Quiet Simplicity

Simply stunning. The most beautifully simplistic wedding, ever.

Set at the Filberg grounds, we were tucked away in the Comox Valley at 6pm on a September friday night. No people, no one but us. Deer quietly grazing the grass. A light mist occasionally drizzling from the sky. A groom waiting for his bride at the end of a grape vine arbor.

The place silent, but swollen with the memories of a summer full of sounds. Festivals, celebrations, music, laughter and children playing are usually heard on the grounds. Friday night, quiet. Simple.

Cathy walked out by herself, down through the arbor and was met by David's warm gaze. Together they said their vows to only each other. It meant something. It was truly heart felt and terribly romantic. It was exactly as they wanted it. I felt honored to be a part of something so intimate and meaningful.

We were only together an hour in total. But, I love what images we created in that time. Sometimes, less truly is more. Look at them! Gorgeous!

Covered in Peace

Reflecting on our blessings. Fortunate. Appreciative.

Moments. Quiet, still... delicate moments. Hold you captive, without trying. There are sounds, maybe crickets or fans, muffled by the walls, the trees the night.

The only thing I hear though, right now, is peace.

It's quiet in my house.

My baby and her daddy tucked safely in their beds. My puppy curled up in his bed, beside ours. Remnants of the day, scattered around the house. Not immaculate. It looks like life. Our Life.

Pieces from the story board of our days, today and lately. Photographs on the walls, memories soaked into the air within the walls.

It will not always be this quiet. Thankfully a baby will chat herself awake in the morning, our pup will bark at the neighbor coming home. Another day will happen.

But, for tonight... for now... I'm covered in peace. Bathing in quiet.

A Real Engagement Session

The day before the session Jeff nonchalantly says something like "Oh, and I'm going to propose during our maternity session, do you think that's ok?" HUH? Do I think that's ok? NO, I think thats incredible. He said "we might need to plan it, she might cry". I said "She might cry? She's pregnant. For sure she is going to cry!!" A beautiful moment, at an amazing and exciting time in life. I am honored to have been chosen to capture it all. Jeff and Sydney, may the universe shower you and your baby, with nothing but sweetness.

Doing the right thing

I question everything. Its my nature. I question myself, my choices, my motives. Am I doing the right thing? It's just how I roll. Throw in a title such as "mother" and questioning becomes a whole new playing field.

I believe that its the responsibility that gets me. The pressure. Good lord the pressure.

Will she be strong, will she know she's loved, even if I let her cry for a bit in her crib. Even if we carry on with the sleep training. Even if she did sleep through the night last night, and might even do it again tonight. Will she know we still love her, and would cut off limbs if it would ensure that her life would be full, and long, and incredible. Will she be a good person, will she always know how to laugh, have fun and be amazing. Will she want to dance around all wild, or will she be serious. Will I screw her up. Or if I don't will someone else mess her little life up.

There. I said it. Isn't that what we all fear? Anyone raising people, children, little souls, who are perfect little beings at birth. Knowing all the mysteries of the world. Innocent, open, amzing. Will we screw them up. If I feed her sweet potatoes, or formula, or butternut squash from a jar, or homemade applesauce... will that make her better and healthier? If she plays with Sophie the Giraffe, or pots and pans... will one make her stronger, more aware, more alive? Will having the B.O.B stroller, or the Ergo carrier ensure that she has a full and adventurous life. Does the brand of her baby shoes really matter. Will she care if she is in baby GAP or organic cotton. Does any of this matter, really. Honestly. Will having designer bed sheets make her a more rounded, caring and compassionate human being. What if her sheets are from Wal-Mart??

I don't believe it really does matter. Again, I question everything. I'm not going to lie. I like my B.O.B stroller, think its awesome. It travels great on trails, it is so easy. But, does having it make me a better person than someone with a different brand. Does it make me "outdoorsy" or "sporty" or "cool". Nope. I think, what makes you cool, or even awesome is what you "do".

Do you read stories, ride bikes, explore the world, make crafts, bake cakes, or garden late at night by the headlights of your car lighting up your yard? Do you teach children to be compassionate and kind and generous? I know that we all do our best. We try. Because I know this, I will likely not look at a new mom and say something like "why does your mommy give you that silly soother in your mouth", or "why would she put barrettes in your hair", or "oh, you're feeding her formula", or "oh, she sleeps in bed with you" or "isn't she sleeping through the night". You might not catch me saying those things to anyone. Now, I think I'll be less likely to judge moms. Who am I? How do I know?

Right now, I feel like I need a badge that says "NEW MOMMY. GO EASY ON ME". We do our best, don't we? Maya Angelou says, when we know better, we do better. So I'm hoping to know better and do better as much as humanly possible.

Tonight, I'm going to hope that Maisie sleeps through the night again. (Yes, I said again) I hope that I learn gently from my mistakes and that each time I learn, I have the ability to humbly admit it and move on, guilt free. I'm new and I'm trying, and I hope that Maisie will learn to overlook my shortcomings as a human being and mother, and teach me how to always strive to do the right thing.

And that... for sure, is enough out of me for one day!!

Shevaun and Rod

She grew up climbing the rocky shores of her backyard on Quadra Island. He grew up on completely different shores in the UK. Their worlds destined to collide. Look at them together, from worlds apart, smiling and radiant. It truly amazes me that two people from completely different countries and backgrounds can end up together. Each have their own unique story, childhood, lives that just seems to lead directly to each other. In some kind of twisty turny way, they wound up together. It truly is a beautiful thing. Clearly they were led in the right direction. Look at their faces. They didn't stop smiling the entire day, and that, is perfection. May your lives be full of the spirited sense of adventure and happiness that brought you together.

Shevaun was, despite this photo. On time!