Ah, winter. Merry Christmas, from us.

Last weekend we got to escape to Arrowhead. It was great for some much needed rest and cooler weather.

Here's to our first married Christmas.
We got our 4th tree together. Decorated our little home. Partnered with our neighbors for some collaborating on lights. While this was the first year I didn't host or even attend a Christmas Party, we had plenty of celebration and festivites.
We decided we love leaving out lights on the tree on so we wake up to them in the morning.

While it's been busy we've loved being around Eastside for the 8 Christmas services. It's fun to meet new people who experienced the story of Jesus and Christmas; maybe for the first time or in a new way.

I got an email today from a company I did online Christmas shopping with and it simply said,
"Merry Christmas y'all!
Now get off your phone/tablet/computer and spend time with your friends and family."

To that, I agree.

Go and find time to be. To rest. To remember what this is all about. To be grateful for the important things in life.

So, Merry Christmas Eve.
From us to you.

-The Stoicus.

 

7 - an experimental mutiny against excess.

A friend, Jodi, introduced me to a book called 7 by Jen Hatmaker.

Jen and her friends and family go on a 7 month journey to fight against greed, materialism and overindulgence. 

Each month is a different area of excess in their lives: clothes, food, spending, waste, possessions, media and stress. They focus on living with less. This is for a few reasons: to greatly increase God in their lives, to live simply and generously, and to impact those around them and in the world. I won't summarize any of this as well as she does, so check it out for yourself if you're intigued. 

Anyway, starting in January I am going on this journey with some great people I do life with. We'll spend 30 days focusing on less in each area. 

It's so easy to live with the extreme excess we have and not really think about the impact we have, for good or bad, on the world around us. Let alone what our excess does for our relationships (with God or our friends and family). Now, none of these things are entirely bad, but with everything at our finger tips were often overloaded and unaware. 

I want to make room. I don't need to check my social media apps on the way to the restroom or ignore my husband during dinner for Instagram. I don't need to buy a coffee every time I'm in the afternoon slump (how should I spend my money?). There's a lot of things I make "needs" that are often simply mindless wants. 

Anyway, she writes such candid, funny, honest and impactful stories of her journey. 

I am looking forward to but also nervous about this journey. However, I know I have much to learn about discipline, living simply and leaving room. 

Tass Family {November 2013}

These are some of my favorites to do a family session with (cause I love them so much). I can't believe this is the first time we've taken photos since Tori's newborn session, but we finally did.

I love Jala and Tori's matching polka dots and the pink and yellow accents on the ladies. 

I am glad to do life with these fine people.

Alright, onto their cuteness.

 

Family Mini Sessions 2013: Part two.

The first of this season's mini photo sessions took place in Downtown Fullerton. I love the brick and the cute street this church is on.

How cute are these two sets of twins and their families? I know, really cute!

Family Mini Sessions {2013}

It's definitely that time of year - Christmas is coming and it's family photo time. Thanks to a referral and some great planning from one mom, this is the 3rd year in a row I've done mini sessions for a group of families (most of whom are connected through a moms of twins group). It's fun to see the families each year and capture a new phase of life as their kids grow. Plus meet some new families as well. 

I am working backwards.. here's a couple from the last session. It was a great November afternoon at Seal Beach.