Sunday Snapshot {the simple gifts of motherhood}

The simple gifts God gives me in the every day moments of life are some of the things I love most about being a mom.


Listening to the sweet sounds of Lily's prayers before each meal...



Seeing Lily look up to Spencer with eyes of wonder, excitement and admiration...



Watching Spencer wrestle with Lily and hearing laughter that fills the room...



Seeing the genuine look of love in Spencer's eyes when he gives Lily a hug...



Waking up to this face every morning 
(on this particular morning she wanted me to sing "This little piggy went to market")



Watching Spencer shine with the musical gift God has given him...



Playing with Lily in her room seeing the world through her eyes...



Watching Lily love to read my Bible every morning when we eat breakfast together...



Capturing moments when they don't know you are watching (her new favorite thing is to climb up and down our total gym)



Watching Spencer grow into an exceptional young man who has quite the charming smile even when it is "toothless"...



Having a constant little helper around the house that tries to imitate everything I do (she is cleaning windows with a sponge brush :)



Seeing Lily have fun playing dress up with my jewelry...



Letting go of control a bit and letting Lily eat breakfast at the counter on occasion :)




So thankful that God chose me to be "mom" to these two precious gifts that bring such joy to my life.


I also thank God for giving me a Mom who taught me how to love.  She would do anything for me and our family.  It is a joy to watch her give her love away to Lily and Spencer...it makes my heart full.  


My incredible husband wouldn't be the man he is today without the gift of his Mom.  I am thankful for the impact she has had in his life and for the way she has embraced me as a daughter.  Lily and Spencer love spending time with their "nana" and "gaga"!  



I am also reminded today about Lily's birth mom and the sacrifice of love she made by choosing to give her LIFE.  Millions of children woke up today without someone to call Mom...a place to call HOME...and a FAMILY to give them love.  When God stirs our hearts to move...we have a choice to make.


What if we had missed it?  What if we, like so many, felt God's nudging but chose not to take the step of faith and obedience?  


Little did I know how much one little girl could change the lives of so many.  God is writing a story...His story...and this is just the beginning.  


To see more beautiful Sunday Snapshots visit Ni Hao Ya'll.  

Settings for the first photo

Nikon D80 50 mm 

apeture 1.8

shutter speed 1/160

ISO 3200

Processed with Florabella Classic Color

  

Sunday Snapshot {creek fun}

In just a few weeks Lily will have another surgery. When I look back at the referral picture we first saw on our computer (the one that she is holding), I continue to be humbled by God's faithfulness and provision.




Reflection...it can help us grow and see things in a different light.


When I could be anxious and afraid, instead I am hopeful and at peace knowing that God is walking ahead of her and will take care of every detail.



I see this smile and it makes my heart full.



I look at mutual love between a brother and sister and know it is a gift
...one that no money can buy.


I love to watch them interact and have fun together even through the years that separate them.



Lily feels completely safe and free to be herself when she is by his side.




Spencer most definitely gets the best big brother award! 


He is always willing to pitch in and help and he has even experienced changing a messy diaper (this was without any help from Michael or me...he just did it on his own!)





Lily wasn't sure about the water but with a little prodding from her brother and Michael she decided to give it a try.








Thankful for the simple gifts like playing in the creek, listening to Spencer play guitar and watching Lily soak up all things new.





I am taking a series of classes online right now to push me out of my comfort zone with photography.  WOW...my friend and mentor Lisa at the Long Road to China never ceases to amaze me with her knowledge and gift for capturing such beautiful moments.  If you have ever wanted to learn more about photography, she is your girl!  


These photos were taken with my Nikon D80, 50mm 1.4 lens.  My settings for the first picture was f/2.8, ss 1/200, ISO 320.  I processed these with Florabella's Classic Color and Warm Color Pop, both at lower opacity.


To see more beautiful Sunday Snapshot pictures go on over to Ni Hao Y'all.  You will be glad you did.

Pink polish, chocolate fingers and a future dancer...

A few days ago my sweet friend Michelle treated me to a pedicure for my birthday and Lily has been quite intrigued with my painted toes ever since I came home!


Yesterday I decided to take her outside and give her a little manicure and pedicure so her toes could look like mine...although her color of choice was pink:)



Pure excitement filled the air as she waited for me to begin painting her little fingers and toes.



I started with her toes first and she was so still and patient watching every move I made. I love how this picture shows her toes all pointed and curled up :)




As I stopped to take some pictures she decided to try and help herself to the polish and we almost had a huge mess on our hands.



Next up was her sweet little hands and again she was as still as could be and so patient to wait and let the sun dry them up.



She kept looking at her hands and toes...grinning from ear to ear.





Love this one with her tongue sticking out:)



The joy and smile in her face was the highlight of my day!



Lily is also a pro at helping me in the kitchen. 


She brings her stool up every time to see what she can do to help out.


If she isn't helping me cook or unload the dishwasher she is emptying the trash, putting a new liner in it, or cleaning up a mess with the dustpan. Sometimes she is like a little adult in a 2 year old body:)


That night we made brownies so I decided to step back and watch her in action letting her eat a few of the chocolate chips...



and help stir the mix...




I think we may have a future dancer on our hands the way she can balance on her tippy toes! This is one of my favorite pictures from the day.


Love the reflection of her legs in the dishwasher and the way her chocolate covered finger is pointed up ready to taste the yummy batter:)



So thankful for moments like these and the beauty that comes in the simple gifts God showers upon us when we take time to enjoy them.  It felt like a sweet hug from God.  

Easter celebration

We celebrated Easter this year with Michael's family. It was a beautiful sunny day and so much fun to be all together.


Michael's parents made a wonderful meal for all of us and bought my favorite cake from the Flour Shop for my birthday.  We celebrated my birthday and my nephew's birthday who turned 14 on April 1st.  It is rare, but I love it when my birthday falls on Easter.   


Soon the cake and ice cream set in and the kids were getting restless so the Easter egg hunt began.



The big kids scattered quickly to the back of the yard while Zack and Lily stayed close by to find those eggs more easily hidden.


Zack is 4 and has the hunt down to a science. He quickly filled his basket while Lily was content with finding just one egg and exploring what was inside.




Unfortunately the ants found the "peeps" in the eggs before the kids did :)


After the egg hunt, Spencer and his cousins immediately went to the tree that they love to climb. 


Michael's mom taught Spencer how to climb it when he was younger. With each year, they go higher and two little spectators stood looking up wishing they could join in the fun.



It won't be long before Zack and Lily will be in the tree making silly faces like these...



Love this picture of Lily with Michael and his grandmother. She amazes us with her energy and zest for life. I hope I have the same when I am her age :)



Each year we try and get a group photo of all the grand kids which is quite a challenge to get everyone smiling at the same time.



After the group shot, I captured a few of Spencer and Lily together by the fish pond.


You can see the love between them as Lily gets ready to plant a big kiss on his cheek...



This was my favorite picture from the day...



Spencer specifically asked for me to take a picture of just Lily so I could e-mail it to him to put on his home screen...one day I'm sure it will be replaced with another girl but for now, I'm thankful that he chooses his sister to take that place :)



After the pictures...some of "bigs and littles" played a game on the phone while the adults visited together on the porch.



That night we had my favorite pizza (the Informant) from Mafiaozas and spent the afternoon together as a family :)  A perfect way to end the day.  


One of my favorite passages of scripture in the resurrection is when Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene...He says to her "Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?"  


Supposing him to be the gardener, she sad to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away."  Jesus said to her, "Mary."  She turned and said to him in Aramic, "Rabboni" (which means Teacher)...Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord".     (John 20: 15-16;18)


When you spend time with someone you know the sound of their voice.  


While Mary did not recognize him with her eyes, she immediately knew the sound of his voice because she had walked with him.  


I pray that when God speaks to me, I will be like Mary and know the sound of my teacher...my risen Lord...the One who has given me life.