{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired 

by Soule Mama

A Budding Photographer

I have lots of photos and fun updates coming your way,

of our recent trip....

I took SOOO many pictures, I will have a hard time

deciding what to share with you! 

Right now, I'm just trying to catch up, clean up,

and get the house, home-life, and home-schooling

back on track.

The photo above was taken before our vacation by little Whit.

I had my HUGE zoom lens on the camera.

Your should have seen her holding it,

and then examining her work on the screen. 

Such priceless memories.

So thankful I have a way to record them.

Yes.... we are alive and well!! (#2)

I  published a post similar to this a couple of days ago, and it has disappeared!
There were even a couple of comments on it. . .
have no idea what happened, but this post is an attempt to
recreate it and give an update on our trip.
The pictures below were taken in our northwest backyard
of what I think are Asian Pear Blossoms, but we are actually
far from the state of Washington and in the state of Georgia!! 

I flew for the first time with all five children.
The Lord was good, and the trip went so smoothly.
If it only didn't cost so much to fly!
The first week the children and I stuck close to Nannie and Popi's home
:: fishing in the pond behind their house, playing in the water,
riding bikes in the cul-de-sac, reading, playing games, taking pictures ::
It has been so refreshing to be here and to be "un-plugged" for a time....
existing without the pressures of tv (they have no cable!), cell phones, e-mails, and blogging. 

Abby and Ellie have had pen-pals from the church I grew up in,
so whenever we come here, they get to see their friends.
Ellie has had a couple of sleepovers, and even attended a youth
party at the church.... same group I attended (YIKES!!)
Abby has had some fun play dates too....

The pastor joined us a week after we were here.
It was sweet to be reunited with him after being away from each other a bit.
The children missed him so much. In fact Toby sobbed for the first
30 minutes after we said good-bye in the airport. He went with Popi
to pick his dad up from the airport :)

I've gotten to shop alone (what a TREAT!!!) and meet up 

with a couple of childhood friends for some sweet fellowship. 

The pastor has been in heaven, playing golf once again :)

He's been twice already.....

The heat has been interesting. We certainly aren't use

to it, but so willing to put up with it for a taste of the South,

and the opportunity to be with dear family and friends.

I can't upload pictures yet of our trip, so will be sharing more

in the next couple of weeks. 

Blessings to you dear friends. 

It's a Bright, Sunny Day

The sun is out! The sun is out!

For the second week-end in a row,

we had a "San Diego" day in the Northwest.

It felt so very good to sit in the backyard,

watching the children play,

with the warm sun on my face! 

If you can't tell we are into jump-ropes....

a recent thrift store find :)

 

I was bummed because I missed worship this morning,

and I'm leaving for the southeast this Tuesday for two weeks.

Drew got sick this week-end and really needed to stay home and rest, 

especially in light of our up-coming trip. It was okay though.... 

I got to play with the kids, listen to my favorite pastor preach on-line,

and enjoy our sunny backyard. 

Drew is doing much better than yesterday, 

and actually felt well enough to go on a family walk

this evening. I'm so thankful.

Praying now that no one else gets sick before our trip! 

I would covet your prayers for health

and safety/sanity as I fly alone for the first time

with all five.... dad will join us for the second week.

We are all VERY excited to see Nannie and Poppy....

and that we get to wear summer clothes!! 

{this moment}

As you can see, this week's moment is actually a continuation of last weeks moment....

and it's way more than one photo!!

Too many sweet pictures that I want to remember and document. 

I haven't picked up my camera much this week either,

so I just decided to continue to share the tulip fields :)

 

Our Easter Baskets

We don't make a big ta-do about Easter baskets,

but I still like to get a little something for the kids each year.

Growing up, my dad was always the one to do mine and my brother's,

and I like to carry on the tradition!

I relied a bit on my favorite store, Trader Joes,

and purchased some of their candy with "natural colors" in them.

I've sadly been noticing behavior patterns in some of my children

when they consume foods with color dyes in them.

I think the sugar still puts the kids over the edge though :)

Got these cute boxes from the dollar section at Target,

along with a number of other "dollar treasures!"

....including darling little seed pots that we will plant...

We started a new tradition this year,

and gave the "baskets" to the kids after our morning worship.

That way, dad could participate in the fun,

and we were able to keep our focus in the morning.

We hid them well though, and it took all five quite

a while to find them. Our #1 was actually the last to find hers :)

Having a bigger house sure makes egg hunting

a bit more exciting! 

 What are your Easter traditions? 

A Beautiful Wedding

On Saturday, the day before Easter,

I had the privilege of watching my husband marry

a sweet couple from our church.

It was a very small gathering of about 15,

including the bride and groom's families

and a couple of their close friends. 

Unlike any other wedding I have been to, 

this one was in a public place.

As many turned their heads to watch,

we walked through a beautiful park on the water

to a quiet grove that was surprisingly private.

 The pastor gave an exhortation to Philip and Charyl

that their marriage was to "Reflect the Glory"

of our Creator to a watching world. 

It reminded me of the message given by my father-in-law,

15 years ago at our wedding!! 

 So sweet and powerful to witness

their confessions of this new love and covenant

and to be reminded of my vows to my dear man. 

What an honor to be part of such an event. 

The Lord was SO gracious, and the day was a perfect "San Diego" day

:: clear skies and 65 degrees ::

So amazing, especially in light of the fact

that there has not been a day like that this entire spring

in the great Northwest...

Congratulations Philip and Charyl!!