Thank goodness for the change of seasons. I don’t need a lot of change in my life. I am pretty boring. Set in my ways. If I find something I like to eat at a restaurant, I don’t deviate from it. I like comfortable shoes. I may really like the idea of beautiful heels but can’t break my mold of comfort. But I look forward to the change of the seasons. There is beauty in the fresh start of anything. I am thankful the change of the seasons forces me to shift into a different mindset.

Yesterday, when a strange bright orb showed up outside, the boys and I headed to the backyard. They dug in the dirt and quickly found a way to make more mud than I thought was possible without a hose. I dug in the dirt and felt the warmth and fresh air calm me.

I missed the smell of cut grass, clean soil and a spring breeze.

Spring is when I get to be outside again digging and dreaming of pretty flowers, yummy veggies and more fresh air. Even when John and I were first married and we lived in a dinky apartment one spring day I desperately ran to Fred Meyer to purchase a few pots, soil and flowers for our patio. It was like a primal need reared itself. I grew up in Montana and Wyoming. I think it is fair to say I made more mud pies than my kiddos have ever dreamed of. I guess old habits die hard.

I am a romantic. Shocked aren’t you. I am in “love” with the notion of many things. I have always romanticized about living long ago on a working ranch. Because of where I grew up,  I have always loved wandering in an open field, sitting on a giant rock warmed by the sun or laying in wildflowers as the breeze danced over my skin.

I am in love with land.

I will never be a city girl. I don’t mind visiting. I have fun learning new things and I feed off the chaotic beauty only a big city has but after a few days I feel claustrophobic. Get me some clear sky and an empty horizon stat. Lucky for me Vancouver seems to offer enough of a balance between city and country that I feel at home.

Springtime brought a new life to Michelle and Jason’s home. A new boy to coo and snuggle. Little Landry is the perfect addition to this adorable family. Big sister and brother are so proud. Mom and Dad so blessed.

I looked up the meaning of Landry, as I do with almost every baby I photograph. Landry means land ruler. What a perfect fit for the beginning of my spring. The spring is getting me back to the land. Who knows what Landry will grow up to like or dislike. But with land in his name maybe Landry and I will have something in common some day.