To work with your hands

Beautiful Today

Three things that look "beautiful" to me today....

• The "live" room floor decorated with big boy toys

Why is this beautiful? 

It reminds me of the two men I love most - A sweet little boy who loves to play and a amazing husband who is just fine with the fact that I am too big to lean over to pick this clutter up!  Beautiful today!

• A crib full of baby toys - placed there by big brother

Why is this beautiful?

It reminds me that the less than perfect "sibling moments" will for sure arrive.... sooner than later most likely... but for today... this is Beautiful! 

• One pink smocked dress hung up to dry... on an empty nursery window...

             

Why is this beautiful? 

Because it reminds me that waiting is the biggest part of the journey and many times "waiting" is the place where God chooses to teach us the most.  A Beautiful reminder to me today.

Tomorrow the toys will be picked up for sure... the carpet cleaners are coming this afternoon.  The little dress needs to be packed in the hospital bag... just in case she comes soon.  And the crib's "occupants" might be added to soon (maybe a tractor or race car will be added today?)  These three pictures can only be captured this moment.

What three things can you find around you right now that are "beautiful" to you today?  Write them down, take a few snapshots, maybe even create a scrapbook page, or just simply look and be grateful.... What is "Beautiful Today" may just be put away tomorrow. 

One in a Million

Well, the zoo was a hit!  Connor's favorite part was the train (as expected!) On the way home, we asked him what was his favorite animal and his response was "Chicken Nuggets and French Fries!"  Funny!  His little mind works in interesting ways! :)

I had an unexpected break on our trip - I didn't have to be the official family photographer, like usual.  Uncle Jeff took my camera and captured the whole day.  He took some incredible photos of the animals - some are real art.  He is great.  He has always said that one day he will have his own photography business and call it "One in a Million Photography" - because "If you take a million pictures, you are bound to get at least a few good ones!"  funny Jeff! 

      He really did an excellent job.  And now my idea for making Connor a little book of the animals is going to be much harder than I planned - This "little book" may not be so "little" with all these awesome pics.

Even better than the pictures was the "break" for me.  I hadn't realized how always being behind the camera takes away from the experience sometimes.  I was able to really enjoy the day and take every moment in - not worrying about getting those perfect pictures.  Now, that is going to be a hard balance for me to find- because I want the pictures still...  SOOOO, we decided we will just have to take Uncle Jeff on all our family outings and vacations - ha ha!  Thanks for "capturing life" Jeff!

Okay all you fellow scrapbookers and "family historians" - Hand that camera off more often - This includes you, MOM!  Even if the pictures aren't perfect or you don't have your own "Uncle Jeff" photographer in the group - do it every now and then!  You need to be in the pictures too - and the memories.  Happy Monday!

Digital Photography

Mom told me about an article in my hometown newspaper, The Eagle.  It had to do with some of the things I am concerned about pertaining to digital photography.

Anick Jesdanun of the Associated Press made some excellent comments in this article...

"Thanks to inexpensive, easy-to-use recording devices - digital cameras, camcorders and camera phones - today's kids are the most photographed generation ever. The challenge will come in managing all the data, making sure it's accessible down the road."

I totally agree with this... I have taken soooo many pictures of my little man in his two years of life!  Many more than I would have if I had been using regular 35mm film.  There are great things about digital photography... I am never hesitant when it comes to snapping away.  I have learned a lot about photography.  But, there are negatives connected to this digital freedom also.  Many times, it is hard for me to get around to printing my photos.  They just stay on my computer waiting to be seen.

"But all this documentation raises questions: Will future generations take time to look through stacks of CDs containing tens of thousands of photos? If so, will the individual memories become less precious because there are so many?"

Great food for thought from Jesdanun. 

Mom pulled out a stack of old family photos this weekend.  They had belonged to my great grandmother...a lady I never knew.  Some were pictures that my grandmother had sent her of the grandchildren (my mom and uncle).... her 1950's version of "grandma's brag book".  We laughed at the funny pictures of mom playing in the snow, posing in her Halloween costume, and under the Christmas tree.  I learned new things... like that my grandfather always wore a bow tie.

One photo was of my grandfather, his brother, and my great grandmother and great grandfather - dressed up in Sunday attire.  Very typical family picture - much like the ones we might take on Easter Sunday.  It had been cut down very small - it looked as if it may have fit in someone's wallet.  I imagine that she carried that little photo with her in her pocket book - just like any mother does... a treasure .. her sweet family. 

Just holding those small pieces of disintegrating paper made me feel a little closer to my great grandmother - I was touching pieces of her life that were special to her.  Even though there were only a handful of pictures there, and their quality wasn't wonderful, the feelings they carry are worth more than words can say.

Yet, another great reminder to help me make sure I am preserving our memories in tangible ways.   In ways that little fingers can someday hold and touch and feel close to.

Happy Fall Ya'll

Fall is “officially” here, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way around here!  It’s still pretty warm, but I like to pretend that it feels like the new season.  I made my first loaf of pumpkin bread for the year, lit my autumn candle, and am in the process of getting out my fall decorations.  Connor pointed out the large bins of pumpkins at the grocery store today… “Oh, pumpkins, Mommy!”…. That reminded me of this page:

We had high hopes for pumpkin carving last year.  These pictures make it look like Connor was really involved – but - pictures can be deceiving!  He was really much more interested in the lawn mower, then the pumpkins.  None the less, Sean did a fantastic job! We’ll try again this year.

On another note, I emailed Ali to tell her thank you for the early release copy of her book.  I wasn’t really expecting her to reply to me, since I know she is a very busy lady.  I was sooooo excited to see a reply from her in my inbox Sunday morning!  She was so sweet and said she was glad someone won the contest that was actually excited to be getting her new book. 

Makes me like her even more – she is a real person!