leavin on a jet plane ...

and will be back on this very beach in a few short hours!

i can't wait to lay in the sun, read without interruption & hang with my momma.

the beach really is my favorite place in the whole world.

in fact, i love it so much that i'm not even bringing a computer!

see you in a few days -- xo

photo by me/october, 2009

i came home to find these ...

all over my computer desktop!

guess that's what happens when you leave your laptop out and your sister is bored.

everyone should download poladroid, it's the best :o)

but be careful of sisters with boredom!

xo

all photos taken by me & created with poladroid, 2010.

babies courtesy of Jenny + Jimmy.

Think Happy Thoughts..

i rediscovered my love for Operation Nice tonight.

have you checked it out? if not, go do it! i'll wait.

a year and a half ago, i had the privilege of interviewing the woman who created and runs the blog and spreads kindness every single day. she was just as cool as i thought she would be and the interview was done through email. when you can tell someone is cool from email, you know you have met someone amazing.

i particularly love the posters she created (as seen above) because it reminds everyone who sees it that simple, everyday gestures like holding a door or sharing a smile or some kind words can do wonders for the people you encounter each day and for yourself. think about it: don't you feel so much better after giving someone else a compliment or keeping a smile on your face even when you're exhausted or frustrated? it really helps me to be kind when i'm in a grouchy mood. check out her blog when you need a pick me up!

spread that love -- xo

LOVE is...

... a tiny two year old seeing how you are sitting and copying it to be more like you.

... a little dude knowing who you are and busting out smiles when the last time you saw him, he was still a little mush of a baby and now he is a small person with thoughts and ideas.

have i mentioned i love these babies?

my cousin Jen is the mommy to Ryan & Cyrus and has a super amazing 8 year old step-daughter named Brooke, too.

i need to get me some new Brooke photos, stat!

my cousin is the coolest of cool. just a few years ago she was still a wild child, out adventuring in the world and in the past three years she has gotten married, become a mom and moved four hours away. the cool thing is that she is still totally herself. she still has the same sense of humor and way of being but has all these new traits, too. i love that she's maintained herself throughout all of these life changing, amazing blessings and challenges.

i like her a lot :o)

who is your favorite family member?

xo

the girl really is on the go!

hey. hi. hello there.

i have got so much to blog about and i can't seem to find the time to do it! there are entries a plenty comin' your way, all six of you.

they will involve the most adorable babies you've ever seen, recounts of some amazing theatre that i've seen as of late, what it's like to be back auditioning after being on tour for so long and why i never want to leave tour again, a date that ended with a kiss that actually affected me

(who knew?!) AND a raccoon incident that has taken over this week.

i'm hoping to get some major couch/computer/lazy time in this weekend (unless i am out scoping puppies...) and will have posts to keep you company over there on your couch.

til then --

Today I got to see my favorite people under the age of three and it occurred to me that the last time I posted was a very special day as it was the birthday of a certain favorite tiny person of mine,

Miss Ryan Faith

who turned TWO on March 14th.

Ryan is the coolest. Not only is she a girl with a name usually reserved for boys (which automatically puts her in the coolest people ever group) but she is a feisty, adventurous, intelligent, spirited little thing who will tell you what's what any day of the week. She picks up the phone when I call her mom now and can have a real conversation with me. Today she pointed at me and said "my Kerry!" and I almost melted into a puddle of mush. Mind you this was because she is clearly possessive of all people and things that are hers just incase a certain little brother of hers was having any ideas that these items were his. That's alright, the girl just knows what she wants. She is just the cutest. I really love all the new babies in my family in a way that I never thought I would love babies but Ryan and I have a connection that I can't really explain yet. Maybe it's because I know she's the next girl in line after me in the trouble making section of our family and I can't wait to see what kind of ruckus she causes over the years and how she will take on the world and make it a better place. Maybe it's because I see a lot of myself and other women I really love in her. Maybe it's just something inexplainable. Whatever the case, I'm proud to know her and willing to admit she's got me wrapped around her little finger.

Happy Birthday, RyRy. Here's to a new year of adventure.

photo taken by me/July 2009

there have been numerous times today where i was smacked in the face with how unbelievably blessed i am and how completely and entirely grateful i am.

for this tour, for these people, for this time, for this adventure, for this certainty, for these lessons, for these words, for this love, for this day, for this second.

i am so grateful.

i felt like i had to write this after so much awareness today. i couldn't ignore it.

i am grateful for you reading this.

i am blessed to be able to write it.

spread love.

the way i see things

go west.

(then come back east. then go west again. and repeat.)

photo: San Francisco, CA. February, 2010.

and i feel better.

sometimes when i look at other people's pictures i think how i would like to have every type of camera possible. how i wish i had a fancier one than i do while i've been traveling this past year.

but then i think how lucky i am to have any camera at all. i remember that i'm not always super good at bringing it with me or taking photographs (other than in my mind) because i'm usually to busy, distracted, lazy or embarrassed to take it out. i don't think i deserve a fancypants big girl camera if i can't even fully appreciate the one i have. i think about how i have hundreds of pictures from more places than most people will ever get to see.

and i feel better.

sometimes when i read other people's blogs i think how i would like to be more consistent with posts and how neat it would be if lots of people flocked to my blog.

but then i think how lucky i am to be able to blog at all. to have the luxury of free time and the gift of being able to write and express myself. the freedom to do so. i think of how no matter how infrequently i write or how self-indulgent or terrible it may be, my mother will always read it. i'll always have at least one reader in the form of my biggest fan.

and i feel better.

sometimes when i'm out on tour i get so sad that i'm not home and with the people i love and care about. i get sad that i can't maintain a normal relationship and have sacrificed more things than i ever thought i would. i start to get anxious and fearful.

but then i remember i am living my dream. i have made it to a place in this business that too few people see at an age that is going to allow me to keep moving forward. i think about how someone is paying for me to see the entire country and how i have learned who is really important in my life and who will be patiently waiting for when i return. how i'm finally starting to figure out what love means. how i know all i need is to take a deep breath.

and i feel better.