{food for thought}
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. {1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

{Thirty Years Young Today}

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thirtieth birthdays should always include: fun school days & nitrogen atoms made, flowers, gifts, & cards sent from far away carrying happy birthday wishes, loving calls from my parents & best friends sharing special news, toenails painted & a pretty dress worn, an {after the storm} theme in honor of hurricane Irene, party decorations & o.j. borrowed, kabobs & blueberry cake, happy birthday sung by wee voices, a round of applause & cards that light-up, a scarf picked out by my oldest bean & a cross necklace given by my loving husband, good nights said & pie in bed :) it's not old that i feel but...
oh my how truly blessed!

Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to me!

{Thirty Things I've Learned in Thirty Years}

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01}  knowing the great love a mother has for her children
02}  God answers prayer, His timeline is precise, & the faith He graces us with is strong
03}  i am the best teacher for my kids
04}  exercise is essential for an overall well-being,
        have some of the best conversations with God while working out
05}  super glue has more powers than duck tape
06}  i am my biggest critic, seriously BIGGEST
07}  appreciate those you love while they are here,
        say i love you, people want to hear it more than you think
08}  i am like a fine wine... only getting better with age :-)
09}  encouragement feeds a child's creativity
10}  books make for the greatest vacations
11}  smile & never apologize for who you are in life
12}  following a recipe is non-sense, my version is always better
13}  sunrises are best viewed with sand between your toes
14}  should have owned a steam cleaner earlier in life
15}  letting go is hard but rediscovery is beautiful
16}  my boys WILL grow up no matter how much i wish it not so sometimes
17}  coffee makes my morning clearer & music moves me
18}  showers aren't a daily necessity but oh how they make the day that much brighter
19}  you can't not want babies
20}  forgive to the extent that you love
21}  admit when wrong & apologize always, no one is perfect nor greater than another
22}  gray hair is inevitable, no matter how many i try & pluck
23}  be silly & laugh often with my kids, i need it as much as they do
24}  procrastination is my middle name, i like to say it's what drives my creativity
25}  it is amazing what can be made with your two hands, creativity lives within each of us
26}  photography allows me to capture the moments in-between the busy,
        the moments that can be so hard to hold on to
27}  Chicken 'n Dumplings... ultimate comfort food! 
28}  my hubby would lasso the moon for me if he could ♥
29}  my parents have always had my best interest at heart,
        this is one you never quite realize until you yourself have children
30}  thank God above all, through Him all things are possible

Monday, August 29, 2011

at our desk

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first day of homeschooling completed with great success!
gold stars all around :)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

frogs snails & puppy dog tails

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earlier this month i had the privilege of photographing my younger brother Erik & his fiance Candace. their sweet baby boy Jacob
is due at the end of September & i could not have been more honored to take their maternity photos. we giggled & talked, i snapped...
they smiled & couldn't be more pleased with what we captured! thanks so much for the wonderfully memorable time guys, you
have such a blessed & beautiful family!!! i was also able to soak up the celebration of my nieces first birthday, Miss Emma's party
was lovely splashed with pink & silly cute little monkeys! Not to mention a sweet girl covered in pink icing :)

73Emma1stBday2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

bits & pieces :: our august day

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love garland & love notes
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lovely dinners & homemade hand-picked blueberry cake
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words shared & kisses remembered
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i love you baby & i can't wait to see what
bits & pieces this next year will bring!
{all of my love}