Creative Differences. I'm Creative, You're Different.

Family photos and I have a love/hate relationship.  I love doing them on a regular basis because the kids have decided to continue growing and it goes so fast that photos are about the only way I can remember  that they were once sweet and innocent.  I hate doing pictures because I have an obsession of not doing the same thing twice when it comes to settings and themes and it's starting to get stressful trying to find something new.  Everyone does parks, desert, and downtown back alley photo shoots.  We've done them and right now I'm done with them.  I've been wanting something truly unique for awhile but out here in the wastelands, the options are few and far between.
It's no secret I have a slightly morbid fetish with odd and unusual things, so when I found this gem of a location I knew it was where I wanted our pictures taken.  Yes, it's true, while scouting the grounds I trespassed on private property, got busted, ended up talking to the owner, and after some heavy pleading got his blessing to be able to do this.  Hopefully you can appreciate it for all it's 'Jen-ness.'  Just remember, behind every scowl and straight face, we really do like each other. 
Here is a sampling of our faves: 

If we were musicians, these first photos would be our album cover. (Per Brynna)

I'm thinking in this next photo, it would've been complete with Jason holding a shotgun.

Before you get all crabby and de-friend me, just imagine your little 3 year old in this pose with some bloody scissors.  SO. CUTE.

Okay, so here are some less dramatic ones...the perfect little family shots.  Just remember, behind every smile and hug, we really can't stand each other.

 I have to give kudos to our photographer, Ryan C. McGinley.  His heart and talent lie with landscape photography, yet was up for the challenge of something new and edgy.  He did a great job of not outwardly judging me for my selection of location and dealt with all my pickiness.  Amazing and pure talent no matter what he's shooting on the other side of the camera.

Sometimes Seeing Is Believing

Today at church the topic in sacrament was about the resurrection.  In our religion, we believe at death the body and spirit separate.  We also believe through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected.  Resurrection is the reuniting of the spirit with the body in a perfect, immortal state, no longer subject to disease or death. Alma 11: 43-44:  "The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.  Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not be so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame."
  I always viewed the resurrection as a great hope for my insecurities in the lack of perfection in my own self image, or for the aspect of not having to count carbs every time I eat due to diabetes and in trying to manage weight.  And maybe that's part of it, but I was off the mark in getting the big picture.  Our speaker today spoke truth and pure doctrine.  I find it interesting I use those terms because I don't remember a thing she said.  Once she said the word 'resurrection' it was her physical presence and example as well as others' around me that conveyed the message.At the front of the chapel speaking in a microphone was a blind woman who spoke of hope in the resurrection in her talk and testimony as her fingers flowed across a page written in braille.   In front of me was a man in a wheelchair who has lost his legs due to health issues and suffers a broken heart from the recent death of his wife.  To my right was a low functioning autistic child.  Behind me, a woman sat who is slowly losing her husband to Alzheimer's. In the same room, a woman listened intently who suffers from depression.  And snuggled close beside me was my daughter who suffers effects from blindness.   Normally, I believe it's important to have faith and believe before seeing, but today my eyes taught me what I believe.  This belief and hope in the resurrection is what gives individuals such as these the strength to endure yet another day. This I know because my daughter tells me so.  It's the hope of falling in love that put people back in the dating field after being hurt time and again.  It's the hope in a day of perfected sight that gives my daughter the courage to go another day and face things that are difficult for her to do.  
Before today, I only internally viewed how the resurrection would affect me personally.  From now on, I see the pettiness of my knowledge and rejoice in what the resurrection means to those whom I see regularly and in whom I love.  As I imagined these individuals in a perfected state I felt an overwhelming feeling of joy in my heart for what they will experience one day.  I know the resurrection carries a deeper meaning to them in which I cannot begin to comprehend.  
Today, I'm reminded we all have our weaknesses and trials we face here on earth.  What we each individually deal with is very real and challenging for each of us.  Today, I realize in comparison to what others deal with, I'm more than happy to stick with the lot I was dealt.  Today, I'm grateful I learned valuable truths in a way which was unexpected.  Today, I'm humbled that a blind woman taught me to see.  Irony can be a beautiful thing.