forever.

Well, it's been forever since I've taken the time out of my life to update you all. I guess everything has somehow changed and stayed the same. I've grown in my mental and emotional being. Ilena has grown in all senses of the word. We are still tackling life together. The summer has been a little rough since she spends half of the time with her father. She's making good memories with him, so that makes me happy. However, knowing that fact never keeps me from missing her way too much. It's hard to miss out on any amount of time with her, because I know that every minute she lives and breathes she's changing. She's maturing. She's growing. I'm experiencing her evolving more and more and really riding out this constant state of becoming. I know she will go far. I know that regardless of the many experiences that have come and are yet to come that will not involve me, she will always be okay. She's on a good path. I'm proud she is mine. I'm happy to be hers.

In spite of our time apart, Ilena and I experienced no deficit when it comes to adventures. Some beautiful souls we know from Kentucky came to see us for a couple days. We took them to our favorite spot in the area, Makanda, IL. It was a beautiful time. People are cool. Friends are cool. 

In other news, I've recently had the pleasure of spending time with the most beautiful couple I've come across in a long time. Their love is so pure and true. They are both all in, and in this day and age, that's pretty rare. These two gave me the wonderful opportunity of following them around with my camera and capturing the most breathtaking images. And for the record, people, the majority of these photographs are absolutely candid. They were easily one of my very favorite couples I've ever had the privilege of photographing. Best wishes to these two. I can't wait to see what their forever brings. 

I guess I could update you on one million other things that have gone down, but for now this is all I'll share. I'll leave you with this cute little peach who's growing far too quickly. 

namaste, friends. 

xo-chels

beauty.

 

Beauty. 

What does that word mean to you? It's really such a subjective idea. But that's no reason to go through life without finding the beauty in everything that surrounds you. Sometimes you can hang on to the beauty you view, but other times it's such a fleeting thing. Fall, for instance, is something that we really get to appreciate here in the Midwest. Not everyone sees the changes we see here. It's a really lucky thing, if you ask me, being able to see the beauty in the release of the dead things. The trees show us how beautiful letting go can be. The colors are so rich and vibrant this time of year, but the season is always gone before its time. It never lasts long enough. So, we just have to hold on to it while we can and then let it go until we meet its beauty again. Yes, there's so much beauty in nature. 

Nature. 

That word refers to more things that I think we take into account. A mother-child relationship, for instance, is pure nature. The nurturance of one's offspring. Making sure diapers and clothes are clean. Making sure the water is running and heat is on. Making sure the environment that surrounds them is clean. Making sure bellies are full. Now, whether that means using formula or breastfeeding, that's up to you. But why is breastfeeding such a taboo thing for so many people? Why does it just rub some people the wrong way? Why have I heard it referred to as "unnatural"? Because I mean, isn't it the most natural thing a mother can do for her baby? Now, I mean no disrespect to mothers who choose to bottle feed or aren't able to breastfeed. But let's just all take a moment to see breastfeeding for what it is: beautiful. 

Yes, there's beauty in all that surrounds us. And I guess that breastfeeding rant is just to remind us that we truly can find beauty even in things that may make us uncomfortable--if for no other reason than a simple lack of understanding. But all the same, it's important to remember that there is beauty in everything, and just because it's not your definition of beauty, it is a thing to be respected as it means something to someone else. 

Take a moment to find the beauty around you today. You'll thank yourself.

xo-

chelsea

time.

I think I might just surprise us all if I could ever manage to keep up with this thing. The days keep flying by, which in turn makes the weeks fly by, which in turn makes the months fly by, which in turn makes the years fly by. Yes, the time is flying by and I sometimes feel as though I'm stuck on autopilot. But I know that there's much more to my life than just coasting through it. I'm active it in, at least I try really hard to be. I like to participate in life. I do my best to keep up with friends and family and obligations and Ilena's ever growing agenda. My so-called "free time" is spent going to birthday parties, play dates, community activities, school functions, dance team shenanigans and the list just goes on. Phew. I always ask myself how on earth I find time for these things.

Time.

What a strange concept time is. It feels like everything is accelerating faster than a blink of an eye, but each day the changes are hard to find. However, when you look back over the past year of your life, you can see so many changes. You probably aren't even the same person. Well, you're you. But you're a newer, up-to-date version of you. You've learned things. You've gained things. You've lost things. Some details you remember and others you probably wish you could forget. But it's all there in the past now. And you're forever changed because of it, whether you like it or not. I suppose some of us never change too much, but I just cannot fathom what that must be like. I always feel the need to submerge myself into foreign things because this world has so much to offer us.

This world is so big, and in the grand scheme of things I suppose we as individuals are so small. But we can have big experiences that forever affect our being if we so choose. I mean, we only have so much time here on this Earth. And who knows what our next destination will be? Maybe you know. Maybe for you it's this place we all know as heaven. You know the place. You've probably worked hard to reach that destination one day. Or maybe you'll become one with the universe and reappear as a beautiful willow tree or a sunflower or the next big thing in pop culture, or who knows what else? I suppose in a world of unknowns, the possibilities are endless.

All I know it that time is a funny concept to me, and I never know when I will have used all of mine up. So, while I'm here on this planet, I'm doing my best to make my experiences count. I hope I can have a positive impact on the nature and the people that surround me. And I hope they will all have an impact on me. I'll just keep enjoying this beautiful journey life I'm living and hope that the road will bring more beautiful people and places my way.

I suppose I'll end this with a slew of pictures I've been meaning to post. Fall is my favorite. My people are my favorite. This life is so beautiful.

These humans are a few of my favorites. 

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I was given the opportunity to capture these beautiful moments at my beautiful friend, Sarah's, wedding. I feel so honored to have shared these memories with her. 

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This day was coffee, meeting new friends, creating filters with random items from nature, driving aimlessly with friends, lots of laughs and more coffee. 

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Halloween fun with a young Coraline Jones and friends. 

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And last but certainly not least, a little experimentation with Christmas lights and my favorite dude. 

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~xo

chelsea