Happy Birthday, Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. I love her.

We talked this morning and got onto the subject of growing through the rough times in life vs. coping and gritting our teeth through them. It is so much easier (in a strange way) to cope. To take a deep breath and plunge in rather than looking around for a solution or drawing on the strength to swim. It's easier to curl up until the storm passes than to put on a coat and boots and go out into the pounding rain.

I don't think we're always meant to fight the battles. Sometimes God wants us to hide in him while he fights them. But sometimes we need to take the lessons we've learned in the past and actually apply them. I want to do more than cope. I want to live and thrive.

Happy Birthday, mom. :)

Photo Class

Steph and I went to Camera Club last night. It was interesting to see all the beautiful images people took. I don't know why this didn't occur to me before but I was surprised at all the doctoring of photos that went on. I guess I thought our pictures would be unretouched in their original, naked form. Not so much. So for next time, I'm going to use picnik.com and go crazy with their special effects.

I can't wait. ;)

The Little Things

I like finding these mini worlds...

This flower was on the side of the path in Agoura Hills this past weekend. It was blooming with all its might.

Another Visit to Descanso

mini train tracks at the Descanso Gardens

A friend of mine gave me a membership to the Arboretum for my birthday last year. Best gift ever. I've been going to the Descanso Gardens every Thursday after work for the past few weeks and it has filled up my soul to the brim.