{Sunsets} Thoughts on Life and Why I Love Sunsets

I remember an ex telling me that I was so busying doing A,B,&C and planning for D that I crashed every night in a fit of exhaustion. I rolled my eyes. Whatever. I'm ambitious, motivated, and a planner...what's wrong with that? And I didn't hear him. Until 10 years later...I'm thinking damn he is so right. Damn him for being right. And there have been many others that have told me the same.  Anytime somebody says something to you that ruffles your feathers and causes you to be defensive...it's worth exploring. There may just be a bit of truth in what they're saying. Probably a lot of truth. It's humbling.

I have spent a lot of time working, planning, and envisioning a future reality. That is the dreamer in me. Which isn't all bad. But it does steal my current reality and the beauty of this moment. A moment that I'll never get back. That is why I love sunsets. It stops me. It forces me to live in THIS moment. I am forced to stop thinking about ABC&D...and just take this moment in. Drink it. Absorb it. Live it. Just be still...even for a moment.

Be still. I hardly know what that means...except during sunsets. When life is crazy and there is constant noise and laundry to be done and a babe to bathe...I lose myself. I stop noticing the things in life that matter most. The kind grocer b/c I'm too busy telling my kid that she can't have any candy or replying to the text that demands my immediate attention (yeah right).  The little kid pulling on my leg ...who just wants to show me her  latest creation....and I snap "WHAT?!" Geez...there is nothing like seeing the tear in my kids eyes as she replies "I just wanted to show you something." Damn...I suck at life.

This moment. It's all we have. It's the only guarantee. God forbid...but this life can be gone in a moments notice. My best friend just lost a friend of hers this week...a firefighter, husband, & father (with another one on the way). He was on a routine call for work, was on the side of the road, & was struck by another car & killed.  We've been texting all week through the horrors of this new reality and it has been brutal.

So sunsets. Yep, they remind me of all that. It's usually my best moment of the day. They bring me back to reality and out of my constant list of 'to dos' in my head. They remind me that this life in the midst of pain & struggle is beautiful. They remind me to slow down and cuddle my kid and teach her the value in being present. But I can't teach her with my words. I have to show her with my actions. So that is my intention...to show up & be present. To put my phone away. To talk to the clerk at the store (who we're now on a first name basis). To get down on the ground and play with my girl. To reach out to friends who I know are struggling. To give when I can.

I just know that at the end of the day...there is only one thing that rings true between you and me and all of humanity. Love. It's what we all long for, hope for, live for. I'm keeping my eyes on that. Loving my family. My friends. And even myself (something I haven't done very well in the past). So when I see sunsets...I see love. They remind me to LOVE above all else...and I'm so grateful to have that daily reminder. And I love sunsets!

{LBC Sunsets} Long Beach, California

I mentioned in my last post that I like to chase sunsets. I wasn't kidding. My brother went out for a walk and came back saying..."it's going to be a beautiful sunset, let's walk to the pier." I grabbed my camera and my kid...and we headed to the beach (we live 3 blocks from the beach). I really love taking photos for myself because there is no pressure of expectations and I can edit them however I want. Here's a few favorites from the beautiful place I call home...

Uncle Steven & Brookie...

{Maddy} Sugar Land, TX Family Photographer

I'm here for the week in Sugar Land, TX visiting my sister Jeanene and her family. And since it's been a couple of years since I've taken any photos of them...it was a prerequisite for this trip! I took my youngest niece Maddy out solo this evening for some portraits. She just started middle school this year...so it's definitely a memorable and significant year for this little lady.

I'm so happy with what we captured! Not only did I get to go shopping to help pick out her wardrobe, I was driving the car and pulling off the road whenever I felt inspired. Such a fun way to shoot! And lucky my sister just trusted what I would capture.

Maddy girl...you are such a beautiful girl...inside and out. I just love your silliness and your love for my little girl. From the time Brookie was a baby, you have carried her around like it was nobody's business. You have such confidence and kindness in your heart. My only wish is that you would remain a child just a little longer. I'm not ready for you to be a teenager too! But from the look of these photos...it may just be a little too late.

 Oh ya...did I mention that my adorable 11-year old niece is now taller than me? Boo hoo!

 It's just so fun to shoot here in Sugar Land...so much uninhabited land. 

 Those would be cows in the distance below...something I don't see much of in the LBC.

 A true Texan girl with those cute boots...

Can't wait to share Morgan's shoot and the rest of the fam next. Oh ya, and some adorable captures of Maddy with my baby girl Brookie.