the swing

"How do you like to go up in a swing,

up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!"

(from The Swing, Robert Louis Stevenson)

52/8 the view from here...

This week I was privileged to photograph the adoption homecoming of a beautiful, three year old boy from China. I want to share the pictures with you and maybe, with permission, I will soon; but I feel right now it is their story to tell, their moment to share.
However, I can't bring myself to choose any other photos for my project 52, so for now, this week's memory is tucked away in my heart.
And the best description I can give you is this- it was joyous, incredible, beautiful.
A glimpse of heaven.


"...God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children..."  -Romans 8:15, The Message

summer dreaming

she traded her winter layers for swim suits
goggles replace hats and hair bows

she makes baby sister join in the summer play

not exactly a follower, baby sister chooses her own terms

they play in ruffles and polka-dots
I share stifled giggles with big brother

cabin fever? winter blues? perhaps
but these two are onto a cure

baby faces and seasons

I've got some cute new little people gracing the front page over HERE.
One of the great things about this community I live in has been the opportunity to photograph many faces of new friends and their little ones.
As winter creeps on ever closer to spring, so has the realization of how soon we will have to say goodbye. Again. This season while short, has been so very sweet, and I am so very grateful for friendships that will stick even as we are scattered across the globe.

52/7 remember this | kenna

mcp actions project 52 ~ week 7
(theme open your heart)

They've all had birthdays in the past month and it has us watching them more closely, stopping to just stare, holding them tighter and wishing we could freeze time right now.

I know that's not really what we want but it feels that way sometimes.

Like when he cuddles up alongside and asks for one more chapter, or when she comes down stairs in polka-dots, flowers and plaids, or when the baby (who is so much less baby now) says something cute  in a full, coherent sentence with those big eyes staring up...

like those times.
My heart is full and overflowing.

a friday night

a day for kate

good morning, Katie bear
do you know what today is?

it's gorgeous and sunny and warm

it's staying in pj's as long as you want

and sitting on the table without getting into trouble

it's a day for attention and extra hugs and gifts
and a brother and sister who suddenly love to share

it's homemade pizza (that you love) and salad (that you throw on the floor)
and lemon cream cupcakes with two candles
(I made them yellow so they'd be bright and sunny like you)

it's those purple sneaks and bare legs at the park with your new 'beebie'

it's the perfect day to celebrate you, little one

and the sunshine you've been bringing to our every day since you were born

we love you every day, silly bear

happy second birthday ~ m

sunset on the potomac

this afternoon we...

project 52/6 ~ words

mcp actions project 52 ~ week 6 ~ words

the one with hazel eyes

innocent? never. adorable? always.

and then he was 7

i had hoped you really would stay six forever and ever, but today you decided you really like being seven. and you know what?

i decided i really like you being seven too.

every day with you is a gift, tristan, and every day i love you. 

happy birthday, bear. ~m

and I love them so

he is black and white, details, facts, answers, plans...

she is dancing, colors, dramas, daydreams...

This one...oh I haven't quite found the words for this one...

project 52/5 ~ muse

finding Him in all of it, everyday...

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds...Luke 11:10

mcp actions project 52 ~ week 5 ~muse

"Every moment I live, I live bowed down to something. 

And if I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else...

How do you open the eyes to see how to take the daily, domestic,

workday vortex and invert it into the dome of an everyday cathedral?"

Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

recent favorites | snow play

february still

February snuck in the back door, cold and quiet while we were wrapped up in bread dough, tangled yarn, paper hearts and flashcards. Our days are full, yet so often lacking the most important things.

Thanksgiving. Joy. Peace. Still. Listening. Waiting. Patience.

I shove them in a closet or save them for later. There is laundry to fold.

Some things are there, filling the spaces between sunrise and sunset but we don't see. We miss what we don't look for.

Grace. Love. Blessing. Gifts. Words. Answers.

I fret grimy fingerprints on walls while sin-stains set into my heart. I mistake fire for Light and stumble in darkness.

February is here and we're going to sit with her, quiet. We're going to listen more, say thanks more, smile and laugh as we take our time more.

Here, in this space, in this month, I'll let pictures do the talking as I let my own words be few.