saturday afternoon

Saturday afternoon looks like this:

and I love it.

33

February 18 was my birthday, 

I turned 33.

Admittedly, not the greatest picture, mostly because it was just a test picture by Erik. Nonetheless, it's a picture of just me, which I rarely take. I'm the one that's typically behind the camera.

It was my birthday and for the first time in a long time, I wasn't sad to age (but we can put on the brakes for a little while, 33 is great ;) ). I can say that I miss my childhood years. I miss the teenage years, I miss my twenties. In this timespan, there have been moments of unbeliveable joy, moments of great sadness, of horrible embarrassment, of tremendous pride, and the list goes on. 

The one thing that all these have in common is that it's just what they are: moments...moments that I have experienced, that I have LIVED.

I'd like to give God back some of them, some of them just don't make sense. Some of them are heartbreaking.

Others, I wish I could go back. I wish I could relive them just to feel that sense of elation.

In these 33 years, these moments, they have pieced a puzzle, one that is not yet complete.

A puzzle that is building year after year, month after month, day after day, minute after minute, second after second.

In these 33 years, I am thankful for loving friends,

a loving family,

a loving husband, 

and loving children. 

(+2, -1...Tatum was in the stroller sleeping)

I am thankful for a loving God who has given me these gifts. 

I do not take these gifts for granted, or the moments that have led up to this point, for they are all part of my life, and what makes me, me.

Sure, I've got a lot of work ahead of me to live the best life I can, but I think that's great news.

That means more moments and more moments mean more memories to share.

Thank you, 33.

Here's to many more!

joy of love-day 14

Today is Valentine's Day. Some say it's a Hallmark holiday, maybe so. For me, it's a day to stop, and remember that this life, the one life I have been given, is so precious.

The very idea that I can get up in the morning, 

open my eyes,

breathe,

walk, 

talk,

love...

is amazing.

It's another day to be 

thankful...

that I have been blessed with 3 beautiful children,

a mother, father, sister and extended family,

who love me.

A husband,

who chose me as his girlfriend when we were just 18. 

A husband, who chose me as his wife 7 1/2 years ago.

This commitment that we've made,

to one another,

to last...

f 2.8 1/125 ISO 200

This is the joy of love day 14: wedding bands.

Happy Valentine's Day, Erik.

I love you!

3 months

Sweet Tatum Frances,

where has the time gone?

At 3 months you:

smile constantly

giggle when you're tickled

light up when you hear Kieran and Anna's voice

sleep like a dream

watch what's going on around you

love to cuddle

"talk" to Mommy and Daddy.

Happiness starts somewhere. It has found you, embraced you, spoken to you, sweet baby girl.

I pray that this feeling stays with you all the days of your life. It's when we lose our way, our strength, ourselves, that we forget what happiness feels like. 

I can stare into your eyes and the rush that comes over me is nothing that I can describe.

A mother's love?

A glimpse of Heaven on Earth?

At 3 months, you are wise beyond the time that you have spent here.

Perhaps you know something that I don't?

What you show to me daily is unconditional love, and it is so powerful I know it must

come from God.

every good and perfect gift...

Every good and perfect gift is from above

James 1:17

My baby girl, Tatum Frances, baptized on Saturday, February 5. 

Sweet, 

is the perfect way to describe her.

Loved,

by all those who hold her.

 Adored

by her big sister

 & 

big brother.

Such a beautiful day (77 degrees in February, what?), and we couldn't have asked for more.

You are perfect in His image, a gift from above, a light in our hearts. 

"The best I can do is try to show you
How to love with no fear
My little girl
You've gone and stole my heart
And made it your own
You've stole my heart
And made it your own"

-Jack Johnson

joy of love 5, 6, 7

I skipped joy of love 5, but may go back to it. In the mean time, prompt #6 is

who they love:

ISO 400 f 1.8 1/180 (should have increased my f stop, since they move around like crazy, then I wouldn't have had the blur in Anna's hand :) )

It's not a technically sound picture, but it's the expressions of my kids. It is SO their personalities. This prompt, who THEY love? This picture foots the bill, 'cause they LOVE each other!

And for joy of love 7?
Generations:
My parents and Tatum

ISO 800 f 2 1/500
Tatum makes grandchild #6 for my parents and they are thrilled! I am lucky to have parents like mine! They make our family days special and unique. My dad plays the guitar and my mom sings and plays the piano. They played and sang at my wedding, my sister's wedding, and all of our kids baptisms.
Thank you Mom and Dad, I love you!

joy of love 4: what they wear

Even though I have a totally awesome joy of love 3: then and now, I didn't ask my family friend if I could post it, so I wanted to respect his privacy. If I do ask, I'll post it later. 

In the meantime, on with joy of love 4: what they wear.

I am behind so many days that these next few posts will all be on the same day. I just got lucky and many of the pictures that I took on one day, all fit in with the prompts that are ahead. Hopefully, this will get me caught up to speed.

ISO 400 f 1.4 1/500

This is my daughter's bracelet from her baptism this past weekend, given to her by my Auntie Mary, who also happens to be my godmother. My daughter, Anna, has a bracelet just like it and I love them. It "grows with you" so as they get older, you can add the beads, so pretty! Love you, Auntie Mary :)

joy of love 1 & 2

The joy of love. Just this one little sentence alone, fills my heart, fills my soul. 

I am taking part in a 28-day free, yes I said free, course by Willette called, the joy of love. To offer something like this is so great, and I am truly appreciative. Each day a new prompt is given and another excuse to have my camera in hand is created. 

I am already behind, but then, what else is new? 

I am using this opportunity as a way to learn, and better my photography!

I missed Tuesday and shot post 1 & 2 on Wednesday. Now, here's to staying on track!

Joy of Love 1: What They Do

Anna on the trampoline at daycare

f 2.5 1/125 ISO 200 

Joy of Love 2: How They Look

f 1.4...probably shouldn't be shooting wide open, but was having difficulty changing my settings 1/180 ISO 1600...very little light left in the house, but was able to take the shot w/o flash. 

Kieran is always game for taking his picture. He likes to look on the LCD screen to see his latest pose :)

Stay tuned for daily Joy of Love posts!