"People fail because they trade what they want most for what they want right now."

Real Simple March 2007 pg. 46

I'm not much of a quote person but, every once an awhile I will read something and it will resonate with me and the issues I am dealing with. I read this quote yesterday while in check out mode from the kids. The quote was in regards to financial decisions but, I felt the impact of it in all areas of my life. I make most of my decisions based on what I want right now. Money, time, discipling the children, attitude with Joshua, time with the Lord, photography... On and on. I live in and for instant gratification and it needs to be my way now. I SUCK!!! The quote is beginning to clarify some of my issues.

What do I want most?

Financially? I want most to save for the long term (retirement) and save for vacations but, I spend impulsively to fill my boredom.

Time? I want most to get it all done (house hold chores, time with kids, with Joshua and business) but, I get caught up in my time vortex aka the computer.

Discipline? I want most is obedient children that make good choices but, I think that what ever I am doing at the moment is more important that their teachable moment.

Attitude? I want most to be Joshua's helper, predictably happy and not easily angered but, I am too consumed with my selfishness.

The Lord? What i want most is to be growing but, I find every excuse not to spend time in the word and prayer.

Photography? What I want most is to do what I love for others and be GREAT at it but, because of the issues in some of the above listed areas this is put on hold for awhile.

So I have some work to do.

Where to begin? Prioritize.

1. God
2. Joshua
2a. Finances (2a? this is an area that we need to work on together)
3. Children
4. Time
5. Photography

How to begin? Be INTENTIONAL!!!

1. Spend time in The word DAILY! Set an appointment and KEEP IT! My appointment time is 9:15 am
2. Think, "How would I feel if he said/did that to me?" Pray for him.
2a. Be accountable to Joshua for my spending. Have a firm budget.
3. Be ready to take action for a first time offense. Remind myself that they are learning how to respond by how I respond.
4. Fly. Have a appointment for computer time... Only use it when the kids are asleep.
5. Know that I am a photographer and I do it well but, that I only have a small window of oppertunity to raise our children and I want to do it well... so I need to get my act together before I can be successful at business.


WOW!!! That went in a different direction than I planned on.

Skinny Cow

the pat 2 hours have been nap time and instead of getting some rest I have been staring at my computer doing a bunch of nothing! My eyes are dry. I am more tired than i was before. the kiddos are about to wake up. I wonder where my time goes. My computer is a time vortex!!! I'm gonna go eat a skinny cow and savor my last minutes of quite :)

Here are a few pics of Drewski. Some In and Out sounds scrumpty right now :)

Ok one to skinny cow :)

Spring is comming

The past few days it has been beautiful outside. Saturday it was even in the 70's. Most people like to talk about how hot it gets here in the summer but, you don't often hear people talk about how we have beautiful winter days. Now don't get me wrong, we don't live in San Diego and I don't like the heat of our summers but, I love that we get to enjoy spring weather in winter. To think people in other parts of the country are snowed in.


i have some great ideas for sessions out in these beautiful orchards. Hopefully the springish weather will continue and I'll be able to get out here with Emily and some clients.