Since we are celebrating Simple Living this month, I racked my brain for some phenomenal, creative idea that was going to rock your world.  But the more I thought about it, all those great organizational and planning tips seemed unimportant.  What great idea can I give you to simplify your life?  Breathe deeply, look around and bear witness to your life.  The moment, this one, right now — that is what it is all about.  Now I know living in the moment is a hot topic nowadays.  We talk a lot about living a less scheduled life, being spontaneous, living authentically.  But the question is — what does that mean, and more importantly HOW do I do it?

Surprisingly, I’ve gotten better at seeing, and enjoying, the moment by adding a project to my life.  Simplifying by adding, a little counter-intuitive huh?  This January I started a 365 picture-a-day project (it is my second attempt after giving up last year); it is a project that can be daunting and time-consuming.  There were obvious benefits — improving my skills, documenting my family’s daily life, the interactions with other photographers on Flickr — but I’ve been surprised to find there are more lasting effects.  I’ve gained a true appreciation for the way those little moments string themselves together to make the story of our lives.

It isn’t always easy to appreciate our day-to-day life.  Let’s face it, it’s filled with dirty dishes, dirty diapers, dirty faces, dirty laundry.  But with this project, if I’m lucky, I find a handful of moments each day where I find some beauty.  Sometimes I don’t always recognize it on that particular day, but now I have a record.  When I look back, I’m amazed.

If you’d like to see more of my 365 journey, visit my Flickr stream.  If you’re interested in starting a 365 journey of your own, there are several groups on Flickr dedicated to this project, or many people start photoblogs dedicated to documenting their experience.   If you are already on a 365 adventure, please share a link to your stream or blog, we’d love to see your moments.

Amy Bader

Amy is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. A photography course in high school sent her to college with a journalism degree in mind, but some surprises along the way led to a career in veterinary medicine. Motherhood has brought things full circle, and now she is concentrating on her photography, finding her creative self and expressing the joys in life which she shares on her blog, Life in Eden.

Blogging is a powerful tool — for building your business, sharing your life with far-flung family or for expressing your creative side.  But it also can be a power for good.  When I first started blogging, I was experiencing infertility and found an amazing crew of women who not only became my personal support group, many of them became important educators and advocates for change in public policy.  Blogging can be a powerful tool for a cause.  When you share a personal story, it has such a greater impact.

I was fortunate, and my journey ended with the birth of our twins — nearly 8 weeks premature.  And so now, each spring, I use my blogging platform to raise money for the March of Dimes.  We have committed ourselves as a family to walk each year in the March for Babies.  And I am touched that the friends I have made online support our cause; women I have never met step up and donate because they know what this event means to our family.  And that is one special power of blogging.

THIS (from last year's March for Babies).

We will be marching on May 1st with participants from our town.  If you’d like to support us, visit our personal page at the March for Babies.  I’ll be sharing more about our story and pictures from the walk on my personal blog over the next 2 weeks.

Amy Bader

Amy is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. A photography course in high school sent her to college with a journalism degree in mind, but some surprises along the way led to a career in veterinary medicine. Motherhood has brought things full circle, and now she is concentrating on her photography, finding her creative self and expressing the joys in life which she shares on her blog, Life in Eden.

We have a brand spankin’ new Formspring account.  Why don’t you ask us some questions?  We’ll be happy to answer them.

When I was little there were a minimum of eight stockings along the mantle on Christmas morning.  Over the years the line-up grew to more than a dozen.  When I was little, all six of us got up early in the morning, dressed in our church best and waited at the top of the stairs — no one was permitted downstairs until everyone was ready — then we were marched straight out the front door to mass.  Over the years we left later in the morning, and there were fewer of us in the house.  As my siblings and I all grew up and our family branched out, the traditions changed.  Now we go to church on Christmas Eve, and only my parents’ stockings dress the mantle.

I mentioned earlier in the month that our children celebrate Hanukkah in our home.  But nearly every year, we travel to be with my family and partake of the Christmas celebrations.  So naturally traveling changes the entire dynamic of the holiday.  My kids just know that Santa is smart and will bring their gifts to Mom-mom’s house (and that she has a direct line to the North Pole).  There is no big, sit-down Christmas dinner any more, but a huge gathering of adults and children with quick and easy food on Christmas Eve.  My kids don’t get to stand at the top of the stairs trembling with excitement Christmas morning, waiting for the okay to charge down and rip the paper.  Instead we have to dress and head out of the hotel, bringing along all the things young children require.

But the excitement is still there.  The squeals of delight still fill the room.  The floor is still covered with paper and toys.  There are smiles all around … and that is a holiday.

How are your children’s holidays different than yours were growing up?  Are you happy with the way you celebrate now, or are there lost traditions you’d like to re-introduce to your family’s celebrations next year?

Amy Bader

Amy is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. A photography course in high school sent her to college with a journalism degree in mind, but some surprises along the way led to a career in veterinary medicine. Motherhood has brought things full circle, and now she is concentrating on her photography, finding her creative self and expressing the joys in life which she shares on her blog, Life in Eden.

The past twelve months have been a whirlwind for my growing family — re-launching a photography business in a new area, tackling a 7-month deployment, giving birth to my third child (a baby girl) while my husband was away, and joining The Creative Mama — first as a contributor and now, as a co-editor.

(Photo courtesy of Deb Schwedhelm)

As I reflect on this exhilarating (and at times exasperating) year, I would never have fathomed the countless blessings that would emerge as a result of each of those endeavors. I was overjoyed when Angie offered me the opportunity to collaborate with the incredible team of writers here. I had been a long-time reader and admirer of the blog. As a former writer, it was a thrill to return to my roots. Our community here has always felt like home–cozy, familiar and friendly.

As Angie exits gracefully to fulfill the desires of her heart and family, she leaves behind a legacy that I am both humbled and proud to be a part of. And, I can’t imagine taking this journey with more capable and caring women than Stacey, Bree and our dynamic team of writers. I am also deeply grateful to each of you, our readers, who are the lifeblood of this incredible community. As we begin to exit 2010 and look forward to 2011, I am delighted to be a small part of the big plans in store for The Creative Mama. And, I’m very much looking forward to learning more about you as well.

(Photo courtesy of Raye Law Photography)

One of the purposes of this miniseries is to share a bit about ourselves. On that note, I’ll leave you with my adaption of “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon (It’s a great exercise if you’ve never tried it):

Where I’m From

I am from tattered notebooks and family photographs
from Burt’s Bees balm and Photoshop.
I am from the southern sunshine, salty sea and no place like roam.
From the old oak trees and apple blossoms, rooted firmly in my grandmother’s yard (roots that run deep and have stories to tell).
I’m from guitar strings strumming, rowboats rowing,
Church on Sunday and wet oil paintings.
from Jan and Agnes.
I’m from stubborn and creative.
From “wipe that smirk off your face young lady” and “please clear your plate.”
I’m from “Jesus Loves Me” and Jeremiah 29:11.
I’m from Cribbs and Beliveau branches,
From southern fried chicken and strawberry shortcake, so sweet I nearly melt.
I am from the day my father left, to the day my husband returned.
From a childhood that ended long ago and motherhood just beginning.
I’m from Liam, Finn and Scout, from two sons and a daughter, and for better or for worse Mr. Beaty (my love of a lifetime, my soul’s mate).
I am from here and, “yes, we’re almost there” and “home is wherever we are together.”
From the paragraphs I sometimes scribble quickly or type carefully (or maybe not, who am I kidding?).
I am from pictures I take, printed and scattered in boxes, each worth a thousand words (or more), sharing the narratives of a simple life lived authentically.

(Photo courtesy of Deb Schwedhelm)

Wishing you a prosperous and joyful 2011. We can’t wait to get to know you better!

In the Summer of 2009, I received a very sweet email from a woman named Angie, with kind words about my work and an appeal to write a guest post for a new Photographer Series she was launching on her blog, The Creative Mama.  I was intrigued, and admittedly flattered that anyone in the world would want to read what I had to say!  After about two minutes of thought, I said yes.  I wrote a bit from my heart, included a few of my favorite photos, crossed my fingers that I hadn’t embarrassed myself, and hit “send”.

As it turns out, I loved writing that article for Angie and being a part of her first Photographer Series.  After it was published, I was smitten.  A short while later, Angie asked me to join her team as a regular contributor on TCM.  I was so shocked.  “Someone really wants to read my ramblings on a regular basis?  Another Mama, another Photographer, can relate to where I am in my life, and can connect with me  about photography, my kids, juggling it all, and making the little things meaningful?” A door had swung open, and beyond it waited amazing possibilities.  I jumped through that door with a hopeful heart.

In getting to know Angie this past year, we discovered so many things we had in common.  One of those being a love for The Creative Mama and the community that has been built here.  Angie asked me to partner with her back in November, and then to become co-owner of The Creative Mama for her as of January 1, with two other amazingly creative women, Bree and Stephanie.  I’m so eager to see what lies ahead for the three of us, for our incredible team of talented authors, and for our readers here at TCM.  What an amazing community this is, on so many levels!

image courtesy Amy Smith

It’s been almost 18 months since I wrote that first article for The Creative Mama.  I am honored to be involved in a bigger way now, although I know without a shadow of a doubt that this blog will forever be connected to Angie’s heart, and our readers to her heart as well.  She formed The Creative Mama from nothing, she loved it and cared for it, and in my mind, TCM will always be Angie’s.  I am just so humbled and thankful that she called upon me 18 months ago to help her, and that I can help her once more in the way that she’s asked me.  Thank you, Angie, from the bottom of my heart!

Like Bree, I am living my own dream here.  In my world, I get to photograph beautiful families every day, and then give them a printed piece of their history to take with them into their homes, to pass along to their children some day.  I also get to come here and write about it… about my passion for photography and my love of all things sappy and sentimental.  About my two kids who drive me crazy and melt my heart at the same time.

A little about me… I’ve been Chris’s wife for 11-1/2 years, and together we’ve lived all over the South (plus a cold 18 months in Philly).  Chris is in the banking industry, and we met while working together and living in Charlotte, NC.  He has the most wonderful Southern accent you’ll ever hear, and it gets him out of trouble most times.  We live in Tampa Bay, Florida, and have produced two of the funniest, sweetest, most rotten little blondies you’ve ever seen: Parker is almost 7, and Lila is 2-1/2, and if you follow my blog, you’ll read about them often!  I am a children’s lifestyle photographer serving Tampa, Clearwater, and our beautiful Gulf Beaches.  I adore soft light and love shadows even more.  Saying I am sentimental is the understatement of the year.  I am passionate, I am proud of my life, my family, and where I come from (yep, Kentucky girl).  I speak with a mixed-up country/Southern accent, and often write with one if I can get away with it.  I have a raging addiction to chocolate, Starbucks peppermint mochas, and the perfect glass of sweet tea.

The girls and I have some wonderful things planned for 2011, and we are blessed to have you reading along and participating in all that we have in store.  Thank you so much for taking this leap with us!  xoxo

Stacey Woods

Co-editor, Stacey Woods is an on-location, natural light lifestyle photographer for the Tampa Bay, FL area. Her favorite subjects are expecting mamas, the tiniest of babies, and children of all ages. Her online photo journal can be found at Stacey Woods Photography. Stacey’s own husband and children (a 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter) are her greatest source of inspiration… and laughter!

Less than a year ago, I was trying to find a place where I belonged.  I had a photography business, but my heart just was not into it.  I loved taking pictures and had amazing clients, but it was no longer the dream that I had for myself.  One day, I was visiting a friend in Ohio who had just had a baby.  It was snowing like crazy, we were housebound, and I was bored.  I decided to start a recipe blog on a whim.  I had no idea that it would change my life.  I had no idea that people out there would read what I had to say.  That they would cook the food that I fed my family and leave me comments telling me about it.  The only person that I thought might read it was my mom.  I had strangers encourage me and support me in ways that I could never imagined possible.  Or knew that I needed.

A few months into writing my new blog, Angie put out a call that she was looking for some new writers from all walks of life.  A year ago, I would have never had the courage to write to her.  I figured, the worst that she can say is no (which now happens to be my new motto).  I did write to her, and to my surprise Angie wanted me to be a contributor.  I was so incredibly proud to be a part of The Creative Mama.  I have been a long time reader, long before my food blog, and always liked the community and the inspiring people that were here.  For the first time in a very long time, I felt like I belonged.

I know how hard change can be.  I applaud Angie for recognizing that TCM was no longer the dream that she had for herself either.  I would imagine that it is hard for her to devote so much energy, love, and time into something and walk away.  I am so incredibly proud of her.  She looked inside of herself and knew that it was time for a change.  I will forever be grateful that she trusts me with her baby.  I hope that Stephanie, Stacey, and I continue to build upon what she lovingly created.

Here I am today, living a life that I never dreamed possible.  My life is filled with love, happiness, and contentment.  My life is busy, but I would not change a second of it.  I have 3 amazing little people that make me very proud to be their mother on a daily basis.  William (almost 7), Ava (5), and Clay (2.5).  My husband, Wes, is a pilot in the Coast Guard.  He is pretty amazing too.  I live a long way from home (New Jersey) , but have been lucky enough to build roots here in California.  We are on our way to another adventure in June.  Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  I have a food blog called Baked Bree, and I cook and bake a lot.  If you see me in person, there is a very good chance that there will be flour on me somewhere.  I don’t even want to talk about the amount of butter and sugar in the crevices of my camera.  I drink a ridiculous amount of Diet Coke and I openly admit that I love to watch The Young and the Restless.

I want to thank you for being here.  For being a part of our community.  And for seeing where this journey takes us.  We have amazing authors that share a bit of themselves here (and on our their own blogs, please check them out as well) and have amazing things to share with us.

all photos courtesy of tara whitney