My Heart Stirs with Blessings For Mother Earth

It's EARTH week
A time of rejoicing for the many blessings Mother Earth has given us.
  
When I think of giving thanks, I'm brought back to a time when I REALLY started connecting to Mother Earth in a way my heart, body and soul never knew possible in Mexico February 2013.

My story of Earth connection is interconnected with the story of a great man,
Don Chon ~ A Shawman, a powerful healer, a wise soul, a opener of hearts, a warrior of fear, a being of such magnificent light and beauty.  I am so blessed to have met him and have a small part of his wisdom transfer to my understanding.
 

The year 2013 was full of personal turmoil, where I felt unsafe in the world and didn't have much grounding.  I wanted more for myself but didn't know how to get there.  Being to Mexico in 2012, with my then family and knowing the energy and powerful healing of the land at Mar de Jade, I decided to go back in my time of need.

I want YOU to deeply understand the energy behind this place, so let me paint the picture of this magnificent land and energy for you..
Imagine this.. you are driving in a white van with seating for 7 plus the driver, you are alone, maybe a little scared wondering what did you sign up for.  As the evening sun sits just above the sea level you look around at what appears to be poverty, a village of few people but many shops, colourful and laid out patiently waiting to draw people in.  The road is extremely bumpy and you travel through a forested area meters away from the sea shore, between trees, dodging boulders, passing old shed type homes, tents and outdoor showers of a Mexican beach campsite.  

Just as you almost sink deep into the horror of thinking this is less than your ideal vacation, a clearing, a gateway made of bamboo, a driveway, smooth and calming.  

A huge sculpture of a turtle at the entrance which is by no mistake the oldest symbol of Mother Earth!!  It also symbolizes and reminds us to stay grounded, slow down, gain emotional strength, and most importantly tap into ancient wisdom.

A stirring deep within my chest, a warming, an expanding and a knowing I am in the right place.  The heat and humidity surrounds my body, welcoming me like a warm hug of a dear loved one.  I am home.

There is such loving power and intensity here.  Mother Earth is so very present.  Her dormant power resides among us in the form of a volcano.  The forest is lush with life, part of the beach is covered in her deep dark lava rocks that roll out and extend into a sea of green and overall there is a ripe fullness of love.

In 2012 I saw Don Shon, but never approached him, maybe I wasn't ready, maybe I wasn't open enough, or willing enough to see life in a more spiritual way.  I'll never know but also make nothing of it because I trust that everything happens as it's meant to.  So in 2013 I approached him for his healing, I didn't really know what I was getting into but just kind of jumped in, I figured why not, I've got nothing to loose!

I didn't know much about the unseen & unspoken world of spirit other than a few books (the Celestine Prophecy) from my teens and some openings to drumming circles, sweat lodges and meeting fascinating people who opened my mind.

The healing, and blessings Don Chon gave me are only now being seen for what they really where and I'm sure there are still more openings that I am unaware of based on his words of intention.  

What I've come to understand is the importance of loving and nurturing everyone in our lives, all the animals that come before us, the land & Mother Earth.  

They are all gifts.  
People keep us on track to becoming our best selves, challenging us in new ways.

Animals are symbols of what we are dealing with in that moment. When an animal crosses your path try googling the animal with the word totem and see what comes up.  It's mind blowing how much it can coincidentally be aligned with your life and may even give you answers, it did for me!

The world around us is supporting us, loving us, guiding us to become our best selves.

So I ask you to simply stop to give thanks, acknowledge the planet for all the blessings around you in this very moment. 

Maintaining Balance ~ Melissa & Jason Murphy

I absolutely love this couple!!
We've been friends for just under a year, and in that time I have witnessed the strength in the way Melissa & Jason embody being a TEAM.

We spent New Years with two other amazing souls and together we created vision boards for the year ahead.

Jason moved forward in a great energy of... "lets get this thing done."  He was the first to complete his.. us ladies took weeks before bringing all the pieces together. HA!  Goes to show we all move at our own pace, and when we are ahead in a journey we simply become the inspiration or rock for others. 

There is such simple wisdom by being in the presence of these two.  What I've come to see is a way of maintaining balance, they are equals, they hold strength together and for one another.  That strength adjusts itself moment to moment, one more in another through difficult times but.. Always.. Together.. Balanced.

 

One thing Melissa shared with me is their drive to living a healthy lifestyle.  These two are so very committed to working out and eating health, it is a huge inspiration.  This to me is what keeps them sustained at being balanced.

These two photos were so much fun, I L0vE the look.. and behind the scenes there were many giggles and laughs.  Not everything is so serious, especially when we try to be.

 

A moment captured.. Just Being.

 

This is my absolute favourite!
JoYous, Outrageous, FuN! 

 

Simply enjoying one another

To me, these two embody a healthy, happy, fulfilling life and relationship.  They have worked their butts off to get here and I am so honoured to capture the results of such determination.
With Love

Amber & Rolland ~ Engagement Session

This was a wonderful engagement session with Amber and Rolland.  The energy of these two was simply amazing and beautiful.  You know when you can feel how much someone is loved, that was definitely what was pulsing through the air between these two.  We had a lot of fun in and around my home town, Cheadle.  

The contrast of Amber's country girl background to Rolland's city lifestyle was apparent at the root of who they are . . and their shoes. ;)  Though they so playfully accept each others roots, for their pasts make up who they are today. . and that's with each other.

We had a good laugh at Rolland's sense of adventure, we ventured out into a farmers crop were he jumped into a pile of cut canola.  Love the expressions! :D     

Amber was so eagerly awaiting the day Rolland proposed to her.  Apparently she is very hard to surprise so Rolland had to do it when she wouldn't suspect.  Haha I think he accomplished that with randomly proposing at home during a regular everyday occurrence.  

Sometimes we expect grand gestures while it's the ones from the heart, the everyday moments that steal our hearts away. A these times our lives become richer because we can see the beauty in the mundane.

Jackson~ The newest addition to the J Team

My good friends Jesse & Jacki are so pleased to have a boy join their family.  Their friends so cleverly nicknamed these two the J Team after Jeslyn came along.  Since then they kept with the theme and named their second daughter Jillian. Though with this little guy it was tough for these two to decide on a name, and what they chose is simply perfect, Jackson Rae.

 

This little guy looks so much like his daddy and oldest sister.  These girls are going to show him the ropes and my guess is that he'll soon fit in to be mommy's little boy and daddy's little football pro, I can see it now. . .

 

For now, at 7 days old, we watch as Jackson dreams of the world he knows through sound.  To think of the miraculous transformation that occurs during pregnancy and what this little being goes through, and yet being so peaceful now, is simply amazing.  

 

To be so calm, and deeply sensing the love around him. Jackson was content, relaxed, and at peace.  We can learn so much from babies that we tend to forget with the busyness of our lives.  

 

This is why I love photographing babies, it slows me down to take things in and enjoy the beauty of every moment, every noise, every move, and cute little faces.  Jackson sure likes sticking his tongue out! LOL 

What a beautiful gift the J Team has been blessed with, I wish you all the best in your many years as a beautiful family. xoxo

  

And then there were four. . .

I'm not sure why but when I titled this post, I thought of the song. . There were four in the bed and the little one said, roll over, roll over,. . well no one fell out of bed but there's something so sweet about the song that touches my heart.  Maybe it connects to a childhood memory of reading fun books and singing songs with my parents while in bed. Just as these pictures so easily depict.

I've never had a photo shoot quite like this before.  My friend Laura and her little family recently expanded and she really wanted some new family photos so I was thrilled to step up for the job.  My heart will skip at any chance to photograph a baby and beautiful family, Thank you Laura. :)

I love this. . a mother, daughter bond can never be broken nor anything come between.  This photo is such a beautiful example of the gentle wrapping of a mothers love.

Sweet Avery will have to learn to share the spot light.  She's already such a little star and just loves the camera.  I think her mom might have to do with it considering she is a photographer friend. ;-) Hee Hee

A wonderfully proud father.  As if to say "YES, it's a boy!"  Note the early hockey encouragement. haha

Engage- Kristy & Peter

This couple came to me through an amazing woman in my community, Joanne, who had explained Kristy & Peter's story with such empathy that I couldn't help but be drawn in to serve them. Their scheduled photo shoot was cancelled with said photographer who I now Thank, as it freed up space in each of our lives to connect. . . and as I said I am SO Thankful for what was so perfectly lined up.


I had so much fun with this couple, we ventured down south of Strathmore to Johnston Island.  A beautiful piece of nature that is close to home and a place I now cherish.  I loved how Kristy & Peter had all these great ideas, they came with chalk and an ipad full of pics for inspiration.  I've never met anyone so prepared as these two, they are so ready to walk down the isle together! ;-)  I love their energy and creative spirits.  It was fantastic that they are so photogenic too (a plus on my side) lol. ENJOY. . .

Aidan ~ Newborn Session

Welcome Aidan!! 

It was such a pleasure to meet & photograph this little guy.  I absolutely loved the super cute poses Aidan gave us.  

This couples story was very touching.  I can only image the emotion behind waiting for a miracle. Aidan is such an amazing and wonderful blessing for his parents who have patiently awaited his arrival.  I wish them all the best in their journey as a family.