Listening

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)

That James guy really knows what he is talking about. The concept is novel in our culture. Yet, it could be and should be exactly how we interact with one other. Works with grown-ups. Works with kids too. 

Quick to listen.

Slow to speak. 

Slow to become angry.

My first reaction is: quick to become angry, speak without even thinking, and not listen at all to the real problem. I want to change my first reaction and re-train my behavior. It's something I am really working on and I have this verse posted around my house as a reminder. As well as the rest of the passage, "... for anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which saves you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.." (vs. 20-23).

I'm so thankful for my children who give me constant occations to work on the challenge. "Need practice being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry? Let me just wake up my baby brother from a long over-due nap....". Thanks Darlin'.

If you are like me and have a hard time implementing this method, an excellent book is "Shepherding a Child's Heart," by Ted Tripp. It's practical, it's Bible based, and you'll be a better parent for  reading it.

I overheard a conversation while I was picking blueberries today in a U-Pick field. The rows were pretty close together and the bushes were tall. I'm pretty sure the mother and daughter had no idea I could hear them plain as day. And for reference, I peeked around to see the approximate age of the daughter and my guess is about 10 years old. This is what I heard:

Excited daughter, Mom, have you heard of Katy Perry?

No.

She's so awesome. Well, some of her songs are awesome. Like "I will never be, I will never be you, no I will always be, I will always be me, that I know, But oh, even though I'm happy being me, I want to get away from all this harsh reality..." Daughter sings on.

I don't like it.

She also sings a song called, "I Kissed A Girl."

(Gasp) Never say that again! How horrible. You shouldn't be listening to music like that, let alone saying the title. Why are you not using discretion? I don't even know why you are talking like that. You shouldn't say things like that.

I can never do anything right. I'm not talking to you.... this sucks!

- - - - - - - - - - -

Maybe I should get a radio talk-show like Dr. Laura, because I desperately wanted to give this lady my opinion. Unfortunately, the mother would get around to asking for advice too late. She would call up in a few years and say, "I just don't know why my daughter is sneaking around and lying to me. We used to be so close. Now she won't even talk to me." And I would tell her that she should have been quick to listen when her daughter was willing to talk, slow to speak even when the very idea of "I Kissed A Girl" offended her sensibilities, and reasoned instead of becoming angry over the little things.

God's way is always better.

Until my radio talk-show takes off, I have this blog. Thanks for listening,

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By Chance

Have you seen the new line Chance? Created by former Kate Spade Creative Director, Julia Leach, the line is chock full of the most perfect basics. I think I will definitely need to try one of her striped tees and those sun hats are pretty irresistible as well.

Check out the portraits series as well for some simple and lovely styling inspiration.




(all photos via Chance, discovered via Hi+Low) Read More.. Read More..

Because you love the out-takes

In between summer clients, I had some time to take pictures of my own children looking all spiffy. 

They clean up so nice. This one is going on the Christmas card.

I've also been working on my logo/web design.

Since I give a copy of all the images to each client on a CD, I wanted to have a card/mailer to present it a bit more professionally. Currently, I print a CD label and put it in a windowed sleeve and then send it in a regular white envelope. The above image will be the outside design of the square card and the inside and back are the blue parchment looking paper. I'm excited to see how they turn out. 

I wish I had hours and hours to spend on this stuff. I enjoy it a lot. Instead I spent an hour here and there and prayed I spelled everything right.

You can see the pictures that turned out from my kids' session on my photography site: AlysunPetersPhoto.com

I post previews after each session, so all my recent client photos are up too, in blog format at AlysunPetersPhoto.com. I am having so much fun with my clients and I still feel completely blessed to continue in this business.

PS I don't have a place to comment on my photography blog, but you can click "like" at the bottom of each post to let me know you stopped by.

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Short-order

I'm not a parent who caters to my children's culinary whims like a short-order cook. "This is what's for dinner. Live with it. Preferably with a smile on your face."

There are a few simple rules for meal times.

• Eat the food on your plate.

• Do not insult the food on your plate. It makes mommy mad.

• Thank the cook. It took work to get the food on the table.

My first child has never had an issue following these rules. From baby-hood she always ate what I gave her. She even chowed down on all sorts of weird stuff when we were in Africa. What 2 year old eats fish heads without complaining? Because I thought her non-pickiness was due to my brilliant parenting, I was writing chapter 32 of my book, "How To Get Your Child To Eat Anything." Then Mandy came along. She has always been a picky eater. One time I tried to feed her sweet potatoes and she smacked the little jar out of my hand and sent it flying 10 feet away. I'm amazed that children can be so different in their tastes. 

While I don't short-order cook for my kids, I keep their preferences in mind. Okay, it's usually just Mandy's preferences because Emma will still eat anything. Mandy doesn't like mixed food groups; casseroles are her worst nightmare. While I'm dishing up her food, I separate the noodle/potato from the meat on her plate. The world can keep on turning. Also, Mandy doesn't like bread or pasta usually. "No, you must fill up on useless carbs!" That makes no sense, so I let her skip the bread. She's weird, but we love her.

Tonight's main course was a huge issue for Mandy. Ravioli: a noodle with cheese inside. Gasp! Horror! Indignation!

And I heard my child ask, "Please can I just eat the trees?" (Broccoli).

I made her eat 3 Ravioli and she took seconds and thirds on Broccoli.  I'm such a nice mommy. Mandy even thanked the cook when she was done.

Remington is more like his eldest sister in the eating department. He'll eat anything with a smile on his face. Well, almost. He doesn't like bananas. Thankfully I wasn't serving bananas for dinner tonight. Fhew. Broccoli, he loves.

You win some. You lose some.


Needless to say, my plans for writing, "How To Get Your Child To Eat Anything" are on hold.


Indefinately.



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Some Time

Dear Readers,

As you may (or may not have) noticed, I have been slowing down the frequency of posts on Camp Comfort. With a challenging (and exciting) full-time job and summer-fun in full swing, I have found myself with less time to gather inspiration for the blog....

That being said, I have no intention of quitting the blog but posting may be pretty light for a while. So, I thank you much for your support, readership and friendship and I encourage you to sign up for the RSS feed so that you get updates as I make them.

xoxo, Roberta Jane

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Mirror, Mirror, on the wall

who can find the best deal of them all? 

(Overstock.com $142.99)

Mirrors are all the rage in decorating right now. Or so the experts say. A mirror increases the visual space in a room and reflects light. I'm convinced.

The problem is, I'm not the only one listening to the experts. If you go to buy a nice big mirror for your wall, you are going to pay a lot.

(Pottery Barn, $299)

(Trouver Antiques, L400)

(Amazon.com $259.99)

(London antique shop, L2,245)

I have expensive taste.

So when I saw this beauty at a local second hand shop, I got really excited. It was $15, solid wood and in perfect condition.

I am really thankful to be married to a man who doesn't come unglued when I spend $15 on something completely unnecessary for our home. He's an easy-going guy and I love him for it. It took him about 2 days of seeing the mirror propped up against the wall in the living room before he asked, "What's going on with this mirror?"

(before picture)

"I'm going to paint it white and hang it above the fireplace!" I said with exuberance. "I saw almost exactly the same thing on Design With Christine's blog and she decorated a room for a client and spent $1,000 on the mirror! Can you believe it?!! And I paid $15!" 

Yes, I spoke with exclamation marks because I was that excited.

My amazing husband caught my enthusiasm and gave me a resounding, "Okay," in response. He trusts me that much. LOVE. HIM.

And I went about painting the mirror white with the trim paint I used on the mantle and built-ins.

(after picture)

Exclamation mark. Exclamation mark.

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Notes To Self

A few recent musings:

1. Plain and Simple. I am a simple dresser... I like to stick to the classics without too many frills. So, naturally I love this look. (via All The Pretty Birds)


2. I love this girl's summertime look... straw hat, gauzy shirt, full skirt and simple sandals... perfect. (via A Continuous Lean)


3. This JCrew video is just pretty damn cute! That is all. (via The Pursuit Aesthetic)
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Multi Surface Duster Scam

I like gadgets as much as the next girl.

I had a coupon and needed to buy a Pledge product. So I grabbed this "Pledge, Multi Surface Duster" off the shelf and I was on my way. The instructions on the box looked easy enough: Unfold handle, Fluff duster, Insert prongs into duster. I was giddy about dusting. And that doesn't happen very often.

I opened the box at home and discovered I had been scammed. I had fluffy white duster things. NO wand thing. In tiny, tiny print on the bottom of the box it says, "refills." Who has time to read these things when their children are blowing up water wings and trying on flip-flops one aisle over?

I felt the same irritation as when I bought into the Swiffer fad only to discover that I had the MAX and Swiffer doesn't make MAX refills. Not to be outsmarted, I now put a damp towel onto the Swiffer and use it anyway.

I am fighting injustice, one cleaning product at a time.

(Craftsman brand BBQ fork)

I don't need no fancy wand.

Eat my dust Pledge.

Ehem. Literally.

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Shabd x Baggu

A lovely reader recently brought to my attention the collaboration between Shabd and Baggu. I am a huge fans of both lines, so obviously I think it’s a great collab! (Like I needed another canvas bag and p.s. I am not a Baggu spokesperson incase you wondered - haha!)


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Well, Hello!

I am a bit camera shy (hence why you never see photos of me), but I was just so pleased to be wearing my new Cynthia Rowley sunglasses and Hazel Cox earrings (obtained at the Subject To Season event). So, thought I would share! Thanks for sending the sunglasses, Kate (they're/you're awesome)! Read More.. Read More..

Restored

Yesterday escaped by the skin of its teeth. It was one of those days that seemed to attract calamity. By 10 am I had one child sitting on her bed, one on the couch, and one confined to his crib. And me? I was pouring over Psalms 23-26, my daily reading, trying to find some calm amid the storm. You don't want to hear my long list of "what went wrong," but let me just say that it started with the baby getting smacked in the face with a fly swatter and ended with my wonderful partner in this family getting home well after everyone was in bed. In between all that my list also included 2 different chilled diet Cokes spilled before I took a sip. Calamity, I tell you.


At one point I hypothetically asked, "Are you guys just naughtier today or am I more impatient?"


Emma replied, "You are more impatient.... and grumpy." Leave it to a first born female to point out what is wrong in a situation.


Time for another mommy time out. In my Bible reading, I read through the "Lord is my Shepherd" passage of Psalm 23.

 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

 ......

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

That bit of Scripture couldn't help but encourage me... "He restores my soul." How I longed for that tranquility! The entire description speaks of an extravagance far from reality. Reminded me of my 5 diamond experience at the Grand Velas last Fall. I came up with my own paraphrase regarding the all-inclusive resort:

The LORD is my very own concierge, I shall not be in want for anything from Diet Coke to a pillow menu.

He turns down my feather bed and turns on the AC.

He brings me food service beside the endless pool in my private cabana.

He restores my soul.

(my very own paraphrase).

The problem arose when I tried to bring that extravagance home. Real life doesn't feel like a resort. Not even a little. Real life is toddler-fly-swatting-the-baby-bossy-big-sister-teething-baby-no-one-napping-toilet-plugged-husband-farming-all-the-live-long-day-and-night craziness.

It was as I read on that I began to make a correlation between the peaceful bliss of chapter 23 and the barely controlled chaos that I was dealing with at that moment. Psalm 24 speaks of God's almighty power. Psalm 25 is asking for God's guidance... "Show me your ways, O LORD." And then there was chapter 26 verse 2-3: "Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth."

Yesterday as I read, I could feel the Almighty looking down on all the enforced time-outs in my home and I felt near to Him. Not "cabana at a resort" near to Him, but "water stop along a marathon route" near to Him. Encouraged and refreshed I kept going. It was swimming lessons next, a rushed lunch that no one liked, naps, swimming and playing in the yard, fighting children who forgot how to be kind, laundry, the baby's diaper rash irritations, dinner without daddy, homemade ice cream that took forever, baths, and bedtime with goodnight thankful prayers.

I realized there will be moments of bliss (this wasn't one of them) when I lie beside still waters. And there will also be testing. The testing is a good thing, according to these verses. "Test me and try me, examine my heart and my mind." God provides the strength and will restore my soul as needed. 

Now for today...

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Total Awesomeness

It's official, I have been converted to the backpack! It's the perfect bag for Summer weekend adventures. Right now I've got my Baggu and canvas military backpack, I love both.... but I have to say these bags by Austrailian brand Worthis are awesome!!!

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Living.

Last week was filled to capacity with good things....

Like:

Parading.

We watched the traditional July 4th parade in our little town. Always fun, especially when our state championship basketball team drove through as "grand marshals."

Cheering.

Jesse was there with his team. He graduated in June and is heading off to Prairie College in Alberta soon. We'll miss him.

Visiting.

Our friends from Cali came on Sunday for a visit. Rem and Camille are just 2 weeks apart. It was great to meet the new baby girl for the first time (remember this photoshoot? I flew to San Fran at 36 weeks pregnant. That's insanity, I tell ya). The kids played in the yard, we tried to convince our friends of the merits of country life while they endured miserable allergies, we walked, ate blueberries, made blueberry jam, and consumed enough calories of delicious food to last till Christmas. Good, good times.

Driving.

As our friends headed south, me and my kiddos headed north with my sister and her kiddos to visit my parents. Because it's fantastically fun there.  

Swimming.

Because they have a swimming pool there. And a lake. And an all you can eat buffet for every meal. And a grandma and a grandpa who scurry children from activity to activity with smiles on their faces. Bliss.

Otterpopping.

25 calories of dye-enhanced goodness. Rem will take their word for it. For now.

Photographing.

My cousin Katie is working at Black Lake (where my parents live/work). I was able to do a Senior Portrait Session with Katie in between her lifeguarding duties. Check out the rest of the session here: Alysun Peters Photography

And finally.....

Photoshop-ing.

I apologize in advance for this one.

Apologizing,

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Subject To Season

If you're in Portland, I would recommend checking this out on Saturday - I know I am!!!

[click to enlarge for details]

Postcard designed by the lovely Afton Read More.. Read More..