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WWB - November 2016 - Perspective

I am chock full of imperfect analogies and incomplete thoughts these days, but bear with me. It is very easy to live in a shrunken universe, where the only relevant things in our lives are our kids and our spouses, our jobs and our communities, our paychecks and our neighbors. Good intentions, passion projects, causes close to our hearts, the art of empathy - when it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day, we turn inwards, even at the expense of others. Recently, I stayed close to home, and in doing so, I failed to speak out and lend my voice where it is needed.

As a parent, all instincts point towards protecting my children. Yet, I know deep down that the best protection is to send them into the world as competent, compassionate, thinking people, even if that means teaching them hard things and letting them fly on their own.

Of course, the best way to mold competent, compassionate, thinking people is to be one myself. And so, I will try to do better and be the kind of role model I want for them. In the meantime, I encourage the adventurous souls in my home to find the joy in the unknown and tackle their fears. In this particular instance, in the second-to-last car of an upside-down rollercoaster. 

Please continue to Who We Become to see our collection of images this month or travel to each photographer individually, starting with the incredible Lisa Rigazio in Maryland. 

Hershey Park, November 13, 2016

One {October}

Earlier this month, we took a trip out to California to celebrate my mother's birthday. It was a nice round milestone, and we had a whale of a week with all of us together. It was made extra special by the fact that it was the first time my kids got to meet their two baby cousins. I have a really amazing family, and my particularly amazing mother is at the heart of it all. She has spent a lifetime showing us what love should look like and inspiring each of us when it comes to being a parent, a friend and a person. We are so very lucky. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you!

Please continue around to see what fall has brought to Jessica in Chicago!  

WWB - October 2016 - Iceland

The casual observer of this site may have noticed a distinct lack of activity in recent weeks. While I may eventually try to catch up with my remaining summer images, for the time being, let's assume that is unlikely. In terms of recent events, did I mention that two of us went to Iceland? We DID. The primary purpose of the trip was to celebrate the birthday of an awesome friend, but a few nice pictures came from the travels as well. Here, an Icelandic horse, a rainbow, some casually captured Northern lights (with no tripod, sorry about that) and a waterfall for good measure. 

Please continue around the blog circle to see what my friend Linda found on her recent travels - it's a somewhat exotic month over at Who We Become!

One {September}

This year has not been kind to the furry loved ones of the One Circle. This weekend, we said goodbye to our sweet, amazingly soft, beautiful kitty. We adopted her from a shelter in Ithaca when she was a kitten nearly 14 years ago, and after a life of love (or tolerance, when it came to the bipedal additions to our family), we lost her to kidney failure. We could see it coming, and a few days ago I asked my son if he wanted to take a picture with her. He said, "why don't I take one of you with her instead?" Photo credit, and tremendous gratitude, to my big hearted boy. We miss her, she really was the best cat and I hope she left us feeling loved. 

Please head out to Chicago and see Jessica's one shot for this month. I suspect it will sadly be on a similar theme. 

One {August}

This summer has flown by, and we've had a lot going on, but these cute faces certainly help keep it all in perspective. Two kids, one giant love. Please click around and visit my amazingly talented friends, starting with Jess Remus in Chicago. I am hoping for some summer Michigan magic. 

75 Days of Summer - Days 32-37

I'm not entirely ready to admit defeat but this summer project has taken a hit in terms of both quality and quantity. Lots of phone shots sprinkled in, but I'm hoping to finish strong and start to catch up a bit while I'm at it. This post is from a week in late July - bad weather, sick kid, a night out for me and another splash in the pool for good measure.

One {July 2016}

Summer is halfway over but we're still having fun in the sun. Since this blog circle is all about friendship, my image for this month is as well. These amazing kids have been friends since birth and although they don't all live near each other anymore, they certainly make the most of the time they spend together. 

Please head down to Texas and see what Adele found for her one shot in July!

75 Days of Summer - Days 18-25

We packed a few adventures into a short week at home, then I was off for a quick trip to L.A. to meet my new niece! 

75 Days of Summer - Days 13-17

Days 13-17. Back home and up to our regular routine. Sun, fun, books, friends and a date with mom where someone had a double dose of chocolate. 

75 Days of Summer - Days 9-12

Vacation comes to an end in the Lakes District in Northern Italy. We spent a day near the gorgeous Lake Maggiore, and another in Lugano, Switzerland, because why not pick up a country for the kids while we're in the area? Next up, a return to the playgrounds of New York with a quick trip to Los Angeles tossed in for good measure...

75 Days of Summer - Days 6-8

75 Days of Summer. The project continues, and the posts continue to lag. Vacation photos are coming to an end which will greatly reduce the volume of these updates! Here, a look at our last few days in Puglia. 

75 Days of Summer - Days 2-5

We are so very lucky to have wonderful friends in our lives - and then in an unnecessary effort to become even MORE wonderful, one of them decided to rent a gorgeous villa in Puglia to celebrate a milestone birthday. This trip has been in the works for almost a year, and we wouldn't have missed it for the world. 

Our first few days were spent relaxing by the pool, swimming in the sea, investigating a nearby grotto and watching Italy in the Euro 2016 Cup.  

8 Days a Week - July

For this month's edition of Eight Days a Week, a few different views of the Ionian Sea. The camera escaped with only mild splashing. Please head over to the Pacific Northwest to see what the ever talented Meghann Prouse found this month.  

One {June 2016}

One for June: the value of a life. While we were in Italy, I was honored with the task of remembering a beloved man. A scattering of his ashes are dedicated to the rainbow waters of the Ionian Sea. To witness the impact of the loss of one person on a family is painful and powerful - a reminder to treasure life and all the joys and sorrows that come with it. 

The sorry news these last few weeks undermines all of these sentiments, as ones, tens and hundreds at home and abroad have been ripped from their futures and families at the whim of a stranger. We must do better and we must be better. I wish I knew how.

Please continue to Washington and and see what spoke to Krista's heart this month.