushing Kate and Sophie WE DID IT!!!!!

Not only did we do it...BUT Ellie ran the ENTIRE race....with Danny and I right behind her!!!!  It looks like we have a runner on our hands!

I have emailed the flashcard winners-----THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!!!!!!  I can't wait to meet the winner of the photoshoot that was given in the raffle!!!!!  The family that won the session has lost 3 children to MLD.  What amazing people...really.  I can't wait!

A picture of Ellie running her heart out!!!!  What a girl!!!!

Thank you William's family and TeamGive!!!!!!!  We can't wait for next year!!!!!!

I took these pictures of Ellie almost a year ago.  I edited one picture from this day...and a year later I am finally going back through.  I love that she is just observing, holding a chicken feather and a doll.  She is relaxed and enjoying.  Do you ever miss childhood?

I returned home from an early morning work out today.  Danny was outside waiting so he could head out an a run.  We walked around the front yard this morning...talking flowers.  The sun was barely coming over the mountain...beginning to touch the tops of the plants.  The only sounds around were our voices and the birds chirping...and I wanted to stay right there.  I didn't want to walk into the house and start the tasks of the day.  I begged Danny..."Don't you want to take a day off, go buy flowers and hang outside all day today!?"  I am sure he was tempted by my offer, but he had appointments.  I was craving a day of simplicity.  My week has been filled with tasks:

• changing banks (total headache)
• end of school activities
• a sick child
• preparation for a 5 year old birthday party (which I am really excited about)
• photography projects
• a father's day project (TOP SECRET!)
• a two year old who has decided she wants to throw or hit everything in sight (can you say MESSES!)
• scheduled evenings everynight

Sometimes I feel overscheduled and over stressed.  Some of it is necessary, important or even essential.  Some of it isn't.  Why do I overschedule my life?  What should I omit?  How much should I sign up my children for--- summer camps, swimming, music lessons, dance, etc...?  All of them good---but together too much.

I read this article...filling my mind with thoughts of clotheslines, bananas and Swiss Family Robinson (which I don't remember ever seeing).   How do you keep it simple???  Should I start with a clothesline???  I do LOVE clotheslines!