Rain, rain, go away...

Well, I know we need the rain but I was starting to think we might never see the sun again. 

And here it is, shining away as if it's been here all along! ;)

And now that the sun is shining, I can appreciate my rain drop photos from earlier in the week.

I don't have time to edit any of these so you'll have to imagine what these could be if they were photo-shopped. In fact, you can let me know if you have ideas. Enjoy!

This is my favorite! 

Fabulous Friday

I love this because he looks like he's trying to blend in... 

...maybe he is feeling bashful because he just molted all his tail feathers.

Sunshine and Window Markers

Yesterday, my littlest little guy was very restless. 

My "big" kids were doing their workbooks at the table and my little one rejected all my attempts to distract him: water colors, stickers, crayons and markers- he would have none of it. 

That's when I remembered the window markers from my mother in law.

Wonder of wonders, they worked! He was entranced, and I was relieved to have some peace and quiet.

My little girl finished her coloring and matching shapes in her work book so she moved to the window. 

She made a big circle and said "Look Mom, I made a sun! and there's you and me under the sun." 

 Now, I usually resist anything that might make a mess but as I watched them color I remembered the importance of letting them have fun even if it makes a mess. These didn't make a terrible mess but I feel myself turning a corner... a friend once told me that when it comes to arts and crafts, creativity can be measured by how messy you get. Well then... let the creativity begin!

Of all the photos I've taken this week, this is hands down my favorite :)

Friday Favorite

I love this so, so much- not only because it turned out so pretty SOOC...

 but because she's showing me how many times she twirled in the pool.

85mm, f2.2, 1/1600sec, ISO 500

Give Me The Basil

The recipe called for basil. I ran outside for a handful and I was in a bit of a hurry so didn't notice
the stowaway...

He kept an eye on me. Even when he turned his head, his eyes turned back to look at me. He stood his ground too! He hung on to that little bunch of basil while I took a few photos, changed lenses and took a few more! He hung on right up until I offered to put him back on his basil bush and it reminded me of the little frog who didn't want to give up his flowers.
I'm beginning to think I have a knack for inadvertently picking up critters. And that's okay with me as long as it's not a spider... I really hate spiders... which I need to get over quickly because just today my oldest boy said that he's longing to hold a spider.

 Deep breaths. Just take deep breaths...

 
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Spider Web and Psalm 90

"...We spend our years as a tale that is told."
The Vulgate translation has: "Our years pass away like those of a spider." Our life is as frail as the thread of a spider's web. -C.H. Spurgeon

^{Psalm 90
1}Lord, you have been our dwelling place
   in all generations.
²Before the mountains were brought forth,
   or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
   from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
 ³You return man to dust
   and say, "Return, O children of man!"
⁴For a thousand years in your sight
   are but as yesterday when it is past,
   or as a watch in the night.
 ⁵You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
   like grass that is renewed in the morning:
⁶in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
   in the evening it fades and withers.
 ⁷For we are brought to an end by your anger;
   by your wrath we are dismayed.
⁸You have set our iniquities before you,
   our secret sins in the light of your presence.
 ⁹For all our days pass away under your wrath;
   we bring our years to an end like a tale that is told.
¹⁰The years of our life are seventy,
   or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
   they are soon gone, and we fly away.
¹¹Who considers the power of your anger,
   and your wrath according to the fear of you?
 ¹² So teach us to number our days
   that we may get a heart of wisdom.
¹³ Return, O LORD! How long?
   Have pity on your servants!
¹⁴Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
   that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
¹⁵Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
   and for as many years as we have seen evil.
¹⁶Let your work be shown to your servants,
   and your glorious power to their children.
¹⁷Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
   and establish the work of our hands upon us;
   yes, establish the work of our hands!

Fabulous Friday

Oh, how could it NOT be fabulous with a baby this precious?! 

 That's right, this morning I got to do a session with this beautiful girl! 

Let me tell you, she has that sweet brand new baby smell... 

and she happens to be my niece so I can hold her (almost) any time I want!

"I need my mommy!"

"Oh, there she is."

This last shot is my very favorite... I think. It's so hard to choose!

Have a great weekend!

What's up with sidewalk chalk...

What is it about sidewalk chalk that's so magical?

Well, we all know that it can transform the driveway into a big game board, a major highway
or a huge ocean that everyone can jump "into." 

We know it's something the kids can do without getting hurt 

(well, as long as they don't color down to the nub- concrete can be rough on your knuckles)!

We also know that you can write on anything (except vehicles!)
just wash it off and you can do it again! 

For kids, I think they love the colorful, dusty mess everywhere.

For moms, I think the charm is in the clean up- toss that dust bunny in the tub and...

voila! 

You have your sweet little child back as if by magic, happy and ready for bed.

What's your take on sidewalk chalk?

Fabulous Friday

Well, it's been a good week~ I've learned a lot about myself~ mostly that pride goes before a fall. 

Nothing epic, just a little look into my heart. 

I picked up my camera on Tuesday and was pleasantly surprised with almost all of my images! I thought to myself Abi, you've done it! You're out of the slump, in fact you've reached a new level...maybe it's time to go professional! 

So I took out the old camera again on Wednesday with great expectations... nuthin. 

Not one good pic. 

Not to be easily deterred, I took my camera to the barn with me on Thursday with the Scavenger Hunt item {bliss} in mind. 

crap. never mind.

So, I guess I'm back to being myself: just a girl who is happy to have a camera.

here's one from Tuesday :)

Friday

I was out with my camera on a mission to find Ashley's Scavenger Hunt items when I decided to photograph this random flower. And even though it has nothing to do with the items on my list...

I kinda like it :)

50 mm lens, f/3.5, 1/2000 sec., ISO 200

Are you sure it's Friday?

The holiday on Monday really threw me! It was fantastic to have the long weekend but I've spent the rest of the week asking what day is it again?

Well, I'm pretty sure it's Friday so I'm happy :)

*I stole this tomato from an alien* just kidding! It's the first one from my plant and it tasted really good!
I wanted to try something different so I put it on top of a lamp (is that just too weird?)
f/2.0, 1/200 sec. ISO 500

Fabulous Friday

Water tastes so much better from the sprinkler!