our annual week at the Gulf

"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat" -Laura Ingalls Wilder

Every Summer we spend a week at the Gulf  with my parents, siblings, and all of the cousins. We always look forward this special time away. It really is one of my favorite places to be. Today, I am sharing a glimpse into this beautiful week on the coast. 

I am linking up with a group of fabulous friends that I have posted with the past few years as part of a 10 on 10 project. This year, we are just making it a goal to post once a month. No rules or themes, just us. Please follow the link over to Melissa Weiker's blog. She is sharing some of her memories from August. Her work is always so soulful; you won't be disappointed.

10 on 10 | the March edition

"You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it." - Jen Hatmaker

Babies tucked in.

That smile.

Those toes and blanket. 

Be Free. Run Wild. 

Pool season begins.

The best way to spend lunch break. 

Library books.

Sticker earrings.

Getting ready.

Soccer practice resumes. 

Once a month, for this project, I attempt to capture 10 images taken throughout one day. My goal is to tell the story of a normal day in our life. I am certain, I will look back on these images and be grateful to relive these ordinary moments. It is always a reminder that there is beauty to be found in the everyday. Please follow our blog circle to see how each of these talented ladies interprets this 10 on 10 project.  First up is Summer Murdock. She is sure to knock your socks off with the magic she creates. 

10 on 10 | the January edition

“There simply aren't any grand moments in life, and we surely don’t live in those moments. No, we live in the utterly mundane. We exist in the bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways of life. This is where the character of our life is set. This is where we live the life of faith.” – Paul David Tripp Your empty bed.

Lazy morning.

Getting dressed.

Math.

Let me see.

Them.

This moment.

Those blankets.

Afternoon shenanigans.

Bike ride at dusk. 

Our 10 on 10 group was formed in 2013 with a group of ladies that quickly became wonderful friends. I am excited to be back together to work on this project for 2015. Ali Deck is up next in our blog circle.  Head on over and  see what her world looks like through her 10 images. She's pretty awesome.

10 on 10 | the december edition

“How long does it take for your soul to recognize that your life is full? The slower the living, the greater the sense of fullness and satisfaction. The body and soul can synchronize." -Ann Voskamp This year has been filled with many wonderful memories.  Countless afternoons have been spent in this same spot in our backyard. There have been so many lovely memories and conversations in this beautiful place.  Conversations with God, my husband, my children, family and friends.  I am so grateful to feel the fullness of life... to feel the love and true joy that surrounds me daily.  I am thankful to really understand why joy is so much more than happiness.  Kay Waren defines joy in a beautiful way in her book entitled Chose Joy: Happiness is Not Enough.  She says, "Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in all things."  It isn't always easy to practice this way of living, but it is a place where I find a peace that I haven't always known.  It is a place where I chose to believe that God truly has a plan for my life and I don't need to fret over the details and the "what ifs".   I just need to live in this moment today.  This place of joy, is something I have to chose daily to live for and it is something worth every effort lived.

December has been very warm this year, even for Florida.  I have loved our late afternoon and sunset evenings spent down by the lake.  I have used this time to relax and watch my children so content and free.  I have been able to observe and capture this amazing sun in all kinds of ways.  These pictures are full of sun and flare.  (There are even a few where the flare and sunburst did some pretty amazing things.)  If there is a possible way to capture the way Joy feels inside of me, these images would be close.  Something about the sun, the water, and my children come together in a special way.

I have enjoyed working on this 10 on 10 project each month for the past year with a wonderful group of ladies.  I am so excited that we have decided to continue in 2014 with another project together. This group of women is something special; not only amazing photographers but beautiful friends.  I am so thankful for each one of them.  Please head on over to the blog of Rowe Timson ; she captures her adventurous life in the most gorgeous way.

10 on 10 | the November edition

There's something so timeless and soulful about black and white photography that I really appreciate.   More often than not, when I click my shutter, I am visualizing that moment in black and white. The light and the dark come together in such a fascinating way. Shadows really stand out, as do beautiful highlights.  This month's 10 on 10 includes 10 black and white images that I captured throughout the month.

Please be sure to continue on to the blog of the super talented Rowe Timson. She lives quite the exciting life in Bali.   I always love her images.

10 on 10 | the october edition

This month for my 10 on 10 I decided to pick 10 images from a project I recently took part in called the 5 minute project.  Essentially, you capture life around you in 5 minutes.  You can read more about this awesome project here.   I decided to capture 5 minutes at the soccer field, because we happen to spend a lot of time there.  My daughter and her cousin have the best time having their own practices while their big sisters are playing.  As I looked through my images, I loved seeing the little subtleties that go on in five minutes.   You can see more of the images I captured here.

Next up in our blog circle is Jackie Tyghem l Boca Raton Lifestyle Photographer who always captures her day to day in a most lovely way.

10 on 10 l the september edition

For this month's 10 on 10 I featured a recent overnight trip we made to Orlando for Disney's Night of Joy.   My 9 year old daughter and I have become big fans of Jamie Grace over the past year.  We knew we could not miss it, when we found out she would be one of the featured Christian artists of this amazing night of music at Walt Disney World.   I would definitely say the highlight of the night was being on the front row of her performance. Jamie Grace is such an inspiration and role model and I feel so grateful that we could be there.  And yes, Disney, was pretty great too! hotel fun

pool time

baby rapunzel hanging with the sharks

rapunzel taking care of her babies

a magical exit

checking out the renovations

first roller coaster

sisters

Jamie Grace

the castle

Please be sure to continue along our blog circle and see what  Ali Deck, Columbus Ohio Lifestyle Photographer has captured this month. She is such a beautiful artist and mother.

10 on 10 | the august edition

“Wherever you are, be all there." I have lived the runner, panting ahead in worry, pounding back in regrets, terrified to live in the present, because here-time asks me to do the hardest of all: just open wide and receive.-Ann Voskamp

I read these words this week and they struck a chord with me.  I could have written these words myself.  My natural tendency is to look behind and see what I could have done differently, or plan ahead to how I can make tomorrow perfect.  But what I want more than anything is to sit and enjoy today for each moment I am given. To wake up and realize every day is a gift and live like that.   To really live with the Faith I know deep inside that God has a plan for me and my life. PERIOD.  I don't have to be in control always, because He is.

I have started reading a book called 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp and my mind has been stirring a lot about this.  I thank my friend Ashley for our recent conversations which ultimately led me to start reading this book.  I love the way God uses people in ways you would never imagine.

 This month's 10 on 10 is a collaboration of 5 days spent solely at home in our backyard by the lake.  We had cousins in and out of our home all week enjoying the carefree days of summer and childhood.   I feel like each of these days I was able to be there fully content in the present. I didn't want to be anywhere but where I was.  It's a beautiful thing to feel this. To live this.  I want to wake anew each day and see the gifts all around me...big and small.  They are infinitely there and I am grateful.

Next in our 10 on 10 group is Jackie Tyghem.  You don't want to miss seeing her beautiful lifestyle work.

10 on 10 | the july edition

each year we travel a couple of hours to the west coast of florida to enjoy a week with our family at the beach.  this year there were 18 of us ; my three siblings and their spouses, my parents, and 8 grandchildren.  we are blessed to all call the same small street home now, but it is still such a special time, all living together for one week on vacation.   for this month's 10 on 10, I decided to do 10 pictures from our days and nights on the beach.  i will have to come back and share more from our trip very soon. first night in the surf.

we missed this place, a year is much too long.

the whole world is ahead of her.

childhood freedom.

looking for shells.

this is her.

memories that will last a lifetime.

their bond.

beautiful treasures.

teamwork.

i love participating in this project each month with a group of fabulous ladies i now call friends. they all amaze me with the way they see the world around them.  head on over to the blog of Jenna Reich l Life Aglow Photo  and see what i mean.

10 on 10 | the june edition

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

we just finished our homeschooling for the school year.   our days are usually very relaxed and we spend a lot of time outside daily, but there is something unique about summer days that i love.   this month i took pictures from a few days instead of just one.   as i looked through each of them, i could feel the freedom of summer.  it's really such a special time of the year.

this is summer.

mischief among siblings.

super bubby.

freedom.

helping mama.

tv time on the kitchen floor.

wii.

making her own peanut butter sandwich.

swing "pumping" mastered.

blow-up pool fun.

I participate in this project with a group of very talented ladies who have all become very special to me. They really are an awesome group of mamas.  Up next is the lovely Ali Deck l Columbus Ohio Family Lifestyle Photographer has captured this month.

10 on 10 | the may edition

“There simply aren't any grand moments in life, and we surely don’t live in those moments. No, we live in the utterly mundane. We exist in the bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways of life. This is where the character of our life is set. This is where we live the life of faith.” – Paul David Tripp taking over mama and daddy's bed

shenanigans

sibling love

3DS

taking care of babies

under the table

in the water

tranquility

all three

snack time

follow along to the blog of Melissa Weicker and see what 10 on 10 she has.  every month i am impressed over and over again with her talent.

10 on 10 l the april edition

time to get up. getting dressed.

cinnamon rolls and Jesus.

playing doctor.

always laundry to be done.

reading.

brushing Rapunzel's hair.

legos.

schoolroom.

time to have fun at the lake.

please join in our blog circle and see what the very talented Maria Manco has captured for her ten on ten this month. her images are always capture light in a most beautiful way.

10 on 10 l the march edition

“to me, photography is an art of observation. it’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… i’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”            -Elliott Erwitt

good morning.

ikea cinnamon rolls.

ice cream treat.

twirling.

back yard fun.

swinging.

down by the lake.

picking flowers.

bath time.

kisses goodnight.

This post is part of a 10 on 10 project I participate in with a group of talented and lovely friends.  Head on over to the blog of Bee Chalmers and see what 10 she has this month. Every image of hers blows me away...always.

10 on 10 | the february edition

"where there is love there is life. "-Mahatma Gandhi

this month i decided to do my 10 on 10 a little different.   my goal this year is to use this monthly post as a time to capture 10 images captured throughout one day to tell the story of our daily life.  BUT as an artist, sometimes other visions creep in and play out differently. today i am sharing 10 simple images of our two daughters together.  these were all taken in a span of about 5 minutes, but the story of these images would take me forever to tell.

with these images i share ten words i hope and pray my girls will always remember when they think of one another.

companion.

love.

respect.

humility.

joy.

empathy.

compassion.

forgiveness.

appreciation.

guardian.

i am extremely blessed to being doing this project with a wonderful group of ladies that i have already grown to love so much.  i am amazed daily by all of their talent.  please follow along our circle and see what the beautiful and extremely talented Summer Murdock has captured this month for her 10.

10 on 10 | the january edition

this month i documented a lazy day at home after a busy filled holiday season. i love these type of days.  sleeping in.  playing in the back yard.  just being lazy around the house.  really a perfectly ordinary day. quietly at work.

sleeping beauty.

another sleeping beauty and her baby doll.

getting dressed.

the light surrounds her.

the view from my room.

relaxed.

cereal for lunch.

iphone and shadows.

bath.

i've joined a group of amazing ladies to share this project with this year.  they are each so talented and i can't wait for you to see their fabulous work.  first up is summer murdock --head on over and see what her day looked like.

10 on 10 l the november edition

"the days are so long, but the years are so short"  -excerpt from the happiness project i remember distinctly typing this quote almost a year ago as our group started this project together and here we are almost twelve months later. the years simply fly by much too quickly. no day is an ordinary day as the mother of my three children.  every day is a new adventure -some days we find fun and laughter; some days bring tears and trials; while others are filled with questions, sickness, triumphs, and surprises.  but most importantly, our days are filled with love.  and this love will be constant no matter how many years go by.  today, i share my last 10 on 10 for the year.  the ordinary moments are extraordinary when shared with those you love the most. today i have 10 moments from JUST ONE beautiful day shared with my children.   i hope you enjoy.  

thank you for following this project this year.   to continue on with our blog circle please head on over to the blog of Elizabeth Jane Photo and see what her day included this month.

10 on 10 l the october edition

"love isn't always perfect. it isn't a fairy tale or a storybook. and it doesn't always come easy. love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on & never letting go. it is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, & impossible to live without. love is work, but most of all, Love is realizing that every hour, every minute, & every second was worth it because you did it together." -unknown love is us--every day.  it is the simple moments. it is the laughter and the cries.  it is everything we have together.  now and always. 

please continue with our blog circle and see what the very talented  Renee Bonuccelli

10 on 10 l the september edition

the ordinary moments are my favorite memories of  you.  its quite simple.  my prayer is to be present and not miss anything in this walk together. i long to be so much as your mother.  to be an example. to be a friend. to be a teacher. to be a leader. to be an inspiration.  to bring comfort.  to bring smiles and laughter. to show patience and forgiveness. to love and keep loving every day.   i don't want to forget the smiles, the giggles, the dimple, the dirty faces,  the dreams, the frustrations, the achievements, the connections,  the stillness, or the wonder of every day.  i never want to take these simple moments  for granted. ever.

please follow along our blog circle to see what my talented friends have shared this month.   first up is the delightful Elizabeth Jane Photo. So happy to have her back this month -she is such a talented artist!

10 on 10 l the august edition

i am happy to be joining you again for another edition of 10 on 10.  each month i join a group of photographers to share 10 photos (or more) from 10 hours (or more) on the 10th day of the month. last thursday my husband received the news that he would be deployed for 45 days to the middle east on the following Monday.    (ye, we had about three days notice).    originally the plan for that weekend had been for my mom and i to go shopping and have a girl's weekend away.  my mom had made reservations at the gaylord palms in orlando and we were set to leave on saturday.  ( in 8 years since we had our first child, i have not had a weekend away without the kids).  after receiving the news,  my mom was most gracious and gave us the hotel room to take the kids away for some fun.   and even though it was a short night away and only 40 minutes from home..it was a great  weekend of memories for our children. it really is a fun hotel to sneak off to for the night.  we had a blast at the water park in the hotel, viewing the alligators, going out to dinner, and having room service desert and movie night in our room. it was just what we needed! i hope you enjoy...

please follow along our blog circle and see what the talented Jennifer Kruk Photography has for this month's 10 on 10...

ten on ten l the june edition

thanks for continuing to follow this fun lifestyle project.  if this is your first time here, please follow this link to read more about the ideas behind it. this month's 10 on 10 evolved after an afternoon of fishing with our three children.   now that the lake is in our backyard the children love spending the late afternoons and early mornings with daddy on the lake.   according to my oldest, mom's casting skills aren't quite up to par.   this particular afternoon, our youngest, who is 2, had her first turn with the fishing pole.  big sissy had received a "real" full size youth rod from daddy that morning, so she passed her "barbie rod" down to baby sissy.

i am thankful to have the details of this fun first of our baby girl.

please follow along with the other talented ladies in my group. first up is Jennifer Kruk Photography.  i am certain she will have some beautiful images to enjoy.