This quote from last season's final episode of Call the Midwife really resonated with me. So much so, that I paused the DVR, jumped off the treadmill, grabbed a pen and paper, replayed the scene, and jotted it down word for word. I then reread it out loud and thought, Yes, yes, yes!
I didn't have a clue what I'd do with the quote, but I loved it. It articulated two things I wholeheartedly believe: 1) That documenting life matters; and 2) That loving others is one of the main reasons we are here on this earth.
It seemed fitting to share these words today because this coming Monday, I will be recording my joys and loves during Week in the Life, a 7-day documentary project started by one of my favorite scrapbooking gurus, Ali Edwards.
If you've been reading my blog for a year or more, you know that this is not my first rodeo. I participated in this project in 2013, 2011, and 2010.
I love looking back at the photos + words from those weeks, reminiscing about what life was like back then, and taking note of all that has changed from then to now.
This year, though, with everything we have going on, I considered not taking part. But after looking through the photos + words from past years, I've decided to do it. Why? Because I think it's important to document what life looks like for us right now.
No matter how crazy it is.
How imperfect it is.
It's our reality.
It's our story.
And the great thing about this project is that I can make it anything I want it to be. I can choose to make it as big or as small as I want.
This is the attitude I've adopted this year: Something is better than nothing. I'd rather take a handful of photos and scrawl down a few words than have zero photos and no words at the end of the week.
With that said, in an effort not to get overwhelmed, I'm going to focus strictly on shooting and writing next week and leave the rest (the photo processing and blog posts and possible album making) for future weeks (okay, more like months since the holidays are fast approaching).
Here's my game plan:
1. Shoot every day--with both my iPhone 5S and my Canon 5D Mark III.
2. Post at least one photo each day on Instagram. #weekinthelife #weekinthelife2014
3. Jot down some of my thoughts; they can be related (or unrelated) to the photos.
4. Hand the camera over to Brian, so I will be in some of the photos, too. (First, I need to show him how to use back button focusing.)
Here are my ideas for possible photos:
- A pair of Noah's and Zoey's shoes
- Their favorite toys
- Their potty chairs
- Most requested bedtime books
- Bath time (take the shot sitting on the floor)
- Music Together fun
- Costumes (shots taken during the day for better lighting)
- Zoey and her mom
- Pumpkin carving (with Brian)
- Kids gazing at the jack-o-lanterns in pitch black (may need tripod)
- Baking the pumpkin seeds
- Just Brian and me
In the meantime, I'll be charging up my camera's batteries and gathering up some paper and a few pens.
Who's with me? Will you be participating in WITL this year? For more information, check out this post by Ali Edwards.
Happy documenting,
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