Winter Sledding

It seems somehow fitting that I post photos of a holiday sledding trip on the same day I'm leaving for the sunny beaches of Gold Coast. It is my first visit to Australia, and I couldn't be happier (well, I could if I were going just on holiday instead of for work, but I'm sure I'll manage to fit in a bit of fun while I'm there.) At the very least it will be a chance to thaw out after a few snowy frigid days in Utah.

I'm pretty certain this was my niece and nephew's first sledding adventure - we took them to the foothills above my hometown where my brother, sister and I learned to sled.

They were both a little uncertain at first. We started on the small hills and their parents rode with them, but it only took a few rides before they were ready to go it on their own and next thing we knew they were looking for bigger hills.

Wouldn't it be amazing to have the energy of a 3 and 5 year old?

The very best part of being home for me is spending time like this with my family - memories like this are life's greatest gifts.

Any of you out there from Australia? Every been to Gold Coast? What are the must see/do's for me while I'm there?

"Who says you're not allowed to stand on your own."
Ryan Bingham - Keep it Together Pin It

Playing Photographer: Couples

After successfully navigating family photos for my sister, I agreed to give couples photos to go for my brother and sister-in-law. Without kids to corral, I was surprised at how much quicker and easier these photos were to get. Of course, one thing that made it much easier was that my SIL had done a lot of research and had collected a bunch of inspiration images that we used to get us started.

These were all taken near my hometown, where they now live. I arrived a day before we took these and, after looking at my SIL inspiration photos I did some location scouting. We ended up shooting in about 5 or 6 different places, but it was worth it to get a good variety.

The sky was dark and dreary all day, so we were worried we wouldn't get any of that golden light, but we lucked out and the sky cleared for us just in time.

It is safe to say I won't be giving up my day job to become a photographer anytime soon, but it is fun to be able to take a few photos for family now and again.

I think these photos deserve a love song, so here is one of my all time favorites, an oldie, but still beautiful.  Ray LaMontagne's Let it Be Me.

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Playing Photographer: Family Photos

I played real photographer for my sister and her family this summer. Mostly it reminded my of all the reason I'd never make it as a pro. Getting everyone to look the same way, smile and open their eyes - not an easy task. Still I had a lot of fun trying.

Instead of posting the "good" ones - i.e. the ones my sister will have printed and hang on walls, I thought I'd post some of my favorites, mostly outtakes - photos that made me smile and brought out personalities.

M and T weren't particularly in the mood to play model, so we moved fast and used frozen white chocolate chips as bribes - it was the only food I could think of that wouldn't result in messy faces and clothes.

We were attempting to copy a pose we'd seen on pinterest in this photo - let's just say it didn't quite go as planned....

My favorite of T - he looks sweetly mischievous, which is correct.

 

We never did get a good one of Miss M that evening, so the next morning I convinced her to give me another try. This ended up being one of my very favorite shots of the entire experience.

I recently downloaded the newest Josh Radin, the entire album is amazing, but his The Greenest Grass seems to be a great match with this photos.



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New York

Snow Patrol - New York

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Family Blessings

I had a bit of a health scare last week - it all started with the stomach flu, which led to a serious case of dehydration, which caused me to pass out and have a episode of muscle spasms, which led to some cuts and bruises and a very sore head.  I'm completely fine now, but last week reminded me how incredibly blessed I am and what an amazing family I have.

After my little episode I was sitting there, dazed and confused, honestly not understanding what had happened. But I kept hearing this still, small voice telling me I needed to call my sister (who lives nearby) and tell her what happened.  I finally picked up the phone, she, of course, urged me to go to the doctor.  I, of course, said no (I have a thing about doctors and hate to go.)  I just asked her to call me back in an hour or so and check on me.

My sister got off the phone and this time she was the one who heard that small voice.  This one told her that I was wrong and she needed to get me help.  She put her work on hold, got my brother-in-law to come home and watch their kids and called me back and told me whether I wanted to or not we were going to the doctor.  She even managed to track down my parents (which I thought was impossible since they were camping and out of cell phone range.)

My sister got me to the doctor and set there with me for several hours while they gave me IV fluids and my mom showed up soon after so I didn't have to spend the night alone.

I'm so grateful for the promptings we felt that day, and that we acted on them. I know that things could have been much worse if I hadn't gotten the help I needed when I did.  I'm also feeling incredibly blessed to have the kind of family that drops everything when someone is in need.

I'm here for you

In sinking sand

Just grab my hand

And with all I have

I'll hold on

Matt Wertz: Family

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the Last Weekend

The last weekend at home for 3 months left me a little excited about my upcoming adventure in India, a bit sad to say good-bye to my parents and little dog Sadie and nervous about my ability to survive and keep a positive attitude in Delhi. The more I worry, the more I find myself reflecting on a song from LeAnn Rimes and telling myself to focus on the things I can control and learn to accept those things I can't. I know how blessed I am, I have a supportive family who loves me and encourages me to live my dreams; I know who I am and why I'm here on earth and for the most part I love the life I've been given, the rest I'm just going to have to work out on the journey.

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What I Cannot Change

I know what makes me comfortable
And I know what makes me tick
And I when I need to get my way
I know how to pour it on thick
Cream and sugar in my coffee
Right away when I awake
I face the day, and pray to God
I won’t make the same mistakes

All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, yeah I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

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The pain is self-inflicted
I know it’s not good for my health
But it’s easier to please the world
Then it is to please myself

All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, yeah I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

Well I know I can’t care about how everyone else really feels
I have enough hurt of my own to heal

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, yeah I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

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