random phone photo dump

Total random post.

Most of these are pics I found when I dowloaded photos from my phone. I need to get in the habit of transferring them more often.

I wanted a picture of me and the kids….just a simple, everyone looking at the camera (without masks on) and smiling. That never happens. FireCracker was pushing the button to take the photos. I didn’t know she took these until I downloaded them to my computer.

This is my grandpa & his tool belt. He’s been working on a project around my house lately. I love seeing him and my grandma working with wood together  – so many childhood memories are from his workshop.

I got these layered stickers from American Crafts…quick, easy, whimsical.

A very proud moment captured with my phone.

His first time to use my high temp hot glue gun without my hovering.

I imagine this is what a baseball dad feels when his son hits his very first home run.

That a boy.

So remember Tim & Bekah’s wedding? They had a set of two blankets over the guest tables that I was crazy over. I joked with Bekah and her mom that if they got home and couldn’t find the blankets, I may or may not have taken them. Well, you can imagine my shock and delight when the mailman arrived with a box carrying those blankets. I can’t believe they sent them my way. One of the best parts about it, is now each time I use the blankets I will remember the wonderful family that gave them to me. I also have a new print compliments of HeartBox Studio. The pink butterflies and quote are just so perfect for me right now. Today is day 68 waiting for our approval letter for our adoption…not that I am counting.

Earlier this spring I shared a lot about Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts. The way Ann speaks of photography so resonates with me. I remember getting to the page where she talked about her husband coming in from the field. As he walked into the kitchen he found her standing over a pile of cheese photographing it. She saw the beauty of the light, the shadows, the highlights. Anyone that stops to take a photo of the way light cascades on a pile of cheese…well that is a woman I’d like to spend a day walking alongside. A recent gift book came out that has small portions her original book with pictures that go along with the text. I really like pictures…especially those that celebrate everyday joys. I really like Ann and I was so happy to see that photo of cheese!

Speaking of books. I just finished Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Loss and Love. It was an emotionally difficult read. I’m so thankful I read it. I’ll store it away for the future. While I was in the thick of processing some really hard realities related to the stories in the book, my daughter came in to check on me. Comic relief. Kids are the best kind of entertainment.

So…crazy tidbit of news…FireCracker and I are in the June issue of Ladies Home Journal. It is one of my favorite pictures and stories regarding having a daughter after three boys. I hope she cherishes the story of it one day as much as I treasure the memory of it.

So there is my totally random post for the week.