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Kristy-Anne Swart

Calgary, Albeta

email: kaswart@mac.com
phone: (403) 875-6351

Darryl got back from tour on Thursday. He brought us all a few gifts. He bought Cosette this jacket from a 70s vintage store in Seattle. It was $3 and I can’t get over how incredible it is. It suits her perfectly and she loves it. Everyone keeps commenting on how old Lewis is looking, but to me she is the one aging daily. Age 8 and I need to stop and soak in all in. #dailydoseofcosette

When winter meets spring.

The spring fun continues

5 years ago. Life goes fast, we all say it, we all know it... Some days are hard so we just try to get by, but if we aren’t careful the days of trying to get by can turn into years... Today my intention is to be the kind of mom I want to be. That in another five years from today I will be able to look back on a memory from today and know I was in it completely. Because the days I’m fully in it, are always my best days.

The last two nights I’ve been noticing the way the light streams between two houses creating this amazing spotlight. I’ve looked at it knowing it could provide such an incredible photo. I spent way too much time waiting and hoping one of my children or both would get in that spotlight. #seethewondereveryday #iphonephotography

He thinks the ice might be diamonds. I think he might be right.

I have had many a thought swirling through my head, waiting to be pulled down and gathered into a voice through the structure of verse. I celebrate woman and how far we have come. So many walls broken down, voices raised, and freedoms fought for. In so many ways we have conquered, and now have proven our abilities to do anything. It’s truly incredible, however in our fight to be able to do anything, we have somehow fallen into a need or expectation to do everything.

The problem with being everything is that we can’t be. This is not an issue of weakness or lack of vision. This is just the reality. How can we be all things to all people, and also be there for ourselves? In my own life I have spent my fair share of my time trying to be everything, frustrated and discouraged as I looked at others baffled by how they appeared to be doing it all. But I realized most aren’t. Maybe we need to remember that being free to be anything does not mean we have to be everything. Maybe we can focus on that success that comes when we simplify. Recognizing there is no way to live a completely balanced life, and that our attempts to do so are crippling us. Perhaps it’s ok to go through seasons where we exercise less, because we are focusing on strengthening a different muscle our heart or mind. Perhaps it’s more important to be a woman that helps carry a friend through a hard season, instead of a woman with a pristine home.
And perhaps as we discover some of our limitations, maybe we can learn to ask for help. I had a conversation with some other woman entrepreneurs and the question was asked “how are you at asking for help”. Almost all the women said they hating asking for help. Whether that be a pride thing, or they don’t want to bother other busy women, this made my heart incredibly sad. At the end of last year, I was in need of help, but I did not want to ask for it. At one point when my friends asked to help, I finally accepted and it was humbling, yet beautiful. It made me feel so loved and seen. I felt carried by these woman. (Continued in comments, sorry for the length)

If we did not experience such cold dark winters, I am pretty sure we would not appreciate the glorious sunshine the way we do. I’m pretty sure my foreign friends would not find +15 as warm as we do.

And just like that I forgive winter. Anyone else? I love puddle jumping season. Hot tips, bring floatables to big puddles (check my Instagram story for examples) always pack extra socks, shoes and clothes. Also most of the work I share on Instagram that is of my personal life is all shot with an iPhone. This shot and the others from to tonight’s fun are all phone shots. I offer an iPhone course that not only helps you take better photos, but also teaches you to see the world differently. The best way to attend one of these courses is to host a party and bring me in. Then you get to practice with your friends, share the cost and have a great time.

Thank you sunshine. #comingaliveagain