{Sunsets} And Being Present When it Matters

I flew to Seattle unexpectedly on Wednesday morning because I caught news that my older brother was in the hospital with pneumonia. This is the second time he has been hospitalized in the last five months for the same thing. Everyone assured me that he was okay or that he would be okay. But here's the thing...I am 1200 miles from him and feel so helpless from that far away. This is the challenging part about living far from family. It had been too long since I saw him last and I was worried for my BIG brother. So within 12 hours of learning of this, I was on a plane. He has had an unbelievably difficult year and I needed to know that he was okay in more ways than one.

The moment I walked into his hospital room, he began to cry (I guess no one told him I was coming?). But it just confirmed to me that I made the right decision. And just maybe my big brother needed his little sister to love on him too?

This trip has me thinking of much. This trip meant that I was missing a family wedding and a dear friend's baby shower. It meant that I was spending money that I probably should not be otherwise. It meant that I would be away from my daughter longer than ever and have to arrange for care for her. But there is something I'm learning from living this last 36 years, there are no do-overs....and this life is precious. And in moments such as these, I do not want regrets. I want to be present when in matters most. And when it comes to family...it matters most.

(All images captured with my iPhone)

Me, my sister Lynnette, and brother Brian.

The view from the top floor of the hospital where my brother was staying.

While driving from the hospital in Seattle to my parents home in Olympia on day one of me arriving, the sunset & sky was probably the most magical sky I have ever seen. And it only got better as we neared my parent's home. I was awe struck the entire drive by the sun setting and the clouds floating on the blue sky.

I was so completely mesmerized. I told my sister that..."I think God is speaking to us."
She replied, "and what is he saying?"
"That everything is going to be okay."
And it is. And even if it wasn't....I felt so much peace in that moment.

While I was visiting my brother in the hospital I took a walk on Broadway while he was dozing. I bought a card for him at the coolest art store ever. I loved the words. They spoke to me. And I hoped they would speak to him as well.

Happiness (Alfred D. Souza)


For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time … and remember that time waits for no one…

------ (after 'googling' the quote, I found the rest below...)

So stop waiting
until you finish school,
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house,
until you start work,
until you retire,
until you get married,
until you get divorced,
until Friday night,
until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your car or home is paid off,
until spring,
until summer,
until fall,
until winter,
until you are off welfare,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink,
until you've sobered up,
until you die,
until you are born again
to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy…
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

By the time we arrived to my parents home in Olympia, the sky had turned pink. It was stunning!

In the midst of worry and pain, this sunset reminded me of much. Reminded me of the beauty that always surrounds us. The beauty in challenging situations that bring family and friends close together. And the reminder to always keep life in perspective, remembering what matters, and always being present when it matters most.

{Brooklyn} Spoiled by Grammy & Papa

Every year my retired parents "snow bird" for three or four months in Bullhead City, Arizona from their home in Olympia, Washington. Which is really fantastic because they're only a few hours away from me instead of 18 hours (especially since my dad refuses to fly since 9/11). They always pay a visit to us here in Long Beach, which is so awesome now with Brooklyn. She loves all her grandparents so much. That relationship is so special!

Thanks to my mom, she insisted that she finally got a picture of the them together. I'm so bad at taking pictures when there are a lot of people around. I'm so distracted. Which is why most of the images of Brookie here on my blog are just of her. Poor girl. She's going to think it was just her growing up all by her lonesome self. I must change that! So here are my parents with my baby girl...

I'm pretty sure there is nothing like becoming a mom that forces you to recognize what a horrible daughter you were. I think back to conflicts with my mom and I'm mortified by the way I behaved. That scares me so much with raising Brooklyn. I always want to have a good relationship with her and open lines of communication. I pray that I can foster that relationship with her.

My poor parents. Every time they come to town, I put them to work. My husband works on weekends so we have very little time together, especially to accomplish projects. So my lucky parents were signed up for yet another project without permission (I'm sly like that). I have been so sick of picking up toys lately and trying to organize the chaos. It's just amazing how the toys accumulate between birthdays, christmas, and any other holiday under the sun (I pretty much never buy toys). I needed a simple solution! Enter Ikea. I just love this bookshelf with canvas bins. It stores so much and it is super easy to clean up the toys. I'm in love with Brookie's room once again. It's such a bright and cheerful place. Too bad she won't sleep in it. :(

After they left, Brookie said "Grammy spoil Brookie?" Ha! She must have overheard our conversations because yes, she got spoiled once again. And here's some proof of the spoiling with Brookie sporting her new threads by Grammy...

And we've got a twirler on our hands...

And just for memory sake, here is their visit during Brooklyn's first year. Which was also the first time she laughed EVER...and it was for my mom. I'll never forget this.

{Happy Holidays} 2010

I might be a day late but I'm still on vacation and the holidays last until New Years for me, so...Merry Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful day with your loved ones. This was our Christmas card this year.   

Photos captured by Lyndsey | Jack & Lola Photography

This last week has been filled with fun and some not so fun moments while visiting my family in Olympia, Washington.

Naps and cuddle sessions on my parents couch.
Watching the deer prance through my parents property and seeing the amazement in my daughters' eyes.
Last minute shopping with my sister.
Grandkids baking with their Grammy.
Cousins painting purple toes and blue fingernails.
Morning coffee sitting around the table with our laptops.
Watching Polar Express for the million'th time.
A trip down memory lane with my sister and her husband at Kmart.
Catching up with an old friend at O'Blarneys.
Visiting with a long lost cousin that is also a photographer.
A trip to Urgent Care because Brookie got an ear infection.
Brookie exclaiming "Santa Clause" after seeing a man with white hair & beard.
Wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.
Grandkids dancing with their Papa in the living room.
Gift exchange with the big kids and fighting my dad for a wine opener.
Board game on Christmas.
Delicious food. And too much of it.
Laughing.

Today we are off to Ashton Woods Retreat, my brother's bed & breakfast on Bainbridge Island. They will soon be selling this little bit of paradise, so this will be our farewell trip. I'm so sad to say goodbye to this place but happy for all the amazing memories we created there.

{Brian} Happy Birthday, little B!

Today is my little brother's birthday. I thought I'd give him a little shout out on my blog and tell the world to wish him a happy day. I love this guy! He reminds me so much of my father in the way he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a hard worker but will always find time for fun with friends and fam.

We shared a room growing up together. For too many years. He loved to hate me. I was responsible for him cracking his head open on our brick fireplace hearth as young children. Sorry! He was responsible for tying a rope around my waist pulled by a motorcycle while I was on skates. (I think we're even.) We are only 20 months apart and spent most of our life fighting one another. It's nice to finally be friends. Love you little "B"! You're not so little anymore. :)

P.S. He's single. Just sayin'.

 

We love our Uncle Darhl!

 

 

{Avery Family} Photos by Busy B Photography

I think the best part of being a photographer, is having photographer friends. Well, this friend is actually my older brother Steven's friend...Rachel of Busy B Photography. She is a honorary member of the Avery family...she has been around that long! She joined our family vacation and we actually got a family photo! Amazing and wonderful. I am so grateful. The curse of a photographer is never having images of you with your family. I love these photos and I am so appreciative of her time and patience with my crazy family. It was a classic family photo session. People complaining and my baby screaming. It was kinda fun & funny to be on the other side of the camera lens. I'm a fan of casual, natural portraits...

 

 

 

The Avery 5! We're older, wiser, more wrinkled, but we still all have those same squinty eyes as our last family photo. Have you ever watched Brothers & Sisters on ABC Sunday nights?? We're kinda like that family. We fight like crazy but we love each other a ton and our family means most! I love you guys!

 

{Avery Family Vacation} Seabrook Cottages, Washington Coast

My family is on our 1st family vacation together in YEARS! We've decided that it may only be the 3rd trip we've all been on together in my 35 years. CRAZY! When you are one of five children, I kinda get why vacations were not a regular part of our lives (I've realized this only recently traveling with just my little one).

We are staying at Seabrook Cottages on the Washington Coast. I can't recommend this place more! It's so awesome. We're staying in Anchors Away, and it can accomodate 14. The home comes fully stocked w/ flat screens in every room, DVD players + tons of movies, board games, books, toys (even a play room), pack & play, high chair, hot tub, and the best part...bathrooms in every bedroom. It's decorated super cute and is so cozy. There are community beach cruisers that you can take and use for free. There are also fire pits located throughout the community, stocked with wood. You just gotta pack the s'mores! A market & cafe is also located within the community for our convenience. I highly recommed Seabrook and we plan on returning next year.

This is the home we're renting (I'm staying in the carraige house over the garage with the Volkoffs)...

It's so great for the kids because the playground & walking trails are literally in the backyard.

{Brooklyn + Luella} On Vacation together in the PNW

Monday we arrived to my hometown (Olympia, WA) to start our summer vacation and visit family & friends. We make this trip annually with our friends, the Volkoffs. They have definitely been adopted as honorary members of the Avery family. It's been even more fun this year since we both have little girls that LOVE each other. We've been lounging in my parents back yard for three days letting the kids run free, explore, and play. It has been so fun and relaxing. Here are a few snapshots of the girls playing yesterday...

 

 

 

 

{Captured} Lindsey

So my niece Lindsey has been staying with us for the past three weeks (she lives in Olympia, WA...my hometown). She is 14 years old and will be starting high school this year. She is your typical teenager...doesn't know how to make her bed, asks for something when it's directly in front of her, and sleeps a LOT (maybe more than our baby girl). But I'm use to all that from 10+ years of teaching high school. I love her all the same and she is really incredible with Brooklyn. She was originally coming down to help me with Brooklyn while I get photo work down. But as it turned out, my husband has been unemployed for the past month too. Instead it's been a fun few weeks of all hanging out together, watching movies, going to the beach, on the boat, to Seaworld, shopping, and just enjoying summer! It's been fun having her around and we'll miss her. But I'm thinking Brooklyn will miss her the most! They are buddies now! I couldn't send her home without doing a photo session or her mom might have killed me. HeeHee. Here just a few of the fun shots we got together (read my Twitter updates for the chaos that ensued to get these shots)...