A Photo For Every Month of My Year 2013

On December 30, 2013December 31, 2013 By AngeliaIn Life is what you make it., Life..Camera...Action!22 Comments

I can’t believe it. I can’t believe I am posting about my entire YEAR.

Really? So soon?

Well played year, well-played.

I decided to pick ONE photo to represent each month of 2013, and trust me – very hard! In fact, it is pure torture for me. But I told myself ONE, and so, I picked ONE (or two). Heh.

January 2013

Oh, what this photo holds deep inside. Things we did not know as we traipsed through the park, children and dogs, on a gorgeous North Texas day. I look at this photo and I see my daughter for the last time as my young girl. In this year, she will grow and change in more ways than I thought possible. Although she will always my little girl, she will never be the youth of this photo, because becoming a mother does that.

February 2013

I went to quite a bit of trouble to get these floating bokeh hearts. And even though I have tons of other photos for February, I am choosing this one as it represents my journey into trying a Project 52. Sadly, I did not complete every week, but I tried. And I failed. Then, I finished.

And you know what? That is good enough for me. I’m going for it this year too. Maybe, I will complete it? Maybe, I won’t. I’ll put my best effort into it, but I won’t stress over it. I am learning/unlearning perfectionism in the most beautiful way. If you would like to join the same Project 52 I do, there is still time, just click the link and ask to join Daphne Ellenburg’s Project 52 on Flickr.

March 2013

Here is my cheat month. There are two photos, but it is ONE mosaic and ONE photo is not mine. My husband went to Seattle (and all he brought me back was this picture he took – heh), but yes, he took one of my cameras. He didn’t have much time to get out since he was working, but I do love this shot. I want to go to Seattle something fierce.

It will happen…. I just know it. One day.

The other photo is Easter at Grandma’s house. Easter just isn’t Easter unless it is celebrated at Grandma’s, and Grandma’s yard has lots of pretty spring flowers. Pretty girls in frilly dresses. And pretty, pretty Easter eggs to hunt. So pretty is as pretty does and I give you this lovely lily.

April 2013

Another cheat (sorry, not sorry!) – my baby girl’s Gender Reveal Party with her boyfriend Brandon. Listen, no one knew what the sex of that baby was going to be. Not a soul standing there – including Mom & Dad – not until those balloons floated out of the box. And let me tell ya, it was a SHOCK to see Pink. Almost everyone, all the old wives tales, Chinese calendars, and then some, said it was a BOY. Most everyone there was SURE it was a BOY, including myself, but I wanted a girl. I don’t know why. We have a plenty of girls. I just couldn’t give up my hope to have another. Maybe, because I had a girl first and I wanted her to have that incredible experience too. I wanted my baby girl to have a baby girl. And that dream came true when I watched those pink spheres float up into the sky. Wow. A very precious moment shared with family and friends; one I will never forget.

May 2013

I don’t like photos of myself. I don’t like others taking photos of myself. I am just uncomfortable this side of the camera. But I took a photo with my little girl on Mother’s Day. To record her pregnancy and a special event. This is a candid shot of us together (unposed). My sticker says World’s Greatest Mom. My step-girls gave me a Mother’s Day card they picked out and that sticker was inside. You bet I wore it all day. Loud and Proud. Oh, how I love allllllll my girls!

June 2013

I had space at the Arlington Museum of Art for the Chics Who Click art exhibit. I showed for three months April, May, and June. This is the month I displayed “people”. My family, friends, friends of family, and more that I had done photo sessions of. I gave it back to them by printing and framing their shots. It is the month I am most proud of.

July 2013

Maternity photos of Sydney in the stockyards, plus one of her and Brandon at Penn Farm. Maternity photos in July – talk about a scorcher. I have to say Sydney is quite the trooper having to endure a Texas Summer in her pregnancy. She did really well with it all; very impressive for a nineteen-year old.

August 2013

A little child is born who fills the hearts of so many. A little girl loved by her parents, grandparents, great grandparents and many other relatives. She is the most loved baby I know.

I photographed the birth of her one day after I turned 42 years old. I took her newborn photos. I breathed in the sweet, new baby smell and I fell, so completely, in love with this new little girl – every finger, and every toe. I still fall to pieces when I see her. This Grandma thing is pretty darn amazing.

September 2013

Surprise, Cousin Tasha is pregnant with twins. TWINS! Little playmates for Averey. The family and I head to Iowa Park, Texas to photograph her shower. These are my outlaws and I love that they welcome Jason and the girls as family too. This is definitely the cutest theme I have ever seen, and so much SUGAR. The cake with babies on it is my favorite. A very precious and detailed piece. I can’t wait to meet these two new little people.

October 2013

My step-daughters on Halloween. This is quite the pair. The cat pounces on the prey and the Vampire Princess comes in for the kill. Genius! I missed seeing them trick or treat as I had to work, but I am glad Jason took pictures for me, and that he took Fred the Cat trick or treating, too.

November 2013

Finally they meet, the Great Grandma and the Great Granddaughter. I think they thought it a moment greater than both of them. We call it The Grand PooPaw of all time. Oh yes. A pretty big deal for sure. And I loved every bit of it.

December 2013

Christmas 2013 – Full of gifts big and small, inside and outside.

December is a big month for me. I am promoted at work to supervisor. I traded in my car with my husband’s car to share ONE car. Years past, that would have freaked me out to put so much trust into being that dependent, but you know what, it didn’t bother me in the least. Working from home, I can do without wheels.

I am completely off antidepressants and I feel amazing. My husband will turn the big 3-9 tomorrow. He mentioned to me it was our 6th Christmas together. That blew my mind. SIX? So many? Which means this is our 6th Birthday celebration for him. When I met him, he was only 33.

I am ready for the New Year. And yes, I do love resolutions! I plan to get strong and fit. To ACCEPT imperfection as my new reality and be just fine with that. I want the critics out of my head. Ain’t nobody got time for that! My resolution is to exercise one hour a day. I did pretty good with a resolution in 2006 to stop smoking. I am hoping this one will stick for eight years as well.

That’s right, my anniversary of no more smoking is January 1st! I haven’t missed it. Not in eight years. So happy I made that resolution.

And of course, I have this eleven and half pound bundle of joy to watch grow and change.

She turned four months old Christmas Eve (and only 11.5lbs – little shrimp).

Do you know how big she makes me smile?

This big and more. We are something when we get together and start grinning all over the place.

My year? Full.
My life? Loved.
My heart? Overflowing.

Top that 2014, I look forward to it.

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope it is blissful and bright! Cheers to 2014!

To the heroes, and to the perished. I remember you.

On September 11, 2011September 11, 2011 By AngeliaIn Life is what you make it.19 Comments

Ten years ago today, I remembered where I was, and what I was doing.

I remembered the fear.

I remembered the love uniting us – one nation under God.

But mostly, I remember the patriotism of the strong, and the brave. Lives were lost, and lives were saved.

I may not have pictures of the memorials (how I wish I could be there!). But I do have some poignant images of our freedom and the price we have paid.

My heart moves for all of America; for every hero, every survivor, and every loved one.

Prayers to you all.

America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)

My country, ’tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.

Our glorious Land to-day,
‘Neath Education’s sway,
Soars upward still.
Its hills of learning fair,
Whose bounties all may share,
Behold them everywhere
On vale and hill!

Thy safeguard, Liberty,
The school shall ever be,
Our Nation’s pride!
No tyrant hand shall smite,
While with encircling might
All here are taught the Right
With Truth allied.

Beneath Heaven’s gracious will
The stars of progress still
Our course do sway;
In unity sublime
To broader heights we climb,
Triumphant over Time,
God speeds our way!

Grand birthright of our sires,
Our altars and our fires
Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled,
The hope of all the world,
In peace and light impearled,
God hold secure!

Never Forget.

*All photographs taken in Point Loma, California at the National Cemetery.

Hanging at the Harbor – Dana Point, California

On September 7, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life21 Comments

Dana Point, our very first stop after landing in Orange County.

I had been to Dana Point before, somewhere around thirteen years ago. The cliffs and the harbor stood out in my memory, along with the Pirate ship they had on display. I had to see if it was like I remembered it, or how much it had changed.

We first glimpsed the harbor from the street we were ~~lost on~~ driving on. This was, also, our first look at the Pacific this trip. Ahhh! The great deep beyond of the Pacific waters. I could stare at them forever.

Dana Point is a little nugget tucked away from Orange County on the way to San Diego. It’s beach and harbor are surrounded by hills. It took quite a few turns (with GPS) to get us to this little gem of a destination.

But we did find it. I think we followed a surf board (and a sign).

We got to the harbor.

We got to the beach.

It was as lovely as I remember it. This time I wasn’t as in awe of the cliffs and ocean, as much as I was the endless boats. I had my boat picked out, the name christened, and I was ready to sail away.

I probably need to move to California first, heh.

We had a nice lunch next to the harbor highway. We watched the boats big and small parading in and out of entrance. We enjoyed a crisp 68-degree day that was (literally) heaven on earth after the scorching 110 in Dallas.

The flowers were not withered and brown, but a colorful display to the eye.

At the very end of the harbor, I found the Pirate Ship in the same place as it was before. It looked a lot newer. I believe they do cruises, or something. It was straight out of a movie cool.

The walk back down the harbor was just as delightful, except for my slippery sandals.

We took it slow to take it all in (and get sunburnt our first day). Looking all around and up at the hillside, I see beautiful palm trees and gorgeous homes.

Back by the beach, there is tons of surf board paddlers and children at play.

The wall surrounding the beach had hand-made tiles designed by children. I didn’t find the story behind who they were or why they decorated the beach walk, but they were very crafty and unique. I definitely felt the charm they added to Dana Point.

I took lots and lots and lots of harbor photos.

Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point, California, 2011

When we finally left, we stopped back at the first place we came to, and I took more pictures of the view.

Again…..

And Again….

And again….

The view is amazing. And guess what? A wedding was about to take place.

I totally creeped on it. We waited, and waited for the bride – maybe behind a tree with my camera – but she didn’t show. Not even after we saw all the bridesmaids. We finally gave up. I hope she made it. The groom was looking a little worried.

So we said good-bye to the view……

And took off for our next destination.

It’s going to take me awhile to post all the places we went to. Hope you don’t mind LOTS more.

So far, it’s been day one, ha.

🙂

I am uploading all the photographs to my photography Facebook page before I post them on the blog. If you like sneak peeks, be sure to “Like” and “Look”. Angelia’s Photography Fan Page.

A Taste of Spring in the Heat of Summer

On August 16, 2011August 16, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life16 Comments

My Mother’s garden.

In the Spring, the hands of my mother turn the soil. She picks each plant lovingly and places it in the dirt. She pats the ground around it and wills it to grow beautiful.

She works her garden all the year, but most especially, spring and summer. Sweating, watering, and arranging until she gets it just about right (but it’s never done).

We look upon her gallery of color and placement as if in the finest of museums. From one garden bed to the next, there is more to gaze upon and revel in. Hidden delights find your eye in wonder. Magic sparkles and weaves throughout the yard, delighting in fairy tales come true.

I don’t know if I every thanked my mother for her work, or for the love of gardening, she has instilled in me. I don’t know if she knows how much I appreciate the beauty she brings to life.

I took my camera to Oklahoma, in hopes, I could capture her joy and return it to her.

Mom, you make life more beautiful by just being in it. Thank-you for what you share with us, and for what I can share with all of you.

Gardening is a very special gift. It’s a mix of nurture, artistry, and love. There are many lessons taught in the garden of life. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.