tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59063010523003331452024-03-13T23:00:35.297-07:00"Why I'm giving every day..."Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-53410235125533651922012-03-04T10:54:00.001-08:002012-03-04T10:54:15.919-08:00Color<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Looking around my kid's bedroom, "color" is revealed everywhere:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS2758cO8fC_OVnrtbmjONHyMw991ZtOlBqbrCBM_OzUKL9fYkBYqM74OutRGkGdHsxy3bjO_dWkfpTj_OEnFcr4ajSXkhAnAZ6Y-U-x5dGnCrRQNWdudQ_C6PBp5zrhY7aPzowg3Uw/s1600/P52-9b0979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS2758cO8fC_OVnrtbmjONHyMw991ZtOlBqbrCBM_OzUKL9fYkBYqM74OutRGkGdHsxy3bjO_dWkfpTj_OEnFcr4ajSXkhAnAZ6Y-U-x5dGnCrRQNWdudQ_C6PBp5zrhY7aPzowg3Uw/s320/P52-9b0979.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbMiaDBGSRNdPoxRp-1KrBRa69Cpq8gTvsMENFTdF-Qc6UhxoUSwUAPXqgKiKUFgbWbnVe4RnH1d5-74VFYO3bfM7mKwbi6QQxYMLQArRNLodFRnb0zHoVrlcDbGV2g7sYSWnSNCu8g/s1600/P52-9c0973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbMiaDBGSRNdPoxRp-1KrBRa69Cpq8gTvsMENFTdF-Qc6UhxoUSwUAPXqgKiKUFgbWbnVe4RnH1d5-74VFYO3bfM7mKwbi6QQxYMLQArRNLodFRnb0zHoVrlcDbGV2g7sYSWnSNCu8g/s320/P52-9c0973.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FuDsfU-vsZRmN9DD_ay_8IiQdv2NcwyTFxWXS7LUiXJV2qWhq8CsgJbtzTCUAsziwpcxTuf3On20SwrE6562qkpSp_Z64rcF1gZnvG8l7ApiioCHk7po10QI9V8oyHJOkFefWItYAw/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FuDsfU-vsZRmN9DD_ay_8IiQdv2NcwyTFxWXS7LUiXJV2qWhq8CsgJbtzTCUAsziwpcxTuf3On20SwrE6562qkpSp_Z64rcF1gZnvG8l7ApiioCHk7po10QI9V8oyHJOkFefWItYAw/s320/IMG_0956.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9bPLyHK1yMHfJTTnbeb0KFnaepCL17sxfkPrbuW9JeAFbf46H5kG3FV0YfKZf2Vvimw4Q3_jfPgW0ORysyaYembDORxWIOEfcHd-jn-UeJ7SqbqiUN2Cew61mHRts1OtSca7TK56zA/s1600/IMG_0986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9bPLyHK1yMHfJTTnbeb0KFnaepCL17sxfkPrbuW9JeAFbf46H5kG3FV0YfKZf2Vvimw4Q3_jfPgW0ORysyaYembDORxWIOEfcHd-jn-UeJ7SqbqiUN2Cew61mHRts1OtSca7TK56zA/s320/IMG_0986.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But when it came down to it, this is the photo of color that I chose:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW9hKYwBebtoUlNAXE4qHZ30UYCPt6Jyk7xkMX0sCzHnx-hKfNjRYpUzZk3wNq6FSUd7MnYXtAACBlTs9OdjeI-wSW5eHcGJD4UGTyB_rDgr4T9GOaMkxsbO5y65MX6v6IU1CAMDBPQ/s1600/P52-9b0944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW9hKYwBebtoUlNAXE4qHZ30UYCPt6Jyk7xkMX0sCzHnx-hKfNjRYpUzZk3wNq6FSUd7MnYXtAACBlTs9OdjeI-wSW5eHcGJD4UGTyB_rDgr4T9GOaMkxsbO5y65MX6v6IU1CAMDBPQ/s400/P52-9b0944.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
When I came across these tights this week in a bag of hand-me-downs, I thought, "Miriam just HAS to wear these before they are too small." Discovered the rest of the outfit in the closet and "color" was made.<br />
<br />
This little one is so yearning for the colors of the signs of spring. She stands at the window longingly watching her big bro and sis dancing on the deck, pounding on the window to emphasize her desires. Soon and very soon, baby girl!<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-33196082756101935892012-03-04T10:43:00.003-08:002012-03-04T10:43:36.625-08:00Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnhK5WDA-rOliTBSSu4eXY4mlPlgxUSoMHUiq9aHlTqZleMCQZzKjv-GELfwLhA30KgcsPsKWrnZzu2xQQV4w3HhXVjLNkcAF4ejfrUNg_mPudquxb4fxvpnT6iEPFZRadzxvixeN_A/s1600/P52-8b0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnhK5WDA-rOliTBSSu4eXY4mlPlgxUSoMHUiq9aHlTqZleMCQZzKjv-GELfwLhA30KgcsPsKWrnZzu2xQQV4w3HhXVjLNkcAF4ejfrUNg_mPudquxb4fxvpnT6iEPFZRadzxvixeN_A/s320/P52-8b0769.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
As I'm sitting down to a simple lunch, I recall, "This week's theme is 'light'" At just that moment my gaze wanders to the kitchen window where the sunlight streaming in causes these intricate shadows of the curtains hanging over the sink. Never before have I noticed this. One of my favorite pieces of photography is viewing the world in a novel, unique, different "light."Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-72974667156176803502012-02-18T18:36:00.000-08:002012-02-18T18:36:40.772-08:00Emotion<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Just realized I neglected to post week 6 last week, so here goes! The first photo is the one I submitted for the Project 52, the other two I added just for fun, because I can. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNmFKp5OKHInrFs9VWVzpz3Db5XE71T-1PT_G3r1IFekyfaApJO3mVEkIlsIYsLvWc355srM4wNjDyCmWb2K092y4hSEuBLq6WLAPLGndOYqP48lqXhW6CsPq2DKhX9f_HkieZTbowg/s1600/P52-6a0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNmFKp5OKHInrFs9VWVzpz3Db5XE71T-1PT_G3r1IFekyfaApJO3mVEkIlsIYsLvWc355srM4wNjDyCmWb2K092y4hSEuBLq6WLAPLGndOYqP48lqXhW6CsPq2DKhX9f_HkieZTbowg/s320/P52-6a0098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRI5gcTiMpTEDqgQLFCfnCkCTTutrGiimIj6NmtXSIF8cx-McjF330_VYXa2Z5_KsGFXFfyCMyv1mK_M8nskF_DbnxsY8V4SxKDEMa97cAHS-OJKy8FWowcLL3C-3E5OrwjFPKLyeMw/s1600/P52-6b0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRI5gcTiMpTEDqgQLFCfnCkCTTutrGiimIj6NmtXSIF8cx-McjF330_VYXa2Z5_KsGFXFfyCMyv1mK_M8nskF_DbnxsY8V4SxKDEMa97cAHS-OJKy8FWowcLL3C-3E5OrwjFPKLyeMw/s320/P52-6b0116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdQ8MYFrKtKLv2ePMgRZ8q6BDvn9Z4wDW4rSEYGG5zaXf68eXF65_A7DkmE1QFwXWJLRJcGGVCxQaEZ3ihBWd1zAFAewQmNh1USIX5u2KBDIZhRxfhr4OkSdyYaJEvdxvbgcKqWNKHw/s1600/P52-6c0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdQ8MYFrKtKLv2ePMgRZ8q6BDvn9Z4wDW4rSEYGG5zaXf68eXF65_A7DkmE1QFwXWJLRJcGGVCxQaEZ3ihBWd1zAFAewQmNh1USIX5u2KBDIZhRxfhr4OkSdyYaJEvdxvbgcKqWNKHw/s320/P52-6c0095.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">This emotion: devotion. As the third child (in five years), this little lady has stolen our hearts, particularly that of her father. The bond began in her newborn days when he would hold her for hours as they cuddled on the sofa watching "car shows." Miss Miriam certainly demanded her share of attention amidst the chaos of our household, yet through those hours of screaming and sleeplessness, she developed a special bond with her daddy. These days, as she is approaching a year old, she plays silly games with him, like no other. She crawls after him whining, "da daaaaa" as he leaves for work. And races to him when he returns pulling at his scrubs for his attention. It's sweet the devotion these two have. Blessings and love abound in this unique connection.</span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-83924463448488721242012-02-18T18:33:00.000-08:002012-02-18T18:33:35.176-08:00"Wild Card"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxtmnnNsFCYV4sBQ7LGjZQutr4QMOluQUYI4ZW5CQwVMv-aD1zbqzjJFJaSqKkxt_Q94BU4i5BIoJLNLq73fca6tjsuLik1IxmlkWBocpHUqBm4PrH4nRih7tmLWmgU1ZZ1fKwRhVJA/s1600/P527a0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxtmnnNsFCYV4sBQ7LGjZQutr4QMOluQUYI4ZW5CQwVMv-aD1zbqzjJFJaSqKkxt_Q94BU4i5BIoJLNLq73fca6tjsuLik1IxmlkWBocpHUqBm4PrH4nRih7tmLWmgU1ZZ1fKwRhVJA/s320/P527a0146.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
This week's project was a "wild card" and reflecting on my posts thus far I realized there are no photos of my dear Lydia. This sweet girl is so excitable and Valentine's Day put her over-the-top with thrills. I came downstairs from putting her baby sister for a nap to her vigorously and purposefully sorting her Valentine's cards, candy, and treats from her preschool party. The hearts on her cheeks and the stick-on earrings are results of the celebration. And this holiday suits her so well as her thoughtful, generous, loving heart shines.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-70546348366601724832012-02-06T10:43:00.000-08:002012-02-06T10:54:22.213-08:00Simplicity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgdZxFR8UPlUxU4OV5-Eu63tW6xeHWYxKZfhDNHYa4saZUaClPC7DvHU74t1ZnMMpNbb-ismKjvR5QBI8rdIqjac3_YZiF3eYIniJHjVXzNbNEeIZ8fHqkgIpwCdfNTosHGw_KjeYAg/s1600/P52-5c-9894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgdZxFR8UPlUxU4OV5-Eu63tW6xeHWYxKZfhDNHYa4saZUaClPC7DvHU74t1ZnMMpNbb-ismKjvR5QBI8rdIqjac3_YZiF3eYIniJHjVXzNbNEeIZ8fHqkgIpwCdfNTosHGw_KjeYAg/s320/P52-5c-9894.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">My dear baby Miriam entered this world on St. Patrick's Day last year. My sweet mother-in-law (Irish runs in her blood ;) brought me this shamrock plant in the hospital. This tender, thoughtful gift has brightened many a tough day. I love how it's leaves open to bask in the glorious sunshine particularly as it shines through our kitchen window on these otherwise dark winter days. The simplicity of the gift. The simplicity of the light. The simplicity of its life and the beautiful life it represents. All provide hope that simple things, simple gestures have the potential to bring beauty and joy to lives.</span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-82385421073644752402012-01-28T17:17:00.001-08:002012-01-28T17:17:58.972-08:00Project 52 - Imperfection<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe I’m getting a little too philosophical about these
prompts, but for some reason I’m really taking them to heart. I pondered over
this one… What is “perfection”? My answer: Jesus Christ. Everyone and
everything else falls on this earth falls short, thus, “imperfection.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a mother I spend so much time and effort trying to make
my children “perfect” and making everyone else think they are perfect too! I want
them to joyfully obey my every request. I want them to succeed in everything
that they do. I want them to show the world how wonderful they are. I want them
to make wise choices. I want them to show goodness and truth to all they meet. I
want their little brains and hearts and minds to be filled with compassion and
kindness, generosity and love. This week, they fell short. Of ALL of these. All
my efforts, all my strivings, all my plans, squelched. They whined, they
blatantly refused to complete my requests, they ran around the grocery store
screaming (yes, those were MY kids). Mini imperfect people created from two
imperfect parents. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So they screwed up. I screwed up. Praise God for His grace
and forgiveness, His welcoming loving arms that take our imperfection and turn
it around in His Son. I’m so thankful He makes good from my bad and hopeful
that He does the same for my little ones. Truth is, maybe I should spend less
time trying to make them perfect and more time pointing them to the only One
who is. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6FiYD9YJaZB0QLbOdQhOTocG22H5sqpynEeH4bOw9moed7fmpkSAbwx-Wv-cT3qduPPiqWDQ_hummpQ2QinbDYqHSaTWUV1WP5J8Vv3Eqie3Byhab4_TRr5CaAdVbGDsEr431TpPUg/s1600/P52-4a9729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6FiYD9YJaZB0QLbOdQhOTocG22H5sqpynEeH4bOw9moed7fmpkSAbwx-Wv-cT3qduPPiqWDQ_hummpQ2QinbDYqHSaTWUV1WP5J8Vv3Eqie3Byhab4_TRr5CaAdVbGDsEr431TpPUg/s320/P52-4a9729.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On to the photograph: Tobias is my particular challenge. At
3 he is exerting his independence while realizing he is still quite dependant
on mommy and daddy resulting in frustration and tears. Here he is: not smiling,
dog hair stuck to the stickiness of breakfast on his chin, purple marker on his
eye. He is NOT perfect, yet I love Him, Jesus loves Him, and there is the hope
and promise of bright days for us. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-4250422180973443012012-01-23T16:53:00.000-08:002012-01-23T16:53:01.354-08:00Inspiration<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I spent half the week trying to figure out what
“inspires” me. Really, when I told my husband this week’s word he rattled off
almost 10 things that inspire me. And, he was right. But I kept pondering, “How
can I sum it all up? What is the one unifying factor in this list of
inspiration?” In the shower (essentially the only truly quiet, alone time in my
life), it struck me: connection. Personal, relational, spiritual, emotional… I
am inspired when I witness or experience connection: a friend seeing the fruits
of her leap of faith into pursuing her passion, photographing a child’s joy at
the hug from his momma, my baby girl taking her first step, my husband sharing
a breakthrough with a patient, God’s Word jumping off the page (or computer
screen) and straight into my heart, music fueling emotion, ideas coming to
fruition after endless emails, my 5 year old little girl sounding out a word
and then jumping on the bed as she spontaneously puts it into a sentence… Yay,
“connection” is my inspiration! Now, how to photograph it… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwoeefOykkDCrU6xzv_nbC2HGUMH46gUs2ofAHcL93c31CsQztxoax0fEoLi1uOsxpqtracl96HHaJzMjbJa4wDEp1i2i8uSl_rDfugwe3vI1MHwDwECDLsiW9rY5apb0_VLFCqy_YQ/s1600/P52-3c9594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwoeefOykkDCrU6xzv_nbC2HGUMH46gUs2ofAHcL93c31CsQztxoax0fEoLi1uOsxpqtracl96HHaJzMjbJa4wDEp1i2i8uSl_rDfugwe3vI1MHwDwECDLsiW9rY5apb0_VLFCqy_YQ/s320/P52-3c9594.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My brother often teases that he’s going to buy my family a
drum set essentially to torture me with extreme noise for the next 15 years of
my life. Naturally, the thought does get under my skin. But, you should see
Tobias’ eyes light up when he plays the drums. His friend got a drum set for
Christmas and ever since he’s played it, every night he prays about that drum
set. He’s making a connection, he’s finding a passion, and that inspires me.
Here’s his homemade version. His intensity is evident – he’s not just banging,
he’s PLAYING the drums. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-30293835393366745812012-01-16T14:47:00.000-08:002012-01-28T17:32:27.226-08:00one thousand gifts in 2012<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So while I've been healing I've had an usual amount of time to think/pray/write/read. In addition to the Photography Project 52, I've been following the "Joy Dare" from <a href="http://onethousandgifts.com/">One Thousand Gifts</a> and compiling my thankfulness on a Word document (and with a couple photos).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here goes...
January’s Joy Dare:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. 3 things about yourself you are grateful for</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*healing from my surgery. Each day the pain lessens.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Organized in order to focus my priorities</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*equipped by the grace of God even though I don’t feel like it most of the time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. a gift outside, inside, on a plate</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *light</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *hot bath</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *meal I didn’t make</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. 3 lines you overheard that were graces</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *“you are forgiven” (from Lydia to Tobias)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *“I pray that mommy feels better.” (both of the big kids bedtime prayers)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *“Liz is doing better“</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. one gift old, new; blue</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Guinness: his steadfast love and protection. This dog has faithfully napped at my feet while I have been down and out</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Friendship: Living in Chambersburg, my hometown, it’s easy to develop the friends I’ve had for years (even decades) yet God has brought some new friends into my life recently – a blessing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *My baby girl’s bright blue eyes. Man, are they striking ☺</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JEkTu06_RLQejbfo-O4-C_oxHidMbEwgyfdPSjV0yh6Ct9IBJvXq0W7VkJvbr9TEzlc0tsxG59IKFWWy-Km1ZzGW3tG-yKEBCYQSYib1Mdehq-SiP5Kqz2D6W2LX5EaGMcFQGVsa1A/s1600/IMG_9358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JEkTu06_RLQejbfo-O4-C_oxHidMbEwgyfdPSjV0yh6Ct9IBJvXq0W7VkJvbr9TEzlc0tsxG59IKFWWy-Km1ZzGW3tG-yKEBCYQSYib1Mdehq-SiP5Kqz2D6W2LX5EaGMcFQGVsa1A/s320/IMG_9358.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. something you’re reading, you’re making, you’re seeing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Being a Mary in a Martha world – a book a friend loaned to me while I’m recovering. I’m such a “Martha” and a goal for the year is to be more Mary-like spiritually and socially</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Over the Advent season I embraced a program designed for preschoolers that included a Bible reading, lesson, and ornament creation each day. I don’t consider myself a particularly “crafty” individual, however I found joy in witnessing my children grasp the reason for our celebration through a tangible creative outlet. The author of “Truth in the Tinsel” from Impress Your Kids is embarking on a new venture this year with a “Superhero” theme. I’m pumped to join her.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Lydia learning about the world: disappointment, reacting to unkind words, persevering through challenges, caring for those in need</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. one thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *lip gloss. Never know when the need will arise and so thankful it’s there when it does</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *cheese. Man, do I love cheese</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. 3 graces from people you love</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *My husband’s servant heart: how he has sacrificially cared for me, our children, and our home while I have been down and out. No complaints, prompt response to my requests (which at times could be unreasonable), big hugs and listening ears</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *I am overwhelmed at the response of my family, friends, and sisters in Christ who have provided meals for our family over the past week. What an abundance of generosity in time and resources and such a tangible gift of love.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *My mother-in-law dedicated 2 entire days to caring for me and my children. Not only did she love us but demonstrated thoughtfulness and care as she did laundry, changed the sheets on our bed, reorganized my linen closet and bedside tables, and provided opportunity for quality nap and rest time. Really, what a comfort and peace</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. A light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpLE-vFhbgP7sHG_lZ2KoUKQpLBr-aNbI7Qqj6lQ1jizuvLwXEaqtLoeqPK3HA7wP0SMpuaksyifJX8bGVsl7dShIF2BJxzCh8BrFz3KsOSicAN7RDsJiVuCRr9apkc8l72gPC-7Cbg/s1600/IMG_9427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpLE-vFhbgP7sHG_lZ2KoUKQpLBr-aNbI7Qqj6lQ1jizuvLwXEaqtLoeqPK3HA7wP0SMpuaksyifJX8bGVsl7dShIF2BJxzCh8BrFz3KsOSicAN7RDsJiVuCRr9apkc8l72gPC-7Cbg/s320/IMG_9427.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As Tobias was eating breakfast, the reflections ("catch lights") in his eyes struck me</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx76rmEFnKFsAbVxN58SMi98kx4nqe0WonkjOllhZ2S4DNRq13hUXWLgd75uAuyniIp_9SfOGEv494iltd2UKkocYhdJI31R-r5oQUTytHR7aRED3J1OS6wuoDf9KVgslEZhKGYMU9w/s1600/IMG_9514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVx76rmEFnKFsAbVxN58SMi98kx4nqe0WonkjOllhZ2S4DNRq13hUXWLgd75uAuyniIp_9SfOGEv494iltd2UKkocYhdJI31R-r5oQUTytHR7aRED3J1OS6wuoDf9KVgslEZhKGYMU9w/s320/IMG_9514.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFotYTWNC8j3WbwE4K0OrcqkXjNMOug_H5RDtwpf_rRDB5hLYZXy_FSTwbAXcDFydPXSS1oKSRVJUiKoDGhvwwgssNepmnU7W2As1ZdZqIAGcKdVV_x0taZZGqzYGV4iH-D0CFqviEQ/s1600/IMG_9456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFotYTWNC8j3WbwE4K0OrcqkXjNMOug_H5RDtwpf_rRDB5hLYZXy_FSTwbAXcDFydPXSS1oKSRVJUiKoDGhvwwgssNepmnU7W2As1ZdZqIAGcKdVV_x0taZZGqzYGV4iH-D0CFqviEQ/s320/IMG_9456.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. A gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *School bags. 1st day all three kiddos were in “school” at the same time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> * The big rock in my parents’ front yard = fond memories of riding, climbing, jumping off it, posing by it, parking beside it</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Tobias – with his baby sister asleep for the night and his big sister at a sleepover, Mark and I got to sit, just the 3 of us on the sofa “watching” Curious George</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. a gift that’s sour, a gift that’s sweet, a gift that’s Just. Right</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *lemon – what a flavorful addition to my plain ice water or iced tea.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Christmas cookies – yes, I’m still enjoying the gift of Christmas cookies. Mmmmmm…</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> * Yogurt – just the right amount of sweet and sour combined in creamy goodness</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. 3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*I came downstairs from putting Miriam for a nap to Tobias covered in paint. My flesh wanted to get angry with him, but the Lord stopped me as if to say, "Is this really something to get upset about? Love him and his crazy creativity and move on."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWZ7BzSMJrMik503ra4iGZgmLAnmC5SRIuJkmxkF5-gnVz1W2yKKhy_zX0FgwDOnBTxCyZQF_NO2g7bVGd5VYnTt-DQ3UqXDxVRYcsVf2O69s0r4hG62-b4FFx0gy9O2ZA0dVP82x7w/s1600/IMG_9495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWZ7BzSMJrMik503ra4iGZgmLAnmC5SRIuJkmxkF5-gnVz1W2yKKhy_zX0FgwDOnBTxCyZQF_NO2g7bVGd5VYnTt-DQ3UqXDxVRYcsVf2O69s0r4hG62-b4FFx0gy9O2ZA0dVP82x7w/s320/IMG_9495.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*My mother babysat for me last week and brought these books to entertain the girls. How refreshing was her thoughtfulness, sacrifice of time (and her precious personal days of which she only gets 5 per year!), and warm memories of these when I read them as a child</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQnwrZmNV_MNaEOOTyv026Hg33k2PoumdGYAn601wU7N9KdYTEnOqMMyFdbrY9EsQyqnpBYaTq6cqhFNwz7tB2BFBcgMEYHV635AVslVxbsZuMv8qmFN4igNce_36Zi662AUqOv2Qxg/s1600/IMG_9519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQnwrZmNV_MNaEOOTyv026Hg33k2PoumdGYAn601wU7N9KdYTEnOqMMyFdbrY9EsQyqnpBYaTq6cqhFNwz7tB2BFBcgMEYHV635AVslVxbsZuMv8qmFN4igNce_36Zi662AUqOv2Qxg/s320/IMG_9519.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*the little yellow flowers that are the first to bloom marking springtime’s arrival</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12. something above you, something below you, something beside you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Ceiling. Really. I am so thankful for a roof over my head</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *sidewalk. For the first time in 2 weeks I took a walk outside without pain.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Lydia. Just hugged my arm and declared, “I want to snuggle.” Oh man, doesn’t get sweeter than that!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">13. 3 sounds you hear</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Tobias tinkering on the piano</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Miriam’s giggle</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *The door open and the assurance that it is my faithful husband returning from work</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">14. 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Fellowship</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *New faces</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Renewed enthusiasm for where God has placed us in our church</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15. one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Sneakers. Today I exercised for the first time since my surgery.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Mark’s road bike. Ok, I didn’t give it away, but he did. I struggled with, “why don’t you sell it? Since I’m not working we could use some extra cash.” but was convicted and am so thankful he gave it to a dear friend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Inspiration. I shared a story (and then links to resources) about how God is working through His Word in the hearts of my kids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">16. 3 ways you witnessed happiness today</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Tobias mixing all of his paints together, applying a crazy amount of mixed paint on his hand, and splashing it down on the paper, over and over again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *I was just picking up random books off of the floor in the big kids room with Miri in my arms. All of the “up and down” must have amused her, she looked at me right in the eyes and behind her pacifier gave me the biggest grin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *Lydia eating dirty ice she found in the backyard</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>17. one gift that made you laugh, one gift that
made you pray, one gift that made you quiet</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Almost every night Tobias gets out of bed
(after he’s been put to bed). He has used very excuse in the book and then
some. Tonights’ was amazingly creative. “Mommy, I heard a ‘baaa’ in my woom.
No, it wasn’t a stuffed animal. It was a weal baaa. There is a weal sheep in my
woom.” Man, he makes me laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>a friend shared an answer to prayer of some
healing she witnessed – inspired me to thank the Lord for His goodness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>answering email. I sit, and write, and
search, and order, all in the silence of my slumbering household (while my dear
hubby is at his grad class)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 <b>18. <span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>3 gifts from God’s Word</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>“So then,
everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man.
He builds his house on the rock. The rain comes down. The water rises. The
winds blow and beat against that house. But
it does not fall. It is built on the rock. Matt. 7:24-27 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>“Don’t just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says." James 1:22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>“Clap your hands all you nations shout to God with cries of joy." Psalm 47:1 (all from my kids' Bible lessons this week)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 <b>19.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>a grace in the kitchen, a grace in the
weather, a grace that might have never been</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>hot chocolate. Seriously. I used to have it
every day and with my hubby’s recent “health kick” had eliminated it from my
daily routine. Today, I indulged. WOW, was it yummy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>snow! (ok, so it came on the 21<sup>st</sup>
but I’m a little behind) so refreshing. Always reminds me of new life, a new
start. Just so happened that it snowed on 2 of my kids' baptism days. Never will forget that symbolism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>Lydia’s hugs: by the grace of God, when we
had given up hope, He brought Lydia to us…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 <b> 20.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>3 gifts you saw only when you got close-up</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span> *Miri’s lip wrinkles: aren't they the sweetest??!?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k1D1IjaHDDLq3k3uNbu_NaYJkLqIaM0stj-apKnEUx7mXf_NyhqtSEtszcrvy1tf9Ice3AziQcCATbHXJaCrdOottsbD3D0Gyh9I40XJCyuDvXIjQyKn5CGWGcUPRHy4KesUmfBqjA/s1600/Miri9631-1000joylips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k1D1IjaHDDLq3k3uNbu_NaYJkLqIaM0stj-apKnEUx7mXf_NyhqtSEtszcrvy1tf9Ice3AziQcCATbHXJaCrdOottsbD3D0Gyh9I40XJCyuDvXIjQyKn5CGWGcUPRHy4KesUmfBqjA/s320/Miri9631-1000joylips.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* Lydia’s eye patterns: I have these same type of geometric shapes in my eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5aITta-ORNzcdaJlsG6CZytGejINzSSiKw58RRDEgFEOmKehgN66Jk72wP2CCyD5ureGupGSJ_KFdLUr_tD-7Qa7MmXiCz6Dd3t4XI4KSQTHkHBX_kNXH8edZhUCfwd-ZkboV94lUA/s1600/1000joysLEW9637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5aITta-ORNzcdaJlsG6CZytGejINzSSiKw58RRDEgFEOmKehgN66Jk72wP2CCyD5ureGupGSJ_KFdLUr_tD-7Qa7MmXiCz6Dd3t4XI4KSQTHkHBX_kNXH8edZhUCfwd-ZkboV94lUA/s320/1000joysLEW9637.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Miri’s nails in desperate need of cutting,
then sat in wonder at her tiny little hands and all they do and will do…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5 <b>21.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>one thing in the sky, one thing from your
memory, one thing that’s ugly-beautiful</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>a helicopter with 2 propelers (corrected by
my husband: rotors) – Tobias witnessed this in the sky coming out of playtime
at the Roller Rink and has spoken of it 2 other times since. This “cool” event
etched in his little memory</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Mark and I shredded all of the saved
documents from since we were married – 2005 (pre children). It’s amazing how
recipets, pay check stubs, and health insurance statements bring back floods of
memories of apartment living in Maryland, first jobs, and fighting infertility.
All point to God’s faithfulness and His amazing plan of creating those lives
into the lives we have today. So different, yet He is the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*?????????????????</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 <b>22.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>one grace wrinkled, one grace smoothed, one
grace unfolded</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>smile lines around the eyes of a beautiful
woman at church, a heart of gold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* sheets on my bed. Having the bed made is so
comforting to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>lydia’s blankets – she has about 10 of them
in her bed, 2 are her “loveys” but others are baby blankets. They are all
unfolded and remind me of the days when she was our baby, our only baby girl…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7 <b>23.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>3 gifts found in Christ</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>hope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8 <b> 24.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>3 things blue</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Beside me on the desk is a blue piece of
paper on which Tobias and I created a snowman today at art class. As the
“middle child” I rarely do things with just him and I cherish the times when I
have the opportunity to give my attention and heart to him. This is one of
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Polish pottery – every hand-painted piece
is different but the unifying factor is this deep blue color. I happen to be a
bit obsessed with collecting it but I adore it’s practicality. We use it to eat
on every day. Not everyone dines on art J <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>My eyes – I’m thankful for the way they see
the world through the grace of God</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>25. one grace borrowed, one grace found, one
grace inherited</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Clothing – every child in my family has at
least one benefactor whose mother generously passes too-small clothing our way.
What an incredible blessing not to have to purchase growing kiddos’ wardrobes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Tobias’ blue Corvette. Not lost for long,
but eases daddy’s mind that it’s found. Matchbox cars are too easy to lose.
Particularly in the hands of an absent-minded 3 year old<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Musicality – what a grace my father gave me
– the gift to sing, to play, to dance, to appreciate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 <b>26.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>a gift before nine am, gift before noon, a
gift after dark</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>falling back asleep after a 5:30am baby
duty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>spontaneously acting out <u>I’m going on a
bear hunt</u> with Tobias while Miri watched with wonder and amusement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">* </span>Quiet time at my computer to edit photos
and do some quality online shopping<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 <b> 27.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>3 gifts that might have never been</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>my marriage. So interesting how God’s
paths, although not what we anticipate are for our good. Both Mark and I were
ready to go to different colleges, but the Lord led us to Towson and allowed us
both into the OT program against all odds where we eventually fell in love J<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Lydia Elise – When I called for a refill on
my fertility medicine I had an “on call” doctor who prescribed 2 more rounds of
the medicine (although I was only technically supposed to get one). On the last
round, my “last chance,” along came the gift of Lydia</span><br />
<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">* </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Freedom from an eating disorder – I was
prayed through medical management, dietician, counciling. The Lord softened my
heart and opened my eyes to the beautiful gift of life: abundant, free,
victorious life.</span></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-65129168567795536722012-01-15T12:18:00.000-08:002012-01-15T12:33:43.235-08:00LifeThis week's prompt word for the Project 52 is "life". My vision was to get all 3 kids (and their dad if possible) just "doing life". Unfortunately during the days when the light was favorable (man, it was cloudy this week!) either one of the kids was at school or napping. Finally, I gave up and figured, "I'll just have to work with what I got." which was these images:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5FnD8SQxfQvwJCnui7_TK7k83BvG_1TuT8PP-dBMOZUlbt7McHRMdZVCn9-GO-8AsPcwluMKOmE707HpVeYb2xmMQzlCLGOzmaA3ULVbBl3ZXrpoXCYQy1kFArDhkji3mAUp0vgPmg/s1600/P52-2c9398.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5FnD8SQxfQvwJCnui7_TK7k83BvG_1TuT8PP-dBMOZUlbt7McHRMdZVCn9-GO-8AsPcwluMKOmE707HpVeYb2xmMQzlCLGOzmaA3ULVbBl3ZXrpoXCYQy1kFArDhkji3mAUp0vgPmg/s320/P52-2c9398.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697957527047387410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMYT9hbuj8txu8kEaYGFDW_COGW-3_ruMOS9SzA81ncD9orG4ApNrpBBAeO_6N4lMZSl6vydmFd_foZpUXfrJve-x8_vRjee8lHHlcR0YGPRtsuju8F1qhDEu5mHmyfbEdhNHntUa6A/s1600/P52-2b9414.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMYT9hbuj8txu8kEaYGFDW_COGW-3_ruMOS9SzA81ncD9orG4ApNrpBBAeO_6N4lMZSl6vydmFd_foZpUXfrJve-x8_vRjee8lHHlcR0YGPRtsuju8F1qhDEu5mHmyfbEdhNHntUa6A/s320/P52-2b9414.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697957738086202546" /></a><br />Then, as the week was coming to a close, the kids were playing with a leftover Christmas gift box, making it into a slide. While her big brother and sister started making treasures out of the packing material, Miriam decided to get in on the action giggling at her failed attempts to crawl up the "slide". Finally, she sat still. I love her expression, like "Mom, thank you for your undivided attention amidst this chaos." This is real life: 1/2 dressed, stuff everywhere, creativity flying, and this sweet little dumpling right in the middle, while mommy's attempting to capture beauty and joy in the moment (and at the same time maintaining sanity - harder than it looks! ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFCZOZKi3ljR1mF7OHL0cSsmQUqJ5-Yi9AkQLq04da8H57t5CGA-7GkE9InBEQ9hl5L0Rlv_1HVe4slXTUWZJG5XA1VpAsr00zIHNlmpSVu1OZ2ELcVVcP5h28YDnw5G_wFGPPM_W7Q/s1600/P52-29491.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFCZOZKi3ljR1mF7OHL0cSsmQUqJ5-Yi9AkQLq04da8H57t5CGA-7GkE9InBEQ9hl5L0Rlv_1HVe4slXTUWZJG5XA1VpAsr00zIHNlmpSVu1OZ2ELcVVcP5h28YDnw5G_wFGPPM_W7Q/s320/P52-29491.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697958429455886882" /></a><br /><br />Although nuts at times, I embrace the LIFE, the blessing from the Lord and believe He has placed me just at this time and this place to serve Him and love these gifts as He has called. I also believe He equips me and am overwhelmed at His grace for my failures. Praise Jesus for His abounding mercy and His amazing plan for life, abundant life, eternal life...Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-5101533457490690902012-01-06T18:05:00.000-08:002012-01-07T11:37:53.227-08:00New Project: 52It has been so long since I logged into blogger that I had to reset my password. Yes, it has been THAT LONG! <br /><br />A New Year brings new opportunities and I just had to jump at this one: a "Project 52": a photo per week all year long. I knew it would be a rough start as I had surgery on Dec. 30th. Recovering from surgery and taking quality photos don't usually come hand-in-hand. I had a vision, so Mark helped me to roll with it. It didn't come up with exactly what I was hoping, but sometimes you just gotta go with what you got (particularly when you are in pain and not quite at the pinnacle of mobility and energy). <br /><br />The first week's prompt word is "resolution". Mark and I are more "goal" than "resolution" type people. "Resolution" sounds so, well, resolute. "Goal" to me is something to work toward, something to strive for and for me, that's motivation, that's inspiration. That said, a new year's goal is to focus more on these little lives and less on all that my iPhone represents: social media, email, texts, scheduling... My goal is to spend quality moments with my little ones each day embracing their world while putting aside the ever-beconing call of the digital world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXbDdThLgz0k8UbY-5LSVvGAq4pTZsLzGv22IMZi8WIN0pZ-8vKmGR4AKkz0sc302Lty8R70DsvnYu1xSGdr6P0qhEeib6s6sbSvPRTLTwXeYvFuF3T_X_e1uHj7jZbPvIfgRcyqBpw/s1600/P52-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXbDdThLgz0k8UbY-5LSVvGAq4pTZsLzGv22IMZi8WIN0pZ-8vKmGR4AKkz0sc302Lty8R70DsvnYu1xSGdr6P0qhEeib6s6sbSvPRTLTwXeYvFuF3T_X_e1uHj7jZbPvIfgRcyqBpw/s320/P52-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694709716801111954" /></a><br /><br />The "Project 52" is with <a href="http://myfourhensphotography.com/">My Four Hens Photography</a><br />and can be seen on Flickr at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/m4h/">here</a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-77575474140034214382011-08-27T09:46:00.000-07:002011-08-27T09:52:33.342-07:00Just Like Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tmVhxLPPY89OmuLUXp2pA7InbyCi3cjtZHnTTAVE_c14ibk255v5eHzOAgRjTTlPztDqNWfcnusgDBqzPhokL6BhkWCy1_Ebr5xechSatPoJTteICEV6N6D1RL3WSCBiOXH_hW0KxA/s1600/IMG_8617.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tmVhxLPPY89OmuLUXp2pA7InbyCi3cjtZHnTTAVE_c14ibk255v5eHzOAgRjTTlPztDqNWfcnusgDBqzPhokL6BhkWCy1_Ebr5xechSatPoJTteICEV6N6D1RL3WSCBiOXH_hW0KxA/s320/IMG_8617.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645579536708880418" /></a>
<br />It started innocently enough… I walk into Lydia’s room on a Sunday morning and ask, “What would you like to wear today?” Her reply, “Well, what are YOU wearing? I want to wear what you are wearing to be just like you.” Now I hear this refrain multiple times a week and I choose a purple shirt and capris or a black and white dress for Lydia to wear so she can be “just like me.” Lydia declares that her favorite color is yellow, “just like mommy.” And that she wants to play the flute and do ballet “just like mommy.” While it’s humbling to have someone idolize me, she does hear “Lydia looks just like you!” so often from friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances that I can’t help but think the idea has been planted in her brain.
<br />
<br />And while it’s “cute” at age almost 5, it causes me to ponder. Does she want to be “just like me” when I speak harshly out of impatience or frustration? Does she want to be “just like me” when I stare at the computer screen instead of her sweet face when she’s talking? Does she want to be “just like me” when I run around frantic cleaning or picking up instead of reading or playing with her? Does she want to be “just like me” when I pray or sing? (she did tell me out of the blue today, “mommy, I like the Word FM – our local Christian radio station) Oh, my, how incredibly impressionable our little ones are. And how we should cherish these times that they look at us with awe and admiration (as I know the tween/teenage years are coming all too fast!)
<br />
<br />So maybe the next time I’m interrupted from my “work” I’ll completely divert my attention to my little blessings, little lives longing for love, and be proud when I see them do the same. If they want to be “just like me” than I had better be “just like Jesus” And when I’m not, I will seek His and their forgiveness and we will learn together how to walk in His ways and live life to His glory.
<br />
<br />Someday, if they are “just like me” may they honor and glorify the Lord as a forgiven child of God. May they exude grace and kindness and respect and love.
<br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-22776085618548656412011-08-04T11:08:00.000-07:002011-08-04T11:11:32.187-07:00SharingSo last week Shutterfly sent me a coupon code to make a photo book for "40% off". I had envisioned creating this book even before Miriam was born and took this as a sign to just do it! Then today Shutterfly sent me an email telling me I could "share" this book. Again, I'll take them up on their suggestion... Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="425" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=8AbOWjFozYuWcW&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=8AbOWjFozYuWcW&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbOWjFozYuWPt&eid=118">Click here to view this photo book larger</a></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-845335155592960432011-07-13T10:34:00.000-07:002011-07-13T11:24:14.596-07:00I'm backI have obviously been absent from the blog world for quite some time now (like 4 months or so). I have a good excuse. I swear! I mean, just look at this face, can you blame me? :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4UYEPHL9SBuxk8Cd8obN7cQOQtSghFehkSqYlTbr_bkVF8YdsEFKAHINt1PqZWNGxVmHuelRXeSLfxa0qrIILjprkHQ8aAKEJ54DGjIxJqpWThr_42aWoc5NTBxIentLW-nJpVm6pQ/s1600/IMG_7668.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4UYEPHL9SBuxk8Cd8obN7cQOQtSghFehkSqYlTbr_bkVF8YdsEFKAHINt1PqZWNGxVmHuelRXeSLfxa0qrIILjprkHQ8aAKEJ54DGjIxJqpWThr_42aWoc5NTBxIentLW-nJpVm6pQ/s320/IMG_7668.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628900548684300434" /></a><br /><br />On St. Patrick’s Day we welcomed our dear Miriam into the world. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvkb9dO7h8pPomkvMdQpbvSEhuJ-MPV-HrfgOKtZiwhkc7qO5gX6FaG43G9i0jYUDjSt6mjjTDschtZDbomy9KecMJXJdJf09UKCigtNxxHl2iXa98eVUMpGp-Xvdeh7X-EILJrYPoQ/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvkb9dO7h8pPomkvMdQpbvSEhuJ-MPV-HrfgOKtZiwhkc7qO5gX6FaG43G9i0jYUDjSt6mjjTDschtZDbomy9KecMJXJdJf09UKCigtNxxHl2iXa98eVUMpGp-Xvdeh7X-EILJrYPoQ/s320/IMG_3272.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628892661973363586" /></a><br />After much drama with a dangerously low heart rate in utero which made my scheduled C-section an “emergency” one, this little girl entered the world perfectly healthy. What a blessing! Over the past few months we’ve had the typical newborn sleepless nights accompanied by lots of snuggling, binkie sucking, over-the-top hugging and kisses from her big bro and big sis,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pocwwkYKxphIRMgz_7gVFD3lLfNT7UQlw0ncj9mn2rRtEz23FPTqRP8Ra83Jp0eHzIo50uWBUsatekqMSKmIb5iKMPAtmlDTbA-RKFx7O8D7-V8Wb-xIaLTgwap6CFM0M2bScIMyvA/s1600/IMG_3358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pocwwkYKxphIRMgz_7gVFD3lLfNT7UQlw0ncj9mn2rRtEz23FPTqRP8Ra83Jp0eHzIo50uWBUsatekqMSKmIb5iKMPAtmlDTbA-RKFx7O8D7-V8Wb-xIaLTgwap6CFM0M2bScIMyvA/s320/IMG_3358.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628893307613694370" /></a><br /> and developing in the way newborns are supposed to. Unfortunately, over the past couple weeks Miriam became a fussy eater which took us to the docs. Turns out she wasn’t gaining weight so he ordered blood work (just in case). A couple hours after the blood was taken (via healstick) we were called by the on-call doc informing us of the results of Miriam’s labs: critically high potassium levels which can impact muscle function including cardiac muscle. Off we went to the ER to obtain a venus blood draw. While there, Miriam was such a charmer, gazing at her caregivers and eliciting compliment after compliment on her “pretty bright blue eyes.” Thankfully, the second round of tests indicated “within normal limits” for most of the labs. Now our focus is beefing her up by feeding her more often and supplementing with formula. Our prayers are being answered as she weighed in at 11 lb. 4 oz. today - a whole pound more than three weeks ago when all of this started. Praise God! Now, if we could only get some sleep...<br /><br />Miriam adores:<br />• stuffing her hand in her mouth<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae1uiGdaNDFnxE1tmtZ2GXowOC4YbW7J1ESc9J-275GT_7kd2LF78zKyJZ0oCnJ6qmccYsidGBcalATIpuUmbDqnmkhXjkcZbbAKuitHm5HL16-0CH4prp-Qe5_mJ0VvtsWA4csM5qA/s1600/IMG_7057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae1uiGdaNDFnxE1tmtZ2GXowOC4YbW7J1ESc9J-275GT_7kd2LF78zKyJZ0oCnJ6qmccYsidGBcalATIpuUmbDqnmkhXjkcZbbAKuitHm5HL16-0CH4prp-Qe5_mJ0VvtsWA4csM5qA/s320/IMG_7057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628893474731893362" /></a><br />• grabbing at anything particularly necklaces, shirts, and her cow<br />• tickles<br />• bouncing<br />• faces<br />• staring at her Snoopy mobile<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB6FS-Zw8FSjeglg9ENkoOhe-x_d6CoI2W_l05zHnEZSQLcI3ei8k2HAAHI2J08LI_Es5eCmUrDRI1kj-PV4D4J8OKlEjrsHBtgkk7DGJIr3M1Qfc_hSVpOzOnwHT026cgwLh1dcNDQ/s1600/IMG_5917.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB6FS-Zw8FSjeglg9ENkoOhe-x_d6CoI2W_l05zHnEZSQLcI3ei8k2HAAHI2J08LI_Es5eCmUrDRI1kj-PV4D4J8OKlEjrsHBtgkk7DGJIr3M1Qfc_hSVpOzOnwHT026cgwLh1dcNDQ/s320/IMG_5917.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628894915767762242" /></a><br />• supported standing<br />• “talking” (babbling, gooing, cooing)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3rQHiZpP4i23jZGeiMh5dbKEY1d1hfcgv__iWgnOsAgfsd2gkrtQNw3-B8AcGPhWUswuc-w6KDghiR9AceVgdLy2XMDMmi-cnAKw2mALVxQnUkhMgfzsRd28XWT5MUvn2HLrdQ49aQ/s1600/IMG_5429.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3rQHiZpP4i23jZGeiMh5dbKEY1d1hfcgv__iWgnOsAgfsd2gkrtQNw3-B8AcGPhWUswuc-w6KDghiR9AceVgdLy2XMDMmi-cnAKw2mALVxQnUkhMgfzsRd28XWT5MUvn2HLrdQ49aQ/s320/IMG_5429.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628899519283449746" /></a><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile the “big kids” have finished up a school year<br />Lydia at the end of the year "candy scramble". She got so much she was stuffing her bucket down to fit more in ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4sthkO885-8EdyFwznF5H9kdFZIhzEeUwlGswh9FQC-uEVQ55kBo51liiEUGEZ3I1zYwIUF8toB5m22ifwS-13SX-lKQpLrR07n9INsE0LvtP-veCq-8RUyOGbjIHkUz6pvtZ0FG3A/s1600/IMG_5365.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4sthkO885-8EdyFwznF5H9kdFZIhzEeUwlGswh9FQC-uEVQ55kBo51liiEUGEZ3I1zYwIUF8toB5m22ifwS-13SX-lKQpLrR07n9INsE0LvtP-veCq-8RUyOGbjIHkUz6pvtZ0FG3A/s320/IMG_5365.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628893758040819474" /></a><br />Lydia on stage for her final MDO performance<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUhtF7ZyvCrvTXh6rl1tJcnkWB1fJ02XM4CsofF8_FN57HSqTewPpgniEEQdjQrMKUJGTDysrPwoCsyedl_vL9dPwH8Y8kkL_6jn5l3BEbKmDS_oKJQEcYCtw9pYNvqldUtKHpU6i7g/s1600/IMG_5400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUhtF7ZyvCrvTXh6rl1tJcnkWB1fJ02XM4CsofF8_FN57HSqTewPpgniEEQdjQrMKUJGTDysrPwoCsyedl_vL9dPwH8Y8kkL_6jn5l3BEbKmDS_oKJQEcYCtw9pYNvqldUtKHpU6i7g/s320/IMG_5400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628894596821099954" /></a><br /><br />Tobias with his MDO teachers whom he adored. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_8dwKUDijW9l1V_saLwQNU_tMGBNn_9_7RXcs3g0gx_qkVxTurWW9XbRR9vAbCCKxRIbgZAusg2qfuI9_jb-Y2dwlt-uOASlDiN3YIo6OvIRHcV9_F_Ltw_icWLRTdUXLgCAYAdDbA/s1600/IMG_5372.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_8dwKUDijW9l1V_saLwQNU_tMGBNn_9_7RXcs3g0gx_qkVxTurWW9XbRR9vAbCCKxRIbgZAusg2qfuI9_jb-Y2dwlt-uOASlDiN3YIo6OvIRHcV9_F_Ltw_icWLRTdUXLgCAYAdDbA/s320/IMG_5372.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628893760310470818" /></a><br />End-of-the-year ritual: Ritas. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rq7Ub23FXO1C6-hiyfKECMr8nF2LKauRQAYSIJJCmVj8ZJ2nbr2KGgmPS3yyofvSKMhJaC2W4mw0yR7JonRrO15rOXmz88JgPZfHV3Y5uI6aBu37uRCMJaVI-BkW8qjA0bjQr6D2qQ/s1600/IMG_5385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rq7Ub23FXO1C6-hiyfKECMr8nF2LKauRQAYSIJJCmVj8ZJ2nbr2KGgmPS3yyofvSKMhJaC2W4mw0yR7JonRrO15rOXmz88JgPZfHV3Y5uI6aBu37uRCMJaVI-BkW8qjA0bjQr6D2qQ/s320/IMG_5385.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628893767331165778" /></a><br /><br />After a few days of mayhem when school ended, I implemented a “letter a day” lesson to provide some structure (and sanity). The kids latched right onto the idea of “lessons” and we’ve really had some fun with it. It’s amazing to see their thirst for learning. Now, just in case you are wondering, I totally do NOT make up these activities on my own. I get a lot of ideas from various homeschooling blogs who provide free printables and ideas. I also get encouragement and inspiration from my dear friend, Melanie who has directed me to resources and shared her knowledge and experiences (she's way more into the online homeschooling world than I am!) for which I'm so thankful. It's fun to share our flops and triumphs while keeping each other motivated...<br />Here they are creating "habitats" in shoeboxes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aMu7dgL-wNwOHzBSYcWZWQKb0v-WbRs6YjsPpWcDWHiYM561tzTh9B1cOjoOp8fHgmmWCvfaYAtBsr9lDLibhlrvuGH2OfP4subdriW21ZRvO-CJt4jwheZI2lUbSCBs683DaDJc_w/s1600/IMG_5927.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aMu7dgL-wNwOHzBSYcWZWQKb0v-WbRs6YjsPpWcDWHiYM561tzTh9B1cOjoOp8fHgmmWCvfaYAtBsr9lDLibhlrvuGH2OfP4subdriW21ZRvO-CJt4jwheZI2lUbSCBs683DaDJc_w/s320/IMG_5927.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628895344096150610" /></a><br />Tobias telling me what he sees<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzTLlQZU1zWTIjovcdEiZFHtZdZV-bkrkXvJJXumLd4qRKSn1tUolB0NEXsR6z4lay4xogQQCgD1Z8qgmrbMUYqgfKOWlwXrsHUq2RGOZCi8SUFF8P-teNiAFgYy5QJSFPHJNX97pnQ/s1600/IMG_5930.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzTLlQZU1zWTIjovcdEiZFHtZdZV-bkrkXvJJXumLd4qRKSn1tUolB0NEXsR6z4lay4xogQQCgD1Z8qgmrbMUYqgfKOWlwXrsHUq2RGOZCi8SUFF8P-teNiAFgYy5QJSFPHJNX97pnQ/s320/IMG_5930.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628895344680537074" /></a><br />Driving Trucks on the "T" after being dipped in paint<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDW_LzPsylVTmKxZxErWm3Bhy-yW6LUzDXXowuF4_iYwMl12bz1GwSFBU8TVAPPEddTPx98CXspmRrJwabPh9vps2XZGJJbvmVF-KID-Y7p2w_YUSsB8nPZ0gLYprnPEWpbs46A3e_Q/s1600/IMG_7264.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDW_LzPsylVTmKxZxErWm3Bhy-yW6LUzDXXowuF4_iYwMl12bz1GwSFBU8TVAPPEddTPx98CXspmRrJwabPh9vps2XZGJJbvmVF-KID-Y7p2w_YUSsB8nPZ0gLYprnPEWpbs46A3e_Q/s320/IMG_7264.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628895340807111778" /></a><br />Tobias points out his favorite letter EVERYWHERE – T’s really are pretty popular, from crosses in church, to exit signs, to the pattern frames are hanging on a wall. <br /><br />Lydia is having a BLAST with her summer activities. She just finished up a Nature Music Class,<br />Her class was featured on the CVSM Facebook page. Here she is being a butterfly<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbgi664TQJ6jRXkNJuaU4Ek8K0TwekJhbeiDXw7k0WwYK_CFWFelAfeYGBrdvKeTY482coOa0sEfKr0bz5DsCk4IV_Uevxk6VGFR97SyvTenemcsXC_gFXiZoMFHmeE-vCycZ8gdo9w/s1600/NaturesMusic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbgi664TQJ6jRXkNJuaU4Ek8K0TwekJhbeiDXw7k0WwYK_CFWFelAfeYGBrdvKeTY482coOa0sEfKr0bz5DsCk4IV_Uevxk6VGFR97SyvTenemcsXC_gFXiZoMFHmeE-vCycZ8gdo9w/s320/NaturesMusic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628896448138379714" /></a><br />she's currently at her 2nd Vacation Bible School, and continues with ballet for another few weeks. It’s remarkable that the comments of her teachers and adult leaders are the same: they marvel at her enthusiasm. <br /><br />Since Miriam’s arrival the kids have truly watched their fair share of television. Naturally a little “mommy guilt” accompanies this truth. However, I smile with pride when these two bring their TV characters into our world. They pretend they are “Diego and Alicia” or “Toby: you are Steve and I am Blue”. They “save the sloths” and “find the clues” documenting them in their “notebooks.” To get this photo I put the Apple TV on "pause"...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyX2Tzvs6v6ky3NOCCTNEXLSX9R3P7wSo-VngRzeidWVHQBz6HrmYyfEJpESXmYeH3kZVOJSxMeJdpp4ntRhnT1-9fCMgwpOrd8gIjhNwcJ3ocAqrvzoRNfKnIfan0GvhbIYSFbjz77Q/s1600/IMG_7714_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyX2Tzvs6v6ky3NOCCTNEXLSX9R3P7wSo-VngRzeidWVHQBz6HrmYyfEJpESXmYeH3kZVOJSxMeJdpp4ntRhnT1-9fCMgwpOrd8gIjhNwcJ3ocAqrvzoRNfKnIfan0GvhbIYSFbjz77Q/s320/IMG_7714_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628904186457216946" /></a><br /><br />Both kids adore going outside. (If we could just get them to remember to shut the door – the AC goes out with them and the bugs enter in…) <br />Whether it's picking strawberries,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ6KO-CUHVI7eruygK6qPo-4XybLAVQKPZ4Ys9P1Wa8Fj8JF2ymxhRDXKTdc4iVXPspyXgpi2Yvni-VbByF1S21UqjRjBIee3AscND2jpL6o91hUlFaQKd8_Yv1AiK0XM7g9hRTucBA/s1600/IMG_5892.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ6KO-CUHVI7eruygK6qPo-4XybLAVQKPZ4Ys9P1Wa8Fj8JF2ymxhRDXKTdc4iVXPspyXgpi2Yvni-VbByF1S21UqjRjBIee3AscND2jpL6o91hUlFaQKd8_Yv1AiK0XM7g9hRTucBA/s320/IMG_5892.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628899790885022930" /></a><br />Spending the day at Fuller Lake,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MU04dacLtrFsozIqB_wvGctHOxBUpCnVg_3vke_uLFI4YPSqMi-GQKAzIXsIvn4f7glJfallSYVvQTYPBQMtJ7flUYK5j8C77Fp_5zDJl-B-Pg-2dLF3l-vT9PRVrBgHLNJeRcItkg/s1600/IMG_5646.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MU04dacLtrFsozIqB_wvGctHOxBUpCnVg_3vke_uLFI4YPSqMi-GQKAzIXsIvn4f7glJfallSYVvQTYPBQMtJ7flUYK5j8C77Fp_5zDJl-B-Pg-2dLF3l-vT9PRVrBgHLNJeRcItkg/s320/IMG_5646.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628899787930239410" /></a><br />Or splashing in the pool on our deck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZxUV5H2HXwERLbw4CeUtnKv4HbugcWCq7TheUmQEXkKI2zPcZQpqyfenx5CnlWeb8FHbmYPelPvit_L4D3nJ_SZTrLRiiRQTgY0RaPaRG-jlM34L9M3hEj__XZOLSil-D0e6QLHjmQ/s1600/IMG_7000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZxUV5H2HXwERLbw4CeUtnKv4HbugcWCq7TheUmQEXkKI2zPcZQpqyfenx5CnlWeb8FHbmYPelPvit_L4D3nJ_SZTrLRiiRQTgY0RaPaRG-jlM34L9M3hEj__XZOLSil-D0e6QLHjmQ/s320/IMG_7000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628900274012868498" /></a><br /><br />Last week Lydia found a barely alive cicada. With daddy’s help she proceeded to let it crawl all over her shirt and arm. Then, she and Tobias built a house for it. A little drama followed when it passed to cicada heaven (and then disappeared!) but it’s remarkable to me that they love nature so much. In fact, both of them slept in a tent in the backyard with daddy on 4th of July weekend. Well, if you can call a 4:45am wake up by Tobias “sleeping”. They had a blast chasing fireflies with their bug nets, making s’mores, and using their flashlights in the tent. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sHZ63WRYwBvxL-nIE9pIX7cATBUs3DsYq6r79wRB0YTVUAdQ6e7-BLgko7PLQQ2CCKFbR1k1lIOhRfuYFTO3nvzV_9D1OfURr5JG-ga9MREm-7SUyNWOnJK0UCZxsuHuuyeiXxI5-A/s1600/IMG_7518.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sHZ63WRYwBvxL-nIE9pIX7cATBUs3DsYq6r79wRB0YTVUAdQ6e7-BLgko7PLQQ2CCKFbR1k1lIOhRfuYFTO3nvzV_9D1OfURr5JG-ga9MREm-7SUyNWOnJK0UCZxsuHuuyeiXxI5-A/s320/IMG_7518.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628897211814787874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijVqCwUyUVpssJWA598-oCUXWyTGOVVTujREdiewQG3NEUbFti8fUq5EC8VLM0c3CxmzS5QJT7YZw4UuLMdj__bBrgA6sZ-HZr3yaDOHlsoxBv4SU0-vA9bngm2It9WkCdtfWgZlIag/s1600/IMG_7532.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijVqCwUyUVpssJWA598-oCUXWyTGOVVTujREdiewQG3NEUbFti8fUq5EC8VLM0c3CxmzS5QJT7YZw4UuLMdj__bBrgA6sZ-HZr3yaDOHlsoxBv4SU0-vA9bngm2It9WkCdtfWgZlIag/s320/IMG_7532.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628897203831910930" /></a><br /><br />One of the running “themes” of our big kids’ play is “baby.” (I wonder why!) They take turns being the “baby” and the other fulfills the responsibility of feeding, napping, playing with, and generally ordering around. A glimpse into our world…Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-39312553404072876522011-03-01T18:46:00.000-08:002011-03-01T18:56:33.753-08:00FutureAs soon as I saw the title of this final assignment, I knew what I wanted to capture: some how, some way, my WHOLE family together, one place, one time, loving on each other. <br /><br />Here is the description: "What do you see in your loved one’s future? What will they be doing? What will you be doing with them? What do you look forward to doing with them? How is their future bright? Take a step in your own personal time machine and capture something with your lens that will foreshadow your loved one’s future."<br /><br />I've heard this saying many times, but it seems particularly poignant at this moment, "I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future." Yes, in 2 short weeks we will be adding another little miracle to our family. I don't know if it's a boy or girl, I don't know what his or her face looks like or what type of personality he or she will have. I don't know whether this child will be healthy or have some sort of disability. I don't know how the dynamics will be with my three children... <br /><br />This I do know, this child was known and created by a loving God. This child is loved beyond belief by his or her heavenly Father and is welcomed into a family who loves him or her unconditionally. This child is loved by family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. Oh, the blessings of this new little life. Oh the love that already surrounds this miracle. Praise God for this amazing gift of life, His perfect plan for it, and His indescribable love! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCUDIjOJsbKMh-bfP_DTCUu8dF218qMENfp8d5_QqMI8xsDeW53Loi24pfsv-M0qUuxsrz2DzwSqka-7jBUsxv87rySB4NjcTQCyHbZIopcGR9AoOC7WlxZLixJe_xDer_MGu0Ieiag/s1600/IMG_2870ColaCutie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCUDIjOJsbKMh-bfP_DTCUu8dF218qMENfp8d5_QqMI8xsDeW53Loi24pfsv-M0qUuxsrz2DzwSqka-7jBUsxv87rySB4NjcTQCyHbZIopcGR9AoOC7WlxZLixJe_xDer_MGu0Ieiag/s320/IMG_2870ColaCutie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579310581096176226" /></a><br /><br />It has been a great adventure capturing the "Joy of Love" over this past month. Thanks for joining me - looking forward to sharing more love to come...Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-59614084662719944942011-03-01T18:26:00.000-08:002011-03-01T18:46:43.974-08:00What they sayNow here's a challenge: "What do they say to you? this can be a favorite phrase or slang that they use OR it can be words that they use to encourage you and motivate you. You can also capture them saying a phrase they say over and over or just find something inanimate that best captures WHAT they say." Tough stuff. Really I contemplated first, "who says what that really touches my heart?" and then, "how the hay do I capture that in a photograph?" <br /><br />Tobias recently started calling me "Mommo". No big deal, I guess. I mean, I suppose lots of kids have fun names for their parents. Yet, this little nickname has become special to me. It's something he didn't do because of his big sister. It's something special that just he and I share. It's a term of true love and affection. And I cherish it. <br /><br />I set the camera on "continuous" and had him say, "Mom-mo" over and over again. Here is my precious Tobias saying my name in a way that only he can... (Ok, so I made a "story board" of this on Photoshop but it won't load on Blogger so I'm just uploading the pics)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklb1KEeGrNMQzteDLke06m-Vhu6g4SGMziqgrRsby_CEUkGhBMRZivwkwGtnZigIMQXGN3fJ93nXBqGjWhxHs6wxFQypGjAUtPqtin9DWd24JtyznpNJk6LDA20xUAOqHTyqRV7xTQw/s1600/IMG_2889.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklb1KEeGrNMQzteDLke06m-Vhu6g4SGMziqgrRsby_CEUkGhBMRZivwkwGtnZigIMQXGN3fJ93nXBqGjWhxHs6wxFQypGjAUtPqtin9DWd24JtyznpNJk6LDA20xUAOqHTyqRV7xTQw/s320/IMG_2889.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579308247711777778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqHs-1QTfO3iHGi8oV5yPXd7_wHCOwP_cc-8naNAvpvD1U2FqfUuCzg1z-fuXCzHTkJUQks6uGHcI2gc9kiSvTHv1vvoFU3N91oA6Z9yVQDyu8IwkvtFCa41RXN60kOz8HtU1UNCtrQ/s1600/IMG_2890.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqHs-1QTfO3iHGi8oV5yPXd7_wHCOwP_cc-8naNAvpvD1U2FqfUuCzg1z-fuXCzHTkJUQks6uGHcI2gc9kiSvTHv1vvoFU3N91oA6Z9yVQDyu8IwkvtFCa41RXN60kOz8HtU1UNCtrQ/s320/IMG_2890.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579308243362446050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNNJNSgOwY3e-Ll5r-GuFi-huJC_SuMV28hNyi9EH4IzdrsOdK0OVWvhIdamEv5qgE-ReJWwtjsZPG2jRXA2Sdg_X7i1nrxD3ErIrYbVsy7eL1cpsjQgD323b9dRKB3rVKnaesI0bSw/s1600/IMG_2888.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNNJNSgOwY3e-Ll5r-GuFi-huJC_SuMV28hNyi9EH4IzdrsOdK0OVWvhIdamEv5qgE-ReJWwtjsZPG2jRXA2Sdg_X7i1nrxD3ErIrYbVsy7eL1cpsjQgD323b9dRKB3rVKnaesI0bSw/s320/IMG_2888.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579308238501854722" /></a><br />I'll always be your "Mommo", Tobo!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-20463618733856233712011-02-27T14:23:00.000-08:002011-02-27T14:37:08.633-08:00BromanceOk, first of all, I think the title of this assignment is hilarious. Second, I didn't really follow the instructions which read, "Who do they want to spend all their time with when they are not with you? Celebrate their bro-mance or their relationship with their best bud! Photograph them with their wingman."<br /><br />When Mark and his friends orchestrate a time to hang out (which, unfortunately, is relatively seldom), it occurs what they call "late night" which means when all of our children are tucked into their beds. While this is incredibly considerate of them, it makes it pretty impossible to photograph them (in the dark). They also tend to "go to the mountains" which means I'm definitely not able to capture what they do. Honestly, sometimes I'm not sure I want to know what they do, so I'll maintain my ignorance about their guy-time and move on to a different type of male-bonding.<br /><br />As I mentioned before, Mark loves learning about cars. And he is passing this love along to his son. Tobias LOVES watching Mark play "racing cars" on the XBox. Mark lets Toby choose the type and color of car to race and they have fun "zooming" them around the track and crashing into things. When it's convenient, Mark also attempts to catch "MotorWeek" on PBS on Saturday mornings. Here is a photo of Toby and daddy snuggled up delving into the world of "fast cars" for 1/2 hr. We often hear the refrain, "Daddy, I wanna watch racing cars!" I love to watch this love develop between father and son - not their love of cars per sae, but their unity and excitement in a common interest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfrUi1TURQ4RRbxzVKSmYtrFybav-wgXBCaywmGhCZniS7eir6P2rXs3sImK0168kLCSHRCm-if4orRKLBEwQgw5RG2-B1eNw2aYFUNz0BkhyphenhypheneufcGlPqvczTYbFmnrhDtNvSO1EmPQ/s1600/IMG_2785.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfrUi1TURQ4RRbxzVKSmYtrFybav-wgXBCaywmGhCZniS7eir6P2rXs3sImK0168kLCSHRCm-if4orRKLBEwQgw5RG2-B1eNw2aYFUNz0BkhyphenhypheneufcGlPqvczTYbFmnrhDtNvSO1EmPQ/s320/IMG_2785.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578501464401393266" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-88647217331654115952011-02-27T14:10:00.000-08:002011-02-27T14:22:56.681-08:00When you love them mostThis assignment was posted a few days ago. I'm attempting to "catch up" this weekend. I currently have a gloriously silent home so I'm taking advantage to complete these last couple days...<br /><br />Here is "day 25"'s challenge: What makes you tick about your loved one? What do they do to go out of their way to make sure you are happy and that you have a GREAT day?<br /><br />So, I am spoiled. My husband comes home from work every day at lunch. I'm not sure how to express how much I appreciate this daily act of service. Sure, he could go to the lunch room and chit chat with his coworkers. He could read ESPN.com or work on school work during his hour lunch break. Instead, he chooses to enter into what he knows will be a little bit of a crazy time (in the midst of a sometimes-stressful work day). He makes lunch for his 2 & 4 year old, he gives big hugs and asks how our day is going, he takes Tobias to the potty and puts him down for a nap, he gets the mail, and all four of us gather at the lunch table TOGETHER. It is a tremendous help to me to have this mini-break in the middle of the day particularly when my morning has consisted of rushing around, transporting little ones to their appropriate destinations, and completing various errands or chores. What a blessing this man is to sacrifice his "me time" for our family. I'm so grateful as he shows me and his children how much he loves us through this gift of time and attention.<br /><br />Caught him playing games and goofing around with the kids. I love how he's wearing his scrubs and his OT badge is dangling. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVc4pPjSPlNfMhUwnbuqhFVQ0SNHrI2rzGTSqm_n1AMUK6Wkgo0hawabaPNycTzb9amy3nUBNKNXAmHWp2UL80Wz-wViE8t3Kueq5r-jngAO2I4pPZZRhFPmYAeDzmLgdoOMv13C9TA/s1600/IMG_2774RaisinBread.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVc4pPjSPlNfMhUwnbuqhFVQ0SNHrI2rzGTSqm_n1AMUK6Wkgo0hawabaPNycTzb9amy3nUBNKNXAmHWp2UL80Wz-wViE8t3Kueq5r-jngAO2I4pPZZRhFPmYAeDzmLgdoOMv13C9TA/s320/IMG_2774RaisinBread.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578497940504937922" /></a><br />We love you, daddy!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-72042600818638970102011-02-25T15:01:00.001-08:002011-02-25T17:15:54.317-08:00WhereOnce again, I'm a little behind. This particular assignment was tough because, well, it was relatively impossible for me to get to "where" I knew he was "the one" at a moment's notice. It's also posing a challenge because back then we didn't use digital cameras so I don't have digital files to even upload moments from those days... <br /><br />Thus, the scanned photos.<br /><br />Mark and I were in every class together in our Occupational Therapy program with 30 or so other students at Towson University. It was a pretty intimate group and, whether we liked it or not, we became closely acquainted with one another. We became friends, having lunch together periodically and gathering at evening study groups. Somehow (um, definitely God!) we were placed together as partners to create and lead a group in one of our behavioral health classes. I'll never forget the professors response, "That was the best partner project I've ever experienced in this course." We certainly complimented one another well, yet remained "friends" for a couple years. <br />Study group for Anatomy & Physiology = fried brains <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSs3bp2mjGnp11Heh1T50zRuPYYSc6BIjCqLwsU6OXr6bS4m1Ti3NyfTS1VbPe1ig4kgtKmN5p_mGoIdOXohg3kSc7EoFfRuOUkuLGSj7H5qgsFOoGnh9n3ujcDsbOBXOs0wH5J_lGA/s1600/TUstudygroup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSs3bp2mjGnp11Heh1T50zRuPYYSc6BIjCqLwsU6OXr6bS4m1Ti3NyfTS1VbPe1ig4kgtKmN5p_mGoIdOXohg3kSc7EoFfRuOUkuLGSj7H5qgsFOoGnh9n3ujcDsbOBXOs0wH5J_lGA/s320/TUstudygroup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577798848027233362" /></a><br /><br />THEN, Mark joined our Habitat for Humanity group on a spring break trip to Charleston, SC. Experiencing him outside of the academic element struck a spark. As soon as we returned from that week, we began dating.<br />Notice how he has a hammer aimed at my noggin. ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vvvDnLJqz1aoxGiIRw1JAaMCSIyJ4NYqYLrltc-mVr4hXMehsI2KNT-NlYi3PL1ibhQJonlt13IzH3GP3MLDFixD-_R5-XRkqNYWfer_UFfI8Z6P_uZj4xcb89HZHsw9Im8yU9H7pA/s1600/Habitat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vvvDnLJqz1aoxGiIRw1JAaMCSIyJ4NYqYLrltc-mVr4hXMehsI2KNT-NlYi3PL1ibhQJonlt13IzH3GP3MLDFixD-_R5-XRkqNYWfer_UFfI8Z6P_uZj4xcb89HZHsw9Im8yU9H7pA/s320/Habitat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577798562897791938" /></a><br /><br />It wasn't until about a year later that our relationship moved to the "next level"... I was doing a 3 month internship in Santa Barbara, CA. I was all alone on the West Coast while he was living with his parents in suburban DC completing his internship. His parents graciously footed the bill for a plane ticket and we spent a glorious long weekend sharing sunny CA. This is where we had "the talk" and pursued our relationship toward marriage. <br />Here we are at one of the missions, typical of southern CA.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxGM1Q-Gepdzs3i3ylfmk7MrMuxMQ3uDV_KOTEkZli9SALLHa4OtdolpB_XaPxMq2n2yuMvUsGLnBT2ZNdiXqkdgyoffLAfJNEwH9zZ5T05j8BEj97nwr9SQv-allEoCjOEDfkFsG2A/s1600/SantaBarbara.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxGM1Q-Gepdzs3i3ylfmk7MrMuxMQ3uDV_KOTEkZli9SALLHa4OtdolpB_XaPxMq2n2yuMvUsGLnBT2ZNdiXqkdgyoffLAfJNEwH9zZ5T05j8BEj97nwr9SQv-allEoCjOEDfkFsG2A/s320/SantaBarbara.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577799481754962482" /></a><br /><br />So these are the 3 turning points, special places and moments, leading to our union. It was fun to search for these photos and reminisce. Oh, how great is the Lord who orchestrated all of this and faithfully brought us to this day...Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-43788093525193672572011-02-23T15:14:00.000-08:002011-02-23T17:25:28.981-08:00FacebookThis is a kind of funny, kind of fun, "free day" assignment... "JUST DO IT! You know you have some awesome facebook photos of your loved one. Pick your favorite, copy it (save it) and print it to have forever!" <br /><br />This has been Mark's profile pic on Facebook for, oh, at least 6 months if not more. We are at a friend's wedding in May of last year (I sang and played flute) goofing off at the reception. Mark stole/borrowed one of the bridesmaid's bouquets and he's infamous for making silly faces in photos without my knowledge. I love how happy we look/are.<br /><br />And I've already printed it and framed it. Ahead of the game on that one! <br /><br />I didn't go back to find the original file, just stole it off Facebook for simplicity's sake. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEQwtVLJZvdkwOFk8fFYp4ZYSEVimi2HBTkd2swuSrckh0zehZw5w8Ffx85l6UKtaUD-7cfz-ZSnE3Kr4qvHjYpIeLuVAsGd9gdsFpHsJFfU9DKWEgeb67ksDIGFTha9HPSIYLPFnXg/s1600/27416_520244856_8845_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEQwtVLJZvdkwOFk8fFYp4ZYSEVimi2HBTkd2swuSrckh0zehZw5w8Ffx85l6UKtaUD-7cfz-ZSnE3Kr4qvHjYpIeLuVAsGd9gdsFpHsJFfU9DKWEgeb67ksDIGFTha9HPSIYLPFnXg/s320/27416_520244856_8845_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577060906062176866" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-65622766853874735812011-02-23T10:45:00.000-08:002011-02-23T10:59:28.482-08:00Face (portrait)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2NZU2F_TXFlveiEDuJkPLRyAoBIkkadA00c_9mjrNllGlc3Q6_PS5zG-x7OEgFMNTQ-yuGov8oiwTRHu5OpVUkPyc9Q7ePE8dWapB0LolRt-xnCTiSgDTroOGRpFVzA5byGl3xGYw/s1600/IMG_2511vintagecolor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2NZU2F_TXFlveiEDuJkPLRyAoBIkkadA00c_9mjrNllGlc3Q6_PS5zG-x7OEgFMNTQ-yuGov8oiwTRHu5OpVUkPyc9Q7ePE8dWapB0LolRt-xnCTiSgDTroOGRpFVzA5byGl3xGYw/s320/IMG_2511vintagecolor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576960940063170034" /></a><br /><br />For this day (which was yesterday), our assignment was: "Your task today is to just capture your loved one’s portrait. A head and shoulders shot. Simplify the background (find a neutral wall in the home) so that the focus is truly on them and their beauty." <br /><br />Lydia was available and somewhat willing (or did I force her?) when the lighting was optimal, so I seized my opportunity. For some reason, when I look at these, I just can't comprehend how beautiful I think my daughter is AND how she's grown in beauty... You never can fathom the depth of love you'll have for these miracles when they enter your lives and these photos knock me off my feet with thankfulness for this love-filled life...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodzsjngi1ceuM9e14eY0uuP_mrHccjgAcdu5HmtltO6DdJNhLf3zO0LGaPxSU1ZwuUgC7V5GKJPbZFxqP38mY9Fkh8pVaFB34gylbSdOSOWGzojMEEexxRF7KXnGu4_-Voe_JBZxYLQ/s1600/IMG_2507prettycolor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodzsjngi1ceuM9e14eY0uuP_mrHccjgAcdu5HmtltO6DdJNhLf3zO0LGaPxSU1ZwuUgC7V5GKJPbZFxqP38mY9Fkh8pVaFB34gylbSdOSOWGzojMEEexxRF7KXnGu4_-Voe_JBZxYLQ/s320/IMG_2507prettycolor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576959979839951490" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-89526414017716460432011-02-22T13:08:00.000-08:002011-02-22T18:19:52.806-08:00HandsFor those of you who have been following the "Joy of Love" adventure, you've noticed that I've taken a few days off. The weekend was Cah-ray-zee, so I opted for a little break. Never fear, I'm back. ;) And since I missed a few days I'll post a few photos per assignment. <br /><br />Yesterdays was "hands" - we were to get out our "macro" lens and get up-close-and-personal with the hands of one we love. Now, yesterday the lighting was STINKY - it was very dark all day long - overcast/cloudy. Good day for a nap (in which I indulged) not so good for photography with natural light. <br /><br />I attempted multiple times...<br /><br />At the breakfast table while Lydia was "organizing" her jewelry box (Lydia's LOVE of girliness)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBaCrVykZ53myka2FU7j1X3Kf81O_3S6Uf8Y345zkJqyOzmVLEyh_VON7iyrDjqVNT-hxTM8ZM2vwTFf9vBpQwHfQqXsfqhxIioF7zAhdEkmzf_e2Qmdqrr_GxzchWnYQfCuUKgKA8A/s1600/IMG_2455heartland.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBaCrVykZ53myka2FU7j1X3Kf81O_3S6Uf8Y345zkJqyOzmVLEyh_VON7iyrDjqVNT-hxTM8ZM2vwTFf9vBpQwHfQqXsfqhxIioF7zAhdEkmzf_e2Qmdqrr_GxzchWnYQfCuUKgKA8A/s320/IMG_2455heartland.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576701420155536626" /></a><br /><br />While we were driving to Kohl's after work (Mark's LOVE of cars)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuIz4idVmMgbGgbi7rorh1mz_6NGRF-jxAty2j40AWeys8Yd9pyEh39j7x1gyQ89Dof1NmDqmIedSMc7Lqc3H21cWRBYk_IxYzwDR1adBAuwBRmaFcFwioNepIvGGcLcTmaiW57-Utg/s1600/IMG_2472.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuIz4idVmMgbGgbi7rorh1mz_6NGRF-jxAty2j40AWeys8Yd9pyEh39j7x1gyQ89Dof1NmDqmIedSMc7Lqc3H21cWRBYk_IxYzwDR1adBAuwBRmaFcFwioNepIvGGcLcTmaiW57-Utg/s320/IMG_2472.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576699863260423842" /></a><br /><br />My mom after family dinner cuddling on the sofa with her 3 grandchildren (LOVE just oozes here ;) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2-6oHreVEl8WRor7x-RiSJk8MNATTcMa_5scH_EZae7AZdFOufvHQep4YINWRC98dtEJ1puKAJWAUeNAtOQnwOC0eg_ubB5IyfgtNREyxXShbp93MbN9yDjHLQK4kx3XSr1LXdsfCQ/s1600/IMG_2486B%2526W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2-6oHreVEl8WRor7x-RiSJk8MNATTcMa_5scH_EZae7AZdFOufvHQep4YINWRC98dtEJ1puKAJWAUeNAtOQnwOC0eg_ubB5IyfgtNREyxXShbp93MbN9yDjHLQK4kx3XSr1LXdsfCQ/s320/IMG_2486B%2526W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576701766312685730" /></a><br /><br />But I just wasn't truly thrilled with any of these. Thus, I attempted again today with the glorious sunlight reflecting from the newly fallen snow streaming into my windows.<br /><br />The apple doesn't fall far from the tree - Lydia checking out her photographs on her own little pink camera.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDCUVLtpfpuvFx8EMOesoSAeWdZ_PXCFBKK-O1hAYZaJUWVyqlTUYkG7t81uIVkrYDQED0Sz0vPIh1PnWmhCbNVAngoRbI50ZWCaKK7LOQH-b1zbF3Tu2AZv7fgZq_esg_p-4sqjr1w/s1600/IMG_2503softcolorwithedgeburn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDCUVLtpfpuvFx8EMOesoSAeWdZ_PXCFBKK-O1hAYZaJUWVyqlTUYkG7t81uIVkrYDQED0Sz0vPIh1PnWmhCbNVAngoRbI50ZWCaKK7LOQH-b1zbF3Tu2AZv7fgZq_esg_p-4sqjr1w/s320/IMG_2503softcolorwithedgeburn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576702349904214066" /></a><br /><br />But then, came my favorite... Lydia was playing in the kitchen, turned to me (on the computer assessing the "hands" photos) and declared, "I want to pray". I immediately responded, "Go ahead, honey! You can pray any time, any where." I just so happened to have my camera right beside me and caught this one. I'm serious, it's not posed! Lydia's love of God just makes me glow with joy. The epitome of LOVE: Our gracious God who first loved us, so much that He gave His only Son so that we may have life eternal. To have my children know and develop their relationship with this amazing, loving God - now that's LOVE! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj5LTMiSyDRT85D1omb_51Lc7VI9cftjxnR8OJu9NigNTuTRjldyX9sgGN1JRkiTjfSi8Kk4rT9e7C31_4D0FpEvy9DE81KrxImYVkcG7dnFZnWahK-oQxVYzqUKUjQjMIeaQckBQvA/s1600/IMG_2517BoostB%2526W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj5LTMiSyDRT85D1omb_51Lc7VI9cftjxnR8OJu9NigNTuTRjldyX9sgGN1JRkiTjfSi8Kk4rT9e7C31_4D0FpEvy9DE81KrxImYVkcG7dnFZnWahK-oQxVYzqUKUjQjMIeaQckBQvA/s320/IMG_2517BoostB%2526W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576703349240083570" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-55904757211015617472011-02-18T12:52:00.000-08:002011-02-18T13:05:40.753-08:00Staying InIt's ironic that on the warmest day this year, almost spring-like, our assignment was titled, "staying in" when everyone just wanted to be OUTSIDE in the fresh, glorious air. Oh well. My kids did have some TV time after nap/rest, so I caught them zoning out with Dora before dinner. <br /><br />Here is the actual instruction for the assignment: "What do you do when you are home together?" We were, again, supposed to set up the tripod and capture what we do when we're all here together. Honestly, there wasn't much time when the four of us were here at the same time yesterday (work for daddy, preschool, Mother's Day Out, music class, church choir...) so I just got the kids. And I pretty much never watch TV with them. Sometimes they "stay up late" (like 8 or 8:30 ;) with daddy and watch movies, but usually they get a TV show when I need 24-28 minutes (the running time of an On Demand cartoon) of peace like while prepping dinner. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM8gCv05uaDbybvCOIxz75Dxf93bugMyIoYL7iyn2CXbIm6EdHwEmkULjhcnWmV-B9uWQiLOwLEOPouTah6-_eKOPGtMi4yeb0lrvOQ23Jkk8VOQQ2cQlfoMyyhBHrG27LZEqDqHaGA/s1600/IMG_2442straightup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM8gCv05uaDbybvCOIxz75Dxf93bugMyIoYL7iyn2CXbIm6EdHwEmkULjhcnWmV-B9uWQiLOwLEOPouTah6-_eKOPGtMi4yeb0lrvOQ23Jkk8VOQQ2cQlfoMyyhBHrG27LZEqDqHaGA/s320/IMG_2442straightup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575137790174645826" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and yesterday was "rainbow day" at Lydia's preschool. I usually just dress Tobias according to her school themes to try to carryover the lessons into home-life, thus, LOTS of colors and patterns. ;)Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-65382099111090423182011-02-16T17:51:00.000-08:002011-02-16T18:12:54.987-08:00together (self-portrait)Go figure, the day we are assigned to do a "self portrait" with the one we love, I get negative amount of sleep the night before resulting in some serious puffy, dark-ringed eyes... Mid-day I decided in no way, shape or form was my face going to be in this photo. Mark came home at 415 and had to dash out at 445 for his night class, so in that time I set up the tripod and decided on a silhouette. I've never attempted one before, but today was the day.<br /><br />Me & my true love awaiting another gift of love...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3PbS7pkMI4NHCNPXn5kJYnY1U8TBj8mDM0hJcUuGt-78fEkYQWs96q0O-ZMadHh9oibtjAyWHZzOkya46UO0AM4QwdWqpOE8ibqhAiXvsU7q8z-20m-uu9xIlSOQD4vbko_nDrDRw/s1600/IMG_2338B%2526WBoost.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3PbS7pkMI4NHCNPXn5kJYnY1U8TBj8mDM0hJcUuGt-78fEkYQWs96q0O-ZMadHh9oibtjAyWHZzOkya46UO0AM4QwdWqpOE8ibqhAiXvsU7q8z-20m-uu9xIlSOQD4vbko_nDrDRw/s320/IMG_2338B%2526WBoost.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574475514671585586" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-39446670036352369132011-02-15T12:07:00.000-08:002011-02-15T18:46:51.239-08:00KissPretty self-explanatory. The assignment was to catch a smooch of a loved one. Our instructor gave a warning, "you may have to use your tripod and the camera's self timer to get you with your loved one." so I did. Honestly, I didn't think much about this prior to setting up the tripod. First, I was a little apprehensive about the tripod shots, particularly since it was chilly outside (we were on the front porch) and I wasn't sure how the tripod set-up would work out with focusing, framing, etc. Second, really never know what Lydia might do or how she might react in these situations. At times, she's completely cooperative, which happened to be today, until she got chilly of course. And I really can't blame her, I was cold too! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN5Z3S3mD_ZbqVgGsggyFgSjN6JQf1Wd5GD3IVIGE3lSQisDHB_gIGpShnerTWO8lR2bhFqcPUwUNbMSdZ2JtScG6buXxpAcX0FuHn5GYFmWbZNubh4ByXVtS6B3Dt_zxatGCfWF9vQ/s1600/IMG_2213PrettycolorB%2526W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN5Z3S3mD_ZbqVgGsggyFgSjN6JQf1Wd5GD3IVIGE3lSQisDHB_gIGpShnerTWO8lR2bhFqcPUwUNbMSdZ2JtScG6buXxpAcX0FuHn5GYFmWbZNubh4ByXVtS6B3Dt_zxatGCfWF9vQ/s320/IMG_2213PrettycolorB%2526W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574104774985189346" /></a><br />It was perfect to get Lydia to kiss me because, well, she's a kisser. Often the objects of her affection are inanimate. For example, she kissed her Tinkerbell lollipop she got at a Valentine's party today. She kisses her stuffed animals and other random toys that she's excited about. Basically, if she's thrilled or overwhelmed with joy, she kisses. Love this girlie!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIsNkbDkjwNWRDep1nNv2PmmHTAIvEkKJQS07LyFWNC0tPWVmsj9ROlBQVVqZqU-UV4BkxTGCJAY-yKpNqmliNtHzssPpbOFMTmwNTWz6TwKN9Xl2wGmI9UGHnUlYZW_JYe8l3i0XVQ/s1600/IMG_2221straightup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIsNkbDkjwNWRDep1nNv2PmmHTAIvEkKJQS07LyFWNC0tPWVmsj9ROlBQVVqZqU-UV4BkxTGCJAY-yKpNqmliNtHzssPpbOFMTmwNTWz6TwKN9Xl2wGmI9UGHnUlYZW_JYe8l3i0XVQ/s320/IMG_2221straightup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574112708720905010" /></a><br />I was chatting with a girlfriend and fellow photog this morning explaining how post-processing is really "not my thing." I love to take photographs, but the editing part somewhat frustrates me, particularly since it has been a "trial and error" process that has not come naturally to me. That said, yesterday I purchased (at half off I might add - score!) a few Photoshop Actions from http://myfourhensphotography.com/. This afternoon I had some quiet time to play around with them a little and am encouraged by the results. Now, it still took way more time than I prefer, but I suppose, with anything, this process becomes more streamlined with practice. Once again this class has challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore uncharted photography territory for me. Fun!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906301052300333145.post-9128872857257298622011-02-15T11:42:00.000-08:002011-02-15T12:06:59.849-08:00JewelrySome days I'm just not inspired. You know, just don't "feel" like getting my camera out and/or thinking creatively. This course is certainly challenging me to push beyond how I "feel" and "just DO it!" Yesterday I was zonked. Running the kids to MDO, working, walking with my love, grocery shopping, cleaning up from Valentine's parties, dinner at my parents... In the midst of all of that I just didn't get the time or the energy to get the right lighting or the patience to get the "right shot". That said, this is what I DID get... <br /><br />The assignment was to: "Capture that wedding band on his finger today. if your loved one is not married to you, then try to document a piece of jewelry he or she wears." My whole idea for "generations" (a lesson I skipped due to illness) was to get my mom's, my, and Lydia's hands all together somehow with both my mom and I wearing the rings that we inherited following my grandmother's passing. So, I kind of resurrected that idea yesterday and put on Lydia the bracelet from her baptism that includes a charm of her great-grandmother. I wanted to try to get my grandma (we called her "Babe")'s ring in the photo too. My squirmy 4-year old, all jacked up on sugar from the Valentine's party of the day, just couldn't stay still to "pose" for this one. Although it's not what I had envisioned, it still captures the legacy of my grandmother, specifically the cross representing her faith in Christ that lives in the hearts of the generations that follow her...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYNnVa0cXyNwYJswS6hYoUJDFqxi35zJuRtlCvhsTpIkaevYNO6yWyNRm9NxG7V9zU3ebZlZVyCQQjiO-NUpfR_o4Z9oOz2FDbvIUpvBoBZ-qEhgGgX7ya1nFmWzdMqfQRYnVvHKYbw/s1600/IMG_2174B%2526W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYNnVa0cXyNwYJswS6hYoUJDFqxi35zJuRtlCvhsTpIkaevYNO6yWyNRm9NxG7V9zU3ebZlZVyCQQjiO-NUpfR_o4Z9oOz2FDbvIUpvBoBZ-qEhgGgX7ya1nFmWzdMqfQRYnVvHKYbw/s320/IMG_2174B%2526W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574009279070167650" /></a><br /><br />This is taken about 4:30pm - although the sun was out earlier a huge cloud came through so it was rather dark, taken in the light from our French doors to our deck.<br /><br />This is what I got of the wedding band. Trying to make our hands into a "heart shape" (I mean, it was Valentine's Day, after all!) Since she asked us to get the wedding band of the one we love, I focused on his ring. February is not the optimal time of year for beautiful skin. I feel like mine looks 80 years old! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxElUhM3vvSuQ-DDF8sEY6qAEkzDVkTjjE7ztC9TeZliSnqsjiXG7mxJBKvYmW6rmJEHpaErITd5JA94S5QulxxvXWFss2Bp4gYdc1QKbXjK3yRjs0UMemVPCLTQFMIzFTV-UnWfxpA/s1600/IMG_2190black%2526brilliance.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxElUhM3vvSuQ-DDF8sEY6qAEkzDVkTjjE7ztC9TeZliSnqsjiXG7mxJBKvYmW6rmJEHpaErITd5JA94S5QulxxvXWFss2Bp4gYdc1QKbXjK3yRjs0UMemVPCLTQFMIzFTV-UnWfxpA/s320/IMG_2190black%2526brilliance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574009724564601826" /></a><br /><br />"Jewelry" assignment completed. Glad I waited a day to work on the post-processing. I definitely saw things with a fresher perspective today. :)Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437102119966736339noreply@blogger.com0