what i've learned as a mom

I've learned a lot of things as a mom, most of them i kinda knew anyways but didn't fully comprehend until i experienced it first hand. But the biggest thing, the thing that I think is important for other women to know is, that i am a good mom and so are the rest of the women i know out there. Of all the beautiful women i know, i've been exposed to a variety of parenting styles and ideals some i agreed with or wish i had incorporated in my parenting life and some i didn't agree with, but regardless of my opinion the women i know are amazing moms. i sometimes beat myself up over the choices i've made while raising Trace, but i think so far he's turned out to be a pretty neat person. i look at the children of my lady friends and think so far they are amazing little people as well. So i think my true message is, if you ever have those moments when you question your abilities as a parent or even wonder "how you got yourself into this mess", just know that we've all had those moments and you are doing a great job. Your children will grow up thinking their mom is superwoman, because you are!

inspired

alone at last, a photo by lea.smith on Flickr.

today i took an amazing class with Tracey Clark, co-founder of the Shutter Sisters, at the Tea House Art Studios. Besides Tracey being an amazing artist and a total inspiration, the women I met today were so positive and inspiring themselves. It was so nice to talk and create with other women with similar interests. i'm a little disappointed that i won't be able to join them for tomorrows session but i am looking forward to future get togethers or even simple written exchanges. i feel rejuvenated in my photography efforts and that alone has made my day amazing!

Out of shape but feeling good

So today was the first time I've worked out in at least 3 years. I actually dusted off my exercise clothes put on my running shoes and headed over to my over-priced, over-crowded too-far-away gym. I ended up working out on the elliptical machine because there was a ridiculous line for the treadmills. I worked out for 45 minutes, came home and refreshed with a shower and I feel fantastic! I'm thinking I might check out the "Latin Spice" class next time...




on-the-go blogging from my iphone.

big busy week

highlights from the week 3/28/11 - 4/3/11:

• felt accomplished at work until friday hit when my computer decided that it was a good time to crap out on me with 30 orders pending processing
  
• husband cooked dinner 3 nights
  
• got a call from the other driver's insurance with the payout for my vehicle $3k - thank you state farm
• scale said i lost 2lbs - thank you scale!
• paid a large sum of $$ on a looming debt - feels great!
• celebrating my sister's birthday with the family, nice time until trace broke a glass while "window shopping"
  
• helped nephew practice driving skills
• went to movie and dinner with bree, Limitless was cool
• visited with kim and her family (newest edition sarah), trace and joey play pretty darn well together!
  

welcome sarah

sarah, originally uploaded by lea.smith.

it's amazing the whole process of pregnancy and birth. and though i've seen it first hand before and even experienced it myself, i still get teary-eyed when that little bebe finally enters this world.

my girlfriend kim's birth experience with sarah was quick and uncomplicated. kim was a super woman and handled each contraction with calm and grace. she did finally chose to get an epidural but almost immediately after the epidural she was ready to push and though she was tired and numb from the epidural she was able to give birth to sarah without any complications. congrats to kim and steve and big brother joey, sarah is the perfect addition to a wonderful family unit. and thank you for letting me share in this special moment in your lives.

self-aware

i am guilty of not being self-aware. and today i received a reminder of how ugly those who are unaware can be. while waiting in line at the post office to purchase postage for a package, i became increasingly uncomfortable with a man in line talking really loud. everyone who knows me knows i have volume control issues. i suspect this man may have been hard of hearing because his volume was booming. i tried really hard not to listen in on his conversation to a young woman in line about every possible topic, but then it became clear that the woman was not engaging this man. he was not self-aware and had total diarrhea of the mouth. at one point the woman he was talking to was being helped by a postal agent as was the man and he blurted out how if the man she is with isn't treating her like his favorite toy than he doesn't deserve her. i believe he intended well but to compare any woman to a toy is kind of offensive to say the least comical. a few women huffed and puffed at his comment. i didn't find it as offensive because i felt bad for him. he continued to publicly air his dirty laundry at as if he was a bird singing the joys of spring. as my turn at the counter approached, i found myself extremely self-aware and practically whispered my needs to the postal agent. i left the post office more self aware than i have ever been before. i think i will be making a more conscience effort to regulate my volume as i now understand how uncomfortable it can be for others.

rain rain go away...

it's been raining here for a while, i feel like it's been weeks. i'm ready for summer or spring at the least... i'd like to wear short sleeves and open toed shoes, take photos until the sunset, go to the beach and not have to wear a jacket and go to bed at 10 because i didn't realize it was that late.

i am a warn weather girl and i am ready to celebrate summer, bring it on mother nature!