Old Draft, #2, September 2010

Short and sweet... but since I still love him... and even more now, as the years that have passed, I thought I'd share.

Here's another favorite from Labor Day.  My brother was sitting back, watching the kids play.  I love him.  :)

Old Draft, #1, May 2011

Came across this one and it made me smile.  I don't know why I didn't post it, but here it is... three years old... and while sometimes, it feels like SO much has changed... these few paragraphs feel as familiar as if I'd written them last month.

* * *

Nehemiah 6:3 (ESV)


And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"

Have you ever heard someone refer to their "life verse?"  Everyone who has one, has a story to go along with it.  Often times, it correlates with a portion of their testimony in some way... how they came to know Christ... or some time in their life, when God spoke to them so clearly that it was almost audible.

Mine is weird.

Who chooses a verse in Nehemiah as their life verse?

I love that when God inspired every word of His Word, He did it with intention... that every thought and word, would speak to one of His children in a way, that is so personal and intimate...

P.S.  I've written about Nehemiah before.  If you want a recap of the story, you can read HERE.

I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.

My priorities will change throughout my life, but my true desire is that no matter where I am, in any given season, that they will be God-honoring.... and at the forefront of my heart and mind.  No distractions.  No noise. 

Focused.

It's the end of the school year.  My kids have serious spring fever.  They are distracted.  My days are busy.  I'm at their school a lot, helping out where I can.  I try to stay afloat with my responsibilities at home, as well as my photography business.  It's pretty easy to lose focus.

* * *

So, that's where I left off...  Well, so, some things have changed... My photography has taken a serious back seat.  Just had to.  But the rest of it speaks of a sentiment I needed to be reminded.

It is SO easy to lose focus.  So easy to let go and try to run things myself.  So easy to try to do things MY way.  So easy to get discouraged.

Fortunately, I know that God is full of grace and mercy.  I am thankful.

Beautiful You Campaign

I realized that I posted about my SIL's "Beautiful You" photos here:  Sam Ketteman

But I neglected to post my own!

So, here they are.  :)  Just so you know, yes, it IS true that I wake up looking like this every morning.  Just ask my husband and children.  LOL.  :)

Snacks

I said I would post a  bit more about food.  But I also warned you it may not be too interesting.  :)

I am doing my best to get everyone on the same eating schedule now that summer is here.  They all have different schedules when they're in school, and if I don't do something to organize their days, they'll eat me out of house and home!

Again, they all have different tastes.  While one will snack on apples and peanut butter, another would opt for the candy stash every time he could sneak an opportunity!  :)  Keeping snack bars handy has been a good middle of the road for them.  Yes, they are still sugary, I know.  But they're okay in moderation, and especially better alternatives than a nasty granola bar off of any old shelf, loaded with artificial ingredients and preservatives.  Pick your battles, don't ya know?!  :)

The first three, you can find at Trader Joe's.  The last one is a brand from Aldi, and I've been so pleased to see Aldi offering more natural options!!!

Then again, there are days, when a treat must be shared.  :)

Music

I LOVE music.  My husband loves it.  My kids love it.

I grew up in a family with very diverse tastes in music.  My mom loved to dig out her old motown tunes, John Denver, and Ann Murray.  My tastes were usually a little more in tune with my dad's...One of my favorite memories of my dad and me were when we listened to music together.  We didn't have ALL the same likes, but when we did, the overlap was fun.  :)  My brothers and I enjoy introducing one another to new things as well.  We all have main genres we tend to stick to more often, so exposing one another to new groups and songs always proves to be interesting.  I have one sister who once lived on 90s girl power music, like Sara McLaughlin and Jewel... and the other, who is all things current... and schools me often in my lack of trendy culture.  :)

All of that to say, like in most things, I'm good to mix things up a LOT.

Lately, I've felt the desire for some soul-refreshing.  I've gone back to some of my old, gospel roots, and found some treasures that I've been enjoying immensely.

You know what I think is awesome?  In the midst of my boys' very different tastes, they all seem to be enjoying my revived trend as well.

Here's a little sample.  :)

He's Watching Me

Drafts?

In looking through old posts, I realized I've been blogging (and I use the term loosely, since I take extended breaks!) since 2010.  How did four years go by?  I also realized that I have eighteen "drafts" saved that are either completely empty, or never finished....

Maybe I should play with those a bit more?

Just a thought.  :)

Catching Up.

Last few weeks of school are pretty crazy.  We are now on week two of summer break, and I'm finally starting to feel like we can chill a bit.... a bit.  :)

Just a few happenings:

My husband's brother is currently in Africa, in the middle of a two week stay for a mission trip.  The updates have been so exciting!  I can't wait to hear from him when he gets home.

Last weekend, to help her pass the time, my SIL came up with the kids.  We did a little shopping, the kids got to go swimming, and Sam had headshots done for her "author profile" for her books!

If you're in the St. Charles, MO area, this photographer does a lovely job with weddings, family photography, etc.  To my knowledge, she has now done TWO of her "Beautiful You" campaigns... mini sessions of headshots, just to make a girl look and feel pretty!  :)  Check her out if you can!

Beautiful Life Studio

This week, so far, I've spent the time chilling with my boys.  We've been to the skatepark, to visit their dad for lunch, a little relaxing on the back deck, and some movie watching.  As much as I don't like the "housewife" part of my job (schedule keeping, chore completing, and the like), I LOVE the "stay at home mom" part.  Having the freedom to spend solid, quality time with my boys is what it's about for me.  And they may deny it, but I think they enjoy it, too.  :)

Happy SUMMER!!!!