One Happy meal not Two

So we are hitting very tough economic times and with kids, we as parents need to really educate them on spending and saving. My boys are 4 and 2 and they already understand the power of money and how money gets you things. I am also trying to teach them how Daddy works to get us some of that money and now little Josh even places his candy on counter to pay. But cashier must give it back ASAP, if he or she places in the bag, you will hear a loud scream. All in all they understand that that piece of paper or coin gives them power, power to obtain things like CANDY. I am surprised that Lucas the other day comprehended that I bought 1 Happy Meal and plain nuggets to eat, I explained we needed to save and that we would give the toy to Josh. I was not sure how that was going to work out but he was very mature and ate all the chicken nuggets, even Josh's- lol. But Josh was sleeping and was happy to get the toy. There are many things parents can do to still have a good time like actually go to birthday parties you are invited to, because the gift will be cheaper than going out. You can find cheaper than Chuckee Cheese places like the Party Gym on route 9 in NJ, fast food joints with a slide, ( they are happy with any size slide) free community events and more. One thing is for sure, I do not want to save on the smiles and good times these little ones give me. I mean I stopped by the mall and when Josh saw the tiny carousel, he said WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE as if he arrived in Disney or something. The point is, the kids need to get out of the house once in a while and one can still do that on a budget. Here are some pictures of our Little lunch outing yesterday with bff Ana Clara.

I will laugh harder

So in this new path as a photographer, I am presented with many challenges, frustrations, ups and downs. One of my main challenges is trying to develop a workflow at home. Why is that a challenge? How does one work on her business while being at home with a 4 and 2 year old? I have been struggling, at times I cry, other times I laugh, other times I scream and most of the time I do all of the above. And when I do not shoot for a while, I get that feeling deep inside telling me that perhaps this is not it or this is going to take so much longer than I think and will I ever make it? I know where I want to go, to be at, but the inbetweens and internal battles make it look so far away at times and then there are little victories here and there and I like Third day's song that says Give me Revelation, Show me what to do. Cause I have been trying to find my way. I have not gotten a clue. It is not that I don't know what I want, I do, it is that I lack the resources , I wish I could go to WPPI or attenda the Kubata boot camp and do other great photographer stuff. and I know I should not focus on the lack or the need but focus on being committed, being committed to being a professional fabulous photographer and that everything else will fall into place. No picture for this post but a video showing a glimpse of my day. and a few years from now this will be so much funnier, I will laugh harder.

Highs and Lows

Looking at some pictures of Wanessa's photo shoot, I found some more that I really love and what I love the most are the contrasts not of the colors but of Wanessa. She is mysterious yet transparent, shy and yet extrovert, quiet yet loud, a girl and a woman. The wind and shadows on her face make it a perfect feel I have of her and also reminds me of the highs and lows of life, my personal and professional life that sometimes just combines a big mess of feelings, realities victories and failures. And what about living the good life? Well living the good life right now would consist something like a bathroom with a bathtub and not just shower like I have, a linen closet and a big hamper where the clothes would not be on the floor. Still pursuing, still believing and hoping there would be more highs than lows.

The Best Gift

People are running around trying to get last minute gifts in the super market, all the single roses are almost gone and still chocolate boxes left. I look around today and those things are all great but I love the simple gifts, the ones who cherish for a long time, or the little ones you get daily, a laugh, a hug, a note or a phone call. It is about small caring gestures and not big gifts. My husband and I had gone away and that was our little pre- Valentine's celebration already and tonight keeping it simple with beef stew dinner and a watching the movie Fireproof. The best gift this Valentine's came on Thursday when my 4 year old bout me a card the teacher helped him make at his play school. Inside the card was a picture he drew all by himself and when I asked him who that was, he said was it was me. My heart just melteddddddd. I thought the little bald man was the cutest version of me EVER. Just the fact that my son could draw two eyes, arms and legs was so great! I will cherish this card as long as I can. To all my fellow bloggers, love more, laugh more, work less and enjoy this special day.

Wanessa ( pronounced Vanessa)

Piercing curious eyes were all over the place when I first met Wanessa. She is a sister in law of a good friend of mine Carol ( see expecting Yamins photo shoot) who is here from Brazil. Wanessa came to help her sister in law with her labor and post partum and our first introduction was quick, the girls were going to stay over my house so hubbie and I could go away for a romantic weekend. So complete stranger who was going to stay at my house, thus the reason for the curious eyes. Wanessa is sweet, extremely organized ( you should see what she did to my kitchen cabinets), smart yet shy, and holds back. As if she has something so special inside of her that she fears it. And her amazing eyes, I am able to see so much she has to offer and I loved doing this windy day photo shoot. Here are some of my favs.

I might not have Tye and his Crew but I have J & M

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure to attend Justin and Mary Marantz Spread the Love Workshop ( http://www.justinmarantz.com/) in Hartford, CT. and it was a truly honorable moment. It is meetings like these that I feel I am on the right path, that I am moving forward, and that there is momentum when engaging with such catalyst as Justin and Mary as well as other fellow photographers. Thank you Amanda from http://www.orchardcovephotography.com/ for a free lesson on how to use your camera manually. You were so patient and generous and I was in shock of how much you said in little time. To my fellow twitters, so nice meeting you and hope to chat much more. To Justin and Mary, I almost felt like there was a crew of 100 volunteers and people cheering MOVE THAT BUS and welcome to a new you, to a new and improved life where mind body and soul are all in perfect harmony. We can start in a clean slate and ever since I found photography I only look forward, no looking back cause I want everything that is behind that big bus. Thanks so much for paying it forward with this life changing workshop.

Do you know know where you are going in life?

It is so nice to plan something, a goal, a trip, an idea and have it come to life. That is why it is important to know where you want to go in Life. It is the road, and you have the map, the questions is, where are you going? If you do not know where you want to go, or who you want to be, it will not likely happen. So get your pen and paper and write away, write out your goals, your dreams, short term, long term just write, pin it on the wall, or in your car, look at it daily. Visualize your self in the best situations possible and they will occur. It might be small thing but I was longing for this romantic weekend get way with my husband and as it occurred I felt so content and at the same time dissatisfied with me as a mom and photograph but hopeful of how I could improve these areas. It was cold, romantic, and beautiful. And when you step away from your daily routine, you really stop and think about life, dreams, goals, and where do you want to go. At least I do, I reflect. In life's road, I know where I want to go, I know who I want to be, how about you?