kids were here | november 2013

"Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort."-Humphry Davy

I've been part of a bible study the past month called Gideon-Your weakness. God's STRENGTH- by Priscilla Shirer . It has been such a beautiful and affirming study as a mother to three young children.   It is easy to go from one day to the next taking care of our families with time slipping by much quicker than we realize.  Some days it is easy for me to forget the importance of my purpose as a mother and teacher to my children.  But this purpose that God has given me is more important that I even realized.  

I love when Pricilla Shirer says " I have  been commissioned by  God to be their mother.  Being a parent may seem like a commonplace human relationship, but I will not be lulled into downplaying it as ordinary." Later in the study she says "And yet your greatest impact will be done here --in the ordinary rhythms of your daily living"  These statements are so powerful. They reminded me to look at everything in my day with purpose.  They also remind me that these traces of "kids were here"....its so much more than mess.  It is evidence of living and growing together for God's purpose.  I want never to take this for granted.

I participate in this project with a group of 25 other photographers.  Please visit the Kids Were Here Blog to see their images.

kids were here | october 2013

"If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present... Gratefully." -Maya Angelou

be sure to head on over now to the Kids Were Here Blog and see all the wonderful images our group has collectively shared.

kids were here l august 2013

Once again we've had another month of summer fun.  I was thinking about this project a lot this week as I was looking throughout my home. Yes, indeed there are messes daily in my home that tell the stories of  our children, of us together, and of life being lived.  But there are also just "traces" of their presence every where I look.  I realize this as I see towels and bathing suits drying, baby dolls tucked in their bed, rafts and sand toys on the beach, and so much more on any given day.  The life of my children is all around. It really is sad for me to imagine our life any different, though the reality is, it will be one day.  I continue to pray to live every day to its fullest, to live in the present, and thank God for these fleeting moments.   Please make sure to head over to the Kids Were Here Blog to see all the fabulous images.   I love this group of ladies and the love they have for their families.

kids were here l july 2013

Summer is in full swing in our home.  We finished up our home school studies for the year a few weeks ago.  Since then, we've enjoyed a week of Vacation Bible School, lots of wonderful,  lazy mornings, endless afternoons spent by the pool, lake play with our cousins, popsicles at any time of the day, home made ice cream, being out side until the last bit of sun has said goodnight, and lots of family time and togetherness with those we love.   I just love this time of the year.  Everywhere I seem to look, I see my children's presence and am reminded of the beauty they each bring to my life.   The beauty of childhood is something I never want to stop seeing.

I participate in this project with a group of amazing ladies. Together, we are all documenting the evidence of Kids Were Here. You can see their images at the Kids Were Here Blog.

kids were here l june 2013

as i sit here looking back on the pictures i captured this month, many thoughts come to my mind. they are all pictures without my children in them; yet their presence in each of these is undeniable.   i see memories that i will cherish forever.  i see days spent together in our school room learning as a family, afternoons in the pool filled with laughter, lovies that have been special since birth, signs of creativity throughout our home, and the presence of  bath time rituals filled with memories so sweet.  i know that one day none of these things will fill my home.   not in this same way.  this is our life right now and i am grateful to have these stories to cherish forever.  today is so very special.

be sure to head over to the KIDS WERE HERE BLOG and see what the other ladies have captured.

kids were here l may 2013

Kids were here. When I first began this project, I thought it would be fun to document the every day messes my children make.  As the weeks have passed, this project has really become so much more than that.

It's not really about messes at all, but about the stories they tell.  It's about traces of childhood I see throughout my home on a daily basis. It's about the love we share together.  It's about living and being...creating, making, learning and trying.   This project leaves me a beautiful story each month of the reminders that Kids are here now...and the time, well, its all too fleeting, isn't it?   We all need to embrace these moments and just live them too; because they really are the best moments of life.

Please be sure to stop by the Kids Were Here Blog to see the images of photographers from all over the world. It really is neat to see the commonalities in all of our lives.

"These still life images serve as a daily reminder that my days are awash in chaos, whimsy, laughter and laundry (sometimes all at once). They capture toys and spills and puddles and piles. Sentimental, solitary moments of childhood ephemera. A gentle prodding to live in the now and stop looking toward the “then.” And though sometimes I pray for clean and quiet and still, I know all too well it will come. And I will yearn for tiny shrieks of laughter in my bedroom. For toys and loveys strewn about. For signs of a daily life well lived. For traces of my babies who once were. For reminders that Kids Were Here–and they were life and light and love." - Stephanie Beaty

kids were here l april 2013

I am excited to introduce you to a new project called Kids were Here .  We are a group of passionate photographers who are setting out to document details of evidence that Kids Were Here. It is a fabulous idea introduced by the very talented and creative Ketti Photography. This project has already made me stop and look at the messes so differently. I don't really see them so much as messes anymore but documentation and living proof that I am surrounded by my children daily. It has helped me see that these messes are really gifts.  Gifts of their laughter, their love, and their presence in my home.   One day, these messes will no longer be here and I will be so grateful for these images that bring me back to this place.  A place where yes; sometimes the days seem hard and long, but where we spent years together, living and loving through life and learning together one day at a time.

"in the the moment is is easy to get frustrated with all the mess and clutter that results from living with children. this set reminds me how quickly it will all pass. one day the toys will be in totes no longer played with. i will miss this. i'm reminded to slow down. to not stress about it. my happiness is not dependent upon everything put back into place and a neat and tidy home. 

one day we will have a wonderful reminder. evidence left behind written upon our hearts and minds of our children. photographs that will bring us back to this very day, when our kids were here." -jude wood

**you can see the images and blogs of all of the ladies participating in this project by going to the Kids Were Here blog.