come let us adore Him

I've been awfully quiet here this week.

Sorry about that.

Two reasons.....

First the not so fun news, I've been terribly sick with bronchitis.

And the second reason, which is fun news.

In the free moments I've had over the last few weeks, little by little,

this print has been coming to life.

I was inspired by our yearly tradition of going back to Bethlehem

where a local church literally makes you feel what it would be like

to be alive when Jesus was born.

As a child and even an adult, I still am mesmerized at the thought

of seeing Jesus face to face.

This print is making me happy right now and getting me in the

mood to celebrate this amazing Christmas season.

But first...there's other celebrating to do.

Yes, Thanksgiving.  One of my most favorite holidays.

But also on November 30th, fifteen years ago my husband and I

were married over Thanksgiving weekend.

Because our kids are all off school, we're going out of town,

alone, for two nights and three days.

Now I just need to get well.

Happy Friday everyone.

OH and my notable quotable for the day.

My six year old, who was watching "A Little Princess"

said, "This was made in the olden days, like the 80's."

Oh boy.  If that's the olden days then her dad and I must be ancient.

a little crazy

My husband just came in to tell me the gardner wants to talk to the art director.

I laughed.

He meant me.

You see we're taking our family pictures here tomorrow and

for the last week I've asked him to please not blow away the falling leaves.

I like them there.  And honestly we don't really have enough here yet so I've needed to let them gather.

This all means he can't mow the lawn.

And he thinks I'm a bit crazy leaving the messy leaves.

But I like the mess.

I like how it looks natural, not manicured.

And I'm ok if they think I'm a little crazy.

I probably am.

I'm just excited to work with a dear friend

setting the stage to hopefully capture some fun shots

of our family right where we are, right now.

======================================

Oh and for my notable quotable friday.

It happened.

I've hit that 'don't embarrass me mom' phase with my 9 1/2 year old son.

Even the fact that I just wrote that will probably embarrass him.

He begs me often, please don't put that on your blog, which is why I don't write about him as much as the girls.  They on the other hand will say take a picture for your blog.  It's funny the technology they're growing up knowing about.

The big kids are having a high tea at their school today.  And my son said, "No offense mom, but I kind of don't need you to come."  And when I said well I already am because Ava is at your school too.  And so he asked me to please not embarrass him.

Oh sigh.

Do you remember how you felt like your parents could embarrass you.

I told my friend about our conversation last night.  My friend who has known me since first grade.

I said, "Doesn't he know he has a cool mom?"

To which she replied, "But your mom thought she was cool too I'm sure."

Oh sigh again.

I appreciate that he felt comfortable enough to politely tell me this.

But it won't stop me from being me.

It won't stop me from being active in his life.

I think I know what it is.

I talk to his teacher too much.  And he's afraid I'll share things that will embarrass him.

So I'll respect that and respect his sense of needing to have some privacy.

But I won't stop being there for these moments.

And I won't stop documenting them.

Happy Weekend everyone!

notable quotable: praise your life

photo curtesy capturing motherhood

I know, here I go again with the youngest in our family.


but you know how when they're young the way they say things, 


they're just too cute to forget.


Audrey:  "Mom do you wish you could be a kid again?"


Me:  "Well, I like being a grown up, but sure I'd love to be a kid, because you get to play a lot more."


Audrey: "Yes, you get to play and sing and praise your life."


Her comment made me stop in my tracks.


What does it mean to praise your life to her?


It means to be happy with where you are.


And isn't that a lesson for all of us?


Because the Most High created us and gave us our lives.


How dare we not praise.


Happy Friday Everyone.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17

Notable Quotable

I'm sort of new to the blog world and I don't know if anyone else already does this.  But I was thinking it might be fun to have a Friday Notable Quotable day.


A chance to write any of the funny or inspirational quotes you've heard throughout the week.  Quotes from your kids, your husband, scripture, a devotional.  Something worth remembering.  A notable quotable.


The reason I thought of this is there are so many notable quotables that come out of young children.  Whether funny or profound, we want to remember them.


And as for devotionals, I'm always wanting to share what I've read from mine and from scripture.  So on Fridays I'm going to do so here.  


Here's more from my three-year-old (almost four.. tomorrow) theologian.


I must preface this with saying that these statements while we're driving come out of nowhere.  We aren't already having any kind of big discussion.  She's just thinking and then these statements follow.

AUDREY:   "Mommy, sometimes you cry even when you're happy."


ME:              "Yes, we do sometimes cry even when we're happy.  
                      What makes you cry when you're happy?"


AUDREY:   "When Jesus loves me."




Seriously?  She's three.  But don't you think sometimes kids have wisdom beyond their years.  I think those thoughts are from the Holy Spirit.  Such an innocent wisdom I want them to hold onto forever.


And another car conversation:


AUDREY:         "One day you'll be big like Daddy Mommy."


ME:                    "Well, Audrey, actually I won't.  Daddy will always be 
                           bigger than Mommy.  
                           God made him that way. And I don't really want to be as  
                           big as Daddy."


AUDREY:         "You're right Mommy, because when you're smaller you're 
                         cute and you're pretty cute Mommy."


That was an awe moment for me.  I needed to see myself the way she sees me.  The way God sees me.


My lupus is in a flare.  The first one since July.  It started on Sunday.  I think it was a combination of things all piled on top of each other, including doing too much the couple of weeks leading up to my daughter's party.  I've been feeling a bit sad about that, so her sweet words warmed my heart.


Here's to all of our notable quotables.  Feel free to leave a comment of a favorite quote, inspirational saying or scripture that speaking to you right now.  I'd love to read them!  Happy Friday everyone.