Sweet Shot Tuesday

My favorite shot of the week is my 4 year old son having fun with some balloons. I loved how he was laughing in this one and the way they were blowing in the wind.

Hop on over to Sweet Shot Tuesday to see many more pictures. :)

i heart faces ~ flowers

I can't imagine a better theme than flowers with a beautiful face. I took this one of my smiley daughter 12 days ago. Please check out more pictures at i heart faces.

And Happy Monday!

one of those weekends

This was one of those weekends that we had nothing planned or scheduled. Nothing. at. all. I can't tell you when than last happened. To some it might be boring or mundane but to us it was truly heavenly.
What did we do? spent a lot of time outside playing in the yard, and Grace and I got to work planting. I really should say she did most of the planting in pots, she is becoming quite the little gardener. I taught her about annuals and perennials, and we also talked about how rewarding it is to work with our hands, and see something grow. Mr. Will did what he dearly loves to do, follow Daddy around as his 'assistant' and helper. He also practiced his newest thing...his somersault/cartwheel. At least that what it looks like to me, and he smiles every time he does one.

Saturday night was an impromptu barbecue get together with many of our neighbors, I can't remember if I've mentioned that we have the BEST neighbors ever! A great time was had by all...happy kids and happy moms and dads. Looking forward to more weekends like these and it seems like Summer will be here soon. :)

Sweet Shot Tuesday

(Thank you to the Maternal Lens for choosing this picture of Grace as their 'Photo of the Day.' )

'Joy is not in things, it is in us.' ~ Richard Wagner

My very favorite shot of the week, taken of our daughter Grace dancing in her lavender tutu. Grace is the most joyful, happy child I've ever known. I was checking out a new location to take pictures (this was taken near an old school house in the middle of a field in the countryside) and she broke out in this spontaneous little dance. This girl always makes me smile!

Please go over and see more beautiful pictures here for Sweet Shot Tuesdays.

the gift of motherhood

'In raising children I have lost my mind, but found my soul.' ~ Lisa T. Shepherd

'I see who I want to be, in my daughter's eyes.' ~ Martina McBride

'A mother understands what a child doesn't say.' ~ Jewish Proverb

Last night I carried 4 year old Will up the stairs to bed, he had fallen asleep on our family room floor. He has been doing that fairly frequently lately as he's kind of in that stage of giving up his nap, and he's pretty tired after dinner time. As I carried him up the stairs and smelled his hair and sweet little boy scent, I thought to myself that I've been carrying my sleeping young children up to bed for a long time...I've been a mom for 25 years. That's half my life.

The above 3 quotes spoke to me, in fact I could have written them myself, as they describe my feelings so well. I became a mom for the first time in my mid 20's and in many ways feel like I grew up with my oldest son. This second chance of motherhood which started in my 40's has certainly been one of my greatest gifts. With maturity also comes some wisdom, or at least for me it did. I found out what was important to me and really who I am as a person, through my young children.

The best advice about being a mother and a parent came from my own mom. My mom had 4 children in 5 and a half years, and what she taught me was, "Don't sweat the small stuff and have fun." And whether it's raising a toddler, a teenager or communicating with my 25 year old son, I have taken that advice to heart. It doesn't matter if my house is a mess, my children's clothes match perfectly or I cook nutritionally perfect meals for dinner every single night. What does matter is that they are learning to be good, giving and kind people and that they are loved unconditionally and always.

Happy Mother's Day to you and your's, whether you are a mom, are waiting for your child and will be a mom, or still have a mom in your life. Cherish them always!

wordless Wednesday

Sweet Shot Tuesday

'Sweet Shot Tuesday' is a photo link blog hop that encourages photographers to post

and link up their best shot of the week. What I love about this is there's no specific theme, no restrictions of any kind, and it's for all skill levels. The image just needs to be taken within the last week. I'm excited about it and really looking forward to this weekly hop as I grow as a photographer.

The above image was taken last Friday of my 7 year old daughter, Grace. I had taken Grace and her brother to the park, we wrapped my scarf around her head and shoulders to shoot a few images, and this was the first one I captured. Shortly after it was taken, the scarf came off and she went running off to play...

To me the image is serene, and her peaceful, calm personality comes through very clearly.
Be sure and check out more beautiful images here. :)

Sunday snapshot {my youngest son}

William is 4(one of my favorite ages) and has this love and fascination this year with dandelions. He must pick every dandelion he sees. And I mean every single one. These pictures were taken on Friday while I was weeding in the backyard, I looked up and Will was on his mission to collect these vibrant yellow flowers. He runs over and says in his sweet little voice, 'Look Mommy, look what I found!' And he insists I 'smell' everyone of them. Of course I do...and I love this little guy to pieces!

Hop on over to Ni Hao Y'all to join in on Sunday Snapshot.