Day 59 | Out The Window

Prompt: Look out the nearest window and write in vivid detail what you can see starting from left to right. Imagine you are telling someone who is not tall enough to look out the window, use as much detail as possible.

Stephanie | Out my window I dream to see, a beautiful garden green and full. Flowers blooming throughout, pops of color exploding all around. I dream to see waves crashing from the ocean, drops of salt water spraying into the air. Kites blowing in the wind. I dream to see, a momma deer and her babies hopping along, looking for apples. I dream to see my grand kids running to my door, arms open wide and huge smiles on their little faces.

Annetta | During the winter months there isn't much to look at out the window. I love to keep fresh flowers at my window sill. During the summer my view is of my garden & roses.

Day 58 | Experiences

Prompt: Make a list of all the things you want to do, try and experience that you would find scary and challenging at the time, but would feel amazing after you have conquered them.

Such as cage dived with a great white shark, bungee jumped, held a tarantula spider or snake, solo dined in a busy restaurant, sang at a karaoke bar, etc.

Ignore any money or logistic limitations; just write down your dream list in no particular order.

Stephanie | Move to another country, ride the Seattle ferris wheel, sky dive, teach a class, open my own photo studio. More to come I as think of them.

Annetta | Something that I would find both challenging and scary, but in the end I know would be rewarding and amazing after is having a second child. I haven't wrapped by mind around the horrors that I went through during my labor or maybe I have and that's why the thought of going into labor makes me go white. It's something that I cannot think about or analyze because if I do, I just might only have one child, its something that I need to let go and let God take over.

Day 57 | Regrets

Prompt: Tell me about something you regret. Then after tell me about what letting go of this regret would do for your well being.

Or tell me about a mistake you have made in your life. Big or small. What happened? Was it really that bad? Beneath it tell me at least 3 good things to come out of the situation. Circumstances, experiences, lessons learned or any new opportunities?

Annetta | Last year I went to a conference. It was amazing & at a life changing moment I made the worst mistake. When I am too overwhelmed with strong emotions, all my guards go down & I no longer possess any sense of etiquette. This was one of those moments. I came up to a leader whom I admired greatly & asked her the one thing you never ask a woman. I wanted to pay her a compliment, but it went wrong on so many levels & I crashed into a million pieces. The situation was made worse by her personal story. I cried for HOURS at the sheer pain of my words which was made worse by her story. I bitterly regret my words with all my heart. It's been such a hard lesson for me at her expense. 

Stephanie | I wouldn't say I have any regrets. Each thing we do in life, whether good or bad, shapes us and changes our course in life. If I were to say I regretted something I've done, it would feel like I regret my whole from that point. Every consequence, every opportunity, from that one moment. I accept everything in my life, all the good and all the bad. I wrote before that I wouldn't change anything from my past, everything I have done and been through has lead me to this point. Each thing we do in our lives we have a reason for doing it at that time. Sure there are moments I don't favor, but I have learned and grown from them all.  "If its good, its wonderful, if its bad, its experience" -Victoria Holt

Day 56 | Sense Of Hearing

Prompt: I am grateful for my sense of hearing because...

Stephanie | I am thankful for my sense of hearing because it allows me to listen to my girls interact with each other, sing their favorite songs, mispronounce big words (which become the new way our family says such words), their giggles when they tell their version of a knock-knock joke, their squeals of excitement when we chase them around the house, their soft I love you's they share with each other. I am thankful to hear my 2 year old snore as she is in a good sleep after a long day of not feeling well, and hearing her also speak a new word almost everyday when we thought she would have a speech problem. Hearing my 5 year old say "its so beautiful mom" "you did a great job" and give such positive encouragements to everyone. Such simple little sounds make such a huge impact on my heart.  

Annetta | I am thankful for my hearing because it brings words to the moments we share. God spoke & the earth was formed, He was heard. We get to hear the important & shared moments of the people we care for in our lives. The sounds of joy, the sounds of tears, the sounds of birds are all the added beauty given to us. I am thankful to hear my sons stories, to listen to my husband and friends. I am happy I can stop & just listen!

Day 55 | Track Of Time

Prompt: What makes you lose track of time?

Stephanie | I am very mindful of the time and I usually don't lose track of it very often. Somethings that do make me lose track are playing on facebook and pinterest, an inspiring photoshoot, and getting really involved/on a roll with my work. I typically get interrupted many time from my kids so getting lost in my work doesn't happen too often.

Annetta | There are so many things that make me loose track of time. That's how I get into my creative process and flow. There's my list: flowers, good book, cross-stitching, social media, new camera gear, book stores, beautiful road trips, naps & a few other things not yet jotted down.

Day 54 | Letter To Yourself

Prompt: In your journal write a letter to yourself 10 years in the future.

Stephanie | Dear me 10 years from now. Can you believe how far you have come in these 10 years? 10 years ago you were just starting to figure things out, just starting to make a name for yourself, just starting to figure out your style and explore your creative side. Just starting to figure out who you are. You have ideas you just havent figured out how to materialize them yet. You are close to big things. I hope you have enjoyed yourself along the way. I hope the girls want to be creative with you and can work on projects together. I hope you have found a balance that works for you and you enjoy life. I hope you have found peace and have little stress. I hope you are happy, healthy, and you show love to those around you. 

Annetta | Hey there beautiful you! So, you're in your 40's now. Beautiful age, yes? I'm sure that you are looking forward to being 50 & 60! The kids must seem too big right now! A reminder that you enjoyed every minute of when they were little, love the past, but be in the present. I'm sure you are a big & successful person in photography & if you're not, I'm sure you made the best decision. Reminding you that you are strong, beautiful, healthy & right were God wants you! Kiss the handsome husband for me & your gorgeous kids. Love me!

Day 53 | Compromise

Prompt: Think of a cause you are passionate about, or a disagreement you have had. Now write about it from the other side's perspective. Why did they or why are they doing what they are doing? What drives them to do what it is you disagree with. From this point of view can you see any areas where both sides could come to a compromise?

Stephanie | I am a pretty laid back person, very understanding and can see many points of view. One thing I feel very strongly about is cheating. When you are in a relationship you make a commitment to that one person.   I don't believe in cheating and I wont forgive it. I do suspect I have been cheated on in previous relationships, though I never knew for sure. I feel it is the ultimate betrayal of trust. People may argue that it didn't mean anything, or it was because they were lonely, just a situation where one thing lead to another, they were too drunk to know what they were doing, etc. And while that may be true and understandable it still doesn't excuse the action. If you feel you want to be with someone other than the person you are in a relationship with, I feel  you should end the relationship prior to perusing another person. As much as I can understand why someone would look outside the relationship for this, it is not something I am willing to compromise on.

Annetta | I have a brother who lives with me. He feels like this world has nothing to offer him. He has given up in all aspects of the word. I disagree with him 100%. If he has family who want to and are willing to help, he shouldn't he giving up, there is still so much hope! He still has so much to live for! He spends his days wallowing away in his misery, yes his life is miserable, but that's because he chooses it. I understand feeling helpless or feeling depressed, but there are people who want to help. Being where he is isn't easy, but no one can help him unless he lets us & we want to. He has so much love & beauty still inside of him.

Day 52 | Someone You Miss

Prompt: Tell me about someone you miss. Either someone who passed away, moved or you simply drifted apart from. What experiences did you share? How did they make you feel? What did you learn from them?

Write a letter in your journal to them updating them on your life since you last saw them.

Stephanie | I recently sent a letter to someone I missed after not speaking for a few years. She was my best friends mom and my second mom growing up. After a big blow up with my friend, I had to walk away from that friendship leaving everyone associated with her behind as well. It was a terrible loss for me. I didn't know how she felt about me after that, or if she would be happy to hear from me. I was happily surprised when I got a card in the mail, she was happy to get my card and wants to stay in touch.  I hope to continue a relationship with her.

Annetta | Dear forever ago friend. I know that we are in different seasons & life has us running around in circles. It would be nice to see you a little more then just twice a year on our birthdays. I know nothing about your life at the moment & I miss our friendship. We can still be busy, but let's meet four times a year instead of just two. I'm not picky, I'm happy that you found someone who loves you and you love in return. I'm not ready to loose you.

Day 51 | Achievements

Prompt: Create a list of all the achievements you want to have accomplished in your life. Such as the ability to speak another language, wrote a book, mastered a martial art, started your own business, raised a happy family, be a talented cupcake baker, earned a degree etc.

Ignore any money or logistic limitations; just write down your dream list in no particular order.

Stephanie |  write a book, become really good at watercolor painting, sell one of my photographs, have my photos published in magazines, raise happy children, have a gallery displaying my work, have a beautifully decorated home, see my kids get married, meet my grandchildren, create my dream studio space. *more to be added as I think of them*

Annetta | I have many things I'd love to accomplish, here are that I've come up with thus far:
be a speaker, write a book or five, work with some of my favorite creatives, work for magazines, adopt a few kids, become an expert, travel, carry three of my own kids, create something new & have my own style, get a degree in photography, art, design & writing, teach workshops, eat paleo, homeschool my kids, raise my kids to know & love God, go on many gateways with my husband, have an influence & share God's light/love, have a mini farm & a rose farm, have my own studio & thriving business.

Day 50 | Ho'oponopono

Prompt: In your journal write a letter (you will never send) to someone you have unresolved issues with. Who are you upset with, feel anger towards, or to someone who has left you feeling 'off center' after something they have said or done.

You can even write the letter to yourself about regret you are holding onto.

Explain how you are feeling. Get it all out.

If you are ready, at the end of the letter I encourage you to try and write I forgive you, I'm sorry, thank you, I love you. It is not their benefit but for your own.

This is from the Hawaiian practice of forgiveness known as Ho'oponopono. Created to help release you from holding onto negative emotions about a situation. Therefor allowing you to move forward.

Annetta | I wrote a letter to a friend, which I will keep private for personal reasons. One thing my husband told me not to do when we first got married, is to put him on the spot. I am not a saint, but human and have put him on the spot. I've never known how that felt until someone did it to me and recently it made sense to me of why my husband was so sensitive regarding that. I'm sure we put people on the spot all the time, but we never know because it's to their sensitivity and not ours. I've chosen to learn from my friends and husband so that I can become a better person in the end.

Stephanie |  My letter is to someone I love very much. I am trying to explain myself and share why things are the way they are and possibly resolve some issues. I actually plan to send my letter to this person once I have it 'just right'

 

Day 49 | Sense Of Smell

Prompt: I am grateful for my sense of smell because...

 

Stephanie | I am thankful for my sense of smell mainly because I love to smell of flowers. Very fragrant ones like hyacinths. They have become a favorite of mine. I just recently bought a blooming bulb for my home and every time I passed it I literately stopped in my tracks and smelled it. It has the most beautifully light floral scent. I am thankful that my sense of smell helps me enjoy something so beautiful on another level.

Annetta | "I love to smell flowers" I took a different turn to my question today and just painted it.

Day 48 | February Mail Day

Prompt: Share what you received from February's Mail Call Day

Stephanie | I love getting fun things in the mail, I especially love my packages from Annetta. I really love the floral theme and the pretty purples really pop against the collage of pinks.

Annetta | Stephanie has a very good sense of what I love and this time she went above and beyond to make something beautiful, special and handmade. I am head over heels in love with my watercolor painting and heart she made. It was just the happy and pretty things that I needed to keep my mind off a hardcore headache that kept me in bed all day. She is quite the talented friend!!

Day 47 | Change One Thing

Prompt: If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you take the opportunity? Why?

Stephanie | I believe all of our actions have a purpose. Each thing we do leads us to where we are supposed to be in life. There are plenty of things in my past I am not proud of but all of that makes me who I am today. I sometimes look back at points in my life and say "what were you thinking?!", but that moment in time is just a stepping stone toward my future. Sometimes those so called 'bad' experiences leads us to the great ones. If I had never dated my ex boyfriend, our break up never would have lead me to my husband, my kids, my house, my own business, etc. If I had the opportunity to go back and change something, I would not do it. That simple change could alter my entire life and I wouldn't be who I am or where I am because of it.

Annetta | I would change many little things actually, but never my life. I would go back to July 2006 & make my sister-in-law leave her house to stay elsewhere, where it was safer, so that she would live with my nephew's. I would go back & save their lives. I would have listened to my moms sixth sense that something was wrong and off.

Day 46 | Advice To Yourself

Prompt: In your journal write a letter to yourself at 13 years old. What advice would you give?

Stephanie | Dear me at 13. The best advice I can give is to stand up for yourself. The sooner you learn to say 'no' and stand up for yourself the happier you will be. It will be hard, people won't like you for it, but it will be worth it. Stop letting your kindness be taken advantage of. You can't help and fix others problems, that's for them to do. Just focus on you and what helps you, what makes you happy.

Annetta | Dear 13 yr old me. Learn to say 'NO'! The only person you are hurting by not saying no is you! Stick up for yourself & be you. Saying no when you need to is walking in confidence & people will see it. Remember say 'NO'! Love me!

Day 45 | Pick A Quote 2

Prompt:  Pick a quote you like and share it in an artistic way.  *Available as downloads*

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself. " -unknown

*Annetta is photographing an event and in the chaos of figuring out plans for the journal post we misunderstood each other, because of that we missed posting on 2/14/14. Please forgive us*

Day 44 | Gift Received

Prompt: Tell me about one of the best gifts you have ever received.

Stephanie | My greatest gift would have to be my two beautiful girls. After loosing our first child there is nothing more precious to me than my babies. Their laugh, smiles, slobbery kisses, nothing in this world will compare to my kids. I hope they grow to know just how much I love them and how thankful I am that they chose me as their mommy.

Annetta | My husband and my son are my greatest gifts. My husband is my best friend & one of the best gift in my life & my son is my firstborn, he made me a mommy and I am here to enjoy them both!