Inspired

I have been following an artist by the name of Jeremy Cowart for a while now. He is pretty great all around. Cool projects, cool images...last week he posted this blog about a shoot he did with John Schneider, It blew up on FB and all around the world...if you haven't read it, it is just good.
It was moving and meaningful. I sat in my tears and let the images stir me.

I have been photographing for nearly 11 years now and I have grown tired of what was a passion. I have a degree in it, but I find my images totally thoughtless...Like, in my personal life, I have a camera, I snap a picture. (I do try when I am actually getting paid for a session.) I always complain about my 10 year old camera and I act like I am prohibited by it, even though, if I was secure in my ability to shoot, it wouldn't matter all that much.

anyway...to the point...
This week, he (Jeremy) posted these. http://jeremycowart.com/2014/01/kids/

here is one from his recent shoot...

I cannot explain how much I love this. I got so pumped about this other way of photographing kids. 

Then, my friend Courtney came to visit today and we got talking about cameras and images...and something just fired me up. It was like a totally inspired evening. We spent some time taking pics of Fos in some pretty great light, and then when she left, I uploaded my shots and did some post edit work. I was so excited about the final images I thought it was worth a post. 

 This one of Foster is my absolute favorite.

And, Keating? There aren't many words.

Foster is, by no means,  just a "sit here and stare" kind of kid, but that is definitely a part of who he is. He is slow to get to know and then he is a loose cannon. He is serious, contemplative, and he surveys the situation. Keating is a laid back, smiley guy.

I was thrilled tonight to have images of my kids that really felt like them...so I thought I would share them with you. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Questions.

My blog is titled "It's My Intention".
It is called this because I want to be intentional...in everything I do.

I came across this article and its contents have the potential to change my life.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/the-questions-that-will-save-your-relationships_b_4618254.html

If you stay at home with your kids, I think you should certainly read it, and share it with your spouse.

Today, Andrew asked me "Did you feel overwhelmed this morning?" instead of the usual "How was your morning?"
Just being offered the time to think about that specific emotion made me feel lighter, loved, and heard.

I am excited to see how being intentional with my questions will change my relationships.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sarah

It sure is his birthday!

32 years ago today, the love of my life was born.

My life is only what it is because of the man my husband is.

Andrew, on your day (and hopefully every other day too) Foster, Keating and I want you to know how remarkable we think you are! 

Thank you for giving 100% to each thing you do. Thank you for being an outstanding human being who teaches us everyday about character, love, patience, and how to be a great friend and listener. 

Our sons are so lucky to have you as a dad! You are not only fun, but you are the perfect person to teach them about all things "manly"...and not in the hunting, fishing, car-fixing defining way the world has given the term...in the ways that really matter, like living the life you say you want to live. By loving the Lord so much that it overflows into the things you say and do. By being patient and encouraging to the people around you. By being positive and literally never tearing anyone around you down. By always being willing to learn and grow. By being Awesome.

I pray the boys pick up on all these traits and that they are just like you (in their own ways of course). 

Thank you for leading me and the boys and for just being so darn cool. 

Also, can I just say you are super hott too! I am so proud of you and feel super special to be seen in public with you!! 

Happy Birthday to you, Andrew. You really are the best. like, for real. I love you.

ikuytrefnb - that was a note from the boys, I think it says, "Hey dad...you're the best. thanks for playing with us and for changing our diapers. We love you a lot. Happy Birthday, Foster and Keating"

Permission to complain.

I have had this thought the last two days. "I don't think my life is as hard right now as I have said that it is."
Why in the heck would I ever claim that my life is harder than it actually is.  Is it for a pity party? I don't think so.

When I thought about it enough, I got to the bottom of it.

I have been given permission to complain...so I do. Even if I don't really have anything to complain about.

So, I am here to set the record straight.

People usually see me with my kids (one at a time). This is the most common occurrence.
"Oh look at those ______(Fill in the blank with cheeks, curls, shoes, blue eyes)"
"Yeah, he's pretty sweet"
"How old is he"
"______(state the current age)"
"Awe."
And then they see it...the other kid!
"Oh my goodness you have another!"
"Yes I do!"
"And how old is he"
"____(State current age, which always equals 14 months and 3 weeks younger than the last stated age)"
This is where the permission to complain comes in.
I can almost say it with them..."Wow, you have your hands full!"
depending on the person, it varies from, "oh, you are busy" or "you must miss sleep" or anything that remotely resembles the idea that the task at hand (which happens to be raising two boys under 1 1/2) is rather daunting. But occasionally I have a person who says, "Mine are ______ months apart", I have never had any one give me a number higher than 19.
- you may think that I am not being literal her, but I dare you to ask Meggie or Allyson or anyone on the elevators with me each Sunday morning...this is basically verbatim -
Inevitably, I agree with them. INEVITABLY! EVERY TIME!

I have never once responded with, "It's not so bad" or "somedays are harder than others" or anything other than "Yep" followed by a sheepish smile that may actually ask them to take pity on me.

But I realized yesterday that I was doing this completely unintentionally. I actually had ZERO intentions about what I was saying to every person who has ever said this to me. And it's not bad to agree that I am busy, but I even say it like, "It's terrible-feel sorry for me."

SO HERE IT IS FRIENDS! My apologies, and the truth.
I am tired.
I am tired because in general I have 2 kids, I work from home, I serve at my church with the youth, college, and music ministries, and I love to have people over to my house. Who wouldn't be tired.
BUT!
The truth. My kids only wear me out because they are kids...like ever other mother ever in the history of the world. We finish a day and we are tired.
I love my job, my boss, and my co-worker who happens to be Fos' God mom. It is flexible and a worthy cause.
I have a sweet friend (with two boys) that joins me and the boys for play dates regularly, which are awesome...and so is she, you should check out her blog here.
I have a husband who has Fridays off and a flexible schedule who comes home from work for lunch most days.
I have an amazing Mother in Law who visits regularly. Parents who come down regularly. Fos' God parents who watch the boys all the time. And! My neighbors are outside almost everyday so we get like an our of playtime! (thank you Texas for the whether that make that possible.)
AND TO ICE MY BLESSED CAKE, my 3 almost 4 month old has been sleeping through the night regularly since 7 weeks.

and lets face it...some days really are hard, but not the majority of them!

Bottom line...
I have the sweetest boys. Fos is funny, kind, gentle with his bro, curious, silly, entertaining...and of course he is one and a half so he throws short fits, he wakes up every night, and wants to be "where the party at" instead of going ti sleep. When he is tired he is a handful...and that witching hour thing is real.
Keating basically cries when he is hungry, dirty, and sometimes when he is tired. He sleeps like a champ and rolls over.
That is it. I laugh 99% more than I cry!
I have no extra room to say that my life is any harder than any other momma out there.

So please friends, accept my apologies for saying that its soooo hard. It is hard...but not bad or unusually difficult all the time. And for goodness sake, stop expecting me to think that it should be.

Thanks for stopping by!