June 2016 – Evening Looks – 11

Here’s girl eleven. I did this while at Yosemite. Far from perfect but here we are.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 10

Here’s girl ten.

cute one.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

2016 Stories – 24 – David’s Graduation

And here it is.

The end of elementary school. Talk about time passing fast. I feel like we just moved to the West Coast when it’s really been 13 years. I feel like David was just born when he’s now 11.5. I can’t believe he is going to be going to middle school in a matter of months. I can’t believe how wise, kind and articulate he is. I am just so in awe of him.

Dear David. thank you. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for loving to read as much as I do. Thank you for choosing to fill my house with music. Thank you for being brave and performing in front of the whole school. Thank you for pushing your boundaries and doing the Tech Challenge when I could never do it. Thank you for making all of us love Physics. Thank you for putting up with my teaching you Math for hours and hours. Thank you for learning Spanish with me. Thank you for loving History. Thank you for always being curious. Thank you for being willing to show up and swim and play basketball even when you don’t want to. Thank you for always loving and always indulging my wishes. Thank you for being kind, thoughtful, considerate and loving.

I love you so incredibly much. I feel like you’re a gift to me every single day and I am not sure what I did to deserve you but I want you to know that I will not take it for granted for a moment. I will cherish each and every day with you.

Here’s to going on more adventures in Middle School!!


Stories from 2016 is a year-long project for 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 09

Here’s girl nine. One of my favorites.

she has a lot of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 08

Here’s girl eight.

she has a lot of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 07

Here’s girl seven. I just couldn’t do a good job with this gal.

no shimmer on this lady.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

A Book a Week – There’s Something I Want You to Do

I read There’s Something I Want You to Do because it was a book club pick. I rarely read short stories so it was a nice change of pace for me.

I wasn’t crazy about the book but I also didn’t hate it. If short stories are your thing, I think you might like it. Then again, if short stories are your thing, I would easily recommend Adam Haslett’s book first. It’s extraordinary.

But I am still not sad I read it.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 06

Here’s girl six.

she has a tiny bit of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 05

Here’s girl five. I had fun with her.

she has a bit of shimmer. Here’s a closer look at the shimmer.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

2016 Stories – 23 – Induction

David’s school has this wonderful tradition where the 5th graders get to have an induction night. On this night, they are inducted the Graduates of their school. To celebrate together, they invite back 8th and 12th graders who graduated from the same school. So those who are graduating elementary, middle and high are in the same room. They invite each set of classes to come up and share where they go to school now, etc.

It’s this wonderful night where our kids get to see the next few big stages in their life. Where they get to become a member of a wonderful club of kids who graduated from this school. Where they get to share their favorite memories with all these other kids.

I am so grateful for all these wonderful traditions. All these wonderful ways of building and fostering community.


Stories from 2016 is a year-long project for 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

June 2016 – Evening Looks – 04

Here’s girl four.

no shimmers on this gal either.


Evening Looks is a Monthly Project for June 2016. You can read more about my projects for 2016 here.

Living Intentionally – 22

  • Weekly Intention:  After I took March off, I then decided to take April and May off too apparently. It seems almost pointless to do this, this week, since I am leaving in 2 days to go home and will not be able to update for at least 2 weeks possibly. But I am still pulled by a desire to do it so here we are. It feels like the last 3 months have been a blur. And I don’t want the next 6 months to feel like that. So my intention this week is twofold. One is to spend the next 56 hours filling some paperwork I need to, tidying up the house, and packing (when I am not working, of course) so that I feel a bit more ready for our trip. I’ve had a low level of stress about the trip the whole time, mostly because I am not sure what and how much to pack. So I want to settle things a bit here and feel more ready to go. I also would like to journal some and spend some time reflecting on my goals for the next six months of the year. I feel like things got off course a bit and I want to think about what getting back on course would look like for me.
  • Choices I want to make:
    • One: I will choose to figure out what will help me prepare for the trip and help with the low level anxiety.
    • Two:  I will choose to journal for at least one hour so i can see what i’m feeling.
    • Three: I will choose to spend some time with jake before i leave.
  • I am looking forward to: Seeing my parents, sister, nephews, and the rest of my family at home.
  • This week’s challenges:  A lot going on this week. Work, a test for one of the kids, packing, cleaning, tidying, a very long plane trip and likely some jetlag. But also so much excitement!
  • Top Goals:
    • Work: I want to get a few things decided and a few things underway so nothing lags cause I am gone.
    • Personal: I want to journal. Reconnect with my wishes and desires and see what they are.
    • Family: I want to spend so much time with Jake now and my wonderful family at home.
  • I will focus on my core desires (kind, strong, true, generous, brave) by: 
    • I will be kind to myself. I will forgive myself and find a way forward.
    • I will be strong by doing what it takes to get ready to go on vacation.
    • I will be generous with the possibilities on this trip.
    • I will be true to myself but also open and kind. Both can live. And I will give myself grace.
    • I will be brave by having faith that things will be ok.
  • This week, I want to remember: that all will be ok. We will make it home safely. Things will get done. Packing will be ok. All will be ok. And to breathe. Breathe.

Here’s to a wonderful week!