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I loved this snippet from the book {Joy Breaks: 90 Devotions to Celebrate, Simplify and Add Laughter to Your Life}:

“There is nobody else exactly like us, and there never will be.  Each of us is His special creation and is

 alive for a distinctive purpose.  Because of this, the person we are, and the contribution we make by

 being that very person, are vitally important to God.” 

 

 

 

I guess this little man is…

It’s the little things that daily make my heart burst into a million smiles. I will never forget the moment I glanced over to find this little guy asleep in his high chair. Naturally I had to take advantage of his snoozing for a little photo fun!

Thank you God for all the treasures of fall!!

My life is filled with so much color and chaos and joy, that sometimes I forget about the moments that just need to be black and white. For me black and white photography embodies a timeless simplicity. Nothing else matters… It’s all about subject… No distractions…

A poignant letter to the future that this moment was real.

As I drew together this collection, I was in awe of how each photograph took me right back to that specific moment in time.  I could remember every little detail.

Daddio saying goodbye to our boys. He left minutes later for 15 long months in Iraq.

The boys laughing and being silly in the back yard of our first home.

Emerson a few days old in her bunny outfit.

These are the moments that mean the most to me. And because I have them in black and white, I know they will never fade away.

A little Father’s Day gush gush…

Papa. My dad. Creative. Charming. Smart. Witty. Competitive. Passionate. Generous. Loving. Stubborn. Fun. Driven. Dedicated. Extraordinary. That’s him. And I cherish him beyond belief.  The greatest thing about our father-daughter relationship is that we truly enjoy each other.  He is the most amazing dad in the universe… I thank our Heavenly Father daily that He gave me such a precious gift.

My dad taught me; you can achieve anything, anything in this world, if you put your mind, heart and soul to it.

Daddio. My husband. An unquestionably amazing dad.  His dedication, passion and unconditional love for our kids shines through in everything he does.  Our kids really hit the jacketpot with daddio….  we can’t just get enough of him.

Yes, sometimes dream come true.  Here’s proof.

Happy Father’s Day all!!

A few of my favorite things.

Everywhere a list list!

The Question List:

1. Does anyone love (and look good in) Hudson jeans? I bought a pair that kinda look like this, but in a darker wash… wore them a couple times, but I don’t LOVE them.  Expensive jeans need to be loved.  I didn’t buy these at Nordstroms—  so I can’t return them.  Tag size 31 (I typically wear size 8).  You want them?  I’m going to send these to the first person who emails me with JEANS in the subject line.  (My only request is that you have a blog and include the link & that you live in the continental United States).  If they don’t look sensational on their new owner than perhaps we can have our own version of traveling pants!  My Hudon’s found a new home!!! Carrie from “My Polkadot Blogspot” was the first to email me.   Check her blog from some delightful scrapbooking joy!
   
2. Is there a place that sells safe, organic, kid-friendly play makeup? Nothing that actually makes color— for pretend use only!  Emerson adores all my lotions and potions— I think it would be fun for her to have her own little set.  I thought about putting together a collection of lotions in various sized sample bottles and possibly adding a hint of food coloring?
3. What should we do about rust in our drinking water? We have well water.  It’s nasty.  Gross.  Ick.  It smells like rotten eggs. I can’t even wash my hair or do laundry without it leaving a slight rusty-yellow residue.  We’ve tried rust- remover salt in our water softener, but that doesn’t seem to help?
   
4. Can anyone recommend a good teething biscuit and/or teething toy? Blaise likes the Earth’s Best Organic Wheat Biscuits… but they are soooo messy.  Has anyone tried frozen wheat bagels or other freezer methods?
5. Is there a website where you can type in random questions and get a real person (not a list of links) to answer? Maybe I’m imagining this, but I thought I read about a website like that??
6. Can I still buy Polaroid film?  If so where is the least expensive place to purchase? I want to set up at mini photo booth at Mason’s birthday party… and I’m toying with the idea of going vintage old school Polaroid!
7. I was going to keep this list to five… now I’m up to seven— one last question:  Does anyone make and sell full baby bibs? The kind that cover baby from neck to waist?  I really need one of these because if not I have to put baby in the sink after ever single feeding—-

The Project List:

1. Nature’s COLOR Scavenger Hunt
2. Rain Noise Makers
3. Celebrate STORY TIME: Books, Activity & Lunch
4. Mason’s Miniature Museum
5. Make at least one thing for the CANDYLAND birthday party!

The Happy List:

1. Watching my kids SING and DANCE and PRAISE with these incredible, incredible music CDs. Seeds Family Worship is WOW WOW WOW.  Their website and marketing (logo—web design) happen to be wildly creative and inspirational too.
2. There is always something to celebrate
3. Kids prayer journal
   
4. This post on how many kids you should have!
   
5. Being a feature photographer HERE!! I’m beyond thrilled.  Scroll down and look for the most MARVELOUS PLAY GROCERY STORE ever! I’d like one of those for me… I mean the kids. 

The Things I Need to Photograph List:

1. The two swans that have made their new home on our lake! If I could get the classic dual swan neck shot {the heart} it would be like a little slice of heaven.
2. My family communication center. I can’t tell you how much I love this project.  I used an old schoolhouse chalk board (eight feet long) to set it up.
3. Blaise with baby angel wings! Only because every baby is a sweet sweet angel.
   
4. Krischan with his guitar. This kid sure didn’t get his musical talent from me… I’m in awe of his skill!
5. My Fun-in-a-Box & Office-in-a-box
   

I know it’s a pain that I don’t do comments… but if you have advice for my questions I’d love a quickie email!!!!!!

And since I call this blog my PHOTO JOURNAL how bout another photo.   Here’s a pink flower powder puff:

Let me introduce you to my all time favorite read.   Meet Stephen Carter’s The Emperor of Ocean Park.

The man can write.  I mean write.  His sentence structure and unique choice of words are fascinating.  During my second read I started tagging my favorite parts and this is what I ended up with—-

Snippets of Carter’s velvety smooth writing style:

• “Does any of this diatribe actually represent what I believe?  I scratch at the fading outline of a glower sticker in the corner of the window, wondering why these teachers, with their cult like grins of welcome to every dark face, bring out the worst in me.”

• “I munch morosely on the rapidly cooling pizza and sip the rapidly warming Diet Coke and wonder when I should call back.”

• “Once a semblance of family stability was re-established, my parents used to take evening walks along Shepard Street, holding hands.”
  

• “Perhaps it is the oracular side of Rob Saltpeter that keeps us from becoming closer friends.  Or perhaps it is simply that I am not a friendly fellow.  To cover an unexpected surge of pain, I asked him for advice.”

• As a child I read over and over the story of the prodigal son, and was invariably incensed by it.  I argued the lost sheep, I told my teachers I thought most people would keep the ninety-nine sheep rather than go searching for the missing one.”

Happy Summer Reading!

Would you believe me if I told you I paid…… 50 cents for this?? Sersiously.  Garage sales are great.

A heartfelt treasure.

A handmade card.

Your time.

Your love.

A letter.

I’m attempting to teach my kids the art of giving.

Yes, the pretty paper is optional, but this gift was going to someone very very special and I couldn’t resist.

Big or small.  Elaborate or simple.  I want my kids to know that every single act of giving counts.

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