Today

Wow, I don't even know where to begin with today's events, so I guess I'll start at the beginning.

I awoke early to the beautiful sunlight coming in through my window and thought that since I had so much to do today that maybe I should get up and get my run out of the way. So at 7:00 I strapped on my runners and headed out. It was amazing out. So peaceful and serene. As I started going I found my chest to be rather tight and my sinuses somewhat congested. As I headed into about my fourth km I realized things weren't getting any better, if anything my chest felt tighter and my legs were like bricks. Sadly I didn't make it much further. I don't usually have bad allergies, but today they were killing me. I came home got the kiddos ready for school and dropped them off.

I came home, downed my coffee and headed out to buy some weights for boot camp. Came home and proceeded to try and assemble a trampoline. With my neighbours help I got it all together by the time it was time to pick up Connor. I made lunch, returned some calls and e-mails and got ready to head out for a big shoot in West Vancouver. I left around 1:00 and found myself sitting in a parking lot after the Port Mann because of an overturned semi. I sat for over an hour not moving. Now in the past driving to Vancouver has always caused me some anxiety, not sure why, but in the last year I have learned to love this drive. It gives me time to think. And, think I did. A lot. Finally I got past the accident and made it to my shoot with only being 15 minutes late. Brooke and I are in the process of growing our business and trying to tackle the teen/grad market. We had 10 teen girls lined up for this shoot on the beach and had a blast shooting them. Around 5:30 we headed over to Commercial Drive and met for a consult with a July bride and went over a lot of the details. Then Brooke and I went out for dinner at this great little Sushi place on Commercial and finally relaxed and chatted away.

The drive home tonight was so peaceful. The freeway was quiet, I guess because of the Canucks game and again, I had a lot of time to think. Although I am exhausted, it was good day. My allergies seem to have died down a bit and I am ready to dive into Lightroom and start culling pictures.

I hope you were able to enjoy the sun today.

much love,

larajane

Another weekend come and gone. Always sad to say goodbye to the weekend, but I never mind starting a new week either. This week is a bit different for me. I have appointments that I wouldn't normally have, and scheduled events that I am not able to make it to. I know I'm sounding vague, but I have alot of really cool stuff going on, and some not so cool stuff either, but I don't want to say too much before I know more...does that make sense?

Anyway, I had a wonderful mother's day and feel so blessed to have two amazing children.

I love them so, so much! Here we are before church this morning. Much love and happy mother's day to all you great moms!

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Listening

I haven't been on my computer much this week, as I have been busy with a quilting project. One thing I love about projects is it gives me time to think and be creative. Here are my rambling thoughts as to what I've been thinking about.

It all started yesterday as I was doing the Straiton hill run. If you're from Auguston, then you know the run. The last part of the run is up a beautiful trail. As my running partner and I were booting it up the steep part of the trail, she asked if we could slow down and walk a bit as her vision was going blurry and she wasn't feeling well. No problem, it was nice to slow it down and take in the beauty of the forest and chat. We started running again, and after a few minutes she asked to slow it down again, as she really wasn't feeling well. (Just a side note, this girl is hard core crazy on sprinting up hills, so this was very out of the ordinary) I asked her what she thought her body was telling her. She didn't know. This is what got me thinking... we really, really need to listen to our bodies. Last night as I crawled into bed my body was aching. Not sick/flu aching, but an aching, exhausted feeling where I was really tired right to my bones. Does that make sense? Probably not, but that's the best way I could explain it. I needed to listen to my body and rest.

I realized last night as I was thinking about how important it is to listen to your body, that it is just as important to listen to those around you. Listening to your spouse and friends is important, but what I really struggle with is my kids. So often they will be talking to me about school or a friend or a video game (okay mostly Connor) and I will be distracted with cooking dinner, sending an e-mail, folding laundry etc. and I will give a little glance and a nod and say mmm hmm. I am not actively listening. How can I expect my kids to actively listen to me, when I am not modeling the same behaviour? I know I need to work on this.

Lastly, listening to God is my biggest struggle. So often I will offer up a quick prayer, say Amen, and walk away, not really giving it another thought. I am reading this book Eat, Pray, Love. It is definitely not written from a Christian perspective, but it does talk a lot about the importance of sitting in stillness and listening to God. Another challenge for me. It also talks about finding balance in life. I am finding it very inspiring and encouraging.

Sorry for the random writings of today, just needed to get these swirling thoughts down.

much love,

larajane

Boot camp is kicking my butt! So feeling it today. Also the finger I injured last fall playing basketball was somewhat re-injured at baseall on tues. night. Fortunatly didn't have my rings on, but my knuckle is swollen and I can't get them back on!

just my rambling for the day

lj

Your hands

I have this bad habit. I hear a song I like somewhere, I search for it on Itunes, find it, download it, and listen to it over and over and over again.

This past year, as I have mentioned in previous posts has been a really tough year. When I first heard this song, I felt like I could have written it. Or at least I wish I could have had the spiritual maturity to write it. Here are the lyrics and the link to the song.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

video

I don't think she has an official video, but at least you can hear it.

much love,

larajane

This has been an active week for me. I have run nearly 40 ks, done 2 days of bootcamp, spent numerous hours in the garden digging and shoveling soil, and have endured some pretty late nights. To say the least, I am exhausted. Fortunatly my two ball games were rained out yesterday.

Last night Joel had a big fancy Gala at the Bayshore. It was quite the event. It was black tie, so all the men wore tuxes or dark suits and the women were dressed to the nine's! (whatever that means. I always remember my Nana saying it though) Joel was up for an award, but unfortunatly didn't win, although his company won an award for some big project. The food was amazing. The salad was super yummy with red wine pears, walnuts, goat cheese, baby greens, and cucumbers. Since I have gone off dairy, I am able to tolerate salads so much better now! The main course was lamb, which I didn't partake in, but enjoyed the roasted veggies. Everything was presented so beautifully!

We stayed the night at the Bayshore, so my walk back wasn't too long and painful in heels. I am so not heels girl. Actually I am very excited about my new pair of Keen's I got yesterday, I was dreaming about their comfyness last night. This morning Joel and I ran 6.5 k around the seawall and after grabbed coffee and smoothies at Starbucks. I can't believe the weekend is over already!

This week promises to be busy again with Bootcamp and photoshoots. I have a super fun shoot set up in West Vancouver for most of the day Tuesday and another on Friday. Hopefully the weather holds.

I hope y'all found this to be a relaxing and fun weekend! Now to go and cheer on our Canucks!

much love,

larajane