a merry little Christmas.

hope your day was
filled with moments
that sparkled

belly laughter

lovely gifts that
didn't cost
a penny

and love

xox, sarah

H1N1 is Now Available!

My travels this past week suddenly took me to Longview Texas. True to its name, the views there are long. The horizon is as straight as a two by four. It's a small sweet town located in East Texas. The town is filled with people who will make eye contact while saying hi to you with smiles on their faces.

For those of you who have been emailing me over the past few weeks, I apologize for my delay. I was very ill with H1N1 that gradually turned into walking pneumonia. I now understand why people die from that flu. It sucked every once of energy out of my body and if I would have been left alone, I was certain that vultures would've pecked at my lifeless limbs. Good news is, that I'm much much better now.

So, needless to say, when the Longview,TX Walgreen's advertised, I politely declined their current red light special.

Trains, trains, trains.... and the one named Edward.

If it takes me another week to finish writing this journal entry, then so be it! I have started this entry in my mind for several days now and tried to open a new journal entry page but every time I try a little boy grabs my attention and says, 'Auntie, do you want to.....? Can we please...? Will you look at this? Oh and by the way auntie, I reallllly love you.'

I can hardly believe that I am with Jaxon.

We talk about trains a lot. Thomas, Henry, Molly, Harold (who is not a train but is Henry's friend), Stanley, Skarlowey, Peter Sam and the list goes on! The latest one he wants is Edward. Right now the obsession is with Edward. And after Edward? He wants Emily. I ask Jaxon, 'Then who do you want after Emily?' He responds frankly, 'Well, actually Auntie, I want them all.' I can understand his need for all of them. You see, Jaxon has memorized the animated Thomas series and I have watched him carefully organize the trains along the track. Then, like a director, he then starts a scene from the show. Word-for-word he recites the scene using phrases such as 'golly fellow' and 'thank you sir, you are so kind' and if one of the characters is not there to say his/her line, it's just not the same.

This is serious business. We must get Edward! Then Emily then Cranky the Crane then....


You would talk about trains all day long if this face looked at you like this!!


Sweet boy.
Jaxon took this one of me.(His composition is quite remarkable, if you ask me!)

Since I am very much a workaholic, it's been a hard task for me to just take time out for myself. I am 'on vacation' but still trying to stay on top of emails and phone calls as much as I can. Then when I look back on the images in this blog my heart cries out with the proof of why sometimes we all simply need to take signs seriously.

I may have missed a lovely moment such as this.

Oregon is gorgeous! The leaves are a kaleidoscope of colors and my late night walk last night provided me with a light fog, a warm pumpkin latte and the feeling of a peaceful love in my heart that words just cannot express.

Look up.

Two years ago today, I was in New Zealand grieving. I was suffering the loss of my husbands father. I cried so much that I developed the worst migraine in the history of migraines. Then my dad called me to tell me that my grandpa passed away. That was the moment that my eyes glazed over and my body went on auto pilot. Numb. Then not numb, then numb again. I couldn't be there for his funeral so, I asked my friend Michelle to do a huge favor for me. She didn't know my grandpa at all but she agreed to my favor, without hesitation. As I cried eight thousand miles away from where I longed to be, my friend cried as she read the following words in my place.

"My name is Michelle Laredo and I am standing in place for Sarah Eastwood who is currently out of the country. Sarah has asked me to read the following words since she could not be here today.

You might remember my grandpa Joe by his ornately covered hats or by the cherry hill scented smoke billowing out of his wooden pipe. You might also know him for the strands of rubber bands that he collected around town that somehow found their way around his wrist and up his forearm. What I remember most about my grandpa is a simple conversation, between me and Grandpa Joe, when I was twelve years old. I was having a bad day and I expressed to my grandpa that nothing in my life was going right. Grandpa Joe mentioned something about God and how HE is watching over us at all times. Being the sassy pre-teen I snapped back at my grandpa, questioning him, 'God who?? How do you know if HE even exists?!' Grandpa got so frustrated at me and told me that God did indeed exist; that HE was everywhere. I then snapped back again, ' Where's the proof? Show me then.' My grandpa didn't look defeated like I wished him to be at that moment. In my twelve year old mind- I wanted to win this argument. Instead my grandpa told me ,'Missy... I should spank your bottom!' He hesitated and then continued with words that ended up changing my life. Grandpa said, 'Everyday there is proof! Look around yourself. Everyday the sun rises and the sun sets. God puts color in the skies that surround us.' I stood there stunned as my grandpa walked over, gave me a hug and then walked out of the door.

It's no wonder that sixteen years Iater I still love looking up at cloud formations, I constantly make time to stare at the sun as it is setting, or that on days when I find myself looking down I am quickly reminded of faith. My grandpa taught me to see the proof that God shows us everyday and I simply look up. I love you Grandpa for having faith in God and I thank you for having the courage to share it with me."

Thank you, Michelle....aka Miss Lauriedoo. Really..... expressing this letter for me was so meaningful and if I could show you how much it meant to me, I would. We always pick up right where we left off and I look forward to traveling across the world with you again one day. Afterall, it is the only way I get you all to myself!! Let's knock elbows soon my friend. Love, Sarah

a little bit of the three OH.

I woke up early in the morning, walked sleepily down my hallway and like clockwork turned into the living room to check on Pearl. That was the exact moment when my jaw dropped open and a little gasp of air entered my lungs, holding on to time. I stood there speechless. Motionless. My eyeballs instantly wider as I smiled at my new bubble gum pink colored 2010 Vespa. Yup, right there in the middle of my living room floor was the fotobug's new companion.

Yesterday, I turned a little bit of the three OH.

For many months now I have dreaded yesterday so very much. And for those of you close to me who have had to hear about my birthday for months now..... I thank you for listening.... or for at least making eye contact while acting like your listening to me ramble on an on....ha! I also thank you, in advance, for any future ramblings. Because to be honest: I am not quite done yet. :o)

In light of my birthday, I have spent a ton of time thinking about my life. I have thought about how blessed my life has been and where it's going to go.... I don't know all the answers yet but there are some things that I like to think I know. So, I have decided to make a list of thirty things about me. This blog entry might drive a few people nuts.... but, it's my blog and it's my birthday so.... there. (Gosh, that was bratty!) Well, here it is:

1. Sometimes I have laughing episodes so hard, I cry.

2. Many days my job is so fun I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm awake.

3. I adore children. Other peoples children.

4. One of my favorite things to do is people watch.

5. I never watch the news and seldom watch tv.

6. I became a vegetarian over ten years ago when I went to my friend Sara's Hawaiian luau and saw a pig on a spit. We created a 'rip' Wilber sign and I from that day forward my meat eating days were final.

7. I fold my t-shirts in perfect rectangles.

8. I run because it keeps me sane....ish.

9. Sometimes, I randomly catch myself tapping my feet to music... tap, shuffle, heel-toe-heel, tap, tap, tap- stomp. (I was a tap dancer for 13 years....)

10. My idea of a perfect vacation is somewhere outside where I can easily get to a body of water, a refreshing piece of watermelon and have my running shoes handy.

11. I love the smell of rain.

12. My favorite musician is John Mayer (and if you have been to my studio you would have seen the cardboard cut-out that I have of him.) Ingrid Michaelson is a very very close second.

13. I am hopeful.

14. Most of the time, I trust too easily.

15. When I can't sleep at night I go outside and look at the stars or moon.

16. I almost have the whole Albuquerque sunset time chart memorized.

17. I love clouds.

18. My hair styling skills are hopeless. I was raised with brothers (that's my excuse) and I never ever know what to do with it.

19. Even when I have moments of uncertainty or lack of confidence I know that I have a support team who is there for me to cheer me on.

20. I am a horrible listener. There, I said it. It's a bad quality to have BUT I am working on it!!

21. Everywhere I look (in my house, car, bags) I find chap-stick containers. Used, unused and never completely empty.

22. One of my favorite things to do is to perform random acts of kindness.

23. My posture is frightening. So, if you see me slouching please say something!

24. I have a really acute sense of smell.

25. I used to be a litter bug (which makes me cringe to admit). Key words: 'used to be' AND NOW I spend some of my free time picking up litter randomly. In parking lots or around my neighborhood.

26. I believe that happiness is a choice.

27. My favorite color is pink (but it used to be orange!!)

28. I own way too much clothing and pairs of shoes.

29. I LOVE getting cards or letters in the mail.

30. I am worth it.

So, after I thanked my husband for getting me the pink Vespa. He looked at me with all sincerity and said, 'I didn't get it for you because I wanted to, I got it for you because I love you.'

So, even if I don't have all the answers to my future and where I am going.... I know that wherever it is: I am loved. This much, I know is true.

Jaxon. Pure joy.

My brother and sister-in-law have made the decision to move to Oregon. With them they will take one of our family's greatest blessings: Jaxon. Both sides of our families can talk about Jaxon for hours- and do!!! He lights up ALL of our lives by just being himself. He is creative and sees life in such a pure way.... it's magical. I feel so blessed that during his last couple of days (before starting his journey west) he spent a night at my house. Today after running at the park, chasing a make believe squirrel and laughing so much we got tears in our eyes Jaxon had a very long nap. He woke from his nap and came running down my hallway with great urgency in his voice:

'Auntie, come HERE!'

I jumped up and quickly followed in the direction of his voice, 'what is it Jaxon??'

'Hurry, I have to show you something.'

He led me to the door and pointed upwards. 'Look, look at that sunset.'

'WOW....' I smiled and carried him outside. As we watched he sky he slowly shook his head, 'I just can't believe it.....'

'What can't you believe?'

'This sunset.... it's beautiful.'

I agreed, 'Yes, it is. Thank you for sharing.'

My time spent with Jaxon was like the sunset that he shared with me. Just beautiful. Today, I am not sad about what I'm losing.... I am happy and thankful for everything that we shared. Keep looking up sweet Jaxon...... Oregon sunsets are waiting for you to arrive.

A tattoo from each grandma. Too cute!

We set the self timer for these. Jaxon pressed the shutter and ran as fast as he could to make it just in time to get in the shots. It was so much fun we couldn't stop laughing!

Then Jaxon expressed his desire to hold (and use) Auntie's very expensive camera. I am still in shock that he captured the following images. These are straight out of the camera without any cropping at all.
If I only had time to tell you what he was saying to make me laugh....

Seriously people, isn't he gorgeous?!?! (And totally going to be my future camera assistant.)

Daniel and Brittany, I wish you safe travels and hopes for a journey that fulfills all of your families dreams. Love, Sarah

Happy Birthday Lincoln. Happy day sweet David.

Weeks before my mom knew she was pregnant with Lincoln, I knew. I remember looking at moms reflection in our full length bathroom mirror thinking about how her tummy seemed slightly 'poofy' and as she fixed her hair she hummed a song. Something seemed different about mom and when I asked her if she was pregnant she giggled, 'what made you ask that?' She stopped for a brief moment, in thought, then carried on humming. On Christmas day that year mom and dad announced that we had one more gift but we couldn't 'open' it quite yet. The suspense ate me alive as mom smiled and built up to say, 'we are having a baby!' My mouth dropped open and I exclaimed, 'I knew it!!' Every single day from December to July I prayed that mom was having a girl. I already had two brothers and I thought that was enough!

As dad and I paced the hallway in the hospital for the baby status update we teased each other even making bets on if baby was gonna be a 'Tiffany' or a 'Lincoln.' The doctor emerged from the room (from which seemed like an eternity) and announced, 'it's a... boy!' My heart sank as I looked at shiny speckled linoleum floor and thought to myself..... but Tiffany was gonna play dress-up with me!!! As I walked into the room the doctor handed my baby brother to me. Before dad or mom or any other family member got to hold Lincoln I got to be first. As my arm supported his head close to my heart he opened his eyes to greet me and I said, 'Why hello there.... it's nice to meet you, Lincoln.' He was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen and at that very moment I forgot about combing barbies hair, rainbow bright and 'girls only' tea parties. At that very moment I knew that I was in love. Then dad whispered to me, 'just think Sarah, when your about to turn thirty, Lincoln will be graduating from high school.' ........'ohhhh dad, that's soooo far from now!' Dad chuckled knowing time better than I did. I looked over at a very exhausted mom and in her eyes I saw the same lovely expression as the day she was humming to herself in the bathroom.

Needless to say, I have always felt a special bond with Lincoln. When we weren't together I would wonder if he was hungry, if he had toys to play with at home, did he have his nap yet? I have had eighteen years of worry thinking about what choices Lincoln will or won't make in his life. When I moved to New Zealand for several years, I missed my entire family but I found myself missing him the most. After two years of being gone, I returned to NM for a visit and as I walked through the airport my hand was suddenly filled with a small warm hand. I looked down at Lincoln and he said to me, 'sister you are..... beautiful.' I replied, 'And look at you Lincoln! You're so tall now and looking very handsome!' Hand in hand we walked towards the airport parking lot the entire time thinking to myself, 'Now I'm home.'

Baby brother Lincoln,

You are the best surprise I have ever received.

Happy 18th birthday!

Love, sister

Also, my husband has asked me not to make a big deal about his 30th birthday today or else I would have written about him too....I am trying to honor his request but I can't go without at least saying: Happy birthday sweet David! See, I told you that you would make it!!! :o)

I am my father's daughter and I wouldn't want it any other way.

This blog post is extremely personal and probably crosses the line of being professional in many ways. However, I truly believe that we all have our own version of life and I know that I am who I am because of my story. It has shaped me into the person I am today and for the most part I really like the person that I am: forgiving, embracing happiness and loving.... and because I bring so much of who I am into my photography, I wanted to share a small piece of my heart.

This image was taken while I was on a 36 mile backpacking trip through the south island of New Zealand. At one point (after climbing for about eight hours by myself) I turned around and looked back at the path I had just climbed. I remember thinking about how, at certain points it hurt so much.... but looking back it was totally worth every step. Then for a moment, I didn't know if I was thinking about the path....

....or my life.

One of my very first memories that I can ever remember is of my dad. I was four years old. He was sitting on our maroon colored couch, his back faced the 80's style crackled mirrored wall that went straight up to the ceiling in our living room. The three bulbed lamp dimly lit the room while the sound of The Beatles danced through the faux wood box speakers. My dad hunched over his 'seed slide' brought a joint up to his lips, sucked in chronic and exhaled, his mouth shaped like an 'O'.... puff, cough.... exhale, breathe. My brother and I stood before dad anticipating the perfectly formed circle of smoke that would float from his lips.... like magic. We would use our index finger and poke it through the middle of the circle that would quickly grow bigger and bigger until all the smoke had dissipated into hazy air. We would jump up and down, 'Do it again dad, again!'


My dad was a drug addict for almost thirty years. It consumed him and shaped our family during my (and my brothers) entire childhood. Growing up we shared laughter.....but mostly anger. We walked on eggshells never knowing if dad was high on the roller coaster or crashing down..... on us. Emotionally. One day, dad had a moment of clarity and made the choice to stop his addiction. He has told me many times, 'once an addict, always an addict.' So, everyday he makes a choice not to go back.


The moment he quit is when, I believe, my dad really started living.


He left himself vulnerable to his 'true friends'.... his family, himself. He had to be openly honest about EVERYTHING and the deep tracks he carved into his family. For many years I used to wish my childhood was something else....something without circles of smoke. I think about how symbolic that simple puff of smoke shaped my life and how my dad chose to break the circle. The patterned cycle of life. To me he is proof that people can change. They have to want it though. The amount of love and pride I have for him is something that cannot be measured.


We all have a story. I wouldn't change mine for anything. Today, I honor my dad and his choice to be drug free. This year marks an entire decade!

My favorite dad......my hero.

Forever changed.

Thank you for making a choice: every. single. day.

Love, your favorite daughter

The World's Toughest 10K.

Dear running coach,

I put my fotobug shoes into good use early this morning as the sun started to peek over the Sandia mountains. I arrived with 8 minutes til the official race start time. I didn't want to warm up for the race, a choice I made the night before. (Actually, a choice I made the night before while standing in the dark where I remembered the starting line drawn last year.) At ten thirty Saturday night, I asked my husband to drive me to I-25 and Tramway so I could stand in the dark and be face to face with the challenge us runners have. The hype, the start, the energy, tension, anticipation...... the lack of sleep, wondering if the right foods were consumed, thinking if I trained enough... the list goes on. But as I stood there, wearing my fotobug shoes, I came to terms with the steep incline and faced my pre race jitters while my husband waited patiently in the car for me. (He is so flippin' rad!) I slept a little better than I normally would before a race day and the drive to the race wasn't filled with anxiety like it normally is. Eight minutes and counting, right before the gun went off, I remained calm and collected. The gun went off and I gently started my incline making sure that Lincoln stayed by my side for at least two miles. (After that, I didn't see him again!) He is known for taking off way too fast and then paying for it the last couple of miles (as you know). So, I pulled the reigns on him and he stayed with me. I listened to Randy (our new running coach) and kept focus on one person in front of me, trying not to look away... with each step climbing and always thinking of positive things, never the pain. It was a personal best for me in the WT10K, over four minutes faster than last year, placing GOLD. You said that I would run faster and you were right and the race itself felt awesome! Lincoln ran his longest distance in a race so far, he came in 23rd overall! We are already talking about doing it again next year....

I hope we made you proud!

Love, Sarah

Here are some of my favorite images from the race!

Getting up early is totally worth it to see this view! How lucky are we?!

Never ever.

Look at Lincoln's perfect runner legs!! (on the left)

He pushed it to the end. I am one proud sister, lemme tell you!!!

It's hard to see with such a condensed image file but my favorite part of this image is in the background. On the right, you can see three guys standing in the background. It's my two younger brothers and my husband. I zoomed the image in and Daniel looks shocked, Lincoln is smiling and David is checking out my PR time with his 'I'm proud of my wife face' grin.

Since Lincoln left me in the dust, I had to carry him......pft! (Side note: Mom took this with her point and shoot and I LOVE IT!)

The Eastbrook Studios Team was the official photographer for The World's Toughest 10K! Pamela with That's A Wrap! Event Productions called us to document the race. How exciting!! Since I was running in the race, superphotomom Cece and THE talented Guadalupe captured the race. They had a blast! Pamela organizes many races throughout the year, she is always super organized and she makes sure to cater to the needs of runners. We hope to see you photoblog readers sign up for future races!

Saying goodbye.

I am realllllly bad at saying goodbye. This weekend, I had to face 'a goodbye'. There are many reasons that I find goodbyes hard. My past is scattered with getting attached to someone I care about and then having to say goodbye..... some are for a little while and others I know I won't see again. And because I can't control that space of time, it makes it that much more difficult for me. This week I had to say goodbye to a wonderful family and my running coach. His training and support has made such an incredible difference in someone that means the world to me... my brother, Lincoln. I learned that my running coach is leaving for an opportunity that will benefit his family, which makes me glad he is going......and for selfish reasons I am beyond sad.

Before they left out of town, I documented his family. As long as I stayed focused on joyful baby Issac, I was able to compose myself...... just long enough to take their photos.

Sweet face.

Perfect hair.

Cute tush.
i love this one.

I adore the anticipation on Issac's face in the 'peek-a-boo' game.

I truly believe that only a mother knows what this feels like.... happy Mother's Day beautiful Ivy.
I don't understand why this door is low.... and why it needs a sign to warn people but, I love it!

LOVE it. love them.

Lincoln and I have a tradition at the end of our races together. Winner gets to be carried. The image below was from Lincoln's first race ever. 5k Run for the Hills where he placed third! On a side note: The following images were taken with moms camera phone or point and shoot.

I placed first in my age division. 10K.

Lincoln placed second! We also entered this race as a team and got fourth place together. Our team name was: Hungry Hippos...... when we run long distances (while training) we talk a lot about what we are gonna eat afterwards.

Dear running coach, Lincoln needed you more than words can ever describe. A little over a year ago he lacked direction in life and confidence in himself. No matter how many times I would tell him that he could do whatever he wanted with his life, he would remain stagnant. He simply just needed someone else with a different perspective (and on the outside) to tell him so. That's where you came along. There was a pivotal moment when I knew that Lincoln believed in himself. We had just finished a seven mile run and I was driving Lincoln home. Both of us were on a runners high, talking all the way home about what we were going to eat and how satisfying our hill workout felt. Lincoln was just about to get out of the car when he turned to me and said, 'Sarah..... I am pretty awesome, huh?' My heart burst with happiness and as I held back tears the only thing I managed to say was, 'Yes Lincoln, you are.' A year ago those words would have never come out of his mouth. He wasn't saying it to be boastful, he said it because he was proud of himself. The support that the running group and your positive coaching has given to him is something that I will forever be thankful for. Lincoln needed you more than even he knew and these days he has so many ideas about what he wants to do with his life that it's hard for him to choose! We will miss you soverymuch. Love, Sarah

A beautiful day!

Some people have children. The others have dogs.

I remember right after the question of, 'When are you two getting married??' was fulfilled the next question was immediately, 'When are you having kids?' So, we got Pearl. I found her on the Internet and as soon as I saw her, I knew that I had to have her. She was raised on a farm that breeds Weimarainers and she was sent to me on a Southwest Airlines flight. As Pearl came down the conveyor belt towards me, my heart skipped and jumped and twirled around. I realized that until I touched her I had been holding my breath...... it was love at first sight.

Pearl waiting to go hiking.

She is hamming it up.

Relaxing in her outfit.

One of my favorites!

LOVE her nose!

Serious Pearl.

Pearl is our baby girl and we like it that way. At least for now, right my husband?

Jaxon's surprise lollipop.

My nephew Jaxon LOVES receiving 'surprises'. Almost every time I see him he says with his cheeky little grin, 'Auntie, do youuuu have a surprise for me?' (Which is followed by flirty eyelashes that I would totally do anything for!) And of course even if I don't have something for him I respond with, 'Why, yes I think I do.' Then I frantically search for something, anything to give him. He is content if I just simply say, 'Your surprise is....... a really big HUG!!!' So, I took him a 'real' surprise and I just love his face when he saw what I brought him. Isn't he such a doll?

What a delightful little surprised face.

He just can't wait to hold it!

'Is this for me Auntie??'
I love this one!

Jaxon shared with me, 'I am not an adult yet.... I am a toddler.' He is a heart breaker!!

I adore how he is admiring it before tasting it!

With a face like this it's hard not to give him five hundred lollipops at a time!

I can (and do) talk about Jaxon for hours if you let me! He is so very loved.... and to me, he is perfect. <3>