Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Adventures at the Stuff Mart

Recently I read a post by a photographer, challenging fellow photographers to not forget to document their own families and to actually capture the ordinary, bringing a camera along to the places visited every week.

Well, I feel like most of what I do is capture our ordinary, but I still thought it'd be fun to be a little more purposeful in documenting the mundane.

The first chance I had was a trip to T*rget today, which really isn't quite accurate since I go there 2-3 times a year.  About once a quarter I have to go to W*lmart after building up a list of things that are really best to get there and then finally something will move me into the have-to-go-now category.

Today it was contact lens solution.  I've been out for over a week but after some digging I found some mostly empty bottles travel size bottles that have gotten me through.

Thankfully, because of voice lessons we were closer to T*rget, which I like a little better than Wally World, which I really don't like at. all.  (Please don't be offended if you yourself have a love affair with either place...I know lots of people do, I'm just not one of them).

So, here is our trip to the stuff place...the kids were largely unaware of the camera, though once Amanda asked why I'd brought it into the store.





 Bathroom trip #1












 Bathroom trip #2
 The girls were so anxious to spend some of their own money.  Avery happily paid for Pet Shop junk (what in the world IS that and why is it SO expensive??) but Amanda was torn.  We didn't know until we got to the register how much her item cost.  (I had the hardest time finding prices for things...why is it hard to mark items??).  Once we knew the cost it was deciding whether she wanted to part with that money....while in line.

Finally she handed over the right amount of crinkled bills and we were off.  Except we'd only gone a couple steps when she burst into tears.  Buyers remorse.  I tried to talk her through it, offering to go return it, trying to find the root of the problem.

It was eventually decided that we'd bring the item home but not open it until she'd had more time to think about it and ponder the ramifications of parting with that much money.

Once we were loaded up and on our way we starting talking about it more and she was asking how long it would take her to save up that much money again.  We talked about the good feeling of saving up for something you really want and then going out and buying it and having it finally be yours.

Amanda, what is something you'd like to save up for...something you really, really want?

A unicorn.

Avery: Amanda, you could get a real horse, too, but they are really, REALLY expensive...they cost like $290!

Right Mom?  They cost $290?  

No, honey...its more in like in the thousands.

What?!?  Holy smokes!!!  Wow!

Later...

Amanda, somewhat to herself: Hmmm...I'm just wondering how much money Uncle Nathan has with his offices.  He probably has like $1000......

Yeah, probably like $1000.  I wonder how much Daddy has.  Maybe like $30?  Yeah, $30.

Tonight was a prime example of why we give our kids an allowance.  What valuable lessons to learn when you are five and not twenty-five.

Hopefully I'm done with the stuff stores for another couple months...its always a traumatic experience for me!


Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

I Timothy 6:17-19


Bikin' It

My dad has been trying to coordinate a bike ride for the two of us for a looong time.  I'm not the easiest person to pin down but he was persistent and I'm so glad!  On Friday morning we met at his house and then drove the hour to the where we joined the bike path in East Providence.

The morning started out cool and foggy and slowly cleared to bright and warm....perfection really.

I was trying to hold back from stopping constantly to take pictures, though I wish I'd taken a couple more in the morning fog.  

We rode 20.7 miles and saw beautiful sights along the way...here's just a sampling....

 Coffee and bathroom break









Sweet smell of fresh cut grass...and the entire stretch was kept up so well!



Garbage truck picture with seagulls for Aiden.




After he took me to lunch...
...at a very authentic Italian place


A lovely day!

We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

I Corinthians 13:12



Monday, October 8, 2012

Project 365, Week 40

Yes, I'm a date late again.  When I saw my sister in law this morning she said,  You must have had a busy weekend...you didn't post Project 365!  Ha...yes, the weekend was crazy.

In addition to me shooting two weddings, we also are doing respite care for Z's sister.  My super hero husband dealt skillfully with five kids all weekend, including church, football games, etc.  I never leave instructions or check in or worry...he's simply amazing!

As look over our week I'm struck by God's goodness and faithfulness.  So very...blessed!

September 30
After church in the morning the kids spent the afternoon swimming at the hotel...the four of them LOVE the water.
 Then we went and hung out with the cast while they prepared backstage.  Sadly for all involved, we left just before the show started so we could be home and in bed for school the next day.
 October 1
Aiden got many hours of enjoyment out of the large box from my favorite store.
 Avery had struggled with some sort of a sist on her knee most of her time in MA.  On Monday when the school nurse saw it she called me and suggested a doctor see it.  Good thing we took her, it ended up being a Staff infection, which is not a big deal until it is.

She was put on antibiotics and had a follow up the next day.  She had to learn how to swallow a pill.  The first time she had a meltdown and after my failed attempts her daddy came to talk her through it.  She conquered it and remembers on her own to take it, three times a day.  Actually, I think she enjoyed the whole pill thing a little too much.  :)

This picture is her learning her spelling words while we waited.  Can YOU spell 'responsibility'?
October 2
On the way to drop Z off at his visit, we noticed all of Main St was decorated with scarecrows....this was our favorite.
 I was taking newborn pictures for someone who happens to live next to our friends.  The kids went over to visit and I got this texted to me...an impromptu Thanksgiving dinner with our little Indian friends.
 October 3
Avery snapped this after school picture.  The kids all get homework plus reading requirements each night and we do it together as much as possible.
 October 4
I brought cupcakes into Z's class for his birthday...I was quite popular among the fifth grade class.  :)
October 5
A long talked about bike ride with my dad finally happened...on the perfect day!  20.7 miles
 Amanda came right home from school and pulled out a book.  It was only AFTER she finished reading that she discovered it was Friday and she didn't NEED to.  She's starting to get it though!
 We are loving Friday nights around here!  I was a bit hesitant to add yet another activity, but we all look forward to it!  Our former church, three minutes from our house, has a great kids program for all ages.  The kids are in Rainbows, Prims and Royal Rangers, which gives Shaun and I one and a half hours for date night...six happy campers!  :)
October 6
Last long run before my half marathon next weekend....felt great!
 After a couple hours with the kids, I was off to second shoot a wedding.  I'll post this pic, despite the fact that I look pregnant holding my bag.  I got home at 2 AM and left the house at 8:30 AM the next morning to shoot another wedding.
Have a great week!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Mom She Thinks I Am

This morning I went to wake Amanda up for school and layed down next to her for just a moment.  After smiling a good morning to me she said, Mom, can I...?  Can I be your mom forever? I interrupted.

She smiled, gave me a big hug and said, I was JUST laying here talking to Jesus and thanking him that you are my mom.

I was blinded-sided, stunned, humbled.  Doesn't she realize how completely flawed I am?  Isn't she damaged because I don't "do" crafts?  Can't she see my struggles?  Doesn't she know I regularly beg God for wisdom and the strength to be a better mom?

But I received the gift that it was, with tears in my eyes and now a lump in my throat.  

God, please help me to be the mom she thinks I am....the one You created me to be.


This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. 

And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Romans 8:15-17