Happiness in a Click

I was incredibly skeptical of beginning this project 52. Sounds like it should be quite easy, as I am continually snapping away for the blog, but I had something distinct in mind for this plunge. 

In truth, I am rather new to the photo world, and it's a complex world with endless learning possibilities. With that spirit in my heart- I am hoping for this to be an opportunity to really focus on practice, on grasping command, and pushing my comfort level.

Lifestyle photography is really what calls to me- capturing moments and emotions, images that pull you in and incite something deep inside. It's also the area that I feel I need the most work in. It is so difficult to capture those fleeting feelings, a look, an action that you so desperately want to hold onto. They are gone in a flash your subjects attention whisked away to something new. Add in the all to important element of lighting and it is a true feat. 

This little shoot has turned out to be one of my absolute favorites. These images fill me happiness. They capture each of their personalities and hold light deep inside the frames. 

On this particular day the kiddos were not feeling all that well, and they weren't wholly thrilled by the prospect of having their pictures taken. So, I gathered up a  great bag of props, brought a speaker, and we traveled down the hill to some open fields. Blaring some poppin music, I left the bag of props out to be dug thru and played with at random. They had the greatest time, laughing and posing, silliness abounding.

The images come with memories lovingly attached- Eleanor in all her fiest and fury-captured perfectly as a beautiful mess in her little boy pajamas and lavender tutu- the incredible contradiction that she is. Aussie, wearing personality glasses and holding Mobley, her best friend and monkey she has carried with her since she was five months old- creative and one of a kind, finding her way between child and girl. Issac and those beautiful eyes, playing a game of peek a boo with a ukulele, while staring deep into your soul, and my Zain- vibrant yet quiet, clever beyond measure and witty as can be.

My, how I love my people.  

  

Insta-Love

I am totally behind the times, and am always so very tardy to the game. It's mildly ridiculous, but as of late, well like years too late, I have fallen hard for instagram! I guess technically I've had an account for a spell, but I never fully participated or embraced this outlet, and I absurdly failed to follow anyone outside of my family and close friends.

Somewhere in the last few phases of the moon I started stumbling  upon these beautiful, heart warming feeds. Creatives who are brilliant photographers, poets, cooks, mothers, and visionaries. There are some that can describe my feelings better then I ever could hope, those that whisk me away with a single image, capturing light and happiness, love and sadness. There are prompts and contest and oodles and oodles of fun to be had.

So, yeah, I'm in. It's awesome!

Here is just a smidgen, a small smattering, of some of my favorites right now:

@oldjoy - her pictures and captions are flawlessly calming, and peaceful in a way I can't even describe.

@mamawatters - she is stunning, her pictures cozy, it's just an all around warm space.

@thegraygang - I'm going to be real with you, I am a bit obsessed with this gal. Her pictures radiate happiness. She portrays exactly what a life of a child should look like- colorful and messy and vibrant. Her writing is deep and heartfelt and somehow manages to make me cry beautiful sappy tears near every day.

@bethadilly - is great for anyone interested in photography. Her images are dreamy and white, full of bokeh and blur. Lovely, simple and lovely.

@denisebovee - Denise Bovee is just cool. Her pictures make me want to move to California, have a bonfire on the beach and dance under the stars:)

Now, while your out and about scouring the instragram world and  you would like to follow along on our adventures, come find me   @chels_holland 

What about you- who are some of your favorites?

p.s. I have written a piece for The Laundry Moms that is up today. I will tell you that to date it was the hardest piece to simply get written. I'm not quite sure of the why's on that, but regardless after much agonizing and procrastination I was able to at least turn something in. Check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you thought!   

My Homeschooling Heart

Yes, we are homeschoolers.

I realized that I've not written about it too often, honestly because I felt I had nothing to offer on the subject. I'm ever so slowly learning that that's just not true. I can't, or more accurately won't, offer advice, or give you how to's, or show you how organized and together we are because that's just not it. Yet, I'm not self-deprecating enough to show you how tragic everyday is and how we rarely get anything done, because that's not our truth either- What I can offer is honesty. My truth on our decision and the reality that lies there in.

I chose to homeschool for many reasons. The main and most important to me, being that I wanted to protect them. I fully realize that everyone is not wholly onboard with that ideal, but for Kaleb and I- our goal was to let them be kids. To retain a semblance of innocence and wonder, for as long as possible. We had a heart that yearned for them to be outdoors, exploring nature and driving creativity- our home and lifestyle is perfectly set up for this avenue of schooling. 

Life is just good here on the farm for a kid. There is much room to frolic and play, and imagination is thick. There is much for us to do as a family whether that be hiking and fishing, chopping firewood or caring for animals. It was a massive help and influence that there is a very large and very supportive homeschooling community where we live, also we were lucky enough to watch my sister in law, already finding her way with her own kiddos, so I got to see first hand the joys and adventures that can be fostered there.

Like everything else in my life, this was not a direction I would have ever foreseen in my future. Before I had these beautiful wilds I was positive they would go to school and I'm quite sure I thought homeschoolers were slightly weird, but as soon as my first little one was in my arms, I knew. Homeschooling just made sense- for our family, for our way of life and it has been a decision that I have never regretted.

There are times when the absolute gravity of this decision hits me. When I realize that these beautiful spirit's education  lies entirely in my hands, and it's a very sobering reality. There are beautiful days that are fun and smooth and easy, and  there are  ugly days when I want to pull my hair out and scream. 

The most difficult part for me has been trying to find what works for us. There are A LOT of opinions and suggestions from wannabe helpful mothers, and it can prove to be quite overwhelming and sometimes greatly disheartening. I have had the most trouble trying to work within the confines of a curriculum. My brain simply finds no creativity there. If I have it I feel I MUST do exactly, everything they tell me. I find no room in my head or our schedules for artistic pursuits and shear joy. At this place in my kiddos education I feel that fostering a love for learning should be my first and utmost priority. So I have been wading my way thru many a plan and an assortment of ideas and learning styles, trying to find what fits. A big factor for me has been putting any and all pride aside, being freely willing to admit when it's not working, and throw it all out and start anew.

I have a picture in my head of what I want our time together to look like- filled with crafts, hands on activities, projects and fun. Unfortunately this requires an extensive amount of researching, planning, time, organization and know how. Right now, I once again find myself in a reworking phase, yet I truly believe the greatest thing I could do would be to just let myself off the hook. Trust that it's going to be ok, realize that I can't get this time back, so just enjoy it.  

I have absolutely no idea how long we will continue. I take it one day, one week, one year at a time. If we come upon a time when this no longer suits us, then we will move on to something else. Any thinking too far ahead into the future makes it far too scary, but day by day it is very doable. If perhaps you are even considering homeschooing I would say yes! I do, I love it. I love being with them, I love being able to watch them grasp new concepts, getting to be a part of their education is  beautifully inspiring. Yet, I would tell you that you must find your own way. Every mom does it differently and each families goals for the day is different. Go into it with no expectations, don't complicate it, and open yourself up to new ideas and intriguing tactics. It's an outlet that has the power to be something truly amazing, if you let it. A journey that can strengthen and seal bonds, one filled with hilarious tales, sweet memories and unforgettable moments.

If you have any suggestions or advice- please, lead on! On the other side, if you have any specific questions about our day or plans or are in need of some homeschooling encouragement, definitely contact me and I will give it my best go. 

A Hint of Whimsy and A Dose of Random

After baring my soul for yesterday's post, I was in need of a little whimsy. Although, I have been suffering from a complete and total, debilitatingly annoying case of writers block. So,  I'm just going to take this time to shower you with happy images of my wee one and her chicken friends mixed with a little bit of random musings, because we could all use some random musings, right?

I had actually hoped to write a post about this wee one's sweet new shoes (seriously is there anything cuter then these little boots?!)and how they reminded me of my mom. She wore Sorrels everyday when we lived in Alaska. I have such sweet memories of that time and somehow the shoes have become a token of that era. Sadly, the post simply would not come together!

My family and dearest of friends seem to think it's quite funny that I have this blog. First off, I've always had a real aversion to all things social media, and secondly I rare to never like to be in front of the camera. It's near impossible to find a photo of me before I've deleted it. More than all that though, is the fact that somehow people consider me a writer now. I've been asked and given more and more opportunities to write for people and it's really quite humorous. My Dad basically wrote all my papers for me in school, my Mom wrote all my Thank You cards for graduations, wedding and showers and as for my best friends- one has kept a running journal since she was six and the other has dreams, plans  layouts for a book that she will write in her forties- how did I end up here? Life is beautifully strange:)

Anyway, Friday has finally come and I am one happy girl. We are headed to tennessee so I can have a slumber party with the aforementioned besties and then further on to see in-laws. A little getaway will be a welcome reprieve.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and thank you so much for your encouraging and unbelievably kind comments yesterday. There was so much goodness, so much light- it really meant so much to me, so Thank You.