It's a bird...

...it's a plane. It's SuperMom? I think super is in the eye of the beholder, and when Merrick tells me "Mom, you're cute!", or Tirzah says "yuv yoooo mommy", I think that's about as super as it gets. I may leave piles of unwashed dishes sitting for too long, and occasionally refuse to fix dinner, and have a mood swing or two...hundred, but they love me.

And good grief, I love them. I know that sometimes people view motherhood as what you do when you're done doing what you've always wanted to do. After you've had your job, made money, traveled all around, lived it up, etc. (And sure, being a mom isn't for everybody, and may not be possible for everybody. I am not saying it is by any means.) But for me, being a mom is that "what I want to do". It's the sweet spot. The photographer gig is nice, but it doesn't hug me with dirty sticky little fingers at the end of a long day. It doesn't look in my eyes and say "mom, i wuv you". It wasn't the face I prayed over, and anticipated seeing for 37 and 40 weeks. When they were just little pink lines on a pregnancy test, they were already so embedded in my heart that it was impossible to imagine life before them.

I'm blessed to be doing what I love. Motherhood isn't for the faint of heart. Anyone who is a mom, or even wants to be a mom, knows that. You spend your day (or dream of spending it) wiping boogers and butts, bent over picking up toys, fixing countless cups of juice and singing ridiculous songs about trains and backpacks. Getting no sleep and often going broke for the sake of diapers and baby food. But it teaches you that there are people more important in the world than yourself. And one of my favorite things about being a mom, is that it's taught me that if I love these little people so much with my imperfect heart...imagine how much better my Father loves them, and me?

Thanks to all the girls out there who give so much because they love so much. Happy Mother's Day!

Corny

Ok, so I do not like corn. I don't mind it so much off the cob. But on the cob it gets stuck in your teeth, it gets on your face, and don't even mention the trauma of being in high school and not being able to even eat the stuff because you have braces. For four years. I married into a family of corn eaters, however. Well, I married a guy who likes it, and so do his offpsring.

I tried to eat it, I really did. But in the end the kids literally were fighting over the ear of corn that I didn't want to eat. (Although I covered it up like I was being all sweet sharing my corn with them) I know, I shouldn't discriminate between the yellow and the green veggies (is corn even a veggie...I mean, what is it?) and I definitely make them eat the green ones.

If Billy didn't like it so much I think this would be one of those foods that my kids would get to college and ask in the dining hall, "Hey, what is that stuff? We never ate that at home." ;)

Check out more shots at The Paper Mama 

(The second shot is my pick for this week)

New Memories

We are full on into the moving process now. I'm not even a fan of packing for a trip, much less for a move. But at the same time I love how moving helps you simplify and get rid of things you don't need, and also leads you to find things with special memories attached that you haven't seen in awhile.



This next few weeks are going to be fun, busy, stressful, and bittersweet all at the same time. I'm ready to move now, set down my roots in a new place (that really isn't too far from home now). I'll miss this place where we've made so many memories, but I'm sure we'll waste no time filling the new place with them.

The Real Reason

I think as far as weather and climate, ol' VA is a pretty stable location. We've never had to deal with severe weather, we get to enjoy a variety of seasons (although we all know I prefer the hot one), and there aren't any crazy predators wandering around other than my children.

It makes me grateful that all this severe weather we've been hearing of around the world (tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis) really doesn't affect us that often. Sure we had a couple of tornados here last week, but that's not the norm. I really can't wrap my mind around what these people are going through, and I kind of feel guilty for that. We are here, safe so much of the time, that I often take it for granted.

I think that I've been made aware of the fact that just because I'm not directly affected by this weather, doesn't really mean it doesn't affect me. People around the world have lost homes, or more importantly, people they love. As another human, as a follower of Christ, I'm called to "bear another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). So, even if my family is safe, and my house is still standing, I now realize the reason for that probably isn't where I live. The reason is so that I can take in someone who may not have been so fortunate.

First shot is my pick for Trendy Treehouse, Second is my pick for Sweet Shot, and Third is for Perceptive Perspectives.

Just another manic...

(Everybody now!) ...MONDAY. I feel like I've been doing this a lot lately...this saying "ohmygosh I'm so busy". So I'll try not to say it again. But, finally I can give more details about all our "changes" around here. My husband has a new job as a Director of Operations with a local Chick-Fil-A, so that's the reason for our big (as in 25 minute) move! We are very excited about this move, as it will simplify our crazy schedule, allow him to have a single job, and free up more time for us as a family, and also more time for stuff like this: (photoshoots, hobbies, sleeping...ok, maybe not sleeping. Who does that?)

We are really going to miss the students/people we've worked with these last three years or so. Both my babies were born while at this church, practically raised in the nursery and in the gymnasium where we spend so much time with the students. (Both of these girls who I did a shoot with last weekend were/are students as well as family) It's going to be so...weird. But an exciting kind of weird. Which is, I guess, the best kind of weird you can get.

Here's to changes, and to all the people who have prayed/loved/hugged/helped us to where we are right now, and are supporting us as we see what God has next for us.