everyday beauty

"The beauty that I love is the gift of every ordinary day that's left to me. I want to center my life on the things I'm grateful for. I want to pay attention to what's worth caring about, to read the sacred in everyday life, to develop a spiritual sturdiness I need for that simple, endlessly challenging practice."
-Katrina Kenison

This is the mindset I've been challenged to have for years. A mindset that I have challenged mothers and photographers in my workshop to seek. 

My camera has been such an amazing tool in aiding me to see the sacred in the everyday life; yet, the images I have acquired are not what I am most appreciative of. I am most grateful that God has given me the ability to see life with such clarity. To see the gift of these days I spend with you all. To see the beauty in mundane moments. The infinite details. To feel the brevity and to seek gratitude, even amidst the challenges. Especially amidst the challenges. To truly realize the importance of being still and in the moment. This way of seeing my days at home with you all has spilled over into all aspects of my life. It really is true that a life seeking gratitude, can bring such a joy filled life of living.

Perspective really changes everything. 
And who knew spaghetti oh's and light made such a beautiful combination? 

soccer near the Gulf

Big sissy had a soccer game today and it was only 10 minutes from the beach. So, of course, we headed that way after her game. We enjoyed meeting friends and having dinner at sunset right by the water. Perfect end to a beautiful day. 

blue skies and orange trees

mini snow cone

When you big sister made you your very own mini snow cone. 

morning craze

winter came to florida

rainy day at the soccer field

sweet toes

popsicle joy

Happiness and Peace

"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing." C. S. Lewis

You asked me if we could spend some time together. Just us.  We painted.  I loved these words that you chose to paint. May they be imprinted on your heart.  This world offers us so many things. Grabbing our attention. Promising happiness. Peace. Fulfillment. A better life. But this world will never satisfy our souls. This world will never bring us the joy, that God can. I pray that in the years ahead. As the world tries harder and harder to make you think otherwise. You will remember these words. And remember true happiness is only found in Him.  With Him. His peace, alone, will surpass all understanding. In the joyous days and the hard days. Keep seeking Him.

 I love you. 

Post Holiday Blues

We all had the post holiday blues today. We didn't really want to dive back into school work. So, we made brownies and homemade pizzas and that made everything a little better. 

Babylike Wonder

I think we all need a bit more babylike wonder in our world. If you are curious, you explore.  If you want something, you find a way to get it. There's no fear. No second guessing. Just going for it.

Today, you decided to climb in the dishwasher. And then decided to throw dishes out. Never a thought crossed your mind. What if that glass breaks? Or what if I fall backwards?

Baby wonder, it's something special.  And so is a sleeping baby. 

New Year's Parade and Kickball

You all were super excited to go to Mimi and Popi's annual New Year's day Parade and Kickball game.  It is always a fun way to start the new year with family and friends. Having your grandparents and cousins living so close is such a gift. I hope you never take it for granted. 

a year to remember

Yesterday, we began taking all of our Christmas decorations down. Out of nowhere in the middle of the cleaning and packing, tears came over me. 

You know, every month that passed in 2016 was bitter sweet. We would celebrate another milestone of your life. Our miracle. Our final baby that God blessed us with. And each month, it was hard for me. Because, no matter what with you, everything felt so fast. And all the emotions felt magnified a bit. It's hard to put in words, but if you've been there you know. When you've dreamed of something so long and prayed so hard and then you are living that dream.. you want to soak every breath in and then some. 

Well December came and surprisingly I wasn't anxious about your first birthday. I was so in the moment of the season and grateful for everything we'd been through. The celebration of it all was so beautiful. The reminders all month of Christ and His gift to us. 

And then yesterday, as I put everything away it hit me unexpectedly. The year. Your first year. It was over. And for those moments I mourned a bit. I know. I have so much to be abundantly grateful for. But I felt a bit of loss. So many firsts, milestones, beautiful moments came flashing through my memory. And for that time. I let myself grieve that yes it had passed. 

But the story doesn't end there. No. There is hope and anticipation of all things new. Yes, time has a way of passing quickly. And I feel like the older each of you get, the faster the years fly by. I can grieve this, or I can keep trying to be in the moments with each of them, learning more about love and grace daily. I am certain, I will choose the later.

Today, I am giving myself grace for those moments of grief. As selfish as they felt, I needed that time. 

sitting in the clouds

christmas snow cones

When you get a snowcone machine for Christmas, you invite the street over. 

birthday cake-one day late

Today, you had your birthday cake. One day late. Just us at home on the back porch. You loved your cake so much.  I think chocolate must be your favorite. After having your cake, we spent some time by the lake.   Love these simple moments, watching you explore. 

birthday girl

Birthday bath. In what feels like the blink of an eye, our baby girl is one. It's so ironic how I can simultaneously feel the brevity of time; yet, can't remember life without you. So grateful for you. 

green paint

When big sissy paints Christmas trees but doesn't put up the green paint.

It was inevitable. I strive to keep art supplies out. They are to be used daily not for just special occasions. And yes, this often means messes in our home, but the creativity that comes from exploring is priceless. And so it seems YOUR exploring has begun

morning mercies

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23