Ripples

Sometimes I don't have a lot to say. Sometimes I have a lot to say and am not sure how to put it into words. Sometimes it's all swirling and rippling around in my head waiting to be sorted out. This is one of those days where I really don't have much coherent thought. I'm blaming it on the fact that my children refuse to sleep while away from home.

We'll be heading back home at some point tomorrow. Back home where I hear it's a bit chilly. Not looking forward to that, I've really enjoyed the 80 degree weather. But I am looking forward to getting some sleep again.

Getting our Vitamin D

This week we had the opportunity to head out of the little cold snap happening back home, and traveled down to Florida. It's actually not a "fun" trip for my husband, who is working this week (which is the reason we are here). But I figured he really needed me and the kids to tag along and keep him company.

While he's been working, me and the kids (pictured above with one of their aunties) have also been working hard hunting lizards and perfecting our swimming techniques. (Ya know, the doggie-paddle, and the "help mom, I'm swallowing water".) While it all sounds like fun and games, I can assure you, the pool with two small children is not exactly relaxing, and lizards are really fast and chasing them is quite a work out.

We are enjoying ourselves, though. Just seeing palm trees, and temperatures over 80 degrees, makes me smile. The kids don't really care about those things, but every morning they wake up and check to make sure our pool is still there. I can't really imagine someone would steal an in-ground pool, but I guess you can't ever be too sure.

P.S. To answer a popular question: No cameras or small children were drowned in the taking of these shots. It might not have been the most brilliant idea I've ever had, but ya know I can't resist a good angle on a shot.

Check out more shots at Perceptive Perspectives, Sweet Shot, and You Capture

{The last shot is my pick for this week}

Honored

I've only ever witnessed two births, and those were my kids. I am not a squeamish person, I just never thought I'd feel comfortable in the delivery room with someone else. I didn't even let me own mother in the delivery room with me because I'm such a private person. (She brings that up constantly too...never going to let me forget it)

I'd seen and admired several great birth photography sessions, and loved the life that just pours out of a session like that. Capturing the first moments of a baby's life, the looks on the parents' faces...wow. Makes me all teary even if I don't know them from a hole in the ground. So I asked (pretty much begged) my life-long best pal Jen to let me photograph the birth of her second son. She very graciously agreed to let me do it.

It was an honor to be there with her family as she stayed strong, pushing her sweet son into the world. I'm so proud of her. And so excited to see this baby grow up.

Bearing Gifts

My kiddos may be wild, they may be loud, they may be dare-devils, but they are also very sweet. We spent a lot of time outside this past week, enjoying the flowers, sunshine, and gravel?

My kids always bring my presents while we sit outside. I love this about them. I usually smile and say thanks, and pitch the piece of mulch/gravel/ant/booger over my shoulder when they aren't looking. They don't notice, and are only leaving to go get me another "gift" anyway.

Sometimes they bring me skinned knees or dirty hands to brush off, too. Both of them always need their "boo-boo's" kissed. I love this too. I'm going to cry my eyes out, and need a kiss myself, the day they stop these little habits.

I may have a few rocks, sticks, and scrapes that I didn't necessarily need, but I'd rather have those than diamonds...most days. Kidding. Diamonds are just rocks you can see through, anyway.

Check out more shots at The Paper Mama
(The last shot is my pick for this week)

Subtle

I've spent so much time waiting for Spring to get here. I think I had it in my head that I was going to have to wait a little longer.

But it came before I was expecting it, which was a nice surprise. We may still have cold snaps, but the flowers are all blooming, the trees are getting leaves, and the kids are able to go outside almost every day because the temperatures are so much warmer.

Just like back in the fall, I can't stop taking pictures of the subtle daily changes as Spring takes over. It happened slowly, but at the same time it seemed like it happened over night.

It reminds me of how sometimes my current situation may seem rough, and look like it stretches out in front of me for a long time. But I always have hope that things can change, that God has a plan, and that His mercies are new every morning. I may need to be content a bit longer, but sometimes those subtle changes I'm longing for can happen while I'm busy enjoying where I am.