Happiness: Iheartfaces Photo Challenge

 

http://www.iheartfaces.com/2012/04/photo-challenge-happiness/

The definition of Happiness is: Being told you can't fly--and proving them WRONG! Having people there to support you and enable you to do the things which you are not supposed to be able to accomplish. There is joy in love, faith and unadulterated dreaming!

{The Stretch Mark Project} A Loni Newby Photography Tribute to Motherhood

One of the greatest satisfactions I feel in life is being a conduit toward empowerment, especially for other women. We all have had our own personal body issues and some have overcome them, some are still working through them. It breaks my heart when women put off a special session for themselves because of weight, stretch marks or just a general lack of confidence. Here's my secret, it's not about the flaws. It's about your inner beauty that shines through in every thing that you do. It's who you are, not how you look.

The challenge that had brought me to my knees was my ever growing collection of stretchmarks. After my first son I officially retired the bikini. Then #2 & #3 decided to come as a set, so twins pushed my skin beyond its limit. No amount of cream, lotion or oils made any difference.

Guess what? It's not the end of the world. I have stretch marks. I HAVE STRETCH MARKS. I'm still an amazing woman and mother. And guess what else? I'm still sexy. Stretch marks are something that I've learned to be proud of, not something for which I need to apologize!

This project has haunted me for years, it was something I needed to do but simply put off because I wasn't comfortable enough to approach the subject even within my closest friends. So last night, I tackled it head on, using myself. My marks, my scars, my lines and my strength.  Feel free to share these images with proper credit (they are copyright Loni Newby Photography 2012) with any mom you feel may need a boost today!

I'm sure there may be criticism, but those that feel they need to judge are entitled to their opinions--but I want this to be about embracing reality and learning to love your flaws. Should anyone twist that into something ugly, well that issue is all theirs. :) 

The Newby Kids are growing UP!

I have three kids with birthdays 10 days apart, so we decided to celebrate them altogether! Aidan and Brooklyn just turned two, and Kaleb will be six on tuesday...only from these images you'll gather that he has a great time pretending to be closer to 76! My kids could literally watch Up all day long, everyday if I allowed them.  So it seemed the perfect theme for a shared event! Since it is a Disney Pixar film I naturally assumed there would be a great deal of merchandise available--wrong! So this was my home made attempt at creating Up bliss. We made Paradise Falls on the trampoline, pitched a tent for that overnight stay & even made a Charles Muntz inspired dirigible/blimp. I ordered aviator caps online for the "young" Carl & Ellie,  and found a hair bow passable for a bow tie and converted a mini-putter with a rubber ball to emulate the cane of "old" Mr. Fredrickson. And of course there simply had to be balloons! It was a fun afternoon spent with friends and family, and I'm happy to share some images of it with you!

Family Fun: I heart faces contest!

 

This candid moment was from a warm January afternoon on the trampoline--only this crazy winter!  My little Daddy's girl had to give some love to her favorite guy when he came out to watch us playing! 

Check out more entries on http://iheartfaces.com

Resolution: Just be a better ME

 

I get caught up in all the small failures when I set resolutions and don't celebrate the major wins. So this year my resolution wasn't a resolution at all, rather a new motto. Live better... do better... be better!

{project 52} Evoking You: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall!

Family Time: It's kind of a big deal!

I was so grateful to be able to go "home" for the holidays. I grew up in Utah, in an extremely close family. As my siblings and I have grown older we've spread throughout the country. This Christmas we were able to manage getting all five of us, in the same state at one time. That's pretty darn miraculous! Since niece and nephew time is pretty rare I took a few moments throughout our time together to snap some candid images. I will post the family images soon as well!