new home!

Hello - you can now find me over here www.cherishbryckphotography.com

sisters

These two girls break my heart when I see their love for each other.  I never had a sister, or brother, for that matter, but witnessing these girls grow up more than makes up for it.  I feel their love for each other and it warms my heart that they will always have each other to lean on.

I LOVED her knee high socks.  Seeing those chubby little legs peek out from the socks nearly killed me.  Her cuteness is brimming.

Lila has such adoration for her big sis and Annie, oh Annie, is one protective big sister.  She guards her little sister fiercely.  Did I mention they melt me?

We moved back into our house today.  What a culmination of a few wild and tumultuous months.  It feels so good to have conclusion.  Ahh, home sweet home.  It's not what we had envisioned, but I'm okay with that too.
As I unpacked our things from storage I realized that there are no more baby things being kept.  Everything that Lila outgrows is given away.  I remember so purposefully keeping things when Annie was young for her future sibling.  Every dress, shoe, coat she outgrew, I put it away in case we had another little girl.  Lo and behold, we did.  Now I find myself mourning the disappearance of this purposeful task of collecting for our non-expanding family.  Our family is complete and I couldn't possibly be any happier.  I'm still allowed to get a bit mushy as I watch my girls grow out of babyhood, toddlerhood and into the rites and rituals of childhood, right?

Happy Mother's Day.

lowering my blood pressue

I could feel the pull.  It had been brewing.  I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but then finally today it hit me.  It's been a few days since I've shot anything.  I need to get behind the lens.  It was an itch that I needed to scratch.  If I'm not shooting something daily, I get antsy.  It's like runners that say they just NEED to run.  I sure wish photography was a better cardio workout.

As luck would have it, I had some time to myself this afternoon, the sun was out and the temperature was ripe for me and my trusty Rebel.  I wasn't quite sure where to head, so I let myself find the way.  I found myself out at UBC near Wreck Beach.  As I descended the steep stairs down towards the beach, snapping away, I could feel the pressure release.  By the time I was down at the beach, which was soggy, full of reeds and hazy, I was lost in the beautiful details.  It felt so could to be lost.  I can't describe what this means, unless you've experienced it.  I crave the creative outlet and desire to explore my world through my lens.  As I walked around in the reeds, breathing in the salt air and letting go, I knew it was exactly what I had needed.

I'm feeling much better - much more grounded.  It's amazing what a little time away can do for a gal.

Off to bed to finish this good book.

flurry and a wee bit of worry

Well, amidst the busy daily goings-on, there seem to be a high level of "other" activity in our lives.  Lots of uncertainties regarding our home, my parents just bought a home in Vancouver and are planning a move across two provinces.  There are realtors calling us everyday and people to talk to, things to see, decisions to make and life to live.  However, despite the high intensity of activity, there is always time to stop, have a cuppa (or 4), get dirt under my finger nails, jump for joy, grab breakfast with my momma and relish in wearing sandals! 

 

The hub and I even managed to get away for a roll up to the local pub for a beer to watch the playoff game.  We left before it was over (and went into double OT!) and wandered down to the foreshore to watch the skyline light up in front of the mountains and sea.  I couldn't help but be in awe of the juxtaposition of nature versus urban that was laid out in front of us.  There were waves lapping up against the shore, ducks mating (right beside us!) a darkening sky full of snow covered mountains and the twinkling lights of the city skyline.  As I watched the city become aglow I realized I've been here for 16 years.  The city sure has changed, just as I have in a decade and a half.  I'm so lucky to call this beautiful place home.

This evening an impromptu dinner party happened at our place.  Laughing, squeals, food and drink were all a part of the night. I even managed to get a few pix this sweet little girl...

We finished up the festivities with wine, and some yummy goodness.

Tomorrow is D-Day on the house.  More to report when it's all said and done. 

Good Night.

finding light

I've been enjoying my new lens' and getting to know them a little bit better.  I'm set to put them to work tomorrow on a new shoot for Grooster.  I have to admit that it's taking some time to adjust to new ways of shooting and managing the various depths of fields now available with my new tools.  There is so much opportunity and I am eagerly trying to take it all in. 

I finished the book Understanding Exposure and have been practicing some of his tips.  My next photo class is all about light.  Something so simple is yet so elusive and complex for a photographer.  Here are some lovely morning light shots of the girls in their jammies.

After a slow morning we all headed out and walked up to Broadway to visit our usual haunts; the toy store, book store and then grabbed a quick lunch at Calhouns before pre-school drop off.  The sun came out in the afternoon and we did some biking riding in the alley.  The girls have loved having their Nana and Papa around and Lila managed to grab a quick bedtime story with Nana before they went off to bed and the house became quiet.  Ahhh.  The sweet sound of silence.  CBC radio 2 is our backdrop tonight.  Just the way I like it. 

When did this little girl grow up??

She is out of control cute lately.  Talking up a storm and SO in love with life.   It's such a beautiful reminder of what it's like to see the world anew.  She teaches me so much every single day and I just burst with love for this little lady.

the path

Finding my way around the dark corners and having fun at the same time.
Living out loud and not apologizing for it.
Seeking the unknown.
Asking the hard questions.
Relishing the everyday.
Making plans.
Drawing visions.

Happiness follows.

the wheels are a turning

When the sun is out in Vancouver, everything just seems a little bit better, doesn't it?  The temperature was warm this weekend and the city was OUT.  I got to take my new lens' out for a spin to Commercial Drive, Main Street and then down to South Granville.  Wooweee, those babies (Canon 70-200mm F4 and 50mm F1.4) were saweet.  I hung out two nights in a row down at Spanish Banks soaking in the big orange orb in the sky as it made it's way down to the horizon line.  It was a magical feeling.  There is a physiological process that is transmitted when I watch sunsets and see the stars in the sky.  It is so special and I will never ever tire of it.

After a mondo Seder at my in-laws last week, we took a few days to digest all the amazing food.  It was definitely one of the nuttier Seder's we've ever had.  The combo of four children under the age of five and several vodka shots to kick off the event (god bless that eastern European custom), made for one rowdy meal.  Fun!

After celebrating the Jewish side of things we had a quick visit from the Easter Bunny this weekend, much to the girls' delight.

Sprinkled with a bit of sunshiney love from Spring and a new path to follow, I'd say I'm one pretty content gal.  I had a photo shoot on Friday in Yaletown and it was a fab learning experience and I'm hungry for more.  Good thing class is tomorrow.  I've got lots more questions!!

An update on the status of our house coming soon.  Till then I bid adieu and bon nuit.