Date Night

I step high into the dusty work truck, 

with the help of my husbands loving hands.

Grandma's

Off we go to Grandma's to eat...

a taste of the past, that still stands.

Grandma's 

It reminds me of the simpler times...
when people gathered together. 

his torn shirt.

When every one greeted and smiled at each other
and talked about the weather.

When farming was a way of life...

and there was a passion to reflect.

When it wasn't about hurrying to get more done...

but treating the moment with respect.

 Embracing some time to sing and dance...

and to appreciate each hour.

picking me flowers

Delighting in being with the ones you love.....

and stopping to pick them flowers.

.

Sometimes life gets crazy, uncomfortable and out of control.

That is when it's time for a simple date night..

and to be gentle to your soul.

XOXO

Sister Day

Sisterhood: A bond between two or more girls, not always by blood.

They always tell the truth, honor each other, and love each other like sisters.

Angela

The strongest women I know are the ones that lift other women

to be the best they can be.

They are the souls that are there to catch you when you fall, 

and celebrate your victories .

Nothing can leave me more bubbly and inspired then spending time with 

my girlfriends.

Delighting in the things that fill our spirits up and make us sparkle inside. 

Some things that make my spirit come alive :

Walking around in charming neighborhoods.

Barnes and Noble *favorite

Searching out books that kindle creativity and flame the imagination. 

Taking selfies...

and laughing...

at how bad hair and lighting can make me look 100, and laughing even more.

Relaxing near a calming fountain on a lazy summer afternoon, and

being immersed in some good old soul cleansing woman-folk chat .

Swooning over quaint little shops and the perfect indulgences.

Lavender honey ice-cream soda soooo *yum !  *love her little O to go with our X straws :) 

Trying new things...
like a lavender honey float.
And finding new favorites.
*yum

Being enamored by everything pretty and simple... 

tree sweater :)

and artsy ...

and colorful.

Taking the time to dream...big dreams... 

the girl can strike a pose on demand : )

and feeding them some tidbits to keep them strong & growing.

Sometimes all we need is a good ol' girlfriend day !
To relax or explore.
To dream and play.
To hug, laugh, and to have a listening ear.
We need to take time to nurture, understand and mother each other
so that we are filled to go out into the world and give again.

XOXO

P.S Thank you for your smile and contagious laughter , your huge heart, and dynamic spirit,
and genuine love.
Thank you for being honest and telling me what I need to hear.
Thank you for being there through my hardest days.
I love you !
XOXO

Camera

" Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth 

plants something in his soul.  "

The day Brandon was born...
was the moment my love for the camera was also being birthed.

I think most of us mothers rush out and buy a camera 
with the desire to capture every precious moment
and every milestone of our babies life...
even when they aren't so little any more.

Little did I know...
that the camera would not only become an appendage to my arm...
it would also become an essential instrument in comfort and healing.

Lord knows, I have dark and broken pieces in my life, like each of us do.

I prefer not to focus on it...but it's there...and it needs healing.

Life is difficult.

I have NO doubt that my strength to deal with the difficult days..

 and my healing comes from God.

So this morning as I was nuzzled up with Adam and my devotionals, 

and Scotty continued his attempt to chase all the shadows out of the yard...

I felt suddenly filled with a deep feeling of joy and gratitude.

As I snapped a few pictures in attempt to capture that feeling forever...

I felt the sudden need to pray.

I couldn't recall ever thanking God for

taking my hand

and putting a camera in it.

All of these years that I have been passionate about focusing on 

the good in each day...

I have never once thanked Him for the one thing that kept me searching !

My camera.

I used to spend so much time hoping, wishing and kneeling

longing for pain to be replaced by joy.

Wanting something to soothe the gnawing 

sensations around the edges of my soul.

Unbeknownst to me it would be something so simple .

Gradually I noticed that when I picked up my camera

I had to slow down...or be still.

I had to focus on life through the lens.

I became an addict !

I became more aware of the  little pockets of beauty I would have missed on the bestest of days...

and it became the way of which I could spot the light in my darkest of days.

Taking pictures kept me from worrying about things.

It kept me grounded.

I have captured some of my greatest blessings in these photos.

Each image has left an indelible mark on my soul,

as well as a layer of memories...

 a continuous thread winding through various times and chapters of my life.

There is so much more than what meets the eye.

These photos are filled with stories of gratitude, healing and hope.

There are chapters of confusion and heartbreak, 

beauty mixed with bittersweet.

There are moments of discovery and longing...

and most of all grace and love.

Thank you God for always giving me what I need,

and for showing me life doesn't always have to be perfect to be beautiful.

XOXO

Rain

 It's always crazy and amazing...

that we get to be a part of this beautiful life...

and what we choose to do with our days .

Playing in the rain...it's simply about finding 

 happiness in the simple things. 

XOXO