The Happiness Code!

What’s the secret to happiness?  Watch the trailer for Domonique Bertolucci’s new book, The Happiness Code and discover the 10 Keys to being the best you can be.

I just watched this and immediately wanted to share it with you...so here it is! I just LOVE this so much and I KNOW you will too.

here is her website for more info.

http://thehappinesscodebook.com/

xo
*c

back from Cali

We headed to San Diego last week so that Max could have an evaluation from one of the best Speech Therapists in the country ( in my humble opinion )

We've been HUGE fans of Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson ever since we heard her speak at a Down syndrome conference when Max was about 8 months old. We had a speech therapist named Amy Johnson in Los Angeles who studied her Oral Motor techniques and incorporated them in with the rest of what she did. We actually got on the waiting list when Max was just 8 months old because we had heard that Amy was the best in LA. By the time Max was ready for Speech therapy - the therapist was available! Seriously she was THAT busy! We loved how she worked with Max. Max loved her - and she told us as we were moving that Max showed promise of talking very soon. Then we moved...

When we moved to Utah - we searched high and low to find a Speech therapist who incorporates Oral Motor Therapy into the mix. No such luck. It was actually heart breaking to me. Speech is so important - not just that Max can talk, but that he can be understood. We want to give him every opportunity to have articulate speech. Oral Motor Therapy provides the way. I've seen it. I've HEARD it. I am 100% behind it. But - no one does it here in UTAH. So - we found out that we could go to a travel evaluation by someone trained by Sara Rosenfeld Johnson. We picked San Diego so we could see family.
We videotaped the 2 hour session. It was......AWESOME!!!

I will download the entire video and put it on youtube so you can see it for yourself. We plan to see her every 6 months. She is going to send us the evaluation and you better believe I'm having the Speech therapist here in Utah watch the video and read the eval. I think it's the BEST money we've spent on any therapy to date. YES - WE LOVE Michael Workman, Max's PT. But Max doesn't really NEED a PT the way he NEEDS Oral Motor Therapy. I would highly recommend both of these therapists to anyone in search of Speech or PT. However - The Speech was so fine tuned, specific, intuitive, educated, insightful in a way we hadn't seen yet. And that is powerful.

After the session we decided to stay and visit friends in San Diego and Los Angeles and I took GOBS of photos.....ready???

GO:

 San Diego freeway at Sunset....yes I took this while driving....

 Michelle from Mom's Club Eagle Rock.

 Lena and Margaret climbing a tree!

 Lisa and Roan!

 You know who this is? It's Gwen Stefani's older brother Eric. Yes it REALLY REALLY is. He is at the park where I met all of my friends. He lives in Pasadena and he and his dog "especially" are always playing somewhere - like at the Farmers Market or the park. he is a cool cat.

 Juliet!

 Zach!

 Michelle and her adorable kids!

 MAX!!!!!!

 here we are - solid as a rock!

 Double dose of MAX!

 Yep - typical California. Sunny and beautiful.

 Juli! Oh how I miss her. Her son Brady and my Son Max were best friends. At least that was what we had decided.

 Here is Brady, Max and Nadia playing at Club 21 together. Last time I saw Brady he wasn't walking yet - and now he is walking and TALKING! GO BRADY!!

 Bridge

 Happy mama - sleeping baby!

 VALERIE!!!!!!

 you think she's an actress? Maybe?

 Fathia!

 Farmer's Market at the Grove

 WOW a closed mouthed kiss! These are new for him. We love that! SO SWEET.

 Dear Friend Emily at our favorite place for Breakfast Mike and Ann's in South Pasadena. And I found out she is pregnant with Baby #2!

 I loved seeing this train when we lived near Mission Street in South Pasadena.

Our first night back home and Max and I are both sick with Croup! The good news is that Max is sleeping through the night for the first time in over 4 months. He had double ear infections that kept him up a LOT - every night. Now he just kicks me in the face and sleeps and sleeps! Took him to the doctor today and he is on meds for that now. His ears looks good. Knock on wood. And we are awaiting the speech therapy evaluation so we can get started. One thing we've already started is to eliminate the sippy cup. only straws for him. And only the kind they suggest. This ONE change can make a HUGE difference in his motor strength and on where he gets used to putting his tongue. too much info to type now - Must get ready for my parents to arrive tomorrow......

Have a GREAT thanksgiving everyone!

xo
*c

Just a quick post - to share with you some very touching words and a photo from one of my favorite photographer/writers Susannah Conway



Click HERE. Enjoy.

My Published Article!

©Catherine Just

I'm excited to share more news! 

Today an article I wrote was published on Meghan Hof's Gathering Light Photography website! The article is a part of the series she is doing called " The Happy Bride Project "

I decided to write  

The Top 8 Tips on Choosing a Wedding Photographer

This topic is near and dear to my heart because I was a wedding photographer for about 5-6 years in San Diego and Los Angeles and I was also a Bride in October of 2007. It was interesting to not only be someone who works within the wedding industry,  but to also be on the other side of things as a Bride who needs to HIRE the photographer! 

 I really LOVED getting to know the bride and groom and making sure I was a good fit as their photographer as well as having the couple feel the same about me! It's SO MUCH MORE than just picking someone based on pricing and portfolio.

Ready to go read my article?

Here is the LINK!

http://gatheringlightblog.com/2011/11/happy-bride-project-choosing-a-wedding-photographer/

Once you read it - please use the facebook and twitter links on Meghan's Website to forward the article to others! Thank you so much for checking it out.

xo

*c

EXCITING NEWS!!!

Oregon Coast Photo Retreat ©Catherine Just

Today I opened up registration for my Oregon Coast Photography Retreat June 7-11th 2012!!!!

The photo above is from the first trip - and let me tell you - it was magical. I miss those gals and I am still in touch with most of them.  A few of them are currently taking my Soul*Full eCourse which is in the 5th week. We are all starting to comment that we don't want it to end! It's been a wonderful experience and I cannot believe we only have one more week after this one! I am touched beyond words by the honesty, openness and talent in the group and feel blessed to have such incredible women taking this eCourse.

Here are some things the participants are saying about the Soul*Full eCourse so far:

"Thank you so much for sharing your way of making photos. It touches my heart and helps me to take more attention and time to express the love I feel when I create photos.
I am so thankful to have these weeks with you and with the group." - Anky Floris

"I was thinking about something you said in your video yesterday, with regards to the focus of the class, and I had an image. For me you are a gardener. All of my potential to live a soul full life has always been with me, yet I was not taking the time to nurture it. You have been such an inspiration to assist me, as a flower bud, to essentially bloom. The videos, interviews, photography exercises, journaling, and flicker community have all worked together brilliantly to coach me in my discoveries and encourage me to grow spiritually.

Keep doing what you do so well. 

You are making a beautiful difference in this world." Love, Sarah K

"I wanted to make sure you know how great your eCourse is. Your content is interesting, thought provoking and nurturing....thank you thank you thank you!" - Heidi Beucking 

"I am so enjoying Soul*Full and am happy that I signed up on a whim..It has really changed me..for the better!" - Sandie J.

I'm so touched ladies! Thank YOU for being a part of this eCourse with ME!

The January Soul*Full eCourse is open for registration! Don't miss out on an incredible - life changing opportunity! 

Click HERE to find out more.

And if you are interested in heading to the Oregon Coast in June you can CLICK HERE!

Hope to see you in the online class or along the magical coastline!

xo

*c

For those of you who haven't seen it yet - here is a video I made from the last Oregon Coast Photography Retreat  enjoy!

Let Go!

the Soul*Full eCourse is in it's 4th week right now. 

I'm soaking in all the deliciousness of the content and discussions from the participants.

I'm touched by the feedback I am already receiving about it:

” I wanted to make sure you know how great your eCourse is. Your content is interesting, thought provoking and nurturing….thank you thank you thank you!” – Heidi Buecking

"Dear Catherine, You inspire us/ me so much with the eCourse. I am so thankfull I am participating in it. The pure and natural way you share what you are and believe in is really enriching."xoxo Anky

I am still soaking that in!  

 

This week we are hunting for our Power Objects. 

What is a power object?

It's something - that when you see it - it reminds you of who you really are. It has a message for you. It calls to you.

Some people find heart shaped rocks

others find messages written on windows or license plates

When I took my son Max out to swing in our backyard  yesterday and he opened up his arms and closed his eyes and smiled big - I knew that this was the "power sign" or "power object". 

The ease he had letting go.

The joy he expressed so openly and freely

Taking it all in and being present for it.

All a big message for me.

"Let Go!"

It's so easy for me to see all the areas in my life where I need to practice letting go. There's a little voice in my head - who sounds like a 5 year old who says " I don't wanna wait! " " I want it NOW ". I call her my inner Veruca Salt. Remember her from Willy Wonka? Yea - She lives in my head. If I act on what my inner Veruca says - I am all sorts of controlling and trying to push things the way I want them. But if I Let Go and Trust that the universe supports me - My life feels so much more free. Like Max in the swing. 

What Power Signs or Power Objects have you seen this week? What was their message to you? Do you have an inner Veruca Salt? What does she say to you?

*And don't fret - If you want to join in on the Soul*Full eCourse - there's a new session starting January 16th! Here is the link to register.

xo

*c 

And the Winner is..........

Sophia

who said:

"What an awesome contest! While I don't have a fancy camera, I would like to learn how to better compose photos with the point and shoot camera that I have."

Congratulations!!!! I'll be e-mailing you today to get started on our month long adventure!

Thank you to EVERYONE who signed up for this contest. I loved reading everyone's comments and what they wanted to explore or learn with their cameras.

There will be more opportunities like this one and all of you who entered the contest are already first in line to hear when it's time to enter.

Ok Sophia! Let's Get Started!

xo

*c