13/365...He Brought Me Flowers

My first audition in ages and he brings home flowers...

just because I showed up. 

Which was no easy feat. New beginnings?  

Disclaimer:  I am posting from my phone while my laptop is "resting", ie. "drying out". Had a little run in with a mug of lemonade. Here's hoping (and praying) for the best!

12/365...Sleeping Beauty

She's trying to give up her nap.

But I love it when she sleeps.  

When she gives up her nap it makes it official...no more babies in this house.  New routines.  New adventures.  

But today, she sleeps.  Now I just have to tackle potty training!

11/365...Hope of Spring

These buds will soon unfold leaves that will shade my summer garden.

A girl can hope!

10/365...Snow Play

Without fail, the first snow of the season always provokes excitement.  Giddy, run outside with your tongue hanging out to catch the falling snowflakes excitement.  And then January hits.  And it gets severly cold. And then you forget you ever used to play outside at all.

I've been reading alot about the crucial role Vitamin D plays in immune health.  And after the winter we had last year, immune health is a priority around here.  And who doesn't feel better after a bit in the sun and fresh air anyway?  Sanity, anyone?

We have had a few gracious breaks from the bitter cold (a balmy 23 degrees), so for the sake of our immune systems and sanity I have started setting my timer for 20 minutes and forcing Rivers and myself (and Ellie) out of doors to absord our days alotement of the big D.

 As you can see from the smiling faces, it was mostly good for our souls!

Little graces on cold winter days...

9/365...Tea Time!

I'm just going to put it out there...I'm not that great at playing with my monkeys.  I know.  Horrible.  But I'm not.  I love reading with them, cooking with them, running with them, being outside with them.  But playing with them is not my strong suit.  That's probably why they all three love being with their grandparents so much.  Play, play, play.

I also know that some of my favorite memories of my parents involved playing.  One on one, sitting on the carpet with me, digging in the dirt, playing.  And I know that it means alot to my monkeys as well. So in honor of serving them, and trying to love them well, I sometimes have to make intentional decisions to get on the ground and play.

Yesterday it was a tea party.  The eldest monkey adores them.  The boys were at soccer, baby monkey in bed, so we had our own little tea party, complete with linens and, well, tea!

That would be her fancy tea pinky!  (The Dowager would be proud.)

And then the baby monkey decided NOT to sleep (who could with a tea party going on) and joined our little party, fancy dress and all!

8/365...Sick Day

To be completely honest, I don't always handle sick days all that well.  I find I have become so tied to the routine that any kink can send me reeling.

But sometimes the kinks are what force me to stop, breathe, reevaluate, and embrace the beauty of an unexpected twist.

We had some special T-Bird time yesterday.  Wouldn't trade it for the world!

7/365...Putting Practice

I'm not sure if it's the longing for green fairways...

or the eager anticipation of the slowly approaching Farm Links golf trip....

but this is one way we are beating the winter blues...

a putting green in my bedroom.

6/365...A Valentine in My Skillet

 Happy Valentines Day!  

May your awareness of The True Love be acute today.

And what would any Valentine be without chocolate?

5/365..."Shadows - hold their breath - "

There's a Certain Slant of Light, (320)

by Emily Dickinson

There's a certain Slant of light,

Winter Afternoons –

That oppresses, like the Heft

Of Cathedral Tunes –

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –

We can find no scar,

But internal difference –

Where the Meanings, are –

None may teach it – Any –

'Tis the seal Despair –

An imperial affliction

Sent us of the Air –

When it comes, the Landscape listens –

Shadows – hold their breath –

When it goes, 'tis like the Distance

On the look of Death –

4/365...Waiting for Daddy

He still counts down the minutes until Daddy gets home.

In all honesty, I do too.

3/365...Legos Interrupted

Legos Interrupted

2/365...Hair Reminders

It's no secret that the baby Monkey, though full of life and personality and charm, is lacking in the hair department.  

 Sweet little thing was born bald and bald she has remained for the first 2 years of her life.  Over the past 6 months she has been getting a few sprouts here and there.  Even enough to warrant a DIY haircut a while back.  Mullet, anyone?

 We were sitting in the dining room eating lunch the other day and as I was enjoying the midday sun streaming in through the windows and the beautiful play of light, I noticed this one long lock of hair on her forehead.

 And it struck me...though seemingly bald from birth, she has always had this one long, random hair growing right out of the top of her head.  Always.  And there it is.  The same hair.

As much as she has changed and blossomed and grown, that lock of hair was representative of the little baby formed in my womb, born into my arms.  And it got me thinking...what representations do I have of who I was born to be?  Sure, I've changed lots.  But there are pieces that remain, unadulterated by life, the world, influences.  The purest sense of who I am.  An interesting thought.  

We will cut her hair and it will no longer look like the sweet baby of mine that she is today.  But these pictures will remind me that He who began a good work in her, He is completing it.  There will always be pieces of who she is today, regardless of who she will be.

365

I so enjoyed my 30 Day Photo Challenge, I came back for more!  Only this time I'm one-upping myself a bit.  In 2013 I will be attempting a 365 Photo Journey.  Go big or go home, right?

I listened to "Just Showed Up for My Own Life" by Sara Groves this afternoon and felt like it really captures my intent with my photos...and this blog.  An opportunity to "open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed."  Writing it down, capturing it in a picture...it all helps me to remember and to be fully awake, alert to the wonders of God all around me.

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel

There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life

And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

I'm going to live my life inspired

Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives

There are so many ways to hide

There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life

And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

Oh the glory of God is man fully alive

Oh the glory of God is man fully alive

If there is one human being I know that is truly, fully alive, the baby Monkey takes the cake!

In a tutu.  Eating a popsicle.  In the laundry basket.  Just how we roll.