I come to the sea to breathe

www.katiejanemoment.wordpress.com

2010-03-30T22:55:00.001-07:00

The time has arrived for me to say goodbye to this blog...and say hello to my new one. So, I hope this finds all my blogging friends well and KATIEJANEMOMENT is up and running with my new photography/merchandising adventures.

It's been a while

2010-03-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

I am still working on my blog (sort of got pushed to the back burner recently) but my goal is to have it up and running by the end of the week. I have no pics to post yet but I will at least have my blog. xoxo I miss this blog time!

New Blog in the Making!

2010-02-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

I have started a new blog/website for my photogpraphy. It is still in the works, but I will be posting much more on that site so stay tuned... The title is "Katie Jane Moment". XOXO

Sugar is the Devil Up-date

2010-02-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

Well, sugar is still the devil, though I would say she is more my evil step mother (look at me giving sugar a female label), I do not like her or how she treats me, but she is still apart of my life in some way or another. I have really enjoyed my short stint of sugar-free living and I must say I do not crave sugar as I did at the beginning of my fast. However, I still love sweet little treasures every now and again. I think when you fast from something it helps you step back and realize how much you consumed/partook in it without event thinking. Fasting helps to clear the pallet so the re-entry of said fasted item is not such a hot commodity. So, sugar (processed and refined) I say to you, I love-hate you very much, and with that I will be the judge of how often you grace my presence.

*Try greek yogurt with fresh raspberries drizzled on top with a touch of honey for a delectable, sweet, late night snack! Yummy. Compliments of Lizzy Canales (and Ashby).

Two Little Birdies

2010-01-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

I had a moment today. My older sister Amy had the sweetest little baby named Audrey almost 2 months ago and she is such a doll. I cannot wait to meet her. I have another little niece on the way, Ashby noel and I am so excited to meet her too. I tear up a bit as I think about how much I love my nieces and how eager I am to spend time with them. I genuinely love them already and I know the minute that little squeaker decides she has had enough of mama's tummy I will be overjoyed to hold her and kiss her little nose. I love new life in the midst of lots of unknowns, an unstable economy, a horrific disaster in Haiti and the world in all different gloomy and hopeless situations. God gives us this beautiful little life, these pure eyes that gaze into yours, untouched by the ravaged world, their little hands grip to your fingers and something simply amazing happens to your heart. Unexplainable. I love you.

http://standwithhaiti.org

2010-01-17T00:05:00.000-08:00

Partners in Health has been working with Haiti over the past 20 years and has provided ways to support relief efforts. Check it out.

Early Mornings and Wrap Around Porches

2010-01-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

My friend Cassie reminded me the other day of how much I love porches with a view. I have always wanted to design my own house (dream house) and have my house be a place where friends and family gather. Well, here are my pre-requsites: tall ceilings, loft, wrap around porch with big cozy chairs, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and good lighting! I love the IDEA of waking up early, grabbing my favorite book and warmest blanket, crawling under the blanket on my porch, sipping my tea or hot chocolate more likely (because I am not a coffee drinker) and soaking up the morning lost in a book. Here is the problem, I am in no way, shape or form a morning person. Ask my sister, literally I say things I don't even remember in the name of getting 20 more minutes of sleep while I am dead asleep. But, I have a mother and sister who wake up at ass crack of the morning and have already solved world peace by 7am. So maybe there is hope for me, someday. So, in the meantime maybe I will have dreams of my morning porch dates with the sunrise. OH, and I might need to find a house with a porch first too. As for the sugar fast, had a cara cara orange for dessert tonight post run and it was delish.

"Sugar is the Devil"

2010-01-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

This is a quote from the book Skinny Bitch. So, for the next 26 days I am ridding my diet of sugar/sweets. I want to see if sugar really is the devil and see how my body feels eating significantly less sugar. Now, you must remember that I grew up in a house where my mother made carmel icing cake for birthdays/every occasion she could make the excuse (literally made with sugar, cream and butter) and ate brown sugar by the spoon full! Well I hate to say it but the apple does not fall far from the tree (I do not hate to say it, I love my mom, just hate the sugar tooth I inherited). So, needless to say this is a big challenge I have ahead of me. So wish me luck and I let you know what I think.

Jeremiah 29:11

2010-01-09T16:00:00.000-08:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Thoughts

2010-01-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

So, I did some thinking today...I know, I know, surprise surprise right? I was at work, organizing some of my to do's (my favorite thing to do, mindless work) and I got to thinking about all the little hobbies that I want to be pursuing that I have currently pushed to the back burner. One thing I have learned recently when it comes to those things that mean a lot to you, but you just do not do for one reason or another, is just go for it. Who cares if your plan fails miserably or if the result is far different than you envisioned, at least you are taking steps closer towards the end point. And the truth about end points is there generally is not an end point, just another bend in the road that could not be seen from the previous vantage point.

So, as this time of year generally brings forth New Year's resolutions and fresh beginings, I too am begining a little something new myself. I plan on doing a lot more of those little things that I think about doing or say to myself "one day I will..."! I will is not going to be in my vocabulary anymore. So, I am making a list of things I want to start playing more with in my free time and see which one I really love and make them more apart of my daily life:

1) Cooking
2) Running-new routes and challenges and locations (travel to different places for races)
3) Photography
4) Travel
5) Basketball
6) Ragner Relay BEING AMAZING
7) Doing my hair and make-up more:)
8) Hike/surf/something in the great outdoors 1 x a month
9) Reading 1 new book a month
10) knitting/painting....

Those are the top ten that came off my fingertips, this is more a way for me to process my thoughts, so hope you enjoyed reading whoever you are!

2009-12-31T11:27:00.000-08:00

The past couple of months I have spent time quality time with family and it has been AWESOME. Did I mention I love my family! I took a survey and I got the results back and...yep...as I expected....I am a family girl to my core and I relish that time with my family. When I go too long without it something does not feel complete in me. I am beyond thankful and blessed.

With older sis Amy a couple of days before she had my newest niece Audrey Isabella Owens! She was literally about to pop.
I flew home to Seattle and surprised my mom (dad was in on it with me) and stayed for a long weekend. We decorated the christmas tree together too, our very first fake tree mind you. So, as a result it required that we buy a pine scented candle to fill in the real tree gaps the fake one was missing.
Other Sis Lizzy's baby shower (1st of 3, little Ashby Noel is spoiled and loved already). It was a fun mommy shower with all the SoCal friends and family.
Liz and I at the OSU vs. USC football game. We were literally in the nose bleed section but we had field passes prior to the game...how does that add up? We had fun and kept warm by eating all the vegan things we could find...corn on the cob, bean and cheese nachos (we eat cheese now, love it too much) and sweet potatoes. We pulled major fat status, literally we were eating the whole game:)
Andrew, Uncle Steve and Liz on the field before the game watching the players warm-up and hanging out with Dave (and Traveler).

Dreams!

2009-11-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

I Love Traveling and Photgraphy. I want to do more of both of those! Something so fun refreshing about getting creative and also seeing new places and different parts of the WORLD! Where am I headed next...any suggestions?

A Few Fall Memories

2009-11-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

Angels vs. Yankees game with good friends Allison and Ian Kennedy.

Weekend in Montana with sweet cousin Lo, only one more semester!

Riding cruiser bikes on the Strand with whole family when parents in town. We stopped here for popsicles!

Sunset at the Beach...I love the Beach!

Babies

2009-11-03T21:18:00.000-08:00

I love all my nieces and nephews! Allison, Ella, Nolan, Elisha, Juda, Zacha, Jonah and now baby Owens and Ashby. I have a confession, I am slightly obsessed with them. I cannot wait for Ashby and baby Owens to be born. I know its not time for them to come out yet, but when they do come....I will be so so excited. I already am. That's what aunties do, they get excited to spoil the little ones and love them like crazy.

Training New Muscles...

2009-10-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

So, you know when you start lifting weights/working out hard again and your body is tired and sore for a good two weeks straight, remember that feeling. I sure do. I am working a job that promotes healthy living and as a result I am staying fit and often times pretty sore. Now I'm talking the kind of sore when sitting down on the toilet hurts and walking up and down stairs is torture. Eventually, you build your strength and you begin lifting heavier and heavier and your endurance grows and you do not dread running sprints as much, and in fact you get into a groove and kinda cannot imagine not feeling this good....well, I paint you this picture because this is a lot how my life is. Yes, physically I am kicking but, but I am also mentally training my thoughts to travel different paths in my brain and right now it feels a lot like those beginning 2 weeks of getting back in shape. At the end of the day, I decide its time to turn my brain/heart off for the night and let it re-charge for the next day. I am so thankful for the ways I am growing, learning, and developing in this stage of life. Yes, it is tiring, but I find myself tearful quite a bit lately as I think of how faithful God is to me. It is hard to put words around how I feel. So I will put a period there.

The Pie Chart

2009-10-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is a shout out to the 10%...you know who you are. All I have to say is I love my 10%. Where does Kuma fit into the pie chart?

Go Yankees

2009-09-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

Went to Angels vs. Yankees game yesterday. So much fun! Talked, caught up, had serious girl talk and it was a great night with great friends. In this picture...Al and I are laughing at how huge Lizzy's you-know-whats have gotten:) xoxo

2009-07-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Greg Thompson Photography!

My good friends Laura and Thad got married this past Saturday and it was AMAZING. Words do not describe just how beautiful it was. I love them and am so excited for them to be Mr. and Mrs. Ewing!

Patience

2009-07-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

p.s. I relate with this dried up tree looking out over the Deep/Huge (words cannot describe the majesty of this place) Grand Canyon looking out over all that is to come and all that has been. But the secret is the tree is not all dried up at all, in fact it is deeply rooted with the best view in the whole place.

I am sick of being patient. But I will continue to walk forward.

I Miss Europe

2009-07-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

I want to go back and travel more...3 weeks was not enough. I want to spend about 6 months traveling. When can I go? Where do I want to go? What is next? ...

Haley

2009-07-01T08:51:00.001-07:00

Remember this...we were pretending to be in actors in Broadway, actresses for Wicked I believe (Galinda & Elfaba!!sp?)

I love my cousin-sister! My favorite thing is picking up where we left off with no attention paid to the time passed in between. We are both training for a 1/2 Marathon (she way more organized and prepared then I) and it is great, I highly recommend training for one if you have yet to run one! I call her and elicit advice on my latest plan of attack and she of course fills me in on the most important things to be doing. It reminds me of college when I would send her my papers to edit because I knew she would not change all my words around but comment on how I could best communicate my idea without losing the integrity of my thoughts/ideas! HALEY you are so great at that/these kinds of things. SO, in 3 days you will run your 1/2 marathon. Great preparation Hay. I can't wait to hear about how much fun you had and how good you felt! How many days til the Beach?...

153 W. 234th Pl. Carson, CA 90745

2009-06-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

This is in Granada, Spain at the Alhambra (old fortress city) looking out over the city! I LOVED Granada, it was so lovely, everything about it!!!

I am living with my sister and brother-in-law right now and it is such a big blessing to me. I get to come home to 2 of my most favorite people and my favorite dog in the world. I will up-load some pictures of my trip to Europe. Everyone told me before I left that I would never be the same and quite honestly I was annoyed at the sentiment. I wondered, "what if I am not changed, then what? what if I come back from Europe and it is a terrible time? what if God tells me I have to move and change everything I am doing and start a new plan?" I have this problem with being afraid far too much in life and God gently reminds me (and sometimes with a swift kick) that I am ok, that He is far more in control than I give Him credit for oh yeah and that He wants the absolute best for me. That being said, as I have been home, I do feel changed. I feel like God has taken down some of my walls and said, "those were not bad walls, but now I want to show you some new stuff and you don't have to worry Katie. I am your God and I say we have some fun together today." Thank you for my trip to far away places and thank you for home (and all the things, people and places that come with that).

2 other things...I am training for a half-marathon, and next a tri-athalon (ocean water swimming, CAPITAL SCARY LETTERS) and I cannot wait to have a dog someday. Soon I hope:) but not too soon. xoxo

Where does time go?

2009-02-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

Approximately 24 years ago at 2:07 on 2/07...I am blessed and I am thankful for my mom who took on the JOB (i know she would say blessing) of shepharding me and being a full-time mom to me and my sisters. She is the one I really want to recognize today because without her I would not be the woman I am today. Thank you Mom for marrying Dad and for being such an incredible mom. For being God's hands and feet to me, for serving me and sacrificing so much to pave the way. I know I am not as close as we would like but that has no bearing on how close you are to my heart. I would not have it any other way and I cannot tell you enough how important, how beautiful you are and how precious you are to me. "I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living, My Mommy you'll be."

Papa and Liz...my two solid rocks! You have been my sounding block when life overcomes me, you are the people who's voice I can hear over the phone and instantly (not knowing why most times) cry and know its totally safe! Thank you for providing and protecting dad and pushing me to be excellent. I just love you. Liz you are one of my most favorite people, thanks for protecting me as big sisters do, for going before me and for being YOU. Family, I love you and I cannot wait to go on our Africa trip someday soon.

All the rest of my peoples (and you know exactly who you are!) I love you and cherish you dearly. THanks for all your love and your friendship. I am one happy woman!

Long over due!

2009-02-04T20:52:00.001-08:00

The Pictures are in reverse order....Chronologically the most recent are at the top and the older pics are at the bottom.

Me and My sweet boyfriend. We went to a beach wedding (the wedding was planned in literally 3 weeks! Yeah, I know, nuts) and took time to snap a few sunset shots. He is the best. I learn a lot from this man about loving people and loving God. We flat out have so much fun together:)

Dana...AKA Flops. One of my dear friends. She came out to visit this January for a long weekend. She is one of those friends who after hanging out with you feel like you can take in a deep breath and sigh and no matter how crazy you feel or life feels, you remember it's never as bad or crazy as you make it in your head. Thank God for great friends

January 2, 2009 Rose Bowl Game USC vs. PENN ST. with my college buddies Ali and Ian. They are awesome and I love them. I told them to make a funny face in this pic. and they both made this face simultaneously, pretty classic for those two. Oh yea, they are married, I cannot wait until they have kids someday.

The view from the cabin...on a clear day you can see Mt. Adams I believe, it is quite serene

Haley, Liz and Lo...three of my most favorite people and quite surely would be a crazy wreck without their love and friendship:) This is at the Glenwood, WA cabin after 2 days of food, cold snowy days, fireplace evenings, male and female snow people, Roxy, cooking vegan and good old family time!

Hola! So, I am terrible at being on top of this whole blogging thing. Mainly the reason why I am so slow to up-date is attributed to (in my mind) the whole writing what is going on. So, I am going to post a bunch of pictures and a few comments and hopefully that will give you an idea of what's gone on the past few months and I will write more from here on out! God Bless and MUCH LOVE! Today was a good day!

Toe Heads!!!

2008-11-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

This is the family of 4 (2 boys and 2 girls) that I get to babysit on wed. and fridays. They are one of my favorite parts of the week. They are pretty stinkin' cute and they love horses, legos, wallE the movie, and going to the library (and sports of course). I LoVe Them! Happy Thanksgiving.

Movin' and Groovin'

2008-11-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

I must say these past few weeks have been a whirlwind of work, work and more work. I am working at lululemon and feel so blessed to get to work in such a positive environment that seeks to help inspire others to be the best they can be. I got to spend an extended weekend with my parents and sister working on Liz and Dave's new house and having good quality family time. It has been a lot of fun and now I am back to the grind working and growing in this new post college time of life. I am sitting here with Mr. Henry (a little boy I babysit on wednesday mornings) as he builds a block barn for his horsies and enjoying every minute of it. He is a little toe head and cannot fully formulate sentances so lots of thoughts come out in phases like.."Katie, help build tower, or I don't know do this!" He is pretty cute. So there you have it, working hard, groovin' to the beat of life down here in Southern Cal. Oh and p.s. it was 90 degrees all weekend and bad fires have been making lots of ash. I am ready for some rain and cold fall weather(never thought I would say that after living in Seattle)! Oh and my little newphew dog Kuma is my favorite akita dog ever.

2008-10-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

I have a place to live!

2008-10-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yay I have a little place to live...I LOVE IT. I love my roommate, I love having a place to lay my head at night that is my own, I love my wood floors, I love my clean bathroom and kitchen (which are NOT termite or cockroach infested, PRAISE THE LORD!) I have a porch with a pumpkin I intend to carve and a sweet (to me) guard dog/doberman pincher that stays in my back yard (owners dog that is our home security system). I have some house pictures on my camera that I am too lazy to get up and go find...so I will post them later. Here are some pics from the summer in NY.

It's been a while

2008-09-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

I found a place to live!!! Yay. My roommate Laura and I found a little back house/cottage in Culver City. It is newly renovated, small, but all I need. I can plant a vegetable garden, there are parks on every corner with lots of families and benches to sit at for book reading. Its in a neighborhood and for those of you who know me well, you know that I am a family girl so it is fun to live in a place where kids play and houses line the tree lined streets:) I will post pictures when I get my camera unpacked from boxes. I have been living for free this summer and it was such a blessing with all the moving around I have done, however, I am ready to not be living out of a couple suitcases anymore. Incidentally, living having only a select amount of items to choose from has really shown me how little I really do need. I have hardly missed any of my things in storage which is a good and bad thing:) My sister and brother in-law are in the process of finishing the final paperwork for their very own house. They have been so patient through the process and I am happy, no overjoyed for them...they finally get to have a door to their bedroom separating them from the living room! I am loving my new job at lululemon and feel spoiled to have my first job out of college be such a positive situation. More to come when I move into my new place. I promise there will be some pictures!!!

O.M.G.

2008-09-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, I just wrote the text/AIM lingo as the title for this post....I guess it is sort of apart of my generation though I feel like I am a little old to be using this lingo. WHATEVER! OMG Lizzy's little puppy Kuma is so stinkin' cute. I cuddled with him last night and smooshed his little polar bear face to my face and he just looked at me like "I know you think this is fun so I will pretend with you that I like it." He is a little/big dog. His paws are gigantic, he has a muscular back and he runs around, tries to shake or move suddenly and flops to the ground. He do not quite have all the motor skills yet. LOVE LOVE LOVE him. This morning when I got up and was making my couch bed, I threw a sheet on top of him, with that he ran in circles and flopped to the ground in dismay so I scooped him up and carried him around like a little stork package. I think he loves his auntie:)

Living by faith

2008-09-02T09:50:00.001-07:00

"So then, just as you recieved Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." -Colossians 2:6-7

2008-08-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

Some days I want to scream at the top of my lungs I love this life, other times I want to yell cuss words and stomp on the ground because I cannot figure out why life is so stinkin' hard. Then I am reminded that there is so much more to this life then me. I know that I have a God who loves and cares for me and my stuff, but I also know that how I feel or what situations may look like around me are rarely if ever indicators of the truth. I feel overwhelmed, I feel like a crazy mess, I get afraid, I cry (a lot, but that's just what I do!), I feel ten emotions at one time and you know what Katie Jane...that is ok. There is no fixing I need to do to finally be ok. I am exactly who I am and who God created me to be, yes there is stuff to learn and always growing, but I am acceptable, who I am today is beautiful, adequate and pretty GREAT to be honest. As my mom and dad often told me growing up, "it's all good!" Yeah, I know, but sometimes I hate hearing that and really don't feel that way. God is good. P.S. that is my lovely sister who knows how to push the right buttons in my life and make me laugh amidst the storms of life<3

Cannon Beach 2008

2008-08-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

I come to THIS PARTICULAR part of the Pacific Ocean on the Oregon coast to breathe. Every year I get the privilege of spending a week at the Windwistle cabin in Cannon Beach, OR with all my sisters...i.e. my mama and my aunt mommy, her daughters (my cousin-sisters) and my sister. It never ceases to be a time of fresh air amidst the craziness of life and I am forever grateful to my grandma Mamie who started the tradition 23 years ago. So, this week of my life is something I look forward to each year and figure every possible way to get myself there when the time comes again. I come to the sea to breathe...to fall asleep to the sound of waves pounding against the beach, to sit by the big fire place and read a good book as the fire crackles ("everyone go grab five pieces of wood"), to go for early morning walks on the beach, and to drink good coffee (for me a chai tea or hot chocolate). But most importantly I go to Cannon Beach to re-connect with family and touch base with my roots. I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!