Children's Museum of Bangor.

It was a snowy day earlier this week ... so Isaac and I decided to spend some time at the local Maine Discovery Museum. I now know that poor Isaac was coming down with something ... so he didn't expend too much energy ... but we did enjoy the following ...

This place is such a treasure in our community ... and my photographs only give the smallest glimpse of how awesome it is. Since we were both feeling a bit "under the weather" ... we didnt spend as much quality time as we have in the past and will in the future :)

Just thought I'd show a glimpse of one our recent outings. What are you all up to???

Love,

Jodi

Basketball for Little Ones.

Do you have a YMCA in your area? Or a Parks & Recreation Dept? If so ... you really should get your kiddos/grandkids/nieces or nephews into the basketball program. Not only is it good for them ... but it is SO good for a daily dose of laughter.

These kids are so totally adorable ... trying to hold on to the balls ... learning to dribble ... asking for drink breaks every 10 minutes ... and don't get me started on the passing and free throws. Hilarious! ( I mean, Healthy!).

Isaac is having a wonderful time in this class. It meets once a week ... yet he has also taken to practicing at open gym days ... he so enjoys this sport. And he is even making baskets! Daddy has always not-so-secretly hoped that Isaac would enjoy playing football. But as for this Mama, I am openly hoping he sticks to Basketball. At its best, it is a "gentleman's sport" ... without the face punching of hockey and the full body tackles of football. Either way ... he is loving this ... and he is getting active during the coldest months of winter. Win-win.

Oh yeah ... and Halis and I are getting our laughs in ... win-win-win.

What are your kids doing this winter?

Love,

Jodi

Mr. Facebook Guy.

The other day I friend requested someone on Facebook that I had heard lots about within my social circles. He has a reputation locally for being someone who is in the process of "doing it all" ... travelling everywhere, meeting famous people, creating successful businesses, enjoying success in his various art forms, etc. I was intrigued by this guy ... so thought I'd see more. He accepted my request. And like a true weirdo, I read through all his Facebook posts, checked out all his pictures and scoped out everything he was connected to (businesses, etc). And to be sure, this guy has fun. He is certainly successful at many things ... and is living la vida loca. All at a very young age (which is key here to my mind). Impressive.

So, though I am sure this guy is lovely ... his Facebook "resume" had me feeling like crap. I am sure this is not what he intended. At 38 years old, I am beginning to question the choices I have made ... and whether I am living the life I want to live. Sometimes when we look back, given our current knowledge and wisdom (that only seems to come with age), we wonder why we wasted time doing some of the seemingly worthless activities that we were once engaged in. And sometimes thinking of that can feel painful ... because we can't rewrite our history ... and we have no idea how much longer we will be given to create new chapters in our lives.

I spent about 2 days in a self-loathing fog. I asked myself questions like ... why didn't I go to school for Marine Biology like I wanted to? ... why did I waste so much time living in Corinna? ... why didn't I spend more money on travel and less on other things? ... could I have tried harder at succeeding at various pursuits, etc.... etc... etc...

Truth be told, this questioning got me no where. Of course. But I couldn't find my way out of it. Then ... well, then ... somewhere within this ridiculous and unproductive mini-existential crisis ... I was zipping up Isaac's jacket. And it hit me. BIG. I get to parent Isaac. I am Isaac's Mom. Yes, I am not just a Mom ... I am me ... with hopes and dreams of my own ... but, THIS .... this is what I have been working toward most of my adult life.



I spent years trying to create this family. And this little family rocks. Sure, I would love to be travelling all over the world, to be CEO of various companies, to have my photography hanging in the Smithsonian, to find a new shark species and name it after myself, etc. But without Isaac and Halis, what would it be worth? And with Isaac and Halis, how could I be all these things and still be there for them ... still enjoy them ... still be the tight knit family that I want to be? The answer is an easy one for me ... I can't do "it all" and still have the family life that I have so longed for --- and have finally arrived in. Maybe some people can. Maybe some people do. But I know that in order to co-create the life I want for my family ... that we need to live simply ... to spend loads of quality time together ... to really see each other and help one another flourish. This doesn't mean I can't search for that elusive shark ... or take rock-awesome pics ... or travel to Paris. It just means that I am where I need to be right now ... and the last 38 years was full of time well spent to get right here. THIS is what I created ... a strong marriage, a loving family, a nurturing household.



I am Isaac's Mom. I am Halis's wife. I am a good friend. I am a contributing member of my beloved community. I am the best Me I can be (Ok, well - I try!). And though Mr. Facebook guy has a great life ... and I am truly glad for him ... and inspired by him ... he does not get to spend his days teaching, playing with and enjoying Isaac. I do. And I am thankful. My cup runneth over.



Existential crisis averted. Till the next one ;)

Love,
Jodi

365 ... Revisited.

So, last year I fancied that I would get involved with a photographic 365 project on Flickr. For those who don't know about these projects ... it is very simple (or so they say!) ... You basically take a picture a day for every day of the year (thus 365) ... and post them somewhere for all to see (Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, etc).

After a few days, I failed. Or flaked. Both really.

But it is a new year! And I have a lovely friend who asked that we give it another go. She gathered up several photog friends from the area and created both a Flickr and a Facebook group for us to post our pics to. AND she also made it a bit easier ... as she has created a 52/365 project. This means that if you are worried about getting that camera out every single day of the year ... you can commit to just one pic a week for the 52 weeks of the year! Hooray for slackers everywhere ;)

Personally, I am going to aim for 365 ... and likely fall into the 52 category the second week of February. But I plan to aim high first. And because this week is not over ---- you can still join us!!!! (click on the above links OR post a comment here for an invite).

This is a great opportunity to try out some new photo skills (I suck at Photoshop and am using this project to stretch myself in that area) ... and/or photograph things that you never thought to try before. And all with the help of some friends (ahem ... friends ... are you reading this?) ... who will hopefully keep you focused on your goal (cough, cough ... ahem) ... which is to finish the year out with 365 pics ... or maybe 52.

So, get shooting! And join us if you will.

HAVE FUN!

Love,
Jodi