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

Yadéeh and Justin. Because, that's why.

Dear fellow blog readers,

I know sometimes you probably ask yourself the following questions:

Why are all of Sarah's customers so ridiculously good looking?
Why does she get the most awesome weddings and coolest customers?
Why does her team stay so pumped about what they do?
Why does the fotobug always know where to go?
WHY is she SO lucky?

Okay. So maybe I ask these questions. But really, they all have that annoying answer that we all despised getting while growing up..... 'Because, that's why.'

I would like to introduce to you Yadeeh:

Why is she beautiful from the inside out?

Why is Justin laughing so hard?

Why are they so cute?

Why is my camera attracted to lovely moments?

(By the way Yadeeh, you are stunning!)

Because...

that's why.

Why did I take Yadeeh and Justin's ring shot with the cover of Rock Band? Because one day, I heard awesome music (and what I thought was the radio) while I was cooking dinner in my kitchen. (Yes, we are neighbors.) I then made a comment to Yadeeh about her 'rockin' it out the other night' and that's when Yadeeh said, 'You heard meee???' heehee ..... the rest is history. And lemme tell you-they are GOOD!

Yadeeh and Justin, I had such a fun time with you at your anniversary session! I look forward to more ethnic dinners, board games, the backpacking trip in Peru but most of all, I look forward to seeing you perform rock band LIVE! Just because, Sarah

Andrea and Diego. Untouchable.

One day during bible study Andrea noticed someone that she hadn't seen in class previously. She spotted him from across the room and was instantly drawn to him. She kept looking at him hoping he would notice her and make eye contact. Diego kept his focus on his studies. The following week Andrea took a little extra time getting ready for bible study that day and when she arrived hoping to catch Diego's attention, he wasn't there! It put her focus back on to the whole reason why she was going to class, to study the bible. The following week Diego was in class and Andrea couldn't help but glance over every so often. He finally locked eyes with her. In one swift moment Andrea smiled, her heart skipped a beat and he stole her breath away.

Andrea and Diego had such a strong connection with each other that over the next few weeks they continued to study the bible together and made a joint decision to get baptized together. In front of family, friends and members of their church they made a promise to welcome God into their lives.

Diego faced Andrea as her head emerged from the baptismal. As she wiped the water from her face she locked eyes with Diego. In one swift moment Diego took Andrea's hand in his..... she smiled. He expressed his love to her and told her everything she meant to him...... her heart skipped a beat. Then he asked her to marry him..... he stole her breath away.

Andrea and Diego have a love so incredibly pure and honest that not only can you clearly see it but.... you can feel it with every single cell in your body.


Beauty.Pure.
Real.
Untouchable.
THIS IS LOVE.
Andrea and Diego,

It's a compete honor to document a love like yours. Really. I feel so blessed and I will never ever ever be able to say thank you enough times for trusting me.

xox, 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.

Charlie. As himself.

Have you ever said something without thinking it through and then been MORTIFIED at what fell out of your mouth? That is how I met Charlie. We were sitting at the laptop bar, at Flying Star, when the battery life warning on my friends laptop started blinking. I quickly looked under the counter for an outlet, spotted one, grabbed the power cord and without thinking turned to the gentleman sitting next to me and thoughtlessly blurted out, 'May I stick this between your legs?' His eyes suddenly as big as saucers and my face instantly felt sun burnt. I was utterly EMBARASSED. There was no turning back time.... so we all burst out laughing and didn't stop until we all had sore abdominal muscles. Which is one way to burn off the dangerous calories of the lemon cheesecake we consumed.....AND more importantly make a friend.

Meet Charlie:

One of my favorites.

LOVE this one. (and yes, it's out of focus on purpose.)
Stunning eyes.
How cute!

Charlie,

Thank you for laughing at my awkward introduction on our first meeting... for the impromptu sunset yoga lesson (which I believe was totally a level 2- 3 ish.... right!?) and MOST importantly for just being you.

The world needs more people like you and always continue to just be yourself. :o)

Thank you soverymuch,

Sarah

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)