Project 365, Week 24

This was a long week, in a good way.  When I was looking back at last Sunday's picture, I was surprised at how long ago it seemed.  In my book, that's a good thing!

June 6

As we were walking on this beautiful afternoon, I just wanted to burn the moment in my memory.  Amanda had on a bathing suit and her passed-down, mangled pink sparkly shoes.  Avery made her own outfit creation, including her brother's size 12 month shorts.  Don't know.  Shades on top of her head and a purse containing only gum slung across her shoulder.  They had both carefully buckled in their charges, some combination of stuffed animals and dolls.  Riley walked ahead just a bit, acting like he owns the street, and essentially, he does.  He and I have put more miles along this stretch than most.  And finally, Aiden just sitting back relaxing in the jogger, taking the whole scene in...watching and learning, no doubt.

Nothing exciting or spectacular about the moment, it was just "us".

June 7

Siblings that share popsicles together, stay together.

June 8

"Cousins" came over so we could get a picture of these two for their birthday invitation.  Their birthdays are 5 days apart, so we are combining them this year (and most likely every year to come).

June 9

Swings!

June 10

We needed a babysitter for a conference we were attending, so Pop and Kiki took the kids overnight.  Shaun and I both worked late then went to one of our favorite restaurants for a late quiet dinner for two!  After, we popped into the bookstore.  Oh, the hours I could spend there.  ALL of these biographies looked interesting to me...I just think they are fascinating.

June 11

We attended our first home school convention (yikes!!).  We went to gather information and to be able to look through all the different curriculms represented.  We split up for the workshops to get double the information.  The day was...informative.

June 12

We watched my niece Madison's recital.  Wow...is she good!  She was in 7 different numbers and shines like a star up there.

And that was our week, or parts of it anyway.  How was yours?

Thanks for hosting, Sara....glad you got back safe!

Instead of

To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3

Dayspring

Earlier this week, my brother-in-law, who I know reads my blog faithfully (Hi, Nate!:)) commented on my photography site.  He made it seem like he'd just seen it for the first time, and indeed he had.  That was surprising to me because its been up, with a link on my sidebar, for 8 months now.

Anyway, IF you are interested and hadn't yet seen it, I thought I'd make you aware.  I'm so excited about what God is doing with my photography business.  I've been studying and practicing and reading diligently, but this has all been God's timing.  I know he is good, all the time, so I am just trusting.

You can see more of this sweetheart HERE (http://www.dayspringphoto.com/).  Can you get pregnant just by nuzzling a baby?  Oh, I hope so! {wink}

I brought the girls with me to the shoot.  On the ride home, I noticed they had a couple items that didn't belong to them (bracelet, plastic cell phone).  We had a serious talk about stealing.  Then this morning, they both came down with more items I didn't recognize...more bracelets and necklaces, 'cause, you know, clearly we don't have enough already! 

It was like a scene out of Oliver Twist...we have 3 and 4-year old criminals living under our roof! Sorry, Gabby...we'll get those items returned to you asap.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Colossians 3:23

Cinderella(s)

She spins and she sways

To whatever song plays

Without a care in the world

And I'm sitting here wearing

The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day

And there's still work to do

She's pulling at me

Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle

And I've been invited

And I need to practice my dancing

Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't want to miss even one song

'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed

She wants to know if I approve of the dress

She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away

And I need to practice my dancing

Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand

Just glowing and telling us all they had planned

She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away

But I need to practice my dancing

Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't want to miss even one song

'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

by Steven Curtis Chapman

I Heart Faces ~ Play

This week at I Heart Faces, the theme is Play.  Yesterday as we were out walking I turned around and saw this.  Good thing Amanda had her bathing suit on...it started to rain on us shortly after this. :)

Project 365, Week 23

Sara asked if I would host Project 365 while she was away and of course I agreed.  I wanted to take the opportunity to say a big "thank you" to her for the extra time she puts in everyweek to bring us all together.  I have met some very dear people through this project.  So, thank you Sara...you do a great job!  Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

Oddly enough,  four of my seven pictures were taken with a phone this week.  My husband and I spent the first part of the week in New York City celebrating our anniversary and made a conscious choice to not bring the camera and for the most part I was glad not to have it.  Its all about quantity (as in 365) not quality for this project, right?

Thanks for stopping by...enjoy this brand-new week!

May 30
Our anniversary...out on the town in Rockefeller Center.

May 31

Avery was recently introduced to American Girl dolls, so we went in to check it out.  That's a whole post for another day, that store.  Aren't you jealous that I got my picture taken with Lanie...the 2010 doll.  We also did FAO Schwartz and The Metropolitan Museum of Art...oh, and Central Park.  LOTS of walking.

June 1
Looking down the street, standing in front of our hotel.

June 2

Good friends who are more like family welcomed a brand-new baby girl...is there anything sweeter in all of life?

June 3

My nephew Jared had his spring concert so we drove down to watch.  See him in the second row, second from the left?  Yeah, I couldn't either, but they sounded great.  There are always growing pains with learning an instrument AND making all of them work together, but this 6th grade has come a long way and actually did well.

June 4

The girls arranged their own tea party.  They play "mom and dad" quite a bit so I have to be on my toes when they are playing.  I cannot answer to "mom" if they are talking to the pretend mom.  Very confusing.

June 5

Friendlys was giving away free ice cream today...we were there!

Alright...let's try this linking thing! :)

Two Little Girls

Avery: This is horribly sticky....wait.  Mom, is that a bad word?

A couple weeks ago, Avery and I did a mini photo shoot.  She gets so into it and is good about suggesting poses and locations.  We have fun!

The other night I went to tuck them in and I just had to laugh.  Avery always prepares her clothes for the next day, but she doesn't always lay them out like she used to.  This night though, the ensemble was complete with a comb and headband, bracelet and her "day bear", as opposed to Teddy, who she sleeps with at night.

Yesterday...Amanda: (sitting on the floor putting her shoes on)

My blister's gone!! Jesus healed my blister! And, he died on the cross for my sins.

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would."

And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Matthew 8:13