Scott's First 1/2 Marathon!

This past weekend Scott ran his very first 1/2 marathon!! He entered the Phoenix Marathon a couple months ago and it was amazing to see that all of his hard work and training paid off.

The day started off way too early when I dropped him off at 4:30 AM - with the race actually starting 2 hours later at 6:30 AM. My mom and I made signs and went out to cheer him on! We went to a spot on the race course just before mile 8 - it was fun to see all the different people run by. So many shapes, sizes, ages of people AND so many different running outfits!!! We saw a man run by in a spandex one piece TUXEDO! And in the picture below Scott is running next to a girl in a tutu!



After we saw Scott run past us we hurried back to the car to get to the finish line in time. My heart was bursting with happiness for Scott when he crossed the line.



His official time was 1:49:59 - I am so incredibly proud of my amazing husband!! Running 13.1 miles is no small feat and I amazed that he not only finished but did so with a great time as well :)




Seriously, so proud :)

Apache Junction.

My mom flew down to visit us for a little holiday in the sun - and I knew this was my chance to jam in all the sight seeing touristy things Scott was that not interested in doing with me! Yay for mom's who let you plan out their entire visit!!

On my list of 'must do' in Arizona for a some time has been to go explore Apache Junction. And that's what we did. We started out the day at The Lost Dutchman State Park for a nice, slightly breezy, hike on Superstition Mountain.




Definitely some amazing views...




Crazy how green it was out there!



Then we went to Goldfield Ghost Town to walk around. I loved all the old buildings and details they managed to preserve - everywhere there were old trunks, signs, bottles, benches.









And then, because we are ambitious and wanted to explore as much as possible, we drove the beautiful and windy Apache Trail Highway to Canyon Lake where we took a cruise on a steamboat!






This is Elephant Rock! Can you see the elephant shape?? It is a side view of the whole elephant - the trunk is the left column and then it's legs are the two on the right. You have to use your imagination a bit!





These little ducks chased the steamboat the whole way - flying to catch up and then swimming alongside in hopes of an overboard popcorn!

Such a fun day I was able to share with my mom.

Our Morning Routine.

I like our mornings down here in Arizona. I like the slow pace. I like savouring this precious gift of time together in the morning. After almost 3 full months down here we have our morning routine all worked out.

He wakes up at least an hour before me. Quietly rolls out of bed and shuts the door behind him as he goes into the living room. This is his alone hour - his time. Lately, he fills this time with episodes of 24. He likes this time to start the day on his own time in his own way.

At 8:45 he puts on the coffee.

At 9:00 he slowly opens the door to the bedroom and gently wakes me up - with kisses if I'm lucky - and tells me 'Babe, it's 9 - Price is Right is starting'. To which I reply with a 'Mhmmmm - be right there.' It usually takes me a couple more minutes to actually drag myself up out of bed. I like stretching and letting my eyes adjust to the warm Phoenix sun coming through the blinds.



I always miss the first contestant.

I walk of the bedroom - shoot him a sleepy grin - and pour us coffee. Mine caramel coloured from the flavoured creamer. His, black. I try to always pour his into his favourite mug - the blue one.



Then I saunter over to the living room and pass him the hot coffee and sit down. I usually shiver after a couple minutes and he passes me the blanket he was using. We sip our coffee and yell our advice at the contestants. They rarely follow it.



Our mornings end with empty mugs and cuddles on the couch. Our mornings make us both happy. The perfect start to the day.

Why I Blog.

Last week I lacked motivation and inspiration to blog. I struggled. I didn't have any new photos to post - funny how not taking any photos recently leads to that. So that left me coming up with a topic to blog. Which lead to all those familiar self doubting thoughts and questions - I have nothing interesting to share. What do I have to share that is worth posting? Every single blog out there is better than mine. Do my opinions and thoughts even matter?!

And the one that haunts me most frequently - who even reads this little blog of mine?!

Really, who cares if I even post anything at all?! What? Me? Melodramatic? Nahhhh ;) The struggle I was feeling lead me to ask myself why I was even feeling bad for not posting and feeling pressure to come up with some "great' blog topic.

Why do I blog?

And the answer, brought me out of the depths of self pity and put my feet back on the ground. I blog for me. Just me. It really doesn't matter if anyone reads it (but it is totally awesome when people tell me they do - it makes me happier than I can say, heart hugs people). This little space online serves as my personal journal - to write down and document not only the photos I capture but my life. My thoughts. My experiences. My feelings. That is my main goal with this space. I love looking back at posts that captured a little snippet of life - it helps me to remember and be thankful. For this wild and precious life.

All the other benefits - giving clients a space for me to showcase their beautiful images, connecting with other people, sharing my personality with potential clients so that they hopefully like me and hire me - those are all amazing secondary goals of this blog.

By blogging for myself first - I hope to make my posts as genuine and natural and me as possible. I want those who know me to say "Yes, that is completely Kari" or those who meet me after reading the blog say "Yes, this is the person I thought she'd be". I have to let go of what 'everyone else' is doing on their photography blogs and focus on what this blog means to me and how I want that reflected here.

Why do you blog?