A lot of Thinking about Me Me Me... Blah Blah Blah

This past week has been a pretty big week for me... my first time teaching photography classes. I'll be honest, I felt like I do about a lot of things I do in my life... like what the heck am I doing? Can I really do something like this? It was kind of a leap for me, but once I settled into teaching the classes, I realized that it's no big scary deal... I think teaching for me is second nature, and I love photography. I love talking about something that I love. I love having a group of people who want to listen to every word I have to say about something that I love. (I'm pretty sure Brandon often wishes I would just stop talking ;).

When I was in high school, my Algebra class would often ask the teacher if I could show how to do a problem on the board, because they could understand things better with the way I explained them. I've taught violin lessons since I was a teen, I've taught fitness classes at the gym, I've taught Young Women most of my married life. I've taught first aid, CPR, and who knows what all I've taught my kids... there have been a few good things among the bad. ;) Adding photography to my list of things to teach seems kind of natural. I guess my mom teaching violin lessons every day after school taught me more than how to "be quiet and not bother my mom unless the house was on fire or someone was dead".  ;) I think I got a lot of my love of teaching from my mom. She used to teach us art in the summers too... and there were times when she was my violin teacher growing up.

Anyway, I've been thinking about that a lot lately... why I love to teach. Why I'm drawn to it. I actually had plans of teaching high school math, or elementary school. Luckily I didn't graduate from college, because that's probably the teaching that I am NOT cut out for. Subbing taught me that. ;)

I've done a lot of thinking about who I am too, and I think some of this has to do with why teaching works well for me. I had a long talk with one of my counselors in YW the other day. She is one of the sweetest, spiritually strong women I know. She told me that I am someone who has the ability to really love these girls, and to see good in them no matter what, and understand them and relate to them... that was a huge compliment to me. I got another compliment from someone I love recently... You are able to see the real joy of life and the people in it which not everyone can do.  You are able to have a mirade of friends of all walks of life and find them all equal.  That is very rare.  It made me cry when I got that message... because it was at a time where I was feeling not particularly loved or accepted as myself. 


I realized something... that I am very very far from being perfect (well, I didn't realize that... I already knew that), but that I had a quality that was good... something that I can use in this life to bless the lives of others. When my counselor said almost the same thing to me again, I realized that this might truly be a gift that I have, and I am grateful for it, and I want to expand that gift, and use it for good... to bless the lives of all those I know, those I'll meet, and in doing that, blessing my own life. 


If you've read this far into my self-indulgent reflective ramblings... you're amazing. Or extremely bored. I've just had a lot of self-reflection lately, and sometimes this blog gets to be the outlet for my whirling thoughts.

Running With the Seasons

I've realized something since I've been running outdoors year-round. I've grown to love each season even more. Running through all the elements makes me feel closer to the earth, to nature.

I love running in the winter... it doesn't matter how cold it is. In fact, the lower the temperature, the more excited I get. Bring it ON! I love my face going numb... wearing gloves AND mittens. I love the crunch of the snow and ice under my feet. I love how my body can warm itself... how I can be running in negative temps and not be cold. I love the stillness and the quiet of running in falling snow. I love the looks I get from people as they drive past with their heat blasting. Winter running is a challenge, and I like that.

Spring... ah, Spring. I love when it starts to warm up, and I can wear shorts! (I still get the crazy looks from people. Hey, it's 40 degrees. Why not wear shorts?) I love running in the rain. I love that I don't have to remember to wear a hat, and two gloves, and an undershirt, and an overshirt, and my wool socks... I can just throw on a layer and go. Spring is such a promise of freedom... knowing soon that the outdoors will be available to you at any time, without preparation.

Summer... I love starting a run in the dark, and watching the sun come up as I cross the miles. I love the peace and the tranquility of the dawn. I love that my miles pick up in the summer, and I start running the long runs... planning routes all over town, exploring new areas, dreaming new dreams. I love seeing other runners and bikers out there enjoying the morning too. I love waving at them, and getting a wave back, and nodding that nod of knowing... the secret of loving exercise.

I love running in the fall... when the air starts to have that bite to it. I feel so invigorated, after a long summer of sweat. I love having more flexibility in when I run... not needing to get up before the sun to beat the heat. I love the trees, the changing of the colors, the beauty of fall. Oh, how I love the beauty of fall. I feel like I can't get enough of looking. I run and look around me in wonder. How could I have seen so many autumns and still not tire of it?

I love being a runner.

If You Thought I Forgot About This Blog...

 ... then you'd be right. Sorry I haven't been updating. I know all of my friends and family are dying to know all about the Smith Family. ;)

We actually do have some news... and no, Melissa, I'm not going to have a baby. ;) Brandon got a new job!

A really great company here in Vernal that Brandon had talked to a looong time ago (when he was looking for a job a couple of times ago) contacted him recently to offer him a job. It's funny how work is so hard to come by when you're looking for it, but when you haven't been looking at all, it falls in your lap. I guess that's how life goes, isn't it?

Brandon really likes the company that he has been working for, so it was a hard decision, but the biggest thing that swayed us is that it will be a lot better for our family life. He will work Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. Every Sunday home with us, every evening home with us... I am so excited to not be a single parent at church and games and all of that anymore.  :)

We've also been thinking a lot lately how little time we have left with our kids, especially Aubrey. We don't want to lose any more time with her... she'll be gone in a little over two years. Isn't that sad?? We think this job will help us be able to do more as a family... the little every day things, like eating dinner together, and going to church together, and the kids seeing their dad every day.

I'm glad that we're going to be able to see Brandon more, and that we can stay in Vernal. I have so many good friends and family here, my photography is doing well, I love teaching at the rec, Aubrey is loving high school here... it's home, and I'm glad we didn't have to make a decision that would involve us choosing whether to stay here or leave.

Anyway... there's the scoop of the week. :) I'll try not to forget about the blog for so long again...

Oh! And we can't wait for spring!! Enjoy the pics of tulips. :)  (My sweet friend Tari gave them to me for my birthday.)

Somebody Pinch Me

I think this might all start going to my head. I love photography, and it seems like good things keep happening with it... and I just want more and more... and who knows, maybe I'll really go somewhere with this... and maybe I won't, and that's okay too. But... Pioneer Woman chose my photo AGAIN!! I think this makes 4? Go check it out... and read the comments too. Some of them really made me smile. :)

Oh, and I think I'm going to make this one available as one of my fine art prints. Maybe as a canvas? Or do you think framed? Maybe framed... I think I'd like it framed best.

I Heart Faces: Innocent Wonder

I had such a hard time choosing which photo to put in for this challenge... but I kept coming back to this one. Innocence... sweetness... a life of wonder and discovery ahead of her.

I Heart Faces: Smile

I LOVE a subtle smile... a secret smile... a smile that makes you wonder... you know, the Mona Lisa smile. :)  So, this may not be a typical big grin, but I had to pick one of my favorite kinds of smiles for this one... even if it doesn't fit the norm.

Blogging? What's That?

I've neglected this blog, I know... it's partly because something has to go, and facebook keeps me pretty busy. ;) I'm also boring. Very boring. That's why 92.5% of my readers won't even read this entire post. (Don't you love statistics that are pulled out of the air? I do. They're awesome.)

So, lucky you... you get random thoughts about boring nothingness. (Well, 7.5% of you will get random thoughts... the rest have stopped reading.)

That picture up there? I've always loved it, and now I have a reason to love it even more. I'm not going to go on and on about it here, you can read about it on my photogblog if you want more details. It's going to be auctioned off at Paul Cardall's benefit for congenital heart disorders. I'm super duper excited about it. And okay, a little bit nervous. What if nobody bids on it? That would be mortifying. Really really mortifying. I don't know if I'd recover. ;)  Here's my question about this photo: do you see the heart? Do you see that each leaf is a heart, or that the leaves overall make one big heart? I saw the individual leaves first... but Brandon saw the big heart first.

Speaking of photography, because let's be real... what else do I ever talk about?... I got 6th place in the I Heart Faces best face photo of 2010 contest. I'm really excited about it. Not as excited as I'd be if they had been judged and I had won, but still excited. It was decided by votes, so lots of my awesome friends (and a bunch of people who I don't even know) voted for it. I found out last night about 12:30 a.m., and I was dying to tell somebody, but people are sleeping then, darn it. Weirdos. I thought of waking Brandon up to tell him, but I knew he wouldn't remember I told him anyway, so it was useless. And mean.

We all know I don't ONLY talk about photography, because I also love to talk about running. So, just so this post is complete, I have to say that I'm already dying of excitement about Wasatch Back this year. It's 6 months away, but I'm looking forward to it more than Christmas. I'm not kidding. :) We have a team of awesome girls, and we're going to have a blast. I will miss Brandon swearing at us while he's running... that was a highlight of 2010's Wasatch Back, but we'll have to make do without, I guess.

We have more medical bills than we ever did before we had health insurance. What's up with that? I about have a heart attack every time I think about it... maybe that's their strategy... give their customers heart attacks so they can get even MORE money. ;)

Guess what? I learned how to swim!! I am so proud of myself, and proud of my awesome friend, Tari, for teaching me. I never knew how to, and couldn't even really put my face in the water without plugging my nose, but now I am actually really swimming. I love it! So learn this, my friends... it's never too late, and you're never too old. I'm still not sold on doing another triathlon though. Ugh.

I went cross-country skiing with some of the girls yesterday. Brandon bought me some cc skis at DI, so I was excited to try them out and learn. All I have to say, is that I need more time. I loved it, and would like to go lots and get good at it. I will go at least a couple more times this winter, but I wish I could add this to my list of regular things. Unfortunately that list is already way too long.

My kids are awesome. Brandon is the best husband in the universe. There, was that enough about the rest of the family?  ;)

Thank You for your Votes!

I got 6th place on the I Heart Faces contest!!! Click on the button on the side that says "top ten photo" to see!

Vote For Me... Pretty Please. :)

Go to I Heart Faces... vote for me, #23!  :)

I Heart Faces: Best Face Photo of 2010

I loved so many faces in 2010... but it has to come back to this one. I'm so in love with this face!

Click on the camera to see other favorite faces of 2010. :)

New Year's Resolution

I'm not even going to talk about how I failed my last year's resolutions. Nope... not going there.

This year I just have one thing I'm going to set a goal to improve in: not sweating the small stuff. I have a list of questions from a talk I went to (Andrew Horton) that will hopefully guide me in this quest:

-Is it really worth getting upset over?

-Is it worth upsetting others?

-Is it that important?

-Is it that bad?

-Is the situation irreparable?

-Is it really your problem?

Oh, I also have to make sure Brandon has clean underwear.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!

16 Years

There’s a storm rollin’ over the hill
And the willow trees are blowin’
I’m standin’ here starin’ out the window
Safe and warm
I feel her put her arms around me
And its a good feelin’ I’m knowin’
Oh, I’ve got a good woman and we’ve got a good fire goin’

We’ve got a feast on the supper table
Bread for breakin’
A blessing from the Lord for makin’ me such a fortunate man
The light of my life in the candle
Her face a glowin’
Oh, I’ve got a good woman and we’ve got a good fire goin’

CHORUS:
So let it rain
(let the rain fall down)
Let it rain
It won’t do nothin’ but kindle a never ending flame
Let it rain
(let the rain fall down)
Let it rain til mornin’
Oh, I’ve got a good woman and we’ve got a good fire goin’

Now there’s a hard rain fallin’ on the roof
Coffee comin’ from the kitchen
I’m lyin’ here listenin’ to the ceiling on the living room floor
I feel her lay down beside me
My love is overflowin’
Oh, I’ve got a good woman and we’ve got a good fire goin’


Oh, I’ve got a good woman and we’ve got a good fire goin’

Finally!!!

I've been waiting for an i heart faces win for awhile now... and I am finally an Angie & Amy pick! Woohoo! 3 Pioneer Woman picks, and now and Angie & Amy... that much closer to being famous someday! ;)

I Heart Faces... Self Portrait

I took this one in the car mirror... leave this girl in a car for ten minutes alone with a camera, and all sorts of fun things happen. ;)

Click on the heart to see more self portraits!

If You Care...

I'm going to be playing a solo on my violin at a concert tomorrow... here's the info:

3rd Annual

A Joyful Noise

A concert

Bring the whole family

and be prepared to be inspired as you listen to many 

different music styles performed by some of the 

Basin's best musicians.

You will be picking your

chin up off the floor!!!

Fri. November 12, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

L.D.S. Church, Cultural Hall

1270 west 1500 south Vernal, UT

This is a community event--come all!!!

Days Like This...

I know why I was born to be a photographer. I love this!

Halloween Mini-Sessions

Just in case you look here, but never at my photography blog... go sign up for halloween mini sessions if you're interested! It'll be lots of fun. :)

(thanks, Molly, for being my beautiful princess model! :)

I Heart Faces... Recipe in Photos

Okay, technically this isn't a dinner recipe, but you could make a chicken pot pie with a homemade crust! I think ANYONE can make a pie crust from scratch, and I'm going to show you how... a step at a time!First, put on your apron. It's gonna get a little bit messy. ;)

Get your ingredients together... I use Crisco shortening most of the time, because it seems to work a little better. You can use the cheaper brands, if you need to. (Sometimes I use butter, or a combination... shortening is easiest.) You also need flour, salt, and ice water.

Put about 2 1/2 cups of flour in a big bowl (I don't measure exactly, and it doesn't really matter for pie crust, as long as you're close). Add some salt.

Add about 3/4 cup of shortening, and cut it into the flour. If you don't have a pastry cutter, use two knives, or a fork. I did it that way for YEARS, which still baffles me... a pastry cutter doesn't cost that much! ;) Just keep cutting up and down until...

It looks like this. It should have little chunks of shortening, but be pretty evenly mixed.

Mix ice cubes with your water for really cold water, which makes the dough easier to work with. (Don't put the ice cubes into your flour though! ;)

Add water to the flour/shortening mixture. I usually add about 1/4 cup right away, then about half of a 1/4 of a cup until it's the right consistency. (Maybe about 1/2-3/4 cup total.)

Each time you add water, toss it around with a fork. Don't mix too much, though!

When you can grab a handful and press it together, like this, you've added enough water. It should be on the dry side.

Flour your surface and rolling pin well, and form half of the dough into a flattened round ball. I LOVE this dough rolling thingy from Pampered Chef, so if you're going to make a lot of pies, look for one! You can also roll it onto waxed paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap, or right on the counter. It's just a little harder to pick it up that way.

Roll from the center to the edges, in circles, until you have a bigger-than-your-pie-pan circle. If you have a spot that seems to have a big hole, and another that has excess dough, just rip off the excess and press it into place on the hole.

Fold the dough into 1/4ths for easy transfer to the pie pan.

Carefully unfold it, but don't worry if it tears a little. These things can be fixed! :)

See? It happens. Just patch with excess dough, and it'll turn out just fine. Roll out the top crust just like you did the bottom crust. Set aside.

Put your filling inside the crust. You can make your own filling, or use canned filling if you're feeling lazy. It'll still taste good, because you have a homemade crust! I usually add more filling than this, but I didn't want to open another bottle, so we're skimping today.

Put the top crust over the whole thing, then fold the top crust under, catching the bottom crust with it. You can trim the crusts before folding if you want, but my family likes extra crust, so I just let it be.

Pinch the crusts together between your thumb and forefinger. This is my favorite edge to do, but you can do whatever you like. Just make sure the top and bottom are sealed together.

You need some vents in the top... I like to cut designs with a knife, like an apple, or leaves, or loopy things, but you can just cut slits if you want. (You don't have to be an artist... nobody cares if it looks perfect, as long as you made them a pie! ;)

Pour a little bit of milk on the top.

Then spread it out with your fingers. I know, it's weird... I used to try to brush it on with a pastry brush, but it's just a pain. This is much easier, and I promise my hands are clean.

Sprinkle sugar on generously. This makes a pretty, sparkly, yummy crust.

Bake. Admire. Admire some more. Then eat!

Check out more recipes in photos at I Heart Faces!

Life and Stuff Like That

A couple of days ago I said something like "we've got to do this thing before summer is over". That pretty much sums up how fast September flew by... I still think it's summer.

 This is how I feel about winter coming soon. ;) Actually this is my adorable niece, Maylee, and this is how she told me she was done with our photo session. If you look closely you can see Tanner on the left trying to be sneaky and keep her from falling off the chair. It makes me laugh... the whole picture.

 I love. love. love. this picture. Love it. Tanner is Brandon's brother, and I see a lot of Brandon in him... and when I see him with his first little baby it brings back so many memories of my husband with our babies, and it almost makes me a little teary. But not teary enough that I want to try that again. ;) I'll just enjoy the memories. It's so much fun to see Brandon's youngest sibling with a baby of his own... time flies, doesn't it? He was just a little kid when we got married. Sigh. WE were just little kids when we got married, come to think of it.

 And Tanner's beautiful wife Leisha? It's so much fun to see her as a mom... she is a natural, and you can tell she loves that little Maylee more than anything, just as it should be. :)

       I made my year of canning absolutely nothing official by missing the concord grapes. I like to be thorough with my failures... ;) 

Dad and Mom Smith got us tickets to go with them to the Saturday afternoon session of conference, and it was fabulous! We were sitting maybe 8 rows back from the front... we really couldn't have got much better! It was so neat to wave at the prophet afterwards, and to see all of the apostles so close. We all loved the whole experience, and are really grateful we were able to go. (And only sorry that Mom & Dad had car troubles on the way home and had to get a motel. :(

Life is good. Not perfect, but good. And that's enough.